Chapter 33 HIS PAST
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AUTHOR’S POV
Luciano sat in his spacious office, his leather chair turned slightly toward the window as he stared out at the city skyline. The room, a blend of luxury and functionality, was filled with the quiet hum of Christian’s voice, going over details of a new business deal.
But Luciano wasn’t listening. His mind was miles away—, where he’d spent the night tangled in Adeline’s warmth. Her laughter, her touch, the way she whispered his name—it was all he could think about, drowning out the drone of the world around him.
“Luciano,”
Christian’s sharp voice broke through his haze, pulling him back to the present.
“Hm?”
Luciano blinked, turning to face him, but his expression was far too distracted to be convincing.Christian frowned, his piercing blue eyes narrowing as he leaned forward, elbows resting on the edge of the desk.
“You’re not even listening, are you?”
Luciano sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“I’m listening.”
Christian scoffed.
“The hell you are. What’s going on with you? You’ve been off all morning.”
Luciano hesitated, his jaw tightening. Christian wasn’t the type to let things slide, and if anyone would notice something was off, it was him. Finally, Luciano exhaled heavily, his gaze dropping to the polished surface of his desk.
“I slept with Adeline.”
The room fell into a thick, stunned silence. Christian froze, his eyes widening as he processed the confession. Then, in true Christian fashion, he exploded.
“You what?”
he hissed, his voice sharp and incredulous. He shot to his feet, pacing in agitation.
“Luciano, are you out of your damn mind? Adeline? Of all people?”
“I know,”
Luciano said, his voice low but firm. He leaned back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Christian whirled around, glaring at him.
“No, you clearly don’t know. Do you have any idea what this could do? To you? To us? To her?”
Luciano’s gaze snapped up, his dark eyes blazing with an intensity that made Christian pause.
“I couldn’t stay away,”
he said, his voice raw.
“I needed her. I still need her.”
Christian groaned, running a hand through his hair.
“You don’t just ‘need’ someone, Luciano. This isn’t some goddamn romance novel. There are consequences to this kind of thing.”
“I know,”
Luciano said again, though his tone was softer this time, almost resigned. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk.
“But I couldn’t lose her. Not like that. Not when she’s the only thing that feels… real.”
Christian sighed, his anger giving way to exasperation as he sank back into his chair.
“Do you even hear yourself right now? This could blow up in your face. What about Elena?”
The mention of her name was like a splash of cold water. Luciano’s jaw tightened, and he looked away, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.
“I don’t know,”
he admitted after a long silence, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I don’t know what to do about Elena. She was my past. A past that can’t be my present and can’t be my future ”
Christian stared at him, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
“You’re playing with fire, Luciano. And you know damn well what happens when it all burns down.”
Luciano’s gaze returned to Christian, steady and unwavering.
“I did what I had to do. I won’t apologize for that.”
Christian shook his head, muttering a curse under his breath.
“ you fucking promised. You know how dangerous it can be for Adeline. You should have at least tell her about your past before fucking sleeping with her. You think shed be happy knowing your past with Elena !? You better figure this out. Fast. Because when it all comes crashing down, it won’t just be you in the rubble. And you know it.”
Luciano didn’t respond, his thoughts already spiraling back to Adeline. Her smile, her laugh, the way she looked at him as if he was the only man in the world.
For better or worse, he’d made his choice. Now, he just had to live with it.
“Luciano,”
Christian finally said, his voice low but sharp,
“you have no idea what kind of mess you’ve just stepped into.”
Luciano sat back in his chair, his expression stoic but his eyes dark with restrained emotion.
“I know exactly what I’m doing,”
he replied firmly.
Christian scoffed, pushing his hair back as if trying to physically shove his anger away.
“Do you? Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t look like you’ve thought this through at all.”
He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound reverberating through the room, making Luciano sit up straighter.
“If you hurt her again,”
Christian growled, pointing a finger directly at Luciano,
“I swear, I won’t let you slide that easily. I don’t care who you are or how long we’ve known each other.”
Luciano’s jaw tightened, and he glared back, his voice steady but tinged with frustration.
“I would never hurt Adeline. Not intentionally again. You know that.”
Christian let out a bitter laugh, leaning closer.
“It’s not about you, Luciano. It’s about everything else. You think Elena’s just going to sit back and let this happen? She’s not some lovesick fool. She’s dangerous.”
At the mention of Elena’s name, Luciano’s composure faltered. A flicker of doubt crossed his face, and he exhaled sharply, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the desk.
Christian didn’t miss it.
“Exactly,”
he said, his tone softening but still firm.
“You know I’m right. Elena isn’t innocent. She’s calculating, and if she finds out about Adeline…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication hung heavy in the air.
Luciano rubbed his temples, his frustration now mingled with concern.
“Elena wouldn’t do anything drastic,”
he said, though even as the words left his mouth, they felt hollow.
Christian shook his head.
“Don’t kid yourself, Luciano. You know as well as I do what she’s capable of. If she feels even the slightest threat to her position and Adeline coming in your life, she won’t hesitate to act. And Adeline? She’s not built for that kind of world. She won’t survive it.”
Luciano’s stomach twisted, and for the first time, the weight of his decisions truly sank in.
Adeline’s laughter, her kindness, her vulnerability—they were the very things that drew him to her. But they were also the things that made her a target.
“Damn it,”
he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
Christian leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied his friend.
“You’ve got a choice to make, Luciano. And you better make it fast. Because if Elena gets wind of this, she won’t just sit on her hands. And Adeline? She doesn’t deserve to be collateral damage in your war.”
Luciano’s gaze met Christian’s, his eyes shadowed with worry.
“I’ll protect her,”
he said, his voice resolute.
Christian nodded slowly but didn’t look convinced.
“You better. Because if you don’t, I will. And trust me, you don’t want to see what that looks like.”
“ protect her from your past. Don’t let it ruin your present and what you want your further to be “