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Chapter 14
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2021-11-29 06:35:30Emiliana
“Em!” He called after me, but I blocked him out. My vision blurred as I made my way up the staircase. I tried to focus on every step so carefully, but it was exhausting and only slowed me down.
I could hear Giovanni’s steps. He was closing the distance.
“Em!” He called again, only this time his voice was harsher, angrier.
My footsteps landed on the cool tiles of the second floor, and I could see the bedroom door within my reach.
“Em!” Giovanni was behind me now, steps away from his grasp.
Tears rolled down my face. Even though I knew this was his life, his job and it never ended; I had hoped he would have pressed pause just for
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Emiliana “Please!” My voice was a mere whisper through the darkness. “Don’t do this.” I whimpered again, but my words fell on deaf ears. No one answered me, but I felt eyes looking at me, taking in my weak and beaten form. There was the distinct sensation of sharp coldness pressed against the column of my neck. I refused to swallow, refused to breathe, or make any sudden movements. The metal that glistened in the dark would cut that short. Left confused, I squinted my eyes, hoping to catch some sprinkle of light. The metal below my eyes glowed. How did it do that? “You thought you could get away from me.” The voice hissed. I opened my mouth just as the sight of piercing white eyes appeared in front of m
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Giovanni I glanced down at my watch for the tenth time, my patience was waning and all I could think about was getting out of here. My phone flashed with Vinnie’s name and my heart raced. Standing abruptly I left the room to answer the call. “Hermano,” (Brother,) I grunted, hoping it would disguise the worry in my voice. Vinnie never called unless there was something serious, in fact he never called. “Voy a sacar a Emiliana.” (I’m taking Emiliana out.) Vinnie announced. He wasn’t asking, This was a courtesy call. He didn’t need to call because I knew that Emiliana would be safe with him. He had built up this profound sense of protectiveness around her and he would seek death himself before letting any harm come to her. Not once had I asked him to, but I could tell Emiliana was like a sister to him.
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Emiliana “Otra vez!” (Again!) Vinnie shouted at me. The magazine unclipped effortlessly, slipping into my palm in a gentle motion. The whole movement was smooth, flowing like the gun was another body part. Dropping the empty magazine, I collected the one beside it and slid it back in. Aim. Breathe. Fire. It was my new mantra and I followed it to the tee. It was exhilarating and freed me from the fear that clung onto my thoughts. The rounds emptied one by one into the target ahead. Each mark within centimetres of each other. Every other day Vinn
Last Updated : 2021-12-03Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 18
Emiliana It had been two days since the ranges and I had, strangely enough, successfully removed the chilling thoughts that surrounded that night, out of my head. I had to get used to the idea that those sorts of screams would be a regular occurrence and there was nothing I could do about it. This was Giovanni’s business, and I was just an outsider making her way in. Ignoring the events of the other night, I brushed aside the disturbing thoughts and made my way to the kitchen. Vinnie sat against the kitchen island, reading his newspaper in silence. “Are we going to the ranges today?” I jumped up to the counter excitedly, perching on one of the stools that lined it. “No,” Vinnie answered without lifting his eyes to me. “It’s self defence today.”
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EmilianaOne week had passed since that moment between Vinnie and I. He never asked me what went through my head, that caused me to black out, nor did he attempt to do anything but hold me. I could feel how protective he was over me. Much like Giovanni, he wanted me to overcome the fear that tormented me.Maybe it was the life that I had walked into, or maybe it was more. I guess when you’re in the Mafia you can’t afford to show weakness and that was exactly what Vinnie was trying to tear me from.After blacking out, I was exhausted. Vinnie had sent me to clean up, and I did so willingly. I wasn’t even sure that Vinnie had told Giovanni because neither had made an attempt to bring it up afterwards.We had continued working thro
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Emiliana Vinnie took me in his arms and twirled me around, the gentle lace that lined my dress floated effortlessly around me. We swayed to the music that played from the orchestra and laughed together as he made jokes about some of the guests. I enjoyed Vinnie’s company. He smiled often and widely, it was something that both warmed and relaxed me. He was my voice of reason, the unwilting support that I sometimes required and up until now I had certainly needed it. I had sensed that somewhere along the line, Vinnie had realised that the world I had so willingly joined was far different from I was used to and he was ensuring that I understood the ins and outs of this lifestyle. While I didn’t have a choice in the company he kept with me, we had certainly grown as friends and I knew Vinnie woul
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Emiliana “Hmm… what about this one?” Giovanni thrust a piece of cake in front of me while still swallowing his own mouthful. I took a bite of the cream filled sponge from the fork - vanilla. “Hmm…” I groaned in ecstasy as the taste hit my tongue. Giovanni’s eyes darkened as he watched me intently, leaning over the counter and swiping my bottom lip with his thumb. He pulled back, sucking the cake from his digit whilst his gaze bore into me. “I love that sound.” He growled seductively, the alluring smirk on his face was begging for more. “Focus.” I swatted his hand away and averted my eyes back to the twenty-odd cakes displayed across the counter. Giovanni had tucked some time aside to spend with me, a
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Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Epilogue
EmilianaIt had been five years since I had last seen him. Five years since Giovanni last told me he loved me, kissing me with everything he had.It was hard on both of us, knowing we had to part once more and the more we spoke that night, the harder it became. Neither one of us wanted to leave with bad memories–despite losing Vinnie–so he held me, promising the following two days would be filled with happiness.It was a promise I was all too happy for him to break because I understood why he did it. I respected him even more for leaving in the dead of night, while I fell asleep with our son beside us. It can’t have been easy for him, in fact I knew it wouldn't have been. He had lost so much in one night, and walking away from the only thing he had left would have broken him.I put on a brave face, the same one I had painted on for the last five years, even though it killed me.Five years was a long time to pretend that the father of your child didn’t exist, but the truth was so much
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 65
EmilianaI could hear the distinct sound of voices traveling through the darkness. Words were mumbled, jumbled into sentences I couldn’t quite make out. It was the wave of nausea that awoke me, dragging me to a conscious state and thrusting me into bright lights and agony.“Em!” Giovanni’s voice called to me, and when I blinked and turned my head, his green eyes brought me down to reality. They were red rimmed and tired, a torrent of emotions played on his face as he leaned forward and kissed my head and in my confused state, I couldn’t understand why.I let my gaze wander. My eyes focused on the minute details around me.A white room. Monitors. The incessant beep. The wires.And all I felt was white hot pain shooting through my stomach.“Gio?”I felt him grip my hand, his face solemn and pained, like he had lost everything in the blink of an eye.I could only vaguely remember what had happened. I remembered seeing my mother. I remembered parts of my conversation with my father, and
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 64
Giovanni “Why? What did I do that made you hate me so much?” Emiliana’s voice broke into a million pieces, fragments of her words piercing the much awaited declaration. It was the same question I asked myself and my heart broke as I heard the words leave Emiliana’s mouth. I didn’t think Emiliana had this much strength. Yet again, she astounded me with how strong she really was. I should have never doubted her decision. Emilio stepped forward, his features softening a fraction as he said, “I don’t hate you.” It was a fleeting moment where I saw sympathy pass across Emiliana’s face. It was so quick that I was uncertain I had seen it in the first place. She didn’t believe her father. None of us did. No man could say they loved their daughter, yet put them through so much pain. Only a monster could do such a thing. “Then what is it? Why are you so hellbent on ruining Gio? Ruining our family?” I didn’t miss the way she clutched her belly protectively. Just like me, she was prepared to
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 63
Emiliana“I’m fine!” I snapped as Ollie touched up my makeup.We already decided that we would visit my parents tonight, and I wasn’t about to miss out on seeing the look on my father’s face before Giovanni dealt the final blow.“Em.” Giovanni’s stern voice had me spinning around on my stool.“Don’t ‘Em’ me! I’m more than capable of making my own decisions,” I reminded him.He leaned against the door, black shirt stretching across his delicious chest, a sexy smirk spreading his lips. “Always so stubborn,” he tutted, shaking his head.I ignored his comment and turned back around so Ollie could finish my makeup. It was something we both enjoyed, spending time chatting and gossiping while Ollie worked his magic on my face.“Done,” he sang, plopping a brush down on the side. He tugged me by the hands, spinning me around, and the bright blue summer dress floated around my fleet. “Don’t you think she looks gorgeous?” he asked Giovanni.He stepped forward, sliding his arms around my waist. “
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 62
GiovanniI left Emiliana with Vinnie at her apartment while she awaited her surprise. It wasn’t just for her, but for Vinnie, too. Having Ollie around would keep them occupied, keep them happy and hopefully give me enough time to talk business with Massimo.Neither of them had seen Ollie since the wedding, since my incarceration. I was all too aware of how much they both missed him and before this all went down; I wanted to give them something to enjoy.It was much more than Emilio’s death that I had planned.The future of the Magnone’s empire, and the Castellano’s support, was to be aligned in this meeting. Not only did my grandfather want Emilio gone, but Massimo had no qualms about seeing his uncle’s demise. Emilio had done far too much damage, destroying his family and his father’s legacy. It was about time the man served his sentence.Luis drove us through the city, back through the streets I once drove Emiliana. It brought back so many memories. Right from the start, she had cap
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 61
EmilianaI hadn’t realized how tired I was until I woke up with Vinnie carrying me to my room. After the week of rest Giovanni and the doctor had ordered me to take, I didn’t think I could sleep much more, apparently, that’s all I needed.The gentle sway of Vinnie’s massive shoulders, the air that whipped around me, and the quiet conversation between Giovanni and Vinnie, stirred me from my sleep.“Hey, Principessa,” Giovanni smiled down at me as Vinnie laid me down on the bed.A yawn escaped me, my body stretching and adjusting to the sudden change in position.Vinnie left the room, and Giovanni perched on the edge of the bed, stroking my face. I didn’t miss the tiredness in his eyes or the way he watched me with uncertainty.I reached up, cupping his cheek. “What’s wrong, Gio?”He sighed, leaning into my touch. The silence between us was almost deafening and I realized I didn’t need to ask to know what was going on in his head. Vinnie’s words still sat with me a week after our conver
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 60
GiovanniI waited until Emiliana was in the car with Vinnie before I called Massimo. It was something Vinnie wanted to do, not because he loved shopping, but because I had business that couldn’t wait, and I needed Emiliana away from this.She might have given me her decision, approval over her father’s fate, but I wasn’t about to discuss the demise of her father or the details of how I was going to kill him. She also didn’t know that the man I needed to speak to was aware of the entire situation.After what Luciano had done to the Magnone company, it was only a matter of time before it fell into the hands of another Magnone. Only I was happy that Massimo was in charge. From what I had gleaned through intel, business was booming, his ability to manage, direct and hold the company was better than Emilio had ever done.I was already aware of what Massimo thought of Emilio. From what my father had told me, Massimo maintained a safe distance from his uncle, keeping his focus solely on the
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 59
I had always loved shopping. It was always the one time I felt free; free to explore, free to spend money on whatever I wanted and choose whatever I wanted to do. When Vinnie came into the kitchen and said he was taking me, I didn’t know whether it was his suggestion or Giovanni’s. Something told me it was a bit of both because both men had the widest smile on their faces when I finally agreed.Being seven months pregnant had taken it out of me and our boy was growing fast. Over the last few months, Vinnie and Giovanni had walked on eggshells, force fed me vitamins and made sure I got the right amount of exercise, even when all I wanted to do was sleep.It was warming up with the changing seasons and my feet were swollen, aching and sweaty.Vinnie ignored all my protests and took my hand, escorting me out of the car and into the marketplace of Barcelona.“Chiquita, Te ves radiante!” (You look radiant). Vinnie beamed, his cheeks dimpling as he looked down at me.“Parezco un…” (I look l
Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 58
Giovanni From day one, the day the Magnones hired me, Emilio had a plan. That much was clear. He had only one goal in mind and that was to make the Castellano’s pay. While the Verdi’s had their own vendetta, it seemed Emilio had one of his own and it was only a matter of time before Emiliana found out the truth. “Please tell me you’re going to tell her?” Vinnie pleaded from the other side of the desk. “I swore no more secrets. I will tell her.” It was a promise not only to myself, but to her as well. We had come a long way over the last year. So much had happened, and it made me realize Emiliana was a hell of a lot stronger now than she was back then. She had every right to know what her father was capable of—if she wasn’t already aware. Emiliana and I were destined. We were meant to be together, and I wasn’t about to destroy what we had before telling her everything. “Have you spoken to Oli?” I returned my gaze to the computer screen. My grandfather had sent many emails over the
