"I think you're growing on me, Antonio," Valerie whispered softly."I hope so," he replied sincerely, his voice filled with warmth. "Because you've already become a part of me, Valerie."Their eyes locked, and in that moment, Antonio sensed a deep and genuine connection that transcended words. Despite the lively atmosphere of the engagement party around them, it felt as though they were in their own private world."Alright! Who's ready for some dancing!" Ellie's cheerful voice interrupted, interrupting the moment.Valerie withdrew her hand quickly, her expression momentarily startled. Antonio noticed the shift in her demeanor, a subtle retreat that left him longing for her touch once more.But just as swiftly as it had vanished, the connection reasserted itself, and Valerie put on a smile for Ellie's sake.River approached Antonio right then. "Can we talk, Antonio? In private," he asked, his face inscrutable."Of course," Antonio agreed, nodding towards a quieter corner of the room. Va
"I'm not going anywhere," Antonio said firmly, and Valerie released a sigh of relief. Thank god this man was as stubborn as he was kind.Kind. It was such a strange word to describe Antonio. A few weeks ago, she would have never thought to use that word for him."You will stay?" she asked weakly.He shifted beside her, his fingers brushing a stray lock of hair from her face with a tenderness that belied the harshness she had come to associate with him. "Yes, my love. I thought you said Julian never hurt you," he said softly, though she could hear the anger in his voice."He didn't," she lied."Then care to tell me who you were pushing away in your nightmare? Who had you terrified like a little girl?" Antonio asked, pulling her onto his lap."I...no one," she said. She didn't want to talk about Julian or anyone with Antonio right now."Valerie," he started.Valerie's voice rose in desperation. "I don't want to talk about it with you, okay?" she nearly screamed. Hot tears started to flo
"Y... you can't just say that!" Valerie exclaimed, her voice quivering as her heart beat erratically.Antonio brushed a strand of hair away from her face, stroking her cheek gently. "I can't say what?""You can't just say you love me," she said hoarsely.He leaned over, his lips brushing her earlobe. "Why can't I say I love you?""Because!" Valerie gasped as he kissed her neck. "Because you don't actually love me.""Is that so? And how did you come to that conclusion, Mia Cara?" he asked, smiling at her devilishly."I know you don't love me because... because..." Valerie stammered, searching for an answer but finding none.He raised an eyebrow, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because what?""I don't know," she replied weakly.Antonio chuckled, his breath sending shivers down her spine. "You don't know? Well, let me tell you, my sweet Valerie. I know exactly why I love you. I love your fiery spirit, your sharp tongue, and your beautiful heart. I love the way you make me feel,
Valerie snuggled closer to Antonio, his steady heartbeat calming her in the quiet night.His arms were her safe haven, strong yet gentle. His warmth eased away all of her fear and tension, and she couldn't resist falling asleep in his embrace, feeling completely secure.She slept through the night and only woke up when the sunlight hit her eyes through the curtains.Her eyes snapped open to find his side of the bed empty, the impression of his body still haunting the mattress. "Antonio?" she whispered. No answer came.She pushed herself up. He was gone. She felt oddly disappointed because a part of her wanted to wake up next to him.A blush crept up her cheeks as she remembered last night. He had made love to her without even penetrating her. She didn't know it was even possible, but with Antonio, anything seemed possible."Dammit," she muttered, the word a sharp exhale of frustration. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, the cold floor a jarring contrast against her skin. And
Landon's cries suddenly pierced the peaceful moment, causing Valerie to wince. He had detached himself from her breast, his tiny hands still grasping at the air in search of comfort. As she held him close, she felt the heat radiating off his feverish body."He feels warm," Valerie murmured, worry lacing her voice as she pressed a hand to Landon's forehead. "Something's not right. I think he might be sick."As if on cue, Landon let out another whimper, his face scrunching up in discomfort. Valerie's heart clenched at the sight."I'll call the doctor," Anthony declared, already picking up his phone.The doctor arrived promptly and started to examine Landon. His movements were methodical, yet there was a hint of concern in his eyes that Valerie couldn't ignore."What's going on? Is he okay?" Valerie breathed."I'm afraid little Landon is quite ill," the doctor began, his voice gentle yet firm. "It appears to be a serious infection. We will have to take him to the hospital."Valerie felt
Valerie lay on Antonio’s bed, the soft sheets enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth. She closed her eyes, letting the quiet of the room seep into her bones. The events of the past few days had left her drained, both physically and emotionally.As she lay there, feeling the rise and fall of her own breaths, a restlessness began to stir within her. She knew she should be resting, as Nonna had advised, but the stillness only seemed to amplify the unease that gnawed at her insides.With a cautious glance towards the door, Valerie sat up slowly, glancing around Antonio’s room.Curiosity getting the better of her, Valerie rose from the bed and began to explore the room.He probably would hate her snooping around like this, she thought to herself. But she knew nothing about him, and she wanted to know more.Valerie’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the details. She walked over to the dresser and lightly touched the first drawer.She really shouldn’t, she thought, taking he hand off it for a
Valerie sat at the dinner table, her eyes stealing glances at Antonio. The aroma from the steaming plates of pasta filled the room as they prepared to eat together.“Valerie,” Antonio said, his gaze meeting hers. “I would like us to have dinner together every night. Family time is important.”“Okay,” she agreed, her voice catching in her throat. She still wasn’t used the word family associated with Antonio. Could she really do this?Antonio looked down at the food, then back up at her. “Promise me, Valerie. Promise this will be our routine.”“Promise,” she whispered, her heart pounding in her chest.The steam from the plate of vegetables rose, filling the air with a comforting warmth.Valerie’s thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions. The little happiness she felt with Antonio here and there was tainted with the fear of losing this newfound stability they had created. The stakes felt higher than ever, and she struggled to find a balance between her attachment to Antonio and the ever-pre
The morning sun invaded the room, assaulting Valerie's closed eyelids. She stirred, groggy and disoriented, only to find that she couldn't move her body. Panic bubbled inside her as she tried to wiggle free, but it was no use.But as soon as she opened her eyes, her tension was released.She was trapped in Antonio's tight embrace. "Antonio," she whispered. She tried to wriggle out again, but he was too strong."Hmm," he murmured, his grip unwavering. Was he doing this on purpose?"It's morning," she said, her voice barely audible. His arms remained steadfast, keeping her pinned to him.She suddenly realized something: there were no nightmares haunting her sleep this time. It was a strange relief, but she needed to focus on the fact that she was captive in his strong arms."Are you going to let me go?" she asked, attempting to sound assertive, but her voice came out shaky."Too early," he mumbled.Jeez...Valerie inhaled deeply, taking in Antonio's familiar scent. He smelled like sanda
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