LOGINElena’s POVThe moment Valerio said Italy, my chest tightened like someone had wrapped iron around my ribs.Tonight.That single word echoed in my head again and again. Tonight meant danger. Tonight meant war. Tonight meant the Russians were closer than anyone wanted to admit.I wanted to grab his hand. I wanted to beg him not to go. I wanted to scream that everything bad followed him wherever he stepped. But my mouth stayed sealed. Fear glued it shut.Brian stepped forward. Italy tonight? That is insane. You do not even know how deep this leak goes yet.Valerio did not look at him. I will know by the time I land.Sandra grabbed my arm. Elena do not let him leave like this. People do not just walk into Russian territory and come back breathing.Valerio finally turned his head. His gaze met mine again.I told you to go home he said quietly. This place is no longer safe for you.And you I asked softly my voice barely carrying. Are you safe anywhere?For the first time since I met him he
Chapter Ninety FourElena’s POVSophia’s lips trembled. Her mascara streaked down her cheeks. For the first time since I met her, she looked genuinely scared, as if she finally understood who she had provoked.I I did not mean she stuttered her voice cracking. Her eyes darted between Valerio and the police. I did not mean the car to hit the building. It got out of control. I panicked.Valerio did not blink. And.Sophia swallowed. Hard. I I was angry at her. I wanted to scare her a little. But I did not mean to hurt anyone. Please sir. Please I swear I did not.The policemen shifted uncomfortably. Even they could see the lie trembling under her words.Valerio stepped even closer. His shadow swallowed her again. He spoke slowly each word deliberate enough to peel her skin open.Say everything.Sophia burst into tears. Fine. Fine. Lucas said she needed a lesson. That she was ruining things. And the architect said she deserved punishment. And and I thought if I scared her she would just s
Chapter Ninety ThreeElena’s POVThe world was a blur of dust and broken wood when I opened my eyes again. My ears rang so loudly it felt like someone pressed metal against them. People were shouting. Someone was crying. Someone was calling my name. I tried to sit up but pain shot through my shoulder and I dropped back down with a gasp.What happened.The last thing I remembered was Sophia screaming outside, her car slamming into the half constructed wall, glass flying, then everything went dark.I blinked until shapes became clearer. Brian was on his knees beside me his hands shaking as he brushed dust from my face.Elena. Stay still. Do not move. You blacked out.His voice cracked at the end. Sandra hovered behind him breathing fast and wiping tears with the back of her hand.I pushed myself up slowly ignoring the burn in my ribs. Is anyone hurt.Brian nodded toward the workers who were being treated. Mostly bruises and cuts. No deaths. His voice softened. You scared me.I tried to
The hall was so bright and wide that Declan felt small just walking inside. A deep silence settled over the room as the elderly man with the golden embroidery lifted a hand, asking the guards to step aside. His voice had carried so firmly when he welcomed Declan that the words still echoed in Declan’s ears.Welcome the heir.Heir?He stood frozen, not sure whether to bow, kneel, or laugh out of confusion. His throat felt dry. His pulse raced. The man’s presence alone was enough to make his legs numb. A few of the guards wore swords…real swords with jeweled handles and all stared at him like he was something sacred.“Please,” the man said. “Come closer.”Declan forced his legs to move. He followed Ms. Sonia down the marble path until he stood just a few steps away from him. The old man studied his face slowly, almost tenderly, like he was trying to memorize him.“My name is His Royal Highness, Grandmaster Alexandra Knights” the man said. “And… I knew your grandmother well.”Declan sw
Chapter One Hundred And Two Elena’s POV I could still feel him. Even after he walked away, my skin buzzed like his fingers were still at my waist and my wrist still pinned above my head. The wall behind me held the ghost of his body. My heart beat too loud, too hard, like it wanted to jump straight out and throw itself at him. I pressed both palms flat against the cool plaster and took a long slow breath. Calm down. You are not a toy. You are not his. Yet my lips still tingled where his almost touched. Across the hall, workers pretended not to look. Nobody said anything, but I could feel their eyes sliding toward me and then away, like they had all seen enough to gossip about but not enough to risk their jobs. I straightened my dress and picked up the scattered papers from the floor. My fingers were shaking so badly my notes came out in squashed lines and messy dots. You are here to work, I whispered under my breath. Not to melt every time he breathes near you. I forced my
Chapter One Hundred And TwoElena’s POVI could still feel him.Even after he walked away, my skin buzzed like his fingers were still at my waist and my wrist still pinned above my head. The wall behind me held the ghost of his body. My heart beat too loud, too hard, like it wanted to jump straight out and throw itself at him.I pressed both palms flat against the cool plaster and took a long slow breath.Calm down.You are not a toy.You are not his.Yet my lips still tingled where his almost touched.Across the hall, workers pretended not to look. Nobody said anything, but I could feel their eyes sliding toward me and then away, like they had all seen enough to gossip about but not enough to risk their jobs.I straightened my dress and picked up the scattered papers from the floor. My fingers were shaking so badly my notes came out in squashed lines and messy dots.You are here to work, I whispered under my breath. Not to melt every time he breathes near you.I forced my legs to mov