Chapter 36: Shadows of Betrayal

Luca stood in his private study, staring at the city skyline through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The golden lights of the city shimmered, but he felt no comfort in them. His grip tightened around the crystal whiskey glass as his thoughts spiraled—thoughts he couldn't seem to control lately.

Anna.

She was getting too close to Marco. He had seen it—the fleeting glances, the subtle tension between them. It gnawed at him, a feeling he refused to name. He didn't do jealousy. He didn't care about attachments. But something about Anna slipping out of his grasp made his blood boil.

A sharp knock on the door cut through his brooding.

"Come in," he called, his voice rougher than intended.

Antonio stepped inside, his expression unreadable, but the air around him was thick with tension. Luca knew before a word was spoken—this wasn't a routine report.

"We have a problem," Antonio said, shutting the door behind him.

Luca took a slow sip of whiskey before placing the glass down. "What now?"

Antonio ran a hand through his hair, a rare sign of frustration. "There's a leak. Someone inside is feeding information to our enemies."

Luca stilled, his expression darkening. "Do you have a name?"

"Not yet," Antonio admitted, his voice low. "But we intercepted a message. It was coded, but we traced the source. It came from inside the estate."

Luca's jaw clenched. A traitor.

And then Antonio's next words came like a knife to his ribs.

"The message mentioned Anna."

Luca's grip on the desk tightened. The wood creaked under the force.

"What did it say?" His voice was dangerously calm.

Antonio exhaled. "Not her name. But they referred to 'the girl under his protection.'"

Luca's mind raced. Whoever this was, they weren't just after him. They were watching her. Targeting her.

His vision darkened with something primal.

"Find out who it is," Luca ordered, his voice low but carrying a weight of finality. "I don't care what it takes."

Antonio gave a sharp nod but hesitated.

"What?" Luca demanded.

Antonio hesitated only a moment before speaking. "And Marco?"

Luca's entire body stiffened. "What about him?"

Antonio met his gaze. "He's getting too close to her."

A silence stretched between them.

Luca picked up his whiskey glass, downing the rest of the drink in one swallow before slamming the glass down. The sound echoed through the room.

"Marco knows where his loyalties lie."

Antonio didn't argue, but his silence spoke volumes. He turned and left, shutting the door behind him.

Luca exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples.

First, the traitor.

Then, he'd deal with Marco.

And as for Anna…

She would soon learn exactly who she belonged to.

---

Elsewhere in the Estate

Anna sat in the gardens, the cool night breeze brushing against her skin. She needed the fresh air, needed to clear her head. But no matter how much she tried to push it aside, her mind kept circling back to one thing.

Marco.

Their encounter earlier had left her shaken. Not just by what had happened, but by what almost happened.

She knew he wanted her. It was in the way his eyes lingered, the way his touch had burned against her skin. And for a brief, reckless moment, she had wanted him back.

But then, guilt.

Luca.

He had a way of claiming space in her mind even when he wasn't around. His presence was overwhelming, intoxicating, and despite all logic, she was drawn to him.

Anna buried her face in her hands.

What the hell was she doing?

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You look troubled."

She looked up sharply, meeting Marco's gaze.

Her heart skipped.

"I'm fine," she lied.

Marco sat beside her, too close, his eyes watching her intently. "No, you're not."

His tone was soft, but there was something else in it. Something she couldn't quite place.

She swallowed hard. "We shouldn't be out here."

Marco smirked, tilting his head. "Afraid of being seen?"

Her pulse quickened.

Afraid of being seen? No.

Afraid of what she might do if he leaned in any closer?

Yes.