[ 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
[ 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 ]I gulp down, embracing myself with my hands, the heavy fur overcoat wasn’t helping much in this chilly weather as I was trying my best to reach home before my father comes. It is an unsaid rule in my house, no women should be out after six and it’s past seven thirty. I don’t need to visualize what my father would do to me if he finds out that I wasn’t home before the dusk.I live in a world where my life was decided for me even before I was born and since last twenty-one years, it has been the same. I can’t even breathe without my father’s permission. My father is Desmond Wilson, the head of the American mafia syndicate. He is the most feared man, the human incarnation of Satan, what people call him in the whispers of night. His power radiates off him, power that demanded respect and obedience from everyone, the business, enemies and family.I took a deep breath and began to walk with quick steps, I already regretted ditching my security. Sometimes, it’s my escape from my
[ Arielle ]The room shrank two sizes when the tall man, whom I had supported on my shoulder entered in my apartment. My paintings were laying in every corner, covered in dust. I hardly come here since my father found out about my passion for painting and art. He thinks it’s useless since I have to make a good, obedient wife in future.He groaned a little when I helped him to sit on the sofa and went to bring first-aid kit. Born and raised into a mafia family, treating a bullet wound wasn’t new to me. I had treated my brothers before. When I came back into the living room, the man laid back on the sofa.I knelt down and carefully removed his shirt to see the severity of the wound. It looked really bad. I took the tweezers and sterilized it before removing the bullet and the man winced. He looked in pain yet he tried to remain strong and unbothered.“You should see a doctor soon or it will get infected.” I said to him but he didn’t respond.I quickly bandaged his wound and gave him pai
[ Arielle ]A feeling of safety flowed through me when I stepped into the patio of my mansion, it was guarded heavily where a fly can’t pass without my father’s permission. Vincent dropped me outside the mansion before my security guards could stop and interrogate him.Breathing for a while, I prepared for the worst. My father’s car was parked outside. I should embrace myself for the punishment waiting for me. I could feel house maids and guards’ gaze on me as I walked passed them.“Where have you been, Miss Wilson? You did the wrong thing by escaping your security, your father doesn’t look pleased.” Parker, my head bodyguard met me in mid way. He looked disappointed.“Where is he?” I asked him avoiding his gaze.“In his home office. Please, follow me.” He said and lined behind me.He can save me from everything but not this. My heart was sinking with each step I took towards my father’s office. Disobedience always comes with punishment.The wooden doors were opened by my father’s gua
[ Arielle ]I groaned as I gained my consciousness. My head felt heavy like I was hit by a hammer. I tried to flutter my eyes and the first thing that came into my view was a sparkling crystal chandelier and soft music. My memories before I passed out began to come back in bits and pieces. My father came to me in the night when I was sleeping. He was furious, burning in rage. He kicked me out of my bed and then asked me to be ready early in the morning. He said nothing. I only remember Alexander arguing with him when father aimed his gun at my elder brother and then I came in between to save him. All I could remember leaving home in his private jet.My eyes widened and I tried to get up but realised I couldn’t move because I was tied on a chair. The room looked like an expensive suite. Fear gripped me. I was locked for sure but when my eyes fell on my appearance in the gigantic mirror, it only worsened mixed with confusion when I saw my dressed changed into a skimpy dress, showing mos
[ Vincent De Niro ]The sound of crushing bones and heart wrenching cries of the man tied on a chair behind me, felt like music to my ears. It was the starkest reminder of my job. It was the death, danger and mayhem that thrive around me since I had to step up on the throne of capo de capi of De Niro famiglia.“Capo, he isn’t cracking his mouth open. I must say he is very loyal to his master like a dog.” Marcello, my right hand man said to me.I turned around and faced the half dead man. It was my normalcy, the copious amount of blood seeped on the floor which lost its original colour and looked more black and crimson due to sedimentation of blood. The basement smelled rotten and putrid. The smell of death lingered in the air.There wasn’t any window. We don’t believe in giving our enemies a chance to breathe or see light, coming here itself means death. Eventually, they’d go to hell.“Your boss think he can steal from me and get away?” I chuckled dryly at the man sitting in front of
[ Arielle ]This morning, I woke up with the worst headache, I felt like someone had hit me with a iron rod. The plain while walls and a cozy bed beneath me, made me panicked. I was in an unknown place. The events from the day prior began to dance in my mind in bits and pieces. I was sold by my father and almost auctioned by some cruel men when another predator saved me and everything went blank after that. Fear gripped my heart in its clutches and I searched for my phone, I sighed in frustration when I didn’t find it anywhere in the room. I recalled it was snatched from me by the Russians.I padded my way to the door and tried to open it and surprisingly it opened, I thanked the God and peeked out, the house was big, I almost gasped seeing it’s marvellous interior but it was awfully quiet.“Do you want something, Signora?” A deep manly voice made me flinch in fear as I didn’t expect a human presence and I turned to look at the left side of the door. There was a tall man in black suit
[ 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