TESORO MIO

The silence of the study was shattered by the sudden ringing of Luca's phone. He had been lost in thought, his mind still pounding on Sophia's visit, when the sound jolted him back to reality. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, his breath catching in his throat as he saw the caller ID. Tesoro Mio. (My Treasure.) That was what he had saved Bianca's number as—back when they had just signed their alliance. It was all part of his act of pretending to be in love with each other. But somewhere along the way, Luca knew the pretense had turned into something real, at least for him. It had been over two weeks since they had spoken directly, and seeing her name flash across his screen now sent an unexpected rush of energy through him. His thumb hovered over the screen, hesitating. He shouldn't answer. Not after everything. Not after she had refused to come back when Gabriel had gone for her. It was quite obvious she was or at least is now working with Isabella since in fact, they're sisters. But anyway, he answered. 'Hello," Bianca's voice came through, cautious and soft, like she wasn't sure he would even pick up. Luca exhaled slowly, forcing his voice to remain steady. "Hi there. It's been a moment." He kept his tone light, but the words carried weight. "I haven't heard anything from you in quite a while now. Or maybe I should say, anything directly from you." Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy. Luca could hear her breathing on the other end, steady but shallow as if she were holding back. His stomach turned. This wasn't just about the time that had passed. Luca had genuinely missed her. Missed the way her voice could cut through his anger, the way her presence had once made the weight of being capofamiglia feel lighter, missed how she was always so interested in knowing how his day went, and how the business was coming through. He had spent years flaunting his indifference to love, and his promiscuity. Cycling through women without a second thought. But now? Now, he hadn't been seen with anyone in months. To outsiders, it might have looked like responsibility—the solemn duty of a new Don. But those who knew him? They saw the truth. Luca Vincenzo was in love. And it terrified him. The silence between them stretched long, filled only by the faint static of the phone line. Bianca spoke and broke the silence. This took Luca by surprise although her voice was low, almost as low as a whisper. 'We need to meet and talk." Luca's grip on the phone tightened. "You said you didn't want to come back until you were done with what you had to do there," he reminded her, his voice laced with coldness. "That was what you told Gabriel, wasn't it?" A beat of hesitation. Then Bianca's voice, quieter now, laced with something Luca couldn't quite place… regret? Fear? "Yes, I did say that. It's not like I'm done still. This is an opportunity to meet and speak with you. Give you some assurance—" "Assurance." Luca cut her off, the word dripping with venom. "Is that what this is about? Assurance? Are you being serious right now?" His laugh was short, humorless. "I don't think assurances are what you should be talking about now. Right now, I need some convincing. I really need you to make me believe that our contract still stands, or have you breached it?" The line crackled with silence. Luca could almost hear her thoughts racing, the careful weighing of words before she spoke. 'I don't have any reasons to turn on you," Bianca said finally, her voice steadier now, defensive. Luca exhaled sharply through his nose, he folded his free hand into a fist. "What if you were never with me, ehh? Or do you think I haven't thought about that too?" His voice dropped lower, rougher. "Tell me why you're now going on business meetings with Isabella." A sharp intake of breath, and Bianca choked on it, as if the accusation had physically struck her. For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of her struggling to regain composure. Luca could picture it. She hadn't expected him to know. And now, she was scrambling. 'Luca" "Don't," he interrupted, his voice like steel. "Don't bother lying to me. I saw the photos. I know you were there." Bianca went silent again, but this time, it was different. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter, but firm. 'It wasn't by choice." Luca scoffed. "Funny how you keep ending up where you don't want to be." ' think I'd side with them after everything?" Bianca's voice wavered, just for a second, before hardening. 'After you?" Luca's jaw dropped. He wanted to believe her. God, he wanted to. But trust was a luxury he couldn't afford, not anymore. 'Prove it by coming home tonight," he demanded. 'I can't come home, and you know that," Bianca said curtly. 'But we can meet at any other place. That's why I called." 'Why suddenly?" Luca queried. 'This is the only chance I may get to meet with you until I can return." Luca took in a long inhale. 'Alright come to The Fezalaro Club. I will be waiting there for you in two hours. He didn't wait for her response, so he ended the call with a decisive click.