•GIANNI•I sat at my desk, my mind running over what Talon had said to me earlier.On the one side, I knew Kinley would never betray me in such a way. But on the other, my insecurities were getting the best of me.From the moment I had wanted her to be mine I had wondered if it would really work out between us.Could someone as pure and loving as Kinley really be happy with a monster like me?It was like pairing an angel together with a demon. I leaned back in my chair, trying to decipher what I should do.End Talon seemed like the most plausible thing to do.But he had always had my back, and I was big on loyalty. He had been a friend to me when no one else had wanted to.It hurt me to think of killing him.But if he was coming between Kinley and me, I would have no choice but to get him out of the picture.I shook my head, no, what if she really did want to be with him rather than me? It wouldn't be fair of me to selfishly take him away from her and force her to be with me.I chu

•KINLEY• There was an eerie atmosphere to the mansion since Giovanni's death earlier that day.It was as if we were all walking around in a somewhat zombie state. Except for Gianni.He was fuming and focused on finding those responsible for the murder.I knew he was throwing himself into this so that he didn't feel anything, so that he was distracted from the pain he was feeling.It was hard to see Gianni like this. I could see through the act, he was ready to break at any moment.The only plus side I could see was that because he was so busy, I would have a better chance of him not being suspicious when Luca and I left to meet King.I hadn't told King that Luca would be joining us, I had a feeling that if he knew, he may just cancel and I couldn't afford that happening.I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time to leave.I shot Luca a look before heading up to Gianni's study.He was busy writing on papers that were on his desk. An almost empty bottle of alcohol beside h

I stretched out on the bed, feeling for Gianni as I woke up.He wasn't there and I let out a sigh before getting up to take a shower and get ready for the day ahead.I was beginning to feel sluggish from all the stress about everything that was going on, and today I was going to the funeral home with Billie to go over everything for Giovanni's send-off.All things I would have rather put off, but I knew I couldn't.After my shower I went to find Gianni, he wasn't in his study and I noted that it was still left in a mess.I was surprised to find him sitting outside near the pool staring out blankly."Gia?"He immediately reached out for me as I approached him, "I'm sorry about last night."I nodded, "It's okay, you're dealing with a lot right now," I hesitated, unsure of my next words, "What was Billie doing with you?""She came in, probably to check on me after I broke the windows. Nothing happened if that's what you're thinking.""I'm not sure what I'm thinking. Gianni, maybe you sho

•KINLEY•Lola had been walked in much like she owned the place and demanded to see Gianni.Not wanting to have to deal with her again, Billie and I sat in the living room area discussing things for her baby.Luca knew about my pregnancy, but had promised us he would not mention it until we were ready.There was a knock at the front door and we both looked up with a frown, no one ever knocked to come in, one of the guards would tell us someone was around and Gianni would give the go-ahead to see them.They knocked again.Getting to my feet I went over to the door with Billie following behind.As soon as I opened the door, I realized my mistake.Men wearing all black with masks stormed us, knocking me to the floor before shoving Billie down. We each had a man pointing a gun in our faces as a hoard of more men rushed through the house.Panic set in and I screamed before I was hit across the face with the gun.Luca came running, but froze when he saw the situation we were in.Although he

•KINLEY•I was still tied to the window and my body was beginning to ache from being in this position for so long.Not that Talon cared.He sat on the sofa watching television while I stared down at the street below trying to figure out where we were.It was a small side street we were in, but I couldn't see much more than that.I assumed we were facing away from the beach because I could see no hint at the sea in the view ahead."This is ridiculous, Talon. I can't sit like this for much longer, it hurts.""I'll take you to the room later. Once I can trust you, I'll stop tying you up."I leaned my head against the cool glass of the window, closing my eyes and wishing this could all just be a dream.It was going for day two that he had left me tied to this dreadful window and I was already giving up.I opened my eyes and caught sight of something in the street below.Men in black suits.I glanced over to Talon, making sure he was still occupied before turning back to the window with ho