Luca grinned as he slid into the waiting car. He stared at Nadia's number in his phone. He can't believe he asked for her number or that he feels so drawn to her. It scares him a little bit. He doesn't do things like that anymore, but he couldn't stop himself.

"You haven't taken a woman home like that in a long time, Luca. What's going on?" His driver asked.

"Honestly Jack, I have no idea. I've been trying to figure it out." He chuckled.

"Well, from what I saw of you two, she already seems different from the other ones you've dated."

"Yeah, she is," He mumbled, sending her a text to make sure she got into her place alright. He blushed, he can't believe he was flirting with her like that. What the hell got into him tonight?

It was her damn dancing and the way she made him feel so comfortable around her. They have so much in common too. He hopes she was serious about that book club, he'd love to spend more time with her.

"So, does this mean your hiatus is over?" Jack asked.

"No, nothing has changed. I just had one good night." He sighed and felt the buzz of his phone. A smile crossed his lips as he stared at the message.

Nadia >> Ha ha ha...yes I made it into my apartment without tripping 🙄 <<

Luca >> I don't know if I believe that. I bet you tripped over an invisible crack and lost your shoe again. <<

Nadia >>...shut up. I didn't lose my shoe <<

Luca chuckled, this woman is a mess.

Luca >> I think you need bodyguards more than I do, for your own safety <<

"That grin on your face would suggest otherwise, Luca." Jack laughed, watching him from the rear-view mirror, "I haven't seen you smile like this in years."

Luca looked up at his grinning driver, a blushed burned over his cheeks, "I...smile...sometimes. She's just nice to talk to that's all."

His phone buzzed again and a smile lit up his features again as he read her message. He missed the smug 'mm-hm' Jack grumbled back to him.

Nadia >> Very funny 😒, but why do you have bodyguards? Maybe I should be worried about your safety <<

His heart thumped in his chest that she would think to be worried about him. She doesn't need to know about his childhood kidnapping or the fact that Ciara still obsessed over him. It might scare her away, she already mentioned she had a stalker in the past. He didn't like that bit of information either. Maybe he should think about putting a small security detail on her.

No, Luca, that's none of your business...unless she asks him to.

Luca >> No need to worry about me, I've always had bodyguards, being a CEO of a successful company comes with its own dangers.<<

Nadia >> Who knew being a CEO could be so dangerous. Please tell me you're not in the mafia doing shady business deals...<<

Luca >>🤨 as if I'd tell you if that were the case...<<

Nadia >> Well if you are, I don't want to have anything to do with you. I don't need that kind of drama in my life.<<

He chuckled at her response as he got out of the car and walked through the underground parking garage of his building.

Luca >> So, you'd quit your job if you found out I was Mafia?<< 

He briefly looked up from his phone to say goodnight to Jack and the rest of his bodyguards.

He took the elevator to the top floor to his penthouse suite. He shed his shoes and jacket throwing it on the couch as he padded down the hall to his room. He checked his phone waiting for her answer and his heart sank that she didn't respond.

Maybe he scared her away already with that question or that cryptic answer. He shook his head, he shouldn't want to get to know her anyway.

Luca sat his phone on his dresser and went into the bathroom to take a shower. He needs to come back down to reality. He just had a good night and that was it. There's no reason to let anyone new in his life...even if she completely captivated him by the way she moved on the dance floor.

It's better that he keeps to himself. He doesn't want to put anyone in danger like before. The company doesn't need to be involved in anymore lawsuits over his scorned ex-girlfriend.

Clara's dangerous when she thinks his attention is drawn to someone else. She wouldn't hesitate to poison or 'accidentally' push someone down the stairs like she's done in the past. It's why he's kept to himself and let his employees deem him Hades.

For all he knows, Ciara was watching him all night. His bodyguards are well trained, but she always seems to know where he is or what he's doing. They can stop her from approaching him, but they can't stop her from watching him.

He dried his hair, wrapping a towel around himself, and sighed at his reflection in the mirror staring at the various scars all over his chest. Being the aloof and unemotional CEO has worked well for him. It literally kept Ciara's claws off of him. He shrugged on a pair of sweatpants, a t-shirt and his heart thumped when his phone vibrated on his dresser.

A wide grin spread across his face as he stared at the message,

Nadia >> It would be a shame if I had to quit, but I would. The mafia is dangerous.<<

Luca >> Well, then it's good I'm not involved in anything like that. Shola can't afford to lose a good employee like you.<<

He shouldn't keep encouraging this conversation, but he can't help it. She's so refreshing to talk to and even though she slipped up and called him sexy, she doesn't seem like someone who's blatantly attracted to him. She'd make a good friend.

Nadia >> I've only been with the company for a month, no one is irreplaceable. <<

Luca >> That's true, but I still wouldn't want to lose all the good work you've done so far...anyway, did you end up ordering food for yourself? You said you wanted a take away. <<

He steered the conversation away from her leaving his company, he definitely doesn't want that. He wouldn't be able to see her clumsy self or those gorgeous green eyes of hers.

Nadia >> No, I'll just make some popcorn or something <<

Luca >> Popcorn? That's not a good hangover meal.<<

Nadia >> All the good places are closed and I don't feel like eating a mediocre pizza.<<

Luca >> Well, if you're up for it, I usually go to South Street Diner with Cameron after a night out. You're welcome to join us tomorrow, if you want.<<

His fingers typed the message before he thought about what the hell he was asking her. Why did he do that? But his heart was pounding in hope she'd say yes.

Nadia >> Maybe, I'll see what Minerva is doing, she might want to come if Cameron's going 🤭...I honestly wouldn't take you for a diner guy though.<<

He let out a breath, a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Maybe is good, yes would've been better but this is fine.

Luca >>Oh? And why's that?<<

Nadia >>🤷🏾‍♀️ I just thought you'd eat at more high-end places, but you're turning out to be a lot different than what I originally thought of you.<<

Luca >>I hope that's a good thing...<<

Nadia >>It is...anyway, I'm going to nom on this popcorn and go to bed. Thanks for a good night and maybe I'll see you tomorrow.<<

Luca >> Fair enough, if you do decide to come tomorrow, we're usually there around 11. Good night, clumsy.<<

Nadia >>Great, now it's a nickname 😒 lol, Good night, Hades 😝 <<

Luca >>🙄 You better come up with something better than that <<

Nadia >> I dunno, I kinda like it 😉 <<

Luca >> Whatever, go to bed, Persephone 😏 <<

Nadia >> hahaha that's a bit better than clumsy, good night.<<

He sighed, setting his phone on his bedside table and slid under the blankets. He really shouldn't have asked her to breakfast tomorrow. He shouldn't encourage this at all, but it's not like she said yes.

He closed his eyes, it was just nice to feel like himself again, it's been a long time since he's felt this way. Maybe Cameron and his father are right. Maybe it's time he steps out of his lonely existence and join the world again.