LILITH'S POV
My head hurt, and likewise, my throat. It wasn't easy to keep my eyes open because it closed by itself as soon as I opened them. I couldn't remember the last time I tasted booze. It was my first time in La Notte, and I was clueless about what was being done. Someone had offered me a drink, and I had drunk without thinking. That was the first time I suffered from a hangover, and also the last time I stopped drinking since I tend to do something out of the ordinary. When I mean out of the ordinary, I embarrass myself. Last night, I never wanted to drink, but it was the only thing that could keep me calm. I never would have imagined that a glass would knock me out cold. Shifting on the bed, I heaved a breath, pushing back the nausea that surged through me, before opening my eyes. They slowly accommodated to the brightness of the room. I glanced at myself as I felt exposed. I couldn't remember slipping out of my clothes last night or maybe I had changed before returning home because I was always careful not to appear in the house in my slutty attire. Yet, I shouldn't be naked. My eyes widened as I saw the crimson liquid staining the side I was seated on. I furrowed my brows as I tried to recall what had happened last night. "Fuck," I winced, pushing my hand inside my hair as I did. "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck." I murmured, stumbling out of bed. I breathed in for the second time, holding the post of the bed as dizziness washed over me. "You didn't just give your virginity to a random stranger, Lilith Russo. You didn't just fuck someone you are supposed to get something from." I pinched myself, glancing back at the bed, but the blood was still there. I was in a deep shit. How had I ended up in bed with Giovanni when all I needed to do was ask him a few questions and make him fall for my charm? "Jesus Christ, Lilith, you have some fucking explaining to do," I walked to my clothes that were spewed on the floor and gathered them before walking into the bathroom. What do I say to Marco? That I was sorry and had fucked the man I should seduce after a drink? No, that wasn't even good enough. What about my mother and brother? They must have been worried sick that I hadn't returned the night before. I had a quick shower and slipped into my clothes, even though they stank of alcohol and sweat. I returned to the bedroom and picked up my bag from the floor. I didn't even know where I was. How the hell do I go home from here? Looking around the room to find at least a hint of where my location could be, I slipped my hand into my purse, searching for my phone. A note on the nightstand caught my attention. Walking towards it, I picked it up. "The hotel is paid for the whole day, you are free to do as you desire. Left some money in the drawers. Don't forget to take the bedsheet with you, I paid for a new one." Then he went further to scribble the address and how I could find my way out. If he hadn't just made me look like a cheap whore, I'd have thought this gesture was sweet. Opening the drawer, I stared at the neatly arranged new euro notes in there. Taking it, I counted it, twice. "20 fucking thousand euros!" I exclaimed my eyes widening. Who gives such an amount for a night, anyway? It was either two thousand euros, usually the maximum, or less than that. In all, it depends on the prostitute, but they were never paid higher. Sometimes, I wondered why it was done for such a meager sum of money. I believed no one would mind if it were for this amount that Giovanni had given me. I stared at the money for a long time, contemplating whether to take it or not. After a brief second of thinking, I decided to take it with the latter. I had lost my virginity by acting like a whore even though I could barely remember what had happened between us; taking the money would make me look like a complete whore. Yet, taking it would still make me look like one, seeing as I had opened myself up to him quickly. There was no reason to waste such money by leaving it. Stuffing the money into my purse, I glanced around the room, before stepping out. ⫷◍◍◍◍◍◍◍◍◍⫸ "You didn't do that, Lily!" My best friend, Casey shouted as she set the cup of coffee down on the table. She pushed a strand of her curly brown locks to the side of her head, before narrowing her warm brown eyes on me. I winced, gripping my head. I was still suffering from the hangover. I wondered why I had decided to leave the room to be with Casey here. But I knew if I hadn't heeded her call, she would never have forgiven me for ignoring her calls. Going home wasn't as bad as I had thought. That was because Casey had covered for me. She lied about me sleeping over, and I was too tired to answer my mother's call. My mother trusted Casey, because what wasn't there to trust? Casey was a good girl; we had been friends since 8th grade. I was even luckier that my mother hadn't seen me in my choice of outfit, so it would have been hard to trust what Casey had said. She was intelligent and would know that I wasn't with Casey. "Jesus Christ, Casey, pipe down. You are going to blow off my fucking head!" I scowled at her. "Bruh," Casey ignored my glare sidling into the seat opposite mine. "Spill the tea, I need to know every fucking details about what happened. Don't even think about holding anything out, because I'm going to haunt your fucking ass!" I leaned forward, "Every damned person in this room will know I had a fucking nightstand, and the words will get to my mother if you don't keep your voice low. Besides, I do not recall what happened." I rubbed my temple, leaning back on the chair. I observed as people came in and out of the entrance. Riley's cafe was downtown and a five-minute walk to my house. Not only do they serve the best coffee in town, but they also serve hangover soup. When Casey called me out of the house, having my hangover soup while discussing it here was the only thing I could think of. "WTF, Lily? How can you pop your fucking cherry, and you don't even remember a thing? I gave you all the explicit details of mine, and you promised to do the same for me, but now you're hoarding info." Casey let out an exasperated sigh. I didn't even want to go into details of how she had lost her virginity. It was too explicit that, thinking about it now, I seemed to be innocent compared to her. "Well, I don't. Not my fault, though; I was knocked out cold," I said. "Eww, Lily. What man sleeps with an unconscious woman?" I wouldn't say I was unconscious because I could remember speaking incoherently to him, leading him on. But what ensued afterward, I couldn't remember. "I had a 20k euros for that," I pointed to my purse, tossing it towards her. Casey caught it and stared inside the purse, "Fuck my life," Casey returned the purse to me, "Mother Earth seemed to hate me. What's the essence of my existence if I can't get something as good as that? I am barely paid 5k euros and that's from multiple jobs!" "Look at these huge racks," she pointed to her ample bust, "I even got it done, but no one seems to want it. I have a perfect body, Lily, but I tend to meet the most fucked up men ever." "They are not worth your attention," I said to her. Casey was soft and romantic at heart. She was often taken advantage of due to her softness. She wanted an actual prince charming. But I didn't think the men around her, at least the few ones I had seen her with worth her attention. They were only there to fuck and smoke with her. "You're still young, Casey. You'll definitely get a prince charming one day," I pointed out. She was two years older than I was but I didn't think she finding love should be her forte because she had a lot to live for. Or maybe I was trying to impose my wants on her because I didn't want love. I wasn't interested in one seeing how my mother ended up. A lot of men messed her up, and I didn't want to end up the same way. Yet, I had done the most unintelligible thing with a stranger. What did that make me?GIOVANNI POVBeing made in the family—it was more than a title. It was a damn oath written in blood. I'd earned my bones long ago, proving to Don Massimo that I had the stomach for what The Life demanded.As a capo in La Famiglia Ricci, it was my job to run my crew with a tight fist to make sure no one got any ideas about stepping out of line. To keep the family's interest protected, to settle debts, to enforce loyalty—I did what was needed to do. And in return? I had the family's backing. Respect, fear.But it wasn't all power and luxury. Being a made man meant you didn't get to quit, didn't get to retire. You either did the work, or you were sleeping with the fishes. That was how it was, how it always would be."Capo." Jacques, one of my muscles said.I stopped walking to stare at him. He was standing by Luca. Jacques and Luca were my muscles, always two steps behind and ready to handle any trouble that came my way. Loyalty was everything in this line of work; they were the only one
LILITH'S POV I felt jittery. Rubbing my clammy palms on the A-shaped brown skirt I wore for the umpteenth time, I placed my hand on my raving heart. "Take a deep breath, Lilith, and remember that the universe is unfolding as it should be." taking two deep reassuring gulps of air as if my life depended on it, I walked towards the entrance of the hall. I had practiced for the test a week before and was sure it was also child's play. In fact, I had skimmed through my notes before arriving at school. However, I couldn't tell why I was afraid of failing. Maybe it was because of Social Psychology (PSY 340), and I had heard a lot of rumors from the seniors about that class. I guessed it was because I learned one could fail without trying, which made me a bit nervous. "Fuck, watch where you are going?!" A voice growled, causing me to jump back in fright. I had almost slammed into him. It was my fault; I didn't watch where I was going. "I'm sorry," I stuttered, bending to pick up my book
GIOVANNI POVMarcella was hurt because of me. I was her big brother and protector. I should have been watching over her!Instead, I had been with a woman. A woman I could not stop thinking about now!Although Marcella had her personal bodyguard, whom Don Massimo had placed close to her school, I still made it my primary objective to look after her.Don Massimo had been good to me, picked me from the damned gutters, and brushed me up. I wouldn't have gotten to this stage of my life if it weren't for him. He had treated me like a son.Honestly, anyone who didn't know the relationship between us would assume I was his child. However, Don Massimo himself had never treated me anything lesser than that.Marcella had gotten hurt under my watch because I was fucking some unknown woman. Yet, I was here thinking of the same woman instead of looking for those who had hurt her and giving them a taste of their medicine.Grimacing, I stared at the boner forming on my pants. The dent was noticeable,
LILITH POV Which of all my important nothings shall I tell you first? (Jane Austen) My mother, Maria Russo, a woman with a slim build and greying hair often tied in a bun. Her hair was once dark brown like mine, often in a loose wave that fell over her shoulders. She was my motivation. She was the reason I had decided to pursue psychology, not just because of the fantastic career opportunity I'd get from it or the scholarship I had been granted. My mother's tumor diagnosis drove me to study Psychology, seeking answers and ways to support her. Maria Russo was a hardworking woman who was responsible for my brother and me. She juggled multiple jobs to provide for us, and despite how low-paying they were, I had always been grateful. She was the kind of woman I desired to be, not in relationship wise because men had dealt with her. They were assholes, and none of them were redeemable in my eyes. Ever since I learned about my mother's illness, I have taken over the responsibility
LILITH POV Who does he think he is? I glared at the spot that his car was in. He allowed me to leave but couldn't return to the clubhouse. I stayed in the position until he left. Giovanni believed he could buy me with his words and money. Just what the hell was he trying to play at? Maybe he knew what was happening. He knew I was trying to gather information for him to Marco, and he was trying to avoid that to distract me. Yet, he could have easily talked me out of it and not offered me a job of his own. At the same time, I didn't want to believe that was the case. Today, just like two days ago, I had blown it off. I wondered if I was ever cut out for this job or maybe Giovanni was doing everything possible for me not to get what I wanted for Marco. It was possible because how could he offer me a job just a few days after Marco did? He certainly was aware of what was happening. I jumped slightly, glancing at where I was, as I heard a rustling sound. This place I was in wasn't id
GIOVANNI POVGuy, my secretary took the phone I extended to him as soon as I was done with the call. Cracking my knuckles, I walked to the man in the room's centre.He whimpered, his bloodied face pressed against the cold concrete floor. The dim, flickering light above threw shadows across his trembling form, his muffled pleas barely audible over the distant hum of machinery. I crouched down, gripping his chin to force him to look at me. His bloodshot eyes darted, searching for mercy he wouldn’t find.Mercy was never in my eyes, to begin with.“Loyalty isn't a choice, stronzo,” I said, my voice calm, “You took a damn oath, James, and for a fucking pussy, you choose to throw all that in the wind.”"Tell me, how many days did she offer to fuck your little dick for you to go against your family and the code of honor?"He tried to speak, but the gag stuffed in his mouth made it pathetic, incoherent. I snorted, and my patience wore thin. With a flick of my hand, one of my men yanked the ga
LILITH POV I was nervous. It was an emotion one could easily see if they were focused on me, but I tried to play it down with a bright, wide smile that was soon hurting my mouth. The Il Serafino was perched at the top of an exclusive High-rise in the heart of Ravello, offering a panoramic view of the city's glittering skyline. From up here, the chaos of the streets below felt distant, muted, like another world entirely. Yet, it didn't do anything to quell the—chaos— slowly building inside of me. Warm, golden lights spilled from the chandelier, casting soft shadows over the polished marble floors, while floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city's glow against the dark sky. The faint melody of the piano drifted through the air, weaving between hushed conversations that seemed to belong to people who mattered: the elites, the stinkingly rich men and women. I didn't belong here, no shit, Sherlock. I looked very much out of place. Anyone could easily pick me out despite the one thou
LILITH POVI was halfway done with the meal when Giovanni started to speak again.He leaned back in his chair, his predatory gaze scanning the room as he swirled the wine in his glass. His attention settled briefly on a man in a tailored navy suit seated two tables away.At least, that was what I believed he was looking at. The man chuckled at something his companion said, but his hand never left the edge of his knife. He was holding the knife with the golden handle as if it were his possession rather than using it to eat as everyone was.“See that man over there?” Giovanni’s said, his voice low. “The one who’s too relaxed, but his fingers are always touching the knife like it’s part of him? That’s Pietro Marino. He runs the rackets in Verona. Killed a man once just because he reached for the wrong breadbasket at dinner.”I blinked, glancing subtly in Pietro’s direction. He looked ordinary enough until you noticed his movements, the way he scanned the room like he owned it. He looked
LILITH POV"Morning," I murmured as I passed by Xanthos."Hey," he returned the greeting, nodding.I walked in the direction of the living room. We were still in Giovanni’s penthouse. There had been no attack yet and no news of what to expect next.They should know since they might have experienced this too many times because it didn't look like anything new to them.I was the only one who seemed lost here. Everyone, including Christie, seemed to be taking everything perfectly well.Arriving in the living room at the same time as Theo, he grumbled, "I hate mornings."He looked grumpy as fuck, with his hair sticking all over the place as if he had a fight the night before with a cat. He hunched his shoulders forward while he walked towards the chair in a zombie manner.He was in a black robe and barefoot. When he sat, he crossed his right leg over the left one and patted the chair next to him, "Come sit with me, sweetheart."I complied. There were only two vacant chairs: one near him
LILITH POV"Did I do too much?" Christie slumped her shoulders, her face buried in her hands."Of course not," I shook my head, sitting next to her on the sun lounger.I gripped her hand to uncover her face.Her lips quivered, and she looked like she was about to cry."I know I chose this life. I know all these things would certainly happen; I mean wedding disruption, one of us dying soon..." she trailed off, laughing.Her laughter was tinged with sadness, just the way her eyes were."Hey," I said as I heard her sniffled.Christie shook her head, her shoulder heaving, "I'm sorry," she giggled, wiping at the tears gliding down her cheeks."I know I tried to make everything picture perfect than it really is. But can you blame me? I love Xanthos to death, but I don't want this life; I don't want to watch my back continuously while trying to make sure I don't get hit. I want to live as every normal being lives and not this pathetic wannabe perfection I try to show off..."This wasn't abou
LILITH POVChristie and I returned to the living room—all the boys were there, including Diamante.I didn't want to be anywhere near her. I'd rather go back to the room and stare at the ceiling until I dosed off. But I had stepped out of the room in the first place due to hunger.It would make little to no sense to return on an empty stomach.Even if I desired to return, it was already too late as Diamante sighted us."Hey!" she waved, a bright smile on her face.She was acting as if we were friends rather than her, clearly warning me to steer clear of Giovanni. Yet, here she was acting as if she was the queen in his life and house.I grimace, staring at Christie who shrugged.There were about three vacant chairs around the large table. Giovanni wasn't in the room.And I noticed there was a chanel bag placed on the chair that was next to Diamante. She had maybe reserved it for Giovanni. I wasn't interested in sitting next to her anyway.I sat next to Theo while Christie sat next to Xa
LILITH POVThe once-celebratory atmosphere shifted abruptly into chaos. Screams echoed through the church as guests scrambled for cover, their footsteps and the clatter of overturned chairs reverberating through the sacred space. The air grew heavy with panic and tension, thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder.I had followed Theo inside the church. This place seemed like a safe spot. We weren't alone. Xanthos, Boaz, and the other four men were with him. I didn't know their name yet, and I didn't care.Giovanni wasn't here, likewise Diamante. I knew he had run in the opposite direction from her, and for my life, I didn't understand why he had done that.He should be with his friends, with me! Yet, he had gone with her. A total gorgeous bitchy stranger. Maybe not a stranger to him.Heaving a breath, I paced to the window, peered out, and paced back to the couch in the room's center."Don't do that," Theo gripped my hand, stopping me as I made my way to the window again."Why?" I asked
LILITH POV"He has always had a great taste." A sultry voice said.I swirled, locking eyes with the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.She was breathtaking, the kind of woman who turned heads without trying. Her dark hair, perfectly styled in soft waves, framed a face that belonged on magazine covers—sharp cheekbones, full lips, and eyes that carried quiet confidence. She wore a sleek, peach dress that hugged her figure in all the right places, a low-cut V-shaped neckline, and exuded sophistication and sensuality. There was an air of ease about her like she owned the space she walked into.Who was she? I couldn't tell. It was my first time seeing her, and I hadn't noticed her amongst the guests in the church.Trust me, I'd know if she had been there because I was barely concentrating on what the officiant had been saying.It wasn't as if the ceremony itself was boring; I didn't see any use in it. It would end anyway.A wedding was never a happy after; instead, it was a means to hur
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 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 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 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