Chapter 39: Unraveling Loyalties

Luca's Office – Midnight

The silence between Anna and Luca stretched, thick with tension.

He still hadn't answered her question.

Did he know who wanted to hurt her?

And if he did… why wasn't he saying it?

Anna's throat felt dry. "Luca."

His fingers tightened slightly against her chin, his gaze searching hers. Then, as if coming to a decision, he let go and stepped back.

"You should stay in your room tonight," he said finally, his voice controlled.

That wasn't an answer.

Anna crossed her arms, willing her voice to stay steady. "That's not what I asked."

Luca's expression darkened slightly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes. "It's all I can tell you for now."

Frustration bubbled inside her. "That's not good enough."

Luca exhaled slowly, his jaw clenching as he studied her. For a moment, she thought he might actually say something—something real. But then, just as quickly as the moment came, it was gone.

"Stay in your room, Anna," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Then, without another word, he turned and left.

Anna stared at the door after it closed behind him, her heart pounding.

Something was happening.

And she was no longer sure if she could trust Luca to tell her the truth.

---

Marco's Quarters – Midnight

Marco sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor.

Luca's summons had come hours ago. The message had been simple—"We need to talk."

But Marco hadn't gone.

Not yet.

He knew what that conversation would be. He knew Luca would question him, push him, test his loyalty.

And Marco wasn't sure how much longer he could keep pretending.

A knock at his door pulled him from his thoughts. He tensed before rising to his feet.

When he opened the door, Antonio stood there, arms crossed.

"You didn't show up."

Marco leaned against the doorframe. "Didn't feel like being interrogated tonight."

Antonio sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "You know that's not how this works, Marco. Luca's already suspicious."

Marco's jaw tightened. "Of course he is."

Antonio studied him for a long moment. Then, softer, "Is he right to be?"

Marco's eyes flickered with something unreadable.

"I haven't betrayed him."

Antonio didn't look convinced. "But you're thinking about it."

A muscle in Marco's jaw twitched, but he said nothing.

Antonio sighed again, glancing down the hall before stepping closer. "Look, I don't know what's going on between you and Anna, but you need to be smart. If you make Luca choose between you and her—"

"I'm not asking him to choose," Marco cut in sharply.

Antonio gave him a pointed look. "Aren't you?"

Marco exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He knew the truth—even if he wasn't asking for it outright, the tension between them was forcing Luca's hand.

And Luca didn't like being forced into anything.

Antonio stepped back, his expression unreadable. "Just… be careful, Marco."

Marco didn't respond as Antonio walked away.

Because the truth was—it might already be too late for that.

---

Luca's Office – Early Morning

Luca stood by the window, watching the sun rise.

Antonio's voice cut through the silence. "He didn't come."

Luca didn't turn around. "I know."

A slow exhale. "You were right about him."

Luca finally turned, his gaze sharp. "I was right about a lot of things."

Antonio hesitated. "So what now?"

Luca didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked to his desk, opened the file from the night before, and slid a photograph across the surface.

Antonio frowned as he picked it up.

Then his expression darkened.

"That's…"

Luca nodded. "Someone's been lying to us."

Antonio clenched his jaw. "What do you want me to do?"

Luca's gaze was cold, calculated. "Bring them in."

Antonio hesitated. "And Marco?"

Luca's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile.

"Let's see where his true loyalty lies."

---

Anna's Room – Morning

Anna barely slept.

The night had been restless, her mind racing with thoughts of Luca, Marco, and the danger that seemed to be closing in around her.

Who could be after her?

And if Luca knew, why wasn't he telling her?

A knock at the door startled her.

She hesitated, then moved cautiously toward it. "Who is it?"

"Vivian."

Anna sighed in relief before unlocking the door.

Vivian stepped inside, closing the door behind her. "You look like you haven't slept."

"I haven't."

Vivian crossed her arms. "Something happened, didn't it?"

Anna hesitated. She trusted Vivian, but how much could she actually say?

"I think Luca is hiding something from me."

Vivian snorted. "That's not new."

Anna shook her head. "No, I mean… something big. He told me to stay in my room last night. He looked—worried."

Vivian frowned. "Luca? Worried?"

Anna nodded. "And Marco… he didn't come to see me."

Vivian's frown deepened. "That's weird."

"I know."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Vivian sighed. "You need to be careful, Anna. If something is happening, and Luca isn't telling you, it means one of two things."

Anna swallowed. "What?"

Vivian met her gaze, serious.

"He either doesn't trust you."

A chill ran down Anna's spine.

"Or he's trying to protect you from something worse."

---

Luca's Car – Afternoon

Luca sat in the back seat, his fingers tapping against his knee as the city blurred past.

Antonio sat beside him, phone in hand. "It's done."

Luca nodded.

His gaze flickered to the folder in his lap—the one containing the truth.

A truth that would change everything.

And when the car pulled up in front of the warehouse, Luca stepped out with a single thought in mind.

It was time to put an end to the lies.

Forever.