Chapter 5 Velvet lies and irom truth

*Chapter Five: Velvet Lies & Iron Truths*

*Four days.*

That's how long Elena had been living in the glass-walled prison Luciano called a "safehouse."

Located in the Hudson Valley, it sat on a private hilltop surrounded by pine trees, high stone fences, and silent men in black who stood like statues. It had every luxury she could think of-yet felt colder than her cramped New York apartment had ever been.

Elena Rivers had grown up quiet, bookish, careful. But now, she was something else entirely: a pawn in a world of violence she didn't understand and a woman trying not to fall for the man who pulled her into it.

Luciano Moretti.

She should hate him.

She didn't.

And that was the most dangerous part of all.

-

That night, the storm rolled in thick and low. Wind pressed against the window like fists. Lightning cracked somewhere beyond the forest.

Elena was reading-no, pretending to read-when she heard it.

Boots. A low knock. Three precise raps.

She knew before she opened the door.

Luciano.

Drenched from the rain, he looked half-wild: hair damp, suit disheveled, blood at his collar-not fresh, but not dry either. His eyes, though... still sharp. Still terrifying. Still beautiful.

"Elena," he said simply.

She didn't speak. Didn't move.

"I shouldn't be here," he murmured. "But I couldn't stay away."

Her heart twisted.

She stepped aside.

-

Inside, the air felt charged. Like the moment before lightning hits.

Luciano said nothing for nearly a full minute. He just stood in the middle of her room, the lamplight catching the rain on his jacket, his chest rising and falling harder than usual.

"You're angry," he finally said.

She folded her arms. "Furious."

His jaw clenched.

"I sent you away because if I didn't, you'd be dead."

"No," she snapped. "You sent me away because you don't trust me to make my own choices."

"I *can't* trust you to risk your life for mine."

"You don't own me."

"No," he said. "But I'd burn the world to keep you breathing."

The words landed heavy.

"Then why didn't you just let me go after the alley? After the gallery?" she whispered. "Why keep pulling me back?"

He stepped closer, rain still dripping from his sleeves. "Because every time I leave you, it gets worse."

"What does?"

"My control."

They were inches apart now. Her pulse thundered in her ears.

Luciano raised a hand slowly-watching her expression the entire time-and brushed a wet curl behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her cheek, rough and warm.

"You make me forget what kind of man I am," he murmured. "And I need to remember."

"I don't want to be a distraction," she said, barely breathing.

"You're not," he said. "You're the only real thing in a world built on lies."

She blinked, swallowing hard. "Then why do I feel like I'm the one being corrupted?"

He leaned in.

His breath hit her lips. His fingers curled under her chin.

"Because I *am* corrupt," he said softly. "And I've already ruined you."

-

The kiss wasn't gentle.

It was fire-violent and unrelenting. A storm breaking free.

Luciano's mouth claimed hers like he was drowning and she was the only air left in the world. She gasped, hands bracing against his chest, but he pulled her in deeper, tighter, one arm around her waist, the other gripping her jaw like he needed to memorize every inch.

She tasted rain. Salt. Coffee. And something darker.

She didn't care.

She kissed him back with every ounce of the fear, confusion, and longing she'd been choking down for weeks. His hands roamed her back-slow, then desperate. She arched into him, her body suddenly weightless.

Her fingers found the edge of his jacket. He pulled away-just for a breath-and stared at her like she was the most dangerous thing he'd ever seen.

"Elena," he rasped.

Her voice trembled. "Don't stop."

He didn't.

The second kiss was slower-deeper. His thumb brushed her lips as he kissed her again, softer this time, but with the same unbearable intensity. He kissed like a man who had never allowed himself softness... and didn't know if he'd ever have it again.

When they finally pulled apart, they were breathless.

"Luciano..."

He rested his forehead against hers. "You make me human. And I can't decide if that's salvation-or my final sin."

*...........TO BE CONTINUED.........*