Chapter Five

Adriana

“You bastard!" I slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing in the room. My hand stung, but it was nothing compared to the pain inside me.

Luca's head snapped to the side, but he didn't flinch. Slowly, he turned back to me, his expression unreadable. His eyes locked onto mine, filled with an intensity that made my heart race.

"Adriana," he said softly, his voice a dangerous whisper.

I took a step back. My pulse was racing, and my heart was pounding in my chest. "I don't believe you," I spat. "You say you'll help me, but I think you're just screwing with my emotions. I am not a toy to be played with and manipulated so easily! Let me go!"

In an instant, he closed the distance between us, his strong hands gripping my arms. I struggled against him, my breaths coming in short, panicked gasps.

"Let me go!" I cried out again, hot tears stinging my eyes, but he held me firmly.

"I can't," he said, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and something else—something I couldn't quite place. "You have a choice, Adriana. Trust me and do what I say, or I really will have no choice but to kill you."

I was in a gilded cage, with the weight of my father's death and my failed attempt at vengeance bearing down on me, threatening to crush my spirit. I couldn't understand why Luca had spared my life, why he seemed intent on keeping me here. The room suddenly began to spin, and I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten. My legs gave way from beneath me, and I collapsed against him.

Luca caught me, his arms wrapping around me to support my weight. "Adriana!" he called out, concern lacing his tone. He gently laid me down on the bed, propping me up against the pillows, and rang for Alfonso.

Within moments, Alfonso arrived with a tray of food. The aroma of freshly baked bread, eggs, roasted meat, and a variety of fruits filled the room, making my stomach growl loudly.

Luca sat down beside me, watching as Alfonso set the tray on the small table next to the bed. "Eat," Luca commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated for a moment, my pride warring with my hunger. But the need for sustenance won out, and I reached for the food. The first bite was a revelation—the flavors bursting in my mouth, rich and satisfying. I devoured the meal, barely pausing to breathe.

My dark captor watched me eat, his gaze intense and thoughtful. When I finally slowed down, the edge of my hunger abated, I looked up at him. "Thank you," I said quietly, my voice softer than before. Something about Luca Capuzzo disarmed me, made me feel seen in a way that left me open and raw, and yet which I found myself craving more with every second I spent with him. Was it wrong of me to want to trust him even though I knew I shouldn’t?

He nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "Good girl. The color’s coming back into your face now.”

“Have you ever experienced love?" I blurted out, curiosity getting the better of me.

Luca took a deep breath. "The only love I ever knew was from my mother and Uncle Joseph," he replied, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "But they're gone now."

I nodded, understanding the pain in his voice. "The only people who loved me are gone too," I said. "What are you living for now, without them?"

"Fulfilling my duty to my father," he answered, his voice steady. “My oath to the family. I have a mission to uphold.”

I sighed, feeling a deep connection to his words. "I'm doing the same," I admitted. "Avenging my father is the only thing that has kept me going. Until now." I didn’t want to voice the pervading sense I had that the mansion was like a form of purgatory for me – I felt trapped in a way that wasn’t merely physical. It was as if my soul was warring within me, and I no longer felt sure of my path.

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of our shared experiences hanging in the air. "I wonder if there's hope for us," Luca mused, almost to himself.

I shook my head. "Not for me,” I said.

"I don't want to kill you, Adriana," he said firmly.

"Then what do you want to do with me?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Luca's eyes darkened with an emotion I couldn't quite identify. "I want to spend one night with you," he said, his voice low and intense. "Let me take care of you. You deserve one night of splendor. After that, I make no more promises.”

His words left me speechless. I had been prepared for threats, for violence, but not for this. My heart pounded in my chest as I considered his offer. There was a vulnerability in his eyes, a raw honesty that made me believe he was serious.

"Okay," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll spend one night with you."

Luca's eyes softened, and he reached out to gently cup my cheek. "Thank you," he murmured, his thumb brushing against my skin. "Rest here while I make the arrangements."

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of peace as I lay back on the bed. As Luca left the room, I couldn't help but wonder what the night would bring. For the first time in a long while, I felt a flicker of hope.

***

The room was quiet after Luca left, and I lay there, my thoughts swirling. The soft bedding beneath me felt like a stark contrast to the turmoil inside. Trusting Luca went against every instinct I had, but my hunger and exhaustion left me with little choice. I had agreed to spend the night with him, not knowing what it truly meant or what would come next.

I heard the faint sounds of the mansion around me—the distant hum of activity, the occasional murmur of voices. The opulence of this place was suffocating in its luxury, a constant reminder of the world Luca and his family controlled. But now, lying on the bed, I felt a strange sense of calm. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to drift into a light sleep.

A while later, the sound of the door opening roused me. Luca entered, his presence filling the room. He moved with a purposeful grace, his eyes softening when they met mine.

"You should rest more," he said quietly, as he approached the bed.

"I can't sleep," I admitted. "Too much on my mind."

Luca sat down beside me, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair from my face. "I understand," he said. "But you need to conserve your strength."

I nodded, feeling a mixture of emotions swirling within me. "Why are you doing this, Luca?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Because I see something in you," he replied. "Something strong and beautiful. You've been through so much, yet you still have fire in your eyes. I can't help but admire that."

His hand lingered on my cheek for a moment before he stood up. "I'll have Alfonso bring up some clothes for you later for this evening," he said.

I watched him leave, my heart pounding. The sincerity in his voice, the gentleness of his touch—it was all so confusing. I didn't know what to make of it, but I knew I had to be cautious. Trust was not something I could give easily. Especially not to him. But his words touched something deep inside me, stirred a chord that had previously been silent. Was there still hope for me? For him? Maybe, just maybe, I could trust him after all.