Luca pov
“Why are you sleeping in the car when you’re about to get engaged?” Marcus asked as he opened the door, letting in the cool night air.
I didn’t respond, my eyes remained closed as I toyed with the coin in my grip, my mind clouded with thoughts.
“Luca, I know you can hear me! Why do you always have a habit of ignoring people? Can’t you be nice to me for once? I don’t want to be anywhere near this place, but I’m here because of you! I even had to cancel my date with my wife. Don’t I at least deserve your attention?” he rambled, his voice breaking at the edges as he sniffed, his eyes boring into me with a sadness that should have moved me but…
Silence.
I kept flipping the coin between my fingers, the corners of my lips curving into a faint frown.
“Should I go through with this… or just drive away?” I murmured to myself.
I could feel Marcus’ deadly glare burning into me as he finally dropped the act, no longer pretending to cry. Instead, he sighed in frustration.
“This isn’t even your fault anymore. It’s mine, for letting you drag me around like some damn dog! God, everything about this is bad. Everyone out there is involved in some illegal crap, and to top it off-this freaking tight suit is making it worse. I look like a damn marshmallow.”
“Luca, I want to go home. I really, really do.”
…
Marcus: “…”
“Ugh! I hate you. I don’t care anymore-I’m leaving.” He snapped, turning on his heel, but before he could take a step, my eyes snapped open.
He flinched.
I turned my head slowly, tilting it slightly as I studied him. Then, with a small nod, I said, “The suit does make you look like a marshmallow.”
His face turned bright red in an instant, eyes widening in shock.
But I had already shifted my gaze back to the coin in my hand.
A slow smirk spread across my lips as I saw which side had landed face up.
Tails.
Which meant I should drive away.
“Let’s go. We’re leaving,” I said, pushing open the car door and stepping out. I stretched briefly before glancing at my watch.
7:30 PM.
That meant I had exactly thirty minutes before the ceremony began-thirty minutes to be out of here before anyone realized I was missing. Before my father sent his men after me.
“Wait, what? You really want to leave?” Marcus asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
I met his wide-eyed stare with a deadpan expression. Didn’t he want to leave?
He groaned. “But you’re getting engaged to the daughter of one of the most dangerous men in the States! You can’t just leave like that! What if he comes after you? Don’t you know how ruthless that man is?”
I tilted my head slightly at his words.
Did I know how dangerous Nico was?
Of course, I did. That was exactly why I was marrying his daughter, Jessica.
No-she was the reason I was marrying his daughter.
Emily.
Running a hand through my hair, I turned and walked toward the driver’s seat, completely ignoring Marcus.
“If you don’t want to leave, you can stay behind and explain to Nico and my father that I drove away because I was getting bored from waiting,” I said casually, opening the door. Then, I paused, glancing at him.
“But just so you know… my father might actually listen. Nico, on the other hand? He’d kill you on the spot.”
My eyes widened, but he knew I wasn’t joking. The moment the words left my mouth, he bolted toward the car and jumped in.
Amusingly, he still took his time to buckle his seatbelt.
“What are you doing? Let’s go!” he snapped, his voice laced with urgency.
I scoffed, slipping into the driver’s seat. With a flick of my wrist, the engine roared to life, and I eased the car forward, slowly driving out.
“Man, I just don’t get you. You don’t even love this girl, so why are you marrying her? And don’t give me that ‘my dad is forcing me’ excuse-I know you, Luca. You didn’t listen to your father when you walked away from the Smith Corporation to join the police force. You ignored our chief when he told you to back off from Alexander. And you sure as hell never listen to me when I beg you to stop getting yourself into trouble. So why now? You hate Nico just as much as you hate Alexander, so why the hell are you marrying his daughter?”
My grip tightened around the steering wheel, and before Marcus could react, I slammed the brakes, bringing the car to a sudden halt.
Marcus lurched forward with a startled yelp, his hands flying out to brace himself against the dashboard. “What the hell, Luca? Are you trying to kill me?” he snapped, glaring at me.
Ignoring him, I kept my eyes on the figure that just disappeared inside the mansion.
Why did I decide to marry Nico’s daughter?
Because of her.
Because her accident had been caused by him.
“Luca-!”
Marcus barely had time to finish before I was out of the car, sprinting in the direction she had disappeared.
My heart pounded violently against my ribs, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
She was here. Emily was here.
I couldn’t let her meet Nico alone. Not again.
I couldn’t let history repeat itself.
December 7, 2023.
“Luca…”
Emily’s voice was soft as she leaned into my touch, her arms wrapping around my waist. Her smile was bright, filled with a warmth that made it impossible to look away.
It took every ounce of willpower not to let my gaze wander down her barely covered body, the sheets loosely draped around her.
“Yes, love?” I teased, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Do you want to go again?”
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she rolled her eyes. “It’s not that, dummy.”
I chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Then what is it, Emily? You can always talk to me.”
“It’s just-I love you so much. I’ve been thinking about divorcing Alexander to be with you, but I know him. He won’t let me go that easily, and he’ll fight for Felix. I can’t let that monster have him. So, I was considering going to Nico for help. He’s Alexander’s enemy, and there’s a chance he might be willing to help us.”
I raised a brow at her words.
Nico?
It wasn’t a good idea. Alexander was dangerous, yes but Nico was evil.
“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea, Emily. you shouldn’t go near that man. Promise me you won’t” I said pulling away from her.
I wanted to be together with Emily but asking for help from Nico would definitely have a cost and something told me it was a cost I didn’t want to pay.