Chapter 4
•AURORA’S POV•
Dinner with the Rocco’s ended by 10 pm and I was to move into their home as well tonight. I hugged my sister and cousin goodbye and I was broken by my sister’s tears. I promised her that I would find a means for us to always be together and live together.
My sister had asked Matteo “Will you take care of my sister?” and he answered her with the most reassuring smile he could fish out (I don’t like this guy)” She’s going to be my wife of course I’ll take very good care of her baby girl”. He gave her a pat on the head and my sister smiled back happily at his words.
My family finally left me behind and Matteo’s mom, Evelyn showed me the way to my room.My room was on the second floor, the last room at the end of the hallway. “Thank you, madam Evelyn.” I said she left and I stepped into the room and locked the door behind me.
Once inside my room, all the built-up walls of courage I had throughout the day crumbled like a mud wall and I broke down in tears. I wept so much for almost 30 minutes, thinking of my sister, and my life back home and I even thought about my mother, thinking of how things would have been if she were here and if I could have dealt with this situation differently with her words of advice.
I picked up myself from the ground and looked around my room for the first time and I was impressed. They did a good job of arranging my things in almost the same way as my previous room. I’m sure my aunty hand a hand in the arrangements, she always tried to make me comfortable no matter how hard it got.
I strip out of my gown and head to the bathroom to take a quick bath before I head to bed. It’s been a long and eventful day and all I wanted to do was to place my head on my pillow and sleep off. Once I was done in the shower, I tied my
shower robe over my body and go ahead to get my nighttime skincare done.
While I was at it, I got a knock on my room door and I wondered who it may be at this late hour of the night. I wasn’t scared because I knew the house was safe but I didn’t just get why someone would be coming to my room so late. I opened the door without asking who it was and came face to face with Matteo. I was about to slam the door in his face when he blocked it with his foot and made his way into my room.
“Not so fast baby girl.” he smiled at me and looked around my room. His eyes turned back to look at me as I stood dumbfounded at my room door. His eyes roamed my body like prey and I snapped at him,” What are you staring at and why are you even here at this hour Mr Matteo?”
“I came to see if my fiancée is settling in well, is that supposed to be an issue ?” he walked closer to me and my heartbeat was so fast I swear I could hear it myself. His cologne had this effect on me that I couldn’t explain and as he came towards me, I kept taking quick steps backward till my back met the wall and both hands were on both sides of the wall trapping me.
“You can see I am fine Mr Matteo, you can leave now if you’re done checking.”I stutter as these words leave my mouth, damn this man! He smiles,” We will be husband and wife in a few days, Are the formalities necessary between both of us? I’d prefer to be called by my name Matteo, just Matteo and not Mr. Matteo.” he takes his arms off the wall and jams them into the pocket of his trousers.
“We barely know each other so I’ll call you Mr Matteo and you can call me Miss Aurora, I won’t change that.” I spit out defiantly. He’s so annoying and bossy. His eyes spark with something that seems like anger but it is gone in a second.
He leans forward till his head is at the same level as mine and whispers,” I’ll break you Aurora, I’ll make you mine and bend you till you submit to me.” he smirks and pats my head.
“Go to bed, we have a long day tomorrow and I don’t need you looking worn out.” he opens the door and walks away, slamming it close loudly.
Ugh, I despise him with every single bone in my body. I walk into the walk-in closet and change into my nightie. I stand in front of the mirror in my room and stare back at my reflection, wondering what that feeling I had when he was close to me and why it felt so good. Waving it off as hormones I turn off my room light and crawl into bed.
As I wait for sleep to engulf me, I think about what life will be for now that I’m here about to be married to this man who I despise so much. Would we ever have a normal marriage like other normal people do or would it be a loveless contract marriage till I die? As long as my sister won’t have to live this way, I will endure it for as long as this marriage lasts.
I say a quiet prayer to God for my safety here and the ability to go through this new life that has been placed before me. A life which I didn’t have a say in and a life that will be dictated by a man. The very kind of life that I hated so much it made my skin crawl.
I fall asleep while soon thinking of Matteo’s scent……
CHAPTER 5 •AURORA’S POV•The warm sunlight that drifted into my room woke me up in the morning. I’m not a morning person but I was trained to be one as I was growing up, part of what I learned to do as a mafia’s wife. I slid down the bed into my flops that were at the side of my bed and walked into the bathroom to do my morning rituals; brushing, taking a dump and having my morning shower.When I was done I dressed in a floral yellow gown that had a U neckline which was plunged and revealed a bit of cleavage, paired with a matching white pair of sandals and my minimalist makeup.Not wanting to head down first as it was just 8:45 am I grabbed a book from the shelf which was in my room, this one was my personal favorite which I always read to my sister back home. I miss her, I wonder how she is and what she’s doing this morning. It's my first time away from her and I feel some type of way, I don’t think I’ll get used to not waking up and seeing her beside me in bed,
CHAPTER 6 •MATTEO ROCCO•My mind wanders back to the girl who was brought in last night as my wife. She was beautiful yet her attitude was one I didn’t like one bit. I remembered her smile as she and my sister spoke and how her countenance fell when she saw her family, her sister in particular, leave her behind yesterday.“SIR ROCCO…” a voice snapped me back to reality, looking up I found my right-hand man looking at me with a hint of concern on his face. I glare back at him, “What do you want Anthony?”Anthony was Mother’s adopted brother, he was taken in at age 12 and had refused to take up the family’s last name which was not an issue as he was just being brought in for charity's sake. But all the same, I saw him as my uncle because mom said I should, he could be quite the pest when he wanted to be but he was a very cool person and quite jovial, too jovial for my liking.“I brought you the documents you needed for the goods coming into the warehouse, they ne
CHAPTER 7 •AURORA POV•For Christ's sake, what is wrong with this Matteo guy…!!Why would anyone stare at me sleeping that’s so creepy and annoying. The scent of an unknown person tickled my nose while was asleep. I admit I’m a deep sleeper for the most part and didn’t hear his knock, but the scent was vaguely familiar which was why I woke up and I was right. He looked so good while looking at me I won’t lie,there’s this part of me that wants to accept him as my husband because it’s not his fault we’re in this situation, it’s our parents. We are just to fulfill our duties for the future of our both empires. He looked dashing while looking at me, I took a minute to just scan his face and God did a good job while creating him. Too bad he has a shitty attitude that gets on my very last nerves.I quickly change into a comfortable outfit that consists of a sweatshirt and tight jeans, packing my hair in a messy bun and wearing a pair of Converse to take a stroll outsi
CHAPTER 8 •MATTEO POV•She always smells so good! But right now isn’t the time perv around. This afternoon while I rested in my room, I thought of ways I could make this marriage work and make her submissive to me. I seriously didn’t like that attitude of hers too much, maybe because I’m used to women letting me have my way or the final say, but she, she’s different and defiant. Either way, I had to make this work for both our sake and that of our families. I placed a call to Anthony and requested he find out what she does for fun, it didn’t take up to an hour and she called back to inform me that she spends her time reading books. That was easy I guess.“I believe I told you that I have a surprise for you.” I remind her getting a surprised look for a reply and a little shiver as well. Good at least she reacts to me, I almost thought she was immune to my touch.“What surprise are we talking about?” she asks almost in a whisper. I smile and take her hands leading her to
CHAPTER 9 •AURORA’S POV•I don’t know why I feel so good, I thought to myself.Unlike my first morning here where I woke up tensed and worried over how the day was going to be, I woke up today feeling so good and happy for some weird reason. I don’t even know why’s that but I hope nothing bad happens today.Last night I saw a very different side of Matteo, a calm side that made me want to trust his mom’s words about him being a softie on the inside sometimes and I wanted to believe that our first meeting was all a misunderstanding. If anything I wanted to just get through with this marriage thing once and for all. I know for one it won’t be a love marriage but a calm and quiet marriage is very okay by me, and if he can give that to me throughout our marriage I’ll be grateful.A knock on the door made me conscious that it was morning and I’d be needed downstairs for breakfast soon. Thinking it was the maid who asked for me the previous day I respond a bit nonchalant
CHAPTER 10 •MATTEO’S POV•Walking hastily out of the house straight into the awaiting car which was parked just outside the house alongside my father and Anthony. Anything begins to give us a rundown of the issue going on at the warehouse. We all know who is behind this very issue without even thinking twice and it was none other than ALFREDO ENZO, leader of the bandit group called COBRAS!He and I were long time friends but because of a misunderstanding which he never gave me a chance to explain to him,we split up and have been sworn enemies for almost 5 years. “Drugs were found amongst the new shipment that came in,they came in form of jellies and was shipped in with the new jelly products that came in from Morocco.” Anthony says and shows us the picture of the product on the tab he’s currently holding. The jellies looked like something kids would love to eat and if a person isn’t told could mistake it for actually jellies or gummies,whatever it is.“The
CHAPTER 11 •MATTEO’S POV•Rushing like a raving lion into the hideout where Marcel, the snitch was kept as hostage, I took off my suit and jacket and handed it over to Anthony who just stood at the other side of the room without saying a word.Our hostage was blindfolded and didn’t have an idea of what was going on. Two other men were guarding the room with him to prevent any form of escape he may have tried to come up with. A chair was placed for me right in front of him and ordered for his blindfold to be taken off.Immediately it was done and he saw that I was there, he began shaking in fear and begging, “Sir Mat…Matt….Matteo please spare me. I was greedy please spare me…..I ….i ….I have a family and a dying mother please.” he stuttered and trembled as he spoke but none of that moved me. I couldn’t care less if he had a dying family.“Who sent you?” I asked in a low and calm tone, not letting my anger surface immediately. He kept mute and refused to talk.“I will be asking for the
CHAPTER 12 •AURORA’S POV•The day seems to be so long, I don’t know why but I think it’s because I know Matteo isn’t home and won’t be for a while. Like I said, a part of me misses him for absolutely no reason. Or is there a reason? Is that night at the library one of the reasons or earlier this morning in my room? Either way, I just know that I missed him just a little bit.I had snuck into the library soon after breakfast to begin the book that I had got last night from the library. Reading in the library made me homesick soon because I kept thinking of my sister and how we used to spend so much time reading at my mother’s library before I got here. We would read so many books and even lose track of time, I treasured those moments with her as she was my favorite human on earth. I wish I could reach out to her somehow but I don’t have any means of doing that.Oh, that reminds me, earlier today Matteo said he would “sort” the phone issue out for me. I wonde
MATTEO’S POVAlfredo. Dead. A supposed suicide. It didn’t add up.Alfredo was anything but he wasn’t a chicken head that would deliberately kill himself over a prison time. He would rather serve time and come out to continue his supposed revenge than die like a chicken.Anthony and I walked behind an attendant and a doctor who led the way into the morgue in the prison where the bodies are kept till consumed by the family of the deceased. “He’s he is.” The attendant says stopping in front of the freezer used to store the bodies before pulling it out for us to examine.Stepping closer to take a closer look, his face was totally disfigured almost to the point of no recognition. A burn? Did he set himself on fire? Why wasn’t this said over the phone before we got here?Dr. Hughes, the forensic pathologist, gestured toward the covered body on the steel table. “We received him early this morning. The official report states self-immolation inside his cell. Burned beyond recognition.”My jaw
AURORA’S POVIt’s 8:30 am and no signs of Sofia being back home, pretty sure she didn’t sleep at home last night as I didn’t see her bodyguard as well. Tried calling and she’s been unavailable.Bella strolls in lazily and plumps herself into a seat at the dining table where I, Matteo and Anthony are seated. “What’s for breakfast.” Her voice was patched and I passed her a glass of water. “Thanks, sweet girl.” She gulps down her water in one go. Anthony loads her plate with some food while Bella’s eyes scan the table questioningly, “Uhmm…where’s Soph? Has anyone checked in on her, she complained of cramps yesterday.” She noted. “I doubt she’s home, knocked on her door several times and nothing. Her phone’s not available as well.” I point out and just after I spoke we hear someone walk in and all heads turn simultaneously. There she is.Raising from my seat and grabbing a plate and spoon for her to use I query her “Where have you been? We’ve been looking for and just spoke about you ju
SOFIA’S POV.Storming out from the car into Alfredo’s hideout, the door wasn’t locked as if he knew I was coming. Well I mean I did tell him I was going to come. “The fuck do you think you’re playing at?” I shout at his tall shirtless frame which was backing me from the table where he stood pouring a glass of whiskey. “I fucken talking to you Alfredo or should I say, Uncle Fred?” I add the last part with much more emphasis. He turns to me with a grin on his face I wish nothing but to wipe off with a bullet to his head. “Oh, my little friend spoke about me I take? He’s such a cool child too bad he’s born to the wrong parents.” He shoves a glass of whiskey my way and I glare at him before taking it and downing the content in one go. He takes a sit and keeps his gaze on me. A teasing gaze if I may add which only fueled my anger but I had to calm down. This was Alfredo I was working with and he was dangerous. “What was the stupid plan you had going to my nephew’s school in broad daylig
AURORA’S POV“Is Sofia back?” I ask myself and my husband looks at me with a look of confusion then back at his tablet. “I haven’t seen her since I got back from work myself, you would go check her room maybe she’s back.” He replies and goes back to scrolling.Am I overthinking it but she was acting really strange this afternoon in the kitchen. I mean what sort of period pain will jab at you and you’ll drop a glass? Is something bothering her and she can’t seem to talk about it? “Babe, did you know Sofia could shoot a gun?” I ask Matteo. “Shoot a gun? She can’t even hurt a fly Aurora why then should she know how to shoot a gun.” He’s sarcastic with his response which I would reply same if anyone had asked me such a question before today.“You know we went to the shooting range today, myself, Bella and Sofia…” This time Matteo’s full focus was on me, he loved to hear about my day, “and Sofia was legit shooting a gun like a fucken pro, even Bella was surprised. Myself too.”Matteo’s lo
SOFIA’S POV“Stupid son of a bitch!” I yell throwing my phone on my bed. We’ve just gotten back from our little girl’s time and I stormed into my room after lying that I suddenly got my period and needed to change.What the hell is wrong with Alfredo and why is he trying to work on his own after all my efforts to bring him out of that damned prison. I knew he was an ass but this was a whole different level of stupidity. What if he gets caught and our…rather my plans go to waste? I need to get my hands on the family business before he thwarts my dreams and efforts. I simply need him to take Matteo out of the picture.Picking up my phone I call my assistant Riccardo “Find out what that guy is up to and find out fast.” I ordered before ending the call abruptly not waiting for his response.Before long I could hear excited chatter coming from downstairs and a childlike giggle signifying that Liam was back from school. I’ve been in here for a while and felt stuffy so I go down to join the
ALFREDO POVThe boy looked so much like Aurora and Matteo. Finding him wasn’t as tasking as I thought it would be as all I had to do was hack into the systems of the most prestigious nursery schools and go through their student portal. Instead what was more difficult was blending into the school premises. Disguised as a cleaner on part-time duty, even that was hard to get. “Wages are paid after school hours which means you’ll leave after the students leave.” The head of the cleaning team had told me. Her eyes judged me with clear contempt it took so much effort not to snap her neck on the spot. “Cover those tattoos of yours, the kids won’t like them.” She added before passing on the cleaning uniform which looked more like my former prison outfit. The fit consisted of the up-and-down blue fit with a face mask and cap. Thank goodness it was something that aided a disguise.Changing into the uniform I was assigned to clean the dining area where the kids ate and not quite long after it w
SOFIA’S POVThe morning started with Liam curled up in my lap, picking at his breakfast while I scrolled through my phone. I had barely slept a wink last night as I kept wondering what the hell those three discussed yesterday evening. I need to find out what it is."Eat your eggs, munchkin," I murmured to Liam as he played around with his breakfast, ruffling his dark curls. He pouted but obeyed, stabbing a fork into the scrambled eggs.Just then, Aurora walked into the kitchen, looking like absolute….shit. Her hair was a mess, her night had slipped off in one shoulder, and the dark bags under her eyes were doing her no favors. She looked horrible.I raised a brow. "Damn, did you get into a fight with a raccoon last night?"She ignored me, walking straight to the coffee machine like a robot who had been programmed to do just that and nothing else. Liam giggled at my comment, and I winked at him."Morning Mama!" he chirped. Aurora barely managed a small smile, pressing a kiss to his hea
SOFIA’S POVMy anxiety was having the best of me right now and I hated it so much. The way Anthony had rushed into the kitchen to drop whatever information it was made me wonder if they had already found out about Alfredo being out of jail. “Damn it!” I cursed before taking the last drag of my marijuana on the balcony of my room. I was a heavy smoker and I needed this highness to clear my head but shit wasn’t working. Aurora, Matteo, Anthony, all of them. They’d been acting different after their “meeting”. Aurora looked worried. Matteo was just…too calm and Anthony was just fucken unreadable. I had no idea what they had figured out, but I knew it was something about Alfredo no doubt. And if it was important to them, it meant trouble for me.My phone buzzed, and my pulse spiked.Alfredo sent a text. I grabbed it, unlocking the screen in one swift motion.Alfredo: “Everything good on your end? You’re sure they found out something?” I had forgotten I had texted the fucker immediately
AURORA’S POV“So what is going on?” Matteo fires at Anthony as soon as we get into his office.I looked around the hallway to make sure no one else was out there closed the door, walked into the office and sat at the hand of the sofa.Anthony on the other hand sat on the table, his face set with an urgency that immediately sent my pulse racing. Matteo, who had just settled into the couch beside me, straightened, his sharp eyes narrowing.“What is it?” Matteo asked again this time his voice was clipped, his patience razor-thin.Anthony took a deep breath. “It’s Alfredo.” Just as I thought.The name alone sent an icy chill down my spine. I leaned forward, bracing myself for whatever was coming next. “What about him? Did he get out?”Anthony glanced between us before finally saying, “No he’s still in but He got into a fight.”Silence.Matteo and I exchanged a quick look—one filled with confusion and disbelief.Alfredo? Fighting?That wasn’t his style. If anything, he had been remarkably