GIOVANNI POVThe bastard was here.I had only wanted to watch all that was happening from afar. Well, I trusted Raven could keep everything under control. At least she had managed to put Victoria in her place and not let herself be intimidated by the spoilt brat until my intervention.If I hadn't intervened, Victoria would have had her security toss out Raven, but that wasn't what I wanted.Victoria had given me a personal invitation to this event, and I declined, telling her someone would be attending instead of me. I never wanted to come here as I had a reason for staying hidden in the first place. There were too many enemies here, looking, waiting for me.Raven was unknown and could easily do what I ordered her without getting detected.Now, the attention I had been avoiding on her had been created the moment she had bade on the necklace.The damned necklace always causes this much chaos. I had no choice but to rescue her.Now, the painting.I had seen it before. It was at the Ricc
LILITH POV"I'll miss you," Casey sighed, pulling me into the hundredth hug since we arrived at the airport.She had refused to let me go and only did that when she checked in her luggage, and she returned soon after."I'll be closer to you than you think. Technology already made it easy for us," I said.Casey groaned, "I do not want to speak to you on the phone. I want you there with me, Lily. How the hell am I going to navigate somewhere as big as New York?" Her brown eyes widened as if she was already thinking of the possibility.I rolled my eyes, "Come on, no one will ask you to walk the whole of New York. Besides, you can always use your map to guide you wherever you are going.""You're no fun," she nudged my shoulder, jutting out her lower lip, and folded her arms in front of her. "You should come with me.""You know I'd have done that if I could," I sighed.Casey's expression turned serious, and she nodded, "I understand. I was only kidding. But I am still going to miss you.""
LILITH POVTWO WEEKS LATER"And Time is up. Please stop writing and put your pens down." Dr Livia instructed, "Enjoy your summer."Her exam was the last paper for the term.I handed her my paper, picking up my bag by the side of the door, before joining the students walking towards the entrance.I sighed, allowing the warmth of the sun to caress my face. The weather was favorable today and a clear indication of the summer break. Summer break. I mused. I had never had any meaningful ones, not counting the ones I had with Casey.But that was before I began to take the responsibility of looking after my mother and Romeo.Casey and I often camped in her house. I had nowhere else to go, and her parents usually preferred where she was in close proximity.They weren't as strict as my mother, but they were only being cautious.Despite how lovely Ponteverde could be, summer break was mostly the time when most kidnappings occurred. Children, teens, and even adults would go camping, hiking, or
LILITH POVI was in Santorini, sweet!It looked surreal.I never thought I'd be here, in a place where the world's colors looked like they'd been painted on the sky.This was the last place on earth I'd ever thought I'd step foot in. I couldn't afford a plane ticket that'd even take me away from Ponteverde, much less fly in a private jet where everything you needed was handed to you on a platter of gold.The city was too beautiful to be true, and I couldn't help but ogle every little detail my eyes could see, albeit in a subtle manner. I believe Giovanni noticed.I had caught him chuckling each time he stared in my direction, although he didn't tell me the exact reason he was laughing. But he was. I didn't get the chance to take in my environment fully as I followed Giovanni to a sleek black car waiting on the tarmac.The driver, a middle-aged man with a goatee and a bald head, opened the door for me, then for Giovanni on the other side of the passenger seat, before he moved to the dr
LILITH POVI was down in about thirty minutes, meeting with Giovanni at the dining.His attention snapped to mine as soon as I stepped into the room, and a small smile adorned his lips. His eyes appraised me slowly, from my head to my toes, and then he gave a gentle nod as if he approved of my look.It was a below-the-knee golden sequined dress with a wrap-around skirt and a low-cut v-shaped neckline featuring an open back. It was sleeveless as well and showed a great deal of skin, from my cleavage to my back.I had thought it too casual and assumed Giovanni would disapprove, not like I'd have changed into something else if he had asked me to anyway. Besides, I believed it was my overall appearance, not just the dress itself.My hair, or rather the wig I was wearing, was curled at the tip; I had done my makeup, making it even bolder than usual but not overdoing it so I wouldn't appear like a weirdo.Before I stepped out of the room, I had caught my reflection in the mirror. I didn't e
LILITH POVChristie and I seemed to be hitting it off pretty well. I had thought the blonde petite woman would be someone I'd detest. You know, those nepo babies who got everything handed to them on a platter of gold because of mommy or daddy dearest and believed the world revolved around their ass? Yes, them.Christie was far from that. Not only was she beautiful, she was accommodating and overly thoughtful.Somehow, I couldn't tell how she had snagged the attention of someone in Giovanni’s circle. Giovanni was dangerous, and everyone associated with him would be too.Behind the playful façade that Theo was trying to portray, he was as dangerous as Giovanni, so I didn't think her groom would be anything less.Christie, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind about the company her husband kept, or maybe she was used to it all ready and prepared to live with such.She straightened from where she was sitting in front of the vanity mirror—we had left the celebration outside to check her o
LILITH POVI bite on my lower lip over again. Even though I needed to quit this habit, I had never allowed it to ruin my lipstick.But this time, it was for a good reason, I believed. My breath hitched with each passing minute, and I sat at the edge of my seat whenever someone popped into the room.No sign of Theo, James, or even Boaz. So, there was certainly no sign of Giovanni.Where the fuck did they go? James had told me they'd be right back and everything would be fine, which I doubted. This constant pricking at the back of my neck was a reminder that something was awfully wrong and would definitely be wrong in a few minutes.I looked in the direction of Christie and Xanthos. They seemed happy to be with each other. But Xanthos was staring at me. I could see it in his face even as he had tried to be subtle about it.I wondered if Giovanni was in trouble because of me. Only James and Theo seemed to have warmed up to me; I shouldn't expect to see the rest smile at me anytime soon.
LILITH POVMy head... It pounded, like someone had stuffed my skull with cotton and hit it with a hammer for good measure. My mouth felt dry, my throat raw, as if I’d be left in the desert and swallowed sand due to the lack of water.Blinking slowly, I tried to make sense of the blurry surroundings—a softly lit room with pale pink walls and a large, ornate mirror hanging above a dresser. The faint scent of lavender filled the air, mingling with the cool touch of silk sheets beneath me.My stomach churned when I finally sat up, twisting in several knots. I glanced around the room—plush throw pillows piled neatly on a small loveseat by the window, curtains swaying gently as the breeze seeped through a crack in the glass. Everything about the space screamed femininity and comfort, but my body felt the exact opposite—weak and heavy like I was dragging myself back from the edge of oblivion.My eyes moved to the wall, and I saw several paintings, naked men with abs, a beach, and the shark p
LILITH POVIt was close to midnight, and Giovanni hadn't returned yet. I was home. When I got home, I met Casey and Christie. I was glad that they were fine.They had all returned from the hospital except my mother. Even though she was still in the intensive care unit, there was an assurance that she wouldn't die overnight. The doctor had said so, and they were monitoring her. If her condition changes, they'll inform us as soon as possible.I was okay with her staying there. At her present condition, I didn't think we'd be able to care for her as much as they'd be able to do so in the hospital.Again, it would be a hassle having her here, and when she had another crisis, we'd need to take her to the hospital again.I looked out the window and saw a light flashing into the room. It was from a car driving in. One of Giovanni’s cars, but not the one he always drove in.I stepped away from the window as the car came to a halt, and Rowland climbed down from it.Snatching my robe from the s
LILITH POVI paced the room. Despite being lovely to look at due to the pastel wall painting and the vast window that allowed light to come into the room, it didn't give me any slight comfort that I needed right now.I believed the room had been specially prepared for me. I'd have thought of how thoughtful they were if the room wasn't a prison to me.No matter how cozy the room looked, it was a prison, and I didn't think I'd be coming out of it anytime soon.I hadn't seen my father in sight, nor Diego. The bastard that brought me to this place had only pushed me into the room before locking the door and walking away.He had even warned me not to attempt jumping out of the window as I'd only break a neck or even die in worse-case scenarios.I walked to the said window, looking down. Instantly, I withdrew my head as a wave of dizziness washed over me.It was higher than I had thought, and he wasn't lying. If I tried to jump, I wouldn't be breaking a neck alone, I'd die from the impact.
GIOVANNI POVI was with the guys, having a drink. We were trying to unwind and hoped for the best.Everyone was on edge. I glanced at Romeo sitting by himself and playing on his phone. He had stopped crying long ago. I wouldn't blame him.If I was his age, I might have that emotion as well. Only if I had my parents and I was as close as he was to them.I never had the privilege to feel this intense emotion because it was seen as a weakness. And I'd never allow myself to be as weak as that.But when it came to Lilith. It seemed like an entirely different thing for me. I had experienced moments of weakness, fear, and even more sensitivity than I had ever experienced in my life.I had tried to distance myself, believing because I was always in her presence, that made it that way.But even in her absence, she still managed everything to be about her.Looking away from Romeo, I caught Casey and Christie's movement. But not Lilith. Both were running towards us.I frowned, looking at both of
LILITH POVMy mother had been taken to the intensive care unit, while we were outside the door pacing, and waiting for the outcome of the doctor's diagnoses.I couldn't understand what was happening. I was still confused. Not only me. But Romeo who was now crying silently while Casey comfortable him, and everyone else.They had the same expression on their faces. I mean my mother had been fine. She was doing fine today and suddenly, she seemed unresponsive and her breath fading.Even though no one would openly admit it, I could tell the end was near for her. I didn't want to believe it too. But it was fucking too soon.I expected her to live months!Or even beat the doctor's words and stay years and even forever. She'd get to see her grandchildren and be the best grandmother ever, but that wouldn't be happening."Where are you going to?"I stopped walking, looking around me. I didn't realise I had left the others and was now very much closer to the main entrance.Giovanni was behind m
LILITH POVOut of all the things I wanted to hear Giovanni say, my father coming back was certainly not it.I stared at him. He wasn't bluffing. He looked absolutely serious. It was weird that he was mentioning my father seeing as I hadn't spoken to him about him. Also, the fact that he knew his name and he mentioned it made it even weirder."How do you know who my father is?" I questioned.Giovanni gripped my hand, pulling me up the remaining step, and towards the room. When we were inside the room, he let go of my hands.I watched as he stepped further inside, tugging his tie, and undoing the top button of his shirt.He rolled up his sleeves, pushing his hand inside his hair before turning to me."I am certain we haven't spoken about my father," I winced at the term father. I didn't want to refer to him as that because he was anything but my father, but at this moment, I had no choice.Since I wanted answers from Giovanni, it was only fitting I used it."There are things you don't k
GIOVANNI POVShe was fine.The thought jumped around in my head over and over again.Since I received Luca's call and went there to take care of business myself, I had been unsettled. Even though Luca had assured me that Rowland had driven her home safely, I didn't want to believe that.But now, seeing her in person, a relieved sigh coursed through me.I stumbled towards her, almost falling to her feet, but she caught me, her arms wrapping around me."What happened to you?" she whispered.I didn't respond to her. I couldn't. I doubted I could find my voice even if I tried to.I hugged her as tight as I could, never wanting to let her go. Inhaling her intoxicating scent, I shut my eyes tightly, opening them as I heard her voice."You have blood all over you, Giovanni. What happened to her?" She tried to move out of my embrace, but I held her back."Don't leave," I choked out.I had never been this emotional. Not even when Diamante left me a day before the wedding. Not even when Diamant
LILITH POVAs soon as I stepped inside the house, I was engulfed in a hug. It wasn't Giovanni as I had thought.Rather, it was the two people I had thought were still in the spa. The two people I was afraid for.As soon as they released me, my eyes widened, and I pulled them into an embrace of my own."You're safe!" I whispered again, holding them as tight as I could, as if they'd disappear if I let go.Casey laughed, "Of course we are."I pulled away, looking at both of them. They seemed fine and barely had any scratches on them. I was confused, but I was also curious to know how they had come out of the spa unscathed.Also, why didn't they bother to come looking for me?"What happened? I tried to make Rowland go back for the two of you and he assured me that you both would be fine. Perhaps I shouldn't have bothered!"I scowled at the smile still present on Casey's face. She was enjoying this. I had almost died because of them. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if I had bee
LILITH POVWe had barely reached the escape exit when I remembered I had forgotten something.The girls!I halted abruptly, my eyes widening as I looked around me. I tried to find Christie and Casey. But it was impossible to see anything due to the crowds and everyone running here and there to save themselves."We need to leave here!" Luca urged, tugging me.I resisted.Turning to stare at him."I need to find Casey and Christie!" I yelled."They'll be fine. We need to save you first," Luca said.I glared at him, tugging my hand from his. "Really? You want me to leave my best friends to some murderers?""I am sure you're ready to answer Xanthos when he knows you purposely left her, " even to Theo.Although Theo wouldn't admit to wanting Casey, and she, too, had denied it several times, I knew there was something going on between them."Or the murderers could be here for you and you'd get hurt because you wish to look for your friends who might have saved themselves. Then, I won't have
LILITH'S POV"Really?" I murmured, scowling as I saw Luca.He must have followed me here on Giovanni's order. But I thought Giovanni didn't care. How the hell did he know I was leaving the house, seeing as he had been avoiding me and we hadn't seen each other all morning?Perhaps he was watching from his window."So convenient of him," I rolled my eyes. He could watch me and despatched his bodyguard to watch me, but he couldn't even bring himself to speak to me."That's Luca," Casey pointed to where Luca was standing at the entrance.He wasn't even making his presence discreet. At least, someone else would have hidden from sight and maybe watched from a distance. Someone like Rowland.But he was doing the opposite."Did you mention you're coming here to your husband?" Christie asked me. "I thought both of you weren't on good terms."I shrugged, then stared at Christie. She shrugged as well. How would she know Giovanni and I weren't on good terms? She was really observant.She must hav