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
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
Xavier Ariana stood there, looking at me like she had suddenly forgotten how to speak English. I knew there was something peculiar her the moment I set my eyes on her. The mere thought of her being connected to that bastard made my blood boil. She looked too innocent to be tainted by such a fucking veil person. I grasped Ariana's shoulders, my eyes locking onto hers. "Ariana, what do you know about Arturo?" I demanded. Her eyes widened, innocence and confusion written across her face. My gut twisted with anger and concern. My patience was running out. My fists pounded on the desk. “How are you connected to Arturo? Are you here spying for him? What do you have with him?” The last question was highly unnecessary, but I felt like I needed to know. She flinched everything I shouted. Her fear just made my desire for her double. “He is my friend!” She blurted out. I scoffed, ”Your friend? You expect me to believe that? You think I'm stupid?ʼ’ I leave my seat and in a second I'm
Ariana The next morning, Camilla called me into Lucky's office. It seemed like he was a man of his word. It turned out the only person I trusted was the daughter of the consigliere and a bloody good lawyer. I signed the contract then headed back to my room. Every single part of it was just wrong. It said the man practically owned me. He could do whatever the hell he wanted, specifically, have me whenever he wanted. Some part of me wanted to go silent on Camilla but I didn't balme her. This was the life she was born into. Her job was just to deliver the contract it wasn't like she drew it up. The knife I kept under the mattress was the first thing reached for when I got into my room. I paced the floor of the room clinging tightly to my blade. I didn't want anything to catch me off guard. What did Lucky mean by pet? Was he really going to touch me funny? The hand in the chest, why did Arturo send it? How was I going to get out of here? Playing this sick game of his wasn't going
Xavier It's been a week since I had seen Ariana. I've been too damn busy planning my revenge on Arturo. Since he sent that message threatening me to release Ari, he's gone silent. It was obvious that he was planning something. I couldn't be caught off guard. It was hard to concentrate with her damn face flashing through my mind all day long. I was going insane over the enemy's daughter. This girl would soon be the death of me. The way she said my name made me loose my shit completely. I had absolutely no composure. Keeping her here was the best decision I ever made. Knowing I had something Arturo wanted and couldn't access turned me the fuck on. I hear a knock on the door. I know the only person who would knock so damn softly was Camilla. “Come in!” “Boss, she's ready.” Camilla had been reporting to me daily. I couldn't just let Ariana be by herself for too long, she'd go crazy. Camilla said she didn't eat much. I suspected that It was because of the environment change.
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