Luna woke to the faint hum of the city filtered through the heavy curtains of Josh's mansion. For a moment she thought she was still dreaming. The air was too clean the bed too soft the silence too perfect. Then she saw the view through the glass wall the city sprawling endlessly beneath her and reality settled like a weight in her chest.
She was not home. She was not free. She was his.
The mansion was quiet almost unnaturally so. Every surface gleamed every corner looked untouched like the house belonged to no one. Yet the faint scent of Josh's cologne lingered in the air sharp and intoxicating. She sat up hugging her knees to her chest unsure if she was allowed to leave the room.
When the door opened she froze.
Josh stood there his shirt sleeves rolled up his gaze fixed on her. He looked as though he had not slept and yet he still carried that same calm authority that made the air tighten around him.
Good he said his voice deep and steady. You are awake.
She lowered her eyes quickly. Yes.
Come downstairs when you are ready he said and walked away his footsteps echoing down the hall.
When Luna finally gathered enough courage she left the room and followed the faint sound of movement. The mansion felt endless. Every hallway was cold marble every painting a story she could never understand.
She found him in the dining room. The long table stretched between them covered with untouched dishes. Josh sat at the head sipping black coffee as though she was not there.
Sit he said without looking up.She obeyed. The silence was suffocating. The ticking of the clock grew louder with every second.
You are thinking too much he said finally.
Luna looked up startled. I am just Adjusting he finished for her. His eyes met hers unreadable. You will eventually.
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her plate. Why am I here?
He leaned back slowly studying her. Because you are mine now.
The words struck her like a physical blow. She wanted to argue to tell him she was not an object but his tone left no room for rebellion.
You are scared Josh continued his voice softer now. You should be. But fear keeps you alive in this world.
He stood and walked away before she could respond leaving her in silence once again.
The days that followed blurred together. She learned that Josh was a man of strict routine. Meetings in the morning calls in the afternoon long hours spent behind closed doors. The people around him were loyal but wary their eyes always on her whenever she passed. She was an outsider in his world and everyone knew it.
Sometimes she caught him watching her when he thought she was not looking. Not with lust but with something deeper something guarded. Other times he ignored her completely as though she did not exist. The unpredictability made her restless.
One night she wandered downstairs and found him sitting in the living room. The city lights painted his face in pale gold. He looked up when she entered.
You should be asleep he said.
I could not she replied softly. This place feels too quiet.
He gave a short laugh low and humorless. Quiet is safer than chaos.
Are you always this calm she asked before she could stop herself.
His eyes darkened. No. But I try to be.
Silence settled again heavy but not uncomfortable. For a fleeting moment he did not look like a man who ruled through fear. He looked almost human.
The next day Luna overheard voices in the hallway. Josh's tone was low but sharp. He sold information to Leo one of his men said. Josh's reply came cold and final. Then deal with him.
That name again. Leo. The one people whispered about in Madam J's brothel the one who had been after Josh's empire for years. Luna's heart began to race. She should not be hearing this but her curiosity was stronger than her fear.
The floor creaked beneath her feet. Silence fell. Come out Josh's voice ordered from the next room. Her stomach twisted as she stepped forward. His men left immediately leaving the two of them alone. Josh crossed his arms and stared at her.
How much did you hear? Josh asked.
Nothing important she said quickly.
He studied her for a long time then sighed. Go to bed Luna. But she did not move. You kill people she said quietly.His jaw tightened. In my world mercy is weakness.And what am I to you she asked.
He looked at her for a long time the air thick between them. You are the only weakness I allow.
That night it rained. Thunder rolled through the sky shaking the windows. Luna sat on the couch wrapped in a blanket staring at the storm. The front door opened suddenly and Josh walked in drenched and bleeding. Her eyes widened. You are hurt. It is not mine he muttered brushing past her.
But she reached for him her hand trembling. Please let me see.
He froze at her touch. For the first time since she met him he looked unsure. Slowly he let her guide him to the couch. She took a towel and pressed it against the cut on his arm. You should not care he said quietly. Maybe I do not she lied.
He gave a faint smile. You do.
She did not answer. The rain outside softened leaving only the sound of their breathing. Josh's gaze met hers dark and intense the kind of look that made the world around her disappear.
You should not look at me like that he said.
Like what?
Like I can be saved.
Maybe you can she whispered.
His hand brushed her cheek before he caught himself and stood abruptly. Go to bed Luna.
As he walked away her heart ached with confusion. She wanted to hate him but she could not. There was something broken in him that called to the same brokenness in her.
That night she lay awake staring at the ceiling realizing that fear was no longer the only thing keeping her there.
And for the first time Josh Carter the man who ruled with power and silence found himself haunted by a woman who was not afraid of his darkness.
The morning came quiet and heavy after the storm. The sky was pale the air smelled of rain and the mansion seemed to hold its breath. Luna woke early drawn by the sound of movement below.
From the staircase she saw Josh already dressed in black speaking in low tones to two of his men. His expression was sharp and unreadable. The sight of him made her chest tighten. He was no longer the man who had bled on her couch last night. He was back to being the cold unshaken leader everyone feared.
When he noticed her watching he did not speak just nodded slightly before leaving through the front door. His men followed close behind and the heavy silence returned.
Luna spent the day wandering through the mansion. Every room was too big too perfect too empty. The place felt more like a museum than a home. Yet she could not ignore how her mind kept drifting back to him. The way his eyes softened when she touched him. The way he almost smiled. The way he walked away before he could let her see too much.
By evening she decided she could not sit still any longer. She stepped outside into the garden. The air was cool the sky painted in gold and pink. For a moment she almost felt at peace.
Then she saw movement by the gate.
A woman stood there wearing a tight red dress her heels clicking softly against the path. Her beauty was sharp her confidence dangerous.
You must be Luna she said smiling without warmth.
Luna hesitated. Yes who are you
Caris. The name carried a certain arrogance. A friend of Josh's.
Something in her tone made Luna's stomach twist. Caris looked at her from head to toe the kind of look that felt like a threat disguised as politeness.
I see why he is distracted lately she said with a faint laugh. You must be special.
Before Luna could respond a voice came from behind them.
Enough Caris.
Josh's tone was flat but carried warning. He had returned unnoticed and now stood a few feet away his presence instantly changing the air around them.
Caris smiled at him. I was only saying hello.
Say goodbye instead he replied.
Caris's smile faltered. Her gaze lingered on Luna for a moment longer before she left.
Luna turned to him. Who is she
No one important he said too quickly.
That was not true. Luna could see it in his eyes. But she did not push. She had learned that some questions only earned silence in return.
That night dinner was quiet. Josh sat at the head of the table as usual lost in thought. Luna's curiosity burned but she held it back until she could not anymore.
Do you ever get tired of pretending she asked softly.
He looked up. Pretending what
That you do not feel anything.
His eyes met hers and something dark flickered behind them. You think I am pretending
I know you are she said.
For a long time he said nothing. Then he leaned back in his chair and spoke so quietly she almost missed it. Feelings get you killed in my world Luna.
Maybe but not feeling anything will kill you too she replied.
For the first time Josh had no answer. He stood suddenly leaving the table and walked to the window. The city lights reflected off the glass making his figure look like a shadow.
I built everything I have by being ruthless he said without turning. Every man I trusted tried to destroy me. Every weakness I showed was used against me. You think I want to be this way
She rose from her seat and stepped closer. Then stop being that way.
He turned to her his expression unreadable. It is not that simple.
It is if you want it to be.
Their eyes locked. The air between them thickened with something unspoken. Josh looked as if he wanted to reach for her but forced himself not to.
Before either of them could speak the sound of a phone cut through the silence. Josh answered instantly his voice turning cold.
What happened
Luna watched as his expression changed. His jaw clenched his tone sharpened.
Keep her there. I am on my way.
He ended the call and grabbed his jacket.
What is going on she asked worried.
A problem with one of my suppliers he said but his eyes told her it was more. Stay inside no matter what you hear.
Then he was gone.
Hours passed. The clock struck midnight. Luna sat in the living room trying not to think about what he might be doing. Then headlights flashed outside the window. The front doors opened hard and Josh stumbled in covered in blood again but this time his face was twisted with rage.
Luna ran to him. Josh what happened
He pushed past her his voice rough. I told you to stay out of this.
You are hurt she insisted following him.
Not mine he snapped then caught himself. His hand raked through his hair his eyes closed briefly as if trying to contain the storm inside.
Luna stood frozen. He looked different tonight more dangerous more human all at once. She reached for him again ignoring the warning in his posture.
Please talk to me she whispered.
For a long moment he said nothing. Then his voice broke low and raw. Someone betrayed me again. Someone I trusted.
Her heart ached at the pain in his tone. She wanted to say something but before she could he turned to her and spoke with quiet finality.
You should not care about me Luna. People who do end up hurt.
Maybe I do not care she said.
He gave a faint bitter smile. You do. And that is what scares me most.
He walked past her leaving her alone in the dimly lit room. Luna stared after him heart pounding. She was beginning to understand the world she had been pulled into the one filled with secrets blood and broken souls.
And even though she knew it was dangerous she could no longer deny it. She was falling for him.
Not because he was powerful. But because underneath all that cold and all that darkness she saw a man still fighting to feel alive.The morning came quiet and heavy after the storm. The sky was pale the air smelled of rain and the mansion seemed to hold its breath. Luna woke early drawn by the sound of movement below.
From the staircase she saw Josh already dressed in black speaking in low tones to two of his men. His expression was sharp and unreadable. The sight of him made her chest tighten. He was no longer the man who had bled on her couch last night. He was back to being the cold unshaken leader everyone feared.
When he noticed her watching he did not speak just nodded slightly before leaving through the front door. His men followed close behind and the heavy silence returned.
Luna spent the day wandering through the mansion. Every room was too big too perfect too empty. The place felt more like a museum than a home. Yet she could not ignore how her mind kept drifting back to him. The way his eyes softened when she touched him. The way he almost smiled. The way he walked away before he could let her see too much.
By evening she decided she could not sit still any longer. She stepped outside into the garden. The air was cool the sky painted in gold and pink. For a moment she almost felt at peace.
Then she saw movement by the gate.
A woman stood there wearing a tight red dress her heels clicking softly against the path. Her beauty was sharp her confidence dangerous.
You must be Luna she said smiling without warmth.
Luna hesitated. Yes who are you
Caris. The name carried a certain arrogance. A friend of Josh's.
Something in her tone made Luna's stomach twist. Caris looked at her from head to toe the kind of look that felt like a threat disguised as politeness.
I see why he is distracted lately she said with a faint laugh. You must be special.
Before Luna could respond a voice came from behind them.
Enough Caris.
Josh's tone was flat but carried warning. He had returned unnoticed and now stood a few feet away his presence instantly changing the air around them.
Caris smiled at him. I was only saying hello.
Say goodbye instead he replied.
Caris's smile faltered. Her gaze lingered on Luna for a moment longer before she left.
Luna turned to him. Who is she
No one important he said too quickly.
That was not true. Luna could see it in his eyes. But she did not push. She had learned that some questions only earned silence in return.
That night dinner was quiet. Josh sat at the head of the table as usual lost in thought. Luna's curiosity burned but she held it back until she could not anymore.
Do you ever get tired of pretending she asked softly.
He looked up. Pretending what
That you do not feel anything.
His eyes met hers and something dark flickered behind them. You think I am pretending
I know you are she said.
For a long time he said nothing. Then he leaned back in his chair and spoke so quietly she almost missed it. Feelings get you killed in my world Luna.
Maybe but not feeling anything will kill you too she replied.
For the first time Josh had no answer. He stood suddenly leaving the table and walked to the window. The city lights reflected off the glass making his figure look like a shadow.
I built everything I have by being ruthless he said without turning. Every man I trusted tried to destroy me. Every weakness I showed was used against me. You think I want to be this way
She rose from her seat and stepped closer. Then stop being that way.
He turned to her his expression unreadable. It is not that simple.
It is if you want it to be.
Their eyes locked. The air between them thickened with something unspoken. Josh looked as if he wanted to reach for her but forced himself not to.
Before either of them could speak the sound of a phone cut through the silence. Josh answered instantly his voice turning cold.
What happened
Luna watched as his expression changed. His jaw clenched his tone sharpened.
Keep her there. I am on my way.
He ended the call and grabbed his jacket.
What is going on she asked worried.
A problem with one of my suppliers he said but his eyes told her it was more. Stay inside no matter what you hear.
Then he was gone.
Hours passed. The clock struck midnight. Luna sat in the living room trying not to think about what he might be doing. Then headlights flashed outside the window. The front doors opened hard and Josh stumbled in covered in blood again but this time his face was twisted with rage.
Luna ran to him. Josh what happened
He pushed past her his voice rough. I told you to stay out of this.
You are hurt she insisted following him.
Not mine he snapped then caught himself. His hand raked through his hair his eyes closed briefly as if trying to contain the storm inside.
Luna stood frozen. He looked different tonight more dangerous more human all at once. She reached for him again ignoring the warning in his posture.
Please talk to me she whispered.
For a long moment he said nothing. Then his voice broke low and raw. Someone betrayed me again. Someone I trusted.
Her heart ached at the pain in his tone. She wanted to say something but before she could he turned to her and spoke with quiet finality.
You should not care about me Luna. People who do end up hurt.
Maybe I do not care she said.
He gave a faint bitter smile. You do. And that is what scares me most.
He walked past her leaving her alone in the dimly lit room. Luna stared after him heart pounding. She was beginning to understand the world she had been pulled into the one filled with secrets blood and broken souls.
And even though she knew it was dangerous she could no longer deny it. She was falling for him.
Not because he was powerful. But because underneath all that cold and all that darkness she saw a man still fighting to feel alive.