I apologize for not updating for a very long time now, shit happens. But slowly, things are falling back into place and I cannot wait to round up this book, probably this month. It's only a few chapters left, but it needs a lot of time and energy. Bear with me, please, and thank you for your understanding. Lastly, do not forget to leave a comment. Your gems and gifts will go a long way to push the book forward and make me happy. Xoxoxo!
"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
"I do not love him, Viola. I do not want to be with him" Rosana sighed in irritation. She was now feeling better but her throat still burned. "This is a living hell, a nightmare!" Viola sighed. She understood Rosana's plight more than anyone else and saw the sadness in her eyes. But she couldn't do or say anything to make her feel at ease. "Allen and I met in Senior High. It was love at first sight, Viola and it was wonderful" She smiled and continued. "We fell madly in love and couldn't stay away from each other. Because of that, we enrolled in the same University and luckily, we both graduated top of our different classes." "He always wanted to come over to Italy and meet my parents but I was a bit scared. Scared that my father would only approve of him if he agreed to join the Mafia too. I was scared of losing him like my brother" "Does it mean he never knew about your family?" Viola asked and Rosana nodded. "He only knew that my father was a businessman and he was always busy.
Sergio stood up and went to stand in front of the window. "You can not strike when he has not committed an offense"Alfonso nodded in agreement. "I am sorry, Boss, I misinterpreted your order""We leave first thing tomorrow. Get the soldatos ready" [Soldiers]"Yes, Boss"************[Next Day]After having breakfast, Rosana decided to take a walk around the mansion. Since she arrived days ago, no one showed her around. She didn't even know most places in the building.Viola followed behind her, acting as a tour guide. She showed her all the places she needed to know and warned her against the places she wasn't allowed to enter."That building over there is a cell."Rosana paused and stared at the building which was far away from the mansion. "A cell? Why is there a cell here?""I do not know, My Lady. But it is not a good and decent place for anyone" "Then why is it here? What happens there?"Viola lowered her head and refused to say a word. She was always afraid of being around Ros
Enzo's mind reeled, struggling to process the revelation. The past and present collided, threatening to upend everything—the 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."Mammà! My Mammà 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. "Mammà, 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 uncanny—the 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 Mammà or me." "Yes, Nana," Rio replied, his brows furrowed with concern. "Is Mammà 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
•••TWO WEEKS LATER••• ☠️🏴☠️THE CAPITAL🏴☠️☠️The 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 shiver—it 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 Rosana—his 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."Papà!""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