Luca's Pov

Luca’s body ached, every muscle protesting as he shifted against the ropes cutting into his wrists. The dim light of the safehouse flickered, casting eerie shadows on the damp walls. His head throbbed from the rough treatment he’d received, but the real pain was deeper—an ache in his chest, a longing for the warmth of home. For Damien. For Ava.

A shiver ran down his spine as he thought of them. Ava’s giggles, Damien’s teasing smirk, the way they fit so perfectly together like pieces of a puzzle. He clenched his teeth. He had to get out of here. He had to go back.

Luca closed his eyes, exhaustion clawing at him, but the moment his mind drifted, memories flooded in.

Ava, sitting on his lap, showing him drawings she made of their little family. Damien, wrapping his arms around him possessively, pressing kisses against his neck, whispering dark promises of forever. The warmth of their bed, the laughter at breakfast, the teasing, the love…

His throat burned as tears welled in his eyes. He refused to let them fall. Not here. Not now.

A door creaked open, shattering his moment of solace. Heavy footsteps approached, and he forced himself to look up, meeting Mikhail’s gaze. The man smirked, amusement dancing in his dark eyes as he crouched in front of Luca.

“You’re quite the fighter,” Mikhail mused, tilting his head. “I like that.”

Luca glared at him, chest rising and falling with restrained fury. “Go to hell.”

Mikhail chuckled. “Such spirit. It’s a shame you’re wasted on Damien.” He reached forward, tracing a gloved finger along Luca’s jawline. Luca jerked his head away in disgust.

“Don’t touch me.”

Mikhail merely grinned. “You could be happy with me, you know? I’d give you everything. No more cages, no more control.” He leaned in, voice dropping to a whisper. “Just pleasure, power, and freedom.”

"Fuck off" said Luca.

“You’ll regret that,” he hissed, his voice laced with menace.

Luca’s lips curled into a defiant smirk, even as his heart pounded. “I already regret being in the same room as you.”

Mikhail’s fingers tightened, but then, just as suddenly, he let go, standing to his full height. A cruel smile tugged at his lips.

“I do love breaking pretty things,” he murmured before stepping back. “Let’s see how long you last.”

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving Luca alone once more.

His chest heaved as he exhaled shakily. He knew Damien would come for him. He just had to hold on.

******** After sometime natayla came , she began to verbally abuse him.

Luca's heart pounded violently against his ribs, adrenaline flooding his veins as he lunged forward. His fingers curled into a trembling fist, and before Natalya could react, he slammed it straight into her face. A sharp cry of pain tore from her lips as she stumbled back, clutching her cheek. The sting of his knuckles barely registered—his entire body was wired with desperation.

He didn't wait. The moment her balance wavered, Luca turned and ran.

His bare feet slapped against the cold floor as he burst through the door and into the dimly lit corridor. The air was thick with the scent of dust and damp wood, the sounds of distant voices echoing in his ears. He pushed himself faster, his legs burning, lungs screaming for air. Escape. He just needed to escape. He thought of Ava’s bright eyes, Damien’s possessive embrace, Valarie’s determined gaze. He had to get back to them.

The hallway seemed endless, doors stretching into the distance like a cruel labyrinth. His hands trembled as he reached for the rusted handle of the nearest exit. It wouldn’t budge. Panic clawed at his throat, but he forced himself to move, scanning for another way out. His pulse pounded as he spotted a narrow staircase leading downward. He took the steps two at a time, the rough edges scraping against his skin, his breath ragged and uneven.

Freedom was close—so close.

Then, a shadow loomed at the bottom of the stairs.

A slow, mocking chuckle sent ice through Luca’s spine.

Mikhail.

The dim lighting made the cruel smirk on his lips even more sinister. He stood there, relaxed, as if he had been waiting for this exact moment. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement as he took a lazy step forward, blocking the exit.

“Well, well…” Mikhail drawled, shaking his head as if chastising a misbehaving pet. “That was quite the effort, pretty boy.”

Luca’s breath hitched. His fingers clenched into fists, his body taut with fear and fury.

“Stay the fuck away from me,” he spat, his voice shaking but defiant.

Mikhail merely laughed, a rich, condescending sound that sent dread crawling through Luca’s stomach.

“Oh, sweetheart, I don’t think you quite understand.” He stepped closer, his towering presence suffocating. “You don’t get to leave. Not now. Not ever.”

Luca's pulse thundered in his ears. He tried to dart past him, but Mikhail was faster. A rough hand seized his wrist, yanking him back with terrifying ease. Luca thrashed, his nails digging into Mikhail’s arm, but the man barely flinched. Instead, he spun Luca around and slammed him against the cold wall, pinning him in place.

“You've got fire in you,” Mikhail murmured, tilting his head as if admiring his prey. “I like that.”

Luca glared, hatred burning in his gaze. “Fuck you.”

Mikhail merely grinned. “Oh, I do love a challenge.”

Luca’s chest heaved as he struggled, but Mikhail held him firm. The overwhelming scent of blood and expensive cologne filled his senses.

“You’re not going anywhere, Luca.” Mikhail leaned in, his voice a whisper of cruel amusement. “Not unless I say so.”

And just like that, the flicker of hope Luca had grasped onto was snuffed out.

****