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 MorePenelope 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 stirred, a soft groan escaping her lips as she shifted under the unfamiliar sheets. Her body ached, and a dull throbbing pounded at the back of her head.Her eyelashes fluttered open, and for a long moment, she just lay there, her mind foggy and disoriented.Where was she?The last thing she remembered was going to the bathroom at the gala. She had felt strange, her body unusually warm, her vision blurring. Then—A hand.A cloth covering her mouth.And then, nothing.Panic flared in her chest as she pushed herself up, her breathing uneven. The room spun around her, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to regain her balance.When she finally managed to open them again, she took in her surroundings.It was a bedroom, but not hers.The walls were a soft cream color, and the only window was placed high up, letting in thin streaks of daylight. There was a simple bed in the corner, a thick blanket draped over it. A small wooden nightstand
Victoria Monroe stormed out of Brayden’s estate, her heels clicking against the marble floors as she made her way to her waiting car. The confrontation with him had left a sour taste in her mouth, but she had expected his resistance.He thought he was untouchable.He thought he had control.But he had no idea what she was capable of.Slipping into the backseat, she pulled out her phone and dialed a secure number.“Drive,” she ordered the chauffeur without looking up.The line clicked, and a gruff male voice answered. “Yes, Ms. Monroe?”Victoria’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “I’m on my way. Get everything ready.”She ended the call and leaned back against the leather seat.Tonight, she would teach Penelope a lesson.—The abandoned warehouse sat on the outskirts of the city, a decrepit building surrounded by nothing but darkness and silence. It was the perfect place for punishment.Victoria stepped out of the car, the cold night air
Brayden sat in his study, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the wooden surface of his desk. His gray eyes were cold, calculating, as he replayed the earlier confrontation with Victoria Monroe in his mind.She had been smug—too smug. The way she had carried herself, the confidence in her voice, the way she smirked as if she had already won.But she had made one fatal mistake.She had underestimated him.Brayden picked up his phone and dialed a secure number. The call barely rang twice before it was answered.“Boss?” came Luca’s voice, quiet but alert.“Follow her,” Brayden ordered, his tone clipped. “I want to know exactly where she goes. Keep your distance. Do not engage until I say so.”“Yes, sir,” Luca confirmed. “She won’t see us coming.”Brayden ended the call and leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly.If his instincts were right—and they always were—Victoria wasn’t going home to sulk. She was going straight to where she had hidden
Brayden was seated in his office, swirling a glass of whiskey in his hand, when his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing at the blocked number.Without hesitation, he picked it up and swiped to open the message.“Tick tock, darling. Every second wasted is a second closer to your precious Penelope’s last breath. Make the right choice. Let’s not make this messy.”Victoria.His jaw clenched so tightly that a sharp ache spread through his temples.She was playing with fire.Brayden took a deep breath, forcing himself to remain calm. Anger clouded judgment, and he needed his mind sharp.He quickly forwarded the message to Luca, adding a simple yet deadly instruction.“Find Penelope within 24 hours or your head will roll like a dice on the floor.”Luca’s response was instant.“Already on it, boss. I won’t fail.”Brayden exhaled sharply, setting his whiskey aside. He didn’t have time to sit here drinking. There w
Brayden had barely stepped away from the chaos of the gala when his phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, his sharp gray eyes narrowing as he saw the name flashing across the screen.Victoria Monroe.His jaw tightened as he accepted the call, bringing the phone to his ear.“What do you want, Victoria?” His voice was flat, laced with irritation.A soft chuckle echoed through the line, her tone dripping with amusement. “Oh, Brayden, is that any way to greet your future wife?”His fingers curled into a fist at his side. “You’re delusional.”“Am I?” she mused. “Because I think you’ll find yourself very much engaged to me in the next few hours.”Brayden’s brows furrowed. “What the hell are you talking about?”Victoria hummed lightly. “Check your messages, darling. I sent you something interesting.”Brayden pulled the phone away from his ear and tapped into his inbox. A new message awaited him, and as soon as he clicked on it, his breath still
Brayden stood near the back of the grand ballroom, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd as he mentally prepared himself for what was about to unfold. The night had been running smoothly so far, but the real event was just about to begin.The host of the gala, an older gentleman with graying hair and a distinguished presence, stepped onto the elevated stage at the far end of the room. He tapped the microphone twice, gathering the attention of the guests as the classical music in the background faded into silence.“Ladies and gentlemen,” the host began, his voice carrying across the room, “tonight, we celebrate not just wealth and power, but partnerships that shape the future of our industries. And to begin this prestigious evening, I would like to invite the man of the hour, our gracious host, and one of the most influential businessmen of our time—Mr. Brayden Giovanni.”A round of applause echoed through the room as all eyes turned toward him. Brayden adjusted his
Victoria Monroe stepped out of the steaming shower, the soft glow of candlelight flickering against the marbled bathroom walls. The scent of lavender and vanilla filled the air as she wrapped herself in a plush robe, letting her damp blonde curls cascade over her shoulders.As she stepped into her bedroom, her gaze landed on a small white envelope resting neatly on the glass table near her bedside.Her brows lifted slightly. She hadn’t heard anyone come in.Intrigued, she walked over, plucking the envelope between her manicured fingers.The wax seal was embossed with the emblem of Giovanni Industries.A slow smirk curled at her lips.So, they had pulled through after all.Victoria slid her finger beneath the seal, tearing it open with practiced ease. Inside was an elegantly designed invitation, the golden lettering spelling out the details of tonight’s grand gala.Her blue eyes flickered with satisfaction.Of course, she was already attending
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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