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“Bring yourAmante.”

My eyes met his as he sent me a chilling smile, before climbing into the car. My blood ran cold as it sped away, the dark windows preventing me from seeing the passengers.

Gretchen cannot be part of their world. Ever.

My phone buzzed in my pocket; I answered it gruffly.

“Hey beautiful. It’s so fuckinggoodto hear your voice. What are you doing tonight?” my heart soared as she apologized for having made plans with Nicole, a girl from her class.

“Baby, I’ve got some business to attend to.”

She fell silent as she always did at the mention of business, something I’d not mentioned in a while.

“Is it Verno?” she whispered, the fear clear in her voice.

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with, my love. Just enjoy your evening with your friend, and if it’s not too late, I will call you when I get home. It will be simpler when we live together,” I smiled then, knowing mentioning our living situation would distract her.

“Cal, I wouldloveto live with you. You said not in New York,” I could almost see her pouting.

“You’ve got what, two years left at school? Then that’s it, we can live anywhere you want. But here, I live in Brooklyn. You know I don’t want you too involved with my work here.”

I was met with stony silence, and I sighed.

“I’ll call you after. I love you.”

I heard her voice soft in my ear whisper, “I don’t care how late it is. Love you more.”

I ended the call and stared up at the sky.

I’m not looking forward to this.

Four hours later, I drove up the long driveway, leading to a mansion set far back, surrounded by trees and water fountains. To the left of the property, five black cars were parked in a neat line, as a gardener tended to the flowers beside them. Security was tight here, and I would place my bets that even the gardener was heavily armed—looks were deceiving. Having left my gun at the front gate with security, I felt exposed, but confident that if needed I could look after myself to an extent.

If they wanted me dead, I would be by now, that much was certain.

I exhaled as I slid out of the truck, reaching into the cab to get my suit jacket from the hanger, knowing appearances mattered with this family. A burly man stood guard at the front door, his eyes boring into me as I walked forward, his hand on his gun.

“Leonardo Cape. Here to see Michael.”

He pressed the button on his earpiece and spoke in fluent Italian, not taking his eyes from me once. I heard the words‘blond punk’and tried to hide the anger from my face. I knew some Italian, and this dude had just insulted both my appearance and intelligence.

He nodded and opened the door for me, the smell of authentic Italian food wafting out, making my empty stomach grumble loudly. You didn’t show up to an Italian dinner without a ferocious appetite, and I’d made sure I was ravenous. I stood in the grand hallway, my stomach churning at the memories this place held.

“Leonardo. Where is yourAmante?”Michael walked down the sweeping staircase; his arms opened wide as he greeted me.

“She sends her apologies. She is a student and had prior commitments,” my mouth ran dry as his eyes narrowed.

It was disrespectful for her to not come, I knew that, but until I had no further choice, she remained inherworld for as long as possible.

“That’s a shame. I wassolooking forward to meeting her.”

I followed him into the dining hall where a large table had four places set for dinner. The room had incredible paintings hanging worth millions. I nodded at them appreciatively and took a seat opposite Michael as he gazed at me with interest.

“So, tell me how you came to be back in New York with no prior authorization.”

Despite the words being spoken softly, I knew the family were not pleased.

I swallowed as the swishing of fabric announced Lucia’s entrance to the room, and I stood at once.