LOGINI memorized every word, nodding. "Make sure, there is no alcohol, no driving, no strenuous exercise. No situations where she could hit her head again." He tapped the folder. "If she vomits repeatedly. If she becomes difficult to wake. If one pupil becomes larger than the other. If she becomes co
Vincenzo watched them carefully, "You wanted this?" "No." "You wanted to spend your nights around men like Cole?" "No." "You wanted debt collectors, guns, blood, and basements?" All three shook their heads harder, "No..." "No, sir..." "We never wanted this..." For a long moment, Vincenzo sim
Mine didn't. To me, guilt belonged to the individual responsible for the act. To Gianna, guilt spread through grief until it touched everyone left standing. Eventually... It would reach me. She wouldn't see a calculated investigation. She would see the man who allowed her entire world to disap
Adriano let out a laugh, he bent over, slapping his knee, his eyes bright with a dark, twisted amusement as he watched Cole flop around in the dirt. "Oh, look at him go!" Adriano mocked, "He’s doing the dance! Look at the moves on him! Hey, Don Capone said he’d spare your life, Mercer! He didn't sa
"No! She forced me! She—" "She forced you to get a front-row seat to our sister's blood?" Adriano laughed again, "You’re a real hero, Cole. Maybe we should put your face on a plaque. 'Here lies Cole Mercer: He was too scared to be a criminal and too stupid to be a friend.'" Cole started to sob, hi
Raphael ━━ ⛓ ━━ Adriano’s arms were capable, but they were not mine. I stepped forward before his arms could even settle into a permanent hold. I took her from him, sliding my hands beneath her knees and behind her shoulders, careful not to disturb the bandage wrapped around her head. I kept h
Gianna ━⊰ ❦ ⊱━ I didn’t remember walking back to my desk. One second I was standing in front of him, holding that stupid folder like it meant something, and the next I was sitting in my chair, staring at my screen while the words blurred together. I yanked my bag open harder than I needed to and
By the end, the CFO closed his folder slowly, “We’ll proceed with Orion Vector,” he said. Of course you will, you fucking idiot. He looked at me, “Send over the contract.” I nodded once, “Already prepared. The meeting started to close. The CRO leaned back again, folding his hands, “But we’ll ne
Raphael ━━ ⛓ ━━ The Midland Trust team was early and that told me everything I needed to know. Banks only showed up early when they were bleeding. I stepped in first. I gave no greetings beyond a short nod. My team followed behind me like a shadow, disciplined, silent, in sync. I took my seat at
“You’re very expressive,” he said lightly. I reached for the laptop, but his hand came down over mine first, not hard, just enough to stop me. Enough to remind me whose space this was. “Don’t,” he murmured. The sound kept playing. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air in. “That’s n







