CHAPTER 1
Vittorio
Rain pelted the concrete in sheets, turning the narrow alleyway into a miniature river. I stood motionless in the shadows, watching her stumble through puddles that reflected the city's neon glow. The tip from Antonio's man had been precise—she'd be here, running, desperate.
Sophie. The woman Antonio had been obsessing over for months.
Her fiery red hair was plastered to her face, her clothes soaked through. Even in this state—frantic, breathless—there was something magnetic about her. She clutched something small in her white-knuckled grip. The flash drive she'd stolen from Antonio's safe.
Interesting. Not many people could breach Antonio's security. Even fewer would dare.
She pressed herself against a brick wall, chest heaving. Water streamed down her face—rain or tears, I couldn't tell. She fumbledwith her phone, fingers trembling as she dialed. The screen illuminated her freckled skin with pale blue light.
"Pick up, pick up," she whispered, voice breaking. "Goddammit, pick up!"
No answer. She tried again, more desperate this time.
I remained perfectly still. Patient. This wasn't my first hunt.
She slammed her fist against the wall, a small sound of pain escaping her lips. "Fuck!" The word echoed off the narrow walls. She slid down slightly, composure cracking. "He lied. All this time…"
So she'd discovered whatever truth Antonio had been hiding. That explained the theft, the escape. Antonio had told everyone she was safe with him, protected. His prized possession.
The thought curled my lip. Antonio always did treat his women like trophies.
Sophie pushed herself upright, squaring her shoulders. She tucked the flash drive into her bra and started moving again, faster now, heading toward the street.
Time to intercept.
I circled around through a connecting alley, signaling my driver with a quick text. As Sophie emerged from the alleyway, my black Bentley glided to the curb, cutting off her escape. Perfect timing.
I stepped out, rain immediately soaking through my custom suit. I didn't flinch. Her eyes widened as she registered my presence—recognition, then fear, then defiance flashing across her face in rapid succession.
"Vittorio." My name left her lips like a curse.
I advanced slowly, deliberately. "Ms. Winters."
She backed away, glancing frantically for an escape route. "If Antonio sent you—"
"Antoniodoesn't know I'm here."
Confusion flickered across her features. She raised her chin, a spark of fire behind those eyes despite her shivering form. "I'm not going back to him."
"I never said you were."
Her eyes narrowed, calculating. Smart girl. She knew enough about me to be wary. As Antonio's Underboss—second-in-command of the Ricci organization and his brother—my reputation preceded me.
"What do you want?" she demanded.
I closed the distance between us in two strides. Before she could react, I'd secured her wrists in handcuffs I'd been concealing.
"What the fuck!" She struggled, surprisingly strong for her size. "Let me go!"
I gripped her upper arm, firm but not bruising. "You're mine now."
The fight in her eyes intensified. She spat at my feet. "I belong to no one."
I almost smiled. Almost. Instead, I opened the car door and guided her inside with firm pressure. She resisted, but physics was on my side. Once she was in, I slid in beside her, nodding to my driver.
