mango_latte

When Jasmine’s car collides with Antonio’s, she expects nothing more than an accident report and a headache. But from the moment he lays eyes on her, Antonio is captivated—her beauty, her presence, the quiet fire in her eyes. She’s been hurt before, and love is not something she’s searching for. All she wants is peace, warmth, and a place where she feels safe.

But Antonio is not a man who walks away from what he wants. And from the moment he sees her, he knows—he wants her.

HIS ENDEAVORS

The drive back to Jasmine's apartment was quiet, but Penelope's glances from the driver's seat told her she wouldn't let the silence last forever.

"Okay," Penelope finally said, gripping the steering wheel. "Who was that guy?"

Jasmine sighed, leaning back against the seat. "Just someone connected to Antonio."

Penelope shot her a sharp look. "Antonio? As in the same man you said you weren't getting involved with?"

Jasmine rubbed her temples. "It's not what you think."

Penelope scoffed. "Oh, really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like his world is bleeding into yours."

Jasmine had no argument for that. She knew Penelope was right—Antonio's world was slowly pulling her in, piece by piece. And after what Konrad said, she wasn't sure she could ignore it anymore.

Penelope exhaled. "Look, I love you, Jas. But this… this doesn't feel safe."

Jasmine's fingers tightened in her lap. "I know."

Penelope glanced at her again, her expression softer now. "Then what are you going to do?"

Jasmine stared out the window, the city lights blurring past.

When Jasmine finally got home, she felt exhausted—mentally, emotionally. She locked the door behind her and leaned against it, trying to gather her thoughts.

Everything was happening too fast.

Antonio. Konrad. The man watching her at the club.

Jasmine wasn't naïve. She had a past of her own, one she had worked hard to move on from. But now, for the first time in years, she felt that same lingering feeling she had once lived with—being watched, being hunted.

She shook her head. No. She was just being paranoid.

At least, that's what she told herself.

She pushed off the door, deciding to take a shower and put everything out of her mind. She needed rest.

But as she walked to her bedroom, her phone buzzed.

She hesitated before picking it up.

"You shouldn't have left so soon. We weren't finished watching."

Her hands tightened around the phone as her heart pounded against her ribs.

chapter twenty-five