LOGINCalla had said those three words. Hearing it come out of her mouth felt strange in a good way though.She held her breath, watching Rico to see his reaction.Rico just stared at her. Like he was holding onto the words carefully, afraid they might disappear if he blinked wrong.Then the corner of his mouth lifted slightly, something lighter passing through his tired expression.For a moment, nothing else happened. Not because there was nothing to say, but because neither of them rushed to fill the silence.Calla raised her hand after long minutes of staring at each other, her fingers brushed lightly through his hair again, more absent this time, like she didn’t even notice she was doing it anymore.“Are you tired?” she asked softly.“Mm," he murmured."Then you should sleep." She attempted to stand up from his lap, but he held her firm.“I’d rather stare at you," he uttered with a teasing smile.“You’re concussed,” she muttered, rolling her eyes, but there was no real firmness in it an
Once they were inside their room, Calla closed the door behind her and suddenly threw her arms around him. This time, it was tighter, filled with all the pent-up emotions she had been holding back downstairs.He sucked in a deep breath at the impact, but he still held her.She quickly pulled away when she heard him groan in pain.Her eyes moved over his face, taking in the split lip, the blood near his brow, the bruises already darkening his skin. Then her gaze dropped to his shoulder, where his shirt was torn and blood still slipped slowly from the wound.She gasped and stepped back to give him space.But he clearly didn’t like that. A low growl rumbled in his chest as he reached for her, trying to pull her back into his arms.She stayed where she was. "You’re hurt,” she said, shaking her head as she caught his hand. “I’ll have someone call for a doctor—”Rico immediately caught her by her waist before she could leave. “I didn’t complain when you hugged me downstairs, did I?” he said
Calla paced around the living room, gnawing on her fingernails, her other hand resting on her waist. Her nerves were off the roof."Still nothing?" She asked Donna Marta, who was on her phone.It was already midnight, and they knew this was the coronation night. As women weren't allowed in, Donna Marta has been trying to get the latest updates on the ceremony. Consigliere Dario purposely chose not to attend. According to him, he would never partake in such a gathering of lies, disguised as their Quintara tradition.Donna Marta had no other option but to seek information from other council members who still supported her. And right now, the only one who was responding had suddenly stopped. The last message he sent didn't make any sense. It was as if he typed it with trembling hands, the letters jumbled and uneven."We really need to get some sleep," Sophia said, legs folded as she sat on the couch, watching Calla through half-lidded eyes."No!" Calla said almost immediately, startli
The sound from the gunshot filled the wide hall, bouncing off the walls, echoing loudly.The moment Rico saw the movement, his eyes sharpened. He moved fast, dropping low and shifting behind one of the heavy chairs as the bullet tore past where his chest had been a second earlier.That single gunshot shattered whatever order remained, and the hall exploded into chaos.Marco’s men opened fire at once.Ezio reacted instantly, grabbing the nearest table and flipping it onto its side with a violent shove. Plates and bottles crashed everywhere as he dropped behind it for cover.Bullets slammed into the wood. Ezio leaned out and returned fire, his face hard and focused.Bruno fired from near the side entrance, taking down one guard before the man even finished raising his rifle.Valentina rolled behind a pillar, then calmly aimed and shot one of Marco’s captains in the shoulder, sending him crashing backward into a table.Costa charged through the smoke and confusion like a bull, firing twi
Silence gripped the hall. Even a pin drop would feel like an explosion. This was the kind of authority Rico commanded. He was feared and also respected.Two days ago, he had been plotting, studying the blueprint of this building closely, memorizing all the entryways and how to get in without being spotted.This structure was built over two centuries ago. So it wasn't a surprise if no one knew an emergency evacuation tunnel existed. He had almost missed it when he scanned the blueprints. But he wasn't called a Romano for no reason.He had zero knowledge that his team was going to infiltrate and crash the ceremony. And that made him proud. At least he knew they were willing to go to any lengths to avenge him.But at the same time, he would give them an earful after this. They were taking the biggest risk. And Marco could've killed them off without batting an eye.Marco’s breathing had grown heavier now. “You are already too late,” he said. “So I suggest you go back to whatever hole you
Ezio’s grip on the gun was firm as he aimed it at Marco, his gaze burning with heat.Marco’s men reacted at once, pulling out their weapons and pointing straight at Ezio, their fingers resting on the triggers, ready to tear him apart where he stood.Bruno drew first from the side door, his gun already raised before most guests noticed him move. Valentina stepped back from the nearest table and pulled a pistol from beneath her server’s apron, aiming without hesitation.Costa emerged from the rear hallway with his weapon in hand, covering the men near the council table. Even Matteo rose from beside the sound equipment, drawing his gun and pointing it toward Marco’s side of the room.In seconds, the hall turned into a cage of loaded weapons. Guests froze in their seats, and council members ducked lower behind tables, their expensive pride gone now that bullets were involved.The guards near the walls shifted nervously, unsure who would fire first. One wrong move would turn the polished f
Calla tried not to look scared, even though she was shaking in her pants. She still had the hood over her head, and she couldn't tell who he was by his voice.She yanked at the ropes, twisting and pulling even though it hurt. “Who are you? Where’s my brother? What the hell did you do to him?!”Not
Calla blinked, her stomach twisting. Who was this Leah, and how does Rico know her name? Why did he look at her like that? She wanted to ask, but her throat felt tight.Rico’s gaze stayed on Leah for a moment longer, soft and familiar, then he finally turned back to Calla. His expression had sudden
If only one could see the future, if only there was a way to know how a single choice would end before it was made. If someone, anyone, had warned Calla that she would be exposed without being able to tell Rico herself, maybe she would have gone to him first. Maybe she would have chosen differentl
Calla lay there on the cold floor, pinned under the weight of the tipped-over chair, her cheek pressed against the wet concrete. All she could hear was her own fast, loud, ragged breathing, and the wild beating of her heart banging in her ears like it wanted to break out of her chest.Hot tears kep







