"What are you doing here?" He stands in the corner of the room, his eyes roaming me hungry like I'm a piece of meat. My skin begins to crawl, and I don't want to know what he's thinking.        "Tati, he's not right for you."       "Adriano, I've told you a million times, I'm not interested. What I do with my life shouldn't concern you."I look at him and snarl my lip.     "He can't love you like I can, please, Tati. I've loved you since we were kids." He walks towards me, his fingers reaching out to caress my face.      "You mean since I was a kid, your sick, Adriano. Your almost my father's age." I wrinkle my nose in disgust and move away from his touch.    "You'll see soon enough, Tati, and then you'll beg me to marry you." He smirks like there's something I don't know.     "Please leave, Adriano; I need to get ready!"I raise my voice, hopi

"Tatianna, is everything alright?" Her beautiful face is now a ghostly shade of white. She hasn't said anything since I've made that toast. How stupid could I be? Why did I have to confess my love for her so soon? Yes, our relationship is oddly unusual, but I thought she felt the same way about me."I'm fine, Axon; I'm sorry you've just completely caught me off guard. I think I'm falling in love with you too."Tatianna says while looking at me, her blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight. Letting out a breath I wasn't even aware I was holding, I grab her and hold her in my arms.While I kiss her  forehead, she softly whispers, "but I'm scared." I don't think she's even aware she's voiced her fears. So I let her spoken words go unnoticed. I'm scared too, Tatianna. You have no idea how scared I am. The last woman I made my world wrecked it, leaving me a broken mess that no one has been able to fix, except for you.     She

The night air nips at my skin, chilling me to the bone. Looking around, I see a dark shadow standing in the field. The light of the moon cascades his face. He seems like a lost little boy. I'm starting to think his breakup wasn't as simple as Kate made it out to be. What do I know about Axon? Maybe we shouldn't get married.No, this is something I have to do for my father. His one last wish is to walk me down the aisle—the only reason he's held on this long. Tears graze my cheeks, and I'm not sure if it is because of Axon or the thought of losing my dad. My sobs becoming louder, startled, Axon turns towards me." Tati, why are you crying?" He wraps me into his arms, my tears soaking his shirt."It's okay, Tati, I'm here, I've got you, we'll get through this." He smooths out my hair, whispering consoling words.We stayed wrapped in each other's arms for what felt like hours; for the first time in my life, I felt safe, but most of all loved. Light drops of ra

Rubbing my temples in frustration, I read over the articles from the manila envelope. Adriano dug up my past, article after article. How did he get these?Each one like ripping off a band-aid. "Mr. Blaze wanted for questioning in the disappearance of his wife." If Tatianna saw these articles, I'm not sure what would happen. I didn't kill Becca. I suppose I should have left well enough alone when I found her, but I didn't. "Mrs. Blaze never found; the court is now considering this a runaway case. Is Mr. Blaze innocent? We'll let you decide."Just the headlines make me seem like a bad guy. If only they knew the truth, but the media will never know. The only one who knows the truth is Bianca; I trust her with my life. Sometimes, I wish she didn't know the truth either. Bianca still holds a grudge against Becca for what she did. Becca and that little girl were my worlds, and I let them down. It's my fault they're dead.After Shreddin

"Benedetto"The name I detest comes out. I look up from my desk, agitation clearly on my face. That could only be one person who would dare call me by my given name, and as far as I'm concerned, he is dead to me."My name is Axon; speak now and get out!""Mio figlio è a posto per parlare con suo padre." His cold grey eyes bore into mine.(My son is too good to talk to his father)My voice is as cold as an ice storm; I mask all of my emotions. The worst thing I could do right now is to show my hand."I have no Father; he died the day I left home.""Benedetto, I see you've come accustomed to Americans way of living. Bravo on your million-dollar company. You've proved your point, now come home. You have a business to run."A lot can change a person in a few years. His once black hair now a peppered grey; he once was stalky now he's plump. But one thing has not changed his arrogance. He's still the same on the inside. His Appearance