Natalia's POV: After a while, Sophia suggested we get some rest. I trudged slowly out if the water with my swimsuit clinging to my body, wet. I glanced around looking for Carlo and wondering where he was until my eyes found his and settled on him. Bluish-grey eyes locked on my clear blue ones. And then they moved, raking over my body from head to toe over and over. I knew how revealing my bikini set was and I could clearly read the hunger on his eyes. My body grew hot with his gaze and I felt my pussy get wet. The look in his eyes was so intense that I had to look away. I hurried towards the cabin, Sophia had put our bags in earlier. Needing to take a quick shower since I felt a bit uncomfortable after playing in the water. I felt his gaze on me as I walked up the pathway to the cabin, ignoring him. The moment I got to the cabin, I opened the door and went straight to the bathroom where I took off the skimpy red bikini. I went into the shower stall and put on the shower. Cold wa
Carlo's POV: Today wasn’t just about inspecting a shipment. It was about Benjamin, a new supplier Ivan had brought into the fold. I needed to see him in action, to assess if he was as capable and reliable as Ivan claimed. Trust was earned, not given, and I wasn’t one to take unnecessary risks. Ivan stood beside me, his tall frame leaning casually against another crate. He was dressed impeccably, as always, his thick coat trimmed with fur and his hands clasped loosely in front of him. Beside him was Benjamin. Benjamin was younger than I’d expected, mid-thirties, with a sharp, calculating gaze. He had the kind of calm confidence that could be a strength or a warning sign. “Shall we begin?” Ivan asked, his deep voice breaking the silence. Benjamin stepped forward, holding a crowbar. With practiced ease, he pried open the nearest crate, revealing its contents: stacks of neatly sealed bricks, their white powder visible through the translucent plastic. “Cocaine,” Benjamin said, his
Natalia's POV: I had gone and done it now. I felt like I was about to shit my pants. My heart began beating faster than ever without running a race. “Fuck, fuck fuck fuck” i muttered, my heart slamming against my ribcage repeatedly. “I... I'm sorry,” I blurted, my voice trembling as I looked up. And froze. Sophia. Of all the people in this godforsaken mansion, it had to be Ivan Kozlov’s wife. Had she seen me recording them? Oh, God. Her dark eyes narrowed as she steadied herself, looking more curious than angry. Sophia was elegant and intimidating in equal measure, her silk robe flowing around her like some kind of regal cloak. “What are you doing out here, Natalia?” she asked, her voice laced with suspicion. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Think, Natalia. Think. “I—I was looking for Carlo,” I stammered, clutching the phone to my chest like it was a sacred artifact. My face heated under her scrutinizing gaze, and I forced a nervous laugh. “I woke up, and he wasn’t in bed. I
Natalia's POV: If I had thought that by morning, I'd be less paranoid after sleeping… I was in for a rude awakening. When I first woke up, I realized I was no longer on my side of the bed and I jerked to my feet, feeling my heart leap to my throat as I did. It jumped so hard it caused a physical pain in my chest. Why did I sleep like a fool? I was always cautious! I rounded the bed back to the side I usually sleep on and raised the mattress up. A slow breath of relief escaped me when I saw the phone still firmly placed where I had left it. I let the bed fall back to its frame with a soft thud as I sank onto the floor, relief washing over me. At this point, I think I just might die from a panic attack before I get the chance to die at Carlo's hands. For how long do I have to go through this? Seriously, I couldn't wait to get this over with. I was still seated on the floor when the door creaked open and Carlo walked in. Shit. There was no time to get to my feet, so I ju
Natalia's POV Very early the next day, Carlo had made sure we were ready to leave. Why he was in such a hurry, I didn't know. We had said goodbyes to Ivan and Sophia with a promise to keep in touch and then we headed back for Italy. And there was only one thought nagging at the back of my mind as i looked out of the private jet's window. The evidence. My hand moved slightly over my belly where I hid the phone securely at the waist of my jeans. Each time it came to my mind a mix of emotions washed over me. I was sometimes elated that I'd gotten prove somehow, something that would set me free from Carlo but at the same time, I was conflicted. "What's on your mind?" Carlo's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Why are you frowning?" He asked gently. "Nothing." He frowned, eyes regarding me slowly. It was like ever since we finally had sex and I lost my virginity to him, he was a lot... nicer? He was still rude and mean sometimes but… nice too. Naaaa, that wasn't Carlo. Maybe
Natalia's POV: Days passed after my argument with Vittoria and I still felt on the edge even though I no longer had the phone and she no longer approached me, demanding I snitch on Carlo. I must seem like a fool for turning down such a big offer. But I didn't trust Vittoria anymore. Not with the stunt she pulled. Sure, her excuse was good. She was being careful. I know. But she should have at least let me in on her plans. Because for some weird reasons, my mind kept telling me that she was going to ditch me after getting the evidence. And I couldn't afford that. Yes, I know that even if she ditched me, Carlo would be taken in and I might be free to walk. But without the protection she had offered, I wasn't going to walk out of here alive. Imagine this scenario, their capo gets taken in by the FBI and suddenly, I decide to run away? Of course I would be a suspect—even if I was innocent and I wasn't At least here, we didn't have to live on the street or go hungry. And I could
Natalia's POV:This couldn't be happening. My chest heaved as I struggled to breathe through the force of my heart slamming against my ribcage. My whole body trembled visibly as I broke out in cold sweat.I was fucked. If my guesses were right, I was next. I was fucking next!I couldn't even clench my fists to ground myself, they were slippery with sweat. God, please.“Carlo!” Caterina snapped, interrupting my spiraling thoughts as she marched over to him. “How could you do this?” Carlo's face hardened even more, his eyes were dark with rage, I could practically see the veins on his temple throbbing. “This is on you zia, your fault!”“My fault? Was this how I raised you?” She screeched, her voice holding a hint of hurt. “How can you beat up a woman so badly?!”Beat? More like brutally battering. Because there was no way a mere beating could have disfigured her this badly.“Do you know what she has done, zia?” Carlo snarled. This wasn't Carlo who had spent time with me outside I
Natalia's POV: His index finger curled around the trigger as his grip on the gun tightened. My blood ran cold.He wasn't really going to shoot her, right? ‘What did you think? You've watched him kill a man right before your eyes.’ Just as Carlo was about to pull the trigger, Vittoria burst into a humorless, unhinged laughter. Her weak body racked with it and slowly, she turned her head to ward Carlo. The movement made some strands of her hair move, exposing her right eye that had ballooned shut.Carlo's expression morphed from puzzled to anger and he smacked across the face with the back of his hand. “You think this is funny, you fucking bitch!” Gasps and murmurs erupted as his hand and the butt of his gun collided with her face.Vittoria coughed up saliva mixed with blood, her lips were torn from the impact of the blow. “You know what I think is funny? You.” She laughed again. “Your downfall is just around the corner, Carlo. Even if you kill me now, there will be someone else
Hi, y'all. Happy new month💗! I know chapter updates have been on hold for over a week now, and I sincerely apologize for that 🙏 I needed some time off for school and other stuff, but I'm back now. Updates resume any day from now, thank you so much for your patience💗And for the repeated chapters, I'm sorry and I will make it up to you. I do not take your support for granted 🥹💗 Love y'all 🫶🏻
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