Lucio's POV:

The car ride to the beach house was agonizingly long, not because of the distance, but because Kate had barricaded herself behind a wall of silence. I'd tried coaxing her into conversation, but nothing worked—not even the usual teasing or stolen kisses. She remained buried in her book, pointedly ignoring me.

"Kate?" I called softly, attempting to break the tension.

She finally turned to me, her expression a mixture of exasperation and exhaustion. "Hmm?"

I reached for her hand, lifting it to my lips to press a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "We'll be there soon. Are you okay?"

She gave a small shrug. "Yeah, I'm fine. But why didn't you tell me to bring clothes? What am I supposed to do? walk around naked all day?"

"If that's what you want, I can arrange it," I said with a smirk, watching her roll her eyes before turning back to her book.

Despite her resistance, I couldn't help but smile. Kate had this way of getting under my skin, making even the silence between us feel charged. Her scent filled the car—a mix of fresh ocean mist and something uniquely hers.

As we neared the beach house, her gaze shifted to the window, catching sight of the shoreline. Her brows furrowed slightly.

"If I knew we were going to the beach, I would've brought my swimsuit. What now? Am I swimming naked too?" she said, crossing her arms and glaring at me.

"Kate," I sighed. "Can you stop talking for a minute?"

"Whatever, Lucio," she muttered, leaning away from me and pretending to focus on the scenery.

The car came to a stop outside the beach house, an architectural masterpiece of glass and stone nestled against the golden sand. Kate reached for the door handle, but I grabbed her arm before she could escape.

"Can I at least get a kiss?"

She sighed dramatically. "Yeah, whatever."

Leaning over, she planted a quick kiss on my cheek before bolting out of the car, her figure disappearing toward the house.

"You shouldn't have done that," I muttered under my breath, stepping out of the car with a shake of my head.

Kate's face was a picture of amazement as she took in the house's grandeur. I let her soak it all in, watching the subtle change in her expression—the wonder, the awe, the curiosity.

Inside, I showed her around, leading her through the sleek kitchen and into the spacious living room. She barely spoke, her wide eyes doing all the talking as she took in every detail.

"This place is... wow," she finally muttered, her voice tinged with surprise.

"I thought you'd like it," I said, guiding her upstairs to the master bedroom.

After leaving her to settle in, I busied myself with a phone call, organizing security for the house during our stay. When I returned to check on her, the sight that greeted me made my chest tighten.

She was in the closet, standing in nothing but a red lace undergarment and one of my oversized shirts, bending slightly to reach for a pair of shorts. The curve of her body, her unassuming grace, left me momentarily speechless.

"Nice view, Kate," I said, leaning against the doorframe, unable to resist the smirk that tugged at my lips.

She froze, her back stiffening before she slowly turned to face me. Her wide eyes met mine, and for a moment, we just stood there, the air between us charged.

Before I knew it, my lips were on hers. The kiss was rough, needy, desperate. I lifted her off the ground, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging just enough to draw a groan from deep in my chest.

I carried her out of the closet and onto the bed, her back hitting the plush mattress. My lips moved to her neck, trailing kisses down to her collarbone, eliciting soft moans that sent heat coursing through me.

"You're perfect, Kate," I murmured against her skin, my hands sliding up her shirt. But as I reached her scar, she tensed beneath me.

Her sudden withdrawal was like a bucket of cold water.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the moment. "Fuck," I muttered, my frustration mounting as I pulled away to answer it.

When I returned, Kate was gone. I found her in the bathroom, her eyes red and puffy. She looked fragile, and it made something twist painfully in my chest.

"Kate?" I called softly.

She quickly composed herself, brushing past me as if nothing had happened. "I'm fine. Let's just go to sleep."

I wasn't convinced, but I didn't press. Instead, I pulled her close in bed, my arm wrapped protectively around her.

Sometime in the night, I was woken by her sharp breaths and the dampness of her skin against mine."Kate," I said gently, shaking her awake.Her eyes flew open, wild with fear.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," I murmured, sitting up and cupping her face. "Take deep breaths. In and out."

She mimicked me, her breathing slowly evening out. Tears welled in her eyes, and before she could hide them, they spilled over.

"Kate, look at me," I urged, my voice firm but gentle.

She met my gaze, her vulnerability on full display.

"Are you okay?"

She hesitated before nodding. "Just a bad dream," she whispered.

I knew she was lying. The pain in her eyes told a different story, but I didn't push her. Instead, I pulled her back into my arms, holding her until she drifted off again.

As she slept, I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts whirling. Whatever demons haunted her, I wanted to banish them. I wanted to protect her from everything, including herself.

For the first time in years, I felt something I thought I'd buried a long time ago.

The morning light filtered through the large glass windows, casting soft shadows across the room. I stirred awake, the faint weight of Kate resting against my chest anchoring me in place. For a moment, I let myself linger in the warmth of her presence. She was curled into me, her breathing steady, her lips slightly parted. Her soft scent filled the air—a mix of lavender and something uniquely Kate.

I shifted slightly, trying to move without waking her, but as I did, her eyelashes fluttered. Her eyes slowly opened, and for a second, she just stared at me, her gaze hazy and unfocused.

"Good morning," I said, my voice still rough from sleep.

Her eyes widened, her cheeks instantly flushing. "Oh—uh, morning," she mumbled, trying to sit up too quickly.

In her haste, her head bumped into mine with a dull thud. We both froze, and then—

"Ow!" she exclaimed, rubbing her forehead.

"Careful," I said, wincing as I pressed my palm against my temple. "What are you trying to do, knock me out?"

"It's your fault for being so close," she shot back, her tone defensive but her lips twitching like she was fighting a smile.

"My fault?" I raised an eyebrow. "I was here first. You're the one who decided to use me as a pillow all night."

Her blush deepened. "I did not!"

"Oh, you absolutely did," I said, leaning closer. "You were all cuddled up, clinging to me like I was your favorite stuffed animal."

Kate scoffed, pushing at my chest. "You're impossible."

"And you're adorable when you're flustered," I teased, catching her wrist before she could escape. Her pulse was quick under my fingers, a steady rhythm that matched the tension hanging between us.

Her gaze flicked to mine, and for a moment, everything else faded. The playful banter, the morning light, the world outside—none of it mattered. It was just her, her wide eyes staring into mine, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"Lucio..." she began, but her voice trailed off.

"Yeah?" I asked, my tone softer now.

She shook her head, pulling her wrist free and standing abruptly. "I—I need to get ready," she said, avoiding my eyes. "You said we were exploring today, right?"

I nodded, watching as she hurried into the bathroom. The door closed with a soft click, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Kate was a puzzle—one I couldn't seem to solve, no matter how hard I tried. She was fiery, stubborn, and guarded, yet there were moments when her walls came down, and I caught a glimpse of the vulnerable woman underneath. Those glimpses made me want to protect her, to shield her from whatever ghosts haunted her.

But I wasn't sure if I was the right man for the job. Hell, I wasn't even sure if I was good for her.

By the time Kate emerged from the bathroom, dressed in a flowy sundress that swayed with every step, I was already up and dressed, leaning against the bedroom doorframe. Her hair was damp, her cheeks still slightly pink from whatever whirlwind thoughts had been running through her mind.

"You look nice," I said casually, earning a wary glance from her.

"Don't start," she warned, brushing past me.

I followed her downstairs, where breakfast was waiting on the patio overlooking the ocean. The table was set with fresh fruit, pastries, and coffee, the scent of which made my stomach rumble.

Kate took a seat, her gaze fixed on the waves crashing against the shore. I sat across from her, watching the way the sunlight danced across her skin.

"Are you going to stare at me all morning?" she asked, not looking at me.

"Maybe," I said with a shrug. "You're easy on the eyes."

She rolled her eyes, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

We spent the day exploring the beach and the nearby town. Kate seemed to relax as the hours passed, her laughter coming easier, her steps lighter. She marveled at the quaint shops, stopping to admire handmade jewelry and intricate paintings. I bought her a delicate silver bracelet when she wasn't looking, slipping it into my pocket for later.

By the time the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, we were back at the beach house, sitting on the porch. Kate had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, her hair slightly tousled by the breeze.

"This is nice," she admitted, her voice soft.

"It is," I agreed, my gaze fixed on her instead of the horizon.

She caught me staring and raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Nothing," I said, leaning back in my chair. "Just enjoying the view."

She shook her head, but her smile gave her away. For the first time in a long time, everything felt... right.

But as I watched her, a nagging thought crept into the back of my mind. This moment, this peace—it couldn't last. My world was dangerous, unpredictable, and filled with shadows. I couldn't let her get caught in the crossfire.

Yet, as she leaned her head against my shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut, I realized one thing: I couldn't let her go either.