f polished silver and crystal between them, but there was also an unspoken tension in the air that she couldn't place. Her pulse accelerated, and every look and fleeting brush of their fin

o tell you, though. The realization made Francesca's breath catch. She had stepped into a more sinister world than she had ever known. The whole town was aware of Luca's strength, but this was something else. "So, then, you're a criminal?" Before she could stop it, the question escaped her lips. Her stomach knot grew tighter. A calculating and frigid smile briefly appeared on Luca's lips. "I'm not a criminal, Francesca. I own a company. Simply put, my company isn't clean. She made an effort to focus on his face, searching for any clue that would help her make sense of the chaos she was experiencing. But all she saw was a man who, in spite of his distance, had a strange magnetic quality. "I can't be involved in this," she whispered, gasping for air. Leaning closer, Luca spoke in a quiet but sinister tone. "You are already." Francesca's heart pounded as the words replayed repeatedly in her mind. With each move intended to entice her in, he had been using his charm to manipulate her. However, why? "What do you want from me?" she blurted before she could stop herself. After a brief period of softness, Luca's eyes hardened. "I don't need anything from you. All I want is to protect you. His speech was too smooth and unnerving. A cold shiver ran up her back. Despite the fear tearing at her chest, she said firmly, "I'm not safe in your world." Luca's fingers coiled around his wine glass as his jaw tensed. "You don't get it? You're already on board. It makes no difference if you decide to be in or out. You're in. With the weight of his words pressing down on her chest, Francesca turned away. Was he correct? Had she gone too far and couldn't go back? She was shocked when Luca's hand lightly touched hers as he reached across the table. With regret and something else in it, his voice faded t