ALESSANDRO Since Luca woke up from the coma due to being in close proximity with the bombed cottage.He told me that she never died, that it was a guard stationed by Calvino to kill my wife and that she had been declared missing. And I vowed to get revenge on Calvino.Yes, smashing his face was tempting. Maybe even his ribs.“Damn straight.” I gulped the entire drink down, the brown liquid burning down my throat. Just like my guilt. If I listened to her, she’d still be here… with me. I should have chained her to my bed and cut all her ties with her family. It should have been me punishing her, not her father. Not her fucking family. She ran because she choose me. Luca strode into the room, and I handed him his drink.“If she is dead, you have to move on,” Cesare tried again. If she was dead, I’d never marry again. Yes, I’d take other women to bed, but none of them would ever become my wife. I thought back to those first few months when I tried to fuck any woman, as long as she d
LORENAThe sounds of the waves crashing along the shores of the little island that became our home was all around us, mixing with the smell of the sea. Sitting on the small balcony, overlooking the water, I sipped on my glass of wine. I felt at peace here. I didn’t think I could find happiness again, but right at this moment, it felt pretty damn close to it. Even with the paranoid feelings I’d had when I rushed out of the market and barricaded Matteo and myself in the house.It was stupid, I knew it. If either my father or my husband found us, we’d be dead before we knew what hit us. We would never see it coming. My father was a sick, twisted old man that got off on power and torturing humans. My life was a nightmare after that… until the day I met Alessandro. I thought I found a savior. So wrong!Tilting my head up at the moon, my thoughts traveled across the ocean, searching the memories. The past was left buried and behind us when we ran, but it was harder to forget. It was a
LORENAMy heart skipped a few beats that my father would do this just when I think I'm free of them he manages to get ahead of me.“He had evidence that I’m dead? That doesn’t make any sense.” Although, I’d never put it past my family to proclaim me dead to get their paws on my inheritance. My grandparents had enough sense to secure it all into a trust till my twenty-fifth birthday. Which was coming up rapidly.“I don’t know,” she mumbled. “It pissed me off that he’d rob you of what’s yours. So I sent evidence through a secured mail that you are alive, along with the picture.”It wasn’t a smart thing to do. She knew it, and so did I. But I understood why she did it. I would have probably done the same if our roles were reversed. After all, that inheritance belonged to my son too.“Damn, I hope it’s one of the good pictures,” I replied instead of scolding her. She was beating herself up enough as it was. We locked eyes and burst into fits of giggles. It wasn’t funny that my family p
ALESSANDRO Everyone was staying the fuck away from me. It suited me just fine, if only I wasn’t frustrated as fuck. How hard was it to find a woman roaming Europe with a friend? Apparently too fucking hard. Massimo, my cousin, happened to be in Italy, so I ordered him to make a stop in Sicily, to find any clues about my wife. He was one of the rare people that knew her and saw her. And I trusted him not to try to fuck her.That was two weeks ago! He went to Italy, then went back to Germany. He was due to go back to Italy again to continue. It has been two long weeks and nothing. He came up with nothing, not a single clue. Like she was a ghost.“ Don,” my son's voice caught me in the hallway.I turned around to face him. His eyes were the same shade as mine, our facial features similar too. He was in his twenties, but my son still looked like he could take over the mafia the last few years have been tough. The death of his mother and Zio hit him hard, but his will to live spike
ALESSANDRO I nodded all around the table and sat down at the head of it, Roberto immediately to my left. Usually that spot was reserved for , but he had a more important mission to handle. Namely, hunting down my wife. It worked out well that he was in Europe already even before I needed him to track her down.The meeting started, each department head updating me with the status. This was the legitimate side of my business, the one that allowed me into a majority of the buildings in New York. In this city, I was the Don. Alessandro Moravia's name was feared right along with the name of my new business partners.My phone rang, and I glanced at it. It was .“Gentlemen,” I stood up. “Roberto will lead this meeting. I have to take this call.”I trusted Roberto to handle this business, and I had competent people running the departments so there was no doubt business would be handled. It didn’t mean I trusted those people any more than the next person. I only hired the best, and I knew
ALESSANDRO I stood at the corner of the street. I had been on the island for the past twenty-four hours and my patience was running thin. I hadn’t seen the woman nor the child. For whatever reason, the routine that the woman had for the days that Massimo watched her went out the window. As if she knew I was here.It was a charming little home. Nothing extravagant, little stone villa with a yard and an open view to the sea. Lorena grew up surrounded by luxury, but not having the chance to enjoy it. This place was opposite of everything she was used to. I was starting to doubt Massimo had mistaken someone else for Lorena.The garden gate opened and a woman came out. She had a baseball hat on, black shorts and white, racer tank top. A ponytail looped through her baseball hat, and I silently cursed. What the fuck was Massimo thinking? This woman’s hair was nothing like Lorena.Lorena had a thick mane of wavy hair and this woman had smooth brown hair. I ground my teeth at disappointm
ALESSANDRO The woman was completely oblivious to anyone but her friend speaking to her. The words of an Italian woman with a heavy accent traveled over, her hands up in the air. I had no idea what she said, but the young jogger threw her head backwards and a melodious laugh traveled over the sea fragrant breeze to me. And my heart froze.“What is it, Alessandro?” Massimo asked.“Wait,” I told him.I waited for another sound from her. I just needed to hear a word leave those lips, hear her voice, and I’d know for sure.Massimo and I sat in the car, in the middle of the road by the ice cream shop but nobody seemed to care. This place was so small, there was not even a need for a car.Another melodious laughter.“Mamma, Mamma.” A child’s voice reached over, but I kept my eyes locked on the woman. I refused to blink, worried I’d miss a clue. Like it was a life-or-death situation.The woman turned her head in the direction of the little boy’s voice and that’s when I saw her. That fair, c
LORENA My heart thundered wildly, blood rushing into my ears and my brain. I had to calm down so I could think clearly. I had never expected to see Ales again. I never wanted to see him again.Just like before, his eyes took my breath away. They were bewitching, and each time I gazed into them, oxygen would get caught in my lungs. Those eyes of rich, dark cognac mixed with colors of the forest. And those damn eyelashes, the envy of every woman. They were thick and black, surrounding those stunning eyes. Those eyes only gave a hint of the predator he was; a beast full of power and danger that could kiss you one second and snap your neck the next.His hand firmly squeezed my arm in his grip, his inked fingers searing my skin.“Let go of me,” I hissed, hating how his touch warmed my skin. I held on to my son, keeping him close to me. I didn’t want to alarm him. I wanted him to have a safe and happy life, full of joy not angry words. “And don’t ever touch me again.”He lost that right
ALESSANDRO “Play the footage.” The fury was Arctic cold in my veins.3 years ago“Oh my God, Lorena. Are you-” Vomiting sounds came through, followed by throwing up. Confusion hit me. Was she sick? “Are you pregnant?”“I’m done, Ella.” Lorena’s voice shook. I was the worst bastard. There was my confirmation that Matteo was mine. No wonder she hated my guts. She should. I wouldn’t blame her if she killed me; I would let her, too. “I’m done being everyone’s pawn. I’m leaving tonight.”“But your Father-”“Will have me killed, one way or the other. He already controls my inheritance. And that’s not enough for him. He’s going to sell us. We have to run.”“Does Alessandro know about the pregnancy?”A bitter laugh came through the air. “I was going to tell him at dinner.”“You could call him.”“I never want to see him again. As far as I’m concerned, they can all kill each other. I’m leaving and never looking back.”“Are you sure?”“Absolutely.”“Your uncle and the Santos family will hunt u
ALESSANDRO “On our way to an annulment. You know the definition of annulment? Marriage never happened. So please, for the love of God, stop saying you are my husband.”She turned her back to leave when I grabbed her forearm, getting into her face. “You can’t go out looking like that!” I growled low.“You just said I looked stunning. What is your problem, Ales?” she hissed. “Just because you dragged me back to get what you wanted, it doesn’t mean my life stops. I have things to take care of. So please don’t make this more difficult.”“What things?” The moment I asked, I could see on her face she regretted her words.“Let go of me, Alessandro.” She tugged on her arm, trying to get the grip loosened. Her skin flushed and there was a hint of panic in her eyes.“Where?”“Where what?”“Where are you going?”“None of your business.”“One of my drivers will take you.”“No.”“Yes.”“No.”“Yes, end of discussion. Otherwise, you are going nowhere.” I have had enough of her rebellion. “I won
ALESSANDRO “ Her grandparents asked my family if they would take care of his granddaughter in the event anything happened to him and his wife.my Zio(uncle)agreed. Two days later they were both dead. She said she fought Calvino for guardianship of Lorena, but failed. Since then, she kept an eye on her whenever she could.”“Did they die before or after your uncle?”“Her folks died a few months before.”“Is there a connection?”“If there is one, my aunt didn’t bring it up.” Although, I had to admit it, there seemed to be a lot of connections between Lorena’s family and mine. Even without taking our marriage into account. “I think you are right,” Enzo agreed. “Lorena’s value to Calvino was big enough for him to kill and go after the Moravia family if your aunt tried to get Lorena under her protection. Just think, she was the promised damsel, worth millions from her mother’s side and combine that with her pedigree and beauty…”He didn’t have to finish. My wife suffered under her famil
ALESSANDRO Obviously, Lorena had men too. She had no issues taking it all the way. After all, she got knocked up. Jealousy burned through my veins that she’d care about another man so much to have his child. When we got married, she insisted on not having children. It would seem she just didn’t want them with me.Who was the father? I already had Massimo digging for a name. The girls’ passports and Matteo’s were all fake, high quality fake passports.Could we somehow overcome the fact that I tried to fuck a number of faceless, nameless women trying to get over her? Could I get over the fact she had another man’s baby?These were some large obstacles. Not to mention the trust issues we both had.“Did you get the name of the kid’s father yet?” Lorena’s question pulled me out of my thousand questions.“What makes you think I’m looking for the name?”He laughed. “I know you, Alessandro. You are digging for that shit like your life depends on it.”I took a deep breath. There was no sens
ALESSANDRO “How is it going with your wife?” Enzo questioned me. After getting his shipment back yesterday and our dinner, we all went our own ways. We had legitimate businesses to run, and not so legitimate ones. More importantly, I wanted to work on my marriage to Lorena as well as getting a security detail to keep her protected from Santos Snr and Santos jnr and her family.My eyes have been locked on the view outside my window where Lorena played with Matteo and Ella in the pool. She didn’t know I was back home. Her carefree laugh carried through the open window, and I watched her hold Matteo by his waist, teaching him to swim.My aunt, Matteo and Lorena spent yesterday afternoon at the beach. When they got back, they both decided it was time for Matteo to learn how to swim. Hence today, Lorena, Ella, and my Zia dedicated all their day to swimming lessons.“You are doing it,” her happy voice carried through the breeze, amidst the water splashing. “Good job, baby.”“Sì, Matteo.
LORENA Both his hands pushed under my ass and he lifted my hips, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of my ass as he fucked me with his tongue. It was as if he needed me on his tongue, something reverent in the way he was devouring me.“Oh. My. God.” I moaned, digging my hands into his thick, dark hair, his name slipping from my lips as his tongue swirled over my clit before sucking. “Alessandro ,” I breathed. “More. Oh, God. Please.”His deep noises as he devoured me drove me crazy with lust. I peeled my eyes open and met his smoldering gaze, burning me with his own heat. He watched me as he lapped me steadily, fingering me faster and harder, until I was wanton putty under his touch.In and out. In and out. Loud moans echoed through the silence of the night, as I rocked my hips against his face shamelessly. His one hand reached up and pinched my swollen clit, then immediately brushed his tongue over it.“Fuck.” Pleasure rippled through me, my core shaking as my husband conti
LORENA He had on jeans and an unbuttoned white shirt. He must have pulled them on when he went searching for me. Or maybe he had some business to take care of. It didn’t matter.Pushing his shirt off of his shoulders, I let it fall soundlessly onto the floor and his magnificent chest on full display. I pressed a kiss to his lips and closed my eyes, savoring the taste of him, committing it to memory. His heart jackhammered under my touch, matching my own pulse.Nobody before him ever compared. And there would be nobody after him - ever. I trailed my lips over his tanned olive skin, down his neck. My hands reached for his belt, my fingers fumbling with it and his jean buttons, eager to get rid of his clothes. Soon his pants followed the pile of clothes discarded on the floor. I continued the trail down his chiseled abs.He might have been forty, much older than me, but nobody could deny Alessandro had a body of a god. I nudged him backwards. With each step he took, I took a step f
LORENA Giving Ella a side glance, I nodded. We’d be ready to run tomorrow night, after we killed my mother and father. She lifted herself onto her feet, and I followed her suit. Zia was too old to try and sit down at the edge of the pool.“Goodnight, Zia,” she muttered and leaned over to place a kiss onto her wrinkled cheek. It was her goodbye. She left both of us behind as she went into the house.“We both have jet lag,” I answered her earlier question. “We couldn’t sleep.” My lies were bitter. “Matteo had a good time at the beach.”It was my attempt to change the course of our discussion.“He is a good boy,” I murmured, smiling. Talking about him always made him smile.At least Zia loved him. Even not knowing Matteo was Moravia , both Alessandro and Zia were good to him. Once they got their confirmation, I knew without a doubt Matteo would be loved and protected. Zia loved him already.“Zia, can you promise me something?”“What’s that, daughter?”My throat was squeezing, making i
LORENA I headed downstairs, to the pool area where I told Ella to meet me. The moment I stepped outside, the cool September air hit my flushed face. For a moment, I halted my step, closed my eyes, and listened to the stillness of the night while the air cooled my hot skin. If only I could freeze time and leave us in this cocoon. It might not be a realistic cocoon, but it was better than the reality.I opened my eyes and noted Ella already seated by the pool, waiting for me, her small frame sitting on the edge of the pool with her feet dangling off of it.“Hey,” I greeted her and sat down next to her, mirroring her position.Throwing me a side glance, she gave me a small smile. “You look like you tumbled through bedsheets with a certain husband of yours.” Her shoulder nudged me lightly, her tone teasing.I rolled my eyes. “Didn’t you tell me to take advantage of the fact that I was under the same roof as him?”A soft chuckle escaped her. “I sure did, although I didn’t think you’d ta