The soft hum of engines faded into silence as Vito stepped out of his car, his sharp suit a stark contrast to the grim exhaustion in his eyes. He was a man used to holding all the cards, but tonight, his hands felt empty. He had nothing left to gamble except his pride—and even that had been chipped away.Arnulfo's estate stretched before him, a fortress of understated elegance. Lights gleamed softly through tall windows, and guards stood at attention, their gazes keen as they watched every movement Vito made. He raised his hands a little, holding himself back as one of Arnulfo's men approached."I need to speak with him," Vito said, trying to keep his voice steady as he fought what was going on inside. "Tell him it's urgent.The guard hesitated for a moment then nodded, disappearing into the house. Minutes later, the heavy doors creaked open, and there stood Arnulfo, holding a glass of whiskey in one hand and wearing a faint smirk on his lips."Well, well," Arnulfo said in his drawled
The air in the Diamond Club crackled with energy, thick with cigar smoke that curled beneath sparkling chandeliers, shining like stolen stars. The atmosphere pulsed with unspoken power—politicians murmured over glasses of whiskey, tycoons sealed deals with sly nods, and in the shadows, agreements were made in blood. This was no place for the timid; it was a kingdom for those who ruled the city’s dark underbelly.And tonight, the spotlight blazed down on the stage.Valentine Hearts stood there, enchanting in a midnight blue silk dress that clung to her like a second skin. Her dark hair flowed over her bare shoulders, and her lips-red as blood-curled into an enigmatic smile as she began to sing.Her voice was low and sensual, washing over the assembly like a wave. All questions were stilled; one could not hear anything: it was not merely that she was performing; there was a confession here-the haunting tale of desire, of desolation. The audience sat captive, as if they too had known the
Valentine's tears dripped down her face to blend with the salty taste of her sweat as she wept. Her skin was cut by ropes binding her, but that did not compare to the burning agony within her chest. She spoke, her voice broken with pain and pain alone, whispering confusedly, suffocated."Why have you done this to me, Arnulfo? What am I guilty of?"Her words hung there in the air like a prayer, a desperate plea for some answers. She was no prisoner in some cold, dark cell, after all. She was locked away in his world—a world she never wanted to exist in. And the man she had once thought of so charming now seemed to be that very thing she had most come to fear.Let me go.Her voice cracked, trembling under the weight of everything she could not understand. But all she got for an answer was silence, a thick, oppressive quiet that seemed to suffocate her soul.Then, she heard his footsteps, slow and deliberate. Her heart began racing as she looked up to see him approaching. He was so close
The sun blazed in the sky, its golden rays streaming through the open balcony doors, warming the room, despite Valentine's sullen rage. Her stomach growled loudly, an unwelcome reminder of her hunger and helplessness. She bit her lip, trying to push aside the gnawing feeling, but it was impossible to ignore. And sizzling spices and seared meat wafted into the room, such tempting aromas that her mouth began watering.Her head turned instinctively toward the delicious smell, through the slats of the door, she saw Arnulfo standing in the open kitchen. He was shirtless, his broad, muscular back glistening faintly with the sheen of the midday heat. The curve of his shoulders and the ridges of his six-pack muscles were impossible to ignore, and for a fleeting moment, Valentine felt an unwilling twinge of admiration.Ruggedly handsome, she admitted to herself begrudgingly. Too bad he’s a monster.She ripped her eyes away, feeling shame wash over her for noticing him. Instead, she focused on
Valentine put down the fork, her appetite dulled by the simmering anger and determination growing within her. The food had given her strength—not just physically, but mentally. She couldn't stay here, couldn't let Arnulfo's grip tighten any further. Her eyes darted to the door. The villa was silent, and the air seemed still, as if the world held its breath. She didn't know how far the sea stretched or if there was anybody out there to help, but she couldn't stay trapped. I have to try. Bare feet made no noise on cool tiles as she slowly got up from the table. She saw the door and went closer, her heart pounding louder with each step. The doorknob was only a foot away when a silhouette emerged behind her. Before she could even react, Arnulfo's hand clamped around her wrist like an iron shackle, spinning her around to face him. His eyes blazed with fury, his jaw tight as his grip on her wrist sent a jolt of pain shooting up her arm. "I warned you," he growled, his voice low and menaci
Arnulfo didn't blink as he chewed. Every bite, deliberate, was a display of control, and Valentine's skin itched to crawl under the table. Tension between them hung in the air like an impending storm, and she kept her head down, pushing food around on her plate. Eating felt impossible under his weight."Enjoy your dinner," Arnulfo said, his voice unnervingly nonchalant as he put down his fork and sat back, tucking in beside her. The space between them was nonexistent, the oppression of his closeness palpable. His tone was calm, but there was a commanding quality that made her feel like she was just a piece to be moved around on some game board he was mastering. She didn’t respond; she just watched him closely, her grip on the fork tightening as if it were her only lifeline in this tense moment.Then, after a long silence, he spoke again."After dinner, I’ve prepared new clothes for you. Comfortable ones," he said, as if his gesture was one of kindness. "Toiletries are available, too, i
The room was drenched in the silvery glow of moonlight, and its light spilled over the walls and furniture. Valentine sat at the edge of the bed, her heart heavy with fear and curiosity. Arnulfo's deep, even breaths filled the silence, reminding her constantly of his presence.She moved carefully, bare feet silent on the cool floor, making her way to him. Her pulse leapt with each step but steeled herself in resolution. She needed him to be asleep.Drawing closer, she froze, her breath catching in her throat. Even in sleep, there was something magnetic about Arnulfo, a kind of robust strength and raw masculinity in his face. The faint scent of his aftershave floated in the air, clean and woodsy, curling around her senses like some forbidden temptation.Valentine hesitated, her eyes tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the way his dark lashes fanned against his cheekbones, and the subtle curve of his lips, which, for once weren't pressed into their usual hard line.She came an inch close
He got up from the bed, his presence still choking her even though she had physical space. He took one last lingering look at her and turned to leave the room, his footsteps echoing down the hall. Valentine lay there, shivering with a mix of anger, fear, and confusion. Her wrists throbbed from where he had held her; it was her pride, however, that hurt the most.She would never give in to him. Never.No matter how much her body might betray her, her spirit would be unbroken.Arnulfo paces the room, his cell phone wedged into his ear. The sharp tone of his second-in-command, Marco, came through loud and clear, each word tightening the coil of tension in his chest."Boss, it's Victoria," Marco said, his voice heavy with urgency. "She knows about Valentine. She's furious—and she's issued orders to find her. The Giupere gang is already mobilizing." Arnulfo's jaw clenched, and his free hand balled into a fist at his side. What he had fought hard to prevent-precisely that, was happening.H
The soft hum of engines faded into silence as Vito stepped out of his car, his sharp suit a stark contrast to the grim exhaustion in his eyes. He was a man used to holding all the cards, but tonight, his hands felt empty. He had nothing left to gamble except his pride—and even that had been chipped away.Arnulfo's estate stretched before him, a fortress of understated elegance. Lights gleamed softly through tall windows, and guards stood at attention, their gazes keen as they watched every movement Vito made. He raised his hands a little, holding himself back as one of Arnulfo's men approached."I need to speak with him," Vito said, trying to keep his voice steady as he fought what was going on inside. "Tell him it's urgent.The guard hesitated for a moment then nodded, disappearing into the house. Minutes later, the heavy doors creaked open, and there stood Arnulfo, holding a glass of whiskey in one hand and wearing a faint smirk on his lips."Well, well," Arnulfo said in his drawled
The night wore on, and each passing second fed the fire in Victoria's chest. But she felt the restraint of her place more with every ticking moment.The room, even though it be luxurious, would choke her; every inch made her remember the powerful figurehead she once had been, feared and respected equally. Today, she's a pawn, playing her part in her father's games-to be trapped, to be manipulated, to be strangled.Her pacing was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Victoria froze, her sharp gaze snapping to the entrance. Nobody dared to disturb her unless absolutely necessary."Miss Victoria?" came the timid voice of Elena, one of the few staff members brave—or foolish—enough to address her directly."Go away," Victoria snapped, her tone icy.She was silent for a long time before responding, her voice shaking a little. "Don Victor sent me to bring you dinner, ma'am. You haven't eaten all day."Victoria clenched her fists. She was starving, but the idea of accepting anything from he
Meanwhile, Arnulfo sat back in his chair, an expression of mirth and incredulity crossing his face as Leo relayed the latest news."Victor grounded his own daughter?" Arnulfo asked, raising an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Victoria Giupere, locked away like a disobedient teenager?"Leo nodded, his voice guarded. "It's true. She's confined to the estate. Don Victor has placed strict orders—no one in, no one out without his say. He's furious about the mess she's made."Arnulfo laughed, but the sound was devoid of humor. "I suppose the mighty Victoria wasn't so untouchable after all. What a shame. She's like a caged lioness now, pacing behind gilded bars."Leo looked at Arnulfo. "Do you think we should be afraid? If she is confined, that means she's planning something. That woman doesn't know how to just sit there."Arnulfo became pensive and started tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "Oh, she is planning something, all right. Victor may think he could contain
They stood there, bathed in the warm caress of twilight, drawing strength from each other. And in the distance, the final rays of the sun disappeared as the garden kept on being lit by the silver cool glow of the stars.And for the first time since what seemed to be an eternity, Sabrina allowed herself the hope that peace was possible-they would face whatever came after that together.The aftermath of the latest clash between Carla's and Vito's forces was destructive. The debris-strewn streets were replete with shattered vehicles and injured bodies. The constant crackle and boom of firefights diminished into eerie stillness, cut only by groans of wounded and wail of sirens in the far distance.She was standing in the midst of wreckage. Her breathing harsh, clothes were torn, and besmeared with blood. She rubbed a streak of blood from her forehead; she had no idea whose it belonged to, though.Her men were trying to regroup, but they'd lost far too many.Carla's jaw set, and her dark ey
Meanwhile, Carla was in the thick of the fight on the other side of the battle. Her gun was blazing as she led her men with fearless resolve into the fray, her voice hoarse from shouting, "Hold the line! We've bled too much to give up now!"It was a ferocious fight, the product of their shared disdain for one another. As daylight came, streets lay scattered with leftovers of battle-ash, wrecked automobiles, smashed glass panes, blood-splattered pavement-and a city still had all its wounds; and it could already remember to view streets grimly against all this as overnight's carnage spilled on it. Smoky haze emanated from burned automobile hulls and morning air held that burning sensation, sharp with powder fumes.Glass cracked on the floor, crunching as the first rays of morning lit up the site of slaughter: blood on concrete, painting in macabre red, of lives lost over the mercilessly endless war of Vito against Carla. Standing over the ruins of his operations, his features were grim a
Victoria stood up, her gait slow and deliberate. She trailed her fingers over the intricate carvings on the mahogany desk in the corner of the room. Her father had selected this prison for her with careful consideration—everything she could possibly need was here, except freedom. But what Don Victor didn't understand was that Victoria wasn't a woman who waited for opportunity to come knocking on her door. She created them.Her eyes locked onto the mirror that hung on the wall, its gilded frame glinting in the dim light. She contemplated her own reflection for a moment, a look of hardness on her face like stone.This was no fragile, defeated girl. This was Victoria Giupere—a woman who had built her reputation on cunning, manipulation, and power. And no one, not even her father, could strip her of that.She turned her head to the door, her mind calculating. The guards outside were loyal, but loyalty could be bought—or broken. All she needed was to sow the right seeds of doubt, the right
As the soft gold rays spread across the bedroom, the world outside became alive once more. The pounding heart of the city would soon return Arnulfo to its craziness, but for now he let himself just bask at this temporary peace. In Valentines' embracing arms, solace was at hand, remembering that even under the darkness are lights.Valentine stroked her fingers along the swell of his jaw, the touch as soothing as a balm. "You carry so much, Arnulfo," she said gently. "You do not have to do that alone."He met her gaze, his eyes filled with a sense of gratitude and resolve. "I know. You have been my strength, Valentine. Every step I take, every battle I fight, it is all for us. The life we are building together.She smiled, her expression tender. “And I’ll always be by your side, no matter what. But promise me something.”“What is it?” he asked, his tone serious.“Promise me that when this is all over—when the dust settles—you’ll allow yourself to breathe. To live. Not for the city, not
"No, no, no," Arnulfo said, holding her hands. He cuddled her close and kissed her cheek. "Leave them in, my babe," he whispered in her ear.He pulled the dress up to reveal her cute belly button, with a small strawberry piercing, which he savoured with kisses, as he stroked her thighs.Arnulfo began kissing her forehead. "You're mine, Valentine. I'm going to treat you like my own!" He sensually ran his lips downto her nose, and then kissed her soft neck, feeling the pulse in her veins.Valentine groaned as he stroked her bare back by her shoulders. She started trembling as he caressed his way to her upper chest, with strong but nerdy hands- which he used for training and writing so fiercely that there were some minute scars still there.She was then kissed over her strapless purple and red floral playsuit, over the cloth over her right nipple. He blew on it; she began to cry with pleasure.Arnulfo immediately stopped, his heart skipping a beat. He had not intended to make her cry!"
For Emilio, in Victor's clenched fists and stiffened posture, he saw a leader wrestling with betrayal but a father torn between duty and love.The silence was heavy and heavy until it dragged. It felt like the walls themselves were holding their breath and wanted not to disturb this fragile moment.Finally, the boy in the corner had just listened silently till Arnulfo rose from his corner and began: "Victoria. Do you know that everything has started to disintegrate-all this confusion within this city-with Victoria? All this mess no longer is simply your family issue. She dragged all of us into this one."Victor turned, the piercing look pinning Arnulfo. "Do you not know that? He sounded tired. "Can you not envision that I spend each day plagued by the fear that my very daughter has ended this empire as surely as my brother did a lifetime ago?Arnulfo gritted his jaw. But he took a step forward. "Knowing it and doing it are two different things, Victor. She's no longer just your concer