Alexandra Dellarosa's POV My eyes fluttered open to reveal the room ceiling, pushing themselves closed almost immediately after. I felt a sharp pinch on my forearm, stretching to find a line, fluid running through it into my arm. Something felt cool against my forehead, like soft, damp cloth pressing gently to my skin. My throat ached, raw and tight, and breathing felt like dragging air through broken glass. My body felt weak, almost like I’d been wrung out, every limb heavy and useless.The room swam in and out of focus, the ceiling blurring again, the faint flicker of a lamp making shadows dance along the walls. My head throbbed, and my chest burned with each breath.“You’re awake,” a soft voice whispered.I turned my head slightly, looking in the direction of the voice, just enough to see Roseville sitting beside me, her face lined with worry. She was holding the cloth, her hand steady despite the concern written across her features.“Don’t try to move. It'll only hurt more. You'v
Alfredo Fabri's POV I sat in her room, watching over her as she slept. The air was thick with silence, save for the faint rustle of the curtains shifting against the breeze. Roseville had left just moments ago, her presence lingering like the faint scent of her perfume. The room still carried an odd warmth from her fussing about, adjusting pillows, refilling water, reminding me repeatedly that Lex needed rest and nothing else.“She doesn’t need you hovering,” Roseville had added before leaving, her tone firm. “Just give her space.”But I couldn’t.I stayed in that chair, back stiff and muscles aching, unable to leave. Every few minutes I’d glance at her — Lex — studying the delicate rise and fall of her chest, half-convinced she might stop breathing if I looked away for too long. The purple bruising still lingered around her throat, an ugly reminder of what I’d done.My fault.The guilt gnawed at me, making me restless. I'd tried apologizing, muttered words, choked promises that I'd
Alexandra Dellarosa's POVI got up slowly, feeling the stiffness in my limbs as though I were waking from a year-long slumber. Each movement was slow and deliberate, the dull ache spreading through my body like an unwelcome guest that refused to leave. My muscles throbbed, my joints cracked quietly, but I kept going — stretching my arms, rolling my neck, coaxing my body to life. It hurt, but I welcomed the pain. It felt grounding, something real to hold onto when everything else felt unsteady.I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with the stale air of the room, air that had grown heavy and lifeless over the past few days. Turning toward the large curtains at the far end of the room, I walked over with careful steps. That small corner, tucked away in quiet isolation, had become more familiar to me than the bed I was meant to recover in. The window was my escape, my reminder that there was still a world outside, a world still spinning even as I lay trapped in my own silence.The thoug
Alfredo Fabri's POV I smiled back at her lips, my gaze lingering a little too long, as if they held some unspoken promise. Without hesitation, I followed her up the stairs like a lost puppy, my thoughts consumed by her presence. Gina, once a sharp and persistent thought in the back of my mind, now felt like a fleeting whisper drowned out by the magnetic pull of the woman before me.The sound of the door clicking shut behind me felt louder than it should have, a sharp punctuation that seemed to close me off from the rest of the world. She stood in front of it, her back against the wood, her smile curling at the corners like smoke rising from a flame. There was something unsettling about it, yet I found myself unable to look away. My pulse quickened, a dull thud echoing in my ears.“Kiss me.”The words poured from her lips like silk, soft and smooth, yet heavy with intent. Each syllable seemed to hang in the air, wrapping around me like a warm breath against my skin. It wasn’t a reques
Alexandra Dellarosa's POV I just stared at him from my spot on the door, my face twisting into a grimace. My brows furrowed, my lips curling in frustration. Was this all because I had said I wasn’t jealous? Seriously? I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply as the realization finally dawned on me. So that’s what this was — a tantrum. Way to throw a fit, Fabri.It wasn’t even about jealousy. I knew that. I wasn’t jealous; I just cared about him. That was all. It wasn’t some petty possessiveness or insecurity, just genuine concern, the kind that sat heavy on your chest and lingered in your mind. But sure, twist it however you want. I rolled my eyes again, this time slower, the irritation settling deeper.Still, I knew I couldn’t leave things like this. With a sigh, I pushed myself off the door and walked toward the bed, bracing myself to apologize. The last thing I needed was another argument. Not now. Not when I’d finally managed to wrestle with my own emotions long enough to forgive him f
Alfredo Fabri's POV I threw on my jacket, pulling the fabric snug around my shoulders. The buttons slipped through their holes one by one, my fingers moving more from muscle memory than conscious thought. The air outside would be sharp this morning, biting at the skin, and I didn’t want to rush back just because I'd forgotten to dress properly. As I turned toward the door, I slowed my steps, glancing back at her one last time. She was still curled beneath the covers, her head nestled between her arm and a pillow that seemed to swallow half her face. The faintest rise and fall of her breath softened the room’s silence. She was beautiful, as always. The weight of her day had settled into her bones hours ago, and now she was still, wrapped in peace. I allowed myself a moment longer before easing the door shut behind me.The corridor outside was colder than I'd expected, the draft sneaking down from the vents along the ceiling. My boots struck the floor louder than I'd intended, and I a
Alfredo Fabri's POV The road stretched out ahead, winding through narrow streets and past shuttered shops. Buildings loomed on either side, dark windows reflecting faint glimmers from our headlights. The others trailed behind me, their cars following close enough that I could see the faint shapes of faces in the mirrors. The street stores began taking their wares in, the clouds promising a grave rain, turning the sky a dark colour. The weight in my chest grew heavier with each turn. Something felt wrong, though I could not yet put a name to it.We reached the outskirts of the city, where cobbled streets gave way to dirt roads and open fields. The air seemed colder out here, the wind sharper as it whistled through the trees. Giovanni muttered something from the backseat, but I barely heard him. My eyes were fixed on the road ahead.The first shot cracked through the night like a whip. Glass shattered and I barely had time to curse before the windshield sprayed across my chest. I slam
Alfredo Fabri's POV The cold air clung to my face, sharp and biting as I moved through the trees. The scent of damp earth and pine filled my lungs, grounding me even as my heart thundered in my chest. I kept low, boots brushing silently over leaves and broken twigs. The others were close, their figures flickering like shadows between the trunks.I gripped my knife tighter, the worn leather handle warm in my palm. Ahead, the faint glow of lanterns lit the clearing where the trucks were parked. Voices carried on the wind, low and careless. They thought they were alone out here.I smiled grimly.The first one spotted us — a wiry man with a rifle slung over his shoulder. His mouth opened, breath curling in the cold. I lunged before he could speak. My knife caught him just below the ribs, punching through his jacket and sinking deep. He let out a wet grunt, fingers clawing at my wrist as his legs buckled. I twisted the blade and felt the strength leave him.The gunfire started before his
Alfredo Fabri's POV The cold air clung to my face, sharp and biting as I moved through the trees. The scent of damp earth and pine filled my lungs, grounding me even as my heart thundered in my chest. I kept low, boots brushing silently over leaves and broken twigs. The others were close, their figures flickering like shadows between the trunks.I gripped my knife tighter, the worn leather handle warm in my palm. Ahead, the faint glow of lanterns lit the clearing where the trucks were parked. Voices carried on the wind, low and careless. They thought they were alone out here.I smiled grimly.The first one spotted us — a wiry man with a rifle slung over his shoulder. His mouth opened, breath curling in the cold. I lunged before he could speak. My knife caught him just below the ribs, punching through his jacket and sinking deep. He let out a wet grunt, fingers clawing at my wrist as his legs buckled. I twisted the blade and felt the strength leave him.The gunfire started before his
Alfredo Fabri's POV The road stretched out ahead, winding through narrow streets and past shuttered shops. Buildings loomed on either side, dark windows reflecting faint glimmers from our headlights. The others trailed behind me, their cars following close enough that I could see the faint shapes of faces in the mirrors. The street stores began taking their wares in, the clouds promising a grave rain, turning the sky a dark colour. The weight in my chest grew heavier with each turn. Something felt wrong, though I could not yet put a name to it.We reached the outskirts of the city, where cobbled streets gave way to dirt roads and open fields. The air seemed colder out here, the wind sharper as it whistled through the trees. Giovanni muttered something from the backseat, but I barely heard him. My eyes were fixed on the road ahead.The first shot cracked through the night like a whip. Glass shattered and I barely had time to curse before the windshield sprayed across my chest. I slam
Alfredo Fabri's POV I threw on my jacket, pulling the fabric snug around my shoulders. The buttons slipped through their holes one by one, my fingers moving more from muscle memory than conscious thought. The air outside would be sharp this morning, biting at the skin, and I didn’t want to rush back just because I'd forgotten to dress properly. As I turned toward the door, I slowed my steps, glancing back at her one last time. She was still curled beneath the covers, her head nestled between her arm and a pillow that seemed to swallow half her face. The faintest rise and fall of her breath softened the room’s silence. She was beautiful, as always. The weight of her day had settled into her bones hours ago, and now she was still, wrapped in peace. I allowed myself a moment longer before easing the door shut behind me.The corridor outside was colder than I'd expected, the draft sneaking down from the vents along the ceiling. My boots struck the floor louder than I'd intended, and I a
Alexandra Dellarosa's POV I just stared at him from my spot on the door, my face twisting into a grimace. My brows furrowed, my lips curling in frustration. Was this all because I had said I wasn’t jealous? Seriously? I rolled my eyes, exhaling sharply as the realization finally dawned on me. So that’s what this was — a tantrum. Way to throw a fit, Fabri.It wasn’t even about jealousy. I knew that. I wasn’t jealous; I just cared about him. That was all. It wasn’t some petty possessiveness or insecurity, just genuine concern, the kind that sat heavy on your chest and lingered in your mind. But sure, twist it however you want. I rolled my eyes again, this time slower, the irritation settling deeper.Still, I knew I couldn’t leave things like this. With a sigh, I pushed myself off the door and walked toward the bed, bracing myself to apologize. The last thing I needed was another argument. Not now. Not when I’d finally managed to wrestle with my own emotions long enough to forgive him f
Alfredo Fabri's POV I smiled back at her lips, my gaze lingering a little too long, as if they held some unspoken promise. Without hesitation, I followed her up the stairs like a lost puppy, my thoughts consumed by her presence. Gina, once a sharp and persistent thought in the back of my mind, now felt like a fleeting whisper drowned out by the magnetic pull of the woman before me.The sound of the door clicking shut behind me felt louder than it should have, a sharp punctuation that seemed to close me off from the rest of the world. She stood in front of it, her back against the wood, her smile curling at the corners like smoke rising from a flame. There was something unsettling about it, yet I found myself unable to look away. My pulse quickened, a dull thud echoing in my ears.“Kiss me.”The words poured from her lips like silk, soft and smooth, yet heavy with intent. Each syllable seemed to hang in the air, wrapping around me like a warm breath against my skin. It wasn’t a reques
Alexandra Dellarosa's POVI got up slowly, feeling the stiffness in my limbs as though I were waking from a year-long slumber. Each movement was slow and deliberate, the dull ache spreading through my body like an unwelcome guest that refused to leave. My muscles throbbed, my joints cracked quietly, but I kept going — stretching my arms, rolling my neck, coaxing my body to life. It hurt, but I welcomed the pain. It felt grounding, something real to hold onto when everything else felt unsteady.I breathed in deeply, filling my lungs with the stale air of the room, air that had grown heavy and lifeless over the past few days. Turning toward the large curtains at the far end of the room, I walked over with careful steps. That small corner, tucked away in quiet isolation, had become more familiar to me than the bed I was meant to recover in. The window was my escape, my reminder that there was still a world outside, a world still spinning even as I lay trapped in my own silence.The thoug
Alfredo Fabri's POV I sat in her room, watching over her as she slept. The air was thick with silence, save for the faint rustle of the curtains shifting against the breeze. Roseville had left just moments ago, her presence lingering like the faint scent of her perfume. The room still carried an odd warmth from her fussing about, adjusting pillows, refilling water, reminding me repeatedly that Lex needed rest and nothing else.“She doesn’t need you hovering,” Roseville had added before leaving, her tone firm. “Just give her space.”But I couldn’t.I stayed in that chair, back stiff and muscles aching, unable to leave. Every few minutes I’d glance at her — Lex — studying the delicate rise and fall of her chest, half-convinced she might stop breathing if I looked away for too long. The purple bruising still lingered around her throat, an ugly reminder of what I’d done.My fault.The guilt gnawed at me, making me restless. I'd tried apologizing, muttered words, choked promises that I'd
Alexandra Dellarosa's POV My eyes fluttered open to reveal the room ceiling, pushing themselves closed almost immediately after. I felt a sharp pinch on my forearm, stretching to find a line, fluid running through it into my arm. Something felt cool against my forehead, like soft, damp cloth pressing gently to my skin. My throat ached, raw and tight, and breathing felt like dragging air through broken glass. My body felt weak, almost like I’d been wrung out, every limb heavy and useless.The room swam in and out of focus, the ceiling blurring again, the faint flicker of a lamp making shadows dance along the walls. My head throbbed, and my chest burned with each breath.“You’re awake,” a soft voice whispered.I turned my head slightly, looking in the direction of the voice, just enough to see Roseville sitting beside me, her face lined with worry. She was holding the cloth, her hand steady despite the concern written across her features.“Don’t try to move. It'll only hurt more. You'v
Alfredo Fabri's POV The warmth of her neck seared against my fingers as I wrapped them tighter and tighter still, my grip like a vice, unrelenting. My stance was firm, feet planted as though cemented to the floor. She squirmed beneath my hold, her body twisting and straining, but I barely noticed. My gaze was locked on the back of her head, my mind clouded with a boiling rage that swallowed everything else.She wouldn’t walk out on me like that again, not like I was nothing. Not like she could just turn her back and leave without consequence. If she thought she could ignore me, then most definitely, she'd learn the hard way.“Alexandra, you do not walk out on me in that manner. Is that clear?” I growled through clenched teeth, my voice low and ragged. Her body jerked, her shoulders trembling violently as she fought to breathe. They were deep, desperate gasps that barely seemed to fill her lungs. The sound of her strangled breaths clawed at my ears, sharp and uneven, yet I didn’t ease