PHOENIX 19
It had been a few days since the meeting with the Romero’s. The truce, as fragile as it was, had brought some calm to Luca’s life. But there was something else, something more personal, that threatened to tear everything apart—Bianca.
Phoenix had been on edge ever since Bianca’s appearance at the penthouse. She knew Luca was loyal to her, but Bianca’s presence felt like a lingering shadow, a constant reminder that this woman had history with Luca, a history that Phoenix could never erase. And no matter how much Luca reassured her, the seed of doubt had been planted.
It was eating at her. Every time Luca was away handling business, every time his phone buzzed with messages, Phoenix couldn’t stop her mind from wandering. Was Bianca still trying to find a way into Luca’s life? Was she succeeding?
Luca was working late at the Tempo family’s private club, going over security reports with Miguel when he heard the door to his office creak open. Without looking up, he assumes it was one of his men, but when a familiar voice slithers through the room, his body tenses.
“Luca, darling,” Bianca purrs, stepping inside with the grace of a predator. Her heels click on the floor, the sound echoing in the dimly lit space. “I thought I’d find you here.”
Luca sighs, setting down the report he has been reviewing. He didn’t even need to look at her to know exactly what she was after. “Bianca, now’s not the time,” he says coolly, his voice lacking the warmth he reserved for people he cared about.
But Bianca wasn’t the type to take no for an answer. She steps closer, her eyes gleaming with intent as she leans against the edge of his desk, her body positioned suggestively. She is wearing a tight, low-cut dress that left little to the imagination, and her red lips curl into a seductive smile.
“Oh, Luca,” she whispers, her voice smooth and sultry. “You’ve been so tense lately. You need someone to take care of you.”
Luca’s jaw tightens, as he stands, putting space between them. His patience with Bianca is wearing thin. He had let her linger in his world for too long, allowed her to push boundaries, but this was crossing the line. His mind is on Phoenix—on the promises he has made to protect her, to be there for her—and the thought of Bianca slithering her way into his life to make trouble between them only makes his blood boil.
“This isn’t happening,” Luca growls, his eyes narrowing as he stares Bianca down. “You know damn well where my loyalties lie.”
Bianca’s smile falters for a brief moment, but she recovers quickly, stepping closer to him once again. “Do I?” she asks, her voice laced with challenge. “Because all I see is a man who’s let himself be tied down by a little girl who doesn’t belong in our world.”
Luca’s fists clench at his sides, fury blazing in his eyes. “Don’t talk about her like that.”
But Bianca isn’t deterred. If anything, his anger seems to amuse her. She steps closer still, her fingers lightly brushing against his chest, her touch unwanted but deliberate. “She’s not like us, Luca. You and I—we belong together. We’ve always understood each other. You need someone who knows this life, who can handle the heat.”
Luca grabs her wrist, his grip firm but controlled. “You need to stop this,” he warns, his voice low and dangerous. “There’s nothing between us. There never was.”
Bianca’s eyes flash with anger, her seductive facade cracking. “I don’t believe that,” she hisses. “You and I could run this city together. Phoenix? She’s weak. She’ll never survive in this world.”
Luca releases her wrist, stepping back, his voice cold. “Phoenix is stronger than you’ll ever be.”
Bianca’s eyes narrow, her lips curling into a sneer. “She doesn’t belong with you. And sooner or later, you’ll realize that.”
But before Bianca can say anything more, the door to the office swings open, and Phoenix is standing there, her face pale, her eyes wide with a mixture of hurt and anger. She had come to see Luca, to surprise him after a long day, but what she had walked in on shattered her composure.
Bianca notices Phoenix immediately, and a cruel smile spreads across her face. “Oh, look who it is,” she says, her voice dripping with mockery. “Come to check on your man? Or maybe you’re starting to realize he doesn’t belong to you.”
Phoenix’s chest tightens, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts as she takes in the scene before her. Bianca standing so close to Luca, her hand lingering on his chest, the smug look in her eyes—it is too much.
Luca steps forward, “Phoenix, it’s not what it looks like.”
But Phoenix can’t find the words. Jealousy and fear grip her like a vise, her mind racing with all the worst possibilities. She had known Bianca was a threat, but seeing it up close, seeing her try to worm her way into Luca’s life—it was unbearable.
Bianca, sensing Phoenix’s distress, tilts her head, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Don’t worry, sweet girl,” she says, her voice dripping with venom. “Luca and I were just... catching up.”
Phoenix’s hands clench at her sides, her heart pounding in her chest. She wants to say something, to push Bianca away, but the words catch in her throat. She feels out of place, like she doesn’t belong in this world of power and seduction, a world that Bianca seems to navigate effortlessly.
“Phoenix,” Luca says softly, he takes a step toward her. “Please, don’t let her get to you. This isn’t what you think.”
But Phoenix can’t hold back the tears any longer. “I can’t do this,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I can’t keep fighting against people like her.”
With that, she turns and runs, her heart shattering as she leaves Luca standing there. It hasn’t been long since Luca had allowed Phoenix out with an escort. Now that the Romero’s are gone there was no reason for her not to have her freedom, that, and he also had to trust her not to run.
When he gave back her freedom it changed their relationship, it was evident that Phoenix loved him, that she wanted to be with him, but when she had her freedom, it was comforting to Luca to know that she was there because she wanted to be and not because he was forcing her to be. Now, with Bianca, it would set them back a step again.
Luca storms out of the office, leaving Bianca behind without another word. His heart pounds with a mixture of fury as he chases after Phoenix. He had known Bianca was trouble, but he hadn’t anticipated how far she would go to push Phoenix out of his life.
He finds Phoenix standing outside, her arms wrapped around herself, her body trembling with emotion. Luca approaches her slowly, his heart aching at the sight of her.
“Phoenix,” he calls, reaching out to touch her arm. “Please... talk to me.”
Phoenix flinches at his touch, turning to face him with tear-filled eyes. “I can’t do this, Luca,” she chokes out, her voice thick with pain. “I can’t compete with someone like Bianca. She knows you—knows this world. And she’s right... I don’t belong here.”
Luca’s chest tightens, his hands shaking slightly as he cups her face, forcing her to look at him. “You belong with me,” he says fiercely. “I don’t care about Bianca. I don’t care about anyone but you. She’s nothing compared to you.”
Phoenix shakes her head, her voice trembling. “But she’s always going to be there, isn’t she? Waiting for me to fail. Waiting for me to break.”
Luca’s heart breaks at her words, he now realizes the emotional upheaval that Phoenix must have been under all these weeks. First the attack, then Bianca coming into her life and making her feel like she is inadequate to be with him. His anger rises at Bianca and her manipulation, but it’s also directed at himself, because he should have realized what would happen, and have stopped it before today.
His mind races for a way to reassure her. He has made a mistake by letting Bianca linger in their lives for so long, but he wouldn’t lose Phoenix because of it.
“I’m going to get rid of her,” Luca vows, his voice low but filled with determination. “I’ll make sure she’s out of our lives for good.”
Phoenix looks up at him, her eyes filled with doubt. “And what if she doesn’t go? What if she keeps coming after you?”
Luca’s grip on her tightens, his voice rough with emotion. “Then I’ll make sure she regrets it.”
Phoenix stares at him for a long moment, her heart aching with the weight of everything they were facing. She wanted to believe him, wanted to trust that he would protect her from the darkness that surrounds him. But the fear still lingers, gnawing at the edges of her heart.
“Please, Luca,” she pleads, her voice trembling. “Don’t let her come between us.”
Luca pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly as if he can shield her from everything. “I won’t,” he promises, his voice raw. “I swear to you, Phoenix. I won’t let anyone come between us.”
Pulling her into his arms he takes her lips in a passionate kiss that leaves both of them wanting more, but most importantly it assures Phoenix that she’s the woman he wants, the only woman he wants.
***
Luca can’t get Phoenix’s tear-filled eyes out of his mind. Bianca was threatening his relationship with the woman he loved. And Luca couldn’t allow that.
Bianca had been a part of his world for far too long, slithering in the shadows, trying to manipulate her way into his life. Luca had always known what she wanted, but he had been too focused on other threats to deal with her properly. Now, however, it was clear that Bianca wasn’t just a nuisance. She was a threat that had to be eliminated—carefully.
Sitting in his office, Luca stares down at the array of documents spread across his desk. Gabriel stands nearby, watching him with concern etched on his face. He had been there the night Bianca had tried to push Phoenix out, and he knows just how serious Luca is about handling the situation.
“Are you sure about this?” Gabriel asks, his voice low. “Bianca’s been around a long time. If you cut her off, she’s not going to go quietly.”
Luca’s jaw tightens, his eyes hard as he looks up from the documents. “I’m not giving her a choice.”
Gabriel nods, his expression grim. “Then we need to be smart about this. She’s not just some woman you can shove aside. Bianca’s got connections—powerful ones.”
Luca leans back in his chair, his mind already spinning with the details of the plan he is beginning to form. Gabriel is right. Bianca has embedded herself deep within his operations, weaving a web of alliances with other families and business partners. Cutting her out could cause ripple effects, but Luca had no choice. Phoenix’s safety—her peace of mind—was more important than any deal Bianca might have.
“We take away her leverage first,” Luca says, his voice cold and calculating. “She thinks she has power because of the connections she’s made. But if we sever those ties, she’ll be isolated.”
Gabriel crosses his arms, his expression thoughtful. “You’re going to have to hit her from all sides. Cut off her influence with the other families, take away her income streams, and make it clear that she’s no longer welcome in our world.”
Luca nods, his mind already working through the details. “We start with her clubs. She’s using them to funnel money through our operations, but they’re easily replaceable. We take them from her and cut off her cash flow.”
Gabriel raises an eyebrow. “You sure you want to go that far? She’s got some loyal people working for her.”
“They’re loyal because she pays them well,” Luca explains, his voice sharp. “Once the money dries up, so will their loyalty.”
Gabriel smirks, nodding in agreement. “Alright. We’ll start with the clubs. But what about the bigger picture? Bianca’s been cozying up to the Marcellos and a few other key families. If she convinces them to back her, she could be a bigger problem.”
Luca’s eyes darken. He has already considered this. Bianca wasn’t stupid. She knew how to play the game, and she had likely been working behind the scenes to secure alliances that would make her harder to remove. But Luca wasn’t about to let her outmanoeuvre him.
“I’ll deal with the Marcellos myself,” Luca says, his voice low. “I’ll make it clear to them that Bianca is no longer part of our family, and that aligning with her is a mistake. Once they see that she’s been cut off, they won’t risk backing her.”
Gabriel frowns, he still has one more concern. “And what about Bianca herself? She’s not going to sit back and watch you dismantle everything she’s built. You need to be ready for retaliation.”
Luca’s expression hardens. “If she tries to retaliate, I’ll make sure she regrets it. But I don’t think she’ll get the chance.”
Gabriel raises an eyebrow. “You’ve got something else in mind?”
Luca leans forward, his eyes cold and calculating. “I know Bianca. She’s ambitious, but she’s also self-preserving. Once she realizes that I’m serious, that she’s lost her power and her influence, she’ll leave on her own.”
Gabriel smirks, but there is an edge of scepticism in his voice. “You think she’ll just walk away?”
“She’ll have no choice,” Luca replies with a shrug, his voice filled with confidence. “Once she has nothing left, she’ll either leave or beg me for mercy. And I’m not giving her any.”
The plan moved quickly. Within days, Luca, Gabriel and Miguel had begun systematically cutting Bianca off from the life she had carefully constructed. Her clubs, which had been lucrative sources of income, were seized by Luca’s men. Her contacts within the financial world were quietly warned that doing business with her would no longer be tolerated, and the alliances she had tried to form with other families were swiftly dismantled.
Luca didn’t confront her directly—yet. He wanted Bianca to feel the ground shifting beneath her, wanted her to realize just how powerless she was becoming. And it didn’t take long for her to notice.
One night, as Luca sat in his office, going over the latest reports on the operations they had taken from Bianca, his phone buzzes. He glances at the screen and sees her name flashing.
For a moment, he considers on ignoring it. But then he picks up, his voice cold as he answers. “What do you want?”
There is a brief pause on the other end of the line, and then Bianca’s voice comes through, sharp and filled with barely contained fury. “What the hell are you doing, Luca?”
Luca leans back in his chair, a dark smile playing on his lips. “I’m cleaning up my business.”
“You think you can just take everything from me?” Bianca hisses. “I’ve worked for years to build this, and you’re tearing it all down.”
Luca’s smile fades, his voice growing colder. “You never had any of it, Bianca. You were just borrowing my power. And now, I’m taking it back.”
There was another pause, and when Bianca speaks again, her voice is laced with desperation. “We can work this out, Luca. I can help you—help you run things. Phoenix... she doesn’t belong in this world. You know that.”
Luca’s jaw tightens at the mention of Phoenix. “This isn’t about Phoenix,” he warns, though the lie tastes bitter on his tongue. “This is about you overstepping your bounds. You’ve forgotten your place, Bianca, and now you’re paying the price.”
Bianca’s breath hitches, her anger palpable through the phone. “You’re making a mistake. I won’t let you destroy everything I’ve built.”
Luca’s voice is a low growl as he responds. “It’s already gone.”
He ends the call before she can say anything more, his heart pounding with a mixture of satisfaction and tension. The plan was working, but Luca knew this wasn’t over yet. Bianca wouldn’t walk away easily, and he needed to be ready for whatever she would throw at him next.
A week later, after Luca had taken nearly everything from her, Bianca makes her move.
She arrives at Luca’s penthouse unannounced, forcing her way past his guards and demanding to see him. When Luca finally comes out to meet her, she is standing in the middle of his living room, her eyes wild with fury.
“You can’t do this to me,” Bianca spits, her voice trembling with anger. “I gave everything to you, to this life, and you’re just throwing me away?”
Luca’s expression is cold as he looks at her. “You gave nothing to me. You’ve always been out for yourself.”
Bianca steps closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “I was loyal to you, Luca. I could have been everything you needed.”
Luca’s eyes darkened. “I already have everything I need.”
Bianca’s face twists in rage, and she takes another step toward him, her voice rising. “Phoenix is going to destroy you. She’s weak. She’ll never survive in this world.”
Luca’s fists clench at his sides, but he forces himself to stay calm. “Phoenix is stronger than you could ever imagine. And you? You’re done.”
For a moment, Bianca just stares at him, her chest rising and falling with heavy breaths. Then, without warning, her face crumbles, and she lets out a bitter laugh.
“You think you’ve won, Luca,” she asks, her voice hollow. “But I’ll make you regret this.”
Luca doesn’t flinch. He has already prepared for this. “You’re leaving, Bianca. One way or another.”
Bianca’s eyes flash with a mixture of anger and desperation, but she knows she has lost. Everything she had built, everything she had worked for, was gone. Luca had taken it all.
Without another word, Bianca turns and storms out of the penthouse, slamming the door behind her. Luca stands there for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. He had done it. He had removed her from their lives. But something told him this wasn’t the last he would hear from Bianca.
***
Phoenix lay awake, staring at the ceiling in the dim light of Luca’s penthouse. The room was quiet, the sounds of the city far below muffled by the thick walls, but Phoenix’s thoughts were anything but peaceful. They churned inside her, swirling with doubt, insecurity, and jealousy, all revolving around one person: Bianca.
No matter how much Luca reassured her, no matter how many times he told her she was the one he cared about, Phoenix couldn’t shake the feeling that Bianca was always there, lurking in the shadows of their relationship, waiting for a chance to strike. She had seen it in the woman’s eyes—the malice, the hunger for power, and the smug confidence that came from knowing Luca’s world better than Phoenix ever could.
And that terrified her.
Bianca was beautiful, dangerous, and most importantly, she belonged in this world in a way Phoenix never had. Phoenix could still hear Bianca’s cruel words echoing in her mind from their last confrontation: “You’re weak. You’ll never survive in this world.”
Was she right?
Phoenix shifted under the covers, her chest tightening as she tries to push the doubts away. But they keep creeping back, especially when she thinks about the night she had walked in on Bianca in Luca’s office, standing far too close to him, with that smug smile on her face. It had felt like a punch to the gut, like the foundation of her world had crumbled beneath her feet. Luca had said it was nothing, but Phoenix couldn’t help but wonder: Was Bianca truly nothing?
Phoenix’s heart aches as she remembers how Luca had tried to calm her down, how he had promised her that Bianca was just trying to get under her skin. But Phoenix had seen the way Bianca looked at him—the way she spoke with such familiarity, as if she had some claim on him.
Phoenix had never felt so out of place before. She had grown up in a world so different from Luca’s, a world without the constant threat of betrayal, without the dark allure of power and control. But Bianca? She had been raised in this world, shaped by it. And she thrived in it.
The jealousy gnawed at Phoenix’s insides, a slow, burning fire that she couldn’t extinguish. She hated that Bianca could make her feel so small, so unsure of herself. It wasn’t just the way Bianca looked, though that was intimidating enough—she was stunning, and the way she carried herself made Phoenix feel like an outsider. It was the way Bianca seemed to belong, to fit effortlessly into Luca’s world, while Phoenix constantly felt like she was walking on a tightrope, one misstep away from losing everything.
Luca had been patient with her, had tried to reassure her that he was done with Bianca and that she meant nothing to him. But Phoenix couldn’t shake the feeling that she was a temporary fix in a life she didn’t fully understand. The constant tension, the danger—it was wearing her down.
And Bianca knew it.