Page 41 of Kidnapped By the Mafia

28

LUCAS

She has no idea I’m here, no idea how much I need her right now, just to remind me that there’s still something good in my life, something worth fighting for.

But the guilt is still there, gnawing at the edges of my mind. Can I really be the man she needs me to be? Can I protect her, keep her safe from the darkness that follows me everywhere I go? Or am I just fooling myself, dragging her deeper into a world that will only destroy us both?

The questions swirl in my mind, unanswered and relentless, as I take a step closer to the shower, the need to be near her overpowering the doubts that won’t let me go.

The steam from the shower clings to my skin, the heat seeping into my bones as I stand just outside the glass door, watching her. The temptation to join her, to lose myself in the warmth of her body and forget the chaos outside, is almost overwhelming. But the gnawing doubt inside me, the guilt that I can’t seem to shake, pulls me back.

I take a step back, forcing myself to turn away from the door. This isn’t the time to indulge in comfort. There’s too much at stake, and I can’t afford to lose focus, not now.

The image of Albrecht’s smug face flashes in my mind, and I feel the anger boiling up inside me. He’s waiting for me to react to the death of my men, waiting for a chance to strike. And if I’m not careful, he’ll take everything from me—everything I care about.

I move quickly, my steps purposeful as I head back to my office. The doubts that plagued me earlier have hardened into resolve. If I’m going to keep Emily safe, if I’m going to protect the life we’re trying to build, I need to act now, before Albrecht can make his next move.

The office feels colder now, the shadows longer as I cross the room and pick up the phone. There’s no hesitation as I dial the number, the sound of each ring like a countdown in my mind. When the call connects, I don’t waste time with pleasantries.

“It’s time,” I say, my voice flat, emotionless. “We’ve been cautious too long. Hit his casino tonight. I want it in ruins by morning.”

There’s a brief pause on the other end, the sound of shuffling papers, a sharp intake of breath. Jake knows what this order means, knows that it’s not just about money or power—it’s about sending a message. Albrecht needs to be reminded who he’s dealing with.

“Consider it done,” he replies, his voice steady, professional. But I can hear the edge in it, the anticipation of violence that’s always simmering beneath the surface in men like us.

I hang up without another word, the decision made, the plan set in motion. There’s no turning back now, no room for second-guessing. This is the world I live in, the world I’ve chosen. And if I want to keep Emily safe, I have to play by its rules.

I sit back in my chair, the weight of the decision settling over me like a heavy cloak. The attack on Albrecht’s casino will be swift, brutal, and devastating. It’ll hit him where it hurts—his pocket, his pride—and it’ll send a clear message that I’m not to be trifled with.

The call comes in a minute later. The casino’s been firebombed as arranged, the damage extensive already, the losses will be catastrophic.

Albrecht’s men didn’t stand a chance, caught off guard by the precision of the attack. It’s a victory, a decisive blow that’ll keep him off balance, at least for a while.

But the hollow feeling remains, the guilt creeping back in as I realize what I’ve done. This isn’t just business anymore. Every move I make, every decision, is a step deeper into a world that I’m trying to shield Emily from. And yet, I’m the one pulling her closer to it, whether I mean to or not.

29

LUCAS

The door to her room is still slightly ajar, just as I left it. The sound of the shower is still going, the water creating a soft, steady rhythm that drowns out the noise in my head.

I push the door open and step inside, the warmth from the steam wrapping around me like a blanket. It’s almost too easy to let the rest of the world fall away in here.

I see her silhouette through the frosted glass, the curves of her body barely visible but enough to make my breath hitch. She’s everything I’ve been trying to protect, everything I’m terrified of losing, and yet, here I am, dragging her deeper into the darkness.

But in this moment, that fear is drowned out by something else—something raw and primal that I can’t keep at bay.

Without thinking, I start unbuttoning my shirt, my movements slow, deliberate. The fabric clings to my damp skin as I peel it off, the steam making everything feel heavy, thick. My mind is still tangled in the guilt, the doubt, but my body… my body knows what it wants.

I push open the shower door, and the rush of steam escapes, mixing with the cool air of the room. She turns, startled at first, but her eyes soften when she sees me, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

“Lucas,” she says, her voice a mix of surprise and something else—something that sends a jolt of heat straight through me. “You’re soaked.”

I step into the shower fully clothed, the water immediately soaking through the rest of my clothes, plastering the fabric to my skin. I can’t tear my eyes away from her, the way the water runs down her body, glistening on her skin. She’s so close, and the space between us feels charged, electric.

“Couldn’t resist,” I murmur, my voice low, rough with the desire that’s been building since the moment I saw her in here. “You’re too tempting, standing there all alone.”

She laughs softly, the sound light, almost teasing. “You’re going to ruin your clothes.”

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