The car rolled to a stop, not in front of the familiar facade of my penthouse, but before another towering structure. My stomach twisted with a fresh wave of unease. This building felt different, colder, somehow. This Mr. Rossi’s other place. Mr. Rossi practically had to carry me out of the car. My legs felt like lead, heavy with the weight of the night's events. We entered the building, the silence stretching between us as we stepped into the elevator. He pulled me closer, tucking me against his side, and I went willingly, desperate for his closeness, for the feel of his strength around me. The elevator dinged, pulling me from the dark spiral of my thoughts. We were on the top floor. Of course. Mr. Rossi’s world existed only at the top. He swiped a key card, and the door swung open. A man emerged from the living room, his back to us, and began speaking. "Luca, I got rid of the car like you said, but those guys—" He turned, and my breath caught in my throat. He was the spitt
I drifted into a sleep I thought would be blissfully dreamless, lulled by the rhythmic beating of Luca’s heart beneath my cheek. I was wrong. My eyes flew open, my chest constricted with a terror so visceral it took my breath away. Sweat clung to my skin, and my heart hammered against my ribs. Mr. Rossi…Luca…he was gone. Just then, the bedroom door flew open, and there he was, his face etched with concern. Relief washed over me, so potent it left me weak. He was at my side in an instant, pulling me close, his hand stroking my hair with a tenderness that belied the steel in his eyes. “It’s okay, princess,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against my racing heart. “Just a dream. Everything’s alright. I’m here.” I hadn't even realized I was crying until he tilted my chin up, his thumb gently brushing away the tears. He kissed them away, one by one, his lips lingering on my skin. “Want to talk about it?” he asked, his voice low and husky. I shook my head, unable to find th
The clatter of ceramic on glass pulled me from my reverie. Luca reappeared, a bowl of colorful cereal in one hand and a steaming mug of coffee in the other. He settled into the lounge chair beside me, handing me the bowl with a gentle nudge. “Thank you,” I mumbled around a mouthful of Frosted Flakes, already feeling my mood lifting. The sunrise, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the unexpected sweetness of the cereal – it was all so simple, so pure, so different from the stifling tension that clung to every moment back in New York. I opened my mouth to tell Luca how much I loved watching the city wake up, how the early morning light painted everything in a soft, golden glow, but he stopped me mid-sentence. “No talking with your mouth full, amore,” he chided gently, his tone the perfect mimic of a concerned parent. I couldn't help but smile, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. His concern, even for something so trivial, felt…endearing. I finished my cereal quickly, eager t
My hand shot out, instinctively reaching for my phone, the sleek black surface cool against my palm. A wave of icy dread washed over me as I saw the notification flashing on the screen. It was from the press, a barrage of news alerts flooding my inbox. "Rossi's Enterprise: Scandal Rocks Multi-Billionaire," one headline screamed. Another read, "Mr. Rossi's Underworld Ties Come to Light," the words stinging like a slap in the face. My jaw clenched, the muscles in my neck tightening. Dmitri. The bastard was not only trying to destroy me from within, he was now aiming for my empire, aiming to paint me as a monster in the eyes of the public. I was seething, a dangerous heat coursing through my veins, but then Lena’s hand reached out, her fingers brushing against mine as she tried to see what was going on. Her face was a mask of concern, worry etched into her brow. I shifted the phone towards her, angling it so she could see clearly. A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes wide with a mixtu
Lena's POVThe drive was silent, a strange mix of anticipation and unease simmering beneath the surface. We pulled up to a house… no, not a house, a freaking mansion. It was opulent, a towering structure of stone and glass, with sprawling lawns and manicured gardens. The house screamed of elegance, of old money, of a history that whispered through the very walls. My breath hitched in my throat, and any attempt at a cool facade crumbled. The sheer size of the place was staggering, an opulent monument to wealth and power. I’d known Luca was rich, but this… this was obscene. I wondered just how rich Luca was, even though I knew he was rich, ridiculously so. This wasn't a mansion, it was a palace. Luca rounded the car, opening my door with a gentle smile. As I stepped out, I was met by a sight that sent a shiver down my spine. Men dressed in black, their faces grim, their hands resting on holsters, patrolled the building. There were more than two hundred of them, their presence heavy
Luca's POV My steps were slow, almost hesitant, as I walked towards the bedroom. Nervousness, a feeling I rarely- never experienced, gnawed at me. I didn't want Lena's eyes to see me differently, to see the darkness I carried. The thought of her fear, of her pulling away, was a knife twisting in my gut. I pushed open the door and saw Lena on the phone, the soft glow bathing her face as her brows furrowed in concentration. As soon as she looked up, her face lit up with relief. "You're back," she said, her voice laced with worry. "I was about to call you. You were gone for so long." I smiled, a genuine smile that warmed the pit of my stomach. "Come here," I said, extending my arms. She walked towards me, her gaze meeting mine. It was cute how short she was, her big blue eyes looking up at me. I imagined our kids, their eyes mirroring hers. They would be beautiful. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. She hugged me even tighter, her scent, a mix of vanilla and sunshine,
Lena's POV: The hours melted into one another, each one as empty and silent as the last. I was a prisoner in Luca’s room, scrolling through my phone, the silence in the room deafening. It was beyond frustrating. The mansion was a fortress, a sprawling labyrinth of secrets and wealth that I was ill-equipped to navigate. Luca and Marco were the only two people I knew in this entire city, and my family back in New York… well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly eager to reach out to them right now or ever really..... It was mid-day, and my stomach rumbled in protest. I craved pizza, a greasy, cheesy pepperoni filled slice that would make me feel a little less lost. But even ordering food felt like a gamble. With all the security, I wasn't sure if my pizza would even make it through the gate. The thought was both absurd and terrifying. I didn't even know where we were, the mansion alone was like a hideout. I settled back onto the bed, my stomach grumbling. I was exhausted, the constant
"Get on the bed," he said, his voice low and husky. "Get on all fours." I obeyed, my body trembling as I obeyed, my back arching. He disappeared into the closet. I waited, my mind racing, my body trembling. He came back a moment later, carrying a leash, a dildo, a candle, a belt, and a pair of handcuffs. The red lingerie felt like a second skin against my heated flesh, and Luca's gaze seemed to burn through the delicate fabric. He reached for the straps, his fingers brushing against my skin. I felt a shiver run through me as he pulled the straps down, the silky fabric sliding across my skin, the sound echoing in the quiet room. He pulled the lingerie away, revealing the smooth expanse of my skin. His gaze travelled down, his eyes lingering on the delicate lace of the bra. He reached for the hook of my bra, his fingers tracing the curve of my back as he unfastened it. The bra fell away, leaving my breasts exposed, their plumpness and fullness fully in view. His eyes darkened a
Lena's POVI grabbed one of Luca's shirts, the oversized fabric swallowing me whole, and headed downstairs to find him."Let's eat," he said immediately when his eyes landed on me.I almost said something about picking up the trash first, but he was ahead of me. "I picked it up," Luca said, preempting my thought. He really was on edge lately, paying attention to the smallest details.I moved over to where he was sitting on the couch and snuggled into his side as we ate. The food was delicious, and we finished quickly, tossing everything into the trash.It was about 2 pm now, and surprisingly, Luca was asleep. I don't think I've ever seeing Luca just… sleeping. Oh, exceot that one time at the office. But apart from that he was always a whirlwind of energy, constantly moving, constantly doing, always working hard. This quiet stillness was unsettling.I went to grab a bottle of water from the fridge, and I felt a presence behind me. Turning quickly, I saw Luca, his eyes red-rimmed and un
Luca's POVI drove, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment. The world outside the car faded away, leaving only Lena and me. I kept my speed low, almost savoring each mile, each turn. Every few seconds, my eyes flicked over to Lena. She was a vision of peaceful surrender, her chest rising and falling softly, her head lolling against the headrest. Soon enough, I realized she wasn't just dozing; she was completely out... The rise and fall of her chest was even deeper, more languid now. I was still holding her hand, my thumb tracing circles on the back of it.An internal war raged within me. What was this? Love? Lust? Simple compassion fueled by our shared trauma? I was lost in the labyrinth of my own feelings. But one thing, one horrifyingly clear thing, cut through all the confusion: if anyone, anyone ever laid a hand on her again, if she ever went missing again… I'd burn the entire fucking world to the ground until I had her back in my arms. My girl.Okay, too much. Way too much. I
Lena's POVHis locs felt so good in my hand, the texture a familiar comfort as Luca's hands explored my body. God, I'd missed this. Missed the way his large, cool hands felt against my skin, the way he seemed to know exactly where to touch, where to linger. Every graze, every squeeze sent a shiver through me. I hadn't realized how much I craved it until this moment.A low moan escaped my lips, and I knew I had to take control, needed more than just his wandering hands. Leaning close, I whispered in his ear, the words husky and laced with anticipation, "Recline the seats and take your belt off."He didn't hesitate. There was something so incredibly hot about his immediate compliance, the way he moved at my command. And I saw it flicker in his eyes - the knowledge that my taking charge was a turn-on for him too. It was electric. I motioned for him to stand slightly, and he did, anticipation etched on his face.My gaze lingered on the bulge beneath his briefs, the anticipation building i
Lenas POVI was perched on Luca's back, clinging to him like a goddamn koala. We'd been walking – well, he'd been walking – for what felt like an eternity, maybe ten, fifteen minutes. Finally, I saw it. The car. Salvation. "We're here," Luca announced, as if I were blind."I can see that," I retorted, rolling my eyes."Honestly, I can't understand why you're complaining when you've been on my back all through the walk.""I'm complaining because I don't wanna be close to you," I snapped. The truth was, I was tired, and being this close to him was stirring up too many confusing feelings."That's bad. You're going to be in the car with me for a long time.""How long is the drive?""Two, three hours, and I plan on taking my time. So probably a lot longer.""Then you wouldn't be driving," I declared."Why not?""'Cause I'm going to be driving.""No, you won't be.""Yes, I would.""No, you wo-" Before he could finish that ridiculously childish argument, I balled my fists and whacked him on
Luca's POVWe sat there in a comfortable silence, the tension between us slowly ebbing. I rested my chin on her head, enjoying the rare quiet moment. "I used to come here when I was a little bit younger-" I started, wanting to share the place’s significance."Luca, please, I don't care," she cut me off, her voice edged with irritation."Ouch," I said, feigning hurt. "You do actually, you're just mad so shhh," I said, gently placing my hand over her lips, silencing her protests. "I always came here when everything was too much, whenever it felt like I had the whole world on my shoulders. I would jump into that sea and keep my head under the water for about ten minutes and then it felt like I almost free from them. It always felt like I dumped all the problems there.""Open your mouth," I suddenly said, and after a brief pause, she did as I said. I put my index and middle fingers in. After a moment, she started to suck on it, which made me smirk against her head. "All my problems up
Luca's POVThe second the barrel connected with her head, her body went limp, her head lolling to the window. The adrenaline that was coursing through me moments ago dissipated instantly, replaced with a chilling calmness. Her outburst, the raw pain in her voice, it all had become a noise, a static I had to shut out. I had handled it badly, I know that, but she left me no choice. She could elicit any emotion from me and that's what pained me the most.I pulled over at the nearest pharmacy, my movements precise, almost mechanical. I grabbed some Advil and a sedative, just in case. She needed to sleep, and the way she was carrying on, I don't think that was going to happen naturally. I carefully lifted her from the car and moved her to the backseat before I settled in the front, starting the car and pulling out. I glanced back at her through the rearview mirror. Her face was pale, and I prayed the hit was enough to keep her out for a few more hours. I hated the thought of drugging her
Lena's POVAs I sat there, staring out the window, lost in thought, my heart skipped a beat. I saw someone who looked eerily like Luca. My pulse quickened, and I quickly looked away, trying to convince myself it was just a trick of the light. But the pull was too strong, and I looked back, and there he was. It was actually him.He looked...disheveled, definitely not the put-together man I was used to. His hair was slightly messy, his eyes seemed tired, but he still managed to pull off the look. He was putting on a long brown coat, the collar turned up against the cold, and he had a cap pulled low over his head. Of course, he was still in a tailored suit. He lit a cigarette and stood, his back leaning against his car, his left leg crossed over his right as he took a puff of smoke. He looked like he was waiting for someone.A jolt of pain and joy flooded through me simultaneously. Was this a ghost? I tapped Marco's hand frantically, my heart pounding in my chest. “Is that Luca?”“I gues
Lena's POVIt had been two weeks since I last saw Luca, and I was officially losing my mind. Fuck that – I was already crazy. Sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford no matter how hard I worked for it. The days blurred into a monotonous cycle of staring at the ceiling, replaying our last conversation, every moment, every look I'd shared with him and trying not to think about him. It wasn’t working. At all.A loud knock on my bedroom door startled me, snapping me out of my self-imposed trance. I dragged myself towards it, my reflection in the large bedroom mirror confirming my worst fears – I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards."You look like a fucking old witch, man," Marco said, his face contorted in disgust as he stood in the doorway. "I've been asking you for the longest time where Luca is, but you don't want to tell me. I know you know where he is. You just don't want to talk." He shook his head, a mixture of irritation and concern in his eyes.He then wrapped hi
Lena's POV"It's not really much between me and Marco. He is my boss, like usual, and I work for him. That's it, that's all," Sarah said, her tone deliberately casual."Sarah, you're not going to sit here and lie to me, definitely not," I said, my voice firm. "I saw the look in your eyes when you were around Marco yesterday. I saw the look in both your stupid eyes. You and him.""Marco and I," Sarah conceded. "Okay." She took a deep breath and continued. "If you may put it that way, you can say I'm... I'm in love with him as well."My eyes widened slightly, surprised by her candid confession."I was dead broke about six, seven years ago, and I got fired from my job as a nurse in a government hospital because of him," she continued, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. "I started working as a cleaner in a restaurant – well, actually, one of his restaurants. He saw and recognized me, asked me what happened, and I told him. He offered me a job as the nurse in his mafia. I was sc