Page 33 of Tormented Hearts

“Just... be careful,” Phoenix pleads, her voice trembling slightly.

Luca pulls her into his arms, holding her close. “I will. I promise.”

PHOENIX 17

Phoenix could feel the tension thick in the air, even before she stepped into the room. The atmosphere in Luca’s penthouse had changed since the attack at the club and Gabriel’s injury. She had thought that the quiet moments of calm with Luca would help her breathe, would allow her to feel safe again, but something else had crept into their lives—Bianca.

For the past few days, Phoenix had noticed her name coming up more often in Luca’s conversations with Miguel, and it made her uneasy. She had never met the woman, but Phoenix could feel her presence like a shadow lurking on the edge of her world.

It didn’t take long for Phoenix to learn who Bianca really was. The woman had a reputation, and it wasn’t one that comforted Phoenix. Bianca had been a part of Luca’s world long before Phoenix, and she wasn’t just some distant memory—she was still here, still involved. And from the way Luca stiffened whenever her name came up, Phoenix knew there was more to the story.

Phoenix walked into the living room to find Luca pacing, phone in hand, a deep frown etched on his face. He had been on edge ever since the Romero’s had requested the meeting, and although he hadn’t told Phoenix all the details, she knew enough to understand that things were about to escalate.

Luca glances up when he sees her enter, his expression softening slightly. “Hey,” he murmurs, pocketing his phone. “Everything okay?”

Phoenix offers him a small smile, but the knot in her stomach wouldn’t loosen. “I’m fine,” she assures quietly, though she knows she isn’t convincing either of them. “What about you?”

Luca shrugs, his hand coming to rest on the back of his neck as he looks away. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

Phoenix takes a step closer, her heart aching for him. She knows he was carrying the weight of everything—protecting her, managing the war with the other familia, preparing for this truce meeting. But she also knew that Luca wasn’t the type to talk about his worries easily, even with her.

“Luca,” she calls softly, placing a hand on his arm. “Talk to me. I can tell something’s bothering you.”

Before Luca can respond, the door to the penthouse opens, and Phoenix’s stomach drops when a woman walks in, her heels clicking against the floor as she strides in like she owns the place.

“Luca, darling,” Bianca purrs, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she saunters over to them. “I was hoping I might catch you.”

Phoenix feels the tension in Luca’s body immediately, and she stiffens as well, her heart pounding in her chest. This was the first time she had seen Bianca in person, and the woman’s presence was even more unnerving than Phoenix had imagined.

Bianca was beautiful, in a sharp, dangerous sort of way. Her long dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and something more—something that sent a chill down Phoenix’s spine. Bianca looked at Luca like she knew she belonged in his world, like Phoenix was nothing more than an inconvenience.

“Bianca,” Luca greets coolly, his voice devoid of the warmth Phoenix had grown used to. “What are you doing here?”

Bianca’s eyes flicker to Phoenix for a brief second, a smirk playing at her lips before she returns her gaze to Luca. “I was just checking in on you,” she replies, her tone light but pointed. “Iknow the meeting with the Romero’s is coming up, and I wanted to offer my... support.”

Phoenix’s jaw tightens at the way Bianca spoke, her words laced with hidden meaning. It was clear Bianca was angling for something, and Phoenix wasn’t naive enough to believe it was anything innocent.

“We’re handling it,” Luca says, his voice sharp as he takes a step closer to Phoenix, his body language making it clear that Bianca’s presence wasn’t welcome.

But Bianca didn’t back down. She took another step closer, her eyes gleaming with a mixture of confidence and something darker. “I’m sure you are, Luca. But you know as well as I do that things can get... complicated. I just want to make sure you’re covered. After all, we go way back.”

Phoenix’s heart sinks at the words. There was something about the way Bianca said “we go way back” that made her stomach twist. She had always known that Luca’s past was complicated, that there were people who had been part of his life long before she had. But knowing it and seeing it up close—seeing her up close—was different.

Bianca’s eyes flicker to Phoenix again, and this time, she doesn’t bother to hide the disdain in her gaze. “And who do we have here?” Bianca asks, her tone dripping with condescension. “Luca’s new... project?”

Phoenix’s breath catches in her throat, and she felt Luca stiffen beside her. He steps forward, his hand resting protectively on the small of her back as he glares at Bianca.

“Her name is Phoenix,” Luca warns coldly, his voice filled with warning. “And she’s not your concern.”

Bianca’s smirk widens, and she tilts her head slightly, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Oh, Luca,” she purrs. “I didn’t realize you were so... possessive these days. How charming.”

Phoenix’s hands clench at her sides, a mixture of anger and anxiety swirling inside her. She wanted to say something, to put Bianca in her place, but she didn’t know how to navigate this world of hidden threats and veiled insults. Bianca was a part of Luca’s past, someone who clearly thought she had a claim to him, and Phoenix wasn’t sure how to fight that.

Luca’s expression darkens, his jaw tightens as he steps closer to Bianca. “You don’t get to come here and disrespect her,” he growls, his voice low and dangerous. “If you have something to say, say it to me.”

Bianca’s smirk doesn’t falter, but there is something sharper in her eyes now, something more dangerous. “I just want to make sure you’re thinking clearly, Luca,” she says softly. “After all, you have a lot riding on this meeting with the Romero’s. It would be a shame if... certain distractions got in the way.”

Phoenix’s heart pounds in her chest, her breath catching at Bianca’s words. She knows exactly what Bianca is insinuating—that Phoenix was the distraction, that Luca couldn’t handle the weight of both the mafia war and his relationship with her.

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