LOGINFor the next five minutes, the only sound was that of Luca vigorously striking keys. Then he muttered a quick, "Yes!" and smiled. He turned the screen so that Massimo could better see it."We're in," Luca reported. "Only temporarily, of course—we've got fifteen minutes maximum."Massimo scanned the
"You know what," Massimo said into his cell phone, forcing his tone to stay casual. "You should clean up your place before you go anywhere.""I suppose I could be more thorough," Luca replied. "I don't like how much dust gets caught on the window's curtains.""Better to take care of that before alle
Massimo heard a car approach. He rushed to the windows, hoping that Elena had called a cab.But he didn't see a cab. Instead, he saw a nondescript black van pull up next to a nearby telephone pole. Massimo frowned.It didn't have any of the usual signage, but Massimo could recognize a repurposed FBI
Elena was so frustrated. Because this was the problem, wasn't it? How was she supposed to trust Massimo when he had been lying and sneaking around behind her back?Wasn't that just what her parents used to do? Wasn't Tyler using similarly ridiculous schemes—albeit with more force—to get her at his s
Elena tried to change directions but found herself at a dead end. Worst of all, the aisles were too cramped for her to slip by her step-mother. There was no way to avoid the woman."Are you ready to leave?"Elena hadn't been ready to hear that deep, steady voice again, but between Massimo and her st
Massimo stared at the fuel gauge, as if that would change the fact that the motorcycle didn't have much gas left. At least the damn thing beeped before it was completely empty—getting stranded on a deserted street with no easy way home truly would be the worst way to end this evening-into-morning ad
As soon as the words left Elena's mouth, her anger started to leave her. Why was she calling out her friend like this? Outside of her husband's own house?Didn't Elena have any shame or tact? She was better than this."Aria, listen," Elena began, ready to apologize, "I didn't mean—"Aria burst out l
"Not skilled?" Massimo repeated, clearly amused. "You wound me, Elena.""She tells it how it is," Aria interjected. "Don't be fooled by her smile. Oh, look, the next course is coming out!"Things might have gone well if the conversation had ended there. But between the rich food and abundance of alc
Elena ran down the staircase and out the Ferraro estate as fast as she could. She nearly collided with some servants and other workers in a hurry.But there was no time to apologize or explain. She had to catch the man who was spying on the Ferraro estate.Elena burst out of the main doors and looke
Massimo didn't look up as Aria returned to the office. She walked up to him and examined his injuries—superficial things he barely even felt.Aria looked at him with pity. "You poor thing," she cooed. "Your doctor didn't even bandage your cut—let me help you."Aria wouldn't hear any of Massimo's pro







