Astrella's point of view If looks could kill, Dax would be six feet under by now. Honestly, being with him was like watching paint dry. Not only was he dull, but he also had the audacity to be nosy, constantly sticking his nose into my business. Right now, we were at the bookstore, and surprise, surprise! He was complaining about my choices. I was picking up every dark romance book by my favorite authors, and he had the nerve to tell me not to buy them.“I swear, if you try to stop me one more time, I’ll smash your thick skull with this hardback,” I hissed, shooting him a glare that could curdle milk.He didn’t even flinch. His smug expression stayed firmly in place like he hadn’t heard a word. I took a deep breath, mentally counting to ten, and continued piling up my treasures. At least he wasn’t stopping me, small victories.Moving on to the Danmei section, my heart practically exploded with joy when I spotted my favorite titles. I was about to grab one when his annoying voice inte
Astrella's point of view The day has come, and for reasons beyond me, I'm fidgety and I don't know why. I took a deep sigh. It feels like this engagement is cursed as if the universe itself is bracing for some impending doom. I push the thought aside, letting my eyes wander around the venue.We're at the Martinelli Villa Banquet Hall, extravagant, and dripping with luxury. What else would you expect from the multi-billionaire Dax Donomie Martinelli? Oh, and let’s not forget his mafia ties. But hmmm, I may pretend that he’s the good kind of mafia, helping people in secret like some dark Robin Hood.I'm dressed in my pristine white gown, I find myself lurking by the side of the mini-stage, waiting for Dax. The MC is stalling, entertaining the guests while the man of the hour makes his grand, fashionably late entrance. A small, treacherous part of me hopes he won't show, that this whole charade will implode gloriously. But, of course, fate has other plans.Dax’s entourage floods the ha
Astrella's point of view We finally got to Dax's base after what seemed like a hundred years. Martinelli Solutions Security stood tall, and its sleek, modern front looked like it belonged in the city. The building's tinted windows let in a soft glow from the city lights, and a small logo gave away the force inside. Even though it wasn't flashy, it had an air of quiet power about it that sent a message to anyone who dared to question its purpose. As we walked in, the reception room was simple but well-run. A few security cameras flashed on the walls, and the furniture was sleek, useful, and definitely in style. Every element exuded efficiency, yet there was a distinct hint of something deeper and more sinister. The staff moved carefully, their outfits were clean, and their eyes were always focused on their tasks. Clearly, this wasn't a normal security company. “Wow,” I murmured, my voice laced with a mix of awe and suspicion. “So, you mean to tell me this is all above board? Really
Astrella's point of view We are now hiding out in the Martinelli private house as a temporary place to stay while the ambush's effects are still being felt. Even though the masterminds have been found, security is still tight. It always serves as a sign that my life is not normal anymore. Being associated with a Mafia Don is no longer normal for me. Every time I go outside, I feel like I'm in a live-action movie. It's so different from everyday life. It feels like surpassing the status of a celebrity, but now, fame is accompanied by bullets rather than bright lights.I chose to stay in my sister Sereia's room to find a little bit of a normal life. Sometimes, being alone can make me feel a bit abnormal. The conversation and company help to block out the risks, if only for a short time. But what bothers me the most is Mom and Dad's yelling at each other through the walls in the next room, sounding like two stubborn teens. Their fight over what happened at the engagement party hasn't di
Astrella's point of view The next morning, we gathered in the courtyard of the Martinelli villa, the morning air thick with tension. I scanned the crowd, my heart pounding. Oh, so everyone from the engagement party is here? The murmurs and whispers were almost deafening, with each word laden with suspicion."I heard we’re gathered here because there’s a traitor among us," someone whispered, and even though it was hard to hear, the sound was clear enough to break the silence."Yeah, there’s a traitor," another man murmured to his friend, but I caught every word. "I don’t get how they got access with security that tight.""Of course, it’s an inside job," his friend replied, his tone grim. "Tight security means nothing if someone inside is good at manipulation.""You’re right," the man nodded, their conversation fading into the background as I tried to keep my composure.I looked all over quickly to find my parents. We had gone down together, but they were gone now. Fear ripped at my ch
Astrella's Point of ViewDax grabbed my hand and pulled me in the direction of the computer. After a few clicks, a video started playing on the screen, displaying footage of the man undergoing further torture. Each punch that landed on his face filled the screen with his bruised and beaten appearance. Even though he was in tremendous pain, he did not speak a single word that could have revealed that my parents were involved. His faithfulness was unsettling, and I winced, tearing my gaze away from him.My fists clenched at my sides. Why is he showing me this?As the video ended, Dax turned to me, his grip firm yet oddly gentle as he placed his hands on my shoulders. His eyes searched mine, but I forced my expression to remain neutral, despite the storm of emotions inside me."What now?" I asked, meeting his gaze with as much calm as I could muster.He leaned in slightly, his voice low and intense. "Tell me, Astrella. Do you recognize that man?"I frowned, tilting my head in confusion.
Astrella's point of view "Finally, we're home!" I shrieked, raising both hands in the air as I stepped into our mansion. My sister bumped into me, nearly causing me to stumble. I shot her a glare, but she just rushed, heading straight for the living room, where she flopped onto the couch. Bad bitch. I rolled my eyes and made my way up to my room. Even after just a day away, I missed it so much.When I got inside, I jumped on my bed and rolled around like a kid who didn't care about anything. I let out a giggle as I grabbed my phone and started scrolling through it idly. I was so completely worn out. Thankfully, Mom didn't have a fit of rage last night. I prepared a lengthy list of excuses to divert her attention, such as the loudness of the music I was playing, the fact that I was writing a book, and so on. We all burst into laughter when she finally stormed out of the room. To be honest, she deserved it.Yes, I know I might have been a bit of a rebellious daughter, but sometimes it
Astrella's point of view Isha grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowd when we got to the bar. As we made our way to a VIP room, the others followed behind. Inside, a group of men were relaxing around a table that was full of empty liquor bottles. It was dark in the room; the only light came from the flashing, colorful lights that moved to the beat of the loud music. There was a buzz in the air that made me think of a wild night ahead. As soon as the men saw us, my friends erupted with excitement. Leona, who initially seemed reluctant about coming, was the first to shout, "Yeah! This is what we all want! Lezzgo party party!" She dove onto the couch, throwing her arms around a bottle of whiskey. "Yeaahh! For Buricat gals’ freedom!" Joana chimed in, snatching a bottle of her own. She downed a hefty gulp before jumping up and down like she’d just won the lottery. Isha leaned in close to me, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. "So, how about it? Ready for some real fun?"
Dax Donomie's point of view The rain had finally stopped, and the only thing that remained in the air was the lingering smell of wet asphalt and dirt. We were en route to the old shipyard, strapped in tight inside the jeep. Silvio had the wheel, knuckles flexing against the leather, while I sat in the passenger seat, my Glock resting heavy against my thigh. Xanthe and Fabio lounged in the back, looking relaxed, but we all knew the truth, we were wired as hell, nerves stretched thin like a tripwire ready to snap. Silvio, ever the dramatic bastard, decided to cut through the silence. “Guys, if ever we lose, please let my wife know that I love her very much.” I turned my head slowly to him, eyebrows raised. “The fvck? You don’t have a wife.” Fabio didn’t even hesitate, he leaned forward and smacked the back of Silvio’s head hard enough to make him flinch. “You don’t have a fvcking wife, and we are not losing this war, idiot.” Silvio barely spared him a glance, still foc
Astrella's point of view When I stepped out of the building, I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. All I had with me was my phone and the Glock strapped tight against my thigh, a cold reminder that safety was just an illusion. The night swallowed me whole. No stars, no moon, just the eerie glow of distant lightning splitting the sky. A silent warning. A storm was coming. I pulled out my phone, dialing my sister’s number again. Out of reach. My chest tightened. Why the hell isn’t she picking up? A sick feeling curled in my stomach, my pulse hammering. Is there something happening to her? No. Damn. I don't claim that negative thought. The streets stretched ahead, empty. No passing cars. No late-night wanderers. Just silence. Too much silence. I stopped at the corner, gripping my phone so hard my knuckles ached. How far had I walked? I didn’t even realize I’d put t
Dax Donomie's point of view “What about Astrella? Where is she?” That question hitched my breath. Instead of looking at them, I forced myself to look somewhere else and swallowed the knot that was forming in my throat. “She’s gone,” I muttered. Silvio frowned. “Gone? What do you mean gone?” Xanthe blinked rapidly, confusion twisting his face. “I made her leave.” My voice was quieter than I intended, but there was no point in taking it back. “Threw her out.” Silvio’s lips pressed into a thin line, and Fabio cursed under his breath. “What the hell, Dax?” “Damn it,” Xanthe hissed, stepping forward, his tone thick with disbelief. “Did you even think before doing that? Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for her out there? Especially now?” I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. “She’s better off away from me.” My voice was firmer this time, but the weight in my chest tightened. “If she stays, she’s in more danger than if she runs. At least this wa
Dax Donomie's point of view Astrella was gone. I told her to leave. I fvcking threw her out. She had begged me to believe her, and I had turned my back on her. I could still feel her last gaze burning into me, searing straight through my skin, down to the part of me that I tried so fvcking hard to ignore. The muscles in my jaw tightened, and my entire body became hard as I stood there motionless. Every nerve in my body was quivering, and my breath came in a nutshell erratic bursts. What the fvck just happened? And the second those words left my mouth, all I wanted to do was run after her. To grab her, hold her, bury my face in her neck, and take back everything. But I didn't. Instead, I just stood there like a goddamn idiot while she walked away from me. I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the memory of her tear-streaked face, but it was fvcking burned into my skull. As I struggled against the wrath that was churning inside of me, my fists became clenched, and
Astrella's point of view I woke up to the sound of my stomach grumbling, my head throbbing with a dull ache. I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead. I hadn’t been drinking, and I’d been eating well enough to avoid headaches. Then it hit me. Fvck. I hadn’t eaten real food all day. And now, judging by the dim light filtering through the curtains, night had already fallen. Heat crept up my face as I remembered exactly what I had eaten for breakfast. We had been tangled in each other for hours, his body pressed against mine, his hands claiming me over and over again. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, my thighs instinctively pressing together. I could still feel him, his touch lingering on my skin, the ghost of his kisses trailing down my body. But reality struck fast and hard. Dax was probably gathering his men now, preparing for war. And here I was, still sprawled in bed, sore but not broken. I forced myself up, wincing moderately as I moved. The soreness betw
Astrella's point of view He responded immediately. My chest ached from the intensity of Dax's kiss, which was profound and full of affection. I would make sure to take pleasure in this moment and burn it into my memory if I knew that our future was uncertain. Without breaking the kiss, he scooped me into his arms, carrying me to the bed. His fingers worked on undressing me; his touch was both careful and possessive. While he positioned above me, he had a sneer playing over his lips. "Well," he murmured, voice husky, "I haven’t had breakfast yet, so I guess we’ll just have to eat each other instead." He gave me a wink. I completely lost myself in him, laughing out loud and freely. He continued to remove my top and the cover of my chest; he tossed it, and I could see in my peripheral vision that it landed in the lampshade. I'm now leaving only my thong. He seemed to be possessive, as seen by the darkening of his eyes. His fingers moved slowly and deliberately over the length of
Astrella's point of view For some reason, I awoke feeling surprisingly light, yet I was also burdened by discomfort that I was unable to get rid of. For the conflict. It is Dax. The uncertainty that surrounds everything. No matter what I did, I was at a loss. Nevertheless, I needed to take a shower before I could allow my thoughts to take control of me. Perhaps if I washed away the negative emotions that were sticking to my skin, it would be easier. Even if the warm water did not do much to calm my anxiety, at least it gave me a sense of refreshment. I got out of the room, wrapped myself in a towel, and made my way to the closet that was shared by Dax. I rummaged through my closet and found a sky-blue terno, a loose shirt, and shorts, which are the items of clothing that I typically wear when I am feeling comfortable at home. My fingers were running over the surface of my vanity mirror as I sat in front of it, lost in contemplation. I had been nagging Dax to get it for me, and t
Dax Donomie's point of view When I got to the base, the staff and my men were all huddled in their corners, busy securing the place. The entire building was already on lockdown. Silvio and Fabio, along with the others, were out hunting the traitor. But damnit. Why was the breach in my room? The moment the alarm connected to my room went off, I rushed there, expecting the worst. What I didn’t expect was to find Astrella inside with the intruder. For a brief second, suspicion flickered in my mind. Could she? No. That didn’t make sense. Astrella had no reason to betray me. Her sister was already safe, and her parents? They were rotting in the dungeon. Then why the hell was she the intruder’s target? I exhaled sharply, running a frustrated hand through my hair. Was she hiding something from me? Aisssh. No. Not now. Xanthe will handle it. I have a big situation waiting for me. I moved toward one of the cubicles, slumping into a chair as I scanned the security footage. My
Astrella's point of view "What the hell just happened?" "I don’t know. I just felt something was off. But I ignored it, thinking I was just exhausted from the shooting range. I was about to take a shower when he suddenly appeared, out of nowhere—in your closet." He grasped my wrist gently, examining the red marks left by the masked man. His expression darkened. Then, without a word, he pulled me into an embrace, exhaling deeply against my hair. His voice was shadowed with restraint. "We’ve already locked down the building. My men are hunting every last traitor." He breathed out, pressing a firm kiss to my forehead. "When I heard the alarm after the crash, I bolted straight here. Where’s Xanthe?" As we broke apart, his sharp eyes scanned my face, searching for something, maybe doubt, maybe fear. I stiffened but forced myself to regain composure in a second. I can’t let him know something’s wrong. And what was I supposed to tell him? Another lie? I was already neck-deep