By the time we finished our tour of the house, it was 1:30. Lileth had prepared us some amazing sub sandwiches and a delicious fresh piece of cantuccini biscotti. It tasted like heaven when it was still warm. The house consisted of a multitude of rooms and the majority had ensuite bathrooms, 2 libraries, one of which was my mother’s and had all of her favourite books in it, the other was more of a reference library but had some novels if people chose to read. Downstairs to the back of the house was a sauna, gym and a pool with jacuzzi off to the side of it. It was also enclosed in a conservatory type building so that you could see the outdoor pool and garden.
“Ok,” Bianca said, snapping me out of my memorised tour. “The gym is free between 10 and 12 most days. Just let me know when you are free, and we will schedule some sessions.”“Sounds like a plan. Only if it’s not too much of a bother or disrupts your day.”“You are going to be marrying Gio in the near future. YoLileth“Oh, my days! Oh, my stars! Where is she? Master Gio is going to have me killed.” I was panicking as I searched the house for Ana but, she was nowhere to be found. When I say that I had searched everywhere I mean I have searched everywhere but Gio’s room as I didn’t think she would be so bold as to enter his room without permission or without him being here.I walked back to the kitchen to remove the pastries from the oven and there she was. I rushed over to her and checked her over for any new injuries.“What are you doing? Are you Ok, Lileth?” she giggled at me.“I’ve been worried sick. You weren’t in your room this morning when I came to help you wash up and dress for breakfast. Where were you?”“I, um… I slept in Gio’s room,” she looked down to the floor. “I just couldn’t settle, and his scent helped me relax. It’s not a problem, is it?” I looked at her, unsure of what to say.“It will be Ok. Now, training. Do you feel up to it?” her eyes lit
GioFive. Fucking. Days! I was going out of my ever-loving mind. Where that fucker got the money from to bribe law enforcement when they have been under my control for years, I don’t fucking know but I will find out. There’s got to be another family helping him behind the scenes and they will regret it when I find out who they are.I was currently locked up in solitary confinement, away from Toni and the rest of the team. My phone was confiscated as soon as I was dragged in here, so I had no way of letting Ana know what was going on.“Psst!” I heard outside the door. “Psst!” I was so not in the mood for any games.“Fuck off and leave me the fuck alone,” I growled.“Can’t do that, boss,” that voice sounded familiar.“Pier?” I said questioningly.“Yeah, it’s me. Look, I don’t have much time, who do you need contacted?”Finally, “Send a message to Lileth, she’ll know what to do.”“On it. Hold tight, boss,” what else could I do whilst locked
OrianaAnother perfect night’s sleep. I rolled over to feel a body next to me. I jumped awake and noticed that Gio was still fast asleep next to me. I took a steady breath and laid back down, snuggling against his chest.“Everything alright?” he asked as he gently caressed my back making me sigh.“Everything’s perfect. I have been sleeping in here alone since you left. I needed to be as close to you as I could. Hope you don’t mind, I moved my stuff in yesterday,” I explained.“Sounds good to me.”“Thank you for the card and the note.”“It was your card. I just made sure that account was kept up to date.”“Thank you though, for everything.”“You’re welcome, princess.”I got up and started getting ready for training.“Where are you going dressed like that? Where did you get these clothes”“I have training with Julian this morning and Bianca took me shopping to get some things that I didn’t have.”“Training, with Julian?” he s
“You were promised to me and I to you before we could talk or even born. I just wanted to make sure that I showed you that this is not just a contractual obligation to me. You have captured my heart. After seeing what you have been through, I will do anything within my power to make sure they are brought to justice. I will protect you with all that I am from now until death departs us. Will you become my queen, my wife, my everything?”“Gio, of course I will,” he stood up and slid the ring on my finger before kissing me with such passion I thought I was going to melt into a puddle.“I am proud to call you my equal,” my eyes snapped to his.“What do you mean?”“I knew as soon as I heard you put Ellie in her place and then you appearing to break me out of that cell. You obviously smashed your training with Lileth. Then your marksmanship skills and even with healing ribs, you still managed to hit me.”“I did try not to,” I blushed.“Look at me Oriana. I ne
GioLast nights activities have given me a bigger appetite this morning.“Good morning, master Gio. I believe congratulations are in order,” Lileth hugged me and pecked my cheek,“Thank you, Lileth. I hope we didn’t disturb you last night.”“Not at all,” she giggled. “I’m glad things turned out well for the both of you,” I nod at her as I continue to finish my coffee.“Morning,” Ana sang as she bounced into the kitchen.“Pancakes miss Ana,”“Thank you, Lileth. You are amazing,” Lileth smiled, and Ana was glowing as well.“Sleep well?” I asked“Need you ask?” I chuckled. As soon as Ana finished her breakfast, we headed to the cells in the basement. “Good morning, Ellie. How did you sleep?” This woman seemed so happy to interrogate Ellie, but I was intrigued to see where this was going to go.“Fuck you. You don’t have any proof that I leaked that intel…”“Oh, but I do,” Ana pulled out a laptop from a bag that I hadn’t noticed her
ToniFive days locked in a cell, five days away from my sister. When I find who did this I am going to have their head.“Psst!” I looked up. What the fuck am I seeing. This can’t be right? “Hey bro, you wanna get out of here?”“Well that’s a stupid question don’t you think?”“Well you do look kind of cozy,” she taunted.“How did you get here? Where’s Lileth?” “She’s helping the others. I have come for you and Gio,” this isn’t going to go down well. She’s not even trained. I only got her back less than a week ago, actually, now that I think it, it might be a bit longer than that now. Definitely not trained, not in that short amount of time.‘Click!’ The door of the cell pulled open and there stood in front of me was Lileth, Julian and Ana. She ran to me and hugged me so tight, I thought that I had lost her all over again. I pulled her away and looked her over from head to foot to see if she was hurt.“I’m fine, bro. No new injuries. You need
ToniI sat frozen in shock when all I could hear around me was giggling. There was no one else in the room. “ha, ha,ha,ha,” seriously? What the fuck was going on? It was beginning to become a little more freaky now. My cup moved over two spaces and my breakfast had moved back to the other end of the counter.“What the actual fuck is going on? Show yourself or face the consequences,” I growled.“Aww, don’t be like that, Toni. I didn’t mean anything by it,” Ana said as she came out of hiding.“That was you? No offence sis but, we were only gone 5 days. There’s no way you managed to master that.”“But she did,” Lileth said as she walked from the kitchen with serving platters in her hands.“and a whole lot more,” Julian added. I looked at her in such a way that I didn’t need to ask the question ‘what is he talking about?’“Where do I start?”“From the beginning,” Gio said as he entered the dining room and sat next to me. He seemed to be as much in
Anonymous Watching from my hideout at the foot of the embankment, I could see the car flip over multiple times before bursting into flames. Seeing them race towards the burning car made something crack inside me but I couldn’t stop now. BOOM!The sound of the explosion shook the area.I knew the remains were unidentifiable. It was all part of the plan that I had agreed on. Thankfully, I still had inside help to get through this. In two weeks it will all be over. I hope.I packed up my rifle and headed back to where I am staying, ensuring to police my brass before I left as well as cover my tracks, just like I was taught.If the mission called for it, I would’ve taken them out at the scene of the car accident but, as it is, they are needed alive.I cleaned my rifle and put it in the safe where it belonged until I needed it again before heading to the kitchen to make myself some tea, getting ready to settle in for the night.Gio Sh
OrianaThe pregnancy flew by. Yes, I few times I threatened to kill Gio, especially during labour. It was a good thing that I wasn’t’ allowed my gun in the hospital.On 12th July as 11:52 PM, Antonia was born, weighing 9 pound 4 ounces. I didn’t pay much attention during my scans, especially after I was told that everything looked good, development was good etc. So, it was a bit of a shock when Farid was born less than a minute after Antonia, weighing 8 pound 12 ounces. Both had jet black hair. Antonia had ocean blue eyes and Farid had chocolate brown eyes. Antonia was instantly daddy’s little princess. He vowed that he would protect her until his last breath.“My little prince. I vow to protect you from all the false beauties and to guide you on this road they call life. In return, I ask that you watch over your sister, no matter how annoying she may be,” he gurgled. I smiled. “I take that as your acceptance to our little deal,” I said, placing a kiss on his head.“Thank you, m
Gio“I’m sorry, what?”“I’m pregnant,” Ana whispered again.“Thank you for your call, Teressa. Have a nice day,” I said before I ended the call.“I’m sorry,” she whispered. Tears trickled down her cheeks.“What are you sorry for? You are going to have our baby. Does Lileth and Julian know?” she shook her head. “Please don’t cry, bambalina. I have noticed that you haven’t been yourself since Toni died but, I didn’t want to say anything just in case it was just from recent events.” I pulled her into my lap and kissed her with so much passion that it pulled her out of her shocked state/“You’re not mad?”“Why would I be mad? There is never a perfect time to have a baby and no matter how much you plan and prepare, you will never be prepared either but, you have an excellent support team. OMG! Lileth is going to be over the moon,” I chuckled, and she giggled.‘Knock! Knock!’“Boss, doc is here to see miss Ana.”“Thank you, Francesco,” I answered. “Come on, let’s get you into some
GioI couldn't believe that Ana and I were married. I smiled as I looked at my wife asleep next to me in our bed. My phone beeped with a text message.'Mr Bellomo, your order is complete and ready for collection. Should you wish to arrange delivery, please give us a call.'With everything going on, I had forgotten it's her birthday tomorrow. A party is out of the question due to recent events but I will make sure she celebrates it in some way, shape or form. I got dressed and headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for my wife to eat on bed.After making a mess in the kitchen, I headed back to our room, breakfast in hand. Placing the tray on the side table, I climbed onto the bed and kissed my beautiful wife to wake her up."Ana, sweetheart. Time to wake up. I made you breakfast.""Mmmm," Ana stretched and smiled at me. "Good morning, husband." Those words sounded amazing coming out of her mouth."Good morning, wife," I replied, kissing her."Did you make much of a mess?" S
BiancaIt was the morning of the wedding. I was in charge of making sure the women were ready on time, including the brief but, I couldn’t find her.“Lileth!” I bellowed.“Yes, Bianca. What can I help you with?”“Have you seen Ana? I can’t find her. I know she didn’t stay with Gio, and I have checked the spare rooms. No one has seen her. Before you ask, no, I didn’t say anything to Gio about her being missing.”“Well, there are only 2 places that I can think of that she might be,” Lileth said. Damn it woman, now is not the time for games.“Which are?” I pushed.“Her house or Antonio’s room.” Of course. Why didn’t I think of the obvious. I made my way to Toni’s room and there she was, sat in the nook by the window, holding a letter.“Ana, I have been looking all over for you.” I walked towards her and could see that she had been crying again. “Nope. Not happening today. Today is going to be a happy day. Toni would kick my ass if it’s not,” Ana chuckled. “What do you have there?
LilethDoc did an amazing job patching the bullet wound in Toni’s head. I brought his favourite blue suite, crisp white shirt, polished shoes and everything else over when doc called.“Lileth. He’s ready to be dressed,” doc said as he exited the autopsy room. I nod and follow him into the family room. A comforting aura in this room. Julian, Lans and I got him dressed and styled his hair. “Even in death, he wears a goofy smile on his face,” Julian chuckled.“I suppose you’re right,” I giggled. “That’s what made him, him. Serious when the situation called for it but a little scallywag at times.” I couldn’t help but smile at the memories of his prankster ways growing up. We all had good and bad memories of Antonio from the number of years that we have worked in the family and when Ana is ready, we will tell them all to her.We had just placed Antonio into the casket when Gio came into the room.“Where’s Ana?” I asked.“She’s outside the door freaking out right now. Is there any w
Oriana I was so exhausted. Why Toni? What have I done in my life that was so bad that bad things keep happening to me? I felt numb, empty. I wanted someone to come and say that he’s still alive and that it was all a prank. I was getting married tomorrow but my brother won’t be there to see me walk down the aisle. He would’ve been my first dance after Gio and instead of the traditional father daughter dance. I hadn’t told him that bit; it was going to be a surprise. I had already spoken to Alessia to fit it into the plans. I should be happy right now and getting ready for my hen party, as they called it here but, I just didn’t want to go. I would feel better is they carried on with the party without me. I locked myself in my room and cried until I fell asleep. I woke up and repeated the routine. With a deep sigh, I got up and headed for the shower. As the water cascaded over my body, the memories of Toni’s goofy behaviour flooded my mind. The way I scared him after mastering my ghost
OrianaI watched as they walked around the garden, placing the bouquet by the door ready for when Leo wanted to give it to Mia.“He’s made her cry. Do you think they are happy tears or sad, because if it’s the latter, I am going to whoop his ass,” I fumed.“Calm down feisty one. There’s a lot going on and it looks like she’s taken my advice and told him.”“Told him what?” Now I needed to know. He had better not fob me off or I will whoop his ass and withhold sex for a week.“Her husband died a year before Bella. She was there, training, that night,” Gio explained.“Oh, no. They have both experienced the same tragedy. I hope things work out for them.” Wow. I really feel bad for them.“Come on, lets give them some privacy. There’s no chance of Leo escaping, Lans has it covered,” he smiled.“So, what do you have in mind?”“How about a shower?”“With you? How could I refuse.” We headed towards the stairs.“Gio!” bellowed a screamed. WTF! We both ran towards the voice. Lileth wa
Gio Ana, actually true to her word, found someone who would be able to help Leo with this cancer. I was beyond proud of her. She may have also gone one step further and found someone who has reignited the spark he once had when Bella was alive but, only time will tell. Since the second opinion, Leo has been acting like a different person. I was still a little cautious around him as his new positive attitude was confusing. "Leo, good morning. How are you feeling today?" I asked as I entered his room. "All good, thanks, Gio. Oh! I want to get Ana a gift to say thank you for finding Mia. She has given my life purpose again," he smiled. I chuckled lightly. "There's no need for that. Maybe just tell her how thankful you are. She will be by later with Mia," he nodded. "Then I will do just that." A few hours later, Ana asked me to accompany her and Mia to the room. "I thought everything was going good. Why do you both look so glum?" This couldn't be good. "Please, just come with us?"
Sakalans “Lileth, is Lans around?” “You should know that he is never that far away,” my mother chuckled. I made my way to the room Oriana was staying in and knocked on the door. “Come in,” she called. She looked breath-taking as she stood there in Maria’s dress. “I was wondering if you would both do me the honour?” OMG! What should I say to that? My mother was shocked at her request too from the expression on her face. We remained silent. “Please, say something. You’re freaking me out right now,” she pleaded and was very close to tears. I looked at my mother and nodded my head and she the same. “It would be an honour,” I said. The dams burst as she flung her arms around me. I hugged her back of course. “Oh, um, it will only be part way as there’s someone else, I need to ask,” she looked so shy. “I would be honoured,” came a voice. We all laughed. “Thank you, Julian,” she responded, smiling. There was still so much work to do so that the wedding can take place. I have arranged s