Novels by P.D.Peace

Nyla's POV “Keep driving,” I murmured, my gaze still fixed on the rearview mirror.He didn’t even need to look long. “That’s not one of ours,” he said, his voice low and firm.“They could be police,” I muttered.Matteo shook his head. “No badge drives like that. Rival crew. I’ve seen that car before,” he frowned. Of course, why didn't I think of it? Being tied to the Valenti name, even if only for a week before the wedding, has made me a target. Every enemy of theirs would definitely see me as an easy way to make a point.But how did the rumor go so fast? I only arrived today.The sedan’s headlights suddenly brightened. They were closing in.“Lose them,” I said to Matteo tightly.Matteo swerved off the main road, taking a sharp right into a narrower street. Neon signs from closed shops flashed across the wet asphalt, and puddles reflected the city lights like broken glass. But the sedan stayed with us, shadowing every turn we made.“They’re not giving up,” Matteo said in a panic, gl

Nyla's POV “Ms. Caruso!” A man in his late sixties or so exclaimed the moment I stepped out of the vehicle; behind him were staff dressed in uniform as they proceeded to take my luggage inside the mansion.“Mr. Valenti,” I forced a smile, one that didn't meet my eyes, as I stretched out my hands for a handshake.“You are even prettier than the rumors said.” He laughed heartily, and for a minute, I started questioning myself. Was this actually the same man that murdered my family in cold blood? I guess everyone wears a mask that fits properly, and this wasn't an exception.“You are too kind, Mr. Valenti.” I forced a smile as we walked side by side towards the living room.The hallway leading to the living room was silent with heavy air. Burgundy velvet curtains hung high over windows, thick enough to block out more than light. A Persian rug ran the length of the floor, its deep reds and golds swallowing our footsteps as we walked. Golden sconces cast long shadows that moved with us.

Chapter 6Nyla’s POV“Mom, when will I be seeing you again?” Alex asked with a tiny pout that left my heart in a pickle, the only good thing that night had left me with. His voice was soft and hopeful and far too trusting for the kind of life I had dragged him into simply by just being his mother.I knelt down to his height; his curly hair was neatly tied into a little bun. Sometimes people did mistake him for a girl, and a small part of me loved it.The only mistake I would gladly make again and again would be him. My light in a world that had brought nothing but shadows, gunpowder, and blood.“You’ll see me soon, sweetheart,” I whispered slowly with a small smile, brushing my thumb across his cheek. The lie stings my tongue, but what else could I give him? He was far too young to understand why Mummy couldn’t stay.The countryside air smelled peaceful and softer, and I felt the courage to leave him here.“Miss Silver?” a hesitant voice called from behind me. I turned to see her, the

Luca's POVFour years laterIf anyone had told me four years ago that a single night would still haunt me like this, I would have laughed and lit a cigar over it.But here I was.CEO of Valenti Empire,at least the version of it the world was allowed to see, not what was underneath the tailored suits, private boardrooms, and skyscraper glass, the real business that ran on blood, silence, and leverage.And yet, she still lived somewhere at the back of my mind. Not her name which I never got but the way she looked at me that night. Like I was the last good thing in a world that had betrayed and forsaken her.Then she was gone. Vanish completely from the surface of the earth. I had my men look into every corner of Ironvale both near and far away but she was never found, not even a strain of her hair.I never stopped looking, not once."Sir, the investors from Berlin are on line two," Carmine, my head of finance, called as I walked into the executive suite."Tell them I’m ten minutes beh

Nyla's POVI stiffened in confusion, frozen between flight and collapse.“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low but steadyI kept mute,He sighed, scanning through the street. “Come with me, You look like you need... a second to breathe.”I should have said no,I should have run but I didn't,instead I followed him like a lost puppy looking for its owner.~~~The hotel room smelled like lemon soap mixed with freshly peeled apples. The room was dim and quiet.He booked a room,paid in cash and fortunately nobody asked who we were. Neither of us asked.I cleaned up in the bathroom,trying to scrub away the dried scent of blood, the sweat, the ash of everything I had lost. When I came out, he was waiting with two little glass cups filled with cheap whiskey from the minibar.He didn't utter a word but simply handed me one of the glasses.I stared at it for a second, hesitating. What if it is actually poison?.I took it after taking a deep long breath.We clinked glasses, I drank mine too

Nyla POV I took one shaky footstep back and dropped to the floor, my legs unable to hold my weight beneath me.Then it came,the loud scream.Sharp, heartbreaking,piercing and rawly painful.It tore through the hallway like a very sharp blade, and I immediately knew who that voice belonged to. It was Isla!.I sprang up,my body reacting even before my brain did. Every nerve screaming, every instinct telling me to run very far but my heart kept dragging me forward. I ran towards the dining room,my dress catching on my heels which were clicking hard onto the marble floor.No no no it can't be what I'm thinking,my mind refusing to process what I already knew deep down.The moment I stepped past the arched doorway, the world shattered before me.Gunshots.The room was in a mess of screams and broken glass. Plates shattered, chairs knocked over, blood soaking the silk tablecloths.The violins were silent now,the strings were sliced cut, their players laid dead on the floor covered in blood