The memory of the ball came back to me vividly—the way Alessandro’s dark eyes seemed to follow me the entire evening. At the time, I had felt special, like he saw something in me no one else could. But now I wondered if it was all just part of the plan.Could I forgive my father for throwing me into this chaos? Could I forgive Alessandro for keeping me in the dark?The girl stirred slightly in her sleep, her face peaceful despite the scar on her arm that told a story of pain and survival. Her presence grounded me, reminding me that, despite everything, I wasn’t alone in this nightmare.But the path ahead was shrouded in uncertainty, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t know if I was strong enough to face it.How could I be this stupid? The only thing I clung to was the hope that he hadn’t lied about loving me. That hope was the fragile thread keeping me grounded at the moment. Even though I didn’t want to get back with him right now, the thought of discovering he had lied—used
I couldn’t help but smile back, though I didn’t fully understand what that meant. I knew it had something to do with being a mate or a leader, but the terms were all so new to me.Before I could respond, she paused, her head tilting slightly as if listening to something.“I can hear two heartbeats,” she said, her gaze fixed on me with a knowing expression.I frowned, confused. “What does that mean?”“Meaning,” she said, her voice gentle but firm, “you’re expecting twins, Luna.”My breath hitched, a wave of dizziness crashing over me. Twins? How could she know that?“How do you know?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly, feeling suddenly vulnerable in front of her.She gave a soft, knowing smile. “It’s a gift of mine. I can sense certain things, especially with someone like you. I can feel their heartbeats. Trust me, you’ll be fine.”I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. Two babies? My head was spinning with the implications, and I couldn’t even begin to process it all. The thought of t
Running into the private jet brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in days. The chaos of the outside world seemed to fade as the soundproofed doors sealed shut behind me.“Dad,” I called out, spotting him standing near the plush leather seats. He was on the phone, but the moment he saw me, he hung up and opened his arms. I was in them instantly, the comfort of his embrace breaking the dam of emotions I had been holding back.Tears began to spill from my eyes, hot and uncontrollable. I felt his arms tighten around me, and when I looked up, I saw tears glistening in his eyes as well. He was trying to stay strong for me, but the worry etched into his face betrayed him.“Sit down. Bring her some food and water!” he barked to someone outside the cabin. His authoritative tone made it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate any delays.“Dad,” I whispered, my voice trembling. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Seeing him had unleashed everything I had been suppressing—the fear, the exhaustion, the
--Cassie--I typed it into the search bar, and her profile appeared, her vibrant smile staring back at me from the screen. Relief washed over me as I scrolled through her page, scanning for any signs of trouble or distress. Her latest posts looked normal, even cheerful, but that didn’t ease my worry entirely. What if something had happened and she hadn’t shared it?I quickly sent her a message: “Hi, how is everything there?” The words felt too brief, too cautious, but I didn’t want to say too much in case someone else had access to her phone. My stomach churned with anxiety as I hit send, using a fake name for the account just to be safe.The message sat there, unread. She wasn’t online. I stared at the screen, willing her to reply, but the small notification stayed stubbornly unchanged. Time seemed to drag as I lay there, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me.What if she never responded? What if Alessandro was in danger and there was nothing I could do? The thought made my c
--Cassie--We were back home, and Dad still hadn’t told me anything about the mafia. Either he didn’t know much, or—worse—he was part of it. The thought sent a chill down my spine.Could my dad really be involved in the mafia? The idea seemed absurd, but the more I thought about it, the more it made a twisted kind of sense. If he was part of the mafia, what did that make me?A mafia princess.The realization hit me like a freight train. I was a freaking mafia princess. All my life, I’d been kept in the dark, oblivious to the danger that shadowed me. The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth.I didn’t want to believe it. I didn’t want my father to be part of the mafia. That would mean he wasn’t just the loving, protective dad I’d always known—he was a killer. A man who made deals in blood and secrets.I needed answers, and I needed them now. If Dad wasn’t going to tell me the truth, I’d find it myself. Determined, I made my way to his office. He wasn’t home, which gave me the perfect
--Cassie--The letter in my trembling hands brought me to tears. I sobbed so hard that my chest ached, and my breaths came in short, sharp gasps. I needed to get out of here, away from the suffocating truth it confirmed. That single piece of paper held the key to everything I had been dreading, everything I had been denying. It was the proof that I, Cassie, was indeed the Mafia princess of the American Mafia.The contents of the letter were brief, cold, and calculated. No fluff, no emotion, just commands.“Do it fast and quick. No loose ends. Mafia Don.”The words felt like daggers, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. It wasn’t just the message itself but the unmistakable implication behind it. My father wasn’t just involved with the Mafia; he was entangled in its very heart, possibly even pulling the strings.The recentness of the letter made my stomach churn. This wasn’t some distant past he had walked away from. No, this was now. Whatever he was involved in, it was ongoing,
--Cassie--It had been three whole days, and still, nothing from Lalia. She hadn’t spoken to me since our last conversation, and the silence was eating me alive. Anxiety coiled in my stomach like a venomous snake, squeezing tighter with every passing hour.I wasn’t feeling good at all. The nausea had been relentless, and I’d thrown up more times than I could count. The stress of not knowing how Alessandro was doing weighed heavily on me, clouding my thoughts and sapping my strength.“You look pale, dear,” Aunty Sophia said, her voice tinged with concern as she stood by the kitchen counter.I nodded weakly, pushing the remnants of my breakfast around on my plate. I hadn’t told anyone I was expecting, not even her or my father. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust them—I did, with my life—but fear kept me silent. If word got out, if even the faintest whisper of my pregnancy reached the wrong ears, I knew it would make me and my unborn babies targets.I sighed, trying to steady my nerves, but a
--Cassie--Can you believe it has been an entire month since I last heard from Alessandro? Not a single call, message, or even a word through Lalia. She hasn’t spoken to me since that day, and my dad keeps insisting that I cannot go there. But here I am, standing in my room, packing my bags with determination.This silence is unbearable. Alessandro is my husband, for crying out loud! It’s unacceptable for him to be this distant. On the first day, he should have been by my side—holding me, reassuring me—but there was no sign of him. Even during my hospital stay, when I needed him the most, neither he nor any of his people showed up. A whole month has passed, and still, nothing.Hailey hasn’t reached out either, which stings more than I’d like to admit. I know she never particularly liked me, but at the very least, she could have made a courtesy call. The absence of any contact only deepens my sense of isolation.My children—our children—are almost two months old now. They’re growing, c
"I was busily eating my food, savouring every bite. I was enjoying it so much. When I felt a sharp pain sear through my abdomen."Ahh!" I screamed, dropping my spoon as I clutched my belly."Why, what is wrong?" Alessandro came to my side immediately, looking all scared with fear as well as concern written all over his face."I feel so much pain," I said to him as the pain became more and more unbearable as I struggled to find my breath."Let me get the doctor." Without looking at me, he ran out of the room."Hailey and Michelle rushed to my side while Auntie Emily told me to breathe in and out as everyone looked scared of what was about to happen. ‘’Breath in and out, dear,’ Aunty Emily said, despite the tension in the air.The door opened and a nurse rushed to my side. "Can you please raise your legs? I would like to check", the nurse said to me Sensing the tension in the room as wellI obeyed, wanting to have this baby out of me soon."You are now eight centimetres dilated," she
--Cassie--The massive doors of the mansion swung open, and Alessandro drove through the entrance, the car gliding smoothly over the stone-paved driveway. The house stood in silent grandeur, its towering structure bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.As I stepped inside, I noticed the eerie stillness that had settled over the place. It seemed like everyone was already asleep. Not wanting to disturb anyone, I made my way straight to the kitchen, determined to prepare my meal myself. The hunger gnawed at my stomach, urging me to move quickly.I gathered the ingredients I needed, placing them neatly on the counter. With a flick of my wrist, I turned on the stove and cracked an egg into a sizzling pan, the rich aroma instantly filling the air. The gentle hum of the toaster and the quiet bubbling of the oatmeal on the stove created a soothing rhythm in the otherwise silent kitchen."Amore," Alessandro's deep voice called from the hallway."I'm in the kitchen!" I yelled back, keeping my fo
--Cassie--“Bambina,” he murmured, his voice low and rough, thick with restrained desire. The husky timbre sent a shiver down my spine, making my breath hitch. My heart pounded against my ribs, a frantic, unsteady rhythm that mirrored the sudden heat surging through my veins.His dark eyes roamed over me, devouring every inch as though he were memorizing the sight, branding it into his soul. There was something primal in his gaze, a possessiveness that made my stomach tighten and my knees weak. Slowly, deliberately, his fingers reached behind me, brushing the curve of my back as he deftly unclasped my bra. The whisper of fabric against my skin sent a fresh wave of anticipation coursing through me. The delicate garment slipped away, leaving me completely exposed beneath his heated scrutiny.A sharp gasp escaped my lips as I took in the intensity of his expression—raw, hungry, reverent. The evidence of his own desire pressed insistently against the fabric of his boxers, a silent testame
---Cassie--I am officially nine months pregnant, and honestly, I feel like a whale."Cassie, what have you been eating?" Aunty Emily exclaimed when she saw me.I just smiled at her, unable to find the words to explain that it wasn’t just cravings—it was hunger that never seemed to end.Aunty Sophia and her mate had just returned from a cruise after being away for about three weeks. This was the first time they'd seen me in all this time. Today, we were having a family dinner at her house, and she had invited Aunty Emily, Hailey, Lorenzo, Marco, Alessandro, Stephanie, Lalia, and me."The babies are both four kilos each," Alessandro said, his voice tinged with awe as he looked at my swollen belly."Are you serious?" Aunty Emily laughed. "Then they already weigh more than you did, Alessandro."Everyone chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile, though I could feel the weight of the truth in her words. I was carrying a lot of extra weight, but it was for a good cause. "Hello," her mate s
--Cassie--A sudden knock at the door broke the comfortable silence in the room."Someone’s knocking. Check who it is, Alessandro," I murmured, nudging him lightly.He groaned, stretching lazily before getting up from the bed. We were both curled up under the covers, waiting for the extra bed the nurse had promised to bring in an hour. Until then, Alessandro refused to leave my side, insisting he needed to be close to me.I watched as he made his way to the door, his steps slow and reluctant."Come in, Aunty Emily," Alessandro said, pulling the door open."You’re awake!" Aunty Emily’s voice was filled with relief and joy as she stepped inside."Yeah, I am," I replied with a small smile, watching as she made her way over to the sofa."I brought you some chicken soup, rice, and fresh fruit," she said, setting a bag down and beginning to unpack the food. The aroma of the soup instantly filled the room, making my stomach growl in anticipation."Thank you, Aunty Emily," I said sincerely, w
--Cassie--We couldn't stop staring at the nursery. Everything had been put in place yesterday, and the room now felt complete. The soft pastel walls, the carefully chosen decorations, and the neatly arranged furniture created the perfect space for our baby.I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Dennis—he had been a tremendous help, making sure everything was set up just right.The rocking chair was positioned beside the crib, a cozy spot for late-night lullabies. The changing tables stood just beside the chair, creating a seamless flow between the essentials. In the corner of the room stood the wardrobe, already filled with tiny outfits I had carefully folded and placed inside. Each little onesie and blanket held the promise of the moment I would finally meet them—our babies.A warm smile tugged at my lips as I ran my fingers over the soft fabric of a baby blanket. But before I could fully savor the excitement, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen."Ugh!" I groaned, doubli
--Cassie--The sharp trill of my phone broke through the quiet, drawing my attention away from the half-eaten toast in front of me. I glanced at the caller ID. Genevive.“Hello, Genevive,” I said, pressing the phone to my ear.“Cassie! Tell your bodyguard to let me in,” she snapped, frustration coating her tone.I frowned, confused. “Blake?”“No, it’s someone else. I’ve never met him before. And, honestly, he’s driving me crazy!”“Okay, give me a minute. I’ll sort it out,” I replied, trying not to laugh at her exasperation. I hung up and turned to Juliet, who was setting plates on the dining table.“Juliet, who’s on duty at the gate today?”“A new guy,” she replied without looking up.“What? Where’s Blake?”“He has gone to hospital appointment with Marcy,” Juliet answered, placing a glass of orange juice beside me.I let out a sigh. “Can you tell him to let Genevive in? She’s waiting at the gate.”Juliet nodded and moved to the intercom at the far end of the room. Her voice was calm a
--Cassie--Today, Alessandro decided to start setting up the nursery since the baby would be arriving soon. I eagerly offered to help, but he insisted that he just needed me there to guide him on where I wanted things placed."Bambina," I heard him call from the nursery."I'm coming!" I responded, quickly slipping into my pants before stepping out of our bedroom.The nursery was right next to our room, and as I walked in, I noticed that Alessandro hadn't started yet. He stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, surveying the empty space."You haven't started yet?" I asked, raising an eyebrow."I was waiting for you," he said with a small smile. "I want to know where you think the wallpaper should go."I walked further into the room, imagining the layout in my mind. "The crib should go here," I said, pointing to the far wall. "So, I definitely want the wallpaper behind it. Something soothing, maybe a starry night theme."Alessandro nodded thoughtfully. "And where will you keep the
--Cassie--It’s already twelve o’clock, and guests will start arriving soon. “Go and get ready,” Aunty Sophia said, heading towards the kitchen.“Looks like I’m right on track,” Lalia remarked, following me.We entered the elevator together and rode up in silence. Once inside my bedroom, I sank onto the plush sofa, Lalia sitting beside me.“Alessandro still hasn’t arrived?” she asked, glancing at the time.“No, I was just about to call him,” I replied, reaching for my phone resting on the sofa cushion. Just then, Alessandro walked through the door.“Sorry I’m late, Bambina,” he said, his voice laced with exhaustion. “There were rogues around, and we had to take care of it.” His usually neat hair was disheveled, a clear sign he had been running his fingers through it in frustration.I offered him a small smile. “I understand.”“I’ll get ready in the next room,” Alessandro said, heading into the closet to grab his pink shirt.Lalia shot me a puzzled look. “Why is Alessandro wearing pink