CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR:Natalia’s POV:Our gaze collided, lingering for a bit. Perfectly shaped dark brows raised in a question. “Is there a problem?” My cheeks flamed. “No,” I muttered quickly, looking down at my plate, trying to will away the heat rising in my face. Why was I so affected by a simple question? Or was it his gaze? I'd seen that cold, icy, intense stare of his countless times, yet each time it still made my pulse skip. Just as I picked up my fork, Ava tugged on my forearm, eyes gleaming with excitement. “Can I have some eggs, please?”A soft smile tugged on my lips. “Sure .” I scooped a small portion of eggs, offering it to her, watching as she took a little bite from my fork. Deciding she might need more, I added some to her plate. Across the table, Angela was staring at Alessandro with a look of pure irritation. “Do you have to chew like that?” She hissed.His brows lowered. “Huh? Like what?” He asked around the piece of meat he was chewing. Angela’s face twisted wit
Natalia's POV:“What the fuck are you doing here?” I hissed, marching over to him.Carlo pushed off the wall, closing the distance between us in two long strides. The proximity had a shiver running down my spine. “What was that attitude about?”My brows furrowed at the sudden change of topic as I tried to understand his question. “What—Oh…” Realization dawned on me. “You know, it's good you brought it up. Why didn't you tell me Luca has been found or was this your plan all along? To have me in your bed?” “I don't have to play silly games to get what I want, piccolina. With or without Luca, I would have. I see how you shiver at the mere sight of me.” His hand reached out, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear and my stomach flipped. “I know how much you crave my touch.”“That’s… that's not true!” I stepped away from his touch as if I’d been burned. “I want nothing to do with you!”“Could have fooled me.” A grin, sinister but calm swept his cheeks. I swear he only smiled when he
Natalia’s POV: It shouldn't have, but the forceful way he'd ripped off my panties had my clit throbbing with arousal as my hole clenched around emptiness.Oh fuck, was it possible to go crazy from arousal? Because I was. My juices were already overflowing, slicking up my folds and my inner thighs. I need to relieve myself somehow. So I squeezed my thighs tighter, but as soon as I did that, his palm landed painfully on my right thigh.“Please…” I glanced up at him with teary eyes. Our gazes locked, blue on grayish blue. And I felt something pass through me, I couldn't understand it, couldn't tell what it was. “You'll only take what I give you,” he rasped, eyes still locked on mine. His breathing was heavy; an indication that he was just as affected as I was by this.God, why was this so good with him?He slapped my thighs apart, and a gasp escaped me as he struck the flesh so close to my flooded pussy. But instead of pain, my vagina twitched, begging to be filled. “Suck.” Carlo pushe
Natalia’s POV:My thighs shook as my body still convulsed from the nerve racking pleasure that had washed over me. It felt like I wasn't in full control of my body. I might have passed out for a moment because I didn't notice when Carlo took off the belt and released me, and had somehow maneuvered me until I was curled up in his laps. The first thing I had actually noticed was the open mouthed kisses he placed on my neck and the way his thumbs kept massaging my wrists. What the hell was he doing?“Carlo?”“Shhh.” Warm lips trailed my neck. “You did so good, monella.” His thumb pressed so gently against my wrist and I almost moaned. I let out a satisfied sigh instead, relishing the way his neck kisses and gentle wrist massage made me feel good. But like lightning, a thought struck me. My spine stiffened as my mind darted back to what had happened earlier, what had happened after I felt the new strange sensation. Heat crept up my neck and cheeks and suddenly, with newly found strengt
Carlo's POV:I had left Natalia's room with my cock as hard as a rock, what had started as a way to punish Antonio even after death, had turned into something else. She was addictive. The way she moaned and writhed under my touch, and how her body responded so beautifully, I knew I wasn't going to have my fill of her. Not yet. And to take my mind off those bright, blue eyes and sinful body, I got to work, reviewing some documents. Which seemed to be working, because for three days I'd been gone there was a lot of work piled up waiting for me and I needed to get it done. My mind darted back to the reason I'd been absent and my jaw clenched as my eyes flicked to the wounds on my right arm. ~ ~ THREE DAYS AGO…“Carlo?”Natalia’s voice but through the air, filled with confusion but my feet moved faster. I knew how confusing this must have been, one minute I was fucking her with a gun, and the next, I’d fled her room like I was being chased.I stifled a pained groan as I walked briskl
Carlo’s POV:I wasn't surprised he was here. Gianpaolo Ravazzani. After all, he was also part of the ‘Ndrina. But that didn’t mean he was welcomed here, or that I was okay with his presence. I tore my gaze away from his and I headed to my seat giving handshakes to people who rose from their seats to greet me while my guards trailed behind me. I took my seat at the table reserved for me. The crowd quieted as Alfredo, the oldest man in our clan, mounted the stage to give his usual speech in honor of me. "Ladies, gentlemen, and esteemed guests!" His voice boomed around the hall, deep and commanding from the mic he was using. "Today, we are all gathered yet again to celebrate Don Carlo Moretti.” The crowd erupted into applause. My expression stayed impassive as he continued. “On this day, almost fifteen years ago, he proved himself worthy…”Here we go. Down the memory lane into the past. I tuned out for the rest of his speech. His speech went on for minutes more.I glanced around
Natalia’s POV:The moment the champagne splashed across his face and suit, I knew I was done for. But he started it! “How dare you speak to me like that?” I hissed, refusing to cower and show fear even as my chest heaved with the adrenaline of confrontation. The stunned expression on his face would have been funny under a different circumstance. Gianpaolo’s gaze flickered from me to his suit and back to me, he got up slowly, taking a napkin from the table to wipe his face, his hard gaze never leaving mine. My heart pounded as his calm composure snapped, replaced by something dark and predatory.Shit.I had to get away. Now. I shouldn't have entertained him in the first place! I turned to move, eager to get as far away from him as possible but his hand shot out, grabbing a fistful of my hair, halting my movement. Pain radiated across my scalp and my eyes burned with tears as I stumbled, crashing against the edge of the table. It fell, with a loud crash, sending plates and glasses to
Natalia’s POV:Behind me, I felt Gianpaolo stiffen as we all watched Carlo walk out of the hall. My chest tightened, a wave of anger and humiliation swelling inside me. “Carlo!” Caterina barked at his retreating form. “Carlo! Non puoi lasciare che Gianpaolo la uccida!” Her sharp voice cracked through the tension. {You can't just let Gianpaolo kill her!}But he didn't stop, didn't look back, not even Enzo or the other guards who followed him behind. Caterina whirled around. “Alfredo.” She moved toward the older man who had asked Carlo to tell his men to lower their guns. “You can put a stop to this, Carlo did as you had asked. It is only right that Gianpaolo releases the girl and not try to insult Carlo by asking him to kneel!”I wasn't expecting him to kneel before his rival, no, absolutely not. But to have walked out the way he did… the cruel way he'd spoken as if I were no more than an object. A property. “Yes, it’s an insult to ask that of Don Carlo,” Alfredo cut her off. “But t
Natalia's POV: Ding! My phone chimed with an incoming text and my heart leapt like it knew who it was. I grabbed my phone from my bedside table, glancing at its screen.Grumpy asshole: My room in five.My stomach flipped. Hard.I knew he'd give in. I might not be certain about a lot of things but this one, I was quite sure of.One thing I knew for certain is that Carlo was insanely attracted to me as I was to him even if he didn't have feelings for me—the thought of that made my chest ache but I chose to ignore it. I knew what it was from the start.Which takes me back to what I said to Angela. To Carlo, this was just sex, hot, dirty, wild sex. Nothing more. Even though I was starting to want ‘more.’Pushing away the negative thoughts, I got off my bed, and out of my room. I slipped into the hallway, heading straight for his room, my heart pumping fast with anticipation and excitement.Few rooms away from his bedroom, I caught myself grinning from ear to ear and my smile dropped ins
Carlo's POV: The soft raping had me lifting my eyes from my laptop. “Come in.” My eyes shifted back to my laptop and I continued working as the door creaked open. I heard it click shut but didn't bother looking up.“Hey.” My shoulders stiffened, hairs stood at the back of my neck as that familiar voice echoed around the four walls of my office. My gaze met dark blue ones. “Didn't think you'd be home.” She pulled out the chair across my desk and lowered herself into it. “Seriously, do you ever go to your company's office?” “I do, when necessary—” I paused abruptly. Why was I explaining myself? “What are you doing here, Natalia?” She arched her brows, a sly smirk tugging at the corners of those sensual lips. “Natalia? You rarely call me that.” I felt my stomach clenched but I maintained my cool on the outside, returning my attention back to my screen. “What do you want? I have a lot on my plate.” “You've been avoiding me, why?” My eyes met hers again as my mind darted back to t
Natalia's POV: ‘I like Carlo.’ The moment the word escaped my lips, the air around us stilled. My pulse quickened and it felt as though the heater had been turned on to its maximum temperature. Angela's fingers stilled in my hair and I pushed myself up, shifting until I was seated opposite her. She just stared at me, her expression unreadable. Embarrassment washed over me like a tidal wave, the whole situation was awkward. Why did I think it was okay to blurt it out like that? What was I thinking? This was stupid, so stupid.. “Or maybe not. I don't like Carlo. Never will. I guess I was just confused? I dunno. Just—” A loud bubble of laughter escaped her, cutting my rambling off and if I thought my cheeks felt hot earlier, it was like a burning furnace now. “Just… just forget about it.” “Forget about the fact that you admitted to liking my brother? Hell no,” she said between laughter, her shoulder trembling with it.“Did you miss the part where I said, ‘I think?’ I made a mistake
Natalia's POV: Morning sun filtered into my room, forcing me awake. My eyes squeezed shut as I rolled over, away from the window.I still needed to get some more sleep in. My body felt so weak, I'll probably need two weeks’ worth of sleep ro get back to normal. Satisfied with my new position, I hugged my pillow tightly against my chest, drifting into another peaceful sleep when a knock on my door interrupted.“For fuck’s sake!” I muttered under my breath but not moving. Maybe if I didn't answer, whoever was at the door would go away—KNOCK!! KNOCK!! “What now?!” I groaned loudly, tossing the pillow I'd been cuddling across the room. I just need so few minutes to myself, why couldn't I just get that?!KNOCK! KNOCK! “Goddammit! I'm coming!” I yelled, tossing back my covers as I slid out of bed, stomping over to my door. I grabbed the doorknob, twisting it and I yanked it open. As soon as the door opened, I came face to face with a maid and my irritation grew. “Now why would you keep
Natalia's POV: First, the fog cleared, next, my eyes fluttered open.And then I realized; I can't feel my limbs.I couldn't move either. But I could feel hands on me.My body felt like it didn't belong to me. And maybe, it didn't. Not with the way Carlo had manhandled me. I definitely should get on his nerves more often if it was gonna end up the way it did.“Can you walk?” Carlo's deep voice penetrated my thoughts and my bleary eyes shifted to him. “We need to shower, can you walk or do I need to carry you?” I guess you'd have to carry me. I tried to speak but my tongue felt too lazy and my throat was sore from all the screaming. So all I could do was stare at him, drinking in the sight of him in a disheveled state. His thick, dark hair looked wet on some parts from sweat, some strands were flustered to his forehead. My eyes dropped to his bare chest, showing off his impressive pecs. Somewhere along the line he'd taken off his clothes, untied me and cuddled me against him.“I'd h
Carlo's POV: “N–yes.” I chuckled under my breath. “Go on, tell me why you're being punished.” “I.. er.. because.” She paused, breathing heavily as if trying to catch her breath. “Uh.. I barged into your office and spoke rudely to you.” Close enough. “That you did, but that is not why you're in this situation right now.” I heard the moment her breath hitched. “It's… it's not?” Well, it was until I changed my mind. I don't say that out loud. Wanted to keep her guessing. I moved closer to bed, admiring my handiwork on her skin. With how reddish and tender it looked, I bet she wouldn't be able to sit for days without thinking of this moment.Good.I liked the idea of being on her mind all the time.Well, for now, let's get right back to business. “I'm still waiting for your reply, bella. It's either that or I double the punishment.” “Shit.” She cursed under her breath, and I could almost hear the gears in her head turning. “You have only sixty seconds to give me a reply,” I said,
Natalia’s POV: ‘Strip.’That commanding tone of his already had my belly flipping really hard. But I decided to mess with him, I mean, is it going to be a fun punishment if i don't mess with him a bit.“I'm sorry, what?” I feigned ignorance, my eyes tracking his movements as he unlatched that black belt from the belt holes of his slacks. At my words, he arched his brow, folding the belt in two. “Are you trying to disobey me, monella?” I rolled my eyes but kept my lips shut. This was going to rile him up. Good. I wanted him that way.God, I was so fucking sick.Why did the idea of being punished by him make me ruby thighs together, relieving the growing ache between them.“Strip,” he growled, his eyes darkened w as he took several steps forward until he stood toe to toe with me and I could clearly make out the color of his eyes. “I will not repeat myself again. Do as I say or face the consequences.” Fuck.A shiver ran down my spine at his words, I should be afraid of the dangerous
Natalia's POV: Why did I always make bad decisions when I was upset? Because that was exactly what I did earlier. Make a bad decision.Why did I think it was okay to barge in and talk to Carlo in that manner? That in no way helped Angela's case and I think I just made it worse.From the way his jaw clenched hard at the mention of Angela texting a man, I knew I'd fucked up. Fuck. Was there a way to turn things around? And Angela… My chest tightened painfully. The poor girl must be devastated. I think I should go see her first before deciding what to do to salvage this situation.But as soon as I opened my door, I dived face-first into a hard, warm wall, stumbling back, a hand shot out and steadied me.I didn't need to look to tell who it was, I could recognize his scent in my sleep. “Carlo?” He took a few steps forward, forcing me to move backward until he was standing in my room, locking the door behind him. “You wanted to talk. So here I am” I arched my brows, eyeing him warily.
Carlo's POV: “Romeo and Francessco say they have a lead on Luca,” Enzo said, leaning back in his chair. “They said an Intel told them that he was last spotted in Andorra but they aren't sure.”I arched my brow. “Andorra?” “Yes.” Dio. This boy would be the death of me someday. Perhaps I should have just gotten my men to bundle him back home as soon as we realized he'd run to Spain. I couldn't tell what was on his mind, couldn't understand the reason why he was doing all this.But I had wanted to trust his judgement, didn't want to be the kind of father that mine was to me but this time, he was really pushing my hand. And only a matter of time will our enemies begin to go after him.Enough is enough.“If they find him, they must get him home no matter what,” I demanded. “I don't care whatever method they use, they must bring Luca home, got it?” “Sure thing, Don,” he replied with a curt nod, digging into his pockets. He produced his phone, unlocking the screen and typing rapidly on