Alessio's pov
A week later
“The Russians need to be taken care of before they become a bigger problem,” Vincenzo, one of my investors said, his face laced with worry.
I hummed, nodding my head, barely paying attention to what he said. My thoughts kept drifting to Gabriella. She was a drug I didn't want to be addicted to. Everything about her from her scent, down to her curves pissed me off.
That was why I avoided her.
Every morning, she prepared meals for me, but I made sure to leave before she woke up and return late at night. I needed distance. She was getting under my skin, and I hated that.
"Alessio?" Vincenzo’s sharp voice cut through my thoughts.
I blinked, forcing my focus back to the conversation. "Go on.”
“Like I said," he began. “If you want our continued support, you need to guarantee that we can call upon your services when needed. Can we count on you?"
I nodded. “Sì. (Yes)"
The Russians had started crossing into our territory, and that was unacceptable. A war was near, I could feel it but I wasn’t stupid enough to fight it alone. That’s why I had arranged this meeting, to secure support from another Mafia family.
"So, we’re in agreement?" Vincenzo smirked.
I picked up the contract and signed it without hesitation. "Consider it done."
As soon as the deak was finalized, Carlo approached me, his face troubled. I knew that look, it meant bad news.
He bent down to my level whispering. "Don, there’s something you need to know."
I excused myself from Vincenzo before following Carlo outside. "Talk."
"It’s your wife Don," he whispered. "She went into the dungeon and unchained two men."
I clenched my fists, looking Carlo deadly in the eye. "What do you mean?"
Carlo lowered his gaze. "She set them free but luckily the guards caught them before they could escape."
"And where the hell were the other men when she wandered to the dungeon?” I asked Carlo who didn't say a word.
What the hell was Gabriella thinking? I'd specially given her rules to follow and she's broken one of them. Disobedience had consequences and now it's about time she'd learnt that.
I returned to Vincenzo, closing the deal swiftly before heading straight to the car. Carlo remained silent beside me during the drive, but I could feel his wary glances. He knew better than to speak when I was this furious.
Why the fuck would Gabriella even try to go against my rules? Was she naive or just stupid? She had no clue.
I stepped out of the car, the moment we arrived at the mansion. My men greeted me but I ignored them. I had important things to take care of, but I'd certainly deal with them later. I stormed upstairs to my bedroom and without knocking I pushed the door open.
My gaze instantly locked on Gabriela who sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through a book as she frowned. She looked so gentle as if she hadn't done something reckless a few minutes ago.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw me. “A-Alessio?" She stammered, getting off the bed, fingers tightened around the book.
I clenched my fists, taking a minute to observe her. She was dressed in a tank top and a pair of shorts that barely covered her ass. My eyes darkened at the thought of my men seeing her dressed like this. Did she seem to forget she's now my wife? That I'm the only one allowed to see her like this.
I took slow, deliberate steps towards her, halting when I was a few inches from her. “You have one minute Gabriella, one minute to tell me what the fuck you were doing in the dungeon,"
"I……" she stammered. "I heard noises. I didn’t know what was down there, so I went to check."
"And you thought unchaining them was a good idea hmmm?"
She hesitated. They begged me,” she said softly. “They told me they had families. That they didn’t deserve to be locked up like that.”
I took another step closer. “And you believed them?”
She flinched. “I….I don’t know. I just….”
“You don’t know?” My voice boomed. “You don’t know that those men would have slit your throat the second they got free? That they’re traitors?”
I let out a humorless chuckle. "So, that’s all it takes? A few desperate words and you go against my rules?"
Her mouth parted open, unsure of what to say. Gabriella had unleashed something in me and now she's about to witness something she'd probably hate me for.
I grabbed her wrist, my firm grip but not tight. "Come with me."
"No……wait! Alessio!" She struggled, but I didn’t let go.
I dragged her downstairs, ignoring the watchful eyes of my men. We reached the dungeon, where the two traitors were kneeling, their faces bloodied from earlier beatings.
Gabriella stiffened beside me, her face flickering between me and the men.
Lifting my shirt up slightly, I pulled out my gun and pressed it on the head of one of the traitors.
Gabriella's eyes widened. “Alessio, please, this isn't the way to……..”
"These men betrayed the De Luca clan," I cut her off, my finger tightening around the trigger. "They aligned themselves with the West Merger, knowing it meant war. La lealtà non è qualcosa che si può scambiare e il tradimento non è ciò che perdono. ( Loyalty isn't something to trade and betrayal isn't what I forgive)."
"Still think they deserve mercy?” I turned to Gabriella who stared at me with fear. Good, I wanted her to hate me.
Without a second thought, I pulled the trigger.
Her scream tore through the room, raw and piercing.
The body collapsed, blood spreading like a dark omen across the floor.
The second man trembled, his hands raised in desperate surrender. His pleas were nothing but wasted breath. I never granted mercy.
I pulled the trigger once more, silencing his pleas.
I turned to Gabriella. Tears slipped down her cheeks as her hand flew to her mouth.
“This is what my world looks like, Gabriella,” I said, wiping the blood stain off my gun. You don't get to change the rules.”
“Just stay away from me, Alessio." She turned, looking for an escape. But there was none.
I grabbed her wrist, leading her back to the bedroom. When we arrived, I shut the door behind me, locking it instantly.
Gabriella turned to face me, her body shaking slightly as she held the bead stand for support.
"You went against my rules, bella." I said, taking slow steps towards her.
She took a step back. "I didn’t know…."
"You knew!" I cut her off, slamming my fist into the wall. She flinched. “You fucking knew the dungeon was off limits, yet you chose to disobey me,” I closed the distance between us, caging her against the wall. “And now Bella, you're going to pay for what you did."
I moved my lips closer to her neck, inhaling her scent. She smelled of vanilla which was sour but Intoxicating at the same time.
She lifted her face to mine, her lips parting open as I brushed her lips with the corner of my mouth.
I moved back, staring at her lips as I whispered. “Do you know what happens to disobedient little girls?”
“No," she said, her body trembling beneath my touch.
Smirking, I traced her arms, my touch gentle and smooth. “I show them who they belong to.”
With that being said, I slammed my lips fiercely against hers, pouring all my hunger and frustration into it. I wrapped my hand around her waist, pulling her close as I slipped my tongue into her mouth.
A whimper escaped her lips which made me groan. Gabriella's hand flew to my chest, pushing me back. I ripped her hands off my chest, pinning them above her head..
“Alessio…….” she moaned, struggling against my grip.
I pulled back, staring at her lips. “Beg me to stop." I gritted out, earning no response from her.
Smirking, I lowered my lips to her ear. “No?" I asked, my fingers trailing up her thighs.
“Please…” she whispered. I couldn't tell if was pleading for me to stop or for something else entirely .
I pressed my body against hers. “Please what? Say what you want Bella. Tell me." I teased, trailing kisses down her neck.
"Beg me," I growled, my eyes flickering to her plump lips.
I kissed her once again, this time fiercer and demanding. But before I could deepen the kiss, Gabriella bit down on my lower lip, forcing me to stumble back.
“There is nothing you can do to make you love you again, ever," She panted, her breathing coming in short gasps as she stared at me with disgust.
Chucking, my tongue ran over my bottom lip and I could taste blood. “ You're playing a dangerous game with me.”
“I'm done playing your games, Alessio.” She spat.
I stepped closer, pressing her against the wall, my voice low and dangerous. "Then I hope you're ready for mine, princess… because I never lose.”
Gabriella's Pov I stared up at the ceiling, unable to sleep even though it was past midnight. My heart began racing when I thought of what happened earlier. The kiss. It replayed in my mind which made it harder to focus. I felt hot and angry about what Alessio did. The way he kissed me was insane, it was rough, and demanding at the same time. My first kiss, stolen just like that. And the worst part? He didn’t even act like it mattered. Like it was no big deal. That made me furious. Groaning, I turned to face Alessio. He laid next to me, sleeping peacefully like he hadn't just left me all hot and bothered. His blond hair rested messily against the pillow. His features looked relaxed and for a split second I hated the fact that he looked so good even while he was asleep. Of course he had to be sleeping fine. Why wouldn’t he be? He always got what he wanted. We’d kissed once before, back when we were kids playing truth or dare. I was sure Alessio didn’t remember, but it had meant e
Gabriella’s Pov All eyes turned to me the moment I stepped into the room. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat as their gazes remained fixed on me. I couldn't back out now, not after everything I went through to be here. The sound of my heels echoed in the not so spacious study as I walked forward, the shirt dresses clinging more to my skin with every step I took. The room smelled of whiskey and smoke, and I knew I'd just walked into a deadly trap.Alessio sat at the head of the long glass table, his eyes squinting as he looked at me from head to toe. I could see his jaw tightening when his eyes locked on the neckline of my dress. He seemed mad but fixed a smile to his face which didn't quite teach his eyes.“Cara Mia," he called out, his voice low and dangerous which sent a shiver down my spine. To the men, it sounded like he was praising his wife but to me, it sounded more like a warning than a greeting.I held back a chuckle, knowing too well that I was in trouble. I shook my
Alessio's PovI stood in the boxing ring, taking deep breaths as I wiped the blood trickling down the corner of my mouth. I stared at my opponent who looked 5 times bigger than me. He clenched his fists as he circled me, his eyes darkening as a smirk formed on his lips. He was really tough, his punches seemed like he had trained for a long while. He was definitely stronger than me, or was it possible that I'd grown weaker?I shook my head slightly, that was impossible. I slammed my fists, forcing my muscles to be string despite the fact that they ached badly. The crowd roared as they cheered for us. Grittng my teeth, I stepped forward and without hesitation, I lunged my fist Into his jaw in a brutal uppercut, sending him staggering back. He slumped down with a third that echoed through the gym.The referee's count barely registered until he reached ten, and I was declared the winner. The crowd roared once more but my eyes turned as my breath came in short gasps. I stumbled back, my leg
Gabriella's PovI groaned as I sank into the bed, holding the plate of lasagna in my hands. The scent of tomato and cheese lingered in the room. I had no appetite to eat any longer. I stared at the plate, my stomach rumbling but not from hunger. I'd learnt how to make this from my father, it was his favorite recipe. I remembered how he laughs each time he teaches me. How he pretends to sneeze due to the flour in his hands, it made me giggle so loud. The memory remained fresh in my head, and I blinked rapidly, trying hard not to cry.Why was I here? Why did he want to get married to me if he hated me? What did Alessio want from me? And why did he seem to take so much pleasure in my misery?“Get a grip,” I muttered, shoving the plate onto the nightstand. The fork made a sharp noise and silence followed after. I pulled my knees to my chest. I've spent days in the mansion, just forced to be kept here like a slave with nothing to do but think. Think about my parents, about Alessio’s cold e
Alessio's PovI stared at my uncle as he walked slowly. His eyes narrowed. His gaze flicked between me and Gabriella. The shock in his expression was impossible to miss. He clenched his jaw and without saying anything, he shoved past us, his shoulder hitting Gabriella, throwing her off balance. I reached out to her, steadying her as I wrapped my hands protectively around her waist. Uncle Martini let out a cough and I turned to see him glaring at me. Sighing, I turned back to Gabriella.“Go inside, I'll be with you shortly," I said to her and walked away. I followed my uncle down the hall, my footsteps slow and steady. The door The door to my study shook as Martini slammed it shut behind us. He turned to me, his eyes blazing with fury. "So it's true," he bit out. "You married her? The daughter of the bastard who killed your father?" I leaned against the edge of my desk, crossing my arms. "Good to see you too, Uncle." "Don't play games with me, Alessio." He growled. "Why the hell w
Victor's Pov The cold night air grazed my skin the moment I stepped onto the pavement outside an abandoned warehouse. The warehouse seemed like a place they had forgotten for ages, the walls were decaying. I could hear distant sirens wailing in the city, but here, it was dead silent. I knew this was probably the worst decision I had made in my life, but I didn’t care. I needed to see him. Taking a deep breath, I walked forward, the heavy metal door standing tall over me. I curled my fists at my sides. It has to happen now or never. I've heard stories about this place, about the man that ruled it. They said he was the most dangerous man in New York. The kind of person you shouldn't cross unless you had a death wish. And yet, here I was, standing in his territory. The door swung open before I could knock. A man stood in the doorway, his face covered in a mask, his eyes dark and suspicious. He was tall, built like a soldier, and has an aura of someone who takes pleasure in murder
Gabriella's Pov I stared at the private jet in front of me, my eyes widening in disbelief. No way, Alessio owned this. The jet was huge, painted sleek with the letter “A” engraved by the side. My heart raced with excitement. I had never been on a private jet before. The idea of flying in something this grand made me feel so happy. I turned to Alessio, hoping to see if he was as excited as I was, but he was busy typing into his phone. He stood a few steps away, dressed in a black suit as always, speaking in a low voice that I couldn’t quite hear. His face was serious, focused, as if nothing in the world could distract him. “This… is yours?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Alessio barely spared me a glance as he spoke into his phone. “Board the plane. We don’t have all day.” I let out a scoff. He could at least pretend to be as amazed as I was. But of course, he wasn’t. This was probably normal for him, private jets, luxury hotels, expensive cars. Meanwhile, I was still
Alessio's Pov I stepped out of the black SUV, the night air in Italy carrying a faint scent of the sea mixed with something sinister. It had been years since I set foot in this country, years since my parents left me in this cold hearted world and I had no choice but to move to New York, leaving behind everything they had built. But some things never changed. This was my father's latest warehouse and even after all these years it stood strong. I straightened my suit, staring at the large steel door before me. This warehouse was a place where the guns were hidden, far from the prying eyes of the detective's. Tonight, however, I felt something was wrong. Sighing, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. My eyes wandered around the room. It was dimly lit with the scent of wood filling the air. My footsteps were the only sound heard in the room as I walked against the concrete floor. My hands slid across the rows of crates, my eyes roaming around searching for Vincenzo. I found him
Gabriella's Pov The next morning, I couldn't sit still. My heart was a tangled mess of questions as I paced my bedroom, glancing every few seconds at the drawer across the room, the one hiding that photograph.I bit my lip, debating with myself. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe it's not what it looked likeBut the doubt was there. I couldn't pretend I hadn't seen it.I rushed over, yanking the drawer open and pulling out my diary. Carefully, I slipped the photograph free from between the worn pages.There it was.My mother, smiling so warmly, standing close to Martini like they had shared something... something I wasn't meant to know about. Their bodies leaned just a little too comfortably toward each other, a kind of familiarity that spoke louder than words.I stared at it, my fingers trembling slightly.Why would she be this close to him? What are they hiding?A thousand questions burned in my chest, but only one thing was clear: I couldn't sit here waiting for answers. I'd find them mys
Alessio's Pov The morning sun filtered through the tall windows, casting golden streaks over the polished wood floors of the mansion. It was rare to feel a sense of calm in this house, rarer still to feel something close to happiness. But as I stood by the window, sipping black coffee, watching the trees move. I realized there was something different in the air. It was warmer and lighter. I didn’t know why I felt it, but I wasn’t going to question it. Maybe it was the silence. Maybe it was the way the chaos in my head had reduced. . Or maybe… It was her.Gabriella.Carki noticed it too. He stood across from me in the hallway, his arms folded, one brow raised like he was trying to read me.“You look less like you want to kill someone today,” he muttered, his usual dry sarcasm creeping in.I grunted, shaking my head. “Don’t start.”He shrugged. “Didn’t say it was a bad thing.”But he knew better than to push further.I hadn’t told anyone, not even Carlo, that I was starting to see Ga
Gabriella's Pov I stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing myself. The soft blue gown hugged my curves like it had been made for me, delicate silk cascading to the floor. It was simple, no jewels, no embroidery, nothing loud, yet somehow, that simplicity made it all the more stunning. My hair was loose, curling softly around my shoulders. After so long behind locked doors, stripped of even the smallest luxuries, it felt almost rebellious to wear something that made me feel... beautiful, alive even. Tonight, I wasn’t going to hide. Tonight, Alessio would see what he’d tried to keep in a cage. I took a deep breath, smoothed the gown over my hips, and left the room. The heels clicked softly against the marble stairs as I descended, the chandelier above scattering golden light across the foyer like falling stars. I saw him before he saw me, Alessio, seated at the long oak dining table, phone pressed to his ear, brow furrowed in that way that meant business. Even when
Gabriella's Pov I sat on the edge of the massive bed, my arms folded tightly across my chest as I stared at the wall. The silence in the room was deafening, but it was nothing compared to anger I felt inside me. How dare Alessio lock me in like some possession? Like I was a bird that needed to be trapped in a cage. I hated him for it. I hated how he thought he could control me, trap me in this mansion and expect me to act like a good wife. But I wasn’t going to let him break me.My stomach growled loudly, interrupting my spiral of frustration. Ugh. Even in anger, my body had needs. I slid off the bed, grabbed the silk robe from the chair, and wrapped it around me before heading out of the room.As I walked down the grand staircase, I was greeted by the cold marble under my feet and the faint aroma of something warm and buttery. My eyes darted around the hall, but it was eerily empty, as always.A maid walked by, her head slightly bowed, and I called out to her.“Excuse me, can you b
Alessio's Pov I sat in my office, my fingers drumming restlessly against the mahogany desk. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, but it felt like time was stuck, like it was mocking me. Gabriela's presence lingered in the corners of my mind. I couldn't focus on any other things except her. She was locked upstairs, tucked away behind steel-reinforced doors and top-tier security. Not because I didn’t trust her, but because I didn’t trust the world with her. It was the only choice I had, the only way to keep her safe. Still, I felt guilty . I could almost hear her voice echoing in my mind, asking why I had become her captor.A knock broke me from my trance. Carlo stepped in, looking rigid as always, his face showing little to no emotion. “We’ve got a lead,” he said simply.I nodded my head furiously. “Good. I’ll finish up here. Then we go.”Carlo didn’t ask questions. He never did. That’s what made him invaluable.When the door shut behind him, I leaned back in my chair, letting my
Victor stood at the front of the mansion, the cold wind doing nothing to make him calm. His boots crunched against the gravel as he took a shaky step forward, his heart pounding louder with every breath.He knew this was a mistake. A dangerous one.No one was allowed to step foot inside the master's estate without being summoned, especially not someone like him. But this wasn’t a time for him to follow the rules. Not tonight.His fingers trembled as he reached for the call button on the gate’s stone pillar. He hesitated but th, he pressed it.He waited for what seemed to be minutes. Just as he was about to turn away, the massive iron gate made a slow noise and creaked open. A single guard stepped forward, his face filled with disgust. “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here,” the guard said, eyeing Victor like he was a ticking bomb.Victor didn’t flinch. “I know. But I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.”“i need to speak with him,” Victor said quickly. “Please. It’s urgen
The next morning, Gabriella woke up with her heart pounding in her chest, the bitter memory of last night still hanging over her like a storm cloud. She didn’t want to see him. Didn’t want to hear him. Every fiber of her body ached with frustration.Kicking the covers away, she stood and marched over to the balcony. Her eyes scanned the property. Guards. Lots of them. Standing still like statues, guns hanging from their shoulders, eyes constantly sweeping the grounds. It was clear—Alessio wasn’t taking any chances this time. There was no escape.Gabriella let out a deep breath and turned away. The room felt like a golden prison. Big bed, soft rug, polished floor—none of it mattered. It was still a cage.She walked into the bathroom and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water run over her skin, hoping it would wash off the weight sitting on her chest. She stayed there longer than necessary, not wanting to come out. Not wanting to face what was waiting.A soft knock on the bedroo
The tension in the De Luca's mansion could be sliced with a knife. Alessio stood by the large window, arms folded, eyes scanning the grounds with an expression that teetered between fury and fear.Carlo entered without knocking.“She’s not home,” he said flatly.Alessio’s voice dropped, dangerous and cold. “Who?”“Gabriela. I checked her room, the garden, and the west wing. Nothing. I asked one of the maids. They said she left a couple of hours ago. With Stella.”Alessio’s eyes darkened. “With Stella?”“Yes, boss. The guards thought she had your permission.”Alessio turned fully now. “And they’re both missing?”Carlo nodded. “I sent two men to check the nearby blocks. Nothing yet.”Alessio slammed his hand down on the table beside him, making the vase rattle. “Traitors in my own walls, and the one person I need safe is strolling around the city like it’s a damn holiday?”Carlo stayed silent, knowing better than to interrupt when Alessio was on edge.“Mobilize every man we’ve got. I do
The sky was beginning to turn golden as the cab Maria was in finally stopped in front of a small, cozy, looking house with white windows and a porch that had potted flowers sitting on the rails. Hidden just a little down the road, Gabriella and Stella sat inside their own cab, watching closely.“There,” Stella whispered, pointing.“I see her,” Gabriella replied, narrowing her eyes. Her tone was calm, but her fingers were drumming nervously on her knee. “We wait till she goes inside.”Maria stepped out of her cab, adjusting the strap of her bag. She glanced over her shoulder once, then walked briskly to the front door and disappeared inside.“Now,” Gabriella said.They got out quietly and walked toward the house. Stella’s heart was racing like a drum in a parade.“Are you sure about this?” Stella asked, tugging on Gabriella’s sleeve.“Yes,” Gabriella said firmly. “But follow my lead. No surprises, okay?”Stella nodded. Gabriella stepped up to the porch and knocked softly. The door cre