◇ KEL ◇
This day just kept getting weirder and weirder.
First, the ambush.
Then Enzo, eagerly offering me money for my "services".
◇ KEL ◇A long, tense silence filled the room as I stood before Mr. Falco. My legs felt a bit numb, weak, but that didn't really bother me. What held my attention was his apparent allegations regarding me being here at the same time his nephew's wife and new business associate almost got murdered.Subtlety wasn't one of this family's strong suits, I reckon. Why did he even think I was affiliated to Niccolo? So what if
◇ KEL ◇ I was about to follow Miles out of the mansion, but I stopped dead in my tracks when I recalled it was time I checked up on Cloe again. I used the stairs to get to Ricchar and Cloe's bedroom. The security guards let me in right away. Ricchar sat with Cloe who was resting on the left side of the bed, his hand carefully stroking his wife's hair."Cloe, are you okay?" I asked as I crouched beside Cloe. Her bandages still looked clean, no spots of fresh blood, and she now wore a different nightdress and no longer looked deathly pale. "Hi again." Cloe looked at me and smiled big. She had on a long nightgown that fully covered her slim arms and legs. "Charr, did you talk to..." I stared at Ricchar. "Are you taking her to the hospital now? I can come with you.""Thank you, but the local ambulance is half an hour away. If you could just keep checking on her and Lorenzio till the plane gets here." Ricchar kissed his wife's cheek and gingerly hugged Cloe closer."Sure," I replied wit
◇ KEL ◇"Don't mind him." Enzo grinned at me after Miles' father left and closed the door.Now I was alone with Enzo in the guest room, since Enzo's bodyguard was right outside, doing his job.For a moment, Enzo studied
◆ MILES ◆ "Sure you can do that?"Ricchar's question was filled with doubt and dissent as I'd expected, but I couldn't risk dragging Mykaela deeper into our family's complicated mess. Especially now that the huge can of worms got opened—by no less than the damned Russian mafia, too. "Only way I can keep her out of this.""You didn't ask her to stay?" Ricchar stepped closer to me and glanced behind us.I did the same. Pappa Stefano stood by the covered windows in the corner of the study room, busy talking to someone on the phone. More like, barking orders over the phone.We already discussed what happened to the ambushed convoy and agreed on our next steps with the head of security. Mamma Eleana now looked too bothered by everything to even speak. She sat in the swivel chair, the stacks of paperwork partly covering her slumped posture. Her brows and lips creased in concentration as she kept silent."Why?" I glanced sideways to look at Ricchar. Did he think Mykaela would stay if I as
◇ KEL ◇
◇ KEL ◇So he was off-limits.
◇ KEL◇
◆ MILES ◆A year earlierIt would take the uninvited prick another minute before he could reach Paul's unit on the top floor, but I couldn't risk it.My skin crawled at the mere thought of having to interact with the guy again. So I rushed out of the crowded living room full of drunks to fulfill a stupid dare, just so I would not have to deal with unnecessary drama tonight. It was my best friend's birthday, and I shouldn't steal the spotlight just 'cause my stubborn ex couldn't take a damn hint. I'd already told my friends not to tell Niccolo I was here and they agreed, but on the condition that I'd finish the dare. It was my turn in the Spin The Bottle game they were trying to kill time with.Quite nervous and gladly alone, I pushed open the door to Paul's bathroom. I thanked my luck when my tired eyes landed on a familiar brunette in dark jeans and a loose sweatshirt. The girl was alone, just reading a book in Paul's bathtub. "Sorry. I didn't—""Hi." The long-haired brunette glance