LOGINMARCO'S POV. “The name's Brian Delamonte. Nephew to Leone's Donna.”“Leone set up his own kid?” My lips set in a grim line.“Not sure,” Loud music choked Sandro's reply from the background. “Could be her mother, Sophia.”I glanced at the hallway briefly.No sign of anything amiss from my room.“Where is he?” I asked.“Partying at the bar. He's had one too many drinks so far. Blurted without his own mouth that he has a Leone princess in his room for the night.”My hands tightened on the phone. Anymore and it would break.That motherfucker!“Wait until he returns to the room, Sandro. You know what to do.”I hung up. Debating whether to stay or go deal with this Brian Delamonte.I downed my drink and set the glass on the table.I'll wait until Gabriella wakes up.“Mr Vitale?” My head snapped to Stephanie in the hallway. She stepped into the living room, her shoulders slumped with a sigh.“How is she?”“Stable,” She replied. “She was drugged with diazepam mixed with a few other mild, but
MARCO'S POV. Careful not to give my men a show, I slowly lifted the sheet covering Gabriella.The tightness of my chest eased once I saw Gabriella fully clothed, still in the dress she'd worn yesterday.I exhaled shakily, the tension draining from my muscles as I tucked my gun into its holster and scooped her up.Her hands dangled on the side, and I adjusted her head to rest on my shoulder.I frowned slightly at how blacked out she was. She didn't even shift at the noise of my men kicking into the bathroom.Definitely the effect of being drugged.Sandro hurried back to my side just as I turned from the bed, an apologetic look on his face.“Completely empty, whoever brought her here is already gone,” Sandro informed.I could hear the heart pounding in my ears.Was I really too late?Has Gabriella already been violated and redressed?I couldn't conclude whatever happened from her appearance alone. Although she looked like she'd been drugged, there were no visible marks on her body.I c
Sophia's touch on my skin —a searing metal cuff around my wrist tugging me along— made me recoil with something heavier than hatred or disgust.Danger.It became apparent when a larger hand took mine from Sophia's, pulling me into an embrace that felt repulsive. An offensive scent that was nothing like Marco's and a hold that entirely felt too imposing for a simple meet-up like they'd said.I tried to pull away. My fingers curled weakly around his shirt but my strength gave out before I could even push.“Woah!” A new voice bit, the smell of alcohol invading my nostrils, when I crashed into him from Sophia's shove. “She's the one? Isn't she like a celebrity or something?”“Brian you're drunk,” Sophia sounded offended.“Just a couple drinks…” he slurred.Sophia huffed a harsh breath. “If anything goes wrong because you couldn't keep your hands off a bottle, I'll end you,” she hissed. Then in a much controlled tone, she commanded, “Take care of her.”I'm sure she didn't mean that in a g
Once the realization hit, I tried to focus—but everything blurred. The voices around me were loud, yet impossible to understand.Even my glasses couldn’t steady my vision from seeing two Sophia's instead of one.Why her?Yes.My divided gaze was trained on her because if she wasn't the culprit, then I don't know who could've done it.I hadn’t come into contact with anyone suspicious tonight— except Cora of courseAnd that's exactly why they were my sole suspects.Flora indeed ordered our dinner and I have no reason to suspect my bestie.Did they think it'll skip my mind that Cora took a long time to order only water in a lounge that belonged to my family and could possibly be managed and easily influenced by Sophia?I clapped my hands around my head and groaned at the pain that shot through my head.My body broke out in a very hot sweat.Whatever they drugged me with, wasn't making me pass out immediately. It was messing with my bearings.I wondered how long it'll take before they not
I sighed, the weight of everything from today still pressing against my chest.. Placing a hand on my shoulder, Jack said, “Don't worry. I know not to tell her anything about you.”I imagined different outcomes to the stunt Sophia and Cora were pulling but I couldn't come to a conclusion on what they could possibly want.Cora claimed her intent was to monitor me. But I doubt that's the case.“Earth to Gabi,” Flora's concerned voice dragged me out of my thoughts.“Huh?”“I've been talking to myself for the past ten years,” Flora exaggerated.I guess I'd spaced off.“What were you saying?”“Your meeting, duh. What do you think of StarRise? Are you gonna sign with us?” Flora rambled on and I laughed.StarRise has been Flora's management agency for two years. Judging by her growth in those years, I could tell they were good to her.Not a single bad report has been made about them in recent years. They were likely the agency every artist would dream to sign with.A luxury agency which only
GABRIELLA’S POV.I dried my face with a warm, soft towel and applied lotion to my puffy face.When I stepped out of the bathroom, the space felt colder than it should have.Marco was gone. In his place was a steamy cup of tea sitting on the table.Call it intuition, but I knew he was nowhere in the building.I left the tea untouched and stepped out of Mr. Stone’s office.I stumbled upon Fabio and Mr. Stone talking by the elevator.Their conversation died as I approached.“Signorina,” Fabio greeted.I gave him a nod and faced Mr Stone.“Is he gone?” He knew exactly who I was referring to.“Mr Vitale asked me to give you this,” he gave me the contract we revised earlier. “You can take your time.”Courtesy. Next month is already in a few days.“Why is…” I paused, not knowing whether to say his name. “Should I be worried he's involved in my contract? What's the catch?”Mr Stone gave me a meaningful smile before he answered.“Mr Vitale has your best interest in mind. Trust him.”Trust him







