37
I packed up my things. Luca had offered to drop me off earlier, but I declined, knowing he still had work to finish. He had given me his usual intense look, jaw tight as though he was restraining himself from demanding that I accept.
Now, as I sat in the back of the Uber, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping in. The city outside the window seemed darker than usual, the shadows stretching farther and deeper. I shook my head, dismissing my nerves. It was just the exhaustion playing tricks on me.
When the car pulled up to my apartment, I stepped out and clutched my bag tightly, thanking the driver before heading toward the building. The street was unusually quiet, and the dim lighting from the streetlamp did little to dispel the shadows around me.
I didn't hear them approach until it was too late.
"Hey there, sweetheart," a rough voice drawled from behind me, making me freeze.
I turned to see three men, their expressions predatory as they closed in. My heart began to pound, my breath catching in my throat.
"Pretty thing like you shouldn't be walking alone at night," one of them said, his grin making my skin crawl.
"Please, I don't want any trouble," I stammered, my voice trembling.
"Trouble?" another one mocked, stepping closer. "We're just being friendly."
Panic surged through me as one of them reached for my arm. Before I could think, instinct took over. I swung my bag at him with all the strength I had, the heavy weight hitting him square in the face.
"Get away from me!" I screamed, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I stumbled back.
The other two lunged for me, but I managed to dodge, my body moving on pure instinct. My heart was hammering so loudly I could barely hear their curses as I ran toward the building's entrance.
I fumbled with my keys, my hands shaking so badly it took three tries before I got the door open. Once inside, I slammed it shut and locked it, leaning against the door as tears streamed down my face.
Safe. For now. But the fear wouldn't let go.
The panic attack hit like a tidal wave, dragging me under. My breathing became erratic, and the edges of my vision blurred. I felt like I was suffocating, the walls closing in around me. My mind spiraled back to the past, to moments I'd tried so hard to bury.
I needed help.
With trembling hands, I grabbed my phone and dialed the only person I trusted to make it better.
"Lenora?" Luca's deep voice came through the line, instantly grounding me.
I couldn't speak, the words stuck in my throat as sobs wracked my body.
"Lenora, where are you?" he demanded, his tone sharp with worry.
"My apartment," I managed to choke out between gasps. "I... I was almost..."
"I'm on my way," he interrupted, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Stay where you are. Don't open the door for anyone but me."
The line went dead, and I sank to the floor, clutching the phone to my chest as I tried to steady my breathing.
It wasn't long before there was a loud knock at the door.
"Lenora, it's me," Luca's voice called, firm and commanding.
I scrambled to my feet and unlocked the door, barely able to look at him before he stormed inside. His eyes raked over me, taking in my tear-streaked face and trembling hands.
"What the hell happened?" he demanded, his tone low and furious.
I tried to explain, but the words came out jumbled and incoherent.
"You should have let me drop you off!" he snapped, pacing the room like a caged lion. "Do you have any idea what could have happened? What if you hadn't gotten away? What if—"
"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice breaking.
Luca stopped mid-stride and turned to face me, his expression a mix of anger and anguish. He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair as he struggled to rein in his emotions.
"You scared the hell out of me," he said, his voice softer now but no less intense. "I told you, Lenora. I told you I'd take care of you. Why didn't you let me?"
Tears welled up in my eyes again, and I looked away, ashamed.
In an instant, Luca was in front of me, his hands cupping my face as he tilted my head up to meet his gaze.
"I'm not mad at you," he murmured, his thumb brushing away a tear. "I'm mad at myself for not being there when you needed me."
The tenderness in his voice broke me, and I collapsed into his arms, sobbing against his chest. Luca held me tightly, his hand running soothingly down my back as he whispered, "It's okay, angel. I've got you."
We stood there for what felt like hours, his presence wrapping around me like a shield.
When my sobs finally subsided, Luca pulled back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes filled with determination.
"This won't happen again," he vowed. "I'll make sure of it."
And when Luca said something, I believed him.