XavierA week had already passed. But one week felt like forever. I hadn't seen Ariana. It felt like I was drowning but it was for her good and mine. Escaping Sophia felt almost impossible to do. It was no coincidence that the very Sophia came to my house and saw Ariana, she was the target for an assasination. Someone had definitely planned this. And the Guerra's are my best bet.As I drove to the house to see her , I felt an overwhelming sense of relief knowing that she had survived the cinema shooting with only a minor injury.I had been frantic with worry since hearing the news, my mind raced with worst-case scenarios.Thankfully, Ariana's injury was just a graze, and not something more severe that could have taken her life.I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened at the mere possibility.I was the reason she was hurt, both physically and emotionally. If not for Lorenzo, the blow would have been fatal. Only the thought of it sent m
Ariana The man stood tall, exuding an aura of commanding authority. He had eyes seemed to bore into those he gazed upon. His dark hair, flecked with subtle hints of silver, was slicked back, complementing his sharp cheekbones. He had imposing physique radiated power. Every move he made conveyed confidence and control, as if he owned the very air he breathed. His tailored suit hugged his muscular frame. The crisp lines and expensive fabric seemed to shimmer in the light This was the ruthless man I stood before. At the mercy of. He looked like the kind of person who'd meet just once in your life, and pray never to meet him again. He had the lifeless eyes of a stone cold killer. I would do anything to be looking into Xavier's right now. I stared down the barrel of his gun, its cold, dark metal gleamed in the dim light of the room. Again, I found myself facing the very real possibility of death. Another life-threatening moment had arisen, and I was exhausted. I had seen guns poin
XavierBefore Joseph can say anything, I tell Mateo to take Ariana back to the house right away. I just had to make sure she was okay after what had just happened.Mateo nodded and quickly walked over to Ariana, then escorted her away.The next order of business was to get Joseph far away from her. At this point he was the only danger she had to worry about. Joseph looked furious, but he knew better than to argue with me, so he just turned and walked towards the cars. We were both cut from the same cloth. I was a younger version of him. He raised me never to take no for an answer, so I wasn't going to stand her and watch him insult me in my own house. Not in front of my men. We got into the car and drove away. The security team followed directly behind us in other vehicles.My father always used official cars when ever he was in the country. They gathered less attention and were government affiliated so no one over bothered to pull the cars over. I didn't say anything, just kept
XavierI pace the cold, grey interrogation room, my mind racing. I check my watch and realize that it has only been twenty minutes. Twenty minutes which feel like an eternity.Finally, the door opened.A figure enters, dressed in a sharp suit."Camilla?""Don't worry. I'm here."I exhale, relief washing over me. "How did you...?""Joseph called me," she explains. "He wants me to represent you. You know, because--"I nod, cutting her off. Even if her father did some despicable things, he was still her father. I couldn't even imagine what she was going through. Camilla's expertise in high-profile cases is unmatched. She practiced for a while, but her father always seemed to need her back home every now and then. It wasn't obvious, what he was doing. But after a while, I became suspicious. But Camilla never said anything. She always tried to be happy, no matter what. "Mr. Castello," she says then clears her throat. She subtely surveys the room, searching for recording devices of any k
Ariana The air outside was different. I stood at the train station, clutching my suitcase and staring at the departure board. My heart skipped a beat as I confirmed the schedule. Today was my 20th birthday, and I had a surprise for Mom and Dad. I stepped off the plane at JFK Airport, my heart racing with excitement. Over ten years had passed since I'd last seen my parents. I'd wondered why they sent me away to boarding school in Switzerland. The memories of our life together were fuzzy, like a watercolor painting left out in the rain. I remembered the day Mom and Dad sent me away to boarding school in Switzerland like it was yesterday. "It's for your own safety, sweetie. You'll have the best education and care," was the only thing mum said. Daddy on the other hand had a stone cold expression, "We'll visit soon, Ariana. Promise." They never did. Life abroad was a mix of loneliness and routine. I excelled academically, but friendships were fleeting. Letters from Mom and Dad we
Xavier “Everything is ready, sir. Should I take care of it? Or do you--” I shot my head up at the direction of my underboss, Enzo. “No, I want to have some fun with this one, Enzo. My face should be the last thing that he sees.” Those words hurt me to say, but I have to exert my dominance. Being weak is not an option. No one crosses Xavier Castello and gets away with it. Honor and loyalty are two words we hold dear in Cosa Nostra. I can tolerate just about anything, but betrayal is definitely not one of them. If I let go of everyone who crossed me because of sentiments, I would be a dead man. I didn't get my title as don from being a weak little bitch. “Let's go!” I ordered, getting up from my swivel chair and shutting the door to my study. Our convoy moved with speed and stopped right outside the estate of one of my father's most trusted men, Benicio Morales. I walked into his room where he and his wife Beatrice, were sleeping soundly. How could the damn bastard sleep afte
Xavier The ride back to the estate was excruciatingly painful with that little bitch kicking and screaming like a toddler. Enzo kept giving her death glares but she didn't seem to get the memo. We pulled up in front of the mansion and the cars filed up in order. I turned back to catch her staring daggers at me. No one looked me in the eyes, absolutely no one. But this girl, there was something about how she looked at me. “Stop it!” Enzo ordered. She ignored him completely. Her audacity was unmatched. She obviously didn't know who she was messing with. I didn't blame her. “You look fascinated,” Lorenzo said as I made my way out of the car. “Wipe that smile of your fucking face you bastard!” He was right, but he didn't have to know that. I turned my attention to Mateo who was walking towards me, ”Sir, she's being difficult.“ “You're telling me that you can't handle a little girl” I barked out in irritation. Lorenzo's eyes moved to my hand. I followed it and found his e
Ariana I was still in shock, the pain radiating from my cheek did not seem to reduce. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I couldn't stay focused on that at the moment. The whole house is three times what my dad's house was, that is, before those cruel men broke in and trashed the place. There was so much blood everywhere. I can't even understand how this became my reality. My mum, dad and brother, they're all gone. Andy was just lying there, lifeless. I screamed so loudly when I saw him. I stayed in cellar, but I couldn't act like I wasn't hearing the gunshots, or the screams. My little brother whom I hadn't seen in over ten years, was gone. Yes, we were two years apart, but he was still my little brother. The only time we ever talked was on the phone. Video calls, voice calls... Even if we weren't in the same city, or country, it was fine. As far as I could see his face, I was fine. Today, I turned twenty. I just couldn't stand being apa
XavierI pace the cold, grey interrogation room, my mind racing. I check my watch and realize that it has only been twenty minutes. Twenty minutes which feel like an eternity.Finally, the door opened.A figure enters, dressed in a sharp suit."Camilla?""Don't worry. I'm here."I exhale, relief washing over me. "How did you...?""Joseph called me," she explains. "He wants me to represent you. You know, because--"I nod, cutting her off. Even if her father did some despicable things, he was still her father. I couldn't even imagine what she was going through. Camilla's expertise in high-profile cases is unmatched. She practiced for a while, but her father always seemed to need her back home every now and then. It wasn't obvious, what he was doing. But after a while, I became suspicious. But Camilla never said anything. She always tried to be happy, no matter what. "Mr. Castello," she says then clears her throat. She subtely surveys the room, searching for recording devices of any k
XavierBefore Joseph can say anything, I tell Mateo to take Ariana back to the house right away. I just had to make sure she was okay after what had just happened.Mateo nodded and quickly walked over to Ariana, then escorted her away.The next order of business was to get Joseph far away from her. At this point he was the only danger she had to worry about. Joseph looked furious, but he knew better than to argue with me, so he just turned and walked towards the cars. We were both cut from the same cloth. I was a younger version of him. He raised me never to take no for an answer, so I wasn't going to stand her and watch him insult me in my own house. Not in front of my men. We got into the car and drove away. The security team followed directly behind us in other vehicles.My father always used official cars when ever he was in the country. They gathered less attention and were government affiliated so no one over bothered to pull the cars over. I didn't say anything, just kept
Ariana The man stood tall, exuding an aura of commanding authority. He had eyes seemed to bore into those he gazed upon. His dark hair, flecked with subtle hints of silver, was slicked back, complementing his sharp cheekbones. He had imposing physique radiated power. Every move he made conveyed confidence and control, as if he owned the very air he breathed. His tailored suit hugged his muscular frame. The crisp lines and expensive fabric seemed to shimmer in the light This was the ruthless man I stood before. At the mercy of. He looked like the kind of person who'd meet just once in your life, and pray never to meet him again. He had the lifeless eyes of a stone cold killer. I would do anything to be looking into Xavier's right now. I stared down the barrel of his gun, its cold, dark metal gleamed in the dim light of the room. Again, I found myself facing the very real possibility of death. Another life-threatening moment had arisen, and I was exhausted. I had seen guns poin
XavierA week had already passed. But one week felt like forever. I hadn't seen Ariana. It felt like I was drowning but it was for her good and mine. Escaping Sophia felt almost impossible to do. It was no coincidence that the very Sophia came to my house and saw Ariana, she was the target for an assasination. Someone had definitely planned this. And the Guerra's are my best bet.As I drove to the house to see her , I felt an overwhelming sense of relief knowing that she had survived the cinema shooting with only a minor injury.I had been frantic with worry since hearing the news, my mind raced with worst-case scenarios.Thankfully, Ariana's injury was just a graze, and not something more severe that could have taken her life.I couldn't bear the thought of losing her, and my grip on the steering wheel tightened at the mere possibility.I was the reason she was hurt, both physically and emotionally. If not for Lorenzo, the blow would have been fatal. Only the thought of it sent m
Ariana We pulled up to the movie theater, and I stared in confusion, wondering why we weren't heading to the club.I thought we were going to drown our sorrows in loud music and drinks.Lorenzo's firm tone cut through my expectations."No chance of that happening," he said, his eyes locked on the road."Not after last time," he added, his expression stern.Camilla's curiosity got the better of her."What happened last time?" she asked, her voice laced with amusement.The car fell silent, and Lorenzo's gaze met mine in the rearview mirror.He shook his head subtly, signaling me to drop the subject.His warning was clear: don't pursue this topic.My curiosity, however, had already been sparked. A disturbing thought crept into my mind, making my heart skip a beat.Had Camilla experienced something similar to what I went through with Julian?Maybe it was a painful memory, a trigger Lorenzo wanted to protect her from.I discreetly glanced at Camilla, my eyes scanning her arms and neck for
ArianaI stumbled alongside Lorenzo, my mind reeling.What just happened?One minute, I was returning Lucky's ring; the next, I was being ushered away. "Lorenzo, what's going on?" I asked, tugging my arm free.Lorenzo's expression softened. "Xavier needs to handle some business, kiddo. You're safer elsewhere."Safer?From what?"Who was that woman?" I asked, recalling the icy gaze.Lorenzo hesitated. "Just someone Xavier works with, kiddo. Don't worry about her."But I did worry.Why did Lucky seem so tense around her?And why did she look at me like I was an unwanted obstacle?"Lorenzo?""Yes?""Is Lucky in trouble?"Lorenzo's pause spoke volumes."He's attending to business, Ariana. That's all you need to know."But I needed to know more."Lorenzo, please tell me," I urged, my voice barely above a whisper.Lorenzo's expression turned sympathetic. "Ariana, trust me. Xavier can handle himself.""But who is she?" I persisted. "Why did she look at me like that?"Lorenzo sighed. "She's..
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
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
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