ALESSANDRO “What the fuck happened here?”Enzo’s and Luca’s grim expressions told me nothing good. This warehouse should be filled with their shipment of guns and drugs. Yet, it was empty. It almost felt like déjà vu from that day when my location was hit. But my wife didn’t know about this shipment.This shipment was meant to fool Calvino and Santos into thinking Dante was on their side, working with them. And it was all gone, not a single product in sight. There was no time to arrange for a new one and there was never a plan to deliver a shipment of women. We are fucked!“Goddamn boss of mine,” Enzo gritted, trying to maintain control. I offered to let him use my warehouse in Jersey, but he felt confident his boss hadn’t gotten wind of it. “Fucking greedy asshole.” Santos ruled California, but barely. The only reason he maintained his position was thanks to Enzo, But those he had enough. Now they worked for themselves. Their boss fucked them over enough.I pulled out my phone a
ALESSANDRO I had several guards at the house watching over the women and Matteo along with my father.Massimo was with me and he was currently outside. He had some shit to take care of with the technology he upgraded at the compound along with every business I owned. Massimo is one of the rare men I trusted implicitly. If he changed anything about our security, I never questioned him.We all loaded into multiple cars. Enzo, Luca, Dante, and I each had three men with us, along with two vehicles each. That way, if we were attacked, it was harder to get to us.We took the route of the Brooklyn Bridge. I remembered the first date I took Lorena to. I told her we would dine at a restaurant in the city. Her first request was whether we could take the Brooklyn Bridge route. It was her favorite way into the city. I was suspicious of her request and had taken five vehicles and extra men along with me. But the moment the car drove onto the bridge, she straightened up and stared out the win
LORENA I sat on the property’s private beach. Ella was back at the house, trying hard to find out information about the unknown cousin I had. I didn’t hold out much hope that piece of information would help us. Though it remained to be seen.I watched Zia and Matteo play in the sand; Zia sat in a beach chair while Matteo shoveled sand from left to right and then right back. Such a simple act, but it filled my heart with longing. I remembered spending time with Ella at our beach home in Italy. We always made time for him, helping him build castles in the sand.All I wanted was to keep Matteo safe, to see him grow up to become a man. Now, I wasn’t so sure if I’d succeed. As messed up as everything was and after everything Alessandro had done to me, I still had no doubt he and Zia would keep Matteo safe. But I really wanted to be part of my son’s life. I just didn’t see any other alternative. There were only two options - run or be killed. Living on the run wouldn’t be a good life
LORENA “Your parents loved you,” Zia’s voice was soft.“I know.” I turned to lock eyes with her “Did you know my grandparents made you my guardian?”She nodded.“What did it cost you Zia” I asked “It cost my my unborn children” she answered I took her hand into mine and squeezed it. I couldn’t even imagine the pain she felt. You never get over something like that. It was impossible to get over something like that. Her tone of voice was heart wrenching;“I’m so sorry, Zia.”“You have lost your parents. We all have lost something.”I kept my hand over his. She was right, we all lost a lot.“My father killed Ella’s parents too,” I muttered the admission. “Her father refused to work with him when he realized my father was using him to smuggle women. So he killed them both.”“I know,” she replied. “Her father was a crooked politician but he had limits. Sometimes my husband worked with him, but after nearly losing me , he wanted nothing to do with the business. Alessandro took over a
LORENA He had soldiers and mercenaries guarding him and his son. And then on top of all of it, we still might have to run because we’d be criminals. Fugitives.At least I’ll have a job with the Don. Yes, it was all about priorities.If I could only think of a trap. A safe trap for Ella and I, so we could kill them all. Because just like Ella, I’d like to live a bit longer. I’d love to see my son grow up.And damn it, if I could enjoy my husband’s bed for a bit longer, that would be a nice plus. Even if he agitated me most of the time. Like now.Alessandro got it in his ass that we should have a formal, family dinner. We were in the dining room that could easily seat a hundred people. It was just the nine of us. Ella sat next to Massimo, Matteo between Alessandro and I, his aunt on my right, Enzo next to Zia, Luca, Alessio, and Giovanni split between my side and Zia’s side.It couldn’t be my luck for Alessandro to just take his friends and Massimo to have dinner out. But no, it
LORENA I had no solutions and was tempted to beg someone, anyone to help us. But the people at this table were the reason we were in this predicament.Well, except Zia.I swallowed hard, reining in all the control left within me. Don’t lose your shit. Don’t lose your shit.“Let’s go get a bath and then bedtime,” I told my son, placing the napkin onto the table and got up. I’d changed into white jeans and an emerald green t-shirt for dinner. I refused to go all out for these men, but both Ella and I agreed, we shouldn’t show up to dinner wearing yoga pants. Although it was awfully tempting.I kicked off my high heels, ready to pull Matteo out of his high chair. No sense in strutting around the house in high heels. I wasn’t a trophy wife.“Here, let me try,” Alessandro offered. Before I could object, he picked up Matteo’s fork and continued, “Okay, Matteo. I know veggies are kind of gross. But let’s dip them into the sauce, and it makes them taste better.”“He doesn’t like to mix hi
LORENA “It wouldn’t really matter, would it?” He stood up from the table. Enzo was an intimidating man. All Alessandro ’s friends were. Their vast resources could easily make Ella and I disappear and nobody would ask questions. Well, except my fucking father or Santos. We were cash cows to them. “Because you and your friend already made up your mind,” he concluded.He was right, of course. We didn’t trust any of them after Alessandro ’s betrayal. Massimo’s too. They treated us without any regard for our safety and well-being.Alessandro stopped his friend. “Lorena, like I told you yesterday. Let me help you.”Russian Roulette.“Then you should have left us in Italy,” I muttered without meeting their eyes. Instead, I focused on my son.“Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Moravia ,” Enzo commented to Zia, changing the focus of the conversation. “Alessandro . Mrs. Moravia .”He purposely called me that, I knew it. It was a reminder there was no escaping this life. Once you were born into it
LORENA “Okay, which book?” I asked my son, my throat slightly strained from emotions. The truth was I wanted a real family. A husband that loved me, children running around our home, grandparents that cherished them. I wanted it all, though I was more likely to get to the moon than get any of it.“Fiaba,” he demanded. Fairy tale.“Well, buddy. Alessandro can read you a fiaba. I’ll read you Green Eggs and Ham.”I handed Alessandro one of the fairy tales in Italian. “You first.”He started reading without objections, but something in his eyes unsettled me. The burning in his gaze, the intensity. It made my insides melt, made my body react, and it was infuriating.He read in his deep voice, Italian words rolling off his tongue effortlessly. There was something so damn gut-wrenching in this moment. The clear picture of what could have been and would never be. It made me furious at the destiny that wouldn’t let me have it. It made me furious with this man that took it all away. It ma
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