Chapter 44: A Dangerous Game

Anna paced her room, her mind racing. The moment Luca had left earlier, she had known—he suspected something. He might not have solid proof yet, but Luca didn't need proof to act. All he needed was a reason.

And Marco had given him one by hesitating.

A knock at her door made her freeze. Her pulse spiked as she approached, her hand hovering over the handle.

"Who is it?" she asked cautiously.

"It's me."

Marco.

Anna quickly unlocked the door and let him inside. He slipped in, shutting it behind him.

"Did Luca say anything else?" she whispered.

Marco shook his head. "Not directly. But he's watching both of us now."

Anna swallowed hard. "Then we're running out of time."

Marco's jaw clenched. "I know."

For a long moment, they just stood there, the weight of their situation pressing down on them.

Then, Marco exhaled. "I have to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."

Anna nodded. "Okay."

His dark eyes searched hers. "If I told you to leave tonight, would you?"

Her stomach twisted. "Leave?"

"Yeah." His voice was quiet but firm. "If I said it wasn't safe for you anymore, would you walk away from all of this?"

Anna's breath caught. Was he serious? Could she even do that?

Could she leave Marco?

She looked away, trying to process. If she stayed, she was putting herself at risk. But if she left... what would happen to Marco?

"You're hesitating," Marco said.

"Because I don't know what the right answer is," she admitted.

Marco stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Anna, Luca will use you against me if he thinks you're a weakness. If you leave, he won't have that power over me."

Anna shook her head. "And what happens to you after I'm gone? Do you really think Luca won't find another way to test your loyalty?"

Silence.

Then Marco sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. "Dammit, Anna..."

She took a step toward him. "We need to be smart. Running isn't the answer."

Marco's jaw tensed, but he didn't argue.

She was right. Luca didn't just eliminate threats—he controlled them first. If he thought Marco was slipping, he wouldn't just kill him. He'd break him first.

Leaving wouldn't stop that.

So what would?

---

Meanwhile – Luca's Office

Luca leaned back in his chair, twirling a glass of whiskey in his hand. Across from him, Antonio stood with his arms crossed.

"He's getting reckless," Antonio said.

Luca smirked. "Marco?"

Antonio nodded. "You saw it yourself. He hesitated today. He's been acting different ever since Anna came into the picture."

Luca exhaled slowly, his smirk fading. "Yes. He has."

Antonio hesitated, then asked, "What are you going to do about it?"

Luca took a slow sip of his drink before answering.

"Test him."

Antonio frowned. "You think he'll pass?"

Luca chuckled, dark and amused. "That's what we're going to find out."

---

Later That Night – The Call

Marco's phone buzzed.

He glanced at Anna, who was watching him with worried eyes.

He answered.

"Luca," he said, keeping his voice steady.

"Meet me at the docks," Luca said smoothly. "Now."

Marco felt his stomach drop.

This was it.

The test.

"On my way," he said.

The call ended.

Anna stepped forward. "Marco—"

He pulled her close, pressing his lips against her forehead. "Whatever happens, don't do anything reckless."

Anna gripped his arm. "Marco, don't let him push you into something you can't come back from."

Marco forced a smirk, even though his chest was tight. "Who, me? I'm always careful."

He walked to the door, pausing only once to look back at her.

Then he was gone.

---

The Docks – Midnight

The night air was sharp with the scent of salt and gasoline. Marco stepped out of his car, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets, his heartbeat steady but alert.

A few of Luca's men stood by the crates, their faces unreadable.

Luca himself stood near the water, looking out at the dark waves.

"You're late," Luca said without turning around.

Marco didn't apologize. "Traffic."

Luca chuckled softly, finally turning to face him. His gaze swept over Marco, unreadable.

Then, he gestured.

A man was kneeling on the wet ground, his hands tied behind his back, his face already battered and bruised. Blood dripped from his split lip.

Marco's stomach twisted.

Luca stepped closer, his voice smooth. "This man was caught trying to sell information about us."

Marco didn't move. "Then why is he still breathing?"

Luca smiled. "Because you're going to take care of it."

Marco's pulse spiked.

This was the test.

He stared at the gun Luca held out to him.

"Go ahead," Luca said, voice calm but firm.

Marco hesitated, his fingers brushing the gun.

He could feel Luca's gaze burning into him, watching, waiting.

The man on the ground let out a shaky breath. "Please—"

Marco gritted his teeth.

He wasn't a stranger to killing. He had done it before. But this… this wasn't just about eliminating a traitor.

This was about proving something to Luca.

And if he hesitated again…

Luca would know.

Slowly, Marco took the gun.

His fingers tightened around the handle, his heartbeat a steady, deafening drum.

The man's breathing grew more ragged, his eyes darting between Marco and Luca.

Marco leveled the gun at the man's forehead.

Pulled the trigger.

A single gunshot echoed over the water.

Luca's smirk returned. "Good."

Marco swallowed hard, masking the tension in his body.

He had done what he had to do.

But as he looked at the body on the ground, he knew—

This wasn't over.

Not even close.