PTE

>>>>>>>>>>>>

udge of lipstick from her mouth. The heat from Matteo's touch still burned u

happened. The club was mostly cleared out, with only a few of her men lingering to ove

wn to see her father's name flashing on the screen

tive voice came through, calm bu

. "A shootout at the club. Someone hit both us an

other end before he spoke

A few of our men, and some

s almost imperceptib

the club. The Romanos were just as b

from her father. "

him. Whoever did this hit both families at the s

ered. "The Romano warehouse blew up not long after

her skin. "We need to meet with them. If we don'

her spoke again, more cautious now. "

neck. The way he claimed her like it was his right. She pushed the th

d firmly. "He knows war wo

. "Fine. I'll arrange a meeting. You make sure to keep your head on

miliar warning, but she kept

We need to discu

one back into her pocket, exhaling slowly. One o

out, Miss De Luca. Police ar

e sure the bodies are disposed of properly.

, ma

inst the wall. Her mind raced with possibilities-who would be bold enough to hit both famil

couldn't afford to look weak. Her family depended

her and Matteo. It didn't matter. It wouldn't change anything. He was still

e night, determination hardening her features. This wasn't

the De Luca and Romano empires was about

ed past. Her mind replayed the night's events over and over-Matteo's hands on her skin, th

tall iron gates-she took a moment to collect herself. The guards gave her respe

bread lingered from the kitchen. Valentine barely made it two steps

al

iblings, Luca and Sofia. Luca's arms wrapped around her shoulders while Sofia prac

ugh to study Valentine's face. "We heard about the shoot

es that mirrored Valentine's, gave her a

m off. "Please. You think I'd let some

ry still clouded her emerald eyes. "You co

eek, softening her tone

ca, appeared at the top of the staircase, her dark hair swept elegantly into a bun and her tailored emerald dress fitt

s with the grace of a queen. She cupped her daughter'

mile. "Got held up at the

ur father's waiting for you in h

t lightly. He nearly tore apart

er brother a loo

uch on Valentine's shoulder, Isabella guided her toward the hallway. "He'll want to hear yo

re heading down the hall. Sofia's quiet

d... just be careful. We

her sister meant. The rumors of betrayal, of alliances shifting, and of the Romano fa

eavy oak doors of her father's study an

he window, a glass of whiskey in hand. He

he co

r armchairs. After a long pause, he finall

por

sualties, mostly civilians. Before I could get things under control, the Romano warehouse went up in

aze unyielding. "You were at

lf not to flinch. "He happened to be t

y, swirling his whiskey. "And after

riefly. We both agreed that whoever did this wanted to pit u

rrowed. "And you thi

smart about this. Whoever orchestrated this is banking on our fam

aze piercing. "You sound more lik

face neutral. He set his glass down and app

approving. "But don't let your guard down. The Romano

etter than to argue. Alessandro leaned

dered. "Tomorrow, we'l

," she rep

inally eased. Luca and Sofia were waiting just outsid

" Luca asked, kee

tired smile. "That I

trong. "We'll get through this," she whispered. "

's hair. "Damn right. No one messes wi

lint. "We'll find out who's behind this.

he time came, she'd be ready to do whatever it took to protect her

long, scalding shower to wash away the me