. . . AUTHOR’S POV Elena’s eyes widened in horror as she gazed at Luciano. She quickly adjusted herself, her hands fumbling to fix her dress, as she scrambled to stand up, her face twisting with panic. “T-This isn’t what it looks like,” she stammered, her voice shaky, desperate. Luciano only smirked. His dark eyes gleamed with amusement and disgust, his posture relaxed, yet exuding pure danger. “I know exactly what it is,” he said, his tone mocking, sharp as a blade. “I knew all along, Elena. You’re nothing but a whore.” Elena flinched, her face draining of color. Leonardo, still lounging in his seat as if the confrontation was an everyday occurrence, scoffed. “What are you doing here?” he asked lazily, swirling the whiskey in his glass. Luciano sighed dramatically, stuffin