Chapter 24 Chapter Twenty Four
Luciano’s POV
I needed air the moment I stepped out of Kamari’s room.
Not because she annoyed me. Not because she slapped me earlier or fought me like a wild thing. But because the way she looked at me…hurt, scared, angry, and still soft under all that fire—did something to my chest I couldn’t explain.
I didn’t trust myself to stay near her any longer, so I left the house before I did something reckless.
Joselyn’s father had requested a meeting, and although I hated walking into his territory, I didn’t have the luxury of saying no. Even as the head of my own empire, the De Lucas had a long-standing alliance with the Armandis, and breaking it meant war. And war meant losing more people than I was willing to sacrifice over pride.
I drove out, jaw clenched the whole ride, replaying Kamari’s face in my mind. Why did she get under my skin so easily? Why couldn’t I get her out of my damn head?
By the time I arrived at the location Joselyn’s father chose—a secluded villa outside the city. I was already irritated. His men escorted me inside, made me wait in a large office trimmed with expensive furniture but cold like every Armandi property. A place meant to intimidate.
Hours passed….Two….Four…Six hours. By the eighth hour, my patience was gone.
Not even a message. Not even a servant offering water.
They knew exactly what they were doing. Making me wait was a power play, a reminder that despite my strength, despite my influence, their family could still pull at the strings of an old agreement.
My phone buzzed…A single text.
Meeting cancelled. Go home.
Just like that. I stared at the message for a long moment, feeling my blood simmer beneath my skin. I came all the way here, waited eight damn hours, and he couldn’t even show his face?
I almost smashed the phone against the wall. But I inhaled and forced control back into my hands. Anger was currency in our world,useful only when spent at the right time.
I left the villa without waiting for the guards to escort me.
The drive back home felt longer than the one out here. My mind kept drifting to Kamari, no matter how much I tried to shut it off. I remembered the way she trembled earlier… the crack in her voice when she thought I was leaving her for someone else… the way she kissed me back before she realized it.
I shouldn’t have left her alone….Not with Joselyn in the house….Not with her mouth, her temper, or her stubborn bravery.
My hand tightened on the wheel.
When I finally stepped into the mansion, the moment the door closed behind me, Joselyn appeared out of nowhere—practically throwing herself at me.
“Luciano!” she breathed, grabbing my face and kissing me before I could even react. Her lips pressed hard, forceful, like she was trying to claim something. Her hands slid around my neck, trying to pull me closer.
I stayed still….Did not kiss her back….Did not push her away. Just let her finish whatever performance she felt the need to give.
Her mouth moved against mine eagerly until she finally realized I wasn’t participating. She pulled back, slightly breathless.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, frowning. “Did something happen at the meeting?” “No one showed up,” I said flatly, removing her hand from my chest. “I wasted eight hours for nothing.”
“Oh…” her voice dropped, but her eyes flickered—too quickly for most people to catch. Something wasn’t right with her.
She stepped closer again, brushing a hand down my shirt, fingers sliding slowly, teasingly. “Well… I can help you relax. Maybe relieve some tension? You look like you need it.”
I moved her hand away. “Not tonight.” My tone left no room for argument. “I’m exhausted. I just want to rest.”
Her lips tightened, disappointment flashing across her face before she masked it with a soft smile. “Of course, baby. I understand.”
But her eyes…They betrayed her. She wasn’t disappointed—she was nervous. Anxious. Like she was waiting for something to happen or terrified I was about to find out about something.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
“What’s going on with you?” I asked quietly. Joselyn’s shoulders stiffened. “What do you mean?” “You’re jumpy,” I said, studying her. “And you’re never jumpy.”
She forced a laugh. “Luciano, please. I just missed you, that’s all.” I didn’t believe her. Not for a second. Before I could press further, her phone rang sharply.
Joselyn looked at the screen—and her entire body froze for a split second. She didn’t realize I saw it. But I did.
She answered quickly and stepped a few feet away, lowering her voice as if that would stop me from hearing.
“Yes, Daddy… I’m coming now… Yes, right away…” She hung up and turned to me with a tight smile. “That was my father. He wants to see me. I have to go.”
“At this hour?” I asked. Wasn’t it the same father that kept me waiting for hours?
“Yes. It’s urgent.” Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up her purse. “I’ll be back later.” She leaned in to kiss my cheek, but I didn’t move. I didn’t offer my face. She hesitated, then withdrew with a stiff laugh.
“You really are in a bad mood,” she said softly. “We’ll talk tomorrow.” I watched her leave. But something wasn’t right, something was definitely wrong.
Her smile looked painted on. Her voice too sweet. Her steps too quick like she was running, not leaving. And she kept avoiding my eyes.
Something churned slowly in my gut. I glanced around the house. It was quiet. Too quiet. An uneasy tension slid over my spine.
Where was Kamari? She usually made noise. She usually argued with someone or slammed something or stomped her foot like a furious kitten.
But tonight… silence. Did she go back to rooftop just like she did earlier?
I called one of the passing guards. “Where is Kamari?” He hesitated not wanting reply me, My blood went cold.
“Speak.”
“S-sir… Joselyn asked us not to—” I know I had given her the power to control my men in my absence but not when it comes to Kamari. I grabbed him by the collar. “Where. Is. She?” His voice cracked.
“In… the dungeon, sir.”
Everything inside me stopped.
Then ignited. A slow, burning rage began to rise in my chest. One I couldn’t swallow. One I wouldn’t swallow.
Joselyn….The meeting….Her nervous behavior…Her fake sweetness. She wasn’t jumpy because of me. She was jumpy because she knew what she did.
I let go of the guard and turned toward the hall leading to the lower floors, my vision darkening at the edges.
If she laid a hand on Kamari—If she touched even a strand of her hair— Joselyn had no idea
what she just set on fire.
And God help her… Because I was already walking toward the dungeon.