Elara's POV “No!” Sofia's screech ripped through the silence. She looked flustered, angry, untamed. “She is nothing but a slut!” She growled. “A bitch with a fatherless child!”Oh, Sophia… My lips pressed shut. For Lady Lucia, I'd sheath my sword. “Enough, Sofia.” Marco didn't have to yell. The venom laced in his voice could be felt without being stung. “Nothing justifies bad behavior, nothing.” “But…”His hand shot upward, and she remained mute. It dropped, picking up the cutlery like nothing just happened. “Let us try to make peace with my decision.” “You know that's never going to…”Slam! The table vibrated beneath Marco's huge palm as he slammed it hard on the surface e, causing glassware to fly down, clattering as it broke. “Sofia,” he stopped to catch himself from snapping too hard. “Come on, it's …”“Stay away from me!” Dramatic, she pushed the chair backward and ran out of the dining, creating a small scene. Francesca and the other staff acted like they were both dea
Elara's POV“Don't jinx this moment… just be happy.” Scared to my bones, I pressed my eyes shut, refusing to look at the finished work of art after Francesca had dressed me up. Today was my engagement… yeah, right. I was going to be publicly announced as Don Marco's half. The thumping of my heart increased as if I had run a thousand miles. I was scared, quite excited, but scared regardless. Today, if I take this route with him, I may never be able to undo it. Do I have a choice? “Matthew is a great guy…” Evelyn stopped when I shook my head profusely, hating that she brought that topic up. Marco sent his soldiers to bring her to the hotel we had booked for the event. It was one of his hotels in the city, so he easily shut it down for the days we'd be here. “So, how do you think of coping with this life?” She leaned in to whisper, not siding me for a minute. I gulped dryly, literally fidgeting. “Just maybe I'd take one day at a time.” A short pause followed. Violet’s playful vo
Marco's POVThe world stood still... For a moment, it felt like I had died...NO! NO!! NO!!!The piercing groan of Madre, coupled with her firm grasp, triggered something dark, feral... lethal.Aiming for the neck of the assassin that had shot her, I buried my bullets there, where he wouldn't immediately die. I needed him to taste the gate of hell and starve him of water before shoving his ass in.With my mother clutched to my chest, I wrapped her in my bosom, arms facing the opposite as I shot sporadically, spreading bullets about like scattered seeds, with pallets falling to the ground with a dramatic clatter.Everyone crouched to the ground, guests, assassins, my men likewise. Taking shield, the others retreated, scared of my wrath. Lorenzo rushed in, covering the back of my bleeding mother as he fired several shots."Via, Marco!" His scream synched with the thundering sound of his gunshots.Pulling my mother through the sharp bend, my hands were a firm grip around her body. I leve
Marco's POV A heart-wrenching sight. Weak like a vegetable and as vulnerable as a bambino, Madre lay on the hospital bed with numerous tubes running inside and outside of her. The nonstop beeping of the vital signs machine, soft humming of the oxygen humidifier, steady drop of the drip mixed with drug, and the other bag was blood. A small sensor was connected to her thumb… all of her was plugged into something manual or mechanical. No tears…Padre warned me against them. Kicked me hard when I showed my weakness. As a child to the world, an heir to him. And now, seeing his principles crumble in a rough rollercoaster, it mocked me every fucking day. ‘I've failed.’Every damn incident from all around me never ceased to remind me of my inevitable downfall. It would be better if I was the only one being dragged down. It would be a forever shame to the Contis. The gentle squeaking of the door snapped me to reality. I blinked back the tears clouding my vision. “Don,” Kaid's voice so
Elara's POV ‘If this is hell, perhaps I'm the devil… or fallen angel.’ I wasn't sure how it happened. For the sake of my daughter, I ran to ensure her safety, only to hear the loud screech…Marco's growl. It was deadly, at the same time, it was a call for help. I rushed out with the fear of seeing him brutally wounded, but that wasn't the case, Lady Lucia was. For good long minutes, I remained frozen, dumb even. When our eyes met, my shocked ones against his dark, destructive ones, the hatred was bold, too bold to ignore. “Miss Elara?” Francesca's odd tone pulled me back to myself. “What flavor would you like?” Vanilla. Lavender. Avocado. The mansion had a stock of it, probably because Sofia always made orders for different flavors. Today, I wanted to try on the lavender and mixed fruits, but it'd be for nothing since there was no Marco. “Anything.” I replied with zero interest. She reached for a tin and dipped her hand in the thick liquid to scoop. The soothing sound blurre
Marco's POV ‘Senator Saint Clair isn't a virtuous man after all….’ The text from Lorenzo accompanied a video clip. Even though I wasn't sure what he was referring to, it was obvious that Elara's father might be involved in all of this brouhaha, and his tone bore mockery, like I was stupid to even shelter his prodigal daughter. Too tired for another drama, I hesitated to open the video. I had just returned from the hospital, where the doctor had brushed the emergency off as a false alarm. He paid for his carelessly, but I was relieved to know Madre was doing okay. Curious, I clicked on the video, eyes narrowed from lack of sleep and anxiety. At the front of the government house, Mr. Saint Clair escorted Don Russo to his car in the convoy. Since it was a CCTV clip, their voices weren't audible. He seemed to be on good terms with Russo, as they shook hands, and he waved him off with a goofy smirk. Talk about a righteous man. Subconsciously tapping my foot on the brown lush carpe
Marco's POV ‘Give Elara's head in exchange for revenge… It won't be betrayal because you don't love her…’Ripped apart, I slowly drifted out of reality. ‘... You don't love her… Marco?!’ I don't love her. I silently repeated, hoping it would change the way it came off on me. My skin literally crawled, and my heart raced for a minute… it was strange, too strange, that I reacted this way. Just maybe it was the sad look on her face when she eventually realized that she was bait… But of course, I don't love her. “Master?” Her soft whispering drew me to her small pretty face, innocent blue eyes, lips swollen from my rough kisses, one she indulged. “Do you want something?” My mouth said the first thing it registered. I was still stuck in limbo. So I just stared and mopped. “What more could I ask for?” Her smooth hands trailed my body. One minute, she clutched her hands in a modest prayer, the next minute, she was offering herself as a prey. Perhaps the prayer was for a peace offe
Marco's POV Right before me, they wheeled Madre's corpse out of the ward, her body covered in a neat white cloth. What was left of me? Revenge? Or perhaps her promises?For the first time in my life, I was dumb. Plain blank dumb. Not even Padre’s death made this much impact. “Take me home.” I mumbled incoherently to Kaid. Slowly walking like a wounded lion, I let him lead the way. Home?! The word felt strange. What was home without family? The soldati wouldn't make up for it, not even Sofia or Lorenzo. Leveling in the back of the car, I gently hummed to my mother's favorite song. The last time she put me to sleep, the very last night Padre let me be a child, mama sang me a lullaby. I pulled out my phone, tempted to switch it off, but stopped. A wounded lion never went to bed without licking its wound. I needed my retribution, and seeing me sulk would be their victory. “Speak.” Cold, I demanded once I picked up Lorenzo’s call. “What the fuck am I hearing?!” I removed the p
Elara’s POV The long trip and stress evaporated in Marco’s arms. Right here, just where I belonged, we rode in a smooth rhythm, our bodies grazing, drowning us in our warmth.Our sweat mixed just as our moans blended in a gentle symphony. He shot in harder, trapping my breath at the back of my throat. We hit climax, panting like teenagers and moaning helplessly.“Whoa,” he collapsed on top of me and buried his face in the hollow of my neck. I lazily rubbed ruffled his hair and pulled him closer to my bare body. “Thanks for coming, Tesoro.” He lazily rolled into his back. We remained silent for a moment, trying to catch our breaths. Sheets clutched across our chests, we stared at the ceiling. “Anything for you, Marco.” I turned to face him, hand tucked under my head. “So, is there something else you want to try out?”His brows furrowed. “Actually, I think I have just one tiny thing…” he reached to grab me and I pushed to the edge of the bed.“Marco!” I giggled. “Stop… please.” I s
Elara’s POV “Hey,” Marco’s steel voice stopped me from leaving immediately. He was standing on the terrace, back pressed to the railing as he smoked and sipped from his glass of whiskey.“Take my card, get whatever you want.” He pulled out his black platinum card and stretched it over to me.Quite confused, I tilted my head to the side to get a better view of him. My eyes rolled, demanding he explain further. I was already dressed and ready to meet Evelyn. “I’m not going shopping,” I mumble on my spot. “I just need to speak with her.”“Without appeasing her? That’s lame.” He shrugged. “I know girl’s meetings are sometimes lavish.” He still kept the card in between us. “Do something for fun.” I chuckled and watched him drag on his cigar, then puffed. The heels of my boots clicked as I approached him. “I’ve got my own money, Mr. Marco Conti.” “Well, I want you to spend my money, Miss Elara Saint Clair.”I pushed my bag to the back and wrapped my arms around him. He dropped the gla
Elara’s POV Evelyn texted back!I stared at the phone long enough that the screen would split from any slight pressure. Considering the way we ended and how long it took her to respond, I guessed she must have either blocked me or changed her line. Oh, my god. My emotions were all over the place. I clutched hard on my phone and started texting back. Marco noticed the sudden change in my attitude. All of my attention was diverted to my phone and he hated to share his moment, but right now, I care less about his fits. ‘That’s a mean thing to say, Evie!’ I pouted as if she could see me, then resumed typing. ‘Heavens! I’ve missed you so much!’“Tesoro, is something up?”I ignored him and clicked the send button, then palmed the phone to my chest and waited for her response. Hopefully, she would be quick.“Elara?” His tone deepened. Now, he was solely focused on me.I expelled air and grinned. “It’s Evelyn, she finally texted back.”He hummed, uninterested as I expected of him. “Took
Elara’s POV ‘I almost died, Evie… Can you not be so blinded with rage?’My fingers danced around my keyboard as I contemplated wiping the text and letting things be. A part of me wouldn’t allow it, especially since I wronged her so badly. First, I owed her an explanation, and second, I needed to be close enough to know how far Matthew’s investigation was coming up. I mean, I hated that Marco was a lover of blood, but Matthew wasn’t a saint either, and I would hate to see Marco go to jail for doing the world a favor.“Is there a problem?” Marco’s voice was soft in my ears. I spent my day trying to please him, cooking and sizzling myself as an extra dish. Now, we were cuddled in bed. His arm was over my shoulder as he pulled me to himself and kissed my head.“Nothing much.” I tapped send and locked my phone. The thoughts of Evelyn flew out the window and got blown away with the night’s air when I stared into his cool eyes. There was love and comfort, and something I couldn’t really
Marco’s POV “Francesca, sit.”My command was stern, just as my tone was cold and gripping. She looked scared to her bones. Her eyes widened, body went still for a brief moment. Her eyes darted from me to the creamy brown mess on the floor. Without further hesitation, she sat on the edge of the bed, summoning as much composure as she could. “The coffee,” I looked at the broken chunks of the thick mug. “Who was it for?”“Ma'am Elara.” She said with a gentle bow. “She demanded I make her something soothing, but I don't know why.”“Hmm,” I scoffed. “Who handled the drugs from the doctor?” “Me, Don.” She taps her bosom. “He gave me the prescription as she should…”“Hey,” I snapped her out of her wildness. “You only speak when spoken to and only reply to what is asked.”She nodded. Her face looked terrified, it wasn't odd, considering that this side of me was new to her.“Since when do you have an Espresso in your room?” My feral gaze rested on her, monitoring her like a beast. “And wh
Marco’s POV As cozy as a family, we lounged in the garden. Elara was beside me on the fancy bench lined by lilies and blooming flowers. Her head lay on my shoulder and her arms curled around my waist. I hugged her arm and pulled her in, my chin rested on her hair. I watched the little girl play freely in the garden. She chased Birdie and collapsed when Birdie was about to win. When the poor cat came to her rescue, she would hold the cat down, and run off. Elara's blood.Would our kids be this loveable and bubbly? I was a cold fucker. It would be awful if I had one resemble me, except the kid takes on Madre's genes. She was way too loveable. Violet ran in my direction and suddenly crouched on her knees. She giggled and crawled after the cat.“Baby,” Elara groaned. “You're gonna get yourself dirty.” Her motherly instinct swiftly kicked in. “Mama is tired, you'll have to wash them.”She reached for the little girl and I held her back. “Let her.” My eyes remained on the sweet sou
Elara's POV “I love you, Elara.”My heartbeat raced hard against my chest. For ages, I've waited till this day. I had planned my exact reply and how I would react, but now… I was dumbstruck.“So badly that I'd give up my life for you.” Marco continued his overdue confession, his tone was deeply laced with sincere emotions, anyone could feel it. “Elara, If you ever desire, I would give up my empire, and build a cozy family with you in the countryside.” His voice trailed off. He slightly ducked his head, but not without me seeing the glimpse of teardrop. My Marco Conti… The only man who made being a slave a luxury. “But if also wish to leave…”I didn't wait for him to finish, didn't let him try to push me away any further… and certainly didn't let my rational thoughts ruin this moment. Like a bee to hive, I latched onto him, melting into his arms like Gelato. Our worlds merged into one, with his taking a good dose of my sanity. My hands palmed his hard face and I kissed him. Hard
Elara's POV ‘Marco is a fucking bastard! A freaking piece of shit who will never deserve me!...Nor his child!’My heart was ripped into tiny shreds when I woke up to emptiness. The sedation had worn off, leaving me with subtle traces of pain from the odd burning sensation of the poison. At first, I was okay with the absence… a matter of fact, I didn't want him to know… I wanted to recover and go home. Then, Dr. Schwartz came in and informed me of my dead baby and Marco's departure. I wasn't sure how to feel… I wasn't sure if to explode…I still am not. It was how easily he chose his selfish desires over my well-being. And now, I would never live with an iota of regret for keeping his child away from him. “You're now free to go, Miss Elara.” Dr. Schwartz’s croaked voice blared. I looked down at my phone, and Marco still wasn't responding. I've been on it since last night. How cruel could the sweetest man get?Tears rolled down my cheeks and I turned away to wipe them, hiding m
Marco’s POV‘Food poisoning?!’This was the first… and she wasn't close to Evelyn for me to recklessly throw the blame. Elara wasn't psychopathic either to try to poison herself…Oh, no!My heart was racing hard against my chest. I shut my eyes and tried to even my breath, just so the nasty thought would go away. I was losing my damn mind.Like a cripple, I bent and reached for the couch at the other end, then slumped in it. Slowly, I tried to take control of my emotions. Schwartz saw it. He knew it was his cue to leave.“I’m a call away.” He set the test result on the bedside table and hurried out.I stretched my long legs and my jaws clenched. My dark eyes pinned on Elara’s weak frame.‘Did she try to abort my baby?’I couldn't help but nurse the crazy thought. ‘Marco. FERMATI! STOP!’My mind screamed at me. But I couldn't push the thoughts away. ‘The baby was three weeks old, she might have gotten a clue, right?’‘Else, why did she choose for the time I was away to get terrib