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Chapter 37
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2021-12-28 23:37:48Emiliana
Everything 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
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EmilianaThe shooting range had quickly become my own place of solace. Somewhere I could disappear to focus. While working out strengthened me mentally as well as physically, something about shooting targets created a different kind of haven for me. I had never felt more in control than when I had my pistol sitting comfortably in my hand, barrel aimed at the heart of the target.I had the strength, the talent to hit my target so precisely, the power to pull that trigger and smite down my obstacle. This was where I mostly felt myself; invincible, indestructible, powerful.“Chiquita,” Vinnie called to me through the doorway as I changed the magazine in my weapon. I turned at the sound, observing the way his face turned down. “We’re finished here.”
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Emiliana I had been patiently waiting for a response for three days. I had refused to visit Giovanni until I had information, and it began to grate on me that I was choosing to distance myself on purpose. Maybe it was the shame I was harbouring, of what I had done, or maybe it was the gravity of the situation digging in, seeping and sticking like glue. No matter how hard I tried to take my mind off of everything, no shooting or punch bag was going to ease my hurricane of emotions. On the surface, I may have looked cool, calm and collected, but on the inside, I was a chaotic mess. The fire inside was smouldering, decreasing to embers the longer Giovanni was locked up. I was about to give up and throw the towel in, say ‘fuck it’ to this entire shit show and admit defeat. But I couldn’t. I didn’t have the heart to desert Giovanni like that.
Last Updated : 2021-12-31Mrs Cruz [BOOK 2] Chapter 41
Giovanni“Cruz!” I shot up at the sound of my name, swallowing the surfacing anxiety. A guard appeared at the bars of my cell, clanging his baton against them. “¡Visitantes!” (Visitor!)The sound of the doors sliding was a piercing screech that made me wince every time, and no matter how long I stayed here, I would never get used to it.It had been a week since Emiliana last visited. My grandfather had visited two days ago, and that was only to tell me that Emiliana had a plan. I hated that she was so involved with this. It killed me that I was the one needing her help.Never in my life had I relied on anyone else like this, and it didn’t sit right. I was already on edge with the mere fact that there were enemies su
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Emiliana Bang. Bang. My bullets hit the target, precise and true. I had grown accustomed to the vibration, the kickback in my arm every time I pulled the trigger. Vinnie insisted that my gun would soon be a part of who I was the more I used it. And now, more than ever, I believed that. “I think we need new targets.” Vinnie stated, stepping into the range just as I reloaded my gun. He held a smirk on his face, which told me he wasn’t here to make small talk. Pressing the safety on, I placed the gun on the counter that separated us from the open targets before replying to him, “Tell me you’ve come here with good news and not just to taunt me.” “We have her.”
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Emiliana “There’s someone who wants to talk to you.” Vinnie handed me the cell phone before turning away. Time stood still for a moment as I stared down at my hand, my fist gripping the phone like a vice. My nerves flared and as I answered, every drop of curiosity diminished when I heard the familiar voice. “Mimmo,” my mother spoke into the silence. “Mamina,” I gasped, tears welling in my eyes. Desperate to find solace, I pushed open my door and sank onto the plush bed. There were no words to describe my emotions as the silence engulfed us. Neither of us knew what to say, and at that point I didn’t care. Knowing my mother was on the other end of the phone somehow soothed the smallest part of me
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Emiliana It didn’t take us long to reach Luis who was waiting patiently out on the roadside, just on the outskirts of where Vittoria resided. Beside his black SUV, Luis stood tall and proud, with folded arms as he puffed his chest out. Vinnie and I exited the vehicle, the convoy behind us waiting in the shadows of the dimly lit road. While Vinnie updated Luis on the plan, and the new developments, I kicked stones beneath my feet. My thoughts drifted to Vittoria, to the arsenal that awaited us. Despite Vinnie convincing me that everything was taken care of, there was still a sliver of doubt that crept in the cracks of my thoughts. I didn’t want them to linger too long for fear of letting it overcome me. If I didn’t pay attention to them, I wouldn’t risk
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Emiliana “What is it that you want, Emiliana?” Vittoria sneered through gritted teeth. Blood trickled down her chin and she was now sporting a bruise on her cheek. In his efforts to tie her up in a chair, Vittoria had drawn a knife out from nowhere and plunged it into Vinnie’s hand. While he was against beating the crap out of her, her attempts to harm and escape warranted a backhand. I don’t blame him. Vittoria was more than aware of how this was to go down and she was prepared. It did make me slightly fearful of the man I had come to trust and love, the man who swore to protect me. But I couldn’t let that distract me. I couldn’t let that affect when we came here to do. “Answers,” I replied, twisting her knife between my fingers. Vittoria scoffed, her distaste evident in her facial expressions.
Last Updated : 2022-04-18
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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
