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There’s a long pause where all I hear is her breathing. Soft. Even. So fucking sweet.

“Do you want a promise ring,Luciana?” The words leave my mouth without permission, and I almost drop my jaw in shock.

Did I just fucking say that?

The silence that follows is thick. I can hear her breath hitch, like she’s trying to process what I just said.

My heart pounds, rapid and unsteady, as I wait for her response.

Finally, Luna’s chuckle rumbles through the phone. “Actually, I’m thinking more along the lines of a collar. You know, the kind that fits into nipple piercings. I’m all set up for that, you know.”

Nicely deflected.I sigh in relief, but it’s short-lived.

Her playfulness grates against my raw nerves like sandpaper on an open wound. I’m three thousand miles away, vomiting words I’ve never uttered aloud before—words that taste foreign and terrifying on my tongue—and she’s... what? Taking it all in stride? Playing games? Toying with me like a cat with a wounded bird?

“What’s the matter, princess?” I inject as much ice into my voice as I can muster. “Suddenly, you can’t say what you really want?”

Silence. Then, softly: “Alright. I want to know how you feel about me.”

Her teasing is gone, replaced by a vulnerability that makes my chest ache.

“You don’t know?”

“I thought I did, but the past week made me question everything.”

I close my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose so hard I see stars. “Modesty doesn’t become you, Luciana. It’s like putting a muzzle on a lioness.”

Itfeels like I’ve been plunged into icy water. My breath falters as the words escape me in a whisper. “You’re right. I’m desperate for you, Luciana. Completely wrecked by you. You’ve dismantled me piece by fucking piece, and I have no clue how to put myself back together.”

Silence.

I don’t know what I expected. Shock? Joy? Maybe for the world to stop spinning for a moment. Instead, Luna’s voice comes back cool and collected, like we’re discussing the weather instead of the wreckage of my usually controlled mind.

“In that case, Caden, I suggest you pack up and come home. We both know you’re not going to kill Hugo Antonov.”

“You’re so sure about that?” I challenge, thrown off balance by her sudden shift.

Luna chuckles, “I’m becoming something of a you expert.”

“Right, here we go.” I lean back on the seat and let her smugness pour over me like honey. “Tell me.”

“I know that when you’re frustrated, you pinch the bridge of your nose.”

“Go on,” I murmur.

“And when you’re getting turned on, like now?” Her voice dips into a whisper. “You make this deep animal sound—like a purr. You try to cover it up by clearing your throat, but it never works.”

Heat floods my body, and I have to stifle that very sound rising in my throat. She knows me too well.

“And when you’re afraid? That’s when you retreat into old, trusted patterns. You were terrified a week ago when you returned all banged up. You practically ran to Moscow. Screaming.”

“Smart mouth.”

“That’s how I know, Cade,” Luna finishes softly. “That you won’t go through with it. Because I see all of you, even the parts you try to hide. You didn’t go to Moscow to kill, baby. You get off on revenge too much to leave your weapon wrapped around my wrist.”

“Enough, Luciana.”

I sink further into the chair, overwhelmed by the precision of her words. It’s terrifying and exhilarating all at once. I want to be angry at her giggle of triumph, but again, she’s fucking earned it. She’s gotten under my skin in a way no one else ever has, burrowing deep into my heart like a beautiful parasite.