Chapter 62 JUST A LITTLE.
\~~~RAINA.
My eyes lingered on Luciano for so long that it felt like I was seeing through him for the first time.
Not the man everyone feared, not the ruthless name whispered in rooms that fell silent when he entered but the man in front of me now, injured, quiet, and watching me with an intensity that felt… real.
For a brief second, I believed him.
I believed that he meant it when he said he would forgive me.
That he would grant whatever request I asked of him.
That maybe… just maybe, this was my chance to end everything before it destroyed us both.
This was the moment, wasn’t it?
I could tell him someone was after him.
That someone had gone through me to reach him.
That there was a voice on the phone, threats, deadlines, files, and demands.
A decent man would protect me, a respectable man would listen but Luciano wasn’t decent.
He wasn’t kind nor was he gentle.
And even his smallest smile often carried the weight of a threat.
This was a man whose mercy came with conditions.
A man whose forgiveness could still end in blood.
So why was I even considering trusting him?
“You will do anything?” I asked softly.
There was barely any space between our faces. I could feel his breath on my lips.
“Anything,” he replied.
The word echoed in my head.
My heart hammered so loudly I was sure he could hear it.
“Let’s divorce,” I blurted.
The words rushed out before I could stop them.
If he would do anything, then this was the safest option.
A divorce meant freedom.
No more lies, no spying, and no more being trapped between death and betrayal.
I would leave the country if I had to. Disappear, and start over.
This was perfect.
Or so I thought.
Luciano scoffed.
“What a joke.”
My brows snapped together. “You said I could ask for anything!”
“And you think divorce counts?” he asked coolly.
“Why wouldn’t it?” I shot back. “There’s no rule against it!”
“Your brain should tell you there are lines you don’t cross.”
“Don’t insult me,” I snapped.
He studied me for a moment, completely unreadable.
“Now tell me,” he said calmly, “what is it you really want to say?”
I glared at him, waiting for something, or anything to crack.
But nothing did, so I hissed. “I want you to release your grip and let me go.”
“Why?” he asked. “Does this bother you?”
His hand slid under my top and I froze.
My breath hitched, my body betraying me in the worst way.
“You said I could ask for anything,” I whispered.
“And you choose something this flimsy?” His fingers moved slowly up my back, warm, steady, almost soothing.
“What does it matter to you?” I asked.
He didn’t answer. He just kept touching me, and grounding me and it felt as though I was going to fall apart.
“Let go of me,” I warned. “Or I will bite you.”
A faint smirk tugged at his lips. “Easy, tigress.”
He released me and I stood up immediately, my legs shaky, and my chest tight.
I finished packing the first-aid box with hands that trembled. When I lifted it, I paused and turned back to him.
“What do you think is worse,” I asked quietly, “lying… or betrayal?”
Luciano straightened, his gaze sharp enough to cut.
“And why would you ask that?”
“Just humor me,” I said, forcing calm. “Which is worse?”
“Both deserve death.”
My breath stuttered.
“And if someone does both?” I asked.
He tilted his head. “Lying can be forgiven. Sometimes.”
“You?” I asked.
“Lies are often impulsive,” he continued. “People speak before they think. But betrayal? That takes time, planning, and choice. That deserves another kind of death.”
“Death is death,” I said lightly, though my heart was screaming. “What makes them different?”
He stood and walked toward me slowly.
“That is where you are wrong, baby girl.”
He stopped behind me, his hand settling on my neck.
My back rested against his chest. I felt his warmth, and the rising and falling of his chest.
“There are some deaths you wouldn’t even feel. It would be as easy as sleeping. And some… would leave you begging for death. Let’s not get into details, they are too gruesome for a person as delicate as you.”
I swallowed as he trailed his fingertips on my neck.
“I… I should return this,” I stuttered and then hurried away.
I had practically thanked God that my legs had not given away and I was able to walk down the stairs to the kitchen, and when I got there, I remained there for as long as I could, as if the silence could save me from the reality I was facing.
————
When my phone rang, I already knew who it was.
I stared at the screen for a long moment before answering.
“Time is up, Raina,” the distorted voice said. “What have you concluded?”
It was a new day and it was just a little bit past lunch.
“Can I ask you something first?” I said.
“Unnecessary talks won’t save you from this, you know? You should…”
“If he ever finds out I am lying to him… and if by chance I take on this offer to spy on him and… do whatever you ask for. What do you think he’d do?”
There was a long silence.
Then, “The worst, he would kill you.”
My heart dropped.
“Excuse me?”
“You asked a question.”
“So I stand no chance either way?” I whispered.
“That male killed his own father,” the voice said coldly. “The man who made him everything he is. Now, tell me, who are you to him?”
Words stuck in my throat before he said again.
“However, if you join me. Fully, I mean. If you do whatever I ask, I will protect you from him. I am goi…”
“I am not interested,” I interrupted him sharply.
“The fuck?”
“Yes. I am not going to take on that crazy role.”
“You think you have a choice here?”
“You say I am Raina, yeah? Bring along the proof that I am not Talia when you’re reporting me to him.”
“What?”
“Since you are so certain I am Raina, you should have tons of evidence to back up your claim, right? But remember, my sister and I are so alike that you’d never be able to tell us apart unless we are standing side by side, attesting to that claim. So, yeah, bring Talia with you when you accuse me.”
With that, I ended the call.
My hands shook, but for the first time since this nightmare with this stranger started, I felt a little bit of relief.
Just a little.