CHAPTER 17 RUSSEL I loosened my tie with an irritated tug. The meeting with Ignacio had been necessary but infuriating. The man had insisted I stay at his residence, declining his pretentious hospitality would somehow shatter our barely functioning business arrangement. So I'd spent the night in his guest room, staring at the ceiling, my mind 3,000 miles away. Not with the shipment details. Not with the territory negotiations. With her. With Allesia. "Sir, we'll be landing in about three hours," my pilot announced through the intercom. I nodded absently, though he couldn't see me. I pulled out my tablet, tapping on the security app that connected to my home system. A few more taps and I was scrolling through the footage from yesterday. I found what I was looking for—Allesia in her room. As expected, she was pacing like a caged wildcat. Beautiful even in her frustration. I watched as she flopped dramatically onto the bed, screaming into a pillow. The corner of my mouth twitc
CHAPTER 19 ALLESIA I jolted awake at the feeling of a hand tapping my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open to find Aldo looming over me, his expression impassive as always. "Miss Allesia," he said, his voice startling me fully awake. "Mr. Mancini has returned." I shot upright, suddenly aware that I had fallen asleep on Russel’s imported leather sofa. The television was off, though I distinctly remembered dozing to some mindless reality show. My heart hammered against my ribs as I looked down at myself. My bathrobe was half-open, and an empty bowl of melted ice cream sat on the floor beside me. Did he see me like this? "Oh my God," I whispered, mortification washing over me. "How long has he been back?" "He arrived approximately thirty minutes ago," Aldo replied, his face betraying nothing. "He instructed me to inform you that you have fifteen minutes to prepare yourself. You are to wait for him in the playroom." My throat went dry. "The playroom?" Aldo nodded once. "Fifteen min
Chapter 20 ALLESIA He was punishing me. With his tongue. His lips moved roughly on mine, so rough that I had to fight to even breath, his tongue delved further into my mouth, probing me to open up for him and wanting to taste every part of my mouth. He paused for a brief moment and stared at me and hissed with contempt in his eyes, “You are such a terrible kisser.” Was it possible to blush until there's no color left in your cheek? I was hanging there, half naked in front of him, my hands and legs tied while he had access to every part of my body. And yet he was still trying to unnerve me further by making such sly remarks. At this point, I was already considering telling him to go easy on me because he was my first, but I'd read in some novels that men like him do no like being with inexperienced virgins like me. So part of my reason for not telling him was because I didn't want him to change his mind and throw me out of his house. Worst case scenario, he might even req
Chapter 21 ALLESIA “Please… I want you to… fuck me already.” Where those words came from, I didn't know, but the pleased smile on Russel's face told me just what I needed to know. Apparently, my dirty words had produced the required effect because he left me on the table and stepped back just a bit. "Well, well," he murmured, in a sadistic voice. "Look who's finally becoming obedient." His gaze was still holding mine when he started undoing his trouser. I waited patiently and my heart hammered loudly against my chest as I watched him. When his trouser hit the floor, my eyeballs and my jaw did too. I gripped the table tightly. His erection was very visible through his boxer now and the size of that bulge made me want to run for my life. But I knew I wouldn’t make it past that door. He moved closer, his body towering over mine on the massage table. The dim lights of the room reflected on his tattooed chest, making the name ‘Selina Giuseppe’ seem to ripple with his breat
Chapter 22 RUSSEL ~~~0~~~ I caught her just before she collapsed from the table. Her body went limp against mine, a dead weight that suddenly felt fragile. Her eyes had rolled back before shutting completely, her face was completely drained of color. The realization hit me immediately—she had fainted. "Allesia," I called. "Allesia! Stay with me!" I tried shaking her gently, patting her cheek, but nothing roused her from unconsciousness. Swearing under my breath, I quickly grabbed my shirt and wrapped it around her before placing her temporarily on the bed. I yanked on my pants, my fingers uncharacteristically clumsy as I worked the buttons. By the time I lifted her again, her skin felt cool to the touch, and a strange sensation, something I might call concern if I were capable of such emotion, crawled up my spine. In my line of work, I'd witnessed countless deaths, caused many myself with calculated precision. But something unfamiliar stirred inside me as I carried her from
Chapter 23 RUSSEL “Allesia fainted?” Kegan queried, his tone a brutal lace of surprise. I groaned in pure exasperation and ignored his question, “Why would you lie using my name like that?” I seethed, “And to think you didn't even tell me!” Kegan shook his shoulder, “I merely did what I thought was right. Were you going to let the girl's mother die there when you knew fully well that she took your offer because she needed the money for that purpose?” “Why she took the offer is not my bloody business, and it's not yours either. But taking money from my account and sending it to her family in my name is! You didn't even tell me, I just had to look stupid before her when she brought up the topic.” Kegan rolled his eyes, “What's pissing you off so bad? Looks like you are looking for a way to blow steam because you are making a ruckus out of fucking nothing!” “Nothing?” I scowled in disbelief, “And what if I changed my mind about her? What if I didn't want to fuck her?” “Well y
Chapter 24 ALLESIA I thought I’d died and gone to hell. Until I opened my eyes. For a long minute, I didn’t move. My body felt like lead, weighed down by something more than exhaustion, something bruised and aching. Slowly, the blur around me sharpened. The room was unfamiliar. It was soft and feminine. Too gentle for the night I’d survived. Then it hit me. The portrait from his office. The girl. Her. How the hell did I end up here? Did Russel bring me to her room? How wicked could he be? Before I could even sit up, the door creaked open. But instead of the girl in the picture, a charming smile greeted me. A stunning, female version of Russel. Same sharp jawline. Same intense eyes, but warmer. Softer. She walked in with an effortless kind of grace, her smile kind, though edged with that same dangerous glint Russel had. “Ah, you’re finally awake,” she said, her voice warm but laced with pity. “I… I’m sorry,” I croaked, throat dry. “I don’t know how I got here. I must’ve… sl
Chapter 25 ALLESIA I stood perfectly still in his study, waiting for him. My heart was practically in my throat, thoughts of facing him again so soon made me shift my weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other too many times. He asked me to wait for him here, that he needed to have a word with his mother. So I thanked my stars that he wouldn't have to see me limp all the way to his office since it's the only way I could walk now after, well— I couldn't shake off this fear for him that had me in a chokehold since the first time I met him. I’d never felt so small around anyone else. Never met anyone who could make me so uncomfortable. Last night only added to the thousand and one reasons to fear the man. I had always tried to keep my distance, instinctively sensing the power dynamics at play, but circumstances had conspired to bring us together in a way I could never have anticipated. I’d have to try extra hard to forget last night. The memories, his touch made my feet
Hey Everyone, I can’t thank you enough for all the support and love you’ve shown throughout the writing of this book. Your comments, votes, and encouragement kept me motivated and inspired. I truly appreciate each and every one of you. To my silent readers, I hope this final chapter will inspire you to leave a 5-star rating on the book’s main page. Your feedback helps others discover this story—don’t keep the magic to yourself! Scratch that, all of you wonderful readers, please, please, please vote and comment. 📍 Stay tuned for the next book in this series. I haven’t decided who the focus will be yet, (Rest assured it will be a standalone about a different couple) but I’ll keep you updated. Want the latest updates? Follow me on I.G @authorcommy and turn on notifications. Thank you once again for joining Russel and Allesia on their journey. Love you all. 💜
Hello, wonderful readers!💎I can’t thank you enough for all the support and love you’ve shown throughout the writing of this book. Your comments, votes, and encouragement kept me motivated and inspired. Every bit of feedback, every vote, and every comment has played a crucial role in bringing this story to life, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart.To my silent readers, I hope this final chapter will inspire you to leave a 5-star rating on the book’s main page. Your feedback is invaluable and helps others discover this story—don’t keep the magic to yourself! Each rating and review makes a significant difference and encourages others to embark on this journey with Russel and Allesia. Scratch that, to all of you wonderful readers, please, please, please vote and comment. 📍 Your support doesn’t just help me as a writer, but it also builds a community around these characters and their stories. Engaging with the content through comments and
EPILOGUE RUSSEL ~~~0~~~ I stood perfectly still, my thoughts reeling as I waited in the quiet hall of the warehouse. During my absence, Stacy had refused to speak, see, or let anyone touch her. Even Kegan, who was supposed to order a pregnancy test done for her by now, couldn’t do that because she wouldn’t agree. And he couldn't tell me either because, well, I'd asked him not to mention anything about Stacy to me until I returned from my honeymoon. So whether or not she was pregnant was still a mystery. But it wasn't going to be for long. I had Dr. Ramola brought to the warehouse; she was personally going to run the test on Stacy. So far, Dr. Ramola was getting all the samples she needed for the test. “What’s up?” I asked as soon as she emerged from Stacy's cell. The doctor scanned all of us for a long moment. “I’ve gotten everything I’ll need,” she breathed. “I should be back with the results this evening.” “And the strips?” Kegan asked, coming up behind me. The doctor
Chapter 165 ALLESIA ~~~°°~~~ Three wonderful weeks on this island, as much as we enjoyed the bliss, we couldn't stay forever. Tomorrow morning, we'll have to return to our life in Sicily. Kegan handled things in Russel’s absence up until the second week, allowing us undivided time to enjoy our honeymoon. But by the third week, Russel had to start working from here, still, certain things just can’t be done through a laptop. I’d emailed a few photographers and agencies, even talked to Mario about doing a shoot. Russel insisted I shouldn't have to work, but while the honeymoon glow of a newlywed lasted, I wasn't sure I’d be able to just sit around all day doing nothing. At least now that I was fully a Mancini and ten weeks pregnant, with any luck, my husband's jealousy and over possessiveness might thin down just a bit. Renzo suggested I try to get into school, but honestly, what did I need a degree for? Fuck it, I’d never really had the brains and patience for education. Russel e
Chapter 164 ALLESIA ~~~0~~~ I sat outside by the water, sipping lemonade from a glass. The warm sun cast a golden glow on everything, including my husband. He was swimming, his strong, graceful strokes making him look like he belonged in the ocean. “Enjoying the show?” Russel called out, a wide grin adding to his angelic face. “I was just wondering if you’re not a fish!” I called back. He smirked, “Let’s just say I’m good at everything I do.” I shook my head playfully as the tide swept him away once more. The cool beach air was a welcome relief from the heat. I adjusted my sunglasses and pushed the wide-brimmed hat back a bit so I could get a clearer view. I felt relaxed and at peace, soaking in the beautiful sight of my husband. Since that first night, he had been incredibly considerate, never pushing for more than I was ready to give. We’d spent the past three days of our honeymoon on this island doing all sorts of fun things— playing games, talking, holding hands
Chapter 163ALLESIA~~~0~~~We traveled straight from the ceremony in our wedding clothes in my husband’s private jet. Now, almost afternoon, a day after the wedding, we finally landed at our honeymoon destination, which magically had a built-in tarmac. It was a luxurious beach house nestled on the pristine shores of Bora Bora, French Polynesia. The journey had been long and exhausting, with only Luca and five other men accompanying us for security. Russel chose the place because he wanted to feel a sense of peace and serenity, he had been here himself once two years ago, which was when he secured the property.“An island paradise,” I was still inside the jet when I stared out at the beauty around me. “It looks almost magical!” I turned to Russel, “And it’s too perfect.”Russel led me down from the small stairs of the jet, a satisfied smile on his face. “Unlike other girls, you’ve never talked about wanting to visit a place where the sky meets the sea, so I thought, why not?”I chuc
Chapter 162 RUSSEL ~~~O~~~ I stood at the altar, my heart pounding as I watched Allesia make her way towards me. She was a vision in white, her gown simple yet elegant, flowing gracefully behind her with each step she took. Her pretty face was veiled, but she held a bouquet of flowers which she pressed close to her stomach like it was a shield against eyes following her every step. Her brother walked by her left, while Nikolai walked by the right, holding her right hand protectively. She had insisted that Nikolai be there to walk her down the aisle. I didn't try to stop him. The way she leaned towards him as they walked showed just how safe she felt around him. I felt guilty now that I understood their relationship better, he saw something in Allesia, a sister like Selina and I couldn’t take that away from him too. Even though their relationship didn't work out in a romantic way, he still loved her and she loved him right back– like a sibling, and that was simply beau
Chapter 161 ALLESIA ~~~°°~~~ Jesus, please! The very imagination of those men, taking turns on me made me want to carve my eyes out with my fingernails. And I will, I would rather die than live with this. “You can’t do this!” I declared. “Oh, I can, and I will.“ She gestured towards the men and they started advancing towards me, some rubbing their palms together with disgusting smirks and others simply licking their lips, a silent promise of the hell awaiting me. “I'm going to die,” I muttered silently, “Russel, please, save me. Please!” Again, I tried to pull away, but my back was pressed against the wall, so hard that I could feel the pain from the hard concrete as it grated against my skin. “Please, Elletra!” I sobbed helplessly, “Don’t do this!” She didn't answer, merely kept grinning. “I'm going to die if you let them do this to me, please!” The only emotion on her face was satisfaction. “No one’s coming to save you now, darling. Not even your crazy boyfriend.” "How ca
Chapter 160 ALLESIA ~~~ °° ~~~ I felt so weak and sluggish, like something had been ripped right out of me, a part of me I could never replace. The weight of the previous night hung heavy on my shoulders like a looming cloud as I moved about the room, fitting my stuff into a single suitcase. When Manuel came to assist me with the box, I felt an overwhelming sense of finality as he wheeled it out of the house. Each step I took felt heavier than the last, as if my emotions were physically anchoring me to the ground. This particular house had never felt like home, and yet leaving it bring so much pain. “Are you alright?” Manuel’s voice broke me out of my thoughts, I had paused for the third time in the short trip to the car without even realizing it. I breathed a sigh and nodded slowly. “Nikolai didn’t come?” “Yeah, he said to tell you he doesn’t know if he would be able to see you off without coming with you.” I chuckled in response, but it was a hollow sound, devoid of any re