Luca's POVThe anger simmered through me, a molten core threatening to erupt. I grabbed Marco’s shirt, my fingers digging into the fabric. "How the fuck did she get kidnapped? Where was she going? Where the fuck were you?"Marco slapped my hand away, his eyes blazing. "Don't fucking touch me. If you hadn't left, or maybe you had the decency to tell any of us where you were going, or carried her along with you to make sure she was safe, she wouldn't have been crying her eyes out and then decided to go for a walk with that fucking traitor, Lorenzo." "What were you doing? Where the fuck were you, Marco? You know how much she fucking means to me."“I don’t know shit. You should own up to your girl and not expect me to do it. Or what the fuck did you expect me to do? Play babysitter and have tea with her? You can't protect what you care about and expect me to do it? You’re fucking crazy,” Marco said, his voice cold and cutting. He shoved past me and headed for the office.I followed him,
Lena's POVThe icy water slammed into my face, jolting me awake. My eyes flew open, and I met the smug smirk of Dmitri Sidorov. His face, a mask of cruelty, hovered inches from mine as he roughly sat me upright, his arms pinning me against the cold, hard floor. The moment his grip loosened, I crumpled back down, a choked sob escaping my lips. I couldn't sit up straight, I was too weak, too tired….. I was fucking ready to die. "Sit up right, bitch," he snarled, his voice laced with contempt. But I couldn't. My body, bruised and battered, felt like it was made of lead. My stomach ached with every breath, a dull throb reminding me of the last kick he'd delivered."Владимир, ты и Игорь должны прийти сюда прямо сейчас. Эта сука не может даже сидеть прямо, и вы заставите её, вы, черт возьми, дотронетесь до неё и получите от неё ответы для меня." Dmitri’s voice, cold and ruthless, cut through the air as he barked into his phone. A few minutes later, the distinct sound of heavy boots echoed
Two days. Forty-eight fucking hours. Two whole days had passed since I got the text from the unknown number and I was still staring at this goddamn screen, at D'Angelo's frustrated face as he muttered the same useless words for the hundredth time. "It's not a valid address, Don. They altered it, I can't get through. But there's a notification, a video."My jaw was clenched so tight, I thought my teeth would shatter. Every second that ticked by was another second of torture for Lena, and every second was another nail hammered into my sanity. I was the one who'd put her in this position, the one who’d lured her into this dangerous world, and the guilt was eating me alive. I was supposed to protect her, not be the reason she was hurting.Honestly I have wanted to kill D'Angelo this past few days,he was good but I needed my girl back, his incompetence was driving me crazy and the Russians were doing a good job at being discreet, yes, but not for long. A bitter smile curled my lips as I t
Luca's POV The plane hummed, a metal beast carrying me across the sky towards France. France. Of all the goddamn places. Dmitri had played me, hidden Lena in a place you wouldn't even think of looking, a place that was supposed to be a safe haven. The prick was smarter than I’d given him credit for. But D’Angelo, that little genius, had found their location in less than two hours. It seemed like, when he sent that last video, they’d slipped up on security, connections, and all that stupid stuff. D’Angelo only needed a tiny bit, a little connection, to break in. He was the fucking best hacker in the world, and luckily for him, he wouldn’t be killed. I'll hate to lose somebody that important to my mafia, especially because he couldn't give me Lena’s location. Marco and Ricardo were with me, flanking me on either side, their faces stoic. Marco and I hadn't really spoken since that night, not like we talk much anyway, but there was that slight tension, that unspoken wall between us.
Luca's POVThe sterile white of the room felt like a prison, a stark contrast to the vibrant life that usually filled Lena. The bandage wrapped around her head, the paleness of her skin, the absence of her usual sparkle – it was all a stark reminder of the impulsive actions I had taken. I had been so stupid, so caught up in my own world that I had let my pride get the best of me. Now, sitting by her side, watching her sleep, I was drowning in a sea of regret. My thumb rubbed soothing circles on her hand, a repetitive action that had become my nightly ritual for the past three weeks. Three weeks since she came back, the guilt gnawing at my insides. Every night, I sat here, whispering promises and apologies into her unconscious ear, hoping she could feel the sincerity in my voice, the desperation in my touch. The doctors had told me she needed time, that her brain was still healing, but every second that ticked by without her eyes opening felt like an eternity. Every day, the doctors
Lena's POVThe scent of antiseptic and the soft hum of the life support machines were all I could focus on as I lay in the bed, my head throbbing with a dull ache. Marco and Ricardo were in the room, their presence filling the sterile air with a strange mix of tension and relief.Ricardo, Luca’s cousin, was surprisingly nice. He had a gentle smile that seemed to soften the sharp edges of the room. Marco, on the other hand, was his usual, infuriating self, treating me like a fragile doll, his little sister. Ricardo was fine too, he was so fine. All of them in their family are too fine, but then again nobody got close enough to Luca. His apology, delivered with an air of concern, rang hollow. It was a simple “I’m sorry,” devoid of any real emotion. The time I spent with them, after the nurse had left, was almost peaceful. It was a welcome distraction from the turmoil inside me. But there was one person who occupied my thoughts relentlessly. Luca.He was the one I thought about, the
Lena's POVThe morning light, a pale, watery sun, crept through the gauzy curtains, a stark contrast to the darkness that had held me captive the previous night before Luca came. I stretched, reaching out for Luca, but my hand found empty space. A coldness, both physical and emotional, swept through me. The bed, still warm from his presence just moments before, was now cold and empty.My fingers traced the indentations left by his body as a wave of anger, sadness, and worry crashed over me. He never got enough rest, always rushing around, fixing things, making sure everyone was alright. He was going to burn himself out, fall sick and maybe die. And he'd left without even waking me, not letting me see his face before he went. The door creaked open, and a maid entered, carrying a tray with food. "Good morning, madam," she said, her voice quiet and deferential. She placed the tray on the bedside table, then dropped it with a clatter. "Don Rossi says you should make sure you eat the foo
Luca's POV Lena's bratty behavior was seriously starting to get on my nerves. I needed her to stop. I had fucked up, yes, I knew that. I didn't need her constantly reminding me of it. Seeing the pain in her eyes, the bruises on her body, was damage enough. The bandage on her head, the paleness of her skin, they were constant reminders of what I had allowed to happen, constant reminders of my failures. Three weeks of watching her unconscious body lay motionless wasn't a joke. “Take. Off your clothes,” I said, my voice rough with exhaustion. She didn’t move, didn’t even attempt to do it. I didn’t have the strength for this, for her stubborn defiance. I decided to do it myself. I half expected her to push me away, but she didn’t, so I continued, pulling up her pajama shirt, the baggy fabric revealing the bruises that marred her skin. Rage flared through me. They were healed, but the scars were still visible and I could tell she still felt the pain, a visual representation of the violen
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
Lena's POVThe sunrise crept into my room, a cruel reminder that another day had begun. Yesterday's curtains remained open, a testament to my chaotic state of mind. Sleep had been elusive; my brain relentlessly replaying the events of the past few hours. Luca… he didn't love me. Fuck no. I shook my head, wiping away at the tears that dared to spill. I'm not crying. Not today.After a while, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The cool water on my face was a small comfort. The shower, hot and steamy, washed away the lingering residue of the night's turmoil. Once I was clean and dry, I indulged in a little skincare routine – a small act of self-care in the midst of the chaos. I slipped into a comfy baggy shirt and shorts and made my way downstairs.It was early, the kitchen clock read 6:40 AM. The house was still quiet. I perched on the kitchen counter, gazing out the massive window overlooking the garden. The trees were vibrant green, the flowers a riot of baby pin
Lena's POV I stirred, the car a stifling cage. I was almost attached to the door handle, the urge to escape overwhelming. I couldn’t bring myself to be near Luca. He’d rejected me. Outright rejected me. And here I was, thinking he felt the same way I did. I was in love with him. Completely, utterly, hopelessly in love. And it felt like my heart had been ripped out and stomped on. The pain was sharp, a physical wound in my chest. Why did he do all those things, say all those things, make me feel the way he did, if he knew he didn't feel it too?The ride was agonizingly long. My tears eventually subsided, replaced by a dull ache, a cold dread settling in my chest. Fuck. How could he say those things and not even apologize? Maybe he meant it. Yes, he definitely meant it. Luca never lied; he only ever said what he meant. The realization hit me like another wave of grief. If he said he didn't love me, then it was true.Finally, we arrived at the house. Luca got out of the car and sla
Lena's POVMy heart stuttered, my words hanging in the air like a broken promise. The look on Luca’s face had shifted from disbelief and delight to something far more unsettling. His features were now hardened, his eyes cold and distant. The hand that had rested on my thigh was abruptly withdrawn, leaving a chill in its wake. He turned towards me, and the expression on his face was impassive, a mask of indifference that sent shivers down my spine. “What did you just say?” he asked, his tone hard and commanding, yet strangely calm. “I-I…” I stammered, my voice catching in my throat. Why?“Lena,” he said, his voice a low growl, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. “I said, I love you,” I rushed out, the words feeling clumsy and inadequate in the face of his chilling silence. “Mmm. Excuse me,” Luca murmured, a flicker of something—anger? Confusion?—crossing his features before disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. Withou
Lena's POVThe restaurant was a dream. The walls were a swirling masterpiece of a painted dark blue or black- it was hard to tell, dark gold streaks weaving through the dark colour. Soft, warm light bathed the space, creating an intimate glow that danced on the intricately carved furniture. A gentle melody drifted from somewhere, adding to the atmosphere of refined elegance. In the center of the grand space, a water fountain shimmered, its cascading water echoing the graceful movement of the woman sculpted at its heart. She was an ethereal figure, frozen in a timeless pose, her mouth forever releasing a stream of water, a mesmerizing spectacle that felt ripped from a classic 30s film.Luca pulled back my chair with a flourish, a gesture so smooth and natural that I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. "You like it?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "Mmhmm. It looks so good," I murmured, settling into the plush velvet seat. Luca took the seat across from me, his smile as
Lena's POVI looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a ghost. My eyeliner and mascara were smudged, a testament to my tears, brought on by Luca's dick. I was a mess, but I was also so incredibly turned on. Luca cleaned me up, and we both returned to the room. I reapplied my eyeliner and mascara, my hand steady now. Luca zipped up my dress for me, teasing me as he did so. The dress was so fucking beautiful, it complimented my body perfectly. The low neckline made my breasts almost spill out, and Luca's gaze kept shifting from my face to my chest, his eyes burning with desire. I met his gaze, my own eyes filled with a playful challenge. I stepped into the YSL shoes he had bought me with the dress, but my legs weren't steady. "Babe?" I asked, my voice a little shaky. "Hmm," Luca responded, fixing his suit. He didn't look at me. "I don't know if I can come. I can't walk in these shoes. My legs are weak," I said, my voice a little shaky. "Lena, I'm not cancelling my first date w
Lena's POVI watched as Sarah and Marco walked out of the house, Sarah emerging from the office a few minutes after Marco. It was just me, Luca, and Raiden now and in my opinion Raiden and Luca were having a good time, actually. "Where do you think they went?" Raiden asked Luca, as they sat on the couch. "I don't know. Probably to talk," Luca replied, his voice casual. "Talk about what?" Raiden pressed, his curiosity insatiable. "Adult talk," Luca said with a smirk. "You wanna know?" I knew exactly what was going through his head and shot him a glare, but the smile on my face remained. There was a permanent smile on my face ever since Raiden finished his food and ran to Luca, who was sitting on the couch with his phone, probably dealing with company issues and stuff. Raiden was all over Luca, and Luca, from the look of it, wasn't quite sure what to do. It seemed as though he didn't like children, or maybe he didn't want to be disturbed, or maybe he just didn't know how to handle