21 - A Taste of Defiance

“You need to stop drinking,” Vito finally spoke to Milan, his voice low, controlled, but with a touch of rage. “You’re hurting yourself.”She scoffed, grabbing her glass from him. “Oh? Don’t tell me you’re going to forbid me from drinking too.” Before she could take another sip, Vito reached out, took the glass from her hand, and drained the remaining wine in one steady swallow. He set the empty glass on the bar, his dark gaze fixed on her face. “That’s not what this is,” he said, already moving.In one smooth motion, he swept her into his arms, carrying her in a bridal style. Milan gasped, her protest half-formed as the world tilted.She blinked at him in shock. How could he just carry her out of the club!?“Are you out of your mind?” She shrieked.Heads turned to stare at them. No one had ever seen Vito Salvatore this close with any woman. The bartender froze. He couldn't believe his eyes. No one dared speak.The tension was so thick that even the DJ had to pause the music.The

22 - A Life Growing in Shadows

Vito returned with a bottle in hand, uncapped it, and stood close enough that only she could hear him and feel his stiff erection pressing her thighs. “Open your mouth.” Milan’s breath hitched. She hesitated only a second before obeying. He tilted the bottle and let the liquor burn its way down her throat. Antinori. The taste she knew too well. The same drink she ever shared with him. It lit something reckless inside her. Vito pulled the bottle away, his eyes lingering on the alcohol that had poured on her throat. “That’s enough.” Milan laughed, soft at first, then freer. She laughed and smiled happily as her fear dissolved into heat and movement. She stepped onto the dance floor and let the music take her. She had always loved to dance but she had stopped because it didn't fit into her plan in the US. She had won many dance competitions in ICS, and Vito loved to watch her dance. Now swaying her hips to Italian music while glancing at him made her feel wild and aroused.

23— A Past That Bleeds

The words were out before he seemed to consider them fully. Vito opened his mouth again, clearly about to retract the offer, thinking she’d refuse, or worse, be uncomfortable. “I’ll stay,” Milan said, catching him off guard. Vito blinked. She met his intense gaze even as her heart raced. “Just for the night.” Vito couldn't promise her that so he kept mute. He started the car and raced home, unaware of how much weight that silence weighed on Milan and how she kept telling herself this was a bad idea. She wasn’t drunk enough anymore to blame it on the alcohol. If she was being honest, she was blaming it on his violet eyes- they were so dark, and mesmerizing, on the way they seemed to strip her bare every time they lingered on her for half a second too long. Finally, she couldn’t take it. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Milan asked. Vito glanced at her, genuinely puzzled. “Like what?” She shook her head quickly, turning toward the window. “Nothing.” Her voice softened as h

24— Welcome to the Den

Vito gave Milan one of his mobile phones when he dropped her off at Angels Den the next morning. He pressed it into her palm and told her to use it when she sensed someone stalking her, or if Antonio ever showed up. Then he added, quietly, “You can call me anytime. Do not hesitate to call me.”Milan nodded and thanked him, her fingers curling around the phone as if it were a lifeline. She opened her mouth, the secret burning on her tongue, the words begging to be released before they poisoned everything.But she stopped herself.He would never find out… not if she didn’t tell him. And Andrea had promised to keep her secret safe.“Do you have something you want to say to me?” Vito asked.He hated that he’d asked. He’d promised himself he wouldn’t care about her or even look at her again. Not when every glance stripped away his control. But the pull was stronger than reason.Milan shook her head. “No.”Then, asked softly, “See you soon?”Vito didn’

25- Letters to No one

Mateo’s expression darkened as the memory surfaced unbidden. The way Vito had carried Milan that first day. The possessiveness. The intimacy. The unmistakable claim in his tone and actions even though he swore he wasn't her lover. “What do you think he’ll do,” he added, his voice dropping lower than usual, “if he finds out?” They both knew exactly who he meant. The silence that followed was thick, suffocating. Milan’s fingers curled protectively over her stomach. “If he finds out,” she said softly, “everything ends.” At that exact moment, the phone on the bedside table lit up. VITO. Mateo’s eyes remained on the screen even after he read who was calling. His jaw muscle tightened before he looked away and swallowed his initial words. “I’ll excuse you,” he muttered. “I need to think this through. And I’ll talk to Andrea. We need to know if this… plan of yours will even work.” Relief flickered across Milan’s face. “Thank you.” Before she could say anything else, the phone on

All Chapters of His Little Ruin: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

21 - A Taste of Defiance

22 - A Life Growing in Shadows

23— A Past That Bleeds

24— Welcome to the Den

25- Letters to No one