Chapter 4 The Thin Line Between Love and War

A storm was forming.

Luca Valentino had spent years mastering control.

Control over his business.

Control over his empire.

Control over his emotions.

But one woman had always threatened to destroy that control.

Sophia Moretti.

As the black Maserati cut through the city streets, his grip on the wheel tightened. The tension from their encounter still coiled in his muscles, a dangerous reminder of what she did to him.

She had looked him in the eye and dared to act like nothing had happened. As if she hadn't betrayed him.

As if she hadn't died.

His jaw tightened slightly. He had let her go once. He wouldn't make that mistake again.

"Boss."

Matteo's voice crackled through the speakerphone, cutting through his thoughts.

"Talk."

"She's being watched."

Luca's looked darkened. "By who?"

"We're still tracking them, but they're professionals. Whoever it is, they don't want her dead." A pause. "Not yet."

Luca breath slowly.

So it wasn't just him.

He wasn't the only one hunting her.

His fingers flexed against the leather steering wheel. He should let her handle it. She wasn't weak-he knew that better than anyone. But the thought of someone else moving against her sent a foreign sensation Rolling down his spine.

Something he refused to name.

"Double the surveillance," he ordered.

Matteo hesitated. "Are we protecting her now?"

Luca's lips curled into a smile.

"No," he said. "I just don't want anyone else getting to her first."

A Dangerous Invitation

Sophia knew she wasn't alone.

Even as she sat in the dim lit lounge of an exclusive Manhattan club, sipping her wine, she could feel the eyes on her.

Not just Luca's men.

Someone else.

Someone watching.

She spun the deep red liquid in her glass, her expression unreadable. She had known stepping back into this world would bring trouble. She had *counted* on it.

But now, she needed to know who her enemies were.

And there was only one man who could help her.

As if summoned by her thoughts, a familiar presence filled the room. The air shifted.

Luca.

She didn't need to turn to know it was him.

The scent of expensive Perfume. The weight of his eyes. The quiet, controlled power in his movements.

He slid into the seat across from her, his expression unreadable.

"You didn't order whiskey," he murmured, eyes flicking to her glass.

She smiled. "Maybe I lost my taste for it."

His eyes darkened, catching the veiled meaning. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The tension stretched between them, thick and electric.

Then, Luca leaned back, studying her. "Who are you running from, Sophia?"

She raised a brow. "Who says I'm running?"

His lips twisted into something between amusement and frustration. "You were always a terrible liar."

She exhaled softly, setting her glass down. "You're not the only one looking for me, are you?"

Luca didn't respond, but the look in his eyes was enough to answer.

Sophia nod her head. "You think I don't know?"

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I don't think, princesa-I know."

She held his eye, neither of them blinking.

Then, with infuriating grace, she reached into her clutch and pulled out a sleek black card. She slid it across the table.

An invitation.

Luca's brow arched. "What is this?"

"A party," she said smoothly. "Exclusive. Dangerous."

His fingers tapped against the card. "And you want me there?"

She smile. "Unless you're afraid?"

A slow, dangerous smile curved his lips.

"You should know by now, princesa," he murmured. "I'm afraid of nothing."

The Hunter and the Hunted

Hours later, the underground club pulsed with life.

Luca stepped inside, the flashing neon lights casting shadows across his sharp features.

His presence commanded attention, but his focus was singular.

Sophia.

She stood across the room, dressed in a deep red dress that clung to her in all the ways that made men look twice.

But it wasn't just the dress.

It was her.

Unapologetic. Untouchable.

Except by him.

As he moved toward her, a man moved in to whisper something in her ear.

Luca's jaw tightened.

Sophia merely laughed, her head tilting slightly. And then-without looking-she reached for the glass behind her, lifted it, and poured the drink down the man's front.

The entire room stilled.

The man's face twisted in fury. "You little-"

Before he could finish, Luca was there.

A shadow. A force. A threat wrapped in a suit.

The man barely had time to react before Luca's hand clamped around his wrist, twisting it just enough to send a warning.

"You should walk away," Luca said, voice calm.

The man swallowed hard, glancing between them. Then, wisely, he stepped back.

Luca turned to Sophia. "You never did know how to stay out of trouble."

She smiled. "And you never did know how to mind your own business."

He moved in, lowering his voice. "You are my business."

Her breath hitched. Barely. But he noticed.

Of course he did.

Because no matter how much she played this game, no matter how much she pretended-

She wasn't immune to him.

And she never would be.

A slow melody started playing, flowing around them like silk.

Sophia arched a brow. "Dance with me."

Luca's lips barely quirked. "Careful, princesa."

She stepped closer, her voice a whisper against his skin.

"Afraid I'll make you lose control?"

His fingers brushed her waist. His grip firm.

"I don't lose," he murmured.

Their bodies pressed together, the world fading away as the dance began.

But neither of them noticed the dark figure watching from the shadows.

Neither of them saw the danger that had just stepped into the room