[ Arielle ]There was a thick tension in the air as I continued to gaze at the expensive Persian carpet. I hadn’t forgotten the vivid pictures of the bloody afternoon. I locked myself in the safe confinement of my room for God knows how long until Marcello came inside. The man was injured yet he was back on his duty. He told me that it was nothing compared to the fatal stab in his guts which pushed him almost in the mouth of death.He told me to come with him, of course after dressing properly. This time, I was brought to another villa in a heavily guarded route with more security.“Your family is here, Principessa.” I heard Vincent’s smooth voice forced me to snap my head up and saw my parents and my brothers.Except for my brother Alexander, I didn’t feel any excitement to see the rest of my family. My mother tried to touch me but I ignored her existence. She never tried to shield me against the endless tortures of my father, rather she chose to stand by his side and saw us being tr
[ Arielle ]Girls dream about their wedding, fantasize the proposal of their soulmate and wed in a fairytale wedding, a life full of hopes and dreams, a loving partner and kids. But my life had been inked down by the blood and sealed on balance of power between two dangerous man; first my father, a sly businessman who fixed my value, the second is my future husband, a man I know nothing about.I couldn’t believe the girl staring back at me. I had to give the credit to the stylists who spent four hours on me to get me ready for my ‘big day’. I just sat like a stone statue and let them do whatever they need to do, they were ordered by their boss to doll me up so I look perfect beside the most feared man.The snow- white dress, beaded with pearls and intricate design, matched with the diamond jewellery, the pearl tiara, it all screamed wealth but I felt burdened. It wasn’t what I always pictured for myself. The dress covered my whole body, I could see how the De Niro family doesn’t want
[ Vincent ]My marriage wouldn’t change anything about my life. I had to take this decision on the basis of my recent choices and to cover up some stupid mistakes I made. This secret will be buried in the deepest sediment of my heart. This was all to appease my family and the circle I live in. Honestly, I do not care for others, I had to do it because one way or other, Desmond was going to be a pain in my ass if I don’t put a leash around him. It is a legitimate way to ship my contraband overseas using Desmond’s resources.“Brother, so finally I am going to have someone I can call a sister.” Alessandro cleared his throat who pulled me on the aisle where the priest was standing.“You know the truth, Aless.” I said, my eyes darted on the huge doors. The antique organs played the classical wedding music. The small hall was only filled with the closest family members.The doors opened and my bride walked inside with her elder brother. Arielle, clad in the wedding gown I picked from the sh
[ Arielle ]I am the wife of an Italian mafia boss.It took me three hours of plane journey from the wedding venue to the estate, I got to know from Marcello that it is the official residence of a capo, he must evacuate it soon after his retirement. The estate is spread over acres, it looks no less than a palace, guarded from inside out. The steel gates with latest security locks, the dogs, ready to eat an intruder.“Don’t dwell too much on his quirky behaviour. He doesn’t want to witness you any blood if things go array which is very normal.” I heard Marcello saying as the cars moved in the premises of the estate and my head snapped at him.“What do you mean by blood? Is he going to kill my family?” I couldn’t help but ask him. This family is giving me chills in every passing hour.My family always despised me for being a girl, the only female child born in generations but I never want them to lose their lives.He chuckled on my question, “You’re very soft hearted, Signora. Capo will
[ Arielle ]I spent next few hours in my room. I’d say Vincent gave me a room full of luxury, the room also had a small book shelf with famous English books and a large TV, English channels were connected to it but I decided to just sleep and let my mind rest for a while. I was exhausted, the last thing I want is to see anyone from the De Niro family or the cocky bastard Marcello. A knock on the door made me groan, I laid lethargic on the bed, the lunch plate was untouched. I had no appetite.“Who’s this?” I asked. I don’t like when they just barge into my room. At least, I must be given this liberty to be my own person in my room.There was another knock. This person surely didn’t understand English, so I had no other choice except to open the door. I didn’t care how I looked in messy hairs and my tank top and shorts. With an annoyed face, I opened the door but my breath caught in my throat when I found Vincent standing at my door step, again with emotionless face, grey eyes piercing
[ Arielle ]Deadly silence wrapped the air in the room under its terror. My eyes were lowered on the golden China plate with silver fork. Lorenzo De Niro just expressed his hatred and disapproval of me whereas his other family members looked more surprised and anxious.“Leave!”Vincent’s voice, like a thunderbolt lightening a dark sky, broke the silence. I flinched in fear. My whole body trembled like a dry leaf in a storm. I slowly took a step back and about to leave when his large palm wrapped around my wrist. The grip was as firm as iron shackles.“Leave, padre.” He roared in the same intensity and it was when I realized it wasn’t for me but for his father. I was frozen on my spot, his eyes throwing dagger at his own father.On the other hand, Lorenzo’s face turned red in anger and humiliation.“You dared to insult your father over an American who*re.” Lorenzo tried to match his intensity but it didn’t feel as scarier as the devil’s.I was watching the whole act like a mute spectat
[ Arielle ]“I have three rules for you to listen and imprint on your mind like a holy hymn, Arielle.” Vincent said breaking the thick tension in the air. I was curled on the seat he asked me to sit.His deep footsteps echoed in the silenced room.“I need words, Principessa.” He repeated, his voice full of annoyance.“I am listening.” I said if he needed me to agree to his slavery.“Good, I am not going to repeat this again.” He said again in a demeaning tone, “There are some certain rules set by my ancestors for everyone. I follow them because they are necessary to maintain the balance.” He said rounding my chair like a predator.“If I don’t follow them, I might get killed?” I finished for him in a question form.“I won’t coin it as ‘killed’. There are other punishments which are scarier than death.” He answered my question.I sat quietly and waited for him to read his rulebook for me.“My first rule, never disrespect or object to me in a public place. You saw earlier that even my ow
[ Arielle ]“What am I going to do with all these clothes?” I sighed looking at the stack of bags on my bed. Povetta and Lilliana forced me to buy countless dresses of my choice in all the luxury brand stores in the city. How could I tell them that I was only allowed to spend a meagre amount of money on myself before. Branded clothes were only given to me during parties and auctions.“This is not even one percent of what Italian wives buy, Signora. You’re lucky that you got excess to the stock which isn’t launched in the market yet. Trust me, all the women during the upcoming gala will be envy of you. They’re very provocative when it comes to something rare and unreachable.” Emily said to me and I turned to look at her with scrutinized eyes.“Really?” I shook my head, “Such materialistic things don’t matter to me. I only love my freedom, it’s priceless for me.” I replied and stretched my arms.“Freedom is priceless for you because it’s unreachable.” Emily stated.I was speechless, it
[ 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