Hey everyone,
A huge thank you for sticking with me through this incredible journey! Writing this romance has been such a rewarding experience, and I truly hope itās been as thrilling for you to read as it was for me to create. At a point, I felt like giving up, but the passion and you guys kept me going, Iām grateful. Thereās been love, suspense, and plenty of drama to keep things interesting, and I loved every moment of putting it all together. This book started as a small idea with Russel and Allesia, then grew into these amazing characters that I hope to keep exploring with you all. Next month, weāll be starting another book with one of these characters (Havenāt decided who yet) and I hope youāll be there for it. If youāve enjoyed this ride, Iād be forever grateful if you could take a moment to vote and leave a glowing FIVE-STAR RATING. Itās not just for me, itās a chance to share the love with others who might not have discovered this story yet. Your rating can really help get this book into the hands of more readers. Also, Iāve got some exciting plans ahead, and Iāll be sharing details about my next book soon, so be sure to follow me on I.G for more. Donāt forget to let me know your favorite moments. Thanks again for all your support. Love you. šHey everyone, A huge thank you for sticking with me through this incredible journey! Writing this romance has been such a rewarding experience, and I truly hope itās been as thrilling for you to read as it was for me to create. At a point, I felt like giving up, but the passion and you guys kept me going, Iām grateful. Thereās been love, suspense, and plenty of drama to keep things interesting, and I loved every moment of putting it all together. This book started as a small idea with Russel and Allesia, then grew into these amazing characters that I hope to keep exploring with you all. Next month, weāll be starting another book with one of these characters (Havenāt decided who yet) and I hope youāll be there for it. If youāve enjoyed this ride, Iād be forever grateful if you could take a moment to vote and leave a glowing FIVE-STAR RATING. Itās not just for me, itās a chance to share the love with others who might not have discovered this story yet. Your rating can really h
STACY Six Weeks Later ā»ā¼ ⦠ā»ā¼ The drive from the airport to God-knows-where was as stressful as the one to the airport. Vincenzoās hand was on my thigh, warm, heavy, and impossible to ignore. I wasnāt sure if it was meant to comfort me or keep me from vanishing. Knowing him, it was probably both. āYouāre quiet,ā he said softly. āIām tired,ā I replied, leaning my head against the window. āAnd Iām trying to decide if I should nap or interrogate you.ā His lips quirked, but his eyes remained fixed ahead. āInterrogate me about what?ā āHyacinth,ā I said, shifting to face him. āWhat did you do with her?ā His head snapped towards me instantly. Even Vito, ever the unbothered, tensed up in his seat. āDonāt worry about it,ā Vincenzo said dismissively after a long look. āThatās not exactly informative,ā I shot back. āSheās not going to, I donāt know, haunt us, is she?ā His hand tightened on my thigh, a warning disguised as affection. āIf she does, itāll be your fault for asking too many
EPILOGUE Three Months Later ā»ā¼ ⦠ā»ā¼ One moment I was alone in the study, going over the endless list of things Vincenzo thought we should do before the wedding, and the next, someone was there, like a ghost from another world, watching me. I shouldāve known better than to expect peace. Between being a human and being a ghost, I was pretty sure Dante enjoyed the latter. He stood in the corner of the study now, his broad frame cloaked in silence, watching me with the calm intensity that made me want to cry out for Vincenzo. āSeriously?ā I hissed, slamming the ledger I was reviewing shut. āAre you trying to give me a heart attack?ā āKnocking is overrated,ā he said smoothly, readjusting his position. āDanteā¦ā I glanced at the door, my pulse picking up. Vincenzo was in the house, and while he wasnāt one to hover, he had a sixth sense for trouble. āYou canāt keep doing this.ā His lips curled into a faint smirk. āDoing what?ā āSneaking in here like some kind of ghost,ā I snapped, k
Chapter 115 Stacy ā»ā¼ ⦠ā»ā¼ āManuel!ā I shrieked, the weight in my chest momentarily lifting. I didnāt even wait for the car to stop completely before I threw the door open and bolted toward him where he was standing with Vito and a couple other guys I did not recognize. His head snapped up just in time for me to crash into him, throwing my arms around his neck. āWhat are you doing here?ā I squealed in excitement, my hands still tightly wrapped around him. Manuel stiffened, his arms hovering awkwardly for a moment before he finally hugged me back, though cautiously. āBoss Nikolaiās orders. Heās staying at Boss Russelās tonight, so we had to come.ā I pulled back slightly, my hands still gripping his shoulders, my grin so wide it hurt. āWhat about the others? Are the guys okay?ā āTheyāre all fine, Miss,ā he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. His eyes scanned my face, softening. āYou look⦠really good.ā I felt my cheeks heat at the compliment, but before I could res
Chapter 114 Stacyās POV ā»ā¼ ⦠ā»ā¼ Iād never felt smaller, yet somehow, every slight gaze in this room made me feel impossibly large. āVincenzo, you brought her here. Whatās your plan?ā The question made my stomach twist. Everyone at the table had gone into the kitchen for dessert, leaving just me, Vincenzo and Russel at the table. They were discussing business just minutes ago, and now, they were discussing me. I sank further into my chair, wishing I could disappear, but I kept my eyes down and my ears open. No weakness, no surrender. My father had taught me that much, even if everything else he taught me dug the shitpit I was currently swimming in. Vincenzo, however, looked utterly unbothered, leaning back in his chair to look at me like a king surveying his kingdom. āShe stays with me,ā he declared, his tone firm, final. Russel arched a brow, unimpressed. āStays with you? Care to elaborate, or are you just collecting strays now?ā Stray. My cheeks flushed hot, a mi
Chapter 113 Vincenzo ā»ā¼ ⦠ā»ā¼ Fucking family meetings. The words danced in my head as I adjusted my cuffs, stepping out of the car and into Russelās driveway. The whole fucking house was a fortress, just very fitting for my brother. Everything about Russel screamed control, even his damn lawn. Not a single blade of grass out of place. But as much as I hated these gatherings, tonight, I couldnāt afford to skip it. And so I brought my little mouse along. I glanced at her as she stood stiffly beside me, fingers fidgeting. Her usual fire was dim tonight, replaced by that gloomy look and the distant sadness in her eyes. āThis is Russelās place.ā . āGood thing your memory is still good.ā I placed a hand on the small of her back, steering her toward the door. She flinched at the contact but didnāt protest. That was new. We merely made it inside, when the sound of loud laughter buzzed, accompanied by the faint clinking of glasses. The scent of roasted meat and spices wafted through