Bound To The Devil

Chapter — A Sister’s Burden

Luca’s POV

Luca barely had time to shake off the last remnants of sleep before Ava pounced on him.

“Auntie Val called!” she said excitedly, shaking his arm. “She wants to meet you!”

Luca blinked, rubbing his eyes. “Valarie?” His voice was still rough from sleep. “What time is it?”

Ava huffed impatiently. “Afternoon. You slept too much.”

Luca sat up, stretching. He had been exhausted after the fever, but Val wouldn’t call him unless it was important.

Something was wrong.

He got dressed quickly, ignoring Damien’s pointed stare as he passed through the living room.

“Where are you going?” Damien’s voice was smooth but laced with that dark possessiveness.

“Valarie called,” Luca said simply, slipping on his shoes.

Damien didn’t look pleased. His jaw twitched. “Did she say why?”

Luca shook his head.

Damien exhaled sharply, but to Luca’s surprise, he didn’t argue. Instead, he pulled out his phone.

“At least take my men.”

Luca sighed. “Damien—”

“I’m not asking.”

Luca bit the inside of his cheek, but he knew Damien wouldn’t let him leave otherwise. “Fine.”

—

Valarie was waiting for him at a small café tucked into a quiet street. She sat in the farthest corner, away from the crowd, stirring her coffee with slow, absentminded movements.

The moment Luca sat down, he knew.

She looked exhausted. Not just tired, but drained, like something heavy was sitting on her chest, weighing her down.

“Valarie—”

“Elijah left.”

The words came out flat, emotionless. But Luca saw the way her fingers clenched around her cup.

His stomach twisted. “What?”

“He’s gone,” she said again, eyes trained on the table. “He… He didn’t say it outright, but I know why. Mikhail got to him.”

Luca’s breath hitched.

Mikhail.

His hands curled into fists.

Valarie finally looked up, and for the first time in a long time, he saw something fragile in her.

“I think…” She inhaled shakily. “I think I lost him, Luca.”

Luca reached across the table, gripping her hand tightly.

“No, you didn’t.” His voice was firm. “You still have me. You have us.”

Valarie exhaled slowly, as if she’d been holding her breath this whole time.

And then—

For the first time in years—

She broke.

***

— A Promise of Vengeance

Valarie’s POV

The moment she felt Luca’s hand tighten around hers, something inside her cracked.