Nico's POVI went into the bathroom to freshen up, then came out and picked up my wristwatch before grabbing a few things.It was dark by the time I got out of the hotel. It didn't take me long to walk to the car, and then I drove down to the penthouse.The penthouse is one of the many structures that I have here in Little Italy, along with 13 mansions and two companies. For some reason, the penthouse is more comfortable for us to hang out in anytime we come to the city.My sports car slid in through the metal gates, which automatically parted for me to pass, and I parked it at the corner. There were already two cars parked to the side. I was going to guess that they belonged to my men and the escorts.I braced myself for the meeting that was to come and then finally kicked open the car door and stepped out. I approached the doorway, knowing full well that Fabio would definitely question me for being late. Ignoring that, I entered the penthouse, realizing that I was already late."Jus
Jasmine POVEven two days after speaking with Aurora, I can’t help but wonder if her boss is telling the truth.A voice in my head tells me to stay clear of Nico’s business. I’m already in a lot of trouble as it is, and I wouldn’t mind if everything else calmed down when it comes to me.So what if there’s no real love between him and his wife, Camila? That doesn’t give me the right to step in and make things complicated.I know that I’m right. I really have no desire to be somebody’s second woman.I smile up at a person as he enters the hotel, and I hand him his room number after he books a room.I have my alarm set for later in the afternoon, and I have to go back to my apartment soon.Isabella is still at her mother’s place, and Miss Smith is going to be leaving soon, so I have to leave work early today.I sigh. Even if I don’t have much time left to spend here, I can still feel my thoughts running up and down in a thick forest.It’s like I’m doing my work, but my actions are comple
Nico's POV —"Who is the kid's father?" I ask. I keep one hand on the steering, easily navigating through the traffic and speeding down the highway. I leave the second hand on her thighs simply because it belongs there. Something about her draws me in. The way she shivers every time I touch her, the way she flinches from me like she's scared that I'm going to harm her, and yet she draws closer to me. The way I have her completely at my mercy she's so innocent now that it's driving me completely crazy. And once again I have to wrestle for control with my mind. The beast in me wants to be let loose. I could barely control him and my desires whenever she was in sight. Part of me what to take her right there, claim her as mine. But if I do that, I'm not sure that I can keep my promise to not hurt her. And so I compensate myself by just running my hand up her thighs in a sensual rhythm that will have to do for now until we both agree that she wants me I can feel her hesitating, not wa
Jasmine's POVI walk down the hall of the hotel, a box clutched under my hand as I make my way to the Manager's office. A few minutes ago, I received a package for the manager. While people don't usually leave packages in front of the hotel and usually make it through to him themselves, it isn't exactly out of the ordinary either.And so, sometimes I do go and hand him his orders myself, as I already work at the front desk.As I make my way up the elevator, it clicks open. I heave a sigh when I see that no one is there. The truth is that I'm still giddy from yesterday with Nico Ferrari.He might have taken me against my will in his car, but then again, I find myself not regretting any moment.The more I try to pull out, the more I find myself falling deeper into his intricately crafted net that seems to be designed to get me trapped in his words.The door of the elevator slides open, indicating that I am already at the top floor where the Manager's office is.A man in an Italian suit
JASMINE'S POVA job offer in one of Nico's companies.Just before I was done with my shift and about to call it a day and go home, my phone beeps with a notification. I look down to see that it is an alert.I clamp a hand over my mouth, gasping softly. I stare at the five figures in shock. The manager really wasn't joking about my raise, but this is even way over a fifty percent increase. And is this what he means by an early payment before the end of the day?A chill runs through me when I remember that Nico is the one solely behind this. I can't help but wonder what the hell he is up to now.Isn't it clear? A voice in my head replies.The amount is more than enough to cover all my bills for the next couple of months and take care of Michael. Even if I didn’t let him see the child, Nico is still doing what he could to take care of us.Be smart, the manager's words echo in my head.I walk down the pedestrian way and exit the hotel.I take the public transport back as usual.Even when
Nico’s POV"What do you think she's going to say?" Fabio asks as he slips into the seat next to me.I shift a little, putting just enough distance between us on the large sofa. I don't even glance in his direction; instead, my eyes are focused on the window that overlooks the side of the room.We are on the highest floor in one of the lounges. A single flight of stairs leads up to the rooftop, but I have no intention of going there right now.This window gives me a great view of the driveway down below, and I can see clearly as Jasmine walks out of the hotel, seeming rather in a hurry.It takes all of my self-restraint not to let my intrusive thoughts win over; otherwise, I would have pulled out a pair of binoculars and gone full stalker mode on her.Unfortunately for me, before I can think of anything else, she disappears through the gates of the hotel."Well?" Fabio repeats next to me. It takes me a while to register that he's even there in the first place."What do you want?" I ask
Nico's POV"We are going to LA?" Fabio repeats. He and the rest of the men in the room are staring at me in utter shock.I shift uncomfortably in my seat. They just have to make it hard for all of us.Once again, we are all gathered in the penthouse for an impromptu meeting that arose after the call with my father."Yes," I say. "I'm pretty sure I was damn clear the first time."Someone is trying to sabotage and destabilize us. Until we find out who it is, we have to do our best to make sure the Ferrari family is safe.Silence falls over the room as they take it in. I have already briefed them on everything that happened, just as my father recounted to me.The case was actually quite simple.A group of motherfuckers decided to toy with us, but for some reason, they were too much of a coward to face us directly. So, they had this brilliant brainwave and decided to attack my father instead."Blade, what's the update?" I ask, turning to the blond, hefty guy in our group."All our cargo i
Jasmine POVIt is exactly 10:00 a.m. the next day when the plane touches down in Los Angeles. I take a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for what is going to happen next."The product is wonderful," someone says beside me. I look at the seat next to me. Isabella is sitting there, and Michael is between us. After telling her about everything the day before and leaving her to decide whether or not she was going to come with me to L.A., I have to admit that I’m rather relieved that she decided to come along after all. It will take a lot of time to finally settle down in the new city, and in the meantime, I need someone to look after Michael for me. It would be a lot of trouble if I had to take him around with me everywhere.“Indeed,” I say with a tight smile.Los Angeles is indeed a beautiful and big city—until you know all about it. I stand up along with the rest of the passengers on the plane, and there is a solemn progression as we disembark. "What now?" I ask myself."I’ve alrea