Chapter 7– He wants what’s Mine
1201 Words
That thought kept circling back in Elena’s mind.
Back there, when Luca pulled his hand away - it stuck in her thoughts like a loop. Quiet it was, yet sharper than she’d thought possible. She stayed calm outwardly while seated, though inside her ribs pressed close without letup.
She rose, speaking soft. "Pardon," came her voice.
His eyes lifted fast. “Elena - ”
Yet her steps carried her off before he could speak.
Her leaving stayed with him, a weight behind his ribs. Words meant to fix things wouldn’t come out, stuck somewhere deep. His mouth closed hard, saying nothing at all. From where he remained seated, his gaze moved only when she did - step after step away.
Into the bathroom stepped Elena, a slow breath leaving her lungs. Quiet filled the space, bringing some ease. Toward the mirror she went, touching up her lipstick with precision. Steady hands moved - her mind racing behind them.
A noise came out of a stall somewhere. Someone was talking inside.
“He’s so handsome.”
“I’ve wanted Luca Rossi for years.”
Elena paused slightly.
“It’s ridiculous he married her.”
“I know. She’s not even that pretty.”
Out they came, then stopped dead at the sight of her. Wide eyes stared. Quick on her feet, one raised her chin.
“Oh,” she said sweetly. “We didn’t realize you were here.”
Elena looked back without blinking. “Obviously.”
“You’re lucky,” the other woman added. “Men like him usually go for… more.”
She closed the tube of color. Confidence stands alone, without needing to measure up
Off she went, silent, moving beyond their reach. Then nothing more came from her lips.
Footsteps halting mid-stride, she nearly bumped into him right by the bathroom door. A moment frozen, just breath and surprise hanging between them near where he stood.
“Elena.”
She stiffened. “Dimitri.”
“You look upset.”
“I’m fine.”
Her attempt to walk by failed when he blocked her way. He asked what had occurred
“I said I’m fine.”
Her wrist rested in his hand when he leaned close. He touched her there without pressure.
Elena froze.
Back then, such things were never taken lightly. A married woman was off limits.
“You shouldn’t look like this,” Dimitri murmured. “Did he upset you?”
A small tug came first. Then her voice followed. Release it now she said without raising her tone. The moment held still between them
“I can take care of you, Elena.”
Just as her voice was about to rise, pressure clamped around Dimitri’s arm. A grip, steady and unyielding, closed tight on his wrist.
Hard.
Luca.
Fire lit up his gaze. Off went Dimitri’s grip from Elena as he shoved him a step away. “Keep your hands to yourself,” came the warning
Dimitri straightened, stunned.
Right away, his guards sprang into motion.
Lifting his chin, Luca moved ahead. “Those were my words,” he said
Tension built along Dimitri's jawline. With every eye on him, backing down wasn't an option. Forward he stepped, knuckles leading the way.
Luca caught it.
Then punched him.
Out of nowhere, gasps burst through the crowd nearby.
Barely keeping his balance, Dimitri staggered away. Closing in fast, his men moved at once. Meeting them head-on, Luca’s team advanced without delay. In a breath, everything turned sharp.
They were fighting.
Landing a second blow, Luca watched Dimitri respond without delay. In rushed the guards, stepping between them. Backpedaling fast, the onlookers cleared space. Shouts erupted from every corner. Into the room poured pure disorder.
Elena stood frozen.
Out of nowhere, she froze. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen.
Off balance, Dimitri swung, yet Luca stayed ahead. Power shifted fast when Luca pushed once more.
Her thoughts jolted back into place.
Her voice cracked through the air. Luca froze as her hands clamped on his arms. Halt right there came out instead of words
Out of nowhere, her voice shook. Vision smearing with tears. All that sound, bodies packed close, pressure building - too much to hold. She folded inward.
Her tears stopped Luca mid-step. He could not move.
He stopped immediately.
A sudden grip on her wrist tugged her through the press of bodies. Light bursts popped like firecrackers behind their backs while moving past the doors. Only when the night air hit did his pace finally drop.
Her name came out quiet. He touched her shoulders, fingers resting there.
She was shaking.
A small lift of his hand brought her face toward him. Those pale eyes, almost shimmering, met his gaze. Softness washed over his features without warning.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
She didn’t speak.
“I didn’t know what came over me,” he continued. “He touched you… and I lost control.”
A single tear slipped down her face before he wiped it clean. Sorry about how things went earlier, I shouldn’t have stepped back. Anger took over when Dimitri started pushing. What belongs to me - he sees it and wants it
He spoke quieter. “It’s you.”
A breath touched her skin when he leaned in. Not words, just warmth there by her cheek. Again, closer to the hairline, quiet as a thought. His lips brushed where the pulse runs thin beneath the ear. Fingers curled slightly before his mouth met her knuckles. Each touch placed like it might break if rushed.
Fresh air filled her lungs again. The rhythm found its way back.
“Don’t do that again,” she whispered.
“I won’t.”
Right then, he knew it was true.
A small breath escaped her. Into his arms she went, quick but sure. Not much at all. Solid though.
Off they went toward the vehicle, him pulling the door wide. Into the seat she moved without a sound. Behind her, he took his place.
Back on the road, quiet filled the car. Silence sat between us the whole way.
Heavy tiredness pulled at Elena. She sank into the chair, letting her body go loose. After a little while, without noticing, she tilted sideways. Luca felt the quiet weight of her head against him.
Her eyes met his gaze as he stared downward. The moment hung still between them.
Still wet with tears, yet somehow glowing. Her mouth hung open just a bit, painted red. Those thick lashes lay soft on her skin. One curl escaped, brushing her forehead.
A small movement brought his hand to her hair, slipping the strand into place just above the curve of her ear.
His eyes stayed fixed straight ahead until the journey ended.
Midway through, it hit him. He saw a truth he hadn’t noticed before. A quiet shift took place then. Not loud, just clear. That moment changed how he saw everything after.
She’d stopped seeing him long before he left.
It slipped past him, that moment of change. When exactly it took place remained unclear.
The vehicle eased up to the mansion without a sound.
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