Page 1 of My Playboy Neighbor

Chapter One

Maya

The show had been flawless—until the moment Dominic Valenti stepped outside.

Maya Sunderly stood across the street from the Palazzo delle Stelline, her telephoto lens trained on the exit where models and industry elite filtered out into the crisp Milan evening.The Armani show had wrapped twenty minutes ago, and she was capturing the usual post-show chaos: air kisses, champagne toasts, and designers basking in the glow of another successful presentation.

Through her viewfinder, she watched Dom emerge from the venue's ornate entrance, still wearing the charcoal suit that had closed the show.Even from this distance, his presence commanded attention—photographers called his name, fans pressed against the barriers, and everyone wanted a piece of the legendary model and playboy.

That's when Paolo Ricci materialized from the crowd.

Maya's finger hesitated on the shutter button as she watched the notorious paparazzi photographer push through the security perimeter, his camera raised and flash blazing directly into Dom's face.Not unusual behavior for Paolo, but something about his posture suggested this was more than just aggressive photo-taking.

"Dominic," Paolo called out."How's your sister doing?Is she clean or has she moved on to harder stuff?"

Maya's breath caught.She'd seen the photos.Sophia Valenti, twenty-four and struggling with addiction, captured at her most vulnerable moment leaving a private treatment center.The images had been splashed across every gossip site for weeks, turning her recovery into public entertainment.

Dom's entire body went rigid.Through her lens, Maya watched his expression shift from professional courtesy to something far more dangerous.

"What did you say?"Dom's voice was deadly quiet, but it carried.

Paolo grinned, sensing blood in the water."Come on, Dom.The people want to know.Is little Sophia looking for her next—"

She watched him grab the photographer's camera mid-shot, ripping it from the man's hands with casual, terrifying strength."You want pictures?"Dom's voice cut through the music like a blade."Here's your fucking picture."

The camera hit the ground with a crack that echoed through the suddenly silent venue.Maya's shutter clicked instinctively as Dom crushed the expensive equipment beneath his Italian leather shoe, grinding circuits and glass into designer dust.

"That's a fifty-thousand-euro camera!"Paolo scrambled backward.

"Send me the bill."Dom's smile was deadly calm.Maya's pulse hammered as she captured the moment.

"You piece of shit," Paolo snarled, pulling out his phone."I'll sue you for everything—"

One moment Paolo was on his feet, the next he had Paolo pressed against a parked car, his forearm across the smaller man's throat.

"You know what you did," Dom said quietly, his voice carrying despite the low tone."We both know why you're really here."

Maya's shutter clicked instinctively as Dom's face transformed into something primal.Security guards were shouting, trying to reach them through the crowd."We both know why you're really here."

Paolo clawed at Dom's arm."I don't know what—"

"You sent her the open bottle of whiskey."Dom's words were controlled despite the violence radiating from his body."You stalked her for three weeks, hoping she’s break down and have a sip."

Maya zoomed in, catching the fear that flashed across Paolo's face

"You can’t prove anything," Paolo wheezed.

"Oh, but I can."Dom's voice never rose, but something in his tone made Maya's skin prickle."You paid orderlies for information about her treatment.I paid them to tell me who wanted to know."

Maya lowered her camera slightly, her professional instincts warring with disgust.No wonder Dom had snapped.

"Here's what's going to happen," Dom continued, still holding Paolo immobilized despite the security guards now surrounding them."You're going to delete every photo of my sister.You're going to stop stalking my family.Because if I see your face near anyone I care about again, I'll finish what I started here."

He released Paolo with a shove that sent the photographer stumbling into the crowd of onlookers.Security guards moved toward Dom, but he held up his hands, showing he wasn't going to cause more trouble.His green eyes swept the crowd—shocked faces, phones raised to record, industry elite buzzing with whispers and speculation.

"Anyone else have questions about my family?"Dom asked pleasantly.

A few intrepid souls raised their hands.

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