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 gasp, snatching the bag out of Alessandros' hand, reading what the note said. I will huff...And I will puff...And I will blow...Your house up!What the fuck!A segment from the three little pigs' story?With my body trembling, I look up and pluck the last bag out of the detective's hand, reading it.One, two, I'm coming for you.Three, four, better lock your door.Five, six, grab your extinguisher.Seven, eight, gonna burn your house down.Nine, ten, you're both dead!!“Wh-what the fuck is this?” I blurt out, holding the bags up.“Those, Miss Bishop, are death threats.” The detective replies, rubbing his fingers across his brows.“I can see that. What I want to know is, who are they from?” I grit my teeth, feeling livid that Aunt Mae kept this from me. “Farfalla, you need to calm down,” Alessandro whispers in my ear as he pulls me to his side. I snap my head in his direction. “Would you be so relaxed if this happened to someone you love?” I scoff, stepping away from him.A low
Tilting my head, I meet his hot gaze and my mind goes blank, my core tightens.I know I'm gazing up into the eyes of the most dangerous, most ruthless and vicious man; possibly one of the most formidable men in the world. Yet, my body refuses to register that. Instead my of body trembling, my skin prickles with goosebumps. “I understand how you feel, Farfalla. But that does not give you the right or the excuse to act like a spoiled brat. You must not use vulgar language when speaking to the detective in charge of your aunt's case; otherwise, the case will be closed. And you will never, and I mean never, put your hands on me in public again. Do I make myself clear?” His tone is terrifyingly low and gruff, sending a ripple of awareness through my feverish frame.Abruptly, my body catches up with my mind and I stiffen at the sound of his voice. “I'm sorry,” I whisper meekly, panting. “I don't know what came over me, but without you here, I'd be a wreck. So, please... Alessandro, don't
ALESSANDRO, AKA DON VALENTINO. Staring straight ahead, I watch as a man dressed in all black draws closer towards us. The hairs on my neck stand up and I possessively pull Ivy into my side, reaching behind my back and placing my trigger-happy fingers on the gun. One move. That's all it will take. One wrong motion and I will shoot the bastardo right between his fucking eyes. As the doors to the elevator slide shut, he stops, slowly raising his head, and he locks eyes with Ivy as a wicked smile erupts across his face. A gasp falls from Ivys’ lips, and I can feel her body trembling at my side. I shift, looking at her pale face. She looks like she's just seen a ghost. Whoever that man is, she knows him, and she is fucking terrified. I slam my hand against the emergency stop button and the elevator comes to a screeching standstill. Curling my hands around her face, I step in front of her, slightly bending at the knees, so I can look her in the eyes. “Farfalla?” I whisper,
He frowns, causing fine lines to appear on his otherwise flawless skin, and exhales with displeasure.“Worthy of bearing my name?” He grumbles, letting go of my chin, and he yanks at the wires by the steering wheel, killing the engine. “Where is this coming from, Ivy?” “From here,” I place my palm across my chest over my pounding heart. “And here.” Raising my hand, I tap my index finger on the side of my throbbing temple. “I want you to show me how to take control of a dangerous situation, how to suppress my fear, so it won't screw with my better judgement and how to fire a weapon, or at least throw a good punch.” I plead, shamelessly. Two burly men approach the car, and just by looking at them, you can tell they are Lorenzos’ comrades from his time spent in the New Zealand Army.Dressed in their combat gear, they stand out like sore thumbs without a care in the world, yet prepared to take on the world at the same time.Alessandro looks at them, and he holds up two fingers, gesturin