Se connecterRosa frowned at the question, pushing herself up from the sofa to stand at eye level with Laura, who was looming just in front of her.
“He isn’t here.”
Laura scowled at the response. “Come on, Rosa, tell me why he’s avoiding me. I haven’t seen him in two days, and no one knows where he is.”
It was the very first time he had ever admitted it to her, and the confession caught Rosa completely off guard, rendering her silent for a stunned moment.“And that feeling terrified me—it was foreign, completely out of my control. I thought..." His throat tightened, the confession physically hurting him. "I thought sending you away was the only way to keep a grip on my own life. On my emotions."He looked at her, but her expression hadn't softened. Her brow remained furrowed, her lips pulled into a harsh scowl, making it clear she didn't believe a single word coming out of his mouth.He swallowed hard and pushed forward. "Yes, I wanted distance, but I never intended for you to go through that hell. I am sorry for what I did when I was younger, reckless, and angry. But I want to fix it now. In any way you want, let me make it up to you."She shook her head, the deep-seated hatred still burning bright in her eyes."Ha! You actually think I’m going to believe you?" she spat, a bitter la
"What's wrong, Rosie?" Luciano frowned, his fingers moving to cup her jaw, his thumb resting on her cheek to force her to look at him. His grip wasn't painful, but it was unyielding.Rosa met his eyes, her expression laced with sharp annoyance. "You tell me," she snapped. "What is wrong with you?" Still, she didn't try to pry herself from his grasp.Luciano’s brow furrowed deeper. "Why are you so angry, baby?"A wave of intense frustration hit Rosa. He was asking her as if he genuinely had no clue what had upset her. Or perhaps, knowing him, he really didn't know."Seriously, Luciano?!" Rosa yanked her face back, and this time, he let her go. "Laura came looking for you five days ago. In case you forgot, you are getting married to her in a week."Luciano bit back a smile at her words, a dark satisfaction blooming in his chest. Lowering his voice to a husky whisper, he stepped closer. "Just say the word, baby, that you don't want me to marry her. If you want, I'll change the bride. You
The car came to a halt in front of the mansion, and a guard scrambled forward to open the door for Luciano. Reid and Luca climbed out immediately after him. As Luciano started toward the porch, they both fell into step behind him.Suddenly, Luciano stopped dead in his tracks. He turned, leveling a freezing glare at them. He tilted his head slightly, a silent, dangerous question written across his face.Reid cleared his throat. "We’re escorting you inside."The Don’s jaw clenched so tightly that a heavy, suffocating tension filled the air, making both men instantly regret their existence. Fuck, Reid cursed internally at his terrible choice of words."I mean—we’re coming in for coffee," Reid corrected quickly, scrambling to fix the blunder.Luciano’s scowl deepened. Without a word, his hand dropped significantly toward his holster. Luca and Reid didn't need to be told twice; they spun on their heels and beat a hasty retreat.Inhaling a slow, deep breath, Luciano forced his muscles to r
A week flew by as if time had sprouted wings. During those seven days, the Centre had summoned the Italian Don multiple times, driven by the relentless, spreading rumors of his sudden disappearance. Luciano was completely off the grid. Every single time a summons arrived, Reid manufactured a new excuse, claiming the Don was entirely tied up in high-stakes deals and would meet with them as soon as his schedule cleared.This stall tactic only enraged the Centre, which viewed his absence as pure arrogance—a sign that the Don thought himself bigger than the organization itself. Finally, they issued a brutal ultimatum: Luciano had one last chance to show up at the next meeting; otherwise, he would be stripped of his power, dethroned, and forced to forfeit his title as the Mafia King of Central Italy forever.Left with absolutely no choice, Luca and Reid
Luca stared at the vibrating phone in his palm. Rosa’s name flashed across the screen, the ringtone cutting through the heavy silence of the hospital room. He hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen, torn on whether he should even pick up.Luciano had finally regained consciousness two days ago, but he had been a nightmare of a patient ever since. He flatly refused to cooperate with the medical staff, aggressively demanding to leave the hospital despite desperately needing medical care. He was consumed by a blinding need for vengeance against whoever had orchestrated the hit. The mere thought that his Rosie could have been caught in the crossfire and hurt was driving him insane. In the end, the doctors had no choice but to keep him heavily sedated; the moment the drugs wore off, the don's intimidating, dictatorial nature took over, and he would start tearing the wires out. Reid gave Luca a firm nod from across the room, silently signaling him to answer. Taking a breath, Luca sw
Rosa frowned at the question, pushing herself up from the sofa to stand at eye level with Laura, who was looming just in front of her.“He isn’t here.”Laura scowled at the response. “Come on, Rosa, tell me why he’s avoiding me. I haven’t seen him in two days, and no one knows where he is.”Rosa was shocked to hear that. So he wasn’t with Laura? Then where the hell was he, and why was he hiding from everyone? Worry clawed at her mind once again.“Laura, he’s your fiancé, so out of everyone, you should know where he is,” Rosa replied calmly."But," Laura taunted with a mocking sneer, "here you are, living in his house and pregnant with his child. Pr
“Rosa, I know it’s not much, but I want to help,” Lucy said with genuine care.Rosa shook her head. “No, Lucy. You’re living here alone, far away from your family, working so hard just to support them.”Lucy smiled softly. “You’re also my family now, Rosa.”Rosa’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.
“Yes,” the nurse reassured her gently. “He’s doing well. This course of treatment is complete. The doctor will speak with you tomorrow and explain when to bring him back for follow-ups.” With that, the nurse hurried after Dr. DeLuca as he continued his usual rounds. The news of this change spread
Rosa didn’t know that the hotel’s internet service had already been blocked on all devices. No one could upload the videos they had taken on any site or send them to anyone. Soon after, the guards themselves respectfully collected everyone’s phones. Every person present was an elite guest of the h
Rosa’s face reflected her nervousness as she glanced at the tray. It was laid out with syringes, pills, and lines of powdered poison in neat rows. Her eyes snapped back to Luciano.“I… I don’t do drugs,” she whispered, her voice rushed and desperate.Reid poured whisky into a glass for Luciano—his u







