nd her knees. Her gaze flickered toward Luca, who stood with his back to her, staring out of the window. His broad sh

or frustrated by his stony silence. She hated how he dominated every space he entered, how his presence

ke the silence, her tone sharp. She wasn't in the mood for his cold detachment anymore. I

, sharp enough to cut glass. "You think this is brooding?" he asked, his voice lo

ding there like some tragic anti-hero, barking orders, making decisions for everyone around

ch. He took a slow step toward her, then another, until he was looming over her. The faint light

uiet threat. "Because if I weren't here, you'd already be dead. So ma

what? For dragging me into this nightmare? For treating me like some pawn

slightly. "Alive. Breathing. Because of me. So forgive me

at was impossible to ignore. Alessia's chest rose and fell rapidly as she glared

teeth. "You're just another cage, Luca. Just another

flicker in his eyes-guilt, maybe? Regret? But it was gone as quickly as i

"This is about survival. And if you're smart,

made her feel small and powerless. But what she hated most was the way her body betrayed h

slightly. "I don't care what world you come from or w

feel the heat of his breath against her skin. His dark eyes burned w

low growl. "Because in this world, the only people who

it. For a moment, she thought he might say more, might do something, but instead

-

inning. She hated herself for letting him get under her skin, for letting him intimidate her, but most of all, she hated the way h

ard the door. She didn't know where she was going-she just needed to get

er in her tracks. She turned to find him watching her, hi

id defiantly. "I

eaving," Luca

aw dropped.

id, his tone calm but

I see. So now you're not only my babys

ia felt her frustration boil over. She was done being told

with anger. "I'm not a child, Luca

ng. "You're not leaving this villa, Alessia

back, her voice rising. "Just because you're my

etween them in two quick strides. His hand shot out, gripping her wrist firmly but not painfully. The

s isn't about control. This is about keeping you alive. Do you have an

but she couldn't. The intensity in his eyes held her captive, and for the first time, she

pered, her voice trembling. "I di

ning. "But you are. And whether you like it or not, that

ze flickered to Luca's lips, and she hated herself for the way her heart fluttered at the t

pression shuttering once again. "Get some rest,"

away, leaving Alessia standing t