The familiar weight of expectation settled on my shoulders as we walked through the doors of the villa. Every bowed head, every murmured greeting, was a reminder of who I was – Luca Rossi, the Don. It was a title I wore like a second skin, a mantle of power and responsibility that could feel as much a cage as a crown. I embraced the shadows, the power games, the intricate alliances and betrayal. We thrived on it, thrived on the respect, the fear, the absolute control. Even when it seemed like I had left… I did not, not really. I was still the Don of the Italian Mafia and the life, the intrigue, the blood it was all in my veins. Me and my brother's veins I followed Marco through the labyrinthine halls, the scent of old money and subtle menace clinging to the air. My office, when we finally reached it, was a study in understated wealth. Dark wood, leather, a single abstract painting on the wall that probably cost more than most people made in a year. I’d always found a certain ironi
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 POVAs I sat there, staring out the window, lost in thought, my heart skipped a beat. I saw someone who looked eerily like Luca. My pulse quickened, and I quickly looked away, trying to convince myself it was just a trick of the light. But the pull was too strong, and I looked back, and there he was. It was actually him.He looked...disheveled, definitely not the put-together man I was used to. His hair was slightly messy, his eyes seemed tired, but he still managed to pull off the look. He was putting on a long brown coat, the collar turned up against the cold, and he had a cap pulled low over his head. Of course, he was still in a tailored suit. He lit a cigarette and stood, his back leaning against his car, his left leg crossed over his right as he took a puff of smoke. He looked like he was waiting for someone.A jolt of pain and joy flooded through me simultaneously. Was this a ghost? I tapped Marco's hand frantically, my heart pounding in my chest. “Is that Luca?”“I gues
Lena's POVIt had been two weeks since I last saw Luca, and I was officially losing my mind. Fuck that – I was already crazy. Sleep was a luxury I couldn't afford no matter how hard I worked for it. The days blurred into a monotonous cycle of staring at the ceiling, replaying our last conversation, every moment, every look I'd shared with him and trying not to think about him. It wasn’t working. At all.A loud knock on my bedroom door startled me, snapping me out of my self-imposed trance. I dragged myself towards it, my reflection in the large bedroom mirror confirming my worst fears – I looked like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards."You look like a fucking old witch, man," Marco said, his face contorted in disgust as he stood in the doorway. "I've been asking you for the longest time where Luca is, but you don't want to tell me. I know you know where he is. You just don't want to talk." He shook his head, a mixture of irritation and concern in his eyes.He then wrapped hi
Lena's POV"It's not really much between me and Marco. He is my boss, like usual, and I work for him. That's it, that's all," Sarah said, her tone deliberately casual."Sarah, you're not going to sit here and lie to me, definitely not," I said, my voice firm. "I saw the look in your eyes when you were around Marco yesterday. I saw the look in both your stupid eyes. You and him.""Marco and I," Sarah conceded. "Okay." She took a deep breath and continued. "If you may put it that way, you can say I'm... I'm in love with him as well."My eyes widened slightly, surprised by her candid confession."I was dead broke about six, seven years ago, and I got fired from my job as a nurse in a government hospital because of him," she continued, a hint of bitterness creeping into her voice. "I started working as a cleaner in a restaurant – well, actually, one of his restaurants. He saw and recognized me, asked me what happened, and I told him. He offered me a job as the nurse in his mafia. I was sc
Lena's POVThe sunrise crept into my room, a cruel reminder that another day had begun. Yesterday's curtains remained open, a testament to my chaotic state of mind. Sleep had been elusive; my brain relentlessly replaying the events of the past few hours. Luca… he didn't love me. Fuck no. I shook my head, wiping away at the tears that dared to spill. I'm not crying. Not today.After a while, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The cool water on my face was a small comfort. The shower, hot and steamy, washed away the lingering residue of the night's turmoil. Once I was clean and dry, I indulged in a little skincare routine – a small act of self-care in the midst of the chaos. I slipped into a comfy baggy shirt and shorts and made my way downstairs.It was early, the kitchen clock read 6:40 AM. The house was still quiet. I perched on the kitchen counter, gazing out the massive window overlooking the garden. The trees were vibrant green, the flowers a riot of baby pin
Lena's POV I stirred, the car a stifling cage. I was almost attached to the door handle, the urge to escape overwhelming. I couldn’t bring myself to be near Luca. He’d rejected me. Outright rejected me. And here I was, thinking he felt the same way I did. I was in love with him. Completely, utterly, hopelessly in love. And it felt like my heart had been ripped out and stomped on. The pain was sharp, a physical wound in my chest. Why did he do all those things, say all those things, make me feel the way he did, if he knew he didn't feel it too?The ride was agonizingly long. My tears eventually subsided, replaced by a dull ache, a cold dread settling in my chest. Fuck. How could he say those things and not even apologize? Maybe he meant it. Yes, he definitely meant it. Luca never lied; he only ever said what he meant. The realization hit me like another wave of grief. If he said he didn't love me, then it was true.Finally, we arrived at the house. Luca got out of the car and sla
Lena's POVMy heart stuttered, my words hanging in the air like a broken promise. The look on Luca’s face had shifted from disbelief and delight to something far more unsettling. His features were now hardened, his eyes cold and distant. The hand that had rested on my thigh was abruptly withdrawn, leaving a chill in its wake. He turned towards me, and the expression on his face was impassive, a mask of indifference that sent shivers down my spine. “What did you just say?” he asked, his tone hard and commanding, yet strangely calm. “I-I…” I stammered, my voice catching in my throat. Why?“Lena,” he said, his voice a low growl, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. “I said, I love you,” I rushed out, the words feeling clumsy and inadequate in the face of his chilling silence. “Mmm. Excuse me,” Luca murmured, a flicker of something—anger? Confusion?—crossing his features before disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. Withou
Lena's POVThe restaurant was a dream. The walls were a swirling masterpiece of a painted dark blue or black- it was hard to tell, dark gold streaks weaving through the dark colour. Soft, warm light bathed the space, creating an intimate glow that danced on the intricately carved furniture. A gentle melody drifted from somewhere, adding to the atmosphere of refined elegance. In the center of the grand space, a water fountain shimmered, its cascading water echoing the graceful movement of the woman sculpted at its heart. She was an ethereal figure, frozen in a timeless pose, her mouth forever releasing a stream of water, a mesmerizing spectacle that felt ripped from a classic 30s film.Luca pulled back my chair with a flourish, a gesture so smooth and natural that I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. "You like it?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. "Mmhmm. It looks so good," I murmured, settling into the plush velvet seat. Luca took the seat across from me, his smile as
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