A Warning in the Dark
325 Words
Valeria’s grip tightened around the letter, her heart pounding as she read the words again. The ink felt like venom, seeping into her skin.
Luca.
It had to be him.
A part of her wanted to storm into Matteo’s office, shove the letter in his face, and demand answers. But she knew better. Matteo wasn’t the kind of man to be blindsided. If she wanted control—if she wanted to keep her secrets—she needed to play this carefully.
Slowly, she folded the letter and slipped it beneath her pillow. For now, she would handle this alone.
A knock at the door made her freeze.
Matteo didn’t wait for an invitation. He stepped inside, his presence all-consuming. His tie was loosened, the top buttons of his dress shirt undone, exposing a hint of tanned skin. He looked relaxed, but Valeria knew better.
He was always watching. Always calculating.
He leaned against the doorframe, his dark eyes scanning her. “You’re tense.”
She forced a smirk. “Marriage to you will do that.”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t take the bait. Instead, he took a slow step closer. “I won’t ask if you’re okay because I doubt you’d tell me the truth.”
Valeria crossed her arms. “Then why are you here?”
Matteo studied her for a moment before speaking. “I have enemies, Valeria. Enemies who won’t hesitate to use you as leverage against me. That means you need to be careful.”
Something in his tone sent a chill down her spine.
She lifted her chin. “Are you warning me or threatening me?”
Matteo’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes darkened. “Consider it a promise.”
She swallowed, refusing to let him see how his words unsettled her. Because for the first time, she wasn’t sure who she should fear more—Matteo, or the man who had just sent her a warning.
- Writer
