Selling the last car off, Matteo reached home to see his family packed up and ready to leave. He would join them in a few days after selling the office space they owned. For the last thirty-five years, his father had run his car rental business from here, but now Matteo had no other option but to sell it. It had been almost a year since he returned home, taking a break from Di Salvo’s work. It had been the worst year of his life. Two weeks after he returned, his father suffered a brain stroke and had to be hospitalized for almost a fortnight. They brought him home, but he was bedridden for almost ten months until he passed away in his sleep. Ever since he had been busy selling off the business and their cars since his mom didn’t want to stay here any longer. They wanted to go to Genoa, where Marco and Viola lived. Di Salvo had sent his men once in this span but didn’t pressurize him to return. Matteo had almost forgotten about him, helping his family in their time of need. “Have yo

Amelia unpacked the last box and arranged the contents around the apartment. It had been two days since she had shifted into this apartment, leaving Ryder’s house. It belonged to her family and had been lying vacant for a while. After Brooklyn left with Nikolas, Ryder had become unbearable. He considered her responsible for Brooklyn’s departure and yelled at her for every little thing. Finally, she had to set her foot down and walk out of the marriage. For two days she stayed at her parents’ house, explaining to them about her predicament. Her dad wanted her to join his business and Amelia agreed but she wanted her personal space for a few days. She was tired of Ryder coming over to apologize and convince her parents to send her back. “Gosh, how could I forget my backpack?” she gasped, picking up the keys and going out. She had to drive all the way to her parents’ house to get her backpack. It had her essentials and couldn’t wait! Gingerly, she climbed into her car and drove over t

Matteo caught her with his uninjured hand to stop from falling to the floor. He helped her to the sofa, a frown of worry marring his features at seeing her reaction to his presence. He hadn’t at all expected her to react in this manner to him. It was obvious she was shocked beyond words.He leaned in closer to revive her, patting her cheek in a feather soft touch. His heart ached at seeing her again. He hadn’t thought he would live to see her again after Luigi shot him. It was a miracle that he was alive. His eyes took in the dark circles beneath her eyes, the hollow cheekbones, the dull look on her face. Why did she look so devastated? Why wasn’t she happy like she was when he saw her last? He watched her hungrily, as if committing every inch to his memory to last him a lifetime. He didn’t know how she would react when she gained consciousness, but at least he could hope to revive the magic they shared. With his fingers stroking her cheek absent-mindedly, Amelia stirred and opened h

Matteo slowly walked towards her, his eyes glinting with excitement. After her indirect confession, he aborted all his earlier plans of leaving her. Now he was eager to make her his for life. Amelia took a step backward, unaware of what she had confessed to Ryder in the heat of the moment. “Were you leaving, Matteo?” she asked in a whisper. Her instincts were right. He was leaving her, without a word, without a message. No wonder she had the eerie feeling of dread gripping her heart earlier. Her heart could feel it. Her back touched a wall, and she stopped, her breath hitching in anticipation. “Yes, but not anymore.” He stopped inches from her, his eyes searching hers. He could clearly see the love she felt for him. Matteo pushed a strand of hair away from the face and tucked it behind her ear. Amelia closed her eyes when his fingertips touched her skin. When she opened her eyes, he had closed the distance between them. He jammed his arms on either side of her body, trapping her bet

Amelia’s eyes widened, realizing what he meant. Of course, her feelings didn’t lessen a bit, but she needed to know everything about him. “You used to work before to pay off your family debt. Right? Then why now?” Matteo sighed and closed his eyes for a minute. It was now or never. He had to tell her the truth and be prepared to take the risk. He could hide from the world, but not from Amelia. “I worked as the underboss to Alphonso Di Salvo, Don of NSM, one of the most notorious mafia gangs in Europe. For five years, I paid off the debt I had taken, yet Don didn’t release me. I escaped them and went home, but they captured me. I fled to New York, but Bill Phantom contacted Don and gave me away in return for money.” Amelia gasped at what exactly happened. She knew he used to work for the mafia but she wasn’t aware that Phantom could do such a thing. Matteo told her everything that happened after she left. He explained about Sofia and her intentions, about Luigi’s threat, about the a