Aria’s POVLucciano’s words sank in, making me feel sick. Shane wasn’t just dangerous—she was ruthless, cutting down anyone who got in her way. My mind spiraled, flashing back to Pierre.The first time I’d met him, it was in Amsterdam and he had been with Shane. Pierre had been charming, suave, the
Aria’s POVLucciano’s casual toast felt like a cruel twist, as though he’d dangled just enough of the truth to keep us chasing but withheld the most crucial details. “Can’t you tell us more?” I couldn’t help asking, feeling bolder and quite annoyed. Lucciano leaned forward, still looking gravely s
Victor’s POV“We’ll be more than ready,” I said firmly, watching the casino boss closely. “This time, we’ll be one step ahead. But to make that happen, we need your help. Provide us with all the evidence you have against Shane and Troy.”Lucciano regarded me with amusement, as if he could already se
Aria’s POVDiscreetly, I let out a deep breath, not realizing that I’ve been holding it in for some time. I looked around with relief, happy to finally be out of the casino and in the real world. Alive, with Victor. “You two… I still can’t believe you didn’t inform me and went through with it…” Det
Aria’s POVThe scene unfolded in a blur of chaos as the driver of the SUV stumbled out, clutching his arm, but my eyes were already fixed on the passenger side. The door flung open, and there she was—Shane, her sharp gaze darting through the chaos before she bolted down the street. Her heels clicked
Victor’s POVThe muted whine of the fluorescent lights in the police station seemed to amplify the tension hanging over us. I sat on the hard bench, my elbows resting on my knees, watching Aria as she stared at the floor, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looked dejected, her usual spark
Aria’s POV"Well, there they are," my mother said warmly, opening the door with a knowing smile. "And Victor, too. What a pleasant surprise."I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Mom, I didn’t tell you Victor was coming with me."She raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth tugging up in a smirk. "Oh, ple
“We had so much fun, Mommy!” Jasmine chirped, bouncing on her toes. “Grandpa taught me how to play chess! And Grandma made cookies—like, a hundred of them!”“Not quite a hundred,” my father chuckled, ruffling her hair. “But close enough.”As Jasmine launched into an enthusiastic rundown of her adven
Victor’s POVThe laughter started the moment we arrived at the theme park and never seemed to stop. Jasmine darted ahead, pulling us toward the entrance with uncontainable energy, her small hand gripping mine tightly. The park was a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds—twinkling lights, cheerful music
Aria’s POVThe ride home was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Victor’s hand rested on the gearshift, his fingers brushing mine occasionally. Each accidental touch sent a warm ripple through me, leaving me feeling both nervous and giddy. My heart was still dancing from the events of the night befo
The next morning, The sunlight streaming through the curtains was the first thing I noticed as I stirred awake. As I blinked against the light, memories of the previous night surged back like a wave, crashing over me with startling clarity. My breath hitched, and I sat up quickly, clutching the blan
Aria’s POV"Victor," I murmured breathlessly, barely recognizing my own voice. "Aria," he whispered back, his tone filled with a hunger that matched my own. His lips found mine again, urgent and unrelenting.We stumbled together through the hallway, his hands sliding beneath my blouse, fingertips s
Aria’s POVI jumped from the table, my heart still pounding in my chest, and headed toward the studio door. “Stay here,” I said softly, though my voice wavered with some nervousness and the remaining heat. The air between us still sizzled, making it almost impossible to think clearly.Carefully, I o
When we finally pulled apart, both of us were breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen, and her eyes—God, those eyes—shone with an emotion I didn’t dare put a name to just yet.I rested my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath as I spoke. “Aria… you’re everything to
Victor’s POVThe entire evening had been a cascade of emotions—love, happiness, nostalgia—and now, standing here, my heart felt like it might burst. I looked at Aria, her expression a mix of hope and nerves as she waited for my reaction. The painting, the bottles, the thought behind it all—it was ov
Aria’s POV“Still thinking of work at this hour?” he teased, his tone light and playful. “Should I be worried you’re pulling me into a midnight brainstorming session?”I glanced back at him, rolling my eyes with a laugh. “Trust me, it’s not that. Just wait. You’ll see.”We reached the entrance of my
Aria’s POVThe party was everything I didn’t know I needed. Laughter rang out like music, echoing through the beautifully decorated terrace. Friends and family filled the space, their joy infectious as they mingled, shared stories, and celebrated together. Even Jessica, who normally claimed she hate