The Italian

I know he feels the same as me because he tells me often.

We meet every afternoon and talk for two hours. Then we go home and talk to each other all night long on Snapchat. We never run out of things to say. We discuss our hopes and our dreams and everything in between.

He’s sweet and funny—so different to anyone I’ve ever met. He makes me feel like I’m the only girl in the world, and to him… I am.

From our first kiss, we have been inseparable. Our chance meeting at my brother’s house was meant to be. We were meant to be.

It’s serendipity in its finest form.

I just wish we could be alone, but for now, stolen time in the library is all we have.

He takes my hand under the table. “You look beautiful,” he whispers.

I tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear, and I feel myself blush under his gaze. “You say that every day.”

His eyes twinkle as he watches me. “That’s because it’s true.”

I squeeze his hand and he squeezes it back. It’s like we have a secret language only the two of us can understand. “How was your day?” I whisper.

He looks out over all the people in the library. “It’s better now.”

I smile softly.

His eyes drop to my lips. “I just want to kiss you.”

I squeeze his hand again. Me too.

My heart beats faster in my chest.

Giuliano Linden is everything and more.

Olivia

“Olivia, we are home.”

Enrico’s deep voice wakes me from my slumber. I’m tired. I must have gotten all of two hours sleep last night. He leans into the car and helps me out. The first person I see is Sergio. His hungry eyes drop down my body, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.

Enrico stops still and glares at him.

My heart stops. Fuck, he saw it.

“What was that look?” He frowns.

Sergio swallows the lump in his throat.

Enrico walks up to him and leans in only an inch from his face. “I asked you… what was that fucking look?”

Shit.

Sergio shakes his head. “I-I didn’t… I wasn’t… I mean.”

Enrico reaches up and grabs him around the throat, and he squeezes hard. The men and I all take a collective gasp as our eyes widen.

“If I see you look at Olivia like that again,” he sneers in a whisper. “I’m going to hang you by your feet.” He tightens his grip around his neck. “I’m going to cut your fucking throat and watch you bleed out. Do you understand?”

29

Olivia