"Jesus, Roman," Alexander's voice held a mix of frustration and something deeper – genuine concern. "I can't just start eliminating people because they make you uncomfortable. These are complex family dynamics–" "Complex?" My laugh was sharp, devoid of humor. "My wife is being harassed. Threatened.
ROMAN The first rays of morning light crept through our bedroom curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the bed. Amelia was still nestled against me, her breathing steady and peaceful. I found myself watching her, memorizing every detail – the way her dark lashes rested against her cheeks, the
GREECE When I came to, the first thing I noticed was the softness beneath me. It wasn't the rough beach towel or the stiff club chair I'd last remembered. This was different - plush, luxurious, with sheets that felt like something my mother would put up in her room. My head throbbed, a persistent
"Don't remove that," he said quietly, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the entire room. "The drugs need to work their way out of your system and that IV is helping with it," He added softly. There was a hint of the gentleness I knew him for, but I wouldn't be easily deceived by
GREECE "I'm not going anywhere with you," I declared, surprising myself with the firmness in my voice. The IV still connected to my arm felt like a chain, a reminder of my vulnerability, but I refused to back down. I left the country just so I could be far away from my mother's scrutiny and her con
He walked out, slamming the door with such force that the entire room seemed to shake. The silence after Colson's left was deafening. I stood there, my heart still racing from our encounter, my body still tingling from his touch. The shower had helped clear my head somewhat, but the confusion remai
I huffed out in annoyance, taking a bit of my toast and glaring at the man. He had this all knowing expression on his face that I wished I could slap off it. He spoke like I was a child who couldn't own up to her actions. I hated it. For many reasons. “Yes,” After a long stretch of silence, I
But I'd seen enough. Fragments of information danced in my mind - the maps, the photographs, the way Elena moved like a trained operative, the gun Colson had been cleaning so methodically and of course, what I'd witnessed at the club. "You're running some sort of operation," I said, the pieces sud
Hi, hope you're doing good and the year has been going well for you? You must've noticed the lack of updates and I sincerely apologize for it. After my grandma's passing, things haven't been the same and I'm sad to admit that I went down a spiral and I had to take a step back for my mental health
That now seemed like a lifetime ago. A lifetime of promises I broke. "I know," I whispered, reaching across the table to take her hand. "And I'm so sorry, Greece. I was wrong, and I was selfish, and there's no excuse for it." She didn't pull away, but her eyes remained full of hurt. "Do you have
Maybe I was foolish, I was too afraid to face Roman and even her… I was a coward, the one thing I told myself I wasn't. I sank into the chair opposite her, hands clasped tightly in my lap to hide their trembling. "It's complicated," I managed, knowing how inadequate the words were. "Complicated,
AMELIA I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, all the air leaving my lungs in one desperate rush. Greece Wellington's presence was like a ghost from my past life, one I'd tried desperately to forget. My fingers tightened around the shopping bags, knuckles turning white as I struggled to maintai
"I swear," she laughed, her voice filling the car with warmth, "if he could bubble-wrap me and the baby, he would." I couldn't help but smile, watching her face light up as she talked about her husband. "He's just nervous. First-time dad and all that." "Oh, speaking of nervous," she grinned, tur
AMELIA Morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting warm patches across my chilly sheets. I should have felt lighter, triumphant even. The family was finally under control, the threats neutralized, and the Guerrero name secure. Yet as I lay there, staring up at the ce
The color drained from their faces so quickly it was almost comical. Uncle Stefano actually tugged at his collar, while Uncle Paolo seemed to sink further into his chair. "Ricardo made his choice," Uncle Marco said, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity despite his obvious fear. "We are mere
AMELIA The meeting wasn't one I was looking forward to but it was something I had to get done. Something that I hoped would remind me of all the reasons why I was in Italy. All the reasons why I became a completely different person. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, taking in ho
AMELIA TWO YEARS LATER… I was twenty-seven years old, younger than my mother was when she had me, and five years older than she was when my grandfather entrusted the Guerrero family's responsibility to her. Despite trying my best not to think about her, everything I did, everywhere I walked in It