CHAPTER 64 - He wins

LUCA'S POV

Rage consumes me, my gaze fixed on my father as I walk to his desk in long strides. He just sits there calmly, unconcerned about what is happening.

“I warned you not to touch her!” I groan, my anger seeping through my voice.

He shrugs. “You know me well enough to understand that I don’t bow to threats.” Before I can respond, he continues, “Well, I didn’t hurt her. I could have, but I decided not to. Not yet. This is just a warning to let you know that I can do anything to her whenever I want.”

The anger within me burns hotter with every word he speaks. If he were anyone else, I would make him regret his existence by beating him to a pulp. It frustrates me that I can’t do that to my own father.

“Don’t ever go near her again!” I growl.

“As long as you stay away from her, I won’t concern myself with her anymore. She has enough problems to deal with.”

My nose flares, and my jaw twitches as I try to control my rage. I want to hate him right now, but he is still my father, and I can’t bring myself to do it. Groaning in frustration, I turn around and march toward Ivory.

“Ivory…” My voice is low as I crouch next to her. I’m also mad at her for giving them the chance to take her. Baron and Victor would have protected her if she hadn’t snuck out. “Don’t you ever leave the house alone again. Do you understand me?”

“Really?” Her tear-stained face is hard with a frown. “Your father kidnapped me, and this is the first thing you say to me?”

“I’m—” I blow out a sharp breath. “I am really sorry, Ivory. You didn’t have to go through this.”

“Please, just release me,” she retorts, her voice faint. She must be exhausted from crying and the scare.

Without hesitation, I loosen the ropes around her wrists and legs. Before she can stand on her own, I scoop her into my arms and carry her out in the bridal style. I don’t even spare my father another glance.

As I begin driving, Baron’s call comes in. “We checked the surveillance cameras. She’s been kidnapped, Luca.” Worry seeps through his voice.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“Somewhere near the area where she was taken,” he answers.

“Go back to her apartment. We are on our way. I’m bringing her home,” I tell him, ending the call, too exhausted to explain to him over the phone.

An uncomfortable silence reigns between Ivory and me as I drive to her apartment. She keeps peering out the window and doesn’t look at me during the ride. I wonder what’s going through her mind. I dread the thought that she might hate me now.

When we arrive, her bodyguards are waiting for us in front of her apartment. They rush toward us the moment I park the car.

“What happened?” Victor asks, concern etched on his face.

“Who were those people?” Baron follows up, then turns to look at me. “How did you get her back?”

“I’m too exhausted,” Ivory sighs, pushing her way past them. I follow, evading their questions.

Ivory walks straight into her room, and as she’s about to shut the door, I force my way inside.

“Leave,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Hating the silent treatment she is giving me, I refuse to back down.

“Ivory, we need to talk about this,” I mutter.

“There’s really nothing to talk about. Just leave my house, now.” Her voice remains calm.

I won’t allow her to chase me away again. “Ivory, please…”

“Please—” she interrupts, her voice cracking. Tears begin to fill her eyes, rolling down her cheeks in rapid succession. “Why does this have to be my life, Luca? Why?” She cries. “I’m tired. I don’t want to live like this anymore.”

I want to tell her to quit everything and elope with me somewhere far away, but that would only worsen the situation. Instead, I wrap my arms around her, and she presses her face against my chest. I allow her to cry for a while, letting out all her pent-up emotions.

“It’s going to be okay,” I assure her as I gently pat her hair. “You’re going to be fine.”

“Am I?” she sobs. “I can’t even be around you without facing threats from your dad. He was going to kill me, Luca. I was so scared.”

“I’m sorry,” is all I can say to her. I sense her fear, and I hate that this is because of me, because of my father. As if it isn’t enough that he killed her father, Mr. Hastings; he’s now threatening her life. When Matteo called to tell me that my father had her and was going to kill her, I felt a fear unlike anything I had experienced before. I felt like I was about to lose a part of myself. I can’t bear the thought of losing her. I know my father well enough to understand that whatever he wants, he gets. If what he wants is for me to stay away from her, then I will. He wins.

To protect her, I would do anything.

“I want to sleep,” she suddenly says, pulling her head away from my chest.

Kissing her forehead, I whisper, “Goodnight, love.”