WARNING: This chapter contains explicit descriptions of violence that may be triggering for some readers. It is not recommended for readers under the age of 18βπ« α α ONE HOUR LATER α α In the damp, dark depth of a secret dungeon, screams could be heard as well as the cracking of bones and burning of flesh. The Russians were strung up by their wrists, their feet barely touching the floor. A few of them were dead from continuous torture while the rest were barely hanging on. "Please..." Pyotr begged in their language. The effects of the sedatives had expired a long time ago and now, he was feeling every pain inflicted on him. Before him, Enzo stood, his cold and calculating eyes sweeping over him with dispassionate cruelty. He began tightening the ropes around his wrists, the skin stretching and the nerves screaming in protest. With a quick, practiced motion, he plunged a branding iron into a roaring furnace. The metal seared white-hot and with a single, vicious smoke, he seared his
In the dim light of the early morning, Rosana stirred, slowly opening her eyes to find the bedroom bathed in a soft, warm glow. Beside her, Sergio laid fast asleep, his chest rising and falling with each breath, his face peaceful in repose.As she stared at him, the memory of the previous night came flooding back to herβthe way their lips had collided, the way his hands had roamed over her body, his lips hot against her neck, the way he had devoured every inch of her body, sending waves of pleasure crashing over her and the fire in his eyes as he gazed down at her.Quietly, she rose from the bed, pulling the sheet around her as she walked over to the window, gazing out at the beautiful sunrise. The warmth of the sun on her skin matched the warmth in her heart as she thought about Sergio. He had refused to be consumed by his darkness and had returned to her. Nothing could be more perfect than that. Looking back at the bedroom, she spotted their clothes strewn across the floor, a silen
ONE WEEK LATERβ’β’β’"I cannot believe you are going back. It almost felt like old times in college" Rosana said and sat down on the bed. "I miss those times, you know. College life, the fun, the parties you always dragged me to..."They both laughed."You were the sister I never got to have," Lucretia added with a soft smile." We were so different from each other, like the Ying and yang, yet we always moved along even though we disagreed on most things""You were and have always been a kick-ass, badass b*tch. I cannot thank you enough for the number of times you stood up and fought for me. Sometimes I got scared it would get you in trouble with those white Jerks but you never cared about it. I was just a little girl who was sent to the States with no family, but you became a friend, a sister, and a companion, all in one. I wish things had been different and you did not have to suffer so much, Lu. You would have become a Lawyer like you always wanted and well, I guess you would have gott
Lucretia swallowed hard as her hands began to tremble. She had begged for this, but now it was being offered to her, she wasn't sure she wanted to take itβshe wasn't even sure of anything. "I...," She began, her voice faltering. He was no longer looking at her. His eyes were fixed on the road while his hands gripped the steering wheel with such force his knuckles turned white and his veins stood out against the dark ink of his tattoos. His face remained void of emotions but she could see the vein ticking in his jaw. For the second time, she opened her mouth to speak but words couldn't flow out. He was giving her what she wanted. He was shutting her out and left no room for any sort of conversation. Sparing one last glance in his direction, she felt her heart break as she stepped out of the car. The door closed behind her with a soft click and there was no moment of hesitation as he revved the engine and drove away. She stood there, rooted to the spot as her body began to shake. S
NEXT MORNING~Rosana stirred, her blonde hair tousled from sleep. As she sat up in bed, she ran her delicate hands through the tangles, smoothing them into place. Her belly, which was now swollen and round, rose and fell gently as she breathed. It was a reminder of the two lives growing within her. At the bedroom door, Sergio leaned against the frame, watching her with a tender smile. She was radiant and breathtaking, her skin aglow with the vitality of motherhood. Her eyes remained distant, as she traced gentle circles on the curve of her belly. "Good morning," Sergio said softly, stepping into the room. "You're looking particularly beautiful today, Amore Mio"Rosana turned her head towards him, her eyes meeting his with a flicker of acknowledgment. "Good morning," she replied, her voice gentle but somehow distracted."Everything okay?" "It's nothing" She replied with a light voice, but there was a hint of something deeper beneath the surface.Sergio approached her, his gaze searc
Sergio stalked down the hallways of his mansion, his face a mask of steel. He arrived at her suite and paused outside the door, knowing she was hiding in there. She had been hiding for some time and finally, her time was up. Turning the knob, he pushed the door open and walked inside, his eyes cold and hard. She was seated in a plush chair but when she saw him, she stood up immediately, her eyes widening in fear "Figlio..." Munika began, her voice quavering. [Son...]Sergio took a few steps towards her, his face unreadable. He didn't say a word, but his eyes spoke volumes. He knew she was hiding something, and intended to find out what it was. "I... I" She could feel the cold sweat dripping down her back, and her hands were trembling so hard. What did Vicenta say to him? He could only be there for one reason. "I did not mean for things to turn out that way," she rushed out even without him saying a word. "I only wanted what was best for you, for our family."Sergio's eyes narrowed.
Beneath the glitz and glamour, there was a darker undercurrent. Jealousy and greed simmered beneath the surface as the guests eyed each other warily, their smiles hiding daggers. Their every move was calculated, their every word carefully chosen, for they knew better than to cross the man who stood at the center of it allβthe Mafia Lord. A single look from him could spell fortune or ruin, and everyone knew it.As the hours passed, Rosana began to show signs of exhaustion, her smile faltering as she fought to stay awake. Sergio noticed that and called for the night to come to an end. As the guests filed out of the ballroom, he helped her back up the staircase, his concern for her well-being evident in his every gesture."Are you alright, Bambolina?" She collapsed on the bed, her eyes closing in relief as the weight of the evening's events finally caught up with her. "Yes, perfect even. I enjoyed the evening"Sergio began undressing her. "Your parents refused to spend the night in the
ONE MONTH LATERβ’β’β’A sleek black Maserati pulled up to the entrance of the clubhouse, its polished exterior glinting under the pulsating neon lights. The engine purred before falling silent, and the crowd gathered outside couldn't help but stare as the driver's door opened.Enzo emerged, his well-tailored suit clinging to his muscular frame and hinting at the raw strength beneath the refined exterior. His presence commanded attention, the air around him crackling with an energy that was both dangerous and alluring.As he strode towards the entrance, the murmurs began. "It's him... he's back..." Eyes widened in admiration as they took in his new look. His skin was adorned with intricate new tattoos, snaking their way up his arms and neck, adding an edgy appeal to his already devastating charisma.He entered the dimly lit club, the pulsating music and sensual atmosphere a fitting backdrop for his return. He had left for an operation in the other territories but now, he was back.Without
Enzo's mind reeled, struggling to process the revelation. The past and present collided, threatening to upend everythingβthe secrets she'd kept, the lies she'd told, and the truths she'd hidden, partially exposed. What more could she have hidden from him?Rio, oblivious to the turmoil raging within Enzo, happily jumped up from his seat. "Catch me if you can!" Then, he ran off.Enzo, familiar with the game, stood up and ran after him, trying to catch him. The sun-drenched playground echoed with Rio's laughter as they chased after each other. Suddenly, Rio's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he waved enthusiastically."MammΓ ! My MammΓ is here!" As Enzo's gaze followed him, his blood ran cold. Frozen in place, he watched as Lucretia walked towards the playground, her strides elegant, as always. She scanned the playground and once she found Rio, she smiled softly. "There you are!" The boy sprinted toward her with a ball in hand. "MammΓ , come see! I made a new friend, he saved me from
Rio stepped out of the room, his small frame trembling. He had watched the scene unfold through the window and though he hadn't seen everything, he knew the unknown man had saved him. He had defeated the bad man who now lay motionless on the ground.Enzo, sensing his presence, shifted his gaze from the lifeless man. His eyes locked on Rio and for a moment, he froze. Those eyes... They were identical to Lucretia's, deep green.His expression faltered as a flicker of emotion crossed his face. The resemblance was uncannyβthe same deep green that had haunted him for months. Memories came flooding back, but he locked them away and hardened his expression."Are you okay?" He asked and Rio nodded, taking small steps forward. "You should not be out here""Yes. Nana Silvana said to stay inside, but then, the bad man came." Nana Silvana? Enzo had thought the woman was the boy's mother. "You are safe now.""And the... And the bad man?"Enzo's expression softened. "He will never harm you again,
"Once I'm gone, lock the door from the inside," Silvana instructed Rio, her expression serious. "Do not go outside. Do you understand?""Yes, Nana." He nodded solemnly."Remember, do not open the door for anyone except your MammΓ or me." "Yes, Nana," Rio replied, his brows furrowed with concern. "Is MammΓ alright? I saw bruises on her face this morning"Silvana's face softened. Despite Lucretia's attempt to hide from the boy, he had noticed the bruises anyway. "She is... alright, dear, you do not have to worry about her. That is why you must stay safe inside and keep the door locked. I will be back in no time"With a reassuring smile, Silvana departed and Rio obediently did as instructed, his mind filled with worry. His mother's changed behavior troubled him and the fact that she wasn't herself anymore. The past few months had been filled with hushed conversations between Aunt Silvana and his mother who often whispered of "Paying the price" and that "He's coming for her." Rio could
NEXT MORNING~Lucretia stood at her kitchen sink, bracing herself against the cool countertop. The trembling of her hands subsided slowly as she gripped the edge of the sink, her head bowed in exhaustion. She couldn't sleep the whole night as the image of the men who had attacked her kept flashing in her mind, including the mysterious man who had saved her. Her thoughts swirled, reliving the terror of the alley. Each memory triggered a fresh wave of fear that made her stomach churn. She retched, but nothing came up. Her fingers instinctively went to the tender skin of her neck where Domingo had gripped her and she winced at the haunting memories it brought back.Enzo should've killed her at once, instead of letting her live. She had felt the life draining out of her when he encircled his fingers on her throat, but then his hands had fallen limp as he slipped away.Attempting to calm her racing heart, she forced herself to breathe deeply. If not for the mysterious stranger, she'd be g
"No, it isn't!" Lucretia gritted and darted towards the narrow gap between two dumpsters. Before she could make it through, she was grasped by the hair and tossed harshly to the ground."Always thinking you're fucking smart" Domingo laughed and walked over to where she was now struggling to raise herself from the ground. He crouched in front of her and grasped her hair, pulling her head backward so she was now looking into his face."But you're not!" He added and landed a hard slap on her face that sent her back to the ground."What the fuck do you want from me?!?""From you? Oh, everything!" He replied languidly and grasped hair one more time."Why? I did as you fucking asked!""That's what I thought. Until I found out the mission was unsuccessful, you fucking failed" He responded and smacked her on the cheek once more. "And he is alive!"Lucretia spat our blood as she struggled to get up from the ground. "He's fucking dead, I saw it, you saw it. Unless you were fucking blind"Domin
The leather strap cracked against Alberto's back, the sound echoing through the room. His cries were all that was heard, his pleas for mercy drowned out by the relentless cracking of the belt. "You should have taken the throne," Sergio repeated, each word punctuated by another strike. His expression remained impassive, his eyes glinting with cold intensity.In rapt silence, the men who had been ordered out of the meeting room and the soldiers watched, witnessing Alberto's public downfall. They all knew Sergio was merely toying with him. An actual fight would've ended in minutes, with Alberto broken and covered in bruises. But instead of using his fists, the Don had chosen to wield his belt as a tool of discipline.The measured strikes, the steady pace, and Sergio's unruffled demeanor served as a potent reminder of his unshakable power and authority. This wasn't about vengeance, neither was it a punishment. It was a deliberate showcase of his supremacy."Please... forgive me! I am you
β’β’β’TWO WEEKS LATERβ’β’β’ β οΈπ΄ββ οΈTHE CAPITALπ΄ββ οΈβ οΈThe door to the meeting room swung open, and Sergio walked in, his presence grasping attention. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, his shirt crisp and white, his tie knotted to perfection. But it wasn't his impeccable attire that drew the eye. It was the cold aura that swirled around him like a dark cloud.As he entered, the room seemed to grow colder, the air thickening with an almost discernable sense of fear. The mafia members, dressed in tailored suits, felt a shiver run down their spines as their hearts raced in unison.Hastily, they scrambled to their feet with their heads bowed in terror and their eyes fixed on the floor. Not a sound was made and not a muscle twitched, as they froze in place. Sergio's gaze swept the room, his eyes lingering on each member. His face remained calm, but his eyes burned with an icy intensity that seemed to pierce the very souls of those before him.With deliberate slowness, he made
"It's a miracle!" The Doctor exclaimed, snapping him out of his thoughts. "The Don is awake, and we owe it to these two little champions"A sudden shiver ran down his spine, as though a cold breeze had swept through the room. But it wasn't the temperature that caused the shiverβit was the unmistakable sensation of being watched.He could feel a pair of eyes digging into his back, boring into his skin. The sensation was familiar, yet it sent a trail of shivers down his spine. Without turning around, Sergio listened to the Doctor who continued talking. As Sergio finally turned to face the room, his breath hitched in his throat. His eyes locked onto Rosana's, and time seemed to stand still. She was standing just a few feet away, her teary blue eyes fixed on him with an intensity that made his heart skip a beat. The children were with her, but his gaze was drawn only to Rosanaβhis Bambolina.In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the questions, not the doubts, not the fears. All that
In the depths of Sergio's subconscious, he had heard a faint whisper that echoed through the darkness. It was a soft, insistent voice, a gentle tug on the seams of his mind."PapΓ !""Daddy, wake up!" "We want you to eat lunch with us!"The voice was like a ray of sunlight, piercing the fog that shrouded his awareness. His subconscious stirred, ever so slightly, as the twins' words resonated deep within him. The voice grew louder, urgent, and more like a chorus."Please, Daddy, wake up! We miss you! We miss sharing your favorite sandwich with you!"Sergio's subconscious began to stir, like a sleeping giant awakening from a deep slumber. Memories of laughter, sunny days, and family meals together began to surface, tantalizingly out of reach.The twins' voices grew more insistent, piercing the veil of his unconsciousness. "Daddy, we love you! Come back to us!"At that moment, something shifted deep within his mind. A spark of recognition. As he slowly emerged from the darkness, it felt