(VINCENZO'S POV) “He’s what?!” I flung my head to Scott's direction, wondering if I misheard anything The afternoon light filtering through the venetian blinds and casting harsh shadows across his weathered face. He adjusted the tablet on his hand as he glanced at it to avoid my blazing eyes. I wondered what he is up to that he had to take it out of this country? "Niccolò's making his move in Italy, sir" Scott repeated, his voice low and measured. "He planned to follow the routes through Naples, but since it's been compromised, he redirected to go through Sicily."I nodded, already calculating everything in my head. "Timeline?""Last night." Scott's eyes met mine. "I have no idea what he's up to but it looks like he's getting desperate, sir."I know what he is up to and I need to put an end to it before he takes off“There are news that reached us on the remaining families. They are also heading to Italy”A bitter scoff escaped from my lips. "Reach out to the Accardis and Pescis
(NICCOLÒ'S POV) I paced the length of my study, ice rattling in my glass as the memory gnawed at me like a persistent itch. Two days had passed since the stranger emerged from the shadows, and his words still echoed in my head.“I have Information that I'm sure will benefit you.” He saidThe amber liquid burned down my throat as I replayed that night, reminding myself of details I might have missed.I remembered it so clearly. The alley behind Romano's restaurant had been empty except for the stray cats picking through garbage. I'd finished my meeting with the Calabrians, one of my family's many rivals and was walking to my car when footsteps echoed behind me."Niccolò Lombardo?"I spun around, my hand instinctively reaching for the Glock tucked beneath my jacket. A man stepped out of the shadows, medium height, dark hair, wearing an expensive suit that didn't quite hide the nervous energy radiating from him."Who the fuck are you?""My name is Leo Castellano." He raised his hand
(VINCENZO'S POV) The ice cubes clinked against my glass as I swirled the whiskey, my eyes fixed on the security monitors lining my office wall. Three weeks had passed since I'd seen Leo skulking around the archive room, and his absence gnawed at me like a splinter under the skin."Sir?" one of my guards voice crackled through the intercom."Send him in."The door opened, and a thin man in a worn baseball cap shuffled inside. My informant. "Found something?"He pulled out a crumpled notebook, his hands trembling slightly. "Been watching that Leo guy like you asked. He's been meeting someone regular-like."I leaned forward. "Where?""Near a cafe." Tony's adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "At a clustered space."My fingers drummed against the desk. “Go on” “He hands whoever a brown envelope every time they meet” Brown envelopes meant money or information, neither of which Leo should be giving to strangers."Keep watching until you found new information."He nodded quickly and sc
(VINCENZO'S POV) "Excellent," Matthias clapped his hands together. He turned to Mr. Skawilliam who nodded “Guess it is settled then” he called on his assistant "Yves, you will handle the business preliminaries with his assistant” he pointed to Scott, “while we enjoy the afternoon. I find that the best deals are made when people are relaxed and comfortable."As we walked toward the stables, I placed my hand on the small of Marianna's back, feeling her subtle shiver at the contact. She might be keeping me at arm's length, but her body still responded to my touch. That was something, at least."You realize I haven't ridden in years," she murmured as we approached the horses."Like riding a bicycle," I replied, though I was already planning to stay close enough to catch her if she fell. Some protective instincts ran deeper than our current standoff."Somehow I doubt that," she said, but there was a hint of excitement in her voice that she couldn't quite hide.The stable master, a weat
(VINCENZO'S POV) I leaned back in my chair as Scott finished reading through my schedule. "Cancel everything for today. Make them virtual meetings instead, and have Anna send all work through email."Scott's pen scratched across his notepad. "What about your meeting with Matthias Kessler on Thursday?"I stood and walked to my coffee machine, the familiar ritual calming my restless energy. "That stays. He's too important a client, and Marianna needs to be there."The rich aroma filled my office as I moved to the window, coffee in hand. That's when I saw her, Marianna walking toward her car, every inch of skin covered despite the warm weather.I couldn't help the scoff that escaped me. "Suffering in that heat when she could just stay inside," I muttered, though the grin spreading across my face betrayed my satisfaction. My handiwork was clearly still visible beneath all those layers."Where's she going?" I asked."To work, sir.""Speaking of work, when do you think I should begin the t
(MARIANNA'S POV) Vin's lips crashed against mine in a bruising kiss, his tongue plundering my mouth as he claimed me thoroughly. I tried pulling away but that only intensified the kiss which made me dizzy with this new sensation that washed over me. I moaned into the kiss as my body quivered to his roaming hands, leaving me trembling with need. He broke away, his intense gaze raking over my form. "You're exquisite," he growled, trailing a finger down my stomach. "I'm going to utterly ruin you for anyone else." I shuddered at his dark promise, a thrill of fear and excitement racing through me. One of his hands was busy undressing the top layer of my cloth while the other fisted in my hair, tightening in a pleasurable way as I let out a wanton moan in response These feelings sent shivers down my spine and even when I squeezed my eyes shut, it only heightened my sense of touch, and taste. It was as though he was trying to suck the life out of me, as though he was scared I wo