The guards at the entrance bowed the moment they saw him walk towards the huge double doors.
With a stoic expression, he marched forward into the room once they pushed the door open. The hall where the meeting was to be held was buzzing with noises of his angry relatives who saw his lateness as an offense to their personality. But the moment the doors were pushed open and he strutted in, the noises seized at once. There was no way around it, they all feared him. He might have that pretty face and that annoying smile all the time, but they knew the person behind that facade would even kill a person while smiling. "You're late, Marco!" His uncle finally mustered up the courage to let his frustration out. Marco glanced in his direction and raised a brow, "Am I?" The man suddenly felt his throat run dry as he couldn't find the right words to reply to that question. Marco ignored the curious glances being thrown at him and finally found his seat at the head of the table. His father, Matteo, had his gaze solely on his son as he nonchalantly sat down without acknowledging him. "Let's start the meeting." Marco declared lazily as he relaxed in his seat. The same uncle who scolded him stood up again to begin his nagging once the meeting was declared open. "Uncle Franc, before you begin your never-ending nagging, let's spare a moment to say a prayer." Dante, Marco's favorite cousin, and his consigliere, said to him with a small smile. Francesco glared at him and averted his gaze, bringing his attention back to Marco. "Marco, what is your position again in this family and organization?" He asked as if to remind him. Marco yawned and eyed his uncle. He immediately regretted why he didn't have breakfast before arriving at this God-forsaken meeting. "The leader." He managed to reply. Francesco nodded and continued, "You're the leader, yes. But you aren't a responsible one." Silence followed after he said those words. Marco raised a questioning brow at him for his statement. He waited patiently for an explanation from Francesco. Not everyone could openly insult him and get away with it, but Francesco was biting more than he could chew. "Have you heard the recent news? I promised myself that I would never keep my mouth shut in this very meeting this year. We all are here, those of us coming from other continents as well. Look over there..." He pointed at his sons, the famous snake-eyed Twins who were rarely seen in any family gathering. "My sons even came specifically for this reason today, this is to show how important this matter is." Marco frowned, "What exactly are you unto?" He asked. Francesco who had succeeded in drawing his full attention, raised his chin in pride and finally voiced the issue. "A few days ago, we informed you that the cargo containing our incoming products would be arriving yesterday night, yes or no?" "Yes." Francesco nodded in satisfaction. "And we asked you as the leader to keep watch over it and receive it when it arrives, yes or no?" Marco rubbed his forehead, already guessing where the discussion was heading. "Yes." "Then what happened last night? You weren't seen at the seaport yesterday." Francesco asked finally, knowing this was his chance to deal with Marco and Matteo. Marco sighed. "A few things came up and I.." "A few things like taking a random bitch to bed?!" He cut him short with a yell. Marco's gaze darkened on hearing that. "France_" "Let me finish." Francesco used a hand to silence him again. "Because of your sluggishness and carelessness, we officially lost the products," Francesco announced. "What?!" Marco asked in surprise. "Yes, a masked mercenary called Double S, stole those items yesterday. I'm sure you know who Double S is." Hearing that dreaded name again, Marco's blood ran cold at once. Of course, he knew the Double S, a masked mercenary who really was rarely seen. Each time he comes out of his spot, things get stolen and things get destroyed. If Double S really stole the products, then they were in big trouble. Knowing Double S, he would give the items to the police and it would attract unnecessary questioning of him. "Shit." He cursed in a low tone, but enough for them to hear. "It's not about cursing! It's about admitting your mistake. I keep saying it and will always say that Matteo didn't raise you well!" "Watch it, Francesco!" Ezekiel, who had been quiet finally yelled back at him. "I won't watch a thing! You're an irresponsible father!" He refused to keep shut. The next minute, Ezekiel’s anger intensified as he sprang up from his seat and pulled out his gun. Francesco seemed to have expected it because he also pulled out his gun and they pointed at each other with it. Marco face palmed himself, seeing where the conversation had brought them. Noise filled the hall again as the others tried to make them bring their guns down. Never in the history of their ancestors has anyone pulled out a gun during the annual family meeting. The noises increased with no sign of stopping soon and after Marco took in a deep breath, he turned to Dante and gave a nod. Dante understood the gesture and pulled out a gun from his band. Before anyone could realize it, he pointed the gun upwards and fired two shots in the air. This worked like magic because the next moment, everyone ducked under the desk, thinking an attack had been launched against them. Only Marco, Erika, and a female who happened to be working in their organization sat still. The female was named Erika and she was Marco's cousin as well. When everyone finally realized themselves, they all sat up straight and glared at Dante who shrugged in return. "The name of Jesus wouldn't calm y'all down, but this one did." He said with a small laugh. "Everyone sit back down and keep shut!" Marco finally got serious as he used his authoritative voice on them. Everyone obeyed and sat back down instantly. He turned to Francesco who seemed to have the biggest problem with him. "So what was your suggestion on this matter?" Francesco immediately gave an answer. "It's simple, we want you replaced as the leader of this Clan. You are no more qualified to rule." "And why? Just because I was careless enough to lose our cargo?" Marco asked in amusement. His uncle was something else. "Do you know what that means? Double S would spread it out in the black market and if everyone begins to purchase it, there is a high chance of it getting into the hands of the police. Then the police would come for De Luca Clan!" Indeed, he was right. It was a dangerous thing to lose a cargo filled with cocaine. Marco had messed it up and the only solution was to find that mercenary, Double S. "You want me to step down so badly, and I'll grant you that wish." He said and stood to his feet. "Listen up, everyone. one month is all I need to find Double S. If I can't retrieve those items from him in one month, I will gladly step down from being the leader of this Clan and let whoever Francesco chooses to be the leader, ascend. Meeting closed." He announced and without waiting for a response, he walked towards the door and out of the room.Dante hurriedly followed Marco as he walked out of the main mansion.Just then, Francesco called out to him. Marco wanted to ignore him, but Dante gestured for him to behave."What is it?" He asked Francesco the moment their eyes met.Francesco with a stoic expression stood before Marco with no space in between them.The De Luca Family were all known for their height and eye color.Everyone had the gray eye color, aside from the snake-eyed Twins of course.Also, they were known to be extremely tall, including the women."In a month's time, when you fail to prove yourself to everyone, I will personally take you down." He threatened without fear.The worst thing Marco hated was threatening and that was the line Francesco crossed.Just when Francesco turned to leave, Marco called out to him this time."The next time you threaten me this way, I won't regard your status in this family and I'll make your son pay with his life." The threat didn't sound like a threat, but it was enough to sen
Alessia was unable to find Grace when she arrived at the club after escaping from Marco's suite. Knowing that Simone might be out there searching for her, she opted to head to the only place where the less privileged would always be accepted; Santa Maria Cattolica. The lord was always said to never forsake anyone, so she hoped he would never forsake her in this time of trouble. When she arrived at the entrance of the huge building, she breathed in and out before stepping in.There were workers already cleaning the sanctuary. A sister was standing not so far from the main gates as she spoke to someone. She knew the workers were giving her the side-eye as she passed. She could totally tell what they were thinking. In her black top and red shorts, Even the Lord wouldn't crack a smile at the outfit.Thankfully, the sister didn't ask her to leave when their eyes met. She just dismissed the man she was talking to, then turned to Alessia with a small smile."Hello, ma'am." Alessia hurr
"Boss, we've got her." Selena said in her usual robotic tone. She stood before Marco, while Ezekiel casually made himself comfortable beside the man. Marco gave him a warning look and said, "Whatever you do, keep a good distance away from me. If I get even a whiff of your over the top perfume again, I'll throw you out and blacklist you." Hearing his ice cold tone of voice, Ezekiel respected himself and shifted away from him. He might as well die if he was blacklisted.Now at a safe distance, he repeated Selena's words. "We've got your angel." Marco sighed, trying to control the sudden thrill that rushed through him. The red hair from earlier was finally in his house. "Good." Was all he said and waved a hand, dismissing Selena. Selena gave a slight bow and walked out of the living room, leaving Marco and Ezekiel alone."Can I ask you something?" Ezekiel began, trying to come close to Marco, but remembering the warning and keeping his distance immediately. "No." Marco replied b
Alessia's breath hitched the moment the man's intoxicating scent wafted into her nostrils. Her head also found it hard to understand his words. His closeness to her wasn't letting her think through the words he said to her, but luckily for her, she was able to think it through. "I want you.." Those words rang in her head again when she replayed them. Her blue eyes immediately flew towards him as she frowned. "Excuse me?" She blurted out before she could hold herself back. This stranger had to get something straight, Whatever happened between them was all a mistake between them. God forbids her from ever having anything to do with a wealthy man in Reggio Calabria. They were all into shady businesses.She had always made a promise to herself that she would never be indulged in fraud, stealing, or any criminal act. This man standing before her had danger written all over him, but his looks were worth dying for. He looked nothing like a criminal, but one can't deny the aura surro
That night, Alessia cried bitterly as she sat on the cold floor in the bedroom. Never in a million years did she ever envision such an ending. It was all thanks to Simone that she unfortunately found herself in such a condition. If he hadn't tried to touch her, she would never have run away. She would never have optioned to drink at the club. She would never have slept with the stranger who ended up imprisoning her against her will.She sat on the cold floor, thunder and lightning painting the sky in shades of fear and uncertainty. Her tears streamed down her face endlessly as the memories of everything came replaying in her head. She wailed even more the moment the thunder blasted into the sky. One thing about her; she was scared of thunderstorms. Now left alone in the cold dark room, 'ok, the room wasn't dark', she felt her breath clogging up as she felt as if the wall was closing around her. She didn't know how long she sat on the floor crying, but sooner than expected, sh
An ear-piercing scream tore through the dark room as the man tied to the chair sitting in the center of the room cried bitterly from all the torture being thrown at him. His bloodied face and body were the evidence of the brutality he was facing from Marco. While he looked a total mess, Marco looked calm and collected, nothing like a person who was busily inflicting pain on the other party.Dante stood behind him, watching with a stoic expression as Marco gave the man the beating of his life. Marco's movements remained elegant and effortless as he inflicted pain on the man who had refused to accept his offer. The man was unable to bear the pain anymore, so he immediately pleaded in agony. "Wait up you mother fucker!" He yelled as he spat out a mouth full of blood, a few teeth following the blood out. “Figlio di puttana!” He muttered a curse in Italian as he spat out more blood onto the ground.Marco watched with a smirk as if enjoying the view before him.“So, what now?” He aske
Once the car pulled into the driveway, Marco hurriedly climbed out of the car and rushed into the mansion, not even bothered about his wet body.Dante climbed out of the car as well and sighed.Thankfully, the rain had subsided and it wasn’t as heavy as before.He watched with a look of disdain as Marco ran straight into the house and straight to his new toy’s room.Honestly, he couldn’t decipher the new behavior from Marco anymore.A woman he barely knew and just had a one-night thing with, he felt she was his entire world, ‘ok maybe he didn’t feel that way’, but his reactions towards her were so alarming.“He possibly can’t be in love, right?” He muttered and went up to his bedroom to change up.“That’s insane! Falling for someone who you merely knew for three days?” He scoffed and closed the door behind him.He would rather eat glass than believe that Marco was in love.It definitely had to be just an attraction.Marco pushed open the door to Alessia’s room with a bang. Seeing her
The next morning, the sunlight streamed through the curtains, landing directly on Alessia's face. She blinked her eyes open, greeted by the beauty of the room again.Her senses were jumbled and she found it difficult to take in her environment. Once the fog covering her vision had cleared, the sight of the room finally became clearer and she saw it wasn't the same room she grew up in.Alessia instantly jerked up as her heart dropped at once. But when she tried to sit upright, she realized something was wrong.She couldn't move.A hand restricted her movement and she panicked at once.Who the hell was holding her?!Her brain didn't process that it was Marco, instead it processed that Simone might be the one holding her in bed. This thought disgusted her as she slowly turned to see if it truly was Simone.God forbid she ever had anything to do with her uncle!It was like all those books she collected from Grace.The ones where love with one's family or relative was considered a forbidde
Marco leaned back in the leather, his gaze fixed on the glass of whiskey swirling in his hand. The amber liquid caught the light from the morning sun, shining a warm glow across the room. Dante sat across from him, tapping his fingers rhythmically on the armrest, a thoughtful expression on his face.“So,” Dante began, breaking the comfortable silence, “you’ve been quiet since that rooftop moment with Alessia. What’s going on in that head of yours, Marco?”Marco sighed, setting the glass down on the polished mahogany table.“I’m just thinking about how things are going to change soon,” he said, his voice heavier than usual. “In a few days, things are going to be changed.”Dante understood where he was heading, it was about his position as head of the clan. Before Dante could say a word, Marco continued, “Before anything changes around here, I want to do something fun.” Dante raised a questioning brow, already showing interest. “You’re thinking about a party, aren’t you?” he asked, e
The sight before her left her utterly speechless as she stepped out of the guest room. Her eyes darted between Marco and the woman who stood beside him. Were they just locked in each other’s embrace, kissing?Her anger surged, boiling over into a fury. “What the hell is going on here?” She demanded as if entitled to their explanation.Marco rolled his eyes and shoved both his hands into his pants pocket.“What does it look like to you?” He returned the question with his.Miracle’s gaze darkened, her eyes now locked onto Alessia. She had red hair—just like hers, and they both looked similar, which was uncanny for Mimi. It only riled her up even more. “Who is she?” She went ahead to ask Marco. “Is she the one? Your lover and the reason you’re refusing to accept me?”“She has nothing to do with you,” Marco interrupted her words, his face grim. “And I think it’s time for you to leave.” He added, his tone leaving no room for argument.But Mimi was far from done. Her first clenched at her
The sight before her left her utterly speechless as she stepped out of the guest room. Her eyes darted between Marco and the woman who stood beside him. Were they just locked in each other’s embrace, kissing?Her anger surged, boiling over into a fury. “What the hell is going on here?” She demanded as if entitled to their explanation.Marco rolled his eyes and shoved both his hands into his pants pocket.“What does it look like to you?” He returned the question with his.Miracle’s gaze darkened, her eyes now locked onto Alessia. She had red hair—just like hers, and they both looked similar, which was uncanny for Mimi. It only riled her up even more. “Who is she?” She went ahead to ask Marco. “Is she the one? Your lover and the reason you’re refusing to accept me?”“She has nothing to do with you,” Marco interrupted her words, his face grim. “And I think it’s time for you to leave.” He added, his tone leaving no room for argument.But Mimi was far from done. Her first clenched at her
“Fuck! The miracle is here,” Marco announced to their surprise. “Find a place to hide yourselves, I’m not ready for any explanations yet.” He directed at Grace and Alessia.Grace snorted in disapproval, “why do we have to hide? I mean we work for you.” She said.Dante sighed and shook his head.“He knows that, Bestie. But you still need to stay hidden.” And with that, Dante pulled her up and directed her towards the staircase.Alessia glanced at Marco for a while, she couldn’t help the feeling in her heart. Miracle had been the woman he was supposed to marry, but she rejected him at the altar, which was good enough for Alessia to believe that Mimi didn’t love Marco. But her sudden arrival stirred up something in her, maybe jealousy if she must admit.Marco turned to see that she was still standing there and frowned. “What are you waiting for? Go!” He ordered in a gruff voice.Alessia nodded, wanting to turn and do as told, but instead, she rushed over to Dante and pulled him in for a
The next day crept in faster than usual, Grace stirred and to her surprise, she was wrapped in someone's embrace. Her first thought was if she unknowingly went with one of those men at the table. Her heartbeat accelerated in fear as she actually thought maybe she had done it. She hurriedly pulled away from the figure but also realized it wasn't one of those men as she had thought. It was actually Dante. Dante's eyes fluttered open, as he jerked up from his sleep, reaching under his pillow as fast as lightning as he pulled out a gun. "Who's the fool?!" He yelled, aiming aimlessly. Grace, who hadn't expected that, froze at the sight of the gun he pulled out. Did... Did he just pull out a gun? The grogginess he felt slowly wore off and he could finally see it was Grace in the room with him and not someone else. He released a sigh of relief and put the gun aside. "Fuck, you scared me." He muttered and fell back on the bed. Grace then glared at him before yelling. "Was that a gun
A day after Dante had exposed his relationship with Grace, he drove directly to Devil's Den to find her. On his way to the place, he suddenly caught sight of a chocolate store by the roadside. An idea struck him, why not buy her a box of chocolate?With a small smirk on his face, he parked the car right beside the store and stepped down, ready to buy a box of chocolate for his bestie. But the moment he stepped before the store, ready to enter, he suddenly thought about something. What if Gracino didn't like chocolates? Yes, he knew girls liked it, but Grace was a hooligan. She wasn't like other girls. She and Alessia were crazy girls who didn't mind ripping a pack of chocolate apart in the twinkle of an eye. "Fuck, I don't think she likes chocolates." He said to himself, rubbing the back of his neck and standing there awkwardly. He groaned, throwing his head back as he turned to leave. He'd better not do something that would end up having Grace mock him at the end. He got back int
When Grace and Alessia arrived at Devil's Den, Grace brought her directly to the counter where she served the customers. Alessia felt out of place standing there, but she watched patiently as Grace went about her job. The men at the club couldn't keep their eyes off Alessia whose red hair was tantalizing and beautiful. Alessia felt very uncomfortable having so many people watching her as she tried to fit in. "Hey, do something. Don't just stand there." Grace said and nudged Alessia slightly, aiming to earn a reaction from her. "And what exactly am I supposed to do?" Alessia asked as she glared at Grace. She flipped her hair to the back, turning back to the counter as a man in a luxurious-looking outfit walked over to her instead of Grace.Alessia knew without a doubt that this man wasn't here for anything good. "Hey, beautiful." He called out with a smile, licking his lower lip as his eyes went directly to her cleavage which was a bit exposed.Alessia noticed his gaze on her, so
“So what exactly do you plan to do now,” Dante’s voice cut through the silence, his tone calm but probing.Marco turned to look at Dante, a brow coming up. “What do you mean?” he asked.“I mean,” Dante paused, then continued. “I know you aren't going to marry Gaia.”Marco’s gaze darkened as he glared at his cousin. A scowl formed on his face as he said in return.“I never had any intention of marrying Gaia. I made it clear from the start.”Dante nodded in understanding, “Of course, I knew that, But after the conversation with your father today, you'll have to get married to her.” Marco’s gaze shifted as the words Ezekiel had said to him earlier clicked in his head.“I found out something suspicious today, something my father said to me while on call.”“What's it about and who?” “Alessia. He said something about her father’s identity. I feel there’s something we don't know.” Marco explained seriously. Dante frowned. “What exactly did he say?” “It doesn’t matter, I need you to help
Marco got into the car, directing the driver to Salvador's home. If he has to set everything on track, then he needs to get Gaia to reject the proposal.Just then, Marco got a call from Ezekiel, his father. He wanted to reject the phone call, but he ended up accepting the call.“This better be important_”“Return to the mansion at once.” Ezekiel cut him short in a stern voice.“And what gave you the impression that I’ll obey you?” Marco asked with an amused expression.“That’s because I just found out about something remarkable. If I were you, I’d return at once.”Ezekiel’s words made Marco’s face contort into one of confusion.“What are you planning, father?” He asked calmly, waiting for the impending response.“It’s simple, who is Alessia Simone?”Ezekiel asked, his question accompanied by an evil chuckle.Marco’s hand which was holding the phone froze mid-motion. His eyes widened, shock crossing his features before he quickly masked it. He gripped the phone tighter, trying hard to