Aria wakes alone and disappointed. Luca enters heavily armed, explaining that the Bratva left one of their men dismembered outside a club. He promises to return early, kisses her, and leaves. Aria calls Gianna and tells her sister about her new hopes for her marriage. Gianna asks to visit, and Aria agrees to ask Luca. Gianna suggests Aria consider attending college, but Aria doubts she will be allowed to work.

After Aria questions him, Romero explains that Luca and Matteo are going to find the Bratva men who killed the Famiglia soldier and take revenge. Aria worries about the cycle of violence. She and Romero jog in Central Park, and Aria feels momentarily free. That evening, Luca returns past midnight. Aria wakes as he carries her upstairs, his shirt soaked in blood—some from his own cuts, some likely not. His expression is emotionless and predatory, terrifying her. However, Aria’s fearfulness seems to soften him. He showers, and when he returns to bed, he is gentler. He asks to hold Aria, and she agrees, sensing that he needs comfort after a distressing day.

Luca begins gently caressing Aria, and she enjoys his touch. Eventually, he strokes her over her panties until she orgasms. Aria offers to touch him, but Luca refuses, admitting he is too close to his blood-and-anger darkness and must protect her even from himself. Aria falls asleep, thrilled by his gentleness. In the morning, Aria finds herself intrigued and aroused by Luca’s erection; he guides her to touch him while he fingers her simultaneously, and they climax together.

Later that morning, after Matteo calls and reveals that the Bratva are subdued for the moment, Luca stays home. Aria admits that she has been lonely and mentions that Luca’s cousin Cosima gave her the letter leading to Grace. Luca becomes furious and insults both women. When he reveals that he hasn’t formally broken off the relationship with Grace, Aria questions his fidelity promise. Luca reassures her that he doesn’t intend to sleep with Grace again. When Aria asks if Gianna can come to visit, Luca proposes a deal: Gianna can come if Aria gives Luca permission to explore her body. Aria is hesitant, but when Luca caresses her to climax yet again, she concedes that she is enjoying their experimentation. Luca leaves, and Aria phones Gianna to confirm that she can come and visit.

That evening, Luca again performs oral sex on Aria, and she reciprocates. She becomes alarmed when he attempts digital penetration, reminding him that she is still not ready for intercourse and fears the pain that will come with it. Increasingly, Aria is upset by the idea that she will be losing her virginity to a man who cannot love her. When Aria states that Luca’s primary loyalty will always be to the Mafia (and thus not to her), he does not argue.

Two days later, Luca and Aria pick up Gianna at JFK airport. Since Aria’s remark about his primary loyalty being to the Famiglia, Luca has been emotionally withdrawn. As soon as Gianna arrives, she begins provoking Luca by implying that he is not a good husband and has potentially been abusing her sister. As soon as Aria and Gianna are alone, the latter demands to know what is really going on in the marriage. Aria promises to confide in her sister later.

Matteo joins them for dinner. Gianna asks why Luca crushed a man’s throat. Luca recounts being 17 when his jealous cousin betrayed him and tried to kill him; Luca choked him to death, earning his nickname. Matteo vividly describes how Luca crushed the cousin’s throat and claims Luca always sleeps armed, but Aria notes he doesn’t sleep with a gun when he’s alone with her. Gianna and Matteo flirtatiously spar with one another, even though Luca cautions her not to flirt with his brother.

That night, Aria and Luca engage in more oral sex, even though Aria is initially nervous about Gianna hearing the sounds of their pleasure. Luca explains that the experience of being betrayed by his cousin taught him to never trust anyone, which saddens Aria. In the morning, Luca pleasures Aria again, giving her an illicit thrill as her sister is waiting right outside their door.

After breakfast, Gianna and Aria discuss sex and relationships. Aria admits that she enjoys the sexual experiences she engages in with Luca, although she is still wary of losing her virginity to him. Gianna becomes excited about the idea of meeting men while she is in New York and has more freedom. They decide to go out dancing that night and spend the day shopping for revealing outfits to wear. Romero is not happy about the idea of the sisters going dancing at a club, but Aria tricks him into believing that Luca has consented. Romero drives them to Sphere, a Famiglia club.

Inside, Aria and Gianna dance. Luca joins them on the dance floor and dances with Aria. Aria becomes upset when she sees Grace watching from the VIP area, but Luca reassures her. He goes to attend to business matters while Aria and Gianna get drinks. A blond man named Rick approaches Aria, and she becomes disoriented, realizing that Rick has put drugs in her drink. Rick begins trying to forcefully drag Aria out of the club, muttering about how he plans to rape her. Fortunately, Romero comes to her aid and stabs Rick in the thigh. Romero and Cesare take Rick, Aria, and Gianna into a private room to meet with Luca and Matteo.

When Luca learns that Rick drugged Aria and was planning to assault her, he becomes enraged. Romero takes the two sisters out to the car while Luca tortures and kills Rick. He joins them covered in blood. On the ride home, Gianna repeatedly provokes Luca, and when they arrive back at the penthouse, she expresses her fears that Luca is going to force himself on Aria while she is drugged and vulnerable. Aria manages to convince her sister to leave them alone, and Luca takes care of her tenderly. Under the influence of the drugs and moved by Luca’s gentleness, Aria tells him that she wishes he would make love to her, but she fears he is only interested in rough and impersonal sex. She tells Luca about Grace’s warning to her, but passes out before she can answer his questions about this conversation.

In the morning, Luca continues to tenderly nurse Aria, who is still sick and vulnerable. Luca reveals Rick admitted that a woman paid him to drug and attack Aria. Luca is certain it was Grace and explains he cannot kill her due to political fallout but will pressure her family. He describes his rage at imagining Rick harming Aria. With Gianna still staying with them and due to leave soon, Aria interprets his turmoil as possessiveness rather than love and promises he can have sex with her after Gianna leaves.

Days later, Gianna departs. That night, Luca and Aria have sex for the first time: She finds the experience physically painful but not frightening, since Luca focuses on her pleasure and obeys her whenever she tells him to stop or slow down. She also enjoys seeing the pleasure that sex brings to her husband.

Afterward, Aria asks about the other women he has slept with. Luca describes impersonal, rough sex, often from behind to avoid eye contact. He reveals his mother killed herself when he was nine because his father hit and raped her. Luca found her body, slipped in her blood, and ran out crying. His father slapped him and ordered him to be a man. Luca cleaned up and never cried again, claiming it made him tough and that emotions are a weakness. Aria asks what his weaknesses or vulnerabilities are, hoping he will mention her, but Luca answers evasively and falls asleep.