It started with a stolen wallet and turned into something neither of them could’ve imagined.

What began as a game of cat and mouse has turned into something more. They're no longer just trying to outsmart each other; they’re going deeper, and it’s setting off sparks in all the wrong places.

As they get closer, the truths they’ve kept hidden start to unwind, tearing through the lives they’ve built. The illusion of control slips away, and now, everything’s on the line — their lives, their secrets, and their hold on each other.

The question is, can they survive it all — or will they destroy each other in the process?

PREFACE

IMPORTANT

If you haven’t read Mafia Men VI – Alessandro’s Games, stop right here. Seriously, close this book, go read that one, and then come back. Trust me, you’re going to need the backstory, the drama, and all the twists to fully get what’s about to happen here.

This book kicks off right where Alessandro’s Games left us hanging. No time skips, no recaps. You’ll want to know who everyone is, why they act the way they do, and what’s already gone down to set the stage for what’s next.

So, if you haven’t been introduced to the chaos, deception, and mind games Alessandro and Viviane wrapped up in the last book, hit pause on this one.

Read it, live it, and then come back to this book and get ready for more.

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DISCLAIMER

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is purely coincidental and unintentional.

This book, including all its content, is protected by copyright laws. All rights are reserved by the author, and no part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or otherwise utilized in any form or by any means—whether electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the express written permission of the copyright holder. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this work is prohibited and may result in legal action.

Copyright © 2024 by Jane Doe Writings. All rights reserved.

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TRIGGER WARNING!

The following book contains imagery that some readers may find distressing. This book contains multiple explicit scenes that graphically simulate sexual assault, although every encounter is fully consensual.

•Simulated Sexual Assault

•Consensual Non-consent

•Strong Language

•Graphic Violence

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thank you so much for choosing to read my story! Your support means the world to me. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment and vote if you enjoyed the book. Your feedback not only fuels my writing but also keeps me from talking to myself in a padded room.

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POINT OF VIEWS - POVs.

This book is written in dual POV, but the perspectives will be included as they fit the storyline. I won't add the MMC’s or FMC’s POV just for the sake of it, especially if it doesn’t suit the scene or the mystery of the plot. I mention this because I know some readers might want more of the MMC’s POV, but every choice is intentional for the story's development.

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UPDATES SCHEDULE

I post one chapter every day (though I might miss a day or two here and there). Please understand that this schedule is the best I can manage with my busy, hectic life as a medical student.

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J A N E D O E W R I T I N G S

Prologue

Viviane

☩═✦═☩

The warehouse was cold, and the air was filled with the smell of salt and iron. I kept my face still, breathing evenly as I took in the scene in front of me.

Pallets stacked with bricks of cocaine stretched toward the ceiling, row after row of neatly wrapped product, each one stamped with a symbol I’d come to recognize too well.

It was enough to drown the streets in a storm of white powder, and the thought twisted in my gut.

Tomorrow, every ounce of this would be out there, touching lives, ripping through neighborhoods like a fire set by men who didn’t give a damn about the damage.

Nikolai stood at the center with arrogance he wore like a crown. He moved with such confidence, hands tucked in his pockets, an amused smile playing on his lips. To him, all of this was his empire—New York his kingdom, and its people his subjects, whether they knew it or not.

Marco poured a generous amount of whiskey into his glass, raising it with a smirk. “Gentlemen, a toast,” he drawled, his voice was so smooth, “To our King of Cocaine—Nikolai.”

The others grinned, a few laughs rolling through the group. Lorenzo tapped his glass against Marco’s, “We've got every dealer in Manhattan begging to line up for a taste. They can barely keep up with the demand.”

Nikolai swirled his drink, “Supply too much, and they lose their hunger. Keep it just scarce enough, though, and they’ll come crawling.”

Scott leaned back against a crate, a cigar between his fingers as he exhaled slowly, “Once this batch hits,” he said, “We're putting half the other outfits out of business by the end of the week.”

I forced myself not to react, even as my stomach tightened. The nickname hit like a punch to the ribs. I kept my face blank, taking in every detail without a hint of emotion.

Nikolai grinned, that dangerous glint flashing in his eyes, and shrugged like it was nothing, like the power to flood New York with drugs was no different than having control of a remote.

They joked and laughed, talking about how the city would light up once this shipment hit the streets tomorrow.

I knew the reality: the damage this shipment would do, how many lives it would touch, how many people would be caught in the undertow, pulled under and left for dead. I’d seen it before, the domino effect of a drop like this, spreading misery through every block, from every addict to every family torn apart.

Just as I was calculating the numbers in my head, the steel doors of the warehouse creaked open, and a group of soldiers marched in, dragging along nine men, wrists bound behind their backs, faces bruised and bloody. They staggered forward, barely able to keep their balance as they were shoved to their knees in front of Nikolai.

The laughter died, and my pulse spiked. The men were barely upright, faces battered, eyes wide with fear.

“These are the rats,” one of the soldiers said, his mouth twisting with disgust. He gave one of the men a hard shove, sending him forward. “Caught them stealing from your last run, boss. Figured they could skim a little off the top without anyone noticing.”

My gaze shifted to Alessandro, dressed like he’d just stepped out of a high-end club instead of a warehouse reeking of blood and dust.

Those beautiful blue eyes flicked over the kneeling men, like he was sizing them up at an auction. The same blue eyes that could turn so intense, when he looked at me—as if I was the only thing in the room, the only thing that mattered.

But here? They were distant. The warmth he reserved for me was gone.

The way his hand hovered just close enough to his waist that I knew what was coming. He tilted his head slightly, a faint smile pulling at his mouth, “I’ll handle it.”

The words were simple, but I knew the effect would be instant—one of the men choked back a sob, realizing what those three words meant.

Alessandro pulled out a sleek black gun from his waistband and I felt a jolt run through me, a familiar sensation I hated—the thrill and horror mixed up inside of me together.

He fitted a silencer to the barrel, I took in every little movement, my heart pounding in my ears. I wanted to look away, but I didn’t. I had to watch, had to stay in this moment, every nerve alive.

Without another word, he aimed at the first man’s head and fired, the shot muffled by the silencer but deadly sharp in the quiet. The man dropped instantly, slumping to the side, and Alessandro stepped over him like he was nothing more than a speed bump. He moved down the line, like this was routine he’d done a hundred times and maybe he had.

The other men were shaking now, some of them stammering, pleading for their lives. He cocked his head as he listened, amused, as if their pleas were just a pleasant background noise.

“Didn’t think you’d get caught, huh?” he murmured to one of them, the faintest smirk on his lips. “How’d that work out?”

Another shot. Another body crumpled to the floor. I sucked in a sharp breath.

Each man he shot dropped without another sound, ending their lives like they’d never mattered.

By the time he reached the last man, his face was spattered with flecks of blood. He wiped it away with the back of his hand, his eyes indifferent as he stared down at the bodies, all lined up like broken dolls at his feet.

The rest of them went back to laughing, talking, like nothing had happened. A joke here, a comment there, all while the smell of blood choked me.

Alessandro slipped the gun back into his waistband, barely sparing a second glance before he turned away, already forgetting the men he’d just erased.

He glanced back over his shoulder, just for a second, locking eyes with me. And then he smiled—almost teasing—and gave me a quick wink, like this was nothing.

Like killing a room full of men was just another part of the day.

Like it was our normal.

And it was.

This was what life with him looked like. This was the future.

Our future.

- Two beautiful ladies? Easy.

Viviane

☩═✦═☩

I was slipping, and I knew it.

It was like trying to hold onto water, and the more I fought, the faster it slid through my fingers.

Alessandro was everywhere—in my thoughts, in my dreams, in the way my pulse spiked every time I heard his voice. He’d wormed his way into my mind, and I hated it. I hated how much I thought about him, how some part of me had started to crave him. How I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was losing pieces of myself, piece by piece, and he was the one holding them.

Standing alone in my bathroom, steam still clinging to the walls, I pressed my hands against the sink, holding myself in the coolness of the marble.

I stared at my reflection, wrapped in nothing but a towel, hair damp and sticking to my skin. My eyes looked harder, but underneath that hardness, there was a crack, one that had only started to show since I came back from the island.

“Get a grip,” I said through clenched teeth, as if saying it would snap me out of this.

Who was I kidding? My mind was a mess, my loyalties were all over the place. I wasn’t even sure I could trust myself anymore.

I wanted things to be simple—a straight line I could follow without looking back. But he was cutting across that line. With him, everything blurred, twisted into shades of gray, like a blade pressed to my throat but never cutting deep enough to end it.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to look at my own eyes in the mirror, to snap out of whatever this was.

Viviane Kane doesn’t lose her cool. She doesn’t slip up, doesn’t get rattled.

But for the first time in my life, I felt truly out of control. And I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to pull myself back.

I shook my head, pushing the frustration down, and headed back to my bedroom.

I grabbed the blow dryer, running my fingers through my damp hair. Once it was dry, I picked up my curling iron, sectioning off my hair and working quickly. Loose, bouncy waves took shape, framing my face just right. They’d look effortless, but I’d spent enough time to make sure every wave was exactly where I wanted it.

All this effort for one man, Viviane? That’s got to mean something, doesn’t it?

My makeup was next. I leaned into the mirror, blending out the foundation, making sure to not hide my freckles. I lined my eyes with a sharp, black flick, and applied a deep red lipstick that matched my mood—bold, unmissable.

I went to my closet and pulled out the red dress. I slipped it on, smoothing the fabric down over my hips. It hugged in all the right places, with its long sleeves, short hemline, and the sweetheart neckline. I stepped into my red heels, and glanced at myself in the mirror.

Checking my phone, I saw another missed call from the babysitter. She’d been ignoring my calls all night. Brandon was supposed to take Felicity for the night. That’s why I’d chosen tonight, but something came up at his end and he had to change last-minute.

I walked into the living room to find Felicity curled up on the couch, surrounded by a blanket and clutching a giant bowl of popcorn. She looked up, her eyes lighting up as she grinned.

"You look so pretty," she said, beaming.

“Thanks, kiddo,” I replied, sinking onto the couch next to her. “But all this effort is about to go to waste if I don’t get a babysitter lined up soon.”

She shrugged, “You can go on your date. I’ll be fine.”

I raised an eyebrow, snorting. “Yeah, nice try. You’re dreaming if you think I’m leaving you alone for the night. Guess I’m just gonna have to ditch him,” I said, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her close.

She rolled her eyes, but I could see the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

Felicity leaned more into my side, her eyes never leaving the TV. “You know, he’s gonna be bummed. Guys don’t like getting ditched.”

I laughed, “Trust me, this guy could use a little humbling. And since when are you the expert on what guys want?”

She shot me a look, eyebrow raised, the sass radiating off her like she’d had years to perfect it. “I see things. I’ve got school, social media, my mom’s rom-coms…” She ticked them off on her fingers as if she were listing hardcore credentials. “Plus, you think I haven’t noticed you and Alessandro? I’m twelve, Aunt Viv, not clueless.” she nudged me with her elbow. “And you wouldn’t go through all this trouble getting ready if you didn’t like him at least a little bit.”

I sighed, shaking my head, she was the only one I'd admit it to, “Alright, fine. Maybe there’s something there—”

A knock echoed through the apartment. My stomach did a little flip—I hadn’t expected him to come all the way up.

I opened the door, and there was Alessandro, leaning against the doorframe, dressed in a crisp black suit hugging every inch of him like it was stitched with sinful intent. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone, just enough to show a flash of golden chains resting over the hard lines of his chest.

His gaze swept over me, and for a moment, he just stood there, completely still. His eyes traced every inch of my body in a way that felt like a physical touch.

One hand was in his pocket while the other held a bouquet of red roses, he cleared his throat before holding them out to me. “Ms. Kane.”

I accepted the flowers with a smile, stepping back to let him in. His eyes traced every detail of me once more, lingering on the neckline of the dress, then traveling down, taking in the way the red fabric hugged my figure, before his eyes dropped down to my legs.

As I arranged the flowers in a vase, I picked up my phone again and dialed another babysitter's number, which was another fail because she had the flu.

I paced back and forth in the living room, calling one babysitter after another. Felicity sat cross-legged on the couch, watching me with that amused sparkle in her eye, as if she found my desperate hunt for a sitter more entertaining than any movie.

Meanwhile, Alessandro waited, standing by the door, both hands in his pockets. I could feel his eyes on me every second I was on the phone.

Felicity patted on the couch beside her, “Come sit with me. It’s not like I bite,” she said to Alessandro, who seemed a little taken aback by her but then walked over to the couch and settled beside her.

His broad frame making her look almost tiny in comparison. I glanced over as the phone started to ring, catching a snippet of their conversation—something conspiratorial that I couldn’t quite make out. God only knew what they were talking about.

“Another one bites the dust,” I muttered, hanging up after the third failed attempt. I placed a hand on my forehead, trying to keep my frustration from spilling over. “I can’t find a babysitter, so… the date’s officially canceled.”

“Just go, Aunt Viv. I’m not a little kid anymore. I’ll be fine,” Fliss said.

I glared at her, "I'm not leaving you alone."

Felicity made a face and glanced at Alessandro, “You know what, I’ll take the flowers. She doesn’t deserve them if she’s planning to ditch you.”

“In that case, maybe I should take you out on the date instead of her,” Alessandro said to her and then glanced my way, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes at both of them, “Very funny, both of you,” I said, crossing my arms, but a smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

Felicity shrugged innocently, clutching the blanket to her chest. “I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Not happening,” I shot back. “Need I remind you of that time you burned Brandon’s entire apartment down because the babysitter was too busy to keep an eye on you?”

Her cheeks flushed, and she gave me an eye-roll. “That was forever ago, and it wasn’t my fault. I didn't know a science project could even do that.”

I let out a sigh, “Still, I’m not leaving you alone. What if you get sick and there’s no one to help you?”

Felicity shrugged, “Then I’ll call you. Or better yet, I’ll call Alessandro,” she said, tilting her head toward him, “We should exchange numbers, just in case.”

Alessandro smiled too, pulling his phone out without hesitation, “Now there’s a smart idea.”

I watched them for a few seconds, feeling a twinge I couldn’t ignore. No. He couldn’t do that. He couldn’t make himself her favorite person, too—not when he was already starting to become mine.

They exchanged numbers, Alessandro tapping in her digits with that half-smile still on his face, and when he handed the phone back, she beamed at him like he’d just agreed to some secret alliance. It was adorable and oddly…disarming.

I shook my head again, “I’m sorry, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m not about to leave her alone, especially after that last sitter disaster.”

Alessandro leaned forward, taking Felicity’s hand as he pressed a light kiss to the back of it as if he was a perfect gentleman, “You know, Felicity,” he murmured, “maybe we should ditch Viviane and have some fun of our own. She doesn’t know what she’s missing.”

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms to keep from smiling. “You two are ridiculous,” I said, fighting off the warmth spreading through my chest, watching him interact with Fliss like this, “You’re more than welcome to stay and join us for an impromptu date night right here, Alessandro.”

Alessandro looked at Felicity, then back at me. “Or,” he said slowly, his voice taking on a softer tone, “Felicity could come with us. Might do her good to get out of the house.”

Felicity’s face lit up, and she turned to me with wide, hopeful eyes. “Really? Can I, Aunt Viv? Please?”

I glanced between her and Alessandro, taken aback. “Are you… sure? You’d be okay with that?”

He shrugged confidently even though I wasn't sure he was the kind of guy to spend time around children willingly, “Was my idea, wasn’t it?”

Felicity practically bounced on the couch, and I sighed, giving in to her excitement. “Alright, fine. If you can handle that.”

Alessandro leaned back, looking thoroughly pleased. “Two beautiful ladies? Easy.”

The self-assured glint in his eyes made my hand itch to wipe that look right off his face. I shook my head, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest as I took Felicity to her room to get her changed into some nice clothes.

- Charming Uncle

Alessandro

☩══♛══☩

I grabbed my phone and called my driver, “Change of plans,” I said, jaw tight. “Switch out the champagne for… I don’t know. Juice. Something kid-friendly.”

“Yes, Boss, anything else?” he asked.

“And make sure everything is… appropriate in the back,” I cut the call before he could respond.

What the hell was I doing? My pulse kicked up, an ache right behind my temples. I was taking a little girl along on a night I’d planned for her aunt?

And the plans I’d had for her aunt weren’t exactly kids-friendly. I’d planned to fuck her in the backseat of the limo, while my driver drove through the city lights.

The image played out in my mind: her breathless under me, our world reduced to that dark leather seat, her only focus on me. But with this little change of plans? Guess I’d have to wait.

I had made space for Viviane’s niece like it was the most natural thing in the world. Couldn’t even pretend this wasn’t my idea because it was.

The kid wasn’t just some extra luggage she’d brought along; I’d suggested it, wanted it, as if her presence meant something, as if I was trying to… I don't know what the fuck was I doing.

The memory of Viviane looking at me with that small, grateful smile? That did more to me than any look she’d ever given me in bed and that didn’t fit in any box I’d ever known.

A moment later, Viviane came back into view with Felicity by her side. The little one now wore a pink floral dress, her hair neatly combed, holding Viviane’s hand. And as much as I wanted to pull Viviane close and kiss her right then and there, I walked over to Felicity, extending a hand, “Shall we, my lady?”

Felicity’s eyes sparkled as she giggled, “We shall.”

Felicity took my hand, her tiny fingers curling around mine. Viviane’s hazel eyes softened, her lips curving into a small smile as she watched us.

When she saw me staring at her, she looked away, but I caught the faint blush rising on her cheeks.

I walked ahead with her niece, treating her like I'd treat Aurora and Anastasia. Viviane followed with a smile that told me that Viviane Kane wasn't as immune to my charm as she pretended to be.

So much for doing casual...

As we stepped outside, I watched Felicity’s eyes go wide the second she spotted the black limo parked along the curb. She squealed, looking up at me with a grin that was pure delight, like she’d just won the jackpot.

“That’s yours?” she asked, bouncing on her toes.

“Yeah,” I replied, smiling as I opened the door with a small bow, gesturing for her to step in.

She didn’t need to be told twice, practically jumped into the backseat.

I turned, catching Viviane’s gaze. She gave me this half-surprised, half-amused look, eyebrow raised, “Didn’t know you could be this nice to kids.”

I took a step closer to her, “What, you think I’m all cold-hearted?” I lowered my voice, leaning in. “I’ve got a whole army of nieces and nephews, Freckles. I know how to be the charming Uncle with children.” I paused, giving her a once-over, before I reached out, grabbing her by the neckline of her dress, yanking her close.

Her breath caught just before I pressed my lips to hers. I could feel her surprise melt into a low hum, her fingers gripping my arms. I pulled back, “Now get in,” I said, nudging her toward the limo with a slap on her ass as she stumbled forward, shooting me an indignant look over her shoulder that only made me want her more.

Viviane slid into the leather seat across from Felicity. I climbed in and shut the door behind us, sitting beside Freckles. My arm going around her once more.

Felicity was practically bouncing in her seat as she scanned the interior, her eyes landing on the small bar just beside us. “You have a bar in your car?” she gasped, eyes huge.

I pressed a button to retract it, hiding the liquor stash from view. “That’s not for children,” I said, giving her a wink.

She pouted, but Viviane gave me a sidelong look, amused, and I could tell she was holding back a laugh.

A knock on the window drew my attention, and one of my men handed me a bottle of orange juice. I took it with a nod, poured the juice into three flute glasses from the set in the back compartment, and passed one to Viviane.

She accepted it with a skeptical look on her face, “Orange juice in champagne flutes? How very considerate of you.”

“Trust me,” I said, “If you weren’t here to keep me in line, I’d have given your niece the real thing.”

I passed the third glass to Felicity, who was practically vibrating with excitement, her fingers wrapped around the flute like she was holding something magical. “I get to drink this like a grown-up?” she asked, lifting her glass up high.

“Tonight, you’re the guest of honor,” I replied, raising my glass to her and then clinking it lightly against hers.

We all took a sip, and I couldn’t help but steal another glance at Viviane over the rim of my glass.

There was a certain glow to her tonight, a softness that maybe only Felicity got to see. I wanted more of it, more of her, even though I knew she wasn’t one to let people in so easily. But I could see the cracks, the way her walls slipped for just a second when she thought no one was looking.

“So, where are we going?” Felicity asked.

“You’ll see soon enough,” I said, “But don’t worry. I only bring my favorite girls to the best places.”

I gripped Viviane's waist harder, making her try to shift away from me but I held her in place.

The limo pulled up to the restaurant, one of the finest in the city, and my chauffeur opened the door for us. I stepped out first, extending a hand to Felicity, then Viviane, helping them both out.

Felicity skipped ahead, and I seized the moment, pulling Viviane close and stealing another kiss from her red lips, catching her off guard.

Fuck, she smelled like heaven... warm, with hints of something sweet that made me want to bury my face in her neck, forget about the restaurant, and focus on her.

She shifted slightly, giving me a playful side-eye, but I kept her right there, not letting her move an inch. She had no idea how hard it was not to kiss her senseless right here, right now.

I let my hand drift just a little lower on Viviane's waist as we moved toward the entrance.

A waiter approached, giving me a nod of recognition before leading us to a private booth I’d reserved ahead of time.

I made Viviane sit next to me as Felicity sat opposite us. Her gaze darting over every inch of the restaurant. "I’ve never been anywhere this fancy,” she whispered to Viviane, her face lit up with awe.

A server appeared with the menus, and I wasted no time ordering a bottle of sparkling water and a round of appetizers for the table, while Felicity fidgeted in her seat, looking at me with curious eyes.

Dinner started off well enough, but the second the food arrived, Felicity's excitement vanished fast. She poked at the caviar, made a face at the rare meats, and finally looked up at me with a look of pure betrayal. As if I had disappointed her immensely.

“This... this is old people’s food,” she muttered, loud enough that Viviane choked back a laugh, trying to keep a straight face.

“Just try it,” Viviane urged, but even she didn’t look entirely convinced.

I leaned back, amused, watching Felicity prod the food like it was some alien life form she’d been forced to investigate. My arm rested along the back of Viviane’s chair, my fingers twirling a strand of her hair mindlessly. After a few half-hearted pokes, Felicity finally gave up, pushing the plate away with a dramatic sigh and looking up at me, cringing, “Do you actually like this stuff?”

I let out a low laugh, “I do,” I admitted, shooting a glance at Viviane. “I figured it might impress you, Felicity, but clearly I miscalculated.”

Viviane shot her a look, eyebrow raised. “Felicity, be polite and eat your food.”

Felicity groaned, dropping her head dramatically. “But I don't like it.”

I held Viviane's hand that rested over the table, “You know, Felicity, I’m with you on this one. Food’s no good if you’re just forcing it down.”

Viviane shot me a sharp look, “Don't encourage her.”

I leaned forward, dropping my voice to a whisper. “I know a place that serves actual food—none of this ‘old people’ stuff. Want to make an escape?”

Felicity glanced at Viviane sheepishly and then back at me, before she nodded, “Yes.”

I didn’t need to be asked twice. We left the restaurant behind, and I drove them straight into the heart of Little Italy, the neighborhood alive with our men and their families.

When we finally pulled up in front of one of Cosa Nostra’s pizzerias, and I noticed Viviane’s brows raise, her eyes darted everywhere as if I had bought her into the enemy's territory.

As soon as we stepped inside the small pizzeria, all hell broke loose. It was like I’d dropped a grenade in the place. The men looked up, and then someone shouted from the back of the room, “Holy hell, Alessandro’s brought a girl!”

The whole place erupted. Whistles, hoots, laughter—I heard it all. Men slapped each other’s backs, leaning in to see who’d managed to steal a bit of my time, like I was some untouchable saint finally descending from his high throne.

“Did you lose a bet, Sandro?” one of the men yelled.

I held Viviane’s waist, steering her through the crowd of men, and didn’t even bother to hide the smile that tugged at my lips. “Calm down,” I drawled, “You guys act like you’ve never seen a woman in your lives.”

One of the younger guys, Silvano, gave a low whistle, looking at Viviane and then Felicity like they were a miracle. “She must be special if Alessandro’s bringing her here.”

Viviane couldn’t hold back her smile. Felicity, on the other hand, looked like she’d just walked into a prison. She clung to her aunt as if the guys would eat her alive.

We slid into a booth near the back, and I gestured for Zeno to get here, the manager. “Three slices,” I called out, giving him a nod. “Extra cheese on all of them.”

Zeno grinned, disappearing into the back while the rest of the guys tried not to stare too hard. Felicity looked around, scared, and leaned over to Viviane. “These people know Alessandro?” she whispered, clearly confused that I was part of them.

Viviane probably had no idea, but tonight was my first date. I’d never taken a girl out before, so naturally, the guys were having a field day over it. Their reaction was predictable, but that didn’t stop them from milking every second.

Zeno, himself, came out from the back carrying the pizza. He set the steaming slices in front of us, grinning ear to ear. “On the house for Sandro and his ladies,” he said with a dramatic flourish. “First time in, what... a century that Mr. Alessandro Costello brings a date around?”

I rolled my eyes, gesturing for him to leave the pizza and not push his luck.

“Alright, ladies,” Silvano said, setting down drinks and leaning on the table, “you’re our boss's special guests, so you’re basically royalty in here. But I gotta know—what do you two do and how do you know him?”

Viviane took a sip of her drink, giving a slight smile, “I work for Alessandro and this is my niece.”

After we ate, the guys dragged out an old beer pong table they kept in the back room. They basically bullied Viviane to play with them. She had that competitive streak in her, and it was clear this crowd brought it out. I watched as she lined up the first shot, the guys teasing her about her “office job,” and she nailed it, hitting the cup dead-on.

The room broke into cheers. Viviane smirked, sending me a quick, triumphant look that made me laugh.

Eventually, Viviane joined us, her cheeks flushed, her hair a little wild from the fun, “Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile this much,” I said to her, leaning close enough that my words were just for her.

“Don’t get used to it,” she replied.

The laugh faded from Viviane’s face as her eyes landed on Felicity, I followed her line of sight and saw Felicity slumped over the table, her skin had suddenly turned a sickly shade. Her lips were pale, breaths shallow.

Viviane shot up from her seat, the scrape of her chair echoed, “Fliss,” she whispered, “Hey, are you okay?”

Felicity managed a weak nod, but her words came out in a strained whisper. “Just... tired.”

Viviane’s gaze darted to me, eyes pleading. “We’re taking her home. Now.”

I looked down at Felicity, frowning, but inside, something twisted. Watching her that way—frail and pale—felt wrong. She was barely holding herself up, I couldn't believe she was the same little girl I had brought on a date a few hours ago.

Without another word, I rose, and Viviane scooped up her niece in her arms, the girl’s head lolling against her shoulder. Freckles nodded at me, already moving towards the door and I followed.

- Changing your tune.

Viviane

☩═✦═☩

I shouldn’t be doing this.

I shouldn’t be feeling… this.

After tucking Felicity in, I lingered at her bedside, watching her breathing settle, the soft glow of the nightlight casting a shadow over the side of her face. I whispered goodnight, as I stepped quietly out of her room.

And then I stopped.

There, in the dull light of my living room, was Alessandro. He’d taken off his jacket, leaving him in just that white linen shirt— still slightly unbuttoned at the collar—and black slacks that fit him so perfectly.

I swallowed, forcing myself to breathe. He threw a careless look my way and I forgot to breathe all over again. And in that moment, I felt stripped bare, as if he could see every flicker of doubt, every forbidden thought I’d tried to bury.

He was making this harder than it should be. I’d always prided myself on my indifference toward men and their feeling, the armor I wore so effortlessly. But with him, that armor was starting to crack, and I could feel that pride slipping away, piece by piece.

“I’ve already talked to my doctors. All I need now are her medical records,” he said, rolling up his sleeves, each unbuttoned cuff revealing more of his inked forearms.

I frowned, thrown off. “What?”

He looked at me, his blue eyes holding me in place, “Felicity. I’m handling her surgery.”

My heart raced. No. I couldn’t let him do this. If he went through with it, there’d be no way back. The thought alone had me spiraling, losing control in ways I couldn’t even begin to handle. If he actually did it... if he saved her... I knew I’d fall—harder than I already feared. And that terrified me.

I stepped closer, shaking my head, “Alessandro, you don’t have to do this. Brandon and I—we’re handling it. I would never ask you for something like this—”

He cut me off, “Viviane, I wasn’t asking.” he turned his body toward me, looking at me as if I was being ridiculous, “I wasn’t asking.”

My heart stuttered, a flicker of fear tightening in my chest. “You can’t just… you can’t do this.”

He arched an eyebrow, “Why not?”

“Brandon won’t allow it,” I managed to say, though it felt like my heart was caught in my throat, barely letting the words out.

Alessandro’s gaze hardened, a look so dismissive it almost made me flinch. “Viviane,” he said my name with a quiet menace, “I don’t care if Brandon ‘allows’ it or not. As I said—I’m not asking. Not you, not him.”

I blinked, trying to breathe, “Alessandro, you… you need either mine or Brandon’s permission to—”

A dark laugh rumbled out of him, almost mocking, and he began to close the distance between us, each step slow, like he was stalking me. I kept my eyes locked on him, until he was close enough that I could feel his breath against my skin.

“Viviane,” he murmured, “Don’t insult me, darling.”

He reached out, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear, and I felt a shiver run through me, trapped between wanting to step back and leaning into him.

“You think I need permission? If I want something done, I do it,” his hand lingered near my face, his fingers grazing my cheek, “So here’s how it’s going to work. Felicity is getting the best care, and no one—not you, not Brandon, not anyone—will stop me.”

I swallowed, but the words I’d been preparing faded. His fingers then brushed over my jaw, and before I could stop myself, I leaned into his touch, betraying every bit of restraint I’d tried to hold onto. I felt stupid, needy, craving the warmth of his hand when I should’ve been focusing on more important things.

“Alessandro,” I started, forcing myself to speak even as his fingers traced my skin, “this… this wouldn’t be right. We’re here now, but in the future… we might not be, and I wouldn’t feel right taking something like this from you. The surgery is—”

In an instant, his grip tightened, cutting off my words, and before I could breathe, he had me pressed against the wall. The cool surface bit into my back as his body caged me in, his eyes devouring me like I was his favorite meal.

“Don’t pretend you’re suddenly above taking what you need, Freckles,” he growled, “You weren’t above stealing from me when it suited you. Don’t act like you’ve grown a conscience now.”

I tried to answer, but his mouth was dangerously close, his breath mingling with mine. My lips parted, and he tilted his head as if he were going to devour me right there. “I didn’t know you back then,” I managed to breathe out.

A wicked smirk played at the edge of his lips. “But you know me now, don’t you?” he murmured, his lips brushing mine, taunting me with just the barest touch.

His hand slid from my jaw down to my throat, his fingers pressing harshly against my neck, just enough to remind me of his power. A jerk shot through me as he squeezed, forcing the air out of my lungs slowly.

“Y-yes…” the word barely escaped my lips, my voice choked under his hold.

His eyes darkened, a flicker of satisfaction lighting them up. “And you know I don’t take no for an answer, don’t you, baby?”

His grip tightened even more, blood rushed to my head as I struggled to breathe. He was close, so close, every part of him radiating danger that swallowed up every thought in my head.

“N-no, you d-don't…” I struggled, the sound weak, barely audible.

He leaned in, his lips just brushing my ear, his hold on my neck loosening, enough for me to catch a quick, shaky breath. “You looked so perfect tonight,” he murmured, “I wanted to ruin that.”

My hands pressed flat against his chest, feeling the hard muscles shift, “Alessandro, Felicity’s asleep in the next room… we can’t—”

A wicked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he leaned in, capturing my lower lip between his teeth, tugging gently before releasing it. “Then I suggest you keep real quiet, Freckles.”

In one fast move, his hands gripped me by the waist, lifting me like I weighed nothing, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around him, clutching onto his shoulders for balance.

The heat radiating from his body seared through my clothes. He buried his face against my neck, his warm breath sending a jolt down my spine as he started toward the bedroom.

We crossed the threshold, and with a kick of his foot, he closed the door behind us. Holding me with one arm, he locked the door with the other. Before I could even register what was happening, he had me pressed back against the mattress, his weight settling over me, the delicious suffocation enveloping me. He forced himself between my legs, filling every empty space.

I bit my lip, desperate to stifle a sound as his mouth traced a slow path down the column of my neck. His hands roamed over my body. Heat pooled low in my stomach as he worked his way lower, his lips dragging down to the sensitive skin of my thighs. I bit down hard on my hand, trying to keep myself silent.

Then, he tore my underwear away, his gaze flicking up to meet mine and a vicious lopsided smile curled on his lips.

Alessandro’s hands slid up my thighs, gripped my hips, as he pulled me closer to the edge of the bed. He gave me a slow, torturous lick and I bit my hand harder.

“Still trying to stay quiet, hmm?” he murmured.

I had no words, no coherent thoughts—only the overwhelming sensation of him against me.

The rest of the night became a blur of rough hands, jagged edges, harsh slaps, and even controlling how much I could breathe, everything spinning out of control.

At some point, he had grabbed my underwear, yanking the fabric hard enough to shred it. Before I could react, his hand was on me, pushing the ripped cloth against my mouth, tying it tight, shutting me up instantly.

I gasped, trying to catch my breath, but it came out in ragged bursts against the gag, my lips pressed hard against the lace fabric.

My hair, once soft and perfectly curled, was now a wild mess, tangled in his fingers as he tugged, not caring how it pulled, how it hurt.

I could feel the wetness on my cheeks, the tears smearing my makeup—mascara running in dark streaks down my face, broken lashes all over my face.

My ass burned so much from his slaps that told me I'd be feeling it tomorrow with every step, every move and every single time I sat down.

His fingers trailed up to the back of my neck, tangling in the mess of my hair, yanking my head back so I had no choice but to strain my neck as he took me from behind.

I couldn’t tell how long it lasted; time slipped away as I drowned in him. Then, without warning, he yanked me off the bed, his hand gripping my hair to hold me in place as he stroked himself.

When he finished, I opened my mouth wide, ready to take it all, swallowing. I craved every drop, every bit of him, a willing little toy begging for more, and the satisfaction that came with it.

We lay in bed afterward, like we hadn’t just turned each other’s worlds upside down. My head rested on his chest, listening to his heartbeat as we talked quietly in the dark.

“I want to meet your family too,” I murmured, studying his face in the darkness of my room, “You’ve met Brandon, you’re practically best friends with Felicity—and yet, I haven’t met a single person on your side. Not unless it’s business. And even then, it’s always the men.” I raised a brow, giving him a teasing smile. “Just the serious, boring ones. What’s with that? Afraid your family might like me more than they like you?”

He smiled, but there was something guarded in his eyes. I leaned in closer, brushing a finger along his jaw. “Come on, you’ve gotta have someone interesting in your life besides the bodyguards and your inner circle. Or are you keeping all the fun ones hidden away?”

“I’ve told you before, I’m not really that close to my family,” he replied.

I frowned, refusing to let him off that easily. “But you love them, you care about them. Isn’t that reason enough to let me in?” I paused, searching his eyes for some crack in his armor, “Or am I supposed to be satisfied with just the pieces you choose to share?”

I wanted to know him—all of him. I wanted to dig so deep that there was no part of his life hidden from me anymore. The thought of being kept at arm’s length, while I let him into every corner of mine, left an ache I couldn’t ignore.

“You already know the guys,” he said, his voice amused. “And I’m actually pretty close to their wives—Evangeline, Delilah, Allegra, Lilly. For some reason, they all love me.” He chuckled, “Cindy was a good friend, too, before she married Capone and left. And I’m basically the fun uncle to their kids, even if the boys can be little pains in the ass. But I think you’d like them.”

I shrugged, giving him a playful look. “How would I know if I haven’t met them?”

I caught the faintest flicker of something in his expression, “Meeting each other’s families... Don’t you think that’s a little fast?” he asked, one brow raised. “For a girl who wanted to keep things casual?”

I rolled my eyes, leaning in just a little closer. “Maybe... we could do a little more than ‘casual,’” I murmured, letting my fingers trail over his hand.

This was the right move. If I wanted to push things forward, I had to step up, make him trust me more. Pushing him away now would only drag this out, make it harder later. No, this was better—keeping him close, getting deeper.

He tilted his head, studying me with a smile that was both amused and suspicious, “Oh? Suddenly changing your tune, are we?”

I shrugged, letting a casual smile play on my lips, like I wasn’t fully invested, “The way you talked about Felicity tonight,” I said, “it got me thinking…”

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to go on.

I paused, glancing down as if a little shy. “It made me wonder what else you’d be willing to do. What other... lines you’d cross for the people you care about.”

He leaned back, eyeing me carefully, but I could see the curiosity flickering in his expression.

“What are you trying to say?” he asked.

I let out a soft laugh, keeping my tone light, though every word I said was carefully chosen, “It made me realize I’d be a fool to just walk away from this... from you... without at least seeing where it could go,” I said, “The truth is... I don’t want to miss out on something that could be real. Maybe I’m starting to wonder if there’s more to you than I thought.”

He tilted his head, still searching my expression, “And what if there’s not?”

I smiled, tilting my head playfully. “Then I guess I’ll find out the hard way. But something tells me I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try.”

"Viviane Kane, are you asking me to be your boyfriend?" he said, with a playful lilt in his voice.

I bit my bottom lip, “And if I am?” I said, “What are you going to do about it, Mr. Costello?”

His smile was like a spark in the dark, pulling one from me before I even realized it, even as something harsh twisted deep inside of me. And then, without another word, he leaned in, his lips capturing mine, soft at first—a tease, a question, lingering just long enough to make me ache for more.

He pulled back just a fraction, his forehead resting against mine, “I told you, Viviane. Once I have you, there’s no letting go.”

And with his hand still on the back of my neck, he kissed me again, stealing whatever will power I had left.

His phone buzzed, and we pulled apart, still catching our breath. He reached over to the nightstand, glancing at the screen. The name “Francesca” lit up the screen, and instantly, the warmth in his face vanished.

Without a word, he slipped out of bed, grabbing his boxers from the floor and pulling them on as he walked to the door. The bed suddenly felt colder, emptier, with him standing there halfway gone.

Just before he stepped out, I heard him answer the call, “I told you, I can’t keep doing this with you.”

And then he was gone, the faint sound of his footsteps fading down the hall, leaving me alone with a question clawing at my chest.

Who the fuck was Francesca?