Beginning of war

Luther POV

The rays of sun hit her hair, making it glisten in warm gold. I couldn’t help but watch her for a moment longer.

She shifted slightly, curling closer to the pillow, and then like she always seemed to do my name slipped out from her lips in a drowsy whisper.

“Lu…ther.”

God, the way she said it. Soft. Almost tender. It got to me every damn time.

“Morning, babe,” I murmured, leaning down to kiss her forehead before swinging my legs out of bed. I padded toward the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face, trying to pull my head back into focus.

When I came back out, she was still tucked in, watching me lazily.

“This room isn’t secure enough,” I said without thinking. My eyes were already darting to the window, the door lock, the thin curtains.

“I’ll need to make arrangements to change your home.”

Her brows furrowed. “Change my home?”

“Yes,” I replied firmly. “I don’t like the idea of you staying here as it is.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair back. “I need to go out now, Rose.” My voice was soft, almost reluctant.

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “Do you really need to go?”

“Yes,” I said. “I need to attend to a business matter.”

That’s when she asked it—the question that made me pause mid-step.

“Can’t you tell me about it? I could help… with ideas, maybe?”

I turned back to look at her, caught off guard. Her voice was earnest, eyes curious.

“You?” I let out a low scoff, more from surprise than anything.

“Perhaps later.”

Her lips pressed together, clearly not satisfied with my answer, but she didn’t push. I left before I could change my mind about staying longer.

By the time I was on the road, my phone buzzed. Marci’s name flashed on the screen.

I answered, voice clipped. “What is it?”

“We’re at the location where they’re taking the shipment,” Marci said.

A slow smile curved on my lips. “Good. Seize Vicenzo’s shipment. I want every last crate in my possession by tonight.”

“Understood.”

Hours later, the operation had gone exactly as planned. No mistakes, no losses. The trucks rolled into my place, headlights cutting through the evening shadows. I stepped out into the courtyard, watching as the men unloaded the cargo—my cargo now.

“This,” I muttered under my breath, “is just the beginning.”

But instead of heading straight home, I sent Rose a short text: Get ready. I’m taking you out.

She didn’t ask where. She just sent back, Okay.

Later that night, I led her into a private cinema—just us, no staff, no interruptions. The air smelled faintly of buttered popcorn, but the luxury velvet seats and dim lighting gave the place an intimate feel.

Her eyes lit up. “You rented the whole thing?”

I smirked. “You think I’d let anyone else watch you when you laugh?”

She rolled her eyes but blushed, settling beside me. We watched a classic romance slow, emotional, the kind that made her lean closer without realizing. Halfway through, I slid my arm around her shoulders, pulling her in.

She looked up at me. “You’re not even watching the movie.”

“I am.” My gaze stayed fixed on her lips. “My favorite scene is right here.”

She laughed softly, shaking her head, but her smile faltered when I tilted her chin. The distance between us shrank, the hum of the projector fading until all I could hear was her breathing.

Our lips met. At first, it was soft—testing—but the taste of her pulled me deeper. My hand cupped the back of her neck, and she melted into me, her fingers curling into my shirt.

I deepened the kiss, tracing the seam of her mouth until she parted for me, letting me in.

She tasted sweet, intoxicating.

Her breath hitched when my thumb brushed her jaw, tilting her face so I could explore her more fully. The movie’s flicker washed over her skin, and I was drowning in her warmth, her scent, her everything.

Just as I was about to lose myself completely

RING… RING…I groaned against her lips, reaching for my phone without breaking eye contact.

The name on the screen made my blood run cold.

Vicenzo, I already knew what he was calling for but right now was not the exact moment.

I ignored the call and continued as I trailed my hands to her neck bone and before I could lean my hands on her cleavage…

Then it buzzed again. Persistent, Her brows drew together. “Who’s that?” she asked, her voice breaking the haze.

I didn’t even glance at the screen. “Nobody,” I said quickly, my lips brushing hers again, hoping she’d let it go, reluctantly she did let it go as she eased herself into my arms.

But it came again this time, louder, vibrating insistently against my thigh. She pulled back slightly, her eyes darting down.

Before I could block her view, she caught the name flashing on the screen.

Her entire expression shifted.

“Vicenzo?” she said, her tone low but laced with disbelief.

I exhaled sharply, shoving the phone back into my pocket. “It’s nothing, Rose. Forget it.”

“Nothing?” Her voice had an edge now. “You think I’m that naïve?”

“I told you—it’s not what you think.”

“Then prove it,” she shot back, her gaze hard and unblinking.

My jaw tightened. “Rose…”

“No.” She crossed her arms, leaning back against the seat as if to create distance.

“The only way I’m believing you is if you pick it up. Right now. Put it on speaker.”

I hesitated.

My pulse ticked faster, not because of Vicenzo’s call, but because I could see the flicker of mistrust in her

eyes—a look I didn’t want there.

Her voice softened, but it was no less demanding. “Luther… if you’ve got nothing to hide, why not answer it?”

I stared at her for a long moment, weighing whether I should protect her from whatever this call might unleash or give her the brutal truth she was asking for.