The tension escalated slowly at first, but now, as they neared Ava’s house, it was undeniable.It wasn’t just the quiet suburbs or the normalcy of the neighborhoods—it was a palpable presence, a feeling in the air that made Luca’s pulse quicken.He knew this feeling.It was the calm before the storm, the kind of silence that comes just before chaos breaks loose.Tanaka’s move.It’s happening now.
Luca’s jaw tightened.He couldn’t let this slide.His eyes flicked to his guards, who were all acutely aware of the same thing—something was coming.Right now.
Chapter 18
Avawasrestless,herthoughts spiraling as she tried to make sense of her emotions.She had left Luca’s penthouse in a fit of hurt outrage, unwilling to wait for him to finish his text message and address what was bothering her.She’d walked out—hadn’t given him a chance to explain, hadn’t waited for the cool-down.It was childish.The irony wasn’t lost on her.She had stormed out because Luca refused to talk about his parents, to share something intimate about his life and what made him who he is today, something beyond the physical.But now she was sitting here, petting her exhausted puppies while brooding, stewing in her own frustration, realizing she was doing the same exact thing: refusing to talk.
Was that why she felt so restless?Her thoughts tangled around that question, making her more anxious.She glanced at the clock on the microwave—ten-fifteen.It had only been thirty minutes since she’d left Luca’s place, a brief drive of ten miles.The route had been easy, smooth, with most of the traffic heading into the city for the nightlife, leaving the roads on the outskirts eerily empty.
So, why did she feel like this?Why did she feel sooff?
It was almost like she was sitting in front of a stage, waiting for the actors to come out and begin the performance.The anticipation was thick in the air, almost suffocating.Her skin tingled with the sensation that something was about to happen.It wasn’t a normal unease she felt—this was different, sharper.There was a strange, gnawing sense that her world was shifting, and she couldn’t control it.
Her eyes darted to the window looking out onto her backyard, where Luca’s bodyguards were stationed outside, patrolling in random patterns, constantly scanning the area.They were there for her protection, but for some reason, seeing them felt...wrong.Her instincts were tingling, and she couldn’t shake the sense that something was vaguely off.
She sighed, trying to push the feeling away.“It’s just the stress,” she muttered under her breath.She glanced at the puppies, who had been chasing toys around her living room but were now laying on their backs, their puppy bellies exposed as they slept in blissful ignorance.They were undisturbed, caught up in their own world.She had yet to name them, still waiting for the right moment, the right connection with Luca.
She gazed at the fluffballs that had wiggled their way into her heart.Goodness, they were cute and sweet.And they were also so innocent and full of joy.
Suddenly, one of the puppies woke up and looked at the window, his ears perking up.But he didn’t jump off of her sofa.Instead, the little guy lowered his head, but remained alert.
Ava’s stomach twisted.She tried to brush the foreboding feeling aside, chalking it up to the puppy being naturally curious, their attention drawn to the movement outside.But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself that everything was fine, she couldn’t shake a growing feeling of dread.
“They’re just puppies,” she whispered to herself, glancing warily at the window as she smoothed a reassuring hand over the little guy’s soft fur.But when the other puppy woke up and looked out the window, Ava was definitely uncomfortable.They weren’t barking or growling, just watching.Their posture was tense, their little bodies still, heads cocked slightly.
Ava’s fingers dug into the pillow by her side as her nerves shot to the surface.Why did they keep looking out there like that?
She tried to calm herself.She was getting carried away.Maybe she just needed to clear her head.Maybe this was just a side effect of her fight with Luca, the frustration of leaving him without answers, the confusion and hurt over his emotions and the way he closed himself off.But the more she tried to push the feeling away, the stronger it became.Something was wrong.
Her heart pounded in her chest, and her thoughts raced.What if Tanaka was coming right now?What if this was it?
Ava took a deep breath, her mind spiraling into worst-case scenarios.She forced herself to stand and walk to the window, then back to the bed as her gaze landed on the two puppies, who were once again staring out the darkened window.For a moment, she just stood there, staring out at the calm, quiet night.Was this the stillness before the storm.She could almost feel it, like the last breath before a thunderclap.
“I’m being paranoid,” she muttered to herself.But deep down, a tiny, unshakable voice disagreed.Something was coming.
Chapter 19
Luca’sgazeneverleftthe house once it came into view.The faint glow of lights filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the neatly manicured front yard.The perimeter guards stood in their usual positions, motionless but alert, continuously scanning the area with a practiced eye.As the SUV slowed, Luca dared to breathe a quiet sigh of relief.Ava’s house, her sanctuary, was secure.She was safe.
For the briefest moment, Luca allowed himself a sliver of peace, knowing she wasn’t hurt, wasn’t in danger.But that peace faded quickly.His stomach churned with an unspoken urgency.He had to get her back to his penthouse.He had to get her back to him, where he could protect her properly.
She’s mine now.There's no going back,he thought, the weight of their intimate moment settling in deeper.He knew there was no way he could sleep without her by his side.The feel of her in his arms had ignited something inside him—something that had been dormant for far too long.After tonight, he couldn’t bear the thought of being without her.
Yet, as he stepped out of the vehicle, he realized just how much he'd screwed up earlier.He'd let his walls get too high.But that was going to change.He wouldn’t burden her with the misery of his childhood, but he would explain.He'd tell her that his parents were a wound he didn’t talk about, and he’d make her understand.Then, after everything was said and done, he'd hold her again.He'd make love to her again.And this time, nothing would stand in the way.
“I’ll be back,” he told his driver, as he nodded to the guards, already focused on Ava.
The driveway was lit by soft exterior lights, and the quiet of the night pressed in around him, amplifying the sound of his footsteps.His guards flanked him as he walked toward the front door, but something wasn’t right.The usual hum of the evening air, the chirping of distant insects, everything felt… off.There was a stillness that didn’t belong.
Luca stopped mid-step, a deep instinctual pull tightening in his chest.His body tensed, senses alert.Something wasn’t right.A chill crept down his spine as he scanned the area.His guards were still in place, but the atmosphere had shifted.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up.It wasn’t the usual unease he felt when dealing with threats to his empire.This was something… more immediate.
He raised his hand, signaling for his guards to stay back.His mind raced, adrenaline flooding his system.Every muscle in his body screamed at him to take action, but before he could make a move, two figures in black emerged from the shadows, their faces obscured by dark masks.They moved like ghosts, silent and swift.Luca’s heart skipped a beat.
The world slowed as they closed the distance.The air felt thick, charged with tension.He was reaching for his gun when—
A sharp blow struck him from behind, his vision exploding in stars.His body crumpled to the ground, the world going black.
