"An- Antonio?" My voice stammered. I clutched the sheets tightly and pressed them against my pounding heart. My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened in horror. I couldn't see his face due to the darkness. The man leaned forward and crossed his arms over his chest. “Tsk,” he clicked his tongue. I sucked in a deep, audible breath; my heart was ready to burst from my chest. “Your husband.” My heart dropped, and my blood ran cold. The windowpane clattered, allowing moonlight to penetrate the room, and I finally saw Nikolai's face. He didn't look like the man I knew. He resembled a monster. His eyes were red and baggy, his nose flared angrily, and his jaw tightly clenched. He seemed to be barely controlling himself. The air around me thickened, suffocating me. I couldn't breathe. A shiver ran down my spine as the air became cold and heavy. I prayed it to be just another nightmare. Nikolai stayed in place for a few moments, making me believe he was there
Nikolai's POV The people around me watched in surprise as I walked through the corridors of Antonio's company. I was moving like a man possessed. I was actually furious; I just needed my Dolcezza back in my arms. How could he even think that he could take her away from me and that I would stay silent? The guards eyed me warily, but a sharp glance from me had them stepping aside. They knew who I was and knew better than to test my patience today. One of his men tried to stop me, but I just pushed him away. Without any formality, I opened the doors to his private cabin without hesitation. He was seated behind his mahogany desk, working on his laptop, doing something. He was holding a glass of whisky in one hand. His head snapped up as soon as he heard the loud bang of the door. At first, he was taken aback, but then a slow, dark, and satisfying smirk stretched across his lips. The bastard had been expecting me. "What a great surprise, Capo," he drawled, swirling the ambe
Alessia's POV "He has happily handed you over to me for a piece of land." The color drained from my face when I heard Nikolai. Though I didn't trust Antonio much, my heart broke. Every damn person I have met in my life has always betrayed me. It feels as if the ground has shifted beneath my feet. My knees buckled; I was about to fall, but before I could lose my balance, Nikolai's arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest. "You have no idea what I had to let go of to have you back in my arms." I blinked as a gasp escaped my throat. The intensity of his possessive grip burned into my skin, reminding me of where I belonged. Why? Why does it have to be me every damn time? Why? "There is no one else in this world who can protect you the way I can," Nikolai added. "I would burn the world before I let anyone else take you away from me." He leaned down and dipped his head into the crook of my neck. He inhaled deeply as if I were a drug keeping him sane.
I know he would not let me go this easily for what I have done, but I didn't expect him to be this bold. Removing his hand from my thigh, I shifted back into my seat. He didn't try to make contact, either. He placed his elbows on his thighs, leaned forward, and kept his eyes on the road as if each meter felt like a mile to him. Meanwhile, I was still struggling to breathe. I was trying to tell my heart that he couldn't hurt me physically. To be honest, it's not the fear of him killing me that haunts me—it's the fear of my body betraying me, surrendering once again to his rhythm. I hate that, despite everything, I still feel safe with him. I hate that even after he shattered my entire world, a part of me still longs for his presence. I hate that someone who tore my heart to pieces can still feel so painfully familiar and so close. The rest of the journey went silent, and I knew very well that it was the silence before the storm. I didn't dare look at him, but I could feel his ga
The air suddenly became thick. My legs felt too heavy to move, especially after listening to his obscene demand. "On the bed, Alessia," he commanded. "Now!" My fingers curled to my sides as my heart hammered wildly in my chest. My legs remained unmoved as if chained by invisible ropes. His eyes were too dark and intense. "And don't forget to remove your clothes." I didn't move from my place. I couldn't. My chest rose and fell in anticipation. I knew he was waiting for me to follow his command, but I couldn't. He inhaled deeply, took another step back, and pinched the bridge of his nose. The veins in his forearm strained, indicating the effort it took to hold back. "Don't test my patience, Alessia!" he snapped. "Don't make me do it!" I shivered. My knees buckled. His ruthless eyes bored into me. "You know if I come to myself, it won't end well for you," he growled through clenched teeth. "I'm still trying to be lenient with you. Don't make it more difficult than it al
I can't trust him. He could do anything for his sick pleasure. "I am not as despicable as you think," he mumbled before dropping the belt on the floor. I released the breath I had been holding for so long. But my breath once again caught in my throat when he dropped his pants as well and climbed onto the bed. "Don't move!" he ordered when I tried to crawl away from him. The mattress dipped beneath his weight as he moved closer. He positioned my body between his knees and leaned forward to grab an ice cube. Before I could process what he was trying to do, he pressed the ice cube against my collarbone, sending a shock of cold through my body. But what surprised me more was the excitement that stirred beneath the fear. Goosebumps rose all over my skin as I struggled to understand my own body. Everything he does to me feels like it has happened in the past, and I don't remember a single thing! My breath hitched when he began moving the ice cube from my collarbone up my t
Third person POV Alessia's whole body shuddered when Nikolai pressed the ice cube directly against her clit. Her body was on fire; she needed release, but Nikolai's actions made it even more challenging for her, while he was thoroughly enjoying her predicament. He wanted to tease her, punish her, and teach her a lesson so she wouldn't repeat the mistake. He understood that she was overwhelmed by emotion and revelation, which caused her to escape, but she didn't realize the blunder she had committed. She was too innocent to understand others' intentions. Antonio could have done anything to her. As a Mafia King, he had many enemies looking for his weakness, and now she had made it obvious. They would surely come after her. She would have to understand that only he was her home, her solace, her only place to turn to. No one knew her body better than he did, and he was taking advantage of exactly that. He slowly and teasingly began rubbing the ice on her clit. Her legs tightened
Nikolai's POV"This is so unfair. You promised that island to me!" Antonio shouted, his voice hoarse from hours of suffering. He was tied to the chair, exactly where and how I wanted him, beaten black and blue by my men. His arrogant posture now slumped against the chair. The blood dripping from his temple soaked into his white shirt, painting it red. He was always under the illusion that he could outsmart me. Even in the past, he betrayed me by joining hands with Alessia's father. But today, reality had hit him harder than my men’s fists. I leaned against the heavy wooden desk, casually swirling the whiskey in my glass, letting him cry a little more. It was bringing peace to my heart. The air was thick with the smell of iron and blood, something I am used to. I wanted Alessia to witness the consequences of her actions, but I knew she wouldn't be able to stand here. She hasn't been feeling well for the past few days. After that night, she struggled to even walk to the bathro
When the car slowed to a stop, I fully expected to find myself in front of a lavish five-star restaurant, the kind that matched Nikolai’s personality: extravagant, cold, and overwhelming. Instead, I found myself standing in the middle of a small and warm restaurant. It was dimly lit, with rustic tables and soft golden lights. Suddenly, the scent of freshly baked bread and rich spices wafted through the air, and I couldn't help but inhale it again and again. It felt so familiar, even though I had come here for the very first time. I swallowed hard and turned my head to Nikolai, only to find him already watching me, his dark eyes filled with something close to fascination. My brows furrowed. Why does he always look at me like that—as if I am the most precious thing in his world—when he has already taken away my happiness, my life? I cleared my throat and tore my gaze away. “Have a seat, my lady,” he said smoothly, pulling out a chair with a soft smile on his lips. I glanced at
Alessia's POV It had been over a week since Nikolai had brought me back to this hell. Since then, I have done nothing except sleep. No matter how much I slept, I felt very tired and restless all the time. Every time I spent a night with Nikolai, I regretted it the next morning. No matter how much I swore to resist, I always lost control whenever he was close. I had barely spoken to him since then. I avoided him most of the time. To my surprise, he also gave me the required space instead of forcing his presence like at other times. He was trying to act all soft around me, but I knew his reality. I wasn't going to be lured by his fake care and concern. I knew what a skilled manipulator he was. The soft click of the door opening broke through my thoughts. I immediately shut my eyes, curling deeper into the mattress, pretending to be asleep. A few seconds later, I heard the soft click again, which meant he had closed the door. He stayed there for a moment before I heard the
Nikolai's POV"This is so unfair. You promised that island to me!" Antonio shouted, his voice hoarse from hours of suffering. He was tied to the chair, exactly where and how I wanted him, beaten black and blue by my men. His arrogant posture now slumped against the chair. The blood dripping from his temple soaked into his white shirt, painting it red. He was always under the illusion that he could outsmart me. Even in the past, he betrayed me by joining hands with Alessia's father. But today, reality had hit him harder than my men’s fists. I leaned against the heavy wooden desk, casually swirling the whiskey in my glass, letting him cry a little more. It was bringing peace to my heart. The air was thick with the smell of iron and blood, something I am used to. I wanted Alessia to witness the consequences of her actions, but I knew she wouldn't be able to stand here. She hasn't been feeling well for the past few days. After that night, she struggled to even walk to the bathro
Third person POV Alessia's whole body shuddered when Nikolai pressed the ice cube directly against her clit. Her body was on fire; she needed release, but Nikolai's actions made it even more challenging for her, while he was thoroughly enjoying her predicament. He wanted to tease her, punish her, and teach her a lesson so she wouldn't repeat the mistake. He understood that she was overwhelmed by emotion and revelation, which caused her to escape, but she didn't realize the blunder she had committed. She was too innocent to understand others' intentions. Antonio could have done anything to her. As a Mafia King, he had many enemies looking for his weakness, and now she had made it obvious. They would surely come after her. She would have to understand that only he was her home, her solace, her only place to turn to. No one knew her body better than he did, and he was taking advantage of exactly that. He slowly and teasingly began rubbing the ice on her clit. Her legs tightened
I can't trust him. He could do anything for his sick pleasure. "I am not as despicable as you think," he mumbled before dropping the belt on the floor. I released the breath I had been holding for so long. But my breath once again caught in my throat when he dropped his pants as well and climbed onto the bed. "Don't move!" he ordered when I tried to crawl away from him. The mattress dipped beneath his weight as he moved closer. He positioned my body between his knees and leaned forward to grab an ice cube. Before I could process what he was trying to do, he pressed the ice cube against my collarbone, sending a shock of cold through my body. But what surprised me more was the excitement that stirred beneath the fear. Goosebumps rose all over my skin as I struggled to understand my own body. Everything he does to me feels like it has happened in the past, and I don't remember a single thing! My breath hitched when he began moving the ice cube from my collarbone up my t
The air suddenly became thick. My legs felt too heavy to move, especially after listening to his obscene demand. "On the bed, Alessia," he commanded. "Now!" My fingers curled to my sides as my heart hammered wildly in my chest. My legs remained unmoved as if chained by invisible ropes. His eyes were too dark and intense. "And don't forget to remove your clothes." I didn't move from my place. I couldn't. My chest rose and fell in anticipation. I knew he was waiting for me to follow his command, but I couldn't. He inhaled deeply, took another step back, and pinched the bridge of his nose. The veins in his forearm strained, indicating the effort it took to hold back. "Don't test my patience, Alessia!" he snapped. "Don't make me do it!" I shivered. My knees buckled. His ruthless eyes bored into me. "You know if I come to myself, it won't end well for you," he growled through clenched teeth. "I'm still trying to be lenient with you. Don't make it more difficult than it al
I know he would not let me go this easily for what I have done, but I didn't expect him to be this bold. Removing his hand from my thigh, I shifted back into my seat. He didn't try to make contact, either. He placed his elbows on his thighs, leaned forward, and kept his eyes on the road as if each meter felt like a mile to him. Meanwhile, I was still struggling to breathe. I was trying to tell my heart that he couldn't hurt me physically. To be honest, it's not the fear of him killing me that haunts me—it's the fear of my body betraying me, surrendering once again to his rhythm. I hate that, despite everything, I still feel safe with him. I hate that even after he shattered my entire world, a part of me still longs for his presence. I hate that someone who tore my heart to pieces can still feel so painfully familiar and so close. The rest of the journey went silent, and I knew very well that it was the silence before the storm. I didn't dare look at him, but I could feel his ga
Alessia's POV "He has happily handed you over to me for a piece of land." The color drained from my face when I heard Nikolai. Though I didn't trust Antonio much, my heart broke. Every damn person I have met in my life has always betrayed me. It feels as if the ground has shifted beneath my feet. My knees buckled; I was about to fall, but before I could lose my balance, Nikolai's arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest. "You have no idea what I had to let go of to have you back in my arms." I blinked as a gasp escaped my throat. The intensity of his possessive grip burned into my skin, reminding me of where I belonged. Why? Why does it have to be me every damn time? Why? "There is no one else in this world who can protect you the way I can," Nikolai added. "I would burn the world before I let anyone else take you away from me." He leaned down and dipped his head into the crook of my neck. He inhaled deeply as if I were a drug keeping him sane.
Nikolai's POV The people around me watched in surprise as I walked through the corridors of Antonio's company. I was moving like a man possessed. I was actually furious; I just needed my Dolcezza back in my arms. How could he even think that he could take her away from me and that I would stay silent? The guards eyed me warily, but a sharp glance from me had them stepping aside. They knew who I was and knew better than to test my patience today. One of his men tried to stop me, but I just pushed him away. Without any formality, I opened the doors to his private cabin without hesitation. He was seated behind his mahogany desk, working on his laptop, doing something. He was holding a glass of whisky in one hand. His head snapped up as soon as he heard the loud bang of the door. At first, he was taken aback, but then a slow, dark, and satisfying smirk stretched across his lips. The bastard had been expecting me. "What a great surprise, Capo," he drawled, swirling the ambe