Penelope Lorenzo, a woman who’d just lost everything and in utter shambles. She had never imagined that life would bring her to this point. Brayden Giovanni, the big, masked mafia who shouldn’t be trifled with. Billionaire by day and Don by night. Thrust in each other’s worlds by circumstances beyond their control and some that seemed to be in his control. But with danger lurking from their forgotten pasts, including a serial killer on the loose, choices must be made or consequences abound. What happens when their cocoon is threatened by forces they can’t seem to identify? What happens when she leaves after unraveling his secrets and almost gets trafficked? Will she embrace he who would raze the underworld for her or will she leave with the fruit of their passion?
View MoreBrayden leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming lightly against the table as he observed the men seated around him. The tension in the air was suffocating, thick with unspoken words and barely masked fear. He could feel their unease, the way their gazes flickered toward one another, silently questioning whether they had just made the biggest mistake of their lives.They had.The drugged whiskey he had just consumed was proof of their betrayal. But they didn’t know one thing—Brayden Giovanni was always ten steps ahead.Without a word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, sending a quick message. The moment he hit send, the air shifted, a silent command that only his men would understand.Then, he spoke, his voice smooth but carrying the weight of a lethal warning. “Raphael.”The room remained still for a moment before the door to the private dining area opened, and Raphael walked in, a thick stack of documents tucked under his
Brayden sat in his office, his expression unreadable as he skimmed through reports, but his mind wasn’t on business. His instincts had been screaming at him for days, warning him that something bigger was coming. He could feel it in the air, in the way things were unfolding too perfectly for his enemies. He was waiting, watching, calculating his next move before they had the chance to strike. A knock at the door barely pulled his attention from his thoughts. When he called for the person to enter, Giorgio, one of his most trusted spies, stepped inside with a folder in his hands. He didn’t say a word as he placed it on the desk and slid it forward, his face tense. Brayden lifted a brow before picking up the file and flipping it open. The first thing he saw was a familiar name, and that alone made his grip on the paper tighten. Darla. His fingers curled around the edges of the page as he read through the details
The night settled heavily around the Giovanni estate, but Penelope was far from relaxed.Despite Brayden’s reassurances and the increased security, an unsettling feeling sat in her chest. The red X over her face in the photograph haunted her mind. Someone out there wanted her gone.Yet, amidst the danger, something unexpected had happened.Brayden had changed—or at least, her perception of him had.She had started to notice small things about him.The way his fingers tapped against a surface when he was deep in thought.The way he adjusted his cufflinks when he was frustrated.The way his gray eyes softened slightly when Anya was around.And the way his presence, for some reason, made her feel safe.She had spent the last few days carefully watching him—not because she was wary of him, but because she was beginning to understand him.Brayden wasn’t just some cold-hearted mafia boss.He was a man carrying more weight than anyone could see.
Brayden sat at his expensive desk, his sharp eyes scanning the documents spread out before him. The dim lighting of his office cast long shadows across the sleek mahogany surface, highlighting the cold, calculated expression on his face. His upcoming meeting with the business tycoons was one of the most crucial gatherings of the year. This was more than just business—it was about power. Influence. Control. He flipped through the agenda for the night, double-checking the security measures. Everything needed to be airtight. No surprises. No risks. The last thing he could afford was a mistake. His assistant, Raphael, stepped into the office, his usual composed demeanor slightly off, a hint of concern shadowing his features. “Sir, there’s been—” Before he could finish, Brayden’s phone rang. The shrill sound cut through the stillness of the office. Brayden’s eyes flickered to the screen. Penelope. S
Penelope sighed as she tucked the last of Anya’s stuffed animals into the storage box. The little girl had a habit of leaving her toys everywhere, but Penelope didn’t mind.Cleaning up after her was a small price to pay for the warmth she felt being around Anya.She wiped her hands on her dress and stepped back, admiring the neatness of the playroom.Finally, a moment to breathe.She made her way to the living room, collapsing onto the couch as she reached for the remote. The large flat-screen flickered to life, showing the evening news.She didn’t usually care for the news, but today, something kept drawing her to watch it and then; something caught her attention.The headline at the bottom of the screen read:“SERIAL KILLER STILL AT LARGE—NEW TARGETS IDENTIFIED”Penelope’s brows furrowed as the anchor continued.“…Authorities are warning the public to stay alert as the killer appears to be targeting specific individuals. Witnesses have described
The room was dimly lit, the heavy drapes drawn over the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table at the center. The air was thick with tension, the kind that came when powerful people gathered in secrecy to discuss matters that could alter lives. Three men and a woman sat in an orderly manner, their backs straight, their eyes darting toward the door every few seconds. The room was silent except for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. Then—the door creaked open. The moment she stepped inside, the four of them immediately stood, their expressions shifting from unease to strict reverence. The woman walked in with graceful authority, her heels clicking against the floor, her presence commanding without needing to utter a single word. She was dressed in an elegant black pantsuit, her dark auburn hair cascading over her shoulders in controlled waves. Tonight, she was in charge. Witho
Brayden walked through the estate, his sharp eyes scanning the quiet hallways. It had been a long day, filled with endless meetings and business negotiations, but his mind wasn’t focused on work. It was on her. Penelope. Ever since she had shown him the recording of the traitorous guard, something inside him had shifted. She wasn’t just some woman staying under his roof—she had unknowingly become a part of his world. And that meant she needed his protection, whether she wanted it or not. As he neared the kitchen, the soft sound of laughter reached his ears. He stopped. It wasn’t just any laughter—it was Anya’s. And Penelope’s. Brayden stepped forward, pushing open the door. The sight before him made him pause. Penelope and Anya were seated at the kitchen island, decorating cupcakes. Anya had flour smeared across her cheek, her tiny fingers holding a frosting bag as
Penelope stirred awake in the middle of the night, feeling warmth on both sides of her body. As her eyes fluttered open, she realized she was still in Anya’s room, wrapped in the soft comforter with the little girl nestled against her chest.She turned her head slightly and saw Brayden lying on the other side of Anya, his arm draped protectively over his daughter. His breathing was deep and even, his usually sharp features softened in sleep.A strange warmth settled in Penelope’s chest. She had never seen him like this before—so unguarded, so human.For a moment, she just lay there, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.But then reality settled in.She shouldn’t be here.Carefully, she peeled Anya’s tiny arms from around her waist and slipped out of bed. She stood slowly, making sure not to wake them, and tiptoed toward the door.The hallway was dimly lit, the estate unusually quiet at this hour. As she walked toward her room, she caught
Brayden Giovanni was a man who thrived on control. He built an empire by keeping his emotions in check, by ensuring that nothing—no one—distracted him from his goals.And yet, Penelope had become a distraction.Ever since he had rescued her, ever since he had carried her into his villa and kissed her when she was asleep, he hadn’t been able to get her out of his mind.That was a problem.A problem he intended to fix.So, he did what he always did—he buried himself in work.The moment he arrived at Giovanni Enterprises, Luca was already waiting for him outside his office.“Sir,” Luca greeted, falling into step beside him. “The board has called an urgent meeting. They want your input on the new marketing strategies before the campaign goes live.”Brayden adjusted his cufflinks, barely reacting. “What’s the issue?”Luca handed him a folder. “Some concerns about the branding approach. The marketing team is waiting in the conference room.”Brayden
Penelope Lorenzo’s POV“Please help me!” My voice cracked as I dropped to my knees, clutching at the hem of a nurse’s scrubs. “Please, I’m begging you! My father… he’s dying! Do something!”The nurse took a hesitant step back, her face full of pity but devoid of action to render any sort of help. “Miss, I—I’m so sorry. There’s nothing—”“There’s Nothing?” I screamed at the top of my voice, my voice echoing down the cold hospital hallway. I just didn’t care!“He’s having a stroke! A heart attack! Do you understand? My father, He’s in pain! You have to save him! He is all I’ve got, please!” I yelled more on seeing no one was ready to help me out.“We’re doing all we can,” another nurse murmured, but her words felt hollow. Her gaze darted away from mine, as if she couldn’t bear to look at me.Was I looking so terrible that everyone kept avoiding my gaze? Why wouldn’t they just help me save my father? That’s all I’m pleading for!“No, you’re not doing anything!” I yelled and burst into mo...
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