Carlo's POV: It was official… I was definitely acting like some love sick teenager. And at some point I was beginning to question it all. What was the point of all this? Why did I take Alessandro's advice? But even asking myself that only made more questions bombard my mind. Like; Why was I so reluctant to let her go?I've had my fun… it should be easy. Pay her off like the rest and we both go our separate ways but no.Instead, I find myself smiling at my phone these days. Especially on those days where I’d intentionally avoided her so we could text each other—another odd behavior of mine and Enzo was beginning to think that I was crazy. And maybe I am. Crazy, I mean. Crazy over her, her beautiful smile, gorgeous eyes, and that body…. Madonna.This wasn't healthy anymore and I meant getting hard with just the thought of her, which was why I thought I couldn't count how many times I've jerked my cock off just looking at it, it was probably going to fall off if I kept it up. The
Natalia's POV: ‘I missed you.’As soon as the words left my mouth, I almost smacked myself across the face. Hard. I could feel my heart rate already picking up.Was it too late to take back my words? Probably. Considering the fact that I had managed to stun Carlo into silence.But it was the truth though… I did miss him. Yes, I was sick of the sling and that was the major reason why I took it off but I wanted his attention too… Sure, it was fun, texting back and forth. More than just ‘fun’ if I was being honest but it was getting old pretty fast. The texts…. They weren't enough anymore. I found myself thinking about him all the time now, he invaded my every waking thought and I didn't think it was normal anymore… It had even started to freak me out a little because; WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?! I couldn't even tell when the lines began to blur between captor and captive, love and hate….couldn't tell when my feelings got so confused and all jumbled up.What was this mess?Every single se
CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR: Carlo's POV: My lips still tingled from the kiss as I watched her sleep.Memories from earlier played like a loop in my head… I wasn't stupid, I could see it, could read it clearly in her eyes.She was developing feelings for me.It should have me running the other way since I hated complications like that but it only seemed to draw me closer to her. Ironic how I'd cut ties with my mistresses in the past for becoming a little bit attached, let alone developing feelings.Why do I keep breaking my rules for her? Why do I let her move past my boundaries every single time? I think it has always been this way between us… Even from the very beginning, I'd always let things slide with her.What do I do now that I know she had these… these feelings? It wasn't love, of course it wasn't. A bit of an exaggeration to call it that but the feelings were there… Probably infatuation? If it was then I should probably enjoy it while it lasted—enjoy? Madonna.Did I just say en
Natalia's POV: Breakfast ended and Carlo slipped out of the dining room even before anyone else could while the maids cleared out the table. My fingers itched to grab my phone and go through his texts but that wasn't possible, not with Ava tugging at the hem of my oversized band-tee asking me to play Candy Crush with her on her iPad—did I mention that Carlo got her one so she could also study with it? Probably not, but he did and I still didn't know how to react to the way he does things for Ava.I felt another strong pull at my shirt. “Nattyyyyyyyyyyyy,” Ava whined, wiggling against me like a snake. Dear lord, not today, not now when I so badly wanted to talk to Carlo and I couldn't just open his texts in public for obvious reasons.“Ava,” I began softly, making my voice as sweet as possible. “I'll join you shortly, I promise. I just need to check something real quick.” I tried to reason with her but I guess today was my unlucky day. “Nope!” She said sharply with a pout. “You sa
Natalia's POV: “Oh, and our names are Elsa.” She pointed to her face, grinning widely. “And she's Anthonia.” She gestured to the taller lady with a platinum blonde buzz cut haircut.“You could just call me, Tonia,” the taller lady quickly added, giving her shorter friend a glare. “Alright, we don't have much time left, let's get started.” She slipped past me into the room without waiting for an invitation much to my surprise.Elsa brushed past me next. “Just ignore her, she's always this bossy.” I shot her a weird look and she shrugged, walking further into my bedroom.Unable to say a word since I was still reeling from the word, ‘Date,’ I shut my door, turning back to face the two strange ladies who now occupied my bedroom.Antonia or Tonia, was setting up a high-top chair in front of my dress while Elsa helped set up a big studio light.“You said it was a date?” I asked, unable to stop myself and paused, their eyes landing on me. Elsa frowned. “Yes?”From Carlo? This made no sens
Carlo's POV: As soon as she stepped foot outside the mansion, I just knew she was behind me. Maybe it was the way warmth pooled in my stomach or how my skin prickled—and it wasn't from the cool evening breeze… I just knew.I turned around slowly and my breath caught in my throat as eyes landed on her.I could tell she was nervous, a little shy but not uncomfortable… But most importantly, she was drop dead gorgeous and that was mildly putting it.Natalia has always been beautiful. She had the face most models would kill for, blue eyes that could seem almost dark from certain angles, pink, soft, full lips with a perfectly shaped cupid bow. Her lashes were long enough to cast shadows on her cheeks. To cut the long story short, she was EXQUISITE. And today, with the makeup and the way her long, black, silky mane had been styled into a ponytail made her look angelic.My heart started beating fast again as she made careful, calculated steps toward me. Her wide, prominent hips swayed slight
CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT: Natalia's POV: The word ‘nervous’ doesn't begin to describe what I was feeling right now. Why was I nervous? I wished I had the answer to that and somehow, I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. I knew I'd caught him off-guard with words and how I'd behaved with him but I really had this urge to be so close to him. To attach myself to him and never let go.Crap.I stole one quick glance at Carlo again, my heart flipping as I drank in the sight of him.Hot damn. The man looked good in the dark, navy blue tuxedo he had on. I also noticed that his beard had been recently trimmed neatly, his dark hair too had been styled to perfection—I mean, it's always styled but it looked like an extra effort had been put into styling it this time.Did he do all that just to impress me on a date? Naaa, that was silly.Carlo didn't care about impressing me, right? Right.For the rest of the ride down to our destination, I kept to myself, picking at the shiny gem stones on my dress
Natalia's POV: Fine. I can not handle this shit. But I'd rather drink sewage water than admit it to Carlo. We'd only had two glasses before our meals arrived but I could swear I could see everything in doubles—or maybe I was just being dramatic. Hopefully, eating would help keep me sober. Couldn't say how true that was since I was almost done with my food and still felt funny…. I stuffed another piece of the seasoned grilled chicken into my mouth when I noticed his eyes on me. My eyes met his, and I noticed he had barely touched his food but it seemed like he was done eating. “What? “Tell me about yourself.” My eyes widened slightly as I dropped my fork in a dramatic clang against the ceramic plate. “You did not just ask me that.” And out of nowhere! He frowned, brows knitting together. “I did. Is there a problem?” Well, considering the fact that you already know everything about me…I'd say… yes. “It's weird.” “Weird?” He arched a brow, a puzzled expression etched on
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