Dangerous Attraction
957 Words
The morning after her visit to Luca's secret orphanage left Aria in a haze of conflicting emotions. She had tossed and turned all night,replaying his voice,the look in his eyes,and the feel of his hand in hers. She tried to rationalize it-he was dangerous, a killer,part of mafia dynasty. Yet,in those moments when he wasn't shrouded in menace,he was something else. Something broken. Something beautiful.
"Earth to Aria," Gianna said,maving aa hand in front of her face as they sat at their favorite cafe near the university.
Aria blinked. "What?"
"You've been staring at your cappuccino for ten minutes like it insulted your mother."
Aria gave a weak laugh. "Sorry. Just......thinking."
Gianna narrowed her eyes."This is about the guy,isn't it?. The one you won't tell me about?"
Aria heistated. "Maybe."
"Aria don't do this. If he's got you distracted like this. He's probably bad news."
"He is," Aria said softly. "But it's complicated."
Meanwhile,in a high rise overlooking the Tiber River, Luca stood at the edge of his office window,staring down at the city below. Enzo sat at the leather couch behind him,arms crossed.
"You shouldn't have brought her into our world," Enzo said.
"I didn't bring her. She walked in herself."
"And you don't stop her."
Luca turned. "She saw something. I couldn't kill her. I didn't want to."
Enzo frowned. "So what now? You want to date her? Bring her to family dinners? Introduce her to father?"
Luca's jaw tightened. "She not just anyone."
"She's the daughter of Dante Moretti," Enzo said quietly.
That hit like a punch to the gut.
Luca sat down, hands clenching into fists. "I know."
"And still care of her?"
Luca didn't answers.
Later that afternoon,Aria walked the cobbled streets alone,the notebook tucked under her arm. The city's golden light poured over the rooftops,and she found herself drifting toward the Capitoline Hill-a quiet place to think.
As she climbed the steps,she found him already there.
Luca.
He sat at the edge of the stone wall,cigerette in hand,his eyes catching her with the same intensity that always undid her.
"You have a habit of going places you shouldn't."
She smiles faintly. "Maybe we're both reckless."
He gestured for her to sit.
For a while,they just looked at the city.
"I know who are you." she said finally. "More than just your name. I did my research.
"I figured you would."
"And you know who I am?"
"Yes," he said. "Dante Moretti daughter."
She turned to him. "Then why not walk away from me?"
"Because i can't."
The silent between them was thick.
"I should hate you," she said. "I should want to see you behind bare."
"Then why don't you?"
"I don't know."
He moved closed. "I think you do."
She didn't resist when he leaned in. There kiss was slow,tentative at first,then deeper,desperate. Whwn they pulled part, her heart pounded like it was trying to escape her chest.
"I'm playing with fire," she whispered.
"So am I."
The next day,Aria returned to her journalism professor with a pitch.
"I want to do a peice on the modern mafia in Italy," she said.
Her professor raised her eyebrow. "Dangerous ground."
"I know. But I think it's a story worth telling."
He sighed. "If you pursue it,be careful. These people don't like attention.
That night,Dante Moretti sat at his desk,flipping through a folder. Photos of the Romano family. Names. Locations. Schedules.
He stopped one photo- Luca Romano.
His phone buzzed.
"Yes?" he answered.
"We've got movement," his informant said. "Romano met with supplier near the docks last week."
"Surveillance."
"Negative. They spotted the camera. We lost the feed."
Dante cursed. "Keep pressing."
As he hung up,he glanced at a photos of Aria on his desk. His heart clenches. He couldn't lose her. Not the them.
Days passed. Aria and Luca met in stolen moments-quiet corners of the city,rooftops,under bridges. Each encounter deepened their bond.
He told her about his childhood- how was groomed to take over the empire.
"I never had a choices," he said. "It was blood or failure. And failure meant death.
"You have a choices now," she said.
"Not if it means betraying my family.
"Then leave," she said. "Start over."
He looked away. "It's not simple."
At university, Gianna confronted her.
"You're different," she said. "Quieter. Distant."
Aria hesitated. "I'm seeing someone."
Gianna smiled. "Finally! Who is he?"
"It's........ complicated."
Meanwhile,the Romano family was so high alert. A rival gang had made a move,and retaliaton was imminent. Luca met with his father in the cellar beneath their estate.
"They hit one of our warehouse," his father glowled. "You need to handle this."
"I will," Luca said, but his mind was elsewhere.
"You're distracted," the older man snapped.
"I'm fine."
"You'd better be. Or I'II handle it myself."
Later that night,Aria received a text from Luca.
Meet me. Rooftop above the old opera house. Midnight.
She went.
She stood at the edge,looking out over the city.
"I have to do something," he said. "Something I may not come back from."
"What is it?"
"War. Blood. I have to defend my family."
"Then I can't see you anymore," she said, voice breaking.
He turned."Aria="
"I can't be part of this world. I won't watch you destroy yourself."
He stepped forward,cupping his face.
"I love you."
She froze.
"I don't know how to love anyone," he said. "But I love you."
Tears filled his eyes. "Then prove it. Walk away."
He didn't answer.
She left.
As she walked through the silent streets,her phone buzzed. A massage from an unknown number.
We know who are you. Stay away from Luca Romano- or next time,it won't just be warning.
Aria stop breathing.
The darkness wasn't just around Luca. It was coming for her.
- Writer
