Author's POV:
Beep, beep, beep, beep.
Ace Salvatore's eyes snapped open to the persistent beeping of his alarm, a feeling of irritation washed over him, disrupting his peaceful slumber.
Annoyed but disciplined, he rose from the warmth of his bed and reached for a towel to wrap around his lean body.
He made his way towards his bedroom because he doesn't have any sexual relations in his bedroom.
After completing his morning routine and donning a sleek black suit that complemented his fit physique.
Then he was faced with a reliable figure stepped into his path – Ivan Smith, a man who had transitioned effortlessly from bodyguard and assistant to confidant and friend.
"Buongiorno capo ( Good morning Boss)" Ivan intoned, the words carrying a sense of familiarity tempered by respect.
Ace acknowledged the greeting with a curt nod, his eyes momentarily betraying a flicker of warmth before settling back into an icy mask that had long become his trademark.
He maintained his usual composed demeanor, a facade Ace chose to keep intact even among close companions like Ivan.
"Capo le spedizioni sono arrivate, le armi sono pronte per la spedizione. Cosa dovremmo fare con il capo Larry? ( Boss the shipments are arrived, weapons are ready for shipment. What should we do with Larry boss?)" Ivan inquired, walking a few steps behind Ace.
Ace hates one thing - betrayal. Which Larry has done already.
"Manda le armi al secondo quartier generale e uccidilo (Send the weapons to the second headquarters, and kill him.)" Ace instructed, his voice carrying an air of finality.
"Si Capo (Yes boss.)" Ivan acknowledged the order, knowing that in their world, loyalty was paramount, and betrayals had severe consequences.
Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat.
As the sound of their footsteps reverberated throughout the vast corridors of the mansion, everyone hurried to their predetermined positions, the anticipation palpable in the air.
With hearts racing and palms sweating from the overwhelming sense of fear that gripped them, each individual braced themselves for the impending encounter, their anxiety almost tangible in the tense atmosphere.
Taking a seat, Ace observed Melinda, the main cook who had faithfully served the Salvatore family for generations.
As she skillfully and discreetly served the meal, a subtle tension lingering between them as their eyes briefly met, betraying the mutual wariness that existed.
Despite Ace's trust in Melinda's loyalty, a lingering sense of unease still flickered within her gaze, hinting at a deep-seated fear that remained.
Amidst the exchange of information shared by Ivan regarding the day's mafia dealings and ongoing meetings.
Ace navigated the volatile world of organized crime and his own rapidly expanding business endeavors with practiced expertise, seamlessly treading the fine line between power and peril.
Juggling the responsibilities of his infamous status as a mafia leader and running a legitimate side business served as a welcome distraction, offering him a rest from the haunting memories of his past that often threatened to resurface.
And his friends also helped him a lot.
Ace POV:
Irritated, annoyed, and consumed with anger - these turbulent emotions are swirling within me right now, stirring a tumultuous sea of unrest.
My desperate yearning for peace usually leads me to seek solace in the vibrant haze of clubs, where the loud music tempts me to lose myself in its noise and forget the turmoil within me but I think not tonight.
As I settled into the confines of the car, the heavy burden of my emotions weighing me down, I turned to Ivan with a command that cut through the silence like a blade - take me to headquarters.
The journey to the main headquarters was as tense as my own nerves, each passing moment heightening my anticipation.
Upon arrival at the place that had become my second home, I felt a surge of adrenaline as I prepared to confront my addiction head-on.
Stepping into the torture chamber, a sense of grim satisfaction washed over me as I beheld the battered figure of a boy sprawled on the ground.
His body bore the marks of a violent struggle - bruises mottled his skin, deep knife cuts oozed crimson trails. Yet, as my gaze swept over him, I felt no sympathy.
He was not merely an innocent bystander - a coward boy who had clearly crossed a line that led him to this place where his fate rested in my hands.
A fucking pervert, a minor kid who do thefts, drugs and rapes.
The lack of concrete evidence often saw him slip through the cracks of the legal system, allowing him to walk free after mere months.
As I stood over the fallen figure, a dark satisfaction permeated my thoughts - the guards had brought him to me, knowing well my penchant for the thrill of spilling blood.
It was this crimson river that afforded me moments of peace amid the chaos that filled my existence.
Well even if the police caught him once more, only for him to reappear from juvenile detention without a trace of reformation in his heart, bound to repeat his malevolent actions.
Instead of allowing this cycle to continue, I entertained the idea of utilizing his presence to soothe my restless mind and give him what he deserves.
Though his physical form may have betrayed his youth, the darkness lurking within his soul was nothing short of chilling, a reminder that malevolence knows no age.
A sinister smile tugged at my lips as I approached him, the glint of malice dancing in my eyes.
"Cominciamo, va bene? (Let's start, shall we?)" I whispered softly, the words a chilling promise of the horrors to come.
With deliberate precision, I donned my gloves, the cool leather a stark contrast to the fiery intensity burning within me.
Author POV:
*Gore*
Screams pierced the air, echoing in Ace's ears as the only sound amidst the chaos.
It was a twisted symphony that, strangely, brought him an inexplicable sense of pleasure.
Cutting off the boy's tongue, fingers, toes, and groin, and then slashing his eyes and stomach.
The boy's screams were swallowed by the room, absorbed into the chilling atmosphere that surrounded Ace.
The metallic scent of blood filled his senses, seeping into his very being.
The once pristine fabric of his expensive suit now bore witness to the sin's he had committed, the deep crimson stains a stark contrast to the elegance it once exuded.
His face, normally composed and refined, now marred by blood splatters that portrayed a macabre painting of his inner darkness.
His hands, once symbols of power and control, now intertwined with the essence of death that had engulfed the room.
The sheer horror of the scene would have been enough to make even the bravest soul falter, the grotesque display of violence and gore enough to haunt any onlooker's nightmares for years to come.
The floor served as a gruesome canvas, scattered with the remnants of the boy's body and bathed in the sickening stench of death.
Yet, amidst the horrendous, Ace remained an enigma of calm indifference.
His sinister gaze, obscured by the tendrils of smoke that came from his cigarette, portrayed a man devoid of remorse or empathy.
It was as if the brutality he had just inflicted was merely a mundane task, a routine part of his existence that held no weight upon his conscience.
Ace stood as a chilling embodiment of darkness and cruelty, an enigmatic figure whose very presence exuded an aura of malevolence and terror that was impossible to ignore.
Thud, Thud, Thud.
The repetitive thud on the door pulled him back from his deep contemplation.
"Si accomodi (come in), " Ace brusquely ushered.
Ivan came inside and he was petrified of the room and the sight in front of him was sickening.
Despite his familiarity with the brutal world of the mafia, the raw ferocity emanating from Ace in that moment was enough to make him question everything he thought he knew about the man he worked for.
Ivan couldn't understand it, couldn't comprehend how his boss could be so numb to the horrors they perpetuated.
He watched in silence as Ace, seemingly unfazed by the surrounding, stood proudly in the center of the chaos, his hands and clothes stained with crimson.
The way Ace carried himself, exuding power and dominance even amidst the blood and gore, sent a chill down Ivan's spine.
In that moment, Ivan saw not a man, but a beast, a primal force driven by insatiable bloodlust.
He realized just how dangerous his boss truly was, how easily he could switch from a calm demeanor to a ruthless force to be reckoned with.
"Puliscilo (clean it)," Ace's voice was a mere whisper, as he departed to wash away the evidence of his savagery.
Ivan was left alone with his thoughts, a chilling realization dawning upon him.
He knows how a sight of blood can calm his boss.
If Ace's thirst for blood remained uncontrolled, if he couldn't find solace in something other than bloodshed, how dangerous would he become?
The thought lingered in Ivan's mind like a poison, a foreboding omen of the darkness that lay ahead.
Ace POV:As I lay there on my bed, feeling a mix of annoyance and irritation, my friend Aiden continued to tickle the sole of my feet despite my protests."Stop it, Aiden, before I come and kick your ass," I finally managed to grumble before letting out a sigh and rolling onto my stomach.Aiden's disappointed gaze met mine as he shook his head in disbelief."Come on Ace, wake up, we are all here to see your psycho ass and you behave like that," he scolded gently.Glancing around the room, I noticed the familiar faces of my friends sitting on various things but not on sofa and couch.Aiden perched at the edge of my bed, while Felix casually leaned against the door frame and Liam lounged on my bed, engrossed in his phone as usual.Leo and Liam were squeezed together as if there was no other space in the spacious room, and Hudson sat on a nearby table, casting me a stern glare that made me feel slightly chuckle.Alexander, always the peacemaker, was trying to calm Hudson down.These are m
Ace POV:Ivan was bombarding me with questions, but honestly, she didn't seem dangerous at all.I couldn't understand why Ivan was so serious about this.Sure, I had found her in a strange situation, but she wasn't the kind of person who'd give us trouble.Yet, he was treating her like she was some kind of high-risk target.He kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly as he drove.The girl and I sat in the back, the silence between us thick and awkward.She kept her head down, her small frame practically curling into itself as if she wanted to disappear.Despite her small size, I hoped she might be useful to me somehow.I snapped my fingers to get her attention.She flinched at the sound, her head jerking up slightly, but her eyes remained downcast, as if she was too scared or nervous to look at me.Judging by her appearance, she couldn't have been more than 15 or 16 years old. Just a kid, really."Come ti chiami (What's your name?)", I asked, lighting a
Ace POV:As I entered the office that morning, Ivan handed me the details on Iris. The information was as stark and disheartening as I had expected. No surname, no family ties beyond a brother who had cut her off. She was scraping by with a few low-wage jobs, living in a rundown hostel with a roommate. “Looks like I saved her innocent ass,” I said, letting a smirk slip onto my lips as I tossed the files onto the desk. Ivan shrugged his shoulders as if to say that he wasn’t particularly surprised by the revelation. “I think so, boss,” he replied, his voice steady. “But we need to be careful. Even though she’s in a tough spot, we can’t underestimate the risks. We have to manage this situation carefully.”“I don’t think she even knows how to live in the outside world,” I said, my voice tinged with a mix of irritation and disbelief. “Everything about her life has been so controlled and limited. She’s lived in this small bubble of existence, and now she’s suddenly thrust into our world.
1 MONTH LATERAce POV:"You can't find him! Are you fucking kidding me?! Find him before I cut all your necks. Dismissed!" My voice reverberated through the room, each syllable sharp and lethal.The tension in the air was palpable as everyone scrambled to avoid the brunt of my wrath, nodding in synchronized agreement before scattering like frightened animals.The pressure was immense, and I could feel it in every muscle, every fiber of my being.Hours of fruitless yelling had done nothing to quell the anger that simmered beneath the surface.Noah's disappearance gnawed at me like a persistent itch that refused to be scratched. How could no one locate him?The incompetence of my men was infuriating, but the thought of involving Liam, the best hacker in our group, was equally unsettling.Liam could locate Noah within an hour—no question about it. He was a genius when it came to computers, a master at unearthing information that others would consider buried forever.But if I involved him,
Author POV:It had been a week since the incident that had left both Ace and Iris unsettled, each grappling with their emotions in different ways. For Iris, life at the mansion continued much as it always had, but with a deliberate and painful shift. She had become even more diligent in her duties, channeling all her energy into her work as a maid.Iris moved through the mansion like a ghost, her presence barely noticeable as she meticulously cleaned every corner, polished every surface, and sometimes even prepared meals with the same quiet efficiency that defined her. It was as if she had become one with the background, blending into the very walls of the grand house. She adhered strictly to her duties, keeping her head down and avoiding unnecessary interactions.Conversations with the other staff members were few and far between, and no one seemed to pay much attention to her, except for Melinda.Melinda had a soft spot for Iris. She would occasionally offer a kind word, a gentle
Ace POV:My friends had long passed the point of no return when it came to alcohol consumption, with Aiden being the worst of the lot.He had somehow ended up in Alex’s lap, clinging to him like a lifeline and murmuring incoherent nonsense that only made sense in his alcohol-addled mind.Liam, Hudson, and I were the only ones sober enough to ensure we could get everyone's asses home safely.“Feeling good?” Hudson’s voice broke through the haze of annoyance that was settling over me. His eyebrows wiggled suggestively, and his smirk was anything but innocent. Liam, who had been relatively quiet, chuckled under his breath, clearly relishing my discomfort."Fuck off!" I exclaimed, annoyed at their teasing.We guided the drunken crew into the limo. Aiden, still glued to Alex, had to be practically pried off and guided into the vehicle. The others followed, their steps unsteady and their words slurred beyond comprehension.Once everyone was settled inside, I made my way toward the driver's
Author POV: It was 8:30 at night when Ace finally stirred from his extended nap.Having slept through half the day without the aid of any medication, he was disoriented and groggy as he opened his eyes.He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the foggy haze that clung to his thoughts, and felt a loud grumble from his stomach, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten all day.He dragged himself out of bed and went through his usual routine to freshen up.His thoughts, however, remained preoccupied with the absence of Iris.As he made his way to the kitchen, his eyes darted around, searching for the familiar sight of the small figure he had become so accustomed to seeing.To his dismay, she was nowhere to be found.Melinda, who had just finished clearing the plates and was headed back to the kitchen, noticed Ace’s concerned expression.“Where’s Iris?” Ace asked abruptly.Melinda paused, looking slightly puzzled. “I don’t know, Boss. I haven’t seen her around.”.Ace nodded curtly, dismissi
Author POV:It has been 1 and a half weeks and Ace was surprised by her and her innocence was alluring him to Iris.He stayed at his house for the past days, observing her behaviour. Because in his life all girls wanted his money, fame, and fuck with him. Iris was making him crazy. But for Athena, it was annoying because whenever Iris comes in sight of Ace he will drive his attention to her even if they are in the middle of a make out session.One time they were fucking in a couch and Ace could see Iris from a distant. So he fucked her hard as his eyes fixed on Iris's petite figure. She was in kitchen, doing something. From that minute Athena started to despise the little girl. But for Ace, he didn't care that much about Athena. He did made it clear at first. She was just a fuck for him.It was salary day of every workers in the house but Ace had a different plan this time. For her. Iris POV:Finally... I can buy some undergarments for me because one of the maids gave me her ex
*MATURE* Without another thought, I slid down from the counter, the movement quick and precise, my eyes never leaving hers. She took a step back, startled by the sudden intensity in my movements.“I have to cook,” she stammered, her wide eyes locking with mine. She could see it— darkness, lust, raw and unfiltered, burning in my gaze. She knew exactly what she had done to me, temptation and hunger, a need so deep it felt like it might consume me.“Oh~ you should have thought about that before you started that little show of yours,” I growled, my voice thick with desire as I advanced on her, my steps quick and purposeful.She tried to run away, but there was nowhere to go. In a matter of seconds, her back hit the counter, and she stumbled slightly, regaining her balance by gripping the counter’s edge. Before she could react further, I was there, looming over her, trapping her between the solid counter and my body, so close that our chests brushed together with every breath. I lea
Ace POV:Even with the tension building in the room, my focus stayed on the phone in my hand.The screen lit up, displaying the contact details of the one person who made me rethink everything.Iris. Her name seemed to burn into my mind.For the past half hour, my finger hovered over the dial button, hesitating, refusing to move forward.Yesterday morning, I'd been a fucking dick to her.The way I treated her, the words I spat out—they still gnawed at me, but nothing haunted me more than the look in her eyes. The hurt. The disbelief.She'd always been the one person I never lashed out at, the one I protected from the ugliness of my world.And in one moment of misplaced anger at Agostino, I'd turned that ugliness on her.She had always looked at me like I was more than the monster everyone else saw.I hated how her pain lingered in the back of my mind.I deserved it, every bit of it, but now... I was afraid to call her.What if she taunted me?What if she threw those same words back in
Ace POV:"I mean, really?" I muttered, driving the knife into the table with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the dimly lit basement.My chest heaved as I caught my breath, the adrenaline slowly ebbing away.The man lying on the floor, once so full of defiance, now barely had the strength to whimper."That eyepop literally looked me in the eyes and then turned around, snuggled into her cheeks like it was nothing!" I exclaimed, the disbelief in my voice masking the seething anger that still simmered beneath the surface.I turned to the lifeless form on the floor, eyes narrowing in frustration.His screams had subsided into faint, muffled groans, his life slipping away with every shallow breath."Shh... Can you like keep your fucking voice down? I'm talking," I snapped, as if he could still hear or care.His head lolled to the side, the last traces of life fading from his bloodshot eyes."Snacks knows he makes me jealous," I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth as I recounte
Ace POV:The door creaked open with a suddenness that made Mini jump in surprise.Hudson strode in, carrying a file, his face set in an expression that could only be described as serious.Mini, perched on my lap just moments before, scrambled to her feet with a haste that betrayed her flustered state.Her cheeks were a bright pink, a mix of embarrassment and shyness flushing her face as she quickly buttoned up her shirt.She offered Hudson a shy, somewhat awkward smile, her eyes darting to the floor as if unsure where to look.Hudson's gaze swept the room, and his eyes fell upon Snack, the tiny gerbil who was now perched on the edge of the table, his little feet twitching with curiosity.Hudson's face twisted into an expression of disbelief, mingled with a hint of amusement."What the fuck is this?" Hudson's voice cut through the room, carrying a blend of incredulity and faint humor. He stared at Snack, clearly not expecting to find a eyepop in the middle of whatever business he had w
Ace POV:I took a final glance in the mirror, scrutinizing every detail of my reflection.The fight had been brutal, and the adrenaline still pulsed faintly in my veins, but I couldn't let Iris see any of it.With a deep breath, I again sprayed more cologne, hoping the scent would mask the faint, metallic odor of blood that clung to my skin."Boss," a voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see one of the guards standing behind me, breathing heavily like he'd sprinted to find me.His chest heaved, but he maintained his posture, extending a pendant and my phone towards me.I nodded, a small smile forming as I took the pendant. Without it, I always felt off-balance, like something essential was missing.Clasping it around my neck, I met Ares' eyes and gave him a curt nod.With one last adjustment to my shirt, I picked up the bouquet of flowers and ran a hand through my hair, trying to tame the mess it had become."Mini," I called out as I stepped into the hall, my voice echoing throu
Ace POV:There was a thud beside me, followed by a collective gasp from everyone in the shop.I straightened slowly, my hand instinctively moving towards my concealed weapon.The man who had been standing beside me was now sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around his head.In one fluid motion, I gripped Edrick by his collar and started to drag him deeper into the shop."Move!" I hissed, shoving him ahead of me. His eyes were wide with terror, all his earlier bravado evaporating in the face of real danger.The air erupted with gunfire. Screams filled the shop as customers and staff alike scrambled for cover.Bodies fell, some diving for safety, others crumpling lifelessly to the ground.The sweet scent of flowers was quickly overpowered by the acrid smell of gunpowder and fear.We took cover behind a table stacked high with flowers, the blooms now a flimsy barrier between us and whoever was trying to kill us.I scanned the shop, looking for any avenue of escape.The front was out of
Ace POV:"Liam!" we both exclaimed, frustration evident in our voices.He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and flopped down on the couch, looking completely unconcerned.We both laid there, breathing heavily. I backed away from her and we sat up on the couch as she adjusted her dress, pouting.Within moments, all my friends had gathered around the couch.Felix, Aiden, and Alex had clearly been roused from their beds, evident by the fact that they were only wearing pajama pants. The others were dressed but looked just as groggy.They all looked like they might fall asleep here if I let them."Why the hell did you call us?" Susan asked, laying her head on Aiden's lap, her eyes half-closed with sleepiness."I specifically told everyone to meet me here at 9 sharp, and it's already past 11. Motherfuckers!" I snapped, gritting my teeth in frustration.I noticed Iris glancing around at everyone with concern as she sat beside me. Her cheeks were flushed with shyness while Liam alternated b
Iris POV:I got off the bike with a sense of urgency and swiftly reached for the cake from Leo. My movements were precise and careful."You're really dramatic," Leo said with a puzzled expression as he removed my helmet, his fingers brushing my hair away from my face."No. The way you drive the bike is disapproving," I said, my tone laced with concern. "The cake could have easily fallen off and been ruined if you hadn't been careful."I took a quick peek into the box to ensure that the cake was still intact.Thankfully, it appeared to be unharmed, its frosting and decorations still perfectly in place."Sweetie, I do bike stunts all the time," Leo replied with a playful smirk, his confidence evident. "You think I can't handle a cake that was literally placed in the gas tank of the bike?""A cake is like a fragile newborn baby," I said with exaggerated seriousness. "We have to handle it with the utmost care. You wouldn't be doing stunts if you had a newborn baby with you, would you?"Le
Iris POV:We both jolted at the sudden sound of a voice from outside the door."Iris!" Aiden's voice cut through the silence, causing Liam to let out a weary sigh."This boy," Liam muttered under his breath, "is such a brat. He'll bicker with you like a stray dog but can't stay away for even a moment."I couldn't help but giggle at his words. "I suppose today has been eventful enough. I'll fill you in on the rest of the story later," Liam said, rising from his seat to open the door.I sighed deeply, giving my cheeks a few quick smacks to wake myself from the flashback.The door swung open, revealing Aiden with a mischievous smirk, followed by Susan, Felix, and Hudson as they filed into the room.Susan immediately flopped onto the bed, resting her head on my lap as she cheerfully munched on a chocolate bar.The group's curious eyes darted between Liam and me, their expressions laced with suspicion."...What happened?" I asked, trying to clear the dryness from my throat as I addressed t