Mag-log inLYRAI was beginning to think my father had developed a new hobby, and unfortunately for me, that hobby involved summoning me to his office whenever he felt like ruining my day.Seriously, what had I done now?I was sitting in my room, trying to decide what to wear, when a maid knocked and informed me that my father wanted to see me in his office.Again.I sighed and dropped the dress onto the bed. I'd barely settled into this house, and I was already tired of being summoned to that office. Every conversation with my father seemed to end with him telling me what to do with my life, as if my opinion were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.I followed the maid downstairs, wondering what he wanted this time. Maybe he'd found another man for me to marry. At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised.When I entered his office, he gestured towards the chair opposite his desk."Sit down, Lyra."I sat, crossing my legs as I looked at him. "What is it this time, Papa?"His eyes narrowed s
DANTEOne week laterLuca was finally feeling better, thank fucking God. The past week had been exhausting, and I was getting tired of watching my son struggle with a fever while the doctor kept telling me it would take time for him to recover.I understood that, but it didn't mean I had to like it.Now that he was back to his usual self, I could finally focus on the other problem I had been putting off.Lyra Lombardi.I had given her father enough time to fix the mess he had created, but apparently, the man needed a little reminder of how things worked.My grandfather had made an agreement with the Lombardi family years ago, and I intended to get what I had been promised. I had never agreed to marry Iris, and putting a ring on her finger in front of half the fucking city didn't change that.I wanted Lyra, and I wasn't going to let her father decide otherwise.I grabbed my keys and left the house, telling Matteo I would meet him later. The drive to the Lombardi estate wasn't particu
LYRAI was back in my tiny apartment with Sandra, packing my things into the few bags I had brought out earlier. After everything that had happened over the past few days, I was going to be moving back to my father's house, and honestly, I wasn't looking forward to it.Sandra sat on my bed, watching me fold my clothes and put them into my bag while I updated her on everything that had happened since my father took me back to the Lombardi estate. I told her about Iris's engagement party, how I discovered that Dante Russo was the man my sister was supposed to marry, and how my father had already arranged my own engagement to Mr. Bianchi.Of course, I also told her about my encounter with Dante that night, leaving out none of the details.Sandra stared at me with her mouth open when I finished."Lyra, are you seriously telling me that the man you sucked off in this very apartment is your sister's fiance?" She asked, her eyes getting even more wider.I nodded, dropping another dress int
DANTEA few days had passed since the engagement party, yet I couldn't get that stubborn redhead out of my fucking head.Lyra Lombardi.Just thinking about her was enough to put me in a foul mood.I had more important things to worry about. Marco was still out there somewhere, my men were investigating the recent attacks, and the wedding preparations were already underway. Yet, somehow, my mind kept drifting back to a woman who seemed to have made it her personal mission to get under my skin.I could still picture her glaring at me in the middle of her room, her violet eyes fearless and daring.And that mouth of hers.Always running.I leaned back in my chair and rubbed a hand over my face.Fuck.This was getting ridiculous.I'd met plenty of beautiful women in my life, and none had ever occupied my thoughts for this long. I usually forgot their names before they even left my bed.But I couldn't bring myself to forget her. I remembered everything.Her violet eyes, her ridiculous come
LYRAI couldn't stay there another second.The moment the song ended, I pulled my hand away from Mr. Bianchi and forced a polite smile."Excuse me."Before he could respond, I slipped through the crowd.I didn't bother looking back.I walked toward the quieter side of the hotel, away from the ballroom and the endless noise of people talking, laughing, and celebrating an engagement that felt more like a funeral to me.As I passed a waiter, I grabbed another glass of champagne without thinking.I took a sip as I continued walking, then another.By the time I reached the back hallway, my head already felt lighter than it should.Great.Exactly what I needed.I stopped myself from taking another drink and set the empty glass down on a nearby table.I had already had enough.I pushed through the back doors and stepped outside.The cool night air hit my face immediately.I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.Much better.The hotel garden stretched behind the building, beautifully lit by
LYRADante was walking toward me.My heart immediately started pounding.I didn't know what he wanted, but judging by the amused look on his face, I knew he hadn't forgotten me.I took a small step backward."Dont..."Before I could finish, the lights in the ballroom dimmed slightly, and a voice came through the speakers."Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."Everyone turned toward the stage.Dante also stopped walking.I looked at him for a moment before turning my attention to the stage as well."Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate a very special occasion."The room filled with applauses.I glanced at Dante again.He was standing a few feet away now, his expression unreadable.The man on the stage continued speaking, but I barely listened.My attention was still fixed on Dante.Until I heard a familiar name."Please welcome the beautiful bride to be, Miss Iris Lombardi."My head snapped toward the stage as Iris stepped forward.She looked nervous, but she smiled polite
DANTE I had been watching her since I walked into a club with my cousins for a drink, she was attention grabbing. My cousins couldn't take their eyes off her, they had been talking about a little spitfire working in a club downtown after visiting it once. All the men around me couldn't stop g
LYRA It was already past three in the morning as I made my way down the empty alleyway, my hand clutching the taser in my bag, ready for any unexpected trouble. I was completely exhausted after ending my night's shift at the club I worked. The only thing I could think about was going home, taki
DANTE I ran a bloodied hand through my dark hair as I watched her glare at me. She was the first person that had ever glared at me so openly. If I didn't find her amusing I would have plucked out her beautiful violet eyes and kept it as a trophy. "What's your name?" I asked, ignoring the sha
LYRA He finally sat down on the edge of the bed with a heavy sigh, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he just stared at me, like he was trying to figure out whether to trust me or shoot me. Up close, he looked even more dangerous. Even more handsome. His shirt clung to his chest, soaked wit







