Emma obviously tires early into the evening, her animated talking turning from fully owning the room to being background murmurs as I watch the three women drink in the club owned by Mitchel.He stands beside me, watching as sharply as I do, but unlike our other friend, he doesn't make to talk about having Emma.I must stand there observing Emma sit at the private table for a long time. There's something about watching her be and the confidence she seems to own now.It's obvious she's all woman, and it might just be the alcohol I've drunk tonight, but she seems to be positively glowing."Whatcha staring at?" Niko's voice takes me off guard as I watch a waiter walk towards the girl's table. I frown whilst glowering as he swaps out the empty cocktails for new ones, and just as I'm about to turn to Niko and answer him, I notice the waiter's shady behaviour as he hunches over one of the glasses.I'm moving before I think about it, striding so quickly and quietly across the room that the w
EmmaI step into the house and immediately feel my face flush with embarrassment as I see my mother and sister deep in conversation with Anna. She is giving them a tour of the compound, pointing out various features and landmarks. I can't help but feel self-conscious as I approach them, my unkempt hair and dishevelled appearance making me feel out of place.Bianca's eyes flicker over to me, taking in my appearance with a glance before turning to Luca with a knowing smirk. I can feel his hand on my waist, a gentle touch contrasting with the forcefulness I've experienced from him in the past few weeks. Surprised to see my sister a day early, I asked her what brought her here today. After all, I had only invited my family over for dinner tomorrow so we could watch movies together as a kind of bridal party. I'm curious to know what has brought her here ahead of schedule. "What are you doing here today?" I ask."That would be my doing. I thought you might like to spend time with your sist
My breasts bounce out of the dress after he pulls the cups down, his hands fisting both as he leans back to admire me with haze-filled eyes.Part of me wants to listen to the embarrassment flitting through my mind, to cover myself up and away from him, but the other part—the part that's currently ruling me, has my hands flying up above me, my chest heaving as I push my breast out for him to marvel at.I watch through hooded eyes to see desire mix with possession through Luca's gaze, and then his hand comes up to hold my wrists exactly where I put them—his hold punishing. Our mouths slide against one another again, yet this time, he controls the kiss, and I'm a slave to his desires.He takes things further than I would have; his need to have me naked has him ripping my dress down the front, a cry of surprise leaving my lips, yet I turn the surprise into his name, drooling the 'a' for as long as I can as he leans down to suck my right nipple in his mouth, his other hand caressing my ot
Luca As Emma and her parents sat across from me at the dining table, I couldn't help but notice how perfectly she played the role of a gracious hostess. Even though her every word was a lie, she managed to maintain an air of polite attentiveness throughout the conversation. And even as she fussed over her younger sister Bianca, she exuded a calm and sweet demeanour that reminded me of the Emma I had once known. As I watched her, I couldn't help but wonder whether I was simply longing for the Emma of the past. Had she really changed so much, or was it just my perception of her that had shifted over time? I had missed out on so much of her life; her not being here for me to witness her growth and maturity is a mind fuck. I had always wanted to experience everything with her, yet fate had other plans, and now I'm presented with this regal lying princess with whom I always have a hard-on. Despite my conflicting thoughts, I do my best to focus on work after leaving Emma and Bianca in
I sit back, spread my legs, and cross my hands before me. I stare Rossi down as he sits opposite me, righteousness seeping out of his features. What an idiotic old man. "Well, once you take over, the contracts will all be up for renewal; I'm wondering whether I continue my agreement with you, Luca Moretta." "Didn't you just say he was willingly dangling the title above me like a treat never to be consumed?" I mutter. "I'm marrying your daughter," I point out. Confusion flitting through my features. "That's enough for our contract to be iron-tight. Besides, don't you want to set Bianca up with lifelong business partners who will ensure her safety?" Surely, he would want to keep our agreements solid, considering Emma's in the middle of everything we do. But that's not what I perceive from his defence. He wants out, and my takeover will give him the use of the early exit clause that's most likely been agreed on with my father. Suddenly, I chuckle, a deep throaty laugh filling the roo
EmmaAs a little girl, I often dreamed about my wedding day. It didn't help that, growing up, I attended the wedding ceremonies of a mafia princess every weekend, and each one was grander than the last. Those weddings left a lasting impression on me, and I couldn't help compiling my wedding day in my mind, ensuring it was as lavish and beautiful as those I had witnessed.As I got older, I found myself daydreaming about my wedding day more and more frequently. I would imagine walking down the aisle in a gorgeous white dress, surrounded by friends and family, with the love of my life waiting for me at the end as I smiled more prominent than ever.Of course, in my mind, the groom was always Luca. I must have imagined marrying him more than a hundred times by now. In my head, each imaginary wedding was just as perfect and magical as the last I attended.Those musings all but stopped the day I left him behind; well, that was until I came back. Yet since I've been here, I've only imagined h
———The designer made the trip to dress me, and as I stood before him in nothing but the lingerie he matched with my dress, I wondered how my mother left so quickly when I demanded that she go.Why couldn't she fight more for me?Is that so much to ask?I step inside my dress with the help of my sister, and the designer pulls it up my body and encourages me to place my arms in the sleeves.I do as he's asked, but I cannot bring myself to speak.I'm so livid about her request, yet I know I'll carry her warning throughout my experience of becoming a mother.Sighing, I resolved to ignore this morning's events and concentrate on being present for my wedding.And that's easier said than done, but my dress adorns my body, and Niko arrives to escort me through the house to my father, who's apparently awaiting my arrival despite me having not requested him to walk me down the aisle."You look as stunning as the first day you wore this contraption, queen," Niko jokes—a slight grin adorned on h
LucaIt has been a little over an hour since guests started arriving at my compound, and I can feel my anxiety levels rising. As someone who values safety and security above all else, the thought of exposing my well-guarded haven to the potential dangers of the mafia way of life is almost too much to bear, which is precisely why no one is allowed in the house, for fear they mark down the blueprint of the house for future reference. As you can imagine, every passing moment feels like an eternity as I weigh the risks and devise a plan to keep everyone who matters to me safe. As I bask in the warmth of my guests' congratulations on my upcoming nuptials, I can't help but feel a sense of pride welling up within me. Each person who smiles at me and takes a moment to express their admiration for my home fills me with a sense of satisfaction and contentment. Their kind words somehow validate all the hard work and effort I've put into making my life what it is today. And so, as I look around
"Mass!" I yell as I enter the house; he's there waiting for me as if knowing I would be calling upon him. Perhaps he did; it is his camera rotation this afternoon, even though he only got home late last night after taking out Pierce. "She got away, didn't she?" He asks me with a sly grin. "Have you had her followed, or have you failed to keep her within eyeshot as I demanded?" I hiss in annoyance. Mass looks at me with feigned ignorance, clutching his chest as he pretends to absorb my annoyance. "We have a car on their tail and a car waiting at the airport, as per Niko's request," he reveals. "So he got away with her?" I ask, angered a little. Not that I should be upset she has him with her; at least her back will be covered whilst she tries to kill my arms dealer on her father's whim, and on that thought, having Niko there to protect our arms dealer if the need arises is another plus for him having gotten away with her. Then again, thinking back over the way he's been looking
Luca "Emma, I'm sorry... I shouldn't have locked you in here," I mumble, ashamed as I think over what I had done not forty minutes ago while walking into our bedroom. I could have handled that meltdown with a vast difference, yet here I am, making mistakes at the first fucking hurdle. I shouldn't have locked her away like this, but I saw her stubbornness out to play, and I feared the worst, not giving her a chance to show her loyalty. Yet even as I scold myself internally, my admonishment dies as I stand in the bedroom doorway, the open balcony doors revealing Emma's escape route. I don't need to look around the room to know she's escaped the bedroom, but I do chastise myself internally because I never thought to lock the balcony door. Despite myself a smirk surfaces on my face, Emma is tenacious. Something I'll enjoy punishing her for when I get my hands on her. Something she'll soon learn is a favourite pastime of mine inside the bedroom. Peering outside and over the railing, I
"Luca's livid," Niko interrupts me again, his eyes flicking up as I raise my gaze to him again."You're texting him whilst we're in the air, in an aircraft?""There's WiFi; it's called iMessage..." he retorts with a small laugh. Yet his demeanour changes quickly when he realises I'm horrified."I wouldn't put you at risk, queen. Why'd you think I took your place? We can't have you harmed before you take your place beside Luca at the head of our family. And we sure can't risk your ability to give us our next reigning Moretta.""Is that all you people think about, an heir? I'm worth more than my wombs ability to create a child for the next generation," I spit angrily."That'll be your most cardinal job, queen. The ability to ensure the bloodline continues is no joke. The respect earned from such a task is next to exemplary. Think about it: you're the only one able to give us the little kids that we'll all cherish. Why do you sit and underestimate the importance of such a task?" "I don'
EmmaI'm silent for longer than Niko likes, but I don't know what to say, so I recite my escape with precision. He hisses when I tell him I reeled in the help of three of our men, but I think his annoyance is for the one in particular who helped me leave."You've assured his death in your little game of escape, queen. How does that feel, knowing you've sentenced him to that because of your stupidity?""If I weren't locked in a room with no way out, I wouldn't have needed help at all—Luca's my husband, not my keeper. You can't expect me to sit like a princess in my ivory tower. I have responsibilities, ones I cannot escape.""Your responsibilities now lie with your husband, or have you forgotten the mafia etiquette?" He sighs. "Do you not find it... a coincidence that your father has you leave the country on the same day you pledge yourself to the Moretta name? Or are you that gullible that you hadn't thought about that?" he whispers lowly.I glance at Matteo again and find he's lookin
"You're a target now, you know this, Emma. I won't allow you to go wherever he wants you to go. I can't lose you, Emma... I love you...""I love you, too," I almost choked. God, I've been craving to hear those little words from his mouth since our wedding night. But I can't let my emotions rule me. "Please love me enough to know this is what's needed of me, and I'll be back. Sooner than you think.""No, get someone else to do it. Fuck, I'll go instead of you, Emma.""This is family business, you're not a Rossi.""Then he should go himself," he mutters angrily. Throwing his hands up in the air as his body language starts to become hostile. He marches away from me as I stand mute and stuck to the spot. He then marches back. His hands are fisted, and his eyes are dark and angry."You're N.O.T. going!""You cannot stop me, Luca. This is my choice; besides, if not me, then it'll be Bianca, and I can't put her through that!" I yell to him in desperation.But even though I'm trying to protec
EmmaFour days have passed by in utter bliss, and even as I stare at Luca sleeping beside me this morning, I still feel the need to pinch myself at the thought that, one, we're married, and two, it seems to be blissful.He's stayed in bed with me the last three mornings, sleeping far past his usual six am wake up, and I know I should be honoured that he's taking this time to be with me, but I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. The fear I have is palpable. Being in the mafia makes me cognisant that bliss isn't a thing, and yet here we are blissfully happy with one another.Reaching to stroke his cheek, I can't help but smile. The skin there is prickly with the four-day-old beard growth, which funnily enough suits him, and I've told him as much, and he's agreed to keep it if that's what I want. He's been so amenable that it's unreal, yet I don't fully trust anything he's said and done because all I can ask is, why?Despite our marriage being typically normal, things in the mafia don
Emma's movement snaps me out of the memory. Yes, you could say I've been putting off that dire conversation for fear that our wedding day was ruined before it even happened. "Shall we join them?" Emma asks me, breaking away from our kiss, facing the house and our men training."It's our honeymoon; there's no need to train.""Perhaps I want to, Luca. I enjoy it," she tells me, dropping my hand as she walks towards the house and our men.I smirk, shaking my head that she seems just as unable to turn off that side of her. But in honesty, her need to train has me worried also.What does she think will happen?Why does she need to train anyway? It's not as if her father intends for her to take over the Rossi name, which is just another thing I need to investigate. "Emma!""Yes, Luca?" She turns to face me, continuing to walk backwards effortlessly. "Are you afraid to lose again?""Oh, Bambina, all bets are off now that I own your body. Didn't you know? A woman's body can be traitorous wh
LucaI grab for Emma as she squeals like a teenage girl again. We're running through the gardens outside the house. The breeze whips her hair around me as I turn her around to kiss her as the need overtakes me. Our lips move upon one another in a rush, neither of us being able to let the other go as she giggles, and I groan deep in my throat. This morning is all but forgotten, and I've heard nothing from Niko concerning whether my father has demanded I must do as I'm told regarding the charge of not but one but two men. That didn't slip my notice, Niko's cheeky slip that there was another's death left in my hands upon ridding the most known ruler of one of the biggest New York syndicates.Pierce Addisol is an American gang member turned ruler known for his smuggling and heavy-handed punishments that he metes out without due reasoning.For this reason, he's been on my father's shit list for some time, and though he holds secrets we never want to get out, a truce has always been adhe
"Good morning," Niko interrupts my thoughts."You wanted to see me?" I answer unhappily."Yes, your father has set the ceremony for four nights time. He has requested both yours and Emma's attendance.""You didn't automatically accept?" I ask, sighing as I look at the clock on the wall behind him.It's seven am, and I should be rousing Emma from her post-orgasmic sleep to take her again. Yet, here I am attending this pointless meeting with my number two because of his lack of foresight to accept the invitation to Emma's acceptance ceremony."I did accept, but I must inform you of your last task," Niko grimaces."And what shall that be, praise tell me?""Pierce Addisol, his death is your last commitment before your father agrees to begin the passing of his title.""He wants me to kill the head of the New York syndicate?""He's being trialled for unknown reasons; his death is cleaner than the possibility of his mouth running wild.""And he wants this done within the next three nights?"