Page 32 of Tormented Hearts

“Tempo,” Luca answers, his voice curt.

There was a brief pause, then the voice on the other end speaks. “Santino Romero wants to meet.”

Luca’s eyebrows lift, surprise flickering across his face for the first time in days. “A meeting?”

“He’s asking for a truce,” the contact explains. “He says he wants to talk. No more bloodshed.”

Luca’s lips curl into a cold smile. So, the Romero’s were finally bending the knee. They had no choice. He had them cornered, and now they were scrambling for a way out.

“When and where?” Luca asks, his voice calm but filled with authority.

“Tomorrow night. Neutral ground. He’ll send the details.”

Luca ends the call, his mind already working through the possibilities. A truce? It could be a trap, a way for the Romero’s to lure him into a vulnerable position. But Luca wasn’t a fool. Hewould go into the meeting fully prepared, with his men ready to strike if necessary.

Miguel entered the office just as Luca finishes the call, his face tense with anticipation. “What’s going on?”

Luca leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled as he regards Miguel. “The Romero’s want a truce. They’re asking for a meeting.”

Miguel’s eyes widen, his face darkening with suspicion. “A truce? Sounds like a setup.”

Luca nods. “It could be. But they’re desperate. We’ve backed them into a corner, and they know they can’t win. Santino wouldn’t ask for this if he wasn’t out of options.”

Miguel crosses his arms, his expression still wary. “You’re going to meet with them?”

Luca’s eyes narrow, his mind made up. “Yes. But we’re not going in blind. I want full surveillance on the location before we get there. No surprises.”

Miguel nods, already preparing to put the plan into action. But before he can leave, Luca speaks again, his voice lowering.

“Phoenix stays out of this,” Luca orders, his tone firm. “She doesn’t need to know.”

Miguel hesitates, then nods. “Got it.”

***

The night before the meeting, Luca and Phoenix are at the penthouse. Phoenix has sensed something was off all evening. Luca was quieter than usual, his body tense, his mind clearly elsewhere. He had told her it was nothing, that everything was under control, but Phoenix wasn’t convinced.

She didn’t trust the quiet.

Phoenix sat on the couch, watching Luca as he paced the room. “You’re hiding something,” she says softly, her voice filled with concern.

Luca pauses, his eyes flicking to hers. “I’m not.”

Phoenix frowns, standing up and walking toward him. “Don’t lie to me, Luca. I can feel it. Something’s happening, isn’t it?”

Luca’s jaw clenches, his heart heavy as he looks into her eyes. He wants to protect her from this, to keep her away from the war that was raging around them, but he knows that he can’t hide the truth forever.

“The Romero’s want a meeting,” Luca admits, his voice low. “They’re asking for a truce.”

Phoenix’s eyes widen. “A truce? After everything that’s happened?”

Luca nods. “They’re desperate. But it could be a trap.”

Phoenix swallows hard, her heart racing. “And you’re going to meet with them?”

“I have to,” Luca replies, his voice firm. “If this is the way to end the war, I have to take it. But I’ll be prepared.”

Phoenix’s heart aches at the thought of Luca walking into danger again, but she knows there was no stopping him. This was his world, and she was a part of it now, whether she liked it or not.

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