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
ALINALuca's hand gripped my waist as we moved to the rhythm of the waltz, his touch both possessive and grounding. The ballroom's opulence faded into the background as I focused on the warmth of his body against mine."I need to tell you something," I murmured, my voice barely audible over the music.He looked down at me, eyes narrowing slightly. "What is it?""Adriano... he told me he doesn't want to take over the family business anymore."Luca's jaw tightened, but he said nothing. I continued, "I think he's just being impulsive. He'll come around."He nodded once. "We should leave."I hesitated, glancing around the room. Analide was dancing with Ethan; a sight that still shocked me. Did she know who he really was? Why hadn't the Talciros given him a more suitable role?"I don't want to go yet," I said. "Let's stay until the end."Luca leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. "If we don't leave now, I'm going to take you right here in front of everyone."A shiver ran down my spine.
LUCAI was barely off the damn stage with Alina when Victoria slithered over like a snake in silk.“I only tried to buy the dress as an apology,” she said, voice syrupy sweet, like I hadn’t just watched her try to rip Alina apart with a bid war.Alina didn’t flinch. She barely glanced at the galling woman. “I don’t care.”Good.Victoria blinked, the fake kindness flickering off her face like a blown-out candle. “Well, I was trying to be the bigger person.”Before Alina could respond, Talciro stepped in from nowhere just like the devil always shows up at the peak of temptation.“Did you apologize to her?” he asked, eyes flicking between them both.Alina started to speak but Victoria beat her to it.“She slapped me,” Victoria said, turning to him like a damn wounded angel. “In the bathroom. I refused to apologize after that.”Gasps and murmurs came from the guests around us. “She slapped Victoria? Who does she think she is?” “How can a woman behave like such a beast?!”My jaw clenched
LUCATalciro handed me a glass of something dark and expensive as soon as I entered his office, led by his bodyguard. I took it, not because I wanted it, but because I needed to be doing something other than dashing back outside to make sure Alina was safe. Talciro was about sixty, with steely eyes and a stern mouth. I had no idea why he had invited me to his office, but I was about to find out, and I hoped he would get to the point soon.“I’ll get straight to the point,” he said, smooth as ever, like he could read my mind. “I know you’re a busy man. And I’ve got guests waiting outside.” I gave a single nod and took the seat across from him. I didn’t trust him. His smile was too polished, and his demeanor was too familiar.Men like him only spoke first when they had something to gain. What did he want with me that he didn't already have? “I’ve been doing a little digging,” he continued. “You’ve got a reputation. Word is you’re into weapons.”My grip tightened around the glass. Wh
ALINAI walked over to my seat and sat down. Victoria didn’t look at me. Not once. She laughed and flirted with the men around her, brushing her fingers over their sleeves, tipping her head back when someone said something mildly funny. She leaned in close to Riot, whispered something in his ear that made him smirk, and I was sitting right beside her, like I didn’t exist.Perfect.I could work with that. I would ignore her too. It was her decision whether she apologized or not. Her apology didn't matter because I had no intention of forgiving her. I kept my face neutral, but inside I was still burning. My skin ached slightly from the kiss Luca had given me, and my mouth…God.He kissed me like I was the last meal on earth. First soft and sweet, then suddenly feral and hungry. My stomach flipped just remembering it. My thighs clenched. I shifted in my seat, crossing my legs quickly and praying no one noticed how flushed I looked. I knew what that kiss meant. We’d be having sex la
LUCAI stood outside the bathroom, fists still clenched at my sides. Analide stood beside me like a well-meaning shadow. “You really should come with me,” she said, slipping her hand around my arm. “My father’s expecting you. It’s just a quick meeting. A toast and a handshake.”A muscle twitched in my jaw. Was she asking me to meet her father right now? Couldn't she read the room? Alina was in that bathroom, probably crying with wine all over her dress. The one she glowed in, when she first tried it on, and showed it to me when I came to pick her up. And Analide thought I cared about some meeting with her father?I pulled my arm free. “Not now.”She frowned. “But he’s waiting.”“I said not now!” I snapped, stepping away. But she followed, hurrying too fast behind me.I stopped right in front of the bathroom door, just as it opened.And of course Victoria stepped out because what better way to worsen my mood than having to deal with her? She was smiling as she came out, but immedia
ALINAGasps sounded around us like firecrackers. The scent of wine, sweet and sharp, filled the air as a hush fell over our corner of the ballroom.“Oh no!” Victoria’s voice trembled with false horror. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She apologized but her eyes were glittering with satisfaction.I stared down at my dress—Analide’s masterpiece—now soaked in dark red. I blinked once. Twice. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.Analide spun toward Victoria, her face frozen. “What the hell is wrong with you?”“I said I was sorry,” Victoria replied, her tone dripping sugar. “It’s not my fault she wasn’t watching where she was going.”I clenched my fists at my sides. My nails dug into my palms. Don’t slap her. Don't slap her. I begged myself, closing my eyes so I could control my temper. I wasn't even mad about her pouring an entire glass of wine on my dress, I was mad because the dress was Analide’s and I knew she had spent hours on it.Analide turned to me, eyes blazing. “Alina
ALINAWhat the hell was Victoria doing with Riot Alvarado?The thought spun around in my head like a tornado as Riot’s grin sharpened into something predatory.“You’ve got some bloody guts showing your face here after what you did to me,” he hissed, leaning in so close I could smell the whiskey on his breath.His arm where I had cut off the wrist was tied neatly with a black velvet material threaded with gold. My spine stiffened, fury crashing through the fear. “I didn’t do anything to you. You did that to yourself. You hurt a woman. You deserve whatever you got.” Luca stood before I could say more, his body forming a solid wall between Riot and me. His voice was deadly calm. “Sit down, Riot. Don’t try to cause a scene or you won’t like my reaction.”Victoria stepped in quickly, her hand reaching for Riot’s arm like she could control him. “He’s not trying to cause a scene, Luca. He’s just surprised to see her. We both are.”She smiled like this was some sweet accident. I wanted to