로그인AriaThe door slammed open with such force that I jumped. Luciano stormed into the room like a man ready to burn the whole house down. Valerie and Mrs. Rosa were cleaning my burns when he entered. His eyes found me immediately, and for a second, pure fear and concern flashed across his face.“What the hell happened here?” he growled.The first guard rushed in behind him, looking pale.“Boss, I—”Luciano turned on him like a wild animal. “What were you doing when Ricardo tried to burn Aria alive under my own roof? Answer me!”The guard swallowed hard. “He said he came to check on you, Don. We thought since he is your uncle…”“Uncle?” Luciano roared. “I didn’t tell you that he is now my enemy? A traitor? From today, Ricardo is banned from this house. If you see him anywhere near the mansion, shoot him on sight. Call every guard and tell them. Am I clear?”“Yes, Don,” the guard said quickly and hurried out.Luciano pulled out his phone and dialed. “Carmen, assign two men to watch Ricardo
AriaThick smoke poured under the door and filled the small room. I started coughing hard, my eyes burning as I backed away from the door.“Help!” I shouted, voice already hoarse. “Somebody help me!”The floor outside caught fire with a loud whoosh. Orange flames danced under the gap, licking at the wood. I heard mocking taps on the iron bars of the small window. Tap. Tap. Tap.I moved closer, heart pounding. A phone torchlight suddenly shone straight into my face, blinding me for a second.Ricardo’s cruel smile appeared in the glow.“Simone’s little cunt,” he said with a dark laugh. “We meet again. But this time you are in chains. How the lioness has fallen."I gripped the bars tightly. “Ricardo? How did you get in here? The guards—”He laughed louder. “Luciano’s bitch wants justice? Let me see you fight for justice now, locked up like a dog.”Tears streamed down my face, but fury burned hotter than the flames. “You are a beast! Not even human. You are a disgusting animal! Luciano wi
AriaMorning light slipped through the small barred window, but it brought no comfort. I had barely slept. My body ached from the hard bed and my heart felt heavier than the chains on the door.The lock clicked. Valerie stepped in carrying a tray of food. Her eyes widened when she saw me sitting on the edge of the bed.“Aria…” she whispered, closing the door quickly behind her. “Why are you locked in here like a prisoner?”I tried to smile even though my lips trembled. “Valerie, sit with me for a moment.”She placed the tray on the small table and sat beside me. Her hand found mine. “Tell me what happened. Did you do something wrong?”I shook my head slowly. “I did nothing. Someone is trying to make Luciano believe I betrayed him. They planted evidence against me. Now he does not know who to trust.”Valerie’s eyes filled with worry. “That is terrible. You have been so good to him. Why would anyone do this to you?”“Because this world is full of snakes,” I said softly. “And one of them
Luciano POV Sleep refused to come. I lay on my back staring at the ceiling, the image of Aria locked in that room burning behind my eyes. Every time I closed them, I saw her tears, her desperate pleas, and the way she had touched my face like she truly cared. The evidence was real. I had seen the messages, the transfers, the photos. Yet something inside me kept fighting against it. I wanted to believe her. I wanted her to be innocent because the thought of her betraying me hurt more than any bullet ever could. I sat up and ran my hands roughly through my hair. My chest felt tight, anger and doubt twisted together until I could no longer stay still. I got out of bed, grabbed a bottle of rum from the cabinet, and poured myself a large glass. The liquid burned down my throat. I lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, letting the smoke fill my lungs. Still, her face would not leave me. “Damn you, Aria,” I muttered. I could not stay in this house tonight. Not with her locked away j
Luciano POV I stormed through the mansion halls with fury burning in my chest. The evidence Ricardo had shown me played over and over in my mind. In it were messages, bank transfers, secret meetings between Aria and Vega’s men. It all pointed to one thing. She had betrayed me. The woman I had started to trust, the one who made me question everything, was working with my enemy.I don’t know why Ricardo forwarded this to me but one thing mattered; Aria was a traitor too. Ricardo knew this will rile me up, he knew it will make me lose focus. He played his game well and now it is affecting me like he had schemed. But I won’t let the anger linger for long. I need to crush Ricardo as soon as possible but I need to even crush a bigger betrayer that struck deep in my heart.Aria.My blood boiled. How could she?I kicked open the door to the small sitting room where she waited. Aria jumped at the sound and turned to face me. Her eyes widened when she saw the rage on my face.“Luciano, what h
Aria POV Mrs. Rosa handed me a warm cup with a gentle smile. “Take this drink, my specially made peppermint tea. It will help you relax after everything you have been through.”I beamed with smiles and took the cup from her hands. I closed my eyes and breathed in the sweet mint scent that rose from the steam. It felt fresh and soothing.“Refreshing, Rosa. I love it,” I said before taking a slow sip. The warmth spread through my chest. “I haven’t even properly thanked you for always treating me like your own daughter.”“It is nothing, child,” she replied softly. “I feel indebted to your father. He would have done more for me if he was still here.”I tried to wave away the emotions that rose at the thought of my father, but my voice cracked a little. “Yes, he would have done more. I miss him so much it hurts some days.”Mrs. Rosa nodded with understanding eyes. “How is Valerie doing these days?”“She is conversing now. She said a few words to me three days ago,” I answered. “Oh wow, I
Aria’s POVI read the message one last time. My instincts screamed that it could be a trap, but the hunger for truth burned stronger. This might be the only chance I would ever get to learn what really happened to my father. I had to take it.I picked up my thick coat and slipped it on. The night
AriaI waited until the house grew quiet before I moved. My heart still raced from last night with Luciano. The good sex we had until a call changed his expressions and he didn’t even tell me who called or what the call was about.His touch lingered on my skin, but I could not stop now. I pulled th
Luciano’s POVMy phone rang while I was still standing in the shadows behind the warehouse, staring at the blood and smoke that filled the air. I picked up the phone, answered without looking.“What?”It was Isabella’s voice that popped up.“Lucianooooo. I just got word that you were being attacked
Luciano POV I arrived at the old tavern just after midnight. The place smelled of cheap whiskey and cigarette smoke. Elena sat in the corner booth, legs crossed, wearing a tight black dress that left little to the imagination. She smiled when she saw me, but her eyes looked nervous.“You came,” sh







