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
Holding my hand over his chest, he finally spoke. “I never wanted to be this person, Abigail. I was completely honest when I said I wasn’t meant for this. This was never something I wanted. But this is who I am now and that cannot change.” I followed his movements from side to side, our feet moving
ADONIS When I pulled away from the kiss, Abigail was panting. Her cheeks were bright red and her eyes were flickering with need. I would devour her tonight and she would thank me for it—that was what the look on her face said. She was on dangerous ground and she knew it, yet she didn’t back down.