Noel barely had time to check his phone when Aria’s call came through.“Get dressed,” she said, skipping a greeting. “Got you a gig. High-end banquet. Good money.”Noel sat up on his bed, rubbing his face. “How much?”“Enough to cover your rent for a while.”That was all he needed to hear.“I’m in. When?”“Tonight. Wear something nice.”She hung up.Noel exhaled, pushing himself up. A fancy banquet meant expensive guests, the kind who barely saw waiters as people. But he needed the money.Hours Later..At the BanquetThe air smelled like expensive perfume and champagne. Crystal chandeliers reflected off gold-trimmed walls, illuminating the crowd of powerful people dressed in designer suits and gowns. Noel adjusted the tray in his grip, keeping his posture straight.He was just here to work. Get paid. Leave.Simple.He moved through the crowd, offering glasses of champagne with a practiced smile.Then, he felt it.A gaze.Heavy. Dark.He turned slightly…and nearly froze.The man watchin
Noel stared at his reflection in the mirror, his fingers gripping the cool edge of the sink. His breath came slow and controlled, but inside, his chest tightened painfully.Vincenzo couldn’t claim him. Wouldn’t.He should have expected it.Still, the way Vincenzo had stood there, silent in the face of Matteo’s proposition, had cut deeper than he wanted to admit."Who is he to you?""It’s none of your business."Noel let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.Of course.Of course, he was nothing to Vincenzo De Luca.Just a distraction.Just some college student who got swept up in a world he didn’t belong in.But what scared him the most..what made his stomach knot…was the way Don Ramon De Luca had looked at him.That man could kill him.Easily.Noel had seen enough of the De Lucas to know they didn’t make empty threats.He exhaled sharply and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water onto his face, willing himself to push it all aside. He needed to get back to work, finish his sh
Vincenzo was losing control.His vision blurred with rage as he slammed his glass down, the sound of it hitting the table barely satisfying the storm raging inside him.Noel had left.With Matteo fucking Romano.His archenemy.His fingers tightened around the whiskey bottle before he hurled it at the far wall. Glass exploded, amber liquid dripping down like blood.He couldn’t breathe.Couldn’t think."What the fuck did my father mean when he said he was going to ‘take care of him’?"Vincenzo had never feared anyone in his life. Not the men he tortured. Not the enemies he buried. But Don Ramon De Luca? His father?He was a man whose word was law. And when he spoke of taking care of someone, it didn’t mean keeping them safe. It meant removing them from existence.Oh, hell no.Not Noel.He’d burn the whole fucking world down first.His teeth clenched, hands balling into fists as he barked, “Lucas!”His second-in-command appeared almost instantly, standing at attention.Vincenzo’s breath
Noel sat on Matteo’s massive bed, fingers gripping the edge of the sheets. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat louder than the last. His mind was stuck on the way Vincenzo’s eyes had burned with fury when he had left the club with Matteo.That look…dark, unreadable, deadly.Something had snapped in him. Noel had felt it.He swallowed hard, glancing at the clock. Matteo had brought him here, told him to stay put, then left for some business hours ago.He hadn’t returned.Noel’s stomach churned.Something was wrong.Then his phone buzzed.His fingers trembled as he grabbed it."Hello?"“Noel, baby…where are you? Have you heard?” Aria’s voice was rushed, frantic.“Heard what?” Noel sat up straighter, his pulse spiking.“Vincenzo has Julian. And rumor is…” Aria hesitated, then her voice dropped. “He beat him up. Badly. Before they took him away.”Noel froze.His breath hitched in his throat, fingers going numb around the phone.No. No, no, no.He shot to his feet. “Beat him up?” His
*Somewhere Unknown*Noel woke up to the sharp sting of his own cheek.Someone had slapped him.His head lolled to the side, his vision swimming as the burning sensation settled in. His limbs felt heavy…numb. His mouth was dry, and when he tried to move, he realized..He was tied to a chair.The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of cigarettes and expensive cologne. Shadows danced along the walls, blurred figures standing around him, watching.A voice..smooth, condescending..cut through the haze."Well, well. Look who’s finally awake."Noel’s heart lurched. He recognized that voice.Elene.A slow clap echoed through the room as Elene stepped into the light, her red lips curled into a wicked smirk. She was dressed immaculately as always, her heels clicking against the marble floor."You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?" she mused, crouching in front of him. "I keep thinking Vincenzo will finally throw you away, but no. He just keeps coming back."Noel’s breathing
Noel woke with a sharp gasp.The ceiling above him was unfamiliar…pristine white with intricate gold detailing. The air smelled of expensive cologne, leather, and something faintly citrusy. Silk sheets clung to his bare skin, cool and luxurious, nothing like the rough, bloodstained clothes he last remembered.Panic coiled in his stomach.His body ached all over, muscles protesting as he pushed himself up. A sharp sting shot through his ribs. His mind snapped to the events of the previous night.Elene. Silvio. The gunfire.Vincenzo.Had he really just declared war against the Riccis because of him?A cold shudder ran down Noel’s spine.Shit.Don Ramon was going to be pissed.Like, really pissed.And for the first time in his life, Noel felt genuine fear. He had spent years playing with fire, weaving through danger, but this… this was something else.He had run from the mouth of one beast straight into another.He let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his messy hair. Why the fu
The heavy doors of the mansion creaked open, and RAyNe stepped inside, his sharp gaze locked onto the woman in front of him. Nirvana’s hips swayed with each step, her dress hugging every curve of her body like it had been designed just for her. He clenched his jaw, his hands itching to grab her, to pin her against the nearest wall, to taste every inch of her. His overcoat barely concealed the evidence of his desire, and his patience was thinning by the second.“I’m impressed,” he finally muttered, his voice thick with something dangerously close to admiration.Nirvana didn’t turn around. “I’d take that as a compliment, boss.”Boss.He fucking hated that word coming from her lips. He wanted to hear her say his name, wanted her to moan it, scream it. His thoughts turned wicked, dark. That sharp little tongue of hers would feel exquisite wrapped around his cock..“You left me at the party. Where the hell have you been with… her?”RAyNe exhaled sharply, the unwanted interruption slashing
The sun hung high in the Santorini sky, casting streaks of gold through the open balcony doors. The morning breeze carried the scent of the sea into the room, the sound of crashing waves mixing with the lingering tension between them.Noel stood in front of Vincenzo, chest rising and falling rapidly. His lips tingled from the rough, unexpected kiss Vincenzo had stolen earlier, and his wrists still burned from the way he'd been dragged into this room.Vincenzo towered over him, his dark gaze sharp, his arms crossed over his chest."You pissed me off," Vincenzo muttered.Noel scoffed. "Oh? But it's totally fine for you to let your ex grope you in front of me?"A flicker of something dangerous passed through Vincenzo’s eyes. "So, you were jealous."Noel clenched his fists. "And what if I was?"Vincenzo’s lips curled, but there was no humor in his smirk..just raw, unfiltered possession. "Then I’ll have to remind you who you belong to."Before Noel could snap back, he was yanked forward…on
The scent of sex and saltwater still clung to the air, thick and intoxicating. Sunlight streamed through the open balcony doors, casting golden streaks over tangled sheets and bare skin.Noel was boneless, completely spent, his body draped over Vincenzo’s like he belonged there. His cheek rested against the warm plane of Vincenzo’s chest, the steady rise and fall of it lulling him into something dangerously close to comfort.Then….A knock at the door.Noel stiffened.Vincenzo’s bored, lazy hum vibrated against his ear, but he didn’t move an inch.Then Luca’s voice cut through the morning stillness.“Boss, Mr. Laurent’s friends have arrived.”Noel went rigid.Shit.His heart slammed against his ribs as the weight of reality came crashing back. His friends. Here.After everything that just happened.A sharp wave of embarrassment surged through him, and before he could think…he dove under the covers.Vincenzo’s deep, amused chuckle rumbled through his chest.“Seriously?” he drawled, pul
The sun hung high in the Santorini sky, casting streaks of gold through the open balcony doors. The morning breeze carried the scent of the sea into the room, the sound of crashing waves mixing with the lingering tension between them.Noel stood in front of Vincenzo, chest rising and falling rapidly. His lips tingled from the rough, unexpected kiss Vincenzo had stolen earlier, and his wrists still burned from the way he'd been dragged into this room.Vincenzo towered over him, his dark gaze sharp, his arms crossed over his chest."You pissed me off," Vincenzo muttered.Noel scoffed. "Oh? But it's totally fine for you to let your ex grope you in front of me?"A flicker of something dangerous passed through Vincenzo’s eyes. "So, you were jealous."Noel clenched his fists. "And what if I was?"Vincenzo’s lips curled, but there was no humor in his smirk..just raw, unfiltered possession. "Then I’ll have to remind you who you belong to."Before Noel could snap back, he was yanked forward…on
The heavy doors of the mansion creaked open, and RAyNe stepped inside, his sharp gaze locked onto the woman in front of him. Nirvana’s hips swayed with each step, her dress hugging every curve of her body like it had been designed just for her. He clenched his jaw, his hands itching to grab her, to pin her against the nearest wall, to taste every inch of her. His overcoat barely concealed the evidence of his desire, and his patience was thinning by the second.“I’m impressed,” he finally muttered, his voice thick with something dangerously close to admiration.Nirvana didn’t turn around. “I’d take that as a compliment, boss.”Boss.He fucking hated that word coming from her lips. He wanted to hear her say his name, wanted her to moan it, scream it. His thoughts turned wicked, dark. That sharp little tongue of hers would feel exquisite wrapped around his cock..“You left me at the party. Where the hell have you been with… her?”RAyNe exhaled sharply, the unwanted interruption slashing
Noel woke with a sharp gasp.The ceiling above him was unfamiliar…pristine white with intricate gold detailing. The air smelled of expensive cologne, leather, and something faintly citrusy. Silk sheets clung to his bare skin, cool and luxurious, nothing like the rough, bloodstained clothes he last remembered.Panic coiled in his stomach.His body ached all over, muscles protesting as he pushed himself up. A sharp sting shot through his ribs. His mind snapped to the events of the previous night.Elene. Silvio. The gunfire.Vincenzo.Had he really just declared war against the Riccis because of him?A cold shudder ran down Noel’s spine.Shit.Don Ramon was going to be pissed.Like, really pissed.And for the first time in his life, Noel felt genuine fear. He had spent years playing with fire, weaving through danger, but this… this was something else.He had run from the mouth of one beast straight into another.He let out a shaky breath, running a hand through his messy hair. Why the fu
*Somewhere Unknown*Noel woke up to the sharp sting of his own cheek.Someone had slapped him.His head lolled to the side, his vision swimming as the burning sensation settled in. His limbs felt heavy…numb. His mouth was dry, and when he tried to move, he realized..He was tied to a chair.The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of cigarettes and expensive cologne. Shadows danced along the walls, blurred figures standing around him, watching.A voice..smooth, condescending..cut through the haze."Well, well. Look who’s finally awake."Noel’s heart lurched. He recognized that voice.Elene.A slow clap echoed through the room as Elene stepped into the light, her red lips curled into a wicked smirk. She was dressed immaculately as always, her heels clicking against the marble floor."You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?" she mused, crouching in front of him. "I keep thinking Vincenzo will finally throw you away, but no. He just keeps coming back."Noel’s breathing
Noel sat on Matteo’s massive bed, fingers gripping the edge of the sheets. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat louder than the last. His mind was stuck on the way Vincenzo’s eyes had burned with fury when he had left the club with Matteo.That look…dark, unreadable, deadly.Something had snapped in him. Noel had felt it.He swallowed hard, glancing at the clock. Matteo had brought him here, told him to stay put, then left for some business hours ago.He hadn’t returned.Noel’s stomach churned.Something was wrong.Then his phone buzzed.His fingers trembled as he grabbed it."Hello?"“Noel, baby…where are you? Have you heard?” Aria’s voice was rushed, frantic.“Heard what?” Noel sat up straighter, his pulse spiking.“Vincenzo has Julian. And rumor is…” Aria hesitated, then her voice dropped. “He beat him up. Badly. Before they took him away.”Noel froze.His breath hitched in his throat, fingers going numb around the phone.No. No, no, no.He shot to his feet. “Beat him up?” His
Vincenzo was losing control.His vision blurred with rage as he slammed his glass down, the sound of it hitting the table barely satisfying the storm raging inside him.Noel had left.With Matteo fucking Romano.His archenemy.His fingers tightened around the whiskey bottle before he hurled it at the far wall. Glass exploded, amber liquid dripping down like blood.He couldn’t breathe.Couldn’t think."What the fuck did my father mean when he said he was going to ‘take care of him’?"Vincenzo had never feared anyone in his life. Not the men he tortured. Not the enemies he buried. But Don Ramon De Luca? His father?He was a man whose word was law. And when he spoke of taking care of someone, it didn’t mean keeping them safe. It meant removing them from existence.Oh, hell no.Not Noel.He’d burn the whole fucking world down first.His teeth clenched, hands balling into fists as he barked, “Lucas!”His second-in-command appeared almost instantly, standing at attention.Vincenzo’s breath
Noel stared at his reflection in the mirror, his fingers gripping the cool edge of the sink. His breath came slow and controlled, but inside, his chest tightened painfully.Vincenzo couldn’t claim him. Wouldn’t.He should have expected it.Still, the way Vincenzo had stood there, silent in the face of Matteo’s proposition, had cut deeper than he wanted to admit."Who is he to you?""It’s none of your business."Noel let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head.Of course.Of course, he was nothing to Vincenzo De Luca.Just a distraction.Just some college student who got swept up in a world he didn’t belong in.But what scared him the most..what made his stomach knot…was the way Don Ramon De Luca had looked at him.That man could kill him.Easily.Noel had seen enough of the De Lucas to know they didn’t make empty threats.He exhaled sharply and turned on the faucet, splashing cold water onto his face, willing himself to push it all aside. He needed to get back to work, finish his sh
Noel barely had time to check his phone when Aria’s call came through.“Get dressed,” she said, skipping a greeting. “Got you a gig. High-end banquet. Good money.”Noel sat up on his bed, rubbing his face. “How much?”“Enough to cover your rent for a while.”That was all he needed to hear.“I’m in. When?”“Tonight. Wear something nice.”She hung up.Noel exhaled, pushing himself up. A fancy banquet meant expensive guests, the kind who barely saw waiters as people. But he needed the money.Hours Later..At the BanquetThe air smelled like expensive perfume and champagne. Crystal chandeliers reflected off gold-trimmed walls, illuminating the crowd of powerful people dressed in designer suits and gowns. Noel adjusted the tray in his grip, keeping his posture straight.He was just here to work. Get paid. Leave.Simple.He moved through the crowd, offering glasses of champagne with a practiced smile.Then, he felt it.A gaze.Heavy. Dark.He turned slightly…and nearly froze.The man watchin