MasukFor 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
"Sounds like a complicated situation," Max replied.Elena laughed as she typed out a new message. "It definitely is.""Trust your instincts then. You're smarter than you give yourself credit for. So whether your gut is telling you to run or stay, listen—it's usually right."Elena felt her face grow
Elena couldn't believe her eyes. But as Elena came face to face to this stranger, she knew with absolute certainty that this was indeed her biological mother.The familiar curve of her nose, the thin eyebrows, the dirty blonde short hair that resembled the waist length style she once sported—all of
Elena smiled at her mother's response. She was glad Sloane was free—and that she had cleared up her misunderstanding with Massimo."Anything else you need me to do today?" Elena asked her boss.Massimo hadn't looked up from his computer since she entered. Whatever he was doing must be very important
"Alright," Elena agreed, "good night for today. But just know I'm ready to take up my role as a proper wife—as long as I get to see more of you."Did he catch her meaning? Elena wasn't sure. It's hard to gauge the feelings of someone you can't see."Good night, Elena," Max finally said.Massimo was







