Crimson vows

Chapter 24: Ghosts from the Past

Luca's POV

I'm in the middle of repairing the fence in our yard when a dark SUV rolls up the driveway, its sleek black frame standing out against the quiet landscape. I feel my muscles tense instantly, old instincts firing up as I straighten and watch the vehicle.

The driver's door opens, and Marco steps out, dressed in his usual sharp suit. His presence is a reminder of the life I've tried to leave behind, the world I've been so careful to shield Valentina from.

"Luca," he greets, his voice low and serious.

I nod, glancing toward the house where Valentina is cooking dinner. She hasn't seen him yet, and a part of me wants to keep it that way. But I know she'll sense that something is wrong if I don't let her in on what's happening.

"What's going on, Marco?" I ask, my tone cautious.

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I wouldn't be here unless it was urgent. There's a situation... something we missed when we took down Matvey's operation."

I clench my jaw, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "I thought it was over. You told me it was over."

Marco looks away, his expression tense. "One of Matvey's men slipped through the cracks—a lieutenant named Viktor. He's rallied a few loyalists and is looking to regain control."

The news hits me like a punch to the gut. Just when I thought I could put that world behind me, it's come back, casting shadows over the life I'm trying to build with Valentina.

"Does he know where we are?" I ask, my voice low.

Marco shakes his head. "Not yet. But he's looking for you, Luca. And when he finds out you're alive... he'll come for you. And for her."

A cold dread fills me, and I feel a surge of anger toward the life that refuses to let me go. But even stronger is the resolve building inside me—a fierce determination to protect Valentina, no matter the cost.

"What do you need me to do?" I ask, my voice steady.

Marco hesitates, then hands me a slip of paper. "We have a lead on Viktor's whereabouts. If you're up for it... we can finish this for good."

I take the paper, glancing at the address scrawled across it. A part of me wants to ignore it, to pretend none of this is real and go back inside to the peace we've found. But I know that as long as Viktor is out there, we'll never truly be safe.

"Give me a day," I say, tucking the paper into my pocket. "I'll be in touch."

Marco nods, a flicker of respect in his gaze. "Stay safe, Luca. And... good luck."

He leaves as quietly as he came, the SUV disappearing down the road. I turn back to the house, my heart heavy with the weight of what I'm about to tell Valentina.

Valentina's POV

I hear the front door open and close, and I look up from the stove to see Luca walking in, his expression darker than I've seen in weeks. My heart sinks as I put down the wooden spoon, wiping my hands on a towel as I turn to face him.

"What's wrong?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He crosses the room, his gaze searching mine. "There's... something I need to tell you."

The tone of his voice sends a chill down my spine. I nod, waiting for him to continue.

"One of Matvey's men escaped the crackdown," he says slowly. "His name is Viktor, and he's building up what's left of the organization."

The weight of his words settles over me, and I feel a mix of fear and anger bubbling up. "So... he's coming after you?"

Luca nods, his eyes filled with a regret that breaks my heart. "It looks that way. And if he finds out about you... about us..."

He doesn't need to finish the sentence. I know what it means.

"So what do we do?" I ask, my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me. I refuse to let him face this alone.

He sighs, reaching out to take my hand. "Marco gave me a lead on Viktor's location. If I go, I can end this... for good."

The thought of him going back into that world, of facing those demons alone, terrifies me. But I know Luca. He won't rest until he knows we're safe.

"I want to go with you," I say firmly.

He shakes his head, squeezing my hand. "No. I need you safe, Valentina. You've already been through enough."

I take a deep breath, fighting back the panic rising in my chest. "Then promise me you'll come back," I say, my voice breaking.

He pulls me into his arms, holding me close. "I promise," he murmurs, his lips brushing against my hair. "I'm going to finish this once and for all."

Later That Night

We lie in bed, tangled in each other's arms, neither of us wanting to let go. There's a quiet intensity between us, a shared understanding that this could be our last night together if things don't go as planned.

I press my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart, committing every detail of this moment to memory.

"Luca," I whisper, my voice barely audible in the darkness. "No matter what happens, I want you to know... I love you."

He pulls me closer, his voice rough with emotion. "I love you too, Valentina. More than anything."

We fall asleep like that, wrapped in each other, clinging to the fragile hope that tomorrow will bring us the peace we've fought so hard to find.

The Next Morning

When I wake, Luca is already up, standing by the window, gazing out at the early morning light. There's a calmness about him, a quiet resolve that both comforts and terrifies me.

He turns when he senses I'm awake, offering me a small, reassuring smile. "I'll be back before you know it," he says, his voice steady.

I nod, trying to keep my own emotions in check. "Be careful."

He crosses the room, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead, and then he's gone, disappearing into the morning mist, leaving a hollow ache in my chest.

As the door closes behind him, I say a silent prayer that this will be the last time he has to fight. That after this, we can finally leave this life behind and start anew.

And all I can do is wait, hoping that the man I love will come back to me.