What We Left in the Dark

Fourteen

The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow across my bedroom, but it did little to chase away the storm clouds in my mind. The night before had left me feeling conflicted and vulnerable, the memories of Giancarlo, Luca's touch, and their potential brotherhood swirling around in my head. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had stepped into something much bigger and more dangerous than I had anticipated.

As I sat up in bed, I reached for my phone, hesitating before typing out a message to Luca. I wanted to thank him for the evening we'd spent together, even if it had left me with more questions than answers.

"Luca, thanks for last night. I appreciate you walking me home and for everything you said."

I hit send, hoping for a quick response, something to calm the unease gnawing at me. But as the hours ticked by, my phone remained silent. By the time the weekend rolled around, I was growing restless. I sent another text on Saturday, something light and casual, but again, nothing.

By Sunday evening, the silence was deafening, the loss of another Ricci brother settling heavily on my shoulders. But when Monday came, I resolved to push it all aside. I threw myself into work, using the steady rhythm of tasks and meetings to distract myself from the nagging emptiness that had taken root.

As the day began to wind down, I was focused on reviewing a contract when there was a knock at my office door. I looked up to see Jason Williams, the new attorney assigned to the Gilded case, standing in the doorway. He was holding a folder, a neutral expression on his face as he stepped inside.

"Catalina," he greeted me with a nod. "I wanted to go over the specifics of the Gilded case before the transfer is finalized."

"Of course," I replied, setting aside my work and gesturing for him to take a seat. "I've gathered all of the work I had drafted up, though it wasn't much. It should be a smooth handover."

Jason sat down across from me, opening the folder and glancing through the papers. "Thanks, I appreciate that. Gilded is a big case, and I want to make sure I'm fully prepared." He paused, looking up at me with a curious expression. "Did you get close to Ricci while getting to know the case? Is that why you dropped?"

His question caught me off guard, but I quickly shook my head. "No, it wasn't like that. My needing to be taken off the case was personal, but it had nothing to do with Luc- Mr. Ricci."

"Good," he said, a small smile playing on his lips. "So, you wouldn't mind if I asked you out on a date?"

I blinked, taken aback by the sudden shift in conversation. "Jason, I don't think that's appropriate. We work together."

He leaned back in his chair, still smiling. "Technically, we don't work together. We work near each other. Different supervising partners."

I frowned, feeling the discomfort settle in. "I don't date within the office. It's a firm policy I've set for myself."

Jason's smile faltered, and he seemed to struggle with my rejection. After a moment, he rose from his chair, leaning over my desk as he fixed me with a pointed look. "Are you entangled with someone else? I've known you to be a single, good girl. Unlikely to fuck clients."

I felt a surge of anger and disgust at his words, my jaw tightening as I glared at him. "Watch your language, Jason. That's incredibly disrespectful."

He smirked, unbothered by my reprimand. "You act like a lady, but I get the sense you're a little slut for the right person. What can I do to bring that out of you?"

Before I could react, he moved around the desk to my side, turning my chair and placing his hands on either armrest, effectively trapping me. My heart raced with a mix of fear and fury as I looked up at him, my voice firm as I demanded, "Back up, Jason."

He shook his head, leaning in closer. "You're worth the chase, Catalina. I would never make you uncomfortable, but I think you just need a little persuading."

"I'm already uncomfortable," I shot back, trying to push him away, but he took it as an invitation, his hand sliding down to grab my ass.

Without thinking, I slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing in the small office. "Leave now, or I'm telling HR."

Jason's expression shifted, a flicker of shame crossing his features as he stepped back, rubbing his cheek where my hand had struck him. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, though his apology felt hollow. He reached out to caress my cheek, but I flinched away, the anger boiling inside me.

"You're just so beautiful," he murmured, a pleading note in his voice. "I want a chance."

"It's unlikely now," I snapped, my voice cold. "More unlikely than before."

His hand slipped into my hair, and before I could react, he forced my mouth to his, kissing me roughly. I screamed in protest, thrashing against him, trying desperately to push him off.

Suddenly, the door flew open, and I was flooded with relief as Matt stormed in, his face a mask of fury. "Get the fuck away from her!" he shouted, grabbing Jason by the collar and yanking him away from me.

Jason stumbled back, his face pale as he realized just how much trouble he was in. "Matt, I—"

"Shut the hell up!" Matt snapped, stepping between us as a barrier. "You're done. I'm getting you fired, you fucking scumbag."

Jason stammered out an apology, but Matt wasn't hearing it. He turned to me, his expression softening as he saw the state I was in. "Are you okay, Catalina?"

I nodded, though I was still in shock, my body trembling from the adrenaline. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice shaky.

Matt pulled out his phone, his tone firm and urgent as he made a call. "Luca, I need you to get here right now. It's an emergency with Catalina."

He hung up, turning back to me with concern in his eyes. "We're going to take care of this. He won't bother you again."

I nodded again, trying to steady my breathing as the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. But all I could think about was Luca, and the sinking feeling in my stomach as I wondered if he would even come.