20
The soft hum of the engine faded as I pulled into the driveway of my home—a sprawling estate on the outskirts of the city, hidden behind high walls and towering trees.
The gates closed automatically behind me, sealing off the outside world.
This was my sanctuary. A place I controlled down to the last detail.
Away from any sorts of chaos.
Stepping inside, I was greeted by silence. The house was immaculate, not because I had a team of maids constantly fluttering about, but because I didn't allow anyone into my personal space unless absolutely necessary. I preferred it that way.
The kitchen was sleek and modern, all dark wood and stainless steel.
I rolled up the sleeves of my shirt and set about preparing dinner.
Cooking was one of the few mundane tasks I allowed myself to enjoy.
There was something calming about the precision of it—the slicing, the seasoning, the timing.
It reminded me of the control I maintained in every other aspect of my life.
As I chopped vegetables for a simple pasta dish, my thoughts inevitably drifted to her.
Lenora.
I wonder what she was doing.
She was an enigma to me. Sweet, innocent, and entirely too naive for her own good. She didn't belong in my world—didn't belong under my thumb where ruthless men and sharp-edged deals were the norm. And yet, she was there. A soft, bright presence that I couldn't seem to ignore.
The way she looked at me, with those mismatched eyes full of curiosity and hesitation, made me want things I hadn't allowed myself to want in years. She was so easy to read, her emotions written across her face for anyone to see. It infuriated me and captivated me in equal measure.
The way she was so fucking submissive. It made my inner demon too happy. I wanted to mark her in every possible way. Ruin her for other men. She was so much younger than me but that wasn't stopping me.
And today, the look on her face when I'd reprimanded her...
"Fuck."
I cursed under my breath, tossing the chopped vegetables into a pan. The memory of her wide, tearful eyes haunted me. I hadn't meant to be so harsh, but the idea of her being distracted—of something pulling her attention away from me—had set me on edge.
She consumed my thoughts more than she should. Every laugh, every blush, every nervous glance in my direction only fueled the fire. I wanted to protect her innocence and shatter it all at once.
I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair as I stirred the pasta. This wasn't me. I didn't lose control. I didn't let emotions cloud my judgment. But with Lenora, it was different. She made me feel things I thought I'd buried a long time ago.
The meal was done quickly, and I ate in the quiet dining room, my mind still on her.
It was nearing midnight when my phone buzzed on the marble counter. I frowned, glancing at the screen. Lenora.
I picked it up immediately, concern tightening in my chest.
"Lenora?" I said, my voice sharper than I intended.
There was a shaky inhale on the other end, followed by a quiet sob.
Shit.
"I..I'm sorry," she hiccupped, her voice trembling. "I s..shouldn't have c..called—"
"Don't," I cut her off, already grabbing my keys. "Don't apologize. What's wrong baby?"
There was a pause, then another sob. "I... I had a nightmare. It—it felt so real, and I c..couldn't—"
I felt a sharp pang in my chest, my grip tightening on the phone. "Lenora, listen to me. You're okay. It wasn't real. I'm here."
"I can't—" Her voice broke as her little sobs started to increase, and I could hear the raw panic in her tone.
"Baby, breathe," I said softly. "I need you to breathe for me, alright? Slow, deep breaths. Can you do that?"
There was a shaky inhale on the other end, and I waited, my own heart racing as I listened to her try to calm down.
"That's it," I murmured. "You're doing so well, Lenora. Just keep breathing, such a good girl."
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, her voice small and broken.
"Stop apologizing," I said firmly. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
There was a pause, and then she asked, "Why are you being so nice to me?"
Her question caught me off guard, but I didn't hesitate. "Because I care about you."
The words hung in the air between us, heavier than I intended.
"Lenora," I said after a moment, my voice softening. "I'm coming over."
"You d..don't have to—"
"I'm coming over," I repeated more firmly this time, already heading for the door. "Stay on the phone with me until I get there, yeah?"
"Okay," she said quietly.
The drive to her apartment was quick, the streets empty at this hour. She stayed on the line the whole time, her voice slowly calming as I spoke to her about mundane things—anything to distract her.
If someone had told me months ago I would be doing this I would've punched the motherfucker.
When I arrived, I let myself in with the spare key I'd insisted on having after her last nightmare. She was sitting on the couch, her knees drawn up to her chest, her face pale and tear-streaked.
She looked up as I entered, her eyes wide and filled with a mix of relief and vulnerability.
"Luca..," she whispered, her voice trembling.
I crossed the room in a few quick strides, pulling her into my arms. She melted against me, her small frame trembling and folding herself completely on me as I held her close.
"You're safe," I murmured, stroking her hair. "I've got you."
Her hands clung to my shirt, her breath hitching as she tried to hold back more tears.
"I'm sorry," she said again, her voice muffled against my chest.
"Stop," I said softly, tilting her chin up so she was forced to look at me. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Lenora."
Her eyes searched mine, and for a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of us.
"Thank you," she whispered.
I didn't respond. Instead, I pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there for a moment before pulling back.
"Let's get you to bed," I said gently.
She nodded, and I guided her to her room, waiting until she was settled before sitting down in the chair beside her bed.
"Luca," she said softly, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
"Hmm?"
"Why are you so nice to me?"
I smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Go to sleep, Lenora."
Her eyes fluttered closed, and I sat there, watching over her until I was sure she was dreaming peacefully.