Chapter 5 - The Secret Luca Never Told Anyone
The men left five minutes later.
No confrontation.
No chaos.
Just a silent exchange between Luca and them.
A look.
A message.
A warning.
Then they walked away.
But I knew something had changed.
Because Luca looked angry.
Not the kind of anger people saw.
The kind hidden underneath control.
"You know them."
I said it quietly.
Luca didn't answer.
"You know who they are."
"Yes."
"Then tell me."
"No."
I crossed my arms.
"Why?"
"Because knowing less keeps you safer."
I laughed once.
"That worked really well yesterday."
His jaw tightened.
"I am serious."
"So am I."
The silence stretched.
Finally, Luca said:
"They are connected to my family."
That surprised me.
"Your family?"
"Yes."
"Are they trying to hurt you?"
He looked away.
"Someone in my family already did."
I stared at him.
For the first time, Luca Moretti looked tired.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
"What happened?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said:
"My father built everything."
"The Moretti empire?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"When he died, everyone expected me to become exactly like him."
"But you didn't."
"No."
"Why?"
His eyes returned to mine.
"Because I saw what power did to him."
The answer was quiet.
"My father lost everyone he loved because he believed fear was stronger than loyalty."
I listened.
"And you?"
"I made the same mistake."
"What do you mean?"
Luca looked toward the rainy window.
"I pushed everyone away."
The confession felt strange coming from him.
This man who terrified entire rooms.
This man who controlled businesses and people.
Was admitting he was alone.
"You don't seem lonely."
He gave a small smile.
"That's because lonely people learn how to hide it."
Before I could answer, he reached into his coat.
He placed something on the table.
A small envelope.
"What is this?"
"Your protection."
I didn't touch it.
"I don't need protection."
"You do now."
"Because I kissed you?"
"Because you chose me."
I looked at him.
"I barely know you."
"I know."
"Then why do you care?"
For several seconds, Luca said nothing.
Then:
"Because everyone else who gets close to me wants something."
His voice lowered.
"You wanted nothing."
The honesty in that sentence scared me more than any threat.
Because Luca Moretti was not used to kindness.
And somehow...
I had given him something he couldn't buy.
I looked at the envelope.
Then at him.
"I still don't trust you."
"I know."
"But I'm not leaving."
For the first time...
Luca Moretti looked genuinely surprised.
"Why?"
I answered honestly.
"Because if someone is trying to destroy you, I want to know why."
A small smile appeared.
Not the cold one.
A real one.
"Elena Vasseur."
"What?"
"You have no idea what you've started."
I looked at him.
"Maybe."
Outside, thunder rolled over the city.
Inside Hôtel Verrine, the most feared man in New Orleans stood beside the only woman who had ever looked at him without fear.
Neither of us knew it yet.
But that single kiss in the hallway wasn't just a moment of survival.
May you like
It was the beginning of a war.
And a love story neither of us expected.
