Page 17 of Silent Night With Luca

Sal pulls out his phone and sends a text.

We walk back into the main street, blending into the crowd like nothing happened. String lights twinkle overhead, and I can’t help but think how sick it all is. Fiamma’s still out there, and time’s running out. But now, at least, I know where to look.

SIX

Fiamma

The door creaks open, and I hear his footsteps before I see him. Marco Vitale. I know it’s him. My heart pounds in my chest, a mix of fear and disgust flooding through me as I wait for him to step into the dim light.

He’s taller than I remember—broader, too. Or maybe that’s just the fear talking. His dark hair is slicked back, and he’s dressed like he always is—sharp, expensive clothes that scream wealth.

But nothing about him looks clean to me. His stare is cold, calculating, the kind of eyes that make you feel like you’re being sized up for a deal you never agreed to.

I never liked him. Not really. He was fun to flirt with at the clubs, and sure, we hooked up a few times, but that’s all it ever was. Fun. Something to do when the music was loud, the drinks were strong, and the lights were low enough that I could pretend there was no history between our families.

But now, standing here in front of me, there’s nothing funabout him. Nothing playful. Just cold, hard reality—and the power he holds over me.

He steps closer, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he looks me over, tied to this chair like I’m his prized possession. “You’re awake. Good. I was starting to wonder if you’d ever come to.”

I glare at him, swallowing down the knot of fear in my throat. “What do you want, Marco? Why are you doing this?”

He chuckles, stepping closer, his presence filling the room in a way that makes the walls feel like they’re closing in on me. “Isn’t it obvious? You think you could just walk away from me, from the future we had, like it meant nothing?”

He’s delusional. Maybe I didn’t realize how crazy he was because I only ever saw him after a few drinks in a dark club. We even discussed that we could never be anything more than a fling, fun in the dark, because of our family histories.

“Because it meant nothing,” I snap, my blood boiling. “We were both just having a good time. We were never going to be anything, you knew that. It wasn’t possible.”

The smirk fades from his face, replaced by something darker. He reaches out, brushing a finger down my cheek, and I have to force myself not to flinch. “You always were good at pretending, Fiamma. But I don’t believe you. You see, I have bigger plans for us.”

My stomach churns at the thought. I always knew Marco had a twisted side, but this? This isn’t about having fun, it’s about control.

I lean back in the chair, forcing myself to relax, to play this carefully. He’s got me tied up, but I’m not helpless. Not yet.

I meet his gaze, softening my voice, letting it drop into something that sounds almost seductive. “You really think this is the way to get what you want? By tying me up and dragging me here like a prisoner? At Christmas, no less?”

A low hum escapes his throat, but he doesn’t back away. “You think I don’t know how this works? Your family—my family—we’ve been at each other’s throats for years. I’m just making sure I get what I deserve. I was always the spare, the number two. But if I can infiltrate the Lucianas from the inside, I’m the fucking mack daddy.”

“And what do you deserve, Marco? How is this going to work?” I ask, tilting my head slightly, letting my hair fall over one shoulder. “How can we make this happen?”

If I appeal to him this way, maybe he will trust me enough to untie me. He always liked to roleplay this dominant boss. Maybe all of this is about his flexing. If I can make him believe he is in control of me, then I can turn the tables.

He steps closer, his breath hot against my skin as he leans down. “Everything. The Luciana family thinks they’re untouchable, but with you, I have something I can use against them. I can make them bend. I can make them suffer.”

My pulse quickens, but I keep my expression calm. I need to figure out what he’s planning. “You think holding me hostage is going to change anything? They’ll come for me. Luca Rossi is my personal bodyguard here. You know how he is.”

At the mention of Luca’s name, something flashes across his hard face—jealousy, maybe. His grip tightens on the back of my chair. “Luca is nothing against me.”

I press my lips together, my mind racing. He’s serious. His intentions go beyond seeking revenge. Using me, he intends to bring my family to its knees.

But I’m not done yet.

I shift in the chair, leaning toward him slightly, making sure my movements are deliberate, calculated. “Maybe I can help you.”

He raises an eyebrow, but his grip loosens ever so slightly. “Oh? And what would you suggest?”

I give him a slow smile, letting my gaze drop to his lips before meeting his eyes again. “You and me. We can be together. And I can help you bring my family down from the inside, just like you said.”

For a moment, he hesitates, and I can feel the conflict in the air, emanating from him. He still wants me, even if he’s twisted it into something darker, something cruel. But that desire? It’s still there. And I can use it.

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