Lena's POV The insistent California sun, filtering through the slits in my curtains, nudged me awake. I stretched, feeling the familiar ache in my muscles from the other night's... activities. Yes, obviously. Mr. Rossi had insisted I take two days off, but the thought of staying cooped up in this expansive penthouse felt suffocating. Besides, a strange restlessness tugged at me – I needed to be busy, to lose myself in the routine of work. As I stepped out of the bathroom, still damp from my shower, my bare foot met a rogue washcloth. I yelped, my hip connecting with the hard tile with a sickening thud. "Damn it!" I hissed, more annoyed than hurt. Ignoring the throbbing in my butt, I slipped into a simple, yet elegant black dress. A touch of perfume, I decided, and then I’d head down for a quick coffee and sandwich maybe, before facing the day. The sharp scent of lilies filled the air as I spritzed my neck, but my attempt at elegance was abruptly cut short. My hand, still clumsy fr
The car rolled to a stop, not in front of the familiar facade of my penthouse, but before another towering structure. My stomach twisted with a fresh wave of unease. This building felt different, colder, somehow. This Mr. Rossi’s other place. Mr. Rossi practically had to carry me out of the car. My legs felt like lead, heavy with the weight of the night's events. We entered the building, the silence stretching between us as we stepped into the elevator. He pulled me closer, tucking me against his side, and I went willingly, desperate for his closeness, for the feel of his strength around me. The elevator dinged, pulling me from the dark spiral of my thoughts. We were on the top floor. Of course. Mr. Rossi’s world existed only at the top. He swiped a key card, and the door swung open. A man emerged from the living room, his back to us, and began speaking. "Luca, I got rid of the car like you said, but those guys—" He turned, and my breath caught in my throat. He was the spitt
I drifted into a sleep I thought would be blissfully dreamless, lulled by the rhythmic beating of Luca’s heart beneath my cheek. I was wrong. My eyes flew open, my chest constricted with a terror so visceral it took my breath away. Sweat clung to my skin, and my heart hammered against my ribs. Mr. Rossi…Luca…he was gone. Just then, the bedroom door flew open, and there he was, his face etched with concern. Relief washed over me, so potent it left me weak. He was at my side in an instant, pulling me close, his hand stroking my hair with a tenderness that belied the steel in his eyes. “It’s okay, princess,” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against my racing heart. “Just a dream. Everything’s alright. I’m here.” I hadn't even realized I was crying until he tilted my chin up, his thumb gently brushing away the tears. He kissed them away, one by one, his lips lingering on my skin. “Want to talk about it?” he asked, his voice low and husky. I shook my head, unable to find th
The clatter of ceramic on glass pulled me from my reverie. Luca reappeared, a bowl of colorful cereal in one hand and a steaming mug of coffee in the other. He settled into the lounge chair beside me, handing me the bowl with a gentle nudge. “Thank you,” I mumbled around a mouthful of Frosted Flakes, already feeling my mood lifting. The sunrise, the warmth of the sun on my skin, the unexpected sweetness of the cereal – it was all so simple, so pure, so different from the stifling tension that clung to every moment back in New York. I opened my mouth to tell Luca how much I loved watching the city wake up, how the early morning light painted everything in a soft, golden glow, but he stopped me mid-sentence. “No talking with your mouth full, amore,” he chided gently, his tone the perfect mimic of a concerned parent. I couldn't help but smile, a warm feeling spreading through my chest. His concern, even for something so trivial, felt…endearing. I finished my cereal quickly, eager t
My hand shot out, instinctively reaching for my phone, the sleek black surface cool against my palm. A wave of icy dread washed over me as I saw the notification flashing on the screen. It was from the press, a barrage of news alerts flooding my inbox. "Rossi's Enterprise: Scandal Rocks Multi-Billionaire," one headline screamed. Another read, "Mr. Rossi's Underworld Ties Come to Light," the words stinging like a slap in the face. My jaw clenched, the muscles in my neck tightening. Dmitri. The bastard was not only trying to destroy me from within, he was now aiming for my empire, aiming to paint me as a monster in the eyes of the public. I was seething, a dangerous heat coursing through my veins, but then Lena’s hand reached out, her fingers brushing against mine as she tried to see what was going on. Her face was a mask of concern, worry etched into her brow. I shifted the phone towards her, angling it so she could see clearly. A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes wide with a mixtu
Lena's POVThe drive was silent, a strange mix of anticipation and unease simmering beneath the surface. We pulled up to a house… no, not a house, a freaking mansion. It was opulent, a towering structure of stone and glass, with sprawling lawns and manicured gardens. The house screamed of elegance, of old money, of a history that whispered through the very walls. My breath hitched in my throat, and any attempt at a cool facade crumbled. The sheer size of the place was staggering, an opulent monument to wealth and power. I’d known Luca was rich, but this… this was obscene. I wondered just how rich Luca was, even though I knew he was rich, ridiculously so. This wasn't a mansion, it was a palace. Luca rounded the car, opening my door with a gentle smile. As I stepped out, I was met by a sight that sent a shiver down my spine. Men dressed in black, their faces grim, their hands resting on holsters, patrolled the building. There were more than two hundred of them, their presence heavy
Luca's POV My steps were slow, almost hesitant, as I walked towards the bedroom. Nervousness, a feeling I rarely- never experienced, gnawed at me. I didn't want Lena's eyes to see me differently, to see the darkness I carried. The thought of her fear, of her pulling away, was a knife twisting in my gut. I pushed open the door and saw Lena on the phone, the soft glow bathing her face as her brows furrowed in concentration. As soon as she looked up, her face lit up with relief. "You're back," she said, her voice laced with worry. "I was about to call you. You were gone for so long." I smiled, a genuine smile that warmed the pit of my stomach. "Come here," I said, extending my arms. She walked towards me, her gaze meeting mine. It was cute how short she was, her big blue eyes looking up at me. I imagined our kids, their eyes mirroring hers. They would be beautiful. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. She hugged me even tighter, her scent, a mix of vanilla and sunshine,
Lena's POV: The hours melted into one another, each one as empty and silent as the last. I was a prisoner in Luca’s room, scrolling through my phone, the silence in the room deafening. It was beyond frustrating. The mansion was a fortress, a sprawling labyrinth of secrets and wealth that I was ill-equipped to navigate. Luca and Marco were the only two people I knew in this entire city, and my family back in New York… well, let’s just say I wasn’t exactly eager to reach out to them right now or ever really..... It was mid-day, and my stomach rumbled in protest. I craved pizza, a greasy, cheesy pepperoni filled slice that would make me feel a little less lost. But even ordering food felt like a gamble. With all the security, I wasn't sure if my pizza would even make it through the gate. The thought was both absurd and terrifying. I didn't even know where we were, the mansion alone was like a hideout. I settled back onto the bed, my stomach grumbling. I was exhausted, the constant
Lena's POVI looked at myself in the mirror. I looked like a ghost. My eyeliner and mascara were smudged, a testament to my tears, brought on by Luca's dick. I was a mess, but I was also so incredibly turned on. Luca cleaned me up, and we both returned to the room. I reapplied my eyeliner and mascara, my hand steady now. Luca zipped up my dress for me, teasing me as he did so. The dress was so fucking beautiful, it complimented my body perfectly. The low neckline made my breasts almost spill out, and Luca's gaze kept shifting from my face to my chest, his eyes burning with desire. I met his gaze, my own eyes filled with a playful challenge. I stepped into the YSL shoes he had bought me with the dress, but my legs weren't steady. "Babe?" I asked, my voice a little shaky. "Hmm," Luca responded, fixing his suit. He didn't look at me. "I don't know if I can come. I can't walk in these shoes. My legs are weak," I said, my voice a little shaky. "Lena, I'm not cancelling my first date w
Lena's POVI watched as Sarah and Marco walked out of the house, Sarah emerging from the office a few minutes after Marco. It was just me, Luca, and Raiden now and in my opinion Raiden and Luca were having a good time, actually. "Where do you think they went?" Raiden asked Luca, as they sat on the couch. "I don't know. Probably to talk," Luca replied, his voice casual. "Talk about what?" Raiden pressed, his curiosity insatiable. "Adult talk," Luca said with a smirk. "You wanna know?" I knew exactly what was going through his head and shot him a glare, but the smile on my face remained. There was a permanent smile on my face ever since Raiden finished his food and ran to Luca, who was sitting on the couch with his phone, probably dealing with company issues and stuff. Raiden was all over Luca, and Luca, from the look of it, wasn't quite sure what to do. It seemed as though he didn't like children, or maybe he didn't want to be disturbed, or maybe he just didn't know how to handle
Marco's POV“I swear on whatever it is that you worship." She flinched, her fear evident in her eyes. Sarah knew how to push non-existent buttons. Fucking Christ."Now tell me," I said, my voice dangerously low. "Where does all your monthly income go? And choose your words carefully.""William," she said immediately, the words tumbling out of her mouth. William? The same fucking William? I swear I laughed in her face, she was fucking crazy just like I knew her to be. Stupid bitch."How? And why?" I said, my voice a growl. "He… uh… he… I.... I just wanted to…" she stammered, her voice cracking."Sarah," I said, a warning in my tone."He… Marco, he wants the money. He always comes at the end of every month, sometimes on different days and demands for money. And if I don't give it to him, he'll threaten me with Raiden. And my house was broken into last week when Raiden was still with Mama… and he's dangerous, I just…" Sarah spoke out, words tumbling out if her mouth. I could see her b
Marco's POV"She died the other day, then Mummy had to come into work yesterday," Raiden said, his voice small and fragile as he flung into me like I was going to leave too. I nodded, a deep "mmm" erupting from my throat. "You miss her, don't you?" "Yeah," he sniffled. "But I need to be strong for Mama. She was really sad too, and if I keep on crying, she's gonna be worried. I want to be strong for her." "Yeah, that's it," I said, ruffling his hair, a small smile taking k we my lips. "I'm so proud of you for that." Sarah literally birthed the best child ever.Raiden stared up at me, his big hazel eyes wide, his face a spitting image of his mother. His father's DNA stood no chance. "Really?" "Yeah, really. And you know who else is proud of you too?" I asked, poking his belly. His brows furrowed as he tried to think. "Who?" he asked, disappointment seeping into his voice when he couldn't place who. "Your Nana. She's proud of you for looking out for her daughter, for being a strong
Lena's POV Marco was now heading out of the room, Raiden glued to his chest like a little koala. “Why does he look so much like you?” Little Raiden's voice called out to Marco. “He’s my brother,” Marco said, his voice a low rumble. “Oh, I didn’t know you had a brother,” he replied, his voice quiet and gripping Marco shirt even tighter and snuggling close to him. Cute. So fucking cute. “Sadly, I do,” Marco said, closing the door behind them with a soft click and immediately Luca laid down on the bed, pulling me closer to him. His arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. He kissed all over my face, showering me with kisses that ranged from light and playful to deep and passionate. I giggled, the sound a joyous echo in the quiet room. “I missed you,” he said, his voice rough with desire. He unbuttoned his shirt, his touch lingering on my skin. Then he stood up, pulling off his pants. He was left in only his briefs, his body a tatted, toned and sculpted masterpiece. I tried, oh
Lena's POV“Thank you baby, I love you,” Sarah said, chuckling as she ruffled her son’s hair. “Mum, I'm not a baby, stop,” he said, pouting. He was so cute, so ridiculously cute, it almost hurt. “Sarah, I’m sorry,” I finally voiced out, the words a clumsy attempt to express the jumble of emotions that swirled within me. She looked at me, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's fine," she said, nodding. "I'm okay."“Yeah,” “Um… where is um… the… underboss?” she asked, the question tumbling out, a little awkward, a little hesitant. What's wrong?“You mean Marco?,” “Yeah,” I nodded. “He’s not around. He and Luca went to LA, but they should be back by tomorrow.” "Oh, okay," she said, her eyes searching and looking out if place. "Any issues?"“No, not really… um, he uh… he’s kind of a problem sometimes,” she said, gesturing towards the little boy. He hit her on the thigh, screaming “Mom!” Sarah chuckled, ruffling his hair. “I’m sorry, sweetie,” she said soothingly. “He not fon
Luca's POV I moved to the car where Dmitri was sitting, his face pale and drawn. I entered the back seat and slid beside him. “Turn on the back lights,” I said to the driver, Matteo. He complied, the soft glow illuminating Dmitri’s face. I looked into his eyes, and even though he tried to hide it, I could see the fear simmering beneath the surface. He had a tough exterior, but under it all, he was just a broken man. And when his gaze met mine, he saw it – the reflection of his own brokenness in my eyes, that I was willing to show. I smirked at him, relishing the fear I saw etched on his face. He should’ve known better than to mess with me. “Dmitri, if you fuck this up, you know how bad it can get?,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. He tried to maintain his composure, but his eyes darted around nervously. He was a fish out of water, trying to appear menacing but failing miserably. I could see the fear dancing in his eyes, a pathetic attempt to appear tough. “It’s a question,
Luca's POV From the corner of my eye, I saw Ricardo talking to Lena, and they were heading out. I knew Ricardo was up to no good. I felt Marco’s hand on my shoulder, and I turned to him. “You should go after your girl before he falls in love with her too and you blow off and pull a trigger on him,” Marco said, a smug smirk on his face, clearly trying to irritate me. I wanted to wipe that smirk off his face so badly, but I held back. I was going to be a better man- for Lena. “I’m sorry for what I said and how I acted earlier,” I said, my tone calm and measured. Marco looked taken aback for a moment, his smirk faltering, before regaining his composure. I stuck my tongue out at him in my head. Yeah, Marco. Take that, I'm grown now. He straightened his suit, facing me fully. “Are you not going out today?” “No, I want to spend the day with Lena.” “Well, I’m sorry too – I didn’t mea–” “I know.” “Fucking let me finish,” Marco said, his voice laced with annoyance. “I didn’t mean
Lena's POV I woke up with a smile already spreading across my face. Thankfully, I was still nestled in Luca's arms, his strong, warm body a comforting weight against mine. I traced his jawline with my fingers, admiring the sharp angles and the soft curve of his cheek. His lashes, impossibly long and dark, cast a shadow across his face, a subtle reminder of his undeniable beauty."Buongiorno, bellissima," he murmured, his voice deep and husky with sleep. His Italian accent, thick and unmistakable, was like velvet against my skin. A perfect man with so many flaws. I was hopelessly, helplessly in love with him.(Good morning, beautiful)His eyes flew open, and those beautiful green orbs locked onto mine. He pulled me closer, his hand spanking my butt playfully."Luca!!" I squealed, giggling."Mmm, how are you feeling today?" he asked, his voice a low purr."Honestly, I don't feel bad. I felt a little bit of pain and discomfort the first day I woke up, but I feel good now. Not too good,