Luca's POV The mansion gates slammed shut behind us, leaving a clang that resonated through solitude. I did not put her down. I couldn't. She was too light in my arms and her skin was too chilly. My jaw clenched, the rage still pulsing through my veins from that alleyway. If I had arrived a minute later..... that son of a ..... I couldn't bear the thought of what might have happened to her. "Get a doctor". "Now." I snapped as we approached the foyer. Matteo dashed out without a word. He knew better than to ask questions when I was like this. I carried her up the stairs, with each step being ok a reminder of how close I was to losing her. She had not said a thing. Had not moved. Just laid there in my arms, her breath short, her lashes twitching on her cheeks. She had not even looked at me. Not once. That silence.......it terrified me more than anything. I kicked open the door to her room and gently placed her on the bed. Her hair fanned across the pillow, like ink spill
My feet were blistering and bleeding, but I didn't give up. No, I couldn't. As I pushed into the forest, branches clawed at my arms, and the chilly night air burned my lungs. I dared not turn around. I had no idea how far I had gone; all I knew was that the mansion had vanished behind me hours ago. In my mind, I saw the sight of that man's body; wide eyed, mouth contorted in a mute scream. Blood had gathered like a halo under him. Luca had ordered him dead and watched with such ease as he was tortured. As if he'd done it a hundred times already. He might have. I could still hear the sound of the gunshot. I shivered at the memory, slowing for a brief minute to grab onto a low wall for support. He must have noticed that I was gone by now. He shouldn’t have made me see that. I shouldn't have been there. I was also supposed to still be locked up in that gilded cage, being the good little play thing. But I wasn’t. I made it out. Barefoot and breathless, I tightened my grip on t
This house was a prison and Luca was the warden. The worst part? A small dark part of me wanted the chains. To be bound by them. I quickly shoved the thought away, got to my feet and started pacing the room with my fists clenched. There had to be a way out, there had to. There always was. No guards at the door, windows left unlocked. A trap dressed up like freedom. I grew impatient with each passing minute. I had to do something. I got up and tested the balcony first. Second floor. High enough to break something if I jumped. I looked below, towards the gates. It had armed guards patrolling like clockwork. Escape was definitely not happening tonight. The mansion stayed quiet. Too quiet. Seconds turned to minutes and minutes turned into hours and still, nothing. By the time I heard footsteps again the moon was high in the sky, casting silver across the marble floors. Yet I stayed hidden by the window, watching Then I saw him. Luca Gosh, I hated him. And
The door groaned open and I slipped into the hall.The house was quiet, as expected. The marble floor was long with shadows. It gleamed like a spotlight above, like it was taunting me.The hallway was infinite, adorned with fine artwork and polished wood.“Leaving so soon?” I almost jumped out of my skin at the unexpected voice. A man was standing by the stairway wall. Early thirties, solid as a wall, in tailored black; must be the trending look. One of his hands was lodged casually inside his pocket while the other was relaxed near the gun at his side. His boring, flat eyes skimmed over me like I was nothing to him. “I was… just looking around.” I said while straightening my spine. Hoping I looked as confident as I thought I sounded “Of course "However, the boss would rather you stay for dinner." He spoke in a respectful tone I was about to argue when a voice, as smooth as silk and as sharp as a blade, interrupted. "My curious kitten, ." Halfway down the stairs, L
The mansion was quiet. The kind of heavy, eerie silence that crawls under your skin.The room smelled expensive. The mild aroma of wood polish leather and something vaguely fragrant. Even the air seemed loaded with money. Velvet curtains bordered the huge windows. The marble floor glittered under soft recessed lighting. Everything is precisely arranged, designed, and phony. I walked the room, arms tight across my chest and every stride reminded me that this wasn't a nightmare I'd wake up from. This was my new reality. I stood by the massive window in my new bedroom. The glass stretched from floor to ceiling, overlooking well manicured gardens with the black iron gates in the distance. It was beautiful and yet it was a cage.My suitcase sat untouched by the bed; I hadn’t unpacked a single thing. The stupid walk-in closet taunted me with what seemed to be unending rows of designer clothes and shoes I never asked for.Everything here was expensive and cold. Just like Luca. The do
“I don't care who he is! I am not going with you.”I tried to keep my voice sharp but the cracking at the edges betrayed me. Still, I held my ground.Luca had walked out of the cafe and now two men stood in front of me. They were built like soldiers… or something worse. Their very presence screamed danger.One of them tilted his head, and replied. “Not really your choice, Miss. You need to come with us.” "Did you not hear me? I said, I'm not going.....I didn't get to finish that sentence before one of the men reached for my arm. I jerked back and snapped. “Don’t touch me!” my pitch increasing.The cafe was empty, the street was quiet. They had chosen the perfect spot. No one was coming to save me.This was a setup. I guess that's what I get for wanting closure.“Miss, we can do this the easy way, or....... the hard way. Your call. ” the taller one said, stepping forward towards me. I panicked.I looked around frantically for help or an exit, but there was none. So I looked to the