Aurelia's POVI woke up the next morning, sore but this time in all the right places. I tried to move but arms wrapped tightly around me, pressing me again a taut body. I attempted to get away again but he still won't budge, in fact, his hands tightened. Well, well, well, someone was clingy. "Where are you going?" He grumbled in my ear. His fingers rubbed my naked belly. I sucked in a deep breath as his hands moved higher and stopped under the swell of my breasts."Erm… er… I need to use the b…bathroom badly. I'm going to pee on myself soon." I wiggled against him, Judah growled and pinched my nipple."Stop that, you're playing a very dangerous game right now." He whispered and pressed himself against me. I felt how hard he was and gasped."I'm sorry, it was a mistake. Please let me go, I'm going to pee on myself if you don't." I begged. Judah sighed, let go, and moved back, " Be quick about it. Go do your business and then get your ass back in bed." I didn't dare to argue or disob
Aurelia's POVHis defeated and deflated voice pierced my heart and I saw red, I jumped off the bed and hurried to my closet, pulling out clothes."Wow, what are you doing? Aurelia, what's going on?" Judah followed me and watched me with an almost scared look on his face. I quickly pulled on a bra and grabbed a big shirt."I'm going to hurt him. I'm going to fucking kill him, I don't care if he's Hannah's husband, I don't care if he's the most powerful man in America and Italy, he's going to pay for hurting you." I moved with the speed of light, as I was ranting, I put on my shorts and bent down to pull out my sneakers."And how, pray tell, are you going to kill the most powerful man in America and Italy? Walk me through your process, great Sensei." Judah quipped. I raised my head and saw he was smiling. My anger doubled, " What is wrong with you? Are you fucking amused right now? I just said I was going to defend you and you're amused. I can't believe this." I stood straight and pla
Aurelia's POVThe ground under my feet suddenly turned slippery and wobbly and I could barely keep myself standing. Diane and Sabrina had heard what he had said as well, they rushed towards me, Diane wrapped her arms around me, while Sabrina took over the intercom."Get her over to a chair, she might faint anytime soon. Prop her up with some pillows, she looks so pale." Sabrina told Diane. Diane led me back to the couch slowly and sat me down, she planted pillows around me to help support me."Mrs Bianco? Are you still there, what do we do? Should we send them in?" Glenn inquired." Hello, this is Sabrina, Mr Bianco's cousin, you can send them in but with a guard, we can't be too sure of anyone. " " Yes ma'am, I'll do so right now." The intercom went off and Sabrina scurried back to sit with us."Oh my God, Aurelia, are you okay? Don't worry, I doubt Judah will have a child out of wedlock, he's too meticulous for that to happen." Sabrina covered my hand with hers. Oh God, why did th
Aurelia's POV"Well that was a quick call, didn't he pick up?" Sabrina cocked an eyebrow as I took my seat. I scowled at her, " He did, I didn't have to tell him what was going on because he had already been updated by a loudmouth known as Gerald. He's already on his way." I couldn't wait to get my hands on Gerald, I needed to talk to him about a little thing like boundaries.Diane had returned with the snacks, and Aria was munching on a chocolate chip cookie, for the first time since she arrived, I was finally getting a good look at her. She was the feminine version of Judah, there was no need for a DNA test, and she was a hundred percent his. She had his jet-black hair, his eyes, and her lips curled up the same way his did whenever he was focused on a task. She even had the same full and well-arched eyebrows that he did. She looked so much like him that it almost hurt to look at her.I shook my head, she was just an innocent child, I shouldn't feel the way I did towards her, gosh I
Aurelia's POV" Well, this has been one fun-filled activity-packed day, I better get going." Sabrina practically jumped off the chair and out of the house. Diane mumbled an excuse as well and left the room and ran into the kitchen.I paid Judah no attention and started to head up the stairs, he might see today as another Friday in his life but having a woman come into this house, claiming to have a child for him was not normal to me.I could hear Judah following me but I acted like I knew nothing, I opened my door, entered my room and slammed the door in his face, and locked it. He knocked on the door furiously but I didn't unlock it."Aurelia, what the hell? Come on, open the door. What's going on?" He continued to knock." I don't want to see you or talk to you. Just go away." I sat at the vanity table and began to arrange my makeup brushes, I didn't need to do that but I just wanted to distract myself from Judah's predicament."Aurelia, come on, open the door let's talk. I can't so
Judah's POVMy shoes were probably chaffed by the number of times I had paced around my office and I was still pacing. I couldn't sit still for the life of me, my heart was beating hard against my chest, my eyes were twirling around and my head was pounding. I managed to keep cool because of Aurelia but as soon as I stepped out of the house, my cold and calm exterior tumbled to the ground."Are the DNA results out yet?" Sabrina asked, she placed a file on my table. I shook my head and snipped it up, flipping through it aimlessly."It's coming out today." The words came out as a grunt." Ah!" She nodded as if I had given her the answer to all her problems."What DNA results?" Dario asked from the door, behind him was Gavin spotting the same confused look Dario had. I sighed and beckoned them in, Sabrina got the hint and swiftly left the room. They took their seats and watched me expectantly."Dario, you remember two days ago when I got a call from Gerald and I had to leave?" He affir
Judah's POVWe sat like that for about ten minutes, I couldn't bring myself to talk to her, I didn't even know what to say. Aurelia crossed her legs and cackled, she clapped her hands and let out another cackle, this one a little longer than the previous. Her eyes blazed with fire and her shoulders were stiff and straight.I swallowed and shifted a little away from her, putting some space between us. Aurelia looked a little scary right now, I almost laughed, here I was, the King of the crime world, quivering next to my wife, scared of a tiny woman, it was pathetic but it was what it was."I guess congratulations are in order then. Congratulations, Daddy." Aurelia finally said, she was smiling but there was nothing kind or nice about her words or her smile. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears and her lips twitched with sorrow, her face etched with sadness."Aurelia…" I started and cut myself off, I had no idea what I was going to say to her."Have you called Reagan yet to tell her th
Aurelia's POV" I don't understand, what do you mean she doesn't talk?" I made eye contact with Judah and tilted my head slightly. He shrugged, I guessed he was as confused as I was.Reagan glanced at the door, probably contemplating if it was too late to run, she rubbed the back of her neck. "She's mute. She hasn't spoken a word since her mom died." What the effing heck is going on?" What the fuck do you mean by that?" Judah stood up. I quickly reached out to him and dragged him down. He looked ready to attack.Judah whipped his head around and gave me a confused look, I patted his hand."Let me handle this, Judah. You're only going to scare her away, she's going to run and you're never going to see your daughter again." I let my voice go low and made sure he was the only one that heard. I didn't need Reagan getting ideas from me."But…" he started to argue but I gave him a look and he shut up.I faced Reagan, " Reagan, we're a little bit confused, can you please explain what you
Aurelia's POV"Beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate the life of the deceased, On behalf of all family and friends, I would like to welcome everyone as we have gathered today to remember the deceased. Your presence here today is an affirmation of your love and support to the family. Thank you for being here. Although the family may not remember every word we share here today, they will remember your presence for the rest of their lives." I blocked out the pastor as he spoke focusing on the casket in front of me, I still couldn't believe that I was at this funeral. It seemed so surreal, I kept waiting for someone to say bring out the cameras, and yell ' surprise' because it was all a prank.Judah pulled me close and wrapped his arm around my shoulder gently, trying as much as possible not to touch my cast, I rested my head on his chest and wept. I felt someone's hand on my back, giving me a soothing rub, I raised my head and looked behind, and Diane gave me a small sad smile. She
Aurelia's POVLucia's eyes widened and she hurried to the door, as she was about to open it, the door slammed open with great force, hitting Lucia and sending her flying across the room."Aurelia, you bitch, what did you tell Judah when he called you? What clue did you fucking give him?" He grabbed me by my hair and dragged me towards the door.The sounds of gunshots echoed within the building, giving it a dramatic flair that I quite liked."I didn't say anything, you were there, weren't you? All I did was ask him to save me. Do you really think my husband is that dumb and he just lets me walk around without knowing where I am twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week? I have an inbuilt tracker, you can take me anywhere and he will find me." I was lying through my teeth, I had no idea where the tracker Judah put on me was but I hoped it wasn't built.Giovanni's nose flared and his skin reddened." He might have found you but that doesn't mean he's going to save you, I'm going to kill
Aurelia's POV" AURELIA!" Giovanni's deep tenor voice boomed, I heard him before he opened the door and charged at me. I scurried back and hit my back on the wall. Fuck, there was nowhere to run to."You bitch, you think you can deceive me?" He grabbed me by my neck, raising me and choking me. My hands were still bound so I couldn't claw his fingers away.Luckily, my legs were free, I kneeled him in the balls, he growled and dropped me. I landed on my arm with a loud thud and a crack. Pain surged through me from my arm to my brain."OH MY GOD, WHAT DID I DO TO YOU? YOU BROKE MY ARM." I cried, I couldn't even move my arm. "Good, I'll break something else. The necklace you gave me is fake, it wasn't a true emerald. Where is Trista's necklace, Aurelia?" I managed to act surprised, " it isn't the real one. Oh no, I don't know what happened to it. I've been wearing that necklace all my life, I can't believe it's fake. Maybe someone stole it from me."Giovanni growled, picked up a wooden
Aurelia's POVPanic clawed at my throat but I refused to give in to my fear, yes my father may have kidnapped his daughters, one who was heavily pregnant and was in labor but I wasn't going to let him see that I was scared.I looked around and couldn't see Lucia, that gave me a little relief, maybe they were finally going to allow her to give birth. I tipped my chin up and put on an expressionless face, " Father, this is a surprise. If you wanted a reunion you could have just come to my house, I wouldn't have kicked you out." Father grinned, pulling apart his lips to reveal his brown teeth from years of chewing tobacco. "Aurelia, you've really grown up, I see you now have a mouth on you, just like Lucia said." I stilled, ice flowed through my veins. What had Lucia had to do with this? When did Lucia tell him that? What the hell was going on?"Ah, I can see the confusion on your face. Don't worry too much, it will all be clear in a minute." He clapped his hands once, a door opened
Aurelia's POVMy fake necklace had arrived and it was beautiful, I could hardly differentiate it from the original. I had to send the original necklace to Sabrina's house so I wouldn't mix them up. I kept the fake necklace in the spot I kept the original in case Lucia tried to steal it again."So how's it going with Lucia?" Judah climbed into bed, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me close to him, he wasn't aware of what had been going on with Lucia and I quickly brought him up to speed but kept the fake necklace part out."What! She's trying to steal from you? No way, she's got to go." His hand dropped from my waist, he jerked up and crossed his arms over his chest."Jude, baby, calm down, I'm taking care of it. I'm not kicking her out, she's pregnant, I won't do that to my niece or nephew."" No way, I don't give two fucks if she's pregnant, I don't want her in this house. This is my fucking house, I don't trust her and my gut tells me she's going to pull some stupid stun
Aurelia's POV"Erm, Aurelia, I don't know how to say this and I don't want you to take it the wrong way but I caught your sister trying to go into your room, two days ago when you and Mr. Bianco went out to have dinner with his mother." My glass of water froze halfway to my lips. For a minute, it was almost like I had shut down and needed a minute to reboot.Slowly I put the glass on the table and took in deep breaths then looked at Opal and Gina through my heavy eyelids.Opal was in front, Gina stood behind her, holding her hand tight and the other hand on her shoulder."I'm sorry, what did you say, Opal?" I pushed my laptop to the side and clasped my hands on the table."Well, two days ago when you guys were out having dinner, I suddenly remembered that I hadn't made Miss Aria's bed, and I forgot to take her dirty clothes to be washed so I went upstairs and I saw Lucia going to your room, at first I thought she had forgotten where her room was but that was impossible because it was
Aurelia's POVJust when I thought I had escaped my family and my life was finally in a good place, Bam, life hit me hard and reminded me that I couldn't have it all.Lucia sat opposite me, wide as a whale, tears flowing down her cheeks, I couldn't bring myself to stand up and sympathize with her. "Are you sure this is what you want to do? It's not too late to kick her out." Judah whispered, he held my hand and squeezed."I'm good, I want to hear her out and see what's wrong. She looks like she needs help right now." I whispered back, he pressed his lips together and glared at Lucia who was still bawling her eyes out."Lucia, that's enough. Why are you here?" I knew my tone was harsh but who could blame me, this was the person who drugged me, forced me to take her place as Judah's wife, and slept with my boyfriend.She reduced her loud wails to quiet sobs, " Aurelia, I'm so sorry but I had nowhere else to go. As you can already see, I'm pregnant for Owen, he broke up with me and said
Aurelia's POVI had barely slept in a week, everything I closed my eyes, I kept seeing myself holding my pen knife and driving it into the bodies of my kidnappers.Insomnia was my best friend now, fatigue was a familiar friend, and unproductivity was now my roommate. I couldn't do anything except to put on a bright smile for everyone. I didn't anyone to worry about me, I wanted to prove that I was strong and fearless but I wasn't. I was a big fraud and I needed help immediately but I was too much of a wuss to ask for it.It was 3 a.m. and I hadn't slept a wink, I tried to, I really did but immediately my eyes shut, Max's lifeless eyes stared into mine and I just jumped up instantly.Judah wasn't home, he had been gone for about 4 days so it was easier for me to fake it. I got out of bed, went downstairs, unlocked Judah's alcohol cabinet, and brought out a bottle of vodka. Not bothering to take a shot glass, I popped it open, sat on the couch, and started chugging it down my throat. T
Judah's POV"Where the hell could she be?" I slammed my hands on the steering wheel."Don't worry, we'll find her soon. She couldn't have gone too far. If she's not on the highway, she's probably still in the woods and we have men combing every corner of it. We will find her." Gavin's reassuring words did nothing for me because then it started to rain."Oh for fuck sake, I don't fucking need this right now!" I screamed to no one in particular." Reverse and let's go another lap, she can't have walked this far by now. She'll probably be at the back now." Dario looked at the window, " It's too far from the warehouse." He was right, I put the car in reverse, turned, and started driving back to where I started from, driving at a snail's pace."Hey! Hey! Someone's there! Look someone's beside the road!" Gavin slapped my arm and pointed at a crumpled body at the side of the road. I recognized the grey cargo parts immediately."Shit, that's Aurelia." I drove closer, hurriedly parked, and ru