We stepped into the bedroom and I stopped in my tracks, breath catching in my throat. It was stunning. Soft golden lighting bathed the cream walls, and rich navy curtains framed the wide windows. A grand four poster bed stood at the center, draped in silk sheets with pillows arranged like clouds. But what truly caught my attention were the walls,The artwork was framed with precision, brush strokes in bold lines and deep emotion. On one wall, an abstract piece with red and indigo streaks looked like a storm and a sunrise all at once. I walked in slowly, my eyes dancing from one painting to the next. Then I turned to the far end of the room, and noticed a single wall that had splashes of paint in chaotic yet expressive bursts. "Did someone lose their mind here?" I teased, arching a brow. Giovanni chuckled from behind me, shrugging off his blazer. "I had the room renovated while we were away. When I found out you loved art, I asked them to make the space expressive."I blinked at h
The city lights blurred past the tinted windows as the car cruised back towards the Orlando estate. I leaned into the leather seat, my phone cradled in my hands, thumbs tapping quickly over the screen.Dona Paula: You left so suddenly, piccola. Everything okay? I sighed before replying. Me: I was kidnapped.The typing dots blinked for a moment, then vanished. Her reply came in an instant. Dona Paula: Mio Dio! What!? Who did this!? Are you safe now?Me: Juliana. But yes, I'm safe now. Giovanni handled it. A pause. Then,Dona Paula: That snake. I didn't expect that from her. Not to you. I'm still so angry. Dona Paula: You must come back to Italy soon. I'm afraid I've already grown too attached to you. I smiled, warmed by the concern. Dona Paula was like the aunt I never had, she was cool, chic, and still managed to be caring all at once. Me: Definitely. I miss your garden already. I hit send and looked up just as Giovanni placed a hand on my thigh. "You've been texting nonstop
The tray of food sat untouched on the bedside table. Eggs, toast, some fresh fruit, and a glass of orange juice. My stomach grumbled at the sight, but I refused to take even a bite. I sat stiffly in the armchair across the room, my hands gripped tightly in my lap. "Please, miss...you need to eat something." One of the maids said gently, inching closer with the plate.I shook my head without a word, my eyes fixed on the door. I hadn't said much since waking up in this strange room.The maids exchanged looks and tried again. "If you don't like this, we can make something else."I shot them a look, narrowing my gaze at them. Why were they so eager for me to eat? My eyes fell on the tray of the food. It looked tempting but I had a churning feeling about it. Suddenly, the doorknob turned. The two maids instinctively straightened as the door opened and two men walked in.The first was tall and slim, with striking red hair that looked almost copper under the light. His skin was pale, an
GIOVANNI'S POV The car ride was thick with silence. I sat in the back, a gun resting at my side and the bitter scent of the cigar in between my fingers curled through the air like smoke. My fingers tapped lightly against the armrest as I stared at the moving buildings through the window. The phone in my front pocket buzzed and I answered without a word. "It's done, boss," The voice on the other end was harsh, the sound of something crackling echoed in the background. I pulled the phone from my ear, and ended the call. A new notification blinked to life on the screen. I opened it and stared at the two photographs,The scorched ruins of two separate warehouses, the flames rising up to the sky. I exhaled slowly and leaned back in my seat, taking long, deliberate drag from my cigar. I wish I could say I was satisfied, but I wasn't. I needed more, I wanted more. Two warehouses alone wouldn't suffice for the line Viktor had crossed. Even if they were worth millions of dollars.It w
GIOVANNI'S POVI stirred on the bed, a lazy smile tugging at the corners of my mouth as the golden morning light crept into the room. My hand instinctively reached to my side, patting to find the soft form of her body beside me but it was empty. My eyes flew open and I turned, the sheets rustling as I moved. I patted the bed, finding that it was still warm. Which meant it shouldn't have been long since she climbed out of the bed. I let out a quiet chuckle and laid back on the bed, folding my arms behind my head. I couldn't stop thinking about last night, even in my dreams I was being tortured by it. It was more than just sex. It was consuming yet tender and it left me feeling powerless. She'd managed to make me feel things I didn't know I was capable of feeling. My gaze was fixed up at the ceiling with a kind of dazed peace I hadn't felt in years. I turned my head to the side of the bed again, the faint scent of her still lingering on the pillow. My lips curled, "I'm in troubl
I wasn't sure who moved first, but the space between us disappeared and our mouths met in an explosive kiss that instantly melted everything else away. A breathless gasp left my mouth when Giovanni swept me off my feet, carrying me through the hall like I weighed nothing.He climbed up the stairs, his mouth never leaving mine once. I heard the bedroom door fling open with a thud and he threw me on the bed. I bounced on the large mattress, my hungry eyes taking in the sight of his beautiful body. My heart was hammering in my chest, every never in my body lit up with anticipation. His eyes were dark and dangerous, holding my gaze as he stripped off his shirt. And there it was again. The tattoo sprawled across his back. I'd seen it before, but didn't pay much attention to it. Not that there was nothing between us, it was stark and bold. I realized it was the map of Italy, the red and black intricate lines fanned across his back like a brush stroke dipped in ink. He climbed over my
We returned to the kitchen, Dona Paula offering to give me one of her favourite teams. I watched the way she floated around the large room as she poured water into two cups. "I hope you'll like this, it's a little on the bitter side but it has its benefits," she said with a smile, dropping a pinch of crushed herbs into the hot water. "Although, I added in a little bit of something now."I took the cup with both hands, the heat doing wonders to my nerves. I inhaled the fragrant steam, and I caught the faint whiff of cloves. I gingerly slipped, and it slid smoothly down my throat. Dona was right, it truly was on the bitter side but the aftertaste made up for it. I took another sip, and then another, and another, until the cup was empty. "Wow," I said with wide eyes, dropping the porcelain back on the table. "What's in there?""It's a secret," she said with a wink, and then added. "But-""But?""It's for virility," she said casually, stirring her own cup with a small silver spoon. "I
"Dahlia?"My twin's reflection stared back at me, but this time, it spoke."Imposter."I jerked back, my heart skipping. My breath hitched in my throat as I stared into the mirror again, but the reflection was gone. Instead, my own eyes stared back at me. But her words echoed over and over again in my head.Imposter. She'd called me an imposter. Shit. Shit. Shit! What the hell was going on? Why the hell was I seeing things?A soft knock broke through my face, and I turned around to see the door creaking open."Breakfast is ready," Giovanni called gently from the door, poking his head in. "You good?" I forced a smile, and nodded. "Yeah, I'm coming."He shot me a grin, causing my heart to stutter. I watched as he shut the door, the sound of his footsteps fading. I sucked in a shaky breath and ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at the strands. I was falling for him. Goodness. I was falling for the man who thought I was someone else. The man who would probably wipe what was left
I stirred beneath the silk sheets, warmth curling through me like a slow burn. The sensation wasn't from the cold, it was Giovanni. His mouth trailed along my skin like a deliberate whisper."Giovanni," I murmured his name, my eyes fluttering shut as his lips moved down my body. My fingers fisted the sheets and I tugged. My lips parted but no sound came out, causing me to hold my breath. When he reached my thighs, running his wet tongue all over her skin. I was beginning to see the stars already. "You taste so good, baby." He murmured against me, his voice was like velvet and sin. My center has begun to throb painfully, and I breathed rapidly, my chest rising and falling. I looked down to see his dark eyes twinkling with the promise of something. "I hope you're ready for me."Before I could respond, his mouth pressed against my soaked center in a way that made me explode at once. I gasped, bolting upright in bed. My chest was heaving, and my skin was flushed. I blinked at the so