Nico“What place is this?” Leo grimaced, gazing around.We had gathered at Villa Monteluce, an abandoned 17th-century chapel-turned-safehouse nestled into the Umbrian cliffs. It had been ours for decades. The thick stone walls were cold, cracked, and silent. It was the kind of place where no one could hear you die.Leo already made a beeline for the makeshift bar with Domani following after him. Xavier and Caelian stood near the arched stained-glass window, eyes sweeping the perimeter. The guards were already positioned outside, armed and ready to attack anyone who came even closer than ten feet. And it wasn’t likely because this was built right on the edge of the cliffs.I took my seat at the head of the table, a place where my father sat the last time we were here. And even though I was slightly anxious, my heart was at peace. As per Gianna’s current location, she was at home, and she texted me that she would be going to bed soon after finishing work.That was more than enough, and
GiannaI couldn’t believe my ears. Did she just say that they were both dead?“What?” both Amara and I exclaimed in unison. Grazia nodded, folding her arms across her chest.“It’s been years,” she said. “Why else do you think neither ever made an appearance? Because they didn’t get the chance to.”“De…dead…how?” I asked. Grazia gave me a dirty look, but I don’t think it was for me.“Alessandro killed them,” she said plainly. “Rosa was threatening to expose him, was demanding a place for Maximino in his life and for him to be announced as the heir and not Nico. But she was stupid and naïve to think she could play someone like Alessandro Baldocchi. We had warned her to let it be. Girls at the slave house get knocked up by some rich bastard every other day. But sh
Gianna An eternity later, Amara pulled into some sort of a dark, secluded place in particularly nowhere. How far have we come from the city? I clearly didn’t like this, but she hardly seemed bothered.“Okay, are you ready?” she asked, turning to me.“I guess,” I nodded, trying not to be a complete pussy. Amara grinned and I blinked when she checked her stash of weapons. A gun tucked in the waistband of her jeans, knives hidden in her socks, and even a small knife guised as a clip tucked in her hair.“I raided Leo’s stash a bit,” she winked. “Now let’s go. We are obviously going to be stopped because this place is heavily guarded so there is going to be a bit of violence. But don’t worry…just stay with me.”I didn’t feel calm after hearing those words as she was climbing out of the car. I followed after her and I so wished I had some training too. It rained earlier in the day so the ground was wet and squelchy and our shoes made sloppy sounds as we made our way through some sort of hi
GiannaSharp at seven, I was waiting in Amara’s living room, watching as she fumbled around doing god knows what. She was dressed in all black, long hair tied in a ponytail and was far from the Amara I usually saw around here. More like the one I met the first time.“Okay,” Amara nodded, finally done doing whatever she was doing. “Are you ready?”“I am,” I said. “But what about the guards, sorella? And my phone…it has a tracker too. Nico is tracking it at all times so I can’t switch it off.” Amara grimaced, rolling her eyes and then shrugged.“We will figure it out,” she said flatly, stalking out. “Come on, let’s go.” I followed after her, my heart pounding both with excitement and fear. If Nico found out what I was upto I was so dead.And Amara too.“Where are Ares and Lucio?” I demanded, suddenly realizing how quiet it was around there. It is usually a rampage.“Left them with Aria for a playdate with Avara. They will kill each other but that’s Aria’s problem now,” she smirked, looki
GiannaDid Nico say he wanted to shave me?There?I couldn’t speak, could only nod, heart racing as he lathered up the body wash in his palm again and spread it gently between my legs. His fingers moved slowly, deliberately, massaging the foam into my skin, and even that had me clutching the wall behind me, thighs trembling.“You’re shaking,” he said, a ghost of a smile tugging at his lips.And then he began—precise, careful strokes of the razor gliding over my skin. His free hand stayed firm on my thigh, steadying me. I couldn’t believe he was doing this, my breath shallow with anticipation and pleasure. And the way he looked up at me, focused, hungry, reverent, made me feel like I was something sacred.When he finished, he set the razor down, then rinsed me gently with his hands, washing the last of the foam away. His thumb brushed over the freshly bare skin, and then without a word…he leaned in.His mouth found me again, softer now, tongue slow and deliberate. I cried out, hips jerk
Gianna“Gianna,” Amara exclaimed, looking surprised as soon as she opened the door. “What a surprise.”“Sorry, I came unannounced,” I said, walking inside. She snorted and gave me a look.“Please. This is your home too. Leo is upstairs in a meeting, though,” she said, dragging me into the sitting room.“I am not here to see Leo. I am here to see you, sorella,” I said, flopping down on the couch. Amara looked slightly surprised, but she smiled and gave me a nod.“Well, I am all free as you can see,” she grinned. “I was just sitting down with my cup of coffee. What would you like to drink? Tea, coffee, wine…?”“It’s okay. I don’t want to bother you,” I muttered.“First…please stop being so formal, Gi. And second, what makes you think I can make coffee or tea? I can barely boil water,” she chuckled. “Thanks to my wonderful cook and housekeeper, everything runs fine around here. Otherwise, we would have all starved. So what would you like?”“Coffee will be great,” I smiled.“Be right bac