Kate discovered Matteo waiting for her alone at their usual meeting spot, his eyes locking onto her immediately as she approached. "Thank you for coming," he uttered appreciatively.Kate could sense the gravity of the situation and decided to cut straight to the chase. "Is it true? Do you work for the mafia?" she asked, her words laced with a sense of urgency.Matteo let out a sigh, his hand running through his hair in frustration. "When I was transferred here from the headquarters, I learned that the police have virtually no power in this town. The gangs reign supreme and control everything. I hate it, but to do any good behind the scenes, I have to maintain a relationship with the local mafioso...including Wilson. It sickens me, but my entire department is under his control," he explained bitterly, causing Kate's heart to sink."But—" Matteo interrupted her, his voice firm as he locked eyes with her."I never lied about my feelings for you, Kate. Despite what you may think, I wasn't
The following day, Matteo's caution lingered in her thoughts as she stirred from her slumber and prepared for the day ahead. 'What should I do if Wilson and Elizabeth truly have dark intentions towards me?' She pondered while making her way to the dining area, where she found Lucas already waiting for her. "Good morning, Kate." Lucas greeted, causing her to freeze in surprise at his disheveled appearance. His hair was slightly tousled, and her gaze fixated on the skin peeking out from his unbuttoned robe. 'Oh my, those abs.' Kate gasped inwardly, momentarily lost in her thoughts. "What?" Lucas questioned, snapping her out of her reverie as she averted her eyes with a blush. "N-nothing..." Kate stammered. Lucas raised an eyebrow in response and then shrugged. "After breakfast, we must discuss our plans. I have something to show you." "Plans? Regarding Wilson, or for the upcoming wedding?" Kate inquired. "The wedding, of course. Why would I be discussing Wilson with you?" Lucas s
Before Kate could respond to his words, Lucas swiftly grabbed a cookie smothered in vanilla frosting and offered it to her lips, saying, "Here, taste this one." Kate hesitated before taking a bite, her lips grazing against his fingers. The gentle touch sent a flush of warmth to her cheeks once again. "Delicious!" she exclaimed, flustered. Lucas made a sound as if choking. Clearing his throat, Lucas spoke, "You enjoy these cookies, then?" "Yes, very much." Kate replied. "Very well." Lucas commented, turning to the assortment of dishes. "Perhaps one of these..." Kate reached out and grasped his wrist before he could grab a puffed pastry with icing. "You don't expect me to try all of them, do you?" she asked, raising a brow. "Why not?" Lucas inquired. "This is too much for one person to consume, even if they are just samples." Kate pointed out. "Ah, you have a point." Lucas muttered. After a moment of hesitation, Kate mustered up the courage to try another slice of cake she had no
“I-I- I see. Well, I suppose I should take a hint and not linger where I'm not wanted.” Elizabeth commented and Lucas responded to her. “That's a good idea." He said and Elizabeth left as she glanced back at them as if dazed. Surprising to Kate, Lucas stood up to her in such a way that she couldn't believe. It was like he truly loved her. As Lucas still had her firmly in his grasp, her heart began to race. "Ummm... Lucas," she called out softly. "You wanted to see the car, right?" Lucas responded, avoiding any discussion of his previous behavior. Kate's heart sank as she realized he didn't want to address their earlier interaction. ‘It was all an act,’ She concluded in her mind as she replied to him. "Yes, the car. Right." "Why don't I get permission for us to take it for a test drive?" Lucas suggested, and Kate nodded with a hint of a smile. Before long, they were sitting side by side in the new race car, Lucas admiring the dashboard and running his hands over the steering whe
As they drove down the quiet side road, Lucas finally pulled into an isolated lot. With the car parked, he turned to look at Kate. "This place used to be my escape as a teenager," he revealed, "a sanctuary away from strict parents, waiting soldiers, and the responsibilities of being an heir. It may not be exactly as I remember it, but it still serves as a private refuge." The word ‘privacy’ echoed in Kate's mind, causing her heart to beat faster. She couldn't keep track of how many times Lucas had made her heart race today. ‘Why did he choose to share this personal space with me?’ she wondered, sensing a vulnerability in Lucas that he rarely showed anyone else. Without warning, Lucas pulled her back onto his lap, leaning in for another intense kiss. As they settled into a comfortable position, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him as if he wanted to meld their bodies together. "Do you like this?" he whispered, his deep voice resonating through her body. Hi
"Who is it?" questioned Lucas from his office as he heard a knock at his door. "It is me. Is everything fine?" responded Kate. Lucas remained silent for a prolonged period until he finally spoke, "Enter." Kate's heart skipped a beat at his words as she opened the door and stepped inside. She found Lucas at his desk, meticulously polishing his guns. His usually stoic expression softened as he laid eyes on her. "Were you concerned?" he asked her. "Yes," nodded Kate. "Do not fret. I will handle the situation," assured Lucas. "What is your plan?" asked Kate, curious. "For now, gather intelligence," commented Lucas. "With those?" raised one of Kate's eyebrows as she gestured towards the revolvers in his hands. Lucas gave her a stern look as he cocked the gun and said, "They seek to destroy my family, and they may come after you next. I will not allow that to happen. Too many lives and families rely on me." Kate looked at him in surprise, taken aback by his fervent determination.
“Contrary to true justice, Matteo, arresting criminals may fall under your duties, but not at the behest of a powerful mafia boss." Kate emphasized, and Matteo nodded in agreement."I understand," he replied, running a hand through his hair, "I've been trying to justify it to myself, but the whole situation is so corrupt..." Matteo trailed off, his body stiffening."What's wrong?" Kate inquired, but Matteo quieted her as voices could be heard from outside the hall. One was unfamiliar, a gruff voice that Kate didn't recognize. The other...Outside the hall, Wilson was engaged in a conversation with an elderly man, likely in his late forties."I'm glad you had time to see me," Wilson remarked, and Kate recognized his voice immediately, giving Matteo a panicked look."That's Wilson!" she exclaimed."And the chief. This is not good," Matteo said, sounding worried."If he finds us here..." Kate trailed off, unable to even imagine the consequences. Matteo took her hand and led her to the ba
With haste, Kate rushed to Ace’s side, crouching beside him in an attempt to stem the flow of blood from his gunshot wound. However, one of the gangsters, emboldened by Ace’s defeat, strode over to Kate. He seized her, holding her up and preventing her escape. “Release me, you bastard!” Kate exclaimed, spitting at the man's face and squirming in his grasp. “You bitch!” The man cursed, responding with a heavy slap that made her dizzy and caused blood to trickle from the corner of her mouth. Determined not to be taken away, Kate fought against the tight grip, biting down on the man's hand with such force that blood gushed out. His reflexive reaction was to let her go, yelping in pain. Enraged by her defiance, the man grabbed his gun and aimed at her. But before he could pull the trigger, he was shot dead on the spot by an unknown assailant. Looking up, Kate saw the towering figure of Lucas, his face calm but his emerald eyes gleaming with ruthless determination as he strode like