Page 58 of Luciano

She yawned, her voice softening, slurring just a little. “You should stop wearing them. You have beautiful eyes. I like being able to see them…”

Her words trailed off. A beat later, she was snoring lightly.

I slid the glasses off, folded them, set them on the nightstand.

I stood over her, watching the rise and fall of her chest.

I turned off the light and took a seat at the foot of the bed.

My phone kept buzzing.

The world kept demanding answers.

I’d let them wait.

I stayed right there. Silent. Still.

Watching over her.

Chapter 26

Ava

You know how you wake up and immediately remember everything that happened the day before because it never left your mind—even in rest?

That’s how I woke up.

Adrenaline pumping. My heartbeat loud in my ears.

The wedding. The kidnapping. The blood.

It all came rushing back in vivid detail.

I had killed someone.

And I didn’t feel ashamed.

Didn’t feel evil.

Didn’t even feel guilty.

But I was still in pain.

My wrists ached. My ribs, my face too. Every breath reminded me of what happened.

I inhaled.

The sheets smelled like lavender and linen—clean, soft, familiar.

I opened my eyes.

And they landed on him.

Luciano.

Sitting across from me in a black chair, legs spread, forearms resting on his thighs, eyes locked on mine like he hadn’t looked away all night.

“You always watch people sleep?” I rasped. My throat was dry, my voice cracked and worn.

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