December P.O.V "You do that," he said, humor in his voice. "In the meantime, care to tell me why you are on my doorstep at midnight?" "Yes. No." I pressed a hand to my forehead when he frowned at me. He was half naked and I was spiraling. "I mean, I have a reason but maybe this is a bad idea. My issues are not your issues, and I should not even be here right now. Um, I should just go. Sorry for bothering you." I turned to do just that, suddenly afraid he would call the police himself. And then where will that leave me? D-E-A-D dead. Or arrested for assaulting him and a slew of other crimes I committed before landing on his doorstep. Some of which, I am ashamed to admit, I committed before I saw his brother off someone. "December, wait." He grabbed my arm before I could slip away. As soon as he touched me. I nearly lost my footing on the slick stoop. He cursed beneath his breath and grabbed me around the waist, pulling toward his body to prevent me from crashing to the cement. I
Nora P.O.V The red silk gilded on my legs as I walked forward with an air of confidence surrounding me . Light shone from above and with my stride each of their attention drifted towards me . Their wandering expressions made me smirk from inside , some had envy in their eyes and most of them were curious . Time to charm some pants off. A seductive smile spread over my lips with the promise of wickedness as I watched the men there fall under my spell even though they had their hand around another female. What a pig! If I ever have to describe men and women then I would say men are like moths , gravitated towards fire even though they know it can burn them and women are like roses , beautiful but have thrones . Hurt her, you will not know what has stuck you. They may be weak from the heart but not from the brain. My smile dropped as soon as I entered the hall . Time for some actions. I took my mask from the table near the door and wore it like the others in the party. The gold
Nora P.O.VI was speaking with some women when the lights dimmed , almost too dark. Murmurs started to rise inside the hall when the sound of the door opening stole everyone's attention followed by heavy footsteps. The presence behind me made the hair on my nape stand up . I turned to see the reason behind my body’s reaction. Standing there at the entrance of the hall was a tall figure, light shining behind him like a halo making his brown luscious hair radiant like brown glass. His face was hidden in the veil of darkness inside the room.Just as he took a step into the room the lights brightened back . He was facing the other side. From the side the three piece suit stretched against his muscular body like a second skin ,the dominating aura he was emitting made everyone's attention gravitated towards him . The black mask was covering half of his face, he stood there like a dark prince observing every movement . His presence was enough to make the weaker cower away. I looked around
Robert P.O.V The ice melted inside the glass as I swirled the glass of my drink slowly while looking out at the busy street of Chicago. “What are you thinking?”. I looked to my left , sitting beside me was my younger brother Riccoda, observing me closely . “Just thinking”. I put the glass down. “About?” My other brother , Dante groaned and said from the other side“The guy is going to be the new capo of the Italian mafia tonight, what else does he need to think about? ”. His head was resting on the back of his seat with his eyes closed. He had been working for three straight nights with very little sleep. His grumpy ass has been giving me a headache since morning. “Not everyone is like you Dan. Grumpy asshole . I just wish Nick was here”. Saying Lily turned to look outside of the window. My grip tightened at the mention of my brother. Nick and I have not seen eye to eye over a decade. He hated this life and wanted nothing to do with it. He cut all his ties from the mafia when h
Nora P.O.V I typed the password that Cyber told me , a beep sound came and the lock moved . I turned the circular grab handle of the volt and started to turn it. The vault door opened with a scratching sound. Inside was lightened up with lights. I stepped inside and there they were , sitting in the centre of the twelve blue stones but there was something else. “You did not tell me there is another safe made of transparent blue glass with a digital glass keypad on it”. “There is another safe ? He never told me there was another safe”. I removed my hand from over the door and walked closer. The door closed behind me . Suddenly a female voice of artificial intelligence rang through the safe . “Welcome Gilberto ”. I looked around. He still has access to this system , I thought. I typed the date when all this started. It declined . Two more tries are left. I entered another number. It again declined . One chance is left. “What could it be?” Cyber’s voice came from the other side. I l
Nora P.O.V“Started the party without me, '' I said after taking the last step to the terrace . He was sitting on the edge of the terrace ,lost in his own thoughts. He turned to face me then again turned back to look at the city that was lightened up in the dark and took a sip from the bottle. I walked closer and sat down beside him, dangling my legs just like him, from the edge of the building. “Do you still miss him?”. I took the bottle and took a big gulp . “Damn it is strong''. I swiped my mouth on the back of my hand while passing the bottle back to him. “ Humm ''. He hummed but his eyes never moved from the view as he took the bottle and gulped down. He was not looking at anything particular and had his head far away in his thoughts. “What was the password ?” . He handed over the bottle to me, for me to take the next sip. “Charlie”. I took my drink looking straight ahead . I could feel his eyes were boring holes at the side of my face. “I have something for you ”. I pull
Nora P.O.VI turned off the ignition and parked my car in the underground garage . The garage was empty , only one or two tube lights were on . I stepped out of my BMW and went straight to the elevator. When the elevator arrived I stepped inside the empty cart and pressed my floor number and waited for it to reach the floor. It was night time so no one was in the corridor . Other than me there are two other families that have apartments on this floor. If it was up to me I would have brought the entire floor. The entire hallway was almost dark and the only light was shining outside my door. As I stood outside my door to pull out my keys ,I looked at the doormat and then pulled out my phone to disable the security alarm of the apartment. Upon unlocking the door I entered the apartment, switched on just the hall light and closed the door behind. I walked deeper in the apartment, into the living room.“ I did not see that my shoelace was open, I think work is catching up to me ”. Crouche
Nora P.O.VThe dim light from a single bulb hanging from the ceiling casts long shadows across the interrogation room. The attacker, bound to a sturdy chair with thick rope, has a faint bruise circling his neck where the telephone cord had cut into his skin.I stood over him, a jug of water in hand, anger and determination etched on your face. With a quick motion, I threw the water into his face. He jerked awake, sputtering and gasping, his eyes wide with shock and disorientation."I see it did not take you much longer" I say coldly, setting the jug aside. "We should go down to business ,shall we? ”The attacker struggled against the ropes, but they held firm. He glared at me, his eyes filled with hatred but I ignored his defiance and stepped closer, my face inches from his."Who sent you?" you demanded, your voice was deadly calm . I leaned against the table before him, arms folded.He clenched his jaw, remaining silent.I took a deep breath, trying to keep your composure. "You and y
December P.O.V "You do that," he said, humor in his voice. "In the meantime, care to tell me why you are on my doorstep at midnight?" "Yes. No." I pressed a hand to my forehead when he frowned at me. He was half naked and I was spiraling. "I mean, I have a reason but maybe this is a bad idea. My issues are not your issues, and I should not even be here right now. Um, I should just go. Sorry for bothering you." I turned to do just that, suddenly afraid he would call the police himself. And then where will that leave me? D-E-A-D dead. Or arrested for assaulting him and a slew of other crimes I committed before landing on his doorstep. Some of which, I am ashamed to admit, I committed before I saw his brother off someone. "December, wait." He grabbed my arm before I could slip away. As soon as he touched me. I nearly lost my footing on the slick stoop. He cursed beneath his breath and grabbed me around the waist, pulling toward his body to prevent me from crashing to the cement. I
December P.O.V “I should not be here," I whispered to myself, fidgeting from foot to foot. I glanced over my shoulder, peering into the shadows. Nothing moved. If anyone followed me, they were keeping themselves hidden. My heart pounded like a drum anyway, sending anxiety churning through me with every heavy beat. The wind rustled through the trees, stirring leaves all up and down the dark block and blowing cold rain into my face. I pulled my coat tightly around me, shivering as my heart jumped up to my throat. And then I huffed at myself for being afraid of the frigid wind blowing in from the lake. I could not help it though. Approximately forty eight hours ago, I saw someone die. No, that is not right. I saw Robert DiFronzo, the biggest mobster in Chicago, kill a man and then drop his body into the river. When I heard the shot, like an idiot, I screamed. He saw me. I know he saw me. I have been running ever since, terrified he was going to come after me,find and end my life th
Callandria P.O.V "Ah," he says quietly, his smirk growing as he pushes the door slowly closed.The quiet click as the latch catched made me flinch. "So you heard what we were saying outside.” "You mean I heard you saying you were going to deal with me?" I demanded, inching closer to the nightstand as if it offers even an ounce of protection. It did not. But I would rather be standing my ground in front of it than beside the luxurious bed. "I swear I would not be easy to deal with, Riccardo DiFronzo." I glared in fury, refusing to show him just how terrified I am. I am a principessa. If he is going to kill me, I will die on my own two feets, screaming defiance. "No?" His smirk turned mocking, his expression hardening. "You are chained to my bed, principessa. Seems easy enough to me." Oh, I hate him. He is exactly like my father. A monster. "Does that make you feel powerful?" I snapped. "Is that what you enjoy? Taking helpless women against their wills?" I run my gaze up and down h
Callandria P.O.V I tossed my phone on my bed, cinching my robe tightly around my waist. It was after three in the morning, but sleep eludes me like usual. This house was too much like a prison. I might be free to come and go as I please, but I was in shackles, nonetheless. They locked into place around my ankles before I was even born. It comes with the territory when you are a Castellano. My grandfather, Tommaso, was one of the most infamous drug lords in Chicago. My father , Mark Castellano was in just as deep as he was. So was my older brother. The fact that I was female did not spare me. If anything, it bounded me even tighter. I may not have taken the vow of Omertà like they did, but I am no freer than my brother, Marcello. I was a principessa. Every moment of my life has been carefully mapped out and planned. I huffed at the reminder, casting a longing glance toward the window.How many times have I wished to climb out of it and disappear into the night? Too many to count. U
Robert P.O.V The crowd at the Chicago Grand Prix continued its rhythmic hum as I moved toward the exit. Castellano was already making his way out, his entourage trailing like obedient shadows. He walked with that same overconfident stride, the same smugness that made my fingers itch to wipe it off his face. He had no idea that this would be the last night he had ever walked so freely. Patricia’s voice echoed in my head as I strode through the crowd, the concern in her tone lingering. She had grown closer to me in a short period of time. I knew everything she did for Lily, though she lied because my sister asked her to,her loyalty still stood with us. She saved Lily's life several times. I just let her go away with lying does not mean I take betrayal kindly. Making her as my bodyguard was a way to keep an eye on her. I did not know what but something felt familiar about her. Patricia did not follow me immediately, but I knew she would. She was not the type to let things go unanswere
Robert P.O.V The crowd at the Chicago Grand Prix buzzed with excitement, their energy matching the roar of engines that reverberated through the night air. The city’s elite had gathered, dressed to impress, sipping on champagne, their conversations blending into the symphony of wealth and ambition. Everyone here was focused on the race, eyes fixed on the track, hearts pounding with the thrill of competition. But mine fixed on someone else. Waiting for someone who has been dancing away from my hold for too long. The race was nothing more than background noise. I was here for only one reason, one that had nothing to do with fast cars or status. Mark Castellano was supposed to be here tonight, and I am waiting for him here like Hades himself waiting for him to take him to my hell. He thought he could double cross me, that he could betray me and my operations and vanish into thin air without any consequences. He was wrong. I stood near the edge of the VIP section, my gaze fixed on the
Nora P.O.V I stepped into the adjacent VIP lounge, my pulse was as steady as possible at that time. I kept my senses on high alert. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the same tension that accompanied every clandestine meeting in this part of the world. The men barely glanced at me as I entered. For them I was just another waitress, a faceless figure delivering drinks and blending into the background. I placed the tray on the table with a grace that a waitress can only emit, keeping my eyes lowered, feigning the air of someone disinterested in anything but her task. That surely became problematic because of the heels .The men were focused on their conversation, and for a brief moment, I was invisible to them which was helpful. “… no loose ends. We need those records gone by the end of the week,” one of the men, a burly figure with a scar running down his cheek, said in a gruff voice.“He has been in jail for too long. If the records are not wiped clean, it would not matter i
Nora P.O.V The underground street race pulsed with energy. The crowd was a writhing mass of adrenaline and excitement, packed shoulder to shoulder in the smoky, dimly lit warehouse. The roar of engines reverberated off the concrete walls, blending with the shouting of spectators, the pounding bass of the music, and the clinking of glasses. I walked a step behind Robert, flanked by Matteo and Lorenzo, two of his trusted men. We moved through the chaos toward the VIP lounge, a secluded balcony overlooking the track, where only the powerful, the dangerous, and the wealthy gathered. Robert’s presence commanded attention, but he carried himself with calm indifference, his face a mask of control. We entered the lounge, and it was a different world altogether. The noise from the race was muffled, replaced by the low hum of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Luxurious leather couches were arranged around the room, the air heavy with the scent of expensive cigars and perfu
Nora P.O.V The training room in the DiFronzo mansion was a blend of luxury in brutality. The walls were lined with weapon racks filled with an arsenal that could arm a small battalion. Swords, knives, firearms, and even archaic weapons gleamed under the dim lighting. The floor was a polished expanse of dark wood, scuffed in places from years of use, and the air carried the scent of sweat, leather, and metal. Most of the DiFronzo's members were already training when I came down here. I adjusted my stance, muscles coiled and ready, as I faced off against Marco, one of the DiFronzo family’s top enforcers. His broad frame loomed in front of me, a mountain of muscle and experience. But I was not intimidated. This was the third opponent I had faced today, and each victory had fueled my confidence. My heartbeat was steady, my breaths controlled. This was where I thrived, in the heat of a fight, where every movement was calculated, every strike a test of precision and power. Marco circled