No Sleep in L.A
The black SUV rolled to a stop in front of a large, gated property tucked deep into the Hollywood Hills. It looked like any other high-end rental in the area—white stucco, tall hedges, sleek security cameras barely noticeable in the corners. The perfect kind of place to disappear for a few days.
Adriano stepped out first, stretching his neck with a soft grunt.
“L.A. air smells like plastic, fake tits and Botox,” Marco said as he climbed out of the backseat, sunglasses already on despite the late hour. “We’re officially not in New York anymore.”
“You’ve been here less than sixty seconds and you're already bitching,” Luca muttered, dragging their bags from the trunk.
“You act like this city’s not a joke,” Marco said. “Where I come from, we leave our doors unlocked because we own the block. Here? You gotta pay twenty grand a month just to share a sidewalk with a TikToker.”
Alessandro walked by and clapped Marco on the shoulder. “Then don’t trip over the ring lights. We’ve got work to do.”
Serena rolled her eyes, tablet in hand. “Security systems should already be live. Facial recognition on the front gate is linked to all our biometrics.”
Enzo gave a low whistle as he looked around. “For a safe house, this is actually kind of… nice.”
“Don’t get comfortable,” Adriano said, his tone clipped. “We’re not here for a vacation.”
“God forbid we enjoy a mattress that isn’t bloodstained,” Marco muttered.
Diamond followed behind them, taking in the property with silent caution. She felt Adriano’s fingers slip into hers and squeeze. She looked up and gave him a soft smile.
Once inside, everyone split off to check the place out.
Serena took over the small study and immediately started setting up her surveillance and data network. Enzo followed her in, offering a bottle of wine and some light flirting which she ignored.
Marco claimed the biggest guest room, plopping onto the bed dramatically. “If anyone tries to put me in a bunk, I’m snapping knees.”
“You’re in your thirties,” Alessandro said dryly as he passed. “Act like it.”
“I’m twenty-nine!” Marco shouted after him.
“Barely,” Luca snorted from the hallway. “You age in dog years.”
Adriano, quiet so far, walked the perimeter of the property with Alessandro, checking camera feeds, blind spots, backup power connections, and locks.
“Security’s solid,” Alessandro said, tapping the wall-mounted control panel. “Serena’s got this place wired up like Langley.”
“Good.” Adriano’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the trees along the back fence. “Because we’re not getting ambushed again. Not here.”
Once they were sure everything was solid, they all gathered briefly in the living room. The crew looked settled, but the air still hummed with tension.
“Serena’s already programmed our new aliases,” Alessandro said, holding up his phone. “You’ll find your details in the shared file she sent. New names. New businesses. New bank accounts.”
“Welcome to fake billionaire status,” Serena said, dry as ever. “Try not to blow your cover bragging about your fictional yachts.”
“Alright,” Adriano cut in, rubbing his temple. “It’s late. We’re wheels up for Black Sky in three days. Tomorrow, we go over auction day roles and movement routes. Clear?”
Everyone nodded.
Soon after, the crew began peeling off to their rooms. One by one, the villa quieted down.
—
The villa was silent, save for the soft buzz of the fridge and the faint hum of electricity through the walls.
Diamond lay with her head on Adriano’s chest, his heartbeat steady beneath her cheek. He was asleep.
She wasn’t.
Her eyes stared up at the ceiling, blank and unfocused. Her mind wasn’t there. It was replaying the plane ride. The weight of Gabriele’s stare.
He kept looking at her every time he thought no one was paying attention.
His gaze wasn't angry. Not judgmental either. Just… intense.
And every time she looked back, he flinched—like he’d been caught doing something dirty.
But he did
He watched her that night get fucked by his own brother. She remembered the look in his eyes as he stood in the doorway—stormy, dark, and barely holding it together.
She didn’t stop him. And she couldn’t forget the way his breathing changed. The way he came just from watching.
Something between them shifted that night. She didn’t know what it was. But she felt it.
And now? He looked at her like he was still caught in that moment.
Diamond was lost in her thoughts until her stomach growled, pulling her back to reality.
“Damn, I'm so hungry.” she muttered.
Careful not to wake Adriano, she slipped out from under his arm, pulled on a hoodie and padded out of the room barefoot.
The house was quiet still. Everyone else was already asleep.
She walked into the kitchen, not bothering to flip the light switch.
The fridge glowed faintly when she opened it. She bent slightly, scanning for what to eat.
Her stomach growled again and she just reached in to take whatever at that point, but then she felt something.
A tap on her shoulder.
Her entire body stiffened. She spun around on instinct and swung her fist.
“Fuck!” a voice hissed in the dark.
Diamond scrambled back, her heart racing. She immediately reached for the light switch and slapped it on.
Her eyes widened.
“Gabriele?”