EIGHTEEN.

ALESSANDRO, AKA DON VALENTINO:

I bask in the cool water as it rains upon us. Ivys’ body temperature has skyrocketed, causing her skin to burn with fever and act out deliriously.

“Please, stop… it hurts, it hurts…” She whimpers, clawing at my suit jacket fiercely.

'What the fuck is wrong with me?' I dare to question my own sanity.

I shouldn't be here.

I shouldn't feel compelled to hold her tightly under the cool shower to bring her fever down.

She is the enemy.

She has come to steal the only piece left of my brother, Savannah.

If she were anyone else, she would already be buried six feet under, along with the rest of her bloodline.

But she’s also vulnerable, and it strikes the beast within me every time I steal a glance at her.

She looks so much like Rose, and it fucking hurts. Fate can be so cruel, and this would have to be her cruellest test for me.

Like it wasn't bad enough that she made me sit back and watch my brother, Roman, marry the girl I loved with everythi