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
"Antonio's upbringing was fraught with challenges," she began, her voice becoming more somber."He was born into a life he did not choose, a life dictated by circumstance and the expectations of his father. His childhood was one of constant tension and fear. He carried the weight of his father's legacy on his shoulders, knowing the expectations that came with it. But he never let it show. Antonio always held his head high, a resilient young boy with a sense of duty and honor that never faltered."As she spoke, Valerie could almost see the young Antonio, a boy with a bright future before him, but his path was already set. The harsh reality of his environment weighed down on him, shaping him into the man he is today."His mother, my dear Isabella, she tried to protect him from the darkness that surrounded them. But even her love couldn't shield him from the harsh realities of the life he was born into." Nonna's eyes welled up with tears as she spoke of her daughter-in-law."What was she
Antonio stood there, seething.The shop was a war zone—glass shards glinted like treacherous ice on the floor, necklaces and rings lay scattered amidst velvet displays torn apart. He cursed out loud, his hands curling into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms hard enough to leave crescent marks.Anger surged through his veins like hot steel, pulsing with each rapid beat of his heart."Who the fuck tried to mess with my business?" he spat, tasting the bitterness of betrayal."Someone with a death wish," Sam muttered.Antonio moved deeper into the chaos, eyes scanning the disaster before him. Everything was in disarray, from the toppled showcases to the shattered display cases. It was clear that whoever had done this wanted to send a message. But to whom?He couldn't shake the feeling that this was personal. His mind raced, trying to connect the dots, but anger clouded his thoughts. Maybe it was one of Slava's men, someone who decided to stay loyal even after his death."Sam
Valerie was completely taken aback by Nonna's sudden request.Marry Antonio? The words echoed in her mind, sending a jolt of shock through her body.Her mind whirred with conflicting emotions, torn between the weight of her dying wish and her own feelings. On one hand, she wanted to honor Nonna's final request. She had grown fond of the old lady in this short period of time.But on the other hand, the thought of marrying Antonio so suddenly felt overwhelming and daunting.As she struggled to find her voice, Antonio reached out and gently squeezed her hand. His touch was warm and reassuring, bringing a sense of calmness over her. Leaning in close, he whispered, "You don't have to marry me if you don't want to. I will not force you."Valerie turned back to Nonna. "But you don't know anything about me. What if I'm not good enough for your grandson?" she whispered, making sure only Nonna could hear.Nonna's eyes softened even more, and she managed a faint smile. "Valerie, my dear, I see m
Ellie's joyful cry echoed through the room as she threw her arms around Valerie, squeezing tightly. Her blue eyes sparkled with excitement and happiness. "Oh, Valerie, I am beyond thrilled for you!" she exclaimed. A small smile tugged at Valerie's lips. "You are?" "Of course! You're getting married!" Ellie said cheerfully. "I am here to help you with everything. I hope you know that." Valerie's laughter rang out, replacing the knot of nerves that had been twisting in her stomach. "I know. And I think Antonio and I would prefer a more intimate ceremony," she replied fondly. The warmth of Ellie's embrace and her genuine enthusiasm made Valerie feel less anxious about the whole thing. "Wait until River hears about it," Ellie said. And...just like that, Valerie's anxiety was back. Ellie frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that? Don't tell me you are worried about River knowing." "River knowing what?" A deep voice made both women jump. "R-River, hi," Valerie said nervously. "
A sharp, sinking feeling pierced Antonio's chest when he watched the slow trail of tears falling down Valerie's face. No, he didn't like it when Valerie cried. He didn't like that at all.He told the driver, John, to pull over so he could focus on her. "Give us some privacy," he ordered. John nodded before stepping away.Antonio quickly pulled Valerie onto his lap. "What's wrong, my love?" he asked urgently, wiping the tears from her face."I... I just..." she choked out."Shh... breathe, mia cara. Whatever it is, you can tell me," he crooned, kissing her forehead.Valerie took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to steady herself. "I... I just feel overwhelmed," she finally admitted.Disappointment washed over Antonio. "You don't want to marry me," he said gravely. "I told you I won't force you to do this, my love."Valerie looked up at Antonio, her eyes wide with surprise. "No, Antonio, it's not that," she said. "I want to marry you."A grin escaped Antonio before he could stop it. "Y
Lucas turned to Amy and smirked. “Well…”Amy raised an eyebrow. “Well?”Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Some date night, huh?”Amy let out a laugh that was half-exhaustion, half-hysteria. “Oh yeah. Kidnapping, gunfights, your sister going all James Bond on us. Is this really what your life is like?” she asked, sinking onto a nearby sofa.Lucas sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. “Not usually this dramatic.”“Says the man who kidnapped me the first time we met,” Amy pointed out.“That was a special circumstance,” he defended with a small smile.Amy leaned her head against his shoulder. “I should be running for the hills right now.”“Are you going to?” he asked softly.She turned to look at him, her eyes meeting his. “Not after your confession. Did you really mean it?”Lucas’s face. “I meant what I said back there, Amy. I love you.”Amy put her arms around him, drawing him closer. “When did you know?”Lucas leaned down and brushed his lips over hers
Taking a deep breath, Lucas reached for the bar. His hand hesitated for only a second before he pushed it.The door groaned open, and for a split second, neither of them breathed.No alarm.Lucas let out a sharp exhale and grabbed her hand. “Move.”They bolted outside into the chill night air, the sharp scent of gasoline and metal in the wind. The alley was empty, dimly lit by a single flickering streetlamp at the far end.“Which way?” Amy whispered, adrenaline surging through her veins.Lucas pointed left. “There’s a road a few blocks down. If we can make it there, we can steal a car or flag someone—”A gunshot cracked through the air, splintering the bricks near their heads. They both ducked instinctively, pressing themselves against the side of the building.“They know,” Amy gasped.Lucas clenched his jaw. “Run.”They took off, weaving through trash bins and broken crates. Another shot rang out, ricocheting off metal behind them.“STOP! Or I will shoot your head this time!” A voice
Lucas shifted in his chair, the zip ties digging into his wrists as he avoided her gaze. “Not exactly the most romantic setting for this conversation.”“I think we’re past worrying about ambiance,” Amy said dryly. “So?”He exhaled slowly. “I was going to say… I love you, Amy.”No one said anything for a while.“You… what?” Amy finally asked.“I love you,” he repeated, his voice steadier now. “Have for a while. It’s why I couldn’t stand seeing you with Asa. Why I acted like such an idiot.” He gave a short, self-deprecating laugh. “And now I’ve gotten you kidnapped by the mafia. Stellar boyfriend material.”Amy blinked rapidly, processing his words. “You love me.”“Yes.”“And your way of showing it was to tell me to kiss another man?”Lucas winced. “It was a stupid thing to say.”“So you stalked my date and then jumped me in a bathroom to prove it?” she asked, unable to hide her amusement. And her happiness.“When you put it that way…”“And now we’re tied to chairs in some abandoned war
Amy and Lucas were marched across the parking lot toward a black SUV with heavily tinted windows. Two more men in suits opened the rear doors.“Ladies first,” Scar-face sneered, shoving Amy forward.“Touch her again and I’ll kill you,” Lucas growled, the threat so cold and certain that even the thug hesitated.“Big words for a man in zip ties,” Baldy laughed.They were forced into the backseat, the leather cool and buttery soft against Amy’s bare legs. The door slammed behind them. The bearded man slid into the passenger seat while Scar-face took the wheel.“Where are you taking us?” Amy asked, her voice steadier than she felt.No one answered.Lucas shifted closer to Amy, his bound hands awkwardly seeking hers. When their fingers touched, she clung to him, drawing strength from the contact.“I’m sorry,” he whispered, so quietly only she could hear. “I never wanted you involved in this.”“Involved in what, exactly?” she whispered back.Before Lucas could answer, the bearded man turned
Amy knew she should stop this madness. They were in a public bathroom, for God’s sake, with her date sitting just outside. But Lucas’s fingers were working magic, and rational thought was rapidly abandoning her.“This doesn’t change anything,” she gasped as he slid one finger inside her, her hands still fumbling with his zipper.Lucas smirked against her neck. “Doesn’t it?”“No,” she insisted, even as her body arched into his touch. “You can’t just—oh!—show up and expect me to—”He curled his finger just right, and whatever argument she was building dissolved into a soft moan.“What was that?” he murmured, adding a second finger.“You are insufferable,” she managed to say, finally getting his zipper down.Lucas chuckled, the sound vibrating against her skin. “And you’re still on a date with the wrong man.”He entered her in one smooth thrust, swallowing her cry with his mouth. The feeling of fullness, of rightness, was overwhelming. Amy clung to him, her nails digging into his shoulde
“Oh, Hi, Harpy,” Lucas said casually as he leaned against the closed door.He drove as fast as he could to get there, and he would not leave until he got a real answer from Amy. He was tired of playing games.“Lucas. What the actual fuck? You can’t be here. This is the women’s restroom,” Amy hissed.“Actually. This is a unisex bathroom,” Lucas declared.“It doesn’t matter!” she screeched.Lucas moved fast, and soon, he was towering over her, pressing his palm to muffle her voice. “Shh…you want us to get caught?”Amy’s golden hazel eyes widened above his palm. She pried his fingers away from her mouth.“Caught?” she whispered fiercely. “You’re the one barging into bathrooms like some deranged stalker! How did you even know I was here?”Lucas ran a hand through his hair. “I had someone watch you.”“You had someone—” Amy closed her eyes briefly. “You are insane.”“How could you kiss him?” Lucas asked abruptly, his jaw clenching.Amy stared at him, incredulous. “Are you kidding me right n
Asa paused before getting in the car and looked at Amy, a small smile teasing his lips.“What?” Amy narrowed her eyes and asked.“You’ve got something in your hair,” Asa said, reaching out to pluck a tiny piece of confetti from her curls. “Looks like the victory fountain at the eighteenth hole got a little enthusiastic.”Amy touched her hair self-consciously. “Is there more?”“No, just that one.” His fingers lingered near her temple for a heartbeat longer than necessary.Amy felt a flutter in her chest that had nothing to do with the strange man who’d been following them. “Thanks for getting it.”“No problem,” he said. “I’m having a really good time,” Asa said, his voice genuine.“Me too,” Amy said.“I’ve been wanting to ask you out for a while.”“You have?” Amy couldn’t keep the surprise from her voice.“Since the day you helped me carry groceries up the stairs when the elevator broke. You were wearing paint-splattered overalls and complaining about your sister borrowing your car wit
“What are they doing now, Jimmy?” Lucas texted the man he hired to spy on Amy and Asa.Lucas stared at his phone as the message sent, his fingers tapping impatiently against the edge of his desk. His thoughts churned, the irritation growing with every passing second.His phone buzzed with a reply.Jimmy: They’re still on the mini golf course. No sign of anything strange. They’re just playing, talking, looks like having fun. She seems relaxed.Lucas narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.Lucas: Keep watching. I want to know if they kiss.Jimmy: They are on the last hole now. Looks like they’re finishing up. Could be wrapping up soon.Lucas: I want to know everything. Stay close, don’t miss anything.He stared at the screen, watching the little dots indicating Jimmy was typing. The delay felt agonizing, each second stretching longer than the last. Finally, the message came through.Jimmy: They are finishing up now. No kiss yet, though. She’s laughing at something he said. Looks like a prett
Amy paced across the bedroom.Seventeen steps to the window, pivot, fifteen steps back to the mirror. Her new sundress swished around her knees – impulse purchase, one size too optimistic. Twenty-seven minutes until he arrived. Twenty-six, actually. The clock on her microwave was fast.“You are a grown woman,” she told her reflection, which stared back with unconvinced eyes. “You’ve been on dates before.”“Why am I so nervous?” she asked herself in the mirror. “It’s just Asa, your nice neighbor.The sundress was yellow – “Daffodil Dream” according to the tag – with tiny white flowers scattered across the fabric like stars on a summer night.She’d spent forty-three minutes and all her remaining dignity in the fitting room deciding between this one and a blue number that made her look like a corporate retreat brochure. The yellow won because it didn’t take itself too seriously. Amy wasn’t sure she could say the same about herself right now.Amy paused at the window, fingers fidgeting wi