GiaI waited all afternoon with my girly bits neat and tidy. After several hours, I came to the conclusion he’d never planned to return. I fell for his game and knew I was a complete idiot.Maria checked on me several times.“He owns my V-card,” I finally told her after I figured out he wasn’t coming back and had gone into full sulk mode.“You think I didn’t know that?”Of course, she did. She wasn’t stupid. Tears built behind my eyes but I wouldn’t let them fall.“It was great,” I told her.“Why are you upset then?”“He said he would spend the day here.”“Maybe he can’t. We’re on lockdown.”It surprised me she made any excuse for him. Maria didn’t live with the guilt I had about Alessandro’s mother. She didn’t think I should be held responsible for her death. It was the price for the world we lived in and the biggest reason she planned to leave it behind after high school.“He could have called.”Her mouth twisted slightly. He could have called.We decided to spend our lockdown watch
AlessandroI hadn’t planned to stay away from Gia the entire weekend but it worked out that way and it was good for her. She’d be pissed off but would come around. My crew came to my dorm as soon as the lockdown was lifted and we spent the time strategizing. We knew the shit with Matteo was not over.“What about off campus and completely out of town?” Andre asked. “If no one talked, they could never prove it.”“Do you trust his crew to keep quiet if I kill him? Each is almost as bad as he is.”“It’s a crew fight,” Marino interjected. “We end it with a crew fight.”“Every person involved won’t graduate, at least not this year. I won’t come back so it’s a death sentence for me but I’m sick of this fucker. Each of you need to decide.” This was my stand and if my crew didn’t back me up, I would go it alone.“Like we aren’t in this, fucker,” said Lorenzo. “Graduation is nothing but a sheet of paper and won’t change my shit when I leave.”“I’m in.”“Agreed.”“Got your back.”I looked around
AlessandroI left her with her coffee and walked out.I may be half in like and all in lust with Miss Rossi. She would never know it though. She expected my cold heart and I delivered. She would be safer and that was all that mattered.The shift in my feelings about Miss Rossi made no sense and once again, I didn’t care. Our intimacy brought out my protective instincts and it would probably be that way with any girl in danger due to being with me. I’d tell myself that until my nuts dropped off because the alternative would drive me mad.Marino stayed behind and waited for Gia to leave, following her to the dorm.“Do you really need to keep fucking with her?” Marino asked when he returned.My gut tightened and I didn’t like it. I had to realign my thoughts quickly. Marino would never step on my turf. He simply had a soft spot for her. Hell, he had a soft spot for every underdog at the damn school.“Matteo will come after her now. She can’t stand up to him alone.”“You’re doing this to
Gia Matteo was allowed back over the following weekend. Maria came in with the gossip and coffee on Sunday morning. It had been a nice break with him and his crew on lockdown. Maria had no idea where Matteo had been taken and it seemed unlikely he was flown back to Italy, then to school in one week. Like Rochester’s other secrets, we wouldn’t know unless Matteo talked and that was unlikely. Even for an ass like him, the code of silence was strong here.Alessandro was pleasant and an asshole in equal measures. I’d kept him away with the truth but extended it two days to escape the weekend. When the time came and I would never sleep with him again, I’d handle it. I may not handle another round of sex even though I knew I wouldn’t escape it.“Come to my room tonight?” he whispered before I headed to my next class after lunch.His voice made promises and his hand grazed my breast with another. I wasn’t that fucking strong and to top it off, I was always horny after my period.I knocked o
GiaThere was a knock. It had probably been no more than ten minutes, but Maria hadn’t moved and I didn’t know what to do. She was still breathing.“Miss Rossi,” Mr. Caleb said from the other side of the door and I jumped up.He entered, the school nurse trailing behind him, carrying a bag. I stayed back when the nurse went to her knees to examine Maria.“Have you checked your rooms?”“No.”I hadn’t thought about danger since hanging up from the call with Mr. Xavier. Stupid and right now I didn’t care.Mr. Caleb marched off and checked the dorm. I even heard him opening our closets and bathrooms. Maria still hadn’t moved. The nurse took a cardboard contraption out of her bag and started bending it until it formed a neck support. She placed it on Maria.“An ambulance is on the way,” she told me. “I’ve stabilized her neck and I’m going to start fluids. You found her like this?”“Yes, ma’am. I was—” I stopped talking and realized it didn’t matter how much trouble I got into, I had to tel
AlessandroMy room felt lonely when I got back to it and if that wasn’t pussy, I didn’t know what was. Marino’s door was shut so I would ask him about his misadventures in the morning. Exhausted, I fell into bed and continued thinking of Gia.I refused to play the what if game. I couldn’t get enough of her and it pissed me off that I’d wasted three fucking years. I had feelings for her and that pissed me off too. My thoughts were jumbled between revenge, lust, and something else I couldn’t define. It wasn’t good. There was no future for the two of us. That I knew as fact.Pounding at the door sometime later had me stumbling from my room and throwing the door open.Mr. Xavier stood there. I came instantly awake. This was not a social visit and my guard came up.“I’m here for Mr. Ricci,” Mr. Xavier said.Xavier was in his customary suit, his eyes hard, expressionless. I caught the fact he didn’t say talk to Marino. “Can’t stop you,” I said and stepped back.Fucking Marino got himself i
AlessandroI lasted two hours. I was going crazy with worry over Gia. She would think I had this done. She would think my friend capable of doing this to hers. I had to see her.I didn’t bother trying the roof. If Xavier said it was locked, it was locked. What I did was trickier but my crew and I had done it before on a dare. I hadn’t broken my neck then and I would keep from breaking it now.The old buildings had three-inch ledges below the windows. After putting on athletic shoes, I climbed out my window and looked around. The sun hadn’t hit the horizon but it would soon. Senior suites were on the fourth floor of the main dorms. I didn’t need to go up or down a floor, just cross two buildings, each with a different set of problems.The first crossing had an old tree. There was a main branch that I had to jump for and then hike myself up and use weaker branches to gain the ledge of the next building. Tree bark ate into the palms of my hands when I caught the branch and swung myself u
GiaMy father was disappointed in me and I didn’t care. With San and Mr. Xavier standing there, I didn’t say what I needed to. I wanted to know what happened with San’s mother and why she was dead. I wanted to know everything and I was tired of living with my father’s sins. Alessandro had shown me I was not responsible for his mother’s death.It seemed strange to have everything out in the open. San’s crew accepted me as one of them or so they made it seem. Their concern for Marino was awesome. I liked them and I never thought I would.“Gia,” San whispered.I didn’t know he’d walked up beside me in the kitchen where I was grabbing snacks. I turned into his arms.“Thank you for being here,” I whispered back.“When the guys settle down, you and I can go into your room. You need sleep.”“I won’t be able to sleep. I haven’t heard a word on Maria since she went into surgery.”“Okay, you don’t need to sleep but we should probably talk.”We needed to. Alessandro was nothing like I thought he
This is a bonus chapter for the Mafia Academy and I promise you want to read it. While I have you, I need to thank you for reading about these three amazing couples. If you continued this far, I'm sure they are as special to you as they are to me. For Mr. Xavier's complete story and how he found himself at Rochester, you’ll want to read Hotter Than Hell available on GoodNovel. Xavier is the head of the desert crime syndicate when Madison enters his world. One day, I plan to write about his children. *** Twelve years later Mr. Xavier The room, located at the top of the high-rise building far from Rochester, simply had the initials R.A. etched in glass on the double doors. There was an outer office and an inner conference room with a large antique table that filled the oversized space. I looked around the empty room, walked to the head of the table, and pulled out a chair. Men and women entered, nodded, and took their seats. Mr. Caleb and Miss Bianchi were the last to walk in. Mr. C
GabrielHer body had changed and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed. Her ass was definitely bigger but sometimes I was smart and knew when to keep my mouth shut. I, however, loved her ass.We decided to keep the baby news to ourselves for Isabella’s sake too. It was for nothing. School gossip ran rampant the next day because Isabella had already left. I sent her a text with Rosa beside me to make sure she was okay.“I just touched down in Italy. I’m good. I know you and Rosa are together. Congratulations.”My asshole behavior with Isabella was at an end.“Be happy.”“I will.”“Maybe someday you will be friends,” Rosa said.“Maybe someday we won’t. There is too much water under that bridge.”“She did a good thing.”“She did. I would have married you anyway so she isn’t entirely off the hook.”“Are you going to tell your father he lost the bet?”“Hell no. I’m not letting Isabella’s father win.”She laughed and I hugged her to me, unable to get enough. I couldn’t keep my hands off the b
RosaIt was the truth. I would always be the sidepiece. I could also say with all honesty that I was glad I went for it. Gabriel was mine for a short time and I would never forget it.“He does love you enough. You won’t give him the chance to prove it.”“If I told him and he married Isabella—which is what will happen—it will kill me. It’s better like this.”She simply made a sound in her throat that let me know I was full of shit.“Come on,” she said and placed her arm back around my shoulders. “Let’s get the little mommy to her bed so she can sleep.” “I hate you.”“I’m going to be the worst aunt imaginable. If your son or daughter isn’t a hellraiser right out of the gate, I’ll do the training.”“I love you, mi amica,” I told her.“I know.”****I made it to the last week of school. I’d passed my finals easily. This was the fun time for seniors. I wasn’t drinking but there was a party every night and the alcohol flowed. It was Sunday and I had everything ready for the next morning. T
GabrielI made it through the week with busted knuckles from putting my fist through a wall. Everything else was sore from working out at the gym for hours on end. The crew returned Friday. I hadn’t heard from Rosa. I didn’t stop texting.“It doesn’t make sense,” Brando said.It didn’t. I’d heard nothing from Rosa or her sister. I wasn’t sure when they were returning. If they didn’t come back, and that worried me most, I would go after her. This was bullshit.I was in my room Saturday evening when there was a soft knock on my door. I threw it open and Rosa stood there. I knew from the look on her face, I wouldn’t like what she had to say. I spoke first.“Do not fucking do this. We have more time.”She looked down and my heart fell to my stomach.“We can’t, Gabriel; you’re marrying Isabella. It’s not fair to her or to you.”“No.”“Gabriel, you don’t have a choice. This is too hard for me. I can’t take it anymore. I told you I wouldn’t be the other woman and I meant it. Don’t make this
Rosa“You won’t say that after the first week. It’s a nightmare and several families have been hit with ransomware. The sooner you take things over, the sooner I can get Dante off my back and work on the project he wants done.”My lips trembled when I smiled.“What are you going to do about school? You have your credits and I’m sure they will work with you and give you a diploma.”“I’m going back to Rochester and finishing my senior year. It’s the only way this will work.”“Explain,” he said through tight lips.“Gabriel can’t know about the baby. I haven’t completely thought this through yet, but I shouldn’t be showing too much by graduation and should be able to pull it off.”“You think Gabriel won’t know?” he asked and I knew from the uncomfortable look in his eyes, exactly what he was saying and I blushed.“I will break up with him as soon as I return to school. It was coming anyway.” I wiped more tears away. “I’d decided I wasn’t staying with him after graduation because it would
RosaI told my mother while Chaney and Donya left to buy a pregnancy test. My mom’s arms were exactly what I needed.“Shh, mia cara,” she whispered.“I love him. I want to have his babies. I want to spend the rest of my life with him,” I cried angrily. “This isn’t fair.”“Life is not fair, mia cara.”The pregnancy test was positive. And the next one and the next. I kept staring at the two lines.My sister’s expression was pure freak-out. Chaney’s slightly better. My mother was the calmest of all of us and I knew she had to be so disappointed. We hadn’t used protection on the rooftop that day. I’d never gone on the pill. I’d messed this entire thing up completely.I looked at my mother with tears running down my face. “He will do his duty to his family and marry Isabella. He can never know. If you’ll allow me to live here, I’ll raise the baby on my own.”My mother, who rarely swore, let out the most foul word I’d ever heard her use.“You are my daughter and my home will always be your
Gabriel My grades improved with Rosa’s help. How could they not? While my arm was still in a brace, she’d done all my homework. She asked me the answers but for the most part I sexually teased her while studying because that was more fun.We had a week of spring break coming up, and then everyone would concentrate on graduation. I wasn’t looking forward to any of it. Well, maybe the break. Rosa and her sister’s crew were joining mine in Cabo. We were spending the weekend with our families and then meeting at the resort.This was our last mad dash of senior life. I had no fucking idea what Isabella was doing over the break and I didn’t care. I simply wanted to spend time with Rosa.I wrapped my arm around her Friday before she left for her parents’ home.“I’ll see you Monday. I have a big surprise just for you.”She swatted my arm at my ridiculous devilish grin.I only had to get through the weekend with my parents, and then we would have the best week of our lives.****Rosa“Come on
RosaShe got it all out without a word from me. I stood in shock which was stupid. Isabella was a devious bitch. She’d been quiet for too long.“Fuck off,” I said and continued walking.My thoughts were everywhere. I didn’t think Gabriel slept with her but he had not told me about the house or property. If he’d kept that from me, had he lied about sleeping with her? I bypassed my sister’s building and went to the roof. I hadn’t been up here in a long time and it made me sad to see what it was like before I moved into Gabriel’s dorm. It was a pathetic life. I pulled back the tarp, sat down on my pillows, and cried.I’m unsure why Isabella’s declaration hit so hard. I always knew she would get Gabriel in the end. He wouldn’t lie to me or at least I didn’t think he would. But wasn’t that what the guys did? They lied to their wives and they lied to their mistresses. I would have the second role if I took it and I wouldn’t. Not because I wouldn’t do everything I could to be with Gabriel bu
RosaThe car pulled up to campus and my heart raced. Gabriel was waiting for me at his dorm.“Rosa, I would like a private word,” my brother said.My sister rolled her eyes, told him goodbye, and got out of the car with her bag. She walked away knowing I was in for another lecture.“Think hard on this,” Caine said. “I’m not stupid. I know you think you love him.”I held up my hand. “I don’t think anything of the sort. I love him.”“Fuck, Rosa. You’re smarter than this.”“I know what will happen. I know it will break my heart. I haven’t had a boyfriend the entire time I’ve been at Rochester because I only saw one boy and he was taken. For now, he’s mine and I will keep him for as long as I can.”“I love you, sis.”I heard the defeat in his voice.“I love you too and I’ll need a big shoulder to cry on much too soon. I’d like it to be yours.”“My shoulder will always be yours,” he said softly.I got out of the car and didn’t look back. Gabriel was waiting.His room was dark when I opened