The whole house was silent, except for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere down the hall. Selena moved through the dimly lit corridors, her heels clicking against the marble floors. She wasn’t supposed to be here. She knew that. But something in her gut had drawn her back, and now she found herself standing outside Adrian’s study, the faint glow of a fire flickering through the slightly ajar door. She hesitated. After their argument at the dinner party, she had sworn to stay far away from him and the troubles that came with his world. But witnessing the heated argument between Adrian and Nathan earlier had shaken her. Even though he hates her she didn't like the the thought of Adrian dealing with it alone. With a deep breath, she pushed the door open. Adrian sat in a high-backed leather chair, his posture rigid, his gaze fixed on the glass of whiskey in his hand. The warm light of the fire danced across his sharp features, casting shadows that made him look even more dangero
The late afternoon sun poured over the garden, casting long shadows across the stone path. Selena walked slowly, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, lost in thought. The atmosphere in the mansion had been unbearable lately, and she needed the fresh air to think clearly. Her argument with Adrian replayed in her mind, stoking her frustration. They hadn’t argued about love or confessions, but about priorities. Adrian had been focused on protecting the gang at all costs, shutting everyone else out in the process. Selena had tried to reason with him, to tell him that his methods were alienating the people who cared about him, but he wouldn’t listen. She had left the conversation feeling unheard and dismissed, her anger bubbling just under the surface. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Adrian saw her as naïve, incapable of understanding his burdens. Now, as she walked through the garden, the cool breeze did little to calm her nerves. “Selena?” a voice called softly from behind
Selena opened the door to Adrian’s room, surprised to find him sitting there. He hadn’t slept in this room for the past few days, and she hadn’t expected to see him now. The room was dark, only lit by the fading light outside the window. Adrian’s eyes flicked up to meet hers, his expression unreadable.“What are you doing here?” Selena asked, stepping further into the room. She didn’t know why it bothered her, but seeing him here, in the space that used to feel like home, made her uneasy.Adrian didn’t answer right away. He just stared at her for a moment, his jaw clenched. Then, his voice broke the silence, low and cold. “Are you disgusted seeing your husband in his room?”Selena frowned, unsure of how to respond. “Why would you say that?” she asked, her heart beginning to race. Adrian stood up suddenly, closing the distance between them with long, angry strides. He grabbed her arm roughly, his grip tight as he pulled her closer. “Are you disgusted by me, Selena?” he asked, his voic
Selena stormed down the hallway, her breath coming in sharp bursts. Every step she took away from Adrian’s room felt like a victory. Her anger burned brightly in her chest, drowning out the pain that threatened to creep in. She wouldn’t cry over him—not tonight, not ever again.As she reached the corner of the hallway, she nearly bumped into a young maid carrying a stack of folded towels. The girl gasped, her eyes wide as she looked up at Selena. "Ma'am," the maid stammered, adjusting the towels in her arms. "Is everything all right?" Selena squared her shoulders, forcing her voice to remain steady. "Everything is fine. I need a different room to sleep in tonight. Can you show me one?" The maid hesitated, her gaze flickering with curiosity. She seemed unsure whether to follow Selena’s instructions or ask questions. "A... different room?" she repeated cautiously. "Yes," Selena said firmly, narrowing her eyes. "I don’t want to stay in that room anymore. Is there a problem?" Th
Selena sat on the couch, a book in her lap, but she wasn’t really reading. Her mind was spinning with everything that had happened over the last few days. Nathan’s kiss, Adrian’s cruel words—it was all too much. Just as she was starting to feel overwhelmed again, Valerie strolled into the living room with a big, mischievous grin on her face. Selena raised an eyebrow. “What’s with the smile?” Valerie plopped onto the armchair, looking smug. “Oh, nothing. Just thinking about shaking things up a little.” Selena frowned. “What does that mean? What are you up to, Val?” Valerie leaned back, crossing her legs. “Matteo. He’s always so serious, so distant. I think it’s time someone showed him how to have fun.” “Matteo?” Selena blinked. “You mean *our* Matteo? Quiet, doesn’t-talk-to-anyone Matteo?” Valerie grinned. “The very same. He needs to lighten up. And I’m just the person to help him with that.” Selena stared at her friend, unsure if she was joking or serious. “Valerie, Ma
Selena woke up slowly, the warmth of a blanket wrapped around her. She blinked, disoriented, her eyes scanning the dimly lit library. The flicker of candlelight cast gentle shadows on the walls, and the room was still. She had fallen asleep in one of the chairs after her long, exhausting conversation with Matteo. Her body ached from sitting for so long, and the soft, soothing silence of the library had lured her into a deep, unplanned sleep. The blanket that now covered her felt comforting, though she hadn’t noticed when it was placed over her. Her fingers brushed against the fabric, but she didn’t care about that now. What mattered was Adrian—she needed answers, and she needed them now.Her mind was a whirlwind as she stood up, stretching her stiff muscles. The floor creaked underfoot as she walked toward the door, the cold air hitting her skin like a slap. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, leaving only a faint glow in the sky. She couldn’t waste any more time. The questi
The air in the grand hall was silent. The room was dimly lit, the glow of the chandelier above casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. Every seat was filled with men—his men. His family. Some leaned back in their chairs, arms crossed, their faces hardened with skepticism. Others murmured among themselves, whispering in hushed voices as Adrian stood at the head of the table, his expression unreadable. Matteo stood beside him, arms stiff at his sides, his gaze scanning the room warily. He knew this wasn’t going to be easy. Adrian exhaled slowly before speaking. “I called you all here because there’s something we need to discuss.” A low murmur spread across the room. “I’ve made a decision,” he continued, his voice even but firm. “I want to make a pact with the Monrelli family.” Silence. Then— “Are you out of your fucking mind?” The voice came from across the table, deep and laced with disbelief. The man who spoke—Marco, a thick-built man with graying hair a
The night air was thick with tension, the docks stretching before them, dark and silent except for the occasional creak of the wooden planks beneath their feet. The ocean waves lapped gently against the shore, a stark contrast to the storm brewing among the men waiting in the shadows. Adrian stood at the edge of the pier, his coat billowing slightly in the wind. His sharp eyes locked onto the distant lights of a cargo ship approaching, fingers flexing at his sides. The shipment was on schedule, but something felt off. "Everything in place?" he asked, voice calm but laced with steel. Matteo, standing beside him, nodded. "Yeah. Our guys are stationed all around. The ship docks in ten minutes. We offload, move fast, and get the shit out of here before the cops even take a piss break." Adrian exhaled slowly, jaw tightening. "And Cassio's men?" Matteo hesitated—a fucking half-second too long. "They’re supposed to be watching the east entrance. But I don’t trust those assholes,"
Selena hesitated outside the heavy wooden doors of the training hall, her heart pounding in her chest.Inside, she could hear the sharp, heated voices of Adrian and Nathan clashing against each other like swords.She wasn’t sure what was being said, but the tension in their voices was unmistakable.Nathan was angry.And she had a feeling she knew why.She exhaled shakily and pushed the door open just enough to slip inside.Nathan stood in the middle of the hall, his shoulders tense, his jaw clenched. His dark eyes burned with frustration as he glared at Adrian, who, as always, stood calm and composed, his expression unreadableThe air inside the training hall felt thick, almost suffocating. The only sound was the distant crackling of torches on the stone walls.Nathan stood rigid, his hands curled into fists at his sides. His heart pounded in his chest, but it wasn’t from exhaustion, it was from anger.Across from him, Adrian stood tall, his face as unreadable as ever. His dark eyes h
Selena lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her whole body ached from yesterday’s training, but that was not what kept her awake.She kept thinking about Adrian.Why did he suddenly agree to train her?She had trained with Nathan before. It was hard, painful, but she had asked for it. Nathan had pushed her beyond her limits. But Adrian? He was not the type to do things without a reason.If he had decided to train her personally, then he must have seen something in her.But what?She didn’t know the answer, but one thing was clear, she could not fail.Her muscles hurt as she sat up, but she forced herself out of bed. The sun was not even up yet, but she didn’t care. Adrian would be waiting, and she would not show weakness.As Selena pulled on her training clothes, Valerie, who was sleeping , turned over in bed, rubbing her eyes sleepily.“You are seriously doing this?” Valerie mumbled.Selena tied her hair back. “I have to.”Valerie sighed and sat up. “I just hope he won’t be too hard o
Selena’s body felt like it was on fire as she walked back to her room. Every muscle screamed in protest with each step she took, a constant reminder of the grueling training session with Nathan. Her skin was covered in bruises, her arms and legs throbbing with the aftereffects of the brutal workout. It wasn’t just the physical pain that weighed heavily on her, no, it was the emotional exhaustion that came with pushing herself beyond what she thought she could bear.But as the pain continued to pulse through her, there was something else beneath it all. A feeling of satisfaction, of pride in what she had accomplished. It was as if each bruise, each ache in her body, was a step toward something greater. She had faced her limitations head-on, and she hadn’t backed down. She had survived.As Selena made her way down the hallway to her room, she could feel the weight of the day pressing down on her. It felt like the world was spinning faster, and she was trying to keep up with it all. Ever
Selena lay in bed, but sleep evaded her. The attack, Isabelle’s disappearance, Adrian’s frustratingly overprotective attitude – it all swirled in her mind, a chaotic mess of worry and anger. She stared at the ceiling, the ornate patterns blurring in the dim light. She felt restless, trapped.A soft knock on the door broke through her thoughts."Come in," she said, her voice a little rough.Valerie peeked her head in, a concerned look on her face. She was wearing her usual oversized t-shirt and sweatpants, her hair a mess."Can’t sleep?" Valerie asked, padding over to the edge of the bed and sitting down.Selena shook her head. "Too much going on."Valerie nodded, understanding. "Yeah, tell me about it. Isabelle disappearing like that… it’s creepy.""Creepy and weird," Selena agreed. "It’s not like her to just leave without a scene. Did you find out anything else?"Valerie sighed. "Nothing. Matteo checked with all the usual places she’d go – fancy hotels, spas, even some of her ri
Selena crossed her arms, staring at Adrian with a scowl. “Take me home.” Adrian leaned back against the car, his eyes scanning her face. “No.” She clenched her fists to prevent them from trembling. “Adrian, I’m not in the mood for this. I want to go home. Now.” His jaw tightened, but after a long pause, he sighed. “Fine.” Without another word, he opened the car door for her. She slid in, arms still folded, heart still racing from the earlier encounter. Adrian got in, started the engine, and drove in silence. Selena glanced at him. His grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white. He was pissed. No, beyond pissed. But she didn’t care. She was just wanted to get out of there. She wondered how many of these fights she would have to endure.When they finally reached the house, Selena pushed open the car door before Adrian could say anything.She pushed open the heavy front door, her shoulders tight. The familiar smell of the house – the rich scent of aged leather
He deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around her waist. For a moment, Selena was complacent, lost in the familiar pull of his touch. It was like coming home, a dangerous, intoxicating comfort. But then, the reality of her situation crashed back down on her. She remembered the argument, the forced intimacy, the way he had manipulated her. She remembered Nathan, the hurt she had seen in his eyes. And she remembered the lie she had told him.She pulled away from Adrian, her hands pushing against his chest. “Stop,” she said, her voice trembling.He looked at her, his eyes searching hers. “What’s wrong?”“Stay away from me, Adrian,” she said, her voice stronger this time.He frowned, his expression hardening. “What are you talking about?”“You know what I’m talking about,” she said. “Last night… it wasn’t right.”“It’s what you wanted,” he said, his voice low.“No, it wasn’t,” she said. “I was vulnerable. You took advantage of me.”He scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”“Don’t p
Selena slammed the bedroom door shut, the sound echoing through the lavish suite. "Damn him," she muttered, pacing the plush carpet. She felt like a caged animal, trapped in Adrian's gilded cage. Her phone was still in her purse downstairs, and she cursed herself for not grabbing it. She needed to contact Nathan, to let him know where she was. Or maybe she should call the police. But would they even help her? Adrian had connections everywhere. She was practically invisible to the law if Adrian wanted it that way.She stalked over to the window, gazing out at the city lights twinkling below. It was a beautiful view, but all she felt was a suffocating sense of confinement. She needed to escape, to regain control of her life. But how?A knock on the door made her jump. "Go away!" she yelled.The door opened anyway, and Adrian walked in, a bottle of wine and two glasses in his hands. He closed the door behind him, his expression unreadable."I brought wine," he said, holding u
Adrian sat in his office, his fingers loosely holding a pen while his eyes remained locked on the file in front of him. He hadn’t flipped a page in the last five minutes. The words blurred together, meaningless, as his thoughts spiraled elsewhere. Selena.She wasn’t just angry—anger, he could handle. She wasn’t avoiding him, either. Avoidance meant she still acknowledged him, even if only in irritation. No, Selena had gone beyond that. She treated him like he didn’t exist. No glares, no insults, no hatred. Just… nothing. And somehow, that was worse than any argument she could throw at him. His jaw clenched as he drummed his fingers against the desk, his patience thinning with every second that passed without her looking at him, speaking to him, or acknowledging that he was still there. Matteo stood nearby, watching with an amused expression. He had been observing Adrian brood in silence for far too long. He smirked. He knew why. Adrian had messed up. Bringing Isabelle into the
Selena sat on the terrace long after Nathan left, staring at the untouched glass of orange juice. The morning breeze felt cool against her skin, but her mind was burning with thoughts she didn’t want to have. Mafias don’t divorce.That one sentence had unraveled everything she thought she knew about her situation. She had signed a contract, believing that once it was over, she would be free. But now? Now she was trapped. Footsteps echoed behind her. She turned to see Maria standing at the doorway, hesitant. “Mrs,” Maria said softly. “Breakfast is ready. Should I bring it here?” Selena shook her head, forcing a smile. “No, I’ll eat inside.” Maria nodded and disappeared back into the house. Selena leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping against the glass as she let the weight of Nathan’s words settle. No divorces. No easy way out. The only way to be free was through death—hers or Adrian’s. She let out a slow breath before speaking. “Then I need to learn the rules.”