Page 3 of Tormented Hearts

She didn’t get far.

Two more men appeared in front of her, cutting off her path to the door. Phoenix skidded to a halt, her chest heaving with fear as she realized she was trapped. The club, the guards, the walls—they were closing in on her, and the weight of Luca’s power was suffocating.

Before she could react, she felt a strong hand grab her arm, pulling her back. She let out a small yelp as she was dragged toward the back of the club, her heart pounding with terror. She tried to fight, kicking and struggling, but the man holding her was too strong.

“Let me go!” Phoenix cried; her voice filled with panic.

But her captor didn’t respond. He simply pulled her through a set of double doors, leading her into a private,dimly lit room in the back of the club. Phoenix’s stomach churned as she was shoved inside, the door closing behind her with a loud thud.

And then she saw him.

Luca Tempo, sitting at a low table, his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that made her feel like she couldn’t breathe.

Luca’s gaze was like a predator watching its prey—calm, controlled, but with a quiet menace simmering just below the surface. Phoenix’s heart hammered in her chest as she stood frozen in the doorway, her breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

She had heard stories about Luca Tempo—stories of men who crossed him and never returned, of women who fell under his spell and were never seen again. She had always thought they were just that—stories. But now, standing in front of him, she realized how wrong she had been.

Luca was more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

“Sit,” Luca said softly, but his voice carried the weight of an order, not a suggestion.

Phoenix’s body moved before her mind could catch up, and she found herself sitting in the chair across from him, her hands trembling in her lap. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him, but every instinct inside her screamed to run, to get as far away from this man as possible.

But there was no running. Not from Luca Tempo.

“I don’t want any trouble,” Phoenix said quietly, her voice trembling. “I just want to leave.”

Luca’s lips curved into a small, humourless smile. “It’s too late for that, bella.”

Phoenix’s chest tightened with fear. She knew what he meant—she had caught his eye, and that meant her life was no longer her own. He had claimed her with just a look, and there was nothing she could do to change that.

“You don’t have to do this,” Phoenix whispered, her voice shaking. “You don’t even know me.”

Luca leaned forward, his eyes dark and dangerous as he studied her. “I know enough.”

Phoenix’s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing. She couldn’t let this happen. She couldn’t let herself be trapped in Luca’s world. But how could she escape? The walls felt like they were closing in on her, and the weight of Luca’s power pressed down on her like a suffocating blanket.

She had to fight. She had to try.

“I’m not some toy you can keep,” Phoenix said, her voice stronger than she felt. “I won’t let you control me.”

Luca’s smile faded, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You misunderstand. I don’t ask for permission.”

Phoenix’s breath caught in her throat as his words sank in. He wasn’t just telling her—he was making it clear. There was no escape. No freedom. Not from Luca Tempo.

But Phoenix wasn’t ready to give up. Not yet.

Before Luca could react, she shot to her feet, her hands trembling as she backed toward the door. “I’m leaving,” she said, her voice shaking with fear and defiance.

Luca didn’t move. He simply watched her with those piercing blue eyes, waiting.

The door was only a few steps away, but as Phoenix reached for the handle, it flew open. One of Luca’s guards stepped inside, his expression cold as he blocked her path.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Luca said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of finality. “You are now mine!”

Phoenix’s heart sank. She was trapped.

And there was no way out.