What We Left in the Dark

Twelve

"It's getting late," I whispered, my voice barely audible but firm.

Luca raised an eyebrow, his gaze intense as he studied me for a moment. Then, without a word, he placed a hand on my back, guiding me away from the end of the riverwalk. His touch was gentle but possessive, a silent reminder of the pull he had on me. As we approached the spot where his driver had dropped us off, I noticed the car waiting in the distance, its headlights a beacon in the dark.

Luca walked me up the stairs through the entryway of my building, and we entered the elevator together. The air between us was thick with unspoken tension, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me as I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breath.

"What floor are you on?" he asked, his voice breathy, as if he were holding himself back by sheer force of will.

"Six," I replied quietly, my voice barely more than a whisper.

Luca pressed the button, and the elevator doors slid shut with a soft whirr. The moment we were enclosed within the small space, the tension between us snapped. Luca turned to me, his movements swift and decisive. He picked me up effortlessly, wrapping my legs around his waist and pressing me against the elevator wall as he captured my lips in another searing kiss.

The kiss was intense, filled with the same urgency and hunger as before, but this time there was an edge of desperation to it, as if he were trying to consume me, to make the most of the limited time we had. My hands clutched at his shoulders, holding on as the world seemed to tilt around us. He stepped closer, ensuring I felt the product of our moment. His hard length pressed against his already tight pants, begging for freedom. A low moan rumbled in my throat, giving my audible approval.

But just as quickly as it had begun, the moment was interrupted by the beep of the elevator, signaling that we had reached our destination. The doors slid open, and I cleared my throat, trying to regain some semblance of composure as Luca gently set me back on my feet.

I nodded at him, a silent thank you, and stepped around his still figure. My footsteps echoed softly in the hallway as I walked toward my unit, but I was acutely aware of Luca's presence behind me. He followed me, his steps measured, and when I reached my door, he was right there, just a breath away.

"Thank you for walking me to the door," I said, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

Luca's eyes softened slightly as he nodded. "I told you that you're protected with me, and I meant it."

I mirrored him with a nod, finding it hard to form words in the face of his unwavering gaze. He reached up, placing a hand on my cheek, his touch gentle as he tilted my face toward his. Leaning in, he gave me a goodnight kiss—sweet, tender, and all too brief. Just as I was starting to relax into his lips, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Luca pulled away, checking the time on his phone. His expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. "Wow, I didn't realize it was 2 already. I'm sorry, my love, I must take this. Lock the door. Sleep well."

I nodded, turning to enter my apartment. As I began to close the door, I couldn't help but overhear Luca's retreating voice, low and tinged with annoyance. "Good morning, fratello. What is so urgent that you have to disturb my evening?"

The door clicked shut, and I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Brother? The word echoed in my mind, bringing with it a rush of memories. Was he talking to Giancarlo? The thought sent a ripple of unease through me. 

I leaned against the door, my hand still on the lock, as I tried to make sense of it all. The connection between Luca and Giancarlo had always been there, lingering in the background, but my evening with Luca made the realization felt different—more immediate, more personal.

Finally, I turned the lock on the door, the sound grounding me back in reality. I moved through my apartment mechanically, my thoughts racing, my heart still pounding from the intensity of the evening and the unanswered questions now swirling in my mind.

As I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, sleep felt impossible. My mind kept returning to that single word: brother. The implications of it, the way Luca had said it—everything left me questioning what I really knew about him, about Giancarlo, and about the world I was getting pulled into.

I turned over, trying to find a comfortable position, but my thoughts wouldn't quiet. The darkness that Luca promised had already begun to seep in, and I was no longer sure if I wanted to resist it—or if I even could.