CHAPTER 26: Mirabella's POV The faint clink of glassware woke me before my alarm ever had the chance. For a second, I lay there, eyes half-closed, listening, the quiet hum of the fridge, distant city noise filtering through the window and the unmistakable sound of someone in the kitchen.Eliana. It had to be.I shoved off the covers and padded barefoot into the hallway, tugging my oversized T-shirt down my thighs. But the moment I turned the corner into the kitchen, my pulse stuttered to a halt.It wasn’t Eliana.Dominic.Sitting at the island, legs casually crossed, drinking orange juice straight from a glass like this was his damn apartment. Like breaking in was just part of his morning routine.“What. The. Fuck.” My voice was sharp, groggy but laced with fury. “Are you insane? How did you even?”“Your friend has terrible locks.” He set the glass down with quiet precision, completely unfazed by my glare.“Dominic.” I bit his name like a curse. “You cannot just-”“I can. A
PCHAPTER 25: Giovanni's POV The bass pulsed low beneath the marble floors, the rhythmic thud of music vibrating through the bones of the building. I barely heard it.From the private balcony above the main floor, I watched the bodies moving below, shadows, noise, power games disguised as fun. My sanctuary. My territory. My rules. But tonight, none of it settled the storm clawing under my skin.Dominic Belluci was in my city.The moment my men reported his arrival, my patience snapped. It was only a matter of time before the Belluci family crept into Los Angeles, but Dominic? The good brother. The diplomatic one. The dangerous one.My eyes scanned the floor as Lorenzo approached, his expression unreadable, but the tension in his jaw gave him away.“He’s downstairs,” Lorenzo said. “Alone.”A faint smirk curved my lips as I rolled the tension from my shoulders. “Good. Let’s not keep him waiting.”***************The private lounge was empty, save for Dominic Belluci seated
CHAPTER 24: Mirabella's POV The knock was firm. Calculated. Not the kind of frantic pounding that screamed danger, but the kind that made my pulse skip all the same.I wiped my damp palms on my jeans, still rattled from the night at the restaurant. Giovanni’s voice echoed in my head, his eyes, that suffocating tension still coiled around me like invisible rope.“Who is it?” I called softly from the kitchen, glancing at Eliana, who peeked through the peephole.“Tall. Dangerous. Pretty sure he could break the door with his pinky,” Eliana muttered. “Want me to grab the bat?”I shook my head, forcing my legs to move.I cracked the door open and the breath whooshed from my lungs.“Dominic?”My older brother stood there in a fitted black jacket, shirt open at the collar, cool blue eyes scanning my face like he hadn’t seen me in years. His dark hair was slicked back, a small crease between his brows the only sign of tension.For a second, I froze, my brain scrambling to process s
CHAPTER 23: Giovanni's POV I returned to LA about two weeks ago. I tried everything I could to reach Mirabella but my calls went straight to voicemail, and she’d moved out of her place. I figured she needed some space. Sending those gifts was a reminder, there’s no place she can run that I won’t hunt her down. There was no escape.“Giovanni?” she called out when she finally answered. Hearing her voice made my body tighten, my cock hardened in response. I missed her more than I’d admit. I needed her in my bed, in my arms. To own her.“Kitten. You moved out of your home,” I said.“What? You think you're privy to where I live now?” she snapped. That’s my girl.“Did you like the gifts?” I asked, cool as ever.“I’d appreciate it if you stopped sending gifts here or trying to reach me at all,” she shot back.“How’s that gonna happen when we’re supposed to get married soon?” I pushed, already picturing the tips of her ears turning red, nose scrunching in disgust. I knew just how
CHAPTER 22: Mirabella's POV I hated Giovanni Moretti. He was about to snatch away the freedom I’d fought so hard to build. I knew, if he went to Marco with a good deal, I’d be sold off to him before I could even blink. That’s why father always told me to trust no one. But I let my guard down. I was such a fool.As Dante drove me back to the airport, tears pricked my eyes, burning behind my lashes. I should never have agreed to this trip. Yeah, the sex was great, but at what cost?Giovanni had pressing matters to attend to, so he sent me back to LA, with a promise that he'd find me when he returned.I could run. Hell, I could disappear. But deep down, I knew there was nowhere I’d go that he wouldn’t find me. Besides, I had a life here, one I wasn’t ready to give up just yet. I banged my head against the window as tears poured, a bitter mix of frustration and helplessness. Dante glanced at me through the rearview mirror, and without a word, he rolled up the partition.When
CHAPTER 21: Giovanni's POV I meant it when I said I was going to give her the time of her life. Now, watching Mirabella strut for me in those seductive little pieces, I felt my pants tighten. All I wanted was for the saleswoman get lost for a few damn minutes, so I could claim what was mine.Fuck that. I could take her right here, right now, no trouble. But I knew Mirabella wouldn’t appreciate me doing that. She scowled as I shook my head no to the dress she was holding up. She turned to the woman.“Please, can you give us a moment alone?” She forced through clenched teeth. I leaned back in my chair, a smirk forming on my face. This should be fun. “What the fuck are you doing?” she snapped, eyeing me sharply.“Half my ass is exposed. Don’t need anyone getting a peek at what’s mine,” I said, nonchalant, shrugging.“Your ass? You must be out of your mind. I like this one, so I’m taking it,” she shot back, scowling.“Fine by me. Just make sure you wear it for my eyes only,” I rep