Chapter 2

The morning sun pushed through the blinds, leaving bright stripes on the floor. The city below was already busy and loud, but Adrian’s penthouse was dead quiet. He sat up slowly and put his feet on the cold floor. The other side of the bed was empty. Luca was gone. There wasn't a note or a message, just a faint smell on the sheets that reminded him of what he’d just shared.

Adrian sat there for a long moment, staring at the empty space. He didn't freak out, but his mind was racing. Being bisexual wasn't a secret to him, but it had been a very long time since he had been with a man. Actually, it had been a long time since he’d been with anyone. Luca was the first person he had let into his bed since his wife died, and there was something about the younger man that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

He lit a cigar and let the smoke clear his head. He didn't like how much he was thinking about Luca. To clear his mind, he picked up his phone and called his right-hand man.

"I need you to find someone," Adrian said, his voice deep and serious. He gave a detailed description of Luca the way he looked, the way he carried himself, and where he had been that night. "I want to know everything. Find out who he is and what he’s doing in this city."

After hanging up, he went into his ensuite bathroom and stood under the hot water of the shower, trying to wash away the feeling of Luca’s touch. Once he was finished, he dressed carefully in a sharp three-piece suit. He looked at himself in the mirror, pulling his mask of control back on. He called his driver to get the car ready and take him to his company.

A few hours later, the door to Adrian’s private office swung open. Valentino strode in, looking like he had seen a ghost. He walked straight to the desk and dropped a folder in front of Adrian.

"You’re going to need a drink for what you’re about to see," Valentino said, heading straight for the bar in the corner and pouring himself and Ardian a drink.

Adrian reached for the glass and took a sip . He opened the file and his eyes landed on the name: Luca Moretti.

Adrian froze. His heart felt like it had been dropped in ice. Moretti. The name alone felt like a weight on his chest.

"He's one of them," Valentino said, pacing. "The youngest child. He’s the baby of the family, Adrian. From what I’ve gathered, he’s a bit of a spoiled brat. They let him do whatever he wants and stay out of the business completely. He’s precious to them."

Adrian took a slow, deep breath. Inside, he was furious. He felt a sharp sting of betrayal because the very first person he felt an attraction to after his wife’s death turned out to be part of the family that killed her.

"There's more," Valentino added, leaning over the desk. "The reason they’re so desperate? It’s that government contract you’re holding. The one you won last year. That’s why they went after Elena, Adrian. They killed her to try and scare you into dropping it so they could take it for themselves. And now, they're going broke because they don't have it."

Adrian’s grip tightened on the edge of his desk until his knuckles turned white. The truth felt like a physical blow. The Morettis hadn't just killed his wife; they had killed her for a piece of paper that was currently sitting in his safe.

He knew that getting angry would only make him messy, and he couldn't afford to be messy. He needed to be smart. He needed a plan to get his revenge and destroy them for good. He needed to hit them where it would hurt the most.

"So they want this contract?" Adrian asked, his voice low and dangerous. "They killed my wife for it, and now they’re failing because they don’t have it?"

Valentino nodded. "They're desperate. They're looking for a miracle to save their name."

A cold, dark smile touched Adrian’s lips. He wasn't just going to attack them; he was going to wait for them to come to him for help. He would wait until they were begging for that very contract, and then he would make an offer they couldn't refuse.

A new kind of contract. A marriage.

He would take their precious, spoiled baby and bring him into his world. He would tie Luca to him legally and use him to tear the Morettis apart.

Adrian looked at the photo of Luca in the file. Luca thought he was just living a fun, free life, and his family thought they could keep him safe while they played dirty games. They were both wrong. Adrian was holding all the cards now, and he was ready to play.

Miles away, Luca was walking through the city streets with a huge smile on his face. He kept touching his jaw, still able to feel the warmth of Adrian’s breath against his skin. To him, the night had been perfect.

Luca didn't know about the files on Adrian’s desk. He didn't know about the blood on his family's hands. Being the youngest child of the Moretti family, he was kept far away from the dark side of the business. His father and brothers let him live his life however he wanted shopping, partying, and traveling. They protected him from the truth, so he had no idea his family was responsible for the death of Adrian's wife.

His phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and saw dozens of notifications from the family group chat.

Marco: Hey, kid. Where are you? You never came home last night. Dante: If you're hungover at some diner, let us know so we can come get you. Papa: Luca, check in. It's late. Are you okay?

Luca laughed to himself, his heart feeling warm. They always treated him like he was ten years old, checking up on him if he stayed out past sunrise. He quickly typed back: I'm fine! I just stayed over at a friend's place. On my way home now. Love you guys.

He tucked his phone away and kept walking, humming to himself. In his mind, Adrian was just a beautiful memory, a one-night stand that had gone better than expected. He didn't think he would ever see the man again, and honestly, that was how he liked it. No drama, no messy feelings. All he wanted to do now was get home, crawl into his own bed, and sleep off the rest of the morning.