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

Jasmine stayed at the flower shop for another hour, helping her mother arrange bouquets and catching up on small things—how business was doing, how Penelope had stopped by last week, and even how Janine had been thinking about expanding her shop.

But in the back of her mind, Antonio's presence lingered.

She hated how much space he took up in her thoughts, how even when he wasn't around, she couldn't escape the pull of his world.

Eventually, she hugged her mother goodbye, promising to visit more often before heading back to her car.

What she didn't realize was that Dominic had never stopped watching.

A New Player Enters the Game

As Jasmine drove back toward her apartment, Dominic stayed close, ensuring that she arrived safely. But just as he was about to pull away from his surveillance position, something caught his attention.

A sleek black car was parked across the street from Jasmine's building. It wasn't there when she had left.

Dialing a secure number, he waited until Antonio picked up.

"What is it?" Antonio's voice was sharp, controlled.

"There's a car parked near her apartment. Black Mercedes. Tinted windows. No movement so far, but it wasn't there earlier."

Then Antonio's voice dropped lower. "Find out who it belongs to. Now."

Sliding out of his SUV, he made his way across the street, keeping his steps casual but purposeful.

As he approached, the driver's side window rolled down just slightly.

A man in his mid-forties, dressed in a dark suit, with sharp eyes that screamed experience.

The man smirked. "You must be one of Romano's."

The man chuckled. "Just an old acquaintance, checking in on an interesting development."

Dominic's jaw clenched. "If you're smart, you'll drive away and forget you saw her."

The man didn't seem fazed. He tapped a single finger on the steering wheel. "I could. Or…" He leaned slightly forward. "You could tell your boss that not everyone believes he's untouchable. Some of us are simply waiting for the right opportunity."

Dominic's hand twitched near his concealed weapon.

The man smiled knowingly, as if daring him. "Relax. I'm not here to start a war. Not yet."

Without another word, he rolled up the window and drove off, disappearing into the night.

Dominic immediately called Antonio back.

Jasmine's Restless Night

Unaware of the growing storm around her, Jasmine lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

She couldn't place it, but a strange sense of unease crawled up her spine.

Sighing, she turned over, forcing herself to close her eyes.

But peace had never been an option, had it?

And soon, she would learn just how deep she was in.

chapter thirty-seven