Chapter 7

I turned the unlocked doorknob and slipped out the hotel's service elevator before the sun was fully up, then took a cab to an upscale Italian café in neutral territory-far from the syndicate's usual haunts.

Luca was already sitting at a corner table.

He stood up when I walked in, his eyes carefully scanning my face as I sat across from him.

"Thank you for pulling me out of the pool last night," I said quietly.

Luca leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed. "Sienna, you're different today. You haven't looked at me like that in years."

I picked up the menu, avoiding his gaze. "Like what?"

"Like you completely forgot about me."

I put the menu down and met his eyes.

Luca let out a long sigh and leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.

"During our junior year of college, I confessed my feelings to you," he said, his voice tight. "You turned me down."

I was stunned.

I truly didn't remember Luca.

But I couldn't risk exposing my amnesia. If I did, anyone could manipulate me.

"You were completely infatuated with Caspian. To appease his insane jealousy, you cut off all your male friends."

Luca shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. "To stay near you and make sure you were safe, I had to stoop to being a low-ranking grunt in this dangerous underworld."

I stared at the coffee cup in front of me.

The tragic reality of my past submission hit me like a punch to the gut.

I had isolated myself entirely for a man who wouldn't even save me from drowning.

At that moment, I realized I had to hide my amnesia from Caspian at all costs.

If he knew I had forgotten, he would use it to trap me all over again.

The bell above the café door jingled loudly.

The temperature in the room plummeted the second Caspian walked in.

Flanked by four massive soldiers in dark suits, Elena stood right beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

Caspian's gaze locked onto Luca.

His massive frame radiated a lethal territoriality as he strode toward our table, his very presence terrifying the few civilians in the shop into absolute silence.

Before he could even speak, I stood up.

"We're breaking the oath. Who I see is none of your business."

I raised my voice, making sure every guard heard me publicly denounce his suffocating control.

Caspian didn't even glance at me.

He stared at Luca with murderous intent. "The West Side Port was the price you paid to stay away from my wife."

Luca sneered, leaning back and crossing his arms. "I just wanted to buy her a cup of coffee. Seems you lack confidence in your own charm."

Caspian took a step forward, his hands balling into tight fists.

Feeling a strong surge of disgust, I grabbed my purse from the chair.

Caspian's hand shot out, clamping tightly around my arm.

I looked down at his grip, then pointed at Elena standing a few feet away.

"Give the papers to my lawyer, Caspian. Other than that, we have nothing to talk about."

I yanked my arm hard, but his grip was like a vice.

I raised my voice, ensuring the entire café could hear me. "I'm done playing the supporting role to your shadow mistress."

Shocked, Caspian's grip loosened just enough for me to break free.

I turned my back on the Don and walked out the front door, Luca right by my side.

As the chilly morning wind brushed against my face, I finally understood why the 27-year-old me had wanted to end her life.

Living under the crushing weight of his coldness would break anyone.