Hey, Readers!
First off, a huge thank you for sticking with this book to this point. Yâall are the real MVPs. So, this is an edit of my original noteâhad to toss that one out because, well, that deserved a fresh update! Oh, and guess what? The system got some much-needed upgrades, and I got a new editor. Growth, baby! To everyone who dropped comments and supportâyou rock! And to those who left mean comments⊠I see you. I appreciate constructive criticism, but if itâs just negativity for the sake of it, well, my skin is thick, and your words donât ruffle a single feather. Hereâs your friendly reminder to be kindâor at least be creative with your insults. Now, go on and indulge in this deliciously sinful story! And when youâre done, proceed to the next book in this series, itâs up! Love you! đHey everyone, A huge thank you for sticking with me through this incredible journey! Writing this romance has been such a rewarding experience, and I truly hope itâs been as thrilling for you to read as it was for me to create. At a point, I felt like giving up, but the passion and you guys kept me going, Iâm grateful. Thereâs been love, suspense, and plenty of drama to keep things interesting, and I loved every moment of putting it all together. This book started as a small idea with Russel and Allesia, then grew into these amazing characters that I hope to keep exploring with you all. Next month, weâll be starting another book with one of these characters (Havenât decided who yet) and I hope youâll be there for it. If youâve enjoyed this ride, Iâd be forever grateful if you could take a moment to vote and leave a glowing FIVE-STAR RATING. Itâs not just for me, itâs a chance to share the love with others who might not have discovered this story yet. Your rating can really h
STACY Six Weeks Later â»âŒ ⊠â»âŒ The drive from the airport to God-knows-where was as stressful as the one to the airport. Vincenzoâs hand was on my thigh, warm, heavy, and impossible to ignore. I wasnât sure if it was meant to comfort me or keep me from vanishing. Knowing him, it was probably both. âYouâre quiet,â he said softly. âIâm tired,â I replied, leaning my head against the window. âAnd Iâm trying to decide if I should nap or interrogate you.â His lips quirked, but his eyes remained fixed ahead. âInterrogate me about what?â âHyacinth,â I said, shifting to face him. âWhat did you do with her?â His head snapped towards me instantly. Even Vito, ever the unbothered, tensed up in his seat. âDonât worry about it,â Vincenzo said dismissively after a long look. âThatâs not exactly informative,â I shot back. âSheâs not going to, I donât know, haunt us, is she?â His hand tightened on my thigh, a warning disguised as affection. âIf she does, itâll be your fault for asking too many
EPILOGUE Three Months Later â»âŒ ⊠â»âŒ One moment I was alone in the study, going over the endless list of things Vincenzo thought we should do before the wedding, and the next, someone was there, like a ghost from another world, watching me. I shouldâve known better than to expect peace. Between being a human and being a ghost, I was pretty sure Dante enjoyed the latter. He stood in the corner of the study now, his broad frame cloaked in silence, watching me with the calm intensity that made me want to cry out for Vincenzo. âSeriously?â I hissed, slamming the ledger I was reviewing shut. âAre you trying to give me a heart attack?â âKnocking is overrated,â he said smoothly, readjusting his position. âDanteâŠâ I glanced at the door, my pulse picking up. Vincenzo was in the house, and while he wasnât one to hover, he had a sixth sense for trouble. âYou canât keep doing this.â His lips curled into a faint smirk. âDoing what?â âSneaking in here like some kind of ghost,â I snapped, k
Chapter 115 Stacy â»âŒ ⊠â»âŒ âManuel!â I shrieked, the weight in my chest momentarily lifting. I didnât even wait for the car to stop completely before I threw the door open and bolted toward him where he was standing with Vito and a couple other guys I did not recognize. His head snapped up just in time for me to crash into him, throwing my arms around his neck. âWhat are you doing here?â I squealed in excitement, my hands still tightly wrapped around him. Manuel stiffened, his arms hovering awkwardly for a moment before he finally hugged me back, though cautiously. âBoss Nikolaiâs orders. Heâs staying at Boss Russelâs tonight, so we had to come.â I pulled back slightly, my hands still gripping his shoulders, my grin so wide it hurt. âWhat about the others? Are the guys okay?â âTheyâre all fine, Miss,â he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. His eyes scanned my face, softening. âYou look⊠really good.â I felt my cheeks heat at the compliment, but before I could res
Chapter 114 Stacyâs POV â»âŒ ⊠â»âŒ Iâd never felt smaller, yet somehow, every slight gaze in this room made me feel impossibly large. âVincenzo, you brought her here. Whatâs your plan?â The question made my stomach twist. Everyone at the table had gone into the kitchen for dessert, leaving just me, Vincenzo and Russel at the table. They were discussing business just minutes ago, and now, they were discussing me. I sank further into my chair, wishing I could disappear, but I kept my eyes down and my ears open. No weakness, no surrender. My father had taught me that much, even if everything else he taught me dug the shitpit I was currently swimming in. Vincenzo, however, looked utterly unbothered, leaning back in his chair to look at me like a king surveying his kingdom. âShe stays with me,â he declared, his tone firm, final. Russel arched a brow, unimpressed. âStays with you? Care to elaborate, or are you just collecting strays now?â Stray. My cheeks flushed hot, a mi
Chapter 113 Vincenzo â»âŒ ⊠â»âŒ Fucking family meetings. The words danced in my head as I adjusted my cuffs, stepping out of the car and into Russelâs driveway. The whole fucking house was a fortress, just very fitting for my brother. Everything about Russel screamed control, even his damn lawn. Not a single blade of grass out of place. But as much as I hated these gatherings, tonight, I couldnât afford to skip it. And so I brought my little mouse along. I glanced at her as she stood stiffly beside me, fingers fidgeting. Her usual fire was dim tonight, replaced by that gloomy look and the distant sadness in her eyes. âThis is Russelâs place.â . âGood thing your memory is still good.â I placed a hand on the small of her back, steering her toward the door. She flinched at the contact but didnât protest. That was new. We merely made it inside, when the sound of loud laughter buzzed, accompanied by the faint clinking of glasses. The scent of roasted meat and spices wafted through