LOGINâThree nights, Frenchie.â Sofia breathed, her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose. âAfter that, Iâd decide.â She had been standing in the bathroom for four minutes with the burner phone pressed against her ear, one hand braced on the edge of the sink, watching herself in the mirror. The contact on the other end, her one way ticket to get out of Sicily said nothing elseâand the line dropped. Her hand lowered, and she stood there for another second. What if she couldnât pull this off? Leaving with the ship was her only chance. Then she heard themâhis footsteps as they moved slowly toward the bedroom from the wrong direction. He wasnât supposed to be back yet. Instantly, she reached for the cabinet under the sink, shoved the phone beneath the folded towels, door handle already turning before her heart caught up with the rest of her. She grabbed a towel off the rack, pressed it to the back of her neck and stepped into the hallway. Her chest collided with something solid. âOh.â
He straightened, his own breathing ragged. In one swift motion, he lifted her off the counter and placed her on the floorâfacing away from him. He pushed her forward, her stomach kissing the cold marble edge. She braced against the side to steady herself.Lucianâs hands went to her hips, holding her there. He unhooked his suspenders, drawing his trousers downâhis cock springing free. Ariaâs breath was shallow, then she felt the blunt head of him press against her entrance. He pushed in slowly, a torturing, inch-by inch movement that stretched her open, making her feel every ridge and vein of his thick shaft. âMmmphâŚ.â Her breath came in a ragged gasp. âYou feel that?â He murmured, his voice dark rumble against her ear. âMy cock in your fucking cunt. Itâs where itâs been craving to be.â He filled her completely. Then he pulled back, almost all the way out, leaving just the tip inside. The sudden emptiness left air kissing her entrance, before he drove back in fast. He thrusted in
âAriaâŚâ He muttered, his eyes never leaving hers. Lucianâs hands clenched at his sides, like it was taking everything in him not to lash out at her. She huffed, turning her back at him before walking to the kitchen. Not because she was hungry, or wanted anything. She pulled it open, standing in front of it as she stared at nothing. The cold air hit her face. It was the only place that was closest to escaping himâthe only thing she could think of that wasnât him. Lucianâs footsteps soon filled the hallway, heavy and floating towards the kitchen. His hand came down over her shoulder, pulling her away as he slammed the fridge shut so hard the bottles inside rattled. Ariaâs hand was still on the handle when it closed, and she turned to face him. His chest heaved slightly, and his eyes were on her face with that lookâ-that one she had stopped trying to find words for. âWhat is your problem with me?â She lifted her chin, shattering the silence. âI donât have a problem with you.â
(The next day) The elevator dinged and Lucian stepped out. His white shirt half buttoned, collar straight with black suspenders. The only evidence yesterday happened at all was the small closed cut above his right temple. He had treated the cut before dawn because he wouldnât let Aria touch it. Lucian crossed the lobby and one of his men, Marco, pushed the glass doors open for him. He stopped at the top of the step, outside. Three black cars sat in the curbed drive below, and his jaw tightened before he had fully taken them in. He recognized the plate numbers. Only one family had them in the whole of SicilyâThe Carbones, and they do not get along. He went down the steps. Six menâbroad shouldered, faced with scars, dressed in black with guns held low at their sides. They spread out, occupying the space between the cars and the steps. In front of it all, One shoulder leaned against the hood of the centre car, arms folded and ankles crossed. Dante Carbone. He stood tall, muscu
(Continuation) The tires of a black Maybach screeched as Domenico brought it to a stop in front of the convent gate, the gravel scattering forward in a wave. Nothing hit harder than betrayal. Lucian might not have told him where Camilla was, but he knew his brother well enough, there was no better place to hide her than here. He stepped out before the engine died, his jacket hanging off one shoulder, his knuckles still split and dried with blood that wasn't entirely his.The gate was shut. A low old iron, bolted from the inside. Domenico grabbed it with both hands and shoved it. It swung aside. He stormed in. The courtyard spread open around him, a single light burning above the entrance doors.Within seconds, the entrance doors opened before he reached the steps. Sister Paula appeared in the gap, one hand on the frame, her eyes widening as they settled on him before a small smile touched her lips. She hadnât seen him since the raid. As far she knew, Lucian was the only one who
âHit me.â Lucian breathed, gaze set on his brother. Domenicoâs jaw locked, his chest rising and falling hard. His knuckles bleeding onto the glass at his feet, and he stood there unmoving as his eyes shot daggers at Lucian. âCome on, fucking hit me!â Lucianâs voice rose. A short sound came out of Domenico, almost like a laugh, but lacking humor, almost hollow. âWhy wonât you hit me?â Lucian spread his arms slightly, gesturing to himself. The blood from his forehead was running again, trailing down the side of his face, and he pressed the back of his hand on it and pulled it away. âI lied to you. I hid her from you.â He continued, trying to get a rise out of him. âI looked you in the eye and I said nothing. So come on.â His voice cracked on the last two words. âCome on, brother. Hit me.â Ariaâs feet were planted on the floor, her knuckles had gone white against the frame. The trembling had started in her hands, moving to her legs and her throat. Domenicoâs gaze dri
Ariaâs pulse spiked, her lips parted but the words were stuck in her throat. Eventually, she forced out the words,âWhy would she set an engagement? Did you..â Her voice trailed off, but her eyes hinted at the fear she couldnât finish, the fear that maybe Lucian had said yes.His gaze cut to hers,
âIf we stayed in the same room, little dove.â His gaze dipped, dragging slowly over her body, the black lingerie she wore that pushed her breasts up like a seduction. âYou wouldnât get a minute of sleep. Iâd make sure of it.âHis words echoed endlessly in her ears , after her had left her alone in
âHmnâŚâ Aria let out a soft moan as she inhaled deeply, a small smile curled at the corner of her lips. Her hands dug into the railing, gripping tightly while Lucianâs shirt draped over her small frame. His cologne engulfed the air around her, the hem of the shirt brushed her bare thighs as she ra
âYouâre safe now, nothing will hurt you anymore.â Ariaâs hand brushed over Lianaâs small frame. Her lashes rested like a fragile angel against her bruised skin, as she curled beneath the heavy duvet. Ariaâs eyes darted to the small faint mark circled around her wrist, where Evelinaâs men ha







