ALESSANDRO, AKA DON VALENTINO. TWO WEEKs EARLIER. I swivel in my chair, turning myself, so I can stare out the window. The same window I always found Ivy gazing out of. Ivy. Ivy Bishop. My headache. The only woman who has managed to put my very existence on hold. She is the only woman who has ever run away from me, causing my heart to stop beating and my breath to cease. Each time Ryan enters my office with an update, a glimmer of optimism for him tracking her down sits on my shoulders. Sadly, that sliver of hope is genuinely starting to disappear, along with the desire of me striving to track her down. The morning she abandoned me in bed, I had relentlessly called her number, but her phone continuously kept going straight to voice mail. By that time, the evening had come around. I had a bad feeling and I drove myself to Nicole's house, the same friend that wouldn't let me leave without her by my side like a thorn in a rose when Ivy had fainted at her papa's funeral
Groaning, I slowly feel myself rousing from my slumber and my abdomen feels like it is on fire. “Sweetie, don't move too much.” I recognise my Aunt Maes’ sweet voice. “Aunt Mae?” I croak. “Is that you?” “Shhh, love. Save your energy.” She says quietly in a trembling voice as she rubs my arm. I breathe heavily, feeling emotional, and swallow the lump that coaxes the back of my throat. “Is it over?” My voice shakes with sadness. “Did they… remove it?” The desire to know is too consuming for me not to ask. I force myself to stay awake, fluttering my eyelids open as I stare up at the ceiling that looks very different to the one I saw before I was sedated. I slowly twist my neck, looking at Aunt Mae, who has tears in her eyes. “It is, Ivy.” She sighs, shaking her head as her bottom lip trembles. “It's over, and I am so sorry for your loss. For your pain and suffering.” She sobs as she wipes the tip of her nose with a tissue. I close my eyes, tears of agony and torment staini
THREE DAYs LATER. The hospital finally discharged me from their care earlier this morning. They had requested that I stay an extra night for observation, as the burning sensation in my abdomen became unbearable to deal with the day after surgery. Overall, it turned out that I was having phantom pains from a previous surgery that I had to undergo ten years prior. The specialist informed me to take things slowly as it will take longer for me to recover than expected. Instructions I have always found hard to abide by. I despise the thought of my body being weak all over again. I hate feeling like a burden. Sipping on a steamy cup of herbal tea, I sit on the outdoor sofa at the back of Aunt Mae's house on the deck, looking up at the sky. The sun is starting to set, casting beautiful hues of fire across the horizon. This has become my all-time favourite spot and time of day. It is enthralling, and spellbinding in its ability to bring me some measure of calm within myself, while
Nic picks up my phone and waves it in front of me with a racy demeanour taking over her. I pluck my phone out of her grasp and I stare at it. “I'll send him a text.” I looked up to meet her gaze. She gasps with a look of objection sketched across her face. “That's a hard… no!” She snorts. “And I know full well that you are not that stupid to honestly go through with it and send him a: Can we meet? We seriously need to talk.” She holds up a finger with every word that leaves her lips. “A text that consists of eight bloody words. You are better than that, and he deserves better.” She arches a perfectly shaped brow as she finishes scolding me. “Okay,” I respond with a shake of my head. “You are taking this way too seriously.” I groan, unlocking my phone, and then I scroll down my contacts list until I come across the nickname, I so graciously gave him. ~Arrogant Jerk~ My thumb Hoover's over the call icon and I nibble on my bottom lip as I begin to feel agitated. “What if-”
The sound of the perimeter alarm blares through my phone, and I roll out of bed, snagging my gun from the bedside table. The door to my room creeks open, and I can make out that there are at least four men in my hotel suite. I lean against the cold wall, silently waiting for the right time to strike. Being outnumbered, I can’t afford to mess my timing up. I look towards my room and shadows made up of four different figures creep along the wall. Swiftly, all four men move to each corner of my bed, they look at each other and nod, firing their weapons, and bullets spray the mattress, lighting the room up. I watch them through the ensuite mirror. One of the men pulls the blanket back, revealing the empty bed, and they look around the room confused. Spinning around, I raise my arm, lightly stepping into the room and I fire my gun four times, putting a bullet in each of their heads. I stand over their wounded figures, firing my gun another four times, putting a bullet in each of
We exit the car to the elevator, stepping into the lobby of the penthouse. With my mouth agape, I allow my eyes to wander the expanse in awe. I've never seen the inside of a penthouse before. Well, I have, but, only through the television screen and surely that doesn't count. I follow Alessandro into the living room, trying to avert my gaze from his perky ass that is enclosed in his black denim jeans.Unexpectedly, he comes to a halt and I walk straight into him with an 'Ommfftt' leaving my lips. Quickly stepping around him, I walk to the large window and gasp. “It's such a beautiful view.” Alessandro stands beside me, “It is indeed,” he hums, clearing his throat as I glance up and meet his gaze. "It's a view I've missed deeply."My cheeks start to flush as I tuck the loose strands of my hair behind my ears with a shy smile forming on my mouth. Licking his lips, “would you like a whiskey?” Looking down at my feet, I shift my weight between them, “I can't have any alcohol while
“Shhh, don't cry, amore mio.” Gently, he brushes the pad of his thumb across my cheek, wiping away my tears. “I can't stand to see you weep.” He grunts. Wrapping my arms around his torso, I rest my head on his chest, feeling the vibration of his heart. The soothing melody calms my frantic nerves, which are screaming within me. As Alessandro envelops me in his big arms, he rests his chin on the top of my head and draws in a slow breath of air. There is nowhere I feel safer than being wrapped up in his arms. A sense of calmness flushes out the feelings of dread, panic, and anxiety. “I've missed this,” I whisper, breathing in his cologne that makes me dizzy with desire. I've missed his citrus, woody-infused scent with a touch of smokiness from his cigars or cigarettes. If it were possible, I'd bottle it up and lather myself with it when I'm missing him most. “I've missed this too,” exhaling as I move back from our embrace, I glance up at him. “I'm ready to sit down and listen to y
All that can be heard between us is the quiet buzzing of Alessandros’ engine as he drives down the highway, attempting to get me to the hospital in time to identify Aunt Mae's body.Numbly, staring down at my wringing fingers on my lap, I attempt to make sense of what just transpired.I've only been with Alessandro for a minimum of two hours. Which means someone would have waited until we left to set the house ablaze. But none of this makes sense.I mean, who would want to hurt her? She was dearly loved in our neighbourhood, as she was an active member of the community. She had the sweetest demeanour with an honourable heart to match. “Ivy,” Alessandro says my name with trepidation as he leans over the gear transmission and rests a hand on my thigh. “Tell me what's on your mind.”I slowly raise my head, drawing in a razor-sharp breath as I gradually exhale while I stare straight ahead. “How many more of my loved ones are going to die?” My voice quivers. “I mean, shit. I can count
I set the bouquet that little Savannah had gathered from the villa’s lovely rose garden on Roses' grave. I take a step back to where Savannah stands. In her small, delicate hands, she holds the photo frame that contains a picture of her and Rose on their trip to the beach one sunny day. I peer down at her, a sad pout upon her bottom lip, and the tears in her eyes gnaw at the branches of my heart.She is so young and innocent, and she's lost both of her parents. I can't even comprehend what turmoil invades her little body. If anything happens to me or Alessandro, she will be left all alone. Tears pool in my eyes when I imagine her going through life alone, and I nibble on my bottom lip, deep in thought. I wish to give her a sibling. Whether it be blood or through an adoption agency. Conceiving a child is one of my biggest fears after losing our precious child beforehand. But with my tubes being cleaned and two doctors on call at my every whim. The fear that harbours my body isn't
FIVE DAYs LATER.It's been five pleasurable days since I spontaneously married the man whom I love like there is no tomorrow. We finally left the room and joined the rest of civilisation yesterday afternoon. We also took Savannah out to the beach for dinner and an early evening swim in the water. We ate, laughed, sang silly childhood songs from the past and swam. It was a perfect evening to end a perfect wedding and the start of a wonderful life together — as a family. Alessandro hasn't been able to keep his hands off my body either and this morning, I slipped out of the room bright and early to evade his wandering hands. Torturous mouth. And well… I'm sure you get the picture.My body aches in places I never knew it could. My womanly parts have never felt so raw and beautifully used at the same time. But today I'd actually like to sit down without gnawing on the inside of my cheek to mask the hissing wince that escapes my lips. As I descend the stairs, with Viktor not too far
Alessandro lets out a little growl. “You'll be the death of me, woman.” He takes my hand and starts leading us off the dance floor, making a small pit stop when we reach Riccardo and Selena.Riccardo clears his throat, steps away from Selena like her touch suddenly burnt, and he straightens his posture, running a hand through his hair. Selenas’ eyes widen as they dart between Alessandro and Riccardo, placing her hands behind her back. “I think you'll both make one hell of a power couple, and I give you my blessing,” Alessandro says with amusement flickering in his eyes as he thrusts his hand out.Selenas’ head snaps up with a big smile spreading across her face and her mouth agape. Riccardo looks at Alessandro with shock-engulfed irises, and he clears his throat as he takes Alessandros’ hand in his and starts shaking it. “You knew?” “Of course I did,” Alessandro chuckles as he releases Riccardos’ hand and pulls me into his side. “There's not much that goes on in the villa that I
I don't know how many times I have told myself that marrying Alessandro today is crazy.Impulsive.But when I think back to the photos of the stunning Brazilian dancer all over him. Jealousy invades my body like a plague. It's cruel, tormenting, and body crippling. It's a feeling that I wouldn't want to wish upon my greatest enemy.The truth is, I love Alessandro. I want to be his wife. His lifetime companion and I know he feels the same about me. He refers to me as his Farfalla. My glorious, powerful prince charming, who is hell-bent on haunting my nightmares back even though he has demons of his own, lurking in the shadows that I vow to slay on his behalf.Together, we can be unstoppable. We can conquer the impossible and build an indestructible empire.Together as one.We have old wounds that have been opened and exposed, forcing me to face my insecurities as they lured cruel enemies back into our lives from the shadows of hell.We slipped through each other's fingers multipl
MINUTES EARLIER.Walking out of the bathroom, a knock sounds at my bedroom door. “Come in,” I call out, jumping back under the sheets in the bed I share with Alessandro.The door slowly pries open. I glance up and watch as Nic and Selena walk into the room, looking like utter shit. They look how I feel. Pointing to the bottle of painkillers on the bedside table, “help yourself, there's no ice water, so you'll have to go downstairs for that,” I say as I try to stifle a yawn behind my hands.“Babe,” Nic says in her 'I have something to tell you, and you're not going to like it' voice.Shit…The blood drains from my face. “What's wrong?” I ask as I sit upright, pulling the sheet with me.Selena sits down on the bed, followed by Nic, and she opens the laptop she had walked in with and turns it around to face me. “There are some pictures…” Selena says as she glances at Nic.“Of what?” I ask before looking at the screen.If it's about the shitfest that happened last night. I might jus
“Come on, hon,” I say to Nic as I loop our arms together and follow Riccardo out of the club.Nic stumbles across the dance floor muttering, “I seriously like Reece, I mean, I think he's a top-notch bloke, but…” She sighs, leaving her sentence unfinished and I let her be.I just want to get out of here and go home to my big, comfortable bed. As we exit the club, we take a right, following Riccardo and I watch as he catches up with Selena, wrapping his long fingers around her upper arm; she instantly halts her movements, spinning around to face him. “What do you want from me, Cardo?” She cries out as she shrugs him.“What the cazzo’s gotten into you?” He growls incredulously.“Gotten into me?” She snorts as she violently wipes the tears sliding down her cheeks. “Si, you.” He hisses. She laughs bitterly at him as her eyes search his face. “You're unbelievable.” She spits as she walks away from him once again.Nic and I try to keep our distance to give them their privacy, as we lurk
THE FOLLOWING WEEK.As I walk into Alessandros’ office, knowing that his meeting is drawing to an end; I hear his velvet voice fill the vicinity.“Is there still no word from Ryan?” He asks his henchmen with frustration.I trip over my feet, thanking the God's no one saw me, as everyone is distracted with the folios they have in their grasps.“I'll take that as a firm no,” Alessandro mutters under his breath as he types away on his keyboard.Guilt nibbles away at my heart.I desperately want to tell him where Ryan is to prevent him from stressing out any further. Then I consider the consequences of telling him that I sent one of his finest men on a mission without his knowledge.It's undoubtedly safer if I don't tell him. I scan the third row of books at the bottom of the bookcase and halt when my finger lands on Roses' favourite novel. I remove it from the shelf and open it, turning the pages as dust escapes from the spine.Just as I'm about to close it, a scrap of paper falls out
I turn my attention to the large clock on the wall. “Shit!” I mutter, walking out of the kitchen with my stomach twisting in knots. “Viktor?” I call out as I see him talking to one of the other henchmen. He expresses his farewells and jogs towards me. “You called, Miss Bishop?” He responds with a broad grin. “I did.” I chuckle. Viktor is always smiling, and I've noticed whenever he smiles, I smile too, as his is infectious. “I need to go into town. I have a lunch date with the girls and if I don't leave now, I'm going to be super late.” I exhale loudly, wanting nothing more than to curl up in bed and sleep the rest of the week away. “Very well, I'll bring the car around and inform Ryan?” He curtly bows his head and walks away before I can respond. I make my way out of the villa after retrieving my handbag and to where the car awaits, with Ryan behind the wheel and Viktor holding the passenger door wide open. As I slide into the car, I raise my brows at him. “Don't.” He mu
I run my hands through my hair as I exhale. I have no idea what is going on and am completely bewildered. Riccardo tells me this is Alessandros’ method of submitting to me as he drapes an extremely thick coat with weights over Alessandros’ shoulders. His face distorts in anguish as he attempts to maintain his calm and stance. “Tell him what's bothering you and what you expect from him.” Riccardo shares with me. I nod my head, looking around the yard, and I become well aware that we have an audience on our hands. Part of me wants to tell them all to piss right off, but then the other part of me wants them to stay. So they can hear what I've said straight from my mouth, rather than the gossip that spreads through the thin walls like wildfire. I return my attention to Alessandro. His head is bowed as he continues to kneel before me. Swallowing my pride, I lower myself onto my knees. “You hurt me,” I declare in an even tone. “I know you have been driven by wrath to find Mrs D