The Price of Secrets

The club pulsed around them, heavy bass vibrating through Luca's bones, but all he could focus on was her.

Mira stood inches away, her lips near his ear, her scent intoxicatingly familiar.

"Walk away, Luca."

Her voice was smooth, controlled—too controlled. But her pulse, racing beneath his fingers as he held her wrist, betrayed her.

Luca tightened his grip, just enough to keep her from slipping away. "Not this time."

Mira exhaled, tilting her head slightly, her dark eyes searching his face. "You shouldn't be here."

Luca smirked, though his heart pounded. "And yet, here I am."

Victor Moreau, the man Mira had been draped over moments ago, watched from his booth, his expression unreadable. He was dangerous, powerful—and too close to Mira for Luca's liking.

Luca leaned in, lowering his voice. "Tell me the truth, Mira. What the hell are you doing with him?"

Mira's lips curved, but it wasn't a smile—it was a warning. "Surviving."

—

A Dangerous Game

Luca's jaw clenched. "That's not an answer."

Mira slowly pulled her wrist free. "It's the only one I can give you."

He saw it then—the flicker of something behind her eyes. Not fear. Not regret.

Desperation.

And that terrified him more than anything.

Victor motioned for Mira, his voice cutting through the music. "Is there a problem?"

Mira's posture shifted instantly—her expression cool, unreadable. "No problem at all." She looked at Luca one last time, something unspoken passing between them. "He was just leaving."

But Luca wasn't leaving.

Not without her.

—

A Costly Decision

Luca turned to Victor, stepping into the lion's den. "Actually, I think I'll stay."

Victor's lips curled in amusement, but his eyes stayed sharp. "Brave. Or foolish. Haven't decided yet."

Mira stiffened beside him.

Luca met Victor's gaze head-on. "I came for Mira. And I don't plan on leaving without her."

Victor chuckled, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Then I suppose we have a problem after all."

Luca barely had time to react before two large men grabbed him from behind.

Mira's mask slipped for just a second—panic flashed in her eyes.

"Luca, don't—"

A fist slammed into his ribs, knocking the air from his lungs.

Victor sighed. "You should've walked away."

Darkness edged Luca's vision as another blow sent him to his knees.

Mira moved, stepping between them. "Enough." Her voice was sharp, commanding. "I'll handle him."

Victor studied her before nodding. "You have five minutes."

Mira crouched in front of Luca, her fingers brushing his jaw. Her eyes burned with something raw.

"Why couldn't you just listen?" she whispered.

Luca smirked, spitting blood onto the floor. "You know me. Never was good at following orders."

Mira swallowed hard, then did the one thing he didn't expect.

She pressed a key into his palm.

"If you trust me, meet me at the old train station. Midnight."

Then she stood and walked away, back to Victor, back to the danger.

Luca clenched the key in his fist.

This wasn't over. Not even close.

—

Next Chapter: A Midnight Escape – Will Luca get Mira out before it's too late? Or is he walking into a trap of her own making?