A Warning from the Past
932 Words
The Envelope of Doom
Sophia looked at the envelope, her fingers shaking at her sides.
That seal—black wax, an intricate emblem pressed into it.
A serpent wrapped around a dagger.
She knew that symbol.
Knew it like a scar on her own skin.
The Order of the Crimson Vow.
Her past had finally caught up with her.
Behind her, Luca stepped closer, his presence looming like a shadow—dark and commanding. She could feel his warmth, the tension in the air almost electric.
His voice was low, edged with danger. “What is that?”
Sophia didn’t answer right away.
Instead, she crouched down, slowly picking up the envelope.
It was thick. Heavy. Hand-delivered.
Whoever left it wanted her to know they were close.
Too close.
Luca’s patience was wearing thin. “Sophia.”
She let out a breath before turning to face him. “We need to go inside.”
His jaw tightened. He didn’t like being ignored. But he also knew when to pick his battles.
Without another word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her through the door.
The Past Never Stays Buried
The moment they entered the mansion, Matteo was already waiting, gun in hand. His sharp eyes took in their expressions, the envelope in Sophia’s hand.
“What’s that?” he asked.
Luca ignored him, dragging Sophia into the main study. The grand room was lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, rich furniture, and an air of authority.
Luca didn’t stop until they reached his desk.
Then he let go of her—only to hit his palms against the wood.
“Open it.”
Sophia hesitated.
Because once she opened it, there would be no going back.
Luca’s voice dropped lower, rougher. “Sophia.”
She broke the seal.
The parchment inside was thick, expensive. The kind only a select few could afford.
But it was the words scrawled in deep crimson ink that sent a chill down her spine.
You should have stayed dead.
Below it, an address.
A place she hadn’t seen in years.
The old estate.
The place where she had nearly died.
Her throat felt tight. She swallowed hard, forcing herself to remain still, to show nothing.
But Luca saw.
He always saw.
His fingers curled into fists. “Tell me what the hell is going on.”
She met his eyes. “It’s a warning.”
His nostrils flared. “From who?”
Silence.
Then—
“The people who tried to kill me three years ago.”
Luca’s Rage
The air in the room turned ice-cold.
Luca went completely still, his body tense, his breathing steady—but only just.
Matteo swore under his breath. “You’re telling me—”
Sophia cut him off. “Yes. I wasn’t just running from you, Luca. I was running from them.”
Saying it out loud felt like a weight lifting. But it also sealed her fate.
Luca stepped forward, slow and deliberate, like a predator closing in.
“You lied to me,” he murmured, his voice low and lethal.
Sophia squared her shoulders. “I protected myself.”
Wrong answer.
Luca moved so fast she barely had time to react before her back hit the bookshelf.
His hands braced on either side of her, trapping her in. His scent—dark spice and leather—wrapped around her, suffocating and intoxicating all at once.
But his touch wasn’t harsh.
No, it was worse.
It was controlled.
Lethally calm.
“I would have burned the world for you,” he murmured, voice like a blade against her skin. “And you didn’t trust me enough to tell me you were in danger?”
Her heart pounded. “You were the danger, Luca.”
His eyes darkened. “I would have killed for you.”
Her breath hitched.
Because he meant it.
He always had.
But back then, she hadn’t been ready to believe it.
Now?
Now, she didn’t know what to believe anymore.
A Choice to Make
Luca let out a sharp breath and stepped back, raking a hand through his hair. His control was hanging by a thread.
Then, without looking at her, he turned to Matteo.
“Double security.”
Matteo nodded. “On it.” His eyes flicked to Sophia. “And her?”
Luca didn’t hesitate.
“She’s not leaving.”
Sophia stiffened. “Excuse me?”
Luca’s eyes locked onto hers. “You’re staying under my protection.”
She folded her arms. “And if I refuse?”
He smirked, but there was no humor in it.
“You won’t.”
Frustration burned through her. “You don’t own me, Luca.”
His expression shifted—dark, unreadable.
Then, suddenly, he was in front of her again, his fingers grazing the curve of her jaw.
It was such a soft touch. A contradiction to everything he was.
“I could,” he murmured. “If I wanted to.”
A shiver ran down her spine.
Because the terrifying part?
Somewhere deep inside, she wanted him to.
The air between them was thick, unspoken words lingering in the space they refused to close.
Then—
The house alarm blared.
Matteo’s phone rang, sharp and urgent. He answered, and his expression darkened.
“Boss. We have a problem.”
Luca’s head moved toward him. “What?”
Matteo’s jaw clenched. “The estate from the letter? It just went up in flames.”
Sophia’s blood ran cold.
They weren’t sending a warning.
They were sending a message.
We know where you are.
And we’re coming for you
- Writer
