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In a world where blood ties and betrayal go hand in hand, Valentina Rossi and Lorenzo De Luca were born to be enemies. He is the ruthless king of the north, ruling through fear and violence. She is the heir to the Rossi empire, raised to be cunning and untouchable. Their families have been at war for generations, but when a deadly conspiracy threatens them both, they are forced into an uneasy alliance.

Torn between hatred and a dangerous attraction, Valentina and Lorenzo play a game of power, seduction, and survival. Every glance is a challenge, every touch a threat, and every kiss a war. But as they navigate ambushes, betrayals, and an unseen enemy pulling the strings, the lines between enemy and lover begin to blur.

In a world where loyalty is a lie and desire is deadly, can they survive long enough to uncover the truth—or will their sinful alliance be the weapon that destroys them both?

sinful alliances

The day passed in a blur of tension, silent stares, and an awareness Valentina couldn't shake. She had learned to trust her instincts a long time ago, and right now, they screamed one thing—she was being watched.

She stood at the mirror in the dimly lit hallway of her family's estate, adjusting the diamond earring that felt heavier than usual. Her reflection stared back, unreadable. Everything had changed since Lorenzo De Luca returned into her life.

Footsteps echoed behind her. Marco.

"You look tense, sorellina." Her brother leaned against the wall, watching her through half-lidded eyes. "Anything you want to tell me?"

Valentina turned, smoothing out the black silk of her dress. "Should I?"

Marco smirked. "I don't know. Maybe about why Lorenzo De Luca was looking at you like he wanted to strangle you and fuck you at the same time last night?"

Her fingers clenched at her side, but she didn't react. "You're imagining things."

Marco chuckled. "Maybe. Or maybe you're in over your head." He pushed off the wall and walked past her, lowering his voice. "Be careful, Valentina. You might think you can handle Lorenzo, but he's not like the men you play games with."

The warning lingered as he disappeared down the hall.

She exhaled slowly, pushing the encounter from her mind. There were bigger problems to handle—like the fact that someone had been tailing her since this morning.

By the time she left the estate, the sun was setting, casting long shadows over the city. The restaurant where she was meeting Emma, her best friend, was in one of the more exclusive parts of town. But Valentina wasn't focused on dinner—her mind was on the feeling that hadn't left her since last night.

She caught the first glimpse of them when she got into her car. A black SUV, parked a few spaces down.

By the time she arrived at the restaurant, the same SUV slid into a spot across the street.

Valentina didn't show any reaction as she walked into the warm glow of the building, nodding at the hostess before spotting Emma at their usual table near the back.

But just as she pulled out her chair, a familiar voice—low, dark, and laced with amusement—spoke from behind her.

"I was wondering when you'd notice."

She turned slowly, met by his intense stare as he leaned casually against the bar. He wasn't supposed to be here. But here he was, in her space, in her city, watching her like a predator.

Valentina raised a brow. "Are you stalking me now, De Luca?"

Lorenzo smirked, but his eyes remained sharp. "If I was, you wouldn't see me."

Her heart pounded, not from fear, but from something far more dangerous.

Emma cleared her throat, looking between them. "Am I interrupting something?"

Lorenzo didn't break eye contact with Valentina as he said, "Not at all. I was just about to leave."

But as he stepped past her, he leaned in, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.

"Be careful, Valentina. Someone else is watching you, too."

And for the first time in years, Valentina felt truly unsettled.

Chapter 5