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
JASMINE'S POV—The receptionist stares between us in surprise and disbelief."But Mr. Chad, sir..." He raises a hand, shutting her up. "I don't expect to repeat myself, miss," he says with a slight smile on his face, but there is nothing humorous about his words. If anything, there is a subtle hint of a threat in his tone."R-right away, sir," the blonde lady stutters and turns her attention back to her laptop. She casts me one last worried look before typing away on the device and making arrangements.I, on the other hand, am still trying to process the new thoughts in my head and how Chad came to be right in front of me.I think I'm pretty damned screwed now, and I can't help but wonder if he remembers me at all.My heart races at the thought, and not necessarily in a good way."Right this way," Chad motions with his hand and starts walking in a direction. He glances back to see if I'm following.Still at a loss, I hurry after him.We make our way to the elevator and step inside.I
Nico’s POVThe plane touches down in Los Angeles at exactly a few minutes after 12:00 noon.I could only manage a brief nap before my eyes snap open again. I look beside me to glare at Fabio, who has just shaken me awake."We’re here," he announces, taking off his seatbelt and standing up. I roll my eyes. He just has to point out the obvious, as if I’m blind or something.The rest of the men climb down the plane. Blade and Mario follow behind, taking the luggage with them. They mostly contain arms and other weapons that we need."You guys go on and settle down at the mansion," I say to Fabio.He tilts his head to the side, leaning against the plane and looking at me with a curious expression. "And you?" he questions. "What are you up to?""None of your business," I’m tempted to say. I refrain, however, knowing I don’t have to be rude. After all, he’s only asking an honest question. I have to admit, most of the time he is a bit too curious for his own good."I’m going over to the compa
Nico's POVI stand a little way away from the manager's office, watching. My left hand is in my pocket as I observe, and with my free hand, I draw out my phone and check my schedule. I don't remember any partnership meeting with the board, I reason with a frown. Now I'm wondering what the hell Chad would be doing here.After a while, a secretary walks out, speaking to Jasmine. Chad walks towards them. I watch the two of them closely, my frown deepening as he steps closer to her.She seems to be vehemently against something as she tries to move away from him."What the fuck," I whisper under my breath. I feel a possessive tingling in my skin.I don't like the idea of him getting so close to what was mine. I never had a problem with the man before—hell, he was a good partner—but what the hell was he doing with Jasmine now?I can't hear what they are saying. She finally moves away from him and hurries down the hallway. She's walking so quickly that she doesn't even notice me hanging arou
Jasmine's POVAs I hurry down the corridor, just barely avoiding Chad, I think I see a faint shadow of a man in the distance. The scent of citrus and sandalwood fills the air, but I ignore it. I'm too focused on trying to get away from Chad and the rest of my past to actually notice anything else.I can finally breathe in relief once I make my way out of the company itself. The driveway isn't empty; there are a lot of cars there, but I bypass them all. My phone beeps. I quickly reach into my bag and pull it out. I see that there is an email from the manager of the company."You got the job," it read. "Work starts 7:00 a.m. tomorrow."I stand there for a while, just doing nothing. I'm torn between being overly joyful about the fact that I finally have a job that's going to pay way more than the hotel ever did and will be less stressful. But then on the other hand, I just found out that Chad Travis works there too. I don't even care to know his status, but it's already turning into more