It was only then that the doctor seemed to register her presence beside Adrian. Her gaze shifted, slowly taking Genevieve in from head to toe, and a flicker of something, disdain perhaps, crossed her face.“You… you are not Annika or Aurora? I thought I was supposed to attend to someone in the Visconti family—”‘’One, she is family. Two, she’s of a higher position than they are,’’ Adrian cut her off. ‘’Treat her with respect.’’ He turned to Genevieve and said, ‘’Go with her.’’‘’Alone?’’ Genevieve’s eyes widened. She couldn’t care less about the doctor not liking her. All she wanted to know was if she would be able to utilize his absence to find a way to leave a message for Aunt Anna.‘’I’ll be right outside,’’ he replied, dashing her hopes as quickly as they’d been raised.‘’Oh…’’ she murmured, but wasn’t able to get anything else out before the doctor butted in, ‘’Come with me, Signorina…’’‘’Armani,’’ Genevieve supplied as she followed her, ‘’Or better still, call me Eve.’’The doc
Genevieve took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching her fists before finally saying, “Your phone. And your silence.”Catarina arched a brow. “My silence?”“Yes. I’m asking you not to tell Adrian about the call.”The doctor’s brow lifted even higher as she leaned across her desk, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “You’re keeping secrets from the family you’re about to marry into? Now that’s interesting. What’s the story?”“None of your business,” Genevieve said flatly.Catarina’s amusement faded, to be replaced by a sinister smirk. “It’ll be entirely my business when I tell Adrian about this later, don't you think?"“You wouldn’t do that.”She shrugged. “Why not?”“You owe me a favor,” Genevieve reminded her, voice steady. “And I’m not denying that I do,” Catarina said, tilting her head. “But let’s look at this logically. You want to use my phone to make a call to someone you won’t tell me about, for reasons you won’t explain, and you also want me to keep it from Adrian? And you sti
‘’Eve?’’Hearing her aunt’s voice fill the line, Genevieve released a breath she had no idea she’d been holding.‘’Yes, Aunt, it’s me. Is there any chance you're at The Maestro as we speak?’’‘’Why, yes,’’ came the reply. ‘’Why do you want to know where I am though? Don’t tell me you got caught so soon!’’‘’Of course not, Aunt Anna,’’ Genevieve responded. ‘’Actually, I’m also at The Maestro. Before you ask how I got here, the answer is that I feigned sickness and said I wanted this hospital. It wasn’t easy to convince them, but I succeeded.'’‘’And no one suspected?’’ Anna's questioned tentatively.‘’I wouldn’t succeed if anyone had suspected. Trust me for once, Aunt Anna, and believe that I actually planned my way here without rousing suspicions," Genevieve replied.‘’That's true, but...’’ Her aunt agreed. ‘’It’s not like I don’t trust you. I don’t just want to risk us getting caught and killed like your parents and brother were. Everything would be a waste then, you know?’’‘’I unde
Genevieve’s brows knitted together as she glanced around, half-expecting him to materialize at any moment. “Where did he go?” she muttered under her breath, turning back down the hallway the way they had come. Her hands slid into the pockets of her hoodie, and she tugged the cap over her head as she reached the spot where he’d warned her earlier that she’d be “kissing the wall” if she didn’t stop staring at him. Her eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of him, until they landed on a sign with an arrow pointing to the women’s restroom. The idea struck her instantly. Wasn’t this perfect? He was nowhere in sight, so she wouldn’t even have to lie about needing to use the restroom, something he might or might not have allowed. She could slip in, meet her aunt, have a quick conversation, and be back before he even realized she was gone. The plan barely had time to fully form in her mind before she picked up her pace, weaving through the lobby and following the signs leading
Meanwhile, a few floors above, Adrian was standing across the room from a gray-haired, bespectacled middle-aged doctor who seemed to have a permanent smile etched on his face. “So, you’re advising me to give in to the worst of my instincts and not hold back when it comes to her?” he asked, skepticism evident in his tone.The doctor nodded slowly. “You mentioned that your instincts strongly reject the idea of hurting her or seeing her harmed. So, I assume that acting on your worst impulses regarding her wouldn’t actually cause her any harm," he paused. "As long as she remains safe, go ahead and do your worst. That way, I can assess just how far your obsessive-compulsive disorder extends now that a human has become its focus.” “I can’t do that. Going ahead to follow my instincts when it comes to her,” Adrian said flatly. “I told you. She’s my father’s woman, soon to be his legal wife.” “Ah, right,” the doctor nodded, though a faint smirk played at the corner of his lips. “Meanin
"There's a woman living in my head," he had said.Even so, Doctor Angelo had remained on edge as Adrian explained everything about the woman; how she had taken over his thoughts in an almost unbelievable way, how he knew little about her yet she seemed to occupy his mind completely, and how she had more control over him than either of them realized. Adrian had asked if this was a new disorder, how he could manage it, and how he could tackle it and continue living a normal life... as if his life had ever been anything close to normal. Then, Dr. Angelo had suggested turning this woman into a test subject if they needed answers. If his hunch was correct, it was possible that Adrian might be attracted to this woman he referred to as his father’s woman. However, it was hard to believe someone like Adrian could ever love anyone, let alone a stranger, enough to claim she was consuming his thoughts—especially when, according to him, he had only met her a few days ago and had seen her pict
If anyone had told Genevieve as she walked into the department store with Adrian that the fake smile she was wearing would turn real by the time they left, she would have fiercely argued against it. Especially with the thoughts of her family still lingering in her mind after her aunt’s final comment before they parted ways in the restroom. But now, two hours later, as she stepped out with one shopping bag hanging from her arm and another from Adrian’s hand, the brightness of her smile could rival the sun hanging in the afternoon sky. The past hour had been spent shopping for clothes, both casual and luxurious, though all were designer brands, along with shoes, bags, jewelry, and other essentials she would need to start her new life with them. One particularly memorable moment during the shopping spree, which contributed to the wide grin on her face, was when they browsed the underwear and lingerie section. Adrian had casually told their attendants to pick out something appropriate
If this wasn’t suicide, then what was?!Adrian hissed, taking long strides forward and breaking into her thoughts as he yanked her back by her collar. “Fucking hell, Genevieve! What were you trying to do?” She turned to face him, her blue eyes wide and hazy as they stared at him accusingly. “What?” Instead of answering with words, Adrian nodded toward the road and tilted his head, as if to say, Now what? Genevieve followed his gaze, her free hand flying to her mouth as she realized how close she had been to stepping into traffic. If he hadn’t pulled her back, she could have been seriously hurt... or worse. “I… Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I was lost in thought,” she apologized. “Thank you for…” “You’re welcome,” he interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Seems like you actually wanted to live. I could’ve argued you were trying to kill yourself to avoid your wedding.” He turned sharply and walked toward the parking lot where their car was parked, his hand itching to pul
The neon-lit banner loomed over Genevieve, casting a provocative glow against the evening. A large V and A were emblazoned at its base, while the overhead lights illuminated a striking image of an intertwined man and woman, masked but otherwise not wearing anything, leaving no secrecy about the nature of the establishment. The six-story building stood like a bold declaration of indulgence and secrecy. "So, Missus," Alejandro’s voice carried a teasing edge as he stepped beside her. "What do you think of our sex club?" Genevieve’s head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing into a glare. She knew she was to blame for not making sure of where they were bringing her to, but still... "You didn’t tell me it was this kind of place. This is even worse than The Vault." "Better than The Vault, you mean?" Adrian's smooth, familiar voice came from her other side, as he walked over to stand beside her. At the sight of his bandaged arm suspended by his side, her annoyance wavered, replac
‘’We can’t," Adrian replied almost immediately. Genevieve’s face fell.‘’What do you mean we can’t? I wan’t to go there, and you are obligated to—’’"To take you wherever you want, yes," he replied. "But The Vault is on the outskirts of town. Tell me what exactly you want to see there that we can’t find anywhere else in the city, and I’ll believe the hour and a half journey is worth it."Genevieve harrumphed. Did he have to be such a killjoy? If only she could just drop this whole plan, let Adrian be, and not feel guilty about him needing rest…But she did feel guilty. And it would only increase if she let it go.So she sighed, quickly racking her brain for a believable excuse. The real reason she chose The Vault was simple; if they went there, she could get him to stay in his office with her, making sure he rested in a familiar space. But there was no way she could tell him that. He’d never agree.So she went with the next most plausible reason. One that, unfortunately, sent heat ru
"So these men were all eliminated, and the restaurant management didn’t send reinforcements the entire time?"Genevieve lifted her gaze from the book resting in her lap, turning to Alejandro who had asked the question. He was staring into the rearview mirror, watching Adrian and the doctor who had arrived with him—both seated in the back. Unlike earlier, when she had been completely absorbed in her book, she now found it impossible to immerse herself in the fictional world.The worry pressing against her chest was too heavy for an erotica novel to distract her. Not that she had managed to read beyond three lines since they got into the car.Back in the alley, Adrian had ordered Alejandro to get her a spare T-shirt, refusing to let either of them near him until she had changed. Only after she had done so did he allow the doctor to approach and help.Once inside the car, she had taken the front passenger seat while Alejandro slid behind the wheel. Adrian and the doctor had settled in th
The smile dropped from Adrian’s face, his expression suddenly turning serious."Exactly, Principessa. The keyword is 'some.' There are honest officials out there, just as there are dishonest ones. Would you want us to risk spending years in prison when we could just wait here for my men to arrive?"Genevieve’s face fell. Of course, he was right. He was smarter than she was and had been in this life much much longer than she was, so he knew what he should and should not do in situations like this.If it was really safe to go to the hospital, he wouldn't be here, leaning against this dirty wall and risking death by excessive blood loss... right?"So... what do you say?"She looked up, frowning at the smug expression that had taken over Adrian’s face. But as her eyes caught sight of the blood still seeping from his arm, a wave of unease washed over her again.She couldn’t just stand there and watch him bleed without doing something about it. Acting on instinct, her hands dropped to the h
Jaws clenched against the pain, Adrian watched through blurry vision as Genevieve rushed toward him. She caught hold of his injured hand, lifting it gently, likely to examine the wound. Under normal circumstances, he would have welcomed her touch—her initiative to reach out to him—but the sharp, searing pain that shot through his arm at the movement nearly made him grit his teeth harder."Did I offend you?" he asked, his voice strained but laced with a hint of dry humor, trying to mask the agony her action had caused.Genevieve kept her eyes fixed on his injured arm, her worry evident as she replied, "No, why would I be offended?" She couldn't stop tears from welling up in her eyes as she noticed the blood soaking through the sleeve of his t-shirt, the fabric beginning to cling to his skin. "Oh my God, we need to get you to the hospital. Now.""One," Adrian began, his voice calm but firm, "If I didn’t offend you, then let go of my hand before I pass out from what you’re doing." He pa
Genevieve sat huddled inside the cabinet, her legs pulled tightly to her chest, and her arms wrapped around herself in a desperate attempt to hold herself together. "I killed them... I killed them... I did... I—I killed them," she whispered in a low, trembling chant, her voice barely audible over the chaos outside. "I’ll be killed too. It—it’s my f—fault though. I deserve it."Though the air outside was rented with the sound of gunfire and angry shouts in Italian, to her, it all faded into a distant hum. All she could hear was the sound of her own shaky voice, and all she could see, even in the darkness of the cabinet, was the inside of her closet back in her parents’ mansion.The memory was vivid: the luxurious dresses, shoes, watches, jewelry, bags, and costumes that had surrounded her as she waited for her aunt in that dark room.The scene replayed in her mind like a nightmare; her father collapsing, his final words urging her to take care of her mother. Her mother, despite being
Fuck! He’d been shot.It wasn’t that Adrian hadn’t expected it. In fact, just like everything else in his life, except for Genevieve and anything that had to do with her, he had anticipated.But that didn’t make what just happened any less infuriating.Gritting his teeth, Adrian forced himself to dull the excruciating pain in his arm, reducing it to nothing more than a sting. It took only a few seconds—a few seconds in which he didn’t stop shooting.Several of the men were already down, and the hostages they had intended to use as shields were now screaming, crawling across the floor, and ducking beneath tables and chairs. With the entrance still blocked by the intruders, it made sense why they hadn’t tried escaping through the door.So he continued firing, his movements precise, his mind calculating every step the attackers took.Meanwhile, behind him, Genevieve stood frozen, her wide eyes locked onto the blood streaming from his right arm. Her breath had caught in her throat and her
Adrian tilted his head slightly, his mind racing. If his reasoning was correct, it explained why the backup that was supposed to have arrived hadn’t shown up yet. It meant they knew—or at least believed, considering the three dead bodies now sprawled on the floor—that no one would be harmed here tonight.That also suggested whoever had sent these inexperienced, bumbling mercenaries had contacted the restaurant in advance. And the only person capable of giving orders to the restaurant’s management would have to be someone from his own family.A smirk tugged at his lips, as he murmured beneath his breath, "I’ll have fun figuring out which idiot thought this was a good idea later."For now, he sighed, realizing he’d been overthinking things today. Normally, he’d act on instinct, confident that whatever consequences arose would be within his control—even if he took the wrong step. Not that that happened often.But today was different. Today, he had someone with him; Genevieve. Her presenc
The intruders exchanged quick glances, their eyes silently communicating a message that each of them—and Adrian, judging by the expression on his face—seemed to grasp."Did you hear that?" whispered the man with a scar beneath his eye, his voice low but still loud enough for Adrian to hear.Their leader shook his head, a nervous laugh escaping him. "Impossible," he muttered, though his tone betrayed his unease."You think so?" Adrian spoke up, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he noted the mix of fear and confusion flickering across their faces. He tilted his head slightly, his voice steady but laced with mockery. "You’ve been standing here for minutes now, doing nothing but tossing around empty threats and waving those guns like toys. Not a single shot fired. So, let me ask again... what are you really here for?""Shut your mouth if you know what’s good for you!" the scarred man snapped, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his fear. His gaze darted away from Adrian’s, landing