Chapter 49: The Barman's Warning

Liam's POV

The bar felt emptier after she left. Funny thing was, it wasn’t even full to begin with. Just a few people, some soft music, a few clinks of glass and murmurs here and there. 

But when Maria stood and walked out, something in the place just... shifted.

I sat still for a few seconds, holding my glass but not drinking. I watched the door, even though I knew she wasn’t coming back.

Then I let out a slow breath and leaned back in my seat.

She was in too deep. That much was clear.

If Luca De Rossi was planning to start a business for her, it meant he didn’t just want her in his house or in his bed. He wanted her fully in his life. And maybe, just maybe, he wanted to keep her busy. Distracted. Controlled.

I didn’t want to think that. I didn’t want to think he could see her as just another pawn to move around. But this was Luca De Rossi. You couldn’t take anything at face value.

Or maybe he genuinely cared for her.

That possibility twisted something in me. Something uncomfortable.

I took another sip of my drink and let the bitterness coat my tongue.

The thing is, I really wanted to take Luca De Rossi down. I’ve wanted to for a long time. But I’ve never had anything solid. 

Never caught him with blood on his hands. Never caught him holding the knife. And now… the guy who attacked Maria’s apartment? The body? Gone.

Just like that.

Wiped clean like it never existed.

There’s no one to question. No files to track. No witness.

Nothing.

I rubbed a hand down my face, trying to stop myself from punching the table in front of me.

I didn’t want to push Maria. I knew I couldn’t. Not yet. She trusted me, at least a little and if I overstep, she’d run off. And I’d lose whatever chance I was holding onto.

Still, I needed to stay close. Close enough to see things. Close enough to protect her, if it came to that.

Then a thought came.

What if I asked her to let me be part of her business?

It would bring me closer. It would give me access. But... no. That was a terrible idea. Too obvious. Too risky.

I could still help though. Be useful. Advise her. Make myself someone she couldn’t do without in that space. That way, she’d keep me close. She’d keep talking. She might even tell me things she wasn’t supposed to.

“Thinking about her even when she’s gone?”

The voice pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned and saw the barman, he was wiping down the counter while smiling calmly at me.

I gave a short laugh, “Yeah,” I admitted.

He nodded like he understood but didn’t say more.

After a few seconds, I leaned in a little. “Hey… has she been coming here a lot?”

He stopped wiping for a second, thinking. “Not really. Only started coming the day you two met here. Looked like she had a rough day that time.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Any idea what happened that day?”

He shook his head. “Nah. Didn’t say much. Just sat quiet. Ordered something strong. Didn’t even touch her drink until way later.”

I nodded slowly, turning my glass in my hand.

“She seems like trouble,” he added suddenly, voice lower now.

I turned to him, raising a brow. “What do you mean by that?”

He hesitated. Like he wasn’t sure if he should say more. Maybe he thought I’d get offended. But then he shrugged and went on.

“Just a gut feeling. I see people. I watch them. Something about her… I don’t know. She’s carrying something heavy. Like there’s a storm always around her. Trouble finds people like that, or maybe they find it.”

I stayed quiet for a moment.

“Are you saying I should stay away from her?” I asked, but not with anger. Just curiosity.

He shook his head again. “Nah. Not saying that. Just saying what I see.”

I smiled, more to myself than to him. Finished the last sip of my drink.

“Well… thanks,” I said, pulling some cash from my wallet and placing it on the counter. “For the drink. And the warning.”

He gave me a small nod. “Take care of yourself.”

I stood up, slipping my hands into my pockets and walking toward the door. The bar was even quieter now.

As I stepped out into the night, the cool air touched my skin like a reminder that this world never rested.

And just before I walked to my car, I whispered to myself, “Of course she’s trouble.”

I paused.

“She’s Luca De Rossi’s woman. And Luca De Rossi is no ordinary man.”