Novels by Jessica Loremp

CHAPTER 25Antonio sniffed the cocaine powder off his finger as he paced around his study, his mind still reeling from the humiliation he suffered during lunch. The fact that Domenico had embarrassed him in front of Luciana and his fiancée made it even harder to swallow. He slammed his fists on the table, making the objects on it rattle. "He dares mess with me?" Antonio bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls. "No one does this and goes scot-free! No one!"Viktor spoke in a soft voice, trying to calm him. "Boss, please..." he started to say before Antonio cut him off."Don't call me that henceforth," Antonio snapped, waving his hand at Viktor in disapproval. "He's right. It's becoming embarrassing to be called that when he's around."Viktor stood still, a wide smile on his face. "I've called you that since you were sixteen. I won't stop now, sir."Antonio stared at Viktor, then returned to the cocaine powder on the table. "What's the update on the men we sent to Colombia?" he aske

CHAPTER 24Luciana followed Ms. Grace to the dining room, her heart racing with anxiety. The room was filled with the same faces she had seen at the previous dinner, but there was one new person who caught her attention. Seated next to the head of the table was the stranger she met at the garden. He flashed a wide smile at her as she approached her seat.He got up and helped her move her chair backwards. she felt a jolt of electricity at the touch of his hand brushing against hers, as he returned to his seat. Sophia rolled her eyes, her expression disapproving."So, tell me, what is your name?" the man asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.Luciana's gaze shifted to the empty chair beside him, where Donatello usually sat. She felt a pang of relief that he wasn't there, hoping that meant today's lunch wouldn't end in bloodshed."Luciana Russo," she replied softly, her eyes drawn to the man’s exceptional features.He was a little older than Antonio, with threads of silver in his dar

CHAPTER 23TBAntonio paced back and forth in his lavish office located somewhere in the family’s mansion. Sophia, his now accepted fiancée, sat on the couch, watching him with a mixture of concern and curiosity."Antonio, what's going on?" Sophia asked, her voice soft and melodious. “you’ve been moving back and forth for thirty minutes now.”Antonio stopped pacing and turned to face Sophia. He stared at her, his eyes searching for something, anything, that might make him change his mind about his decision to send her to Columbia, but the thirst for revenge in him wouldn’t let him think twice. He didn’t love this woman, and doesn’t care about her in any slightest way. But, Russo is a very dangerous man. If he finds out about his plan, he could kill her, which would mean trouble for him."I need you to do something for me, Sophia," Antonio finally said. “I’d do anything for you.” She replied, smiling. She had sworn to be the perfect wife for him. Now, this was her moment to show him

CHAPTER 22 TB Antonio sat across from Sophia at the dinner table, his eyes fixed on the plate in front of him. His father sat three seats away from him, while Viktor stood behind him. Viktor had been trying to persuade him to accept Sophia as his future wife, but so far, his efforts has been abortive, as Antonio's temper and ego kept getting in the way. "Antonio, try to be civil," Viktor whispered, as he watched the maid pour Sophia a glass of wine. Antonio forced a smile onto his face, as his father cleared his throat and addressed Sophia. "So, Sophia, tell us about yourself." Sophia dropped her cutleries, and smiled at Donatello. "Well, as you probably already know, I'm from a small town in Italy. I lived there for seventeen years before my father became Prime minister, and moved us to the capital city, Rome. I also love reading and horseback riding." "That's nice. You didn’t mention you love talking as well.” Antonio said sarcastically, and took a fork full of his sub

CHAPTER 21 TB After his mother's burial, Antonio became a shadow of himself. He developed the habit of locking himself in his room and surrounding himself with bottles of whiskeys. His father, the Don of the mafia family, had never expressed feeling of affection while his mother was alive. To him, it was always about the mafia business, the power he holds and the money he could control. It was almost as if Antonio was invisible in his sight. He was never around to teach him how to ride a bicycle or kick a ball, neither did they go on a family vacation like normal families do. Well, of course, his family was never normal. As the days turned into weeks, Antonio's behavior became increasingly disturbing. He visited the club frequently, drowning himself in cocaine and whiskey, violating the sacred Omertà code of silence and conduct that governed their mafia family. He also broke the cardinal rule of "Non Molestare" (not bothering or causing trouble) by getting into disputations wit

CHAPTER 20 TB Luciana mechanically steamed the milk, her mind a thousand miles away. Her mother's heart attack had left her shivering on the inside, and she couldn't help but feel unease while at work. She had taken a few hours off work to visit her mother in the hospital, but now she was back at the coffee shop, trying to distract herself from the worry that gnawed at her. As she worked, a customer cleared her throat to get Luciana's attention. Luciana didn't notice at first, as she was lost in her thoughts. The customer cleared her throat again, louder this time. Luciana looked up, startled, to see a girl with bright blue eyes and curly blonde hair standing at the counter. "I'm so sorry," Luciana said, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "Welcome to The Daily Grind. What can I get for you?" The girl smiled kindly. "Is everything okay? You seemed a little...distracted." She said as she ordered a cappuccino, and watched Luciana mechanically make the drink. As she hande