Matteo SalvatoreThe world collapsed the second she asked:"Who are you?"Everything around me went silent. The sound of the machines, the steady beep of the heart monitor, the nurse adjusting the cables — none of it existed anymore, except for that sentence.My knees gave out.I sank into the chair beside the bed, still holding her hand, as if her skin was the only thread keeping me alive.But she…She looked at me like I was a stranger.The woman I loved.The one I married.The one who gave me a son.Who survived every kind of hell with me…Now she looked at me as if I were just another shadow among many.I took a deep breath, trying to find some strength within myself, but there was none."Lily… it’s me… Matteo."She frowned, as if the name didn’t make any sense. Like it was just an empty word."I… I’m sorry," she whispered hesitantly. "I don’t remember…"I shut my eyes tightly. The pain hit me like a punch.This couldn’t be happening.Not after everything.Not after we had survive
Lily Montgomery"The smell of old wood brought back memories I didn’t even know I had. My grandfather Dimitri’s study was just like him: imposing, cold, but full of stories no one dared to speak aloud.He was seated in his black leather armchair, leaning on a cane that looked more like a symbol of authority than actual support. His gaze fell on me as if he were assessing whether I was still worthy of the blood running through my veins.'You’ve changed,' he said in that deep, slow voice. 'You have the eyes of someone who no longer wants to run.''Because I don’t,' I replied, sitting across from him. 'No more running. No more hiding.'He nodded, as if pleased. But before the silence could take over, I said:'Nicolai was at the party.'His face remained still. But his fingers gripped the head of the cane tightly.'And you're alive to tell me?''He didn’t want to kill me. Not yet. He wanted to offer a deal. Said if I gave him everything... he’d leave me alone. Said he only wants what’s hi
Lily MontgomeryI stepped back into the hall like someone walking into a minefield.My heart was still out of rhythm, my chest tight from the presence that had only just left me.Nicolai. That man terrified me—he sent chills down my spine.He had been here.In my house.In the middle of the party. Near my son. And no one noticed.I approached one of the guards."Please, watch the entrances. And place one of the men near Leonardo’s room, with the nanny.""Yes, Miss Lily."I wiped my face. I was sweating cold.I walked through Matteo’s men, all toasting, laughing, negotiating, as if there weren’t a predator walking among them like a wolf among lambs.My eyes searched for him, and I found him quickly, near the bar, talking to Paolo and Nicco—tense, like he always was when he was in protection mode.I took a deep breath and walked toward him, clutching the edge of my dress, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor, as if that could give me any sense of control. But my legs were
Lily MontgomeryThe mansion lights were flawless. The main hall was filled with men dressed in black—discreet, yet dangerous. Mobsters, Matteo’s allies, the elite of our alliance. The soft jazz music played in the background, like a feeble attempt to pretend that tonight was just another fancy party and not a business meeting in disguise.I descended the stairs wearing the black dress I had chosen carefully. It wasn’t just elegance — it was armor. The tight fabric, the side slit, the high heels. Nothing protected me more than the appearance of someone who isn’t afraid, even when everything inside me screamed the opposite.As I greeted one guest after another, with that practiced smile, I could only think about Leo, sleeping safely in the room upstairs, and about Matteo, who was in the east wing of the mansion, discussing details with Paolo and the other bosses. Tonight, I had decided I would maintain the facade. Show strength.I grabbed a glass of wine from a waiter’s tray, took a dee
Matteo SalvatoreWhen I got the message, I knew there was no turning back.“Your son will pay for what your woman did.”The number was unknown, but the sender didn’t need to sign it.Nicolai.I didn’t feel anger. I didn’t feel fear. I felt that dry, cold pit in my stomach. That thing you learn when you grow up in the mafia: when someone threatens your family, you don’t wait. You kill first.I showed the message to Paolo, who was sitting next to me in the car. He just raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.“It’s time,” I said.He nodded and pulled the gun from his holster, checking the magazine.“Fourth floor. Two men at the entrance, one by the elevator. He’s probably got extra security. But if he sent this message… he thinks he’s untouchable.”“There’s no such thing as an untouchable man,” I replied, opening the car door.The cold New York wind hit my face, but I didn’t even feel it. I walked into the building without looking around, my hand steady on the pistol under my coat. Paolo was
Matteo SalvatoreWhen I got the message, I knew there was no turning back.“Your son will pay for what your woman did.”The number was unknown, but the sender didn’t need to sign it.Nicolai.I didn’t feel anger. I didn’t feel fear. I felt that dry, cold pit in my stomach. That thing you learn when you grow up in the mafia: when someone threatens your family, you don’t wait. You kill first.I showed the message to Paolo, who was sitting next to me in the car. He just raised an eyebrow, saying nothing.“It’s time,” I said.He nodded and pulled the gun from his holster, checking the magazine.“Fourth floor. Two men at the entrance, one by the elevator. He’s probably got extra security. But if he sent this message… he thinks he’s untouchable.”“There’s no such thing as an untouchable man,” I replied, opening the car door.The cold New York wind hit my face, but I didn’t even feel it. I walked into the building without looking around, my hand steady on the pistol under my coat. Paolo was