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He shakes his head. “The less you know, the safer you are.”

I want to argue with him but I know he’s right. I could be in worse danger if I knew what he was going to do.

He presses his lips to mine and I go still, worried that someone may see. But then he presses me farther into the alcove so my body is completely covered by his. I give in and kiss him back, my knees going weak as he kisses the hell out of me.

He pulls back and whispers in my ear. “Happy belated birthday, Bella. I’ll speak with you soon.”

He presses something into my hand then walks down the alley. I stay hidden in the alcove for a few moments while I catch my breath. I shove the phone into my apron he pressed into my hand and smooth my hair back before heading back into work.

20

KILIAN

Isit in the dark, inside of a cheap rental property in Southern Italy. I drum my fingers along the edge of the rickety table as I stare at the burner phone lying next to my whiskey glass.

Bella: I don’t know what you’re doing. But be safe. Please. I know I can’t have you but I don’t want to lose you again.

I clench my jaw as I read her message for the hundredth time. The wordsI know I can’t have youinfuriate me beyond belief. I am doing everything in my power to make us a reality. But I worry that she will never believe it. Never feel safe.

I pour more whiskey into my glass when a knock sounds from the front door. I grab my gun off the table and make my way to the door, my feet silent on the worn-out wood. I knock twice on my side of the door. When I get a single knock response, I open the door.

A large tattooed man walks in first, he scans the small apartment then nods at me with his soft blue eyes. For a man who looks like a mercenary, he has the kindest eyes I’ve ever seen.

Behind him walks in the man I called in for a favor. The man whose life I saved seven months ago.

“Good to see you walking again,” I comment.

Matías Montford rolls his eyes at me. “Fuck off, Kilian. You know I started walking again six months ago.”

I wrap my arms around his shoulders just as he does the same to me and pats me on the back. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

A smile appears on his face. “Thanks, man.”

“I’m glad you’re happy. That it all worked out.”

He pats me on the shoulder. “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t even be alive. Much less engaged to the woman of my dreams.”

“I owed your family.”

He shakes his head. “No you didn’t. You paid your debt when you sacrificed yourself for my brother.”

“Well, I couldn’t have Bastian losing you either.”

He studies me with sincerity and nods.

“Enough of the reminiscing. Let’s get to business, shall we?”

I lead them into the kitchen and sit down at the table, setting my gun next to the burner phone. I pour whiskey for myself and Matías. Demont, Matías’s bodyguard, holds his hand up and I leave his glass empty.

“So you found Nicolas Di Masio?” Matías asks after taking a drink.

“More or less. Sneaky bastard has been flying under the radar. But I believe he will be at the docks tomorrow night.”

“How did you find him? What family was he working for?” Matías asks. He has as much interest in Nicolas Di Masio as I do. Nicolas was working for his fiancée Alessia Calvetti’s father. He double-crossed The Partners and the Calvettis, then almost got Alessia killed.

“His real name is Ezio Renzetti.”

“Shit,” Matías mutters under his breath.