Chapter — Bound Forever & A Shadow Returns

Luca’s POV

Luca blinked awake, warmth surrounding him. The soft weight of Ava was curled against his side, while Damien’s strong arm was wrapped possessively around his waist.

Safe.

For the first time in forever, he felt safe.

But the moment he tried to move, the grip around his waist tightened.

“Where do you think you’re going, little husband?” Damien’s voice was a low rumble against his ear, still thick with sleep.

Luca flushed. “I— I just wanted to get up—”

Damien pulled him closer. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Ava stirred between them, letting out a sleepy whine before burrowing her face into Luca’s chest. “Too early…” she muttered, clinging to him.

Luca chuckled softly, brushing his fingers through her hair.

But then he felt it—Damien watching him.

He turned, only to find Damien staring.

Obsessively.

Dark eyes devouring him, tracing over every inch of his face, like he was something sacred.

Luca swallowed. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Damien’s lips curled into a slow, possessive smirk. “Just thinking…”

“…About what?”

His fingers trailed along Luca’s jaw, tilting his chin up. “About how perfect you are.”

Luca’s heart skipped.

Damien leaned in, voice dark, teasing. “About how I should never let you leave this bed.”

Luca rolled his eyes, pushing at his chest. “You’re impossible.”

Damien caught his wrist, lips brushing over his knuckles. “And you love it.”

Luca didn’t respond. Because yes, he did. And Damien knew it.

Ava groaned between them. “Stop flirting so loud… I’m trying to sleep.”

Luca burst out laughing. Damien just grinned.

But then, his grip tightened.

A warning.

A reminder.

Luca might’ve been his in every way… but Damien wasn’t done.

Not until Luca was his forever.

And very soon…

The world would see it.

************

The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting golden light over the living room. It was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.

Luca sat curled up on the couch, flipping through a book while Ava played with her toys on the carpet. Damien was in his office, making a few calls after forcing Luca to rest all morning.

Everything felt… normal.

Until the phone rang.

Luca glanced at it.

Unknown number.

His stomach twisted.

Something felt wrong.

He hesitated, but eventually, curiosity won. Pressing the phone to his ear, he answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then—

A slow, ragged breath.

Luca’s body froze.

That breath—he knew it.

A voice finally spoke, smooth as silk, but dripping with something sinister.

“Did you miss me, angel?”

Luca’s heart stopped.

Mikhail.

His blood ran cold. His throat tightened. He couldn’t breathe.

“I have to say… it was adorable watching you play house. Acting like you’re safe. Like you belong there.” A dark chuckle. “But let’s be honest. You know deep down… you don't .”

Luca’s grip on the phone shook. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

“You didn’t think I’d let you go that easily, did you?” Mikhail’s voice dropped lower, a whisper like poison. “I always take back whom I put my sight on.”

Ava tugged at Luca’s sleeve, her innocent eyes blinking up at him. “Luca? What’s wrong?”

He could barely move. Barely think.

Mikhail knew.

And he was coming.

******* — The Devil Watches

Luca’s fingers clenched around the phone, his breath shallow. His heartbeat pounded against his ribs, a deafening thud-thud-thud in his ears.

Mikhail was watching.

He’s close.

He swallowed hard, forcing his voice to work. “Stay the hell away from me.”

A dark chuckle slithered through the line. “Oh, my sweet Luca… you don’t get to decide that.”

Luca felt the weight of Ava’s tiny hand gripping his sleeve, her big, worried eyes searching his face. He needed to stay calm. Needed to keep her safe.

Mikhail sighed as if amused. “You’re so beautiful when you’re scared. I wish you could see yourself right now.”

Luca froze. His blood ran ice-cold.

He lifted his gaze—toward the large windows overlooking the city.

And that’s when he felt it.

A presence.

Somewhere out there.

Watching.

His stomach dropped.

Mikhail wasn’t just calling.

He was here.

Panic clawed up Luca’s throat, but he forced himself to stay still. He couldn't let Ava suspect anything.

He forced a breath. “You’re delusional.”

“I miss you.” Mikhail’s voice was silk-soft, but laced with something vile. “Did you miss me? Don’t lie now, . I know you felt me in your dreams.”

Luca’s stomach turned.

“You will look so sweet in my bed,” Mikhail continued, his tone dipping lower, taunting. “Do you remember how much you used to beg? How I—”

Click.

Luca slammed the phone down, his entire body trembling.

Ava jumped at the sound. “Luca?”

He forced a smile, though it felt like glass cutting against his skin. “It’s nothing, sweetheart.” His voice shook. “Go play, okay?”

Ava hesitated, but eventually nodded, skipping off to her room.

Luca exhaled shakily, his legs nearly giving out.

He needed to tell Damien.

No.

He paused.

Damien was already teetering on the edge of insanity over him. If he found out Mikhail was this close, if he found out Luca had spoken to him—

Luca shuddered. The bloodshed Damien had already caused would be nothing compared to what he’d do now.

But—

A vibration against the table.

A new message.

From the unknown number.

Check outside, darling.

Luca’s breath hitched.

Slowly, with hands ice-cold and shaking, he stepped toward the window.

And then—

He saw it.

A black car parked across the street. Tinted windows. Unmoving.

But there—on the hood—

A single red rose.

Luca’s vision blurred. His chest caved in. How he reach here even after that much security.

Mikhail wasn’t just threatening him.

He was taunting him.

And worse—

He knew Luca wouldn’t tell Damien.