Anger seethes through me; no woman has ever spoken to me the way she just did. I'm used to the girls doing what I want, and following my every command. But her defiance, her refusal to back down, it's infuriating. I can feel the flames of my ego burning brighter, demanding that I assert my dominance even more forcefully. I walk away in search of Sonya. I find her and grab her arm, leading her to a secluded spot. With my lips on hers, I remove her clothes.

As our bodies intertwine, I can't help but hear Luca's words echoing in my mind. Stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours. I feel a surge of anger as I intensify my thrusts into Sonya, causing her screams to reverberate through the surrounding wind. I want to find a way to distract myself from thinking about Luca, even if it means sleeping with someone else.

But no matter how hard I try, I can't escape the lingering thoughts of Luca's challenge. The raw intensity between Sonya and me feels empty, a mere distraction from the deeper conflicts at hand. As I lose myself in the physicality of our encounter, a part of me yearns for a connection that goes beyond this primal release. But for now, I bury those thoughts deep within and focus on the here and now, seeking solace in the temporary escape from reality that Sonya provides.

🗡

As I fix myself up, the commotion coming from the party catches my attention. I run toward the noise, and see Luca yelling at Diego to let go of her. I feel my heart race, torn between wanting to intervene and needing to stay away. I can see the anger in Luca's eyes as her fist is clenched to her side. She shouts once more before her left hand collides with his jaw, making him stumble back. I run up and step in between them. I grab Luca's shoulders and ask,

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, this guy thinks when a girl says no, it means yes." I notice the anger in her eyes as she gazes at him.

"Next time, Cruz, leave the whore at home." Diego laughs. Miguel shouts for me not to do anything, but my fist collides with his face. Blood splatters across the sand. I feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. He stumbles back and falls to the ground, clutching his bleeding nose. "Cruz, stop." I hear Luca's voice, but I push her away. She stumbles back and falls into the sand. I continue forward, fueled by rage and determination. "Stay away from her!" I growl at him.

A moment passes, and he's coughing up blood. An array of emotions filters through his eyes, as he realizes the consequences of his actions. I'm pretty sure I see the five stages of grief in them, too.

I compose myself and turn to face Luca, but she's gone. I look at Lexi, and she shrugs her shoulders. We exchange a worried glance, unsure of what just happened.

I quickly sprint towards my Jeep and swiftly hop inside, quickly starting the engine. I navigate through the dimly lit streets, searching for her. I notice someone walking in the distance and decide to slow down, hoping that it's her. As I approach, my heart sinks as I realise it's not. It's just a stranger, and my desperation grows. I drive on, carefully scanning the area, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of her and praying that she is safe and unhurt.

🗡

I keep driving until I make my way home. I step out of the car and rush towards the front door, my heart pounding with anticipation. I run upstairs and enter her room—no one is in sight.

Why am I worried? She's a grown girl who can take care of herself. I head to my room and try to shake off the uneasiness that lingers in the air. My mom's voice stops me as I open my door.

"Where's Luca?"

I put my head down and lie, "She's with Lexi." I enter my room and lock the door. I open the terrace doors and look out. The moon glistens over the ocean, casting a beautiful reflection on the water. I hear the gate open at the back and look down. Luca. I watch as she makes her way to the patio deck near the end of the backyard. Frustration grows within me, wondering why she ran.

I make my way outside and up the stairs to the patio deck. "Why did you leave?" I ask, anger fueling my face. She turns to look at me, anger filling her eyes. "I ran because..." she looks down. "I ran because I couldn't bear to see you hurt anyone."

I get closer to her, and I grip her arms. "I told you to stay away from him, and you didn't listen. I just put him in his place." I growl lowly, my anger boiling over. Her body begins to tremble, and my frustration gets the best of me. "What are you so scared of?" I snarkily ask. She doesn't answer. "Answer me!" I yell this time.

Her eyes look into mine. "Right now? Of you." I freeze, shocked by her words. I look down and realise I still have a hold of her arms. I quickly let go, and she backs away, creating a distance between us. As her gaze stays on mine, something dark flickers within her eyes. I lick my lips and walk away, leaving her alone.

I make my way back to my room, and lock the door behind me. Running the shower, I let the hot water steam up the room before stepping in. As the water cascades over my body, I close my eyes and try to wash away the pain. I hurt her, something I never meant to do. If she's afraid of me hurting someone, maybe I should keep my underground boxing habit a secret from her as well. I step out of the shower and see the light flashing on my phone.

Party at my house Friday- the text is from Miguel.

I shake my head and toss my phone. I throw on some shorts and make my way down to the kitchen to grab some food. I pass Luca coming in, her eyes lingering on my chest. A smirk covers my face, and I can't help but sarcastically say, "Oh, Luca, I'm just so flattered by your undying admiration for my impeccable physique." She rolls her eyes and rushes past me. I chuckle to myself as I continue on my way. If she's afraid of me, I might as well have fun teasing her.

🗡

The next morning, the sun shines brightly, and the smell of the ocean fills my room. I stretch my arms above my head, feeling the warmth of the rays on my skin. It's a perfect day for a swim. I quickly change into my swim trunks and head out towards the beach. As I approach the shore, the sound of crashing waves grows louder, a soothing melody that never fails to put me at ease. I take a moment to admire the vastness of the ocean, its sparkling blue waters stretching as far as the eye can see.

I finally emerge from the water and look up, catching Luca staring at me from the patio deck. She quickly turns, and I let out a little laugh as I make my way back to the house. "You're up early." I say as I make my way up to the deck. She lays back in a lounge chair, her body on full display as she wears a little bikini with a long shirt open in the front while reading a book. She looks up at me and replies, "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to enjoy the sunrise."

"Well, you could have come by my room; I'm sure we could have done something to pass the time." I smile. She gets up and walks toward me. "I don't want you anywhere near me. You may have the face of an angel, but you're the devil in disguise. You're a dangerous illusion. I don't need another person like that in my life." Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me stunned and speechless. I don't know how to respond, so I simply stand there in silence.

Before she walks away, I grip her waist. "I told you, this is my world. We play by my rules." I whisper as my lips linger near her ear. "I can tell by the shivers running up your arms that you don't want me to stay away. Just admit you want me, and I'll make your whole world spin."

She spins around, and her eyes dart to mine. "How romantic. I'm certain I'm dying for my entire world to revolve around you. Who wouldn't want to be with someone so controlling and manipulative? It's truly a dream come true." Sarcasm drips from her words as she crosses her arms, a defiant smirk playing on her lips. "But I'm afraid I prefer a dark world where I call the shots, not you."

I watch as she walks away, and see something I've never seen before. The shirt she wears hangs low below her shoulders before she quickly covers it back up. A scar runs across her back, shoulder blade to shoulder blade. I wonder what could have caused it, and if this is the reason she was afraid of me last night.

I turn around and lean against the railing, watching the water hit the shore. I can't help but feel a sense of unease as I try to piece together the mysterious puzzle of her past.

"Cruz!" I hear my name being shouted. I turn to see Lexi running through the backyard toward me. "You will never guess what I found out." She says.

I look at her for more information, my curiosity piqued. She looks around and then quietly says. "Did you know that Luca's father was a prime fighter in the underground boxing circuit? His skills were legendary."

"Yeah, I knew, but he died years ago. I think Luca was ten or something," I tell her. I begin to think that maybe Luca isn't scared of me hurting anyone; maybe she's scared of losing someone again to a dangerous sport. Lexi looks at me and tells me she's going to go see Luca. I nod as she walks away.

I look back at the water. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore provides a soothing backdrop to my racing thoughts. As I watch the water ebb and flow, I realise that maybe, just maybe, there's more to Luca's fear than meets the eye. Perhaps there's a deeper layer to her reluctance, one that I hadn't considered before.

Maybe it's not just about the fear of injury or the dangers of the sport itself. Maybe there's something else that's holding Luca back—something that she hasn't shared with anyone. I can't help but wonder what could be causing her hesitation and what demons she might be battling beneath her seemingly fearless exterior. I know Luca well enough to understand that she has no shame in showing vulnerability, but there's something in her eyes—a flicker of unease—that tells me there's more to this story.

As I think of her, I can't understand why I'm feeling the way I am. It infuriates me that she doesn't listen. She never backs down. Maybe that's the reason I want her in my bed. Would it be so bad to have a woman finally take control? I shake my head and begin to laugh. What am I thinking? I like being in control and calling the shots. But there's a part of me that's curious about what it would be like to let go and surrender to someone like Luca.

It's a dangerous game, but the thrill of the unknown is tempting. I can't help but wonder if letting go of control would bring a new level of excitement and passion into my life. The thought of relinquishing power to Luca both scares and excites me, leaving me torn between my desire for control and my curiosity about what lies beyond it.