Chapter 33Aurora's POV His lips plunged deeper into mine as I reciprocated, grappling his strong arm which was wrapped around my waist. I knew that I was stupid when I'd said that I wanted more, but it was the freaking truth. He had challenged me and told me that I'd fall, and that was what I was doing presently. "This is really crazy, Aurora." He stated when he placed me on the bed carefully so that he could take of his shorts. "What do you mean?" "Having you in my arms, on the eve of your competition. Do you remember that day that you vowed never to get intimate with me? I guess the reverse is happening now." He taunted, sticking out his tongue as I chewed my lips. With his embarrassing statements, my cheeks had turned red hot but I could tell that he wasn't done yet with his chocolate amber eyes of his that were ogling at me in a lustful manner. "Stop talking, Matteo, or I might be tempted to change my mind." I warned, in a shrill voice, though I'd wanted it to be more ster
Chapter 34Matteo's POV I'd been monitoring the glares that the other contestants fired at her, but the one from the contestant who was next to her was quite alarming and had a lot of threats embedded in it. I was going to keep it in until I had a fake gasp from him, which spread from the other contestants and then Aurora who was carrying a silver bowl of water, fell flat on the floor. "What in the world is going on?" I growled, ignoring the cloud of attention I was receiving from the rest of the audience and the women who were busy checking me out. Aurora got up to her with her cooking attire drenched with water. Her face was smeared with the powder she has applied earlier, which formed a patch on her cheeks and the mascara she had applied ran through her face in a straight line. If it wasn't a serious problem, I'd have teased her, but someone was about to stop her from participating in the competition and I wasn't going to sit down and allow it to happen. I headed towards the
Chapter 35Aurora's POV "The winner is…." The coordinator paused then slanted a look at all of us, holding a smile whereas my innards burned with nervousness and anxiety. "The winner of this year's competition is… Aurora Mancini," He screamed and I fell to the ground, my eyes reeling in shock. My heart couldn't contain what he just announced, then I glanced at Matteo who was smiling with his teeth visible. He looked so excited and was heading my way. It meant that I was the winner. He climbed the staircase of the arena in twos and everyone who stood as an obstacle for him not to pass gave way. "You really did it, Aurora, I'm so proud of you." He said in excitement. I looked into his chocolate amber eyes and realised that it was true. The only man I had fallen for cared about me and was very happy with my success. "Thank you, Matteo. I'm just too overwhelmed, I don't know what to say," I cried, my eyes gushing with tears and my body trembling. I'd never achieved somethi
Chapter 36Matteo's POV She was stunned and I loved every bit of the surprised look on her beautiful face. "But this is too sudden, Matteo. Why do you even want us to be an item? Don't you have other women in your life?" She asked, her eyes turning glassy. "I don't, Aurora. Ever since I met you, I lost interest in other women. It's just been you and I can't say what I feel right now, but I'm very sure that I don't want other men around you." I stated and she burst into laughter. Her voice reverberated in a sweet crescendo into the night. Nothing sounded better than the sound of her voice in my ears. "You're that jealous? I thought you didn't care?" "Now you know that I do, so, Aurora, do me the honor of being my woman. You won't regret it, I promise." She pushed closer to me, her eyes glistening with uncertainty. I knew that she had every reason not to trust me but I was willing to make everything right between us. "I know that you don't break your promise. Let's see wh
Chapter 37Matteo's POV I used his distraction of shooting the wrong person and fired a shot at his kneecap even when his aim grazed my arm. I gave him my deadly smirk which caused him to flinch as no one on the earth would plead with me to make his death quicker. I shot his arm, his gun dropping from his hands as he collapsed to the cold ground while I rushed towards Aurora who winced at my touch. "Relax, it's me. I'll get you to safety." I said in a nearly crying tone. The woman in my arms had taken a bullet for me without thinking. No one had ever done for me, not even my mother who I thought would show me the love and care I needed. Sometimes, I wondered how I was still able to act normal and be tender with my loved ones. "It.. hurts," She stuttered and her lashes closed slowly. I crouched and placed my left ear on her heart chest to check for her heartbeat. The rate had dropped so I carried her in a bridal style after warding off other shooters then used my men as c
Warning: This chapter has triggers and some lines entailing violence. Chapter 38Matteo's POV I stared at the beautiful woman who refused to open her eyes since last night and sadness washed over me. I missed everything about her; her smiles, snide remarks, her meals and how she blushed whenever I said something that made her smile. "Wake up soon, Mamacita. I miss you so much, don't worry I'll make those people pay for hurting you." I said and trailed my fingers along her arm. I felt a slight movement, as if she was reacting to my touch and my eyes darted toward her face as her lips twitched like she wanted to smile. Doctor Luca had said that she would wake up but after her body had gotten enough rest. I had to bank on that and be patient, but my patience had its limits. The door of her ward creaked open with Giselle and Sofia walking into the ward with their faces pale. Giselle looked more affected as she walked ahead of her daughter and rushed towards Aurora. "She shoul
Chapter 39Aurora's POV My lashes fluttered open as my eyes darted around, searching the room like something was missing. Matteo's musky scent was still fresh in the room and I remembered how he whisked me into his car in a state of frenzy. I had to speak to my uncle and tell him how his quest to rebuild the Camorra nearly made me lose my life. Sofia rested her head beside me but there was no trace of Giselle. I tried to raise my head from the pillow to be sure that she was around but it felt heavy, causing me to wonder if I was actually shot on my head and not my stomach. The door from the toilet creaked open and Giselle showed in looking tired with dark patches under her eyes. Her hair was tousled roughly though it looked like she had made some efforts in straightening it. "Gi.. Giselle.." I called and she scurried towards me as her eyes shone with relief. "You're finally awake," She cried happily, "Thank goodness! I have to call Matteo now," She chirped and reached for
Chapter 40Aurora's POV "My aunt?" I was exasperated. None of them replied to my question as they both peered at each other like they hadn't seen each other in months. Well, they actually hadn't seen each other in years and I wasn't sure that my uncle had ever mentioned anything concerning his sister. "Someone should explain to me what is going on!" I snapped, angry that I was bound to the bed by the drip passing through my veins. "I'll explain everything to you, but you need to relax please." Uncle Lorenzo replied to make me calm but I wasn't having it. I didn't even know whether to be sad or happy that Giselle was my aunt. That should be the reason why I felt the strong urge to protect her and Sofia. She was my fvcking relative! "What are you doing here, Giselle? Did you know that she was your niece?" Giselle blanched at his question and pushed forward. My eyes caught the sight of Sofia's bag and I hoped that she wouldn't come and see what was going on. "I didn't know a
Chapter 80Aurora's POV It's my wedding! Excitement surged through me as I cast a glance at my beautiful wedding dress. Matteo repeated it severally that it was a one time event so I had to look the part even though we didn't invite so many people. Aunt Giselle who was my bridesmaid kept walking around to make sure that things were in order. She had been doing that for the past two months but she had never really been satisfied with her efforts. It made me realise that she was a perfectionist to the core and Angelo was in it for a long ride. Sofia did well with my face. I had asked for a simple, but subtle make-up and she did just that. I was looking like a bride already and I couldn't wait to put on my dress. "I'm done." She announced after putting the finishing touches on my lips which looked plump and alluring. I rose up from the vanity stool and walked to the wardrobe where the dress was hung, then took off my white dressing robe which left me on just my panties. My eyes l
Chapter 79Aurora's POV I was staring at the rock that was seated on my engagement finger with Maya at the crook of my arm and a smile crept up to my lips. I didn't really expect Matteo to engage me so fast, but it was still surprising that I'd become a wife soon and not just any wife, the Capo's wife. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" I asked Maya whose eyes shone brightly at me then she flashed a toothless smile like she understood what I asked. The sound of footsteps disrupted my thoughts so I looked up and found Aunt Giselle walking toward me. Today was my first fitting for my wedding dress and Matteo and I wanted it to be perfect. "You know, if you keep staring at that ring like that, I'll have to ask Angelo for mine." She joked, propping her arms against her waist, then she bent over and carried Maya from me. My cheeks felt hot at her words and I didn't need to look at the mirror to know that I was blushing. "I can't help but stare, auntie. Matteo is just a sweet man, isn't he?"
Chapter 78Matteo's POV I heard a roaring blaze, then the fire alarm blaring loudly in my ears. Ginevra had stabbed me in a bad place but I could leave with it. "Let's go, Aurora." I said and she shook her head, horror glaring from her eyes. "I don't think we are going to make it. The house is on fire already and we can't go through the front door." She shrieked in fear while I brought her close to myself. "Don't be scared, baby. We will." I assured her as I steered her through the living room which was messed up with blood and human flesh towards the emergency exit of the house which was connected to the safe room. The window burst open with shards of glasses splattering all over the floor. Then Francesco chose that point to come inside with a man whose face was badly battered, his head bleeding heavily. "You're still alive? I thought you could use the souvenir." He joked, dumping him to the ground. I rolled my eyes. "We need to get out of here, Maya is in danger of being
Chapter 77 Aurora's POVI watched Matteo and Ginevra exchange words while working hard to loosen the tight rope tied on my wrists. It was difficult as Ginevra did well in making sure that the knot proved hard to loose. She was mistaken anyway because I had some knowledge from the street which included picking locks and untying knots. Then I stopped as soon as Ginevra blurted her crazy offer. She wanted to have sex with Matteo right in front of me? Immediately my brain began to create images of the both of them having wild sex in front of me, causing me to cough in anger. She averted her gaze from Matteo and smiled at me, her eyes taunting and mischievous. Who could have known that Ginevra was this evil? I'd always sensed something ominous about her, but I didn't know that she had gone beyond being merely crazy to psychotic. "You don't like the idea, right, honey?" She asked, her set of teeth flashing at me. "You are despicable." I spat and felt the rope come loose. My words cau
Chapter 76 Matteo's POV With my hands folded behind me, I paced to and fro in the control room. "Now we know that Ginevra is alive, but there's another problem." I reckoned. "What could that be?" "We don't know where she might be right now and that is a very big disadvantage to us because she might be going for the people we care about right now." I said, getting paranoid even though I tried to hide it because I was supposed to be the stronger one. Then something occurred to me, "We need to return to the hospital right now and watch over Aurora." Angelo stood up from the chair he'd been sitting on. "We need to catch that woman before she does any more harm to her. If she touches Giselle, I swear that I'll carve her up myself." I nodded and we both walked out of the room hastily. I was a good driver, but when it came to someone who could drive crazily without causing an accident Angelo took the badge. We had to get back to the hospital as soon as possible because I couldn't ge
Chapter 75Aurora's POV My heart yearned to see my daughter who I hadn't been with since the operation because of my health. But now I was ready to meet her and talk to her even if it was for a short while. My eyes glanced at Giselle who sat on a chair a few meters away from me and was scrolling through her phone with sadness on her face like a cloak. She was still on bad terms with Angelo all because of me and I didn't appreciate that. "Giselle?" I called softly, and she whisked her gaze away from her phone. "Yes, do you need anything?" She with a concerned tone. "I need two things from you." Her brows arched in surprise then she nodded for me to go ahead. "You and Angelo need to make up." I requested. She inclined her head while massaging her thighs at the same time, and I imagined how hard it would be for her. "It's so hard, Aurora." She admitted, "I can understand Matteo's harsh treatment towards you but Angelo didn't have any solid motive for trying to kill you." I sighed
Chapter 74Matteo's POV I left Aurora's ward a happy man with deep smiles on my face. The nurses kept glancing at me in surprise as they had never seen me in such a happy mood before. Knowing how tough she could be, I didn't expect her to ask me for that kind of kiss. My life which was shattered felt like it had been arranged by the kiss with a speed of light. But when I saw Angelo standing at the bonnet of my car, my anger returned. I wasn't sure that I could forgive him yet for trying to kill the only woman that gave my life a meaning. "What are you doing here? I thought I said that I didn't want to have anything to do with you." I snarled. The only reason why I didn't kill him was because he was my brother and the only family I used to have, but I had a daughter and Aurora who I'd soon make my wife. "I've apologised a thousand times, brother, what else do you want me to do?" He flung his hands in frustration which touched me as I'd never seen him like that for a long time.
Chapter 73Aurora's POV Shrill voices resounded in my head, making me uncomfortable while I stirred on top of a soft material. As my eyes fluttered open, I realised that it was a bed, a soft one. My eyes scanned the light blue walls that surrounded me, and when I tried to move I felt a restriction. Then I saw the syringe and a tube which was connected to a secondary IV bag. I racked my head to remember what brought me to this place that smelt of antiseptic and air fresheners, then the memories from the park replayed in my mind like a movie. The quick stroll at the park, then the gunshot on my stomach. A gasp escaped my lips as I lowered my eyes to my stomach. I didn't feel anything in it which caused my heart to skip a beat. "My baby! Where's... Where... My baby?" Tears surged out from my eyes as my lips formed uncoordinated words. A familiar scent wafted into my nose with Giselle smiling broadly at me. Her smile put me at ease immediately, but it didn't take away the curiosity
Chapter 72Matteo's POV Aurora's hands felt warm under mine. I massaged her palm and marveled at the softness of it. My eyes darted to her closed eyes and her alluring lips which were pursed because she wasn't awake to engage in a banter with me or go against my rules. I missed her so much, and it was sad that she waited for me to come to her and I never did. For the third time since we had been together, I watched her life flash in my own eyes and blamed everything on myself. "I'm so sorry, mamacita. I should have believed you all the times you defend yourself. Just hang in there for me, please." I whispered the words softly to her ears, my eyes watering as my lips touched her smooth pale skin. She was yet to be operated on since I was yet to make the decision. I had been looking forward to being a father but I guess it wasn't the time yet. My eyes trailed along the pipe that transported blood to her and the needle on her vein, then her protruded stomach. The door to her ward