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
"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
"Your father is waiting in his study" Rosana looked down at the luggage she was holding and sighed. She couldn't help wondering why her father urgently needed her in his study. What could be so important? She wasn't even allowed to drop her bags before her mother conveyed the message. "Is anything the problem, Mammà?" "No, absolutely not," Aria responded with a faux smile. She looked worried and anxious and Rosana could tell because she kept rubbing her hands. She gave her mother a suspicious look and turned to look around. Surely, this was not the atmosphere she expected to meet after being away for the past three years. "I will drop my bags first and then I will meet him in the study" Aria smiled and returned to the kitchen while Rosana headed up the stairs. Once inside her room, she smiled and dropped her bags on the neatly dressed bed. The room was clean which meant that Aria had taken care of it in preparation for her homecoming. Rosana looked at the ring on her middle fing
"Ro, la facciamo?" Sergio asked and held out his right hand. He was now standing beside her, facing her. He was cut an imposing figure, his tall frame encased in a black suit that spelled splendor. The fabric clung to his well-muscled chest, and the first three buttons were left undone, revealing intricate tattoos that snaked up his chest. The sight made her edgy but she couldn't look away. He wasn't even wearing a tie. Why her? She kept asking herself. How could her father do this to her? How could he force her to marry someone she didn't even love? Someone that looked deadly? Someone that spelled terror? She had always wanted to marry Allen and none other. But standing before the congregation, dressed in a white wedding gown and standing beside a man who was not Allen broke her frantic heart. Her eyes twitched, threatening to spill tears but she clicked her tongue with her teeth and tried to stop it. Her trick worked. Even if she cried in front of everyone, it wouldn't change a
Rosana followed him quietly. She was too traumatized to speak or notice that he was holding her with his bloodied hand. The same hand he had used in pulling out the man's heart.When they finally arrived in their bedroom, Sergio opened the door and ushered her in. "Welcome home!"She looked around the room in fright and finally turned to look at him. He was still standing behind the closed door, not making any attempt to step further into the room. She lowered her gaze to his hands and shivered when she saw it covered in blood."Why?" She croaked, tears shimmering in her eyes. "Why did you kill him?""He deserved to die, Amore""Aveva una famiglia" [He had a family]Sergio scoffed and started walking towards her, causing her heartbeat to accelerate unusually. She took a step backward, trying to avoid him. If she had her way, she would've vanished completely."Do not try to run away from me, Bambolina" He groaned and took another step closer but she stepped away. She was shaking visibly
NEXT-MORNINGAfter tossing and turning in bed countlessly, Rosana was finally able to sleep at dawn. She had expected Sergio to join her in bed but he didn't. How could he when he had his Mistress with him?Soft beams of morning glow fell into the room, causing her to stir a bit. She didn't have enough sleep and that was because she didn't want any. How could she sleep peacefully after what she witnessed when she first arrived?Besides, she had not forgotten the deadly look on his face after she slapped him. Rosana sighed and rubbed her eyes lazily. She was not fully awake but she could sense another presence in the room. Someone else was in the room, beside her. Immediately, she forced her eyes open and the first person she saw was Sergio.He sat beside her on the edge of the bed with a glass of whiskey, watching her with a pair of soul-piercing dark metallic eyes. Rosana forced herself not to stare at him. He was shirtless and beautiful, even with the inks all over him but he looked
SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA, USA."I'm glad you could join us for breakfast. And oh, where's your fiancée?" Samantha asked, stirring the pot of stew on fire. "I can't wait to see her"Allen took a deep breath and turned to look at the dining table which was filled with different kinds of dishes his mother had prepared. She was hosting a family celebration for his engagement."I'm almost done. Just give me a minute."Allen pecked her and walked out of the kitchen. He pulled out his phone once again and checked but still, there was no call or message from her.Taking a deep breath, he dialed her number for the umpteenth time, hoping he'd get a positive response but It was still the same. Her number was not reachable. He sighed and rubbed his forehead, thinking hard. There was only one question that kept ringing in his mind.What happened to Rosana?"Allen honey, it's time to eat!" Samantha announced from the dining room. "I'll go get your father"During breakfast, everyone ate in silence. Hi
Sergio stood in front of the window with his left hand tucked inside his trouser pocket and his right, holding a cigar between his thumb and forefinger. His clothes were arranged and his shirt was neatly tucked inside his trouser. One would think nothing happened a while ago. Alfonso bowed as he walked into the room, stealing a glance at Rosana who laid on the cold floor looking lifeless. She should've listened. But she didn't. Was she still alive?"Take her away." Sergio started, taking a long drag from his cigar. "If she is dead, bury her. I do not want any corpse lying around""Yes, Boss. Should I send for the Mistress?" He didn't respond, but Alfonso knew the response. "One more thing, Boss, a maid is here to see you. She says she has something important to tell you."When he remained quiet, Alfonso continued."We tried to send her away but she is strong-willed. She would not go and pleads to have a word with you. She is the maid you assigned to look after your wife"Sergio was qu