Chapter 4 - The Price Of Saving A Stranger
I should have walked away.
That was the logical choice.
A normal person would have walked away.
But my problem had always been that I asked questions when I should have been afraid.
"What exactly is your world?"
Luca stared at me.
"You're asking because you want the truth?"
"Yes."
"You might regret it."
"I already regret kissing a stranger in a hotel hallway."
A faint smile appeared.
"Stranger?"
I frowned.
"Don't."
"You learned my name."
"Unfortunately."
"You remember my name."
"Unfortunately."
That smile disappeared quickly.
Then Luca became serious.
"My world is built on loyalty, secrets, and people who mistake kindness for weakness."
I listened.
"There are people who work for me."
"And people who fear you."
"Yes."
"Are you a criminal?"
The question hung between us.
Everyone in the lobby suddenly felt far away.
Luca didn't avoid my eyes.
"I have done things I am not proud of."
That wasn't the answer I expected.
"You could have lied."
"I don't lie to people who save my life."
I looked at him.
"That's your defense?"
"No."
He stepped closer.
"That's my reason."
Before I could answer, Marcus rushed toward us.
"Elena."
His face was pale.
"What happened?"
He looked at Luca.
"Sir, we have a problem."
Luca immediately changed.
The calm businessman disappeared.
The man from the hallway returned.
"What?"
Marcus lowered his voice.
"Someone accessed the employee records."
My heart dropped.
"My records?"
Marcus didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
Luca looked at him.
"Who?"
"We don't know."
"Find out."
"Yes, sir."
I looked between them.
"You can't just order people around."
Luca turned toward me.
"I can."
The confidence in his voice annoyed me.
"That's not a good quality."
"No."
He looked at me.
"But it's necessary."
"Do you always think you're right?"
"No."
That surprised me.
"What?"
"I know when I'm wrong."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Give me an example."
He looked at me for a moment.
Then said:
"Last night."
I blinked.
"Last night?"
"I should have kept you away from me."
The honesty caught me off guard.
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why?"
His eyes softened.
"Because for one moment, I forgot who I was."
I didn't know what to say.
Then a loud sound came from outside.
A car door.
Then another.
Luca immediately looked toward the entrance.
His entire body became alert.
Not afraid.
Ready.
"Elena."
His voice was calm.
"Go upstairs."
"No."
His eyes narrowed.
"This isn't a request."
"And I already told you."
I stepped closer.
"You don't get to order me around."
For a second, I thought he would be angry.
Instead...
He almost smiled.
"You are impossible."
"People keep telling me that."
"I believe them."
The lobby doors opened.
Two men entered.
Not guests.
Not employees.
They looked around.
Searching.
Luca moved slightly in front of me.
Protecting me.
And that was when I realized something.
The most feared man in New Orleans...
May you like
was standing between me and danger.
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