PHOENIX 11
Phoenix stirs in the bed, her eyes fluttering open as the first light of dawn filters through the curtains. She could feel the emptiness next to her where Luca had been, the coldness of the sheets a reminder of the distance that still lingered between them. Even though they had shared the same space, the same night, there was a vast chasm between them.
She sits up slowly, her body still heavy with exhaustion from the events of the previous day. Her mind is a jumble of confusion, fear, and something she doesn’t want to admit: a desire to stay. But even as she tries to push the thought away, she couldn’t escape the weight of Luca’s world. The violence, the power, the darkness—it was all-consuming, and it terrified her.
As Phoenix wraps the blanket around her shoulders, she hears the distant murmur of Luca’s voice coming from the hallway. He was on the phone, and though she couldn’t make out his words, the tension in his tone was unmistakable. Something was happening—something dangerous.
She gets out of bed, her legs unsteady as she makes her way toward the door. Her heart pounding in her chest as she steps into the hallway, where she finds Luca already dressed, his expression hard as he barks orders into the phone.
"Luca?" she asks, her voice soft but filled with concern.
Luca ends the call and turns to face her, his dark blue eyes intense but not cold. He moves toward her, his hand brushing lightly against her arm in a gesture that is both protective and possessive.
"The Romero’s are moving against us," he says bluntly, not bothering to soften the blow. "They’re mobilizing at the docks. It’s an all-out attack."
Phoenix’s breath catches in her throat. She had known there would be retaliation, but hearing it now, so soon, made her stomach churn with fear. "What does that mean?"
"It means I need to go," Luca says, his voice firm. "They’re trying to take control of our operations. If they succeed, it’s not just my business they’ll be coming for—it’s everything. Including you."
Phoenix’s chest tightens. The fear she had felt the day before was back, stronger than ever. She didn’t want to be a part of this war, didn’t want to be dragged into the violence and chaos that defined Luca’s world. But she couldn’t ignore the truth either—if the Romero’s won, they wouldn’t stop at Luca. They would come for her.
"What if..." Phoenix hesitated, her voice trembling. "What if they take you?"
Luca’s eyes darken, his jaw tightening as he steps closer to her. "That’s not going to happen."
"But what if it does?" Phoenix presses, her fear getting the better of her. "What if they—"
Luca’s hand cups her face, cutting off her words as he leans in close, his voice low and fierce. "I told you before, Phoenix. I don’t lose. Not to them. Not to anyone."
Phoenix swallows hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She wants to believe him, wants to trust that he would come back. But the fear is overwhelming, suffocating.
"I’ll come back for you," Luca whispers, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. "I promise."
Before Phoenix could respond, he leans in, pressing a hard, possessive kiss to her lips. It is a kiss filled with all the emotion he rarely allows himself to show—the fear, the protectiveness, the desperation to keep her safe. Phoenix melts into him, her body trembling as she clings to him, not wanting to let go.
But then Luca pulls back, his expression hardening once more as he turns away. He grabs his jacket and his gun, sliding it into its holster with the kind of ease that reminded Phoenix just how dangerous he is.
"I have to go," he says, his voice firm. "Stay here. Miguel will be with you."
Phoenix nods, her chest tight as she watches him walk toward the door. She wants to call out to him, to tell him to be careful, but the words catch in her throat. All she can do is watch as the man she is in love with, walks into a battle that could very well take him from her forever.