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Kimberly POV “Why did you say she died because of you?” I finally asked, my voice barely above a whisper.Leonardo’s expression hardened, his eyes focused somewhere distant. “I couldn’t let the sleeping dog lie,” he said, his voice low and heavy.Salvatore. The name resonated like a dark omen—dangerous and deadly, a shadow cast over the past.Leonardo’s jaw clenched as he continued, “He was never worthy of being family. I tried to fight it, against my sister’s pleas. I didn’t listen, and my mother paid the price.”It took me several moments to piece it all together, the realisation snapping into place like a final puzzle piece. My eyes widened. “Salvatore… is Emily’s husband?” The shock laced my words.Leonardo’s muttered “Smart” was all the confirmation I needed. The silence that followed was heavy, the air between us taut with unspoken pain. He didn’t elaborate, and I understood the unspoken boundary. This wound was still raw, and pressing it further would break what little trust w
Kimberly POV I was in high spirits for the rest of the week. Leonardo and I had started making progress—or at least, I thought so.Since he sent me that landline, he’s been away traveling. But he still sends me texts, and I can’t help looking forward to them, even though I pretend otherwise. The thought of it makes me giggle, and I realise just how much I’ve started to rely on those messages. I was just settling down when the landline started ringing. For a split second, I hoped it was Leonardo. But it turned out to be Ian—well, not bad."Heyy," I greeted."Hi, sis," Ian said."I’ve been trying to reach Dad, but his number’s not going through. What’s up?" he asked.My heart leapt. I knew this moment would come, but I’d hoped to have a solid excuse ready by then. But as it turns out, my mind went blank."Actually..." I stammered."Sis?" Ian’s voice grew tense. "Is something wrong with Dad? Tell me!""No, not at all!" I blurted out, my voice almost too high. "He’s… on a field trip. Yea
Kimberly POV After the gym incident with Luca, I couldn’t help but feel flushed every time we were in the same room. Days rolled into weeks, and my daily life had settled into a rhythm of scrolling through my phone, chatting with Helen, binge-watching series, and occasionally reading some steamy romance stories.At dinner one evening, Leonardo looked up at me. "I hope you're prepared for the party. It’s in the U.S."“U.S.?” I repeated, almost choking. “Like…the United States?”He shrugged, casually continuing his meal. “Yeah. It’s a little grand.”I couldn’t hide my surprise. “I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard a lot about it,” I admitted, trying to keep my voice steady.“It’s not that bad,” Leonardo said calmly as he continued his meal.I took a breath, gathering the nerve to ask, “What kind of party is it, exactly?”Leonardo set his fork down, meeting my gaze. “It’s more of an investment discussion. But there’ll be a buffet, and… I’ll be there as the Don.”“Don?” The word rolled
Kimberly POV I caught my reflection in the mirror and nearly did a double-take. The emerald dress hugged me just right, with only a hint of gloss and mascara. I had tried my best not to do much, but the effect was something that couldn't go unnoticed.As I glanced over the bannister, I spotted Leonardo on a call downstairs. I think he noticed my presence, because he turned in my direction and stared at me. I heard him murmur something in Italian to the phone.I could feel his burning gaze on me as I descended the stairs, and I prayed silently not to trip and fall.When I reached him, he leaned in, pressing a light kiss to my forehead. “You look incredible,” he said, his tone softer than I’d expected.“Thank you.” I tried to look away, my cheeks warming under his steady gaze.“Shall we?” He extended his hand, and I took it, letting him lead me to the car. The drive was smooth, though I could feel his eyes on me from time to time, making me hyper-aware of every little detail.Once we ar
Kimberly POV The rest of the week passed marvelously, with Leonardo drifting in and out of the apartment. He’d be there one moment, and the next, he’d vanish. Strangely, since our near-moment of...whatever that was, we’d fallen into an easy rhythm together.I even pieced together what he meant by "punishment." It was the denied release, that almost-but-not-quite moment. And honestly, it was torture. Real Torture!This morning, I was woken by the scent of something warm and sweet. Opening my eyes, I blinked at the sight of Leonardo holding a tray with French toast and a steaming cup of ginger tea.“Hey,” I murmured, sitting up, a smile creeping onto my face at the sight."This must have taken ages to make," I teased, unable to hide my admiration.He raised an eyebrow, shrugging casually. "Not too long.""Uh-huh… So, what’s the occasion?” I asked with a laugh, eyeing the plate.“No occasion, Kimberly. Just thought I’d make something nice,” he said, shrugging it off with that familiar ai
I had on the gown Emily had secretly bought; the same gown I swore not to wear. Suddenly, I liked it on my body. Not that I don’t have anything else to wear, but I noticed Leonardo wants me to give him a "go ahead," so I know this dress can give him the answers he is looking for.I settled for a silver jewellery necklace with a matching earring. I held a black purse that complimented my black block heels.My hair was in curls, and they fell down to my back. Light, natural make-up, with a red gloss to give a bolder face."Stunning as always," Leonardo complimented as he drove himself to a small, elegant lounge."No driver needed," he had said when I asked why he's driving himself.“Osteria Amore; Love Tarven” The entrance read. That moment, I remembered it was the same lounge used to shoot a N*****x series I just watched.A place for just couples and lovers. It was said in the movie that one is not allowed to come alone. You must be there with the opposite gender, else you won’t be give
I woke with a sharp, throbbing pain in my abdomen, blinking against the early morning light. The unfamiliar surroundings hit me first: Leonardo’s room. My mind scrambled to piece together how I got here, until memories from last night drifted back—dinner, a movie, and eventually falling asleep here. But then the pain struck again, harder this time, and I felt a sticky warmth beneath me.My stomach dropped. Glancing down, I saw the faint, unmistakable stain of blood on Leonardo’s pure, white Gucci bedspread.Panic surged through me. scrambling out of bed and glancing around. He wasn’t in the room, thank God. But I had no sanitary pads, no relief for the cramps, and now his sheets were stained. The situation couldn’t be worse.Just then, I heard familiar footsteps approaching. Heart pounding, I darted into the bathroom and turned on the shower, the faucet, even the bathtub, hoping to drown out any sound.“Kimberly?” Leonardo’s voice came through the door, startling me.“Go away,” I said,
Kimberly POV It took hours to convince Leonardo I was feeling better before he finally left for his meeting. I’m one of the lucky ones who only get four-day periods, so I’m back to normal, more or less.“You sure you’ll be fine on your own?” he asked, pausing by the door.“Yes, I’ll be fine…” I rolled my eyes as I walked toward the bedroom.We’d be flying back to Spain in a day, and I couldn’t help but reflect on how strange things had become between us here. How did we even get to this point? I didn’t know, but just the thought brought a small smile to my face.As I folded my clothes—taking my time as Helen isn't here—I noticed a pack of dark chocolate Leonardo had gotten for me yesterday. I reached for it, planning to munch on it as I packed, but as my fingers touched it, I saw a reflection in the mirror.A masked figure behind me.I froze. My hand hovered pressed down on the chocolate, a chill running through me as my mind raced. Leonardo…?” I whispered, barely breathing.The fig
Kimberly POV “Kimberly, are you okay?” Leonardo’s voice cut through, his tone sharp with urgency. “Oh my goodness, she’s having a seizure!” someone else shouted, panic rising in their voice. I felt hands on my body, several of them, pinning me down to stop my convulsions. My muscles screamed in protest, but I couldn’t control them. Through the chaos, my gaze locked onto Leonardo’s deep blue eyes. He wasn’t in front of me anymore, but his eyes lingered in my mind like a trance. “Can she stop staring in one direction?” a voice asked, tinged with confusion. “We need to get her stabilised first,” another replied firmly. Then I felt a shock on my chest, cold and jarring, ripping through my chest like lightningOne! Two! My body arched, and I gasped, air finally rushing back into my lungs. My eyes shifted, breaking free from the fixation. The room spun around me, and I felt the faintest hint of calm before exhaustion overtook me. In no time, I drifted into sleep. Even in m
Kimberly POV The sterile white walls of the hospital room are a stark contrast to the suffocating darkness I’d been trapped in just hours ago. My body was heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and lingering pain. I flinched as the needle pressed into my arm shifted slightly, the sharp sting reminding me that I was alive. I glanced around, my gaze falling on the empty chair by the bed. The room was silent except for the faint beeping of the monitors. Just as I began to wonder how I got here, the door creaked open. I quickly shut my eyes, feigning sleep, though the effort made my head throb. "In a few hours, she'll regain full consciousness," a woman’s voice, calm but slightly uncertain spoke. A nurse, I assumed. "You’ve been saying that for 46 hours," came the low, gravelly reply. I’d recognize that voice anywhere. Leonardo. His tone was quieter than usual, almost as if he was afraid of disturbing me, but it carried an unmistakable weight of frustration. "The anaesthetic shou
The night stretched endlessly as we arrived at the port, only to be stopped by cops at the gate.“Hold it right there. You can’t go in,” a voice barked.I rattled the gate, testing if it was unlocked, but it held firm. A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I stepped back and watched Enzo negotiate with the security officer. The man’s sceptical gaze shifted to me, his eyes narrowing as he took in my dishevelled appearance. I know I look no different from a street hoodlum. Part of my shirt torn, the dirty jacket I had grabbed earlier hung on my shoulder.“How do I know you’re a Fiore?” the cop asked, his tone laced with suspicion.Mario intervened, flashing our ID. “This is enough proof.” I stayed silent, too focused on the task ahead to entertain conversation. The clock was ticking, and every wasted second gnawed at my patience.After a moment of scrutiny, the cop relented. “Okay,” he muttered, unlocking the gate and letting us through.“Don’t cause trouble.” Trouble was the least o
The sound of gunfire echoed endlessly, a grim reminder that this nightmare was far from over. I tried contacting Enzo and Mario, but neither line was connecting. Salvatore’s men were dwindling in numbers, but reinforcements seemed to appear from nowhere, emerging like shadows. “Your last wish, Salvatore?” I asked, my voice sharp as I cornered him. “To hell with you,” he spat, fear and anger flickering in his eyes like a dying flame. “Are you sure that’s how you want to end it?” I tilted my head, cocking my gun. “After all, what have you done with your miserable life?” He moved suddenly, his hand darting toward his pocket. My finger tightened on the trigger, and I fired before he could pull anything out. But either I was too slow, or the force of the bullet knocked something loose. A small metallic ball rolled from his hand and clattered to the floor. My instincts screamed, but it was too late—a deafening explosion ripped through the air, and a thick, choking cloud envel
Kimberly POV The crusty, dry bread lay on the floor in front of me, its stale scent wafting up and twisting my empty stomach. My body ached, but my pride burned hotter. There was no way I’d stoop so low to eating something this disgusting. Marcus strolled in, his sharp eyes zeroing in on the untouched bread. “Why aren’t you eating, baby girl?” His voice was calm, but there was venom beneath it. I didn’t answer. He tilted his head, smirking. “What’s wrong? Has Leonardo been feeding you something better than what your father ever could?” My fists clenched, but I kept my face blank, letting my thoughts drift. Once upon a time, To be honest, this bread would have been a nice meal for me and my dad. But since I got in with Leonardo I only ate rich foods. Butter bread. Now, the memory of enjoying something so plain felt foreign I turned my head away, refusing to meet Marcus’s gaze. His footsteps closed the distance between us. “You know,” he began, his voice softer, “you’re beau
Leonardo pov "I tried to find a hint in the video, and here..." The tech bro's voice broke through the static hum in the room, drawing my attention to the monitor. He pointed at the screen. "There’s a reflection of neon lights."I leaned in, squinting at the faint glow. The lights were blurry, barely distinguishable against the shadows."This is useless," Mario groaned, pacing behind me. "Neon lights are everywhere.""No, not this time," I said, my voice sharp. My mind raced, connecting the dots. "This is spring—neon light production slows down during this season. It’s expensive to maintain, so only people who already have it would use it.""Which means what?" Mario asked, crossing his arms."Salvatore and Marcus wouldn’t bother setting up neon lights just to record this video," I replied. "If there’s neon light in the room, someone nearby owns it."The tech bro hesitated. "But neon lights aren’t exactly rare—""They are when it comes to private ownership," I cut in, dragging a chair
Leonardo pov Getting the territory permanently seemed so close, almost within my grasp—until now. The insistent buzz of my phone shattered my thoughts. I’ve been ignoring business-related calls lately, focusing solely on finding Kimberly. Yet, when I glanced at the screen, the unfamiliar number gave me pause. My brows furrowed. It could only be Marcus or the other bastard. I answered. “Nardo, I never thought our next conversation would happen so soon,” came the voice, too casual for the situation. “Salvatore,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous. “Where the hell is Kimberly?” He laughed, a grating, mocking sound. “You took everything from me, Leonardo, and you think I’d let you live in peace?” His tone shifted, laced with malice. “Of course not, dear Nardo. I’ll take everyone who matters to you and ensure your precious Grece territory becomes utterly worthless.” “Get to the point,” I snapped. “What do you want? Let Kimberly go, and we’ll settle this.” Salvatore c
(Leonardo pov)The receptionist flashed me a wide smile as she gestured toward the hall leading to his office. I didn’t return it. The walls of this place, once familiar, now felt suffocating. It wasn’t the building—it was him. I didn’t knock. The door creaked open, and there he was—Colton Fiore, better known as *Supremo.* A newspaper in his hands, glasses perched on his nose, his expression unreadable as always. “You finally see it fit to visit me,” he said, not looking up. “Kimberly has been abducted,” I said, skipping the pleasantries. He didn’t flinch. Instead, he folded the newspaper carefully, resting it on the desk. When he finally looked at me, it was with the same calm precision he used to dismantle his enemies. “Sit down, Leonardo,” he said, as though we were discussing something as trivial as the weather.“Supremo, there’s no time—” “Sit.” The weight of that single word crushed any argument I had. Reluctantly, I sank into the chair opposite him. He studied me
Kimberly POV The room’s shadows crept closer, pressing in with the weight of stale, stagnant air. I squinted at the figure on the screen as Treo adjusted the phone on its tripod, its dull glow illuminating a face half-hidden in shadow. Something about him tugged at my memory, but I couldn't really fathom it.“Hello, pretty friend of mine.” His voice slithered through the silence.A sick recognition sank in my chest. I wasn’t chained this time, but that didn’t make me feel any freer. I swallowed hard, praying I was wrong. “Salvatore?” My voice was barely more than a whisper.“Smart. Kimberly” His grin widened, cold and calculating. The casual way he said my name made my skin crawl.“You bastard!” I shot forward, reaching for the phone as if I could somehow claw him from the screen. Treo’s hand grabbed my arm and threw me back so hard I hit the floor, the impact causing me pain. Salvatore’s laughter echoed, rich with mockery, drowning the room in its sound.I sucked in a breath, anger a