ALFREDO’S POVI never liked waiting but I did wait as it was the third day, by tomorrow I was supposed to be out of here.Sitting in this damn cell for seven years has been torture. Not just because of the confinement, but because of how useless I felt in here. The prison halls are quieter at night, except for the occasional shuffle of guards on duty. I sit on the edge of my cot, my fingers drumming against my knee as I wait. In a few hours from now, the first part of the plan will fall into place.A faint knock on the metal bars of my cell makes me look up. There he is—the guard who’s been my dropped the note three days ago. He doesn’t say a word, as usual, just slips a small folded note through the bars. I grab it quickly, unfolding it with shaky fingers."It’s happening tomorrow. Stay ready." I look at him and nod in understanding before he takes his leave.My heart pounds as I clench the paper in my fist. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath. I could feel the excitement pumping
ALFREDO’S POVThe scent of dust and blood clung to the stale air as I stepped over the guard’s lifeless body, my pulse still hammering from the adrenaline rush. My fingers flexed around the gun before I slid it back into my waistband, wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand. The warehouse was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the overhead lights. I wasn’t stupid enough to think aside from the “fake medic” who stood at the doorway, I wasn't here alone. My sixth sense knew better.I took a deep breath. "Alright, that’s enough hiding. Show yourself."A slow creak echoed through the space as a door swung open behind me. How come I didn’t see that door in the first place?I whirled, gun drawn, body tense. But when I saw who stood in the doorway, I froze.Sofia. Wait what am I even saying? Like Matteo’s younger sister, Sofia! What the fuck is going on here?A scoff left my lips before I could stop it. My grip on the gun tightened. "You? Wait what’s going on here? Are
SOFIA’S POV“Get in the car.” I call out to him as I head outside the warehouse with Riccardo right beside me. He’s been my bodyguard right from high school and my most trusted person.“Where are we heading to now young miss?” Alfredo asked in a mock tone and I wanted nothing but to slap that tone out of his mouth. I just had to keep my cool as I needed him as a tool in my plan.“Get in and you’ll see when we get there.”The car ride is silent except for Alfredo tapping against the window like he was playing a tune. I watch Alfredo from the corner of my eye, his fingers tapping against his window, his face giving off the fact that he was thinking about something. Good. He’s uneasy. He should be. He may have been a monster in his own right, but he’s playing in my world now.“We’re here,” I announce as I pull up to the house, a secluded place on the outskirts of town. It’s nothing special from the outside—worn bricks, rusted doors, the scent of damp wood and gasoline lingering in the a
Aurora’s POV“Soph you’re back….come look at this.” I call out to Sofia as soon as she walks into the kitchen.Dropping her bag at the edge of the counter she walks to where I stand next to Liam who is so focused on what he’s working on. “What are you two up to!?”We watched as Liam carefully arranged his school papers on the table, tapping the edges to make them perfectly aligned. His little brows furrowed in concentration, and I couldn’t help but smile. He said he had a school event and this was his presentation for the event he was working on, he was really keen on making it perfect.Sofia leaned against the kitchen counter, her eyes flicking over to Liam before meeting mine. “Need any help with that?”I shook my head indicating that he won’t accept any help. “He’s got it. Big presentation coming up in two weeks, right?”Liam nodded without looking up. “Yeah, he’s gotta get it all sorted. No last-minute stuff like last time.” I look back at his work and let out a sigh. Sophia rai
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
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
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
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
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