Chapter 5 5

LUCA'S POV

I stood in front of the door wondering what the next step is going to be as my heart beat fast.

My knuckles raised but suspended in the air, itching to knock, to see her, to make sure she was still there, still safe.

I knocked soft at first, then harder, the wood cool under my hand. No answer. My gut twisted, fear raising. Was she gone? Scared shitless, hiding?

"Mara," I called, voice low and rough as I pressed my head to the door. "It's me, Luca. Open up."

Silence stretched, my pulse racing, picturing her messed up, trembling.

"Mara, come on. He's gone, so it's safe to come out."

The lock clicked, the door creaking open, and there she was, eyes red, hair messy, her shirt slipping off her shoulder, shorts barely covering her.

Her breath caught, fear showing on her face, but her fire flickered in her gaze, like she'd fight even now. "Is he really gone?"

"Yeah, he's gone," I announced, stepping closer, her smell-sweat, fear-hitting me, making my head heavy. "Kicked him out, he's not coming near you."

My voice was strong, but a shadow pressed on me, not her pain, but another's, a betrayal I carried, a face I couldn't save. I wanted to hold her, tell her it'd be okay, but I stayed still, hands tight.

Her eyes looked into mine, then she broke, tears falling, her body dropping to the floor, knees up, sobs shaking her.

"How do I get rid of him?" she choked out, voice raw, lost. "How do I get free? He's everywhere, Luca, in my thoughts, my fears. I'm so damn lost."

Her hands covered her face, shoulders trembling, her fear cutting me deep, her strength making me want to fight for her.

I crouched, close enough to feel her warmth, her sobs hurting my chest. "Hey, you're not lost, got it? Whatever you need, I'm here. I'll help you get out, keep you safe." My voice was soft, a promise, my hand near her shoulder, wanting to comfort, but holding back. Her pain, her fight, pulled at me, but I kept my distance, focused on her safety. "He's not going to hurt you anymore, I'll protect you."

She looked up, eyes wet, lips shaking, so close I could see every tear. "Why help me? You are his friend and you sold me out once. I don't trust you."

Her voice was sharp, but weak, like she wanted to believe me, needed to. Her hand wiped her face, tears smearing, and I saw the bruise on her cheek, Ross's mark, stirring a rage that wasn't just for her, but for another, a failure I couldn't face.

I swallowed, a face flashing-not hers, but hers, my sister's, the one I betrayed, the one I let down when I was too slow, too weak. I couldn't show that pain, couldn't let it out, so I hid it, leaning back, forcing a small smile.

"Pity, alright? You're hurt, got nowhere to go, a total mess. I can't just watch you fall apart."

My words were cool, distant, but my eyes gave me away, heavy with a guilt she didn't cause, a past I couldn't escape. My fingers brushed her arm, just a touch, her skin warm, making my heart jump, but I pulled back, keeping it about her, not me.

She flinched, then relaxed, her breath catching, eyes looking into mine. "Pity?" she mumbled, wiping her face, her voice small but strong, like she was fighting to stand up. "So I'm just someone you feel sorry for? Right now, you're my only choice, but that's it?" Her shirt slipped more, showing skin, and I looked away, focusing on her eyes, not letting my thoughts wander.

I nodded, keeping the smile, my hand resting on my knee, staying steady. "Yeah, you're my chance to do something right. Not a hero, but I'm not him. We'll get you free." My voice was low, calm, but my eyes carried a weight she didn't know, a promise to her and to a ghost.

Her lips moved, like she might argue, but she stayed quiet, watching me, and my body wanted to move closer, but I held still, keeping it simple.

She tilted her head, eyes narrowing, a bit of her spark coming back. "What's in it for you, huh? Just pity? Nothing else?" Her voice was steadier, pushing me, her hand brushing mine, a quick touch that made my chest tight, but I pushed the feeling down, focusing on her fear, her need.

I leaned closer, breath steady, eyes locked on hers. "Pity's enough, okay? You're a fighter, worth helping, and I'm not letting that jerk win." My voice was rough, honest, the lie hiding a truth I couldn't say, my hand resting near hers, her warmth pulling at me, but I kept my focus, her safety first. "You don't need to trust me, just let me help."

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Mara's POV

Days ago, I cried hard in that room, scared and weak. Now, in Luca's big house, I felt better, stronger, like the bruises on my body and heart were going away.

The mirror showed brighter eyes, my brown hair softer, my small body steadier in jeans and a loose shirt. I wasn't the scared girl who ran from her wedding, but Ross was still out there, his shadow heavy.

Luca said he'd help me get free, but two days of waiting, of staying in this fancy house with shiny floors and big windows, made me antsy. What was his plan? Why was he taking so long? I needed to know, needed to move, needed to be free.

I walked fast down the hall, my sneakers quiet on the smooth floor, heart beating quick but not from fear, from fire. Luca's office door was open a bit, sunlight coming out, his deep voice talking on the phone. I didn't knock, just went in, standing tall.

He was at a desk, dark hair messy, green eyes looking up, his tight shirt showing a bit of his snake tattoo. He hung up, leaning back, a small smile on his face, like he knew I'd show up.

"Finally here," he said, voice rough, playful, his eyes looking me over, making my face warm. "You look good, Mara."

I crossed my arms, pushing away the heat in my cheeks. "What's the plan, Luca? You said you'd help me get out, but it's been two days." My voice was strong, no shaking, no fear.

He stood, walking around the desk, his boots loud, eyes on mine. "You're not ready yet, that's all. It takes time to make a plan like this, to stay ahead of him." His voice was calm, but his eyes challenged me, like he wanted to see if I'd back down.

I stepped closer, head high, fire in my heart. "I'm ready, Luca. I'm not that scared girl anymore. I can't keep hiding, waiting for Ross to catch me. Tell me the plan, now." My words were firm, my heart pounding, not just from pushing him but from feeling alive, strong.

He tilted his head, smile bigger, eyes shining with something that made my breath stop. "Oh, you're ready, huh? Got some fight in you now, don't you?" He moved closer, his warmth near, his voice soft, smooth. "You sure you can handle it, sweetheart? It takes more than a cute face and a loud voice to beat a guy like him." His words were light, flirty, his eyes on my mouth, my neck, making my skin tingle, my heart jump.

I stopped, shocked, my face hot, not expecting this from him. "What are you doing?" I asked, voice wobbly, stepping back, my hands nervous. His flirting confused me, like a trick I didn't understand, stirring a feeling I didn't want, not now, not when I needed to stay focused. "Stop playing, Luca, I mean it."

He gripped me, but I couldn't tell what he felt be it pity or remorse. I tried to get my hand free when the housekeeper ran in, face white, eyes wide.

"Luca, turn on the TV, quick!" she blurted, pointing to the living room, her voice sharp with worry.

He frowned, running downstairs, my boots loud on the marble as I walked behind him. The TV was on, and there he was, Ross, on every news channel, his face full of fake sadness, a single tear falling, perfect for the cameras.

"My wife, Mara Ellison, is missing," he said, his eyes sad on the TV. "She is my everything, and I won't rest until I find her. I love her so dearly, so much that I stayed with her despite her mental illness, her struggles. Please, I beg of you to help me find her, and help her come home."

His tear dropped, but his jaw tightened, a quiet promise, a plan to own me again.

I opened my mouth to say something, but a loud sound broke through, a wail, sharp and close, coming from outside. Police sirens, screaming louder, bouncing off the house's walls.

My heart froze, fear rushing back, Ross's face in my mind-his TV lies, his hunt. Luca's eyes went to the window, his body stiff, hand dropping, like he was ready to act.