Chapter 50Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼Later that nightI woke to the scent of cologne and the eery feeling of being watched. My heart pounded in my chest as I lay perfectly still, my body frozen beneath the sheets. Someone was here, in the room with me.For a second, I thought—hoped—it was him, that maybe Vincenzo had returned, but the scent was wrong. Sharper, more musky, unfamiliar. And then I felt it—the warmth of someone close, too close. My breath caught, as I slowly forced my eyes open, expecting the worst.Dante—Clyde.He was leaning over me, his face inches from mine like he’d been watching me sleep. His dark eyes bore into mine, unreadable, mysterious, and just a little too calm for the situation. A fresh cut slashed across his brow, still oozing blood, the stark red a shocking contrast against his pale skin.I gasped, jerking back instinctively, but the bed was suddenly too small. There was nowhere to go. Fear coiled tight in my stomach, my body frozen in place as my mind raced.Vincen
Chapter 51 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ That morning, I opened the bedroom door cautiously, half expecting to find dead bodies scattered across the hall. I hesitated before stepping into fully into the hall, but instead of my expectation, everything looked… normal. Too normal. Manuel was in his usual spot, coffee mug in hand, while the rest of the guys lounged around, cleaning the guns. There wasn’t a single hint that anything had happened last night, no whispered conversations, no glances of concern. I swallowed nervously. Surely there should be some sign—broken glass, bruises, a tense silence. If Dante had really put them to sleep last night, wouldn’t the men at least look like something happened? “Morning guys.” My voice was still rough from the restless night. “Morning, princess,” Manuel grunted his typical response, eyes flicking toward me but revealing nothing. Seriously? I ran a hand through my hair, then cautiously approached him, still glancing around. The other guys were—
Chapter 52Vincenzo⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼I stared out the window of the jet, my fingers drumming against the armrest as I tried to focus on anything but the gnawing dread in my gut. The chill of Ireland lingered in my bones, colder than it should’ve been.“You think they’ll retaliate?” I asked without turning to look at Nikolai. He was seated across from me, legs stretched out like the world didn’t just collapse around us. And that’s saying something. The deal we had gone for was supposed to smooth things over, but instead, we were leaving with more questions and fewer allies. And our necks on the hangman’s noose. Nikolai let out a slow breath, the tension evident in his eyes. “Retaliate? Oh, they’ll do more than retaliate. Those Irish pricks don’t just take a hit and roll over.”“Then I guess they shouldn’t be calling it retaliating. That word belongs to us. They hit us first.”“And we responded with a dick move,” Nikolai added, with a tone that could cut glass. “I told you the guy was nuts. Wh
Chapter 53 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ “And there goes all that boasting!” Manuel laughed, shuffling the cards with an infuriating swagger. Travo shook his head. “She merely let you win this time.” “Either that, or I’ve been letting her win all this time,” Manuel said between peals of laughter. “Come on, wipe that look off your face, princess. Don’t tell me you’re gonna cry now.” I perched on the edge of the table, a smirk plastered on my face. “Please, you are all talk. I’m just getting started.” It felt good to throw a little sass back at him. “Fine, you get to choose the next game, since you won this one.” “You still want to get your ass whooped, don’t you?” Before I could retort, another voice cut me off. “Busy, aren’t we?” It came out of nowhere, smooth as silk and cold as death. Every muscle in my body locked up before I could even see him. I slowly turned, following the sound that had slipped into the room like a shadow. I wasn’t the only one. Everyone else went rigid, the blood dr
Chapter 54Vincenzo ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼Princess. He’d called her princess!And it made me sick.She was still rooted in the same spot like a virgin who’d never seen a drop of blood that wasn’t her period. The way her face paled, her lips parting in disbelief, as if I’d just slapped her across the cheek. She looked petrified, wide-eyed, frozen like a deer in headlights, which only made my anger burn hotter. She hates me—every fiber of her being screams it. She, the daughter of a barbarian, the woman who kidnapped Russel and managed to turn one of his most trusted men against him— was scared because Manuel got punished for crossing a line with her? For doing everything but what he was actually supposed to do. Hell, if it were up to me, all four of those idiots would be digging their own graves with their bare fingers by now. But no, Nikolai had other plans. Nikolai wanted me gone, sure. This little scene probably sealed the deal.She mumbled something, almost too quiet for me to catch, like a
Chapter 55Stacy⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼“It’s home.” Vincenzo’s voice was firm, but the shadows of the graveyard seemed to swallow his words whole.“Home?” I scoffed, glancing around the dimly lit plot. “It’s the same fucking graveyard. You brought me here in the middle of the night for fresh air? In a graveyard?”“It’s not a graveyard if the only grave here is my mother’s.”“Meaning?”“It’s private property.”I squinted at the weathered sign at the entrance. “Yours?”He shrugged, an evasive gesture that only heightened my curiosity. Then he stepped out of the car, his footsteps scrunching against the twigs, before I could register his intentions, he’d pulled me down with him. “The air here is very refreshing and…”“How’d you get it?” I asked, my tone teasing, but I knew I was treading on a sensitive subject.I felt him tense, but he didn’t answer, merely reached down and started fumbling with the hem of my shirt, drawing lines across my thighs like he’d been doing in the car. His touch ignited a fi
Chapter 56Stacy⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼“Then what’s stopping you?” I regretted asking that as soon as it left my mouth, because if looks had meanings, then I’m probably sure I’m toast right now. At least that should explain the intensity of the hunger in his eyes. “Certainly not you,” was the last thing he said before pulling me in violently. Vincenzo’s lips crashed into mine so fast that it took me a minute to process it. When I finally did, it was a mix of desperation and some darkness there. It wasn’t the gentle kind of kiss you’d expect from a man like him; it was raw, primal, and full of a barely contained rage.His hands gripped my waist as if he was holding on for dear life, like he wasn’t sure whether to pull me closer or push me away. And despite the voice in the back of my mind screaming that this was dangerous, I found myself pressing back, matching his intensity.But he didn’t want me to do any of that. He shoved me back against the car, caging me between his hands, while he took a
Chapter 57Vincenzo⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼I watched her run, weaving through the trees like a prey animal, her breath coming in short, desperate bursts. She thought she could escape me — that this chase would somehow grant her freedom. But she should’ve known better. I’d let her have her head start, let her feel that flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could outrun me.She couldn’t.I’d spent too long memorizing these woods, every confine, every turn, every tree. Watching her panic innocently, scared that a ghost was haunting her was a scene I’d give anything to watch over and over again in a cinema. “I can still see you,” I called after her, my tone husky, “I can smell you, little mouse.” I watched her look back nervously, my little mouse was no good at running and that worked as well for me. “I can smell the delicious scent of your arousal,” That wasn’t a lie. “If I catch you, that would be well taken care of.” Her hair whipped behind her, almost red and wild, catching in the branches
Hey everyone, A huge thank you for sticking with me through this incredible journey! Writing this romance has been such a rewarding experience, and I truly hope it’s been as thrilling for you to read as it was for me to create. At a point, I felt like giving up, but the passion and you guys kept me going, I’m grateful. There’s been love, suspense, and plenty of drama to keep things interesting, and I loved every moment of putting it all together. This book started as a small idea with Russel and Allesia, then grew into these amazing characters that I hope to keep exploring with you all. Next month, we’ll be starting another book with one of these characters (Haven’t decided who yet) and I hope you’ll be there for it. If you’ve enjoyed this ride, I’d be forever grateful if you could take a moment to vote and leave a glowing FIVE-STAR RATING. It’s not just for me, it’s a chance to share the love with others who might not have discovered this story yet. Your rating can really h
STACY Six Weeks Later ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ The drive from the airport to God-knows-where was as stressful as the one to the airport. Vincenzo’s hand was on my thigh, warm, heavy, and impossible to ignore. I wasn’t sure if it was meant to comfort me or keep me from vanishing. Knowing him, it was probably both. “You’re quiet,” he said softly. “I’m tired,” I replied, leaning my head against the window. “And I’m trying to decide if I should nap or interrogate you.” His lips quirked, but his eyes remained fixed ahead. “Interrogate me about what?” “Hyacinth,” I said, shifting to face him. “What did you do with her?” His head snapped towards me instantly. Even Vito, ever the unbothered, tensed up in his seat. “Don’t worry about it,” Vincenzo said dismissively after a long look. “That’s not exactly informative,” I shot back. “She’s not going to, I don’t know, haunt us, is she?” His hand tightened on my thigh, a warning disguised as affection. “If she does, it’ll be your fault for asking too many
EPILOGUE Three Months Later ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ One moment I was alone in the study, going over the endless list of things Vincenzo thought we should do before the wedding, and the next, someone was there, like a ghost from another world, watching me. I should’ve known better than to expect peace. Between being a human and being a ghost, I was pretty sure Dante enjoyed the latter. He stood in the corner of the study now, his broad frame cloaked in silence, watching me with the calm intensity that made me want to cry out for Vincenzo. “Seriously?” I hissed, slamming the ledger I was reviewing shut. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” “Knocking is overrated,” he said smoothly, readjusting his position. “Dante…” I glanced at the door, my pulse picking up. Vincenzo was in the house, and while he wasn’t one to hover, he had a sixth sense for trouble. “You can’t keep doing this.” His lips curled into a faint smirk. “Doing what?” “Sneaking in here like some kind of ghost,” I snapped, k
Chapter 115 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ “Manuel!” I shrieked, the weight in my chest momentarily lifting. I didn’t even wait for the car to stop completely before I threw the door open and bolted toward him where he was standing with Vito and a couple other guys I did not recognize. His head snapped up just in time for me to crash into him, throwing my arms around his neck. “What are you doing here?” I squealed in excitement, my hands still tightly wrapped around him. Manuel stiffened, his arms hovering awkwardly for a moment before he finally hugged me back, though cautiously. “Boss Nikolai’s orders. He’s staying at Boss Russel’s tonight, so we had to come.” I pulled back slightly, my hands still gripping his shoulders, my grin so wide it hurt. “What about the others? Are the guys okay?” “They’re all fine, Miss,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. His eyes scanned my face, softening. “You look… really good.” I felt my cheeks heat at the compliment, but before I could res
Chapter 114 Stacy’s POV ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ I’d never felt smaller, yet somehow, every slight gaze in this room made me feel impossibly large. “Vincenzo, you brought her here. What’s your plan?” The question made my stomach twist. Everyone at the table had gone into the kitchen for dessert, leaving just me, Vincenzo and Russel at the table. They were discussing business just minutes ago, and now, they were discussing me. I sank further into my chair, wishing I could disappear, but I kept my eyes down and my ears open. No weakness, no surrender. My father had taught me that much, even if everything else he taught me dug the shitpit I was currently swimming in. Vincenzo, however, looked utterly unbothered, leaning back in his chair to look at me like a king surveying his kingdom. “She stays with me,” he declared, his tone firm, final. Russel arched a brow, unimpressed. “Stays with you? Care to elaborate, or are you just collecting strays now?” Stray. My cheeks flushed hot, a mi
Chapter 113 Vincenzo ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ Fucking family meetings. The words danced in my head as I adjusted my cuffs, stepping out of the car and into Russel’s driveway. The whole fucking house was a fortress, just very fitting for my brother. Everything about Russel screamed control, even his damn lawn. Not a single blade of grass out of place. But as much as I hated these gatherings, tonight, I couldn’t afford to skip it. And so I brought my little mouse along. I glanced at her as she stood stiffly beside me, fingers fidgeting. Her usual fire was dim tonight, replaced by that gloomy look and the distant sadness in her eyes. “This is Russel’s place.” . “Good thing your memory is still good.” I placed a hand on the small of her back, steering her toward the door. She flinched at the contact but didn’t protest. That was new. We merely made it inside, when the sound of loud laughter buzzed, accompanied by the faint clinking of glasses. The scent of roasted meat and spices wafted through
Chapter 112 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ Four days. Four long, suffocating days since I last saw Vincenzo. Four days since he stormed out of that room, leaving me with the weight of my own confession—my love for him—and his silence. I’d told him to kill me. And judging by the way he locked the door from the outside, maybe he was still considering it. It was the only explanation. He didn’t trust me anymore. He didn’t want me anymore. That night, I’d noticed it, and seen it in his eyes. The memory of the way he used to look at me, like I was a puzzle he couldn’t resist solving, had been replaced with cold, empty indifference. If anything, the only emotion in those deep blue eyes was pity, pity for the poor pathetic idiot I’d become. And yet, it wasn’t the thought of dying that made my chest ache. No, death would be a mercy. It was the thought of losing him—the man he’d been before I’d ruined everything. The man I knew only briefly, the man he’d been that night, how he had held me and told me hi
Chapter 111 Vincenzo ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ It’s easier to make enemies than friends. But, it’s better to make friends than enemies. Several minutes after Clyde was dragged out by Dante’s men, we were all still standing inside the vault, stressed as fuck. I still maintained my stance about letting the bastard breathe being a bad idea—he deserved a bullet, not diplomacy—but Russel and Nikolai were playing chess, not checkers. Their sights were set on the bigger picture, which was turning the Irish into allies instead of enemies. It made sense in the grand scheme of things, but letting Clyde walk out of here alive still felt like a slap in the face to every instinct I had. So, I let it rest. For now. But if Clyde so much as sneezed in the wrong direction again, all bets were off. “Well, that was dramatic,” Nikolai said with a grin, clapping his hand to break the oppressive silence. “Shall we toast to our little victory, or is there more bloodshed on the agenda?” I ignored him, my focus
Chapter 108 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ Vincenzo strolled so casually, like he had all the time in the world to deal with me and he wasn’t going to stress about it right now. When he reached where I stood, he didn’t speak right away. Instead, his hand slid to my neck, pushing my hair to the side. His touch sent an involuntary shiver through me, equal parts unsettling and electrifying. Then he plucked the tiny Bluetooth from my ear, the one Clyde’s goons had been whispering their sinister threats through, and held it up like it was a piece of garbage. “You no longer have to be afraid of the lunatic,” he said quietly, his voice loud enough that Clyde could hear. But then his dark eyes flicked to mine, and his tone shifted. “But you should be afraid of what I’ll do to you for leaving the way you did.” It was a cold promise My throat dried up instantly. “You don’t understand,” I said in a trembling voice. “Elixir. They’re going to kill him. Clyde is going to kill all of them.” Vincenzo l