Ricardo’s POVI know Lana really hates me now. I don’t need her words, her silence is louder. The way she gripped me, tugging at me for answers, screaming and trembling with tears she thought I didn’t notice. Maria.The girl whose death still gets under their skin, not mine. Never mine. I don’t do guilt or regret. Murder is just what happens when you have ultimate power and the right to decide who lives and who dies. Maria’s death is simply a result of my authority, and I won't apologize for exercising it.Angelo hadn’t liked the order either. He’s currently not speaking to me because of it. Now Lana was just like him, disappointed and disgusted. But I don't care. I can’t afford to care. What's done is done, and there's no bringing back the dead.After a long, scalding shower, I walk out of the bathroom with my towel slung low on my hips, watching Lana as she sleeps. Her back is bare, and the sheet is only covering her waist. She looks like sin and salvation all in one breath. She
Lana’s POVI look into Ricardo's eyes as my heart races with anticipation. His dark hair begs for my hand to run through it, and his lips grovel for me to bury mine in. I run my fingers through his hair, pulling him closer to me. We kiss passionately, but my body begs for more."Fuck, Lana," he murmurs against my neck. "I want you so bad."I smile as my fingers work quickly to unbutton his shirt. I push it off his shoulders, revealing his toned chest. I can't help but stare for a moment, admiring his body."I’m glad you came back," I whisper as my fingers trace the lines of his muscles.He grabs my hand to a halt, and I look up at him with wide eyes. He lowers his gaze to his pants, and I understand his unspoken message.I bite my lip as I reach down to unbutton his pants and pull them down. His cock springs free, hard and ready for me. I wrap my hand around it, stroking it gently."Mmm, you like that?" I ask, looking up at him.He nods as his breath comes in short gasps. "Fuck, yes."
Ricardo’s POVThe morning sunlight barely rose when I slide out of bed. Antonella is still asleep, tangled in the silk sheets, with her mouth slightly parted, and one arm stretched towards where I used to be. I don’t look back. I leave the house before the rest of the estate fully wakes. The guards outside are already alert. A few guards nod as I pass by, murmuring “sir,” but I give them nothing. My driver, a scrawny man with jittery eyes, pulls up just in time.“Sir,” he says breathlessly, stepping out of the car. “I came as soon as I could.”“Good,” I reply, already heading for the vehicle. “I need you to drive me somewhere.”“Where to, sir?”“My secret mansion.”He gives a tight nod. “Alright, sir,” and moves quickly to ready the car.Before I can reach it, one of the security guards rushes up to me, holding something out. An envelope. His face is pale, like he’s unsure if he should even be handing it to me.“Sir,” he calls out, slowing as he reaches me. “This was dropped at the f
Ricardo’s POVThe moment I step through the front doors of my mansion, I hear small noises, and the place is properly lit. Then, a soft pitter-patter races down the hallway.“Papà!”Gianna’s voice rings out before I even see her. She comes flying into my arms like a bullet wrapped in pink silk pajamas. I crouch slightly, catching her mid-air, lifting her high above my head.“There’s my Gianna,” I say, twirling her once.Her laughter fills the foyer, and for a brief second, everything ugly fades away. I pull her close, hugging her tight.Antonella watches from the archway, with her arms crossed, and her brows arched like daggers. She scoffs under her breath, loud enough to make her presence known.Then, the grandfather clock chimes eight times. “Alright, baby,” Antonella says, brushing invisible lint from her sleeve. “Bedtime. Off you go with Rosa.”Gianna’s face falls. “But I don’t wanna go to bed early…”I kneel slightly and smooth her hair back. “Oh, sweetheart,” I say gently. “I un
Charles' POVI toss my keys onto the marble counter and walk straight to the bedroom, not even bothering to take off my shoes. My body feels like deadweight, but it’s not just physical exhaustion, it’s everything else.Alma didn’t follow me back to the condo. I didn’t ask her to. She wouldn’t understand anyway. Not this.I drop onto the bed, with limbs heavy with fatigue, and my back flat against the mattress. The ceiling above me stares back blankly, just as silent as the thoughts swirling in my head. I can't stop replaying it, Lana. Her face when she looked at me. The embarrassment, fear and shame in her eyes. I need to get her out of that monster’s grip.No one would get it. Not Alma, no one. Only I know why I need to get Lana away from that monster. And it’s not even about her being my secret weapon. That bastard touched my tail the day he had me suspended from the force and smeared my name. He thought he won. But he hasn’t.I close my eyes. No—he won’t.I’ll get Lana back. I’ll
Ricardo’s POVThe private restaurant’s half-empty. I spot Angelo tucked in the far corner, already seated with a half-full glass of red wine in front of him. His shoulders are relaxed, too relaxed, which tells me something's up. I slide into the seat across from him and clear my throat. “What’s the matter?” Angelo raises a brow and smirks sarcastically. “Hello, brother. Thank you for asking how I’m doing this fine afternoon. I’m great, how are you doing?” I chuckle. “Oh, come on, Angelo. We just saw each other in Mexico. Do you really need me to roll out the pleasantries every time?” He shrugs and mutters, “No, but you could stop acting like the world’s ending every time we meet.” I shake my head. “Oh come on brother, isn’t the world already ending?” I give him a smirk, then I continue. “What’s the matter?” Angelo takes a slow sip from his glass before setting it down. “You remember that guy I told you about? The one that’s been following me?” “Yeah,” I nod. “You finally