na'

pinch me.

tire four-room apartment. The walls were painted in baby pink, and placed in the ce

rom the high ceiling, casting warm lig

ealthy; she was living

rms crossed as she pinned me with a gaze that felt too heavy fo

ttle lady," I replied, crossing my arms

ing her eyes like a detecti

to run away l

rth would I run away from a paycheck that can pay

Lucia asked with a l

hing into my sleeve. "Kids?!

. "You don't look afraid of my

elvet bed. "Because I don't know your uncle personally. Why w

llapsing backward onto her bed. A second later, she popp

true dr

and picking at a loose thread on her pillowcase. "I haven'

ctually cared about me. They either wanted to flirt with my uncle, or they wanted his money. Some trie

uice, the rubber spider, the broken expensive vase-it wasn't malice. It was a

I inched closer and pulled her

her hair. "And I promise you, I have zer

Then, her small arms wrap

ith a huff. "Okay, okay, enough with

, Your Royal High

ted toward the open door. The room's atmosphere imm

ned a

ng casually against its mahoga

esco

t hugged his broad, terrifyingly muscular shoulders. He was a mountain of a man-at least six-foot-six, w

eart: a piercing, ocean blue shade th

me, throwing her a

ece. Francesco leaned down, lifting her effortlessly with one arm. A ge

y possesses human emo

fted back to me, the s

s Popescu?" his deep baritone

e. "Because I have university fees to cover, my younger brothers need books of cour

d I trust you

shot back smoothly. "She needs someone who actually sees her, understands her, and isn't intimida

musement flickered in his blue eyes. Without a word, he set Lucia do

I was holding, my shoulders gave wa

at," Lucia muttered,

utside. Francesco reappeared in the doorway, h

row at 6pm sharp

disappeared

ung open.

and performing an embarrassing victory

horror, covering her face with

tuition coverage, fresh groceries, and a chance t

street. I practically flew up the apartment stairs, tripping o

e small kitchen, where the savory arom

ama!" I

her wooden spoon into the p

you nearly gave me a he

i, came running out of the living room

s D?" Vlad demanded

thing?" Matei chimed in, h

eam," I panted, interlock

!" They chi

the nan

ms around me and twirling me around the tiny kitche

head in confusion. "I thought yo

his one pays ten times as much!" No need to tell

father walked in, his mechanic overalls smeared wi

o him, wrapping my a

ted my back with a clean towel. "Careful, fetița mea, I am

Papa! A high-payin

ed by a radiant smile. He pulled me into a tight, bone-cr

w, it seems good fortune is visiting our family today. I had a

ng a dish towel to help Ma

awe. "One-of-a-kind engine. You only see vehicles like that in m

g slightly in my grip. "Wh

ice into a cautious whisper. "