Page 36 of Tormented Hearts

PHOENIX 19

It had been a few days since the meeting with the Romero’s. The truce, as fragile as it was, had brought some calm to Luca’s life. But there was something else, something more personal, that threatened to tear everything apart—Bianca.

Phoenix had been on edge ever since Bianca’s appearance at the penthouse. She knew Luca was loyal to her, but Bianca’s presence felt like a lingering shadow, a constant reminder that this woman had history with Luca, a history that Phoenix could never erase. And no matter how much Luca reassured her, the seed of doubt had been planted.

It was eating at her. Every time Luca was away handling business, every time his phone buzzed with messages, Phoenix couldn’t stop her mind from wandering. Was Bianca still trying to find a way into Luca’s life? Was she succeeding?

Luca was working late at the Tempo family’s private club, going over security reports with Miguel when he heard the door to his office creak open. Without looking up, he assumes it was one of his men, but when a familiar voice slithers through the room, his body tenses.

“Luca, darling,” Bianca purrs, stepping inside with the grace of a predator. Her heels click on the floor, the sound echoing in the dimly lit space. “I thought I’d find you here.”

Luca sighs, setting down the report he has been reviewing. He didn’t even need to look at her to know exactly what she was after. “Bianca, now’s not the time,” he says coolly, his voice lacking the warmth he reserved for people he cared about.

But Bianca wasn’t the type to take no for an answer. She steps closer, her eyes gleaming with intent as she leans againstthe edge of his desk, her body positioned suggestively. She is wearing a tight, low-cut dress that left little to the imagination, and her red lips curl into a seductive smile.

“Oh, Luca,” she whispers, her voice smooth and sultry. “You’ve been so tense lately. You need someone to take care of you.”

Luca’s jaw tightens, as he stands, putting space between them. His patience with Bianca is wearing thin. He had let her linger in his world for too long, allowed her to push boundaries, but this was crossing the line. His mind is on Phoenix—on the promises he has made to protect her, to be there for her—and the thought of Bianca slithering her way into his life to make trouble between them only makes his blood boil.

“This isn’t happening,” Luca growls, his eyes narrowing as he stares Bianca down. “You know damn well where my loyalties lie.”

Bianca’s smile falters for a brief moment, but she recovers quickly, stepping closer to him once again. “Do I?” she asks, her voice laced with challenge. “Because all I see is a man who’s let himself be tied down by a little girl who doesn’t belong in our world.”

Luca’s fists clench at his sides, fury blazing in his eyes. “Don’t talk about her like that.”

But Bianca isn’t deterred. If anything, his anger seems to amuse her. She steps closer still, her fingers lightly brushing against his chest, her touch unwanted but deliberate. “She’s not like us, Luca. You and I—we belong together. We’ve always understood each other. You need someone who knows this life, who can handle the heat.”

Luca grabs her wrist, his grip firm but controlled. “You need to stop this,” he warns, his voice low and dangerous. “There’s nothing between us. There never was.”

Bianca’s eyes flash with anger, her seductive facade cracking. “I don’t believe that,” she hisses. “You and I could run this city together. Phoenix? She’s weak. She’ll never survive in this world.”

Luca releases her wrist, stepping back, his voice cold. “Phoenix is stronger than you’ll ever be.”

Bianca’s eyes narrow, her lips curling into a sneer. “She doesn’t belong with you. And sooner or later, you’ll realize that.”

But before Bianca can say anything more, the door to the office swings open, and Phoenix is standing there, her face pale, her eyes wide with a mixture of hurt and anger. She had come to see Luca, to surprise him after a long day, but what she had walked in on shattered her composure.

Bianca notices Phoenix immediately, and a cruel smile spreads across her face. “Oh, look who it is,” she says, her voice dripping with mockery. “Come to check on your man? Or maybe you’re starting to realize he doesn’t belong to you.”

Phoenix’s chest tightens, her breath coming in short, shaky bursts as she takes in the scene before her. Bianca standing so close to Luca, her hand lingering on his chest, the smug look in her eyes—it is too much.

Luca steps forward, “Phoenix, it’s not what it looks like.”

But Phoenix can’t find the words. Jealousy and fear grip her like a vise, her mind racing with all the worst possibilities. She had known Bianca was a threat, but seeing it up close, seeing her try to worm her way into Luca’s life—it was unbearable.

Bianca, sensing Phoenix’s distress, tilts her head, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Don’t worry, sweet girl,” she says, her voice dripping with venom. “Luca and I were just... catching up.”

Phoenix’s hands clench at her sides, her heart pounding in her chest. She wants to say something, to push Bianca away, but the words catch in her throat. She feels out of place, like she doesn’t belong in this world of power and seduction, a world that Bianca seems to navigate effortlessly.

“Phoenix,” Luca says softly, he takes a step toward her. “Please, don’t let her get to you. This isn’t what you think.”

But Phoenix can’t hold back the tears any longer. “I can’t do this,” she whispers, her voice breaking. “I can’t keep fighting against people like her.”

With that, she turns and runs, her heart shattering as she leaves Luca standing there. It hasn’t been long since Luca had allowed Phoenix out with an escort. Now that the Romero’s are gone there was no reason for her not to have her freedom, that, and he also had to trust her not to run.

When he gave back her freedom it changed their relationship, it was evident that Phoenix loved him, that she wanted to be with him, but when she had her freedom, it was comforting to Luca to know that she was there because she wanted to be and not because he was forcing her to be. Now, with Bianca, it would set them back a step again.

Luca storms out of the office, leaving Bianca behind without another word. His heart pounds with a mixture of fury as he chases after Phoenix. He had known Bianca was trouble, but he hadn’t anticipated how far she would go to push Phoenix out of his life.

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