Alessandro’s face goes beet red. “What? No! Don’t be crass. I was wondering if you had any tips on how to ask her out.”“Aww, you have a crush on a girl.”He rolls his eyes. “You know what? Never mind. I never should have asked.”I throw my head back and laugh. “I’m just teasing you! Will you tell me who it is?”“I’d really rather not. You’re just going to blab to Cassandra, who’s going to tell Mom Luna Belle, and the next thing I know, they’ll both be all over me.”I pretend to drag an imaginary zipper over my lips. “Your secret’s safe with me, Zandro. I swear.”He sighs, running an anxious hand through his hair. “It’s one of Aunt Natalia’s nurses at the clinic.”I do my best to fight my smile. Looks like Cassandra was right on the money. “Oh?”“I’ve been, um… wanting to ask her out for a while, but…”“You’re afraid she might be intimidated because of who Dad is?” Zandro frowns. “Well, now I am.”“You have nothing to worry about. Just be honest with her. Bring her some flowers and a
Alexander Mancini POVI checked in early.I stare at the text message for far longer than necessary, admittedly puzzled to know that Zandra has somehow managed to get a hold of my cell phone number. I’d heard through the grapevine that, in another life, her father and uncles once owned a cyber security company—now defunct—so I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Zandra had the basic know-how to get my information.Are you that eager to see me?Don’t flatter yourself. I finished my work earlier, that’s all. Don’t keep me waiting.Give me an hour. I’m stuck in a meeting.“What’s got you in such a good mood?” Roman asks me from across my office.I set my phone screen-side down on my desk, swallowing the warm sensation blooming in my chest. I’ll admit the thought of Zandra lying in bed, ready and wet and waiting for me is certainly amusing.Will she undress herself before I get there out of spite? Surely she knows by now how much I enjoy ripping her clothes off. Maybe she’ll tease herself to
Xander Mancini POVMy walk takes me all the way to the Crown Hotel. The receptionist discretely passes me my key, and I, in turn, slide her 5000 Liras to keep my name off the books.“Your wife is already upstairs,” she informs me. “Have a lovely evening, Mr. Alexander”The elevator ride feels longer than usual. I can’t explain the restlessness in my bones, or the anxious excitement rolling in the pit of my stomach. With every floor I ascend, the more I’m aware of how close I am to seeing Zandra again. Never in a million years would I have looked forward to such a thing, but knowing I get to see her every other night—sometimes every night—has become the highlight of my day. I open the door and step into our room.Zandra is nowhere to be found.My brows furrow, knitting together as I take in my surroundings. Her jacket is thrown over the back of the couch. Her shoes are by the door. The scent of her vanilla shampoo lingers in the air, intoxicating and sweet. But the hotel room is compl
Zandra Franco POVWith speed I didn’t know he possessed, Xander all but yanks my pants off and drags me to the edge of the bed. I’m hinged at the hips, my feet touching the floor. His weight is gone for only a moment before he returns, condom in hand, the crinkle of the packet as he tears into it somehow louder than my own heart pounding in my ear.He buries himself deep inside me without warning, but I frankly don’t need it. I’ve grown accustomed to his generous size, and have come to love the burn of the stretch and the way he makes me feel so, so full. I’m used to his rhythm by now and know how he moves with precision and drive. Everything he does is with such force—from the way he talks, the way he conducts business, and yes, even the way he has sex.I like that he’s rough with me. It’s strange, but I don’t think I’d appreciate it if he treated me like something delicate and weak. He knows I can take whatever he can give, so Xander doesn’t bother with whispering sweet nothings. He
Zandra Franco POVI think about saying no. I’ve already been away for far too long. My bodyguards are going to worry. My family is going to worry. It’s too hard to care, though, when I feel so damn good right where I am. Right where I’m meant to be.I sit up reach for my cell phone and send Vincent a message. I’m staying here for the night. I tell him to get himself a room and meet me downstairs early in the morning.“Okay,” I mutter softly against his chest.The moment I close my eyes, I’m out like a light.Alexander Mancini POVThe golden light of sunrise filters in through the crack in the curtains, filling the hotel room with warmth and the promise of a new day. Beside me, Zandra’s red locks have curled slightly in her sleep, spilling out like tendrils of copper. I spend a little too long drinking in the sight, her beauty unmatched in all things worldly or otherwise. I silently pray for time to stop. I want to capture this moment for all eternity and bask in it, breathing in the s
Xander Mancini POV“I’m starting to think you like me or something,” I say, parroting her words from earlier. She smiles, a brilliant glint behind her pretty baby blues. “Impossible,” her mouth says. It’s the truth, says her eyes.I brush my fingers across her cheek, tucking a few strands of her hair behind her ear. “You better behave while I’m gone. I expect my territory to be exactly the way I left it.”Zandra smiles even wider. It makes my chest tight. It’s honestly unfair how beautiful she is. “I guess I can leave the south alone. You know, since you asked so nicely.”“I appreciate that.”She licks her lips, and presses her hands gingerly against my chest. “Kiss for the road?” She says it like it’s a joke, but I’m prepared to take her offer very, very seriously.I adore the little gasp she makes when I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her flush against me, claiming her lips without the usual gruffness. I take my sweet time, savoring the taste of her lips and swallowing the
Fuck. Rossi is clever, I’ll give him that much, but the opposite will happen. The smaller families will be afraid and stay in their place.When aligning himself with me didn’t work, he turned to the next best thing—guns for hire. My death will catalyze war. A few months ago, the idea would have delighted me to no end.Not anymore.“I’ll pay you triple what he gave you to let us walk,” I say.Benjamin raises his gun, training his sight on me. “Now you’re willing to give me money? Hilarious.”“Don’t do anything stupid.”“Da svidaniya, as they say in Mother Russia.” Everything happens in slow motion. I see the slight squeeze of his finger around the trigger. His men move as a unit, preparing to riddle Samuel and me full of holes. My brother is already reacting, pulling out his guns to open fire.Any other man would have frozen in place, a deer in the headlights.But I’m not any other man. I came prepared, always on the cusp of a fight. All it takes is a single gesture of my hand—Faster
Mom pats Dad’s chest gently. “And let that be a lesson for you. If you’re going to lead the Franco Kingdom, you have to take care of your health.”I run my fingers through my hair. “I’m going now. End of conversation.”“She’s seeing someone,” I hear Mom Twitter as I leave.“Leave her be, Luna Belle,” Dad replies warmly. “She’ll tell us when she’s ready.”Except I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.XXXAlessandra Franco POVI have Vincent drop me off a block away from the hotel like I normally do. He doesn’t ask any unnecessary questions, and I’m frankly thankful for it. The man deserves a raise for his discretion.“Ma’am?” he calls from behind the steering wheel.“Yes?”“Sorry to disturb you, but… is that your twin brother Alessandro?”I look through the windshield and spot Zandro standing in front of the entrance of the Crown Hotel. My heart does a three-sixty flip inside my rib cage before plummeting straight into my abdomen. What the hell is he doing here? If he spots me, he’ll have q