LOGINEmilio finally applied the brakes as they were on the spot, which gave a picturesque view for the picnic.Renata stepped out from her side and looked around herself while holding the hat she had put on.“I didn't know such a place existed in this estate,” she said, smiling brightly.“Really? They didn't bring you here before,” Chase asked as he stopped next to her.“No.”Domenico and Emilio stood closer, feeling annoyed for different reasons. While the former was jealous, the latter was suspicious of Chase.“I'm envious of the fact that they have been close since childhood,” Domenico mumbled, wanting the words not to reach anyone's ears.But Emilio, being used to even hearing whispers, responded immediately, “Why the hell did you even allow him to be here? I am dubious about him.”“Why?” Domenico tilted his head.“What are you both talking about? Aren't you going to help us?” Renata's voice reached their ears. The two men straightened instantly, feeling flustered as if they were caugh
Domenico pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache brewing. He hated police officers more than anything.They were never there when you actually needed them, always arriving too late to do anything but clean up the mess. And now, a cop was standing here offering him help?The idea was beyond ridiculous.But he found himself not hating them as hard as he usually did. It wasn’t that his hatred for them had faded overnight; it was just that this was Chase. He couldn't let him dive blindly into the Mafia’s world, where one wrong move might end of taking his life.“Chase!” Domenico’s voice turned cold and serious. “I know you care about Renata, but no one cares for her more than me. She is the woman I love most in this world. I’ll take care of her, and I’ll take care of my family business. As for you...”He stepped back, sizing Chase up from head to toe before exhaling a deep, tired breath.“Sooner or later, you’re going to get in trouble for being this close to us. To the Mafia.
"That sounds better, I would say," Emilio had pronounced. "Within the estate walls, the picnic will be much safer."Domenico hadn't responded to Emilio's suggestion, but he could tell Renata he was already calculating the risks."Ren, come with me," Domenico said. He stood up and took her hand. He excused himself from the living room, ignoring the subtle, questioning looks from Chase, and led her up the sweeping staircase to their bedroom.The moment the door clicked shut behind them, he let go of her hand. He turned fully to her, closing the distance until his presence dominated her field of vision."What's scaring you? Tell me," Domenico said, his dark eyes searching her face with an intensity that demanded honesty.Renata paced a short distance, her hands trembling as she smoothed the fabric of her dress."The maid, Domenico! She was inside, breathing the same air as us, watching your every move. And now you want to take me out? Are you sure we're even safe here?" She threw her han
“Here are my favorite roses for you. I wish you a speedy recovery, Nico.” Chase extended the vibrant bouquet as he offered the delicate gesture.Domenico reached out with his uninjured arm. He inhaled their sweet, earthy scent, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied Chase, searching for the hidden motive behind the kindness.“Thank you, Chase,” Domenico replied.“But you really didn’t have to come,” Renata interjected, her brow furrowing with genuine concern. “You have work to manage, and I hate thinking you might be sacrificing your duties just to check on us.”Chase brushed off her worry with a casual wave of his hand, though his gaze never left the tension radiating from the man across from him.“Ree, relax. It’s an off day for me.” He paused, his gaze drifting to her with a look that felt far more intense than a friendly suggestion. “In fact, I was planning on taking you both out with me today. A change of scenery would do you good.”Renata’s eyes widened, a flicker of genuine shoc
Tears began to stream down Renata’s cheeks, blurring her vision. Domenico hadn't gone into the details of his losses or about the crown he was forced to wear, but he didn't have to.She could feel his suffering in every word. He wasn't just a powerful man; he was a boy who had never been allowed to grieve, forced to grow up in the middle of a bloodbath.She realized then that by pushing him away, she was only making the miserable life he had lived for years even more miserable. She didn't want him to be alone anymore.“Next… next time you ask me,” Renata’s voice trembled, her eyes searching his as she wiped them. “I… I will say yes.”Domenico’s eyes instantly lit up, a spark of genuine excitement cutting through the darkness of his memories.He had spent so much energy trying to claim Renata, trying to possess her and mark her as his through power and protection. He never realized that the one thing that would actually bring her closer wasn't his strength, but his scars.He had always
Renata fell quiet. She knew she was being cruel, perhaps even heartless, with her words, given he was still recovering. But if she was ever going to build a life with the man in front of her… She had to be brutally honest. She couldn't build a future on a foundation of polite lies.“I think you’re choosing to stay in it,” she finally countered, her voice steady despite the flicker of guilt in her chest. “And you’re asking me to choose it too. But how can I, when I don't even know where or when I’d lose my life? Or worse, my child’s?”“No!” Domenico spät. He tried to sit up further, wincing as the movement pulled at his stitches, but he didn't look away.“Just like you, my mother didn’t want this life for me,” he said, his voice trembling with a rare emotion. “And I didn't want it either. I never asked to be this.I had dreams, Renata. I had aspirations. I wanted to see the world, to live outside of these caged walls. I was kind and gentle once. I was a boy protected by parents who lov
Renata hadn't expected Domenico to actually bring her into the heart of the city, let alone out in public.They arrived at a high-end restaurant situated at the top of a glass tower. Their table was in a semi-private lounge, not boxed in by walls, but partitioned off to allow the natural light to f
Reneta really wanted to crack open Domenico’s head and see if he was even in his right mind. The audacity of his words made her blood boil as she rolled her eyes at him, refusing to let him see even a hint of fear on her face.“No thanks,” she said firmly as she took a step back, putting distance b
The phone had no signals. She couldn't even use the internet services. "So, they don't want me to use any online services," Renata murmured. She looked at the contact list and found only two numbers as Emilio mentioned."Why would I even call them?" she tsked and tossed the phone on the mattress.S
Renata was still seething over everything that had happened earlier. No matter what explanation Domenico might have had, the way he had treated her refused to leave her mind. The anger burned inside her chest, restless and sharp.Still, she forced herself to calm down—for the baby growing inside he







