LOGINMiaWe couldn’t have asked for more beautiful weather to have our home opened and on display. With extra outdoor tables, our guests milled both inside and outside. Viviana had the serving staff ready and accessible with trays of champagne, wine, and sparkling water. There was a bar set up on the poo
Second Saturday in SeptemberMiaStanding on a chair, I secured the welcome sign above the table with a pink-icing cake decorated with ‘Welcome, Ariadna Gia’ scrolled in white frosting. While this gathering was to be our housewarming party, it would also be Ariadna’s first visit to the West Coast. S
MiaDante held me as I walked by his side, up the metal stairs in the hideout. Rei was leading the way. All I’d been told was that the mole was found, and my husband had been stabbed.Again.Without my brother’s strength, I’d still be lying on the floor of Nicolas’s house, in the same spot I fell wh
“That’s a lie,” Gerardo screamed.I held him down, my knife still at his throat.Andrés and Nicolas looked at their sons.“It’s the truth, Padre,” Em said. “I wouldn’t lie to you. You know that.”Andrés and Nicolas cursed under their breath. Andrés turned to me. “Patrόn? Does he know?”“Sí.”Gerardo
At his side, Ángel flinched, ready to attack me. Hatred shone like beacons in his eyes.Gerardo laid his hand on Ángel’s shoulder and retook his seat.I resumed my position, standing near the end of the table. “Today’s attack was different. The soldiers didn’t know our plan.”“The fucking famiglia d
AléjandroGerardo was the least happy about my emergency meeting. In his defense, he had the farthest to travel, I hadn’t given him the option of declining, and taking orders from me was not his strong suit. After what we’d learned over the last few days, his presence was mandatory. This meeting had
I liked the way Viviana never complained, taking my ideas in stride. “I’m certain you’re better at that than I am.”She grinned. “You taught me how to make lasagna. I’d only eaten it before in restaurants. Yours was much better.”It was Chiara’s recipe, my mother’s cook. She’d even taught me to make
MiaWhen I awakened, Aléjandro’s side of the bed was cool. His lingering scent of bodywash and shampoo emanated from his pillow. Inhaling his scent, I smiled at the memory of him telling me about the apartment building. I liked seeing and hearing his happiness about something he’d done, something he
“What matters is that those women will have more humane living conditions.”“And freedom to come and go. In my opinion, they were prisoners. Once Dante opened my eyes, I couldn’t unsee their reality.”“Will any leave?”He shrugged. “If they do, they don’t want to be there. Those that stay will be tr
MiaMy husband’s laugh rumbled through the plane. “I brought a change of clothes.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “I was teasing.”Exhaling, I shook my head. “Because I’m not nervous enough about tonight.”“Tonight is only dinner, and we are honored guests.”Pressing my lips together, I nodded.“







