Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

VINCENZO CASTILLOMilan City, Italy.The moment I stepped into the Castillo mansion, Mirko was already waiting. My right-hand man and close friend—third in command after me—greeted me with his usual sharp nod and led me through the marble-floored entryway.In the Castillo gang, we're all considered family. Not by blood, but by something stronger. Even though Don Alexandro only picked most of us up in our darkest and weakest moment, he sheltered and brought us into the Castillo gang, then trained us into his loyal soldiers.But my story? It was different. Maybe that’s why the others think he holds me a little closer than the rest. Because I didn’t owe him my life. He owed me his.I was just nine, nothing more than a slave boy in the Celestino mansion when a war broke out between my master, Father Celestino, and Alexandro’s gang. But... I'd always wanted Celestino dead and when I found the opportunity, just at the slightest moment at the brim of death, the man’s pistol slipped from his

New York CityCAMILLA RYDERAs soon as Lorenzo finished eating, something felt off. He was unusually quiet. Not that I wanted conversation from him or I craved for it— God knows he talks like he’s holding a blade to your throat — but his silence was worse. It was the kind that creeps under your skin and lingers.I glanced up but, when our eyes met— God it was embarrassing. It was like being caught stealing glances at a loaded gun. I quickly looked away, pretending I hadn’t been watching him only to catch him staring again."Why are you staring?" I blurted before he could say anything, not that he wanted to say anything but I just wanted to win whatever weird silent battle we were suddenly having. I didn’t want it to seem like I was the one watching him first.He didn’t answer. Instead, he calmly wiped the corners of his mouth with the napkin, like I hadn’t said a word. Like I didn't even exist.Seriously?Then he stood — and d*mn, he stood tall. His straight, muscular legs stretched u

CAMILLA RYDERThere was something about the night that didn’t sit right with me. The air felt too still, too heavy, like the calmness before a storm. Maybe it was the strange energy left behind after the run-in with Lorenzo this morning. Or maybe… it was just me. Either way, I couldn’t shake the feeling.As I stepped out of the shower, steam curling around me, my eyes darted to the wall clock.It was 10:10 PM.Was he still going to show up for the date? Or was this just another one of Lorenzo’s twisted little games again?I hadn’t realized how much I’d been thinking about it—about him—until this moment. The anticipation that bloomed in my chest annoyed me. I let out a quiet sigh and shook my head, disappointed at myself.I hated Lorenzo. I didn’t need anyone to tell me that. I knew it.And yet… sometimes I found myself drawn to him.His smile—arrogant, smug, dangerous—was annoyingly attractive, sometimes. My pulse quickened every time he came too close. just too close.No one had ever

VINCENZO CASTILLOIt was the third children’s park I’d searched, and still... Nothing.No sign of Jeoffery. No sign of whoever took him."Jeoffery!" I roared, my voice tearing through the late-night air.My eyes scanned every corner, every bench, every blur of sections in the park, like maybe—just maybe—he’d appear out of nowhere.But deep down, I knew I was starting to go crazy.Losing it already.Three parks down. God knows how many more to go. And this—this sick game reeked of Alexandro. What was I even saying? It could only be him.I pulled up the photo again, the one that had been sent. It was no use tracing the number—it had been wiped clean. If it were anyone else, I could’ve had them in a chokehold by now. But no—this was personal. This was his way of saying, "This one's on you."“Arrrrgh Cazzo!”I snapped, hurling my phone to the ground. The screen shattered on impact, just like the last string of patience holding me together.But even before the pieces stopped bouncing, a me

CAMILLA RYDER“Are those tears, Bella signorina?” Mirko teased, mockingly amused. “I’m impressed… first time I’ve seen you cry. Not even during your brutal training. You didn’t shed a single tear. The guys couldn’t even keep up, but you? You powered through. And now? Look at you.”His voice faded into the background.Every word fell flat.I clutched the phone tightly, like somehow—somehow Jeoffrey might come crawling out of it and into my arms.My chest tightened so painfully, I thought my heart might actually crumble.My baby had been alive all this time… and I didn’t even recognize him when I saw him.What kind of mother doesn’t recognize her own child?“Where is Vincenzo?” I asked quietly, choking back my sob.Tears spilled again. I wiped them roughly, lifting my eyes to meet his.“I think,” Mirko said with a mocking smile, “you should worry more about yourself, don’t you?”“That’s not your call,” I snapped. “Now tell me, where the hell is Vincenzo? And where’s my son?”He let out