CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Luca's POV
The smoke slowly began to dissipate, leaving behind an acrid, burnt scent that filled my lungs. I stood still, scanning every corner of the room, my hand still tightly gripping Juliette’s wrist, pulling her to safety. My pulse pounded in my ears, the tension of the moment hanging like a thick, suffocating fog.
I glanced at her. Her face was pale, eyes wide, confusion swirling in her gaze. The fight in her, that fire, had dimmed. She was looking at me now like she was seeing me for the first time.
“Luca… what was that?” she asked, her voice fragile, like she wasn’t sure what to believe anymore.
I took a deep breath, willing my body to stay steady despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I could feel the weight of her gaze on me. But I wasn’t about t
