Chapter 136
POV: Aria
I woke up in a tangle of warmth and steady heartbeats. Enzo’s chest was firm beneath my cheek, rising and falling in slow rhythm. Dante’s arm was heavy over my waist, his body curled protectively behind me. For a while, I stayed still, letting the comfort of them wrap around me like a blanket I never wanted to lose.
The memories of last night danced at the edge of my thoughts–heated touches, soft words, and that moment when I stopped feeling like a thing to be used and started feeling like something cherished. It was overwhelming in a quiet, gentle way.
Matteo’s voice drifted from the other room. “Breakfast is ready.”
Enzo stirred with a groan. “Tell him we’re dead.”
I smiled. I didn’t say it, but I could get used to this.
Eventually, I pulled myself up, wrapped in one of Dante’s oversized shirts, and padded into the kitchen. Matteo stood by the stove, flipping something in a pan, his hair messy, eyes softer than usual.
“Hungry?” he asked.
“Starving,” I admitted.
Breakfast was warm. Simple. But it felt like the best thing I’d ever tasted. We ate with quiet conversation, light teasing. For a while, it felt like we were just… normal. Like we were a strange, broken family trying to piece something whole together.
There was something about seeing them like that–unguarded, normal—that made something tighten in my chest. Dante had smudged flour on my nose just to see me scowl. Matteo kissed it off like it was nothing. And Enzo? He fed me a piece of toast, eyes locked on mine like he was daring me to say no. I didn’t. We hadn’t talked about what happened the night before, not directly. But their touches lingered a little longer, their glances softened around the edges, like we all knew something had changed. When they finally left–each with a kiss, a whisper, or a quiet squeeze of my hand–I stood at the door too long after it closed, hugging myself, wondering why it already felt like I missed them.
But of course, the moment couldn’t last forever.
“We’ve got to head out for a few hours,” Dante said after checking his phone. His jaw was tight. Business mode. “Matteo’s staying close. He’ll drop you a pin when we’re back.”
“I’ll be okay,” I said quickly, not wanting them to worry. “Really.”
Enzo’s eyes searched mine, just for a second, then he kissed my forehead. “Lock the doors. Don’t open for anyone.”
I nodded.
And then they were gone.
The penthouse was quiet after they left. Tog quiet.
I wandered around for a while, tracing my fingers along polished counters, tall windows, framed photos that gave nothing away. I ended up in the guest lounge, sketchbook in hand, curled up on a soft armchair. I let my pencil move freely, lines and shadows forming before I even knew what I was drawing.
Time slipped by. The sun dipped lower.
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Chapter 136
had spent most of the evening trying to distract myent lighting candles, turning on soft music, even pulling out one of the oversized swesters Enso liked to spe meth 1 paddled around barefoot, letting the warmth of the penthouse wrap around me like a second skin. För a while, it worked. I made tea, cleaned up a lifle, and curled up on the couch with a blanket and one of those romance novels I never admitted to reading. The quiet was comforting, the kind of silence that lets your mind breathe, I traced the rint of my mug, my eyes drifting over the Tamiliar space–the art on the walls, the faint scent of their cologne still hanging in the air. It was the first time I’d been truly alone here… and somehow, for the first hour or so, it felt okay. Safe. Like maybe I belonged here now.
1 walked to the large windows overlooking the city, pulling the curtain aside just enough to peek out. The streets were quiet, painted in the soft orange glow of the streetlamps. But down below, across the road, a figure stood too still–almost like a shadow carved into the sidewalk. My fingers gripped the curtain tighter. He wasn’t moving, just staring up. I couldn’t tell if he was looking at me, but something in my chest said Yes. I stopped back quickly, heart thudding. I told myself it could be anyone–a neighbor, a late–night walker. But deep down, I knew better. A cold wave moved through me as 1 let the curtain fall back into place. I reached for my phone, checking it even though I hadn’t heard a sound. No new messages. No missed calls. I was alone… but it didn’t feel that way anymore.
That’s when I heard it.
A soft click.
I looked up, heart skipping.
Nothing.
Probably just the vents, I told myself. Old buildings do that. Even pretty ones.
But the hairs on the back of my neck didn’t agree.
I shook off the feeling and walked to the kitchen. I needed water. Something to calm the sudden tightness in my chest.
When I reached the fridge, I stopped cold.
The door was open.
Not wide, just a crack. But I knew–knew–I’d shut it after breakfast.
I swallowed hard, closing it slowly. Every muscle in my body was tense.
I turned, scanning the room.
Silence.
No, not silence.
A creak.
Somewhere down the hall.
My phone. I’d left it in the bedroom. I moved quickly, bare feet silent on the floor, but just as I reached the doorway-
The lights flickered.
Once. Twice. Then went out.
My breath caught.
Darkness pressed in.
I stumbled back, my hand scrambling for something to grab. My fingers closed around a heavy candleholder from the side table. My heartbeat.
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Chapter 136
thundered in my cars.
Then I heard it.
Footsteps.
Not mine. Not above. Not below.
Behind me.
I turned sharply, candleholder raised, but the darkness swallowed everything.
A figure emerged–tall, hooded. Their face hidden.
“Who are you?” I tried to sound strong.
No answer.
I took a step back. “I’m not alone. They’re coming back any second.”
A soft, cold chuckle.
Then a whisper: “They thought they could keep you safe.”
My blood turned to ice.
I tried to run.
A hand grabbed my arm–rough, tight.
I screamed, kicked, swung the candleholder. I think I hit something–à grunt, then a curse. But then-
Pain.
A sharp, blinding crack behind my head.
My knees gave out. The world tilted.
And everything faded to black.
A/N:
What did you think of this chapter? I’d love to hear your thoughts–drop a comment, hit that heart, and let me know your favorite moment! Do you think Aria’s truly safe with the triplets… or is something darker coming? Stay tuned!
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