Chapter 55 SHE IS GONE
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AUTHOR’S POV
The city lights blurred past the window as Adeline sat in the passenger seat, lost in thought. The quiet hum of the car’s engine mixed with the distant echoes of the nightlife behind them.
Her fingers traced idle patterns on her lap as she stared out at the passing streets, her mind clouded with emotions she couldn’t quite untangle.
William, ever vigilant, was focused on the road. His grip on the steering wheel was firm, his posture straight, trained to be alert even in moments of silence. He wasn’t just a driver—he was one of Luciano’s best men, trusted with her safety.
The ride was smooth, almost peaceful, until—
SCREECH!
A car came to a sudden halt right in front of them, forcing William to slam the brakes. The tires screeched against the asphalt, jerking both of them forward. Adeline gasped, her pulse spiking as she grabbed onto the dashboard for support.
“What the hell?” William muttered, already reaching for his gun.
His sharp eyes locked onto the unmoving vehicle ahead. The headlights cast eerie shadows in the dimly lit street, making it impossible to see who was inside.
Adeline swallowed, her body tense as she stared at the car in front of them. Her heart pounded against her ribs, not out of fear—but anticipation. Was this …… another attack by Luciano’s enemies? Or was it Elena-
Adelines mind raced badly but something about the car was off.
William unbuckled his seatbelt, his instincts on full alert.
“I’ll check.” His voice was low, controlled. He pulled out his gun, his expression unreadable as he prepared to step out.
But before he could, Adeline grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“Wait.”
He turned to her, brows furrowed, but she didn’t look at him. Her gaze was locked on the vehicle ahead, her breath unsteady. Something inside her told her that this moment—this person—was different. She blinked and examined the car carefully as the alcohol started taking over her mind.
She exhaled shakily, then, against all logic, pushed the car door open and stepped out.
Her heart pounded with every step she took, the cool night air brushing against her skin as she slowly approached the vehicle. The seconds stretched endlessly, the tension thick enough to choke her.
Please let it be him…
Then—
The driver’s door creaked open, and a man stepped out.
His face was covered, with his long brown hairs concealing his features, but the moment she saw him, Adeline froze.
Her eyes widened as a flood of emotions crashed over her. Tears burned at the edges of her vision, blurring everything but him.
Forgetting everything—logic, caution, even William—she moved without thinking.
With a choked breath, she ran.
She closed the distance between them and launched herself into his arms like an idiot, not caring about anything else in the world. He caught her effortlessly, his strong arms wrapping tightly around her as he held her close.
“You’re here,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
She pulled back just enough to press a quick, desperate kiss against his cheek, her fingers gripping onto him as if afraid he’d disappear.
His voice was low when he whispered in her ear, “Let’s go.”
That was all she needed to hear.
Adeline turned sharply toward William, her heart still racing but her mind made up.
“Go home. I’m safe,” she shouted.
William’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Adeline, wait—”
But she was already getting into the car, her body moving before her mind could catch up.
The door shut.
The engine revved.
And before William could do anything, the car sped off into the night, leaving him standing there, his pulse hammering with alarm.
With a curse, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number he knew would send everything into chaos.
Luciano.
On the third ring, Luciano picked up and William felt like shooting himself when he had to tell Luciano.
“ Adeline went with someone. She looked happy and- “
“ Are you fucking kidding me, will? “
William kept quiet not knowing what to answer because what his boss wanted to hear was not what he could tell.
Luciano’s furious voice exploded on the other end.
“Tell me you did not just let her go, William.”
William clenched his jaw, bracing himself. “Boss—”
“TELL ME YOU DIDN’T JUST LET HER WALK INTO A STRANGER’S CAR AND DRIVE OFF LIKE A FUCKING IDIOT!” Luciano roared, his voice dripping with unfiltered rage.
William exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He knew this was bad—really bad—but there was no way to spin it in his favor.
“I tried to stop her,” he said, forcing his voice to stay calm. “She wouldn’t listen. She told me she was safe, and boss… the way she reacted—she knew him.”
Luciano let out a bitter, humorless laugh, one that sent chills down William’s spine even through the phone.
“Oh, she knew him? And that was enough for you to stand there like a useless piece of shit and watch her leave?”
William gritted his teeth. “Luciano, she was emotional. I could tell whoever it was meant something to her—”
“I DON’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT HE MEANT TO HER!” Luciano snapped, his fury crackling through every syllable. “YOU HAD ONE JOB, WILLIAM! ONE! JOB!”
The sound of something crashing in the background told William that Luciano had thrown something—maybe a glass, maybe a chair. He didn’t know. He didn’t care.
Luciano’s breathing was ragged, his anger barely contained.
“Do you even fucking realize what you’ve done? She could be in danger! She could be—” He stopped himself, his voice catching as something darker laced his words.
“I told you to protect her. And now she’s gone.”
William’s stomach twisted. He knew Luciano wasn’t just angry—he was losing his mind.
The silence stretched dangerously before Luciano’s voice returned, lower this time, but ten times deadlier.
“If something happens to her, William… you better pray I never see your face again.”
And with that, the call ended.