What We Left in the Dark

Nineteen

I pressed myself closer to the crack in the door, straining to catch every word as Luca and Giancarlo's voices echoed down the hallway. The sound of Giancarlo's voice sent chills through my body, the familiar timbre pulling me back to a time when things were simpler—and infinitely more complicated. My breath hitched as I listened, my heart pounding in my chest.

"How was the girl you were with last night?" Giancarlo's voice was casual, almost teasing.

"Good," Luca replied, his tone clipped. "She's still here, so make it quick."

Giancarlo's laughter rang out, rich and warm, reverberating down the hallway. The sound was so familiar, so undeniably him, that it sent a rush of unexpected arousal through me. It was the kind of laugh that used to make me feel safe, but now it had a different effect, one that made my knees weak and my heart race.

"I'll be brief," Giancarlo said, amusement still lacing his words. Then their conversation shifted, their voices lowering as they began discussing something more serious—numbers, business, things I didn't understand. It was clear this wasn't just a social visit, and I realized I needed to give them space. But the curiosity was gnawing at me. The urge to know more, to be part of the world I had once left behind, was too strong.

Quietly, I slipped away from the door and began to inspect Luca's room, my steps light as I moved through the space. I had no reason to be nosy, but something inside me needed to know more about this man I had let into my life. The room was immaculately organized, every detail reflecting his meticulous nature. It was sleek, classic, with dark wood furniture and crisp white linens. A large window framed a stunning view of the city, and I found myself drawn to it, the expanse of New York spreading out before me like a living tapestry.

As I stared out the window, lost in thought, I heard the door creak behind me. I smiled, thinking Luca had returned, ready to offer me some explanation about his brother's visit. "Did your visitor leave?" I asked, my voice light as I turned around.

But the words caught in my throat as I found myself face to face with Giancarlo for the first time in years. The sight of him stole the air from my lungs. He was no longer the boy I once knew—he was a man now, his frame broader, his jaw sharper, his presence more commanding. His dark eyes were hard, filled with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. He looked like he could crush mountains with just a glance, and the tension between us was palpable.

For a moment, we just stared at each other, the silence thick with unspoken words. Then Giancarlo's jaw tightened, his expression darkening as he finally spoke.

"Is this a joke?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "Surely my ex isn't sleeping with my brother."

My heart skipped a beat, panic rising in my chest as I realized the precarious position I was in. I had to feign ignorance, to buy myself time to figure out what to do. "I swear, I had no idea he was your brother or that you were even related," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

Giancarlo's eyes narrowed, but he nodded, taking a step closer to me, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. "He mentioned a new attorney in New York, a real looker. 'Beautiful' was the word he used. I can see why." His gaze traveled over me, assessing, and I felt exposed under his scrutiny. "You're aging divinely."

Before I could react, Giancarlo leaned down, pressing a brief, possessive kiss into my hair. The gesture was both familiar and unsettling, a reminder of the past and a warning of what was to come. "I'm glad you cared for yourself after I left," he murmured, his lips grazing my ear.

I swallowed hard, trying to steady my nerves. "Are you mad?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Absolutely livid," he replied, his voice tight with restrained fury. "But I told Luca I was going to the bathroom, so I need to keep quiet."

His words sent a chill down my spine, and I realized just how dangerous this situation had become. Giancarlo wasn't just angry—he was calculating, planning something I couldn't yet understand. The intensity in his eyes was unnerving, and I could feel the walls closing in around me.

"I'll find you later, and we'll have a proper chat," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. The promise in his voice made my blood run cold.

I tried to swallow my fear, but it was useless. The sight of him, so close, so much more imposing than before, left me feeling vulnerable in a way I hadn't expected. Giancarlo leaned down once more, his towering 6'3" frame bending easily as he placed a second kiss on my forehead, just below where the first had been.

"Chat soon, Cat," he said, his voice soft but laced with menace.

As he straightened up, I felt like I might pass out, the room spinning slightly as the reality of the situation sank in. Giancarlo didn't wait for a response. He turned and left the room, his footsteps fading as he walked away, leaving me standing there, shaken and breathless.

I was alone again, but the sense of safety I had felt just moments before had vanished. The past I had tried so hard to escape was back, and it was clear that this time, there would be no running away. Giancarlo was here, and he wasn't going to let me go without getting what he wanted.

Whatever that was.