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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 POVMarco was here. What the hell did he want?From the corner of my eyes, I watched as he made his way towards the restaurant bar, making himself comfortable.After speaking to the bartender, I presumed it was to get his order; then, he began looking around the room.I grimaced as his gaze landed on the area, and hastily, I glanced away. Using one of my hands to shield myself, even though I knew it would be useless, I did it anyway.Hopefully, he wouldn't recognize I was the one that was there. But it was unlikely, seeing as I was very much like the Raven that danced in La notte, despite the fact that I had used only a little bit of makeup as I didn't want to appear like a clown next to Giovanni.I could still leave here undetected if I wish to. Giovanni wasn't here. He had excused himself. He didn't say where he was going exactly but I knew it was for a business transaction.He hadn't brought me here mainly to lecture me or even make me sign the contract, he was here for hims
LILITH POVI sighed as the professor finished the lesson for the day. It was what I had been looking forward to.Last night's event kept finding its way into my head, and I couldn't push it out. I had tossed and turned on my bed all night while my brain conjured the image of an injured Giovanni. Some of the pictures were good, while some were nauseating.The ones I couldn't get out of my head were the nauseating ones where several bodies lay on a heap in front of the restaurants with their head blown off. While Giovanni stood at the side, his blood quickly drained. It was certain he would soon be like the heap of dead bodies, but at least he would look as handsome as ever while at it.He had only gotten injured in his right arm; that was the exact place I had seen exposed while he was shooting the opponents before exposing himself as if he were some protagonist in a story with a lot of plot armor.I couldn't get past that image of him in my head, and I had tried my best to push it out
LILITH POV I sat on the tree trunk facing my father's gravestone, crossing my legs. Some people had come with a flower, bottle of champagne, or even a precious item to drop at the grave of their loved ones, but I had come empty-handed. I was always here empty-handed. I didn't come here to reminisce with him or have a father's daughter talk we never had. I had come here to spite him as I often did. My mother barely talked about my father. She had always dismissed every talk about him while growing up. She never told me if he was dead or even living. But I believed he was dead. At least to me. Just three years ago, I rented a plot in this community burial ground just to set his gravestone on it. To tell the stone how well I was doing without him. To say to it, he was going to get the award of being the worst father in hell, adding to his punishment. To tell him I was a stripper, which wouldn't have been possible if he was alive. Well, maybe. My mother didn't know about this place
LILITH POV Blend in and do not get caught. Giovanni had said before I stepped out of the car. I had thought it was an easy job. At least, the one he had required me to do with the banker a few days ago had seemed easy, although unnerving as I wasn't prepared for it. This seemed worse. He was watching every move I made from the hidden camera in the stupid bracelet he had made me wear. And right now, he would definitely see how nervous I was. I let in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. A small smile played on my face as I walked towards the main building of the Grand Aurelia Villa. The Aurelia villa was a wealthy estate perched on a hill offering sweeping views of Ravello. The Villa's sprawling gardens were lit with golden fairy light, casting a warm glow on the manicured hedges and marble fountains. The soft hum of classical music drifted from a string quartet stationed near the entrance, their melodies mingling with the murmur of conversations and the gentle clink of champagne
LILITH POV"Fuck," I muttered as soon as I came awake.I could barely move any part of my body. They were heavy plus my eyes had refused to open. A sharp pain shot through my ribs as I tried to move, forcing me to stay still. When I finally was able to open my eyes, I stared at my surrounding and for a second, I tried to remember where I was or how I got here.And then it hit me. I was in the hospital. The fire alarm. The chaos and burning building!"Giovanni," I whispered, turning my eyes around the empty room. I had heard his voice in the midst of the chaos.Perhaps I was imagining things but I doubted it as it sounded so vivid and sharp.The door opened, and Casey stepped in. She stood by the door briefly, staring at me. She didn't move, and she seemed to be in a daze."Casey," I murmured, my voice hoarse.My voice snapped her out of her daze, and she began to move towards me robotically. Then she stopped."Lilith," she whispered, then her eyes widened. "Oh my God, Lilith. You're a
GIOVANNI POVDespite how often I had denied stalking her, I might as well be called a stalker right now. I sat on a bench near the cinema, watching everyone going in and out.I saw Lilith climbing out of a red SUV with her friend Casey.Diamante was around, and she told me she'd be coming to the movies so we could meet here. Although I had told her to say what she wanted to on the phone, she had refused.Initially, I was furious at her and didn't want to be here, but now I am glad I was. At least, the sight of Lilith would distract me momentarily from her.I watched as Lilith and her friend walked through the entrance. I stood, dusting my pants, and was about to walk, but I stopped as Diamante appeared in front of me."Nino," she murmured, sliding her dark sunglasses down her straight nose. She bites her lower lip, one of her hands now touching my shoulder.I stared at the hand briefly before looking at her. I might have thought this gesture endearing four years ago. Or even thought h
LILITH POV"Don't leave the safety of the house," I read from Giovanni's text."Why not?" I muttered, staring at it. He didn't give any other reasons except for that.I rolled my eyes, depositing my phone into my pocket.I wrinkled my nose as the buttery aroma of popcorn filled the air, leaning back into the cushioned seat, I let the movie draw me in."Goodness, I hate romantic comedies," she sighed dramatically."You picked it," I pointed out. It wasn't as if I had picked it. She was the one who suggested that she needed the laughter and all, and it was the only good fit as far as far as I was concerned."You look at her perfect hair. Nothing out of place. She irks me!" Casey groaned, pointing to one of the characters.I laughed, shaking my head. I knew she loved it because she was still watching it. If Casey hated a movie, she wouldn't pay any attention to it, no matter its high ratings. She only needed to glance at the first scene to judge.But she had been complaining about this s
LILITH POVThe phone fell from my hand, clattering to the floor. My heartbeat quickened, and I let out an inaudible gasp. My eyes widened as I looked around Casey's living room.It was just the two of us, and nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary. In fact, Casey was already calmed and was now staring at me as if I had lost my mind. I must have looked at the part with my mouth open while I gasped for breath."Are you alright?" she bent to pick up my phone, but I snatched it from the ground before she could."Okay," she frowned, nodding her head.I ignored her eyes as I stared at the phone again. The text was anonymous, so there was no way I could have known who sent it or even traced it!Now, I feel even more paranoid. I was right about someone watching me. This just confirmed it. But who the hell was that? What do they want from me?Giovanni was ruled out already, maybe it was Marco.He had contacted me sometime last week to ask about my whereabouts. I hadn't given him an answer be
LILITH POVI think it was paranoia, or maybe I was losing my mind.I glanced over my shoulder for the umpteenth time while crossing the street leading to Casey's apartment.I still felt the feelings from yesterday of being watched, from leaving Giovanni’s penthouse to arriving here.I wanted to believe a car had been trailing me as well! I had seen a car from the rearview mirror. It had tinted windows, so I couldn't see who was in it. But each time the car I was in made a stop, it did as well.The only thing that convinced me I wasn't being watched and that I was just going crazy was when the car zoomed past me.Coming down and about to go to Casey's, I still felt the eyes on me!Using the spare key with me—Casey had given it to me after we graduated high school. She had said I could come to her house whenever I felt like—I inserted it into the keyhole.When I unlocked the door, I looked around me briefly to ensure I wasn't being truly followed, and then I stepped inside.Gasping as I
LILITH POV"Raven?"I swirled, locking eyes with Giovanni as he climbed down the last flight of stairs. I was in the kitchen about to make chicken broth for him. I often made it for Romeo whenever he was sick, and it was pretty effective against the flu, too.This morning, Giovanni's temperature had spiked even higher, so I thought doing that would alleviate the symptoms."You're awake," I said to him. I turned off the cooker and rinsed my hands under the faucet before wiping them on the apron around my neck.I walked up to him, touching his hands. I stood on tiptoes, touching his temple with the back of my hand."How are you feeling?" I asked him."What are you doing here?" he answered my question with one of his."Wrong answer," I replied. "I was hoping to wake you up with breakfast, but now that you're here, I guess it's okay for you to have the soup here. You can take your medication afterward," I said to him."Medication?" Giovanni murmured as I pulled him to the sofa. I nudged h
LILITH POVI left the house as soon as my mother went to bed, claiming to be staying over at Casey's. She didn't say anything as she looked at me with suspicion.Now, here I was, in the usual spot waiting for Giovanni to show up. It took only a few minutes for the black monster car that Rowland often drove Giovanni in to pull up in front of me.Rowland came down at the same time as Giovanni."I'll get the door, sir," Rowland said, approaching me but Giovanni ignored him.He leaned against the car briefly, before heaving a breath, his shoulders moving as he did.Giovanni opened the door, pointing to it, "In," he said.I walked past him and was about to slide into the car when he staggered.I gripped his shoulder, steadying him. "Are you alright?" I asked, placing the back of my palm on his forehead."Fuck!" I winced, withdrawing it. It was scorching.I turned to Rowland who helped me take him inside the car."What's wrong with him? He's running a fever!" I glanced at Giovanni again, an
LILITH POV It was two days since I met with Giovanni at the convenience store, two days since he killed a man in front of me, acting as though it was nothing, and two days for a breath of fresh air without wondering if he was going to appear before me or not. Today was Romeo's birthday. He'd officially be seventeen years old today, and I was hyped up for it. Even though my mother didn't seem the least bit interested, she mentioned not being able to afford to throw a party for him, which made her feel somewhat down, although I assured her it wasn't her fault we were in poverty. I had made it my responsibility to make Romeo feel special today, and I was going to fulfill it without any distractions. "Does he like chocolate or strawberry?" Casey asked, curious. We were in the dessert section of the store to get some prebaked cake because baking would take a lot of time, and we hadn't planned the day before. Also, if we decided to bake, it would be in Casey's house and not mine because
I winced, shoving my hands into my hair. The loud music playing from the old jukebox was beginning to get to me. My head pounded, and my eyes hurt from the disco lights swirling around.I was in the clubhouse, Velvet Haven, in the gritty part of downtown. I know I shouldn't be here. But Casey had guilt trip me into coming. Also, I didn't want to stay cooped up indoors thinking about my pathetic pregnant life.So, I gave in. It wasn't as if I'd be drinking. But I could badly use one drink right now. At least to calm my nerves and to stop me from waking over the pudgy man that was sitting in the corner, eyefucking me.I tried to concentrate on Casey's dancing. She was grounding into a shirtless dude. He was all over her, and I had seen both even share a kiss. Yeah, she was totally fine with it.That was Casey, but she had boundaries. I knew she wouldn't go overboard by fucking this total stranger in the presence of everyone except if he was her date. But he wasn't. She had come alone wi