LOGINChapter 254Nina’s POVEnzo leaned down until his mouth was right against my ear. His dark eyes glowed under the dim lights of the pub, and his voice dropped into a thick, low whisper that sent a shiver straight down my spine."Three dares," he said, his thumb pressing gently into the curve of my waist. "Zero holdbacks. And whoever loses owes an absolute, unfiltered truth. No dodging. No lying."A bold, electric thrill shot through my chest. I tilted my head up, my eyes locking onto his sharp jawline. I wanted that truth. I wanted to finally pull down the thick walls he kept around his father and his mother."Deal," I said without a single second of hesitation. "You're going first, Captain Dimples. Prepare to lose."Enzo smirked, a dangerous, playful heat flashing in his dark eyes. He didn't even pause to think. He reached over to our wooden booth table, pulling the salt shaker, a plate of sliced limes, and a fresh bottle of amber tequila into the middle."My first dare is for you," h
Chapter 254Nina’s POVThe smooth pavement of the main highway dissolved into winding, gravel-lined back roads lined with dark, looming pines. The sudden silence inside the SUV was absolute, save for the low hum of the tires against the rough ground.I kept my hands folded tight in my lap, watching Enzo’s sharp profile in the dashboard glow. His jaw remained locked like iron, his dark eyes fixed entirely on the road ahead. He had ignored my questions about his past, about his father, about the mother whose diamond hung so delicate and heavy against my collarbone. But the coldness in his posture wasn't cruel—it was protective. A wall thrown up to keep the ghosts of his childhood from bleeding into the small space between us.Twenty minutes later, the dark trees gave way to a glowing beacon in the middle of nowhere.It was a rustic, split-log countryside pub tucked away near the hills. Neon signs flickered softly against the wooden porch, illuminating dusty pickup trucks and motorcycles
Chapter 253Nina’s POVEnzo pressed his forehead against mine, his hot, ragged breath cooling on my lips in the dark alcove. He was ready to pull me through the shadowy service corridors, eager to drag me into the safety of the night like a thief escaping with stolen treasure."No," I whispered, gently pushing against his chest until he tilted his head down to look at me.Enzo’s dark brows pulled together, a dangerous flicker of frustration crossing his sharp features. "Nina, we have the tape. The car is idling in the alley. We leave now.""I am not sneaking out the back door like a frightened runaway," I said, my voice quiet but laced with an unyielding iron that made him pause. "If I vanish right after talking to him in a dark room, he’ll know something is wrong. I walk out through the front doors, head held high."Before he could complain or grab my arm to stop me, I smoothed down the front of my sparkling black gown, checked my composure, and stepped right back out into the grand
Chapter 252Nina’s POVThe air inside the grand ballroom was suffocating, thick with the scent of expensive cigars, spilled champagne, and the rot of absolute corruption.My heart was hammering a frantic, erratic rhythm against my ribs as Archbishop Laurent turned back to his dinner guests, chuckling softly as he cut into his filet mignon. He truly believed he had bought me. He believed ten million dollars and a fake promise of safety was all it took to make me sell out the man standing less than two feet behind my chair.I couldn't stay in this seat another second. The fake smile on my face felt like it was going to crack my skin open."Excuse me, Your Eminence," I murmured, my voice forced into a quiet, breathless murmur. "The wine... I need to powder my nose."Laurent didn't even look up, waving a diamond-encrusted hand in dismissive approval. "Of course, my dear. Do not keep us waiting long."I slid out of my chair, my heels sinking into the plush carpet as I navigated the maze of
Chapter 250Nina’s POVThe silver fork in my hand felt impossibly heavy.Archbishop Laurent took a slow, deliberate sip of his vintage Dom Pérignon, letting the silence stretch between us until the laughter at the surrounding tables faded into a dull background hum. He lowered his crystal flute, his rings clicking sharply against the glass, and leaned in closer. The nauseating scent of heavy, expensive cologne and stale wine washed over my face."I asked you here, my dear Nina," Laurent whispered, his voice dropping into a raspy, conspiratorial tone, "because a woman of your exceptional intelligence shouldn't be wallowing in the gutter with feral dogs."Behind my chair, I felt the air instantly freeze.Enzo didn't move an inch. He kept his hands clasped behind his back in the classic posture of an obedient, invisible bodyguard, but the sheer, crushing pressure of his presence shifted. I could hear the faint, microscopic strain of his suit jacket stretching across his shoulders as his
Chapter 250Nina’s POVEnzo’s hands rested heavy on my waist, his warm breathing still fluttering against my shoulder, but his tone instantly shifted from pure passion back to sharp, calculated strategy."Just place the recording device on him," Enzo said, his dark eyes fixed on mine with terrifying clarity. "We get close enough to wire him, let the receiver catch whatever filthy truth he spills tonight, and we tear his empire down from the inside out."Since we had been running for our lives, I hadn't packed an extensive wardrobe suitable for a high-society event of this magnitude. But the endlessly resourceful Enzo Falcone had already handled it. A quick call to the hotel's private concierge brought a dramatic delivery straight to our door—a sleek, heavy garment bag from the most exclusive boutique in the city's fashion district.When I unzipped the velvet casing, my breath caught in my throat.It was a breathtaking, floor-length gown of liquid black silk, shimmering with subtle, cr
Chapter 31 Nina’s POV I stared at the frozen screen. Elena’s face remained locked there wide eyes glistening with the start of tears, lips parted in shock, as if my sudden appearance had punched the air out of her lungs. The chat kept scrolling in the corner, a blur of venom and confusion, but
Chapter Twenty OneNina’s POVI woke up warm.Dante’s chest was at my back. His arm was around my waist. My leg was over Enzo’s thigh in front of me. I could feel Nikolai’s knee behind mine.We were all in the same bed.But nothing had happened.We had only kissed last night.Just kissing. Just tou
Chapter 78Nina’s POVThe stage kept rising. Slow at first. Then faster. The floor dropped away beneath me. I scrambled up from my knees. Legs wobbly. The silver heels slipped on the smooth metal. I grabbed the pole to steady myself. Cold chrome bit into my palms.The music crashed in. Heavy bass.
Chapter 76Nina’s POVThe dressing room smelled thick with perfume, sweat, and something sweet like vanilla body oil. Mirrors everywhere bounced the light back at me. Bright bulbs around them made every sparkle on my silver outfit flash. Music from the main floor thumped through the walls. Steady.







