Chapter 3 - Luke Martin Didn’t Exist
The following morning, Elena knocked on Luca’s door.
He opened it wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms.
She held coffee.
“Peace offering.”
“For what?”
“Discovering your secret.”
Luca’s body went still.
Elena lifted an eyebrow.
“You listen to me sing.”
He relaxed slightly.
“That secret.”
“What other secret would there be?”
“None.”
“Terrible liar.”
She handed him the coffee.
“Ryan texted me.”
“What did he say?”
“That he’s sorry.”
“Block him.”
“Already did.”
“Good.”
She studied him.
“Who are you?”
Luca’s gaze sharpened.
“That’s an abrupt change of subject.”
“You fought like someone trained.”
“I’ve had training.”
“You looked at Ryan like you were calculating how many bones he had.”
“That’s oddly specific.”
“And you never talk about work.”
“I’m boring.”
“You own six identical black shirts.”
“Efficient.”
“You disappear at strange hours.”
“Insomnia.”
“And Luke Martin doesn’t exist.”
Silence.
Luca slowly placed his coffee down.
Elena raised both hands.
“I Googled you.”
“That’s disappointing.”
“Nothing. No company page. No social media. No old photos. No college. Nothing.”
“Some people value privacy.”
“You value it like the federal government is after you.”
Luca looked toward the hallway.
“Elena.”
Something in his tone erased her smile.
“Don’t research me.”
“Why?”
“Because curiosity can become dangerous.”
Her expression hardened.
“Was that a threat?”
“No.”
“It sounded like one.”
Luca stepped closer.
“If I wanted to threaten you, you wouldn’t have to wonder.”
“That’s not comforting.”
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
Elena put her coffee down.
“Then maybe we should stop pretending we’re friends.”
She walked toward the door.
Luca caught himself before reaching for her.
“Elena.”
She stopped.
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
He couldn’t answer.
She nodded bitterly.
“Exactly.”
The door closed.
That afternoon, Luca received a message.
A photograph.
His photograph.
Taken in Elena’s apartment.
Under it were five words.
We finally found your apartment.
Luca immediately called Marco Bellini.
“Burn the location.”
Marco didn’t ask questions.
“How long?”
“Maybe hours.”
“Come out now.”
Luca looked at the wall.
“I can’t.”
Silence.
Then Marco understood.
“The neighbor?”
“She’s involved now.”
“Does she know who you are?”
“No.”
“Then move her.”
“She won’t come willingly.”
“Since when do you care?”
Luca looked toward Elena’s door.
“Since eleven o’clock.”
Marco sighed.
“Luca.”
“Send two cars. No Moretti plates.”
“You’re breaking every rule you made.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
Luca looked at the photograph again.
“Because somebody used her to find me.”
Across the hall, Elena opened her door.
Ryan stood outside.
She immediately tried to close it.
He pushed against it.
“Ryan!”
“Just listen.”
“Get out!”
“You don’t understand who your neighbor is.”
Elena froze.
“What?”
Ryan smiled.
“Ask Luke Martin why people are offering fifty thousand dollars for his address.”
A door opened behind him.
Luca stepped into the hallway.
Ryan turned.
The smile vanished.
Luca’s voice was almost gentle.
“You came back.”
Ryan backed away.
“I didn’t—”
The elevator bell rang.
Luca looked toward it.
Two unfamiliar men stepped out.
Neither looked at Ryan.
Both looked directly at Luca.
Luca grabbed Elena.
“Inside.”
“What’s happening?”
“Now.”
They entered her apartment.
Luca locked the door.
Elena stared at him.
“Luke?”
He pulled out his phone.
“Marco. They’re here.”
Elena’s face went pale.
“Who is Marco?”
Luca looked at her.
May you like
“My name isn’t Luke.”
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