Natalia’s POV:The look in Carlo’s eyes could kill anyone. His expression was so dark, so filled with fury, I could almost feel the burn from across the room. What had gotten him so angry? Why did he want everyone else to leave but me? “Qual è il problema, figlio?” Caterina’s concerned voice broke through the silence just as Bianca and Gabriella exited the room. “Talk to me,” She said softly, placing a hand on his arm to pacify him. But Carlo didn't even look at her, his gaze locked on me, cold and hard. {What is the problem, son?}“I just need to talk to my son’s fiancèe,” he said in a low, measured tone. “In private.” Me?! Caterina’s gaze moved from her nephew to me and back to him again. “I’m not leaving,” she said defiantly. “You keep acting like a maniac around her, you're scaring the poor girl!” Carlo let out a dark, sarcastic laugh. “You’re too naive if you think she's scared of me, zia.” His eyes darkened, and muscles on his jaw twitched in anger as his eyes met mine. “'cau
Natalia’s POV: HOURS LATER…Thanks to Caterina, I wasn't subjected to the harsh punishment Carlo had in store for me. Instead, I was locked up in my room, with no access to anyone, food, or water. But Caterina had been very disappointed in me, Luca said he'd understand and wasn't upset but I wasn’t buying into his lies. If I were in his shoes I’d be upset too, especially since Carlo had given him the lecture of the year.I felt… felt terrible. My impulsive, reckless action has done more harm than good. I was worried sick about Tanya but Caterina assured me that Carlo would let her go. I do hope so, cause the guilt was eating me up. And that heartless demon, he’d really want them to strip me naked and let three men flog me for hours? I can't believe I’d let him touch me! The way he'd acted like nothing happened between us that night, shocked and infuriated me. Not like I had anticipated all of this to happen but wasn't he supposed to take that into consideration?‘Natalia, you poss
Carlo’s POV:“What do you mean you can't find my son!” I barked at the incompetent fools who had their heads bowed. “Sorry boss,” Leonardo spoke up first. “We… we don't know how this happened.”I stormed toward him, grabbing his chin in a tight grip. “So you're telling me, only one boy snuck out of the mansion, and none of you seemed to have noticed?” “He…he tricked his driver, capo—”“Useless!” I shoved his chin away, disgusted as I paced the empty room in the cathedral back and forth, wondering why Luca had run away. Was it the wedding? Fuck, he knew he had to get married one way or another, that was the tradition of this household and probably every other household within the organization.This was bad, very bad. Once this got out—which it will eventually—the other families would start talking, questioning my abilities and position. The wedding was meant to be a symbol of control, it meant Luca would have an heir after he took over from me, and now? Now it had all come crashing d
Natalia’s POV: Carlo finally returned a week later. But for the past two days, I hadn't seen him, not once. It was like he was avoiding me and it was driving me crazy.After everything that’s happened, he's just going to ignore me? I needed answers—needed to know about Luca’s disappearance and my future.A knock on my door and one of the guards walked in. “Boss would like to speak with you, in his office.”Fucking finally!I got off the bed and followed the guard out to Carlo’s office. The guard opened the door and I walked in, finding Carlo behind his desk. The light from the opened blinds played across his cheekbones, as well as a lush mouth. He hadn’t shaved recently, and a dark scruff covered his sharp jaw. There was something about his hard grey-blue eyes that had me thinking about what he'd been up to these past few days.“Sit.” He gestured to an empty chair in front of his desk, which I took eyeing him warily. Why was he so different? “I’m not going to beat about the bush,”
Natalia’s POV: God!I was so angry my body vibrated with it. I have never been this furious in my life!I got to my room, slammed the door, and locked it shut with a chair against its knob. I paced back and forth like a wounded animal, and before I could stop myself I grabbed the curtain and tore it from its rails. Next, I picked up the bedside lamp, smashing it into the mirror with all my strength. I watched it shatter to pieces, panting from the exertion.Without thinking, I grabbed a piece, accidentally cutting myself. Hissing, I stared at the blood coating the glass and dripping to the floor. But I was way past caring. I felt like I could explode any second now. My chest felt heavy and it physically hurt. If I couldn't take my anger out on Carlo, I would do that to his properties! I walked over to the bed and started slashing. I let it all out. My fury at Carlo, my anger at Luca and my rage at my father.They were the reason I was in the mess, how dare they dictate my life! Firs
Carlo’s POV:I strode out of my room with my cock as hard as a rock after I’d restrained a very naked Natalia to my bed. There was no one who had ever pushed me to the fucking wall as much as she did, secretly, I loved it, it gave me more reasons to do as I pleased with her. And maybe I looked like a sick bastard asking her to be my mantenuta weeks after my son—her fiancè left her at the altar but why wait? I already knew what she tasted like, I knew how her body went limp when I touched her, I knew what she sounded like when aroused out of her mind and the way she grew wetter by the minute. Fucking hell. I knew I wanted her—who wouldn’t? She was like a walking sex, with full, round breasts that were more than a handful, curvy hips, and a fat ass. Who could say no to that? Well, Lucas would, and if he had decided he didn’t want the marriage, who was I to say ignore the piece of meat being dangled in front of me? She could resist me all she wanted, lie to herself, and say she didn't
Natalia’s POV:I may have lost count of how many days I’d gone without food or water. And I felt dead. Carlo hadn't budged, not one bit, and I was probably going to die from my stubborn act. A soft knock had me darting my eyes to the door, an action I instantly regretted. Yes, people, hunger makes your body hurt, and even the slightest movements are hell. “Hey,” Caterina’s soft voice called, and I wasn't surprised she was the one. Only she would knock before entering, unlike Carlo. I sat up on the bed, careful not to move too much so the chains at my feet wouldn't drag across the wounds there (I’d tried severally to take the chains out and I'd only succeeded in hurting myself)My eyes tracked her as she moved closer to the large king-sized bed, taking a seat at the edge of the bed. She wasn't with a food tray, so I'd assumed she was here to wipe me clean—yes, Carlo never released me so I could have a bath, the bastard made sure Caterina wiped me instead. How convenient. “What now?”
Natalia’s POV:FLASHBACK:FIRST DAY IN ITALY:Exhausted, I dropped to the floor beside the door and that was when my eyes caught something strange amidst the mess on the floor. Slowly, I picked up the brown envelope that slid out from where my bag landed. It wasn't mine. I hadn't put an envelope when I packed my bag, at least I didn't remember putting it in there. My heart rate picked up as every instinct told me not to open the strange envelope. But my fingers moved, tearing the seal off…My fingers trembled as I pulled out a white paper from the envelope and realized it was a letter. Carefully, I opened the letter, and it read:To Natalia, If you're reading this, I may already be dead. The sins I committed have finally caught up with me, the people I wronged have found me and it is only a matter of time until Don Carlo comes for me. I know I'd hurt you and wronged you so much that I don't think you could ever forgive me. So this one last time, allow me to be selfish; I’d decided
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY-NINE: Natalia's POV: My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I noticed was the big hand resting on my waist and I stiffened.Carlo?Carefully and slowly, I turned around coming face to face with a sleeping Carlo. Like this, he looked so peaceful and even more gorgeous. So he came back to bed, cuddling with me. I thought. I could stay like this for hours—days—and not move, I love being in his arms like this, I love being this close to him. For the next ten minutes or so, I lay quietly, until his eyelashes fluttered open revealing those gorgeous eyes to me.“You're awake,” he mumbled in a deep, throaty voice and I smiled.“Yes,” I whispered. “I was watching you sleep,” I said before I could stop myself, almost like my mouth had no filter.He smiled. “You enjoy watching me sleep?” Maybe more than I'd like to admit. “I don't know,” I lied, avoiding his eyes. “I'm thirsty, could you move your arm?” “Don't stress yourself, I'll get water for you,” he i
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY:Angela's POV: HOURS EARLIER….Rueben was finally getting better and Camilla said his infections were gone. I couldn't stand being close to him like this out of guilt but I couldn't leave his side either. Of course, being the man he was, he didn't blame me, in fact, he was relieved I had gotten home safe. Can you believe it?I was the reason he almost died and he was worried about me?‘Tell him what happened and watch if he'd still care about you,’ A voice mocked in my head and I shut my eyes tightly to make it go away.Every day was an internal battle with my head and heart. Do I tell him or not? I know if I didn't there would be no way of him knowing since none of the people who already knew were going to spill it anyways.But it was eating me up inside. No one knew how I kept reliving that day every time I shut my eyes, no one knew how I kept looking behind me. How could they tell I could still feel those bastards moving in and out of my mouth?They
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY-ONE: Carlo's POV: My knees buckled. I can count on a single hand the number of times I've felt this way. Helpless, frightened, powerless.“Don't you dare lay a finger on her!” I barked, my voice trembling. “I can't promise that, Carlo,” the bastard drawled. “Your cooperation determines how this goes. If you do as I say, she gets to walk free, unharmed.” “What do you want?” I gritted, grabbing my phone so hard it was a surprise it didn't Crack. “Name your price.”“You, Carlo?” I could hear the smile in his voice. “You're the prize.” This fucking bastard. “Fine!” From the corner of my eyes, I could see Enzo shaking his head, saying no but my mind was made up. “You will come to the location I've just sent you,” he ordered. “Come alone, Carlo. I don't need any of your minions, just you. You in exchange for your whore.” I didn't wait for any more babbling from me, I hung up, checking the location he sent as Enzo walked up to me.“You can't go there alo
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY:Angela's POV: HOURS EARLIER….Rueben was finally getting better and Camilla said his infections were gone. I couldn't stand being close to him like this out of guilt but I couldn't leave his side either. Of course, being the man he was, he didn't blame me, in fact, he was relieved I had gotten home safe. Can you believe it?I was the reason he almost died and he was worried about me?‘Tell him what happened and watch if he'd still care about you,’ A voice mocked in my head and I shut my eyes tightly to make it go away.Every day was an internal battle with my head and heart. Do I tell him or not? I know if I didn't there would be no way of him knowing since none of the people who already knew were going to spill it anyways.But it was eating me up inside. No one knew how I kept reliving that day every time I shut my eyes, no one knew how I kept looking behind me. How could they tell I could still feel those bastards moving in and out of my mouth?They
Natalia's POV: My eyes fluttered open and the first thing I noticed was the big hand resting on my waist and I stiffened.Carlo?Carefully and slowly, I turned around coming face to face with a sleeping Carlo. Like this, he looked so peaceful and even more gorgeous. So he came back to bed, cuddling with me. I thought. I could stay like this for hours—days—and not move, I love being in his arms like this, I love being this close to him. For the next ten minutes or so, I lay quietly, until his eyelashes fluttered open revealing those gorgeous eyes to me.“You're awake,” he mumbled in a deep, throaty voice and I smiled.“Yes,” I whispered. “I was watching you sleep,” I said before I could stop myself, almost like my mouth had no filter.He smiled. “You enjoy watching me sleep?” Maybe more than I'd like to admit. “I don't know,” I lied, avoiding his eyes. “I'm thirsty, could you move your arm?” “Don't stress yourself, I'll get water for you,” he insisted, pulling away as he rose to
Carlo's POV: I don't know what I'm feeling, but I can't say I didn't understand it either. I do and that's what terrifies me. I might be overreacting, freaking out because I was slowly realizing that things have completely changed for me, that my normal was now a completely different thing. And I see it now, what Camilla had been trying to tell me, Enzo too. But how could this have happened? When did the lines get blurred? How did I get here? It's just been months, how didn't I see this coming?“Don?” My head snapped up at Enzo's voice. How hadn't I heard him come in? “Enzo,” I muttered, watching as he closed the door behind him and walked in. “You're up late.” He pulled out the chair from across me and lowered onto it. “Yes, I had to round up some things,” he laced his fingers. “I noticed you walking aimlessly in the garden before coming here. Are you okay?” I should tell him, shouldn't I?He understood me better and was my most trusted man.I heaved a sigh rubbing a finger o
Natalia's POV: “Are you asleep?” Carlo asked, his fingers toying with my hair was already taking me there…“No.” We lay together on his bed, after a good round of sex, we'd showered together and now, I had my head on his chest and his arms wrapped around me.A beat passed. “How do you feel about going to university?” Huh?!I jerked up to look at him. “I don't understand.” He smiled, and pulled me back down to his chest. “I don't know, I just thought you might want that. Maybe after you've had the baby or maybe you can start now,” he shrugged. “I heard even pregnant women attend university these days. Anyone you're comfortable with is fine.” Wait…. Am I dreaming?“You're for real?” I asked carefully.“When have I ever joked about something so serious, monella?” He planted a kiss on my hair. “I'm serious about this, you can attend university if you want. I don't know if I'm wrong, but it was your dream, yes? To go to school. I do not want to take that away from you…” he trailed off
Natalia's POV: I'm easy and cheap. I thought to myself as I melted against his bare chest. His arms came around me, holding me so close as if he was trying to merge us together and for a moment, we just stood like that. And then one hand came up to my hair, stroking it gently.“You confuse me,” he murmured. “I do not know what to do with you, how to deal with..” He trailed off and I was tempted to ask him to continue but I didn't want to ruin the moment.“I didn't mean to ignore you,” he continued. “And you're right, I should've communicated better. I guess I didn't think it was important… I …I.. I've never done this…”This? What did he mean by that? “I'll do better, monella,” He whispered softly. “I'm sorry.” He didn't have to keep saying sorry because I'd forgiven him the moment he held me back. You see? Easy and cheap. But then, he was apologizing wasn't he? Didn't that mean I was a little bit important to him?‘Because of the baby!’ A little voice in my head snapped and I
Natalia's POV: What the fuck? Blood rushed to my ears as my face flamed hot. For fuck's sake, I'd just been caught toying with my pussy, I could literally feel my wetness drying on my fingers.How the fuck did this happen?Before me, standing in nothing but a grey sweats which hung loosely on his waist was Carlo.But the guard said he wasn't in!He had an amused smirk on his face—one I'd very much like to wipe off his face—but other than that he looked good, strong, gone was the big white bandage that went around his torso. In its place was a small white bandage placed on his wounded area.“Do not stop on my account,” he teased. “I was enjoying the show, dolcezza.” I should have turned off the light. And how didn't I hear him come in.I adjusted my nightgown climbing off the bed, missing the orgasm that I would have gotten if I wasn't so rudely interrupted. “How are you here?” I asked, shifting uncomfortably on my feet. “The guard said you weren't in.” He shrugged. “He wasn't at