Sam's body slumped down, his weight crushing me underneath. Seconds later the door shot open, Christiano stood in the glaring light. "little help" I said, trying to lift Sam. Christiano ran over, quickly moving Sam out of the way. "is he dead? like properly this time?" Christiano checked his pulse, before nodding. Angelo wasn't far behind, he quickly took Sam, "I'll dispose of him... he won't be back" Christiano looked at me, before his eyes fell to the blood seeping through my shirt. His hands instinctively pressed over the wound, trying to stem the bleeding. "I'm okay" I smiled, "look at me" He reluctantly looked up, his eyes softening instantly. "I'm Good. all the movement just aggravated it... but I'm okay" "your such a baddass" he chuckled "you killed him...""well one of us had to finish the job" I joked "it's done...I saw Carly... its not what it seems... we need to find her...""Joey took her back to the club.""and Gabrielle? Sasha?" I asked.He shrugged "long gone. t
"I don't want to go back to reality" I looked up at Christiano, my head resting against his shoulder. "I can get the pilot to turn the plane around if you want to go back..." his eyes were fixed to his phone as he scrolled through his Facebook page. "no, no, we need to go back. Besides we need to plan the wedding" I looked down at my hands, my right hand messed with the ring around my finger. "sì, I've been thinking, I don't want anything big. My mamma would have wanted the biggest wedding in history, but now she's gone... I just.. I know we said 100 but I'm thinking more 50" "I understand" I felt so bad for him, I had family, yes. But they had never loved me, I'd learnt to be okay with that... but Christiano's mother adored him... now she's gone it must be hard. "Excuse me Mr Acerra" a man approached, he was old, maybe in his 60's. "yes Charlie?" Christiano looked up, a smile on his face. "we're touching down" the old man added, before turning and walking off towards the fron
So your over here to work for Christiano?" I asked, turning to Marco. "sì, there wasn't very much work in Italy, so I came here" he smiled "how do you know him anyway?" "let's say I- I used to work for him..." I looked away awkwardly "ahhh I get it" he smirked, placing his hands in his pockets. "wait, what are you thinking?" I stopped suddenly. "I'm a grown man, I know what women do here" he stopped, turning to me. "I suppose, but it... it wasn't anything dodgy... it never went that far-" "unless you wanted it too..." he turned, walking away slowly "hey I dont blame you, have you seen my cousin?" he laughed "are you coming?". I quickly ran after him, until I caught up. We walked down the hall before bumping into Carly. "Marco, nice to meet you" he held out his hand, "Carly" she smiled. Marco held her hand for a long time, his eyes lighting up "wooow hands off Italian Stallion, she's got a half thing going on with Angelo and that wouldn't look very good on your first day" I
"okay Miya... yes... love you too, bye, bye" the phone went dead. (Miya is her sister mentioned at the start of book 1)"what did she say?" Christiano sat up in the bed next to me, his hair messy."she's not coming" I had called to ask her to come to my wedding, but she said she couldn't... she'd finally gone fo rehab and was working all the hours to pay my mother back."I mean, I didn't think she would... but I lived in hope" I threw the phone on the bed, sitting back against the hard wooden headboard. "we don't need them." he sat back too, turning to look at me. "ti amo, and that's all that matters" "I know." I looked away briefly. It hurt, it hurt to have a family which honestly didn't care... but maybe I was being selfish? Christiano had no choice, his family was dead, even if he wanted them to come they couldn't. I needed to suck it up, if not for my own sanity, for him. "We can move it back if you want to" he looked at me sincerely, his hand reaching out and taking mine."no,
It was today, today was the day I got to marry him... it was meant to be perfect... it was perfect... untill that all changed...let me tell you what happened from the beginning.----I sat nervously as I waited for her to arrive. Carly was coming from a late shift, and was running even later!she shot through the door, dress in hand"I'm here!" she putted out of breath."yes! Now I've got a wedding to attend in like 40 minutes and I don't think it will happen if the bride doesn't turn up". She smiled at me, before standing and moving across the room to the dress bag which hung from the door. She unzipped it, eying the dress. Carly turned to me, a wide grin on her face "I seriously thought you were wearing that for a minute" she gestured to my black leggings and band t-shirt. Before I knew it, it was time. We made our way down the stairs, the house silent except the noise from a few men who walked through the front door. I hated dresses, I hung onto the fabric as we walked, the lace c
"where are we going?" I broke the silence that hung in the car as we sped down the road."away" he didn't take his eyes off the road, his tone cold"you can tell me things you know... I don't need protecting from this" I turned to him, watching his jaw tightening as his eyes flicked back and forth between the road and the road behind him in the mirror. His eyes caught mine briefly, he sighed loudly."I'm sorry" he graoned, rubbing his face with his hand. "your right, you deserve to know." he checked in the mirror before pulling over to the side of the road, turning the car off. "if they've found the estate, we can't go back there... ever" he turned in his seat, "I've got an apartment in the middle of the city, we'll stay there until I can relocate the estate." "how did they find it?" I asked, turning to face him too."we must have a mole inside... but hey it doesn't matter" he patted my leg, his hand staying there. He turned the ignition back on, before pulling off quickly down the s
The next day"Good morning" Christiano walked into the kitchen, rubbing at his eyes. "where did you go?" he asked, opening the fridge and taking out a carton of orange juice. "I got hungry" I gestured to the empty bowl which sat in the sink. He poured himself some juice, before downing it in one go. He placed the glass in the sink, before turning back to me, leaning against the counter."what?" I asked, feeling self conscious under his glare. "just thinking, I'm lucky" he went red, probably embarrassed by his soppy declaration. "anyway" he coughed, looking back to me. "I've got some things to sort out, you can do whatever you want...""can I go out?" I knew we'd had that conversation, but now the police were looking for him, it might not be safe."it's up to you, I'll have Marco come over, he can take you wherever" he walked over to me, looming over me."if this is married life with you... freedom... sign me up!" I cheered.He smiled sarcastically "I know your not gonna run away now
The next few weeks went by in a flash. Christiano went out everyday, trying to find out who ratted out the estates. I went out with him a few times, attempting to ease drop at the club. We barely had time to enjoy our honeymoon phase, we were both exhausted from the detective work. I heard him shuffling around in the room, my eyes fluttered open checking the clock. 6am. "don't you think it's a bit early" I mumbled, causing him to jump. "Dio mio!" he exclaimed, clutching at his chest. "it's 6am. I'm pretty sure catching a rat can wait for a couple hours" I sat up, crossing my arms across my chest. "I need to find out who crossed me, I don't like people crossing me" he walked over, sitting down on the bed. "I get that but-" "you've never been in my situation, you don't know" his voice was cold. I was speechless... "I've been crossed before, just because I don't run some gang doesn't mean I don't understand!" I felt rags boiling inside of me, why was he acting like this? "I'm re
Today was it. The day I get to rewrite my own love story. In a strange way I feel lucky, loosing my memories meant I get to relive them all over again... I get to fall in love again.. I get to marry him again. Not alot of people can say they've done that! I studied myself in the mirror, smoothing down the skirt of my dress. Carly messed my hair, placing jewelled clips into the braided parts before placing the veil. She stepped back, a loving look on her face. "omg V... you look amazing..." "You look amazing" I replied, walking over to her side. She was dresses in a lavender dress, her blonde hair held in a high ponytail. "Now" she began, "Are you ready?" She asked, smiling at me expectantly"Yeah... I'm ready" I replied, before heading towards the door. ----"Where are we going?" I asked Carly, worried about how long we'd been in the car. "It's a suprise!" She said excitedly."Carly I don't do well with suprises!" I said, getting nervous. "Don't worry, you'll love it" she said,
That morning I'd woke up alone, Christiano had gone to work and I was in charge of the children. Luca was easy, he just needed a fully tummy and a cosy spot and he'd sit happily, snoozing occasionally... Rosie was the opposite, she was a cheeky soul who was up for challenging me at all times. She wanted to choose what she wore, her ideal outfit was a yellow dress with purple tights and orange boots. Clearly she got her fashion sense from somewhere else. Mid morning, Luca had gone down for a nap, his face content as he dosed in his moses basket. Rosie was playing with some play dough, creating a plate for her lunch."What do you want for lunch mummy?" she asked, rolling green dough to peas. "I'll have a burger please chef!" I laughed, before flicking through the photo album. My wedding... Christiano had told me we'd had to have a rushed wedding, but we looked so in love. The next few pictures were of when Rosie was born, one of me holding her just after, one of her dressed in a fusch
Christiano I pulled up outside the hospital as I always did. In the same space I always parked in. I walked the same way, I saw the same people. But today felt different.I couldn't tell if it was a good or bad different... I just knew it felt new. As I entered his ward, I saw nurses rushing past me, panicked looks on their faces. I didn't think anything of it for a second, I thought it may have been someone else... until I saw them run to Angelo's room. I picked up my pace, quickly approaching the door to where he was. Doctors and nurses crowded around him, too many for me to see what was happening. I pushed the door open, a few nurses heads turning to look at me. Noone said anything for a moment, making my heart sink. A doctor blocked my view, but I could tell something had happened. Something had changed. "Can we get him another 20mg of morphine please" the doctor instructed a nurse, before continuing what he was doing. The nurse returned, injecting the liquid into a tube which
The next few days were strange. Overwhelmingly bizarre. When Christiano finally brought Luca and Rosie home I felt evil for not knowing them... for not loving them. But that quickly changed. Despite loosing my memory, the love you feel for your children is overbearing. It felt right, it felt good. Rosie didn't really understand why I couldn't remember her. She thought I was just being silly, playing games with her. Everytime she would run up to me, asking me weird questions, she'd stop shortly after... questions clearly running through her mind. But then she'd smile, and I knew she couldn't care less that I didn't remember. She was just happy I was there.I couldn't believe she was mine... I mean looking at Christiano you could see why she was so pretty... but she was spunky and vibrant... how Christiano described me to be... And Luca...this tiny being with bright glistening eyes was so pure... he was so tiny still, his airy brown hair beginning to grow on his head. He smiled, his
"What?" He asked, looking at me strangley "I-I don't know you." I muttered"It's me-" He began, his face now full of concern."I said I don't know who you are. Please can you leave..." I said"Vanessa, it's me, Marco." He said astonished "I don't know a Marco" I replied. "You don't remember? Anything?" He asked.I searched my head, looking for an answer. The last thing I remember was leaving home."No" I said, tears filling my eyes "Why are you looking at me- like that?" I asked, my voice breaking "I-i need to go and make a call. You rest." Marco said, before quickly leaving the room. What was happening? I don't understand... he said I knew him? I'd never met a Marco..."It's good to see your awake Mrs Acerra" a young female doctor said, as she entered the room followed by a flock of nurses. "What? My names Vanessa Diamond..." I replied, pulling my blanket closer to meThe doctor looked at the nurses, before whispering to one "page Dr Newbury..."."What's happening? Noone is tell
Christiano "No!" I cried out, as he aimed the gun at her. He froze, his eyes darting to me. "You'll get your turn" He said, smirking wildly."Please..." I mumbled. Dario looked at me with shock, before dropping his arm."What was that?" He mocked"I said... I said please. Please don't kill her. Kill me, sure... but please let her live, our children need their mother... please" I pleaded, not caring about my pride anymore. All I cared about was her, It didn't matter if I died a laughing stock... as long as I knew she was still alive, she was there for our children. "My oh my" Dario said, holding onto his heart for extra affect. "That's sweet. Really, I mean it. It almost makes me want to change my mind... but... alas..." He paused, before turning back to Vanessa. She still lay lifeless, her body in an awkward position. "Please can I atleast see my bambino's first.... can we have time together as a family?" I pleaded, hoping he'd give me enough time to think of a plan. Dario seeme
Vanessa Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Being able to look back on a situation with new knowledge that could have changed it all... It allows you to say what if? What if I'd done that differently? What if if said something else? In retrospect my life could have been so different. If I would have conformed to my mother's wishes who would I be? Would I be 'normal'? Would I be happy? Sad? Alone? I wouldn't be here that's for sure... locked in this bare room waiting for what probably will be the day I finally die. If I hadn't had gone into the club that day... would I still have met him? Was he written in my stars? Or was it just a matter of chance? Of consequence?But looking back I don't regret a thing. Yes I'm locked in a room holding onto my terrified daughter waiting for something... anything to happen. But I'd do it all over again to have the chance to love him... to marry him... to have our two beautiful children. Looking back is great... we can ask what if? But why should w
VanessaI could feel nothing. My whole body was so numb I wasn't even sure where I was.... or what was happening.Nothing made sense. People walked before me, speaking words I couldn't comprehend. I knew it was English... I know I should be able to understand... but my head felt as though it was going through a never ending spin cycle. What had he given me? Why did I feel this way? Where are my children?I watched him pace back and forth, his face amused as I sat in complete silence. He opened his mouth, noise flooding out but I couldn't understand at all. It was as though he'd turned me back into a baby... I couldn't understand, I couldn't talk or really move... He moved towards me, his hand roughly grabbing all clump of my hair, pulling my face up to meet his. He leered down at me, a menacing look in his eyes. He stayed still for a moment, before roughly dropping the hair, my head falling down clumsily. He was laughing at me. Laughing at what he'd done to me. Laughing at my incomp
2 hours earlier"Rosie it's time for bed now" I said again, as I reached the top of the stairs. "Not until daddy comes home!" She squeeled before running back into her room."Daddy isn't coming home tonight, he's got stuff to do... he'll be here when you wake up" I said, wandering into her room. She stood expectantly, her arms crossed, a pout on her face. "You know that only works on daddy" "But..." She said, making her voice shake. "Your just like your dad, you know that.." I laughed, before grabbing her pajamas off the end of the bed. "Now bed time please. Be good or when daddy comes home I'll tell him you've been naughty""I don't care" she said, rolling her eyes. "Then he won't take you on your super special secret birthday suprise..." I said, before heading towards the door."Wait!" She squeeled "If I go to bed, you won't tell daddy?" "Pinky promise" I chuckled "Ugh fine" she sighed, exactly like Angelo would. I passed her the pajamas before pulling the door shut behind me.