Luciano's POV Another evening had come, as we had planned to attack Dee today and take back Amara from him. I tried to visualize how surprised he would be when we raid his house. His men were strong but not as strong as mine and knowing how badly they were treated, they wouldn't hesitate if I threw some cash at them and asked them to work for me. "Do you really have to lock us in?" Gio asked, wearing a deep frown. "Yes I have to. I've already lost Amara because I didn't watch over her so I won't allow the same thing to happen to you," I explained to them while we were in the panic room. Shuri scowled. It was obvious that she still had a lot of forgiving to do. "She ran away on her own, Luciano and you can trust us not to do the same," Shuri said to convince me but it didn't work. "There's food in the fridge and your phones can keep you company as well. But don't forget to turn off your location. I don't want any of Dee or Massimo's men to track you while I'm away," I warned and
Amara's POV Gunshots rang out, breaking the unbearable silence hovering in the room that I was caged in. The dates and almonds I had taken still kept me in a daze, but I was glad that Dee had remnants of humanity left to take care of my allergy. I wondered what the shooting was all about. But I didn't have time to ponder on it for so long as I reminded myself that I had to escape. Dee and his men were already occupied with the shootout and if there was a chance I had to escape, it was now. For a split second, I hoped that the tumult was caused by Luciano. I wished to see him again, not minding if he was a monster. Weeks without him had driven me crazy even when I denied it, and discovering that he wasn't involved in my parents death made me want him more than ever. I laid flat on my stomach and clutched tightly to my protruding belly. My uncoordinated actions weren't enough to protect my child but it erased the guilt of me not doing anything at all. I cast a glance
Amara's POV The gunshots rang out again and I felt myself slipping into unconsciousness. The pain gnawed at my back and there was nothing I could do to make it stop. "Stay with me," Luciano said jerking me slowly. "Luciano," I drawled and another body dropped dead beside me while he shielded me with his body. Finally, darkness washed over me clogging my ability to hear anything. My eyes jerked open as the car swerved quickly to avoid another car that almost bumped into it. Luciano cast a glance at me like he knew that I was awake. Everything felt surreal, including having Luciano near me. He kissed my forehead and my eyelids became heavy as I let sleep claim me. I didn't know how long I passed out, but I knew that I was unconscious for a while. "How do you feel?" He asked, massaging my scalp which soothed the headache that threatened to rip my head apart. "I.. can't.. say," I stuttered and locked my gaze on him. "Be strong for me, Amara. I've already lost you before and losi
Amara's POV I was so sure that I had been injected with morphine because I still felt groggy even though I had been out for a long time. My eyes darted around the room and I realized that it was Luciano's room. Luciano sat beside me with his hands entwined in mine. My tired state didn't stop my belly from fluttering from the effect of his touch. I didn't want to believe that he still had such an effect on me and I couldn't deny that my body wanted more from him at that moment. "How do you feel?" He asked with a kind voice that I hadn't heard in months. "I can't say. My arm hurts and I feel like throwing up," I explained and his gaze lingered on my stomach. He looked tired himself with black patches forming under his eyes. And I was happy that he found me though I felt incredibly guilty. I had run away for the wrong reason and I couldn't face him anymore. Tears began to roll down my cheeks and I made no attempt in stopping it. He brought his hands close to my cheeks and wiped off
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
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 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 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
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