[ Arielle ]“You’re looking breathtaking, Ma’am. I am not flattering, it’s true. The Capo won’t be able to take his eyes off you and so the others.” Emily, who was helping me to slipped into my heels, praised me.I agreed with her compliment though I am not sure about her latter comment. A beauty can’t fascinate Vincent De Niro. We were in Florance, it was a private suite in a seven star hotel. I could see the city down me. The royal blue dress in mermaid style perfectly hugging my curves, it’s intricate embroidery and design screamed wealth and elegance. I had never seen a beauty dress like this. Vincent sent a diamond and emerald necklace to wear. My over all appearance made me look more mature and womanly.“Are you ready, Signora?” My bodyguard asked me, his eyes were at the floor. No other men dare to look at me except Vincent himself and Marcello, of course.Marcello was with Vincent. For a weird reason, I missed him messing with my patience level.“Yes.” I nodded. I was nervous,
[ Arielle ]Vincent didn’t leave me even for a nano-second as he engrossed himself in serious conversation with different group of men. I just had to stand by his side and smile in response when someone looked at me. I didn’t understand a word they said. To be honest, I felt like an outcast among all Italian men and women.“I want to use washroom.” I whispered to him, I was afraid since I interrupted him in between a dialogue with an old man.He tilted his head to look at me, his face didn’t give away anything but he slowly loosened his grip around my waist.“Marcello, take her to the restroom and ensure that you stay around.” He instructed my personal nanny. I felt embarrassed when the other men chuckled.“Women always make us kneel when it comes to protect them. It is the hardest part of our profession.” The Italian man said in his broken English so I could understand his sarcasm.“Surely, they need our protection, Mr. Gionni because men can not be trusted. So, it’s not the women’s
[ Vincent ]“You invited Walsh, am I hearing the right news, Mr. Bianchi?” I asked the sly man who was sipping his drink in a silver ware.“Si, I invited him. What’s the catch, Vincent?” He raised his eyes at me and it took me every single fibre in my body to control my anger.“I want him as soon as your shit show is over, Bianchi. You know I have been looking out for him for a long time. I can’t allow him to slip away from my grip again. Do not root your friendship with him. It won’t be good for your health and your business.” I gave him a silent warning.“Are you threatening me, Mr. De Niro because my business also fruits you.” He tried to challenge me.Before I could say something, a group of men joined us. They were the English.“May we join the conversation if the gentlemen?” Edward Whitford, the English mafia lord asked us.I knew they wanted to talk about the same problem that is Faolan Walsh. He has his eyes on the English networks and it’d be a direct threat for Edward.“Faol
[ Arielle ]The thirty minutes ride from the event venue to the hotel was invaded by silence. I was sent back to the hotel by Vincent when I was enjoying the only thing I liked in the event; the food. My appetite died when Vincent told me to leave urgently. He looked tensed but his face was hard to express his emotions.“Order something from the hotel, Signora. I know you’re still hungry.” Marcello said when we were in the elevator.“I am not hungry anymore, Marcello. I just want to be alone and nobody ordering me around until morning.” I snapped back at him as I was really pissed off.The guards checked the suite before they let us go inside. I directly went into my room and locked it.“I am in the living room until Capo comes back. if you need anything, please do tell me.” I heard him saying from other side of the door and then he left.I quickly threw the heels in a corner not caring if it’d be damaged. I fell on the bed and took deep breaths. When I thought everything is falling o
[ Vincent ]“How could you let this happen?” I punched the wall beside Marcello’s head, I didn’t care if my knuckle hurt and started bleeding. Anger was fuelling me.“She was in the balcony. I wasn’t supposed to be there. Whoever aimed her, they knew that she’d be alone in the room, Capo.” Marcello answered but I aimed my gun on his forehead.“My wife was shot in the most secured hotel, I gave this responsibility to you, Marcello. You must had checked the other buildings as well.” I growled in a quiet tone as we were in the hospital.“We did check the other buildings but we don’t know how she was aimed. I believe it’s someone from our inner circle who breached our security and tried to hurt Signora.” Marcello looked down in shame.My eyes fell on his blood smeared shirt. Anger and vengeance to butcher the person who tried to kill Arielle fuelled me. It was her crimson blood. I felt a strange twist in my heart. She must be in so much pain. Whoever targeted her, they knew that she was a
[ Arielle ]White ceiling, a dull pain in my upper body and spinning head, that’s what I experienced when I woke up on a hospital bed. I hate hospitals and the smell of it but it was a private room. I tried to speak but my throat was dry so I pressed the alarm.The doors burst open within seconds and a group of medical stuff rushed inside before I could process anything. Behind them, the De Niro guards entered, alarmed and ready to shoot if they see danger when I recalled how I ended up in a hospital.I was shot but I survived.“How are you feeling now, Mrs. De Niro?” The doctor asked me after he checked my vitals, eyes and heartbeats.“I feel mild pain in my right shoulder. I hope it won’t increase when the effect of medicines wear off.” I told him with a weak smile but the sweat beads on his face was the evidence of the pressure he must be feeling.“Good, you’re in a good condition. The wound will heal in two weeks but you may need physiotherapy for a few weeks for the smooth moveme
[ Vincent ]“She was asking about you.” Marcello said as he occupied the vacant seat across me in the plane. We’re were flying back to home.I raised my eyes from the report I was reading.“So?”I gave him a curt look and looked down at the white papers but nothing made sense as my mind was invaded with conflicting thoughts. I couldn’t focus on the work, it didn’t happen in years. Nothing can derail me from my goals, I always keep moving forward and aim at the success.He shook his head, “It’s not my right and I might be stepping out of the line but I think you should meet her once. She didn’t say anything but I observed how she kept looking at the door, whenever it opened, her face had a different expression. Perhaps, she was expecting you, Capo. She even asked me if you had rested or eaten something.” He said and it added more complexity to my thoughts.She was sitting in the other part of the jet while I was in the other half of the chamber where no one is allowed to enter except M
[ Arielle ]A week has passed since the gala night and the attack. Vincent made all the necessary arrangements for my recovery. Doctors visit me twice a day to check on my wound which is healing but I am still not able to move my hand, even the slightest move pains a lot.I haven’t seen him since we returned to the estate. I mostly have my meals alone. I know he comes to the house but never for once, I got a chance to see him. Marcello also visits me when the doctors examine me. I know something is going on, the security is also tripled and whenever I wish to breathe in open air, guards circle me.Knowing, it’s useless to fight, I gave up and started living my life as it is planned by my husband. He wants to keep me safe, he doesn’t care if I feel suffocated.My thoughts were disturbed by Emily’s footsteps because no one else is allowed to come near me unless the guards check them.“Ma’am, Mrs. De Niro is here. She wants to see you.” Emily informed me and when I heard my mother-in-law
[ Arielle ]I tried my best to not move from my spot on the king-sized bed. The softness of the mattress, mils temperature and his scent could help me to find peaceful sleep but I was far from being at peace. His closeness was making me conscious, that night, we both rode on the waves of sexual pleasure but this night was different.“Aren’t you feeling sleepy?” He asked, his eyes were closed yet he sensed my discomfort and how I was pinning myself on the farthest corner.“I don’t sleep early usually.” I replied and it was true. Having nothing to do throughout the day doesn’t tire me so I end up waking till late and read books.He shifted slightly so he could face me, my breathing was shallow even though our bodies weren’t touching.“Let’s talk then because I am also not feeling sleepy.” He said and my pupils dilated.“What do you want to talk about? We don’t have anything in common.” I said in a low voice, I found it hard to look at him directly.“Tell me more about yourself other tha
[ Arielle ]“You seem troubled. I know it’s not place to ask you, it must be work related but shouldn’t you be keeping stress away until you recover?” I asked my husband who keeps zoning out when I served his dinner.“I am not able to come on a decision, Ari. This is very new to me and it keeps frustrating me because every time I come to a dead end.” He replied.“Well, this is also new for me to hear. You are the most sorted person I have ever met, Vincent. You don’t regret your decisions because you always weigh pros and cons before coming to a conclusion.” I said and his eyes again fixed on me.“But I am doubting my own self right now.” He shook his head.“May I help if you allow me?” I tried my luck but I didn’t expect him to tell me anything.“Well, it’s complicated. Do you want to hear me out?” He raised his brow and I was surprised because he was willing to share his dilemma with me.“I’ll try. I may not have a vast experience of life and people because I never got the chance to
[ Vincent ]“Vincent De Niro, I can’t believe you’re still breathing here.” Anton, who was tied on the chair and my men had their guns aimed on him, gritted his teeth at me.I smirked, “Yes, I am alive, you can see, I have a little scratch on my body but I am fine and soon I’ll resume my job.” I said, his cold blue eyes were darted on me.“My brother won’t leave you, Vincent. He’s going to hunt you down again. I am sure this little scratch is given by him.” He signalled at my chest.I chuckled humourlessly.“You’re right, this scratch is given by your brother before I sent him to rest in peace forever, dear Anton.” I said and his forehead creases disappeared.“What do you mean?” He asked me in a serious tone.“I think you are well educated to catch my words, Anton Ivanov.” I said and gestured Giovanni to wheel him close to my bed.“Tell me what did you do to my brother?” He growled in a low voice, seemed desperate to kill me.“I killed him.”There was silence in the room before the ma
[ Vincent ]Her touch, the familiar fragrance of her perfume and her shivering warmth against my skin, this is what I missed in days. I wish I could share my feelings with her. I wish I could tell her that I heard her talking to Marcello how she’s determined to not give up on me. She won’t allow me to push her away.Her confession came from her heart, I felt it and it was the moment when I decided to break the promise that I made to myself when I buried Fiona. I am ready to fall in love again.I am ready to let Arielle break the wall I built around my heart because she’s the rightful owner of my heart now. I know what I feel for her is stronger and more intense than lust. I need her emotionally and I know that she’d be there for me if I ever need her.“Signora isn’t here, Capo.” Marcello’s voice pulled me out of my trance and I looked at my right-hand man giving me a raised look.“I know, I am not blind.” I rolled my eyes but his grin widened.“Yes, I also know that she isn’t here but
[ Arielle ]I couldn’t get the thought of Vincent’s ex-girlfriend off my mind since Lilliana told me about her. Vincent’s fear was pretty obvious, I would have felt in the same way for someone I love. In fact, I am feeling the same fear right now.Vincent is hanging on a loose cord of life and death.“Signora, you have to come with me.” Marcello’s voice forced me to shift my attention on him, he was standing with a blank face which was enough to alarm my fears and I jolted up from my seat.“Is it about Vincent?” I asked with a hard gulp.He silently gave me a nod and I was already on my way to Vincent’s room. Every single bone in my body was telling me to keep faith and see what exactly happened. I opened the door and pushed Giovanni out of my way to see my husband and I was left stunned when I met with those silver eyes staring at me.I couldn’t believe that he was actually sitting in front of me, his eyes fixed on me. The time seemed to stop there, I forgot that there were other peo
[ Arielle ]“Darling, please don’t take my husband’s words on heart. All the men are like this, they find it difficult to digest their defeat or failures. It happened to Vincent for the first time and Lorenzo is scared from inside. He was never able to make to the position and now when his son is on the position of the Capo, he doesn’t want him to be replaced by anyone else.” Lilliana, who came after me, tried to cover her husband’s allegations with some comforting words but they were hollow.“He blamed me for everything, Mother. He thinks I am the root cause of every problem this family is facing. De Niros were always unchallenged and unconquerable. Do I really look like a woman who wants her husband to face shame or die?” I cried and looked at her with teary eyes.She hugged me instantly and I cried more into her arms. I felt all alone in this vast world.“Don’t cry, my dear. I know you’re the perfect match for Vicent. For years, I was worried for him. He’s closed from all of us. I
[ Arielle ]I don’t remember when the last time I felt this kind of agony, voidness and fear invading my heart. Perhaps, when my grandparents died but I was only in deep grief back then. Currently, I am feeling a mix of emotions that I can’t express as I have been staring at the lifeless frame of my husband laying on the bed.It has been three days since he’s un this condition. He neither woke up nor moved. The doctor said they had done their best to save him, his body is reacting to the treatment then why isn’t he opening his beautiful eyes.I need to look at them and ensure he’s alright.My heart ached whenever my eyes fall on his bandaged chest. He received a deadly stab by Nikolai who is dead now.How ironical is it?He received victory in the shadow of defeat.He might die and there will be no meaning of eliminating his enemy.“Signora, it’s not good for your health to stay like this for hours. Please, go back to your room and rest. We all are here with Capo.” Marcello’s concerne
[ Arielle ]I don’t know why but my heart was sinking after I talked to Marcello. I asked him about my husband, he told me that Vincent is fine but my heart was heavy and mind was at unrest for no reason. Sleep was also far away from my eyes even though my body ached with soreness all over.Unable to sleep, I got up and decided to call Marcello through the landline in the living room but when I checked the time, it was one in the night. Calling him means bothering them unnecessarily. I yearned to hear Vincent’s voice.So, I wrapped a shawl around my torso and padded my way out of my room, the house was quieter than usual since it was night time, the guards were also resting. One of them saw me and stood up.“You can rest, I am only going to the kitchen to fetch myself a bottle of cold water.” I lied with a polite smile.“I can bring it for you, Signora.” He offered and about to leave but I blocked his way, I looked tiny in front of his giant figure.“No, I can take it myself. Actually
[ Vincent ]“Vincent De Niro, I knew that you won’t break my heart and come here sniffing me.” Nikolai in a broken English accent said who was sitting on a chair in the centre of the basement.“How could I break your heart, Nikolai? I am the one who’ll pluck the heart out of your chest and preserve it in the gallery of glory at the estate.” I said with a smirk.“You think you can kill me, De Niro? You De Niros have a trait to day dream. I am not Dimitri. I know how you and your Italian bloodline works. You are here because I wanted you to come and I can settle the score of Vienna.” He said and rose from his seat, our men stood alert with their guns aimed at one another, one move and the place will be filled with corpses.“I didn’t do anything at Vienna, Nik. I was only taking back what’s mine. You stole my enemy and my future wife so I had to come.” I said and saw how I pressed his aching nerve.“Arielle Wilson is mine. You succeeded in marrying her, probably fucked her but I am not g