XavierI watched Ariana try to walk away from me, her hips swaying with an attitude that only fueled my fire. Who did she think she was, walking out on me like that? Didn't she know who I was? The Don. The one who commanded respect.My eyes narrowed, my jaw clenched. I couldn't let her get away with this. I needed to show her, to prove to her that I wasn't someone to be trifled with.I stepped forward easily catching up to her. "Ariana," I warned. My voice was laced with warning. She didn't stop, didn't even flinch. That only added to my irritation.I reached out, my hand closing around neck spinning her back to face me. Her eyes flashed with defiance, but I saw the faintest glimmer of fear beneath.Good. She should be afraid."You think you can just walk away from me?" I asked, my voice dripping with disdain. "You think you can disrespect me like that?"Ariana's gaze met mine, her chin lifted. "I'm not afraid of you, Xavier."I smiled, a cold, calculated smile. "You should be."I pu
Xavier Her submission feels like a drug. “Now are you ready to obey?” I ask her. She nods, and that aggravates me. I pull away but she grabs my arm and pulls me back. “Yes, Don.” She's learning. “Watch me!” she demands, spreading her legs apart. Her eyes blazed with a fire that seemed to draw me in. Ariana's eyes sparkled with mischief as she placed her middle finger on my lips. I felt a jolt of electricity run through my body. "Suck on it, Don" she whispered. I obeyed, wrapping my lips around her finger. The taste of her skin was intoxicating. "More," she whispered, her finger tracing my bottom lip. Then she pulls my face closer to hers, “Don't take your eyes off me.” Her fingers traced my jawline. "Don't take your eyes off me," she repeats, her breath dancing across my skin. My heart pounded in my chest. No one had ever spoken to me like that before. No one had ever dared. I felt alive, and I craved more. Her finger disappeared from my lips. The absence of her touch
Xavier I gaze at Ariana, my heart skipping a beat. I stand, lifting her with me.Her puppy dog eyes sparkle. "Sorry about the carpet."My expression turns serious. "Never say sorry to me, Ariana. Not for this." I cup her face, my thumb tracing her lips.I grin mischievously. "Someone will take the carpet away, but hopefully, they don't ask what the stain is."Ariana giggles, her cheeks flushing.I tighten my arms around her. "You're mine, stains and all."I carry Ariana to the shower, stepping into the sprawling space. The glass-enclosed area is massive, easily fitting six people."Welcome to my sanctuary," I say, smiling.The showerhead above us rains down warm water, steam rising. Ariana's eyes sparkle as she gazes around."This is incredible," she breathes.Marble tiles line the walls, floor-to-ceiling glass doors leading to a private patio. The space is designed for luxury, every detail tailored to my needs.I set Ariana down, water cascading over us. Her hair flows like silk, cl
Ariana I wake up, stretching my arms, but Xavier's side of the bed is empty. I frown, sitting up. Why did he go out without telling me?I toss off the covers and pad across the room, searching for a robe, then I remember, it's not my room. My eyes falls on Xavier's wardrobe, and I hesitate for a moment before walking in. As I scan the rows of impeccably tailored shirts, memories of last night come flooding back.His scent envelops me as I browse through his shirts. I pick a crisp white one and slip it on. The fabric is soft, and the fit is oversized, but I feel cozy.As I button the shirt, I hear the sound of coffee brewing. I follow the aroma to the kitchen.Xavier stands at the counter, his back to me. When he turns, our eyes meet, and his expression freezes.For a moment, we stare at each other. I'm taken aback by his shock.Then, I realize why. His gaze roams over me, taking in his shirt."I..." I start to apologize. But Xavier bursts out laughing."You look so small," he chuck
Ariana After what Xavier said, I slip into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.I remove Xavier's shirt. My whole body shudders anytime I remember what he did to me in his closet.Next, I run a warm bath, filling the room with the sweet scent of lavender, and soak for twenty minutes, letting my worries slowly fade away.After my relaxing bath, I dry myself with a towel. I slip into comfortable trendy clothes, perfect for a night out in the main city. As I search for my shoes, my mind wanders to Camilla. She hadn't returned and I was starting to get worried. I push aside the nagging thoughts. I grab a side bag and head downstairs. As I walk downstairs the first face I see is his. He leans against the banister. "You look stunning." He approaches me, taking my hand in his. "Shall we?" he asks, gesturing toward the convoy waiting outside the door. We glide into the sleek, black car together. He opens the door, gesturing for me to enter. I slide across the leather seat.He sits
ArianaIt was happening again. I was drowning in an endless ocean of darkness, unable to find a lifeline to cling to.The sound of heavy rain pounding against me was deafening, making my heart race with fear.I kept running, not knowing where I was going or what I was running from, but unable to shake off the feeling of impending doom.The fear was suffocating, making it hard to breathe, and I screamed out in desperation.Suddenly, I jolted awake, gasping for air, and found Xavier's concerned face hovering above mine. "Did you have a bad dream?" he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.I nodded, still trying to shake off the lingering fear.Xavier's arms enveloped me. I felt my racing heart slowly calm down. "You're safe now, I've got you," he whispered, tightening his hold around me.My eyelids drooped, I stirred gently. "Xavier?" I whispered.He opened his eyes, focusing on me."Hey," he said softly, rubbing gently on my arm. "How are you feeling?""Terrible," I admitted, rub
Xavier Lorenzo's face changed as he listened to the voice on the other end. His face spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation.His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched, and a vein pulsed in his neck. He was so easy to read. I knew that look all too well; it was the look of bad news. I stood up abruptly, pushing my chair back and catching Ariana's curious gaze. She looks so adorable when she pouts. I felt a pang of guilt for leaving her behind, but this was something I couldn't ignore it.I nodded at Mateo, giving him a silent order to keep Ariana safe.Mateo's subtle nod acknowledged the command, and I followed Lorenzo out. "Where is she?" I asked Lorenzo, already knowing the answer."At his house," he said.My gut tightened, "Lorenzo, how bad is it?" I asked.Lorenzo's face was grim. "Bad enough," he replied.We drove out to the estate's gate where a black SUV was waiting.Camilla came out from the passenger side. Her face was so pale. Without uttering a single word, she sli
Xavier The persistent knocking echoed through my mind, blurring the lines between reality and dreams.I opened my eyes to find myself in my dark room. The knocking continued, insistent."Ariana?" I called out, my voice husky from sleep.No response.I turned to the side to find Ariana sleeping right next to me. If she was here, then who was at the door. No one ever dared disturb me when I'm asleep. I strode to the door, my bare feet padding softly on the floor.The knocking continued, growing more insistent.I flung it open, ready to unleash my irritation my eyes met Lorenzo's. "What is it?" I whispered, my irritation simmering."Xavier, I wouldn't disturb you if it wasn't crucial," Lorenzo replied, his voice barely audible.I stepped further into the hallway, ensuring Ariana remained undisturbed."Speak," I demanded, my patience thinning.Lorenzo hesitated. “Sophia's here!”Lorenzo's words sent a jolt through me."Sophia's here?" I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper.Lorenz
ArianaWe finally settled into our luxurious villa in Sicily after a long day of traveling. Xavier and I collapsed onto the plush couch, exhausted. Camilla and Lorenzo were busy unpacking in the kitchen, chatting quietly to each other. I snuggled into Xavier's side, feeling grateful to be here with him in this beautiful city.Xavier wrapped his arm around me, holding me close. "I'm glad we're finally here," he said, his voice low and soothing. "We can finally relax and enjoy some time together." I nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over me.I gently pushed Xavier away, smiling at him. "You need to go," I said, trying to sound firm. "My glam squad will be here any minute to start getting me ready." Xavier raised an eyebrow, but I could see the hint of a smile on his lips. "And you need to change," I added, glancing at his casual clothes. "The wedding is in a few hours, and you can't show up looking like that." Xavier chuckled and stood up, pulling me to my feet. "I'll go," he sa
ArianaI walked along the beach, feeling the warm sand between my toes. It was hard to believe it had been months since that fateful night. So much had changed since then.Xavier walked beside me, his eyes scanning the horizon. We had grown closer in the past few months, but I still couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by him. He was, after all, the man who had killed Arturo and his men.Camilla and Lorenzo were walking ahead of us, laughing and chatting. They had started dating a few weeks ago, and it was clear that they were meant to be. Camilla was glowing with happiness, and Lorenzo couldn't take his eyes off her.I smiled to myself as I watched them. It was nice to see my friends happy. And as for me? I was still figuring things out. I had been through so much in the past few months, and I was still trying to process it all.But as I looked over at Xavier, I felt a sense of gratitude towards him. He had saved me that night, and he had been taking care of me ever since. I d
ArianaAs the car sped down the highway, I felt a sense of dread wash over me. The driver was going very fast and I was getting anxious. I didn't know where I was going or what would happen to me when I got there.As the car sped down the highway, I realized I had to escape. I couldn't let Arturo take me away. I started kicking and screaming, trying to get the driver's attention.The driver, a tall, menacing man, looked at me in the rearview mirror. "Shut up," he growled.I didn't stop. I kept kicking and screaming, trying to break free. The driver swerved the car to the side of the road and slammed on the brakes.The man in the passenger seat turned around and grabbed me. "Hold still," he snarled.I struggled against him, but he was too strong. Just as I thought all hope was lost, I heard the sound of screeching tires and crunching metal.I struggled against the ropes that bound my wrists, but they were too tight. I stopped, trying to think of a new plan. That's when I remembered the
XavierI paced back and forth in my room, my mind racing with thoughts of Ariana. Where was she? Was she safe? The not knowing was killing me.I stopped pacing and looked around the room, my eyes falling on the phone. I needed to call Mateo. He had to know something.I dialed his number, my heart racing with anticipation. When he answered, I didn't waste any time."Mateo, where's Ariana?" I demanded.There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Xavier, I...I don't know what you're talking about."I felt a surge of anger. "Don't lie to me, Mateo. I asked you to shadow her."Mateo sighed. "I...I had no choice. Arturo was going to hurt you, and I couldn't let that happen. So I made a deal with him. I gave him Ariana in exchange for your safety."I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Mateo, my friend, my brother, had betrayed me. He had given Ariana to Arturo, the one person who would hurt her the most."Why, Mateo?" I asked, my voice shaking with anger. "Why would you do that?""I
ArianaI was walking back to my house, lost in thought, when I felt a hand grab my arm. I tried to shake it off, but it only tightened its grip.Before I could even react, I was dragged into a dark corner beside the mansion. I tried to scream, but a hand clamped over my mouth, silencing me.I struggled and kicked, but my attackers were too strong. They pinned me against the wall, and I felt a needle pierce my skin.Everything went black.When I came to, I was in a dark, damp room. I was lying on a narrow bed, and my head was pounding.I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me. I fell back onto the bed, gasping for breath.As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I saw a figure standing in the corner of the room. It was a woman, tall and imposing, with a cruel smile on her face."Welcome, Ariana," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "I've been waiting for you."I tried to speak, but my voice was hoarse and barely audible. The woman laughed, a cold, mirthless sound."D
ArianaI stood in the doorway of the chapel, watching as Xavier knelt in front of the altar. His head was bowed, his eyes closed, and his hands clasped together in prayer.It was his sister's death anniversary. I learnt that this was a ritual that their family had observed every year since she passed away. They would go to the chapel, light some candles, and say some prayers. It was a way for them to honor her memory and to find some closure.But today was different. Today, Xavier was not just mourning the loss of his sister, he was also reeling from the news that his mother had passed away. I had seen the look on his face when he received the news, and I knew that he was hell-bent on getting revenge.As I watched him pray, the only thing I could feel was tension in his body. His jaw was clenched, his fists were tight, and his eyes were blazing with anger. He was a man on a mission, and I knew that nothing was going to stop him.I felt a pang of worry as I watched him. I knew that X
XavierI approached the entrance of Arturo's home base, where several guards were stationed. We moved swiftly through Arturo's territory under the cover of night. I had gathered intelligence on the base's layout and security measures, and I knew exactly how to proceed.We took out the guards quickly and quietly, using my training to neutralize them without alerting the rest of the base. Once I was inside, I moved swiftly to the security room, where I disabled the cameras and alarms.Next, I headed to the armory to stock up on weapons and ammo. With my gear in hand, I began to work my way through the base, taking out Arturo's men one by one.My goal was to reach Arturo himself, who I knew would be heavily guarded. I was prepared for a fierce battle, but I was confident in my abilities and my plan.Our first target was his consigliere. We took him out with a precision strike, our team of skilled operatives moving in and out of the location with ease. The consigliere's death sent a shoc
ArianaI sat in front of the bank of computer screens watching the feeds from Arturo's security cameras. For a few weeks we had been monitoring his operation, looking for any sign of weakness, any hint of vulnerability.Finally, something that caught my attention. Arturo's top men, his consigliere has a weakness for gambling. He had been stealing to pay off debt. Threatening the loan sharks was no longer working. Especially now that they had lost a significant amount. This was the opportunity we had been waiting for. I quickly crafted a message, one that would exploit the man's weakness and drive a wedge between him and Arturo.I smiled to myself as I typed out the message. It was simple, yet devastating. "We know about your little secret," it read. "Meet us at the old warehouse at midnight if you want to keep your head." This was just the beginning of the end for Arturo. We would use every trick in the book to dismantle his operation, to turn his own people against him.I leaned ba
XavierI stood in the shadows, watching my men take down Arturo's warehouse. We had been planning this for weeks, and it was finally coming together.The call was from the Lucianos to my father, Joseph, and it was a surprise to everyone. The Lucianos had been quiet for a while, and we hadn't expected them to reach out.But they had, and they had proposed a deal. They wanted to share some intel they had gathered on Arturo's operation, and in return, they wanted a favor.My father had been cautious at first, but the Lucianos' intel had been too good to pass up. They had provided us with detailed information about Arturo's storage facilities, transportation networks, and other key details.With this intel, we had been able to plan a devastating takedown of Arturo's operation. We had caught them off guard, and they hadn't stood a chance.Arturo's men were fiercely loyal, making it impossible to extract information from them. However, Don luciano got us in touch with someone who could help