Chapter 5 Five

Luca:

I used to believe I was immune to the cold.

But tonight, the wind slipping through the window that was barely cracked bit at my skin . I let it. Sometimes pain, however subtle... helped me stay grounded.

Cassie hadn't said a word to me since the conversation in the hallway yesterday. She avoided my eyes, moved like a ghost through the penthouse. I couldn't blame her.

She didn't know the half of it.

And maybe that was for the best.

I sat in the leather chair by the unlit fireplace, fingers resting against my mouth as I stared at nothing in particular. The silence had grown louder these past few days, now that she was here. It wasn't that I wanted her to speak, but her silence felt... louder. Like she was waiting for something. Like I was, too.

Footsteps padded across the wooden floor... hers. She paused, probably noticing I was there. But she didn't speak. Just kept walking toward the kitchen.

I didn't follow.

I'd made the decision to take her, to protect her. But I wasn't stupid. No one ever thanked the man who dragged them from their life, even if he swore it was for their safety.

What she didn't realize was that I'd already paid the price for protecting people once. My sister, Miucca, reminded me of that every time we spoke. "You bleed for strangers, Luca. You always have," she'd said the last time we argued. "But who bleeds for you?"

No one. And I preferred it that way.

Still, Cassie was different.

Not because she was beautiful... though she was.

But because every time I tried to remind myself she was just a job, just a responsibility... I failed.

Miserably.

There was a quiet strength in her. One that clashed with everything I was used to. I'd met women who wanted power, wanted me, wanted money. Cassie didn't want any of that. She just wanted the truth. And that made her dangerous.

To me.

To both of us.

My phone buzzed on the side table.

Matteo: We need to talk. Something's moving on the Romano account. Someone else might be looking.

I stared at the message. My pulse spiked, but my expression didn't change.

Cassie's father had buried secrets deep, and now that he was dead, everyone wanted a piece of what he left behind.

She didn't know it yet, but her name was more than just a name. It was a trigger.

And whether I liked it or not, I was the only one standing between her and the men who'd kill to make her disappear.

For a second, I looked toward the kitchen, hearing the clink of a glass.

She had no idea how many bullets I'd already dodged for her.

But one day, she would.

And when that day came, I just hoped she wouldn't hate me more than she already did, Not I cared actually.

She stood by the sink, back to me, her long hair tied up messily like she hadn't meant to impress anyone. Maybe she hadn't.

But she still did.

I leaned against the kitchen doorway. "You always drink water at midnight?"

She didn't turn around. "You always sneak up on someone?"

That made me smirk. "Touché."

She finally faced me, her glass halfway to her lips. Her eyes met mine for a second too long. "What do you want, Luca?"

It wasn't laced with fear. Just exhaustion.

"I was going to ask you the same thing," I said quietly, stepping closer. "You've been pacing this place like it's a prison."

"It is," she said. "Even more now that I'm supposed to be your wife."

"I told you. You're here for your protection."

"And I told you, I don't need protection."

Silence settled between us, sharp and loaded. I didn't break it right away. She needed honesty-hell, she deserved it-but not everything could be spoken aloud. Not yet.

"I know you hate me for this," I said finally. "But the people coming for you... they don't care if you believe in the threat or not."

Her grip tightened around the glass. "Why me? Why not my mother? Why not someone else from his life?"

"Because your father trusted you," I said. "More than anyone. You might not realize it, but he left pieces behind, and you're the key."

Her brows pulled together, and for a brief second, the fire in her eyes flickered into fear. "You're saying I'm some... what? Secret keeper?"

I tilted my head. "A silent one."

She laughed bitterly. "Is that supposed to be poetic?"

"No," I said, voice low. "It's supposed to be true."

Her expression shifted conflict flickering across her face. I knew that look. She wanted to argue. But part of her... was listening.

"Do you even know what he left behind?" she asked, searching my face.

I shook my head. "Not yet. But others are looking. And if they find it before I do, you won't have the luxury of asking me questions."

She looked away first.

I could've left it there. Should have. But I stepped closer, enough to catch the faint shiver that ran through her even though the room wasn't cold.

"Cassie," I said, softer now. "I'm not your enemy."

Her eyes met mine again. And this time, she didn't pull away.

"I don't know what you're trying to say," she said.

Fair.

"Then give it time," I told her. "Figure it out."

She didn't answer. Just turned back to her glass.

But she didn't walk away either.

She just stood there, quiet,

Then, just before she turned her back to me, her voice cut through the quiet ,barely above a whisper.

"Then I think you better figure it out first, Luca. Before they do."