I wasn’t nning on bringing anyone with me to the Ritz-Carlton penthouse suite tonight. Let alone the two women slowly undressing for me as I lie naked in bed.


    They begged toe home with me after I bought us a round of old fashioneds.


    Their eyes are heavy-lidded as they eye-fuck me, their skimpy dresses falling to the floor, revealing lingerie that would normally have me foaming at the mouth.


    I thought I could have a good time. Take my mind off things. Off certain people. But instead, I feel nothing.


    My dick’s hard, but not for them. Not because of them.


    I’m like this because my mind is on thest person I fucked in this bed.


    Fuck me.


    All I wanted was a quiet drink away from my brother and sister.


    It wasn’t until I was behind the wheel of mymbo and heading away from Westchester and back toward the city that I realized I wanted to go back to the bar where I met L. To relive the conversation we shared in that booth, the way her body first reacted to my touch…


    She was electric. Fiery. Everything I look for. Everything that Valentina was?—


    I watch them slowly remove their bras, their tits springing free.


    “Stop.”


    I sit up.


    The two girls nce at one another, confused expressions on their faces.


    I tilt my chin toward the door. “You need to go.”


    “But—” the redhead starts.


    “I said leave.”


    “I thought we were having fun.” The blonde pouts, wrapping her arms around herself, pushing her tits up as if to entice me.


    Little does she know, nothing she could do would make me change my mind. My thoughts have taken a dark turn.


    “Fun’s over, sweetheart.”


    They finally leave, and I call up for another bottle of whiskey thates in less than a minuteter.


    Sitting on the couch, I look out at the vast city below.


    I’m surrounded by so many people, and yet I’ve never felt more lonely.


    Loneliness.


    It’s not something I’ve thought much about.


    After what happened with Valentina, the grief took over, and I drowned in her absence.


    For a long time, it was more of a stabbing pain in my chest. But now, as I sit alone drinking whiskey and staring out at the city, I feel hollow.


    “Fuck, L. What have you done to me…”


    She reignited something in me, and I need to shut it down.


    The fact that I just kicked two attractive women out of my hotel room because I was thinking about her terrifies me.


    I made a vow to love Valentina for the rest of my days, and I n to keep that vow. Since I lost her, I haven’t slept with a woman more than once, never wanting to get close.


    But it seems that’s not enough to keep L Morano out of my head.


    It’s been three weeks since we spent the night together, and I’ve spent every single moment thinking about her.


    It’s clear she blocked my number after I called, but I’m d. She should avoid me at all costs. I’m not a good person, and I’m definitely not good enough for her.


    She didn’t go to the police or told anyone about what she overheard that night. That both puzzles and amazes me.


    Yet, I need to ensure she’ll keep her mouth shut, no matter the cost. So, if L won’t answer my calls, I guess I’ll have to get a little more creative…


    Because my family is at stake here, and I will protect them no matter what.


    Max Mason leans back in his chair. “I was surprised when I saw this meeting in my calendar.”


    He’s everything I pictured L’s boss to be—middle-aged, wearing a some-what expensive suit which has been poorly tailored, and with graying hair that’s thinning around the temples. A sure sign of a man who’s unhappy and unfulfilled.


    “What can I do for you, Mr. De Luca?”


    I keep my face neutral, crossing an ankle over a knee as I nce around the spacious office.All content ? N/.?vel/Dr/ama.Org.


    It’s varying shades of gray, with a few faux nts and a big window behind the desk looking out over central park.


    “Mypany has been looking into taking over a packagingpany such as Mason’s International for some time. I’ve just been yet to find a fit.”


    “And what is it that yourpany does?”


    “Imports and exports.” I keep my expression almost bored.


    Max narrows his eyes.


    “I appreciate your interest in mypany, but it’s a family business. I couldn’t sell even if I wanted to.”


    I was expecting this answer, so I uncross my legs and lean forward, ncing at the framed picture on Max’s desk of three young kids—two girls and a boy. “Are they yours?”


    Max nods.


    “Cute kids.” Not that I notice either way. I have little interest in them. In kids in general. The thought of someone using my kids as a way to get to me has my blood running cold.


    I would never risk their lives because of my work.


    “Thanks.”


    “Are you expecting them to grow up and take over thispany after they graduate from college?”


    “Uh… I guess?” Max stumbles.


    “You don’t seem so sure.”


    “It’s what I did, and my father before that.”


    “What’s your son into right now?” I never normally take such time over convincing someone to sell theirpany to me, but I need to make this a smooth transition. I can’t risk spooking him.


    “Ser. He wants to y professionally. But he’s eight, so who knows…”


    “Supportive,” I mutter.


    Max narrows his eyes. “Excuse me?”


    “If you asked him right now if he wanted to run apany that sold packaging supplies, what do you think he’d say?”


    Max chuckles, ncing fondly at the picture on his desk. “He’d tell me to get lost.”


    “Look, Max,” I start, cing my hands on the table. “If you let me buy yourpany, I would take over as CEO, but would allow you to stay on as a director. You’d receive a hefty bonus, <span id="page_102">better work-life bnce, and less stress. It’s a win-win for both of us. Use this money to set your kids up for the future. To give them the freedom to pursue their own dreams, rather than the one that’s pushed on them.”


    Max is quiet for a moment, his eyes fixed on the picture of his children.


    I know I’m in just from the way his eyes soften. It’s a predictable move, ying right into his weakness, but it’s how I’ve gotten to where I am today.


    “Think about it, and get back to me by the end of the day.” I get to my feet, re-buttoning my suit jacket.


    “It’s a big decision.” There’s a slightly panicked look in his eye.


    “Perhaps.” I offer him a smile, ncing at the picture once more. “But they should make it an easy one.”


    I walk out of the office.


    I keep my head down, wanting to avoid running into L. I can’t risk seeing her yet, not until I’ve sealed the deal. That way she has no choice but to work for me, and I can keep a closer eye on her.


    A smile tugs at my lips as I take the elevator back down to the foyer and head out into the bright New York morning.


    I have a few meetings scheduled forter over the phone, but until then, I decide to take a walk down fifth avenue to stop by Mille-Fuille bakery to pick up some macarons for Rosa. It’s herst week of school, and she’s cramming for finals so I know a sweet treat will cheer her up.


    I feel bad at times like this when she doesn’t have a female role model to look up to or to help with the emotional side of things. Rosa is extremely smart, but she’s hard on herself and wants to be the best. I should be grateful she’s such a focused teenager, but it does mean a lot of meltdowns over grades and papers, and Marco and I aren’t exactly the best at handling things.


    Valentina on the other hand was like the big sister Rosa never had, and I curse the universe for not only taking her from me, but from Rosa too.


    I wonder how L would get along with Rosa.


    Fuck. Where did thate from?


    To distract me, I shoot Rosa a text.


    Thinking of you today. Good luck with the final!


    Rosa: Thx A <3 only two more after this!!


    Me: I’m proud of you no matter what. Mom and Dad are too x


    She sends me through a string of emojis that has me smiling down at my phone. I’m such a softie when ites to my little sister.


    “Next!” the server calls—a young girl who doesn’t look much older than Rosa.


    “What’s thergest size box of macarons you sell?” I reach into my jacket pocket for my wallet.


    “Ourrgest has twenty-five assorted vors.”


    “Great, I’ll take four of those,” I reply, pulling out a few hundred-dor bills and cing them on the counter, as well as tucking <span id="page_104">one into the sad looking tip jar. The girl’s eyes widen but she nods, quickly getting to work boxing up the treats.


    A few hourster, I sit in my office back in my Westchester house, drinking a double espresso and trying to organize our shipments for the next quarter. It’s a ball ache of a job, but I don’t trust anyone else to do it, especially after the situation with Tommy Munro. Serves me right being too trusting, even with employees who have worked for my family for decades.


    Turns out anyone can be a snake if you look close enough.


    A knock at my door has me lifting my head. “Come in.”


    “Hey, bro.” Marco steps inside, closing the door behind him.


    “What’s up?” I run my hands through my hair, leaning back in my plush leather seat.


    Marco leans against the door, folding his arms across his chest. He’s dressed as if he’s juste from the gym, in a white T-shirt and ck shorts, his dark hair hidden beneath a backwards baseball cap.


    Marco pulls his phone out of his pocket and waves it, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Heard something interesting through the grapevine.”


    “Well?” I don’t have the patience to tiptoe around whatever it is that Marco has heard. I’ve had a long day, and I’m counting down the minutes until I can take a sleeping pill with a double whiskey and fall into a dreamless oblivion. It is the only way to escape L in my dreams.


    “I spoke to Kyle.”


    I frown.


    “Our private investigator? Why?” Fuck, does he know about L? Did Kyle say something about her?


    I’m already reaching for my phone as Marco crosses the room to take a seat opposite me.


    “Because he’s our go to guy when we need info?” Marco shakes his head. “Are you drunk or something?”


    “No, I’m not fucking drunk. I’m just tired of all this bullshit.”


    “Well, it might cheer you up to know what I know.”


    “Marco, I swear?—”


    “It’s about Lorenzo.”


    I immediately shut my mouth, my pulse slowing.


    “What about him?”


    “I asked Kyle to follow that guy, Sergio, that Tommy told us about. Seems he’s easy to break.” A mischievous twinkle shines in Marco’s eye, and I shake my head.


    “Did he find out anything useful?”


    “ording to Sergio, Lorenzo is nning on attacking us in three weeks.”


    “By us, he means what exactly? Thepany? The shipments? Me specifically?”


    Marco shrugs. “Does it matter?” Marco crosses an ankle over a knee. “Because we’re going to get to him first.”


    “And how do you propose we do that?”


    “Make Sergio an offer he can’t refuse and take Lorenzo down from the inside.”