ALINAEarly the next morning, my mother returned from her vacation. She called me as soon as she got home.“Hello, Alina?”I sat up in bed, my heart thumping a little harder. “Yes, Mother?”“I’m in Chicago. Come to the house when you're free. We need to talk.”Anxiety tore through me. “Are you sick, Mother?”She laughed. “No. Be here before noon if you can.”She hung up without another word. I sat there for a while, feeling uneasy. To distract myself, I picked up one of the books Luca had gotten me and tried to read. It helped a little. I needed the distraction after the way I'd lost control last night.That wasn’t like me.But it seemed running the Mafia was changing me.I could even understand now why Luca was called The Monster.I had just stepped out of the bathroom when someone knocked at my door.“Mrs. Marino?” Lorenzo's voice called.I dressed quickly and opened the door.“There’s someone here to see you," Lorenzo said. "He claims to be family.”I frowned, confused. “He didn’t
ALINAAnalide hurried over to Luca. “I swear I didn't do anything wrong.” She sobbed, hiding her face in her hand. “Alina, you didn't answer me.” Luca said coldly. I could tell he was angry and it only fanned the embers of my own anger. “Analide is a guest in our house, whatever she did, you shouldn't have drenched her in water.” Why did he keep defending Analide? Was there something going on here that I didn't understand? I turned to Kwan. “I'm sorry for ruining dinner for you, Mr. Kwan.” I apologized, smiling at him though I wanted to grimace. Kwan took my fingers and patted them gently. “You don't need to worry at all…I should take my…” Luca tore my hand out of Kwan’s hand. “Damn it, Alina. I know you heard my question.” I looked up at him tiredly. “Your innocent Analide told reporters that she saved my life twice today.” “What?” Luca asked, looking in confusion from me to her.“Just in case you didn't know. It was Kwan who saved my life.” I sighed, walking Kwan to the door.
LUCAI still had Maya and Leo in my arms. My heart was beating wildly with anger and displeasure.“Take the children into the car, it's not safe here.” I commanded Lorenzo who took Maya and Leo from me. The crowd shifted as we walked away. Alina was shaking like a leaf in the breeze, as tears stained her face.“I should have forced her to stay. She never would have died if I'd forced her to stay.” She cried, sniffing as I lifted her into my arms. “There was nothing you could have done, Baby. I promise you.” I took her to the car and drove away. She sat up, heaving as she cleaned her face. I had never seen Alina break down this way and it just made me want to find the people who had killed Valerie and torture them slowly. “Let me see the message she sent.” She held her hand out. I shook my head. “You'll see it when you wake from your rest.” She glared at me, her red eyes making her appear fragile. “Give it to me now, Luca.” I knew she was serious. I handed her Valerie's phone an
ALINAI stumbled forward, hitting my arm on the rails as my knees went out from under me.I was in a free fall, almost landing on the stairs before a hand shot out and caught me.I landed against a solid chest and looked up, into handsome green eyes. “Shouldn't you be more careful where you're going, sweetheart?” A deep voice that sent shivers down my spine said. It was Kwan!I shuddered with tension. I had almost lost my life. Analide and Ethan were standing behind us, and none of them rushed to help me..Analide rushed down the stairs. She gave a smile of relief. “Alina you have to be the most clumsy person ever. Thank God Kwan was there to save you.” What was she talking about? My heart was still pounding in my ears from shock. I had felt someone push me down the stairs, or hadn't I? Kwan’s fingers were still around my waist and as I looked up, I saw that some of the guests had been drawn to the commotion, some of them taking pictures of the two of us. Analide turned to them
ALINAI thought it was a good idea to come with him,” Analide said, sounding unsure of herself as she stepped into my office behind Ethan.Ethan had arrived for his meeting, and with him was Analide.She looked innocent and beautiful, like a dove. She hugged me, and I pulled back, offering her a smile. “I didn’t expect you, but definitely, come in.”Ethan grinned. “Can we discuss business first before you ladies start discussing work?” he asked, looking ridiculously handsome in a black suit.I stood and walked out with him. Outside the office, I turned to him. “How did the auditing end?”“The books are in order. I’ve found you a plot of land for the new warehouse. We can go and see it when you’re done with Analide.”I nodded, my mind already drifting back to the books Luca had gotten for me that morning. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it.My heart fluttered again at the memory, heat blooming in my chest.Ethan chuckled. “Why are you blushing suddenly? Did I say something cute?”That
LUCAAlina slid into the car without a question.“What's wrong?” She asked as we drove away. I grinned, almost smirking at the worried look on her face. She looked cute with her puckered brows. “Nothing's wrong. What could possibly be wrong?” She looked around us, confused as I drove out. I could almost hear her heart lurch with worry. “Then why am I in your car?” Alina asked.“You're my wife, Alina. Why wouldn't you be in my car?” I laughed, driving fast toward the surprise I had prepared for her. “I have to be at the office in an hour.” She muttered. I knew she had to be at the office, but after the night she had yesterday, I planned a surprise for her, especially because Valerie was leaving and I knew she was worried. I had someone keeping an eye on Valerie until she was safely out of the country. We arrived at the store and went inside. Alina gasped, smiling too wide with delirious happiness. “Is this what I think it is?” She whispered.“What do you think it is?” I asked. S