Audrey’s POVThe morning light pierced through the window like it couldn't wait to mock me. Sleep left me the moment I realized where I was.I lay there, tangled in the sheets, rubbing my temples. “What have I done?” My body ached.It was swollen.Dante marked me.The scent of him still stuck on my skin—musky, woody, with a mix of sweat. I looked to my side.“What were you expecting Audrey? I whispered to no one in particular.He wasn't in bed anymore. He left. The corner of the bed where he laid, empty. Memories of last night came flooding back. Screaming into the sheets. “Fuck me! Fuck you Dante!”I pressed my thighs together under the sheets, instantly wincing. He’d wrecked me in every way. My throat burned, lips bruised from how he kissed me like…..Shaking my head, like it could make the memories vanish.I sat up. Instantly regretting it. My lower body numbed. The ache from what I let him do. What I wanted him to do. I squeezed my eyes shut tight and let my head fall into m
Audrey's PovFar too gone.I was far too gone, and I knew it. Dante was ruining me and I let him. I wanted him to. Either I come out of this charade dead or I'll come heartbroken and alone. “Audrey”, he called. “If you don't want this, all you have to do is push me back. Stop me.” he says, voice rough, thick with need.I'm rooted to the ground. My head spinning. What Dante didn't know is that I was a goner. Or maybe he knew but—“Audrey”, he called again.He took a step away from me. “You didn't need to ignore me.” I saw something like hurt flash across his face but it was gone. “Next time, you pick up the bloody phone.” He said, about to walk away.“Dante”, I whispered his name breathlessly. “Please”.He turned, facing me again. “Please what, Audrey.” “Fuck me” His pupils dilated. He closed the distance. “You sure?” His hoarse voice had my knees buckling. I just couldn't get the words out. I nodded.“Bambina. Words.” “Yes, I'm sure.”He lifted me with ease, my back hitting
AUDREY'S POVI was on autopilot. It's been a long, bone-breaking night shift. Losing that kid messed with my head.“Girls, why don't we step out and unwind? “Dr. Wilson asked, eyes flickering from me to Olga and Sophia.“I would take you up on that offer. Doc.” Tessa chimed in. “Watching that boy bleed out before we stabilized him is a lot. “Something greasy and warm would do the trick so long as I'm not the one paying.” Sophia choked out. “Audrey, you should join us. No excuses.” Olga said in a sing-song voice. The drive to the diner was a chatty one, with Doctor Wilson driving ahead leading us to the diner. “Audrey, it seems you have decided to spend money. Your car is screaming "Luxury.” Tessa queried. Screw Dante for putting me in this position.“Well, a little bit of extravagance won't kill me.” I responded. I watched Sophia's lips widen in shock .” Where is Audrey and what have you done with her?” She whisper-yelled, chuckling. Giggling,”you can't be serious.”“If that'
Dante’s POVFederico.His name tastes like a fucking acid in my mouth.He had no face. No trace. Nothing I can point him to. Except the wreckage he left behind in my life.I had plans to go after him.—he is a special case Now he wasn’t just an enemy. He is a bloody threat. “Should have gone after him first before Luca Giorgio.” I mumbled. Pissed at myself and the situation. I stood outside the cellar door, watching the surveillance feed of Teresa tied up and passed out in the chair with blood on her lip, one eye swollen shut. She didn’t break easily, but she gave me enough.“Boss?” Matteo appeared behind me, voice low.I didn’t turn. “Talk.”“We traced the burner phone to a dead zone in South Phoenix. No traffic cams, no witnesses. But the signal beeped three times before it cut off. Whoever this is—they know how to cover their tracks.”“Anyone ever leave a trail without bleeding?” I muttered.“Only the dead ones.”I finally turned, looking straight into his eyes,“Then let’s mak
Dante's Pov My fingers wrapped tightly around the empty glass, applying pressure. — crack! I watched it in pieces, cutting my palm. My blood boiled. Carson Lane. That name kept hammering into my thoughts.I watched my blood drip down the bar table. “Mi sto rammollendo.” I muttered. “Dante Rossi never gets Emotivo.”I walked to the mirror across the room. My reflection stared back—jaw clenched, eyes rimmed red, collarbone twitching from the tension.There were men out there who wanted me dead. Hell, I probably deserved it. But that wasn’t the point. The point was—Audrey had walked straight into the fire without knowing it. My fucking responsibly now.Yes, I'm ruthless but I had rules. I hate killing innocents. I hate human trafficking. Making my way down the hall, past the quiet living room, and down to the cellar door. The fingerprint access beeped, green light blinking. I stepped into the cold hallway, descending toward the war room.The lights came on automatically. The scree
Dante's PovAudrey's presence stirred up a lot of things in me I didn't know existed. Clenching my fists, I forced myself to focus.Her eyes widened. “What?”“Don’t play stupid, Audrey. Carson Lane. You’ve met with Idiota three times.”Her lips parted, utterly stunned. “You had me followed?” she asked, jerking away. I stepped in closer. “I fucking protect you.” There’s a difference.” I bellowed. My body shook painfully. An urge to punish her was brewing.Her voice was rising now. “He’s an old friend. I didn’t tell him anything about you.”“Then why did you keep it a secret?”“Because I do not owe you any explanation!”I slammed my hand into the wall beside her head. “You don’t get to decide what you tell me. Not when you’re living under my roof. Not when your secrets endanger us. You.”Her jaw dropped. “I didn’t think it was a secret. We talked about my life at the hospital Not yours. Carson doesn't even know of your existence!” She yelled, exasperated.“Carson! Huh! “ I chuckle