All Chapters of HEARTBREAKER: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

LucianI stare blankly at the stack of papers on my desk, gripping an espresso in my hand, though I haven’t taken a sip in ages. The sun filters through the high windows, warming the dark wood of my office, but my thoughts remain tangled elsewhere. On Aurora. On the way she surrendered to me last night, her breath shaky, her body pliant beneath my touch.She fights me at every turn, but she can’t hide from herself—not really. The way she responded, the way she melted—Aurora might deny it, but I know the truth. She loves giving in to me.The memory stirs something deep in my gut, making it damn near impossible to focus. The numbers in front of me blur together, and I exhale sharply, rubbing my jaw. If I don’t get a grip soon, I’ll be useless today.A sharp knock at the door drags me from my spiraling thoughts, and I straighten as Nico walks in without waiting for permission. He drops a stack of papers on my desk with his usual efficiency.“I’ve got the reports on last month’s shipments

LucianNico huffs beside me, crossing his arms. “Yeah, I’m glad he didn’t get an invite.”I barely register his words. My mind is elsewhere. It has been all night.Aurora.The way she stood her ground at dinner. The way she kept her head held high, even when my mother barely acknowledged her. I should’ve expected it—my mother’s coldness, her disdain—but something about seeing Aurora on the receiving end of it stirred something sharp in my chest.Possession.Anger.Something I don’t want to name.I shake the thought away as we make our way upstairs. Aurora walks beside me, her fingers lightly brushing my bicep once, then pulling away as if she thought better of it. She hasn’t said a word since we left the dining room. I glance at her, but her expression is unreadable.Once inside our bedroom, she moves with quiet purpose, slipping off her heels, unfastening her jewelry, and unzipping her dress with steady fingers. She peels the fabric from her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor be

I had played my role a little too well if she thought I wasn’t already hers.The old priest’s voice droned on, weaving vows steeped in tradition, yet my mind barely registered his words. My focus remained on the woman before me—on every shift in her expression, every flicker of uncertainty that passed through those striking hazel eyes.Aurora’s brow creased ever so slightly, a fleeting frown that anyone else might have missed. But I saw it. She had caught the small hesitation in my grip when Nico placed her hand in mine.I squeezed her fingers, a silent reassurance. She needn’t doubt—she would never have to doubt.She took a steady breath and repeated the vows, her voice clear, unwavering. A queen in her own right. The priest’s words carried through the grand hall, echoing the tenets we held sacred. Family. Loyalty. Power.“I, Aurora Vittoria Luciano, take thee, Lucian Antonio Boncini…”My jaw clenched at the name. Luciano. Her mother’s name. Her grandfather’s name. The name I had ins

A Quiet SurrenderLucian’s voice was a hushed command, his breath warm against her skin. “Open your mouth.”Aurora obeyed without hesitation, her lips parting as he traced his fingers over them, his touch deliberate, slow, worshipful. She shivered beneath him, her pulse thrumming in anticipation.From the moment he first touched her in her father’s kitchen, when his fingertips had barely grazed her wrist, she had known—this man would unravel her. And now, as he stood before her, shedding the last remnants of restraint, she could only stare, drinking in the sight of him.Lucian moved with purpose, his gaze locked onto hers, reading every flicker of hesitation and desire. His fingers skimmed over her bare skin, tracing delicate patterns as if committing her to memory."Relax," he murmured, sensing the tension in her limbs. "I've got you."His hands settled on her hips, grounding her, guiding her. He was patient, watching her reactions, waiting for her body to recognize what her heart al

I am happily lost in the pages of my latest borrowed novel when the door to our bedroom creaks open. My fingers still in the soft sheets, anxiety prickling at the back of my mind.Lucian strides in, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw set in a grim line. My easy smile falters. Something is wrong.I close my book and set it on the nightstand, watching him carefully. He doesn’t speak right away, inhaling deeply as if bracing himself for something unpleasant.“I need to talk to you,” he says at last, his voice low, grave.Gone is the quiet warmth of yesterday, the easy affection we shared. My stomach tightens.“What’s happened?” I ask, forcing my tone to remain light, unconcerned, though my heart is already pounding.His gaze is ice when it meets mine. “I handed your father over to Andrea Morelli.”The words hit me like a slap.I blink once. Twice. Three times. A sharp chill runs down my spine.“You… what?” My voice is barely a whisper.Lucian doesn’t flinch. “That was the price for Morel