[ Vincent ]“It’s confirmed, they are meeting tonight. In fact, Nikolai and Anton have already reached and enjoying free drinks funded by their local mediator.” Marcello said over the burner phone. I was at the entrance of the club while he had merged himself in the crowd inside.“Good job, it means we won’t be meeting Walsh tonight but Nikolai will be in our clutch.” I smirked as I saw my victory stepping near me.“Yes, Capo but be careful, this place is packed with their men.” Marcello reminded me out of his habit.“Our men are also inside, they are more trained than those icy rats.” I said proudly and stepped inside like a predator.The club was just a façade, I could recognize, it was a gathering place of peddlers, assassins, kidnapers, criminals and mafias. I could feel everyone’s sharp yet invisible gaze on me but they won’t dare to touch a single hair on my body.Marcello, who was sitting on the bar stool, gestured me to go in the basement through a secret channel but before I
[ 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
[ 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
[ 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 ]“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 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
[ 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
[ 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
[ Ella ]I gave my statement to the police. It was quite hard for me to go through the details of the same traumatic moments but the lawyers ensured me that they’d do their best to send Adriano to jail. I felt bad for Adriano though, he secretly liked me. I could have given him wrong hints that he mistook as something other than pure friendship.“Miss Ella, shall I drop you back at your house or you want to go somewhere else?” A bodyguard whom Marcello hired to protect me, asked me.“I want to go to somewhere else and I want to be alone so you don’t need to follow me.” I said because I really missed my parents and I wanted to visit their graves. I don’t want anyone else to accompany me because I can be myself, the same little girl in front of my parents.“I am sorry, Miss Ella but it’s my job to guard you. I have received strict orders from Mr. Romano to guard you and accompany you everywhere for your own safety.” He refused my plea with folded hands.I sighed in frustration.“I am go
[ Marcello ]I kept hitting the punching bag, sweat dripping down my face, my breathing heaved and body wanted to give up but I didn’t stop as my anger couldn’t sustain because the image of Ella being hurt by a man whom she trusted, it kept reminding me that I failed my promise to protect her. How she coiled in fear when I pulled that monster away from her, it kept paining me.“Capo, please stop.” Vincenzo tried to stop me for the multiple times but I didn’t hear him.Finally, the punching bag fell off and I was totally exhausted by the vigorous work out since the early morning. He quickly grabbed a towel and wiped my sweat but I took the towel from her and cleaned myself. He gave me a water bottle which I finished in a go.“Why are you punishing yourself, Capo? The man is under police’s custody and I assigned our best lawyers to represent Miss Ella in the court. He’ll receive a good sentence for God’s sake if we’re going to punish him in our way.” He said but I couldn’t find my menta
[ Ella ]Vincenzo dropped me off at my house. Lucy decided to stay with me. I told her to go home since she was equally shocked and terrified with the incident but she chose to stay with me. She said that she couldn’t leave me alone or she won’t be at ease. Rita went to the hospital, she didn’t want to go to see Adriano but Lucy told her as his parents and family live in Rome. He’s all alone here.“Ella, go and take a shower, I’ll prepare hot chocolate for you.” Lucy said to me and I dragged my half dead body to the bathroom.When I discarded my clothes, I saw bruises on my arms. Those hellish moments refreshed in my memories. Tears brimmed into my eyes. Adriano called me a whore, this word stung. If Adriano thinks that I am behind Marcello’s money then others must be thinking the same about me.I let the warm water soak me. The scars on my body will be healed in a few days but I don’t think the wounds on my mind and heart will ever be healed. People whom I loved and trusted, they bru
[ Ella ]“What are you saying, Adriano? I think we should talk tomorrow or when you’re sober enough to talk with a cooled mind.” I said to him when I sensed that he wasn’t in his right state of mind due to the effect of the alcohol.“Answer me now, Ella. I want to know what you feel for that man slayer.” He raised his voice.“Adriano, you’re crossing your line again. I told you not to mention Marcello again. It’s not your business what is my equation with him.” I said in a stern tone this time because he was hurting me mentally.“I get it. I should have seen it coming since that bastard started visiting us often.” He scoffed and laughed dryly which started scaring me because he was a totally different person from the man I know.“I am leaving, Adriano. We’ll talk tomorrow.” I said and about to leave but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back.“Adriano, what the hell is wrong with you? Leave my hand, you’re hurting me.” I yelled at him and tried to pry him off but his grip only tightened
[ Ella ]Marcello dropped me off at the café. I requested him to stop for a coffee and fresh buns but he denied saying he had a lot of work and he’d be occupied till the weekend. My heart sank when he left with only a formal goodbye. I am kind of habitual to his cheesy talks and flirting.I couldn’t concentrate on my work which was to bake fresh sets of cupcakes for a birthday party order. Rita was with me but I didn’t see Uncle Rio and Enzo. Aunt was on the counter. It was good at one side but my mental peace was gone.“Ella, a penny for your thoughts.” Rita eyed me and I shook my head. I am not someone who expresses herself easily unless it’s too heavy to bear alone.“Come on, my sweet little girl. I can tell by looking at your face. A certain someone has stolen your mental peace and….” She pointed her finger at my heart, “Heart, Ella. You are in love with Marcello Romano.” She yelled and my eyes widened because there were others in the kitchen.“Rita! Have you gone nuts?” I whisper
[ Ella ]Fuck!What did I do? I kissed Marcello Romano on the lips. What he must be thinking about me? I couldn’t resist myself when I heard him promising me everything that a lover can do for me. I know he likes me, he expresses his feelings for me now and often but I am not certain about my own feelings for him. Sometimes, they are too intense that I am not able to supress them just like the unexpected kiss and sometimes my brain questions my heart.I shouldn’t be harbouring such emotions which may hurt me in the future. Marcello is a great person who only showed his good side to me but I can’t ignore the fact that he’s a mafia. He may not use violence in front of my eyes but he’s a part of it. He’s tend to use violence, if it’s not me, then others, his enemies. His life is always in danger. I can’t shake the insecurity off.I didn’t recall when I fell asleep while thinking and debating about my present and hazy future. When I woke up next day, I felt recharged and ready to start my
[ Marcello ]The beauty in front of me, I have no words to praise her because no words in the dictionary can justify her beauty inside out. I am obsessed by her, her sweet scent, her smile and laugh like a music to my ears. This girl stood against storms in her life, fought them bravely and still stay positive about her future even though I am not happy with her decision to go away from the city.“Marcello, you can drop me here. I can walk from here.” Ella’s soft voice forced me to look at her. we drove mostly in silence. This time I had my security with me because I don’t want to take chance with her safety.“No, I’ll walk you to your house, it’s not very late but your safety is my responsibility.” I said, she nodded her head in agreement.We stepped out of my car. I gestured my bodyguards to follow us closely behind but don’t catch attention of her nosy neighbours. I don’t want any inconvenience for her which can solidify her desperation to move.“Thanks for a wonderful day, Marcell
[ Ella ]“Thank you once again for this memorable day trip, Marcello. I enjoyed every single second I spent at the De Niro’s property. I can’t believe that I am one of the few people who got the opportunity to live this dreamy life of one of the wealthiest families in the city.He smiled and poured more wine into my cup, “I can do much more for you, mon cheri. Just give me a chance.” He said. We were having our dinner at the estate.I was afraid at first when I saw hundreds of armed men guarding the estate at each corner. The security was unbreachable. I met his mother who is a very nice lady. I didn’t feel like an outsider and they definitely didn’t behave like dominating people.“You can drop me off at my house now. It’s getting dark and I don’t want my neighbours to gossip about my personal life. I bet you’re already a breaking news among them.“Are you not happy that most of your neighbours now think that we’re a thing between us?” He teased me and I immediately looked down at my
[ Ella ]“You shouldn’t come to my house unannounced. The entire neighbourhood was looking at you. I bet, it’ll be spread to the others by now. Those ladies were practically eye raping you, Marcello.” I said to him with rotten mood remembering how those women ogled at him as if he was a piece of meat.“Are you jealous that I am quite popular among the ladies of your neighbourhood?” He smirked and I coughed while sipping on my coconut water that I bought to keep myself hydrated. I am still not used to with the humidity of the place.“No, I am not jealous. Why would I be jealous? You’re not boyfriend or something like that.” I defended myself.“Touche, I am hurt by your bluntness, mon cheri.” He acted to wince and again focused on the road.“This place is beautiful. I have seen vineyards but never been to a private property before.” I said as I saw vineyards on both sides of the road, stretched far and wide. It was a picturesque view.“You have the golden chance to spend an entire day a