"Here," I said softly, holding out my hand. "Close your eyes if it makes you feel better." It was a weak attempt at protecting her from what she'd already seen, but I had to try. Had to offer her some way to distance herself from the violence, from this version of me she was never supposed to know e
I was naked before I stepped under the shower, though for some reason I had no memory of taking my clothes off beneath the haze of my thoughts. I let the cold water cascade down my skin with the highest pressure, the chill a punishment, a lesson. Just as I tried to gather my thoughts, to prepare
ROMAN Our bedroom was silent except for Amelia's steady breathing, her warm body curled trustingly against mine as she slept. I was ashamed to even admit it to myself, I'd tired her out even more. I couldn't help myself, after holding back for so long, it felt like all of my pent up emotions had
"You look perfect," I corrected her, letting my voice drop to that low register that never failed to bring color to her cheeks. "Especially like this—thoroughly fucked and wearing nothing but my marks," My gaze drifted down to the hickeys that lined her skin, I knew I got my fair share last night as
“I'll see you later,” I left. The drive to the cabin took exactly forty-seven minutes. I knew because I'd timed it repeatedly over the past four days, mapping out every possible route in case of an emergency. Dimitri had followed my instructions to the letter—keeping Bertha comfortable but contai
ROMAN I spent the better half of my life living as a soldier, a prisoner to the desires of man and their need for power. Most people do not understand just how complex the Volkov family is, they think it to just be a normal bratva family…where one becomes head when another dies, where everything an
My words struck home, and something in Bertha snapped. She lurched to her feet, her face contorted with rage. "What does she have that I don't?" she screamed, her composure completely shattered. "What makes her so special? I gave you everything! I would have given you anything you wanted!" She snarl
AMELIA I stared at the door long after Roman had left, my fingers unconsciously tracing the spot on the sheets where his warmth still lingered. The silence in our bedroom felt oppressive now, punctuated only by the steady tick of the clock that seemed to mock each second he stayed away. I kept hop
"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
"And sitting back and doing nothing is better?" My voice rose, a mixture of frustration and desperation. "I'm tired of being the victim. Tired of being passed around like a piece of property, like something to be traded and bartered." His blue eyes flashed. "I would never let that happen to you aga
AMELIA Why was I so hesitant? I had been sure of my choices, I had accepted that it was what I really wanted and what I needed. But sitting here, with his head on my shoulder and his eyes looking so distant, I couldn't bring myself to say a word. Nothing. “Amy?” “Hm?” Roman raised his hea
Hi! Its me Dchenemi but you already know that lol. I want to thank you for sticking with this book this far and answer a few questions. Firstly O would like to apologize for the lack of updates, I have ongoing exams and I'm unable to focus on writing while the pressure of getting good grades are
AMELIA My mother had always told me I was destined for great things, and at some point in my life, I thought it was being a well-established painter or perhaps a tycoon like she wished to be. But now I realized what she truly meant. No matter how much she had tried to escape it, her past still cau