Chapter 118: A Dangerous Game

The next morning, Luca awoke to find Ethan already out of bed, standing by the window with a troubled expression on his face. The early sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows across Ethan's bare skin. His shoulders were tense, his gaze distant, as if he was lost in thoughts that he couldn't escape.

Luca sat up, the sheets sliding off his body as he rubbed his eyes and stretched. "Hey," he called softly, trying to catch Ethan's attention. "You're up early."

Ethan turned his head, his eyes meeting Luca's with a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Couldn't sleep," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Kept thinking about… everything."

Luca climbed out of bed and crossed the room to stand beside him. "We're going to be okay," he said, placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder. The touch was meant to be reassuring, but even Luca could feel the doubt in his own words.

Ethan sighed, leaning into Luca's touch. "I know you want to protect me, but I don't want to keep hiding," he said, his voice edged with frustration. "It feels like we're just delaying the inevitable."

"I'm not hiding because I'm scared of Darren," Luca replied, his jaw tightening. "I'm doing it to protect you." He pulled Ethan closer, wrapping his arms around him. "There's a difference."

Ethan hesitated, then wrapped his arms around Luca's waist, clinging to him as if he was the only thing keeping him grounded. "What if we're wrong?" he whispered. "What if Darren finds out, and we can't stop him?"

"We won't let that happen," Luca said, his voice firm as he stroked Ethan's hair. "Darren might think he owns you, but he doesn't. You're not his to control."

The words felt brave, but even as he said them, Luca couldn't ignore the unease settling in the pit of his stomach. Darren had always been possessive, especially when it came to Ethan. The idea of anyone else getting close to him was something Darren wouldn't tolerate.

Ethan looked up at Luca, his gaze softening as a thought crossed his mind. "Maybe… if we play along for a while, we can make him believe there's nothing between us," he suggested, the idea forming slowly. "Just until we can figure out a real plan."

Luca's expression darkened as he considered the suggestion. "You mean pretend like we're nothing more than friends?" he asked, his tone dripping with distaste. "I don't know if I can do that, Ethan. Not after everything."

"I know it's not ideal," Ethan said, his voice trembling. "But if it keeps us safe, then maybe it's worth it. At least until we're ready to face him."

The thought of having to hide his feelings for Ethan even more than they already were made Luca's chest tighten with frustration. But if it meant buying them time to prepare, then perhaps it was a risk worth taking.

"Fine," Luca said finally, his voice tense. "But I don't like it. And the second we find a way out, we're done pretending." He leaned down to capture Ethan's lips in a heated kiss, pouring all of his frustration and need into it. The intensity of the kiss sent a jolt through both of them, as if reaffirming what they were fighting for.

Ethan kissed him back just as fervently, the moment blurring the lines between danger and desire. Because deep down, they both knew they were playing a dangerous game—one that could end in either freedom or destruction.

End of Chapter 118

To Be Continued...