Chapter 10: Beneath silence

Words : 850 Updated : Aug 21st, 2025
Luca unfolded the delicate page slowly, the paper crackling beneath his fingers. A map, hand-drawn, inked with strange glyphs and markings that shimmered faintly in the light. He’d seen it before. Not in a dream. Not in a nightmare. In his father’s hands, days before his death. His gaze snapped to Alessia, and something sharp flickered in his eye: part betrayal, part alarm, part hunger. She shifted, clutching the blanket tighter. He stepped closer. Her breath hitched. "Where did you get this?" His voice was soft. Too soft. "I—I didn’t mean to lie," she stammered. But it was too late for denial. Luca was in front of her now, looming. He dropped the page on the nightstand and reached for her. One hand slid around the back of her neck, not in anger, but in a dominant grip, sensual and electrifying. His thumb brushed her jawline, his fingers tangled in her hair. "Look straight into my eyes," he commanded, voice a growl laced with possessive fury. "Never lie to Daddy." Alessia gasped, her lashes fluttering. "Luca..." "When did you start lying to me, hmm?" he asked, tightening his hold just enough to make her feel the weight of his warning. "Don’t make me disappointed in you." Her throat bobbed. Her lips quivered. "I was scared..." His eyes darkened. "I—I felt like we needed to take the book before someone else found it. I didn’t want to risk it being stolen. I only wanted to protect us, Luca." His hand softened, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his other hand traced down her arm, grounding her, igniting her. "Stop putting your life at risk," he said, his voice barely a whisper, thick with emotion. "That book... It’s too dangerous. It’s not just ink and parchment. It holds mysteries not even my father dared touch." He leaned in, breath warm against her skin. "I don’t want anything to hurt you." Then he kissed her. Fierce. Possessive. Passionately. Alessia melted into him, the shame and fear ebbing as his lips claimed hers. His hand still cradled her neck, anchoring her to the moment, while his other hand drew her closer from her waist. She felt protected, wanted, and desired. When a mother disciplines a child, she draws them closer in love. Luca, despite his anger, despite his pain, was pulling her into his warmth, reminding her who she belonged to. He was her haven. Her protector and her man. "Luca..." she whispered against his mouth. But just as the fire between them began to blaze.... "Ring. Ring". From Luca’s mobile phone. The sound cut through the tension like a blade. Luca groaned, pulling back slightly, forehead resting against hers as he reached for the phone. His hand trembled. "Donato?" he answered quickly. "I’ve been trying to reach you for hours. How have you been, brother?" "We’re in the middle of nowhere," Donato said, urgency biting every word. "I asked the guards to return to the Morano estate. They’re on their way back now." Luca was surprised. "Why? What about you? Will you return with them? Where are you?" "The next road leads to a sea. Not a river. A full damn sea. Luckily, we came across only one traveler boat. But a seat is reserved for one person to cross. It’ll take three days. In three days, Luca, I learnt that the boat passes the sea twice a year. I’m indeed lucky to come across the boat ." His voice dropped, eerie and haunted. "We didn’t meet a single soul along the road. Just... animals. Insects. Like the place was abandoned by time." Luca felt a chill crawl down his spine. Donato continued, "This place isn’t normal. It’s cold. Silent. Like death itself is watching." Luca swallowed hard. "Donato... is the book worth all this?" "That’s why I called." Donato’s voice steadied. "You need to resume the office immediately. Secure everything. Move into a new apartment nearby with your new family. Start preparing for the worst." "What about Mother?" Luca asked, pulse pounding. "Let her stay with you then. But guards will restrict access to certain rooms. We can’t take any more chances." "But—" Luca started. The line went dead. "Donato? Hello? Donato?" Nothing. Silence. Luca stared at the screen, a cold sweat on his brow. His heart beat like a war drum. He clenched his jaw and lowered the phone slowly. Alessia had already risen, slipping behind him, her arms gently wrapping around his waist. Her cheek pressed against his back. "You’ll be fine," she said softly, stroking his hair, her voice like a balm to his storm. He turned, wrapping his arms around her. One hand tangled in her flowing hair, the other resting on her hips. His eyes were wild, tormented, but grateful. "I can’t lose my brother," he said. "You won’t," she whispered. A knock shattered the quiet. Luca’s head snapped toward the door. It creaked open slightly—and Enzo stepped inside, his expression unreadable, as always. "Sir," Enzo said, voice low. "Bianca’s parents are here." Luca’s jaw clenched. Enzo hesitated, then added, "They demand to speak with you. Alone."

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