BANG!Saint tore out a shout of raw pain when a bullet ripped a hole through his shoulder. The metal blade swept against the tarred road. A metallic corrode of blood reeked the air, drooling towards the ground.Carlo was quick to shoot. This won't kill Saint. Couldn't risk finishing the bastard and holding up the wedding for his funeral.The brief yet cutthroat interaction with the bear had given him the obvious notion that Saint Russo was an impulsive prick who will act on screwing up before thinking things over first."This alliance is important for both families. Matteo and I made an agreement. I'm helping you settle the debts with the Colombians." Enzo reasoned. Hoping he stuffed some sense into the burley bastard."Save it." Saint raised his left hand, gesturing Enzo to shut up, his face like a white sheet of scrunched-up paper. "Nonno told me everything." He bit out, bearing teeth."Russo will go extinct if you don't seek my help, and I know you all are too prideful to do that."

"Did Saint do this to you?" Lily opened the medical kit and looked for the supplies to suture the wound. Good thing they keep these in handy. "Yes," Enzo answered as he sat back on the chair and waited for her. Her eyes trailed on the shadows etched over his taut and tanned body. So well-defined. Like the man was carved out of granite. She cleared her throat and examined the wound. "Sweet Jesus..." The gash on his shoulder was pretty deep, and it was awkwardly plastered with gauze earlier before she removed it and disinfected it. God knows if Saint ever cleans his machete after butchering people like they were pigs. Enzo could have at least gone to a hospital before it got infected, but no, he was stubborn to show up at the wedding in time. Vincenzo Salvadori, her husband, is the most iron-willed man she'd ever met. "Why didn't you tell me before..." she asked softly, placing the supplies on the chair next to him. "I didn't want to." "Why?" "I already told you why." He countere

"What are you thinking?" Lily's attention shifted from the mingling guests and met Enzo's stare. He had been watching her for a while. Enzo clasped their hands together, drawing lazy circles on her knuckles.Sizzles of electricity danced in that place. His touch seized to awaken her body with an electrocuting awareness.Does Enzo feel the same too?She couldn't help but wonder."I've been thinking...""About?""My mama and papa," Lily answered softly. "It's hard not having them here.""I see." His long-held stare shrunk the world around her until it was only him and her. The chatting guests, symphonic piano, and guitar played by the band all fade into a distance like a mist.His lids drooped down, holding emotions. Emotions that mirrored hers. As if he dearly missed someone, too. "My mama would have loved you." He said, the rough edges of his voice smoothening down."Why do you say that?" She asked, her hand going up to hold his hand tight. She wanted to comfort him out of whatever gr

Enzo stirred as he woke up from his six-hour slumber with a boner hard enough to pound a nail, after feeling Lily's soft body pressed to his chest. Lily's delicious scent of vanilla and roses greeted him first thing in the morning. He hadn't realized when she had rolled over to his side or whether it was a conscious move. When she was close enough, he pulled her to his side, and she nuzzled into him, seeking comfort. He couldn't tell what Lily really felt about him. She liked him enough to let him kiss her but didn't trust him enough to entrust her body to him. Her mind wanders whenever she looked at him. As if she was making a comparison of him with someone else. Lily didn't love him. She loved Ethan Vitiello. Her good-as-dead lover. The thought of Lily loving some other man left a trail of bitter aftertaste inside him. He had never loved a woman before. Apart from his Mama and Nonna. They were family, and he was bound to love them. But getting romantically involved with someone w

Enzo's promise kept ringing in her ears as they sat down for breakfast. She didn't notice Sasha coming to their table with their breakfast and beverages until Sasha tapped her shoulder and nodded toward her.Lily smiled and gave her head a curt shake and looked over at her husband, who sat next to her at the table. He had gotten ready for the day in his fitted, custom-made black suit that didn't have a single crease of imperfection. He always looked sharp, and the attire served his mature, calm-headed persona.How would a monster make love?Was he planning to force himself on her when his patience ran out?No, Enzo was a man who took a great deal of time in whatever he did.He was a silent, sinister serpent waiting in the grass, and striking at the first opportunity that opened up.She fantasized he was as slow and determined in the bedroom too. Attentive. He must take sex seriously as he took his promises.Enzo wasn't mad at her for refusing him on their first night. If it was any ot