ALESSANDRO I rushed across the wooden floors towards the single door. They had to go through it, there was no other way out. Either through this door or back through the ballroom.The door took me to the back of the hallway, the marble back stairs leading to the staff area. The waiting staff was busy going back and forth, not paying attention to the fact they had a stranger hanging out in this area. It told me it probably happened often.While the front of the house shone, the servants’ area was darker with lifeless colors. It reflected Calvino s disregard for those lesser than themselves. At our house, we often spent time in the kitchen, along with our staff. They were pretty much part of our family.The sounds of the staff working bounced off the bare walls, the sound traveling both ways. An older woman, with wrinkles and pain etched on her face, passed by me for the second time. She threw me a curious glance but said nothing.Years of training and fear, I presumed.“Did you see
LORENA Fear rattled my bones. I had never felt so scared before. Not when my grandparents died, not when Ella and I ran away in the dead of the night with nothing but the clothes on our back, fake passports, and ten thousand dollars in cash.These men, my mother planned to hand us over to, would not be kind to Ella and I. They waited four long years for us, stocking their anger and thirst for vengeance. A shiver ran down my spine with fear of their plans. I had no doubt their plans for us were to inflict pain. Hit, beat, brand, rape… death would be more merciful than this.“Get a move on, puttanas,” one of the guards snapped as he shoved both Ella and I forward.My mother’s laugh chilled me to the bone.“Don’t mind him, girls,” she chatted, in her raspy voice. Result of years of smoking. “Santos Jnr is eager to have you, Lorena. And Ella should fetch a nice price too.”“Alessandro Moravia will destroy you.” Ella hissed “You nor Santos jnr were able to find us. Lorena’s husband di
LORENA He didn’t mention Matteo, but my mother hinted to my little family. They knew about Matteo. I had no choice but to go with him or risk Matteo and his grandaunt being killed.Memories flooded back in a rush, and the choking fear was the only emotion lingering in my veins. Ella and I were hustled through the maze. I pulled the trigger on my mother. I killed her.I think. I hope so.Man’s hands around my throat, against my mouth, sharp prick into my neck. The pain. Ella’s screams. We were trapped - like a moth against the blinding light. Except this light would kill us.Ella and I have been living on borrowed time.Hushed murmurs penetrated my brain. I tried to move, but my body felt too heavy. Like I had been drugged. My heart thundered painfully, my skin felt clammy and cold, my head pounded.Soft murmur and a whimper. A painful grunt escaped my lips, and I twisted my neck in the direction of the soft voices.“Lorey.” A soft whisper. Gabriella.I blinked back my tears and fo
LORENA She laid her head onto my lap and I sat like a statue, staring out the small window, a glimpse of the freedom so close but so far away. I wasn’t beyond crawling through it and running down the street in my underwear. If I had to choose between that or being sold, I’d pick the former.Ella’s eyes shut and her breathing evened within five minutes. I waited, listening to her breathing while I stared at the dirty concrete walls, then the dirty ground. It was all dirty, like this whole transaction that my family participated in.My grandparents were dead because they tried to protect me. They refused to hand over their granddaughter as some kind of fucked up sacrifice to the mobster gods. I had never been bloodthirsty, but now, I wanted to kill them all.I killed a human being. How did someone move on from that? It stained your soul, whether you wanted it or not. It was the main reason why I only stuck to laundering money during our time in Europe. That was bad enough, but now
LORENA “And you, my little bird, have been causing some serious trouble.”“I’d say I’m sorry,” I muttered. “But my parents taught me not to lie.”He grinned with malice. “Oh yes, my son will have so much fun breaking you. There is fire in you that even makes my cock hard.”Terror shot through my veins, but I made sure it didn’t show. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.“I’m surprised at your age you can even get your cock hard,” I taunted. It was stupid, but it was my only weapon at this moment.His cheeks colored red in ugly blotches. Good, I pissed him off.The next instant, however, my cheek exploded in pain, as the guard’s hand struck across my face, hard. I staggered backwards, the back of my knees hitting the bed, and I fell next to Ella. She instantly jolted up and wrapped her hands around me. My cheek burned from the impact, and I felt like my entire face was in flames. My eyes stung, but I refused to let any tears fall, not for this motherfucker, not for his despicable
LORENA “And please don’t try anything. Otherwise, This man here,” she pointed to the guard, “will make things really uncomfortable for you. And there are three other guards outside the door.”There was no doubt that it wasn't an empty threat.“Can we keep our undergarments on while bathing?” I hated that we even had to ask, my pride rebelling at the idea of anyone having any kind of control over what I should or shouldn't do.The woman nodded but no sooner I felt the relief, the guardian interjected. “No! Boss wants them cleaned in detail, their pussy and all.”“We are not cars,” I protested angrily. What kind of bullshit was this?“Either you take it off and get in or I put you in myself,” he threatened and I was sure he meant it.“Well, can you turn around? Or get the fuck out so we can do it in the privacy!” I retorted with a false bravado. “This isn’t a strip club.”He growled and took a threatening step forward. Ella and I took one backwards.“Enough!” The older woman intervene
ALESSANDRO I’ve watched hundreds of men die. Some I have killed, others were killed by my enemies. Some I remembered, others I didn’t. Some deserved it, others maybe not. But this one did, many times over.Calvino’s body laid at my feet, full of lead. Full of bullets. Some from my gun. Some from Massimo’s. And some from Nico’s.“You good?” Nico’s Russian accent was thick. Needless to say, this man wasn’t his favorite. He tried to get his dirty paws on another man's wife.Enzo and Luca still fought Calvino’s guards and as the shots of bullets flew through the air, the fear dug its claws into my heart. For the first time, I tasted fear of death.Fear for her.My wife.Lorena Moravia.It was an unfamiliar feeling but the pain was razor blade sharp. If Lorena died, the death would claim me too. Because she had taken a big piece of me.I raised my gaze off the dead body of the last Calvino male and watched Enzo aim a gun execution style at the last standing guard.I continued down the m
LORENA My head throbbed with pain, but I ignored it. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness. These people would exploit it.Ella and I kept close to each other, her hand in mine. I refused to have us separated. No matter what. After we were adequately prepared for the auction, like we were some kind of animals, five guards surrounded us and ushered us back into the hallway. My heart thundered, recognizing every inch of it. But with five of them surrounding us, there was no room for escape. Even so, I refused to give up.The hallway here was dark. Ella’s and my heels clicked against the stone floor. My heartbeat was frantic, and I didn’t have to ask my best friend to know hers was too. I swallowed past the lump in my throat.Think about Matteo. Focus on opportunities to escape. Think about Matteo.The hallway ended and large stairs led to the floor below.“No matter what,” I uttered in a hushed voice, “don’t let go of my hand.”With a jerky nod, we slowly descended the stairs, our
ALESSANDRO 1 year laterOur home backyard was draped in silence, as we listened to the priest's words, blessing our baby girl. Our little Isabella Paola Moravia, named after my mother and Lorena's grandmother. Dark hair framed her little face, matching her big brother’s and mine. But it was her eyes that had everyone falling all over themselves. She had her mother’s beautiful eyes.My wife. I’d never get sick and tired of saying those two words. She cradled our daughter in her arms, her small body leaning against mine. I studied my wife’s rosy cheeks and dark hair strands flying with the light breeze.This woman was my beginning, my middle, and my end. She was my whole life. This family, blood and non-blood, was what this life was about.“You are staring at me,” she whispered under her breath, so only I could hear it.“You love when I watch you.”And her wide smile was my confirmation. I’d never tire of watching her soft smile and happiness on her beautiful face.The christening
LORENA My whole body jolted out of bed, my breathing labored. I struggled to catch my breath, my eyes darting around looking for anyone lurking in the dark.“Shhh. It’s okay; I’m here.” Alessandro’s voice penetrated through the fog and his face came into focus. “You need to rest.”He watched me with love, his hands gently wrapped around me. Am I dreaming?“Matteo?” I rasped out, my voice cracking. “Ella?”“Ella is safe; she’s with Massimo. Matteo’s safe,” he whispered. “I just checked on him. Our son is safe.”I blinked my eyes. Our son.“Roberto is dead, so are your father and mother. Matteo is safe; so are you.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on my lips. “I love you, Lorena Moravia.” I love you too. But words refused to leave my mouth. So much has happened since we first met. So many ugly words and memories. My chest felt tight, like someone pressed on it with weights.As if he could read my thoughts, Alessandro reached out and took my hand into his.“Please, Ales ”He stop
ALESSANDRO It took us two fucking hours to get out of the damn city. I checked on my aunt and son, they were safe.“Bring her home, son.” My Zia loved Lorena as her own daughter. We have been family all along, but I was too blinded by rage to see it. Now I knew and I wanted to make it all better, enjoy the rest of my life with her. Have more babies, see Matteo grow up to be a good man. And he would, because he had his mother in him.“I’ll bring her home, Zia,” I promised. “Stay safe and inside with your grandson.” It still felt surreal. “Lorenzo will keep the compound safe. As soon as I have her, I’ll bring her home. She’ll want to see our son safe and happy.”And I’d make her happy. Like I was supposed to be making her happy from the moment we met.Once we got to the old Calvino beach house, I waited for our men to gather. It took another two hours for everything to be put in place. We surveyed the house, found the best angle for the attack and armed up to our teeth. We didn’t k
LORENA “I thought you were married already,” the words escaped me.“I have a mistress, but she won’t interfere.” He chuckled like he just said the most entertaining joke. “Your husband and son, on the other hand. We will have to take care of that.” Then he chuckled, displaying his yellow teeth. “Roberto will take care of that, won’t you?”I kept my face stoic. I couldn’t show any emotions to these people. I knew men like Santos Snr . They relished in destroying what people loved. Just like my mother. Just like my father.I have to kill Roberto. It finally made sense why I saw Roberto in my mom’s dressing room backstage alongside my father.My lips pressed tightly together, I held his gaze. He wanted to see me react. Well, he had another thing coming. I wished he’d hold his breath waiting for my reaction. My back stiff, I refused to even blink.He finally looked away, bored expression on his face as his eyes shifted to Ella.“Now what to do with your friend,” he pondered although the
LORENA My head throbbed with pain, but I ignored it. I couldn’t afford to show any weakness. These people would exploit it.Ella and I kept close to each other, her hand in mine. I refused to have us separated. No matter what. After we were adequately prepared for the auction, like we were some kind of animals, five guards surrounded us and ushered us back into the hallway. My heart thundered, recognizing every inch of it. But with five of them surrounding us, there was no room for escape. Even so, I refused to give up.The hallway here was dark. Ella’s and my heels clicked against the stone floor. My heartbeat was frantic, and I didn’t have to ask my best friend to know hers was too. I swallowed past the lump in my throat.Think about Matteo. Focus on opportunities to escape. Think about Matteo.The hallway ended and large stairs led to the floor below.“No matter what,” I uttered in a hushed voice, “don’t let go of my hand.”With a jerky nod, we slowly descended the stairs, our
ALESSANDRO I’ve watched hundreds of men die. Some I have killed, others were killed by my enemies. Some I remembered, others I didn’t. Some deserved it, others maybe not. But this one did, many times over.Calvino’s body laid at my feet, full of lead. Full of bullets. Some from my gun. Some from Massimo’s. And some from Nico’s.“You good?” Nico’s Russian accent was thick. Needless to say, this man wasn’t his favorite. He tried to get his dirty paws on another man's wife.Enzo and Luca still fought Calvino’s guards and as the shots of bullets flew through the air, the fear dug its claws into my heart. For the first time, I tasted fear of death.Fear for her.My wife.Lorena Moravia.It was an unfamiliar feeling but the pain was razor blade sharp. If Lorena died, the death would claim me too. Because she had taken a big piece of me.I raised my gaze off the dead body of the last Calvino male and watched Enzo aim a gun execution style at the last standing guard.I continued down the m
LORENA “And please don’t try anything. Otherwise, This man here,” she pointed to the guard, “will make things really uncomfortable for you. And there are three other guards outside the door.”There was no doubt that it wasn't an empty threat.“Can we keep our undergarments on while bathing?” I hated that we even had to ask, my pride rebelling at the idea of anyone having any kind of control over what I should or shouldn't do.The woman nodded but no sooner I felt the relief, the guardian interjected. “No! Boss wants them cleaned in detail, their pussy and all.”“We are not cars,” I protested angrily. What kind of bullshit was this?“Either you take it off and get in or I put you in myself,” he threatened and I was sure he meant it.“Well, can you turn around? Or get the fuck out so we can do it in the privacy!” I retorted with a false bravado. “This isn’t a strip club.”He growled and took a threatening step forward. Ella and I took one backwards.“Enough!” The older woman intervene
LORENA “And you, my little bird, have been causing some serious trouble.”“I’d say I’m sorry,” I muttered. “But my parents taught me not to lie.”He grinned with malice. “Oh yes, my son will have so much fun breaking you. There is fire in you that even makes my cock hard.”Terror shot through my veins, but I made sure it didn’t show. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.“I’m surprised at your age you can even get your cock hard,” I taunted. It was stupid, but it was my only weapon at this moment.His cheeks colored red in ugly blotches. Good, I pissed him off.The next instant, however, my cheek exploded in pain, as the guard’s hand struck across my face, hard. I staggered backwards, the back of my knees hitting the bed, and I fell next to Ella. She instantly jolted up and wrapped her hands around me. My cheek burned from the impact, and I felt like my entire face was in flames. My eyes stung, but I refused to let any tears fall, not for this motherfucker, not for his despicable
LORENA She laid her head onto my lap and I sat like a statue, staring out the small window, a glimpse of the freedom so close but so far away. I wasn’t beyond crawling through it and running down the street in my underwear. If I had to choose between that or being sold, I’d pick the former.Ella’s eyes shut and her breathing evened within five minutes. I waited, listening to her breathing while I stared at the dirty concrete walls, then the dirty ground. It was all dirty, like this whole transaction that my family participated in.My grandparents were dead because they tried to protect me. They refused to hand over their granddaughter as some kind of fucked up sacrifice to the mobster gods. I had never been bloodthirsty, but now, I wanted to kill them all.I killed a human being. How did someone move on from that? It stained your soul, whether you wanted it or not. It was the main reason why I only stuck to laundering money during our time in Europe. That was bad enough, but now