LOGINLucian paced across the cobblestones slowly. His emotions were too suppressed, enough that no one would ever truly know what went through his head. Every step he took with his shoes, a dull sound echoed against the ground, almost like he was pulling the air tighter around him. With just a few steps away from him, Aria stood stiffly. Her arms folded over her chest as if she could keep herself from shaking just by holding her body together.Her eyes wouldnât stop drifting back to Camilla, like if she stopped she could disappear. Camilla sat near one of the thick pillars that supported the convent's outer archway, her back pressed into the stone as though it steadied her. Her fingers moved slowly, brushing the babyâs cheek, cradling it almost obsessively, like she needed to be reminded every second that she was still there. Every few seconds, she lifted her gaze, stealing awkward glances towards Aria, then Lucian, and tearing her gaze away again.Sister Paula walked carefully towa
His men stood behind him, their heads lowered, holding their feet in grief.Gianni buried his face into her hair, drawing in a shuddering breath. She was all he had left after his wife died. And now she is gone.He lifted his head slowly.âWhere did you find her?â he asked the men who had delivered the body.One of them cleared his throat. âMaster Lucian sent us to deliver her body. He said to tell you⌠she was killed in his custody. And it wasnât him.âGianni let out a soft, incredulous laugh, a snicker. He shook his head.âThat bastard killed my daughter for the code,â he said hoarsely. âAnd now he wants to pretendâŚ.âHis voice faltered. His grip tightened around Lauraâs shoulder.âHe doesnât even have the balls to take responsibility? Tell me, who killed her, if not him?âThe two men exchanged a look.âWe were only sent,â one said, bowing stiffly before turning away.Gianni watched them walk away, his attention drifting back to his daughter. He drew in his bottom lip, holding back
Gianni stood by the window of his living room, his eyes glued to the iron gates outside.The sound of the grandfather clock ticked louder with every second as though it were counting down something inevitable. Each beat drove deeper into his skull, matching the sick, crushing weight lodged in his chest.He should have thought of the consequences before accepting Rafaelâs proposal. Maybe he should have been a better father. He should have hidden Laura better. Farther. Somewhere even the devils couldnât reach her.âMaster⌠er....âThe voice cut through the silence like a sharp knife. One of his men shifted uncomfortably behind him, clearly unsure whether to continue. The others stood scattered across the room, stiff and uneasy, their usual tough self was stripped away due to the tension.âWe have some of the men out there searching for her already,â the man continued, clueless. âThe ports, the side streets, the....ââHmn.âGianni let out a low grunt, slow and hollow. He twirled the t
"What are you doing, get away from me." Camilla whined. But Aria remained, Lucian let out a small chuckle."Is this the hill you'll die on? The sister who doesn't love you enough to care if you live or die?" He asked, âGive that loyalty to me, and maybe youâll see my world isnât so bad.â"This is not for her..." Aria whispered.Sister Paula raised her head from the ground slightly, trembling.âItâs about her child,â Aria said. âIf you kill her, who takes care of it?ââThat child is Rafael and your traitor sister combined,â Lucian snapped. âThey gave birth to disappointment. Why should I care?ââAria, let him do it,â Camilla muttered. Even though she knew he wouldn't pull the trigger, but she didn't want Aria's help. âNo,â Aria shook her head.âThis isn't even your fight, why are you even here?â Camilla demanded. Aria let out a silent chuckle, and released Lucian's hand. He withdrew the gun, but she turned, gazing into Camilla's eyes, and her hand came down hard on Camilla's cheek.
Ariaâs head rested against the window, her breath fogging the glass in slow bursts while her thoughts raced faster than the Porsche. What was she even supposed to say to Camilla? Congratulations on the baby sounded nice, but is it? The child which she had for the criminal she turned against her for? Maybe she could start the conversation another way, or say nothing at all. She lifted her head slowly and turned to Lucian. He hadnât said a word since the drive began. One hand rested on his thigh. His jaw was locked so tight she could almost hear it grinding. Her throat clenched. Mostly, at the idea of asking what he'd do to Camilla. She couldn't even appeal on her behalf at the moment, he already doesn't trust her. But his silence was killing her. âWhy didnât you tell Domenico about Camilla and her baby?â she asked. Lucian exhaled sharply through his nose. His index finger rubbed along his jaw once before his eyes slid to her. âDo you want her dead before you even get the cha
âOh I sure as hell know you wouldnât want to fuck with me. Bring Camilla and that baby out now!â Rafael hurled his tumbler to the floor. It shattered loudly, glass skidding across the marble. The sound echoed through the room, adding to the already tense atmosphere. He had made all the house keepers line up before him, along with his men. Their heads bowed, shoulders shaking while the men stood behind them with confusion plastered on their faces. "And get those fucking midwives here!" He thundered. The servant closest to him flinched slightly, her head bowed. Rafael turned to see her still standing there, his eyes widened even further in anger. âWell?â he snapped. âWhy are you still standing here?â âI-i-iâm sorryâŚâ the girl stammered. Her hands trembled violently at her sides. She couldnât lift her head, and her feet refused to move due to extreme fear that coursed through her. Rafael let out an exasperated sigh, and grabbed her face. His fingers dug into her cheeks, nails pr







