INICIAR SESIÓNJovan's POVThe next morning was just as beautiful as the other days. We started the day withan argument about olive oil."This one," I said, holding up a small bottle from the market stall."That one's for cooking. We want the cold press." Lorenzo reached past me and grabbed a different bottle. "This one.""They look identical." I pointed at both of them. “Even a blind person can s"They're not identical. Look at the label. See the difference?""I see two bottles of olive oil.""Jovan." He said my name like I was testing him. "One is cold pressed. One is refined. They're completely different products.""It's oil and guess where they're from? Olives. So I don't understand why this requires a debate.""Because we're cooking tonight and it matters."We'd decided on our last full day to skip the restaurants. It was good to eat healthy so we decided to cook in the villa instead. Elena had given me three recipes before we left her house after dinner, handwritten on paper torn from a noteb
Lorenzo's POVDays into our stay in Santorini and I was finally sleeping through the night.We ate breakfast on the terrace, exploring during the day, making love as the sun set, falling asleep tangled together.So of course something had to ruin it.We were at a local taverna, that most tourists didn't come to because everyone preferred the eye catching spots. There were small tables, locals laughing over wine, the smell of grilled octopus and lemon. Jovan was telling me some story about his college roommate, that was when I saw him.There was a man at the bar with dark hair, broad shoulders and a scar running down his left cheek.My blood went cold.Riff. He was one of Sergei's lieutenants. I'd seen him exactly once, three months ago, standing behind Sergei in my office when the Russian had delivered his threat.What the fuck was he doing here?"Lorenzo?" Jovan's hand touched mine. "You okay?""Fine." I couldn't stop staring at the man. He hadn't looked our way."You went completel
Jovan's POVThe next morning, I woke up to Lorenzo kissing my shoulder."Morning," he murmured against my skin."Morning." I stretched, feeling actually rested for the first time in days. "What time is it?""Eight, but I've been awake for an hour planning our day." He kissed me on the neck."Oh?" I turned to face him. His eyes were clearer than they'd been since we arrived. "What kind of planning?""The fun kind. Remember? We promised." He sat up, and I noticed he was already dressed. "So get up. We have a perfect day to have.""A perfect day?""A fun day." He pulled me out of bed. "Starting now."Twenty minutes later, we were on rented scooters heading down winding roads toward the coast."You know how to drive this thing?" I shouted over the wind."How hard can it be?" Lorenzo grinned back at me, and my heart fluttered.TThis was what I'd been missing. The reckless, happy and young version of him.We rode down to a beach the villa owner had recommended—not the touristy ones, but a s
Lorenzo's POVLater that night, I stood on the terrace at 2 AM, glass of wine in hand, watching the moonlight paint silver across the Aegean. Behind me, through the open doors, I could hear Jovan's steady breathing.He could sleep now. After a week here, the nightmares had stopped for him.Mine were just getting worse."You're doing it again."I didn't turn around. "Doing what?""Brooding alone in the dark instead of waking me up." Jovan's arms wrapped around me from behind, his chest warm against my back. "How long have you been out here?""An hour, maybe two.""Nightmare?""The warehouse again." I took a drink. "Except this time Sergei was there. He was laughing and telling me I couldn't save anyone. That everything I touched turned to ash."Jovan was quiet for a moment. Then he took the wine glass from my hand, set it down, and turned me to face him."Talk to me when I ask if you're okay.""Jovan—""We came here to heal, Lorenzo. But you can't heal if you won't let it out." His han
Jovan's POVI woke to sunlight streaming through white curtains and the sound of waves crashing against cliffs somewhere below us.For a moment, I didn't remember where I was then it came back. We were in Santorini, Greece for our vacation.One month of nothing but this.I turned my head and my breath caught.Lorenzo was still asleep beside me, his face turned toward the window. His dark hair was tousled, falling across his forehead in a way it never did when he was awake.I'd seen Lorenzo in a thousand different states—dangerous, commanding, passionate, broken. But I'd never seen him like this.I couldn't help myself.I leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his temple. His eyes fluttered open, confused for half a second before focusing on me then he smiled."Morning," he mumbled, his voice rough with sleep."Morning." I kissed him again, this time on the lips. "You were sleeping so peacefully I almost didn't wake you.""Almost?""I got greedy." I ran my fingers through his messy hai
Lorenzo's POVNight……The warehouse was engulfed in flames by the time I brought the car to a screeching halt.I could see Donatella through the flames, holding Jovani as he bled out. She was screaming my name but I couldn't reach her. Every step I took, the fire grew higher, hotter, until—I woke up gasping, drenched in sweat.Jovan stirred beside me. "Lorenzo?""I'm fine." I looked around disoriented until it dawned on me that I was in bed with Jovan."You're not fine." He sat up, his hand finding mine in the dark. "You're shaking.”I was. My whole body was trembling like I'd been thrown into ice water."Talk to me," Jovan said softly."It was the warehouse again. I saw the fire. Donatella was there and she was holding Jovani." I rubbed my face. "It's always the same. I can see them but I can't reach them."He pulled me against his chest and I let myself be held."It's been three months," I sniffed. "Why can't I let it go?""Because you're human.” He ran his fingers through my hair.
JOVAN'S POVThe next morning was a much more pleasant one than yesterday but I needed something from Lorenzo."I need my phone back." I said the moment I stepped into the room.Lorenzo looked up from his coffee. "Good morning to you too.""Good morning. I need my phone back and my laptop.""You hav
JOVAN'S POVThe next morning, I was up before Lorenzo rolled out of bed. He had his stylist bring in three piece suits and shoes that were a perfect fit.“Don't forget our deal,” Lorenzo stood on the porch,coffee in his hand while he watched me hop into the car.“Yes, Mr Lorenzo.” I yelled as I dro
DONATELLA'S POVLorenzo looked terrible.Not visibly terrible because Lorenzo never visibly looked at anything, that was the whole problem with him, but I had been his sister for thirty four years and I knew the specific quality of his controlled surface when something was sitting underneath it and
LORENZO'S POVJovan sat there looking at the table. "I don't remember," he said again."I know," I said."I should remember if I have family. I should know that. Why don't I know that?""We'll figure it out," I patted him on the shoulder. "We'll find out who Vael is. We'll find out if they're conne







