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Despite the turmoil in my mind, I listened closely, hanging on every word Luca said.
His voice was low, measured, but filled with the weight of the past. As he spoke, I began piecing things together, understanding how someone like Luca–a man tied so deeply to the underworld- might have felt forced to prioritize Isobel. The complicated power plays, the family obligations, the promises–it all started to make sense.
But even as clarity dawned on me, so did my resolve. No matter what Luca said, it didn’t change the decision I’d already made. Our relationship was over.
The silence between us hung heavy, only to be broken by the crackling of the private jet s intercom.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We‘ re beginning our
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descent into Italy. Please fasten your
seatbelts.”
The cabin hummed as the jet began its slow descent. I kept my eyes on Luca, and he held my gaze, his expression unreadable behind the shadows cast by his dark
sunglasses. His face–once a source of comfort–now reminded me of everything I needed to leave behind.
“Thank you for telling me all of this, Luca. I know it wasn’t easy for you. But it doesn’t change anything.”
A muscle in Luca’s jaw tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Elena…”
Before he could say more, a flight attendant. appeared, her polite but firm voice cutting through the tension. “Signore(sir), please return your seat to the upright position for landing.”
The interruption was enough to stop him. He didn’t push the conversation further, though I could feel his frustration
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simmering beneath the surface. As soon as we touched down, I moved fast, slipping through the crowd of bodyguards and businessmen with practiced ease.
At baggage claim, I spotted my black leather suitcase and grabbed it, scanning the area for Vincent. He‘ d texted me the meeting point earlier, but the airport felt. like a labyrinth, designed to confuse anyone not familiar with its paths.
It was my first time back in Italy since I left. Everything felt foreign–the faces, the atmosphere, even the language, though I was fluent. It all seemed so distant now.
As I tried to get my bearings, Luca‘ s voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding.
“Elena!”
I ignored the pull in my chest and kept moving. But Luca, with his long strides and relentless determination, caught up
quickly, his suitcase wheeling behind him.
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We were now the focus of several onlookers–some curious, others wary. I could feel their eyes on us, the tension thickening with every passing second.
Luca stopped beside me, slightly winded, his face hard with purpose. “Let me help. You won’t make it to the meeting spot
without me.”
I shot him a cold glare, shaking my head.
“I don’t need your help, Luca.”
He clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing in frustration. “Stop being stubborn, Elena. This isn’t the time for it.”
“Stubborn?” I scoffed, my voice rising a notch. “You think I’m being stubborn because I don’t want to rely on you? I’m done with that. I can find my own way.”
“You‘ re lost,” he retorted, the authority in his voice unmistakable. “Admit it. This place” He gestured to the vast terminal around us. “It s not like New York. It s not safe. You‘ re not safe here without
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knowing the right exits, the right people.”
I crossed my arms, not caring that I was causing a scene. “I’ll manage. I’ve been handling things just fine without you.”
Luca took a step closer, lowering his voice, but the intensity in his gaze didn’t soften. “This isn’t about proving a point, Elena. This is Italy. You don‘ t just walk out of here like it’s some commercial flight. Sandro wouldn’t have called me if he thought you could handle it alone.”
I felt a flash of anger rise in me. “Of course, Vincent had to send you to rescue me. Like always. That’s what you think, isn’t it? That I’m helpless without you?”
Luca’s jaw tightened, and for a second, I saw a flicker of something–regret, maybe.
“It’s not about that,” he said quietly. “It’s about keeping you safe. Whether you like it or not, things have changed. The families are watching, Elena. I’m trying to keep you from walking into a situation. you don’t understand.”
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I opened my mouth to argue, but the weight of his words gave me pause. The families. The hidden dangers that came with this territory. I wasn‘ t naïve, but I knew Italy was a different world–one where power plays could turn deadly.
He studied my face, waiting for me to respond, his eyes searching mine.
He wasn’t wrong. The airport, with its sprawling terminals and maze–like hallways, was a nightmare to navigate. Vincent’s instructions had been clear, but in my frazzled state, everything felt disorienting.
Despite everything, I nodded, giving in. I wasn’t ready to confront the unknown on my own just yet. Luca led the way, his presence commanding, as if this world belonged to him.
And, in many ways, it did.
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