Page 20 of Her Brutal First Love

And it was enough to help Giancarlo hold back and stay still.

One day at a time.

That was the only kind of hope Giancarlo could give himself.

One day, he would learn to forget her again.

And then he could go back to simply...existing.

"Sir?"

His security chief had entered his office.

"Should we continue surveillance?"

"Yes."

Because it would always be Giancarlo's responsibility to keep Sarica safe...even when she was no longer his.

His security chief left, and he was alone again in his office. He rose to his feet and gazed out of his window. The earthy splendor of Kivr's capital was impossible to deny, but it was the wintry beauty of Boston that his heart bled for. The people ofthis kingdom had been good to him, but it washispeople—-hisfamiglia—-that his soul longed for.

I want to go back, God.

You can.

But how?

How can I go back when I'll never be whole again?

SARICA TILTED HER FACEtoward the sun, letting the warmth sink into her skin. Kivr's capital was a fascinating blend of old and new. Skyscrapers rising behind ancient stone walls. Wide streets shared by both camel caravans and sports cars. And women in either traditional robes or dresses launched in the most recently concluded Fashion Week in Paris.

There was so much to look at and admire, but because she was now an adult in her mid-twenties—-

Grrrr.

Her mind only had space for the Prince of Killers, who had not refrained from biting her head off in the video message he had sent her this morning.

To my most pathetic student to date.

Just recalling her fighting coach's first line had Sarica's teeth gnashing against each other. Since it was Maryse who had referred her to the Prince of Killers, she should have expected Dauphin to be just as "tactful" as the former Angel of Death.

Not.

The video message had lasted for only two minutes, but to Sarica, it had seemed like eternity, with the Prince of Killers spending every second pinpointing her every flaw.

You should head out to the nearest Lost and Found office in your area.

Because your self-worth has gone missing.

My wife is a saint. So of course she would give you permission to book a suite under my name.

She will think you are doing so for your safety, but we both know the truth.

You want to make your man jealous...because you have become a coward.

I expect more from you, Sarica.

I taught you better than this.

---