Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and knocked gently on the door. After a few agonizing seconds, I heard soft footsteps approaching, and then the door opened. My heart clenched at the sight of Amelia's face. Her eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, evidence of the tears she had shed. Yet, she mana
AMELIA I woke up the next morning with both determination and dread settling in my stomach. The events of the previous night felt almost like a dream, but the weight of what Alexander had said was all too real. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I made a decision. Today was the day I would ge
How can I accept the fact that I've had family this entire time…yet I spent so many years being treated like an outcast? Steeling myself, I made my way downstairs. As I approached the kitchen, the sound of voices reached my ears. One was familiar - Trenton, the very person I was looking for. The o
"Why now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why come forward with all of this now?" Alexander's expression turned serious, a shadow passing over his features. “I wish I had the answer to that…all I can say is, maybe it is fate,” He spoke in a low voice, though I could tell he didn't bel
I felt my breath catch in my throat. "Are you saying our family is involved in organized crime?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Alexander's lips curved into a humorless smile. "That's putting it mildly," he said. "The Guerrero family is one of the most influential crime syndicates in Ita
After what felt like hours of intense conversation, I finally stood up from the chair, my legs slightly wobbly from sitting for so long. The weight of everything I had learned pressed down on me, making even the simple act of standing feel like a monumental effort. "I need to head out," I announced
He said he would talk to Roman…does that mean I don't have to say anything now? Finally, taking a deep breath, I pressed call. The phone rang once, twice, three times. Just as I was about to hang up, thinking Roman was too busy to answer, the call connected. But it wasn't Roman's deep, accented vo
Bertha's words echoed in my mind: "A love that transcends all obstacles." Was there truth to what she said? Was she really just there on business or was he lying about it? And if so, where did that leave me? I was so lost in my thoughts that I barely noticed when the car pulled up to the salon.
SIX MONTHS LATER The annual Wellington Anniversary gala was in full swing, and we'd decided to host it in our home rather than the hotel it was in late year. The ballroom of our estate glittering with lights that illuminated the beauty of the hall’s interior, reflecting against the marble floors
Wolves. They were fucking wolves yet Roman acted like they simply dogs he'd raised. And in turn, they acted the same towards him. “Why wolves though?” I raised a questioning brow as I caressed Sage's soft fur and Juniper whining a few seconds after that. Roman shrugged, “Why not?” He replied w
"You should hate me," I whispered, my voice breaking. "After what I did, you should hate me." "I know," he agreed, the ghost of a smile touching his lips. "It would be so much easier if I did." A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. Roman reached out, hesitated, then gently brushed i
"What happened?" he asked, his voice gentler than I deserved. I laughed bitterly. "Nothing dramatic. No great tragedy or betrayal. Just... emptiness. Day after day of emptiness. Making decisions that affect hundreds of people, never letting anyone close enough to see that I'm terrified of making th
I woke to unfamiliar shadows dancing across an unfamiliar ceiling. For a moment, panic seized me as I forgot where I was. Until it came rushing back and I found myself sinking deeper into the mattress Roman's bed was sinfully comfortable, the sheets soft against my skin. I stretched, my muscles p
The rain continued to lash against the windows, filling the silence between us. Outside, lightning flashed, illuminating Roman's face and his even darker expression. I wasn't getting through to him. And I didn't blame him. "Two years ago, you made it very clear that you didn't need me," he said
Roman chuckled, the rich sound sending heated shivers down my abdomen. His eyes crinkled at the corners, making him look more like the man I remembered. "So did you," he replied, nodding toward my pixie cut. I reached up self-consciously to touch the ends of my damp hair. "Maybe it should be called
Roman suddenly cleared his throat and dragged his gaze away. He ran a hand through his short blonde hair, sending droplets flying. "I'll get you something dry," he said, his voice rougher than before. He disappeared down a hallway without waiting for my response. Left alone, I took the opportunity
AMELIA My mouth opened, but no sound came out. Words, which had never failed me before, suddenly evaporated from my mind like morning dew under a harsh sun. I stood there, gun still stupidly hanging from my fingers, staring at the stranger-not-stranger before me. Roman Wellington. But not my Roman