Chapter 2 Escape

My hands wouldn't stop shaking.

I kept telling myself it couldn't be real. Maybe the card wasn't his.

But his wallet said otherwise—black elite, old-money bank cards, even some kind of encrypted key—straight-up trillionaire-level access.

Heart hammering, I shoved everything back, barely breathing.

Still, I couldn't shake what Luciano once said:

"My father's a devil in a pretty face. Shot over a dozen traitors—didn't even get blood on his suit. Tossed a mistress in Lake Michigan for stealing from him. And women? Doesn't matter how hot they are. Every spy that tried seducing him? Dead.

"So Gaia, if you ever run into him, whatever you do, don't mess with him."

Ice crawled across my skin.

What if he was already onto me?

What if he woke up and decided I was a threat?

Was I next in the lake?

I didn't stick around to find out. I bolted—quiet, fast, gone.

***

Lysandro's POV

That girl last night... wild.

Haven't had sex like that in years. Eight times. At thirty-five? Damn.

I passed out after.

Woke up to an empty bed.

Wallet had been moved. Nothing taken.

My head throbbed.

I don't clean up after one-night stands. Not my thing. Usually I have someone track the girl down, throw her hush money. If she gets clingy? Dead.

But now?

I wanted her back.

In my bed.

I called in my right hand. "Catello. Find her. Bring her to me."

A woman who didn't take my money.

Who bolted the second she figured me out.

Who lit a fuse I thought burned out.

That night replayed like a hit song—

I clenched my cigar tighter.

I'd come here to deal with a traitor—arms division, high up. Too dangerous to pass off. I was gonna kill him myself. Make it count.

It was supposed to be another bloody, boring job.

Then she showed up.

At first, I thought she was bait. Maybe Renato's trap. Almost shoved her away.

Anyone crosses me? Dead. Doesn't matter how hot they are.

But then she touched my chest.

Her scent hit—sweet, untouched, real.

I decided to play.

Wrapped one arm around her waist, gave Catello the signal. Bring me Renato.

Then I forgot all about it.

Too busy being tangled up in her.

That body—tight waist, soft curves, that ass—yeah, I was gone.

But it wasn't just the body.

It was the way she trembled. Cried.

Her tears were nothing next to how wet she got.

I've seen "perfect" before—plastic, polished, fake.

Never made me want.

Maybe it was those ocean-blue eyes—too sharp to ignore.

I took a slow drag off my cigar... then spotted the blood on the sheets.

Catello noticed too.

"Don, she was a virgin?" Voice cracked. "Jesus, that's—"

I shut him up with a look.

"Do your job."

Still—something twisted in my gut.

Everybody knows my rule: no virgins.

Anyone offers me one? Dead.

But this time?

I did it anyway.

I crushed the cigar.

"Wait," I said.

First time I ever walked back a command.

"Just find out who she is. Don't touch her."

Maybe I needed time. To figure out what the hell I even wanted.

Catello nodded. Said Renato was locked up. Asked if I was ready.

Damn. Almost forgot.

I fixed my jacket.

"Take me to the execution hall."

Time for blood.

And that gattina?

Yeah...

Wait for me.

I'm not done with you.