027

Caterina.

“What the fuck did you think you were trying to do?”

Someone’s blood had splattered across the concrete, a stark contrast against the pale moonlight. Then there was the sickening crack of knuckles meeting flesh that echoed in the empty garden, drowning out the distant sound of the music from inside.

I felt like I was about to lose my dinner.

When it came to fighting, I stayed away. Even on the days Alessandro tried to make me go to his boxing house so I could meet some of his friends, I always found a way to make sure I did not go. It was way better to lie than tell him the truth.

This was the third real fight I had witnessed.

Luca was a storm, his fists relentless as they pounded into Ethan’s face. His blonde hair was matted with blood, yet that annoying smirk of his refused to fade, even as his body went limp beneath the assault.

All I could do was watch.

I should stop him. I knew it. But something coiled within me refused to move, as if it held onto the nerves that were connected to my leg. It made me a spectator in my own body.

Perhaps it was the way Luca’s rage came out in palpable waves.

Or that sick sense of justice burning low in my gut.

Did it really matter?

There was nothing for me to do because heavy footsteps had already shattered the moment. Before I could release the shaky breath in me, a group of security guards had surged forward, tearing Luca off Ethan’s battered form. The man was struggling, teeth bared like a feral animal, but the numbers were already against him.

This was the first time I saw Luca in a way that wasn’t calm and collected.

The first time he lost control.

“No, don’t stop.” Ethan groaned the words out, shifting onto his hands and knees, smearing blood across his mouth with the back of his hand.

Was he about to throw up?

He winked.

And that simple action was enough to send a trail of cold down my spine.

This man was fucking unhinged.

There was no other explanation.

Ethan staggered to his feet, rolling his shoulders like he hadn’t just taken a savage beating. He didn’t even spare another glance at Luca… just kept those dark eyes locked onto mine before turning and walking away like he’d won something.

Men like him scarred me most times.

“Let me go!” Luca growled, still struggling against the guards who held him, but they didn’t let go until Ethan disappeared around the corner.

The moment they did, Luca was moving…

No, not towards Ethan.

I had a feeling he would deal with him later, maybe in a way that was more brutal than this, where he wouldn’t lose his composure.

He was moving towards me.

The anger shone in his eyes in a way I had never seen before. This wasn’t like when I tried to escape, or when I threw a shoe at his head. Luca was truly mad at me.

“Why the fuck did you leave the party?” His voice was razor sharp, cutting through the night air without missing a beat.

I blinked. “What?”

Everything felt like some sort of roller coaster event, happening in quick successions before I was even able to do anything.

“Why did you leave?” He repeated the question in a much calmer tone but still as sharp, his chest heaving while his hands shook at his side. “We had a bet going on, you were supposed to stay inside.”

Was he…

“Are you serious right now?”

“You could’ve…”

“Don’t you dare raise your voice at me, Luca.” I took a step forward, narrowing my eyes at him. “You don’t get to shout at me like I’m some kid just because I took a break from you and almost got sexually harassed.” I poked at his chest. “I wouldn’t have taken that break if you hadn’t gotten jealous for no reason.”

My words seemed to be getting to him because his expression flickered… anger, then something else.

Remorse, maybe.

But I wasn’t done.

“You do not get to act like some jealous boyfriend because last I checked, you weren’t my boyfriend. You’re just someone who stole me from my fiancee… and you don’t own me.”

He swallowed, the sharp edges of his fury now dulled under the weight of my words.He reached for me, fingers grazing my wrist, but I jerked away before he could get a proper grip.

I was steady, and had spoken my mind. And I knew the moment he touched me, I would let almost everything that had happened tonight slip from my brain.

“Caterina…”

“No.” I shook my head, taking another step backwards. “Not tonight.”

He clenched his jaw, but he didn’t argue.

Had I rendered the strong and mighty Luca silent? Not bad.

But I couldn’t spend another second in this place without the feeling of bugs crawling on me or that I might go insane if I thought about everything that had just happened. I turned on my heel, heading toward the party, phone in hand and ready to order a ride back to the one place I should have gone to from the moment Luca gave me my freedom back.

Home.

My ride came within twenty minutes.

I could care less about looking at who was driving or wondering if Luca had found a way to intercept my ride and replace it with his men.

As long as it took me far away from this place, I was more than okay.

“15, sea front street.” I told the driver, who showed his acknowledgement with a little nod.

Why did I do it?

I could have just faced the other way to prevent myself. But something within me, some kind of deep wrench in my stomach… gut feeling? Well, whatever it was, it made me glance back.

Luca stood in the doorway of the building, half in shadow, watching me. His face was totally blank, though his eyes felt even darker for some reason.

There was a part of me, the dumb part, that wanted to run back, to give in to whatever pull existed between us.

I was grateful the louder, angrier part won.

So instead of winning, I lifted my head to meet his gaze head-on…

And flipped the asshole off.

He was the major reason I had a shitty day today, but...

Luca:... If I don't get to kiss you, I'll give you twenty million dollars.