The next morning…
The alarm cut through the silence at 6:30am, harsh and unforgiving. My body begged for sleep, but I couldn’t afford to waste the morning. A quick run. That was my routine. The cold air bit at my skin as I laced up my sneakers, stepping outside to the quiet, empty streets. It helped clear my head—helped me focus. There was too much uncertainty swirling in my thoughts, and I needed to outrun it, even if just for a little while. By the time I returned to my apartment, sweat clinging to my skin, I felt slightly more in control. The steam from the shower felt like it was washing the fog of the night away. I stepped out of the bathroom, my mind still clouded with the thoughts of Luca—the way he looked at me, the questions lingering in the back of my mind. I stood in front of the mirror, pulling on a blazer, trying to push those thoughts aside. Today was another day. Another chance to get closer to the truth. But something about last night stuck with me. I couldn’t quite shake the feeling that everything was shifting. And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what came next. By the time I got to work, my mind was still miles away from the office, tangled in the events of the night before. The city seemed indifferent to my inner chaos as I walked through the familiar glass doors of the newsroom. There was something calming about the hum of activity around me—people typing away, phones ringing, the click of heels on tile. It was all normal. But I wasn’t feeling normal. Not anymore. I barely greeted anyone as I made my way to my desk, and my usual routine of organizing my inbox and going through the day’s assignments felt mechanical. Then, I noticed the message waiting in my inbox: “Luca Delvecchio at The Gallery on 5th tomorrow night. Private showing. You might want to take a look.” It was from my underground contact. This wasn’t just a lead—it was an invitation. And something told me that this would be my chance to get closer to Luca. But there was no time to waste. I had work to do. The email from my contact sat unopened in my inbox, but I didn’t dare click on it yet. I tucked the invitation into my mind for later and forced myself to focus on the task at hand. The hum of my office was a welcome distraction. The deadlines, the paperwork—those were the things I could control. The disappearances I was investigating were real, and I had to stay sharp. I couldn’t afford to let myself get lost in thoughts of gala gowns, high-end soirées, and dangerous billionaires. For now, the truth was my only priority. Hours slipped by in a haze. Before I knew it, the clock read 5:30 PM, and I was already making plans in my head. I needed to clear my head, so I went for a walk outside, the cool air hitting me like a slap. The city was coming to life as night began to fall. The next night, as I walked through the grand entrance of The Gallery on 5th, I felt a rush of adrenaline shoot through me. It wasn’t just the setting—the art-filled space glittered with the sort of elegance I had only ever seen in magazines. It was the anticipation. I could feel Luca’s presence in the air, thick and dangerous, like the calm before a storm. There he was, standing against the far wall, his back to me but his presence undeniable. He was dressed in a sharp suit that looked like it had been tailored for him alone. Even from a distance, I could sense the power radiating from him. And despite everything, my heart skipped a beat. I didn’t approach him immediately. Not yet. I wasn’t just going to walk up and introduce myself—this had to be more calculated. I moved through the crowd, admiring the pieces on display, but my eyes never strayed far from him. Every once in a while, I could feel his gaze sweep over the room, lingering for a second longer when it landed on me. And when he finally stepped toward me, it felt like time slowed. “Well, well,” Luca said, his voice deep, dark, and full of intent. “You’ve got the look of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing.” His words hit me like a challenge. A dangerous one. I swallowed and met his gaze, my confidence shaking just slightly. “You could say I’m just looking for the right opportunity.” He chuckled softly, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Opportunity, huh? The right opportunity for what?” I took a step closer, enough to let the air between us crackle with tension. “For something that could change everything.” His eyes narrowed, the intensity of his gaze making it clear that he wasn’t just hearing my words—he was dissecting them. “Is that so?” His lips curled into a half-smile. “I like the sound of that.” There was a long pause. The world around us seemed to fade into the background. The only thing I could focus on was Luca, his power, and the promise of something far more dangerous than I had imagined. And just like that, I knew this would be a game. A dangerous, thrilling game that neither of us could afford to lose. The silence between us was thick, punctuated only by the soft hum of distant conversations and the click of high heels on the marble floors. Luca’s gaze never left me, as though he could see through every layer I’d carefully built around myself. “So, this is where you operate,” I said, breaking the silence, my voice coming out steadier than I felt. “A place of beauty, but also… power.” His lips curled into a small, amused smile. “I suppose you could say that. Art is an investment, after all. Much like everything else in my life.” I nodded, pretending to admire the paintings around us, though my mind was entirely focused on him. “And what does a billionaire mafia boss like yourself get out of it?” His gaze flickered to mine, sharp as ever. “Beauty. Control. And the ability to show everyone I can take what I want.” I felt a jolt in my chest, but kept my expression neutral. “And I assume you’re used to getting it?” “I don’t have to get used to it,” he replied, his voice low and laced with something that made my skin tingle. “It’s just how things work for me. But I’m curious about you, Renee.” I tilted my head, trying to keep the edge from showing in my voice. “Curious? About what?” “About how you walked in here, dressed to perfection, and yet there’s something you’re not telling me.” He took a step closer, his presence overwhelming. “You’ve got a story, don’t you? But I think you’re keeping it to yourself.” My heart raced as his words hit too close to the truth. I could feel the tension crackling between us. “What makes you think that?” “You’re good at pretending, but I see through the act. There’s more to you than just the pretty face and the elegant dress.” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to keep my composure. “I’m just here to enjoy the night. Like everyone else.” He laughed softly, a sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “I don’t think you’re like everyone else, Renee.” For a moment, the world seemed to shrink down to just the two of us, his intense gaze pulling me in, making it impossible to look away. Then, as if reading my thoughts, he took a step back, his expression unreadable again. “You’re playing a dangerous game, you know that?” I steadied my breath. “I’m not afraid of a little danger, Luca.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “No, I don’t think you are.” He studied me for a beat longer, his lips curving into a sly smile. “But be careful. Not all games are meant to be played by two.”
