Chapter 2

When I finally got the text from my contact confirming my invitation to the gala, I felt my stomach twist.

The black dress I’d bought was way out of my budget, but it was perfect. It hugged my figure in a way that made me self-conscious, the plunging neckline running deeper than I was used to. I spent the rest of the day studying myself in the mirror, adjusting my posture, trying to see what Luca would see.

The makeup wasn’t heavy but nothing like I was used to, the heels very tall but I could still comfortably walk in, the dress hugging my figure so tight I couldn’t recognize myself but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t trying to be me tonight. I was trying to be her—the kind of woman he couldn’t resist.

‘You’re walking into the lion’s den, Renee. You sure about this?’ I thought to myself and I applied the final touches to my look. I wasn’t sure how exactly I wanted this night to end but for safety reasons I didn’t drive. I called a taxi and headed to the venue thirty minutes past the time on the card. I wanted to make an entrance. The venue was breathtaking—a sprawling estate on the edge of the city, with glowing chandeliers visible through massive glass windows. Luxury cars lined the circular driveway, and a steady stream of beautiful people swept up the grand staircase, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

When the taxi stopped, I hesitated for just a moment. My heart raced as I stepped out, clutching my small clutch purse like a lifeline. All eyes weren’t on me, but I imagined they were, and that alone was enough to make my palms sweat.

The doorman gave me a polite nod after he scanned my ticket confirming its validity , holding the door open as I walked inside. The hum of conversation and soft jazz hit me like a wave. Every detail oozed wealth and exclusivity. Towering floral arrangements, champagne towers, and polished marble floors reminded me just how far I was from my usual world.

I scanned the room, trying to find him without looking like I was trying to find him. Luca Del Vecchio wasn’t the kind of man you stumbled upon. He was the kind of man who made you feel his presence before you saw him.

“Miss, champagne?” A server appeared beside me, holding a tray of glasses. I took one, my hand trembling slightly.

“Thank you,” I murmured, taking a small sip to steady myself.

And then I saw him.

He was standing near the center of the room, his tailored black suit fitting like it was made from the fabric of sin. He was laughing at something one of his companions said, but his eyes were sharp, scanning the crowd even as he smiled.

I couldn’t breathe for a second. It wasn’t just his looks—although those were devastating. It was the way he stood, like he owned the air in the room and everyone in it.

I forced myself to look away before he caught me staring.

“Don’t tell me you’re already nervous,” a smooth voice said beside me.

I turned, startled, to see a man in a dark suit with a playful smirk. He wasn’t Luca, but he was definitely part of the inner circle. His sharp cheekbones and easy charm screamed danger.

“I’m sorry?” I said, keeping my tone light.

“You’re new here,” he said, leaning closer. “I know everyone, and I definitely would’ve remembered you.”

“Well, now you’ve met me,” I said, forcing a small smile. “Renee.”

“Adrian,” he replied, offering his hand. “And what brings someone like you to a place like this?”

Before I could answer, a shift in the room’s energy cut through the conversation. People subtly straightened, their attention drawn toward one man.

Luca.

He was moving toward us, his steps slow and deliberate. Adrian straightened, his smirk slipping into something more respectful.

“Excuse me,” Adrian said, stepping back, but I barely noticed. Luca’s eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff.

He stopped in front of me, his gaze cool and unreadable. Up close, he was even more overwhelming—dark eyes, sharp jawline, and an aura that seemed to swallow the space around him.

“And you are?” he asked, his voice smooth but laced with authority.

“Renee,” I said, barely keeping my voice steady.

He tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. “I don’t recognize you.”

“I’m new in town,” I said, the lie rolling off my tongue. “A friend invited me.”

He didn’t ask who. He didn’t need to. His silence was unnerving, but I held his gaze, refusing to be the first to look away.

“Enjoy the evening,” he finally said, his tone neutral but his eyes lingering on me for just a second too long. Then he turned and walked away, leaving me rooted to the spot.

My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might crack a rib. It worked. He noticed me. But the way he’d looked at me, like he was already trying to figure out my secrets, made it clear: this was just the beginning, and I was already in deeper than I’d planned.

The rest of the night was a careful balancing act. I stayed on the periphery of conversations, never lingering too long or drawing too much attention. My goal wasn’t to be invisible—just intriguing enough to stay in Luca’s mind.

Every so often, I’d catch him glancing my way, his expression unreadable. I wasn’t sure if it was curiosity, suspicion, or something else entirely, but it was enough to keep me on edge.

When the night began to wind down, I knew I needed to make my move. Leaving without a more personal interaction would waste the opportunity.

I waited until Luca was standing alone by the balcony, his glass of whiskey untouched in his hand. The soft glow of the city lights framed him like a painting, and I swallowed my nerves.

This was it.

I crossed the room slowly, heels clicking against the marble floor. As I approached, he turned his head, his dark eyes catching the light in a way that made my chest tighten.

“You’re a hard man to approach,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline rushing through me.

His lips curved into the faintest smile. “And yet, here you are.”

“I thought I’d introduce myself properly,” I said, holding out my hand. “Renee.”

He took it, his grip firm but not overly so. “Luca,” he said, as if I didn’t already know.

I leaned against the railing, careful to keep my movements relaxed. “Your event tonight—it’s incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Flattery,” he said, taking a sip of his drink, “but I’ll take it.”

“I mean it,” I replied, meeting his gaze. “It’s rare to see someone in your position do so much for the community.”

His eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, I thought I’d pushed too far. But then he laughed softly, low and dangerous.

“My position?” he asked, tilting his head.

“You know,” I said lightly, “a man of influence.”

He was silent for a beat, and the weight of his attention was almost unbearable.

“And what is it you do, Renee?” he asked finally.

The question caught me off guard, but I smiled, keeping my tone casual. “I’m just trying to make my way in the world.”

He smirked, the expression equal parts amusement and challenge. “Aren’t we all?”

I stayed for a few more minutes, just long enough to leave an impression. When I finally excused myself, his gaze lingered on me as I walked away, and I could feel the weight of it long after I disappeared into the crowd.

As the taxi pulled away from the estate, I exhaled deeply, my pulse still racing. Luca Delvecchio wasn’t just dangerous—he was magnetic. And now, I wasn’t sure if I was playing him or if he was already playing me. The night felt like a dream—sudden, fleeting, and full of sharp edges. The hum of the taxi’s engine had faded into the background as I stared out the window, my mind racing. Luca’s face, the way his eyes held mine, the tension in the air—it was all too much to process. Was he onto me? Did he know something I didn’t? I didn’t know what to believe anymore.

But one thing was certain: the story I’d walked into was far darker and more dangerous than I’d ever anticipated. I couldn’t afford to second-guess myself now.

When I finally made it back to my apartment, I stumbled through the door and collapsed on the couch, my body heavy from the long night. The glass of untouched wine on the counter caught my eye, but I couldn’t bring myself to take a sip. I’d already overanalyzed the night in my head a dozen times, replaying every word, every glance. The tension between us was palpable, and yet, there was something else lurking beneath the surface—something I couldn’t quite name.

I leaned back, staring at the ceiling, trying to quiet the buzzing in my mind. The invitation had been the easy part. The hard part—what came next—wasn’t going to be so simple.

I didn’t know if I was prepared for the storm I was about to walk into, but one thing was certain: I was already too deep to turn back.

With a deep breath, I stood up and moved to the window, the city lights outside flickering like a million tiny promises. Tomorrow, I would keep going. I had to.

I just didn’t know yet whether Luca Delvecchio would be the one who destroyed me—or the one who made me.