Crimson vows

**Chapter 16: Sanctuary**

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**Valentina's POV**

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The city blurs past us as Luca drives, his jaw set and his expression a mask of determination. The weight of the night presses heavily on my shoulders, and I find myself staring out the window, watching the flickering streetlights as they flash by like distant stars.

Each passing moment reminds me of the chaos we just escaped, but the horror of what happened lingers in my mind, tightening around my chest like a vice. The memory of the man who broke into my apartment, the glint of a weapon in his hand—it's a haunting image I can't shake.

I glance at Luca, his eyes focused on the road ahead. He looks so strong, so capable, and yet I can see the storm brewing beneath his surface. I want to reach out, to comfort him, to remind him that he's not alone in this fight. But I also know that he's dealing with a world of danger that I can't fully grasp.

"Where are we going?" I finally ask, my voice trembling slightly.

"A safe house," he replies, his tone clipped. "It's off the radar. No one knows about it except for a select few in my circle."

I nod, trying to absorb that information, but it doesn't quite settle the knot of anxiety in my stomach. "Will it be enough? Will we be safe there?"

He glances at me, his expression softening for just a moment. "I promise you, Valentina. No one will find us there."

His words bring a flicker of comfort, but the fear still gnaws at me. I'm terrified of what Matvey will do next. The way he sent someone after me—it shows how far he's willing to go. I can't let myself forget that.

"What if he sends more men?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. "What if we're not safe?"

Luca's jaw tightens as he pulls the car onto a quiet side street, his focus unwavering. "I won't let that happen. I'll protect you. That's my only priority."

I want to believe him. I really do. But the reality of this situation is so far beyond anything I ever imagined. I was just a girl trying to find her place in the world, and now I'm caught in a web of danger and violence.

Luca's phone buzzes on the dashboard, interrupting my thoughts. He quickly glances at the screen and his expression shifts from determination to something darker.

"Who is it?" I ask, my heart racing.

"It's Marco," he replies, tapping the screen to answer. "I'll put him on speaker."

The voice that comes through is rough and urgent. "Luca, are you there? I just got word. Matvey's men are mobilizing. They know you're in the city."

"Damn it," Luca growls, his knuckles white against the steering wheel. "What's the situation?"

"They're looking for Valentina," Marco replies, his voice grim. "We need to move fast. You can't stay where you are."

"I know that," Luca snaps, his frustration evident. "I'm heading to the safe house now. Get the rest of our people ready. I want eyes on every corner."

"Copy that," Marco says. "I'll call in the backup. Just... be careful, man."

The call ends, and the tension in the car thickens. I can feel Luca's anger radiating off him, and I don't want to be the cause of it, but the fear creeping into my heart makes it hard to breathe.

"What's wrong?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Matvey is playing a dangerous game," he replies, his tone sharp. "He's not going to let this go. He wants you, Valentina. And if he thinks he can use me to get to you, he'll stop at nothing."