LOGINLiana The engine hums beneath me like a living thing.No.Not hums.Breathes.The MTT 420RR vibrates between my thighs, powerful and impatient, and I swear she recognizes me, is purring just for me.The weight. The balance. The promise of violence if mishandled.I take a deep breath, stilling my hammering heart and lower my visor.Across from me, Luca leans forward over his Ducati Panigale V4 R, red and lethal, like it was forged in Italy purely to break hearts and speed limits.Adriano sits astride the BMW M 1000 RR, all black aggression and German precision. He doesn’t look thrilled, but I know he is ready.His form is tense, muscles bunching. He looks like he’s preparing for war.“Last chance to back out,” Luca calls over the engines.I don’t even turn, just rev once in response.Adriano shakes his head slowly. “Stay behind me,” he says sternly, like I’ll actually listen.I grin inside my helmet.We line up at the empty stretch of highway just outside the industrial district. Wi
I made a beeline towards my choice while both the guys are still trying to tamp down their shock. I run my hand slowly along the matte black frame of the MTT 420RR.She’s beautiful.Lethal.Perfect.“I’ll take this one,” I say calmly, all girly sweetnessI fawn breathily...“She is soooo pretty.”Silence. A roll of eyes.Typical masculine exasperation.Then—“Absolutely not,” Adriano says immediately.Luca just stares at me.“Do you want to… reconsider?” he asks carefully.I look back at them innocently.“Why? I like this one and she really is so gorgeous”Adriano swears under his breath. Luca runs a hand down his face.“That,” he says slowly, as if explaining to a slow child “might look like a supermodel but it is not a beginner bike.”I tilt my head as if considering his words, then shake it.“Nope this one. I like her, if I had a leather outfit, I could be like Batgirl.” I say all breathy and pouty.Adriano exhales sharply. Luca is just plain stumped for words.“Liana—” Adriano sta
Liana POV I’m still turning slowly in the middle of Luca’s underground garage, completely overwhelmed, when I see the cousin’s walk out the elevator. I can tell that whatever transpired upstairs, the meeting did not go well. They are both clearly tense and on edge, bodies stiff and jaws locked but Luca recovers first. “So Liana,” he says, spreading his arms wide like a game show host presenting prizes, “have you decided which vehicle you want?” I laugh softly, tucking an errant strand of hair behind my ear. “I did,” I admit. “But it was really hard.” Luca grins like a proud Papa showing off his kids report card. “Understandable. Excellence is a burden.” He says smugly. I glance between the rows of cars… and then to the motorcycles. My heart is torn between what I know and a Dream Car. Besides, Remi would kill me if I experienced the car without him. I bite my lip flitting between my choices and suddenly, an idea sparks. A dangerous one. A fun one. I look back at Luca, ti
Adriano The ride up to the Penthouse was silent.Both of us caught up in our own thoughts about what the next few minutes could reveal.The moment the office door closes behind us, the air changes.No more charm.No more games.Only truth.Luca pulls out his phone and dials.Mason answers immediately. “I was waiting.”He puts it on speaker as I step closer.“We're both here..lay it on usl?” Luca says.There’s a pause.Then Mason speaks. “There is a Liana Cooper.”My heart stutters once.“And an Artemis or as you know him..Remi Cooper,” Mason continues. “From Chicago. Registered siblings. Ages and birthdays match the info you sent me.”I exchange a look with Luca.So she exists.She’s real.Relief comes with a breath I didn't realise I was holding.But Mason isn’t finished.“Their parents died just over two years ago,” Mason says. “Car accident. Hit and run.”My stomach tightens.“But,” Mason continues carefully, “I don’t think it was an accident.”Silence fills the office.“Explai
Adriano The drive to Luca’s place is not far. While I am in Billionaires Row in midtown, his penthouse is in the Tribeca Downtown stretch.His building is every bit as impressive as mine but louder.I am sure to Liana, whose eyes round to the size of saucers, it reads as another spoilt rich boy’s extravagance...flashy, excessive, decadent.His penthouse occupies the entire top floor of a glass and steel tower overlooking the city.its floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting wealth, power, and the kind of influence money alone cannot buy. Family money. Blood money.The building doorman Jim recognises me immediately and greets us with deference, and within minutes the private elevator opens directly into Luca’s home. And there he is. Leaning against the marble island like he owns the world. Which, someday, we both just might. His dark eyes flick first to me, sharp and assessing, before landing on Liana. Everything about him changes instantly. His smile turns wicked. “Well,” Luca
Adriano When I walk into the kitchen, she is already there, back to me, pulling a tray out of the warmer.She hums faintly under her breath, unaware of how mesmerizing she is. How easily she commands my entire world without even trying.She turns at the sound of my footsteps, her face lighting up in that soft, shy way that still hits me like a physical blow.She is wearing jeans and one of her t-shirts again, both fitted and skimming her small frame. Her hair falls loose down her back, wild and untamed.So fucking beautiful it takes my breath away.I look at her setting up our meal, really look. She has been recycling the same two or three sets since she received them. She needs more clothes,. I make a note.What really strikes me is her demeanour. Relaxed, smiling. She looks… happy.The sight settles something deep inside my chest."Breakfast is ready," she says softly – placing a warm plate in front of me.My eyes flicker over the plate. Eggs. Bacon. Toast. Coffee. Prepar







