Luca POV
I dropped my phone and walked out to the balcony, staring into the night. Looks like she had made up her mind. Fine. I dialed my pilot and told him to be on standby.
Grabbing the keys to my Bugatti, I headed to the garage. The engine roared to life, a beast echoing my mood. When I pulled up in front of her apartment building, I opened the glove compartment and retrieved a syringe filled with sedatives. I dialed her number.
"Hello?"
"I'm outside your building. Come down for a moment. I'm leaving for Italy tonight."
There was silence on the line before she answered.
"Okay… I'll be there shortly."
A few minutes later, she slipped into the passenger seat. I glanced at her and smiled.
"Why do you want to see me, Luca?" she asked bluntly.
"Micina," I said softly, taking her hand. "When we first met, you weren't this cold. Why are you avoiding me now?"
She pulled her hand away, resting it on her lap. "Since you want the truth, here it is—I don't feel good about you."
"What?" My voice hardened.
"I'm just a simple artist. I prefer a quiet life, and I can't have that with you. You know why. So stop pressuring me. There are other women for you."
She reached for the door handle, but I pulled her into a tight embrace. With one hand, I uncapped the syringe and drove the needle into the side of her neck.
Her eyes went wide. "What the fuck, Luca? Are you insane?" She clawed at the door, but it was locked.
"Wha—what are you doing?" she gasped, trying to stay awake. "Luca, please… let me go."
Smiling, I cupped the back of her neck and crushed my mouth to hers. She gasped, and I slid my tongue past her lips, claiming her with a savage kiss. Her protests weakened as the drug took hold. I bit her lower lip—not enough to break the skin, just enough to remind her who she belonged to.
"About those other women?" I whispered against her mouth. "There are none. You're the only one, and if you knew how much I wanted you… it would terrify you. You belong to me. Every. Single. Inch."
I laid her back against the seat. She fought to keep her eyes open, but it was useless.
"Rest, micina. We have a long journey ahead."
She finally went still.
---
Yasmine POV
I woke with a pounding headache and a queasy stomach. My mind was foggy—what happened last night? Did I drink too much? No… I was in my apartment.
I tried to open my eyes, but the pain made it worse. My skin prickled with awareness, and that was when I realized—I was naked. My heart thudded. I never sleep naked.
I forced my eyes open and froze. This wasn't my room. I sat up, clutching the sheets to my chest as memories of Luca and the car flooded back. My stomach twisted.
That bastard. He kidnapped me.
Frantic, I checked between my legs, terrified of what I might find. Relief flooded me—he hadn't violated me. Yet.
I scanned the room. It was Tuscan in style, warm and earthy, with terracotta tiles and vintage furniture. Sunlight streamed through heavy tapestries. The bed was massive, the wardrobe antique. I wrapped the sheet tighter around me and tried the door. Locked. I yanked it harder, but nothing. My breath came quicker.
I opened the wardrobe and froze. Rows of women's clothes hung neatly, all sizes, all expensive. My stomach knotted.
The door creaked open. He walked in casually, carrying a tray—lasagna, a bottle of water, a glass. He placed it on the nightstand and filled the cup.
I spun toward the window, but all I saw were endless vineyards stretching to the horizon. No New York skyline. No city. Just countryside.
"What is this place? Where have you brought me?" I demanded, my voice shaking.
"Tuscany, Italy," he replied smoothly. "Consider it… a vacation."
He held out the water. "C'mon, drink."
I snatched it from his hand and gulped it down, glaring at him over the rim.