Dee's POVHe wasn't just bluffing, it was something he was capable of doing and I could imagine myself being locked in a dungeon worse than where I had kept our father. I imagined Luciano whipping me thrice a day without food, just water. I had witnessed what Luciano did to someone who betrayed him, and since I was his enemy he would do worse. Luciano was without compassion but I preferred to be tortured by him than Massimo because he never played fair. "Just say yes to me and they won't have any idea of what is going on. I have already planned our wedding and I can't wait to be called an 'Alonso'," He said dreamily, clasping his hands and running around like a child. I felt like killing him at that point but I was too weak to do it. "You can go ahead and do your worst but I need you to always remember that we are done and nothing can bring us together again," I said with a tone of finality. His face was sullen, showing that I had defeated him with my words, then he raised his h
Dee's POV I couldn't believe that Amara was still stubborn about returning my feelings. I had pleaded with her severally to love me, even if it was a little. I just wanted to know how love felt, but she didn't listen. All my life, I had only experienced unrequited love even from the people I called my family. Luciano tolerated me and my father didn't even want me around. She sat away from me with a monstrous look in her eyes. She had been that way ever since I brought up the topic. "What's wrong with you being my woman and having my children? Luciano doesn't love you, he is just using you and he will get tired of you soon," We both knew that I was lying. I was desperate and I just wanted her to give me her attention, her love was all I needed to survive in this world. "I'll rather die than be with a selfish bastard like you. I can see why your family never loved you, it's because you think about just yourself and no other person," She blurted. Her words stung me more than the s
Dee's POV I was filled with rage so I dragged Amara to the bathroom and tied her to the iron bars that protected the window. She screamed as I turned on the shower that released droplets of water as cold as ice on her body. "It isn't my intention to hurt you princess, but you give me no choice," I said and unbuckled my belt. Her eyes blazed as she saw what I was about to do but she regained composure and shut her eyes. I let it land on her back and expected a loud scream, instead she dug into her lips and shut her eyes. Her skin, which was smooth and soft, became smeared with blood from the first lash. "You ain't gonna beg me, huh?" I whipped her again, this time with the iron part of the belt and it drew out blood. "If that is what you want, then you will have to whip me till I die because you won't see my tears, neither will you hear me plead." She challenged me with her nose flaring in defiance which brought out the beast in me. "Alright, then. But don't blame me for whatever
Luciano's POV It was decided on. Going to Arianna's house wasn't a thing of choice but a necessary step in finding Amara. Since Dee had her, he wouldn't be comfortable going to anyone for help apart from her. Massimo would have been a better partner but he was a lone wolf and didn't understand what honor and loyalty was all about. "Let's go," I said to Obinna who was trying to come to terms with his given assignment. All I needed him to do was to get into Arianna's database and find out Dee's present location. From what I heard, he was good at it, the only problem with him was that he couldn't keep his mouth shut. I was yet to understand what he did that made me trust him easily, I only hoped that I wasn't making a mistake. "What will you do if I decide to escape right now? Maybe jump through the window?" He asked to test me. I found it funny that he tried to tease me but I didn't laugh. "Maybe you should try it and find out," I said stiffly. The driver swerved around a bend
Luciano's POV My eyes darted around the room in search of Obinna and I found him squatting with his hands on his head under the dining table. He looked like a weakling with his pale face and quick pants. "God has really confirmed himself in my life. I dreamt about this yesterday and it came to pass," He whispered to me while I rolled my eyes, almost asking him to tell his god to release the love of life. I strained my ears to hear what he said but I only heard my name and Arianna's. Bullets flew around the house in reckless abandon as men fell to the ground like packs of cards. I scanned the spot where I squatted and realized that I was vulnerable so I moved away, with my eyes still on Obinna. I dug into my holster and snatched the other pistol and cocked it. With two guns in my hands, I was emboldened and resumed shooting at the intruders. I captured one of the man's face I had shot and realized that he worked for Massimo. If Massimo was around then he would make sure I don't l
Luciano's POV Ensuring the safety of my men as a boss was more important than mine. And since it was settled, I had to find a way out of Arianna's mansion without causing another shooting spree. I remained calm, knowing that I still had men who were loyal to me. Raul and Dante made up the number, and some other guards that I couldn't remember their names. Stefano and Luca's betrayal had hurt me because I thought that they could give their lives for me. But now, I was reminded that anyone could become a traitor, even when you least expected it. "Once I give you a sign, be quick to follow. I don't want another ruckus or we might not survive it," I ordered calmly, still holding my gun firmly behind the passage and they nodded. My men respected me because of my presence. Unlike some other bosses who only delegated duties to their men and didn't care if they lived to tell the tale, I made it a principle to always be with them. That was the contrast between Dee and I. He was quick to
Luciano's POV Morning came quicker than I wanted as my body felt like a trailer had rode on it. Sleeping was supposed to take away half of the exhaustion, instead I drowned in it. Amara would have helped to ease my burden but my chicken-shit brother still held onto her. I had bad plans for him, and something told me that I was closing in on him already. I only hoped that he wouldn't sell Amara before I got to him. "What do you think is the best way for us to attack Arianna's mansion now that she is dead?" I asked my men and Gio, feeling better after dousing two cups of strong coffee. Ignoring my tiredness, I had my bath and asked Raul to inform everyone that we were having a meeting. Massimo's visit to Arianna was to scare me and nothing else. He tracked me wherever I went so it wasn't hard for him to know that I was with her. The only reason I didn't engage in a fight with him was because it wasn't my place, neither was his. "I don't think
Amara's POV It was difficult ignoring the fact that Dee no longer cared about me like he used too. He wasn't interested in my health and he rarely coerced me to have my bath. Even when he came into the room and saw me quiet, he'd ignored me and picked whatever he wanted and left. I shouldn't have been affected by his nonchalance but I was. I pretended that I didn't notice anything and minded my business. The only thing my heart craved for was leaving his house. I hadn't thought about where I would go if I eventually escaped but I didn't care though it was risky. Being without a husband in the mafia world meant exposing yourself to all kinds of hurt. And it would be worse for me, since people knew that I belonged to Luciano. I smirked, remembering that he wasn't just looking for me because he loved me but also to redeem his pride and save his face from the other Capos that wouldn't keep their mouth shut. He came into the room with a tray, and my n
EpilogueLuciano's POV I tossed on my shirt and stood up from the bed. While heading for the door, I wondered what good news Dante talked about. Presently, I didn't believe that good things could happen to me with how the events were turning out slowly. My life was already a wreck and I felt that nothing else could make it worse. "What's the news?" I asked tiredly, not even sparing him a glance as we made our way to the office. Discussing with my workers wasn't something I did in my bedroom. I felt that it was too private, and I didn't want anyone to feel special just because we conversed in my chambers. "I don't know how to say this," He chewed on his lips which irritated me. "Dante, I don't want to imagine that you made me leave the comfort of my bedroom just so you could show me how nervous you can be," I barked and he shook his head in disagreement. My patience was waning and I was ready to unleash my pent up anger on him if he wasted my time. "Dee has woken up from coma b
Luciano's POV Arianna's smile was still imprinted in my mind, leaving me to ponder on why she was acting like a good person. I guessed that it was the help I rendered towards her, but I couldn't help but doubt her intention towards my son and I. Immediately we were done with the party, I headed for Amara's room to check on her hoping that she would be feeling better already. I knocked on the wooden door and got in after hearing her muffled reply. Walking in to meet her taking a gulp of orange juice from her cup had me smiling. Her eyes scrutinized me with a strange calmness then lowered towards what I had in my hands.A polythene bag which had a plate in it. I brought fruit salad for her since it had a good taste and it was nice for pregnant women. "What are you doing here?" She asked when I was done being searched. "I came to see you since you refused to attend Gio's birthday," I queried and narrowed my eyes expecting an apology but her nonchalant look threw me off balance. "Ho
Luciano's POV The house was bubbling with excitement. It was Gio's birthday and not only was he celebrating a new age, he was going to be inducted into the mafia as a Made man fully. The latter part of the celebration didn't sit well with me because I didn't want him to have anything to with the Familia. It was just too dangerous and I wanted everything to end with me. I took a stroll around the hall to be sure that everything was in place. Though I was sure that Raul had done a good job, I still didn't feel comfortable just sitting around and making people do things for me. Different kinds of aroma hit my nostrils from makeshift kitchen near the hall where the party would take place. I was almost tempted to enter the kitchen and serve myself some food. I was disrupted from my stroll by a shrill cry that sounded from the hallway. I casted a glance at the direction of the noise and I found Shuri running away from Gio. "Be careful!" I let out a warning when Shuri almost tripped, b
Luciano's POV A knock sounded on my door immediately I dropped my phone on the wooden table and sat on the executive chair. It was another day, which meant that I had been given the opportunity to right my wrongs. "Come in," I ordered using my boss' tone. Things were slowly returning back to normal and I didn't expect any retaliation from Massimo's men. They were like sheeps without a shepherd and if he was truly dead, then I'd have to take over his territory. Gio sauntered into my office with a smile plastered on his lips. "What do you want?" My voice came out harshly, though I intended that it sounded nice and warm.He didn't care because his smile only widened. "I like the new father I'm seeing. I wish you'll continue to be like this and nothing will go wrong,"I shrugged in uncertainty. Gio was happy and I knew that Shuri felt the same way. I only hoped that I wouldn't mess things up later. "What will you do with Amara and Shuri?" He asked. "I'm still thinking about that. A
Luciano's POV For the first time in my life, I felt like I did everything right then wrong at the same time. My life was no longer the same with the kind of confusion that had taken a permanent place in my mind. I was so sure that I shot Massimo in the face, but his body was nowhere to be found. That fact alone should have disturbed me because it was common amongst us. Hiding people's body wasn't difficult for me, but I was just taken aback by the speed at which he was taken.I shook the thoughts off my head and went in search of Amara. She was the only one that kept me sane at such trying period. I didn't care if she was going to reject me again, I just wanted to know that her and my baby were fine. "Amara, can I come in?" I asked after knocking twice without getting any response. I smirked when I remembered how I used to barge into her room but now, she had to grant me permission or I'd stay outside for hours. "You can come in," Came her raspy voice. I didn't hesitate in goin
Luciano's POV My eyes blinked incessantly when I realized that I had shot Massimo. I lost the firm grip I had on my gun and I didn't bother picking it up when it fell. This wasn't me. I was always in control and never scared of killing. Seeing dead bodies and weak people plead for mercy before I cut off their heads or pulled a bullet through their heads was fun for me. So why did this feel different? I didn't regret any action I took but right now, I felt like turning the hands of time so I could make things right. I walked briskly towards him to know if he was still breathing but since he laid on his face, I couldn't risk it. Arianna who looked like she was about to faint held my hands while I dragged her away from him. If I couldn't do anything for Massimo, then I could channel my help towards Arianna and her son. "I feel so weak," She whispered and rested her head on my shoulder. "You'll be fine," I grumbled and she nodded. Her unsteady steps slowed me so I placed her on ba
Luciano's POV Sleep eluded me as I tossed restlessly on the bed. It was impossible for me to sleep with the thoughts that burdened my mind. My life was a wreck and so was the fate of my family. I sighed and got up from the bed and headed for the window to feed my eyes with the buildings that were lit up with lights. The street was quiet but it did nothing to calm me. I'd made a mistake by not listening to Obinna. He was right when he suggested that I take Shuri and Amara out of the house. Nowhere was safe anymore, not even my own house. Everyday, people did things to remind me that I should always have eyes everywhere or I'd die like a piece of shit. Massimo's face popped in my head as I thought of what to do to him. Though he had caused a lot of problems and unrest in my family, I took a bigger portion of the blame. Because of me my mother was killed and my father was kidnapped for several years. Alita killed herself because I'd turned into a monste
Luciano's POV Zino Alonso was kept in another room in my mansion. I didn't trust him to be treated outside my watch. I was still trying to come to terms with the fact that the man I had buried was still alive. Another surprising fact was that Dee kidnapped him. Father had really underestimated Dee's ability. He was smart but he lacked the brutality that was needed to operate in our world. My gaze lingered on the man who called himself my father and my mind was flooded with several memories of how he treated my brother and I. Dee always thought that our father loved me more than him, what he didn't know was that our father was a sadistic bastard who only cared about his ego and business. He gave me several dirty tasks and if I failed any of them, he'd make sure I was tortured till I became unconscious. I remembered a day when he gave me the worst punishment of my life than toughened me. That afternoon, he called me into his office. He was on edge for reasons I couldn't fathom and
Luciano's POV The room was extremely quiet, for which I was grateful. Amara had kept me on edge with her suicidal talks. She didn't feel excited to be back to me which made me wonder why it was so. I knew she loved me but a lot of things had happened between her and Dee. I was supposed to be repulsed by her, instead, I was drawn to her more than ever and wanted to protect her from any predator at all cause. My mind flashed back to the moment Amara was shot. I was still sad that Dee was shot even though he had been a pain in my neck. The moment he held Amara's neck and threatened to kill her, I knew that my brother had gotten more vulnerable than ever. And it was also surprising that Jordan put a bullet through him. They loved each other and it was surprising that Jordan would betray someone he loved so much. I strolled towards the wallpaper that covered the door to the secret room and stared at the patterns distractedly. "Isn't it for the best that I marry Amara? At least she w