The silence was maddening.

I sat on the cold basement floor, knees pulled to my chest, trying to drown out the fear that screamed inside me.

Was Luca still alive?

The last thing I saw was his back as he stormed toward the danger, while I was dragged away like some fragile porcelain doll.

I hated that I couldn’t do anything. I hated that my heart was in knots for a man I wasn’t supposed to care about.

But most of all, I hated that I felt like a part of me was about to die with him.

Suddenly, the heavy door creaked open.

I scrambled to my feet as...