Novels by lizzie rose

Aria’s POVThe first thing I became aware of was the pain.My wrists burned with a raw, stinging sensation that cut through the fog in my mind like a blade. The rope binding them was coarse and unforgiving, biting into my skin with every slight movement. My mouth felt dry and cottony, sealed shut by what I assumed was tape that pulled uncomfortably at my skin.Where am I?The question crashed through my consciousness as awareness returned in jagged fragments. The last thing I remembered was walking down that service corridor, looking for Damian, and then... nothing. Just darkness and the acrid smell of chemicals that had overwhelmed my senses.I forced my eyes open, blinking against the dim light that filtered through grimy windows. The space around me was cavernous and abandoned—a warehouse of some kind, with high ceilings and concrete floors stained with years of neglect. Broken machinery sat in rusted heaps along the walls, and the a

Damian’s POVThe gala was in full swing—Florence's elite mingling with carefully selected members of Italy's most powerful families, their conversations a delicate balance of social pleasantries and veiled business negotiations.But where the hell was Aria?I'd specifically instructed her to be my dance partner tonight, had watched her transformation from frightened girl to breathtaking woman in that white dress. The image of her amber eyes wide with a mixture of fear and defiance was burned into my memory from our encounter in the fitting room. She'd looked like an angel—albeit a terrified one—when I'd left her with the stylists.She wouldn't dare disobey me. Not after what I told her about the consequences of violating our contract."Damian, darling!"Adriana's voice cut through my thoughts like fingernails on glass. She materialized beside me with that practiced grace that had been drilled into her since childhood,

Aria's POVThe ride to the boutique district passed in suffocating silence. Damian sat beside me in the back of his sleek sedan, his presence radiating controlled fury that made the air feel thick and dangerous. I pressed myself against the far door, trying to create as much distance as possible between us, but in the confined space of the car, escape was impossible.Lorenzo drove with his usual professional efficiency, his eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror to check on his increasingly volatile boss. Even he seemed to sense the tension crackling through the vehicle like a live wire.When we finally stopped in front of Florence's most exclusive bridal and evening wear boutique, I felt my stomach drop. The pristine windows displayed gowns that looked like they belonged in fairy tales—each one undoubtedly costing more than most people's annual salaries."After you," Damian said with deadly politeness, holding the car door open with a gesture

Damian’s POVThe tedious ritual of escorting Adriana Montrosso through Florence's upscale shopping district had already tested my patience to its breaking point. For the past two hours, I'd endured her incessant chatter about fabric choices, jewelry selections, and the social significance of every detail for tonight's gala."The emerald necklace or the diamonds, Damian?" she asked for the third time, holding up two exquisite pieces that probably cost more than most people's annual salaries. "I want to look absolutely perfect tonight. After all, everyone will be watching us.""Either is fine," I replied curtly, checking my watch with deliberate obviousness. "We have other appointments to keep.""Oh, but this is so important," she purred, moving closer with that calculated grace that had probably charmed lesser men but left me cold. "Tonight marks the beginning of so many wonderful possibilities. Grandfather says you've been working too hard, that you need someone to help you appreciate

“You’re back already?” I asked Christian while I tried to read the look on his face. He seemed pissed.“Do you think this is normal?”I flinched and stared at him while he sat on the couch as if he had been waiting for me for hours.“Emmanuella, do you mind going upstairs for some bit?” Christian asked her as she immediately obeyed. I was in disbelief by his words but waited until Emmanuella was upstairs.“What?” I asked him, my ears must have deceived me. He was the one who had been lying to me, so how was I in the wrong?“This thing of yours, not picking up your phone, sneaking out— where were you? Let’s start with that.” He stood up from the couch and I immediately thought of Beau calling me a prisoner. Sneaking out the house? He was one to talk.“Excuse me?” I snickered, still trying to process his words but he appeared to be serious. “So I am not a prisoner, but you let people follow me outside and decide when it’s time for me to come home— is that it?”“I know you’ve been fuckin

All I ever wanted was a family, and that’s why I took a step back. Christian betrayed me, but I was not ready to let go of that small hope I had in building a family. I was not ready to let go of Christian. “I can’t.” I breathed.“So you’ll continue to live your life as a prisoner?” Beau asked with a disappointed look on his face.Chills left my body upon hearing those words. Prisoner? Did it not go a bit too far? Yes, Christian ordering everyone to report my every move was a bit annoying, him lying to me was unacceptable, but other than that it seemed fine— I’m sure there had to be an explanation for all of this. Everything Christian had done had always been in the baby’s best interest.He lied to me, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t fix this mistake.We had fixed our issues before, and we could do it again.“I’m not a prisoner.” I chuckled in disbelief— but the look on his face told me that he did not find this as funny as I did. “Once you’re in— you’re never fully getting out, you