Chapter 24 He returned moments later with their glasses refilled, handing one to her before settling beside her on the couch. “I still can’t believe you’re spending the night here,” Cas said, sipping his wine, eyes flicking to her face. Vee shrugged lightly. “I miss Valentina. And well… you’re the

Chapter 23 Nonnina clicked her tongue and swatted the back of his head lightly. “Always with the dramatics. You kill family, you rot from the inside. That’s the rule p> “He provokes me on purpose p> “Of course he does,” she said, unfazed. “He’s jealous and bored. Dangerous combination p>

Chapter 22 Cassidy chuckled. “True that p> Her head snapped toward him. “You admitted to that way too easily. Okay, now I need details. What did you do? Get high? Glue your teacher’s ass to a chair? Play hooky p> He laughed harder now, shaking his head. “I didn’t mess

Chapter 21 “I’m not one of your office sluts, Luca,” she shot at him, chin lifted in defiance. “No,” he said easily. “They don’t cost anywhere close to what you’ve cost me. Including the groin pain.” His mouth twitched, a grin he didn’t bother hiding. Her eyes stayed hard. “So

Chapter 20 Vito’s chest heaved. “It may not look like it right now,” he barked, “but I was doing what I could to help us! That’s why we’re in trouble p> She stared at him slowly, her eyes glossy but burning. The front door flew open, slamming into the wall.

Chapter 19 Vee shoved herself upright, breath ragged, eyes blazing. “I’m glad,” she said. “I’m so fucking glad I took my sister’s place. Because letting her anywhere near a psychotic person like you?” She laughed once. “That would never happen. Over my dead body. She is safe from you. From

Chapter 18 “I’ll pay you back,” she said quickly. “Every penny. I promise. I’ll work ten jobs if I have to p> He arched a brow. “I mean it p> “Oh, I know you do. You will pay me back p> His gaze dropped briefly to her mouth. When he

Chapter 17 Her outfit—a scanty blue sequined two-piece—caught the dim amber lights and refracted them into shards that danced across the walls. She lifted her chin, eyes scanning the crowd. Her lips were pressed tight. Numbers flew from a million upwards, the bids climbing faster than his pulse. “Well, fuck!”

Chapter 16 Commissioned grounds glowed. Floodlights illuminated the long driveway leading into the estate, where black cars rolled in. Money arrived quietly. Power arrived louder. Marco stood at the entrance, overseeing the arrival of VIP guests. His phone buzzed. Scalese. Marco stared at the screen. He had half a mind

Chapter 15 “Yes,” Luca snapped, stepping closer. “That was the task, wasn’t it?” He raised the gun slightly, not pointing it yet, just enough to remind them of its existence. “So tell me, at what point did I say you could hurt the sister p> “Boss—” one of them began.

Chapter 14 “Marco?” Vee called again. Luca’s eyes snapped to hers. “I heard what happened. Told you not to get caught,” he said. “Well, luck wasn’t on our side,” Vee admitted, her hands twisting slightly in front of her. “I was going to come see you…well, with another box of

Chapter 13 Veronica stared at her reflection. The black eye bloomed beneath her sunglasses. Her head throbbed. She leaned closer, lifting the glasses just long enough to assess the damage. She was wearing her Scalese Pizza Parlour T-shirt, the cotton thin from too many washes, the logo cracked and peeling.

Chapter 12 “I know,” Vee said softly. “This is all his fault p> “You think things would be different if mum were still alive?” Valentina asked suddenly. Vee stilled. The question opened a door she rarely touched. “Do you remember her?” she asked gently. Valentina frowned, thinking. “Not really. I

Chapter 11 Up close, he looked different than he had in the office. Less dangerous. The jacket was lighter. He lifted the bag slightly, weighing it in his hand. “You hid it badly,” he said calmly. Her pulse roared in her ears. “You followed me p> “You were always going

Chapter 10 “I know. But I cannot watch it happen to you either!” Tina’s response came sharp and fast, her own panic cutting through the air. She had always been softer than Vee, quicker to laugh, quicker to cry. “You think I can just sit here knowing they’ll hurt you

Chapter 9 Jesus. He told himself it was nothing. Just proximity. He bit into the pizza, deliberately choosing the same place she had just taken a bite out of. The gesture was slow, his teeth tearing through the crust where her mouth had been moments earlier. It was entirely intentional.

Chapter 8 Luca froze. Completely. His arms stayed rigid at his sides, muscles locking. The sensation was unfamiliar. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had hugged him like this. Well, except for Nonnina. He cleared his throat awkwardly and Vee pulled back instantly, mortified. “Sorry,” she murmured, stepping away,

Chapter 7 The next day, Luca sat in his office with Marco. They were deep into discussion, dissecting their deal with Bastardi. The door opened, and the new underground bodyguard stepped inside, posture stiff, eyes alert. “There’s a woman at reception,” he said carefully. “She’s asking to see Marco. She

Chapter 6 The dog whined, ears flattening, then—surprisingly—fell silent. Vee pulled the dog closer to her, fingers tightening around the leash. Her body angled away from Luca instinctively, chin lifted in stubborn pride. “I’m just going to walk away from you now,” she said. The dog leaned into her leg.

Chapter 5 Luca hummed softly in response. His eyes remained on Vito, watching the man unravel in real time. “Well,” he said at last, straightening, “looks like your daughter’s virginity just created another opportunity for me p> Luca rose to his feet, adjusting his jacket. “I’ll get back to you