EmmaWe land without any problems, and my father's men are ready and waiting with a sleek red Ferrari fit for only two just off to the side of the aircraft. The air is muggy, instant sweat slicking across my skin as I acclimatise to the heat.Taking a moment to ensure our safety, I look around the hangar, recognising the two men as my liaisons here in Germany, Enzo and Jacob. My father has men who darted around each country in Europe, and I dealt with more than twenty-five men over the span of six years of being his enforcer. But these two were my closest colleagues because I have been to Germany more times than anywhere else.I guide Niko and me towards them, hesitant that I'm with Niko, knowing there is almost certainty that his presence will get back to my father. They stare at Niko with distrust as they pass me an envelope with money, room keys and an invite to a function where I'll find the subject tomorrow evening. I skim the information, memorising what needs to be known befo
LucaI absolutely hate having to turn up to my parents alone without Emma, yet he gave me no choice but to face the damn music that Emma has forced upon me.I've sped the whole way here, hoping by some turn of fate that my car would spin out and wrap itself around a tree trunk to end this stupid existence I seem to have been thrust into, but my luck seems to lack aligning with every other fucking time I've wished my soul away.So here I am, and there he stands, smoking a cigar on the front steps, seemingly waiting for me, his face like thunder and his demeanour not far behind it.It's almost as if I can taste his disappointment and smell his disapproval.Emma's fucked up terribly. I swear he might be second-thinking our marriage by now, but now that my name is signed on that dotted line beside hers... I can't deny my need to keep her firmly beside me, so I'll argue until I'm blue and six feet under if he says otherwise."Father," I drone out despite feeling anything but happy to be st
"Don Moretta," Diablo greets him. "Why am I here?" "We both know why you are in my dungeon; let's not play games. You won't fare well, my dear friend."Diablo swallows loudly, a sign of guilt and trepidation rolling through him."Then ask me the question you need answers to... but don't be surprised if you have to drag them out of me. I'm not loyal to you, Moretta. My leader is Rossi.""Yes, well, there's always opportunities to change sides—isn't there? So tell me, what is your boss up to?""Probably eating dinner, dependant on time, of course," he answers."Don't be smart. Didn't your training teach you anything? Your life depends on my mood, and that's directly affected by your willingness to talk. Or would you prefer to die tonight?""Honestly, if you were going to kill me. That would have happened by now. This tells me I'm more important to keep alive because of the information I could give you. So let's play this game together. You sweeten my betrayal, and I'll give you what yo
EmmaThe minutes dragged by as I bid farewell to Niko after our check-in at the hotel. I chose to stay back in the room while Niko ventured out for the evening, his mysterious errand pulling him away.In hindsight, I regret acquiescing to his request without questioning him. If the situation was truly as precarious as he made it out to be, shouldn't he have also considered the potential risks, given that his own face was just as recognisable as mine?Nevertheless, I seized the opportunity to indulge in some much-needed self-care, making use of the provided toiletries to luxuriate in a long bath, wash my hair, and relish a few uninterrupted moments of solitude.I've come to miss the tranquillity that comes with being alone. It allows me to gather my thoughts and gain insight into recent events and my present circumstances. Living with Luca is bustling and hectic, but perhaps I've grown accustomed to being a lone wolf and need time to readjust to being part of a team again.The warm wat
NikoThree Hours Earlier I haven't been to Germany for a good minute—Luca's overactive imagination, of all things turning sour when business deals are concerned, always at play.You see, Auschwitz became our dealer in arms and a few particular orders of women not seven or eight months ago.In the run-up to his takeover, Luca had wanted to ensure he had his very own business deals to weasel out the likes of Emma's father and a few other named Don's.Luca is different; he has always been, and Emma has always been his weakness. I think that's why his father chose to send her away. It was the right choice, perhaps augmented in the wrong manner, but the endgame was for Luca to take his role as underdog seriously. Dimitri and Lucia only decided to have Luca, and though that usually isn't a problem in itself, Luca would say otherwise.He never wanted this life or what was promised to him from the moment of his conception. The mafia way of life has never appealed to him. I say that because
LucaMy father has me work alongside one of his men to dig a hole for this cretin to be buried within. I'm not too happy with the manual labour, but he told me that deciding to take the life means I have to be prepared to bury it also.So I do as he asked, working in silence as I fill myself with hatred for this task I do not wish to be taking part in. Consequences are something I despise, especially his. Anyway, did he indeed mean his pardon for this man?Surely, he couldn't have honestly meant his pardon, not when faced with a man who was supporting another to go against him.Is my father wilting in his old age, or did I, in fact, act out impulsively? Perhaps I did, but then again, someone needs to fucking send a message to Rossi, and it didn't seem as if my father was going to be that person tonight. That's why I killed him, because who better than to kill than his number two?After all, he took Emma away on the single worst day he could, considering she should have vouched herse
I think that's why I march away, heading down the hall and the stairs and out to my car to deposit the bloody finger in a ziplock bag that I just so happen to store in my glove box for moments like these.I ensured to take the one finger with a tattoo on it. It's unmistakably owned by the very person I just buried, and the message I want to get across will certainly be delivered. It is a valid message to put him in his place, which is very much below Emma and me. If Emma weren't in his grips at this very moment, I would take no time to send it tonight, perhaps even hand-deliver it to ensure he knows I claimed his second-in-command's life. But I must ensure she's home safe and sound before I make that imperative move.Staring up at my parents' house, I make a firm decision to assert my independence and ensure that my choices are my own, not my father's. Walking back inside, I enter the front door confidently, fully aware that my mother will be waiting for me. As expected, she stands
Emma I wake in a foul mood; I think because Niko dressed after his shower and then took his pew on the small chair at the desk for the rest of the night. It seems he was just as exasperated. He constantly looked back at me, appraising me before sighing as if he wished he weren't here with me. So I fell asleep, chastising my choice all night, but now that I'm here, I might as well follow through with my instructions. I rise late into the morning, having pretended I was asleep for hours. I don't move an inch, and I most definitely don't roll over to face Niko. And I knew he was awake; after all, he'd been on the phone non-stop all morning. I suppose one might think it's not polite to listen to another's phone calls, but it seems that for most of the morning, he's been talking away to Luca and Mass at home. I only know that because someone asked about me, and he gave a detailed list of everything I've done up until then, so it would only be Luca showing such a need to know my move
Continued:Grinding my teeth, I force myself to mount the metal steps. The heat of the air around the plane instantly clings to my skin, and perspiration spreads across my body as the hefty material still surrounds me. I hadn't thought of how it would pose a hindrance. I wish I had clothes to change into, but we didn't pack, and I wonder if there's a change of clothes here for the pair of us. Time is of the essence. Just go, Bee! I snarl internally. Indecision falters my brain process, leaving me standing on the threshold between freedom and a life shackled in chains. I stay. My gaze darts back to Niko, so unsuspecting that he's sleeping on the chair opposite the one I should be sitting in. I study him, floating to him easier than I tried to leave. His face is clean-shaven, his skin bronzed, just like mine. His dark brown, almost black hair is pushed back, with product sitting proudly but kemp. With his eyes closed and in his state sleep-like, he's missing the constant frown li
Bianca Our conversation had me tripping. Niko's words confounded me but also resonated with a version of myself deep inside, making me wonder if I could truly find happiness with him, considering he's already willing to become my protector. Dimitri's words play over and over in my mind. His assumption that Niko was a gift over a burden had me staring at Niko in disbelief. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open, my jaw touching the floor. My face must have been a vision, not that Niko mentioned anything or pointed it out. The flight to Europe, Italy, Cantazaro, to be exact, was turbulent yet short. I hate flying, the insecurity that a flight brings you, the uncertainty of your future the whole time you're in the air. So the moment we touched down, I sighed a breath of relief. But that also left me wondering what the hell I should be doing now. The pilot and her co-pilot left the aircraft, walking down the steps onto the tarmac while Niko and I remained sitting in the chairs. He had
Continued: She shakes her head slowly, her brain obviously refuting my proposal, yet she doesn't voice her reluctance, which means a part of her, no matter how small, wants me back, and I can work with that. Expand on it. "It's our wedding night—evening. I want you, Bee. I've wanted you all week." "No—," she squeaks. "What did I tell you about that word?" I ask gruffly. I drop her foot, placing it down on the floor. And I follow it, kneeling at her feet like a man possessed. "It's a dirty word," I grin. "One punishable by denial." "And what did I tell you?" She asks. "I'm your husband, Bee. I have needs. Needs that you haven't met." "They're not my responsibility..." she whines, yet there's playfulness in her eyes that I suddenly want to play against. "So when you want to get off, is your need not my responsibility?" I counter her. "No." "You sure about that? You sure you don't want me to help you along?" I ask, skating my fingers up the inside her thighs that are spread in
Niko Bianca sits across from me as we taxi down the runway to take off for this impromptu honeymoon I hadn't expected to take. She looks worn and tired, yet she lounges back in her wedding dress so unladylike that I can't imagine doing anything but spend this time looking and appreciating the vision before me. She's comfortable even if she should be anxious and wary. I was swept up in my own emotions, so I brooded opposite her, remaining stoic and quiet as I assessed Bianca in her calm state. She is beautiful and breathtaking. I'm honoured to have stood up there beside her, making vows to remain beside her for the rest of our lives. I hadn't expected to feel so overwhelmingly possessive of her, and I hadn't expected to lose my shit the moment Franko goaded me to get that exact reaction. She didn't want to marry, andthat much is evident, but does shetrulydislike being with me? And does she want to be with a man like Franko, who obviously favours his father's tendency to treat wome
Continued: I press my thighs together at the sudden intrusive thoughts of needing Niko. "Keep staring at me like that, and we won't get as far as the bonnet of this fucking car," he tells me. A small smile now plays on his lips. Is he playing with me just for kicks? "I wasn't staring. I was listing out the things I hate about you," I lie, turning to stare at the plane waiting for us to board it. Now, a smile plays at my lips—a large smile because I know he knows I'm bluffing. "Is that so?" He questions humorously. He shifts beside me, but I avoid looking his way to see what he's doing. "Yup. Just tallying up the things I despise about my now husband so I can memorise each and every one." "You're something else, Bee." "Never claimed to be perfect like Emma," I shrug nonchalantly. "I wouldn't want you to be anything but yourself. They're ready. Come on?" He requests. Turning, I note he's outside of the car, holding his hand out for me that I take, unwillingly, of course
Bianca Niko is unsettled, his leg bouncing beside mine as he stared upfront while one of Luca's men drove us out of Dimitri's drive. The irony is upon me that I came here a Rossi, and I'm leaving a Costa. It's nerve-wracking and upsetting. It's also exciting and sordid. Niko's warning that my use of the word 'no' plays in my mind. I wonder what would have happened if we had been alone five to ten minutes more. There's so much that remained unsaid in those moments before we were interrupted. There's so much Niko could have done. For a moment, he scared me. It seems my virginity might have been a buffer between Niko wanting and taking what he wanted. Would he really have fucked me here in the back seat of the car? The driveway gives way to the forest surrounding the roads between Dimitri's and Luca's, and I find myself lost in the sea of green and brown foliage that mesmerises me. I'm a married woman now, and the thought is strange and foreign. As I process this in my
Continued: "How about fuck off?" Niko spits angrily before turning us away and walking us to Dimitri. "We're out of here," he spits so lowly that his voice reverberates through my bones. "You should sort that out before I do." "Your wedding is not over," Dimitri warns quietly and calmly. "It's done when I say it's done. We've married, you have what you want. I won't stay here and allow him to verbally abuse my wife before all these people," Niko states, taking my hand and lacing our fingers together before he turns us away. Everyone parted, making room for us to leave. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, knowing everyone had heard exactly what Franko said. It's obvious he's planted seedlings of doubt within the minds of every guest here. "Niko," I whimper, anxious to be gone already. Needing to find the protection only he seems to give me. "It's okay," he mumbles quietly, obviously trying to reassure me as I stumble to keep up with his quick steps. He leads me outside
Continued: His smile drops, and his hold on my hand tightens. He dives to his left to greet an old couple against the wall, who look very bored to be here and not interested in greeting us like the many other people are. I looked back at where we came from, noticing why he had chosen to head this way. Turning back, I talked to the old couple more animatedly than the rest of the people we spoke to. They are an old family, one that doesn't partake in criminal activities anymore and hasn't for a while. But they still hold the respect of all the families. Niko's arm finds itself around my shoulders in a gesture that screams intimacy, but honestly, I'm sure it's because he can feel the same sets of eyes on us that I can. Choosing to play his game, I reach up and lace my fingers in his, kissing his thumb, too, as he strokes my lips. It's almost as if my decision to do such a thing endangered my life, for I can feel Franko and his father shooting daggers at my back. The red-hot sensatio
BiancaNiko holds onto me for dear life as we wander along the dimly lit hall and through the doors that lead us into a multitude of people gathered within the large hall, ready to greet us. I had presumed that this little ceremony would have been over as soon as I said I do, but I'm being treated more than the second daughter married off just because I can be. Faces blend into faces as he guides me to talk to the first set of people to our right. I note Dimitri upset in the corner, obviously disliking that we escaped almost as soon as his priest said we finished the ceremony. Yet the funny thing is we signed off on the dotted line last night, and I have no doubt those papers were fast-tracked to ensure our matrimony was official. Don Hendrix congratulates us with a warm smile, and his wife tells me how beautiful I am in this dress, which itches every part of my skin it is touching. Nothing really sinks in besides the blood swooshing in my ears because of my racing heart at the numb