The steady beep-beep of the heart monitor broke through the haze of Montez’s mind. His body felt heavy, stitched together with pain. His first conscious thought wasn’t of himself but of the name that left his lips in a rasp. “Amira…” His eyelids fluttered open. But instead of her face, instead of the warmth of her presence, he saw another. “Montez,” Rhea gasped, springing forward from the chair beside his bed. Relief flooded her features, though it carried something sharp beneath. Her manicured hand slid over his, clutching it like she had a right to. He groaned lowly as his chest flared with pain, his body instinctively jerking before she pressed him back gently. “Easy… easy,” she soothed, reaching behind to adjust the pillow and propping it against his back with careful hands. He grimaced, breath ragged, but forced himself to straighten against the cushion. His mi
The bathroom reeked faintly of bleach and floral air freshener. Rhea braced both palms against the sink, her knuckles white, her reflection pale beneath the harsh fluorescent lights. Her voice cut like a whip. “What the hell were you thinking?” There was a long pause on the other end. “Excuse me?” Her nails dug into porcelain. “Don’t play dumb with me, Nathan. Montez is lying in the ICU right now because of that bullet. You could’ve killed him.” “That was the point,” Nathan said flatly, his tone unnervingly casual. Her chest seized. “No! That was never the plan. We were supposed to break his relationship with Amira. Not put him in the ground before we even got what we wanted! What were you thinking? Are you out of your mind?” Silence stretched. Then came his stiff reply, words clipped like steel. “It wasn’t me. That was Alessandro’s order.” Her stomach dropped.
The shriek sliced through the sterile air. Amira could feel her heart thumping wildly in her chest as Rhea barreled forward, her heels clacking, face contorted in rage. She was literally raging in heels. Amira stumbled back against the bench, heart hammering. “Rhea—” “You don’t get to say my name!” Rhea snarled, launching herself forward, hands outstretched like claws ready to rip flesh. But before she could reach her, Enzo’s tall frame cut between them. He cautiously shoved Rhea back with one arm, his other hand steadying Amira. “Enough!” Enzo barked, his voice sharp as a gunshot. “She did this!” Rhea spat, pointing a trembling finger at Amira, who had her eyes wide in confusion. “What the hell did you do to him?” “I didn’t—” Amira’s voice cracked, but she straightened her spine, forcing steel into her tone. “I didn’t do anything. I was there when it happened! He shie
The night felt unreal. The restaurant’s golden glow had been replaced by glaring red sirens. Montez lay slumped across the back seat of Enzo’s car, his head pressed against Amira’s lap as she tried to stanch the flow of blood with trembling hands. Every bump in the road jolted his body, forcing fresh crimson through her fingers. “Hold on,” she whispered fiercely, as though her words alone could anchor him. “Don’t you dare leave me, Montez. I’m the only one allowed to kill you!”  
Montez stood at the marble banister outside his Mansion, the city skyline glittering behind him like shards of broken glass. His hand rested casually on the rail, but his eyes, ever so sharp, predatory, and restless, kept flicking to the doors. Waiting for her. The thought made the corner of his mouth twitch upward. Amira Santis, the woman who swore she hated him, the woman who looked at him like he was the beast in her nightmares, was about to step into his world willingly. Tonight, she would sit across from him, not as an enemy, not as a pawn, but as his date. &n
At the Office, the skyscraper felt colder than usual. Employees kept their heads down, stealing glances at her as if wondering how long she would last at Montez De Vitalio’s side. And as the day wore on, she realized she didn’t see him. Not once. His absence gnawed at her more than she cared to admit. The whole day passed in the quiet monotony of the paperwork he had assigned her. From pages of contracts, figures, and legal jargon. Her pen scratched mechanically across the forms, but her thoughts wandered.