The dungeon was cold. The kind of cold that seeped into the bones, that made the air thick and heavy, like death itself lingered in the shadows. Water dripped from the cracked stone ceiling, slow and deliberate, each drop echoing through the empty chamber. The scent of damp earth mixed with something more pungent—blood, sweat, and the lingering stench of fear.Drystan stood still, his shoe planted firmly on the stone floor. The only light came from the torches lining the walls, their flames flickering, casting eerie shadows that danced along his sharp features. He said nothing. He only watched his presence oozing danger. Kneeling before him was the man who had dared to dream of betraying him. Not by selling him out. No, this was worse. He had tried to ally with Luthos, a sworn enemy while keeping a foot with him. He had believed, foolishly, that he could stand on two sides at once.Now, he knelt in the filth of the dungeon, his hands bound behind his back, his face bruised and bloodi
“Miss Rosealba.” The editor greeted, stretching a hand. Rosealba hurriedly took the hand, her face grazed with a cozy smile. “Please sit.” The editor urged after a brief moment of silence and Rosealba nodded, retrieving her hand from the shake. She sat on the chair opposite the editor, dropping her bag on the table that was filled with files and documented manuscripts. “What would you like to be offered, Miss Rosealba?” Although the editor’s voice sounded really professional, Rosealba could still detect that there was a bit of cordiality compared to her last visit. “Water would be fine.” Rosealba smiled simply. The editor nodded. She stood up and approached the fridge and Rosealba took a moment to admire the office. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, filled with classics, contemporary masterpieces, and well-worn manuscripts marked with colorful sticky notes. Soft, golden light streamed through large windows, casting a warm glow over the plush armchair in the
Stephanie sat under the glow of the dim light, her fingers curled tightly around the armrest of the chair. The air in the room was still, thick with the weight of her emotions. Her breath was uneven, her chest rising and falling with restrained fury. The image of what she had seen today burned behind her eyelids, refusing to fade.Today, she was present at Nobel Write to be certain Rosealba didn't get a chance to go back to the firm. On her arrival, she met something shocking—something that eventually stole her attention from her initial intention. She had seen Roselaba hugging someone.Not just anyone—but him.Alactor Merikh Drystan. A man of power. A man of sophistication. The ruthless Italian Mafia lord that every knee bowed at his presence. A man that she could only admire from a distance, one she has dreamt of having yet never got a chance to his bed let alone his arms. And that man—who the world knew not to be affectionate hadn’t merely accepted the hug from Rosealba, he had we
“Where are we heading to?” Rosealba questioned giddily as she slumped into the passenger seat, staring up at Dryatan who said nothing but shut the door to join her in the car. “It's a surprise.” He mumbled, sparing her a glance before igniting the car. “Suprise?” Rosealba’s voice lingered with excitement. Her brows knitted and she stared at Drystan, pouting her lips to get his attention, but he only smiled, ignoring her attempt to rule over him. Gosh! She looked fucking cute doing that lips thing and she could fucking get him to talk if she didn't stop. Silence stepped in for some seconds, Rosealba’s lips twitching into different mechanics but Drystan refused to spare her a glance. He didn't trust himself when it came to her—he would spill the details and leave nothing. “So we now keep secret?” Rosealba’s tiny manipulative voice rose above the heavy silence, shattering it in seconds. Drystan’s muscle pinched and something in him shifted. Rosealba’s words were meant to be mere rom
Rosealba’s head turned in Drystan’s direction, her palm, shielding the sight of her slightly parted lips. A knowing smile stretched his lips—a reflection of how he felt from within—seeing her smile. Rosealba’s eyes glanced back to the room and her breath caught again like it was the first glance of it. The warm glow of the golden sconces cast a soft, dreamy light over the space. Deep red balloons were tied with delicate gold ribbons and they floated along the ceiling, swaying in gentle movement that welcomed her in. Rosealba took a step in, her shoe dropping onto soft petals, lush and velvety that were scattered across the polished floor and plush leather seats, filling the air with their intoxicating scent. Her heart melted as her legs navigated through the lush—petals that were littered on the floor, yet gave the space an ethereal feel. Her eyes glimmered with warmth as she stared around, breathing in the scent of petals. Men like Drystan. A man whose purpose is to live his lif
Drystan’s jaws clenched as Rosealba pulled her tan-colored cloth, revealing the black turtle neck that hugged her body. With deliberate slowness, Rosealba reached for the hem of her turtled neck, lifting it up, slow and steady till it was above her neck before she finally pulled it away. Drystan’s muscle pinched as her exposed back came into his view. Skin, shining under the glow of the chandelier light. Heck! His eyes followed the tender movement of her hand as she dropped the turtle's neck on the coat that rested on the floor. His breath hitched, and his eyes moved back to her exposed back that was under the subtle grip of her black bra. A deep, low growl escaped his throat and he immediately tightened his hand into a fist—an attempt to decipher the thoughts, but desire slithered through him, raw and intense they nagged at him to step forward. Rosealba eased her neck, every action, deliberate and taunting. She reached her hand to her back, grabbing her bra, the last piece of
Rosealba stared beneath her nose, stared at the sight of her dress that was within the reach of her eyes. She ran her sweaty palm against her clothes, nervous to take a step. She had been standing for 5 minutes after she fixed her dress and wore the shoe that Drystan handed over to her, but she couldn't take a step forward. She had worn this dress without a mirror to inform her of her look and she feared that she might not look good, but she trusted Drystan to always provide her with an outfit that aligned with her body type. Rosealba took a step forward, her Christian Louboutin heels clicking against the floor. She hesitated for some seconds, before schooling herself through. “I am ready.” She mumbled pressing her lips together. Her voice a hammering whisper, failed to conceal her nervousness. Drystan turned. He had faced the other side of the jet because he didn't trust himself to not pull her closer and fuck her without control. His eyes found her the moment he turned and hi
The flight from Rome to Florence was quick and brisk, but Rosealba slept her flight through it. The excitement from work and Drystan's surprise had overwhelmed her pleasantly to the land of nature and Drystan? He watched her sleep through the flight, his gaze never leaving her for even a second. **As the jet landed, at the airport in Florence Drystan knew the moment was here— so close it was almost suffocating. He stepped out of the jet, his black-on-black suit crips and tailored, clung to his body, his presence, commanding. The city light of Florence twinkled in the distance but his attention was focused on only her, his woman. A rush of crisp air, welcomed Rosealba as she began to descend the airstairs that were covered with red carpet. Her dress flowed like liquid slik as she took her first step. The warmth of the cool evening breeze graced her skin, lifting her blonde hair to the sky. Each step she took, gentle yet delicate was a promise told by the slit on her thighs. Dryst
Chapter 151. Drystan shifted, slow, deliberate—then he laid her down on the couch, not pulling out of her warmth for even a second. His hand cradled her chin. “You are so sweet, Sunshine. So sweet.”Rosealba’s body trembled under him, already wrecked, already dripping, and yet—so ready. So desperate. So his. “Look at me,” Drystan whispered, forehead pressed against hers, breath heavy and uneven. “I want to see your face when I fuck you full sunshine. Because three days without you are to me like hell and I am wondering how to live through it. Okay?Rosealba’s head fell into a nod, not completely before he started moving. Slow. Deep. Dragging. “Ohhh…” Rosealba gasped at every inch.Soft, shaky moans caught in her lips like a prayer. She tried to breathe, to stay quiet, but she couldn't. Not with the way he was filling her up. Not with the way he stayed so close. Every thrust drew her closer to his mind, body, and soul. Drystan’s jaws clamped, pleasure seeping into him. It’s been
Chapter 150.The office fell silent— but only for breath. Then the soft sound of melting skin, wet and desperate filled the room. Her soft moan getting swallowed by Drystan's growl. “Auuuu… Sunshine. You are so tight.”Rosealba’s lips trembled, her thighs parted slightly to take him. “They are going to catch us, Drystan… be.. be gentle.” “Gentle?” A soft scoff tore past his lips. He moved a finger to her hair and tugged a strand away. “You think I care about who walks in?” He asked in his deep baritone voice, hissing into her ear. Rosealba shuddered at the gentle impact.“We will get caught.” Rosealba moaned in a heavy breath, panicking and trembling.His hand moved to the back of her hair and took a large grip of it, yanking it backward.“Goodness…” Rosealba gasped as pain and pleasure slit through her scalp. “That's it..” Drystan grunted, thrusting slowly. “Let them come.” He growled, keeping the same pace. “Let them come and see who you are. Who you really belong to.”Rosea
Chapter 149. “I am going to Sicily,” Drystan whispered, fingers grazing her thighs as he pulled her pants away.Rosealba’s breath hitched.Not in pleasure, but in the alarm his words played in her head.Her tilting head fell midway. Their body tensed as she struggled to process the news, her skin suddenly prickling, her mind freezing in mid-motion like a heart that forgot how to beat. The room dimmed around the edges as his voice echoed, again and again.Drystan watched her, moving the white panties to his nose. His gaze never left her face, even as he closed his eyes for a second, breathing her in like she was a lifeline he couldn’t leave behind.Rosealba’s head rolled forward, eyes glimmering with something untold. A blend of confusion and an ache so quiet, it screamed.“Why?” She finally found a voice, stuttering.Her heart was racing now, trembling with emotions she hadn’t sorted. Her fingers clutched the sheets beneath her like they could hold her together.Drystan let out a sof
Chapter 148. Drystan stood behind the tall glass window, his hand glued to the phone pressed tightly against his ear. The city sprawled before him, alive and glittering beneath the afternoon sky—but his eyes didn’t see any of it. His stare was sharp, jaw clenched so tightly it ticked, the pressure building beneath his skin.“You didn’t tell her?” Lina’s voice snapped through the speaker. Her tone was sharp, her head dipped forward like Drystan could see her through the phone.“What is going on with you, Merikh? What is so hard about spilling such information? All you had to do was inform her that you had a company in her name.”“That company is Noble Write, Lina,” he growled lowly.“So?” she shot back, her voice rising slightly.Drystan turned from the window slowly, the shadow stretching behind him like the tension in his chest. His voice dropped deeper, rougher—warning. “Look, Lina. Rosealba would feel like she only got that job because of me. She would doubt herself. She would cra
Chapter 147.Rosealba lowered herself to the chair, her smile turning genuine.Drystan’s grin widened, his heart melting.“Where would you like us to celebrate our wedding and how many would you want it to be?” His voice carried so much enthusiasm.As a mafia lord, he shouldn’t be thinking of such things. He should keep it low—hidden from prying eyes, untraceable by enemies. But somehow, when it came to her, none of that seemed to matter. He didn’t want the underworld to define their life. He wanted her dreams to shape it.To him, weddings were for women to merry—ceremonies dressed in white, full of joy and dreams. But marriages… marriages were for men to uphold. For him to guard, to keep sacred, to protect with his life.However way she wanted it would work for him. Her happiness would always be his first answer.Rosealba lifted a finger to her lips, meditating.“Hmmmm… It’s quite a tough question,” she said slowly, her eyes gleaming with thought. “But I want a very simple wedding. S
Chapter 146.Rosealba glared at Drystan, her curiosity sharpening into a sneer in her eyes.She moved her hand to his, fingers wrapping around the hard muscles of his palm.“You could tell me anything.” She whispered, her voice soft but insistent, pulling him closer to the truth.Drystan held her gaze, a fire flickering in her eyes, the calmness of her tone unsettling him.Her words reverberated in his mind, urging him to take that step. But what if he did? What if, the moment he spoke, the spark in her eyes flickered out? What if the love she held for him turned to hatred, disgust even, at his audacity? No. He couldn’t say it. Not now.Rosealba raised a brow, urging him forward, but he shut down the thought instantly. No. Not tonight. Not yet. He would tell her. But it had to be when the time was right.A smile tugged at his lips—gentle, yet it couldn’t quite hide the misery lurking just beneath.“I… I was going to give you something.” He stuttered, forcing the words out, reminding h
Chapter 145.Somewhere far away, hidden in the shadows of a nearby rooftop, a figure stood still, watching them through the soft glow of the restaurant window.Lowel.His lips curled into a quiet, bitter smile as he took a slow drag from the cigarette between his fingers.“Rosealba. Rosealba…” he whispered, the name curling off his tongue like a curse.“You’ll get married. Of course,” he said, chuckling darkly.But then, his smile vanished and the light in his eyes turned to fire.“But that would be over my dead body,” he growled under his breath. “Because if I can’t have you… then no one in the world will. Not under my watch.”*******Rosealba sat on the chair with squinted shoulders. Her eyes lingered on the food that laid out on the tray. Staring back at her.She sucked in some breath, inhaling the aroma of the well-cooked Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe. A handmade pasta with Pecorino Romano and black pepper. Creamy and simply magical.Drystan gripped the cutleries from the stand.“Here,”
Chapter 144. The all-glass door to the restaurant opened, and Drystan stretched a hand forward with a polite smile.“Ladies first,” he murmured, voice smooth like velvet over steel.Rosealba’s cheeks stretched into a gentle smile, her lashes lowering for a beat as she took a step forward, gliding into the restaurant with a grace that made his chest tighten. She didn’t even try—she just was. Perfect. Elegant. For him only. The moment Rosealba stepped inside, the aroma of freshly made meals hit her first—rich and smoky, like aged wine and slow-cooked spices tangled in the air. Her breath caught slightly at the indulgent scent. It was warm, decadent, and just a little sinful. Like temptation laid bare in the form of food.Her heels clicked softly against the matte black tiles as her eyes adjusted to the low lighting. Everything was bathed in shadows and the dim, amber glow of chandelier light, wrapping around her like a secret.Her gaze swept across the dark walls, the deep mahogany wo
Chapter 143. “Ahhhh!” Rosealba moaned—cracking the silence in the car. Her scream, was sharp, high, and desperate as she arched into him. Her eyes glistened, raw and unfiltered as he began to move himself between her thighs, stroking her cunt with each gentle pass. “Fuck!!!” Rosealba whimpered, fingers digging into his arms as she struggled to breathe through the overwhelming stretch of pleasure. A low grin curled at the corner of Drystan’s lips as she trembled beneath him. His jaws clenched and his muscles trembled from how tight and warm she felt around him. A groan rattled deep down in his chest as he pressed his forehead against hers voice barely hanging into control. “You feel so… so good.” He mumbled, licking gently on his lower lips. Rosealba's walls throbbed at the compliment, pleasure coiling low against her belly. Drystan drew back slowly, his both palms holding her cheeks as he stared deep into her eyes then slid back slowly, letting her feel ev