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Chapter 29
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2021-12-17 18:20:05Emiliana
“Here,” Oli passed a mug of piping hot coffee my way.
“Thanks,” I muttered distantly, unable to take my eyes from the wall. I was still frozen with shock and the hot porcelain did nothing to soothe my shivering hands. Cold and unable to comprehend what was happening or our next moves.
“We’ll have answers soon, Mimi.” Oli rested a hand on my shoulder, offering me comfort I wasn’t quite ready to welcome. Taking a sip of our drinks, we let the room fall in silence, with only the gentle ticking of the wall clock filling the atmosphere.
The door to Giovanni’s study clicked, and we both shot up at the sudden sound. Vinnie stood in the doorway, glancing between us apologetically, like we were half expect
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Emiliana My knees shook violently, and my eyes stung, burning with unshed tears. Anger replaced all sense of reason as soon as Vinnie uttered that man’s name and I reached for the closest thing to me. Throwing the mug with so much force that the porcelain and its contents exploded against the wall. Vinnie sat motionless, speechless, watching my heaving body as I threw item after item into the air. My lungs tightened, unable to catch an even breath as my rage fired up. “Even in his death he is ruining our lives!” I screamed, reaching for the paperweight on the desk. “Em, please.” He spoke calmly, resting his hand upon mine. His eyes were soft as he silently pleaded with me. I did not know what his next words were, but I was almost certain he was trying to placate me.
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Emiliana “What about my father?” I sank into the chair further, searching for comfort as I clutched my arms around my torso. “He’s in hospital,” I released the small breath I was holding onto, letting it wash over me with the slightest hint of relief. “What happened?” I replied with a steeled tone and stoic face. Despite the heavy thumping of my heart that rattled through my ribcage, I needed to stay calm. I couldn’t afford to let my mind break for a second. “He had a heart attack. He’s in critical condition, but my mother said he’s stable.” Oli’s words tumbled out quickly and efficiently. Nodding silently, Oli stood up. The frown on his face
Last Updated : 2021-12-20Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 32
EmilianaThe solid steel doors slammed shut behind me. I flinched at the sound that echoed down the corridor that we followed. Vinnie held back to my right while we trailed behind a prison guard. The air was cold, thick and heavy. A density like no other filled my lungs as I took deep breaths. Goosebumps littered my skin as the chill seeped through my coat.We made a right turn, through a set of doors adorning iron bars. The squealing of the metal creaking as it opened and closed rang through my ears, piercing the heavy pulse that distracted me.As we rounded the corner, my breathing stopped. I froze in place, staring at Giovanni who had his head in his hands and his hair flopping over.“Gio,” his name fell from my lips with a gasp, my fingers attempting to catch th
Last Updated : 2021-12-21Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 33
Emiliana“You better be dying Em!” Oli called out dramatically from the bed.My eyes moved from Vinnie to his hands that were clutching a sheet around his waist.“Put it away,” I mocked through the doorway. I heard the sound of Oli groaning but I was too busy focusing on the thoughts racing through my head to be distracted by him.“What is it?” Vinnie huffed, tightening the sheet in his hands.“Something Gio said to me, it was the same thing he said to me at Veronica’s birthday. It might be nothing but—”“What did he say?” He interjected, impatience crystal clear on his features
Last Updated : 2021-12-22Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 34
Emiliana The sound of flesh pounding into flesh over and over again echoed around the room. Whimpers cried out before they were cut short by another impact. My footsteps were the only other sound to greet the prisoner as I pushed the door open. I steeled my features, taking in the sight of the guy tied to the chair in the centre of the room. Luis’ fists were covered in blood, so was the poor guy in the chair. Mateo snarled at me. Broken teeth and bloody saliva gaped and drooled from his mouth, but his brother didn’t even flinch. It had to be hard for him to be inflicting such pain on his little brother, but I could not deny his loyalty impressed me. “¿Vas a hablar, Mateo?” (Are you going to talk, Mateo?) I asked nicely, because usuall
Last Updated : 2021-12-23Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 35
EmilianaIt was midday by the time we arrived home. The journey back was silent, which gave more than enough time to think about the next part of our plan. José would arrive in three hours, which meant I needed to get my head in the game, and food.We pulled up to the estate just after another car. My eyes narrowed in, immediately recognising the features of Giovanni’s father.“Carlos!” I called out to him with my arms outstretched.“Emiliana!” Carlos smiled back, wrapping me in an enormous hug.“¿Cómo estás?” (How are you?) I walked with him up the steps that approached the house, linking my arm with his.&ldquo
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Emiliana I watched Vinnie escort José away. His pleas and cries grew louder despite the distance that increased between us. I heaved a sigh, pacing back to the chair and slumping into it. Who knew attempting to be an intimidating bitch was so draining? I could physically feel the energy drawing away from me, syphoned into the words I used on José. The house was stark quiet for a moment. All was still until I heard the familiar footsteps of Oli, who had just bypassed Vinnie with our new detainee. “I don’t even want to know.” Oli entered, shaking his head, worry evident on his face. I sighed exasperatedly. My hand found my brow and rubbed it profusely. I didn’t have the time to deal with Oli; I didn’t have the energy. There was still so much to do,
Last Updated : 2021-12-27Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 37
EmilianaEverything was moving at a quick pace, and I wasn’t sure if I could keep up or if I was even ready. My semi-adequate sleep over the last few nights seemed to be enough to keep me sane, for now, but that was all it was, semi-adequate.I straightened my jacket and dusted off the near non-existent lint from my shoulder. I’m constantly in business mode these days and it seems to evoke respect and fear from those around me.Vinnie offered me a nod as soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs. Oli had already left for the States the day before and I sensed he was feeling a similar emptiness to me. I pulled on my coat as we reached the door. We were a month away from Christmas and there was a chill setting over the Mediterranean climate.The familiar house came into view, the Castellano’s. The once vibrant flowers were now dull and crisp from the winter air. I stepped out of the vehicle, and Don Castellano wa
Last Updated : 2021-12-28
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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. “
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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
