MasukAuthor’s POVThe second evidence against Ricci hit the news before Dimitri had even finished his coffee.Larson walked into the office with his phone in his hand and dropped it on the desk.“You should see this.”Dimitri picked it up.A financial record filled the screen, followed by photographs of Ricci meeting with men Dimitri recognized from files he had seen before. Men who had no business being anywhere near a politician, yet somehow kept appearing around Ricci. Nico had released it earlierHe scrolled.Another document.Then another.“That’s everything?” he asked.“For now.”Dimitri handed the phone back.“Release the rest.”Larson didn’t move.“Is it not too soon.”“I said release it.”“You know what happens if we do.”Dimitri looked at him.“Ricci wanted me in the Senate because he thought he could use me.”Larson’s expression tightened.“And if I stay in this race after knowing that, I’m no better than him.”“You didn’t know.”“I know now.”Larson took his phone and left the
ENZO’S POV Two hours into the drive, I was already beginning to hate every road between Rome and Milan. Not because of the distance. Because of the traffic. We had barely managed to make good time for the first hour before everything slowed down. A long line of cars stretched ahead of us, brake lights glowing red beneath the pale morning sky. I checked my watch, then the road, then my watch again. “How long?” The driver glanced at the traffic ahead. “Hard to say, sir.” “That wasn’t what I asked.” He hesitated. “Maybe forty minutes before we get through this section.” I leaned back against the seat and exhaled slowly. Forty minutes. It sounded insignificant. It wasn’t. Not anymore. I picked up my phone and called Bruno. He answered almost immediately. “Sir.” “Tell me everything.” There was a brief pause. “About Miss Nyx?” “Yes.” I looked through the window as another car crawled past us. “Did she ask for me?” “No, sir.” My jaw tightened. “What?” “She hasn’t
DIMITRI’SPOV I woke up reaching for her. My hand moved across the mattress, expecting to find the warmth of her body beside mine, but there was nothing. My eyes opened. The other side of the bed was empty. For a few seconds, I simply stared at it. Then everything came rushing back. Giulia. The way she had looked at me when I told her I still loved her, the way she had held onto me like she was afraid to let go, the kiss, the way we had finally stopped fighting what had been between us for months. I sat up abruptly. “Giulia?” Nothing. It felt like a dream, but I was damn sure it was real. I pushed the covers aside and got out of bed, barely bothering to pull on anything before rushing toward the bedroom door. The penthouse was silent. “Giulia?” I checked the living room. Empty. The kitchen. Empty. Her jacket was gone. So was she. I stood there for a moment, staring at the empty space where she had been, my chest tightening as the reality settled in. She had left.
“Giulia?” Dimitri said, his voice carrying genuine shock. I looked from him to Larson, waiting for one of them to explain what I had just heard. Larson shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I think I’ll leave you two alone.” He stood before either of us could respond, grabbed his jacket and walked past me toward the door. “I’ll call you later,” he said to Dimitri, already avoiding my eyes. The door closed behind him. And for the first time since I walked into the room, I actually looked around. The smell hit me immediately. Alcohol. Strong enough that it seemed to cling to the air. There were bottles scattered across the floor, some empty
GIULIA’S POV “Tell Dimitri he can get on with his plan.” Enzo said it as he reached the door, his hand already on the handle. Then he walked out, and the door shut behind him. I turned slowly toward Nico. “Tell Dimitri what?” Nico didn’t answer. I frowned. “What plan?” He looked at the door Enzo had just walked through, then back at me. “Nico.” Still nothing. I crossed my arms. “You didn’t answer half of my questions. Where were you all night? What happened? And now Enzo is telling you to tell Dimitri to continue with some plan I apparently know nothing about.” Nico sighed. “There was a warehouse.” “I figured that much.” “Enzo and I went there because Bruno found information about the Russian groups we’ve been tracking.” My expression tightened. “And?” “The Russians are actively connected to Ricci somehow.” “How?” “Well… still figuring it out” “Then what does Dimitri have to do with it?” Nico hesitated. “Dimitri was planning to expose
ENZO’S POV By the time the first light of dawn began creeping through the windows, I was still awake. I hadn’t slept for even a minute. I picked up my phone and called Bruno. He answered on the second ring. “Sir.” “How long?” There was a pause. “The air traffic restriction?” “Yes.” “We’re still waiting for a final update, but from what we’ve been told, it could last a few more hours. There’s also a possibility it could remain in place for up to twenty-four hours.” I closed my eyes. Twenty-four hours. Nina had spent months unconscious, and now that she was finally awake, I was supposed to sit in Rome and wait for the sky to open. “No.” “Sir?” “I’m driving.” There was silence on the other end. “Sir, Rome to Milan is—” “I know how far it is.” “Six to seven hours, depending on traffic.” “I don’t care.” I got to my feet and grabbed my jacket from the back of the chair. “Order me a driver.” “A driver?” “Yes. A good one. I don’t want someone who’s going to stop every







