Maria’s POV-
I groaned drowsily waking from my sleep at the new warmth that surrounded me, a hand softly sliding across my hips and soothingly rubbing circles into the bare skin of my stomach.
I sighed in content at the cologne that hit my senses. Luciens cologne I could identify it anywhere.
“Princess” his husky voice breathed agains my kneck. I hummend in response to his lips gliding across my skin a shiver of delight running down my back at the soft kisses he placed upon my neck.
I tilted my neck, his teeth nipping at my skin causing my back to press tighter against his chest.
His th
This one is un-edited and a small chapter as my laptop has decided to die on me causing me to lose the pre-written chapter that i had forgotten what i originally wrote and i can not afford to buy a new laptop as of now😭 i have three children that eat every penny i have 😅 please vote/comment/review and share . Thankyou for reading 💖 also sorry i couldnt give you a heads up for the adult content in the chapter for some reason it wont alow me to comment at the moment 🤷🏻♀️🙂
Maria’s POV-With a squeeze I hugged the pillow tighter. I felt like crap. I was hungover!In Fact not hungover just dead, but ten times over.My body ached and my head felt so heavy, all the dancing from last night had taken a toll on my muscles like I had never done any workout of any kind in my entire life.I squinted my eyes open, adjusting to the natural light that seeped through my half open curtains.I have no idea what time it is but I was hoping to see darkness when I opened my eyes because.. sleep..god sleep is all i want right now.A glass of water and two white t
Maria’s POV- Lucien was playing a game I just know it, his quipped response of us breaking up was so out of character for him, only minutes before his departure he was outright refusing that I had ended our relationship. So here I am frozen, looking at the door he had just left form. This was what I had wanted, I had instigated the breakup so why does it feel so wrong? I do not know how to explain the emotional feeling that I am feeling right now. Is it Pain? Yes. is it sadness? Yes. Is it Relief? Possibly? No not relief of our breakup but relief that he had left with no fight at all but just that thought alone does not just come with relief it comes with so much pain. He had said I was no longer his problem nor he mine but was I honestly more of a problem than a partner for him? I guess I do understand his words to some extent, he has always been the jealous type of man and with jealousy there always followed with drama
Diego’s pov-“You know I would like to see the day you both are happy” I confessed handing Lucien his bottle of water.“I want her to have happiness, that’s why I am giving her space” He breathed heavily unscrewing his water bottle cap.“So, she broke up with you and you’re the one giving her space?” I raised a brow at his logic. It is fascinatingly mental how Lucien’s brain works.“No, you dick, this is what she wants so I am respecting her wishes, I am trying to grow and be a better man for her” he explained, in all sincerity. At least I know he believes his words.“Here me out” he piped up, unwrapping his knuckles indicating his work out was officially over.“By the time my business here is done, let’s say six to twelve months give or take, she would have had her space, we would have grown
Maria’s pov- I don't know why this was becoming such a turmoil for me. It is not like I am telling my brothers I am leaving forever and will never see them again; I’m simply telling them I want to live elsewhere, in a place of my own without guns, and drama and fear. A life I built for myself not one that was handed down to me by family name. “What is this about Maria? Aimee has me trying on bow ties and cuff links for the wedding and I have no patience to deal with her scorn if it so happens that I am late” Lorenzo chuckled from his seat in the sofa across from me. I smiled softly at my brother, I truly am happy that he has Aimee by his side, he deserves love and happiness, they both do. “You look like you need a glass of whiskey” Diego suggested eyeing me with what I assume was curiosity slash concern. “Yes please” I took the offer although I’m not even sure he was offering. “at least we can check pregn
Marias pov-I fidgeted with my hands to ease the overwhelming emotions within me.“In order for Lucien to leave he would need to get his business in order, wipe out every enemy he has, as well as find a replacement to take his place, a someone to work alongside the rest of us. And even if he was to succeed, he would still need to take precautions when living a life out there” Lorenzo filled me in.“Enemies? precautions?” I questioned not believing that Lucien has any enemies.“Yes angel, enemies and many of them. This family are not sunshine and roses. But I’m sure you already know that” Diego forced a smile. An attempt to ease the pain of my hopes and fucking dreams being shut down.“I broke up with him. I cannot stay here and see him, day in and day out. I need my own space, my own life. I don’t want this” I cried; I couldn’t help the tears that
Maria's POV- “I don’t know who Rocco is, but I don’t see how him having overlook every movement I make for the rest of my life is going to be an improvement from living here” I added, what would a life like that consist of? Me being stuck in another overly large house only this time more alone with nowhere to go. “Lucien already has plans for Rocco. And Maria, I know it’s not what you had hoped for but for now, you’re going to have to sit on the idea for the time being.” Lorenzo said as if pained to be the one to send the last blow to my now distant dreams. I shook my head in disappointment. They are supposed to be my family. Instead, there more like my captives. I rose to my feet swiftly needing to get some air or just out of this now seemingly small living room. This was pointless. An effort waisted on an impossible hope. “You know this is bullshit right. If I stay, I’m stuck doing your paperwork, you won’t let me
Marias pov-I felt deflated as I walked away from the living room. It felt as if I was stuck in mud, my life was at a standstill, firmly encased with no hope of escape.What was I to do with my life now? I couldn’t leave until my brothers where sure it was safe for me.I was angry at them, and I know it is not their fault and that I shouldn’t take the bad set of life cards I was dealt and put the blame on them, hell they were pretty much dealt the same deck of cards as I was, the only difference being was that I had been born female and shielded from the part of our name that I’m most certain holds more darkness then I can ever imagine.Our name seemed to be a curse. Whether I want my surname or not, it still won’t change the fact that I am indeed a Valdez. Maybe that’s where my life has gone wrong? Maybe I’m not meant for a life of freedom and the normal American woman’s dream life of a white picket fence and a d
Lucien’s pov- “Your being serious?” she asked hesitantly. With the look on her face right now she looks like a cat being forced into the rain. “don’t tell me you still get seasick?” I smirked remembering her vomiting over me and everyone else that had been stuck on the yacht our parents had taken us on as kids. “Well, I wouldn’t know Lucien, I haven’t been on a boat since I was like ten” she hissed at me. I smirked, biting my lip to hold back my obvious amusement at her expense. “Come on, I’m sure you will be fine. we can’t exactly go very far” I motioned out to the lake in front of us. “Do you even know how to drive this thing?” she asked sceptically. “Sail maria, sail this thing” I corrected “And yes would I own it if I couldn’t?” I paired my smirk with a raised brow earning a straight-faced sulk of a look in response. If I have any chance of getting her on this b
“Mom” Marcus yelled in panic as my head was lifted from the cold floor. “Get some ice for your mother she hit her head” I heard Lucien, he sounded so close, I could smell him, he smelt just like I remember. “This is your fault asshole” Marcus fired “Or maybe it was your unique way of introducing yourself. SON” Lucien defended. “Maria, can you hear me?” his voice was so close yet so soft like a whisper. I didn’t dare open my eyes, maybe it was a nightmare? If that’s the case than I’m stuck in a dream state. His touch feels so real. I was being a child, hoping that the longer I keep my eyes closed the higher chance of the possibility of it being nothing more than just a dream. “Maria” he called the touch of his fingertips to my skin as he brushed them gently across my brow and along my check. “Fuck, shit! mom?” Marcus’s panic snapped me forward and I flicked my eyes o
Epilogue Eighteen years has passed since you both took your leave. Every day I miss you both. Diego too, when you guys made your leave from this world and I made mine from that hell, I had made the sacrifice to leave him behind. It was a painful sacrifice, but he had the right to choose his own path just like I did mine. I don’t know if you can hear me, maybe its wishful thinking but I pray every day that you watch over him for me. I have had no contact with him or any other from that life in eighteen years, but I did it, I finally got out. I faced those struggles with you all in my mind, through the good times and the bad. Sometimes I let my mind wonder in imagination, with the what ifs and the possibilities of what could have been if you both could spend one more day down here. I know Marcus could use an uncle or aunt to vent too. He takes after his father, so handsome with his dark hair and strong mind but sometimes I feel as though a mother just won’t cut
Maria’s pov- Lucien circled his arms around my waste the warmth of his body against my back was calming as he placed a delicate kiss to my cheek, my eyes closing as his presence soothed me. “Are you ok?” he asked his voice soft and low. I hummed a response, wanting nothing more than to stay in his arms. I was yet again shamelessly avoiding what I came here to do. “We need to talk” I sighed opening my eyes, forcing myself to face reality. “Don’t give me a speech like the one you gave him” Lucien exclaimed, the cool air wrapping around me as he pulled away from me, the loss of his hold no longer keeping me composed. “It is nothing like that” I huffed turning to face him. It sounds crazy to say but this man, this big powerful man in front of me is so God damn emotional it’s unbelievable. “Take a seat please I need to tell you something and I don’t want you to freak out” I nudged his che
Maria’s pov- I was shamelessly killing time to avoid the inevitable confrontation of telling Lucien our news. I didn’t know how he would react, how he would take the news of becoming a father let alone the news that we can leave. He was always so defensive with excuses every time I brought up us leaving the current life that we live. And as for the other thing, I believe being a parent is something he has pictured before but no matter how hard he tries to hide how much that thought scared him I could see it. I have taken a shower and a bath, with a visit to Rocco and Dr Grim in hopes to avoid the conversation I am mere seconds away from having with Lucien, according to Marcel he was in the living area of our floor five minutes ago. I’m praying he is still there because all this walking to avoid the inevitable was killing not just my leg but my whole entire body. “You are not capable of keeping her safe, how many times must she suffer because of your blata
It hurt to think of Diego in pain, of him feeling lost or being lost in any kind of way. That was just not who Diego was, he is all humour, fiery and bright. “I shot myself” I laughed through a sob hoping to relieve some of his pain for even just a moment. “I heard” he strained a chuckle, clearing his throat he pulled back to look at me with his red eyes. They were not as bright anymore, they seemed dull like the brightness of a bulb dying out. “Only you could manage such a thing Angel” he smiled at me, his smile weak but I could tell it was genuine and that’s what I wanted. To see the smiling Diego not the Diego with the reckless look upon his face. “I’m proud of you, your strength is powerful Maria. you took on a fight all on your own and came out still standing” he praised “well standing on a limp leg” he added with a teasing grin. “Shut up, you have a limp leg too” I laughed pus
Maria’s pov- “I am not leaving her in the hands of the likes of you” “The likes of me?” I shot up at the sudden loud crash, my heart racing with panic and dare I say it fear.my body was in pure agony and with my head spinning I could barely focus my eyes. “You can’t keep her safe, none of you can” I whipped my head to the direction of the familiar voice to see Carlos and Lucien in an intense stair down, a mess of broken items at their feet the obvious sign of a tussle. “How I protect my woman is no concern of yours” Lucien fired “That may be but do not make the mistake brother, she is my concern she has been since the night I found her locked in my cousin’s bedroom” I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply in the attempt to calm my beating heart. The crash and the sound of fist to skin that I knew was coming after Carlos’s words echoed around the room. I winced opening my e
Diego’s pov- “Mail whatever is left of the pair to the Trevisani estate” I ordered, wiping my chin on the sleeve of my shirt. “Are you sure that is the message you want to send?” Marcel asked stepping away from the sink he was washing his hands in. “That’s what I said, was it not?” I fired stepping to the now vacant sink. The skin of my hands not visible through the coating of crimson red, fingernails stained with the blood of those animals. “Pack them up and send them off” he ordered to the two men present. “You understand that is a message of war” he said calmly, his eyes burning into the side of my face, like if he looks hard enough, he could read whatever my mind was thinking. “I am aware yes” I clenched my teeth tightly, my eyes focused on the wall in front of me. I don’t think I have felt this much emotion in a very long time. was it anger? pain? I don’t know but it is deafeni
Maria's Pov- Lucien gently tugged at my arms encasing me in his hold with a tight squeeze, pinning me to his chest and leaving no room for me to fight. “I’ve got you” he whispered. “I’ve got you now” he repeated over and over, and I broke into a million pieces as I cried into his chest to thoughts of the night, thoughts of Lorenzo, Aimee and even for some unknown reasons… Vince. A loud pain filled groan pulled me back to my surroundings and I shot away from Lucien’s chest my eyes instantly finding Rocco who was trying to roll his shoulder, the shoulder with the bullet wound. “Get him a doctor” I fired rushing to Rocco’s side, yet again being too caught up in my selfishness that I had let this man bleed for God knows how long while I so selfishly cried a meltdown. “I suppose I’m fired sweetheart” he winced. “Don’t move” I scolded panic stricken as Lucien silently came to my side obser
Maria's POV- “Are you hurt?” he spoke, and I knew he was talking to me, but I couldn’t decipher why he would ask such a question. Was it out of stupidity? Did I look ok? No. Did I look hurt? I sure as hell felt the pain. His eyes darted to Rocco before landing back on me “Is he dead?” he asked, his eyes dipping to the man at my feet. Was his question referring to Rocco or Vince? Either way even a blind man would know someone died in this room by the smell of the blood in the air. “You left me” I spoke, my voice leaving as a croak. He gave the order; I am here because he sent me on this path. “I know, I thought you were safe with Rocco” he said calmly his hands raised in surrender. His eyes for once not portraying his strength. Instead, stormy swirls stared back at me crumbling in an almost panic like as they pleaded with me. It was striking to see something so unusual coming from him I felt