Chapter 1
Aurora's POVUncle Lorenzo heaved a sigh as I asked him the question again."What happened to my parents, uncle?"The question had always been in my mind and I'd asked him several times before, but while I headed back home after work that evening, I overheard some men talking about one of the former underboss who worked for the Camorra.On hearing them talk about Edoardo Mancini, I hid behind a block to listen to what they had to say about him. There could only be one Edoardo and that was my late father who died when I was a few months old."Why are you so interested in their death, Honey? You will only reopen old wounds." He argued but I shook my head, determined not to listen to anything he'd say to me.I was old enough to know the truth about my parents death, no matter how it happened and he'd leave me with no choice but to find out about the truth from other people."I'm twenty three, uncle. Don't I have the right to know what happened?" I asked, my voice laced with bitter emotions.He stood up from the couch in the living room and paced around, palming his forehead in frustration. It was hard to talk about death, but I was ready for it."Alright, I'll tell you. But promise me to be calm after I explain everything to you." His said with his eyes pleading that I do according to what he said.My lips twitched but I didn't say anything. If he was that reluctant to tell me about it, then it would be hard for me to make any promise."Just tell me, uncle, then let me be the one to decide."He shook his head and sank onto the couch, snatching the glass of rum on the stool beside him which he took in one gulp."Your father, Edoardo Mancini and Aldo Moretti were long time enemies. But the hatred doubled when Lucia, your mother came into the picture."I swallowed slowly, hoping that the feud wasn't fueled because of a woman.He continued, "Aldo saw her for the first time at a party and liked her, but she couldn't reciprocate the feelings because of his wicked reputation. No one wanted to be with someone like him. Her parents loved her and gave her the liberty to be with whoever she loved which was against our traditions. It still stands till now and women are not allowed to choose their husbands except if they do it secretly or elope. The consequence of such action is death if they are caught."I scowled at his explanation. How on earth could they force us to marry someone we never loved just because we were women?"Whoever made that tradition needs to have his brain checked. We should be given the opportunity to be with who we want irrespective of our gender." I debated angrily."It's unfortunate that your father is dead, but it serves you better because he wouldn't have smiled at the nonsense you just spilled." He scolded me and I looked away.People knew me to be cold and nonchalant so I didn't care about the crazy traditions that were formulated to suit their desires and wants."I'm sorry for saying that." I apologised so he could continue the story. "Can you continue? I promise I won't interrupt you anymore." I pleaded softly.Silence overwhelmed the room as the clock on the wall ticked loudly."One faithful day, a man came to visit our father together with his son. Lucia, who was hot-headed and barely listened to anyone, came to the study where the visitors were and liked your father instantly. He was already a Made man and was working his way to becoming an underboss after his father retired.""Love at first sight, huh?" I asked sarcastically and he shrugged."Yea. It turned out that your grandfather together with your father came to ask for her hand in marriage. And when she was told about the impending union, she agreed to it immediately. They got married and Lucia was ecstatic and happily in love. Only that it was short lived." His face dropped as his countenance changed.I could see the flashes of pain mixed with regret in his eyes."What happened, uncle?" I asked, walking away from the wine counter to the couch where he sat."Aldo visited them one night while they were having dinner with his men. He was the Capo of the Outfit and he could have sent his men to do the job, but he wanted to humiliate the Camorraβ¦" He paused and poured out some rum for himself, raising the bottle and gesturing that I drank with him.I shook my head as I wondered what the humiliation was about. "How did Aldo's presence in the Camorra feel like a humiliation?""Well, every Made man has pride and it becomes higher when you become a Capo or a man of great position in the mob business. We took it as an insult that Aldo could come into our territory without fear and kill an underboss."I still didn't understand what he meant clearly, but I nodded so he could continue the story."I can't tell you what happened there because I wasn't with them when it happened, but then, he sent us a message. After taking pictures of their corpses, he sent it to us with a caption 'it's over now.'"My eyes watered as he said that. As I thought of how I'd have enjoyed the love of my parents, my eyes turned misty.Though my uncle had been my guardian and a great source of help, he still acted like my uncle and not my parents. Since I was born, I'd never had the love of a mother and the adoration of a father."Why didn't he kill me too, huh?" I growled as the a tear dropped to my cheek. I wiped it off immediately as I didn't want to cry over spilt milk."You were lucky, principessa. The guards were asked to search the house and kill any living being they found. The Gardner, Cook and housekeeper were killed when they were found, but the guard who saw you, taped your mouth so that you wouldn't make more noise. If he didn't do that, you would have screamed the house down and maybe alerted Aldo.""Oh god!" I shook, raking my fingers through my hair.That lunatic would have killed me for free if not for the guard. "Did he bring me to you?""Yes. We both know each other so he called me at the expense of his life and handed me over to you.""At the expense of his life?" I squinted my eyes while trying to wrap my head around his revelation.I saw the same flashes of regret as he fixed his gaze on me, I felt that he was angry for revealing the truth to me."He was gruesomely murdered for betraying the Outfit by saving you and even handing you over to the enemy which was me. Aldo was angry that your mother didn't marry him so he would have kept you alive but made sure you suffered till he was ready to kill you." He said and stood up slowly as I shuddered.He was done talking."Honey, I know that you are bitter right now and several things will be running through your mind. But please, don't do anything stupid. You're the only one who reminds me about my sister, your mother. If anything happens to you like it did after your mother's death, I won't forgive myself." He implored and squatted beside me so our eyes would be at the same level.I looked away, uncertain of what my next action would be. I couldn't promise him that I'd be calm because that was the last thing I wanted to be.The next morning, I rushed up to his room with a single decision in my head. I would take revenge for my parents death."What do you mean by having revenge?" He asked, looking bewildered."I can't think of anything else to do, Uncle.""You can't have any revenge and you won't. This isn't the right time.""No! Uncle. There is no way I'm going to let the death of my parents slide. Those people made me orphans and even though they aren't alive to face the consequences as I'd have wanted, their sons will pay for it." I spat, my fingers clenching into fists as my face turned red.My uncle, Lorenzo, had told me the truth about the death of my parents yesterday and I couldn't just stay still. Anger boiled in me as I remembered the story he told me, and I wanted nothing more than to kill them myself.It wasn't possible as Aldo Moretti was dead and so was his wife."No, principessa. You are a woman and you should concern yourself with getting married, raising kids and pleasing your husband. Not going on some revenge mission like your life depends on it." He snapped, getting frustrated at my resolve to get revenge."Unfortunately, my life depends on what I'm about to do. There's no way I can live like a normal human knowing that my innocent parents are still stirring restlessly in their graves. My decision is final and I'm leaving for New York next week." I concluded, with my jaw ticking in absolute resolve.There was nothing he could do to change my mind.Chapter 2Aurora's POV I stared at my uncle's house one more time as I stood at the facade. My eyes darted to the flowers that decorated the porch and the white frangipani trees that were planted in a straight pattern. I could remember feeling whole whenever I inhaled the vanilla scent of its flowers. The beautiful bungalow I had known to be home wouldn't be one anymore. Finally, I'd found a way to convince my uncle on my revenge mission. I had to do it for my sanity to remain intact and also to honor my late parents. They didn't deserve to die as the reason for their death still sounded trivial to me. "Promise me you'll be fine, Principessa." Uncle Lorenzo tugged my arm like a little child and I could see him struggle to keep his emotions in check. We were both strong people that taught ourselves never to show our emotions. I'd have cried if I was any other girl, but I wasn't that type. Crying wasn't just my thing. "I'll be fine, uncle and I promise to text you everyday." I pro
Chapter 3Aurora's POV I looked away and waited for all of them to begin eating before I started. My ears were itching to hear their reviews on the food and only ingrate could say that it wasn't delicious. "This tastes divine. Did the new cook prepare this?" Angelo asked and I risked a glance at him since he was seated beside me. He ate the meal ravenously and that gave my heart tiny sparks. I didn't reply since the question wasn't directed to me. My uncle had taught me that I shouldn't speak unless I was spoken to, not because I was daft, but it would give me an edge over the speaker. "Yes, she prepared it. I think we have gotten the right person to replace Martina." Ginevra declared. "Let me be the judge of that." Matteo objected in a low rumble that showed that he was in a position to give orders. And I observed that he hadn't touched his meal yet. "I'm sorry. I just got carried away by the meal and started blabbing. It won't happen again." She apologised and he nodded. My e
Chapter 4Matteo's POV She seemed to be in a dilemma as I moved closer to her, bridging the distance between us. "Why are you scared now, do you think I'm going to hurt you?" I rumbled. "I'm not scared." She replied firmly, letting me see through her gaze that she didn't give a shit about me. That single action of hers challenged something primal inside of me. "Oh really?" I smirked, lowering my face to hers. "What are you doing?" She asked with a slight shiver and I felt good knowing that I could draw out such a reaction from her. I didn't reply but lowered my head closer so that there was just but a little space left before I kissed her. What was I doing? I jerked away from her and put a huge distance between us while heading back to my seat. I'd just lectured her on the consequences of trying to seduce me, yet I made the first move. "You can leave now, I'm done with you." I dismissed her, trying to get my act together. I was the Capo of the Outfit, I couldn't allow her a
Chapter 5Aurora's POV My eyes popped at the blood that smeared his suit. Not like I expected him to be any different from his parents, but I didn't expect him to come back home with such stain. "Yea, that's blood. Does that look foreign to you?" He snarled and stared at me like I was a child that didn't understand anything. Deep down, I wished that he had some cuts or deep wound. No! I wanted to inflict the pain on him myself, but I had to act like I was concerned and hide the murderous feeling that was stirring inside of me. "Is there anything I can do to help?" I offered. "No," He walked towards the stairs. "Tell Ginevra to come to my room, she knows what to do." I nodded and headed straight for kitchen since I didn't know her room. It was lunch time already and Ginevra was going to stay in the kitchen to supervise whatever I would prepare. She still didn't trust me yet. "Ginevra, Mr Matteo requires your presence in his room." She gave a curt nod and walked away while I wen
Chapter 6Matteo's POV I could tell that I was getting to her though she acted unbothered. I'd been with several women in my life and I knew that they loved the chase. If that's what she wanted, then I'd give it to her and maybe enjoy her for some days or weeks if she was that good then dump her. It would be so good to see her teary eyes when she discovers that she couldn't tie me down. As soon as she left, Angelo walked into my room with a knowing smile on his face. It was past 3pm already and since it was Friday, we decided that it was a good time to enjoy our single lives. "That girl just left your room, Matteo and she looked mortified. What did you say to her?" He asked with a smirk and lowered himself on the bed while I applied lotion to my body. "I didn't do anything to her, we just had a very juicy deal." I licked my lips, imagining that I was in between her thighs. My dick twitched at the imagination of how she would taste. "What juicy deal? Maybe I should remind you of
Chapter 7Aurora's POV I blinked hard at his words. Kissing him wouldn't have been hard if I didn't loathe him. Though my innards tingled at the thought of having his alluring lips on mine, I shoved away the feelings and thought of what to do. "Why do you want me to go with you anyways? A Capo and serious womaniser like you is supposed to have women at his beck and call." I stated and he smirked, pinning his gaze on me which I held on even though I was having a fluttery feeling in my stomach. "Sorry, but I can't disclose my reason to you. You are my worker so you don't get to ask me questions." My lips twitched as he stirred up the flirty part of me. Like I said before, it would be more fun playing with him before paying for the sins of his father. "Well, this isn't between a boss and his employee. This game is between a man and a woman so if you want me to accompany you, give me a good reason." I sat on the bed, raising my brows at him enjoying the charade. My expectations were
Chapter 8Matteo's POV While my body was aroused by the 'Mary' who was giving me a lapdance; I didn't bother knowing her name, I fixed my eyes on Aurora who looked sultry in her red dress. She looked so quiet and out of place but she still composed herself as she fed her eyes. I brought her here to tease her and make her jealous, that was why I asked Angelo to get a girl or stay behind the scene. My dick was ready to have a good time, but my heart yearned to be with her and have some fun. I shoved the yearning away, jerking up like the feelings were abominable. They were, because I didn't want to be controlled by a woman just because of some feelings. "Do you want more of this ass upstairs?" Mary asked in a raspy tone as I glared at her. "You don't ask the questions here, I do that." I thundered as she shivered, but her fear didn't reduce the hunger in her eyes which made me wonder when a whore began to lust after a man. The Outfit had several clubs with women working in them.
Chapter 9Aurora's POV Seeing Matteo protect me last night, with his teeth clenched in anger and his muscles flexing visibly from his black dress shirt, I felt a natural sense of belonging. My mind scowled at the thought that I was enjoying Matteo's attention but my heart clamored for it. I stretched under my covers and sat up, fluttering my eyelids. My gaze darted towards the clock which showed that it was past 8am.I scrambled away from the covers and tossed on my night robe. Breakfast was supposed to be ready before 7am, but thanks to Matteo I was late. For a strange reason, I wasn't scared of what Matteo or his brother would say, rather my heart thudded in anticipation of what Ginevra would do. Her deep glare and scathing look was scary enough to make a sinner repent. I wondered how Ilaria coped with her before I came. Surprised washed over me when I climbed quickly down the stairs, gripping the rail for support as I got to the last row to meet the table set. My legs moved fa
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