The mansion was restless that night. The walls carried a strange silence one that made every sound feel louder every breath heavier. Luna could not sleep. She kept replaying the look in Josh's eyes the one that held too much pain for a man who never showed it.
She walked down the hallway barefoot the marble cold under her feet. The lights were dim only a soft glow spilling from under Josh's office door. She hesitated for a moment before pushing it open.
Josh was sitting behind his desk head lowered his shirt stained with blood and his hands clenched around a glass. The room smelled of whiskey and smoke.
You should be asleep he said without looking up.
So should you she replied quietly stepping closer.
He lifted his eyes to her and for a second all his walls seemed to fall. He looked tired not in the way that came from lack of rest but from carrying too much.
You do not listen very well do you he said with a faint smirk.
Not when you are bleeding and pretending it is fine she answered.
He leaned back in his chair watching her. You think I need saving
Maybe not saving she said but everyone needs someone.
Josh looked away his voice lower now. People who get close to me end up regretting it.
I do not scare that easily she said.
He gave a quiet laugh but there was no joy in it. You should.
For a moment they stayed in silence the tension thick between them. Then he spoke again. One of my men betrayed me tonight. Someone I have trusted for years.
Luna's heart sank. What will you do to him she asked even though she already knew the answer.
What I always do he said calmly. Make sure he never does it again.
There was something in his tone that made her chest tighten. She wanted to tell him to stop to let it go but she knew how dangerous mercy could be in his world. Still she could not stay quiet.
You cannot keep living like this Josh. One day it will destroy you.
He looked at her then eyes cold but voice soft. Maybe I deserve that.
Before she could answer the power went out. The entire mansion plunged into darkness.
Josh stood instantly his instincts sharp. Stay here he ordered.
Luna froze. What is happening
He drew a gun from the drawer and moved to the window. Outside the sound of engines and footsteps echoed through the rain. The mansion lights flickered back on just as a series of gunshots shattered the silence.
Luna screamed and ducked. Josh moved fast pulling her to the ground behind the couch. His arm wrapped around her shielding her completely.
Stay down he hissed.
The sound of chaos filled the air. His men shouted orders from outside the hallways echoed with footsteps. Josh's grip on her tightened as if letting go meant losing her.
When the shooting stopped he rose quickly. Stay here he repeated then disappeared through the door.
Luna's heart pounded so hard it hurt. She waited for minutes that felt like hours until she heard his voice again calling her name. She ran to the hallway and found him standing near the main door soaked in rain and blood.
Are you hurt she asked rushing to him.
No he said breathing heavily. It is over.
What happened
A setup he replied. Someone wanted to send a message.
She touched his arm and he flinched slightly then relaxed. There was blood on his sleeve but it was not his. She did not ask whose. She did not want to know.
Come upstairs she said softly. Let me help.
He followed without protest. In the quiet of his room she cleaned the cuts on his arm her hands trembling slightly. Josh watched her closely.
Why are you doing this he asked.
Because someone has to she whispered.
He smiled faintly. You are not afraid of me anymore are you
I still am she said. But I am more afraid of what you are becoming.
His smile faded. He reached for her hand his touch surprisingly gentle. You should have never been brought into my world Luna.
Maybe not she said. But now that I am here I am not leaving.
He looked at her for a long moment something shifting in his expression. Then he leaned in his forehead resting against hers.
You will regret that one day he murmured.
Then I will regret it with you she replied.
Josh exhaled deeply as if her words cracked something inside him. His hand moved to her face his thumb brushing her cheek. For the first time there was no control in his touch only need.
The storm outside began again thunder rolling across the sky as if echoing the chaos between them. But in that moment inside those walls nothing else existed. Just the sound of rain and the quiet promise forming between two broken souls trying to find light in the dark.
Later that night Luna lay awake beside him listening to the rhythm of his breathing. She knew the danger had not passed. She knew there would be more blood more secrets more pain.
But for the first time she felt something stronger than fear. Hope.
And that scared her more than anything else.
The next few days passed quietly. The mansion returned to its usual rhythm men patrolling the gates cars coming and going but something had shifted inside. Josh spoke less than usual and when he did his voice carried an edge of distraction.
Luna noticed it every time she saw him. He moved like a man haunted by something that refused to stay buried.
One evening she found him outside near the garden standing by the fountain with a cigarette between his fingers. The smoke curled up into the night air mixing with the scent of rain-soaked roses.
You don't sleep much do you she said walking toward him.
He glanced at her without turning. Sleep is for people who want to forget. I remember better when I'm awake.
Remember what she asked softly.
Everything.
His tone made her heart sink. She stepped closer until she was standing beside him. He flicked the cigarette into the fountain and shoved his hands into his pockets.
You ever wonder how I became this he asked.
All the time she admitted.
Josh was silent for a long moment before he spoke again his voice lower almost like he was talking to the darkness itself.
My father used to say power isn't given it's taken. He built his empire on blood and fear. I watched him break men until they begged for mercy then call it business.
He paused his jaw tightening. When he died everyone expected me to be worse. And maybe they were right.
Luna's chest tightened. You were just a boy she said.
He turned to her eyes sharp. Boys grow up fast when they have to choose between dying or killing.
The words made her shiver. She had known he was dangerous but hearing it like that stripped away the mystery. He wasn't just a man hardened by life he was a survivor of something cruel.
What about your mother she asked quietly.
Josh looked away. She left when I was nine. Couldn't handle what my father was turning me into. She said I had his eyes.
He gave a short bitter laugh. Guess she was right.
Luna reached out touching his arm lightly. You're not your father Josh.
He turned to her again eyes searching hers as if trying to believe her. You don't know that.
I do. Because if you were you wouldn't have let me stay.
Her words hit him deeper than she realized. He looked away quickly his throat tightening.
You have no idea what kind of man I am.
Then show me she said.
He froze. The wind carried the sound of her voice like a whisper through the night. No one had ever asked him that before. People feared him obeyed him used him. No one had ever wanted to know him.
He took a slow step closer until their faces were inches apart.
If I show you you might hate me.
I'll decide that myself she whispered.
For a moment something broke inside him. The wall he'd built around his heart cracked just enough for her to see the hurt beneath.
He turned away suddenly his voice rough. I'll take you somewhere tomorrow. You wanted to understand my world you'll see it. But once you do there's no going back.
Luna hesitated then she nodded. I'm not going back anyway.
Josh's eyes softened almost painfully. He nodded once then walked away leaving her in the cool night air with her heart racing.
The next morning came heavy with tension. A black car waited outside the mansion and Luna climbed in beside Josh. He said nothing the entire ride just stared out the window as the city blurred past.
They stopped in front of an old warehouse near the docks. The air smelled of salt and rust. Men stood outside armed and alert.
What is this place she asked.
The beginning he replied.
Inside the warehouse was dim. Rows of old crates lined the walls dust clinging to everything. Josh walked ahead his footsteps echoing. He stopped in front of a small locked door and opened it slowly.
Luna followed and froze. The room inside was filled with old photographs ledgers and a large portrait of a man who looked almost exactly like Josh same cold eyes same proud expression.
My father he said quietly. Everything he built started here.
She stepped closer. What happened to him
Josh's expression darkened. He was killed. By someone he trusted.
Who she asked carefully.
He looked at her then his gaze unreadable. The same man who raised me after he died.
The truth hung in the air heavy and sharp. Luna didn't know what to say. She saw a flicker of pain cross his face before he turned away.
That's why I don't trust anyone he said. That's why I built walls higher than this roof.
She wanted to comfort him but she also knew this was a part of him that words couldn't fix. So instead she just stepped closer resting her hand on his arm.
You survived it Josh. You made something out of it.
He looked at her hand then back at her face. And now you're part of it he said quietly. Whether you like it or not.
She swallowed hard. I chose to be.
He gave a small tired smile. Then I hope you don't regret it. Because from here on everything gets darker.
Luna looked around the room again the past the pain the ghosts of everything he'd been through and then at him.
Maybe it will she said softly. But I'm not afraid of the dark anymore.
Josh's eyes softened just a little enough for her to see the man beneath the monster again.
For the first time in a long time he believed that maybe there was still a way out if she was the one leading him toward it.