Natalia's POV:“I am just kidding, but books are fun, and if you ever get to change your mind, I have lots of recommendations.”If I wanted to be close to her, I needed to have same interest as her, right? “You know what, I might just take you up on that.”Across the room, Caterina groaned. “Mio Dio!” She cried. “Don't let her influence you, we can't have two of you with your noses buried in books all the time!”Angela gasped, crossing her arms defiantly. “I don't 'bury’ my nose in books ALL the time,” she retorted. “Then explain to me why at twenty four, you haven't found a man yet,” Caterina asked with a frown. “You’ve never even brought a boyfriend home either.”“Zia!” Angela's cheeks flamed, and I could practically see steam coming off her head. “Just stop,” she gritted. {Zia: Aunt}I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Even I felt weird about this conversation, why was Caterina being so harsh on Angela, having a man wasn't a do or die affair. “I just worry about you, figlia,” Cat
Natalia's POV: ‘No one would have survived what brother did and remained sane, Natalia. No. One.’Her words made me pause, the way she had said it made me curious and wary. What had happened to Carlo in the past? Wait… did that have something to do with what I had seen that day? The day he'd been hurting himself. I stalked across the room over to Angela, crouching down, I took her hands in mine. “Can I ask you something?”She looked away. “Please,” I pressed. “It's been bothering me and I didn't have anyone to speak to about it.”Her eyes returned to mine as she eyed me cautiously. “What is it?”How do I say the words? How do I explain them? “Do you know why Carlo harms himself?”Angela stiffened, a subtle movement one might have missed if wasn't looking at her closely. “What do you mean?” She asked, feigning ignorance.So I pushed, saying it as bluntly as I’d seen that fateful night. “Late one night, I walked in on Carlo cutting his right hand and it wasn't a pretty sight, Angela.
Natalia’s POV:I jerked and bucked against their hold, my heart hammering against my chest but they wouldn't budge. Instinctively, I sank my teeth into the palm of their hand against my mouth.A stifled moan.“Christ!” The familiar strangled voice had me stiffening. “I’m not here to hurt you, I just need to speak with you.”The hell?“Please, promise you won't shout when I release you. Just nod, if you agree.”I stopped struggling, nodding slowly, and the hands holding me captive dropped as I turned around to face my captor. “Vittoria? “What is this madness? Do you enjoy sneaking up on people?”“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just needed to talk to you for a bit without drawing attention to us,” she explained further, eyes searching the hallways behind me. And as if my brain finally caught up. “The secret note,” I said slowly as I remembered the bold words on the piece of paper:WE CAN HELP GET YOU AND YOUR SISTER OUT ALL WE NEED IS YOUR COOPERATION. EXPEC
Natalia’s POV: After our little awkward conversation, Angela returned back to helping out with breakfast. I offered to help—even though I knew nothing about baking or Italian cuisine—but as usual I was asked to not stress myself. So I remained in a stool while I watched them move about the kitchen as boredom messed with my mind. Boredom. Something I was beginning to get accustomed to in this place. Never knew a day would come where all I had to do was shower, eat, move about and just make small talk. A stark contrast to the life I led before now, I had school, my phone, and my part-time jobs to keep me going. I sighed deeply. I couldn't wait to leave this place. Hopefully one of the two deals I made would help get me out of here—with my head intact. By the time Angela and the maid were done with breakfast, several minutes had passed. I helped them move the dishes to the massive dinner room. I had never eaten here, not because I haven’t gotten the offer. I just didn’t want to, it
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
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