Chapter 23
Aria’s POV)
I should have known something was off the moment I woke up in this ridiculous mansion.
For one, the bed was too soft–so soft that I’d almost sunk into it like a marshmallow. The air smelled too fresh, the sheets too smooth, the room too large. Everything about this place screamed money, power, and control.
And the worst part?
I wasn’t here by choice.
A sharp knock at my door made me groan, dragging a pillow over my face. Maybe if I ignored it, they’d think I died in my
sleep.
No such luck.
“Miss Aria,” a woman’s voice called–one of the house staff, probably. “Breakfast is ready.”
I peeked out from under the pillow. “Thanks,” I croaked, then waited, listening. Only when I heard retreating footsteps did I roll onto my back and sigh.
This was really happening.
Throwing an arm over my eyes, I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and dialed the only person who would understand my suffering.
Gloria picked up after two rings. “Took you long enough to call,” she teased. “How’s life in your gilded cage?”
I groaned. “I swear, Gloria, these men are trying to mess with me. They forced me to live here.”
“Poor thing.” Her voice was thick with sarcasm. “Trapped in a luxurious mansion with three dangerously hot men. I can’t imagine how you’ll survive.”
I scowled at the ceiling. “That’s not the point! They didn’t even ask me.”
Gloria hummed. “Sounds like they’re used to getting what they want.”
I didn’t like how true that sounded.
“Whatever,” I muttered, throwing the coyers off. “I have to start work today. If I can survive them, I can handle a few
horses.“.
The moment I stepped onto the ranch, I felt it–them.
I wasn’t even facing the stables yet, but I knew they were there, watching me like a bunch of well–dressed vultures waiting for me to trip up.
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Sure enough, Matteo was the first one I spotted, leaning against the fence, arms crossed over his chest. His dark eyes glinted with amusement as he looked me over.
“Look at that,” he drawled. “Our little vet is finally ready to get her hands dirty.”
I clenched my jaw and kept walking, pretending he didn’t exist.
I turned slightly, already irritated. Dante. He stood there, arms crossed, his massive frame making the already large stable entrance look too small.
“You know what you’re doing?” he asked, his deep voice carrying that hint of authority he always had.
I rolled my eyes. “Obviously.”
He didn’t look convinced.
“Be careful,” he said finally, and for some stupid reason, that annoyed me more than anything.
The stallion, Titan, was not in the mood for me.
He shifted restlessly, his ears flicking back as I approached, his dark coat gleaming in the sunlight.
“It’s okay, boy,” I murmured, reaching for his leg. “Just let me check-”
Titan pulled back abruptly, nearly making me lose my balance.
Before I could react, strong hands gripped my waist from behind, steadying me.
My stomach flipped.
“Easy, Stellina,” Enzo’s smooth voice murmured against my ear. “I know you like the rough ones, but he’s not in the
mood.”
Heat crawled up my neck.
I jerked away, trying to act like my pulse hadn’t just gone haywire. “I’m fine, thanks.”
Enzo just smirked, stepping back, his hands tucked into his pockets like he hadn’t just manhandled me.
I turned back to Titan, determined to ignore the warmth still lingering on my skin.
“Need help?”
I glanced over and, to my surprise, saw Matteo next to one of the smaller horses, holding out a brush.
I narrowed my eyes. “Didn’t think you were the helpful type.”
He shrugged. “Not everything is a joke, Piccola.”
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Chapter 23
That threw me.
Matteo was always teasing, always playful. But something about the way he said it made me pause,
Maybe—just maybe–there was more to him than the cocky smirks and smooth words.
By the time lunchtime rolled around, I was exhausted.
I sat in the ranch’s outdoor dining area, finally taking a break. The sun was warm, the air smelled like hay and fresh grass, and for a moment, I could almost forget I was trapped in this ridiculous situation.
Then they showed up.
All three of them.
Matteo smirked as he slid into the seat across from me. “Don’t you guys have work?”
“We’re flexible,” he said smoothly.
I gave him a flat look. “You mean you just do whatever you want.”
Enzo smirked. “You catch on quick, Stellina.”
I considered throwing my fork at him.
I wasn’t an idiot.
I knew this wasn’t just about me being the vet.
So after lunch, I marched straight to their office, ignoring the confused looks from the house staff.
The door was open, so I didn’t bother knocking.
I stormed inside.
All three of them were there–Matteo at his desk, Dante standing by the window, Enzo lounging in a chair.
They all looked up at me.
I crossed my arms. “You did this on purpose.”
Matteo tilted his head. “Did what?”
I scowled. “Forced me to live here.”
Dante leaned back against the desk, arms crossed, muscles flexing. “No one forced you.”
I scoffed. “Oh really? So the driver just magically packed all my things and dropped them off here?”
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Matteo’s smirk widened. “He was just being helpful.”
I glared at him, my skin prickling with heat–because I knew they were enjoying this.
And then Enzo moved.
He stood slowly, exuding that quiet, dominant energy that always made my stomach twist. He walked toward me with lazy confidence, stopping just close enough that I could feel the heat of his body.
I swallowed, forcing myself to hold my ground.
He tilted his head slightly, voice smooth as silk. “Calm down, Stellina.”
I tried to scoff, but the sound got caught in my throat when he reached up and–without any hesitation–tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
His fingers lingered just a little too long.
My breath caught.
“Wouldn’t want you getting all worked up over something that’s already decided,” he murmured.
I took a step back, face warm. “You’re impossible.”
Matteo chuckled. “You’ll survive.”
Dante, still watching me with that unreadable expression, finally spoke. “Dinner. Eight o’clock.”
I lifted my chin. “I have work.”
Enzo smirked. “That wasn’t a request.“
Chapter 23
Matteo’s smirk widened, “He was just being helpful.”
1 glared at him, my skin prickling with heat–because I knew they were enjoying this.
And then Enzo moved.
He stood slowly, exuding that quiet, dominant energy that always made my stomach twist. He walked toward me with lazy confidence, stopping just close enough that I could feel the heat of his body.
I swallowed, forcing myself to hold my ground.
He tilted his head slightly, voice smooth as silk. “Calm down, Stellina.”
I tried to scoff, but the sound got caught in my throat when he reached up and–without any hesitation–tucked a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
His fingers lingered just a little too long.
My breath caught.
“Wouldn’t want you getting all worked up over something that’s already decided,” he murmured.
I took a step back, face warm. “You’re impossible.”
Matteo chuckled. “You’ll survive.”
Dante, still watching me with that unreadable expression, finally spoke. “Dinner. Eight o’clock.”
I lifted my chin. “I have work.”
Enzo smirked. “That wasn’t a request.”
