~ GIULIA’S POV ~The café sat quietly at the corner of the street, its small windows fogged with early steam, pale sunlight pouring across the polished glass like it was any other normal day.But there was nothing normal about today.The three of us stepped inside. Dante first, always first, Rocco beside him, and me trailing behind, my nerves drawn tight like a pulled wire.The moment we entered, the air shifted.Muted music floated from hidden speakers, the tables were neat, almost too neat, like someone wanted it to look real but forgot people leave behind messes.No smudges on the display glass, no crumbs on the floor, and not a single spill behind the counter.Interesting.A couple at the back corner sipped slowly, their eyes darting once toward the door as we entered. Another man sat alone at a table by the window, reading a newspaper, and a woman with a stroller sipped iced coffee.Two baristas were behind the counter, both wearing identical black shirts and green aprons.One wa
~ GIULIA’S POV ~“What?” I blinked hard, still trying to catch up. “He’s a mafia prince? A Russian mafia prince?”Dante nodded once, his expression unreadable, his eyes dark like a storm gathering at sea.“Yes. Prince Vince Ruger, Son of Don Nikolai Ruger. These people aren’t just dangerous… they’re monstrous.”The silence that followed felt too loud, like the world had paused to listen.Dante leaned against the hood of the car, arms folded tightly across his chest, jaw clenched tight.“Before Padrino died, he sent me to Russia to pick up where Vince left off after his failed mission. But those people… they don’t operate like us. They’re secretive and methodical, ruthless in ways we don’t even have words for. I couldn’t get anything useful and had to return before I got myself killed.”My heart pounded harder.“But what about Vince—Vince Ruger? How the hell didn’t you recognize him?”“Because no one ever has,” Dante’s voice turned lower, more gravel than sound. “He’s a ghost. His nam
~GUILIA’S POV~ Rocco went to get our gelato, while I picked a table under a tree where we could see the playground. A few kids were chasing each other around, sticky hands and chocolate-stained cheeks. Their laughter rang loud in the warm air. A few minutes later, Rocco returned with two cups of gelato. Mine was pistachio with caramel swirls. His was lemon with a scoop of berry compote on top. I licked it immediately and moaned. “Oh my God. I think I’m in love.” He chuckled. “With me or the gelato?” “Gelato. Sorry.” Rocco chuckled. “That good?” “Don’t talk to me. I’m busy falling in love with this ice cream.” We ate in silence for a bit, watching the carousel spin slowly with the lazy creak of old gears. He scooped his with quiet satisfaction. “My mom used to make lemon gelato every Sunday.” I froze then turned slowly toward him. “You never talk about your family or childhood.” He shrugged. “Not much to tell. My parents died when I was fifteen and aft
~GUILIA’S POV~ “I don’t think there’s anything here.” I groaned as I dropped onto the edge of Vince’s obnoxiously pristine white leather couch for what felt like the hundredth time today. My boots were dusty, my shirt clung to my skin with sweat, and my back ached like hell. We had combed through every inch of Vince’s cursed house like bloodhounds on a trail, drawers, cabinets, under the couch. And still, nothing. “We’ve torn this place apart,” I added, collapsing onto one of the armchairs, stretching my legs out in front of me. Rocco was still pacing the hallway, lifting every photo frame like it held the secrets of the universe. “You can’t say that,” Rocco’s voice echoed from somewhere in the hallway. “He’s not stupid. He’s definitely not going to keep anything important where we can easily find it. Keep looking.” I groaned and pulled myself up again. My joints cracked like an old woman’s. “Do you ever get tired of being the serious one?” “No,” he called ba
~GUILIA’S POV~“You gave him your blood?” Rocco echoed, brows furrowed.“I noticed the match yesterday when reviewing his chart,” she said calmly.“I ran a crossmatch panel just to confirm. And when I saw the bleeding… I had no time to think. I hooked myself up immediately.”“And you just happened to have the same rare blood type?” I asked, incredulous.“Yes.” She nodded.“I have Rh-null too, and it felt wonderful finally being able to donate my blood to save a life.”“Is that even professional?” Dante asked.“No,” she said honestly.“But it was necessary. And my blood’s clean — you can review my entire screening results if you have any doubts. I’m sorry, I didn’t have a choice. If I didn’t do it, he would be dead.”“No one’s blaming you,” I cut in quickly.“You saved his life. Thank you so much.” I smiled at her.“Thanks, Doc,” Dante said.“We appreciate it,” Rocco added.“It’s my pleasure,” she nodded, looking down at Val.“The knife pierced through the epigastric region and caused
~GUILIA’S POV~The morning light streamed faintly through the curtains, soft and golden, filtering into the quiet room like it didn’t know the kind of hell the night had been.I blinked awake, my lashes heavy with sleep, the unfamiliar ceiling above me taking a moment to register.My eyes snapped open.Wait.This wasn’t my room.I bolted upright, a gasp caught in my throat as I scanned the room.Dark walls, neatly folded suits hanging from a wardrobe, a faint scent of aftershave and something woody and expensive.This was Dante’s room.What the hell?Panic flashed through me as I clutched the sheets to my chest and glanced down at my clothes,My clothes were still intact and nothing seemed touched.Thank God.“How did I get here?” I whispered to myself, brushing strands of sleep-mussed hair away from my face.From the far end of the room, I heard a deep voice, groggy but amused.“Relax,” he said, his voice low and rough from sleep,“I didn’t do anything.”I turned to his direction, my