Chapter 138: Shadows of the Past

The video replayed in Luca's mind as they both stood frozen, fear mingling with anger. Ethan's protective instincts surged to the forefront, his jaw clenched tightly. "We need to make a plan," he said, urgency lacing his voice.

Luca shook his head, still reeling from the implications of the video. "A plan? How can we plan for something like this? He's already inside our lives, Ethan. This is insane!"

Ethan stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Luca, listen to me. We can't let him intimidate us. We need to outsmart him." He took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling between them.

"What if he's watching right now?" Luca whispered, glancing nervously at the windows, half-expecting to see Darren's face staring back at him. The fear was palpable, wrapping around them like a suffocating blanket.

Ethan reached for Luca's hand, their fingers intertwining. "We have to trust each other. Whatever happens next, we face it together. We'll make sure Darren can't hurt you again." His grip tightened, as if he could shield Luca from the encroaching darkness just by holding him close.

As they began to brainstorm ideas, Luca felt a swell of gratitude. Despite the situation, Ethan was there—his unwavering support giving Luca a flicker of hope amidst the dread. But the reality of Darren's threat weighed heavily on Luca's mind. How long could they keep this up?

"We should install security cameras," Ethan suggested, pacing the room as he spoke. "That way, we can keep an eye on everything outside and inside. And maybe we should let some trusted friends know what's going on, so they can help."

Luca nodded, feeling a sense of agency return. "Yeah, that sounds good. We can't let him isolate us."

Ethan's phone buzzed, breaking the tension. He glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted to concern. "It's my brother. He wants to meet up."

Luca raised an eyebrow. "Why now? Does he know what's happening?"

"I don't think so," Ethan replied, glancing at Luca. "But he might have information that could help us."

"Are you sure we should trust him?" Luca questioned, remembering past encounters with Ethan's brother that had not gone well.

Ethan ran a hand through his hair, frustration etched on his face. "I know he can be annoying, but I need to at least hear him out. I'll keep my guard up."

After a moment's hesitation, Luca agreed. "Okay, let's meet him. But we need to stay vigilant. I don't want to be blindsided again."

Ethan nodded, and they quickly gathered their things. The air felt electric with tension as they prepared to face the unknown.

As they drove toward the café where Ethan's brother had suggested meeting, the atmosphere in the car was thick with unspoken fears. The town seemed eerily quiet, the streets shrouded in shadows as the sun began to set, casting long, ominous shapes along the pavement.

When they arrived, Ethan's brother, Lucas, was already seated at a table, his expression serious. He glanced up as they approached, and the tension between them was palpable. "You guys look like you've seen a ghost," he remarked, attempting a light-hearted smile that fell flat.

"Let's cut to the chase," Ethan said, his tone blunt. "What do you know?"

Lucas hesitated, studying their faces. "I heard some rumors about Darren. He's been digging into your past, Luca. Something about family secrets…"

Luca felt a chill run down his spine. "What kind of secrets?"

"I'm not sure, but he's desperate. He thinks he can use whatever it is against you. We need to find out what he knows."

Ethan leaned forward, his voice low. "How do we do that? We can't just confront him. He's unstable."

"Maybe we can set a trap," Lucas suggested, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "If we can get him to reveal what he knows, we might be able to turn it back on him."

Luca glanced at Ethan, uncertainty written all over his face. "What if it backfires? What if he does something reckless?"

Ethan's grip tightened on Luca's hand under the table, grounding him. "We'll be prepared. We'll make sure he doesn't have the upper hand."

Suddenly, the café door swung open, and a familiar figure entered, their heart rates quickening at the sight of Darren stepping inside. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension rising like a storm.

Darren's eyes scanned the room until they landed on Luca and Ethan. A sinister smile spread across his face as he approached their table. "Well, well, if it isn't my favorite couple," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery.

Luca felt Ethan stiffen beside him, ready to defend against whatever Darren planned.

"What do you want?" Luca demanded, trying to mask the fear lacing his voice.

"I just came to check in on my little brother," Darren said, leaning closer, his expression predatory. "I hope you're taking good care of him, Ethan. Wouldn't want anything to happen… to either of you."

The threat hung in the air, and Luca felt the walls closing in, panic rising in his chest. But as he looked into Darren's eyes, he realized the time for fear was over. It was time to take back control.

End of Chapter 138

To Be Continued…