LucaThey say there's a fine line between love and hate: you cannot live with one without the other. You can only walk one line with the other mimicking parallel.In some instances, you have to make those who love you hate you. And vice versa, those who hate you love you, and I wholly believe that.But there's a fine line between rage and freight that interconnects with the love and hate you feel for someone. The rage that comes from the anguish of actions made by others toward a person of interest is one of the most potent emotions to arise from loving or hating someone. That's how I feel sitting in the SUV.We've just landed; it's not much after midnight, and I should be happy to be back in England, yet I'm so livid that my vision is pulsating with red. The haze threatens to take me under its spell as I plan the demise of every man left within my compound.I can't blame the team I took with me, but the two who arrived in the SUVs to take us home were in the compound when the event
Emma's lying in his bed, surrounded by his bedding, the room smelling just like him; I press my nose to her ear, sniffing her face, which, if I'm not mistaken, has his smell along with cigarette smoke.He touched her, and that realisation has me reeling.Reeling because the anger doesn't come as I thought it might. I moan aloud at the confusion. I hate that she's here, but I also love that she's surrounded by my number two, my best friend.The sudden urge to share her with him takes me for six, knocking me over figuratively because I never thought of doing that with her. But now that my mind is made up, I know the endless possibilities of fun we could have between business deals.Fuck..."I'm sorry, bambina," I whisper before straightening up. What am I going to do?Well, I'll deal with Aldo. And then I'll plan her derailment the second I have her on our wedding night. She doesn't know what's coming, but I won't alarm her. I'll keep my desires a secret; that's the best way forward.
Emma "Luca," I whisper as he leans over me; there's that weird smell of something I do not wish to recall, the past calling me down memory lane, but I push it aside, sighing as I open my eyes into the unfamiliar room that knocks me sideways as the memories of last night come crashing through my mind like a freight train.I breathe, smelling as I note Niko's manly aftershave surrounding me as if it's enveloping me like a second skin."I'm so sorry, bambina... have you rested enough?" Luca asks, his palm cupping my cheek tenderly as if he thinks I might suddenly break before him.Maybe I will, but I won't allow him to see that, especially not because of the way he's looking at me.I nod, my throat raw and sore; it's then I know I've been crying in my sleep, my cheeks suddenly feeling wet and sticky. Strands of hair clutch to the moisture as if they've lived in the Sahara and require the water my eyes have expelled."I need you to get up, bambina; I don't think I can hold on to my anger
Aldo's eyes rise to mine, an evil smirk plastered on his face as he holds me captive. My insides crawl, and the memories of my ordeal flood my mind as I start to hyperventilate.It's too soon. I shouldn't be in his presence this soon, but I know that Luca feels like he needs to do this."Aldo is a traitor, and traitors always have accomplishes," Luca looks to his men.I ride my gaze away from Aldo, staring out among the men who now frown. I hadn't expected this turn of events; I hadn't expected that more than just Aldo had planned my rape.I'm shaking now, my body trembling out of control, and all I want to do is climb into bed and hide beneath the duvet to sleep away the terror of yesterday, but that's not what happens.Niko steps beside me, his arm circling my waist as he holds me captive to him, and Luca starts calling names as if off a list.Three other men step forward, their gazes reaching mine. But only one of them mouths 'I'm sorry' in an attempt to correct his wrongdoing.I w
LucaAs I watched Emma and Niko work together to take down the man who dared to touch her, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was grateful for his help and support towards her, but on the other, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that it was he who was man enough to stand behind her. After all, shouldn't it have been me by her side, lending my strength and heat to protect her?To make matters worse, I couldn't shake my anger towards Aldo for going against me and trying to take what was mine. It was a betrayal I couldn't forgive, and I knew I had to act accordingly.As I stood in the basement, listening to Aldo boast that he touched 'my pretty little liar', I knew I couldn't stand by and let Aldo live. It wasn't just about protecting my asset—it was about safeguarding the woman I loved, and I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if I hated her because of her choice to leave me before. Loyalty is everything in the game of being part of the m
As I watched my men, I knew I had to find a way to restore the trust and love that had once bound us together whilst remaining as their leader.But where to start? The task ahead of me seemed insurmountable, but I knew I had to try. After all, we were more than just a group of people living together—we were a family."I won't tolerate any form of misconduct towards her. Anyone who dares to touch her or even thinks about her in that inappropriate manner will be met with these severe consequences," I say with a firm tone, glancing sideways to the dead men littered on the floor. "She is our queen—my queen, and as such, she deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Let's not forget who she is and what she represents for our future." My words carry a hint of pride and equal amounts of frustration and disappointment, as I can't help but feel that some fail to see the gravity of their brother's actions, so I endeavour to keep my eyes on them.As I turn around and leave, I
Emma Soft knocks on the bedroom door startle me, and I hear Niko calling out my name. I sit up in Luca's bed, my face sticky with tears and snot running down my cupid's bow. I quickly use my arm to wipe away the unpleasantness before responding to Niko.After a moment, I answer him. "Yes, Niko?"The door opens slowly, and Niko stands there looking sheepish as if he's waiting for someone to jump out on him. He explained that he wanted to ensure I was okay after I had run off earlier, and I sensed a hint of concern in his voice.Swallowing the lump in my throat, I shake my head at him. But he turns his gaze away from me so he doesn't see the tears on my face. This allows me to compose myself and put on a brave face."I'm good," I finally manage to say, my voice sounding small and weak.Niko suggests that we train together, but I can't help but blurt out my question. "Are you afraid?" I ask, sensing that something is off about his behaviour.Niko whispers quietly, "We're not allowed in
Determined not to let my emotions get the best of me, I splashed some cool water on my face and brushed out my hair, tying it up into a high ponytail. I took a deep breath, feeling my nerves and fears begin to subside.Exiting the bathroom, I quickly reached for my trainers and approached the door of Luca's bedroom. As I walked, a sense of determination filled me, and I could feel my resolve hardening with every step. I knew I had to confront whatever challenges lay ahead, no matter how daunting they seemed.Despite my resolve, I couldn't shake off the guilt that gnawed at me. Only a few hours ago, I had put the lives of four men in danger by leading them into a hail of bullets. It was a choice that I deeply regretted, and I could only hope that the rest of Luca's men would be able to forgive me for my recklessness.As I stepped out of the room and into the hallway, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenges that lay ahead. Whatever happened, I knew that I couldn't affor
Continued:"You got your hands full with that one. But fanculo, her body is fine," Sven laughs throatily, as if we are two friends vying for the same girl. "I have my knife, Sven. One slit and your pathetic excuse for a life would be gone. You mean nothing to me. The ocean would conceal your death, and I'd move on as if your murder never happened.""Your life would be toast," he warns, but I can hear his scepticism. He fears me and my abilities, which is good—very good.Life's easier when you are feared over laughed at, and he'd do well to remain on my good side, for I have enough dirt on him to ruin his life for good."Keep your eyes off my wife; no one gets to look at her except for me. Station here until we're done exploring the island.""I'm not your slave.""You are today," I state with a cheeky smirk before jumping into the ocean, unwilling to give him more of my time when Bianca seems to have forgotten her bad mood entirely.Breaking the ice-cold water, I swim in land, finding
NikoI keep Bianca close as we walk outside of the house. We travel towards the beach in silence, where a boat, dissimilar to the one last night, is on the sand for us.A man, indeed, does await us, as Dimitri suggested in his handwritten note. He's standing in the water, barefoot and relaxed. He's not native to the islands, and I know exactly who he is. He's one of Dimitri's men, one I've had the displeasure to have worked alongside since the day I pledged my services to Dimitri because of my desire to keep my father very much alive. The funny thing is that I've completed many tasks for Dimitri alongside this man under Luca's nose—an achievement I hate. "Ah, if it isn't the unhappy couple," Sven greets us with a snarl. He's an outsider, in all honesty, one who resides in Tuscany to be the ears and eyes for Dimitri in his homeland and, by extension, for Luca. Not that Luca works with this bastard very often."Correction, Sven. Happy. Very fucking happy," I hiss with annoyance as I
Continued: "Breakfast?" Niko calls from behind me. He's just mounted the first step, walking down without so much as looking at me. Each muscle around his torso contracts with his movements, making me swallow loudly, hating my body's reaction to him. "I'm sorry," I call after him as I trail behind in a hurry. He chuckles but doesn't say anything further as he turns back to give me a reassuring smile. We both walk into the kitchen and find already plated food lying on the countertop. My stomach drops as anxiety overtakes me. "I thought you said we were the only ones on the island?" I whisper. "We are; there's only one house," he replies so very quietly that my gut churns even more. Is there danger lurking if he sees the need to be quieter than I was? We can't hide; the walls are all made of glass, for fucks sake. "Perhaps Dimitri had this sent for us?" I watch him walk to the plates, reaching down to the counter to pick up a folded piece of paper. He reads it as I gather
BiancaThe bed feels foreign and lonely. The sheets are harsh andcool, yet contemplating asking Niko to join me to make me feel less lonely after the last few hours of tenderness between us feels like a far-fetched fantasy that's most definitely not reachable. So I persevere, replaying today over in my mind on fast forward as I agonise over every interaction I have had, said and done. I should have told him about my virginity and who took it.I should have run.I shouldn't have kissed him.I should let him in... Arguing with myself seems pointless, yet I keep coming to the same conclusions. I toss and turn and sigh into the silent, dark room, puffing the pillow because, despite its depth, I still sink into it. The bed faces the window, looking out over the ocean, which is a huge blockade between this island and the freedom I could have had if not for giving up a perfectly presented chance for him, for Niko.I don't know why he has me so loyal to him. It's not like we've had a grea
Niko With her breathing ragged and her walls firmly erect, I stare in disbelief that I would be so bold as to ask her whathedid to her. I wouldn't say I like these secrets between us, and it's only day one. Day fucking one. But even though I want her to answer me, to reveal who he is and just what I have to punish him for, she doesn't grant me my desires for the second time. Fear lances through me, a new emotion rarely presented to me. I fear that these things she keeps inside could be a potential threat that puts her in danger. How can I care for her if I only know half the truth of her past? Demons tend to live in closets, falling out at a moment's notice. This gives me food for thought, and I realise I need to earn Bianca's trust to find out these things if only to put contingencies in place to protect her at all costs. Taking Bianca out back, I lead her to the hot tub directly below the shining moon, hidden by strategically positioned foliage that creates a barrier between
Continued: Reaching inside, I find I'm disappointed beyond words to find skimpy bikinis, baby doll dresses, swim shorts, and lounge pants for Niko. My face must be a picture of unhappiness because Niko laughs so loud that it resounds around the open space. "I don't think Dimitri wants us to stay clothed for long if you know what I mean," he chatters. "This dress is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever worn, and these will barely keep the chill of the air off my skin." "Perhaps that's the point," he grins, stroking a red babydoll between his thumb and forefinger. "May I have your shirt?" I blurt out, glowering at the audacity of myself. "My shirt?" "Yes, can I have your shirt? You can peel this dress from me, and then I'll soak in the tub before bed and wear your shirt over one of these bikinis. I'm tired, Niko..." "I was hoping to show you out back. The hot tub is situated perfectly." "Fine, I'll soak in that," I huff, grabbing for the gold bikini with a vastly larger am
Bianca So Niko can cook, and he's more than comfortable moving around the kitchen like some bronzed god capable of doing even the most mundane task. I went into the kitchen with the intent of hashing out plans for our future marriage. My mind was whirling upstairs after he touched me, when for a moment I begged internally for him to lean down to kiss me, and when he didn't, I felt so crushed, I knew I couldn't let him touch me like that again. I couldn't give myself to him like that, not if I wanted any chance of escaping this marriage, the spoken contract I've seemingly fallen into with the Moretta's and most importantly my insanity. I should have run back on the plane. I should have taken the opportunity that arose with both hands and run as far away as I possibly could. And yet I didn't; I stayed. And now I'm regretting passing up the chance of freedom to stay loyal to a man who, if given half the chance, will destroy me from the inside out. We eat in tense silence, the only
Continued: "I'll make us something. I'm sure the fridge is stocked." "Do you know how to cook?" She calls to me. "I'm sure I can put something together," I shrug nonchalantly as I leave the room. She rolls her eyes dramatically and flips a loose tendril of hair behind her ear before seemingly dismissing me. Smirking to myself, I shake my head in disbelief. The truth is I can cook pretty well, actually, but there's never any need when I'm home. Anna does a good enough job to feed us all; besides, I'm far too busy most of the time to sit in the kitchen and create a dish when my mind isin twenty other places. My Aunt taught me how to cook, that was her thing. We lived above a small Italian restaurant. Apparently, it's where my parents met. My father wooed my mother; he obviously took her breath away and pushed her down the stairs of irreparable damage. Maybe she'd still be alive if he were anything but an Italian mob. The kitchen is fully stocked, as I presumed it would be, but I
Niko As defiant as ever, Bianca attempts to slip her wedding gown down her arms to play with me. Luckily for her, I'm more than willing to play the cat to her mouse. I race to her side, stopping her from undressing from the garment made to wrap a bride up for their groom. In our culture, the whole meaning of a wedding gown is to present her to her awaiting husband as the pure second half of him. That is why they usually only dress in white. Bianca broke that silent rule with the red, but I love it. It's very much her. A wedding night is the first time a man supposedly has a claim to her. He unwraps his gift to reveal the natural beauty below before finishing up with his unspoken vows. "That's a husband's job," I note, stroking her now bare skin on her shoulder. A look transpires between us, and I can't quite decipher what it means. Does Bianca want me as I want her? Or am I reading into emotions that don't truly belong between us? The sexual tension has been palpable for the las