Elena Of course, Paul said nothing. The Kingpin, however, was unusually chatty. "I was very surprised to find out that you were the one who was taking my money. Of course, your family was so kind as to promise me multiples of the figure you've stolen," he remarked. "I didn't steal anything from you. I won the money fair and square. Most of those fights were fixed. So tell me, how are you able to break the system? This is the ironclad system that had worked for years before you came?" I replied, feeling a surge of defiance. "I have my men looking into you, they found nothing. It's almost like you appeared from the face of the world suddenly," he chuckled as he walked beside me, the clanking sound of the tips of his gold-tipped shoes bothering me as I flinched with each step he took. "But it doesn't matter now. You will get what is due to you, and I will get what is due to me. Your friend can attest to that," he gestured towards Paul, who stayed silent throughout the exchange. "But
Elena The nurse led me to an empty ward. After checking my bruises and taking samples from it, she scribbled into a chart and smiled at me. “I'm sure you'll be fine. Your boyfriend insisted that you see a doctor.” Boyfriend? Damon had told her he was my boyfriend. I fought the urge to face palm as I felt heat risk into my cheeks. “He's not my boyfriend.” I muttered as I suddenly found the patterns on the bruise on my wrists so interesting. The nurse apparently didn't hear me, she was scribbling furiously into her chart. She suddenly looked up and flashed her pearly whites at me. Ack! So bright. “The doctor will see you soon.” She clicked her tongue and scurried off. As I say there alone, my mind went to the way Damon had looked at me earlier. His face showed betrayal. I had betrayed him in some way. He said a lot of things that made sense, but I was done. I was done with the following and running. I was done with constantly looking over my shoulder. I wanted to live in my ter
Damon She was the most infuriating woman I had ever encountered. Infuriating and freaking perfect in every way humanly possible. Her dark red hair cascaded down her back in thick curls that I longed to pull; her pale skin called my name to lick every inch of it. She had an effect on me, and she knew it. Ever since the moment I met her, she had me wrapped around her little finger, especially when she walked away from me, giving a perfect view of her plump ass. No. I shook my head. I wasn't the kind of man to be pulled in by a woman. I had worked too hard to be that guy, at least I thought I was at the time I met her. She was guarded. Her eyes shone with a glint of knowledge despite the skepticism that was my greeting. Things were easier when she was just Elena. I could kiss Elena, play with her, flirt with her, and fuck Elena to my heart's content. I could chalk her skepticism up to normal caution some women exercise when they were around me. I didn't blame her for the skepticism
Damon "Why is your accountant doing shady business?" I asked the one I called the bull. In reality, his name was Ricolletti. He was one of the seven barons or seven lords of the mafia city of Ofalia. He was one of the stronger ones and pulled in the most men in terms of workforce. He was the sort of man I shouldn't have as an enemy, but the man loved to antagonize me, and when I was pushed, I would push back. "I don't understand what you're talking about, my king," he said with a slight bow. "I'm going to give you a sound warning, Ricoletti. If I hear one little sound, and if I have to kill any one of your people, it'll be your family that's next. The harbor is for all of us to share, not just you." "So, you think they want to retaliate because of that little exchange? The six lords are not as strong as I thought." "Don't understand," Frank said, in warning. "During that, as well, led the previous mafia king to begin his downfall. Don't think you can command all of them. You need
Isabella This would be the second time I would admit to myself that Damon confused me. He was too gentle, too soft to attend to much, a contrast between him and the person that fought. It was also a stark contrast from the man that dished out orders in front of me. He barked commands, directed the men moving to action, and they did. But his movements and that of his men were like a slow-motion movie. My heart was the only thing moving. I don't normally pace, or perhaps it was moving too fast. My mind seemed to match the pace as countless scenarios kept running through my mind. Each of them was worse than the last. In one of my imaginations, Paula was killed first because she didn't spend as much time with me, and Julian was tortured. In another imagination, they were both dropped into a pool filled with piranhas that ripped their flesh from their bones, leaving the pool a dark red color. I knew what Cassandra was capable of. She was mad, twisted, and the past 8 years must have made
Isabella Damon looked like he wanted to say something, but I was hoping he wouldn't press further about my sudden silence. He should understand that I was not mentally in a good place. "I want you to know that we're going to find your friends," he said, seemingly pulled out from a brief momentary confusion. I said nothing, I did nothing, but I felt much. I kept wondering why I was here. The thought occurred to me that perhaps I shouldn't have called him, but instead, I should have run and forgotten all about this. Maybe when I got to Norway, I would have called Damon and told him about what happened. I would have pressed him to be urgent and save their lives if he wanted to find me. But of course, I suddenly realized that today and would have had access to technology and would easily track me. Would it mean that I would throw away my phone? Most likely, along with many other things that could be used to track me. He gave me a reassuring smile. But I couldn't return it. I just sat
Isabella Damon looked like he wanted to say something, but I was hoping he wouldn't press further about my sudden silence. He should understand that I was not mentally in a good place. "I want you to know that we're going to find your friends," he said, seemingly pulled out from a brief momentary confusion. I said nothing, I did nothing, but I felt much. I kept wondering why I was here. The thought occurred to me that perhaps I shouldn't have called him, but instead, I should have run and forgotten all about this. Maybe when I got to Norway, I would have called Damon and told him about what happened. I would have pressed him to be urgent and save their lives if he wanted to find me. But of course, I suddenly realized that today and would have had access to technology and would easily track me. Would it mean that I would throw away my phone? Most likely, along with many other things that could be used to track me. He gave me a reassuring smile. But I couldn't return it. I just sat
Damon “Leads? I asked the burly man who jogged up to me, named Miguel. "No, sir," he said with a slight bow. "But there's word from the Ravildis. They said the Ricolettis have moved to take over the harbor. It's not just that, sir. There are representatives from the upper cities here, and they want to see you." I put my hand on my chin as my mind swirled with possibilities. "Who are they?" I asked Miguel. "It's not just from the six families, sir. What time?" "In 2 days. The meeting is in 2 days." "Call the Italian Mafia. I don't want this to end in a bloodbath." "Yes, sir." Miguel walked off with brisk footsteps, and now I just needed to hear word about Cassandra. As if on cue, I received Frank's phone call. "I'm hoping it's good news," I said. "I've got good news and I've got bad news," Frank replied. "You might have heard that the ladies have moved to take over the harbor. But it's not just that. It's like the families are getting ready to improve on them. And then, of cou
IsabellaPerhaps it was Donatella's face that was the most surprising, but the days following my declaration and official ascension to the throne were followed by endless visits to my family's estate.I had to temporarily move there because I was worried about the constant movement and how my son would take it. However, according to Julio, it also applied pressure to bring Cassandra back to the city.She had disappeared a few days ago, and I believed she went to have her child."I must say, he's a very handsome boy," Nicholas said as he carried my son and began to walk around the new nursery. The baby cooed in his arms and raised his little fists towards his face. I smiled but began to miss the little bundle of warmth that he provided. I had once complained to Damon, and his reply was,"You'll just have to get used to it. Or are you going to take my son away from me?" Damon said with a smile.***To my surprise, Cassandra didn't show up over the next few weeks. I began to genuinely w
IsabellaGeorge knelt in front of me in the gazebo. I had given Alessandro the go-ahead to let him come to the mansion. He came accompanied by three more people that I didn't recognize."There was a mistake, Princess. If I had known…”“I know you think that I am a benevolent figure of never-ending kindness that might accept you. But you must understand that given my position, I simply cannot forgive you right off the bat. You have to prove yourself to me. You have to prove yourself to the city. You have to prove your loyalty, and it will cost you more than it did the last time," I found myself saying.Shortly after that, I left the men alone and made a beeline for the nursery where I felt my son squirming and crying in his cot. The maid I had instructed to stay with him was trying to keep him calm, but she was failing miserably, making me laugh.I stretched out my hands, and just as she placed him in it, the infant settled down. Shortly after passing him and singing to him, I felt ar
DamonAfter Isabella told me that I should handle Cassandra, Valentino, and her allies, I got to work instantly, telling Ted to pull out the old files he had on the trust of those she committed."So what do we do with them?" he asked. "We pick the weakest link. We pick the one most sympathetic to the lower City. Find me a couple of them and show them the pictures."A few days later, I received a call from Ted while I was out in town on a meeting with Nicholas."We have a number of them. What do you want us to do?" he asked. "Tell them to come to my place," Nicholas said with his arms raised. "I'm sure we'll do a good job convincing them." I smiled and told Ted to do the same. Six men, members of the lesser families, came through his gate.I recognized Antonio and George to be some of them and stopped myself from snickering behind my mask. The men bowed when they saw me, but it was clear that their initial fear of me was gone. I smirked behind the mask and looked at them.I loved se
IsabellaDamon had carried me into the tub filled with cold water. As soon as my body came in contact with the water, I instantly sighed in relief. Marie came to me with a small figure half wrapped in a cloth and laid the pink infant on my naked chest.I leaned my back against the foam headrest and let my child lean against my skin. He squirmed and cried, but Marie said it was all part of the process, even though my heart was aching as I desperately searched my mind for what to do to ease his sorrows somehow."If he doesn't cry, his lungs wouldn't be strong. You have to let him cry, princess," she had told me before I struggled with her, and Damon carried me into the bathroom. Even now, he was still crying, but I felt a bit assured as Damon held my hand and began to rub soothing circles over my knuckles. "You are so strong," he whispered. "I'm so proud of you." He whispered again, and this time his hand reached up to caress the head of the infant that laid on my chest. I smiled, bu
IsabellaDamon laughed suddenly, his shoulders quaking, and the room filled up with the hearty sound of joy. He stopped after a while and turned his head towards Cassandra. "It looks as though this wannabe princess is uninformed about what's happening in the city. Someone please tell her."Andrew cleared his throat. "The King…" Damon took off his mask, revealing his face, causing Cassandra to gasp and cover her mouth, as did Donatella. "The King has been married to the princess for quite a while now. I happen to be one of those privileged to witness the ceremony and the signing of their marriage certificate.This, of course, meant that as one without a surname, he would take his wife's own, making him Damon Montenegro Therefore, your challenge… your stake on the throne is very much mitigated by him.""That's not possible!" Cassandra screeched. "You wouldn't do that," she said as she turned her head towards me and stared daggers at me through the screen. "I did. Would you like to h
Isabella"Do I need to remind you that you are a fugitive?" Damon's voice cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter."Do I need to remind you that your crimes are so great you deserve to be put to death?" Damon stood up from his seat and walked towards the pregnant woman."Get out, or I will pull my gun and shoot you between your eyes, not caring about the child within your belly." Instantly, Donatella gasped and covered her mouth with surprise.She got up and walked towards both of them and set herself in their midst as though to protect Cassandra. "Ouch," I thought to myself. "So much for loyalty forever," I said out loud. Donatella turned to me."You must understand, princess, it's not as though I will not be loyal to you. It's just with the recent developments, we find ourselves needing an heir. Perhaps once she gives birth, she can leave." "I'm not going anywhere," Cassandra said, protesting as she pushed the older woman out of the way."I'm here to challenge her
Isabella“No, Isabella. We still need Cassandra to come out. We need her to show her cards. I'm sure it's not going to take long, but... you have to hang tight, Mia Bella," Damon said, shaking his head.He raised his hand and began to caress my belly before leaning in and pressing a kiss on my swollen abdomen. As if in response, the baby kicked where his hand was."He's saying hello to me," Damon said with a smile as he leaned forward and then pulled open the robe I wore to reveal my naked belly."So perfect," he said as he pressed another kiss on the pale skin. "So damn perfect," he said again as he met my eyes. I could see the expression there, his eyes flashing red before returning back to their normal hazel color. He spread open my legs and slowly removed the outer robe to reveal my naked pussy. Slowly, he kissed his way from my belly button down to my weeping pussy.***The extra wait was grueling, but I didn't mind it. I filled my days with walking, with Paula up and down the
Isabella"It was just a rumor," I told my husband as he paced the length of the room, hitting one wall and then going to the next to do the same."We both know rumors are next to truth. It wouldn't be said if it wasn't seen at some point. But you're the same person that said the city thrived on rumors. Why is this one only different?" I questioned him, but the man continued his insistent pacing. He had taken off his shirt, leaving him half naked and making my eyes wander to strange places."Please," I begged him as I stood up. I took off my coat."You're making me dizzy," I said.Damon stopped suddenly and looked at me. "And if the rumor's true?""Then we laid a trap. And I think traps are your thing… at least Julio's thing.""So let's call the ultimate trap master and have him whip up something for us," I said as I reached up towards my husband's head.***The day after, Julio sat opposite me in the gazebo. "How could you not tell me you were pregnant?" He asked, his eyes wide and f
DamonIsabella's face was pale when I saw her as she came out of the bathroom. She had a stunned look as though she was trying to remember something. I grabbed her hands and rubbed circles over her knuckles until she smiled at me."I am fine," she said with a shaking voice."Champagne?" I asked as I handed her a flute. She shook her head. "I can't keep it down," she said, forcing another smile at me."Isabella, what is wrong?" I asked with my mouth close to her ear. "I'll tell you when we get home," she said as she squeezed my fingers back.The rest of the evening couldn't come fast enough as I began to wish time could go faster. Finally, three hours after we arrived at the party, she tugged on my arm, telling me she wanted to go home. I bade goodbye to my friends and some others who were desperate to see me for some reason. We decided to take the chopper, being impatient and me wanting to find out what was wrong with my wife.I helped her out of her dress when we reached our room. S