The afternoon fly’s by, and before I knew it, I was having one on one parent-teacher interviews.I loved telling each of my Care Bears parents how extremely well they were doing and how proud they should be of their childs progress.I also introduced my idea of the kids taking home a journal every night to help them with their creativity.I explained to the parents and students that they could write whatever they wanted and decorate their entries however they pleased.It wasn’t a competition, I know some of my Care Bears are here strictly on scholarships. I also informed them that they could always come to class and use the art supplies they had available at their group tables before the first warning bell.The evening seemed to be going smoothly until my last interview.Mr. Thomas Day was Ryder’s stepfather, and he wasn’t a pleasant man to deal with on any occasion.“Is this you spying on us parents?” He practically spat in my face as I mentioned the journal to him.“No, sir, not at a
Cullum drops us off in front of a small, intimate Indian restaurant uptown. The sweet aromas of mixed earthy spices drift in the air, hitting your nostrils instantly the moment the elevator doors open. If I had to use one word to describe the restaurant as we step into the foyer from the elevator, it would be exotic. Dim lights cast shadows off the dark, rich coloured walls, and beautiful candles flutter with light. Music quietly plays in the background as a lady sings about heartbreak. We're seated next to a glass window looking over the city. I happen to look up and admire the black night skies shimmering with stars. They look like little crystals scattered through a black ocean. It holds me hostage for all its beauty on display. I can’t make sense of how the simplicity of the two can be so mesmerising. “It's enchanting, isn't it?” Luca says, breaking my train of thought. “Yes, it truly is.” I smile. He looks out the window, gazing towards the sky. “It’s the little th
My door jerks open, and Luca extends his hand, waiting for me to take it. I childishly slap his hand away, hoping he’ll get my drift and close the door to send me on my way. Sure, his whole alpha male demeanor thing is hot and all. But tonight, I just want to go home and chill-lax. I feel like things are moving a bit too fast between us, and I have to protect myself. I've never been in love before. So, I'm not sure what warning bells I should be looking out for. A low, irritated growl leaves his chest as he straightens. He takes a step back, removes his tie, followed by his suit jacket, and he passes them to Cullum. I can see him in the corner of my eye loosening his buttons on his shirt sleeves, and he rolls them up his arms. I sit immobilised, powerless to move a muscle or look away. He does everything so gracefully, and it fascinates me. Clearing my throat and shifting in my seat. I tear my gaze away from him because the last thing I need right now is for him to notice
“What do you mean no?” My voice begins to tremble out of fear and uncertainty of what this man is capable of.“I’m going to fuck you against this wall! I intended to make love to you in my bed. A respectful place for a woman to make love to, si? But you put your hands on me violently, tesoro, and now I will use your body against you.” His words are harsh, and they feel like a slap on the face.“I’m not some fucking whore you can just… screw against your wall, Luca.” I sneer, struggling against him.“No, you’re not. But you enjoy playing rough, don’t you? And baby, trust me, I. Can. Give. You. Rough.” He smirks at me, enjoying the little 'damsel in distress' show before him.Luca moves his hands, skillfully locking both my wrists into one hand. His hand glides smoothly down my neck, his gaze fixed on his every motion. He confidently adjusts my blazer, his palm roughly kneads my breast, delivering an uncomfortable sensation that has me gritting my teeth. The pads of his fingers delicat
I wake up in Lucas' embrace, extending my weakened limbs from the rest of the night's relentless lovemaking. I move back, unintentionally making contact with his front, and his morning wood pokes my ass. Luca stirs in his sleep and roughly pulls me against his chest. I wiggle my butt, loving the tiny stimulation I receive from his cock, until his fingers press into my hip, paralysing me. He presses his face into my neck. “Ciao, bellissima. Stop wriggling that big luscious ass of yours, or you'll have to suffer the consequences.” His voice is still groggy from sleep. I want to suffer the consequences, whatever it may be. But I’m still a little tender from his insatiable hunger we had to fulfil most of the night. His fingers find my exposed nipple, flicking the tight bud, making it hard instantly. I begin to squirm frantically against his touch, unable to contain my silent pleas. He shifts and pins me beneath him with my hands held above my head. “You sly cheat.” I giggle. He l
I leave the house in a rush with my bag dangling off my forearm as I quickly put my studded earrings on. Cullum opens the door, smiling. After I get into the car. He slips into the driver’s seat, pulls on his seat belt, starts the engine, and pulls out into the early mornings' free-flowing traffic. Minutes later, he pulls up in front of the Academy and opens the back door for me. I take his offering hand and slide out of the car, fixing my shirt. “Thanks, Cullum, you’re the best.” I smile at him. “You have yourself a good day,” I say as I step back, and take my bag from his grasp. “You're welcome Miss. Maddison, I’ll be here waiting with Mr. Venturi for your lunch date around midday.” He closes the rear passenger door, looks back at me, and a scowl washes over his pleasant face as a hand lands on my shoulder. [Hi] “Malo Nessa.” I look over my shoulder to see who Cullum is frowning at. “Sanz, hi.” I greet him, sounding a tad bit more annoyed than I should. There is no indicatio
As the first warning bell rings, my little Care Bears start to line up outside the classroom door in pairs. I'm standing at the door, and I quickly scan the lines, hoping to spot Ryder. My eyes roam over my Care Bears once, twice, three times before I accept the fact that he is not going to attend class today. Deflated, I look at Sanz from the doorway and discreetly shake my head. Sanz shakes his head furiously as he runs his hands through his black mass of hair. Ryder is missing from the line, and my heart instantly drops with worry. “Alright, Care Bears. Let's count in twos as you enter the room, please.” I plaster a smile on my face just for them. “And… I hope last night you all took the time to write your first entry in your new journals that you were given?” “Yeeesss!” They cheer with enthusiasm. “You are all so clever! I must be the luckiest teacher in the entire world. Am I right?” I smile at them. “Yessss…” They cheer again in unison. I clap my hands together, “Okey-d
For the remainder of the morning, my Care Bears presented their Show and Tell projects. They were all in fits of laughter through most of their peer's shows. I seriously didn't realise we had so many comedians among us in the classroom. I can only imagine how entertaining they'll be at the end of year talent quest. When the fits of laughter finally die down, and the classroom becomes respectfully quiet again. The sudden rush of worry and guilt returns, piercing my heart like a silver bullet. It makes me think of Sanz and hoping he's kept his word by calling the police and not going over to the house and confronting Thomas in person. The moment the interval bell rings and the last of my Care Bears leave to go play outside, I make a quick beeline to Sanz office. I knocked on the door… “Come in.” He replies gruffly. I enter his office and sit down on one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Have you notified the police?” Sanz looks up from his computer. “I did.” “And?” I ask
Nine months later…Alessandro's POVI am driving like a madman through traffic. Missing vehicles by the skin of my teeth as I fly down the interstate. I am on my way to the hospital.Merda...I should have arrived an hour ago. Zoe is going to murder me, and I would rather she does it after the birth of our twin sons. I would like to at least give them the opportunity to meet me, even if I am a walking corpse.Si, that's right, guys. I Alessandro Russo knocked Zoe Henningson the fuck-up..*** Thirty Five Weeks Earlier.“Super sperm. I fucking swear to the Gods you have super sperm.” My beautiful, angry, kitten came storming through the door of my office. “Cara mia?” I looked at her with wide eyes that were filled with confusion.I rose from behind my desk and walked over to the door, which I then closed. She swung around and hurled something at me; it landed on my chest and bounced across the floor twice. With an arched brow, I gazed at her, questioning if she had lost her damn mind
I buck my hips against his mouth. Getting as much friction I can get as he lightly sucks on my clit. I throw my head back moaning. I know I won't last long. It's been over three years since he last touched me. Three years since ANY man has touched me. Tension pools in the pit of my stomach. I clutch my fingers through his hair, firmly gripping the roots and push his head deeper inside me. Alessandro starts to flick his tongue as he slides two thick fingers inside me, and I arch my back in pleasure. He wildly starts to drive his fingers in and out of my needy body, flicking his tongue faster, and mumbling in Italian. My walls start to clench around his fingers with pure greed, sucking the dear life out of them. I know he can sense how close I am because he swipes his tongue slowly across my sex, making me cum long and hard. I ride out my orgasm. Continuing to grind against his face. When my body begins to shudder, I unhook my leg from around his shoulder. “Stand, Alessandro.” I com
Three years later… I arrived back in Auckland two days ago. I’ve spent the last three and a half years in hiding. Every three months, I was moved to another location in another city. Every city meant a new identity was created for me. It eventually became challenging for me to remember who I was and what my backstory was at the beginning. But I gradually learned how to adapt to my new life and accept it. It took just over three years for the Italian legal team to get every member of the La Cosa Nostra Mafia rounded up and prosecuted. Gio had enough information saved on his laptop and files in a hidden safe to have them all incarcerated for a few life times. In the end, the Venturi’s managed to take them down from their graves, and their names will go down in the history books. They cleaned up the streets, making it safe for school kids to wander to school on their own.I gaze up from the side walk of the building where Lucas penthouse still stands. I'm trying to find the courage to
It's been three long and excruciating weeks since I ordered Luca to leave my life. And he did. He packed everything up and flew back to Italy, taking my Rosalia with him. The thing that hurt and still hurts the most is that I never got the chance to say goodbye to her. I only had Rosalia in my life for a short time before she was taken away from me once again. I haven’t heard from any of them. Not a single phone call, text, email, or even a postcard to tell me they’re okay. I only recently learned of their departure when Roman had called me and asked me to meet him at his office. ***“Nessa, how are you?” He asked as I walked through his office door.“I’m healing slowly, but I’m getting there.”“You’re looking a lot better from the last time I saw you.” I had caught a glimpse of a smile on his face. “I asked you here today because there are a few things that I need to discuss with you regarding my firm.” He said as he pulled out a contract from the top drawer of his desk. “This...”
Lucas POVI walk out of the house and jump into my Audi. Vanessa refuses to see me again. “Cazzo!” I yell as I bang my hands against the steering wheel. I just finished telling her I can’t fucking live without her, and she’s the best thing that's ever happened to me. Yet, she still dismisses me like I'm nothing to her. We just lost our baby. The baby I was secretly rejoicing in. We were going to be a famiglia, damn it, a fucking famiglia. She was going to bear my name and my children. My life was going to be complete and fucking incredible. I was planning on spending the rest of my life making her the happiest woman to ever grace the planet. But that has been viciously ripped away from me. The mob had gotten a hold of Mikal and paid him a pretty penny to turn my world upside down. That fucker is lucky he’s already dead because if I had gotten my hands on him, he would’ve died a long and slow death. Even that is generous on my behalf. The mob will pay. The arse hole who ordered the
Rosalia shows up twenty minutes later with her hair pulled up into a messy bun. She’s dressed in an Adidas tracksuit, and she looks so much like her mum. It almost causes my heart to skip a beat. “Is everything okay, Aunt Nessa?” Her face is full of concern as she approaches me.She sits be side me, I reach forward and place her hand in mine, resting them on my knees as I stare at our joined hands.“You know, I love you, right?” I try my best to keep my voice leveled.“Si. I love you too.” Her beautiful eyes are filled with confusion as her brows knit together.I bring her hand up to my lips and place a gentle kiss on the back of her hand. “This decision has no impact on us whatsoever.” I want to reassure her. “But for me to move on, I can’t be with your uncle no more.” I let go of her hand and quickly place the ring box in her palm. “I need you to do this one favor for me and return this to Luca.” Tears prick my eyes, and I rapidly blink, urging them away.I know this is such a cowar
I wake up to someone persistently knocking on the front door. Rolling over, I slowly ease myself into a sitting position on the bed. Being mindful to keep the screams of agony suppressed. Running my fingers through my tangled hair, I look up when Conrad walks in with a shadow close behind him.“Hey, Nessa.” He looks at me apologetically. “Detective Reeves is here to see you.” He steps aside, and a middle-aged female steps forward. “Hello, Vanessa. I’m detective Amanda Reeves.” She thrusts her hand forward, and I shake it. “Look, I know this isn’t an appropriate time in the morning to do this… But I would appreciate it if I could have your co-operation so we can get this case cleared.” She says as her eyes scan the room.Amanda Reeves looks to be in her mid-thirties. She looks a lot like Cameron Diaz with brown eyes, but when the light hits them, and you look close enough, there are bits of green and orange embedded deep within the irises.Her eyes are stunning. She has urban black hai
Two hours later, we are back at the house where I have joyfully popped a few painkillers. Conrad had set up our beds, turning the living room into a bedroom. Conrad said it was better we all slept in one room so they both could keep an eye on me. But deep down, I know he was trying to keep me from going back into the room where the assault took place. He is such a sweetheart. Carlos also tried his last hand at convincing me to change my mind and remain in my hospital bed. I lied to him and told him that I would be staying with Luca. So if anything happened, I would be in good hands. He still didn’t look pleased or convinced in the slightest when he handed me the discharge forms to sign. He gave me a few words of advice and informed Chrissy that if she felt that Luca wasn’t meeting her standards in taking super extra care of me to call him at any time. Day or night. I eventually forced his stubborn ass to hug me and thanked him for not letting me die the moment I handed the clipboa
“You got that right.” I wink at her. “How did you get here?” I ask with curiosity.“I had my driver drop me off. Uncle Luca said to tell you that he will be here as soon as he can. He is meeting with the detectives and his lawyer.” She looks at the door and then back at me.“Why is he meeting with the detectives? He wasn’t there.” I scowl, looking at everyone confused. “We have all been interviewed. But I assume Luca is trying to hold them off from coming to see you so soon.” Carlos says as he scratches the back of his head.Rosalia turns around at the sound of his voice. Carlos gazes at Rosalia and flashes her with one of his jaw-dropping smiles. Her head snaps back in my direction, and her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. I watch her as she tucks her loose hair behind her ear, and when I look back at Carlos, he remains staring at the back of her head. I casually flick my eyes between the two and realise the air has become thick with wonderment. Conrad clears his throat, interrup