Kimberly POV I stirred awake to the sound of a familiar voice.“Oh, madam is still sleeping,” Emily’s voice rang through my ears.I blinked my eyes open, wincing at the sharp light streaming through the window. Instinctively, I reached for the other side of the bed, only to find it cold. Leonardo had left long ago, as usual."Ahh," I sighed, standing up to see the woman who barged in on me."Emily," I shrieked with joy "Hey, you still saw me yesterday!" She pouted at my eagerness.I laughed despite myself. "Even if I saw her yesterday, there’s this joy I get in seeing her after a few hours.”“Well, I’m just seeing you today!” i shot back, my pout exaggerated.We both burst into laughter, and in the process, I accidentally pulled the blanket off me.“God… see who’s naked!” Emily teased, shielding her eyes dramatically.“Oh, geez, Emily!” I muttered, rushing to grab a shirt from the closet.When I returned, she was smirking at me. “Seems you two have been having a nice time lately,”
Chapter 1 Kimberley POV:"You can't just fire me, sir. I've done so much for this company!" I shouted, my voice shaking with disbelief.Yes, I’d made a mistake…or so they said, but fire me? Just like that? It didn’t make sense.“Do you even understand what you’ve done?” My boss’s voice dropped, cold and sharp. “Kimberley, you leaked our company’s secret formula to our top competitor.”!“What?!” I gasped. “That’s not true! I would never! ”“You can deny it all you want,” he cut in. “I should’ve called the police. But considering the years we’ve worked together, and your past record, I’m offering you an alternative.” He shoved a file across the desk.My eyes flickered to the paper inside, dreading what it might say. The figure on the page stopped my breath. $4,500. Damages.“I didn’t do this!” I protested. “This is a mistake! someone’s framing me!”“Shut your mouth!” a voice rang out.Magret, my boss’s wife, stormed in. Before I could react, she slapped me so hard that my vision blurre
Kimberley POV:I opened my eyes to find myself in a strange room. Dark but surprisingly well ventilated. It took me time to adjust to the new environment, I finally did but,..Where am I? My pulse quickened. Suddenly, Memories of yesterday rushed in like a flood. “My father!” I wanted to scream, but my voice caught in my throat. Then, I heard it—a deep, commanding voice cutting through the stillness. “Never! Never do more than I send you!”“Who is that?” I held my breath, straining to listen.“He was proving stubborn... getting in my way.” Another voice, shaky yet defiant, wavered as if someone were being choked.Their conversation was muffled, words bouncing around like distorted whispers. Something about “D'Bon”... and “go ahead.” But I couldn’t fathom it. “I never asked you to kill him!” The first voice rumbled with anger. Silence followed, thick and unbearable.A sickening thud echoed, followed by a sharp hiss that made my neck prickle. “Bury him,” the voice commanded coldly.
Leonardo POV: I gently brushed a strand of her deep, red hair away, its softness warm beneath my fingertips. I couldn’t help but wonder how much care it took to keep it that way. My gaze softened as I looked at her—unchanged from six years ago. How could she forget? Forget that she was the one who had pulled me from the brink of death.My gaze darkened as I examined a tear marring her skin. It looked fresh, like a brand from a fire. "Who did this to you?" I asked, my voice low and cold, surprising even myself with the intensity of my concern."Who did this to her Enzo?" I barked at my henchman, a muscle-bound guard I had assigned to keep an eye on her."She was stubborn, Don," he replied, his voice trembling slightly under my scrutiny.The realisation hit me like a bullet—Enzo had laid his hands on her.In a flash, I was at Enzo’s side, pinning him against the wall with a force that echoed through the room. “For the second time today, Enzo, you defied my order!” His action ignited
Kimberley POV: I woke to sharp sunlight streaming through the window, forcing my eyes open. Disoriented, I blinked against the brightness. How had I fallen asleep so deeply? I scolded myself—this is unlike me.A knock came at the door, and before I could respond, it opened. I tensed, bracing myself for the "Don"—the one whose name I didn’t yet know. But the voice that greeted me was female.“Good morning, ma’am,” she said curtly. “I’m Helen. I’ve been assigned as your personal maid.”I looked up, my relief barely contained. At least she was younger, with a face that seemed capable of a smile, unlike the stern, older woman who had attended to me yesterday.“Mr. Fiore requests you come downstairs. He’s expecting you,” she continued. “I’m here to get you ready.”"Mr. Fore?" I muttered, almost too loudly. "What sort of name is that?"She stiffened slightly. "Fiore, ma’am," she corrected quickly, then added, “Please, let me help you prepare.”She looked chatty, eager even, but I swallowed
Kimberley POV:"Place your watch securely. Report any unusual activity to me," I heard Mr. Fiore say on the phone as I descended the steps.His face was serious, brows furrowed with worry. Whatever was being discussed was far from trivial.At the bottom of the stairs, a woman suddenly embraced me in a warm hug, catching me off guard. Her perfume was sweet, comforting. For a moment, I wanted to stay in her arms, to forget everything. When she finally let go, I took in her features—blonde hair, bright almond eyes, her smile so easy it seemed impossible not to return it.“What a gem Leonardo’s bagged for himself!” she said brightly.I forced a smile. “Good evening.”“I’m Emiliana. But please, just call me Emily.” She practically radiated happiness, the kind I hadn’t seen since I got here.“Kimberly,” I replied, my smile straining."I can't wait for the wedding," she added, her excitement palpable. I couldn't help but wonder what made her so blissful about the whole thing."Let's go shopp
Kimberly POV:The dresses arrived, and I had to go downstairs to check them. Leonardo was already there, seated, phone pressed to his ear. The sight of him made my stomach churn, so I turned my face, pretending I hadn’t seen him. He ended his call and leaned back, gesturing toward the pile of white dresses. “Try them on.”I hesitated, the thought of changing in front of him twisting my insides. But before I could object, Helen stepped in, reading my discomfort. “This way,” she said gently, guiding me toward a small dressing room off to the side. Inside, I stared at the mountain of fabric. Trying on wedding dresses—dresses I didn’t want—felt like surrender. But what choice did I have? At least Leonardo hadn’t killed me yesterday. I could call that a win... for now. I pulled on the first dress—a sleeveless gown with a furry jacket that felt more suited for a high-society brunch than a wedding. I stepped out, awkwardly crossing my arms, standing in front of Leonardo in the most un
KIMBERLY POVLeonardo didn’t return for a week, leaving me alone in this room with nothing but my thoughts and memories. I couldn’t sleep—every time I closed my eyes, images of Lan and my father drifted in, like ghosts I couldn’t escape. I stared at the ceiling until it blurred. My tears had run dry days ago, but the ache lingered, heavy and dull. With a sigh, I got up and stretched. Staying confined made no sense. Leonardo forbade me from roaming freely, but what was the point of this so-called tour if I stayed locked inside? Dressed in a pair of bum shorts and a faded T-shirt, I doubted anyone could call me provocative. Slipping through the door, I wandered outside, craving air—freedom. The night was cool, the sky stretched wide and endless above me. For a moment, I let my guard down, tilting my face toward the stars. Then, I heard it. A loud screech tore through the stillness, and my stomach dropped. Leonardo. He’s back. Panic twisted in my chest. There was no way I co
Kimberly POV I stirred awake to the sound of a familiar voice.“Oh, madam is still sleeping,” Emily’s voice rang through my ears.I blinked my eyes open, wincing at the sharp light streaming through the window. Instinctively, I reached for the other side of the bed, only to find it cold. Leonardo had left long ago, as usual."Ahh," I sighed, standing up to see the woman who barged in on me."Emily," I shrieked with joy "Hey, you still saw me yesterday!" She pouted at my eagerness.I laughed despite myself. "Even if I saw her yesterday, there’s this joy I get in seeing her after a few hours.”“Well, I’m just seeing you today!” i shot back, my pout exaggerated.We both burst into laughter, and in the process, I accidentally pulled the blanket off me.“God… see who’s naked!” Emily teased, shielding her eyes dramatically.“Oh, geez, Emily!” I muttered, rushing to grab a shirt from the closet.When I returned, she was smirking at me. “Seems you two have been having a nice time lately,”
Leonardo pov"Where’s my wife?" I asked as soon as I stepped inside the mansion.The silence was unnerving. The house wasn’t usually lively, but today, something felt different, off. It was Kimberly."She’s upstairs, sir," a voice replied.Helen had informed me earlier over the phone. "She hasn’t been coming down for meals, nor is she opening her door."I ascended the stairs, my footsteps echoing in the stillness. Stopping outside her room, I called softly, "Kimberly. It’s me. I’m home."A rustle from within told me she was awake. I pressed on. "I’m sorry, okay? Just open the door. We need to talk.""I have nothing to say to you," came her muffled response, her voice thick with emotion."Kim..." I sighed, leaning my head against the door. "I know you’re upset. I need you to hear me out. Please."Silence."Whatever Monica said to you, It's not true, believe me" I said, like I knew the exact words Monica said."Kim..." A creak sound came from the door, for a moment, my heart leaps, she
Kimberly's POV"Ah, our beloved Donna returns," Monica drawled, her voice dripping with venomous sweetness.I stiffened, forcing my face into a neutral mask. "Monica." My voice remained steady, even as my chest tightened.She set her glass down with deliberate slowness, her fingers trailing along its rim before she rose to meet me."Leonardo isn’t here, if you're here for him. Stop wasting your time," I informed her.I Thought Leonardo had told me Monica is his secretary, so how won’t a secretary know her boss isn’t around? Ridiculous.Her lips curled into a mocking smile. "You look so stressed..." she replied instead, her voice laced in mockery rather than affection."Is it the Donna tasks or... the Mr. Fiore's bed warmer tasks that’s draining? Hope you're meeting up with his demands? Leonardo's got an appetite, you know."I swallowed hard, the words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit. My eyes burned, but I blinked the tears away. "What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice, s
Leonardo’s POV"If you had the chance to make this work, would you give it a try?" Kimberly’s question echoed in my ears.Her words forced me to confront my actions. From flings to submissives, I had always kept a strict rule: no staying in the same bed, no conversations after. But Kimberly shattered that record effortlessly."Why are you so different?" I remembered her question at camp.How could I tell her the truth? How could I admit that the Mafia Don was falling for his captive?I ran a hand through my hair and sighed in frustration. "This isn’t supposed to be happening," I muttered, picking up my phone to call Mario."Hello?" came his voice on the other end."Mario. Café. 5 PM," I said curtly, hanging up before he could respond.An exasperated sigh escaped me as I moved to my desk, glancing at the stacks of documents on my desk but I couldn’t focus. My thoughts were all on her.______"Hey, bro!" Mario called from across the lounge.The moment I arrived, I regretted not choosing
Kimberly POV It was amusing to watch Emily completely ignore Leonardo’s reprimand for barging in on us that evening. She had been on top of the world, basking in the success of her little scheme. That girl had no fear, not even of her brother.After that night, things between Leonardo and me fell into an unspoken routine. We woke up to the same rhythm each day. I’d often feel a dull ache in my body, but not in a bad way. Leonardo had his thing, big, thick and oh-so-capable, if you catch my drift. Despite him not taking it personal, sex with him was amazing. Maybe because this is a phase in our relationship I never imagined would come to pass.Ignoring his sometimes coldness and attitude, I made sure to insert little couple-like gestures into our routine. Dinner together, for instance, became non-negotiable. To my surprise, he had stopped resisting it, even if his phone remained glued to his hand.I watched him now, scrolling through whatever mafia-related updates filled his morning.
Kimberly POV "I didn't know it would ever be like this," I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.Leonardo chuckled, a low, rich sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "It's not always like this with just anybody," he replied, his tone teasing yet firm.I glanced at him, my gaze locking onto his. Something unspoken passed between us, and I couldn't look away."Yes, it's new to you," he continued, his voice dropping an octave. "But your body turned to mine, Kimberly. It understood, even if you don't.""I'm glad," I admitted, my fingers tentatively brushing against his bare chest. He had handcuffed me earlier, but now I was free-free to touch, to feel.My fingertips traced the curly hair on his chest as flashes of our moments together replayed in my mind. A rush of warmth flooded me, leaving me breathless. I glanced down and saw him stir, his arousal unmistakable."Oh my goodness," I whispered, my cheeks flushing."Don't tell me you want to do this again, Leo?" I asked, my lips p
Kimberly POV I didn’t cheat,” I said quietly.“Yeah, I know,” he replied curtly, his tone colder than the air between us.My breath hitched. “ You know?" I asked, surprised. Then why are you so mad at me? He scoffed, running a hand through his dark hair, his jaw clenching with barely contained fury. “You made love to someone, Kimberly. You gave them what should have been mine.”His words cut like glass, sharp and jagged, and I met his glare despite the lump forming in my throat. “You think I would do something like that?” My voice rose, cracking with the weight of my emotions. “Then explain!” he barked, his face inches from mine, the heat of his anger palpable.I swallowed hard, my pulse roaring in my ears. The truth felt too raw, too humiliating, but I couldn’t let him think so little of me. “I was ovulating,” I admitted, my cheeks flushing with shame. “I was… frustrated. I needed release, so I did it myself.”Leonardo froze, his piercing eyes locked on mine. The tension between
Kimberly’s POVDinner had barely settled in my stomach when I caught sight of Leonardo walking past the dining room. I didn’t even think; I pushed my chair back and hurried after him."Leonardo!" I called, but he didn’t stop or even glance back.He strode to his bedroom with the same cold indifference I had come to expect. Still, I had hoped foolishly, perhaps that returning from the office or wherever he went might clear his mind and make him more willing to listen. Clearly, I was wrong.I stopped mid-step, defeated. Just as I turned to head back to my room, a familiar voice called out."Kimberly, dear!"I spun around, and there she was…Emily, her face lit up with excitement.“Oh goodness, I rushed down the moment I heard you were back!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug.I clung to her like a lifeline, my emotions unraveling in a way I hadn’t expected. I didn’t even realize tears were streaming down my face until she whispered, "Shh… it’s okay. We’ll talk about it."We retr
Leonardo’s POV"If you like her, just say it," Mario said, looking at me with that knowing gaze of his. "Stop making her go through all this."I frowned. "But it's not part of the plan, Mario."He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Leonardo, you know what you want. Don’t pretend you don’t."Mario sighed heavily, folding his arms. "Plans can change, Leonardo. You created this plan. If affection wasn’t in it, you can damn well add it.""Fine," I muttered, running a hand through my hair, frustration building. "Enough. I and Kimberley will leave camp today. You and Enzo, meet us at the mansion tomorrow."Mario went silent, watching me, but I knew he wasn’t done.I couldn’t stop thinking about his words. What do I want?---I entered the tent to find Kimberly struggling with her luggage."Is that box too small?" I asked the words out before I even thought about it.She let out a laugh. "I’m just terrible at packing. My dad helps me most of the time... well, he did. Then, Helen took o