The Neon Bar was louder than usual for a weekday, not from music or dancing but from the trial on the mounted TV. Every customer’s eyes were fixed on it. Daniel Ivanov stood on-screen, navy suit crisp, voice steady as he dismantled the prosecution. Even under chatter and clinking glasses, his words carried clear.
“Look at him go,” Aria muttered, leaning on the counter. Her gum snapped as she pointed at the screen. “Your boy owns the court.”
Luca stiffened. “He’s not—”
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“Not yours?” Her smirk widened. “Could’ve fooled me.”
He ducked his head, stacking glasses, but his gaze kept slipping back. Daniel didn’t look like the man who brought him groceries or walked him home. On TV he was untouchable. The way he adjusted his glasses seemed calculated, every word precise.
Around the bar, customers whispered. “That lawyer’s a beast.” “He’ll bury the Volkovs.” “Wish I could hire him just to argue with my landlord.”
Heat crept into Luca’s face. Pride and embarrassment tangled. He’d always thought of Daniel as steady, a little awkward, someone whose apartment smelled like coffee and books. Now strangers spoke his name with awe.
“He looks so serious,” Luca murmured.
Aria elbowed him. “You’re crushing harder than I thought.”
“I’m not—”
“Please. Your eyes haven’t left the screen.”
Luca groaned into the rag he was wiping the counter with, but his gaze returned to Daniel.
The anchor’s voice cut over the footage. “Legal experts say Ivanov’s handling of the case has strengthened Vale’s position. With both the murder of Charles Vale and the weapons trafficking investigation, the Volkov family faces mounting pressure.”
Aria whistled. “Two cases? They’re done. Your man’s about to go down in history.”
Luca bit his cheek. He didn’t like hearing Daniel’s name passed around like it belonged to everyone else.
Aria caught his silence. “Bet you wish you could tell them he’s yours.”
“He’s not,” Luca muttered, though the words felt thin.
“Maybe not yet,” she teased, smirk sharp.
Luca’s cheeks burned. He said nothing, just let his eyes linger one last time on Daniel’s commanding figure. To the world he was brilliance. To Luca he was the man who once stopped his car in the rain and held out a hand. The two versions didn’t fit together, and the ache in his chest only deepened.
The broadcast ended. Music took over, the bar slid back into noise. But Daniel’s voice lingered in Luca’s head. Then the door opened and a chill swept in. Daniel walked through.
Luca’s hands froze. The suit was the same, but now his shoulders sagged, his tie loose. The authority from the screen had vanished, leaving only the man Luca knew. His gaze found Luca instantly, and a faint curve touched his mouth.
“Hey,” he said when he reached the counter, voice softer than the one that had filled the room minutes ago.
“You… you’re here.”
“Needed a drink before drowning in paperwork.” His glance skimmed the bottles. “Water.”
Luca poured quickly, hiding shaky hands. “I saw you. On TV.”
Daniel nodded. “So did half the country.”
“You were…” Luca fumbled, embarrassed. “Different. Everyone respected you.”
Daniel sipped the water, eyes fixed on him. “And you?”
“What about me?”
“Did you respect me?”
The question hit harder than he expected. Luca nodded. “Yeah. Of course. I was… proud.”
Something flickered in Daniel’s gaze. “Proud?”
Heat rushed to Luca’s cheeks. “Forget it.”
“I won’t.” Daniel’s tone softened. “Thank you, Luca.”
The words filled his chest too full. He turned away, busying himself with coasters, ears burning. Daniel lingered at the counter, asking about his day, about the bar. Nothing heavy, but each question felt deliberate, like he was trying to carve out a place for Luca in the middle of his storm.
When the rush eased, Daniel stood, adjusting his glasses. “I’ll walk you home.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
His certainty left no room for refusal.
The streets were damp from earlier rain, lamps casting long pools of light. Daniel walked beside him, shoulders heavy, but presence steady.
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“You didn’t have to wait,” Luca murmured.
“I told you I would.”
Daniel’s gaze dropped to him. “You still don’t get it, do you?”
“Get what?”
“That I worry about you.”
The words caught in Luca’s chest. He looked away. “I can take care of myself.”
“I know. Doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”
Silence stretched, not heavy, just full. At the corner, Daniel slowed. His hand brushed Luca’s arm, waiting. Luca didn’t pull back. The touch steadied, moving to his shoulder, warm through the fabric.
“I don’t want to make things harder for you,” Daniel said quietly. “I told you I’d keep distance. But tonight…” His breath left in a sigh. “Tonight I couldn’t.”
Luca leaned forward before he could think. Daniel bent down, their lips meeting lightly, cautious but electric. Luca gripped his sleeve to steady himself.
when they pulled apart, Daniel’s eyes were warmer than Luca had ever seen.
“Sorry,” he murmured.
“Don’t be.”
Luca stepped closer, arms slipping around him. The hug was awkward at first then protective. It felt safe.
Daniel’s voice was low against his ear. “Then let me be the first.”
Luca’s chest tightened. He only nodded.Near his building, the street was quiet, pavement slick, lamplight broken on the ground.
“Thanks for tonight,” Luca said softly.
Daniel’s hand lifted, thumb brushing Luca’s cheek before he pulled him into a brief hug. “Go in before I change my mind.”
Luca smiled faintly. For once, loneliness didn’t feel so sharp.
Suddenly, engines growled. Black vehicles rolled up fast, smooth. Doors swung open in unison and men in dark coats stepped out. Daniel’s arm shot in front of him. “Stay behind me.”
Boots struck pavement. One yanked Daniel back. Another grabbed Luca.
“Stop!” Luca thrashed, panic clawing his throat.
Daniel fought hard, glasses flying off. “Let him go!”
A cloth pressed to Luca’s mouth, sharp chemicals burning his lungs. He gasped his strength fading.
“Luca!” Daniel’s voice cracked.
The world blurred, darkness closing fast. Through it, a voice cut clean. Calm and cold.
“–You don’t want to cross me, Ivanov –”
It slid into Luca like a knife, the last thing he heard before everything went black.
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and then Add to home screen.