Chapter 10 I Want You

Sophia's POV

I spent over ten days recuperating at the estate, and Luca stayed by my side the entire time.

I didn't know what he was plotting, but his sudden attentiveness made me feel deeply uncomfortable.

The turning point came when Anna sent an invitation for a "Haunted Mansion Adventure Night." The gilt lettering was signed with Anna's sickly sweet signature and a clumsy little heart.

I ran my fingers over the paper. I knew it was a setup, a banquet with hidden dangers.

But at breakfast, Luca's mother brought it up specifically: "Since Anna is so eager, you should go. Don't make the Vittorio family look petty. Such social courtesies are necessary."

Before I could reply, Luca snatched the invitation from my hand and tossed it onto the table, offering an unsparing critique.

"Last time, her 'Adventure Night' was just a hookup party for strippers. Anna never organizes anything worthwhile. Here, take this card, go shopping instead."

Seeing my silence, he paused his steak cutting and looked up at me. "You want to go?"

"I should show my face." I put down my knife and fork, meeting his gaze. "I've been bored lately. It might be fun."

He let out a low laugh, took a sip of wine, and wiped his mouth. He stood up and pressed a kiss on the top of my head. "Go take a look, maybe. I'll go with you."

That evening, Luca and I arrived at the abandoned mansion on the outskirts of the city in his private car.

The interior had been decorated to be eerie and sinister. Candlelight flickered in jack-o'-lanterns, and sounds of ghostly wailing emanated from the darkness. The whole place exuded a terrifying atmosphere.

Anna, in a gothic black dress and heavy makeup, saw us arrive together. A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes before she forced a smile. "Luca, you came!"

Luca nodded slightly, surveying the area before giving his verdict. "This one's slightly more normal."

Anna tried to take Luca's arm, but Luca preempted her, taking my hand instead and asking with curiosity, "Which part is the most interesting here?"

Anna bit her lip, forcing a smile. "Follow me."

Luca walked beside me, his warm palm subtly pressing against my lower back, a gesture of reassurance.

The basement corridor was narrow and dim, lit only by emergency lights on the wall. Footsteps echoed in the empty space.

"It's here!" Anna pushed open a rusted iron door. A fake, bloody skull hung from the ceiling. "This is the most immersive experience. Best enjoyed alone."

She smiled at me. "Sophia, do you dare?"

I frowned. Before I could speak, Anna suddenly threw the door wide open, shoved me inside without a second thought, and laughed.

"Go on in and have a taste!"

The moment the door opened, I keenly sensed something was wrong.

Beyond the smell of dust, there was a faint scent of gunpowder.

Before I could scream, several masked men leaped out of the darkness, wielding baseball bats and daggers, rushing straight for me.

They were from a rival family! I instantly realized that Anna was working with them!

Just then, a loud crash came from the entrance. Luca kicked the door open, his face dark as thunder.

"Damn it."

He lunged toward me, grabbing my arm and pulling me into his chest.

But in that split second, one thought dominated my mind: I absolutely cannot let Luca get hurt because of me!

Acting purely on instinct, I resolutely pushed Luca away.

His body stumbled backward, and I shut my eyes, bracing myself for the impact of the incoming baseball bat.

The expected pain didn't hit. Instead, I heard a muffled grunt. Luca had somehow moved faster, shielding me with his back from the blow.

"Luca!" I cried out in alarm.

The next second, the tall man acted as if nothing had happened, turning to shield me behind him as he lunged into a fight with the masked men.

He was massive and moved swiftly, but his opponents outnumbered him. One of them seized a moment when Luca was distracted and slashed his arm with a dagger. Blood instantly soaked his black shirt.

"Fuck!" Luca cursed under his breath. He swiftly countered, wrenching the weapon from the attacker's hand and kicking the nearest thug in the chest.

The remaining men tumbled down like dominoes.

Luca drew the pistol from his waist and aimed at the killers moaning on the ground.

"Luca! Don't!"

I rushed forward, blocking the barrel, holding onto the last shred of my sanity.

No one could die here!

Absolutely not!

The man's eyes were bloodshot. He was clearly enraged by the incident. He aimed the dark muzzle at the men's heads, his voice hoarse.

"Sophia, move!"

The man, overcome by emotion, was completely unreachable. The killing intent in his eyes was terrifying.

The emotions bottled up inside me exploded. I stood on my toes, grabbed the back of his neck, and pressed my lips to his.

It was a clumsy kiss, born of panic and impulse.

My lips met his cool ones. I felt his body stiffen instantly. The hand that had been guarding my waist clenched violently, so hard it nearly bruised me.

His breath hitched. His grey-blue eyes churned with shock, bewilderment, and a trace of panic I had never seen before.

I could taste the faint tobacco on his lips, mixed with a metallic hint of blood. The bizarre combination made my heart pound so fast it threatened to burst out of my chest.

But to calm him, I had no other choice.

The control of the kiss slowly shifted from me to him. He cupped my face, kissing me with deep emotion.

His dominant hands slowly guided mine to wrap around his neck, and then he lifted my legs, pressing me against the cold wall.

A shiver ran down my spine, but I was powerless to resist, only able to lower my head and endure his assault.

The touch of his tongue was strangely wonderful, like a nimble fish, slowly exploring my mouth.

I let out a soft moan, which seemed to light a fuse.

The atmosphere spiraled out of control again.

Slowly, he lifted my dress and forcefully kneaded my body underneath.

Feeling where the man's hands were, I shoved him away. My cheeks were shockingly hot. I couldn't look him in the eye, only whispering, "W-what are you doing—"

He kissed my eyes. "Sophia, give yourself to me."