Novels by Anais Smith

I snuggle myself into the warmth beneath me, my pillow firm but soft and comfortable. Wait, what? Pillows aren't supposed to be hard. "No they're not Ilaria." A familiar chuckle and laugh says from next to me, making me even more confused. Did I just say that out loud? "Yes you did Ilaria." He laughs once more making me hide my face into the pillow with a groan. Pillow. No wait? I slowly open my eyes, blinking a few times to wake myself up. I notice I'm lying on a chest by turning my head slightly. As I inhale his manly scent, I notice his white buttoned shirt is slightly undone, giving me a view of his sculpted tanned chest and a few tattoos. Looking up slightly, I meet Alessandro's amused grey eyes and a small smile. As he chuckles again, this time louder, I feel my cheeks warm up and move so my face is hidden from his view. "Come on Ilaria, get up. You've been asleep for a few hours now." He said as he starts to nudge me off his chest gently, which just makes me bury myself into

"W-well it s-started a f-few years a-ago." I managed to get out. Alessandro's hands are holding mine as he caresses the soft skin, comforting and grounding me. I take a deep breath before continuing. "I w-was d-driving... I-I was o-on my w-way to m-meet my p-parents and my... b-boyfriend. Now e-ex. W-we were g-going to have a s-small f-family party s-since we h-hadn't seen e-each other i-in forever. M-My ex w-was making his o-own way d-down later in t-the day because h-he had a w-work m-meeting. So I-I left e-early s-so I could spend m-more time w-with my p-parents. Me and m-my ex u-used to live t-together at the t-time, so w-we decided I'd l-leave first then h-him later o-on." I expain waiting a few seconds to catch my breath. "I h-had got t-the w-week off w-work. I u-used to v-volunteer a-at the a-aquarium there... I w-was making m-my way d-down there. I-it was about a t-three h-hour d-drive to my parents f-from where w-we lived. I d-decided to d-drive down s-some shortcuts I k-kn

"You can't catch me!" Matteo yells at me, his little giggles echoing down the corridors as I run after him, shaking my head in amusement. I chase after him, my breath coming out unevenly as I try to figure out where he's gone. I should have asked Alessandro for a map of this place. Walking down the corridor, I try to keep my steps quiet so he doesn't notice if I'm approaching him."Matteo." I sing, when I find that I can't see him anywhere. I notice the curtain moving in front of one of the large windows. I turn the corner and enter what appears to be another sitting room. I quickly open the curtain, expecting to see Matteo, but he isn't there. Looking up, I notice a small window open at the top, causing the curtain to sway slowly. Sighing I turn around to see Matteo standing by the door with a sly grin on his face. "Oh your in for it now." I laugh as I run after him again, his little giggles filling my ears and making my heart skip a beat. How does this little guy run faster than me

"Huh. So you're the babysitter that's changed our Matteo and Alessandro." I turn to my right and see the same amused brown-haired, brown-eyed man staring at me, his large frame sitting on the arm of the chair, his arms crossed. Taking a look behind him, Tio and a few strangers I've never seen before catch my eye. They were all massive, not as built or as tall as Alessandro. Each of them wearing fancy black suits, all of them matching one another. Tio's sitting next to the brown haired stranger on the chair, his leg lounged open. Two strangers standing behind the chair, one with dirty blonde hair, and the other one with black."Yeah no shit Enzo. Who else would that be?" The dirty blonde haired guy said, hitting the back of the brown haired guy who I now know is called Enzo. He winces and rubs the back of my head, making me concerned for him. What is with people in this house hitting one another like its the normal thing to do?"A-are you o-okay?" I ask, wide-eyed, as Enzo looks at me

"Ilaira.... I'll ask again. What are these?"Alessandro inquires sternly and softly at the same time. I can't say anything as my body freezes and tears flow once more from my eyes. Little sniffles escaping from my chest. I feel his hand reach for my arm. I flinch at the memory of him dragging me to the car earlier, but he doesn't. He traces over the pink scars on my arms, the lightest touch I've ever felt on my skin. His breath is coming out in quick, uneven bursts compared to my now slower breathing. I feel his hands move to my other arm rolling up the other sleeve revealing the rest of my scars, his breathing coming to a halt.I close my eyes, not wanting to see his disgusted expression. My scars are unsightly and stand out against my pale skin. I try to hold back my sobs as they try to escape my chest. But one seems to escape, my sniffles intrrupting the silence in the room.This time, I feel his hands come up, unbuttoning the chunky cardigan and lightly removing it from my should

Alessandro. His grey eyes meet mine, and let me tell you he is angry. No furious. His jaw is clenched tightly, as if it could snap at any moment. I'm surprised he hasn't broken through skin with his hands clenched at his sides. he doesn't move just stands there staring at me. It's as if he's staring into my soul. My hands shake at my sides, I don't dare move scared that Alessandro will just snap at any moment."Where. Is. Your. Phone?" Alessandro asks, his words coming out gritted teeth and quickening my heart rate. I take my phone from my back pocket and show it to him, watching his eyes move to it before quickly snatching it, forcing me to bite back my words. I observe him as he scrolls through my phone. I really need to put a password on my phone. He aggressively turns my phone towards me, displaying the messages he sent me."And why prey tell. Did you ignore me?" He asks once more, holding my phone in front of my face. I don't say anything too scared when he's like this. A tense