Whew! 🔥 If tension, drama, and a whole lot of spice had a love child, this chapter would be it! 😏 Edwina and Raffaele are serving power couple energy, and honestly? I’m here for it. 👑💥 But let’s talk about that ball… 🎭 Will it be business, bloodshed, or both? Stay tuned! 👀 Don’t forget to like, vote, drop those gems 💎✨ and let me know your thoughts in the comments! (Or just scream with me, that’s fine too. 😂)
EdwinaRaffaele and I walk hand in hand down the grand spiral staircase, the rhythmic click of my heels echoing across the polished marble steps. The descent feels longer than usual, an air of tension wrapping around us like an unseen force. At the base of the stairs, the main door looms ahead, a portal leading into the unknown. The cool night breeze greets me the moment we step outside, its crisp whisper grazing my skin, sending a faint shiver through me. As expected, Raffaele notices instantly, his response swift and instinctual—he pulls me closer, his warmth a silent promise of protection.My gaze sweeps over the sleek black SUVs lined up in the driveway, their number excessive, even for someone as cautious as Raffaele. My brows knit together in confusion. "That’s a lot of cars," I murmur, tilting my head towards him.His jaw tightens as his dark eyes scan the surroundings, always calculating, always prepared. "They are for security purposes, Tesoro. I am not taking any chances with
RaffaeleAs soon as Edwina leaves my side, a strange sense of loss settles in my chest, an unfamiliar hollowness gnawing at me. My fingers twitch slightly, an urge to pull her back, to keep her close, but I shove the feeling down. This is neither the time nor the place for sentimentality. Yet, I cannot ignore the way my body stiffens as I track her movements, my eyes following the hypnotic sway of her hips, the elegance with which she carries herself even amidst vultures waiting for a single misstep.The moment we set foot into this place, I felt the weight of countless stares settling upon her like an unwanted cloak. Men eye her hungrily, their gazes dripping with lust and curiosity, and my every instinct screams at me to rip their throats out. The women, on the other hand, wear expressions laced with jealousy and disdain, their whispers carrying across the ballroom like venomous arrows aimed at Edwina's back.She is the queen in this deadly game, and they hate her for it.A sharp voi
Edwina"Yes, I am," I say back to Callie, wondering where she is going with this conversation. My eyes scan the room, searching, but Raffaele is nowhere to be seen. A sudden wave of panic begins to creep in when Alessandro appears at my side, his voice low and reassuring as he whispers, "You are okay, Princessa. Relax, he is fine."I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding, nodding at Alessandro’s words. But before I can respond, Callie’s voice cuts in, her perfectly done eyebrows scrunching together as she looks at Alessandro with open curiosity. "And who are you?" she asks, her tone laced with confusion.I turn to Alessandro, expecting him to respond with his usual teasing smirk, but his face is unreadable, his body rigid. It is unusual to see him this way—stoic, detached. Something is off."I am a friend of Edwina's," he says flatly, and I watch in shock as Callie's face drains of color. Her hands tremble, and in her distraction, her plate slips from her grasp, crashin
Edwina"So do you want to tell me who the woman who approached you at the food table was?" Raffaele asks, running a finger down the side of my arm as we sit comfortably in the warm, fragrant bubble bath he had prepared for us. The dim candlelight flickers across the tiled walls, casting soft, golden hues that dance in the steam rising from the water. Wrapped in each other's arms, my back rests against his firm, muscular chest, savouring the comforting contrast of his warmth against the soothing bath.I sigh, tilting my head slightly to the side, allowing him to press a lingering kiss against my damp skin. "Well, she said her name is Callie, and we didn’t chit-chat that much, but something weird happened when Alessandro mentioned my name. She kind of froze and then dropped her glass."Raffaele’s fingers brush my hair away from my neck as he murmurs, "Did she know you or something? Her reaction seems... intense.""I don’t think so. But something about her just felt familiar, and I can’t
Edwina"Glad to see you again," I say to Mr. Black as he takes his seat in front of me, but there is a hint of resentment in my tone."Look, about the other night..." I begin, trying to clear the air, but he is quick to interrupt."How about we don't talk about the other night and instead focus on what I am here to discuss?" he says firmly.My eyebrows furrow in confusion at his stern demeanour, and, being the stubborn woman I am, I say, "No. My building, my rules, so we are talking about last night.""What is there even to talk about?" he asks, his frustration evident.I sigh, deciding to cut to the chase. "I just want to apologize on Raffaele’s behalf and also for putting you in such a position. It wasn’t fair to you, so I’m sorry."Mr. Black’s expression remains cold as he scoffs, "Since when did the famous Raffaele Marcello apologize to anyone?"Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my desk and look him squarely in the eye. "He doesn’t. That’s why you either accept the apology from
EdwinaBlood-curdling screams rip through the air, chaos erupting all around me as the scent of gunpowder and blood thickens, clinging to my skin like a second layer. My mind is disoriented, barely able to process the carnage unfolding before me. One moment, I am standing next to Raffaele, my fingers desperately clutching his, and the next, I am being violently ripped away. A strong grip seizes my arm, yanking me backwards as Raffaele's furious voice booms through the turmoil.“Take her away from here and back to the compound. Guard her with your life. If I find that even a single hair on her body is harmed, I will kill you myself!” he roars, his voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the mayhem.“No! I am not leaving you!” I scream, struggling wildly against the iron grip of the man dragging me away. My nails claw at his arms, desperate to break free, desperate to run back to Raffaele. But my resistance is useless.“Take her away!” Raffaele barks once more, his tone leaving no ro
EdwinaA couple of months have passed since that fateful night at the club, the night where I almost lost my life. Since then, things have only grown more intense. Raffaele has tightened security around the compound, limiting my interactions with the outside world. My movements are now dictated by a team of guards, and any protests I might have are swiftly dismissed.I don't argue with him, at least not openly. Deep down, though, I hate the suffocating restrictions. I understand why he’s doing it—his need to protect me outweighs everything—but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Raffaele has always been a man of control, but now, his demeanour is colder and more calculated. I see it in his eyes, feel it in the way he watches me. He’s a man afraid of losing the one thing he can’t afford to—me.The only solace I’ve found is that Alexxis and Krys are still allowed into the compound. Despite being outsiders to the mafia, Raffaele understands that I need them to maintain my sanity. Telling
EdwinaThe moment the words leave Giovanni's lips, my entire body tenses further. I lower myself onto the edge of the bed, my fingers clutching the fabric of my dress as if grounding myself. He remains standing by the door, stiff, his eyes flickering with hesitation, unwilling to step any further into the Capo’s room.“Okay,” I murmur, my voice trailing off. My forehead creases in worry, betraying my emotions before I can mask them.Giovanni remains silent for a moment, his piercing gaze locked onto mine, before he finally speaks. “It turns out your sister wants to see you.”The words feel like a slap to the face.“What do you mean she wants to see me?” My voice wavers slightly at the end, betraying my uncertainty.Giovanni exhales sharply, his patience thinning. “Exactly what I just said, Edwina.”I blink, trying to process it. My heart hammers against my ribcage. “And why are you telling me this?” I ask, puzzled as to why Raffaele had not been the one to break this news to me.He til
💔📖 Author’s Note 📖💔And just like that… We’ve REACHED THE END 😭🔥 I can’t believe it’s over! This book has been a wild rollercoaster 🎢—love, heartbreak, betrayal, revenge, and so many twists and turns! I have poured my heart and soul into every chapter, and seeing you all laugh, cry, scream, and fall in love with these characters has been magical ✨💖.But let’s get one thing straight... Raffaele’s story is FAR from over. 😏💀 If you thought this book was intense, trust me, the next one is going to be even darker, deadlier, and more dangerous. Revenge is coming, and Raffaele Marcello? He is NOT the kind of man to let his enemies get away with stealing everything from him. Prepare yourselves. 🥀🔥💎 Before we talk about the next book, I just want to say… THANK YOU. 💎To every one of you who picked up this book, read just one chapter (and then couldn’t stop 😉), stayed up way too late 📖⏳, fell in love 💘, cried your eyes out 😭, threw your phone across the room 📱💥, and left me
RaffaeleSomething is bothering my Tesoro. I know her well enough to understand that she’s too stubborn to talk about it until she’s ready, but I can’t shake the feeling that she’s hiding something. Ever since we landed in Italy, she’s been acting strangely, and the thought that she doesn’t want me to find out why gnaws at me.I’ve been trained to read emotions, to see through deception. And Edwina—my Edwina—has been lying to me for weeks. She may think she’s hiding it well, but I see right through her. I’ve tried to stay calm, to act as though it doesn’t bother me, but deep inside, I’m furious. I love her, but lying is where I draw the line.Closing the door to our bedroom, I make my way to my office, determined to drown myself in work. I call for Gio, needing to clear my mind and, more importantly, to get some answers.A sharp knock sounds at the door, interrupting my focus as I sift through an overwhelming number of emails. Running a frustrated hand through my hair, I grunt, “Come i
EdwinaTonight is the night. I will have my driver on standby, waiting to take you to the airport. And make sure to keep Raffaele away from this, or someone will die tonight, Bellissima. Make sure to do as you are told to avoid someone's blood being on your hands.xx Yours truly.The moment my eyes scan the message on my screen, my blood runs cold. Tonight is the night I will leave Raffaele—to protect him, to protect his men.I inhale sharply, trying to regulate my breathing, willing my pounding heart to steady itself. I can't afford to panic, not now, not with Raffaele just a few steps away in the shower, oblivious to the storm brewing right outside our door."Hey, are you okay?" Raffaele’s deep voice pulls me out of my frantic thoughts, and I lift my gaze to see him standing before me, already dressed, his fingers skillfully buttoning his dress shirt.I force a smile, locking my phone and tossing it onto the bed, as though discarding my fear along with it. "Yeah," I lie, my voice tig
EdwinaI remain frozen on the spot, my eyes locking onto Raffaele’s darkened gaze as he winces, clutching his shirt, which is rapidly soaking with blood.“Cosa è successo?” Eleanora’s voice slices through the tension, her face contorting into a deep frown as she hurries towards her son. Raffaele leans heavily against the counter, Giovanni to his left, Rodriguez to his right, all three men radiating unease. ( What happened?)“I’m fine, madre,” Raffaele grunts, though his voice is tight with pain. Eleanora places a gentle kiss on his forehead, but his sharp green eyes never leave mine. ( Mother)“Thank God you are here. The man is as stubborn as they come, princessa, and only you will be able to help him clean up since he refuses to let anyone else near him,” Alessandro’s voice sounds beside me, pulling my gaze away from Raffaele.I nod, unable to speak, my throat tightening with an emotion I can’t quite place. Slowly, hesitantly, I step forward, my movements cautious as I take Raffaele’
EdwinaImmediately I head out of Raffaele's office, I make my way across the house, holding my new phone box in my hand. I shake my head in amusement, chuckling at how Raffaele loves to spend money on me without hesitation. My laughter is short-lived when I realize Vincenzo is standing right across from me, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips."Should I be worried that you are laughing by yourself?" he asks, his tone laced with curiosity and amusement."Maybe," I reply, a smirk tugging at my lips.Vincenzo chuckles, shaking his head as he steps around me, heading towards wherever he is going."Where are you going?" I ask, curiosity getting the best of me."Just headed out to sort some business," he says, his voice casual, but his pace quickens as if he doesn’t want to linger on the topic. Before I can press further, he disappears down the hall.Sighing, I turn on my heel and go to Raffaele’s room. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I stare at the sleek box in my hands, but m
RaffaeleThe moment the question leaves my lips, I see the way Edwina’s body stiffens, her eyes flashing with a flicker of panic before she quickly mouths her expression. I try not to read too much into it, reminding myself that I’ve already made her feel like I don’t trust her—when in reality, the opposite is true. I trust her with my life. The last thing I want is to create more distance between us, to push her away even further.“Come here,” I tell her softly, my gaze locked onto hers. She hesitates for a moment before taking a step forward, but it’s not close enough. “Closer, Tesoro,” I murmur, my voice dipping an octave lower, filled with quiet demand.She obeys, stepping into my space, and I waste no time pulling her into my lap, her legs straddling me. The moment her sweet lilac scent fills my senses, I feel a tension within me loosen. Burying my face into the curve of her neck, I tighten my hold on her, the steady rhythm of her heartbeat soothing the fire within me.“You smell
EdwinaWe sit in silence, the air between us thick with unspoken words and simmering tension. My body tightens with frustration at Raffaele’s insinuation—however subtle—that I might not be telling him the truth."Why do I feel like you think I’m lying to you?" I ask, my voice sharp, and defensive. I can’t stop myself. His doubt wounds me in ways I can't explain.His brows furrow, his confusion evident. "I don’t, Tesoro. Where is this even coming from?"I let out a bitter laugh, taking a step away from him, needing distance. "Yes, you do. Ever since I went to the mall with your sisters, you’ve been acting like I’m hiding something from you!" My voice rises, my restraint finally snapping.Raffaele clenches his fists at his sides, his expression darkening. "Are you hiding something from me, Tesoro?" His voice is eerily calm, but there’s something lethal in the way he says it, venom curling around each word.The question cuts deep. It confirms my worst fear—that he truly does not trust me.
EdwinaI stand in front of our bedroom mirror, admiring the way the red gown hugs my body, accentuating my hourglass figure. My hair is straightened, a new look for me since it’s usually curly and bouncing off my shoulders. My fingers toy with the delicate necklace resting on my collarbone just as the bedroom door opens, revealing a dressed-up Raffaele.Our eyes connect through the mirror as he strides toward me, his gaze dark and intense. His strong arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back against his firm chest. I take in his appearance—jet-black suit tailored to perfection, crisp white shirt, no tie. He looks devastatingly handsome, and my heart flutters at the sight.“You look beautiful, Tesoro,” he murmurs, his voice laced with admiration.I blush under his heated gaze. “Thank you.”With a swift motion, he turns me in his arms, causing me to squeal in surprise. The scent of his cologne—woodsy and intoxicating—fills my senses, making my knees weak. I notice how he’s shaved his us
EdwinaThe morning air is cool against my skin as I stir awake, instinctively reaching out to the other side of the bed. My fingers meet nothing but cold sheets. Raffaele is gone. Not just recently, but long enough for the warmth of his body to have completely faded. A sigh escapes me as I stare up at the ceiling, my mind already tangled in the weight of the day ahead.How am I supposed to pull this off—leaving with Mariano’s men without anyone in this house realizing?I sit up slowly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and notice one of Raffaele’s shirts crumpled at the edge of the bed. Without thinking, I grab it and slip it over my head, inhaling the lingering scent of him. It grounds me, even as guilt churns deep in my stomach. I shouldn’t be indulging in this, in him. Not when I know what’s coming.The shrill ring of my phone jolts me from my thoughts. I roll over, snatching it off the nightstand, and barely have time to brace myself before Krys’s voice explodes through the speaker.