Before dawn | Dark romance

Chapter 70 - Under the spotlight

[4/4]

Luca's touch still burns on my skin as we emerge from his office, stepping back into the world we momentarily left behind. The hallway is dim, almost serene compared to the chaos of the club outside. I clutch onto his hand, feeling the strength in his grip, and a part of me wishes we could stay in this bubble a little longer, away from the eyes of others. But the sound of the music, growing louder with each step, pulls me back to reality.

"Are you okay?" Luca's voice is a low rumble, his gaze piercing as we stand in front of the door leading back to the VIP area. His eyes search mine, a mix of concern and something else I can't quite place. The quiet of the hallway feels like a stark contrast to the pulsating chaos of the party waiting beyond.

"More than okay," I respond, forcing a sweet smile onto my face. Luca's smirk widens, a flash of satisfaction crossing his features. It's the kind of smile that always makes me weak.  He swipes the access card with a practiced flick of his wrist, and the door swings open.

As we step back into the VIP area, the thumping bass of the music slams into me, synchronizing with the frantic rhythm of my heart. The room is even more packed now, with good looking men and women draped over the luxurious booth seats, their laughter cutting through the air like shards of glass. The atmosphere crackles with the electric buzz of anticipation for Dante's pre-birthday celebration, but my focus is locked onto Luca.

His smirk remains firmly in place, but his eyes are scanning the room with an air of calculated dominance. He's assessing every detail, every movement with the precision of someone used to being in control. I try to gauge his thoughts, to see if he's reflecting on what just happened between us, but his face is an impenetrable mask of confidence.

Heads turn as we make our entrance, and I can't help but notice the way the women's gazes follow Luca with a mix of recognition and lingering interest. It's a reaction I've seen countless times before, but tonight it feels different—more invasive, more personal.

"Oh, there he is!" A sultry voice cuts through the din, pulling my attention to a tall, raven-haired woman making her way toward Luca. Her dress clings to her every curve, her movements smooth and deliberate, as if she's well accustomed to this kind of attention. She offers Luca a slow, knowing smile, her fingers trailing along his arm with a familiarity that twists in my gut.

Luca's body tenses imperceptibly, though he doesn't withdraw immediately. His eyes harden slightly, but he maintains his composure. "Mara," he greets, his voice smooth but edged with a subtle coldness. He gently shifts his arm from her touch, but she's not easily deterred. She moves in closer, her laughter light yet somehow predatory.

Before I can react, another woman—a blonde with a striking figure and an air of undeniable confidence—slides into the scene. "Luca, we were just talking about you," she purrs, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She leans in, brushing against him with a casual intimacy that makes my heart sink. Her glance flicks toward me, dismissive and calculating, before she turns back to Luca with a smirk. "We haven't seen you in so long. We thought you'd forgotten about us."

I force myself to keep a neutral expression, though inside, jealousy roils like a storm. These women have history with Luca—tangible, undeniable history. My heart clenches at the thought of them knowing him in ways we just experienced. Luca's reputation as New York's most eligible bachelor was not built without reason, but seeing it laid bare in front of me is a different matter entirely.

Luca's arm slides around my waist, pulling me a fraction closer. His tone is cool, measured, though his eyes flick briefly to mine. "I've been busy," he says looking at me, the words deliberate. There's a flicker of something in his gaze—a hint of concern, maybe? He's assessing my reaction, trying to gauge how deeply this is affecting me, but I steel myself. I refuse to let him see how deeply this cuts.