LOGINJOVAN'S POVLorenzo got the phone with Leilani and I sat there anxiously waiting for what he'd found out.Earlier on, we'd received a call from Marcus who told us that Leilani was actively working with Jovani and he'd seen her walk out of the hotel where Jovani was currently staying at.“What did she say?” I asked anxiously.“Exactly what Marcus told me.” He dropped the phone on the glass center table. “She's helping Jovani but she claims that her mother is down with stage four “cancer”.”I pushed off the desk. That was a big fat lie. A person who'd requested offshore accounts would certainly not be poor right? She had moved millions so her mother's treatment was certainly a piece of cake.“She's lying,” I pointed out and Lorenzo nodded in agreement. “ She's helping him just to get back at me. What do we do now?”“Nothing,” Lorenzo adjusted himself on the sofa. His arm was still bandaged but we planned on seeing the doctor later in the day.I stared at him, confused. “What do you mean
LEILANI'S POVI was a terrible person and I'd known it for months since the moment Jovani Hart slid an envelope across the table and said: "A million dollars. A million dollars when I have what I need. All you have to do is be her friend."I'd taken the money of course not that I didn't have it but because it had something to do with hurting Jovan and dealing with Lorenzo, my two enemies.But knowing you're terrible and feeling terrible are different things and watching Donatella smile at me—genuine, warm, trusting—while I fed her information to the man trying to destroy her brother's boyfriend made me feel like absolute shit.I was at my apartment, holding a champagne flute when a message came in from Jovani.“I need updates now.”I typed back: She's going to dinner with you tomorrow by 7 PM. She's suspicious but intrigued so you need to keep being charming.“And the brother?”“He's still in hiding with Jovan which I'm pretty sure you already know about.” I took a sip from my glass.
JOVAN'S POVWalking into my office two weeks after disappearing felt surreal and it felt good to be in a new space.Marcus flanked me on one side, Lorenzo on the other. Both of them scan for threats and are ready to kill anyone who looked at me wrong.Security theater but necessary.Marie looked up when I walked in. Her expression—relief mixed with confusion mixed with something I couldn't name—told me everything I needed to know."Mr. Rosfrith." She stood, then smoothed her skirt. "I wasn't expecting you this early. I was just about to send those files—""Don't." The word came out sharper than I meant. "Don't send anything to anyone, not even if someone who looks exactly like me asks for it."She blinked. "I'm sorry?""The person who was here yesterday. That wasn't me.""But—" She stopped, then looked at me like I'd grown a second head. "Mr. Rosfrith, I don't understand. You were here and you asked for the quarterly reports. The board member files. You said you needed them for the au
JOVAN'S POVThe cabin was supposed to be safenthat's what Lorenzo kept saying. "No one knows about this place. It's just us and Marcus. We can breathe here."It was 2 AM when I heard movement from outside the cabin. Footsteps? Maybe or my imagination. Or—I sat up in bed, heart pounding hard against my chest while I listened. I heard movement again and it was definitely close to the cabin."Lorenzo." I shook him and he murmured something before turning the other way. "Lorenzo, wake up."“W…what is it?” He said sleepily“There's somebody outside.” I whispered and he was up instantly.“Are you sure?” He asked, already reaching for the gun on the nightstand. Years of living dangerously had trained him well. "What's wrong?"I nodded. "Outside. I heard something. Someone's out there.""Stay here." He threw the covers off but I caught hold of his wrist."Like hell I'm staying here alone—""Jovan—""No. We go together or we don't go at all. I'm not sitting in this room waiting to find out if
DONATELLA'S POVThe gallery was dead on Tuesday afternoons which was fine because it gave me time to actually curate instead of schmoozing with collectors who thought knowing three artists' names made them experts.I was reorganizing the contemporary section when Leilani appeared again for the third time this week with that look she got when she was about to meddle."So," she said, leaning against a display case. "Has he called?" She raised her brows."Who?" I feigned ignorance like I didn't know who she was referring to."Julian.” She rolled her eyes. “The hot British guy from the cafe. The one who looked exactly like—" She stopped then frowned. "I still can't place it but he looked like someone I'm supposed to know.""He hasn't called yet.” Not like I wanted him to call in any way. “It's only been a day.""A day is long enough.” Leilani retorted. “If he's interested, he calls. If he's not, he doesn't. This is dating 101."Yeah, the same dating 101 that almost ruined my life the las
LORENZO'S POVThe call from Jovani ended and I stood there holding Jovan's phone like it was a live grenade.Jovan was pressed against the counter, his face white and he was looking like he wanted to disappear into the floor."He knows where we are," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He knows—""He knows nothing." I moved over and pulled him close. "He's guessing and just throwing darts hoping one hits.""Lorenzo, he gave the address—""Which he could have gotten from dozens of sources, property records, surveillance or Informants. It doesn't mean he can get to us. This place is secure with cameras, guards and biometric locks. He'd need an army to get through.""He has an army. He has—" Jovan pulled away then started pacing. "He's been planning this for fifteen years. Fifteen years, Lorenzo. While I was building my company, living my life, he was plotting and becoming whatever he is now. I didn't even know he was alive.""That's not your fault." I tried to hold him but he sh
LORENZO'S POVI sat at my desk staring at the box for fifteen minutes before Marcus arrived. I didn't even move it, I just sat there staring at it with the knowledge that Jovan thought I'd done this burning a hole through my chest.I heard footsteps approaching the study and the door opened. Marcus
JOVAN'S POVI woke up in Lorenzo's bed for the second time. The first time had been last night—passing out after sex, too exhausted to move. The second time was now, morning light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Lorenzo's arm heavy across my waist.Maybe I should have panicked a lit
ETHAN'S POVThe wound in my side was still bleeding not too much but it still made the bandage warm and wet under my shirt.It was a reminder that I'd barely survived the warehouse, that the trap I'd set for Lorenzo had backfired spectacularly, that I should be in a hospital instead of standing out
Jovan's POVThis kiss was slower and deeper. He walked me backward until my spine hit the wall, his body pinning me there, all that controlled strength pressed against me.I bit his bottom lip. He groaned, deep and rough, the sound going straight to my cock."Bedroom," he muttered against my mouth.







