Authors POV.MATTEO.Since he could remember, his life had been perfect, easygoing, without fuse. Although young and growing, he was effortlessly popular in his little elitist school.Having the knack for calculation, which his father had cultivated, and being the top striker on his school's baseball team, Life was terrific.He was the teacher's favorite, loved by all, particularly the female teachers, who had kept asking about his father until his mother came into the picture again.All of this, he knew, was the advantage of being a president's son, and he reveled in it. Well, until she came along.Her head barely reaching his shoulder, she had coffee-brown eyes that seemed to entrap anyone who stared at her; she smiled a lot, and her voice was so loud it reverberated from wall to wall.It was hard not to notice her, with the braces she was proud of and her sizeable pink bag and her gummy bears, and her stupid fancy names.Aella Maximo had found him staring at her one day and then d

Elena's POV.A smile teased at my lips as I took in the hustling and bustling in La Belle. It had never been like this since I took over; it had never been like since the company's history.All changed after the interview I had with Sofia.The orders had been trooping from both men and women, who wanted to look like I had promised or wanted their partners with a touch of daring.The lingerie where in high demand, especially spicy, and successfully I had put La Belle on the pedestal. I yearned for Mason to be here to see what I put together and how I had breathed life into the company that he had left for dead.But he wasn't.The phone pressed to my ear; I received phone calls from top boutiques in Italy wanting a supply of our creations; I had never felt so incredible, although I was stressed out. The lack of staff had Char and Joey out of their office, screaming into the phone and yelling orders.If this continued, I doubted I'd be needed Nikolai's card; it felt amazing just being in

It was a wonder how he knew this was coming; there had always been this pull; he ran from it and pushed himself to the opposite track only to return to the starting point.But it wasn't too late."Dad, I can't, I can't do what you're asking me to," he responded, knowing he was treading on slippery ground. Of course, they could all be gangsters until it came to their father; he still had the stare to get them on their knees.Wasn't he the godfather?"You didn't just say that did you?" Derinem's voice, although calm, held ice; that was him; he just never lost it. "Nico, hai appena ascoltato tutto quello che ho detto? Estella è morta" _Nico, did you listen to everything I said? Estella is dead_"Dad, I know, I know!" he tried desperately, "I heard you clearly, but I can't, Dad. I made my choice years ago, you agreed to it, you understand where my limit of being a Xavier stopped; I have responsibilities."Derinem let the silence fester for length before he breathed out his baritone-holdin

Work went rough the next day. She couldn't get her mind off the mystery she had seen in Nikolai's gaze, how it had lit up with excitement when she had given him her answers. He seemed ready to show her whatever this was. If only it would calm her down. She couldn't help but wonder what it was. Maybe he was involved in something terrible.Bad, like? It was hard to imagine him committing a crime. She almost chuckled. Weren't they all talking about glassy-eyed Nikolai? Even when she had suspected him some time ago, she had little doubt. And when he finally set her straight, it was a relief she didn't know she needed.Now, wiggling her toes on the floor, she felt slightly excited. If he wanted to show her his little secret of who he was and not what he sold to the public, didn't it mean he now trusted her enough? She smiled to herself. Was it wise to have a little hope? Urgh, let the girl have a little fantasy.So there she was, smiling, when Noah came in being escorted by Joey, who was n

NICO***He had seen her going weak; he had seen her eyes dilating; knowing what was happening, he had caught her before she fell to the floor.She was so limp; mouth parted open, breaths sounding like wisps."Elena," he whispered, his face close to hers.And only a distinctive murmur came from her lips; at least he knew she was still alive, just knocked out of her stand. He was trying his best not to chuckle; she had looked like she could handle whatever was coming, demanding the mystery be brought to light, and now that it was, here she was.Picking her limp body in bridal style, he took her down the stairs, making his way to his room so familiar; every portrait he passed held memories.He heaved a sigh of relief, he hated to admit it, but he was beginning to feel at ease; this was home, a place he hadn't been in for years.Kicking open the room door, he walked up to the large bed and placed her gently against it, her mutters never-ending spilling from her lips.Shock still coars