LOGINThe morning light filtered softly through the penthouse windows, casting a golden glow over the living room. After the emotional chaos of the previous night, waking up to Ivan’s laughter echoing from the kitchen felt like a gift. Betty had already joined him, and the two of them were making coffee while trading playful banter. I stood in the doorway watching them, my hand resting gently on my still small bump. The baby gave a tiny flutter, as if agreeing that today should be lighter.Dante had left early for a meeting with Liam to discuss the Krasnov threat, but not before kissing me deeply and promising to return soon. Ivan noticed me and grinned. “Alessia, perfect timing. Betty wants to explore the city. You should take her out. Show her the good spots before she flies back.”Betty’s eyes lit up. “Only if you’re free. I don’t want to impose.”I smiled warmly. “I would love that. Brunch first, then some shopping. Just us girls.”Ivan winked. “Good. Dante needs to stop hovering anyway
The penthouse felt different tonight. Warmer. Safer. Ivan’s laughter still echoed in my ears as we stepped through the private elevator doors, Betty’s hand tucked in his. The relief of finding him safe had lifted a massive weight from all of us, but I could already sense the shift in Dante. His body was relaxed with family, yet his mind was clearly pulling back toward the war we had temporarily stepped away from.Ivan stretched dramatically as we entered the living room. “I still can’t believe you mobilized half the city for a weekend getaway. Dad looked ready to burn Moscow down.”Maxim had already been dropped off at his house, but his parting hug with Ivan had been emotional. Now it was just the four of us. Betty smiled shyly, clearly still adjusting to the intensity of the Moretti world.Dante kissed my temple. “Make yourselves comfortable. Rooms are ready for you both. We’ll talk more in the morning.”Ivan winked at me. “Don’t let him work too hard, Alessia. He’s got a baby on th
The tension from the past few hours still lingered in the air. I picked at my pasta, savoring each bite while keeping one hand protectively over my belly. The baby had been active tonight, as if sensing the whirlwind of emotions surrounding us. Dante sat beside me, his thigh pressed firmly against mine, a silent reminder of his presence. Maxim kept glancing toward the entrance every few seconds, his worry refusing to fully fade despite the relief we had seen on the screens.Joe suddenly looked up from his laptop, eyes wide. “Don, he’s here. Ivan just entered the reception area with the woman.”Dante stood up immediately, pushing his chair back. “I’ll go bring him.”Maxim rose too, determination flashing across his face. “I’m coming with you.”I reached out and gently caught Maxim’s arm. “Please continue eating. Let Dante go. You’ve been so worried. Give yourself a moment to breathe.”Maxim hesitated, then slowly sat back down, though his eyes followed Dante as he strode out of the res
The car stopped in front of the Phoenix Hotel once more. We stepped out into the cool night air. Dante’s men formed a tight perimeter around us as we moved. Dante turned to Joe, who was already watching the live feed on his phone. “Anything yet?”Joe shook his head. “No site for them yet.”I looked at the grand entrance and the elegant restaurant visible through the glass. “We can’t just stand here. Let’s go to their restaurant and eat while we wait for them.”Maxim nodded quickly. “Oh, sorry Alessia. Let’s go get you and my grandchild fed.”Inside the restaurant, soft classical music played in the background. Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light over white tablecloths and fresh flowers. We settled at a quiet corner table. We placed our orders — light pasta and fresh juice for me, steak for Dante, grilled fish for Maxim. I gently urged Joe, who looked uncomfortable, to order something. He finally chose a simple burger, blushing when I smiled at him.While we waited for the food,
The multiple screens glowed with sharp blue light, casting shadows across all our faces. Maxim paced behind us, his footsteps heavy with worry, while Joe leaned forward, eyes narrowed in concentration. The air felt thick, charged with hope and dread in equal measure. My hand rested protectively over my belly, where our baby continued its gentle, secret flutters, a tiny heartbeat of life reminding me why every decision mattered so much right now.On the main screen, Ivan and the woman stood at the Phoenix Hotel reception desk. They looked relaxed, almost happy. Ivan smiled at her as he pulled out his card and handed it over. My breath caught when the receptionist slid a key card across the counter. They were checking in. Together.Dante leaned closer, his chest solid against my back. “Joe, zoom in on the key card. See if the room number is visible.”Joe’s fingers danced across the keys. The image enlarged, pixels sharpening until we could make out the faint engraving. Room 28BE.Maxim
The city lights streaked past the tinted windows in blurred streaks of gold and neon, but my mind was still stuck in that lobby, replaying the moment Elias Voss had stepped into my life again after six long years of silence. My heart was a chaotic mess of old pain, surprise, and something dangerously close to unresolved curiosity.Dante’s grip on my hand tightened, almost possessive. I turned to look at him. His jaw was set in that familiar hard line, the one that appeared whenever something threatened what he considered his. The bruises on his face from Alexei’s torture were still fading, but the fire in his eyes was brighter than ever.“How do you know him?” he asked, voice low and controlled, but I could hear the edge beneath it. “And what was the relationship between you two?”I took a slow breath, choosing my words carefully. “He was my boyfriend. My first real boyfriend. We were together in high school. Then one day he just… disappeared. No explanation. His family wouldn’t tell
The next morning I woke to soft kisses on my forehead.Dante was already dressed, dark suit, tie knotted perfectly. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept much.“I have to handle something downtown,” he said quietly. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. The doctor’s on her way, the same one who patched m
Dante had been eyeing expansion into Asia for months, starting with Japan as the gateway. Flying to Tokyo next week had been the plan, time-consuming, with no guarantee of a sit-down or deal. But this? Opportunity knocking unannounced."Instead of us going to him," Liam continued, excitement creepi
“I want to kill you,” he spat, the words dripping with venom. “But I won’t. Not yet. I’ll do it in front of him. He has nothing left to lose anymore, does he? He’s burned my warehouses, he’s cutting off my business connections. He thinks he can win by destroying me? Fine. He’ll watch. He’ll watch
Dante struck the match himself, tossing it onto a soaked crate. Flames erupted with a hungry whoosh, racing along trails of fuel, devouring everything in voracious leaps. Crates exploded in secondary blasts, ammo cooking off like fireworks, cash curling into ash. The heat was infernal, driving ever







