Chapter 3

The kiss was everything Luca shouldn't want and everything he craved. Adrian's lips moved against his with a hunger that bordered on desperation, pulling him into a world where nothing else existed-no family, no obligations, no centuries-old blood feud. Just the two of them, tangled in the dark, hidden away from the world that would tear them apart if it knew.

Adrian's hands gripped Luca's hips, pulling him flush against him, and Luca gasped into the kiss. The sound was swallowed by Adrian's mouth, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he deepened the kiss, tilting Luca's head back. Luca's pulse pounded in his ears, drowning out the music, the noise of the crowd, everything but the rapid, needy beat of his own heart.

"Luca," Adrian breathed against his lips, pulling back just enough to look into his eyes. His pupils were blown wide, the hazel darkening to a shade of molten gold in the low light. "Tell me you don't want this, and I'll walk away."

Luca opened his mouth to say it, to push Adrian away and save them both from the inevitable fallout. But the words wouldn't come. He couldn't force the lie past his lips.

Instead, he grabbed Adrian by the lapels of his suit and pulled him back in, crashing their mouths together in a kiss that was as much a surrender as it was a declaration. Adrian made a sound low in his throat, almost like a sigh of relief, and then he was kissing Luca back with a ferocity that left him dizzy.

Adrian's hand slid up Luca's back, fingers threading into his hair, tugging just enough to make Luca gasp. The sensation shot through him like lightning, pooling heat low in his stomach. He pressed closer, needing more, needing everything Adrian was offering.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted this," Adrian murmured against his lips, his voice rough with something that sounded like longing. He kissed a line down the side of Luca's neck, nipping lightly at the sensitive skin just below his jaw.

Luca shuddered, biting back a moan. He couldn't afford to lose control, not here, not now. But the way Adrian was touching him, the way his lips felt against Luca's skin-it was everything he'd dreamed of and more. He let his head fall back against the wall, eyes fluttering shut as Adrian kissed his way down to the hollow of his throat.

"Adrian," he managed to whisper, the name a plea and a warning all at once.

Adrian pulled back slightly, his lips red and swollen from the kiss. He cupped Luca's face in his hands, looking at him with an intensity that took Luca's breath away. "We can't keep doing this," Luca said, though the words lacked conviction. "If anyone sees us-"

"Let them," Adrian cut in, his voice low and fierce. "Let them see. I'm tired of pretending, Luca. Tired of hiding."

Luca's eyes widened, panic flaring in his chest. "You don't understand. My father-"

"Your father can go to hell," Adrian spat, and for the first time, Luca saw real anger flash in his eyes. "I'm done letting him dictate your life. Our lives."

"It's not that simple," Luca protested, shoving Adrian back a step. The loss of contact was like a physical ache, but he ignored it, forcing himself to put some distance between them. "You don't know what he's capable of, Adrian. If he finds out about us-"

Adrian's expression softened, the anger bleeding away into something gentler. He stepped forward, closing the space between them once more, but this time his touch was light, almost hesitant. "I know what's at stake," he said quietly. "I'm not asking you to risk everything for me. I just want you to know that I'm willing to risk everything for you."

Luca's breath caught, the sincerity in Adrian's words cutting through all his defenses. He felt something crack open inside him, something he'd locked away a long time ago, buried under layers of duty and loyalty to a family that would never truly accept him for who he was.

"Adrian," he said again, softer this time. He didn't know what else to say, how to put into words the tangled mess of emotions inside him.

Adrian seemed to understand. He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Luca's forehead, then his temple, before resting their foreheads together. They stood like that for a moment, breathing the same air, the noise of the club fading into the background.

"Just say you want me," Adrian whispered. "That's all I need to hear."

Luca's eyes fluttered shut, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Adrian could hear it. He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, and then he nodded, barely more than a tremble of movement.

"I want you," he whispered back.

The relief that washed over Adrian's face was like a sunrise breaking over the horizon. He pulled Luca into his arms, holding him tightly, as if he was afraid to let go.

And Luca, for the first time in his life, let himself be held.

Inside the private suite, Carlo Bianchi watched the two figures in the corner of the club through a crack in the door. His expression was unreadable, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the polished surface of the table.

He'd seen enough. More than enough.

Nico stepped into the room behind him, clearing his throat softly. "Is there a problem, sir?"

Carlo's lips pressed into a thin line. "Get my son," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "Now."

Nico hesitated, glancing once more at the scene unfolding below before nodding curtly. "Right away."

As Nico left, Carlo poured himself another glass of whiskey, his mind racing. He'd known for some time that something was off with Luca, that he was distracted, distant. But this-this was something he hadn't expected.

He brought the glass to his lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip. "So this is how it's going to be," he murmured to himself, the alcohol burning its way down his throat. He set the glass down with a sharp clink, his gaze hardening as he stared out into the club.

"If he wants a war," Carlo muttered under his breath, "I'll give him one.

Nico's hand was like a vise around Luca's arm as he pulled him away from Adrian, the sudden force breaking their kiss. Luca's head snapped up, panic flashing in his eyes.

"What the hell, Nico?" Luca snapped, wrenching his arm free.

"You need to come with me," Nico said, his face grim. He glanced at Adrian, his expression darkening. "Your father knows."

Luca felt the blood drain from his face. "Knows what?"

Nico's silence was answer enough.

Adrian's expression shifted, a shadow of concern darkening his features. He reached for Luca, but Nico stepped between them, shoving him back. "This isn't your business, Russo," Nico growled. "Walk away now, before you make it worse."

Adrian's jaw clenched, but he held his ground. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Adrian, don't," Luca whispered. He knew what would happen if this escalated-knew the kind of violence his father was capable of. "Please."

Adrian's eyes softened, but the resolve in them didn't waver. "I'm not leaving you, Luca."

Before either of them could say anything more, the door to the private suite swung open, and Carlo stepped out, his face a mask of calm fury.

"Well," he said, his voice deceptively soft as he looked between the two of them. "It seems we have a situation."

Luca's heart sank, dread curling in his stomach like a cold, heavy weight. This was the moment he'd feared, the moment when everything he'd been trying to hide came crashing down around him.

And there was no way out.