My pulse stops.

It’s not from Luca. He doesn’t speak in riddles. He warns openly.

This?

This is someone who wants me terrified.

(THE SETUP)

I rush to the parking lot, keys trembling in my hand.

The lot is nearly empty — late night, winter wind slicing my coat.

I unlock the car — click.

A shiver crawls up my spine.

Something is wrong.

I check the backseat. Under the car. Tires.

Nothing.

I let myself breathe — stupidly.

When I turn to get in—

A hand clamps over my mouth.

A knife presses to my neck.

A voice, disturbingly quiet:

“Tell your father and your boyfriend to step off their business deals. Or next time, we don’t hold back.”

Boyfriend.

They think Luca is still mine.

And that is when I understand the nightmare:

The breakup didn’t protect me.

It put a target on my back.

They think I’m leverage now. Disposable leverage.

I manage one muffled, terrified sound.

The man laughs.

“Tell Volkov we’ll carve his heart out through you.”

Then — a car engine roars around the corner.

Headlights blind. Tires scream.

The attacker releases me and vanishes into the shadows.

My back hits the pavement. Pain shoots through me. Breath ragged.

The car door opens. Boots hit the ground.

A voice I would know even in death breaks the night:

“Elena.”

Luca.

LUCA

I get to her second — a second too slow — and I’ll never forgive myself.

Her knees are scraped. Her necklace is broken. Her hands shake.

I kneel, breath gone.

“Elena, don’t move. Tell me where you’re hurt.”

She flinches. From me.

I die quietly.

She whispers, barely audible, “They said they’d carve your heart out through me.”

Every cell in my body turns lethal.

“You’re coming with me.”

No hesitation. No negotiation.

She shakes her head. “Luca—”

“I am not asking.”

She is too weak to argue. Too stunned to fight.

I lift her into my arms — and something familiar and forbidden hits both of us.

Home.

Her voice breaks. “You said we can’t do this. You said we’re dangerous.”

My jaw touches her hair as I carry her.

“I was wrong,” I whisper. “We’re only dangerous apart.”

As Luca drives her away from the parking lot, a message appears on Elena’s phone.

She doesn’t see it.

But Luca does.

Round 1 finished.

Let’s see how far he’ll go this time to keep her alive.

Luca’s grip on the steering wheel turns white.

He knows exactly who this enemy is.

And he knows the only way to protect her…

might shatter her again.