PHOENIX 17
Phoenix could feel the tension thick in the air, even before she stepped into the room. The atmosphere in Luca’s penthouse had changed since the attack at the club and Gabriel’s injury. She had thought that the quiet moments of calm with Luca would help her breathe, would allow her to feel safe again, but something else had crept into their lives—Bianca.
For the past few days, Phoenix had noticed her name coming up more often in Luca’s conversations with Miguel, and it made her uneasy. She had never met the woman, but Phoenix could feel her presence like a shadow lurking on the edge of her world.
It didn’t take long for Phoenix to learn who Bianca really was. The woman had a reputation, and it wasn’t one that comforted Phoenix. Bianca had been a part of Luca’s world long before Phoenix, and she wasn’t just some distant memory—she was still here, still involved. And from the way Luca stiffened whenever her name came up, Phoenix knew there was more to the story.
Phoenix walked into the living room to find Luca pacing, phone in hand, a deep frown etched on his face. He had been on edge ever since the Romero’s had requested the meeting, and although he hadn’t told Phoenix all the details, she knew enough to understand that things were about to escalate.
Luca glances up when he sees her enter, his expression softening slightly. “Hey,” he murmurs, pocketing his phone. “Everything okay?”
Phoenix offers him a small smile, but the knot in her stomach wouldn’t loosen. “I’m fine,” she assures quietly, though she knows she isn’t convincing either of them. “What about you?”
Luca shrugs, his hand coming to rest on the back of his neck as he looks away. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”
Phoenix takes a step closer, her heart aching for him. She knows he was carrying the weight of everything—protecting her, managing the war with the other familia, preparing for this truce meeting. But she also knew that Luca wasn’t the type to talk about his worries easily, even with her.
“Luca,” she calls softly, placing a hand on his arm. “Talk to me. I can tell something’s bothering you.”
Before Luca can respond, the door to the penthouse opens, and Phoenix’s stomach drops when a woman walks in, her heels clicking against the floor as she strides in like she owns the place.
“Luca, darling,” Bianca purrs, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she saunters over to them. “I was hoping I might catch you.”
Phoenix feels the tension in Luca’s body immediately, and she stiffens as well, her heart pounding in her chest. This was the first time she had seen Bianca in person, and the woman’s presence was even more unnerving than Phoenix had imagined.
Bianca was beautiful, in a sharp, dangerous sort of way. Her long dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and something more—something that sent a chill down Phoenix’s spine. Bianca looked at Luca like she knew she belonged in his world, like Phoenix was nothing more than an inconvenience.
“Bianca,” Luca greets coolly, his voice devoid of the warmth Phoenix had grown used to. “What are you doing here?”
Bianca’s eyes flicker to Phoenix for a brief second, a smirk playing at her lips before she returns her gaze to Luca. “I was just checking in on you,” she replies, her tone light but pointed. “I know the meeting with the Romero’s is coming up, and I wanted to offer my... support.”
Phoenix’s jaw tightens at the way Bianca spoke, her words laced with hidden meaning. It was clear Bianca was angling for something, and Phoenix wasn’t naive enough to believe it was anything innocent.
“We’re handling it,” Luca says, his voice sharp as he takes a step closer to Phoenix, his body language making it clear that Bianca’s presence wasn’t welcome.
But Bianca didn’t back down. She took another step closer, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of confidence and something darker. “I’m sure you are, Luca. But you know as well as I do that things can get... complicated. I just want to make sure you’re covered. After all, we go way back.”
Phoenix’s heart sinks at the words. There was something about the way Bianca said “we go way back” that made her stomach twist. She had always known that Luca’s past was complicated, that there were people who had been part of his life long before she had. But knowing it and seeing it up close—seeing her up close—was different.
Bianca’s eyes flicker to Phoenix again, and this time, she doesn’t bother to hide the disdain in her gaze. “And who do we have here?” Bianca asks, her tone dripping with condescension. “Luca’s new... project?”
Phoenix’s breath catches in her throat, and she felt Luca stiffen beside her. He steps forward, his hand resting protectively on the small of her back as he glares at Bianca.
“Her name is Phoenix,” Luca warns coldly, his voice filled with warning. “And she’s not your concern.”
Bianca’s smirk widens, and she tilts her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Oh, Luca,” she purrs. “I didn’t realize you were so... possessive these days. How charming.”
Phoenix’s hands clench at her sides, a mixture of anger and anxiety swirling inside her. She wanted to say something, to put Bianca in her place, but she didn’t know how to navigate this world of hidden threats and veiled insults. Bianca was a part of Luca’s past, someone who clearly thought she had a claim to him, and Phoenix wasn’t sure how to fight that.
Luca’s expression darkens, his jaw tightens as he steps closer to Bianca. “You don’t get to come here and disrespect her,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous. “If you have something to say, say it to me.”
Bianca’s smirk doesn’t falter, but there is something sharper in her eyes now, something more dangerous. “I just want to make sure you’re thinking clearly, Luca,” she says softly. “After all, you have a lot riding on this meeting with the Romero’s. It would be a shame if... certain distractions got in the way.”
Phoenix’s heart pounds in her chest, her breath catching at Bianca’s words. She knows exactly what Bianca is insinuating—that Phoenix was the distraction, that Luca couldn’t handle the weight of both the mafia war and his relationship with her.
Before Phoenix could respond, Luca takes a step forward, his expression filled with fury. “Get out, Bianca,” he orders, his voice ice-cold. “Now.”
Bianca’s smirk falters for a brief moment, but she recovers quickly, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she steps back. “Fine,” she replies with a shrug, her tone still light. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you, Luca. You know where to find me when you change your mind.”
With that, Bianca turns and makes her way out of the penthouse, leaving a heavy silence in her wake.
The door clicks shut behind Bianca, and the tension in the room was palpable. Phoenix stands frozen, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with a thousand different thoughts. She had never felt so out of place, so unsure of where she stood in Luca’s world.
Luca turns to her, his face softening as he steps closer, his hand resting gently on her arm. “Phoenix—”
“Who is she?” Phoenix asks, her voice barely more than a whisper, but there is an edge of frustration in her tone that she couldn’t hide. “And what does she want with you?”
Luca sighs, running a hand through his hair as he glances toward the door. “Bianca’s been a part of my world for a long time,” he admits. “She’s... complicated. She wants more than what I’m willing to give her.”
Phoenix swallows hard, her heart aching at the thought. She didn’t know the full story, but it was clear that Bianca was more than just a passing annoyance. She was a threat—a threat to everything Phoenix and Luca were building together.
“And what about us?” Phoenix asks, her voice trembling slightly. “Where do I fit into all of this?”
Luca’s eyes soften as he steps closer, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. “You’re everything to me,” he answers quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. “Bianca is nothing but the past. You’re my future.”
Phoenix’s heart swells at his words, but the doubt still lingers in the back of her mind. She had seen the way Bianca looked at him, the way she spoke with confidence, like she knew she had some claim on Luca. And that scared her.
“But what if she’s right?” Phoenix asks, her voice catching. “What if I’m just a distraction? What if you can’t fight this war and... and be with me?”
Luca’s jaw tightens, his hand slipping down to rest on her shoulders as he pulls her closer. “You’re not a distraction, Phoenix,” he says firmly. “You’re the reason I’m fighting. And I won’t let anyone—especially not Bianca—come between us.”
Phoenix looks into his eyes, her heart heavy with emotion. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he could protect her and still lead the life he had chosen. But the fear was still there, gnawing at the edges of her resolve.
Luca leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I promise you,” he murmurs against her skin. “I’m not letting you go.”