A knock on the door made me open my eyes. The sound of running shower reached my ears. After our conversation, I had sent Syl to get a shower before bed. Much to his dismay. He was more interested in playing with my hair and running his hands over my legs and ass with me in his arms. But he was too sweaty for me to let him sleep like that. Another knock made me let out a sigh and get up."Oliver?" He flashed me a small smile. Something close to guilt washed over his eyes as he cleared his throat."Uh, Duncan forgot his phone in the gym."Nodding, I took the phone from his hand. "He is in the shower. I will give it to him."Flashes of Arianna and Robert's meeting flickered into my mind. I still haven't talked to Syl about it yet. Did Oliver know anything about that meeting? Maybe it wasn't anything I was thinking it was? Just a professional meeting? "All right." With that he turned to leave, but then he stopped. Letting out a sigh, his brown orbs met my gaze. "Duncan told me what A
A p-person in the leather bag?My blood ran cold in my veins, but my eyes didn't move from the unmoving body. Was he…dead?With my heart pounding, perspiration forming on my forehead, I glanced at Syl. Not even a single emotion could be traced on his features. But the malice in those dark icy blue eyes sent a chill down my spine. He was…dangerous. And I could feel the severity of it in my bones this time. "Take him to your boss. Give him my message, that if he dares to come between me and my prey, he will face the same consequences as this dog of his," Syl hissed, voice laced with darkness. With wide eyes filled with terror, those men rushed into their car and left with the unmoving body on the backseat. I stood frozen in my place. The blood in his hands back in the gym wasn't his. My doubt turned out to be true. It belonged to that man. Suddenly his form tensed, slowly and steadily, his head turned towards me. With my heart in my mouth, I moved away from the window before his
Robert Samuelson?My heart raced in my chest. He went to that extent to take his revenge? He used his friendship with a crime lord to kidnap me. What would he do then? Kill me?My grip on Syl tightened. I had faced many dangerous debt collectors and goons before. But this time, it was too much.His warm hands cupped my cheeks. Intense icy blue eyes held me captive. "Cuore mio, don't worry about him. He knows who is standing in his way before he can harm you. And that piece of shit doesn't have that much guts to face me. That's why he went under his friend's wing. But now even that gang leader can't help him. No one can save him from my hands now. Consider him gone."The venom in his voice soothed the burn in my chest. The determination in his dark eyes comforted me. Now considering what that man could do to me, Syl's torturing him didn't feel as bad as it felt earlier. All of this created havoc in my head. I wanted to hide in his arms and thank him for keeping me safe, but something
While my eyes were wide and cheeks on fire, Maria shared a look with straight faced Nina. While Diana fumed in her place."You've already made your way in his mansion?""Her mansion," replied Syl in a calm tone."Huh?" "Remember I told you? Everything that's mine is hers. This mansion as well. She should be the one to ask you why you are here." Warning laced in his words. I raised a brow. Everything that was his was mine? That was ridiculous.Diana let out a gasp. "Are you insulting me before an outsid…""Diana." The icy glare made her shut her mouth. Placing a hand over his, I squeezed it. Taking a deep breath, he settled his eyes on her again. "What brings you here all of a sudden?"I took the pan of burnt pancake down from the stove. The burnt smell made me cringe. "Damn!" I whispered."Don't worry, baby. Maria will take care of the breakfast," he murmured, kissing my forehead. And Maria was quick to rush beside me. "But I wanted to make you breakfast myself." Another kiss on
He made the painting by that famous artist with millions of dollars so that he could hang it in his bedroom? That meant, he wanted me, was after me for more than three years and I didn't have a single clue about it. I thought he didn't even know me personally before Em's sister's reception. Then what about his ignorance towards me all the time?My heart raced in my chest as everything crashed on me. It all made sense now. His claims, his possessiveness, his losing control whenever he felt I was in danger. He couldn't grow those feelings all of a sudden.He was keeping an eye on me, stalking me. That's how he knew about the mayor. And I thought he dug out Robert's intentions out of our a month's relation…whatever it was. Then something clicked in my head. Those men disappeared all of a sudden, without collecting the money they wanted from me. Could it be his doing also? Seeing his wrath on that man who followed me that night, it wasn't impossible that he made those men disappear. Hi
A fit of cough left me as I changed the sheets full of dust of the four post bed. The old wooden floor beneath my feet creaked as I moved around the dark room. Stale air around the ambience pointed to the years of solitary. After all, not even a soul has visited this house after her death.Once I was done cleaning the room, I checked all the doors and windows if they were locked before slumping on the bed. Then the photo frame on the bedside table caught my eye. Dust covered the wrinkled face of the person in the photo. My dear late grandmother. I could imagine the stink eye she would give me finding me on her doorsteps again if she were alive. Just like she did when I left Theresa's house when I was fourteen and begged her to let me stay until I was old enough to live alone. Because I didn't want to sleep on the street. To save her reputation in the society, she let her long forgotten son's bastard child in. Even if I worked at a local cafe at fifteen and bore my own expenses as
What? Disappeared just like that?"And now he is waiting in the bushes for the right time to attack and take his revenge!" he hissed, running his hand through his dark brown locks. "My men are trying to get him out, but he is too smart for his own good. But don't worry, he won't be roaming free for long."My heart sank in my stomach. He was waiting to attack when we had no idea where he was? That was more dangerous than when we knew his location and movements. Then something crashed on me. What if it was him tonight sneaking inside the house instead of Syl? A chill ran down my spine along with the crackling of lightning in the dark heavy sky. I flinched at the loud thunder that followed. Rain in this early winter?Getting silence from me, his icy blue eyes fell on me. The light of the lightning flashed on his left profile. Concern etched on his tired yet beautiful features. The slight stubble gave him a five o'clock look.All of a sudden, I wanted to reach out and hide in his ches
'I love you…'Gritting my teeth, I turned the temperature of the shower more. The hot water running down my body left burn behind it. My pale skin grew red with the passing minutes I stood under the shower head. But even the heat of the water couldn't erage of the memories of the cold rainy night from my mind. His warmth against me, his strong arms around me, his gentle touches, his scent and his words…'Because I love you…'The words that kept me sleepless last night, left me restless the whole day. Those forbidden words kept echoing in my head, making it hard to breathe, making my heart running for miles every single time. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw those intense icy blue orbs staring at me, waiting for my reaction. The dark intensity in them that held me breathless last night under the rain. I could still hear his deep low husky murmur.'You're my whole fucking world, cuore mio. The reason my heart beats for. The sun of my dark world," he said, clutching me close to his c
I took a deep breath before opening my eyes. Butterflies stormed in my stomach furiously while my heart raced down my chest. The music from the church and the chatters of people flowing to my ears made my palms clammy. "Are you nervous, Cassie?" Em asked. While my other best friend smirked at me. "I thought you were the most excited bride of the century. But it seems like, you're just like an ordinary girl like us too, soft and emotional." "Shut up, Beth!" I shot her a glare. "I'm not nervous!" I denied. Liar! Syl suggested we hold our wedding after the delivery, but I couldn't wait. I already waited for months before finally convincing Syl that I was healthy enough to go through all the arrangements. Growing up, I never believed in love and marriages. But now, after having him in my life, I didn't want anything else more than I wanted to marry that brute of mine. Somehow…it became my dream. To have him as my husband and tie us together for the rest of our lives. But now that t
My intense glare didn't bring any changes to the man's stoic features at all. I tried with my puppy eyes earlier, but I failed. Now my glare was in vain too. The loud music blasted across the nightclub, colorful lights moved around. The beat compelled into moving the body. But there was no smell of sweat, perfume and alcohol like a typical nightclub should.Why? Because there was not a single person in this whole place other than the bartenders, the bodyguards outside and my freaking Italian royal prince, who stood before me! After being away from parties and drinks, being seven months pregnant, I had an intense craving to go and enjoy the night in a nightclub. But this brute wouldn't allow it! I knew alcohol wasn't good for pregnancy, but a few sips wouldn't hurt! My hormones wanted it. I knew how to avoid being careless. And he complied to my eager request, only to vacant an entire nightclub and remove all the alcohol from the place. Only music and juices were available. "How da
His grip on my waist tightened. I felt him taking a deep breath against my neck, his entire form was tense. "Those guards you saw weren't our men, they were his. As we shifted to the villa, De Sylvano Mansion wasn't guarded by many guards. So it was easy for him to take them down and replace his men. And he did all of that the moment you sent me the message." The message? I remembered Vincenzo mentioning it. He had hacked my mobile and somehow stopped my communication with everyone. If not for Ron and the guards following me, they wouldn't have known where I was heading to. A chill ran down my spine thinking what could have happened if Syl hadn't arrived there on time. "That bastard had his men set among the guests in the wedding," Syl continued. "He was planning to attack while distracting us with his fake location. He knew I would send Ron and some of my men there to grab him and it would make it easier for him to attack. But when…" Dark icy blue eyes met mine. "When I left
Blinding flashes sparked from down the stage from the darkness. Cheers and whistles made the night awake while the slow music urged me to move further. The spotlight moved with me as I walked down the ramp with the red princess gown flowing around me, my hair swayed gently with the whoosh of air. I walked with utmost confidence and a bright smile, while my heart palpitated at the dark gaze that devoured me from somewhere in the audience. Goosebumps spread across my skin with a pair of flaming eyes set on me like a predator. And then I found myself falling from the stage and wrapped into a pair of strong arms. Intoxicating masculine crisp cologne surrounded my senses. Dark icy blue eyes stared down at my amber ones with a look that made my heart skip. Suddenly I found myself in a nightclub, pressed against the wall by a furious Italian billionaire. His lips were inches away from me. "A kiss?" I heard myself whispering. The location again changed and I stood in the middle of a hall
Blood ran cold in my veins. With a drop of tear rolling down my cheek, I stood there frozen. My heart slowed down for a moment before it started pounding against my ribcage. My hands shook at my sides realizing who was standing before me. Vincenzo Zolvesky.The man I was running from was waiting in my own house. My legs stumbled back, the cold doors hit my back, leaving me no escape. "You…" Words stuck in my throat. "W-what are you doing here? How dare you come to our house!" The side of his lips tugged upwards into a smirk. "Is that how you greet your guests, Miss. Brooks? Or should I say…Mrs. De Sylvano? That's the title Duncan De Sylvano used in that hospital after all." Something dropped inside me. H-how did he know what happened in the hospital? Did he…have someone to keep an eye on us? They were following us from the hospital? That's how they knew we went to the wedding. It explained why his men roamed among the guests hiding their identities. They were waiting for the ri
Turning around swiftly, we found the two men who passed us earlier standing behind us, along with the tall man in the middle. Their guns were pointed at us. And the eyes of the tall man were set on me. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. My heart stopped. They were here for…me?Vincenzo's men. A panic started to rise inside me. My heart started racing. I thought they were guests…That meant…they were waiting for the right moment to attack, hiding themselves among the guests. How did they know we were going to attend the wedding? "Give her to us and we will let you go. Don't make it hard," said the tall man in a calm tone. "Step away or the consequences will be bloody," Ron hissed, one of his arms shielding me. "Carter! Call for backup!" he shouted to one of the guards. But before Carter could take his phone out, one of the men beside the tall one tackled him on the ground. And instantly, Ron shot him on the shoulder. A muffled scream left me as they advanced Ron. Gunshots star
Now? What happened all of a sudden?Ron suddenly rushed inside the church, nodding at Syl. His stance was tense, the guards behind him stood stiff. My heart started to race. Gripping my hand in his firmly, Syl took me away from the bride and groom. They gave us concerned looks but couldn't ask anything as guests surrounded them to congratulate the newly wedded couple. The stormy rage across Syl's features scared me more. "Syl, what happened? Why are we leaving so soon?" Before I could get an answer, Ron interrupted us. With his face hardened with determination and urgency, he had a grip on his gun. "Boss, my men just confirmed it. Vincenzo is there. They got together in that old motel for some meeting." My eyes widened. Vincenzo? They found his location? Syl's lips curled into a sneer. "It shall be the last meeting of his life. Did you instruct our men to take their positions?" Ron nodded. "Yes. As soon as they confirmed Vincenzo's presence there, they took action. They spr
My heart stopped. I was…pregnant?A slight panic rolled in my stomach. I knew these pills weren't safe enough! My fear turned out to be true!W-what should I do now? I wasn't ready to be a mother. I didn't know if I could take the responsibility. What if I couldn't be a good mother…"Hey! It's fine!" Em grasped my hand. "Don't be nervous. Calm down and think about it. It's not as horrifying as you think it is. Plus, you will have to tell Duncan about it too." I licked my dry lips. "I…I don't know, Em. I…" "It's alright. I know it's overwhelming, but trust me, being a mother is the most beautiful feeling in this world," she said softly. "We're here for you, especially Duncan. You don't need to worry as long as he is with you." She hesitated before continuing. "But if you have other plans, then he will understand, I'm sure." A shaky sigh left me. Syl's words from the morning echoed in my mind. I knew he would be there with me no matter what. But I didn't know what decision I needed
Morning arrived and I couldn't be more anxious and excited at the same time. I had stayed in our room the entire night talking to Beth and Em on video call, planning things for the wedding. Only at two in the morning did they say goodbye and left to rest. And my Italian stayed out of the room the whole night. Though I felt him wandering before the door a few times to check if I was alright until I fell asleep. My cold shoulder was taking a toll on him. A knock on the door resounded softly in the room. "Sandra? Baby? Are you awake? I've brought breakfast for you." I huffed. I wouldn't have opened the door if not for carrying on with our plan. Rising to my feet, as I walked to the door, a sudden dizziness hit me. Clutching the knob of the door, I held myself still and took a deep breath. Once the door opened, tired yet soft icy blue eyes greeted me. And my treacherous heart skipped a beat. "Good morning, mia regina." Placing the tray of breakfast on the small table beside t