• Valle Astra, Italy • ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "What kind of questions did they ask?""Nothing important." I scratched my forehead as my mother and I walked past the quiet and dim living room. Before reaching the bottom end of the stairs, Mamma turned around to give me a perplexed gaze. "Did they ask about her staying over?""Yeah. Just some stupid questions about her address and last job." "That's it?" she muttered with furrowed brows."It's fine. I handled it.""They didn't ask about anything else?""No. They're just being paranoid." Although the chances of Adreana being a spy for the DEA or some other government agency remained kinda high, I shouldn't give my mother another reason to worry about me. About us.Eleana Falco had enough problems to deal with on a daily basis, in and out of work. I was one of those problems. "Sorry, Mamma." My mother frowned. It drew fine lines on her small, naturally tan face and pale lips. "What? Why're you apologizing?" "You didn't have to get up," I

◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "You don't have to come with." "What?""To my next appointment." Adreana shifted beside me, her fingers gripping the seat belt pinning her in the passenger seat as I sped out of the parking lot. In two weeks, she had to go back there. In that examination room. Alone. Nervous. Anxious. Scared. "To our next appointment," I corrected, mentally reminding myself of the follow-up consult with the gynecologist. "No. I can manage," Adreana said with more conviction. "You're busy, anyway.""You heard the doctor. She thinks I'm your boyfriend. She prefers we go back together." "Not really. It's not necessary.""We already said yes."Adreana sighed, fidgeting next to me as I sped up along the highway. "Maxim, it's no big deal." No big deal? "Meaning?""I'm alright. I can sort it out from here." Doubting her words, I slowed down towards a busy intersection and feigned a straight face. "What if you get pregnant?" "I won't." She closed her eyes and nearly flinched at my mute

• Florence, Italy • ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "Grand Luxoria," I mumbled the words to myself as my bodyguards led me inside the spacious, floral-scented lobby. Similar to the canopy design by the front entrance, the golden embossed letters above the front desk flaunted the name of our family's second biggest hotel. The mostly black and gold-accented lobby furniture and decor must be worth at least two hundred grand. Two years ago, our hotel chain was on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. But this one didn't seem to be running with only its skeletal workforce left on the payroll. The reception area looked polished and elegant, matching the marble columns and shiny floor. "Buonasera, Signore." [Good evening, Sir.] The uniformed staff on night shift looked smart and poised, welcoming us with big smiles. "Hi." I faked a smile for them when Alessio gave them a slight nod. "Maxim Falco. Here to see Ms. Sutcliffe." "Ah. Yes. Ms. Sutcliffe is in the Finance Office on the third floor, Signore."

• Florence, Italy • ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆"I want to live here. For good."Why? Why Italy? Did she feel unsafe in England? Or just unhappy? I stared into her eyes, my legs touching hers as her back leaned against the wall. Her laptop screen behind me looked dimmer now. "Here?" In Florence? "Why?" "I don't wanna go back to Rome," Adreana murmured, her fingers touching mine. "Or London. Bristol's out of the question.""Can I ask why?""Tsk. I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled, shaking her head lightly. She made a face and stopped touching me. "I'm sorry.""Okay. No need to apologize.""I just can't. It's...complicated.""How can I help?"Adreana squinted, her frown making her lips pout. "Help with what?""You moving here.""No. I... You don't have to. Your mum giving me a new job is more than enough help.""You really need this job?"Adreana looked away, her nods almost too faint."Why?" I stroked the side of her face and kept my voice hushed. Gentle. Calming. I wanted her to open u

◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "Need me to go now?" I stared at the half-naked woman lying on top of me. As I stroked her face, her breathing and movements turned lethargic. I should leave now. I'd already claimed much of her free time tonight, and we both had work to do first thing. Cheeks still flushed, Adreana weakly shook her head while parts of her body mildly shuddered. She nestled her face against my neck. The smooth skin of her naked back glistened under the dimmed lights. Another proof that we should call it a night. Contrary to what she likely thought of me, I'd never force her to sleep with me. Not my style. I could be an incredibly selfish asshole sometimes. But with her, I mostly felt capable of keeping that side of me on a tight leash. Especially now that she needed a real friend. A confidant. Someone mature and reliable. Someone she could fully trust with her secrets and problems. She might not admit it, but clearly she felt alone in this country. Perhaps even lonelier than me. "I'