Flaming ties

dn't even touched. She looked out at the city skyline through the massive windows, the lights of the city t

d, "until things cool down." But Eva knew better. She was in deeper than sh

table. He had been making calls for the past half hour, giving orders, ensuring t

he said finally, his voice cal

fe?" she repeated, a mix of disbelief and frustration in her voice

e to trust me, but you should trust that no o

ng her cup down, her voice rising with emo

you're innocent in all of this. And because...

ld, Luca," she said, leaning forward, "is nothing but

want you here, Eva. But I can

over. "So, I'm just a pawn in what

. "No. You're... yo

nging him. "Then what am I,

d demeanor faltering. "I don't know," he admitted, his voice barely m

is words. "Luca... I'm not some damsel in distress. I do

t. But I need to know you're safe. I can't e

the pull of him, the undeniable connection that had been growing between them since

slightly. "I can't be a part of this. Your

through her skin. "I know," he murmured. "And I don't want you to be. But

her throat. "Why?" she

on. "Because you remind me of someone I lost a long time ago.

she asked, her voice ba

she was just like you. Kind, strong, always speaking her mind, no matter who she wa

in his eyes, the guilt he carried with him like a shadow. "Luc

fault. I dragged her into this life, and

out, gently touching his arm. "Luca, you can't live your li

Don't tell me what I can and can't do

him push her away. "No, I don't," she admitted. "But I do know

ders tense. "Maybe," he mut

t walls around himself to survive. She knew there was more to him than the hardened exterior

"you're not as alone as

s, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of hop

d with tension, Eva couldn't help but wonder if she h