We did everything.Nicholas took me to some of the Dolomites sights. I wanted to visit lake sorapis, and swim there, but the lake is frozen. I can only walk on it and stare at the water view in amazement. Not only that, the atmosphere of the mountains covered in snow, like a winter landscape in a fairy tale. The view of Lake Braies is also very stunning, even though it's winter like Sorapis, the surface of the lake is not covered by ice, so you can see the ripples of the clear lake water. I don't feel like going away.Nicholas offered to go skiing with him, and I declined. I'm afraid of skiing, I always cringe when I see people do that. Luckily he didn't force me, just shot me a mocking glare before he slid across the ice. I just sat on the snow and watched him slide down with a face of horror. Totally crazy, in my opinion.He returned fifteen minutes later, out of breath and with snow all over his face. I laugh at the snow that shadows his wispy beard, he looks like a hot version of

There are some relatives you don't like—which you might shoot your own way if given the chance. But being forced in… rubs me the wrong way, like a horsewhip. My jaw tightened as poison coursed through my veins.Papa loved to kick me in the ribs when I acted without thinking. My mom usually chose to cry and treat any bruises, ending up not talking to her husband until he and I made up. With my ribs burning and a cigarette in my hand, there's no denying that the apple really didn't fall that far from the tree. And I suspect that those who know Darius de Sanctis—even my own family—would hesitate to regard that as a disadvantage.I am the mold my father and Cosa Nostra made and the world upon it. As bad as a combo of a barrel of gunpowder and a bit of flame. But my father always acted firm and not gentle but lived in love in his own way, while my mother played her role so lovingly. My two siblings and I never lack love because they bestow us with so much.But on the other hand, my father

Someone's eyes stared back at me blankly. Blood pooled on the floor, and I sat down with tears in my eyes.But he blinked.My crying stopped.He gripped my hand firmly.I screamed."Shit, Gretta." That rough yet gentle voice greeted me. "Wake up, wake up."I came to my senses.My breath was coming in gasps, and the pain radiating in my chest spread to my head. I rubbed my face roughly as if it could do anything, but it didn't. Someone helped me sit up, and without turning my head, I immediately hugged him.My ear was on top of his chest, his fast-beating heart sending a rush of calmness into me. He held me, gently stroking my bare back and placing sweet kisses on my head."Who hurt you, Cara Mia?" Nicholas growled low and absolute. Possessive and promising danger for whoever had hurt me. I didn't know what I meant to him, but I knew that he wouldn't miss anyone who hurt his toys. That thought snapped me back to reality.I pushed away from his embrace and took a breath. Once and twice

My head turned to the side, and heat and sting followed my cheeks. The sound of skin-on-skin slaps echoed in the room. "We've let you and your sister live comfortably all this time, can't you return the favor to your parents?" "I never asked for a comfortable life." I replied, looking back at my mother with a flat look. I felt nothing at all. "I never asked to be born." "You.." she raised her index finger before me and lowered it. Sighing before chuckling, "Luckily, I didn't tell your father, or you'd be finished off right now." Finished off. That was a good option, it seemed. But I kept quiet, only seeing her coming out of my room. Apparently, Louis only told his mom, and she said to my mom. I don't know what stopped Mama from telling Papa. Maybe it was her empathy, which was very little, or perhaps she was waiting for something. I sighed, rubbed my cheeks lightly, and picked up my makeup. I was going to Nicholas's apartment. Not to get entangled in his bed but for a small di

I hadn't eaten much; my stomach was already churning. I didn't want to take any chances. I stepped out of the bathroom and was stunned to see my sister's fiancé lying on my bed, messing with my phone. I tilted my head, "Excuse me, you shouldn't be here." "A warning that came too late." "You never listen to me, anyway." Nicholas smiled, stood up, and I walked over to him. "You will not use your phone from tomorrow." I frowned in distaste. "That's ridiculous." "There are a lot of guys' numbers in your chat box." I raised an eyebrow. "I don't even look at them." "But, still." He snorted, pulling at my waist. His face lowered, and whispered in front of me. "I saw Lorenzo's number." I didn't even know that because I very rarely opened my full message box. They came from guys I didn't recognize, and I only texted people who needed to: my cousin, Gal, and some friends. "He must have offered me to come to the golf course in the summer." "That's next year," Nicholas' face hardened,