LUCAI took the bullet from Alina’s hand, turning it between my fingers. The name carved into the metal was smooth under my thumb. Hers.The meaning was clear. Someone had marked her for death.A bad omen.I nodded, barely looking up as I slid the bullet into my pocket. That person had another thing coming. “Where did this come from?”She crossed her arms, chin lifted. “It was delivered to me, wrapped in silk. With a note calling it an early wedding gift.”I should have expected that answer, but the rage still licked up my spine. Someone had the nerve to threaten my wife—my wife—and they thought I’d let it slide?Not fucking likely.I was handling three things at once. A shipment had just come in, my phone was vibrating with back-to-back calls, and now this. My men were moving around the warehouse, checking crates, counting bullets. And in the middle of it all, Alina stood there, almost glowing.The fire in her eyes, the set of her shoulders. She wasn’t afraid. She looked alive.It d
ALINAThe morning of the ceremony was loud.I felt like some doll, being dressed for display. Mother kept touching my hair, trying to make sure everything was perfect. Valentina argued with the maids about my dress, and Sofia, Luca’s sister, sat beside me, watching everything with wide eyes. Sofia looked like an angel. She has blonde hair styled in large waves, beautiful blue eyes, a voice so gentle it barely became louder than the noise in the room. It was hard to believe she came from a Mafia family.She leaned in slightly as she stared around the room. “Is it always like this?”I smiled. She had arrived last night, and I liked her already. “You mean the madness? Yes. Get used to it.”She laughed, the sound light and sweet. “I forgot how loud Italian families are. It’s much quieter in London.”I looked at her. “You like it there?”She nodded. “I do. Luca sent me there when I was sixteen. I studied, made friends, but I missed my home, and my brother,” Her fingers tightened around
LUCAMen who had killed, built empires, and torn them down sat in a circle, watching us. The Costa and Marino families were two of the biggest names in the city. Their rivals, allies, business partners, and enemies were all here, packed into my father-in-law’s estate, waiting for the ceremony to end.I sat on the floor beside Alina.She had her hands on her lap to hide the way they were shaking. I had no idea why she was nervous, she had refused to say anything more in the car after I'd asked why I would let her go. She was my wife. In the mafia, a marriage was forever. I leaned closer, lowering my voice. “None of your uncles came.”She didn’t turn to look at me. “You know why, Luca.”I did. Roberto must have told Alberto about Luca’s threat. There was no way they would show up here. Alina blinked. “They hate me now.”I tilted my head, studying her face. Her voice was light, almost careless, but I could tell she wasn't comfortable with it from the way her fingers were still shak
ALINAThe moment the woman stepped between us, I knew something was wrong.I wasn’t sure who she was, but from the way she touched Luca, the way her fingers pressed against his chest like she had every right to be there, I knew this wasn’t just some business associate or family friend.Luca’s face gave nothing away, but he didn’t push the woman off either.I tried to step back, but Luca’s fingers on my arm held me still. He wasn’t letting me go.The men around us were watching. Their eyes rushed between Luca, me, and the woman standing so comfortably close to him, waiting to see what would happen next.I lifted my head. I wasn’t about to make a scene, especially not in front of all these people, but I felt cold.Luca finally spoke, his eyes on the woman like I didn’t even exist. “Give me a moment, Alina.”A moment.That was all it took.He left my hand, walking away without a look back at me.The woman whispered something to him, her lips close to his ear, then giggled softly before t
ALINAI was still a little breathless from dancing. I didn’t know what to say for a moment.I shook my head, wanting to step out of his arms. “I won’t need those services.”"You’re really certain?" he asked, tilting his head."I have Luca."Ethan’s lips twisted. "And will he obey without question like I will?"Something in his tone made me stop and think."Or," he continued, “will he fight you every step of the way? Will he remind you that he is in control, that you belong to him?"The words sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine.I thought of Luca, the way he had looked at me earlier, the way he had walked away with Victoria like it was nothing, like I was nothing.And I thought of his words, the ones he had thrown at me before we left for the ceremony.I own you.Maybe he would fight me. Maybe he’d refuse to listen.I lifted my chin. "What exactly are you offering?"Ethan leaned in slightly, his breath hot against my ear. I wished he would back away. “I handle problems. Dirty bus
LUCAI knew the Alvarados.Which meant I also knew nothing good could come from Alina’s uncles meeting them.I stood beside her, listening to Roberto and Alberto whisper in the dimly lit hallway, their voices just low enough that they clearly didn’t want to be overheard. But Alina had pulled away the moment she heard them, and now I couldn’t ignore it either. Even though I really wanted to. I wanted to pull her into my arms and against the wall, eating her up like candy. I wanted to kiss her until her eyes were hazy with lust, I wanted to treat her like my pet. I couldn't do any of it. Three weeks.That was what Roberto had said. Three weeks until whatever they were planning came into effect.Alina’s body was tense beside me, but she wasn’t moving. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like the way she froze, the way she seemed to be preparing to deal with them. So I didn’t give her time to.I took her hand, turned the corner, and smiled like I had just stumbled upon long-lost relatives
ALINALuca was dressed when I woke up. The sound of his belt buckling pulled me from the edge of sleep.I heard him moving around the room, heard the clink of metal as he fastened his watch. I pushed myself up on one elbow, blinking the sleep from my eyes. He was already wearing his signature dark pants. “Where are you going?”His hands paused for half a second before he went back to what he was doing. “Since when do you ask me that?”I shifted, the sheets cool against my skin. Since he officially became my husband, since I found out he was hiding a mistress from me, since he had gone back to his mistress when we came home together. I pretended none of that mattered. “Since I arranged a meeting with Pietro.”That got his attention. He stopped dragging the jacket over his broad shoulders “With my father’s men,” I added. Just so we were clear. Luca turned fully, his face impossible to read. “I should be there.”I sat up, dragging the sheet with me, not because I cared but because
LUCAThe warehouse smelled like cement and metal, oil and sweat. I stood near the loading dock, arms crossed, watching the men unload crates from the truck.Everything was running smoothly so far. No delays, no mistakes. Just how I wanted it. The men knew better than to make silly mistakes, especially when I was watching.Marco stood beside me, hands in his pockets, watching the scene like he was waiting for something to go wrong.He was always like that, never trusting anything to go as planned. I didn’t blame him. These goods in particular were very illegal and very expensive.Guns like these came into the market once in a blue moon. I expected I'd make a hundred million just from this batch."Make sure they get everything sorted fast," I said. "The businesses that already paid, get theirs first."Marco nodded, giving a sharp whistle. The men moved faster. They didn’t need to be told twice.I shifted my feet, lowering my voice. "My father’s back."Marco turned his head sharply, his
ALINAI hated this.I hated that we had to do it. I hated that we couldn’t tell her the plan. I hated that I had to be the one to sit in front of Valerie and ask her if she was willing to walk back into hell.But there was no other way. Luca and I had come up with a plan while driving back home. And we knew it would work. We hoped it would.She sat across from me, her hands fisted on the armrests of the chair like she was preparing for an impact. She looked like she had that moment before Riot slapped her outside the club.I didn’t waste time. It was better to quickly rip the band aid off. “What do you think about getting your son back if you go back home?”Her lips clenched painfully as she bit it. “I want him back.” Her voice was shaking with fear. “But if I go back there, Riot will kill me.”I swallowed. “You don’t know that for sure.”She laughed dryly, looking away. “Yes, I do.”Luca stood against the wall, silent. Watching. He looked like an angel of war. I liked having him beh
LUCAI parked outside and waited for Alina.I was picking her up after her meeting. The door opened but it was Alberto who came outside. He walked past me toward his car, his eyes burning with so much hatred, it was almost laughable. If looks could kill, I’d be dead a thousand times over and he wouldn't have been my killer either. I didn’t react. Didn’t even spare him a second look as I pulled open the passenger door just as Alina stepped outside.She pulled her coat tighter, her hair shifting against her shoulders as the wind picked up. She looked tired and majestic at the same time. When I stepped into the car, the driver pulled out, my security detail in front and behind us. After being shot at, I was more careful with security. I watched Alina's face. She looked calm, but I could tell she was worried. “How did the meeting go? Any problems?” She shrugged. “The meeting went fine enough.” Then, after a second, she added, “Alberto threatened to kill you.”I laughed quietly. Why
ALINAI stopped outside the door, my pulse steady, my thoughts sharp. I was angry, but I kept my cool.I couldn't afford to let emotions rule me. Not now.Beside me, Pietro stood still like a statue, watching the entrance with narrowed eyes.“Do they have any idea what I’m about to tell them?” I asked, keeping my voice low so the men gathered inside the safe house wouldn't hear me. I had called a meeting like Luca had advised me. I wanted my men to be prepared and ready in case the Alvarados decided to strike.Pietro shook his head “I don’t think so. Which is why we need to get ahead of it and control it. We want them to support us.” I nodded. That was the plan. That had always been the plan; to control the story before anyone else could twist it against me.I started walking again and Lorenzo followed behind me. I turned to him, frowning. Was he trying to follow me into a personal meeting with my men? “Stay out here.”He didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Just shook his head no. I clench
LUCAI handed Maya to Valerie and stood. So both of her children were not Riot's? That made more sense. Now I understood why she was so worried.“Maya isn't his daughter too?” I asked, leaning forward with my hands on the table. “No, I already had them before I married Riot. When I couldn't give him a child after a year, he started hating me.” Valerie cried, cleaning her face. If Valerie's son was not Riot's child, then he was very unsafe. They could kill him.We had to find him, and we had to save him.Alina followed me to the door. Immediately we stepped outside, she stopped and her eyes filled with bright tears. “What have I done, Luca? That kid will die, won't he?” I stepped towards her, shaking my head. “He won't die. We won't let him. Go in for work. Call a meeting with your men, and ask them to be careful, we're not sure yet how they will react, but we need to be ready.” Alina gulped and nodded, turned and walked inside. Marco was already standing beside my car. A minute
ALINAI woke up suddenly, my heart pounding. The day had already begun, because light was pouring in through my curtains.I groaned and sat up. I never woke up this late. I must have been very tired. Little wonder why Luca had forced me to sleep.I threw off the covers, got out of bed, and quickly showered and dressed. Luca hadn’t woken me up. That meant something was wrong or he was just being a pain in the ass by trying to protect me.Either way, I didn’t like it.When I opened the door, I nearly ran into a wall of muscle.I blinked. Took a step back.The man standing outside my door was huge. He was built like a damn mountain. He had broad shoulders, thick arms, and an expression that looked like he hadn't smiled in years.An eye patch covered his left eye, making him look even more intimidating.I stared at him. Why was he standing outside my door? “Who the hell are you?”He smiled, but on his face, it looked more like a grimace. “Lorenzo. Your new bodyguard.”I laughed. “What?”
LUCAI lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.Sleep wouldn’t come. My body was heavy, exhausted, but my mind wouldn’t shut off.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Riot’s face.I heard the bastard’s voice.I thought about Valerie, about the boy, about how fast things were spiraling.I closed my eyes, forced my shoulders to relax, and tried to rest for an hour.I knew the Alvarado Cartel wouldn't kill the boy. They just couldn't.But I couldn't relax. I sat up and rubbed a hand down my face.Someone knocked on my door.I jumped out of bed like I had been waiting for that distraction.When I opened the door, Pietro and Leonard stood there. One look at their faces, and I knew I was in for a long night. Neither of them looked happy.“They’re here,” Pietro said.I nodded and turned back inside. I grabbed a shirt from the chair, pulled it on without buttoning it, and ran a hand through my hair.“Wait in my office,” I muttered as I stepped past them.They left in one direction, but I turned the
ALINALuca didn’t wait for me to follow, he just walked, his steps long and purposeful, expecting me to keep up. Marco was right beside him, and I trailed stiffly behind, my mind still trying to catch up with everything that had happened.Just before we stepped out of sight, Luca looked back at Sofia. “Go up and sleep, after the housekeeper has taken Valerie and Maya to their room.”Sofia nodded, her face still tense. I had no idea if she’d actually listen, but I didn’t have the energy to say anything else.I was suddenly tired. Maybe it was the thought of the boy dying because I had interfered where I shouldn't have. I pushed the tiredness away. I would have to live with the guilt forever if the boy died because of me. We entered Luca’s office, and he locked the door behind us. The moment he sat behind his desk, I asked, “Do you think they’d really kill the boy?”Luca exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face. “No.” He sounded sure. “The boy is still Riot’s son.”That should have ma
LUCA“Find my phone,” I yelled over the gunfire.Alina reached for it, her hands moving fast as I speeded out of the parking lot. The sound of bullets slamming against the armored windows was deafening, like hail against glass, but heavier, more violent.I clenched my jaw and pushed the gas pedal down harder. We needed to get the hell out of here before they found a way to stop us.Alina shoved the phone into my hand. I was about to dial when she grabbed it back.“I’ll call Sofia,” she said. “You focus on driving.”I didn’t argue. I needed both hands on the wheel.She pressed the phone to her ear. She tapped her finger impatiently against her seat until Sofia picked up. “Sofia, get one of the men to open the gates right now. We’re coming home.”Sofia’s voice was sleepy on the other end, but she answered immediately. “Okay.”Alina ended the call, sliding the phone back into its hold. The bullets kept coming, but I could tell we were pulling ahead. Their shots were landing less freque
ALINA I called the number again.Nothing.I stared at the screen, heart pounding.It rang five times, then cut off.I swallowed, hit redial, prayed someone would pick up. The man who had called sounded dangerous, the kind of man who wouldn't care about hurting the child if he could get what he wanted.Was that Riot's elder brother? Did it make a difference who it was?Still no answer.“What are you planning to do?” Luca asked when I almost ran over to the car.I barely looked up. I was glad he was beside me, with his intensity, but the man had asked me to come alone. “I’m going to get the boy.”Luca snapped. “Alone?”“Yes.”Luca stopped and the suddeness of the action made me stop too. “It’s a trap.”I nodded. I knew exactly what it was. “I know.”Luca looked exasperated. His eyes flashed at me. “And you’re still going?”My grip on my phone tightened. “Do you have a better idea?”Luca nodded, looking all sensible, like he needed me to be sensible too. How could I be sensible when t