Chapter 48: Carol's POV

I still didn’t break away from his grip even though every nerve in my body screamed at me to do so, instead, I stood there, frozen against Luca’s chest, my pulse frantic.

My breath came sharp, erratic, like I was drowning above water. His hand stayed firm around my waist, as if letting me go wasn’t even an option he considered.

“Start talking.” I clenched my jaw, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. My voice wasn’t soft neither was it pleading, it was cold and controlled.

“What are you doing here?” I asked again, sharper this time, reaching forward with trembling fingers toward the wall until I found the light switch and clicked it on.

The kitchen flooded with blinding white light. Luca’s hand snapped off me as though the brightness burned him. I spun around to face him, heart still thundering in my ears, needing to see the expression on his face, and wanting to know what I was dealing with.

He stood there awkwardly, hands by his sides, shoulders stiff, his mouth opened, but