Nico stormed out of the restaurant, the door slamming behind him with a loud thud that echoed in the quiet alley. His breath came in ragged gasps, each one filled with fury and frustration that threatened to consume him. The sight of Grace, so close but completely out of reach, had been too much. She looked like she'd been through hell—gaunt, tired, her eyes hollow, and yet she still didn’t even glance his way. She refused to speak to him, and he couldn’t stand it.
Luca was already waiting outside, leaning casually against the wall as if he’d expected Nico to explode at any moment. He straightened up when he saw the wild anger on Nico's face.
“Che cazzo,” Luca muttered, eyeing Nico’s clenched fists. "What happened in there?"
Nico didn’t answer right away. His fist connected with the bri
