Hey loves ☺️💗🌸 Long time no talk! Lol How's life going? And the Christmas holiday preparations? XOXO🌸💗
Carlo's POV: “Quick reflex,” I said to Enzo as we slipped into my car. “Good job.” He nodded, gripping the steering wheels tighter. “It was necessary.” “It sure was.” From the corner of my eyes, I could see the frustration rolling off him in waves. “Those fuckers are getting more desperate. Bringing Gianpaolo back into the circle, after what he'd done? Ridiculous.” Agreed. Gianpaolo had been sent out of the circle because he'd deceived us in the past and had made a deal with a rival because of greed so it was his punishment; to leave. And now he they were bringing him back just to rebel against me? And Gianpaolo? Thinking he could challenge me because for some unknown reason they'd all decided to take his side. Pfft. As if I gave a fuck about any of them. I wasn't scared of them, could wage a war and wipe out everyone but we all knew how that would end… A leader without people to rule over. All I needed was to put them in their place but in the meantime. “W
Natalia's POV: The past four days had been weird. The good kind, actually. Maybe.I dunno. Just, Carlo's been different, okay? Not his usual annoying self. Which was… good.These days he made it his mission to check up on me, making sure I didn't move my injured arm in the wrong way. He'd also spend time with me—though it was usually in silence… but still.And I was beginning to think I could trust him enough to let him know about my fake father, Antonio’s letter, to let Carlo know I was still looking for my real parents.No. I shook my head, kicking against the idea as Alessandro's warnings flashed in my mind. That letter had subtly warned me about telling Carlo. But what toes could Carlo possibly have about my past? It made no sense.But I really really needed to know my real parents, even though I was no longer desperate to escape this place. Maybe I had to go back crawling to Alessandro for help. Was it worth it? Maybe… maybe not. Guess I'd figure something out later but I wa
Natalia's POV: “Hey, Nat.”I shot to my feet in an instance, eyes wide, jaw hanging loose. “Tanya?!” I gasped taking in my best friend.No. Freaking. Way.Oh my God!I darted across the room, running into her outstretched arms as the shock finally wore off. She caught me, hugging me back tightly, like her life depended on me, burying her nose in my neck.And as if on cue, we both started sobbing, it was tears of joy. Letting it all out.He'll, I'd missed her so much. She was the only family I had beside Ava, when she noticed my dad was an asshole, she forced her way into my life.Back in middle school, I didnt keep friends—hard to do so when you were bullied for being dirt poor and wearing worn out clothes all the time. But Tanya didn't give up on me, not when I'd been rude to her because I wanted to protect myself. More tears streamed down my cheeks when the memory of the first day she'd started bringing extra lunch to school just for me flashed in my mind.From then on, she'd shar
Natalia's POV:Later at night, after we got Tanya settled in, I headed back to his bedroom. Truth is… I stopped staying there two days ago when I'd finally been able to get out of bed and the pain meds didn't weigh me down anymore.But he'd missed dinner and I needed to talk to him about what happened today….. In fact, so many things.What was happening between us? Why did it constantly feel like there'd been a shift? I pushed his door open with my good arm and slipped in. The place was dark, quiet, so I just flicked on the beside lamp and I dropped down of his soft, enormous bed.I think I waited quiet a bit, already drifting into sleep when he arrived. “It's almost midnight,” he said, startled as he closed the door behind him. “Why are you here? In my room?” I shrugged. “You let me stay here most of the time anyway, so, no biggie. However, I need to speak to you about something?” “And it couldn't wait until tomorrow?” His brows knitted together as he started to unbutton the cuff
Carlo's POV: Walking away from her, when her desire was so obvious and raw, was a test of will.My cock throbbed in my pants, straining painfully against the zipper it made breathing almost impossible. Almost.The bathroom door clicked shut behind me and I quickly shed off my shirt and pants. My cock sprang free, slapping against my abdomen as I tugged off my boxer briefs. Cazzo! She got me so damn hard for her. Tonight, something about her had been different. She had seemed bolder, more daring and definitely wanted me as badly as I did want her.Was it because of the surprise? Had her behavior been a way to show her gratitude? Well, I couldn't tell…I knew it was reckless bringing her best friend over and Enzo had tried and failed to talk me out of it, but I needed her to know that I meant every word I'd said when we made that deal.I needed her to trust me because… because I didn't want her to keep trying to run away… I… I wanted her to stay…Madre! I was acting weird again.Enoug
Natalia's POV: Two days later. I hadn't seen much of Carlo since the night I had acted desperate and he asked me to not touch myself until he was ready to fuck me. The memory had me tugging on my lips as a warm feeling settled in my stomach. And honestly, I was missing his touches, his kisses…Great, now I sound like a freaking sap. Shaking the thoughts of Carlo out of my head, I was back to reality… The ‘here’ and ‘now.’Sure, it was a lazy day, but at least, I had my favorite people in the living room with me.Although, while tiktok videos had me glued to my screen, Ava, Tanya and Angela had their own task at hand.Tanya was painting both Angela and Ava's nails so she had them glued to her side while they chatted.I had just swiped through another trending video when a text popped up on my phone.My brows dipped as I read it.+39 XXX: Hello.Hmmm…An unknown number… only Tanya and Angela had my number.Me: who is this? I waited on bated breath as the text bubble showed up… it se
Natalia's POV: Three seconds… Twenty seconds… Two minutes. Three— “Didn’t he like it?” I muttered to myself, chewing my bottom lip as I grew nervous with each second that slipped by. He had seen it. It showed ‘read’ I saw him typing… so why hasn't he sent any text? Maybe I should ask him if he liked it or not, because this suspense was killing me! My thumb moved rapidly over my keyboard as I typed out the message. But just as I was about to hit ‘send,’ his text popped up and a breath I didn't realize I was holding escaped me. Grumpy asshole: So beautiful, dolcezza. Grumpy asshole: The most beautiful thing I've ever laid eyes on. I caught my self smiling stupidly as I preened at his praise. My body felt warmer as a fluttering feeling settled in my core but I could still feel anger brewing just below the surface… Me: it took you years to reply. Me: why?! Grumpy asshole: Did that upset you? Can't he simply answer the question? Me: why did it take yo
Natalia's POV: THREE DAYS LATER…Sexting with Carlo had become a habit. An addictive one and for some reason, he was barely at home these days. Giving us an opportunity to chat more and I was beginning to think it wasn't coincidental that he was rarely around.And when he'd said I couldn't touch myself until he did, I didn't know it would be so hard not to, eventually. Now, I was constantly horny and always thinking about what it would feel like to be so close to him again. To have him kiss me, caress my body, to have him stuff me full with his cock and fucked me senseless—“You've got that weird smile on your face again,” Tanya's voice startled me and it was only then that I realized the muscles on my cheeks weren't relaxed and the corners of my mouth had curled up. My smile dropped and I cleared my throat. “Nothing, just remembered something.” Her suspicious gaze bore into me and I didn't blink, staring back at her. “So…” she continued and I already knew where this was headed. “
Carlo's POV:Someone fucking shot at me!I saw red.I barely paid attention to the pain shooting through my arm and the trickling of blood seeping into my shirt and I spun on my feet to find Enzo with his gun out and Ciro was on the floor, gasping as scarlet red liquid oozed from his parted lips.“Give me the gun,” I ordered, stretching out my hand and Enzo placed the cool, heavy metal into my palms.“Forgive him, please!” Alfred begged and I could see the fear in his eyes.Good. “Please, Don. I'm sure he's learnt his lesson!” It was Gianluigi this time, he was crouched over Ciro, putting pressure to stop the blood from flowing profusely from the gunshot wound Enzo had inflicted on Ciro. “Please… He's made a terrible mistake. We apologize on his behalf!”But I huffed a laugh. “Now, what kind of leader would I be if I let the very man who'd shot at me go free all because of silly apologies?” I could feel where the bullet grazed my arm stinging like a bitch. “Step away from the traito
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & THIRTY-SIX:Carlo: THE NEXT DAY…“You kissed her?” Enzo asked again and I threw him a glare, grounding my molars harder.Stronzo.He’d been repeating it like he didn't hear a word I said. I watched as he pulled out the chair from across my desk and lowered into it.“Why?” A heavy sigh escaped me. “I do not have an answer for that.”He leaned forward on the desk. “No, I think you do.” I clenched my jaw tightly.He was right. But I'd be damned if I told him I kissed her because I had missed it—missed being near her or missed being able to touch her…It was stupid. I have to be able to let her go, to force myself to come to terms with the fact that she was Luca's now. And it was because of me. She'd asked that I set her free but how could I explain that the thought of never seeing her again made my heart clench in a way I couldn't even begin to understand? I know I'd promised to send them away or leave once they got married but deep down, within my soul, I knew
Natalia's POV: After giving it a thought, I knew Alessandro was my best bet. Which was why I was here, knocking on his door at almost two in the morning .No answer.I lifted my hand to knock again when I heard feet thudding against the floor followed by rustling, then a loud thud and harsh whispers.He had a visitor at this late hour?Must be one of the girls he was seeing…Should I wait or come back later?I chewed on my bottom lip as I tried to weigh my options… On one hand, I wanted to respect his privacy and come back in the morning but on the other hand, I was impatient. This couldn't wait till morning.Decision made, I lifted my hand again but before if could connect with the door, it swung open and Alessandro came into view.Shirtless, shorts hanging loosely on his waist, hair tousled, lips looking a bit plumper than usual.He was making out with a girl then.An odd feeling tugged at my insides. Jealousy.Must be nice to be this free and go on living without problems. Doing w
Alessandro's POV: Going back to have a talk with Luca was a waste of my time. The little shit has his mind made up! Shit! Shit! My hands flew to my hair, tugging painfully as I paced the length of my room. This was bad. For me and my partner. We were so fucking close! What was Luca thinking, really? How could he suddenly come back home and ruin everything for me? If he marries Natalia that was bad news for me. I was already plotting on how to use their growing relationship to my advantage and now that is ruined?! Fuckingshit! But the poor girl though… I knew I didn't care much for her but… she has been through enough already. I could tell she was already in love with Carlo. How would she handle this? Was there even a way to help her out of the mess? I don't think so. Carlo was adamant and very clear about his standing on this matter. The bastard didn't even flinch or show any emotion after he'd just broken the poor girl's heart. I really wish I could hel
Natalia's POV: LATER AT NIGHT…This was stupid. I thought for a billion times, yet, I found myself standing at Carlo's doorstep…Ever felt so nervous it felt like you're about to shit yourself? Yep, that was how I felt as I raised my hand to knock on his door. With each rap of my knuckles against the wooden door, the pit in my stomach deepened.I counted down to seven before I heard his heavy footsteps pad across the room and in no time, the door swung open, revealing a shirtless Carlo. Those impressive pecs on full display, rock hard abs, flexing. A trail of dark hair starting from his lower abdomen and disappearing into the waistband of that seductive grey sweatpants he had on.I gulped. Hard. ‘Get it together you fool.’My eyes lifted back to his, the surprise in those bluish gray eyes was palpable. I cleared my throat. “Uhh, hi?” ‘Really? Is that all you could say?’“I need to speak to you.” I said, a lot firmer this time and with a lot more confidence. But his expression quic
Natalia's POV: AFTER BREAKFAST …I think I slept off after crying again. Not sure how long but my eyes snapped open when I felt fingers in my hair. My eyes felt heavy and painful, my vision was a little blurry from all the crying and sleeping…I sat up slowly, forcing the fingers to leave my hair and I blinked as my eyes focused on the figure before me. “Caterina?” I moved slightly, wincing as my whole body ached from sleeping on the ground for hours. “Hey, dear.” Her hand came up to cup my face gently. “I brought you breakfast.” She motioned behind her and that was when I noticed Angela and a maid standing beside her with a tray of food.“There's a chocolate mousse cake too, I know you love those,” Angela urged with a smile.Ignoring her, I let my eyes shift from one woman to the other and I hated how vulnerable I feel. Pushing to my feet with great difficulty, feeling/hearing my bones pop and I winced. “I'm not hungry,” I said softly.“Nonsense.” Caterina's voice was soft, but f
Carlo's POV: “You did what?!” Angela screeched, breaking the uncomfortable silence in the room and Luca just seemed… unbothered Luca months back would never behave like this.Where had I gone wrong with him? Did I push him too hard unknowingly? Does he hate me?Lord knows I was out of my depth here. It felt like I was drowning… It was all so… overwhelming. Zia placed her hand softly on Angela's shoulder. “Calm down, dear. I don't think he meant what he said.” Her eyes met Luca's. “You didn't mean it, right? Tell her.” He let out a small laugh shaking his head. “Now why would I joke about something like that?” The look on zia's face at Luca's statment would be funny if this situation wasn't already too fucked up and complicated. And for the first time in years, I felt like a coward. The biggest coward to have ever graced the surface of the earth. “...She was meant to be my bride after all,” he continued casually. “All I did was ask to push through with the wedding.” “But she's y
Natalia's POV: My tongue felt heavy, the fight in me evaporating from my body as I could do nothing but watch Carlo leave my room like he didn't just shred my hearts into a thousand pieces. I couldn't tell what hurt me more. The fact that Carlo had just handed me to his son like I was nothing or the realization that my feeling was/will never be reciprocated. Hot tears hit my cheeks before I could stop them, my knees hit the floor as I clutched at my aching heart. Stupid. I was stupid to fall for the one man I couldn't have and shouldn't want… Fingers grabbed my chin painfully and my eyes snapped up to meet Luca's as he crouched down slowly. “You're crying like I asked to kill you or something.” He huffed a small laugh, smirking. “Is marrying me so bad that you have to look like this….?” His eyes roamed my face. “Like a heartbroken mess?” Yes! I wanted to scream, to yell, curse at him and maybe use my fist on him. But I couldn't. I felt drained, weak, I could only just kneel th
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & TWENTY-NINE: Natalia's POV: ‘Who is this person, Luca?’His hands fell from my arm like he'd been burned and he stepped back abruptly, confirming my suspicions but his face remained stoic.Someone wanted this—what was happening. But who and why?I ignored the burning sensation lingering on my arm from where his fingers were and I took a step forward. “Who are they? Cause I can tell you for a fact that they're lying and I didn't take you for someone who could be easily manipulated!” “You're delusional, no one said a thing to me. This is clearly an observation!” He shot back fiercely. “No one tells me what to do and I'm not being manipulated. This is all me!” Then why do you look so shaken? Like you're desperate to keep a secret to protect this person?! I didn't say that out loud though, he was determined to keep his mouth shut. So nothing I say or do will change a thing. “Alright, fine. I've heard you,” I said softly, hoping it would calm him down. “No one i