Page 43 of Tormented Hearts

"Okay," Luca says finally, his voice soft but resolute. "You’re right. You should be able to do whatever you want."

Phoenix’s eyes soften, she leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "Thank you," she whispers.

The more Luca opened up to Phoenix, the more they began to understand each other on a deeper level. It wasn’t just about protecting her anymore—it was about trusting her to stand by his side, to be a part of his world in a way she hadn’t been before. And with that trust came a new kind of intimacy, one that neither of them had fully experienced before.

One night, after a long day of handling business, Luca came home to find Phoenix curled up on the couch, reading a book. She looks up as he enters, her smile soft and warm, Luca’s heart swells with love for her. For the first time in weeks, he feels at peace.

"Come here," he murmurs, sitting down beside her and pulling her into his arms.

Phoenix snuggles into him, her head resting on his chest as she sighs contentedly. "I missed you today," she whispers.

Luca smiles, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I missed you too."

They sit there in comfortable silence for a while, the weight of everything they had been through finally starting to lift. Phoenix’s fears hadn’t disappeared entirely, but with Luca’s constant reassurance and his openness, she felt stronger—more certain of their future together.

Luca glances down at her, his hand gently stroking her hair. "You’re my everything," he whispers, his voice filled with love. "I don’t ever want you to doubt that."

Phoenix smiles, her heart swelling with emotion. "I don’t doubt it," she confesses. "Not anymore."

LUCA 22

Phoenix had always known that being with Luca meant stepping into a world filled with danger and uncertainty, but she had never imagined how deeply it would test her. Now, though, things were beginning to change. Luca was no longer shielding her from the darker aspects of his life; instead, he was bringing her in, letting her see the world he navigated so skilfully.

The shift in their relationship had brought them closer. Luca had always been protective, but now he was also trusting—something Phoenix had desperately needed. She wasn’t just a spectator in his life anymore. She was his partner. And though it scared her, Phoenix found herself growing stronger, more confident, even in the face of uncertainty.

But there was something else—a lingering unease that had started to settle in her body. It had been subtle at first. A few sleepless nights. A fluttering feeling in her stomach. She had chalked it up to the emotional turmoil of the past few weeks—the stress of Bianca, the constant threat of danger—but now, as the days passed, it was getting harder to ignore.

It was late in the evening, and Phoenix was sitting in Luca’s office, reviewing some documents he had asked her to look over. They weren’t directly related to the more dangerous aspects of his business—Luca was still careful about what he exposed her to—but it was a start. She was learning about his operations, the legal fronts he used, the partnerships he maintained. It felt empowering, being trusted with something so important.

Luca sat across from her, watching as she skims through the papers, his dark blue eyes filled with admiration. He had always known Phoenix was strong, but seeing her take on moreresponsibility, seeing her step into this world with him, made him love her even more.

"How’s it going?" Luca asks, leaning back in his chair with a small smile.

Phoenix glances up, her own smile tugging at her lips. "It’s a lot to take in," she admits, setting the papers down. "But I’m starting to get the hang of it."

Luca chuckles softly. "You’re doing great."

Phoenix blushes, feeling a surge of pride at his words. She has spent so long feeling like she didn’t belong in Luca’s world, like she was constantly fighting to prove herself. But now, for the first time, she felt like she was becoming a part of it—like she could stand beside him as his equal.

But as the moment of pride settles, that familiar feeling of unease creeps back into her chest. She shifts uncomfortably in her chair, her stomach twisting in a way that makes her frown. It wasn’t the first time she had felt like this recently, but she had been brushing it off as stress. Now, though, it was starting to worry her.

Luca notices the change in her expression, his brow furrowing with concern. "Are you okay?"

Phoenix nods quickly, not wanting to alarm him. "Yeah, I’m fine," she says forcing a smile. "Just tired, I guess

Luca studies her for a moment, clearly not convinced. "You’ve been feeling off for a few days now," he says gently. "Are you sure it’s just stress?"

Phoenix hesitates, not wanting to admit how off she has been feeling. She doesn’t want Luca to worry—not after everything they had just been through. But the truth is, she isn’t sure whatis happening to her. It feels like something more than just stress, but she doesn’t know what.

"I’m fine," she assures again, trying to sound more confident this time. "It’s probably just everything catching up with me. The past few weeks have been... intense."

Luca’s gaze softens, he reaches across the desk to take her hand in his. "If you need to take a break, you know you can. You’ve been through a lot."

Phoenix squeezes his hand, her heart swelling at his concern. "I know," she thanks softly. "But I don’t want to take a break. I want to keep going. I want to be a part of this."

Luca smiles, his eyes filled with love and admiration. "You’re stronger than you know," he states.

Phoenix smiles back, but as she looks at him, another wave of nausea rolls through her, stronger this time. She presses a hand to her stomach, trying to keep her expression calm, but Luca notices the subtle movement.