CHAPTER THREE
1123 Words
Iris had always thought silence was her safest shield.But now, sitting across from Luca Russo in a dimly lit cafe booth, she realized silence could also be dangerous.
His presence filled the space like smoke, heavy and suffocating. The Armani suit clung to his broad frame, tattoos curling up his throat like serpents. His eyes ,those unreadable, dark eyes pinned her as if she were already his.
You’ve been avoiding me,” he said smoothly, his accent thick and deliberate. His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of a warning.
Iris fumbled with the rim of her coffee cup, her heartbeat thundering against her ribs. I… I didn’t know I was supposed to see you again.
A faint smirk curved at his lips. “You were always supposed to.
From the moment I laid eyes on you.
Her throat went dry. She wanted to stand, to run, but her body betrayed her, anchored by the gravity he exuded.
Luca leaned in, lowering his voice. You’re in danger, Iris. You witnessed something you shouldn’t have. There are people who want you silenced. And I don’t let what’s mine get touched.
Her chest tightened. Mine? The word slipped into her mind like poison and honey at once.
I… I don’t understand,” she whispered.
“You don’t need to understand,” he murmured, his gaze burning into her soul. “You only need to agree.
“To what?
His smile was slow, deliberate, and dangerous.
“To be mine. Publicly. For one month. My fake girlfriend, if that makes it easier to swallow.
Her breath caught. Every nerve screamed at her to say no — but his eyes, his words, the raw command in his tone made her question whether she even had a choice
I…” she hesitated, her voice trembling, “…why me?
Luca leaned back, his expression unreadable, though the weight of his gaze never wavered. His voice dropped, quiet but sharp as a blade.
Because you saw something you shouldn’t have. That makes you a target. And in my world, targets don’t live long.
Iris shook her head. “I won’t tell anyone,” she whispered, the words spilling out too fast. “Please. I swear I won’t. I just— I didn’t know what was happening.”
Her stomach twisted, fear crawling up her spine.
He tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. Here’s the choice, dolcezza… either you accept my protection and wear my name as your shield, or you can walk out of here and spend every second looking over your shoulder until someone puts a knife in your back.
Silence pressed down between them. The cafe noises blurred away. It was just him, his words, and the terrifying certainty in them
_________
The ride to Luca’s mansion was wrapped in silence, broken only by the hum of the engine. Iris sat rigidly in the leather seat, her fingers clenched around the strap of her bag like a lifeline. She kept her gaze fixed on the city lights flashing past the tinted windows, trying to ignore the man seated beside her.
But ignoring Luca Russo was impossible.
Even in silence, he dominated the space, his presence heavy, magnetic. The air around him seemed to thrum with restrained violence, yet she felt the oddest sense of safety being near him — a contradiction that twisted her insides into knots.
When the car pulled through tall iron gates and into a sprawling estate, Iris’s mouth went dry. The mansion loomed like something out of a gothic dream — stone walls, towering arches, and gardens shrouded in moonlight. Guards stood discreetly along the driveway, their sharp gazes sweeping over the car as it rolled to a stop.
This is where you live? she whispered, unable to hide the tremor in her voice.
This is where you’ll be safe, Luca corrected, his tone clipped, final. He stepped out first, extending a hand without looking back, as though it were obvious she would take it. For a moment she hesitated — then, with a shaky breath, placed her hand in his.
His grip was warm. Firm. Possessive.
Inside, the mansion was all marble floors, glittering chandeliers, and intimidating silence. Every detail screamed wealth and power, but also something colder, darker. Iris’s sneakers squeaked faintly as she walked, and the sound made her want to shrink into herself.
Follow me,” Luca said, leading her up the sweeping staircase. You’ll stay in the east wing. No one enters there without my permission.”
Wait— she finally blurted, her voice breaking the heavy silence. Why me? Out of everyone… why drag me into this?
Luca paused on the stairs, turning slowly to face her. The dim light cast shadows over the sharp planes of his face, his eyes gleaming like steel.
It isn’t about choice, Tesoro, he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You saw something you weren’t meant to see. That makes you a target. And in my world… He leaned closer, his breath brushing her ear. …a target doesn’t live long without protection.”
Her throat tightened. “And if I don’t want it?”
He smirked — but there was no humor in it. “Then you can walk out those doors tonight. But understand this — you’ll spend every second of your life looking over your shoulder, waiting for the knife you won’t see coming. Or… His eyes darkened. “…you stay under my shadow, and no one will ever touch you. Not without answering to me.
The words sank into her like poison and honey all at once — terrifying, yet strangely reassuring.
Iris swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “You make it sound like I don’t really have a choice.
You don’t, Luca said simply, before continuing up the stairs.
When they reached the east wing, he opened the door to a lavish suite. The room was bigger than the cafe she worked in, with tall windows overlooking the city, velvet curtains, and a bed so enormous it seemed absurd.
You’ll stay here, he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. Eat. Rest. You’ll need both.
As Iris stood frozen in the doorway, Luca stepped closer. His hand brushed against hers — a fleeting touch, but deliberate. You’re safe here, he murmured, softer this time, though the edge in his voice remained. As long as you remember whose protection you’re under.
And just like that, he was gone, leaving Iris alone in a room that felt like both a gilded cage and a sanctuary.
She sank onto the bed, pressing her trembling hands to her chest. The truth was inescapable: she had stepped into his world, and there was no way back.
- Writer
