Chapter 13 - Chapter 13: The Calm Before the Storm

Bianca sat in the quiet of her penthouse, the soft hum of the city outside filtering through the windows. It had been hours since her meeting with Salvatore, but the encounter still lingered in her mind, like a shadow that wouldn't leave. The words he had spoken to her echoed in her ears, each one a reminder that nothing was as simple as it seemed in the world she had chosen to be a part of. Lorenzo had been distant for the past few days, his cold demeanor only adding to the weight on her chest. She had expected the usual flirtations, the playful banter that came with their dynamic, but instead, there was silence. She hadn't heard from him much since their last interaction, and that silence left her with questions—questions she was hesitant to ask. She tried to focus on the task at hand. There were calls to make, arrangements to finalize. The usual pre-flight preparations. But her mind kept drifting back to the encounter with Salvatore. He had been calculated, his words dripping with the promise of power and influence. The offer had been tempting, but her loyalty to Lorenzo—though complicated—was unshakable. For now, at least. The sudden ring of her phone startled her, breaking the uneasy silence. Her pulse quickened as she saw the caller ID. It was Lorenzo. She took a deep breath before answering, keeping her voice calm. "Lorenzo," she said, a hint of curiosity in her tone. There was a long pause on the other end before he responded, his voice low and measured. "Bianca. I need to see you. Tonight." His words sent a rush of heat through her, but she quickly masked it. "Of course. Where?" There was a slight hesitation before he gave her the address—a luxury hotel not far from her apartment. "I'll be waiting for you in the penthouse suite," he added, and then the line went dead. Bianca couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Lorenzo didn't usually make such demands, especially without any explanation. She didn't waste time second-guessing it. If he wanted her there, she would be there. She quickly changed into something sleek but understated, a black silk dress that clung to her curves just enough to make a statement without being overly revealing. She ran her fingers through her hair, pulling it back into a simple but elegant style, before heading out the door. The night was thick with tension as she made her way to the hotel, the lights of the city blinking against the dark sky. The streets were quieter than usual, almost unnervingly so. Bianca couldn't put her finger on it, but something about the night felt different. When she arrived, the doorman recognized her immediately and led her up to the penthouse without question. The elevator ride was short but suffocatingly tense, her reflection in the polished mirror a stark reminder of the woman she had become in this dangerous world. The woman who walked the fine line between power and peril, between loyalty and betrayal. The woman who was beginning to feel like she had no control over anything anymore. The elevator dinged softly as it reached the top floor, and Bianca stepped out, her heels clicking against the marble floor as she walked down the corridor. The door to the penthouse suite was slightly ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Lorenzo was standing by the large window, his back to her, his silhouette framed by the city lights below. He didn't turn when she entered, but she could feel the tension in his body. "You wanted to see me?" Bianca asked, her voice steady but with an underlying edge. Lorenzo didn't answer immediately, and for a moment, she wondered if he had even heard her. But then, he finally turned to face her, his dark eyes locking onto hers. He looked different tonight—distant, cold, like a man who was carrying a burden far heavier than she had ever seen him carry before. "You met with Salvatore," he said, his tone flat but heavy with accusation. Bianca stiffened, but she forced herself to remain calm. "I did," she replied evenly. "But I'm here now, Lorenzo. I'm not here to talk about Salvatore." He stepped toward her, his expression unreadable. "You don't get to choose what we talk about. Not anymore." His words were like a punch to her stomach. She wasn't used to this side of him—the side that was demanding, ruthless. It was a side that she had glimpsed only in brief moments, but now, it seemed to be emerging in full force. It wasn't the Lorenzo she had gotten to know, the man she had grown so drawn to. This was someone else, someone she couldn't predict. "What are you saying?" Bianca asked, her voice barely above a whisper, a part of her already knowing the answer. "I'm saying that I can't trust you," he said, his voice suddenly cold, the words cutting through the air like shards of glass. Bianca's breath caught in her throat, the sting of his words a sharp contrast to the warmth that had once existed between them. She had never felt more vulnerable in her life. She had always known that there were risks, but this? This was something else entirely. "You don't trust me?" she repeated, her heart racing. She couldn't bring herself to believe it. Not after everything they had shared. Lorenzo took another step forward, his gaze never leaving hers. "I don't know what to trust anymore, Bianca. You've been playing a dangerous game. And I'm not sure where your loyalties lie." The air between them crackled with tension, the silence almost deafening as Bianca tried to collect her thoughts. She had never been good at showing weakness, but now, standing before him, she felt exposed—raw. She had to make him see reason, had to make him understand. "I'm not playing any game," she said, her voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling inside her. "I've been loyal to you from the start, Lorenzo. You know that." His expression softened, but only slightly. "I want to believe you, Bianca. But everything is getting… complicated. People are moving behind the scenes, and I don't know who I can trust. I can't afford to make mistakes." She saw the conflict in his eyes, the war between the man he had been and the man he was becoming. She understood that. She had always known that this world—his world—was a dangerous one. But the question now was whether it was too dangerous for her to be a part of it. "Tell me what you need me to do," Bianca said, her voice filled with determination. "Tell me how I can prove myself to you." Lorenzo looked at her for a long time, his gaze intense. He seemed to be weighing something in his mind, something that she couldn't quite grasp. Finally, he nodded, though there was no warmth in the gesture. "You'll have to prove it," he said, his voice low and almost resigned. "There's a meeting tomorrow. A family meeting. Salvatore will be there. I need you to get close to him. Gain his trust." Bianca nodded, her mind already running through the possible scenarios. She could do that. She had no choice but to do it. "But Lorenzo…" she began, her voice hesitant. "If he's playing both sides, how do I know he won't turn on me?" Lorenzo's eyes darkened, and for a moment, she saw the full weight of his power—the dangerous man beneath the facade. "Because if he does, he'll regret it. But you have to be careful. This game, it's not just about loyalty. It's about control." Bianca swallowed hard, the gravity of his words sinking in. She had never felt so aware of the stakes. In this world, one wrong move could be the end of everything. She stood up straighter, her resolve hardening. "I'll do what needs to be done." Lorenzo didn't say anything more, but his eyes softened, just slightly. It was the smallest of gestures, but to Bianca, it meant more than anything. She wasn't just a pawn in this game—she was part of the plan. As she turned to leave, she felt the weight of the decision that lay ahead. She was no longer just a flight attendant with a dangerous lover. She was a woman caught between power, loyalty, and survival. And the choices she made from here on out would shape not only her future but the future of the De Luca family.