BELLA I had worn a parakeet dress, like Adonis had asked, with a deep v-neck, long sleeves and a pleated trumpet drop that skimmed down my legs, falling straight to the floor. Adonis had sent over a mask of the same colour as my dress early in the morning, which was how I realised he had planned on
“You’re late, son,” a voice called, and I whipped around to face a man, a little old but his face familiar to me. He wasn’t wearing a mask, just like Adonis and Dom, so it was easy to recognise him. I had seen his picture many times. David Vitale. It was shocking how much Adonis resembled this man
BELLA Eight years ago Dear Bells, I know this is a lot to process. We never knew what true struggle was like—having no money, depending on someone else, not having a home we could call our own, and no one to run to when we are alone. Then suddenly, everything changed. Papa died. We stepped away
My uncle’s screams echoed in the back of my head, but I forced them shut. This was not the time to remember all the horrendous things this man had done, because the list was pretty long. Right now, he was the only man from my past who knew how to keep my secrets and would do anything to protect them
BELLA I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I had run off to the washroom when Matteo began walking in our direction. He looked like he had recognised me, even with the mask on. I would have, too, and I was losing my shit. The game was out of my control now. With Matteo under the same roof, my
“You can’t mention that to anyone, Matteo.” “Mention what? That you’re a Rossi,” he muttered, leaning down. “Why? You on a mission again?” “Yes.” I regretted telling him at all, but when I had blurted my job details, it had been forced out of me. Besides, he would’ve found out, anyway. “Don’t ruin
“You didn’t have to do it in front of us, and you scared the shit out of Val.” “You and Valeriana shouldn’t have been there. And I didn’t scare Val. I only wanted to know if Uncle ever made a move on her.” My eyes widened. She had never told me what Matteo and Nonno had said to her. Had she been h
ADONIS The car ride was quiet and suffocating. Abigail seemed lost in her own world. Whether it was because of Matteo or my uncle, I couldn’t tell. The way they both looked at her, one with annoyance and the other with too much regret, had bothered me. I had seen Matteo whispering something to her