“Lack of judgement, you say? I did what I had to do.” She poked Matteo’s chest over his tailored suit. “Desperate? Maybe. But without judgment? Never.” Matteo’s jaw tightened. “This is not—” “The time and place for this?” She arched a brow. “I think this is exactly where we should discuss things a
I didn’t object and gave a curt nod as Matteo pulled his gaze to me. My men stood by until they all left the mansion, silently. I finally looked down at the paper and realised it wasn’t a paper. It was the reel, the only picture I’d ever taken with Zia—Leona. I had kept it as a reminder of what she
BELLA [Eight years ago] Matteo was close behind me, tensed as if I could get lost any moment if he looked away. I could feel his worry through my bones. But it wasn’t only because we were in unknown territory. He didn’t fear the unknown. I was eighteen and tiny and he was twenty-six and huge, wit
“Blood for blood is not the answer, son.” The pastor was still calm, despite Matteo’s outburst. “Besides, it was one of her last wishes.” “I’ve always respected her wishes and look where it got her.” I could barely catch the sadness in his voice. The pastor studied his expression and then reached
“Because she is a part of Zia... and not just the father’s.” The pastor held the baby’s head and slowly stroked a thumb over her light brows. He met my flickering gaze and asked, “Do you need more reasons to care for her?” The nun held her out to me and carefully placed her in my arms. Alessia’s li
BELLA I sat on the bed next to Alessia’s sleeping body, and for the first time, saw her as who she was—Adonis’s daughter. I had been trying not to compare their features since the moment I had seen Zia and his picture, but I couldn’t force myself to do it anymore. Black hair, pink lips, a slightly
Skyfall was all I had known for the past eight years. Some might think I would have some kind of pull to it. I had that pull before I’d learned what it did in the name of making things right. “Cool.” “Do you want to talk about it?” Matteo’s question pulled my attention back to him. “About what?”
ADONIS “I had my people contact every supposed agent they could to tell them about the company disbanding. Neither of them sounded too sad about it,” I told Matteo as he settled into my office. It was surprising to not see his cousin or any of his men around. I had sent Dom away as he had asked. “I