Semua Bab THE KISS OF VENGEANCE : Bab 21 - Bab 30

Chapter 21Vincenzo's Pov.Why do you remind me of the mafia, Francesca?That was his first sentence. No greeting. No offer to sit, only that one question. It cut through me, low, and menacing. It was not the kind of question you replied to thoughtlessly. The kind that suggested he had seen, considered, calculated things and was suspecting something. I didn't flinch. Because flinching meant weakness, and I couldn't afford to be weak in the presence of Vincenzo Lombardi."Because," I said, going further into the study, my tone even, "it's the only family structure where loyalty is more specific than love. And I am loyal."He didn't flinch. He sat with eyes locked on me, as silent as silent water, but I knew not to mistake stillness for peace. Vincenzo was never peaceful. He just had a depth of stillness. And then he did something that took me aback. He sat back in his chair and smiled. It barely reached his eyes, and it was laced with more curiosity than amusement. "Interesting answer

CHAPTER 23: THE TEST BEGINSVincenzo's Pov Vincenzo walked out of the dining room. He didn’t go back to his study right away, he walked to the main hall and stood by the huge window. It was dark outside, and he could see his reflection in the glass. He didn't like what he saw, he saw a man who was confused, and Vincenzo Lombardi did not get confused.He thought about the dinner and about Francesca.She was wrong for this place. The estate was built to be silent, to feel heavy with power but she had made it feel different for an hour. She had made a joke about the statues, she had complained about the expensive wine. She had called his house a cathedral built for enemies with no pews. That was a smart thing to say, too smart for a doctor who just got hired.Vincenzo walked away from the window and went to his private library. He didn’t read here, he thought here. He sat down behind the heavy desk and pressed a hidden button underneath the wood.A minute later, the heavy door opened, M

CHAPTER 25: The Devil’s Gaze Vincenzo's Pov I stood in the doorway, looking into the dark room. I heard a heavy thump, like a drawer slammed shut. Then nothing, just silence. My heart was pounding hard, someone was in my office. The door was locked when I left, so someone picked the lock. It wasn’t an amateur, the person was too quick. “Who’s in here?” I called out again. I held the flashlight steady, shining it around. The desk was clean, thee file cabinet was shut. Then I noticed the big velvet curtain over the window wasn’t hanging right. It looked heavy at the bottom, someone was hiding there. I didn’t hesitate. I walked fast and yanked the curtain back in one quick move. There was nothing there, just a wall of cold marble and plaster, I got angry. I knew I saw something, but I guess I was wrong. I turned the light off and stood still in the dark, listening. The silence felt strange, like someone had just been there and left. I checked the file cabinet, it was lock

CHAPTER 27: Secrets Don’t Sleep Francesca PovMy blood felt very cold. He was here, sitting in my chair, waiting for me in my room. I held the Marino file tight against my chest. It felt heavy, like a big brick under my shirt.“Where were you, Francesca?” he asked again. His voice was soft but sharp, like a knife cutting through the quiet room.I had to think quickly. He must know I left the big house, his guards already told him.I made myself calm. I dropped my shoulders and tried to look tired, i didn’t move. I kept my back to the door so I could run away if I had to.“I was out,” I said. I tried to sound like it wasn’t a big deal.He stood up slowly. He walked toward me fast, too fast. Suddenly, he was right in front of me, I didn’t jump or move. I just looked up at his face. His eyes were dark, like the sea at night.“Out where?” he asked. “My men said you went to the garden. Then you disappeared, you left the walls. That’s not safe, Doctor. You should know better.”I made my ey

  CHAPTER 29: A Soft Kiss  Francesca’s Pov I tried to feel hate. I tried to remember the initials on the file. I tried to remember my parents but it was hard when he was holding me. I felt small and safe in his arms. It was embarrassing how much I liked being close to him. It was a terrible feeling.“I am not yours to claim,” I whispered, trying to sound tough.He leaned his head down, his lips almost touching my ear. His breath was warm.“Yes, you are,” he said. His voice was low and full of dark promise. “Until I decide you are not, you belong to me, Francesca.”He turned us in a slow circle. The music was getting louder, the feeling between us was getting more intense. The hate was fighting the crush. It was a draw.I looked at his face. I saw the power, the control, the danger. He was a monster but when he looked at me, I also saw that lit