Chapter 62 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ For the rest of the day, I didn’t see Vincenzo. Not that I was in any hurry to. I’d slept through almost the whole day, waking up groggy, still fuming for whatever reason I couldn’t immediately place. I sat there for several minutes before my memories came back to me. It was what he’d said in the car, and the fact that he’d undressed me while I was asleep, filled the tub with water, kissed me senseless and left me there to bathe myself. That way the reason for my anger. Did I mention I slept off right there in the tub with the water still running after he left the bathroom? Was his plan to kill me? I could have drowned! Now that I thought about it, my cheeks flamed with color. If I didn’t wake up from the sound of his and Nikolai’s voices arguing in the hallway, God knows I’d be dead by now. I snorted in disbelief, appalled , and—if I was honest—ashamed of myself for how I’d let him handle me like that, like some cheap thrill. My s
Chapter 63Stacy⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼Flying with Vincenzo in a foul mood is like being stuck in a thunderstorm with no umbrella—one wrong move away from a lightning strike. I barely took a breath that went unnoticed by him the entire trip because he wouldn’t take his eyes off me, and not in the sexy kind of way because those cold blue eyes threatened death. That, and the fact that his jaw was clenched like he was chewing on nails, scared the shit out of me. The second we touched down, he was already barking into his phone like a drill sergeant, his scowl deepening with every syllable. Whatever was clawing up his ass sounded serious.“Did you get it?” He asked a waiting Aurelio.“Everything.” And just like that, he vanished into a fleet of sleek black SUVs, taking half his entourage with him and leaving me with…well, a little breathing room and some unwelcome company. I glanced at Vito, whose countenance hadn’t changed since the last time I saw him, and the lanky, knife-happy guy who’d made o
Chapter 64 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ Even in sleep, I had this nagging feeling that someone was watching me. It took several blinks to finally probe my eyes open and another ten seconds to register my unfamiliar surroundings. The first thing I registered was my captor, sitting there like a stone statue. The intensity in his eyes, if not the fact that he was holding a gun, sent a jolt of panic through me, and I shot upright in bed, my heart in my mouth. I tried to tuck my unruly hair behind my ears to get a better view of him. “What are you looking at?” I demanded, leveling him with the fiercest death glare I could muster. He was still in yesterday’s clothes, his posture relaxed yet alert. The light streaming through the window illuminated the faint bruising on his forehead, which told me he must have had a rough night. Again, my gaze flicked to the gun he held loosely in his hand, but strangely, it didn’t faze me. “Did you sleep well?” He sounded as casual as though he was dis
Chapter 65Vincenzo⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼Marcel was flexing like a king on vacation. He was flirting with Stacy, and she, in turn, was performing her best I’m-so-innocent-I-couldn’t-hurt-a-fly act. She’d tilt her head, bat those lashes like she was trying to send a signal to Mars, and twirl around in front of him like a stripper in a club. The sight made my blood simmer; but even more than punishing her, it made me want to haul her back to the room and remind her exactly whose name she’d scream if I were in the mood for it. But no. I left them to their idiocy before my temper caught up with my fists. My boots hammered the floorboards, making them groan like they shared my annoyance. I had more pressing matters to attend to, anyway. Fi might bring the girls later, and I needed to double-check the security—because relying solely on the incompetents around me felt like betting my life on a coin toss.“Where’s Vito?” I barked at Cedro, who was draped across the armchair like a sloth that had jus
Chapter 66 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ “If you keep sneaking pieces of bacon off this plate, I’m going to stab your hand with a fork.” “Promises, promises,” Marcel smirked, unrepentant as he snagged another crispy slice. His fingers moved with the quickness of a thief, but instead of carrying out my earlier promise, I tried and failed to hide the small laugh that escaped my lips. Marcel and I made breakfast from the few things we found in the kitchen—steaming eggs, bacon, even baked baskets of pastries still warm from the oven. Turns out he was one of those gangsters who doesn’t hide their love for food and good humor. I had to admit, the act of preparing food, of pretending life was normal for just a heartbeat, was almost comforting. “Take another one and you’ll not get any at the table,” I threatened seriously. He eyed a plate I was currently fixing, “I’m pretty sure Vincenzo wouldn’t mind if I ate all of his,” he against the counter, arms crossed, as if daring me to follow through. “
Chapter 67 Vinvenzo ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ Stacy had a talent for shredding my composure with just a flick of her gaze. But seeing her unravel in front of Russel—that was new. She looked as though she was on the brink of throwing fists or worse, a war cry wrapped in blood and fury. Temptation licked up my spine, urging me to go after her and drag her back by that sharp tongue of hers, but I stayed put, eyes locked on the door she disappeared into, the sound of her slamming it behind her still echoing in the room. Marcel’s eyes made a beeline for my face, but my expression remained a mask carved out of granite. Russel, meanwhile, hadn’t taken his eyes off Allesia, who surprisingly didn’t seem to mind Stacy’s rudeness. She sat there, all gentle smiles and innocence, her fingers delicate as they plucked another pastry from the spread. She had the kind of serenity that could make a hurricane question its purpose. As she ate, Russel’s fingers massaged gentle circles on her shoulders,
Chapter 68 Vincenzo ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ “You’re not hearing me, Vincenzo,” Russel was saying. He stood by the wide windows, the dark city view stretching out behind him like a scene from a cinema. I could see my own reflection glaring back, and damn if I didn’t hate the look of surrender already tugging at my features. “And you’re not thinking this through,” I replied coolly, my fingers drumming an erratic beat against the polished edge of my desk. “It could be a setup. This Declan guy might be pulling us into a trap, and you’re too blinded by—” “By what?” Russel snapped, spinning to face me. “By wanting to clean up the mess you blindly walked us into? Jesus, Vincenzo. This isn’t about your fucking pride. It’s business.” “Business.” I repeated, “Funny how you talk about business when you’re already giving me that accusing look.” His jaw clenched, the lines around his mouth sharp enough to cut. We shared the same stubborn blood, the same fiery tempers. It made for a dangerous comb
Chapter 69 Stacy ⟻⟼ ✦ ⟻⟼ “She flirts with every single guy that smiles at her…” Those words burned hell and brimstone in my mind. The way he’d watched me like I was dirt beneath his foot simmered in my mind like a bad broth. My hand clenched tighter around the innocent pen in my hand, but that was not enough, so I stabbed it into the wall, leaving a sharp, satisfying dent. Stupid, arrogant prick. Just then, I thought I heard a noise in the bathroom. My head snapped toward it, but the closed door wouldn’t let me see beyond it. My first thought as I cautiously pushed the door open was Vincenzo’s mother. For some stupid reason, I’d been anticipating, waiting for her to pop up and claim me ever since her son slit my wrist against her tombstone, plus I imagined she was angry I fucked her son there. God help her if she appears now, because I might just have to kill her again, this time with a biro. Yeah, I was that angry. After a long glance about the bathroom, I rea
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