torini plastered on her most charming smile, the kind that hid the unease bubbling beneath her surface. Her first solo exhibition was meant to be a
eyes. As she moved through the crowded gallery, she caught snippets of praise for her artwork. Normally, the comments would have
hing will be fine. You'll bar
. With Vincent Santorini, "fine" was a
and black, her emotions poured into every brushstroke. She had named it Broken Promises. It f
Sant
ore her was nothing short of striking-sharp jawline, tailored charcoal suit that screamed wealth, and piercing gr
her voice steady des
hen she hesitated, he let it fall back to his side
the way his gaze lingered on her made her feel like
ted. "I don't sta
t him set off alarms in her mind. He was too polished, too compose
smirk deepening as if he could read her thoug
I don't know what yo
t y
nt dark. Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by the murmur of confusion.
ow and close now, sending a shi
nctively stepping away. "W
d out his phone, his expression dar
e muttered, al
burst open, and men in dark suits flooded the space, their movements swift a
cut through the noise,
she turned and bolted toward the back exit. She had no idea who these men were o
amped around her wrist, yanking her to a halt. She t
ssed, struggling ag
've just walked into?" he grow
care! I'm
pulling her closer. "Y
peared in the hallway ahead, blocking her path. They didn
uttered, his voice icy as
said, his tone mocking. "Didn't t
had disarmed the first man and sent him sprawling to the floor. The second hesitated,
de-eyed. "What t
rabbing her arm again and dr
pproaching made her swallow her pride. Whoever Luca was, he seemed t
d Luca wasted no time guiding her towa
," he o
N
voice dangerously low.
d before she slid into the passenger seat.
nt, didn't wait for instructions. The car sp
e of what had just happened. "What the hell
said bluntly, his eyes
dropped. "
isdain. "He owed me a significant debt. When
er blood turning to
is words. "Do you think those men were here by coincidence? They w
s couldn't be real. Her father was a mes
to a dangerous whisper. "Whether you
ainst his cheek echoed in the confined sp
tory smile spread across his face. "You've
into fists. "I am not yours. I don't care
k, unbothered.
behind them with a resounding clang. Elena's heart sank as the re
asn't
as tr
s both her captor and her
-
contin