Chapter: CHAPTER 17GIANNA The voice slithered down my spine before I could think of turning. “You like what you see?” My breath snagged. For a heartbeat, I prayed, thinking I’d imagined it. But no—heat was pressed into my back, unmistakable, suffocating. Why is he here? Of all places? Don’t be stupid, Gianna. This is his club. Of course, he’s here. Oh God—what if he heard me whisper his name? My lips still tingled with the memory. I squeezed my eyes shut, in a desperate plea, silently begging the universe to take it back. Slowly, I turned my head, like a prey caught in a hunter’s gaze. And there he was. Enzo Moretti. The man I couldn’t escape, no matter how many walls I built. It had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d last seen him, and still he looked devastatingly good. Dark suit molded to his broad shoulders, shirt undone at the throat, the edge of a tattoo crawling across his chest like a secret I once knew. His eyes carried shadows. Hungry shadows that dem
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 16 GIANNA I stood in front of the club, contemplating whether I should call an uber or just swallow my pride and find out what Enzo wanted. After the way he night’s events between us, I wasn’t expecting him to want to see my face. Lord knows how much I don’t want to be here. But here I was anyway. It took a lot of convincing from Aria before I got into the car he sent to pick me up. And besides, I had something important to talk to him about. So why not kill two birds with one stone? I sat at the bar, as instructed by one of the bodyguards stationed at the entrance of the club, while I waited for Enzo. “Hello, ma’am, what would you like?” The tattooed bartender with long blond hair brushing his shoulders asked. I don’t know if I’m meant to be drinking, especially here. But who cares, anyway? I gave him a small smile. “I’ll get a glass of martini, please.” “That’s a great choice.” He winked at me as he flipped his hair back. “Your drink will be ready in a bit.”
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 15ENZO “Boom!” The sound of my gun echoed through the club's basement. The bastard who’d been helping Paulo thought confessing would save him. Thought telling me the truth meant mercy. He was wrong. I’d walked out of the club last night with the intention of letting him live, but after the night’s event, my hands needed blood. So I came back and handled it in the only way I knew how to. I’d made promises to myself the day Gianna walked through her father’s door. Promise I already doubted I could keep. And tonight, I almost crossed a line I swore I wouldn’t. But I won’t let myself become bait to the madness she stirs inside my head. I saw the way her gaze lingered on me. I’m not blind. Hunger burned in her eyes—hunger she tried and failed to hide. God help me, if I hadn’t scared her off, I might’ve given in. I might’ve shown her exactly what those thoughts could cost her. I can’t wrap my head around how much she gets under my skin. I left my house for two bloody week
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 14 GIANNA His grip on my cheeks grew warm as the thought of him claiming my lips was the only thing I could picture. Heat pooled low in my stomach just thinking about him, about the way his touch had once pulled something raw and reckless out of me I hadn’t even known existed. And God, I wanted more. I wanted him to remind me of everything my body had been missing for those years I denied myself something good. The grip on my face loosened, making the cool air of the night slap across my face. “Go to your room.” I licked my dry lips. “What?” “I said. Go. Into. Your. Room.” He strained out the words through clenched teeth, his voice rough with barely contained rage. I was lost. Confused even. Why is he chasing me away all of a sudden? Did he read every single thought that was going on in my head? “Gianna, I wouldn’t like it if I repeated myself for the third time.” He said, taking his hand through his hair as if it was taking him everything to be patient with
Last Updated: 2025-08-28
Chapter: CHAPTER 13GIANNA I was glued to my spot, not knowing what to say or do. He looked at me so intensely that the air around us seemed to press in on me. My body betrayed me. I stepped forward, closing the space, until we stood face to face. He did nothing. Said nothing. All he did was hold my gaze, and the weight of it sent a shiver rolling through me. But I could feel the way his eyes keep screaming out words we’ve quietly promised ourselves not to spill out. His eyes weren’t just boring into mine, they stripped me, pulled me apart piece by piece until I was raw, restless and trembling. My pulse kicked up so hard it felt like my heart was about to spill out from its rib cage. My mind betrayed me, running wild with dangerous thoughts. I could see him lifting me with one easy motion, setting me on the kitchen island, his mouth calming down on mine before I could protest. I could see him dragging me close, sinking to his knees, and forcing me to beg for a release. I could e
Last Updated: 2025-08-26
Chapter: CHAPTER 12GIANNA It’s been two weeks since that disastrous dinner, two weeks since I last saw Enzo. The night ended with sharp words between him and his son. Aria said not to worry, said he was just busy with work, but silence felt heavier than that. And for Matteo… I’m not even sure where we stand. Aria said he’s not in the right headspace and that he’ll eventually come around, but if I’m being honest, a small part of me has already begun to lose hope. Aria has been there for me, making sure whatever wounds I felt never cut deep enough to leave scars laced with unforgettable memories. We’ve become so close in the past few days, sharing late-night conversations over tea and trading quite a few childhood memories we’d never say out loud to anyone. We have two months and a week left until the wedding, and Enzo still hasn’t said anything about postponing or canceling it. He remains persistent, as if nothing has happened. I hate to admit it, but I’ve also settled in better th
Last Updated: 2025-08-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 24LILLIAN Stepping out of Ronan’s office, I immediately sank into one of the waiting chairs, pressing my trembling palms against my thighs. My chest rose and fell in uneven bursts, as if I had just run a marathon instead of nearly letting my counselor devour me on his desk. Trying to calm the rapid beat of my heart before Joe came in. The click of a keyboard pulled my attention, and my eyes met with that of Ronan’s assistant. She was staring. Not just the casual glance of someone curious about a client—no, her eyes were sharper, probing, like she knew exactly what I had been doing behind that closed door. Does she know? Does she see the way my fingers are trembling, or the way I look out of place? Maybe she’s used to this, married women running out of Ronan Carter’s office, clutching their shame like I’m doing right now. I quickly dropped my gaze to my hands, which wouldn’t stop fidgeting in my lap. The elevator dinged, and before I could gather myself, Joe stepped out
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 23LILLIAN ~THURSDAY~ I looked at the time, 1:30 am, almost twelve. I’d been sitting in my office for the past three hours, fighting with the part of me that wants to go to Ronan’s office. And after all those hours, that part of me won. The guilt should’ve weighed heavier than it did. Instead, I shoved everything work-related aside, packed my things together, and walked out of my office before that reasonable part of me could catch up. On my way out, I spotted Whitney talking with one of our interns, her posture sharp as always as she listened to him. “Hey, Whitney.” My voice was too tight. “Can I talk to you for a second?” “Sure, ma’am. What is it?” “I want you to cancel every appointment I have for the day.” Her eyes widened. “But, ma’am, we have Rushka Gonzala coming in for a fitting.” She scrolled quickly through the office iPad. “You want me to cancel her, too?” “Yes,” I said without hesitation. My chest was burning, but my face stayed cool. “Tell he
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 22LILLIAN I stepped outside, reading the note for the third time while I waited for Joe to bring the car around. YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL IN THIS DRESS. The words made my stomach churn. My thumb brushed over the neat, bold handwriting like I could erase the heat it left on my skin. “Who’s that from?” I startled, jerking my head up to meet Joe’s curious eyes. Wait. Did he just ask me that? Which means the bouquet was not from him. “It came from the restaurant,” I lied smoothly, the words rolling off my tongue like they’d been waiting there. “The receptionist said it’s a compliment from them.” Joe narrowed his eyes, suspicion flashing for a second before he forced a smile. “It looks lovely. Are you ready?” “Uhm… yeah, I am.” My gaze flicked around the street, pretending to check if I forgot something, when really I just needed a second to steady the frantic beat of my pulse. He guided me through the small of my back, his touch firm but impersonal, and I slid int
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 21LILLIAN Oh my God. What’s he doing here? I can’t seem to get a break anymore. It's like he’s hunting me, showing up to places I shouldn’t see him. It’s becoming scary… and intoxicating. It took everything in me not to close my eyes and breathe him in. That musky scent of his wrapped around me like a cloud I didn’t want to escape from as he reached our table. My pulse quickened, traitorously, even as I tried to keep my face neutral. “Dr. Carter. What a surprise to see you here.” Joe’s voice was too smooth, too cheerful. “Likewise.” Ronan’s reply was clipped, his gaze locked on me while I tried to look anywhere but into those eyes. “Your lovely wife here mentioned you were out of town.” “Yeah, I was.” Joe’s hand slid over mine on the table, possessive, heavy. “Came back not long ago. Lillian thought dinner would be good.” I swallowed hard. Why is he lying? Why would he lie about something so small? Ronan finally dragged his gaze away from my burning face and foc
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 20LILLIAN “Hello, father.” He lifted his eyes from his phone, his glasses balanced on the bridge of his nose like they’d been there for decades. His face was carved into that same stern expression he always wears when I’m around, like I’m already a disappointment and I haven’t opened my mouth yet. “Lillian.” His tone was clipped, his voice a sharp edge. “Have a seat.” I lowered myself into the chair across from him. A bottle of water sat on the table, condensation sliding down its side, showing that he’d been sitting there for a while. “I didn’t know what you wanted, so I got us both a glass of water.” He set his phone down with calculated care. “That’s the menu. You can order whatever you want.” “Thank you, father.” My eyes dart everywhere but his face. “I’ll order when we’re done.” “Haven’t I taught you confidence? Or have I failed as a father?” My head snapped toward him, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Father?” “You see?” He gestured at me with disdain, like
Last Updated: 2025-09-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 19LILLIAN Well, I guess I’m officially the crazy one. Because here I am, standing in his office building, palms sweaty, heart thundering as if it’s trying to rip out of my chest. What the hell am I doing here? “Hello, ma’am.” I snapped my head toward the receptionist’s desk. She had a practiced smile, her ginger hair tucked neatly behind her ears. “Hello,” I replied, forcing calm into my voice. My eyes flicked down to her name tag. “Jane. Is Mr. Carter in?” “Yes, he’s in.” “Uhm…” My throat bobbed. “I didn’t book an appointment, so I don’t know if he’s free.” “Oh, that’s no problem.” She tapped across her keyboard, her nails clicking lightly. “Let me check his schedule. And—yes—he’s free for the next two hours.” Two hours. God, what am I doing? “Alright. Thank you,” I murmured. My heels clicked against the floor as I walked toward his door. I rubbed my damp palms against my pleated skirt, trying to dry them, as if that would erase my nerves. I kno
Last Updated: 2025-09-21
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