Carlo's POV: “Enzo, stay. The rest of you, leave,” I demanded as soon as Luca joined us in my home office. I paced the space behind my desk, hands on my waist as I watched my men bow slightly before they left the office one by one.My eyes met my son's as he leaned against the now locked office door, his pose exuding nothing but arrogance and defiance. No remorse whatsoever. What the fuck? What has gotten into him? My blood boiled even more.I was furious. Might seem irrational to zia and maybe others but I knew how his stupidity could have cost us. Dearly.At first, I was relieved. Happy. Overjoyed. And then reality sank in. This boy could have gotten himself killed! I worried when he ran from home, hell, I panicked when he suddenly fled Spain too. I couldn't show it, wasn't allowed to show it or think of it, but I did panic. I had my men search all over Andorra even had them searching France just in case and now he was suddenly here. What sick games was he playing at?“Don?” En
Carlo's POV: ‘Natalia. I want to marry her this time.’ His hard, cold gaze held mine unflinchingly as the words left his mouth. His words rang in my ears, over and over again and yet, I wanted to pretend like he hadn't uttered the most absurd and ridiculous things. He wants Natalia back? She was mine. He'd left her, clearly wasn't interested in her. He can't have her. She's been in my bed severally. I knew how she felt wrapped around my bare cock, I've had my tongue far up her cunt, I knew how she tasted even in my sleep. She was mine in every way. And I was certain he knew she was my mistress even if he'd been away for months. Everyone within and outside our circle knew, surely, he must have heard the gossip. So how could he want her? I guess he didn't mean it, right? Right. But I waited. Waited to hear that he was joking, that he'd been messing with me but instead, the silence stretched. The tension in the room grew thicker, almost suffocating as Luca bored his col
Natalia's POV: This has to be a joke. Really. A mean one. He was threatening them now? With his death? There was no way Carlo would refuse him now. No way. As much as he'd like to act tough to the outside world, act like he didn't have feelings, I knew how much he loved Luca. He wouldn't let his son die just because of me… I was literally nothing to him. Just his property. My eyes stung with impending hot tears and I blinked them away… Ignoring the way it felt like my heart was ripping apart. With everything that had been happening these past few months, I'd forgotten my place in Carlo's life and I foolishly fell for him… Now look. He was going to give into Luca's demands, that much was certain. I could still hear them trying to reason with him. It wasn't working. I could feel my hands literally shaking, my hair sticking to the back of my neck from the sweat there as my heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears. This was bad. This was really fucking bad. My stomac
Natalia's POV: I stood close to the door as Luca stood in the middle of my room, his hands shoved into his pockets, eyes fixed on me. Shit. I chewed on my bottom lip nervously. What do I say? ‘Please I don't want to marry you. I already have feelings for your father’ or ‘We can't get married. You do know I have sexual relations with your father, right?’ None was convincing enough. Just plain stupid. I'd brought him up here without a goddamn plan. What on earth was I thinking? “...I don't have all day, Natalia.” His voice penetrated my thoughts and my eyes snapped back to his. I can do this. This is just Luca—even though he's changed a bit… Keeping my eyes fixed on his, I cleared my throat, wiping my sweaty palms against my leggings. “Uhh… how have you been?” Easing into a conversation was clever, right? “You just…just.. disappeared… I… I hope you were doing alright wherever you went.” And I meant that sincerely. He scoffed angrily, eyes blazing as he regarded me slowly. “
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
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
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: 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
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-NINE:Natalia's POV: My stomach was in painful knots as the doctor led us to his room. My hands felt clammy, and my legs felt weak but I kept moving. According to the doctor, we weren't allowed to see him yet but we could just take a glance through the windows and that was okay for me for now, I guess.I don't know if Carlo noticed my uneasiness; his hand squeezed mine a bit tighter, as if grounding me and I was grateful for it.We got to the window and I couldn't hold back the single tear that rolled down my cheek as a small gasp pushed past my lips. I was vaguely aware of Carlo's arm coming around my shoulders as I stared at Gianpaolo— my father.The number tube, IVs, had my heart sinking and I stifled a sob, a big bandage went around his head and machines I've never seen before— “Oh God,” I let out a sob, my chest heaved as I tried to swallow my cries. I promised to be strong. I will be strong.My eyes burned with hot tears as I stared at his motionle
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-EIGHT:Carlo's POV: The doctor had said the exact thing Enzo had said. He'd asked that we hoped and prayed. ‘Prayed.’I haven't done that in fucking ages. Where do I start from? And in my experience, it usually goes unanswered. But the way things were going, I didn't mind going down on my knees and trying again. Praying in hope that Gianpaolo makes it out alive.He has to. Not quite long after, Natalia had regained consciousness. Camilla assured me that it was nothing serious, apart from the detected low sugar level which made me frown. Haven't they been watching her diet? Giving her the best meds? And then I thought back to the incident in the last few days. No one around here has had it easy so I brushed it aside and asked that they recommended the right food and all and got my own copy of the list the doctors had made so I could also monitor her feeding and the rest.Soon after Camilla had cleared her, she was up on her feet and asking to be tak
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-SEVEN: Natalia's POV: ‘...He's fighting for his life.’I swayed on my feet, suddenly lightheaded as my chest wound up so tight no air escaped or came in. My vision blurred but I could feel hands trying to steady me.I… I only just got him back.Why?Why?!!!!Why me all the time!?!?What if he dies? WHAT IF HE DIES?!Oh God. Oh God. Which superior being's meal had I pissed in before I was born? Why was I allowed happiness for a fleeting second only to watch it being snatched away?! And… and… Gianpaolo? My heart ached. He's only just met me too! I heard muffled voices around me but I couldn't seem to concentrate. I knew I was panicking but I couldn't do anything about it.Fuck. Fuck.I can't have a panic attack now. My… my baby. It will upset them….I tried to claw my way back to sanity but my throat ached, my chest felt like it trapped air in it and I couldn't fucking breathe.Now, I was panicking because I thought I was killing my baby.I was desper
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-SIX: Carlo’s POV: Something about the urgency of Enzo’s voice made my stomach tighten and beside me, I could feel Natalia go stiff. What could be the problem now? “…Look, if he's upset again, I can go speak with him, there’s no need for trouble,” Natalia said from beside me, already making a move to slip out of bed when I shook my head. “Don’t worry, there will be no trouble,” I assured her. I had no intention of fighting with the man. Still, I wasn't going to hug and kiss his cheeks and make up but for her, I’m willing to act civil. She eyed me with uncertainty and concern. “Are you sure? You heard Enzo, he says there's a problem.”“Doesn’t mean I’ll let it escalate,” I replied calmly. “Come on now, let’s freshen up and we can deal with whatever afterward—”“But, Carlo—”“We reek of sweat and sex, we should clean up before solving whatever the problem is,” I urged and then turned to the door with a louder voice. “Enzo, we’ll be down in ten min—”“Fi
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-FIVE: Carlo's POV: Hot, wet, tight heat enveloped my cock like a fist, massaging the throbbing length as I kept my eyes locked on hers…Beautiful.More than beautiful. Is what I think to myself as I felt my chest expand with emotions.It feels so good. All of it. Loving someone and having them love you back. Sex too. It felt heavenly.I leaned closer until our lips were almost touching and I pulled my cock out, smoothly gliding it against the slickness of her warm, slippery walls—fuck, she felt good. Beyond good. I could come like this.I pulled out all the way until I was only the head buried in her and then, I slammed back in causing her lips to fall open in a silent gasp. I did it, again, again, again, again, and again until her moans grew louder and my balls started to tingle with fullness. From somewhere in the corner of the room, I could hear my phone ringing or was it… hers? I tuned out the incessant ringing, focusing on the woman who stared up
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-FOUR:Natalia’s POV: As soon as the words left my lips, I was lifted off the floor, again, effortlessly and his lips claimed mine.Hot, demanding, possessing. The kiss wasn't slow or tender like it had been earlier, no, he was practically devouring my lips, eating me alive. I loved it.My skirt rode up to my waist, leaving me in only panties, bare to the feel of his palms and I squirmed against them—anything to feel him against my bare skin.I was still reeling from the very fact that he'd confessed his love for me and I can bet it was the reason why everything felt overly sensitive, sensual.I felt him move as he deepened the kiss, hot tongues tangling, teeth biting into soft, warm flesh, and moans and groans echoing in the room. Perfection.I broke the kiss, opening my eyes just in time to see him lower onto the edge of the bed, and bringing me with him so I was still straddling him.Our eyes locked, his curled into a sexy smile. “You're breathtaking
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-THREE:Natalia's POV:I did it!I did it.I did it….I actually did it…That was all I could think about.It was freeing to have finally confessed. Sure, I'd been scared shirtless, unsure, and maybe a little insecure but I'd said, ‘fuck it’ and just lay it out there.I'd meant every word I had said to him. It had taken me hours to think about my life, my past, and what the future holds for me. I'd asked myself if I could live with the fact that Carlo wasn't just some man I met months ago but a man who had separated me from my parents, driven by hurt, anger, and revenge. Of course, I know I might have died that day if Antonio's brother hadn't saved me, I know that… But I was willing to let it go for my own happiness even though that meant people might think I was stupid. I already loved Carlo, there was no turning back now, plus he was different now. I know he is. He and Gianpaolo might hate each other now, but I know in my soul that they would forgive eac
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWO: Carlo's POV: HOURS LATER… It was just eight in the morning and I was still thinking of how to approach Natalia and apologize for my outburst yesterday. My pride wouldn't let me though. It was wounded, bruised and battered. Of course, I knew I had way too much pride for one person and my ego was three sizes bigger than a football stadium. Still, I needed to shove them aside and talk to the woman who meant a lot to me… Haven't even told her that already. Thanks to my pride. ‘You're not fit to be in a relationship, Carlo.’ A voice mocked. It wasn't wrong. It's a wonder how she puts up with me. ‘Just go to her, how hard is that?’ True, it shouldn't be hard. To be honest, I wasn't the only person who had been affected by yesterday's event. She was too. But in a moment of selfishness, I made it all about me. Neither I nor Gianpaolo were completely innocent but she was. She was the one caught in a century-long war and yet, she'd handle it with gr
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & TWENTY-ONE: Angela's POV: Why did I change my mind? Because I knew he'd always fuck up, just like he had done in the past and I was done putting my hopes on a nineteen year old who acts like a lost puppy! Luca was like that stuck gum underneath your shoe that you couldn't quite get rid of. Why did I think it was a good idea to seduce and manipulate my nephew? The thing is, I wasn't thinking and about two years ago, I thought it was the most brilliant idea, that was before Natalia was brought here. I'd thought if I'd made him fall in love with me, I could control him. Well, I can in fact, control him. The fucker does whatever I want, would put his life in danger without hesitation if I asked, even the planned attack on he and Natalia, he'd agreed to that without hesitation but Luca had one big flaw; he'd always protect his father… He was okay with my plan to take over and rule—he thinks he'd be by my side for that, pathetic—but he keeps insisting that I do