Gabriella Shuddering, I run through the door and tried to open it. I’m all left alone in this basement, with nothing but a bed and a sofa in sight. The walls are all painted in black and gray, with a vintage lamp on the side and a shadow lurking at the far end of the room where I was.He was leaning against the soft walls; his arms are crossed over his chest as he was playing with my pistol in his hands.“ S.D.V.”My muscles tighten at the memory of Sebastian outside. We never had a backup plan in case things goes awry tonight. No communications or any means of anything to get back at each other. My first thought is to warn him but I’ve been caught by Giovanni itself and he needed to discard everything that we were investigating. But, there’s no point in telling him that. I’ve got no means to tell him that now that I’m alone with his brother.I stare at him, full of hatred. “ Open the door,” I asked. “ Let me out, Giovanni.”He shakes his head and pointed the gun in my direction. “ D
Giovanni Before wedding I swallow thickly, eyes fixated on the man kneeling on the floor in front of me. I have been told that the Santoro’s are one of the founding mob families in New York.I’m pissed.I expected something from their leader but it turns out he is also a cunning weak man who will do the begging. He wants to sell his daughter under my mercy. I have seen her and she got the baggage to fuck but I’m not into marrying a bitch just because her father kneels in front of me.“ You’re stupid,” I mocked him, still staring at the city lights under me. “ If you want to sell her just so you can use my power and go against my father, I don’t think you will walk out alive of this building.”The head of Santoro and my father became enemies when they are very young. I know how they want to undermine each other in everything. It’s part of the reason why I wanted out of my father’s shelter because of his egos when it comes to his enemies. He always said how he is above the Santoro’s e
Gabriella Fake. It was all fucking fake. I wanted to scream, punch or scratch Giovanni’s skin until he is bleeding and his blood is gushing out of his system. I wanted to hurt him as much as I am hurting right now because of his words.A part of me wanted to not remember or wanted to wake from this dream because it makes me feel too much. It makes my heart wrench into the pain of suffering that I didn’t even know was allowed in this world.Our marriage, my father’s smiles, and everything about me are all fake.It makes all sense now. With the sudden marriage and my father’s willingness to sell me to someone like a fucking meat for his disposal, I know that he will never do such kind of thing to me because he treated me like a real daughter.He loved me like a real daughter and I never doubted that.The treatment from him every time my mother is pushing me away and cursing at me from the anger that I didn’t know where was from is cunning. I wished it was her to whom I am not related
Last kissGabriella A harsh moan escaped my lips feeling Giovanni’s hand fondling my breast. The bastard slipped his fingers on my nipples, circling them with viciousness, making me arch my back.“Tell me what you want.” He asked in a deep voice. A shuddering feeling made me succumb to his touch. I couldn’t take it. My core is throbbing with needs as I stare at his naked eyes. “Tell me what you want, my love.”My lips parted in shame. I never knew I could feel this kind of emotion even if I’m losing my mind right now. This wasn’t right. I planted my hands over his chiseled chest and stare right into his eyes. Kissing this devil is kissing his hell, but instead of pushing him away, my nails clawed into the skin of his chest and scratch his skin. “I-I,” my mouth dried from words. “ I want you,” I faintly said, pulling his lips back to mine.Giovanni answered my whims. His lips claimed mine in a very captivated way, his tongue seeks for an entrance and I willingly opened my mouth to let
Giovanni’s POV “Where the hell is Alana?!” I shouted and throw everything on my desk because of rage. “Call her. Damn it.” The secretary nodded. I could see her punching something on her phone as I struggle to keep my breathing stable and stop myself from just punching the wall. My chest hurts. I tried to calm myself down and normalize my breathing but I cannot. I was trying to pound my fist on my chest when the door opened revealing her. Alana quickly ran beside me and held my arms. “Where the hell have you been?!” She hissed. I watched her get something in the drawer before her eyes glared at mine. “Close your eyes.” “ Tss,” I told her what she did before I felt the tip of the needle puncture my skin. My face grimaced at the thought of that object punching my skin but I don’t have a choice. “ Is it done now?” I asked her, my eyes still tightly closed. “ Give me a minute.” I heard her say. Alana did something on my skin before I dared to peek at whatever she was doing.
Gabriella's POV I gasped and completely turned around before sliding my whole body over the door. The roughness of the wall hit me. I was about to take another silent step when a hoarse voice stops me from going further.“He’s sleeping. You don’t need to hide.”My stomach dropped. I sighed in relief knowing his fast asleep. I used the backdoor earlier for him to notice me, but I still ended up facing the devil. “ Really?”Allistori shook his head and sarcastically laughed. I could see his dimples showing from the side of his cheeks. His jaw clenched and there’s the look that tells me he’s upset. “ It’s damn midnight Gabriella. What do you expect?”I raised my brow and turned the lamp on to stare at his deep menacing gaze. Allistori is sitting right on the edge of the bed. He scowled when I shrug my coat off and threw my shirt off the floor. I didn’t take my eyes off him while stripping all my clothes. “How can you do that? I’m starting to wonder if you’re giving him supplements to ma
Gabriella’s POV I glance at Rover again, watching him eat his bacon like he always does in the morning. Allistori is simply giving me a nudge while he’s sipping coffee and reading a newspaper. Since when did he read those kinds of things, though? I couldn’t help but kick him under the table.“ Aw shit.”His eyes widened and we both stare at Rover.“ No foul language in front of the food, please.” He raised his brows and give Allistori his usual deep stare. It was just a second, but I swear it gives me goosebumps. “Do you want to say something, Papa?”I gave Allistori an icy stare. I’m kind of warning him not to say anything. We had an argument last night, and it ended well. He’s still pushing me to talk to Rover, which I found ridiculous. Because for years, we’ve lived at the edge of the mountain, unseen from the ambiguity of the world.Allistori forced a smile. “Nothing kiddo. I was just wondering if you have something to say to your mom.”I can hear crickets in the background. Alli
Giovanni’s POV I can’t remember the last time I got drunk. I don’t do it often but most of the time, my mind keeps on flashing images I just wanted to shut it off. Her face, her smile, the way how her hair smells when I touch it. Everything is coming right through me, and I’m so done with it. I drank another shot. “ Oh, look at you. You’re so pretty, love.”I wrap my fingers in Gabriella’s picture and touch her face. This is during our wedding reception. She was wearing this exquisite dress that makes her stand out among the crowd. I remember almost backing out of the deal at that time. Just one look at her smiling face. I knew there was a high risk of me not falling in love.The beast of New York. Losing the only girl he’d ever loved.“ This is a suicide, you know.”Alana appeared, slightly underdressed for our meeting today. I straightened my back and tried to see her in a blurry sight. She’s only wearing a nightgown, and I can’t really appreciate her looks.She’s pretty, alright.
I feel calm, more collected than I have in weeks. Killing Mia was the right choice, and I didn’t lose a second of sleep over it. That bitch thought she could crawl into my life, mess with my husband, and get away with it? Not in my world.I hear Giovanni’s heavy footsteps behind me before I see him, the sound echoing through the room like a storm about to break. I don’t turn around. He’ll be pissed, but that’s his problem.“You think you’re untouchable, don’t you?” His voice is sharp, dripping with anger. I can feel the heat radiating from him, even though he’s not close enough to touch me yet.I glance at him in the mirror, my eyes cold, unbothered. “She was a problem, and I handled it.”“You killed her, Gabriella. Just like that. No discussion. No fucking respect.” His voice rises, and I watch his fists clench by his sides. “I told you I’d deal with it.”I roll my eyes, turning around to face him fully, leaning casually against the vanity. He looks furious, but it only fuels that sm
I storm down the hallway, heels clicking against the marble floor like the sharp edge of a blade. Giovanni fucking Dela Vin. My hands are still shaking, my breath tight in my chest. He thinks I’m stupid. Thinks he can play me for a fool.Every damn time, it’s the same. Some cheap little slut thinks she can come into our life, take what’s mine, and Giovanni just lets it happen. He swears it’s nothing, but I’m not blind. I’m not some pathetic, lovesick wife who’ll turn a blind eye.I’m a Dela Vin. I built this life with him. Fought for every piece of it. And now? He’s risking everything for what? For her? For that?My fingers curl into fists. If he thinks I’ll stand by and watch him throw everything away, he’s dead wrong. I’ll burn it all down before I let anyone—**anyone—**take what's mine.“Mom?”I freeze. Rover. His voice is small, uncertain, and when I turn, he’s standing in the doorway, wide eyes staring up at me. My heart lurches, but I keep my expression cold, controlled.“Why we
“Talk,” she demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut through the silence. “But don’t you dare insult me with a lie, Giovanni. Not tonight.”I swallowed hard, trying to find the words, but everything sounded like a pathetic excuse. “It’s not what it looks like, Gabriella,” I began, but she didn’t let me finish.Her laugh was hollow, bitter. “Not what it looks like? Really? You think I’m stupid?” Her voice rose, simmering with fury. “I walk in here, and that thing is sitting on your lap, dressed like she’s auditioning for some sleazy strip club, and you want to tell me it’s nothing?”I flinched at her words. “Gabriella, I swear, it wasn’t like that.”She shook her head, pacing in front of me like a caged animal, fists clenched at her sides. “I should’ve known. I should’ve seen this coming. You’ve been distant for weeks, Giovanni. I thought it was the business. I thought maybe the pressure was getting to you.” She paused, her gaze darkening. “But no. It’s always about something—or someone—
I was sitting in my office late at night, the only light coming from the tablet showing Gabriella pacing back and forth in our living room. She looked upset, taking deep breaths, clearly bothered by something serious. It was hard to watch. Knowing I was part of her stress made it worse. Annoyed and frustrated with myself, I slammed the tablet down."Enough of this," I muttered to myself, pushing the tablet aside to tackle the stack of paperwork on my desk. But before I could get started, Mia barged into my office. She was wearing one of those flashy, cheap dresses that screamed for attention."Not now, Mia," I snapped, hoping she'd turn around and leave. But Mia wasn't the type to take a hint.Ignoring me, she walked up to my desk with that too-confident smile. "We need to talk, Gio," she insisted, her voice too casual."Mia, seriously, I'm not in the mood for games," I said, trying to keep my voice calm but firm.She just laughed and, before I knew it, she sat herself right down on m
"Mommy, why are you sad?" Rover asked, gazing up at me through his long lashes as we walked near the playground of his boarding school. The war between Giovanni’s past and our present might have quieted down, but the battle inside me hadn’t ceased. Despite everything, the idea of pulling Rover out of this school never crossed my mind. It was his sanctuary as much as it was my place to find fleeting peace.I forced a smile, crouching down to meet his eye level. "I'm just thinking about some grown-up stuff, buddy. Don't worry about it." The innocence in his eyes made me wish I could shield him from the complexities of adult burdens forever.He seemed to consider my words, his small hand reaching out to touch my cheek, a gesture filled with more empathy than one would expect from a seven-year-old. "Is it about Daddy?" he whispered, his voice barely a breeze but heavy with intuition.The question took me aback, but I masked my surprise with a nod. "A little bit, yes. But everything's goin
As I yanked the steering wheel, the city lights were a blur. The words kept hammering in my head: “Mia was never just Giovanni’s friend. They were deep in some real dark stuff...”It made my stomach twist. Giovanni and Mia, really? It gnawed at me, a mix of jealousy and betrayal that felt like it was burning a hole right through me.I slammed the car door and stalked towards the house, heading straight for the gym out back. The light from inside spilled out onto the grass. I pushed open the door and there he was, Giovanni, hammering away at a punching bag, his face set hard, lost in thought."Really, Giovanni?" I snapped, unable to hold back. "Mia? After everything?"He stopped, gloves mid-air, his brow furrowed as he turned to face me. "Gabriella, it’s not what you—""Don’t!" I cut him off, feeling my heart pounding against my chest. "I can't even look at you right now!"Giovanni dropped his gloves, the thud echoing around the room. "You think I'm happy about this? About her coming b
Gabriella's POV The soft morning light hadn’t yet fully filled the room when I awoke to an unsettling quiet. Giovanni's side of the bed was empty, a fact that tugged at my unease. Slipping out of bed, I padded softly down the hallway towards the kitchen, drawn by faint sounds that shouldn’t have been there at this hour.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee grew stronger as I approached, mixed with the low hum of conversation. Pausing at the doorway, my heart squeezed painfully. There was Giovanni, his back to me, pouring coffee into two cups. Beside him stood Mia, exuding an effortless elegance that seemed out of place in the early morning. Her laughter, light and intimate, floated across the room, and it struck a nerve. That was a laugh I had never heard directed at anyone but me.“Good morning,” I announced my presence, not able to keep the ice out of my voice. They both turned, Giovanni with a flicker of surprise that quickly smoothed into a practiced smile.“Gabriella, you’re up ea
Third Person's POV The drive to the venue was quick, the streets of New York blurring past as they discussed their strategy for the evening. "Remember, tonight's about solidifying connections. We need to reassure our current allies and maybe even draw a few new ones into the fold," Giovanni instructed, his tone now all business.Gabriella nodded, her mind already running through the list of guests. "I’ll handle the Hendersons. They've been waffling since the last shake-up. It’s time to secure their loyalty.""And I'll take care of the Martins. They've been too quiet lately. I want to know where they stand," Giovanni added, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the potential threat.The car pulled up to the opulent venue, the grand entrance illuminated by elegant lighting that cast long, dramatic shadows. They stepped out, immediately greeted by the flash of cameras and the murmur of the high society gathered there. Their arrival had not gone unnoticed, and as they walked in, t
It had already been days since I last connected with the outside world. Giovanni insisted on keeping me confined within these walls for my own safety, but the isolation gnawed at me relentlessly. Each night, I heard the door click shut as he ventured out into the dark, leaving me to imagine what godforsaken deeds occupied his hours. I knew all too well the streets he roamed were ruthless, yet fear stifled my voice, keeping my questions unasked, my fears unvoiced.But one night, the weight of silence became unbearable. As he prepared to leave yet again, his figure cloaked in the darkness of our bedroom, something within me snapped.“Where do you go every night, Giovanni?” My voice, though quiet, cut through the stillness with a sharpness I hadn’t intended.He paused, his hand on the doorknob. “It’s not your concern, Gabriella. You’re safer not knowing.”“But I need to know!” I insisted, my voice rising. “I can’t keep sitting here, wondering if you’ll come back, or if one night, it’ll b