Chapter 10. The Man at the Club

Elena POV

From his actions, it’s clear he’s hiding something or avoiding something.

But what exactly is it???

What exactly is Vincenzo hiding??

My chest tightens, but I start to turn towards the door.

But then…

“Baby doll,” he says.

Soft.

Too soft.

But I hear it.

Clear as thunder.

I stop walking.

The nickname wraps around my spine like a jolt. My breath catches.

No one else has ever called me that. Not once in my life.

Only him. Only that guy.

Slowly, I turn back around to face him.

He looks like he wants to swallow the word back. Like he didn’t mean to say it. Like it slipped.

And maybe it did.

But the damage is already done.

I stare at him, eyes wide.

“You just called me…”

He closes his eyes briefly, as if he’s in pain.

“I shouldn’t have…”

“It was you..” I say, stepping toward him. “At the club. You kissed me. You knew it was me the whole