•KINLEY•Walking back into the mansion after a week in Italy felt strange. Especially since I was now married to him.I had done a great job of avoiding all messages and phone calls while we were away, but today I would have no option but to face everyone.I knew Talon was going to be the worst, or so I had thought.When we walked in I was met with an older Italian woman sitting in the living room. Her make up was perfectly done and her gold jewelery stood out against her high necked emerald dress. Gianni's body language immediately became guarded."Tia Lola, what brings you here?"She pursed her lips and looked at me, "Is what I read in the papers true?""Yes. This is my wife, Kinley. Kinley, my loving aunt Lola." I didn't miss the sarcasm dripping off his voice. I wondered why he had previously told me that Giovanni was his only family.She pinched at the bridge of her nose, "How long have the two of you known each other?""That doesn't really matter. What is the nature of this vi
I walked into the bar, my eyes scanning the area around me.I had called King and asked to meet him, this place was his idea.I couldn't see why though, it gave off an unsafe vibe.I spotted King sitting at a booth in the back and made my way over to him"Took you long enough." He remarked as I took a seat."Well, it isn't my fault you chose a place so far out.""I couldn't risk you being followed. Drink?"I shook my head. "So, what is this about?""I've changed my mind. I want to take you up on your offer.""Why now? You were completely against it, so why the sudden change?"I exhaled loudly, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Let's just say, I have a score to settle." I wasn't lying, I did have a score to settle, but it was with Talon and not Gianni.But what King didn't know, well, that was his problem and not mine.He nodded with a thoughtful expression on his face, "I suppose that makes sense. I knew this playing house wouldn't last very long. But I'm going to need you to b
•GIANNI•I sat at my desk, my mind running over what Talon had said to me earlier.On the one side, I knew Kinley would never betray me in such a way. But on the other, my insecurities were getting the best of me.From the moment I had wanted her to be mine I had wondered if it would really work out between us.Could someone as pure and loving as Kinley really be happy with a monster like me?It was like pairing an angel together with a demon. I leaned back in my chair, trying to decipher what I should do.End Talon seemed like the most plausible thing to do.But he had always had my back, and I was big on loyalty. He had been a friend to me when no one else had wanted to.It hurt me to think of killing him.But if he was coming between Kinley and me, I would have no choice but to get him out of the picture.I shook my head, no, what if she really did want to be with him rather than me? It wouldn't be fair of me to selfishly take him away from her and force her to be with me.I chu
•KINLEY•My phone kept ringing with King's number flashing on the screen.Now that Talon was out of the house, I wasn't sure what to do. I had no reason to pretend to help him anymore.Hearing approaching footsteps outside the door, I shoved my phone in my pocket just as Gianni walked in."Morning, baby. Giovanni wants to see us, I thought we could go watch a movie or something after.""That sounds great. Let me get my bag."He nodded and waited by the door while I shoved my phone into the bag and slung it over my shoulder."Luca will be joining us. After the events with Talon, I would rather not take any chances where you are concerned.""Do you think he's going to try and come back, or do something?""I don't know. I barely did any damage because I didn't want to upset you. It may not have been enough to show him how serious I am about this.""But he's been around long enough not to take any risks, surely?"Gianni shrugged, "Maybe. But he's gotten cocky, so we can't be sure."That m
•KINLEY• There was an eerie atmosphere to the mansion since Giovanni's death earlier that day.It was as if we were all walking around in a somewhat zombie state. Except for Gianni.He was fuming and focused on finding those responsible for the murder.I knew he was throwing himself into this so that he didn't feel anything, so that he was distracted from the pain he was feeling.It was hard to see Gianni like this. I could see through the act, he was ready to break at any moment.The only plus side I could see was that because he was so busy, I would have a better chance of him not being suspicious when Luca and I left to meet King.I hadn't told King that Luca would be joining us, I had a feeling that if he knew, he may just cancel and I couldn't afford that happening.I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time to leave.I shot Luca a look before heading up to Gianni's study.He was busy writing on papers that were on his desk. An almost empty bottle of alcohol beside h
•GIANNI•After Kinley left, I felt as though I may just go insane.I was going over the different enemies I had made over the years trying to link them to Giovanni's death.But none of it made sense, there were too many loopholes. I just wanted to figure something out. But my head was spinning from the bottle I had finished.It didn't stop me from opening a second one, I couldn't sleep. Each time I tried to close my eyes, I would see Giovanni's body laying there with bullet holes everywhere and blood around him.I took a swig from the bottle and attempted to get to my feet. Falling over, I stayed there for a moment. I hated myself when my tears fell.I was an Esposito. How could I sit here, crying on the floor like a pathetic mess?Giovanni would be ashamed.I shook my head, it was no wonder why my father didn't want me.He had always told me I was too soft. I would never make it as an Esposito.I would always embarrass the family name. It was one of the main reasons I had become so
I stretched out on the bed, feeling for Gianni as I woke up.He wasn't there and I let out a sigh before getting up to take a shower and get ready for the day ahead.I was beginning to feel sluggish from all the stress about everything that was going on, and today I was going to the funeral home with Billie to go over everything for Giovanni's send-off.All things I would have rather put off, but I knew I couldn't.After my shower I went to find Gianni, he wasn't in his study and I noted that it was still left in a mess.I was surprised to find him sitting outside near the pool staring out blankly."Gia?"He immediately reached out for me as I approached him, "I'm sorry about last night."I nodded, "It's okay, you're dealing with a lot right now," I hesitated, unsure of my next words, "What was Billie doing with you?""She came in, probably to check on me after I broke the windows. Nothing happened if that's what you're thinking.""I'm not sure what I'm thinking. Gianni, maybe you sho
The day of the funeral came by a lot quicker than I had expected it to.There were a lot of people joining us and I tried my best to be support for Gianni, although I was still feeling sickly. More so now than before.Even as we stood beside the grave site I had to force myself not to throw up.When we got to the wake, I couldn't hold it anymore and rushed to one of the bathrooms to expel what little was in my stomach.Gianni had seen me rush off and came in, closing the door behind him, "Are you okay?""No. I feel like crap."Come, let me take you to the doctors.""Not now, how will it look if we leave?""I don't care how it looks, Gattina. You are my priority."I sighed and heaved, but my stomach was empty."Okay." I couldn't stand this any longer.Gianni helped me to the car before we left, I was feeling even more nauseas than before, and stuck my head out the open window in the hopes that the cool wind would help me a bit.When we got to the doctors, Gianni got a call so I went in