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I glance back toward the office, the documents still sitting on the table. Anyone could walk in and find them. Anyone could take a picture, just like I did. I don’t know if Nicolas was this careless—or maybe he was just distracted by what happened between us.

Whatever the reason, if that information ends up in the wrong hands, it’ll be bad for him.

I walk back into the room, pick up the files, and tuck them under my arm.

I can’t help but recognize the irony in my actions. I took a picture of the information to give to my brother, but now I’m trying to protect it from others.

I have no fucking clue what’s going on in my head.

The car ride home stretches on forever. The leather seat beneath me is cool, and the faint scent of Nicolas lingers in the air. I cross my legs, trying to shake off the restless energy still buzzing through me.

I pull out my phone, scrolling through it aimlessly. Social media feels like a connection to something simple, something normal. It’s been months since I’ve opened these apps.

The first thing that catches my eye is a picture of Lisa and Rachel, two girls I once called friends back in college. They’re sitting at a rooftop bar, champagne glasses raised, their faces glowing in the evening light. The caption reads, “Cheers to the good life!”

I stare at the picture for a moment, my chest tightening. Lisa and Rachel were always inseparable, even back in college. I’d been the third in our trio, but now it feels like I was never even part of it.

And now? Nothing.

I rest my head against the window, the cool glass soothing against my temple.

I don’t remember the girl I was before I moved back in with my brother. It’s like I’ve lived two completely different lives—one that no longer exists and another I barely recognize.

And in this one, I have no friends, a mafia husband, and a brother whose loyalty I’m no longer sure of.

The city lights blur past as the car weaves through the streets.

I think of Nicolas and the words he spoke last night.

This is your life now. You need to get used to it.

At the time, it felt like a threat. Now, it feels like an undeniable truth.

I close my eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on me—my father’s death, Marco’s expectations, Nicolas’s presence. My old life slipping further and further away.

Who am I without it?

The car slows as we approach the mansion. I open my eyes, watching the grand gates swing open, silent and imposing.

This is my life now.

And I have no idea how to survive it.

16

NICOLAS

I can still taste her on my lips.

And the more I think about Aria, the more I’m reminded of that asshole.

I hate it.

I close my eyes, leaning my head back, and she’s there—haunting me. I think of the way she sounds when she loses herself in my touch, the way she smells, sweet and intoxicating. I think of everything I’ve done to her, everything I stillwantto do.

For example, I still haven’t gotten the opportunity to have those plump lips wrapped around my cock. I want to fuck every hole in her body. Every single one. And from the way she responded to my spanking a few minutes ago, I know she would let me. Her body and her mind were working in two different directions. I can still hear the sound of her pussy as I shoved three fingers inside her.

But the problem is every thought of her leads back to herbrother.