Maria’s pov-
I watched Aimee from my spot by the bar. She was fitting perfectly into Lorenzo’s world. She was enjoying herself with a bright smile, she looked so genuinely happy beside my brother.
I sighed aloud, taking a large gulp of my champaign. No matter how ecstatic I was for Aimee and Lorenzo, and I was happy for them, I just could not sit and watch their romantic exchanges and loving glances when I was feeling so alone.
I was selfish, instead of enjoying this moment for my brother and friend I was sulking in the corner like a scorned child. This sucked, it truly fucking sucked.
I shot the last of my champagne, it was only my second glass, so I was yet to feel the effect. I needed to cut this shit out and plaster a smile upon my face for the sake of my family. They at least deserved to enjoy themselves without looking at my ugly frown.
I glanced around the room looking for no one in particular. Who am I kidding? That w
hi guys, sorry for the late update. i had a biology paper due and it wiped me out. hope you enjoy the chapter and the chpters to come. thankyou for reading. please COMMENT/VOTE/REVIEW AND SHARE.
Lorenzo’s pov- “Fucking balls, I knew there would be a problem” Aimee let out pacing at the news of the dinner being delayed. It was pleasing to see that she had put such an effort into tonight. “Language, doll” I raised a brow a smirk tugging at my lips as she glared back at me. She was even more beautiful when she was mad. How did I become as lucky as I had when finding her? She was going to be my wife, not that she hadn’t practically already been my wife in my eyes for the past eight years. The first night I lay eyes on her I knew this day would come. I tugged at her hand pulling her into my chest, she enveloped her arms around my waist as she rested her forehead to my chest with a content sigh. “Do you think they would notice if we took a time out? You could become my Spanish tutor for a quick twenty minutes?” she asked the smile I knew she was wearing was herd in her voice, a chuckle vibrated th
Lucien’s pov. I watched Maria from the corner of my eye, with that prick Vince Trevi-fucking- sani. He had finally made his move on her. he has had his eyes on her since we entered the room, in fact everyone had their eyes on Maria when we entered the room. I don’t blame them for their curiosity filled stares and quick glances, tonight is the first time they have seen her. Until now they had known of her but not known a face to pair with the name and as usual Maria was completely oblivious to the attention she gains when in a room. I myself have been watching her every chance I get. I have been uneasy about tonight, it has been many of years since we have invited so many of our business associates into our home all in the same night, the last gathering of sorts was held by our parents. To have these people so close to Maria has me wishing I could have somehow removed her from this scenario. Although if that was to have happened there would be rumours
Maria’s pov- I watched Lucien with wide eyes in response to his sudden change of behaviour. so far, he had avoided me tonight and as soon as I want to be alone, he decides that be the best time to follow me to the toilet. “What did he do to upset you, did he hurt you?” he clenched his jaw, and I raised my brow in response, hurt me? What was he talking about? “Lucien calm down, no one has hurt me, who are you talking about?” I asked but I have an idea on who he was referring too. I assumed and was praying that nobody had noticed my embarrassing mini freak out with Vince, but who was I kidding Lucien sees everything about me. “Maria” he warned, and I knew he was struggling to calm his anger. “It was nothing, just a misunderstanding that’s all” I placed my hand to his chest in hopes to sooth his building rage and I watched as he slowly relaxed beneath my palm. I was completely out of sync with
Lucien’s pov- I buckled my belt back up, watching Maria slide her panties back up and over her now red marked thigh before covering the site from my eyes as she fixed her dress into place. I was rough with her, a little too rough, not holding back as I relentlessly gave her what she had asked for. The visible red marks left upon her hips, ass cheeks and thighs from my grip not only made me swell with proud possessiveness but swallowed me with a rage aimed only towards myself at the fact I had hurt her enough to leave marks upon her beautiful body. “Did I hurt you?” I asked snaking my arm around her waist and softly placing a kiss to her shoulder, as gently as I possibly could. she giggled as she looked back at me through the mirror, I didn’t understand why she was laughing but I loved the sound, her glare and smart mouth was one thing but her smile? Her smile was everything. I raised a brow at her amusement, “no Lucien, I
Lucien’s pov- I followed Maria as we made our exit from the toilets, watching as she smoothed her palms the length of her dress consciously. I smirked to myself as I watched the blush creep up her neck and return to her cheeks as her eyes land on Rocco standing to the right of the door. She knew he herd but he said nothing sending her a swift nod and resuming in step beside her. He was a good choice for her, he was cocky, and no doubt would be able to handle Maria’s smart ass. I sought out the best in order to keep her safe. He has been watching from a distance for weeks, taking in her regulars and routines in order to build a secure plan for her security. He didn’t specialise in security or personal security for that matter, but his experience wasn’t what had brought him to my attention in the first place. It was his skill, he was quick thinking, fast, kill or be killed mentality, he was an ex-marine soldier. We were risking a lot tonight in
Marias pov- I screamed, I screamed and screamed everything that I had as Rocco dragged me away, dragged me just as he was instructed, forcing me through the house, passing door by door as we made our way in the direction of the garage. Where was he taking me? I couldn’t care I was fighting him on it, I was fighting with everything I had to free myself. My family needed me, my brother was dead and my best friend too I wasn’t stupid enough to believe she could be saved from a wound as ghastly as that. I hated Rocco, I hated him for obeying such an order. I hated Lucien for giving that order, he had nor has the right to make that decision. I should be with Aimee; I should be there to hold her and comfort her in her pain. She is scared I know she is, I’m scared, she needs me, she needs me to not let her die alone. Rocco came to a rapid halt his grip easing as he spun me swiftly to face him. He was so passive, his facial features so blank. “Maria, Ima ne
Marias pov I turned seeing Rocco had been shot, his blood smeared to the dark oak flooring as it soaked through his black blazer. He was laying on his back his knees bent to balance as he reached his gun out in front of him in aim for the man at the door. Vince was stood with a smooth smile, that gentle smile he had aimed at me only a short time ago. his gun aimed for Rocco, but his eyes were on me. “Stop, hold fire” I screamed. “Stop, stop, stop” No more death. No more death. I panicked. Vince cocked his head to the side his eyes drifting down my body across the floor to the man lying in front of him. “Please, no more death” I Shakely straightened out my composure. I was trying to be strong but my lips where quivering giving away the fear that I was feeling. “As you wish Bella” Vince said entering the room slowly, a kick to the door and I flinched as the door slammed shut. His eyes slowly flicking b
Marias pov- The sound of a buckle made my head whip back up to face Vince just in time to see him pull his belt from around his waist. The black leather shining with the silver buckle. Fear and dread washed over me as the blood drained from my body. Fear at his action, the slow motion as he bent the belt folding it in half, fear of the dark mask upon his face that now replaced the once welcoming one. This man was unhinged, a psycho if he thought he could just come in here insisting I was his wife because our fathers had made a deal twenty years ago. “Vince” I managed to croak out through trembling lips, the not knowing his intentions was the front of my fear. Was he the type of crazy to rape a woman or the type of crazy for something else, I did not know because the reality that he doesn’t seem to have grasped is that I do not know him. He brought the belt down harshly across my upper arm, the piercing scream that rang from my lungs a
“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