What We Left in the Dark

Forty Four

I left Gian resting on the couch, feeling the weight of the evening settle into my bones. As I made my way down the hallway toward the guest bedroom, the emotions swirling in my head seemed to slow my steps. Just as I was about to reach the door, Luca appeared from the shadows, emerging from his office to intercept me.

He stopped directly in my path, placing two firm hands on my shoulders, his touch grounding me. The intensity in his eyes softened slightly as he looked down at me.

"I meant what I said earlier," Luca murmured, his voice steady and low. "You saved him. You were strong when we needed you to be, and I'm grateful for that. I'm proud of you, Cat. Truly."

I nodded, accepting his gratitude but feeling a slight discomfort at being put in the center of this chaos. "It's what anyone would've done," I replied quietly, though I knew that wasn't entirely true. The night's events had forced me into a role I wasn't sure I was ready for.

Luca studied my face, the quiet vulnerability in my expression as I processed everything. "Do you know what happened?" I asked, hoping he had answers.

He shook his head, his brow furrowing slightly. "Not yet," he admitted. "I'm still digging for answers, but Gian hasn't said much. Something went down last night. Something big."

The thought of what Gian had gotten himself involved in twisted my stomach, but before I could fall deeper into my worries, Luca pulled me into a gentle embrace, wrapping his arms around me. I hesitated at first but then allowed myself to sink into the warmth of his chest. His hand rested protectively against the back of my head as if shielding me from the weight of everything happening around us.

Luca bent down slightly, placing a tender kiss on my forehead, and I felt the warmth spread across my skin. His lips lingered for a brief moment before he pulled back, his hand still holding me close. "I know you're conflicted, and I won't be the one to force you to make a choice between us," he said, his voice rough with honesty. "But I need you to know, Cat. If there's anything I can do to help sway your opinion... anything that would make you see me in the way I see you..." He trailed off, his words carrying a weight that made my heart skip a beat.

I pulled away slightly, just enough to look up into his face. The intensity in his eyes was undeniable, his feelings for me clearly etched in every line of his expression. My breath hitched as the space between us felt suddenly charged, heavy with unspoken emotion.

His hand found its way to my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across my skin. I leaned into his touch, my heart racing despite myself. Luca's voice softened as he spoke again, the words tumbling out before he could hold them back. "I will lay the world at your feet if you ask, Cat. Anything you need, anything you want... just say the word."

His confession hit me like a wave, crashing through my defenses and leaving me utterly speechless. I had known Luca was drawn to me, but this level of devotion, of passion, left me entirely unprepared. My mind raced as I tried to process what he was offering—an escape from the chaos, a chance at something safer, something certain.

But as my lips parted to respond, Luca leaned in, his lips finding mine in a brief but passionate kiss. It wasn't hurried or frantic; it was a promise, a plea, a taste of something he wanted to offer me. The intensity of it made my heart race, and for a split second, I felt myself getting lost in the warmth of him, in the safety he seemed to radiate.

Before I could respond or deepen the kiss, Luca pulled away, his eyes filled with sincerity and quiet longing. "Goodnight, Cat," he whispered, his voice a little unsteady, as though it had taken all his willpower to step back from me.

I stood frozen, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched him retreat down the hallway. The taste of his kiss lingered on my lips, leaving me breathless and unsure of how to react. I had come to this place, seeking refuge, seeking answers, but instead, I had found myself tangled up in emotions I couldn't quite unravel.

As Luca disappeared from sight, I pressed my fingertips to my lips, still feeling the warmth of his kiss there. He had left me speechless—not just with his actions, but with the depth of his feelings, the promises he was willing to make.

But my thoughts drifted back to Gian, lying injured on the couch just a few rooms away. How could I possibly untangle the knot that my life had become? Torn between two brothers, two men I had history with, each offering me something different—Gian, the past I once cherished, and Luca, a future I wasn't sure I deserved.

As I finally entered the guest room, my mind raced with questions, the ache in my chest growing as I realized that no matter what I chose, someone would be left behind. And in this moment, despite all the love and devotion being thrown my way, I didn't know if I had the strength to choose at all.