I’ve been wringing my hands together for the past ten minutes, palms sweaty, and legs bouncing reflexively up and down. Catching myself before I start biting my nails, I wipe my hands on my pants.   “You okay?” Luca says, bringing me out of my intrusive thoughts. “You seem nervous,” he adds, nodding towards my sweaty hands.   “Sorry,” I reply with a sheepish smile. “It must have been super distracting.”   Luca ignores that and spares a glance at me from the driver’s seat. “What’s going on?”   “I don’t know,” I admit, voice barely audible. “It’s fine, Luca. I’ll b

  “What’s this?” I ask Hana, dropping my bags on the floor just inside Dante and mine’s shared bedroom. We had just gotten back from Seoul and there’s nothing I want more than to sink into the bed and sleep off the fatigue, but there’s something about the way Hana’s looking at me that tells me not to.   “It’s a letter, Miss,” she says, handing it to me. “It arrived about a few days ago. There’s no name or return address on it, but it’s addressed to you.”   “Bianca?” I can’t help but choke out a sob, sinking to the floor cradling a postal envelope in my hands, careful not to crumple it.   “Miss?” Hana drops ne

To be dismissed like that, made to feel useless and weak like how Serafino made me feel, I never thought I’d feel it from Dante.   And I sure as hell don’t want to be put in this position again. I want to help, in any way that I can. I want to be able to do something for the people who had helped me. Adeline, Hana, Killian, Luca, Daveed, and even Dante. These people have been so kind to me, and I want to be able to protect them too.   I try to swallow down the hurt and frustration, unshed tears burning my eyes. I only get as far as the yard’s entrance before the burning feeling returns.   I can hear them. Every man in that training center, preparing themselves

The next morning, I awaken cold and alone. It’s still early, the sun hasn’t fully risen yet, and I’ve managed to kick the blankets off my body.   “He’s gone,” I note as I run the sleep out of my eyes.   Getting up from bed, I decided there was no use trying to fall back asleep now, so I start my day earlier than usual.   After a hot shower, I dress in comfortable gym clothes. If I want to get stronger, I have to make a habit of training hard every single day.   “Wait, I should…” I make my way to my office, finding it in the same condition as it has been since Ade

Dante has been like this since the night I ran into the woods. He’s been distant, focused on work, maybe even too focused. And it’s been weeks and I’m not too proud to admit that I worry about him.   He hasn’t been sleeping and I doubt he’s getting any rest with all the preparations he’s been doing, plus keeping up the strong appearance in the mafia community. The moment they see a crack in his armor, they will chip away at it until Dante cracks and breaks.   I sincerely pray that it doesn’t come to that.   And then there’s that stupid email I sent to Gavin. With nothing else to occupy my time apart from going to the gym and training with Adeline, my mind keep