ANASTASIA:As I clung to Lorenzo on his bike, the exhilarating rush of the wind around us filled me with a sense of freedom and excitement. It struck me that riding on a motorcycle was far more thrilling than being confined in a boring car. I've been avoiding my bodyguard for three days now. Lorenzo picks me up from my house. Even though there's nothing to hide about him, hanging out with a bad boy is a different kind of experience.We haven't put a name on our relationship yet, but I feel we both feel something for each other. So, until we figure out what we are, I'll enjoy the thrill. Lorenzo smoothly moves the bike like he owns the road, and with each move, the excitement grows.At that moment, I realized I might have fallen in love with both the bike and... the biker.I realized I was drawn to the forbidden one, just as Lara said. He's like my guilty pleasure, a complicated puzzle I can't resist. Despite his hot-headed, playboy reputation, I see he's got a heart that's been through the wringer, just like mine. It bothers me. That I couldn't do a damn thing yet to help him.Although he didn't apologize for ghosting me last time, he surely made up for it with a tactful kiss that blew my mind. Sometimes I wonder if the Devil is watching us. If so, I fear that he might harm Lorenzo too.I have to be careful.But then my mind flashed back to the night when he was so close to me... when he caressed my head... when he avenged me and...Shut up, Ana. He is a psychopath.I glanced at Lorenzo through the rearview mirror, his face obscured by the helmet, his focus firmly on the road ahead. His captivating, clouded eyes shone in the light, a shade of brown that seemed to shift in the sunlight, like a beautiful secret waiting to be discovered."Don't look at me like that, piccola, unless you want to skip college today," he teased, his voice laced with playfulness, causing me to blush slightly. Nonetheless, I rolled my eyes at him."Don't you feel scared while riding a bike?" I asked to shift the focus away from my embarrassment.He didn't take his eyes off the road as he replied, "No."Curiosity got the better of me, and I pressed further. "What else do you like to do?""Are you asking these questions to get to know me better, Piccola?" he inquired, his lips twitching in a hint of a smile as he caught my intent.I grin. "Maybe."He responded with a thoughtful hum, and silence enveloped us once more until he spoke up again. "I love thunder...""Thunder?" I queried frowning, genuinely intrigued. "Why?""Why not?" he replied with a hint of mystery in his tone."Aren't they scary?""Scary? No," he answered, "They show that even nature needs to scream sometimes."His words may have seemed simple, but they carried a deeper meaning, and I realized I knew very little about this mysterious man beside me. My attraction to him was undeniable, but I had no clue about his feelings for me. While his actions had spoken volumes, I still needed to hear those words."I like this," Lorenzo suddenly declared, breaking the silence."What?" I inquired, my confusion and surprise evident."You, hugging me like this," he admitted, a playful grin on his face. I cleared my throat and tried to pull away slightly, but with each attempt, I ended up hugging him even tighter as the accelerator roared to life.My cheeks turned crimson, and I struggled to find the right words to respond. Lorenzo had a way of making me feel flustered and uncertain with his bold words and actions.When we finally arrived at college, I quickly dismounted from the bike and handed him the helmet. "Thank you.""Wait," he called out just as I turned to leave."What? Did I forget something?" I asked, my eyes scanning the surroundings in a mild panic, searching for any misplaced belongings."Yes, you did," he replied, his expression suddenly serious. His furrowed brows and stoic demeanour left me puzzled as I continued to look around, desperately trying to identify what I might have left behind. I was so engrossed in my search that I didn't realize his playful deception until it was too late.Before I could react, he seized my arms and pulled me closer to him, causing me to gasp in surprise. I found myself pressed against his chest, with only my trembling hands serving as a barrier between our bodies. I looked up, meeting his dark clouded eyes, then flickering down to his luscious lips for a second, before getting back to his eyes again. I gulped. He was looking at me with such intensity that my heart raced as I became acutely aware of how close our lips were to each other.One move and I could taste him again. "You missed my fare, Piccola," Lorenzo murmured looking down at me, his lips dangerously close to mine."Lorenzo..." I began, my voice barely a whisper. My brain clearly stopped working when he was so close to me. His cologne hit my senses, making me weak by the knees while a bunch of butterflies started running in my stomach , when he gently licked his lower lips, making it more tempting for me to control. Jesus, what am I going to do with him? No matter how much I try not to get tempted by him, I lack thereof. But I still try. "We are at the campus.""And?"I stammered awkwardly as I had no fucking answer to his question. "And... people don't know that we are..." My voice trailed off, not being able to complete the sentence. "Maybe they will think otherwise."Without wasting another second, he pulled me closer, bridging the gap as his lips met mine. He took his time, devouring my lips, exploring every inch and every corner. My heart skipped a beat as I began to melt in his touch.His lips moved with mine, kissing slowly and playfully. He gently kissed my bottom lip, biting it before pulling away. I gasped but didn't want to let him go. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to make the kiss more intense. In an instant, he put his arms around my waist and lifted me up with one hand, while the other held his bike. I felt like I was floating in the air, held by him, as he tried to make me lose myself in the moment.He bit, I nibbled, and we kissed. It felt dangerously sexy.For a moment, I thought I might run out of breath, but he stopped at the perfect time. He assisted me in standing back up. Our breaths were still heavy, our hair messy, and our lips slightly swollen. A blush tinted my face when I noticed him smirking at my condition.Finally breaking free from his hug, I playfully tapped his chest. "Enzo!"Looking around, I noticed students staring at us, and I felt a bit embarrassed. I hadn't expected Lorenzo to be so bold as to kiss me right on campus, especially knowing Mia could retaliate. Now that he did, I was determined not to let Mia have any influence over him again."Do you like my name?" he asked, his eyes holding a mischievous glint, while his hands still resting on my waist. I frowned. Confusion swirled within me as he leaned in even closer, skillfully balancing the bike as he continued to speak, his breath warming my lips. "You better scream it enthusiastically too, piccola."Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I reacted by playfully swatting his chest, which only prompted a hearty laugh from him. "You're shameless!" I exclaimed.He raised an eyebrow, looking utterly unapologetic. "Shameless? Why's that? I merely asked you to cheer for me during the game.""What?" My jaw dropped, realizing I'd completely misunderstood his intentions. "I—"He cut me off with a sly smirk. "I wouldn't mind if you wanted to scream it for some other reason."Embarrassment welled up within me, and I turned to walk away, deciding it was best to put some distance between us. If this keeps going on, I hardly believe he will make it up to the game. While walking away I smiled remembering the kiss. Touching my lips I could still feel him.Maybe, not everything in my life is complicated after all. "See you at the game, babe" he called over my shoulder, his voice laced with a playful tone, "Make sure you cheer for me."With a smile on my face, I glanced back at him before continuing on my way. "We'll see about that!"****Lara and I found our seats in the auditorium, eagerly awaiting the start of the game. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as the crowd filled every available space. Players from both teams gathered on the court, and amidst the sea of faces, I spotted Ben and his team. Ben's eyes locked onto mine, and he playfully winked at me. I responded with an awkward smile, my heart beating just a little faster.Mia took her seat as well, but today she was left alone. When our gazes met, she quickly averted her eyes. Tony joined her, and they put on a display of a perfect couple, sharing a kiss. Even so, I could notice a dull look on Mia's face today. As if she hadn't slept in a long time.Oliver entered and took a seat beside them. Seeing them together stirred a mix of emotions within me. It was clear that they were somehow connected to Aurora, Miley and many other's cases, and it infuriated me that they were here enjoying themselves while Miley's absence loomed over us like a shadow. It was also puzzling that Kevin, Shawn and Sam remained missing from the match and after some time, I noticed Hardin had left unexpectedly too.What's going on?His face looked frustrated and in anger."Hey, pretty girl!" Ben rushed over to me, his excitement evident. "I thought you weren't going to make it!"I chuckled nervously and replied, "Yeah, I thought so too, but here I am.""Good to see you made it," he said.I nodded at him. "Good luck for today!" I wished him well with a smile. Even though I doubted Lorenzo would let him win, I was still his friend."Oh, so all the luck for me, and not for the other team?" he teased. A blush crept onto my face as I tried to hide it. Despite being sure that the entire campus knew Lorenzo and I were a couple, I didn't know how to face Mia. Did she know too? I looked up to see her, but she was busy with Tony.Returning my attention to Ben, I just smiled. "I think both teams need it."As we chatted, I noticed Lorenzo entering the auditorium with his team, and the crowd erupted in cheers for them. For him. But they were not wrong. He looked even more striking than usual, with white shorts and a blue jersey that accentuated his well-built physique. Ben also glanced in Lorenzo's direction."I heard some rumours," Ben said, drawing my attention."What rumours?" I blinked at him.His voice tinged with concern. "About you and Lorenzo. Didn't think they were true though."I was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond. Ben seemed to understand my hesitation and nodded sympathetically. "Just make sure you know what you're doing, Ana. He's not all that he appears to be."Before I could inquire further, Ben left to join his team, leaving me with a sense of confusion and a thousand questions. As the referee blew the whistle, signalling the start of the game, my thoughts were momentarily pushed aside, and I turned my attention to the unfolding match.****The basketball court crackled with intensity as the sun cast long shadows across the players. Team Red, under the leadership of Ben, clashed fiercely with Team Blue, captained by Lorenzo. I could practically feel the energy in the air.Lorenzo moved with incredible speed and precision, effortlessly sinking baskets with each powerful strike. His prowess on the court was evident as he seemed to outclass Ben at every turn, consistently stealing the ball and driving his team forward.Amidst the intense game, Lara's phone chimed, and without explanation, she hurriedly left. I didn't have the luxury of worrying about her whereabouts at the moment; my focus was entirely on the riveting match unfolding before me.Team Red had managed to rack up 34 points, but Team Blue was in the lead with 37. The clock was ticking down, and the contest was becoming more captivating by the minute.Ben, determination etched on his face and sweat glistening on his brow, dribbled the ball down the court. Mia, Tony, and their entourage cheered for Ben from the sidelines. Realizing that with Lorenzo on the opposing team, Ben's chances of winning were slim, I decided to join the spirited crowd and shout, just for the consolation. "Come on, Ben! You can do it!"At that moment, both Ben's and Lorenzo's eyes met mine. Lorenzo's gaze held a hint of anger, while Ben responded with a confident smirk. Encouraged by my cheering, Ben seemed to summon a new burst of energy.With a swift, skilful move, he scored two more points, narrowing the gap to just one. The crowd erupted into cheers, rallying behind Ben.Lorenzo, on the other hand, appeared visibly irritated by the sudden turn of events, setting the stage for a thrilling finale to the game.As the seconds on the game clock dwindled, there was only one minute left, and the tension was palpable. It was clear that the outcome of the game hinged on a single shot, and the entire stadium held its collective breath in anticipation.Team Red launched one final offensive. Ben, handling the ball with expertise, manoeuvred past defenders with precision. Just as he believed he had a clear shot at the basket, Lorenzo executed a lightning-fast interception. He sent the ball hurtling toward the hoop from half-court with a powerful flick of his wrist.The basketball seemed to hang in the air, time slowing to a crawl, before finally swishing through the net. The stadium erupted in a cacophony of cheers and applause, celebrating Team Blue's remarkable victory.My eyes widened as I watched Lorenzo's incredible shot. Our gazes locked for a fleeting moment, and the intensity of that look sent a thrilling shiver down my spine. His triumphant smile, seen through that gaze, somehow mirrored my own feelings of admiration and attraction. In that brief connection, I couldn't help but feel a strange connection to him.Just then, Lara returned, looking somewhat dishevelled, as if she had just emerged from a tumultuous encounter. "The game's over?" she inquired, her voice slightly breathless.I raised an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "Surprisingly, yes," I replied. "But... where were you?" Her cheeks flushed slightly, confirming my suspicions. Blinking at her, I try to find out what's going on. "Lara... are you fucking someone?" I asked bluntly.Caught off guard, she flashed an awkward smile, leaving me convinced that my presumption was accurate. "Uhmmm... I- Uh..., Well,""Is it... Mark?" I ventured to ask with a suspicious frown. even though I have a hunch that my suspense would become the truth.And then her awkward smile, only confirms my suspicion.****Lara and I walked out of the stadium once the game was over. Originally, I had wanted to congratulate Lorenzo on his team's victory, but he seemed preoccupied with the attention of other girls, making it quite an unapproachable moment."So, you're really fucking Mark Jonas?" I asked Lara, my surprise evident in my tone."Yeah..." she replied casually. "We've agreed on certain terms, you could say."Lara had already explained the arrangement they had. She was comfortable with it, but I couldn't help but feel a bit concerned. I cared about Lara, and although I knew how deeply she cared for Mark, he was still somewhat of an enigma to me. Both Jonas brothers were mysterious figures on our college campus."Are you sure you want to be involved with him?" I pressed as we strolled toward another wing of the campus.She shrugged, her gaze thoughtful. "I've always fantasized about princes on white horses coming to my rescue. But I waited, and no one came," she confessed, looking at me. "You know what happens to those who learn to survive alone, Ana?" I remained silent, urging her to continue. "They learn to live in the present. No past, no future."I wanted to ask her more but we both were interrupted by a loud thud noise.I turned around, and what I saw horrified me beyond belief. Kelvin, Sam, and Shawn were sprawled on the ground, their lifeless bodies surrounded by a growing pool of blood. Time seemed to slow, and I found myself frozen in place, unable to tear my eyes away from the grim tableau before me. They lay dead, right there in front of me, and a shocked silence fell over the gathering crowd. Murmurs and gasps rippled through the onlookers, but all I could hear was the thunderous pounding of my own heart. My head spun, and my breath grew heavy. I felt like I was on the verge of losing consciousness.In an instant, the scene shifted. It was as if I had been transported back in time. I was surrounded by flames, the crackling fire painting a hellish landscape around me. The air was filled with anguished screams, and the stench of burning wood and flesh was suffocating. Blood was everywhere, a gruesome tapestry of horror.I stood there, frozen in the face of this nightmarish scene, unable to comprehend the devastation unfolding before my eyes. The memories of that traumatic event rushed back with brutal force, threatening to drown me in their intensity.Just as I felt myself slipping into the darkness of my memories, a pair of strong arms caught me, pulling me back into the present, a soft voice whispered reassuringly in my ear, "Shh... I got you, piccola."A/N: Arent these two are cuties....? Lorenzo and Ana are finally together. But what will the Devil do?Also, any idea what might have happened with Kevin, Sam and Shawn? Does that mean, The Devil is near?Thank you for choosing this book. Would you please drop a review on Amazon too?