Chapter 74 ABDUCTED
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ADELINE’S POV
The night was quiet, save for the faint hum of distant traffic and the occasional rustling of leaves as the wind swept through the empty parking lot.
The cold air nipped at Adeline’s skin as she reached for her car door, eager to leave behind the tension of the evening.
But just as her fingers brushed against the handle, a firm hand wrapped around her wrist.
Her breath hitched, her body stiffening as she was yanked around with startling force.
Her heart lurched in her chest, and before she could even process what was happening, she found herself face to face with Luciano.
His dark eyes locked onto hers, unreadable yet brimming with an intensity that sent a shiver down her spine.
His grip on her wrist was strong—unyielding but careful, as if he was holding her in place without actually hurting her.
Adeline inhaled sharply, her pulse quickening.
“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded, yanking her arm back.
Luciano didn’t let go.
“We need to talk,” he said, his voice calm but firm.
Adeline shook her head, tugging at her wrist again.
“I have nothing to say to you.”
Luciano’s expression didn’t change, but there was a slight shift in his demeanor, something sharper in the way he held himself.
“Don’t make this difficult,” he warned. “Come with me.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Not happening.”
His jaw clenched. “I’m asking nicely, Adeline.”
“And I’m refusing nicely,” she shot back.
Luciano exhaled, his patience clearly wearing thin.
“You’re going to talk to me one way or another,” he muttered, his grip tightening just a fraction.
Adeline glared at him, frustration bubbling inside her.
“And you think dragging me off like a caveman is the way to do it?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, in one swift motion, he bent down, his hands moving to her waist before effortlessly hoisting her over his shoulder.
A shocked gasp escaped her lips before she erupted into full-blown outrage.
“Luciano!” she shrieked, kicking her legs furiously as she pounded her fists against his back.
“Put me down! Right now!”
But he ignored her, striding across the lot with unwavering determination.
“You’re being dramatic,” he muttered, adjusting his grip as she wriggled violently in his hold.
“Dramatic?” she sputtered.
“You just kidnapped me, you lunatic!”
Luciano sighed, clearly unbothered by her struggles.
“If I kidnapped you, I would’ve thrown you in the trunk,” he remarked dryly.
She gasped in pure outrage. “Oh, so I should be grateful?”
“More or less.”
“You arrogant—ugh!” She thrashed harder, but it was useless. He was too strong, too composed, and despite her best efforts, he carried her toward his sleek black car without breaking a sweat.
“Luciano, I swear, if you don’t put me down—”
He did.
But not the way she wanted.
He reached the passenger side, yanked the door open, and unceremoniously dropped her into the seat.
Adeline barely had time to react before the door slammed shut, trapping her inside. She scrambled upright, her fingers flying to the handle—
Click.
The sound of the locks engaging sent a fresh wave of fury through her.
She whipped around just as Luciano slid into the driver’s seat, his movements calm, collected—like he hadn’t just thrown her into his car against her will.
“Luciano,” she seethed. “Unlock the damn door.”
He ignored her, turning the key in the ignition.
The car rumbled to life, the dashboard lights casting a soft glow over his face.
“Luciano,” she said again, her voice rising.
He shifted into gear.
“Luciano!”
He finally glanced at her, his expression unreadable. “Not until we talk.”
Adeline clenched her jaw, her hands curling into fists.
“We have nothing to talk about.”
He let out a humorless chuckle as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“Oh, I think we do.”
She let out a frustrated scream, slamming her fist against the dashboard.
“You’re insane! You can’t just force me into your car and expect me to cooperate!”
“Well, considering you weren’t going to come willingly, I didn’t have much of a choice,” he replied, his tone maddeningly casual.
She shot him a death glare.
“That’s called abduction, Luciano. It’s illegal.”
He smirked. “Then call the cops.”
Adeline growled under her breath, crossing her arms tightly over her chest as she glared out the window.
Silence filled the car, heavy with tension. The city lights blurred past them, fading little by little as they drove further from the center.
The streets grew emptier, the familiar glow of buildings slowly being replaced by long stretches of open road.
Minutes passed.
Adeline shifted uncomfortably, her irritation beginning to morph into unease. She turned her head slightly, watching as the city disappeared behind them.
“Where the hell are you taking me?” she asked cautiously.
Luciano didn’t look at her.
“Somewhere no one will disturb us.”
A chill ran down her spine.
Adeline sighed, slumping against the seat. She knew Luciano well enough to understand that once he had his mind set on something, there was no stopping him.
For now, she would let him have his way.
But this conversation—whatever it was—would not go the way he wanted.