th bass-heavy music and

l and rhythm. It was the kind of place where secrets were

Amara the performer. I

atteo's choice. His message was clear: be seen, be remembered,

ase the flame Matteo had set in motion. But nothing in this world was

wore arrogance like cologne, sharp and expensive. Women clung to his arms, but his gaze cut thr

nfects." But I'd smiled, lipstick perfect and eyes unblinking. "Then let's see how far

shed, practiced. The kind that promised danger and made you crave it anyway. "Didn't think I'd se

the pause stretch. "Maybe

was a puzzle he intended to break. "Or

ugh - short, dark, and laced with somethi

ndaries that were meant to bend but never break. I knew what Matteo wanted - for Luca to spiral, to want me more than reason. But I wasn't just bait anymore. I was playing both sides. And both men knew it. Then Luca did something I didn't expect

the edge of the couch, shirt half-unbuttoned, drink in hand. The city burne

rm," Matteo said wit

part of

ossed the room slowly, unzipping the red dress as I went, letti

aid. "I'm ca

but heels and a defiant gaze. "I made Luca look twice. Ma

nds, firm but not rough. "The goal," he said, voice like smoke and glass

ece." I tilte

f******

wer lip, slow and deliber

r, hungrier. It wasn't love. We both knew better. But it was obsession.

And I let him - for now. But as I lay beside him hours later, the

n't tru

uld rewrite the rules. And that door wasn't closing. The next morning, Matteo was gone before I woke. But there was a file on the kitchen island - thicker than us

ross her jaw. My mother had once looked at me the same way this woman l

died years ago.

hing in my gut twisted. Who the hell was this woman? And why did Matteo give me

stepped into the cool morning air. My phone buzzed in my hand - an unknown number, a single message. "You're not

ounding. There were more players. A