Heat pooled in Valerie's stomach and then spread through her entire body. Antonio's eyes, his words, and even his simple request were affecting her deeply, whether she wanted to admit it or not."What?" she whispered, even though she knew exactly what he was asking for."Kiss me, and I'll let you go," he promised.Valerie tried to retort, her voice betraying her inner turmoil. "You can't make me kiss you."Antonio shrugged casually. "I'm not making you. I'm requesting you to pay up.""How is that not a blackmail?" she exclaimed.Antonio grinned. "I suppose it is. I am a terrible man, so what else do you expect?"Valerie was torn, her thoughts a whirlwind. There was something about Antonio that piqued her curiosity, and for some reason, she found it hard to refuse him outright.And it didn't help that she found him insanely attractive too.Antonio took a lock of her hair and twisted it around his finger. "It's a simple kiss, Valerie. Nothing more, nothing less.""Just a kiss?" she aske
The moment their lips touched, electricity sparked through Antonio's veins. Hours later, he couldn't stop thinking about her. About Valerie.His sheets were tangled around his legs as he tossed and turned, craving the feel of her in his arms. He could still taste her on his tongue. The memory of her soft curves pressed against him made his blood burn.He groaned. This was madness.He'd never lost control like this, never wanted a woman with such relentless desperation. His body burned for her, but it was more than that. He wanted to know her, all of her—her secrets, her dreams, her fears. He wanted to share his life with her, protect her, and please her.Valerie had gotten under his skin, into his soul, in a way no one else ever had. He was drowning in her, consumed by her, and he didn't want to surface for air.What the fuck was wrong with him?The familiar urge rose, an itch he'd always scratched without a second thought. His body cried out for release as he thought about touching h
Valerie didn't know what possessed her to walk into Antonio's room at this ungodly hour.Maybe she'd finally lost her marbles, but here she was, face-to-face with him...or rather, nose-to-nose since she was currently half sprawled on top of him."Let go of me," she said, struggling against his grip. The words tumbled weakly from her lips as she felt his hand gently caress her back. A tingling warmth spread through her body, radiating from where his fingers touched her.She realized she didn’t hate his touch and the realization kind of pissed her off.Their faces were dangerously close, their breath mingling in the small space between them. Her heart thrummed against her chest, matching the intensity of the moment."Are you sure you want me to let you go, amore mio?" he rumbled, brushing his lips on top of hers.No, she wasn’t sure at all.Valerie could feel his warm breath on her face, sending shivers down her spine. His gaze was intense, holding her captive in the moment. Her mind ra
Valerie felt Antonio's lips against hers, the kiss both demanding and soft. His hands moved to her waist, holding her still as he deepened the kiss. His tongue traced her lower lip, seeking entrance, and when she parted her lips to allow him in, a low growl escaped his throat.His hands traveled upward, skimming over the fabric of her gown until they cupped her breasts. The touch was electrifying, making her gasp against his mouth.Suddenly, Antonio pulled away, breaking the kiss abruptly. A different look was in his eyes now, a fierce determination that made Valerie's insides flutter."I won't touch you until you're ready," he said, his voice hoarse with desire. "But I can't promise I won't kiss you.""Like I would let you again. This was a mistake," Valerie said breathlessly."Was it?" Antonio's eyes were darker than ever before. Valerie swallowed, feeling a lump in her throat."I think so," she said, her voice weak."Prove it," he challenged, his fingers resting lightly on her hips
Valerie felt a mix of nervousness and excitement churning in her stomach as she finished her breakfast. She followed Antonio outside, where a sleek black car was waiting for them. The drive to the vineyard was surprisingly peaceful, the scenery changing from the bustling city to rolling hills and lush vineyards."I've never been to a Vineyard before," she said to Antonio after a moment.Antonio glanced at her with a small smile, his eyes reflecting the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the passing trees. "Is that right?"Valerie nodded."What places did your man take you then?" he asked.Valerie blinked. "What do you mean?""Julian. He was your boyfriend, wasn't he? Didn't he take you out?" Antonio asked.Valerie looked away, avoiding his gaze. "No," she said, her voice barely audible.Antonio sensed the discomfort in Valerie's response and chose to remain silent, much to her relief. The car glided through the winding roads leading to the vineyard, surrounded by rows of lush gr
Later that night, Valerie tucked Landon in and watched him sleep. He looked peaceful, and Valerie smiled to herself.She felt a need to thank Antonio, to let him know how much his gesture meant to her. He wasn't as bad as she had thought. He didn't have to take her out, but he did.She checked on Landon once more before stepping out, closing the door gently behind her.The hallway was quiet; the plush carpet muffled Valerie's footsteps as she made her way toward where she knew Antonio would be. Her pulse quickened with each step, the excitement of their earlier escapades mingling with an unfamiliar flutter in her stomach.What was this feeling? Nervousness? Anticipation? She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts."Relax, Valerie," she muttered under her breath. "Just say thank you and move on."She paused at the threshold of Antonio's room, her gaze sweeping over the neatly made bed. Empty. No sign of him. She frowned.Maybe he was in the bathroom. He did say he was going to take a
Valerie tentatively reached for the shampoo bottle resting on the tub's edge and poured a small amount into her palm. Valerie began massaging it into Antonio's hair, her fingers moving through the strands with gentle expertise. Antonio kept his eyes closed, a contented sigh escaping his lips at the soothing sensation."You've got gentle hands," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.Valerie's heart skipped a beat at his words, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. "I try," she replied softly.They fell into a companionable silence as Valerie continued to massage his scalp, the warm water creating a tranquil backdrop. Despite the unusual setting, a sense of peace settled over her in that moment.The intimacy of the situation felt almost surreal, as though it belonged in a dream. Antonio's damp hair slid smoothly between Valerie's fingers, and she marveled at the trust he was placing in her.After a few more moments of careful massaging, Valerie dipped her hand into the wa
Antonio emerged from the bath, feeling the cool air brush against his damp skin, causing droplets of water to shiver along his arms. He wrapped himself in a towel, the fabric absorbing the warmth of the bathwater, and a sense of relaxation replaced the tension in his muscles.Reflecting on Valerie's actions, Antonio couldn't deny their significance. Her touch had been more than physical; it was a gesture of surrender, a silent acknowledgment of trust. He could still feel the ghost of her touch, stirring joy and satisfaction deep within him.Drying himself, Antonio paused, contemplating the shift he sensed in Valerie—walls crumbling, defenses yielding."Opening up," he muttered to himself with a faint smile. Determination hardened within him. Valerie's act wasn't merely intimate; it was a declaration, intentional or not. Antonio Leones was not one to shy away from challenges; he intended to claim her heart just as surely as she had claimed his, unwittingly.Pulling on his pajama pants
Jacob returned Tiffany’s kiss with longing, his hands roaming down the slick skin of her back. Tiffany clung to him, pouring all her love and relief into the kiss.When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Jacob rested his forehead against hers. “I love you, Tiffany. More than anything. And I promise, no matter what dangers come our way, we’ll face them together.”Tiffany smiled through the tears that pricked at her eyes, blending with the rivulets of water streaming down her face. “I love you too, Jacob. Always.”He kissed her again, soft and sweet, before reaching for the bottle of shampoo. With gentle hands, he began to wash her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp and working the suds through her long tresses. Tiffany leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, relishing the simple intimacy of the moment.As the water rinsed away the shampoo, Jacob’s hands drifted lower, skimming over her shoulders and down her arms. Tiffany shivered despite the heat, her skin tinglin
Tiffany pushed past Marco without waiting for another word. Her mind raced as her feet carried her toward the front door. The thought of Jacob lying among the casualties tore through her like a blade, and she couldn’t bear the uncertainty.“Tiff, wait!” Riley called, hurrying after her.“I can’t,” Tiffany snapped over her shoulder, her voice tight with emotion. “I have to know if he’s okay.”River appeared at the end of the hallway, his face darkening when he saw the panic in his daughter’s eyes. “What’s going on?”Riley quickly filled him in, her voice trembling as she explained the situation. River’s jaw clenched, and he stepped forward, grabbing Tiffany’s arm to stop her.“Slow down,” he ordered. “Running in without a plan isn’t going to help anyone. You don’t even know what you’re walking into.”“I don’t care!” Tiffany shouted, tears welling in her eyes. “If something happened to Jacob—”River’s grip tightened just enough to keep her grounded. “And what if you get yourself killed
Tiffany studied the surveillance photos on her laptop again, studying each frame with a critical eye. There had to be something she missed, some clue that would unravel the mystery.As she zoomed in on one particularly grainy image, her breath caught in her throat.In the shadows behind Vincent and his sister was a figure, barely visible.Tiffany leaned in closer, squinting at the blurry figure. It was hard to make out the details, but there was something unmistakable about the shape, something familiar. The silhouette appeared to be tall, with broad shoulders—someone who was built like a fighter.Her heart pounded in her chest. The figure was too close to Vincent for comfort, and the way they stood, half-hidden in the shadows, made it clear they were trying to stay unnoticed. But why? And who was it?She snapped a screenshot of the image and adjusted the contrast, hoping to sharpen the details. The figure became slightly more visible, enough for Tiffany to catch a glimpse of a hand r
Vincent’s eyes widened slightly, but his expression remained composed. “Boss, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”Tiffany slid a printout of the transcript across the desk. “Don’t play dumb with me, Vincent. I have proof of your little late-night chat. Start talking.”He glanced down at the paper, his brow furrowing as he read the words. When he looked back up, his gaze was steady. “It’s not what it looks like.”“Then enlighten me,” Tiffany said, leaning back in her chair. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’ve been feeding information to our enemies.”Vincent shook his head. “No, boss. I swear on my life, I would never betray the Red Vipers.”Aria, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward. “Then who were you talking to, Vincent? And why all the secrecy?”Vincent licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting between Tiffany and Aria. “I was talking to my sister. She’s in trouble, mixed up with the wrong crowd. I’ve been trying to help her get out
Tiffany sat in her office, contemplating what to do next. A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she barked, composing herself.Marco, one of her most trusted men, entered. His usual swagger was muted, replaced by a nervous energy that set Tiffany’s teeth on edge.“You wanted to see me, boss?”Tiffany’s eyes narrowed. “The Rossi deal. How did our competitors know the exact terms?”Marco shifted his weight, not quite meeting her gaze. “I… I don’t know. Maybe someone overheard something?”“Bullshit,” Tiffany snapped, her patience evaporating. “That information was need-to-know. So either you’re incompetent, or you’re a rat.”Marco’s face flushed. “With all due respect, Ms. Foster, I’ve been loyal to this family for fifteen years. I would never—”“So, you have no idea how it could’ve happened?” Tiffany’s laugh was sharp and bitter. She had been doing some digging and something about Marco was off these days. And now with John dying suddenly…She advanced on Marco, her voice d
River looked up from the papers scattered across his desk, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers.“Tiffany,” River said. He gestured to the leather armchair across from him. “How are you holding up, sweetheart?” he asked.She moved woodenly, sinking into the chair. Its softness felt wrong, too comfortable for the weight of sorrow pressing down on her shoulders.“Not great, Dad,” she said.River nodded, his silence an invitation for her to continue. But the words wouldn’t come. They stuck in her throat, choking her with their intensity.Tiffany’s hands clenched in her lap, her nails digging crescents into her palms.“It has been hard on all of us. John was a valuable member of our family.” River’s voice was gentle, understanding.Tiffany nodded, a single tear escaping to trace a path down her cheek. She brushed it away angrily, hating the weakness it represented.“I should have been there,” she said, the words tumbling out in a rush.River’s eyes softened, a flicker of pain crossing his
The drive home was a blur of streetlights and racing thoughts. Tiffany pulled into her driveway, the familiar sight of her family’s sprawling estate doing little to calm her nerves. She needed to talk to someone, someone who always understood.“Emma will know what to do,” she muttered, heading towards Emma’s room.She knocked on her door, but no one answered.“Um…Miss Tiffany.”She turned around and smiled at their housekeeper. “Yes, Alison?”“Miss Emma went to the dentist with Sky. She won’t be home for a few hours. Is there something you need?” Alison asked.“No. Where is Dad?” she asked.“Mr. Foster went out of town to take care of something.”“Where is John?” Tiffany asked.“I hadn’t seen him since he went to the pool house this morning,” Alison said.Tiffany headed toward the pool house, where her longtime bodyguard and driver, John, was staying. He had helped her through her transition to take her father’s position, so whenever she needed advice, he was always there for her.The
Tiffany stared at her reflection in the vanity mirror, her jaw set with determination. Vargas’ words echoed in her mind, fueling a fire within her.“I’ll show him,” she muttered, clenching her fists. “I’ll show them all.”The encounter with Vargas had shaken her, but it had also awakened something - a fierce resolve to prove herself as a leader within the Red Vipers. Tiffany took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.“I’m not just some princess,” she told her reflection. “I’m River Foster’s daughter. This is my birthright.”But even as the words left her lips, doubt crept in. Was she really cut out for this life? Could she handle the weight of leadership, the constant danger?Tiffany shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. She had to stay focused.Standing from the vanity, Tiffany moved to her closet and selected a sleek black dress. As she slipped it on, Tiffany felt confident.“You’ve got this,” she whispered, smoothing down the fabric. “Just remember what Dad taught you.”Her
Vargas’s grin widened, his amusement deepening as he leaned back in his chair and clapped his hands twice. The sharp sound echoed in the room, and a moment later, the door behind him creaked open.Two burly men dragged in a scrawny, disheveled figure who looked terrified.The man was dumped carelessly on the floor. Vargas gestured lazily toward him.“Meet the Rat,” Vargas said, his tone almost casual. “His name’s Eddie. Loyal to your family for years—or so you thought.”Tiffany’s gaze flicked to Eddie. She felt a twist in her stomach, but she forced her expression to remain cold and detached. This was a test, she reminded herself. She couldn’t afford to show weakness.Eddie’s bloodshot eyes widened as they focused on her. “Miss Foster,” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Please, I didn’t mean to—”“Shut him up,” Vargas snapped, and one of the men delivered a swift kick to Eddie’s side, silencing him with a pained grunt.Tiffany turned her attention back to Vargas. “You wan