chapter 15

Chapter 15: Countdown to Midnight (Elena's POV)

The rest of the day drags slow and heavy. We stay in the penthouse windows closed curtains drawn. No one talks much. Matteo paces the living room phone in hand making quiet calls to his men setting up the meet for tomorrow night. Luca sits on the couch cleaning his gun piece by piece fingers steady but eyes far away. Nico cooks something simple eggs toast coffee but nobody eats much.

I wander between rooms trying to stay busy. I take a long shower let hot water run over me until my skin turns pink. When I step out I wrap in a soft towel sit on the bed stare at the wall. The clock on the nightstand ticks loud every second closer to midnight tomorrow.

My phone stays silent after Daddy's last message. No more texts. No calls. Just quiet. The quiet scares me more than threats.

Matteo comes in around evening sits beside me. He doesn't say anything at first just takes my hand squeezes it. His thumb rubs slow circles on my skin.

"You've been quiet all day," he says gentle.

I lean against him head on his shoulder. "I'm scared. Not of him hurting me. Of him hurting himself. Or you. Or us."

He nods slow. "I know. But we can't let him control this. If we give in now he wins. And he keeps winning until there's nothing left of you."

I close my eyes tight. "I just want it to stop. The fighting. The pain. I want to feel safe."

Matteo turns lifts my chin makes me look at him. "You are safe. Here. With us. That's what I'm fighting for."

His words warm me a little. I kiss him soft slow. He kisses back deeper hand sliding to my neck holding me close. The kiss turns hungry fast. I climb into his lap straddle him towel slipping open breasts pressing against his shirt.

He groans low hands roaming under the towel cupping my ass pulling me tighter against him. I feel him hard under me thick ready. I rock slow grind down feel the friction through his pants.

Luca walks in sees us stops in the doorway. "Room for one more?"

Matteo breaks the kiss looks over. "Always."

Luca strips fast shirt pants gone in seconds. He climbs on the bed behind me kisses my neck hands sliding around to my breasts pinches my nipples gentle then harder. I moan head falling back against his shoulder.

Matteo lifts me just enough unzips pushes his pants down cock springing free. I lower slow take him inside inch by inch until he's buried deep. We both sigh long satisfied.

Luca presses against my back cock hot between my ass cheeks. He reaches around fingers find my clit rubs slow circles while Matteo starts moving under me slow thrusts up.

Pleasure spreads warm steady. I rock between them Matteo filling me Luca teasing my clit mouth on my neck sucking marks into my skin.

It feels good safe familiar. No rush. Just bodies moving together breathing together.

Matteo speeds up a little hand on my hip guiding me. "That's it princess ride me slow. Feel every inch."

I do. Roll my hips take him deeper. Luca's fingers match the rhythm press harder rub faster.

Heat builds low in my belly spreads out. My thighs start to shake breath comes short.

"Come for us," Matteo whispers rough. "Let go baby."

I do. Soft cry escapes me body tightening around Matteo pulsing squeezing. He groans follows right after fills me hot deep spurts.

Luca strokes himself fast comes on my back warm thick ropes landing on my skin.

We stay like that breathing hard tangled together. Matteo kisses my shoulder Luca kisses my neck.

For a few minutes the world feels small just us.

Then the phone buzzes again.

I tense.

Matteo reaches over without pulling out of me picks it up.

Another message from Daddy.

This time a voice note.

Matteo looks at me question in his eyes.

"Play it," I say voice small.

He hits play.

Daddy's voice comes through tired broken rough from crying maybe drinking.

"Elena... baby girl... I know I messed up. I know I kept you locked away too long. I was scared. After your mom left I thought the world would take you too. I thought keeping you safe meant keeping you alone. I was wrong. I see that now. But please... come home. Just talk to me. One last time. Midnight tomorrow. The old park bench by the fountain. No guards. No tricks. Just you and me. I won't force you. I just want to see your face. Hear your voice. Tell you I love you. That's all. Please."

The message ends.

Silence falls heavy.

Matteo sets the phone down looks at me.

Luca's arms tighten around me protective.

I feel tears burn again.

"He sounds... real," I whisper. "Like the Daddy I remember."

Matteo exhales slow. "He might be. Or he might be playing you. We can't know until we go."

I nod slow. "I have to see him. One time. Hear him say it. Then... then I can decide for sure."

Matteo searches my face long time. Then nods. "Okay. We go. But not alone. We stay close hidden. If anything feels wrong we pull you out fast."

Luca kisses my temple. "You're not walking into a trap without us."

I lean back against Luca Matteo still inside me soft now but warm. Their arms around me strong safe.

Tomorrow night.

Midnight.

The old park.

One conversation.

One chance to end this or start something worse.

I close my eyes feel their heartbeats against mine.

Whatever happens...

I know one thing.

I won't be the same girl who walks away from that bench.

And neither will Daddy.

The clock keeps ticking.

Midnight is coming fast.

And when it does...

Everything changes.