Chapter 49. Open Threat

Luciano's POV

I clenched my phone tightly, staring at Elena’s name glowing on the screen. Her tone earlier had been sweet yet suffocating as she insisted we meet. She had been wanting to see me and now that I had a reason to meet her too, I knew I should not delay anymore.

I knew declining wasn’t an option; Elena never let go of things easily, especially not me. The choice of a dinner meeting, at a restaurant of her choosing, only heightened my unease.

She would not have listened unless I said it to her face to face. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes to ease my mind.

Stepping into the softly lit restaurant, I felt a pit form in my stomach. I did not know what was gonna be Elena’s reaction. I knew very well, she would not handle it well but I had to get it done before anything happened again.

The place was elegant, intimate, with low-hanging chandeliers casting a golden hue over the polished tables. The faint hum of conversation surroun