GiovanniI sit in my office, sorting through paperwork. It’s been three days since Brandi opened up to me, and I’ve been doing everything to show her how much I love her. One way is visiting her office daily—more for me than her, I admit. I smile—thinking of her fills me with joy. I can’t wait to end this day. I sign the last document, drop it on the pile, and hit the intercom.“Jill, I’m done.”“Okay, I’ll grab them.” I stand, grabbing my jacket as she enters.“In a rush?”“Yeah—plans.”“17th floor?” she asks with a knowing smirk. I’ve been up there every chance I get, but yesterday Brandi banned me until day’s end.“Not answering that—send the files.”“Is this wise? Think of your daughter.”“Jillian, you’ve worked with me forever—we’re friends—but this is overstepping. Fax the files to Abercrombie.” She scowls, like Janis did days ago. Neither approves, but I’m past seeking approval. Only G and Brandi matter now.I leave, heading straight to my elevator for the quick ride up. It open
GiannaTwo Hours AgoI step out of the closet, necklace in hand, and head to Carlos on the bed, watching TV.“Babe, help me?”“Huh?” He glances up, spotting the necklace.“Oh, sure thing, babe.” He hops off the bed, takes it, and fastens it around my neck in seconds.“Done.”“Thanks, sweet—” Chills race through me as his warm lips graze my neck.“Baby,” I moan softly, tempted to give in but knowing I can’t. I shift, hoping he’ll stop.“Babe, I’m meeting Brandi in thirty minutes.”“Why not cancel?” He kisses my neck again, making me sigh—he knows my weak spots.“Baby, behave—you know I can’t.” His hand slips under my shirt, cupping my breast.“You can—call her, say you’re busy. We’ll spend the day doing that thing we talked about.” I freeze at “that thing”—he’s been on about it for weeks. Another kiss.“Come on, do it for me.”“I can’t—I haven’t had alone time with B in ages.” He groans.“It’s our only day off this week.”“I know, but we work together—I see you there.”“I can’t cuddle y
BrandiI pull the phone from my ear after hanging up with him. My heart’s in shreds—his hurt, desperate voice echoes in my mind. He probably thinks I’m running from him and Gianna, and maybe I would’ve if this complication hadn’t appeared. But he’s here—I can’t believe it—yet every glance left confirms it: Cole sits beside me.He’s the one I dreaded seeing more than Colin. A storm of emotions rages inside me. I shouldn’t have gotten in the car—I should’ve called Gio, should’ve run—but I couldn’t.“Where are you taking me?” My words break the car’s silence. He glances over with that smile—once a warm light in that cold house.“You’ll see—we’re almost there.”“You’ve said that for twenty minutes.”“We’re here.” He pulls onto a dirt road. Ahead, a large sign: The Canel Stables.“Remember how you wanted to ride horses when we were kids? I promised I’d make it happen.” I clench my fists, anger surging. He parks, steps out, oblivious to my fury.“Aren’t you coming?” I climb out, slamming the
I stare in horror as he repeats the words. So that’s why Cole rarely speaks to me—because of Colin. I clench my fists, irritation flaring. Who does he think he is?“Do you understand?” he asks Cole. My anger surges. How dare he think he can tell him not to talk to me?“Answer me!” he shouts, and at that moment, I decide I can no longer stand idly by. I push the door open. Colin’s eyes widen when he sees me, but he quickly recovers, his angry scowl melting into a sweet smile.“Brandi, what are you doing in here?” he asks. I ignore his question and glare at him.“What are you doing?” I demand.“Oh, nothing. Cole and I were just playing, right, Cole?” He grabs Cole’s shoulder. Cole flinches and averts his eyes.“Right. Just playing,” Cole mutters.“Liar. I heard everything you said. You don’t own me, Colin, so you can’t tell me who to talk to.” I grab Cole’s arm and try to pull him away, but he doesn’t move.“Come on, Cole.” I tug again, but he remains rooted in place.“Cole?”“Cole, stop
I awake to the smell of smoke. I jump up from the bed. I have to save Mom and Dad. I run down the hallway, but the entrance to their wing is already in flames.“Mom! Dad! Mom! Dad! Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me! Take me with you!” I cry out, but they don’t answer. I sob. I’m going to be alone. I don’t want to live like this. I don’t want to live with Uncle Theo. It’s better for me to die.I stand and take slow steps toward the fire. Suddenly, I feel myself shaking, and when I open my eyes, Cole is holding me. I look at him, stunned, wondering why he’s here, but feeling overwhelmed, I ignore that and throw my arms around him and cry. This isn’t a dream. My parents are dead, and I might as well be all alone.“Grandma is getting out tomorrow, so you can go home,” Cole says as he comforts me. I exhale, feeling relieved as I bury my face in his chest. Grandma isn’t my mother or father, but at least I won’t be around Carmen and Colin.I lift my head and sniffle to wipe my tears when my door
GiovanniIf you had asked me six months ago whether I thought I’d fall in love again, I would have said no. I didn’t believe any love could compare to my first, and I wasn’t interested in trying to find one, no matter how much Gianna pressed me to meet someone. I was content with my bachelor lifestyle and believed it would stay that way. Then she slipped into my bed and my heart. Now I can’t imagine a life without her in it. A life without loving her, kissing her, and making love to her is something I don’t want to experience—not after we’ve found each other. I look down at her as she lies naked beneath me, smiling. I press a kiss on her lips, then another, and another, until we find a rhythm, and now we’re making out. I sigh as we melt into each other; nothing could be as perfect as this moment. Once the kiss breaks, I hover over her, my lips barely grazing hers as I stare into her eyes. She meets my gaze with a look filled with both love and lust: my fenice, the love of my life.“I l
Four Days Later“Jillian, where are the files for the Levou property?” I press the receiver and ask as I sift through folders on my desk.“On your desk.”“If they were on my desk, I’d see them,” I growl, annoyed, still searching with my right hand.“I put them on your desk this morning,” she says.“Well, I can’t find them. You know we start construction in a week. I need to review the new blueprint.” I shuffle through papers, growing more frustrated. She sighs over the receiver, and a couple of minutes later, my door opens. I look up as she enters my office and heads toward me. She moves a few files around.“I’m telling you, they’re not there—” I pause as she hands me the file.“Here it is.”“Thank you.” I take it and flip through it, scanning the blueprint. I can feel her eyes on me as I review it.“If you have something to say, spit it out. Don’t just stand there.” I’ve known Jillian for nearly twenty years. She was my receptionist when I started this business. She worked her way up
Ring, ring, ring.I grab my phone, thinking it’s her calling back, but when I see the name, it’s William. I frown and pick up.“What?”“Is that how you greet your best friend? I’m hurt.”“Best friend? How many best friends do you know who try to sleep with their friend’s woman?”“Quite a few.”“Goodbye.” He laughs.“Chill, I’ve moved on from Brandi.”“Then why are you calling her about your new spot?”“Because she’s good at what she does—great, actually. I wanted a similar vibe, so I called her. You can relax. I know she only wants your old ass.” I frown, not fully buying his answer but deciding to let it slide since I want to ask about the search for that woman.“I’ll trust you, but if she tells me otherwise, I’ll shoot you. Now tell me, did you contact her?” He laughs.“Bros before h—you know what, I value my life too much. About the woman, I reached out; that’s why I’m calling. She’s at my spot as we speak.” I sit up.“She is? Why didn’t you tell me?” I stand, slip on my shoes, and
BrandiI sit in the chair waiting for the makeup artist to finish her work as my heart thunders in my chest. This is it. I’m getting married—I glance at the clock. Twenty minutes. I have been prodded, plucked, and tucked all morning, and now all I have to do is put on my dress and walk down the aisle to the man I love.“You’re still doing her makeup?” G asks as the door opens with a bang, and she comes rushing in. She has been in a frenzy since this morning.“Hey, G. You look amazing,” I say as I admire the champagne maid-of-honor dress she’s wearing. She stops and grins, then twirls to give me the full picture.“Don’t I—wait. Don’t change the subject. Why is she still doing your makeup? It’s almost time.”“I asked her to change the eyeshadow to something lighter,” I explain.“Oh, but we only have eighteen minutes.”“I’m almost done,” the makeup artist states.G paces back and forth. “How soon is almost? We only have seventeen minutes, and we need to get her dress on and do last-minute
MeanwhileBrandiI pull the covers tight and reach for a handful of popcorn as I focus on the TV. After cleaning yesterday, I have been flipping between crying and watching movies and TV shows. Except for two hours today, G convinced me to get my hair done because the wedding is tomorrow. I hope it is tomorrow, but I’m still uncertain what will happen because I haven’t spoken to Tes since I told him he has until Sunday to figure it out. I don’t know what he’s thinking, even suggesting postponing the wedding. How could he think I need more time? I’m so angry and hurt, I want to hate him. I should hate him right now for putting me through this, but I can’t. I miss him. I ache for his arms holding me. I miss his smile in the morning. I miss our family. I sniff as tears stain my cheeks.“Are you okay? Do you need anything? Ice cream?” Gia asks, pushing the tub of butter pecan toward me. I sigh, grab the spoon, and take a big bite. “Better?”I nod before taking another bite. “Your father is
GiannaI pull in through the gate and look around, stunned at the lawn covered in furniture. What is all this? I wonder as I park the car. Are they moving? Neither Dad nor B said anything before this. I slip out of the car and grab my purse before heading to the door, when I see Martha approaching.“Ms. Gia,” she says, smiling when she sees me.“Hey, Martha. Are Papi and B moving?”She shakes her head. “Mrs. Caputo woke up this morning, asked us to move the furniture outside, and started cleaning,” she explains.Mrs. Who? I furrow my brows when I realize she is talking about B. I guess she will be Mrs. Caputo in a couple of days. It feels so strange for her to marry Papi, but now I’m okay with it—happy even, since he makes her happy, and they gave me two of the cutest brothers in the world. I smile, thinking of their chubby cheeks.“Ms. Gia?” Martha calls, pulling me from my thoughts.“Oh, B asked you to move them out?” She nods.“She was in a frenzy this morning about getting the hous
BrandiTwenty minutes agoI examine the sample of birch wood on my desk. I like it, but I’m not in love with it like I am with the soft maple. I sigh. Why did the supplier have a shortage of the only wood I like? Well, it doesn’t matter. I have to choose one of these before the call. Shannon likes the ash, but ash is not durable enough, and I want people to pass these on to their kids, not throw them out.I need another opinion. Maybe I should have had Tes stop by with dinner and help me decide. I pick up my phone to call him but hesitate when I remember how tired he was today. Tes is already stretched thin with taking care of the boys, last-minute wedding prep, and getting his company ready for his absence during our honeymoon. Although he never complains, I’m sure he is exhausted. His only being able to have sex once last night is proof. That man never falls asleep before going at it at least twice.It’s a good thing this project is almost complete. Once we’re done picking the wood,
I need to find a doctor, but how do I do it on such short notice? I pull out my phone to call Jorge, my assistant.“Good morning, Boss. Are you coming into the office today?”“No. Jorge, I need a doctor.”“Oh, for what? Is Mrs. okay? My nephews?” he says, reacting as his usual dramatic self.“Fenice is fine, and so are the boys. I pulled my back last night and need to get it checked out. Can you find me a doctor? I need it today.”“I will be right on it.”“Thank you.”“You know, I had a problem once. I was in Colorado when my boyfriend at the time got a little rough. He was hitting it from the back. He can be a little rough.”“Jorge, is there a point to this story?”“Oh, right. So my back gave out. We were snowed in, so I couldn’t see a doctor. I did yoga for two days. My back felt brand new by the time we left.”“So you’re saying I should try yoga?”“Exactly. I bet it will have you feeling brand new, or you can go see those pill pushers who’ll pump you full of drugs and overcharge you
GiovanniWilliam pulls into the driveway and sighs. We chased her as far as the traffic cameras could track, but we eventually reached a dead end when she took a back road with no cameras. She’s smart, I give her that, and she is also striking to look at. I can see why William is enamored with her beauty, even though she is a thief.“What did she say to you?”“Huh?” I furrow my brows.“Brandi said she found you two together. Did she try to sleep with you?” he asks through clenched teeth. I can tell the thought of that pisses him off.“She walked in and pretended to be lost, then she fainted so I would catch her. I told her to drop the act, and Fenice walked in. I don’t know if she would have tried.” My voice trails off as I see him getting noticeably angrier.“Don’t worry. You’ll find her.”“How many men will she have fucked and used by then?” His eyes flash angrily.“What does it matter?”“They are touching something that’s mine—” His voice trails off when he realizes what he’s saying
I push the stroller towards the store, about to go meet Amber and G, who invited themselves last minute when she called this morning.“B,” I hear her call from behind. I turn slightly and see her coming fast, waving.“You brought them!” she squeals after seeing the stroller.“You wanted to see them. Here you go.” I push the stroller towards her and hand her their bag.“What’s all this?”“You asked me to bring them, so you’re going to look after them. I’m here to shop. Boys, your big sister will take care of you. Be nice,” I say, blowing each a kiss and then heading through the door of Hermès.“Wait. I don’t know—” I hear her behind me. “B, you can’t do this.” I sigh as she struggles to open the door while pushing the stroller. I roll my eyes, walk back to the door, and hold it open while she pushes it inside.“Why didn’t you bring one of the nannies?”“They are off on weekends when Tes and I are free. You wanted me to bring them, so you’re the nanny today.”“What? All I wanted to do wa
Brandi“Tes, come on.” I fold my arms as I wait for him to exit the car. We went shopping, and he agreed we would each pick an outfit we wanted the other to wear, and we got to choose the occasion it would be worn. He picked out a white dress and a matching lingerie set. The dress is to be worn to his birthday dinner next Tuesday, and the lingerie for tonight. I picked an outfit for our date in the park: dark-washed jeans, a tight-fitting t-shirt with a black leather jacket, and combat boots. He has been complaining since he stepped out of the dressing room, but a deal is a deal.“Tes, come on,” I call again, growing impatient.“I don’t think this is a good idea. I should go home and change,” he says, still sitting in the car.“We made a deal. You picked my dress, and that string you want me wearing tonight. If you want to see me wear that tonight, come out of the car.” He frowns as he steps out.I smile as I look at him. He does not know how good he looks, but I’m sure he’ll turn a fe
BrandiI take a sip of the shot, trying to pace myself because I already feel a little too good, and I know I’m on my way to being drunk for the first time in my life. I look at the shot and then watch as Gianna downs another one. Tonight reminds me of high school when she would get wasted, so I would have to take care of her. I guess some things never change. I put the glass down on the bar top.“No, no, no. What are you doing?”“I have already had five. You’re on your seventh.”“Eight. I brought you here to get drunk and party our asses off.”“One of us needs to stay sober and make sure nothing happens.”“We’re in Uncle William’s club, surrounded by security. Nothing will happen.”“You never know—”“B, he’s gone. You can relax,” she says as she picks up and hands me the shot.She doesn’t say another word; instead, she turns back to the bar and orders more shots. I look at the shot in my hand as her words play in my head. I know she is talking about Colin. It’s true that in the past,