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
Elena stayed on her bed for a while, stewing in her emotions. She didn't appreciate how Massimo not only acted completely opposite to what Elena had grown to expect from him but also started picking at old wounds! Though Elena knew she would have to smooth over things with her boss eventually, she w
"Massimo?" Elena asked, still working through her shock. "I could ask you the same question—I didn't know you visited these sorts of places." By Elena's standards, Caffè Bella was a nice cafe, but by Massimo's standards? The place must have seemed very humble and homely. Massimo shrugged. "I don'
Elena immediately stopped swimming and stood up. Massimo himself even raised both eyebrows when he spotted Elena. She took comfort in the fact he also seemed surprised to see someone else here."Sorry," Elena said. She walked to the edge of the pool and climbed the metal ladder so she was no longer
But most shockingly of all, Massimo didn't complain. He didn't even frown—well, no more than usual. He looked as comfortable sitting in his business class seat as he did sitting in his private jet.Elena didn't comment on any of this though. She didn't want to be rude.But, privately, Elena reflecte







