Astrid's POVAs we pulled up to the meeting place, my mind was still swirling with Luca’s earlier words. “You’re like family.” The phrase lingered, gnawing at me. Family? What did that even mean to him? A sister figure? A trusted employee? I couldn’t tell. But I knew one thing, if Luca gave me another reason to question his feelings, I wasn’t going to let it slide.The building we entered was tall and imposing, with a level of security that screamed exclusivity. I stayed close to Luca as we were escorted to a special room where the Oscuridad partners waited.The moment we walked in, and there it was, the murmurs began. “Who’s she?”“A new face…”“Why bring someone outside the circle?”Their words weren’t subtle, and I could feel their eyes boring into me. Luca raised a hand, silencing them. “This is Astrid,” he said, his voice steady and authoritative. “She’s an ally and our personal hacker. She’s here because she’s essential to the family.”Essential? That’s it? I clenched my jaw,
Astrid's POVWhen we pulled up to the mansion, Luca cut the engine but didn’t move to get out. He leaned back in his seat, running a hand through his hair.“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked suddenly.“Talk about what?” I replied, my tone sharper than intended.“Whatever’s bothering you,” he said, turning to look at me. “You’ve been off since this morning.”I laughed bitterly. “Maybe because I’m starting to wonder what I even mean to you, Luca.”He flinched, the honesty in my words clearly catching him off guard.“Astrid, you…”“No,” I interrupted. “Don’t try to sugarcoat it. Today, I was just the family’s hacker. That’s all I’ve ever been, isn’t it? Just someone convenient to have around because I’m good at what I do.”“That’s not true,” he said firmly, his voice laced with frustration.“Then what am I to you, Luca?” I demanded, turning to face him fully. “Am I just another piece in your game? Someone you’ll throw away the moment I’m no longer useful?”The silence that followed
Luca's POVI was driving, no destination in mind. The argument with Astrid replayed in my head over and over again. Her voice, her eyes, damn it. She had a way of pushing every button I didn’t know existed.I gripped the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. I wasn’t angry at her. No, I was angry at myself. How could I tell her what I was feeling without actually saying it?Love. That word wasn’t even in my vocabulary. I’ve never been in love, never even considered it. For a man like me, a mafia boss with a reputation colder than stone, it felt impossible. But with Astrid, it was different. She made me want to try.I exhaled deeply, letting the idea settle. I was going to give it a shot. For her. With her. Turning the car around, I headed back to the mansion, determination burning in my chest.When I walked in, I found my mother and sisters in the sitting room, sipping tea like it was the middle of the day instead of late at night. My mother looked up at me, her face unre
Astrid's POVWhat the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, though relief was already flooding my veins.He didn’t answer. Instead, he turned toward the man chasing me, his expression hardening.“Walk away,” Ace said, his voice low and commanding.The man hesitated, his eyes flicking between Ace and me. For a moment, I thought he might attack anyway. But then Ace reached inside his coat, pulling out a weapon.That was all it took. The man turned and fled, disappearing into the shadows.My knees felt weak, and I leaned against a nearby wall, trying to catch my breath. Ace tucked the weapon back into his coat, his sharp gaze settling on me.“You’re lucky I was nearby,” he said, his tone unreadable.“Nearby?” I repeated, suspicion flaring. “What were you doing near the café?”He raised an eyebrow. “Getting coffee, like any normal person.”“Right,” I said, crossing my arms. “And it’s just a coincidence that you happened to show up when some guy was chasing me down the street?”Ace smirked
Astrid's POV“Didn't you hear me?” Ace snapped gently. I had been lost for a moment then I remembered the person I was dealing with. It was Ace, he would do or say anything to make things go his way.“Don't ever say that to me again.” I warned him, stepping out of the car. He opened the side of the driver seat and followed me.“Why? Because I'm an enemy. Luca has really fed you good with that horrible thought. We were once allies, remember?”“I don't remember anything Ace. Whatever that has to do with you, I don't remember.” I sighed, rubbing my temples. I was getting too tired, running from a strange man, having to be with an enemy and now he couldn't stop talking trash.“I need to rest, Ace. It's been a long day.” I said, starting to regret why I left the mansion, the comfortable bed all alone.“Of course. Let's go in.” Ace said, leading the way.I hesitated. The idea of staying with Ace felt wrong, but going back to Luca’s mansion didn’t feel right either, not after everything that
Astrid's POVThe first rays of sunlight streamed through the window, but I didn’t feel the warmth. I had barely slept, and my thoughts were too chaotic to allow peace. Reluctantly, I got out of bed and made my way downstairs.I froze at the bottom step. Ace was there, deep in conversation with Helena, his personal hacker. The same Helena who I knew wanted him dead. From my hidden corner, I watched them. Ace stood close to her, trusting, oblivious to the fact that she was a snake in his garden.My mind raced. Should I tell him? Would he even believe me if I did? He had saved my life last night, dragged me out of hell, and now here I was, holding a dangerous secret about someone he trusted. Did I owe him the truth in return?Before I could decide, Helena’s sharp eyes darted in my direction. She saw me. I had no choice but to step out from the shadows.Helena’s gaze bore into mine, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile. I didn’t trust her, and she knew it. For a moment, we just s
Luca's POVBefore Astrid walked in, I was planning with Nico to send my whole men to search for her and when they found her, I was going to tell her how I really felt about her. After receiving her text last night, I made a decision. I would confess my true feelings to her. I was ready to surrender my heart, to claim her as mine, and ensure she'd never feel the need to turn to anyone else again.But everything changed, she walked in like she had not made me feel scared and nervous about her disappearance last night. I stood there, I knew I had hurt her more than I did last night. “I thought she was gone for good. You found the bitch and brought her back, didn't you?” My sister's voice distracted my thoughts.I turned around, “I thought I warned you already to stop calling her names.” She scoffed, “Well I'm only being concerned for your sake, brother.” she said, her hands folded.“I warn you. You are being too nosy.” “So this is it, taking sides with a stranger over your own siste
Astrid's POVLuca had once again persuaded me to stay, or did he? I was only staying behind for the mission. He won't be able to get this mission done without my hacking skills. I was out of my room now, I wished I could be in there for as long as I could but something had to drag me out.Something like water. I was thirsty, yet again. I poured myself a glass of chilled water, just as I was about to close the fridge. My eyes caught a leftover bottle of liquor sitting there, chilled.I picked it up behind a bottle of milk. “Miss Astrid.” The maid's unnoticed presence sent shivers down my spine. She had startled me to death and I only relaxed after seeing her.“Sorry.” She apologized, noticing that she had almost caused me to have a heart attack. “I just wanted to know if you're having dinner with the rest of the house.” She whispered, clearly avoiding anyone from hearing her.“No, I'm having this for tonight.” I said, taking up the bottle of wine together with the glass. The maid watc
Luca's POVWe were getting closer to my secret estate where my mother and sisters are hidden. My arm throbbed faintly, a reminder of how close I’d been to losing everything. As Nico drove with a characteristic focus, Halo perched in the back seat fidgety, his hand grazing the handle of his pistol, constantly.“We’re getting pretty close,” Nico finally spoke, breaking the silence.I nodded and looked out the window. I had not seen my family in weeks, had left them in Vincent’s care for weeks. The prospect of what I was going into sent a tight pain through my chest.The hidden estate was the same as I left it when we arrived surrounded by tall gates and cloaked in mystery. Nico had parked the car and I got out, boots crunching on the gravel. Halo was already patrolling the perimeter, his watchful shadow always near.The front door opened before I could knock, and there she was-my mother. Her eyes welled up then, and tears flowed down her face as she came to me."Luca," she whispered, h
Astrid's POVAs I entered the car, my heart kept pounding and I couldn't help but fidget. Maybe I shouldn't have told the driver to stop, it was my chance to escape from all this. And it could be the last chance I get to have.The silence between Ace and I was deafening and I knew if any of us began to talk, there would be an explosion of emotions, especially from my end.Ace began, “I see you've been busy, Astrid.” he said, his tone low and suspicious. He glared but I preferred to look elsewhere, at nothing in particular, rather than stare into those stern brown eyes.“I had some issues with proceeding with the mission last night.”I simply said because narrating everything that happened between Luca and I last night was something I couldn't do.It wouldn't only make me feel more guilty than I am already but it was surely not going to get Ace to be on my good side. Whatever he wanted to do to me, he could. I wasn't scared of him.“I know that, my men informed me about how you left the
Astrid's POVThe morning sun threw shadows at the cemetery as I looked at my bouquet of lilies. I was moving slowly in a discouraged manner until I managed to reach the gray headstone with my father’s name on it.His absence has been weighing down on me but this time, it hit harder than ever. I made my way over to his grave and kneeled beside it, the scent of dirt and lilies swirled all around me as I rested the flowers lightly on his grave. “Dad,” I stuttered, the hay of my voice was barely holding, “I don’t know what to do anymore. I thought siding with Ace, destroying Luca, that would give me peace. But now…” I felt like I was scrambling my words together. The cold stone wall came onto my palms when I lifted my hands together in prayer. “Do I believe that there’s something left of the man I once trusted? Or do I keep on walking this path with Ace? Tell me, Dad. What’s right for me now? What should I do?” My emotions began to build up, my guilt and confusion were mingling togethe
Luca's POVThe blunt, sterile scent of the hospital room invaded my senses before I even opened my eyes. As I blinked towards the bright light, the sound of the beeping monitor was steady, rhythmic and annoyingly loud. My eyelids feel heavy, but I forced them open, squinting against the glare of the fluorescent lights above me.My body ached, my arm throbbed, but none of it mattered.“Astrid…” her name slipped from my lips before I even knew I was speaking. It was a whisper, barely audible, but it carried the weight of everything I felt.“She's not here,” the voice sounded familiar from my left.I turned my head, wincing at the sharp pill in my shoulder. Halo was standing in the corner of the room, arms crossed, his sharp eyes watching me like a hawk.The words sank in. Astrid wasn't here. A twinge of disappointment settled in my chest, and I wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because part of me had hoped everything from last night was just a dream.But it wasn't.“What happened to you, L
Luca's POVThe pain radiated through my arm like burning flames, acute and merciless. For a moment my vision faded, and I staggered backward, gripping my arm. The metallic taste of blood rustled in the air and I could feel the heat of it coursing through my fingers.Astrid gasped in horror. “Luca…” she whispered, a tremor in her voice. She stared down at the gun in her hands and then back up at me. “I didn’t mean to … I didn’t mean to shoot you.”I let out a sound, It would have been laughter, but the pain made it a grimace. “You’ve got a funny way of showing mercy, then,” I said, propping myself against the side of the car. The edges of my vision went black as the blood continued streaming, soaking the shredded fabric of my shirt.“Stop talking!” Astrid snapped, panic lacing her voice. “You’re bleeding too much.”I bit my lip to stave off the pain. “Don’t think… This changes everything.“Shut up, Luca!” she barked, stepping closer. “The more you speak, the more blood you shed. And yo
Astrid's POVThe heat in the vehicle was stifling, the incessant thud of my heart beat drowned the low whine of the car engine. I perched on the front seat, clenching my laptop between my thighs, the glowing screen setting up a soft light on my face. My earpods fitted perfectly into my ears while the voices of the men Ace had assigned to burn down Luca's property became clearer and clearer.“We've handled the securities ma'am, all of them down. Shall we proceed to the next thing?” One of them inquired.I gulped lightly while focusing on the screen. The camcorder appeared to be running a live feed of what appeared to be Luca's father's mansion, clearly succeeding in scaring me. It was stunning, in its own almost completely desolate and darkened way. An era of Luca was to be turned into a few sharp black ashes and dust.“Hold your position. You set the mansion ablaze on my call.” I responded as I was consistently wavered my fingers which were resting over the keyboard. While I didn't
Astrid's POVThe more I thought about leaving Ace, the more difficult I thought it would be. It felt so impossible. I knew so much about this dangerous world of the mafias, something I never thought I'd get myself involved in.And now, all because of me, all because of the suggestion I brought up at the El sombra meeting, Luca was going to be drained of everything. I still couldn't forgive him for everything, how he had used me as a mere tool for building his territory, free from bad guys, free from more enemies. I would be the reason he crumbled overnight.Suddenly a knock on the door distracted my thoughts, so I closed my laptop. Hiding my plans of booking an aircraft for an escape to somewhere far, somewhere no one would know me. I would begin my life again, start anew and forget whatever I was experiencing here in the world of these brutal people.I opened the door slightly, it was a maid. “Sir Ace wants you at his office.” She informed me politely. I nodded, “Tell him I'll be t
Luca's POVI sipped from my coffee, the flames finding its way to my face, and the steaminess almost damaging my taste buds. I ignored the mild burn I felt as I glared at the paper in my hand. I skimmed through the many words in black ink.I stopped skimming, “So in conclusion. They all want to flee because I'm in trouble?” I asked rhetorically, hissing as I flung the paper towards the desk in frustration.Halo approached the table, coffee in one hand as he used his free hand to drag out a chair.He sat down, “Well I guess you can say it like that.” he replied, sipping his coffee. He dropped the cup, stretching his hands towards the papers to grab it.“I think they are all a bunch of cowards. Running away after all they wanted was the Ivano family gone. And I accomplished that part of their worry and now they are running away because of the war.”“Don't be so hard on yourself. I think they are all cowards too. But you certainly can't blame them, they've got families too.” halo said.I
Luca's POVThe city's buzz echoed in the atmosphere as I remained in my softly illuminated penthouse, gazing through the expansive glass doors up from here.The moon's light shone its brightness, it resembled cars as they weaved through the streets underneath, creating memories. Indiana wasn't a place of residence, yet it had turned into a refuge of sorts until things calmed down. I rested against the rim of the glass, the cold piercing my skin. I recalled the hospital, envisioning my father's pale ailing face while he rested on the surgical table. He appeared delicate, more feeble than I ever imagined a man like him could be. “Forgive them,” he had stated, his voice hardly more than a murmur. "Look after your mother and your sisters." "Also, Astrid…" I tightened my hands recalling the memory. His words pierced me like a sword. Even in the face of death, my father managed to consider Astrid. He thought she was my perfect match, that she merited my class of women. Deep down within