My Beautiful Seductress

A Dangerous Promise

The words on the card seemed to burn into Vivienne's mind.

WE KNOW EVERYTHING.

The penthouse was filled with security personnel, but that did little to ease the fear creeping through her chest.

Someone had broken into one of the most heavily guarded residences in the city.

Someone had entered her room.

Someone had wanted her to know she was being watched.

Luca stood near the bed, the black card still in his hand. His expression remained calm, but Vivienne had learned enough about him to recognize the truth.

He was furious.

Dangerously furious.

One of his security officers approached.

"We've reviewed the cameras, sir."

Luca looked up.

"And?"

"The intruder disabled part of the system for ninety seconds."

The officer hesitated.

"It was professionally done."

A tense silence followed.

"Find out who did it," Luca said.

"Yes, sir."

The officer quickly left.

Vivienne wrapped her arms around herself.

"This is my fault."

Luca's gaze immediately shifted to her.

"No."

"If I hadn't come into your life—"

"Stop."

His voice cut through her words.

Vivienne looked away.

"But they're targeting me."

"They're targeting me."

The correction was firm.

Luca stepped closer.

"This started long before you."

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Luca sighed.

"The difference is that now they've decided to use you to get to me."

The admission hung heavily between them.

Because they both knew what it meant.

Vivienne was no longer a bystander.

She was part of the war.

The next morning, Luca refused to let her leave the penthouse alone.

Naturally, Vivienne hated that idea.

"I'm not a prisoner."

"No."

"Then stop treating me like one."

Luca didn't even look up from the documents on his desk.

"You're under protection."

"That's just another word for imprisonment."

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

"No, imprisonment involves locks."

Vivienne glared at him.

His smile widened slightly.

It was unfair how attractive he looked when he was amused.

Especially when she was trying to stay angry.

A knock interrupted them.

One of Luca's men entered.

"Sir, we've identified the vehicle used by the intruder."

Luca's attention sharpened instantly.

"Talk."

The guard placed a folder on the desk.

"The vehicle belongs to a shell company."

"Of course it does."

"But we traced the company's finances."

Vivienne watched Luca open the folder.

The moment he saw the contents, his expression darkened.

"What is it?" she asked.

He looked up slowly.

"The money leads back to one of my oldest enemies."

Her stomach tightened.

"Who?"

Luca closed the file.

"A man named Gabriel Moretti."

The name meant nothing to Vivienne.

But judging by the reaction of everyone in the room, it should have.

One of the guards muttered a curse under his breath.

Luca's eyes hardened.

"I thought he was finished years ago."

The guard nodded.

"So did we."

Vivienne frowned.

"Who is he?"

Luca leaned back in his chair.

"The closest thing I've ever had to a brother."

That answer shocked her.

"What happened?"

The silence that followed spoke volumes.

Finally Luca answered.

"He betrayed me."

That evening, Vivienne sat alone on the balcony.

The city sparkled below.

Normally she loved views like this.

Tonight they offered little comfort.

The mention of Gabriel Moretti kept replaying in her mind.

A former friend.

A betrayal.

Another secret.

Luca carried more scars than he allowed anyone to see.

The balcony door opened behind her.

She didn't need to turn around to know it was him.

Luca joined her by the railing.

For several moments neither of them spoke.

The cool night breeze drifted between them.

Finally Vivienne broke the silence.

"Do you miss him?"

Luca stared at the skyline.

"Who?"

"Gabriel."

His jaw tightened.

"No."

The answer came too quickly.

Vivienne smiled faintly.

"That's not true."

Luca glanced at her.

She could see the conflict hidden behind his eyes.

"Some betrayals don't leave room for forgiveness," he said quietly.

Vivienne looked down.

The words struck closer to home than he realized.

Because she was guilty of betrayal too.

And part of her feared that when everything came out, Luca would never forgive her.

The thought hurt more than it should.

Without thinking, she reached for his hand.

Luca looked surprised.

So was she.

For a moment neither moved.

Then his fingers intertwined with hers.

The simple gesture sent warmth rushing through her.

For the first time in days, the tension eased.

Not completely.

But enough.

Luca looked at her.

Really looked at her.

As if trying to memorize every detail.

"Vivienne."

Her pulse quickened.

"Yes?"

"If things get worse..."

He stopped.

She waited.

"If anything happens, promise me you'll leave."

Vivienne blinked.

"What?"

"Promise me."

She shook her head immediately.

"No."

His eyes narrowed.

"This isn't a game."

"And I'm not running."

"You don't understand the danger."

"Then make me understand."

The intensity between them grew.

Neither willing to back down.

Finally Luca exhaled sharply.

"I've buried people I cared about before."

The confession stunned her.

Pain flickered across his face before disappearing.

"And I'm not doing it again."

Vivienne's heart ached.

Before she could stop herself, she stepped closer.

Very close.

Close enough to hear his breathing.

Close enough to feel the tension between them.

"Luca."

His gaze locked onto hers.

"You won't lose me."

For a second, the entire world seemed to disappear.

There was only him.

Only her.

Only the space between them.

Luca slowly raised a hand and brushed a strand of hair from her face.

The touch was gentle.

Unexpectedly gentle.

His eyes darkened.

And for one reckless moment, it looked as though he might kiss her.

A sharp ringtone shattered the moment.

Luca cursed under his breath.

Vivienne almost laughed.

Almost.

He answered the phone.

The amusement vanished from his face instantly.

"What?"

A pause.

Then another.

By the time the call ended, his expression had become ice cold.

Fear settled in Vivienne's stomach.

"What happened?"

Luca lowered the phone.

His eyes met hers.

And the answer made her blood run cold.

"Gabriel Moretti just sent me a message."

"What message?"

Luca's jaw clenched.

"He says he has something that belongs to him."

Vivienne frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Luca's gaze hardened.

"It means he's coming for you."