EmmaI woke up, disoriented. As I looked to the side, I saw Andrew sleeping. My God, we slept together! When I regain consciousness, I realize how wrong it was. This was so foolish of me; he was with someone else in his office just yesterday, and I simply gave in to him.I couldn't mention various ways to say how much of a mistake this was. Andrew could always win me over, even when I was angry. The guilt every time I woke up naked in the same sheets as him was immense.But it was all new to me, and I was very afraid. Afraid to let myself go and end up disappointed.Andrew De Luca was not the perfect man for a relationship; he was a criminal, an outlaw, and I knew it. But I was in love with a criminal, and as a song whose name I couldn't quite recall said, this kind of love wasn't rational, it was physical.I got up and opened the windows; the cloudy weather invaded our faces. The fresh morning breeze was wonderful. I wanted to continue sleeping, but today I had a check-up to make sur
Andrew narrating.I had gone to handle some matters for a hotel franchise. Of course, I disguised myself as a business CEO, but behind the scenes, I operated in the underworld of the mafia. Irritation consumed me in a way I couldn't even explain.While drugs and smuggling brought in a lot of money for the organization, the wealth of the De Luca family was primarily distributed in casinos and hotels. We didn't solely rely on dirty dealings. However, I was angry about how things were between me and Emma. She didn't understand that my word was final—I was the Don, and she had to obey me. The rule was always clear, and usually, if someone resisted, I would teach them to obey forcibly. But there was something about that damn woman that I couldn't explain.To make matters worse, she was expecting my child. Clearly, this was the problem with letting your guard down. When you showed emotions, people thought they could control you. That's why I couldn't be like that with Emma anymore—she was m
Emma.I feel a chill as if being watched while I'm in the car heading to the clinic, furrowing my brow. After being kidnapped, I'm somewhat paranoid, or do I have a reason?All of this is dangerous. I'm aware that I'm pregnant, carrying the heir of a wanted mafia boss; Andrew's head seems to have a high price. So, indeed, I am at risk. Perhaps that's why I'm so thoughtful and fearful."Ma'am," the driver and security guard pull me from my thoughts."Hi?" I murmur."We've arrived at the clinic; I'll accompany you," he says."No need," I reply."It's Mr. De Luca's orders," he says seriously."Okay," I nod, rolling my eyes.De Luca wanted to monitor every step I took after I fled, and it was irritating. Every detail of what I did was being scrutinized by the security.It was suffocating.I entered the clinic. The doctor who was supposed to attend to me couldn't see me today due to personal issues, so a substitute would conduct the examination."Emma DeLuca," I tell the receptionist.It's
Pov EmmaI faced that damn journalist with disdain, taking a deep breath, trying to focus and not lose my composure. I knew that if I lost my temper, I could put myself and the baby in danger.“You're mistaken if you think I'll give in to your cheap blackmail,” I retorted.Lexye, the bitch, smirked sarcastically. I felt anger; how did she find out about my pregnancy? What else did she know?“Oh, dear, don't you understand?” She raised her eyebrows. “This isn't a simple choice, Emma. It's an order. Either you obey and disappear from his life, or I make sure to spread the news of your pregnancy throughout New York.”I felt the rage boiling within me; it was as if she was doing this personally. And she was. She wanted Andrew, and as far as I was concerned, they could be together. But she better not mess with me and my baby.“Who do you think you are? You don't know me,” I replied firmly.The journalist laughed. Her laughter irritated me.“You may be brave, but Andrew De Luca won't protec
AndrewFlashback On.I walked through the casino, sinking into drink and gambling, trying, for a moment, to escape the web of intrigues my life had become.Unknown faces blurred together, and the surrounding conversations were just an indistinct blur. I needed to lose myself in all of this, even if just for a moment.I didn't want to think about anything in that second.Among the games and fake laughter, my eyes met hers. She was a mysterious woman, dressed in traditional casino attire, whose challenging gaze triggered an irresistible attraction.She approached, her scanty attire clearly indicating her intentions, and in the heat of the moment, I kissed her. Her insatiable mouth met mine as if she wanted to undress me with her gaze. She pulled me to a more secluded corner, and then we walked through the corridors until she led me to a place in the casino that seemed to be a room or something of the sort.Her features were striking; the black hair emphasized sensuality, and her makeup
EmmaFor the first time, Andrew slept beside me, no sex, no ulterior motives, just holding and caressing me. I remember falling asleep instantly, waking up with a hidden smile I wasn't letting show on my face.Despite everything going on, there was still hope that maybe we could make it work. My temper was strong, and his even stronger, we were like fire and gasoline, often not a good mix.I was going to tell Andrew about Lexie's threat; I couldn't handle it alone at the moment, and he might handle it better for me.I quickly took a shower and put on looser clothes; my belly barely showed, but my pregnant body was developing, and some types of clothing made me very uncomfortable.As I step through the bedroom door, a silly smile creeps onto my lips, so I slowly descend the stairs, waking up with a pain in my back. As I reach the tenth step, I hear something I truly didn't expect.Various scenarios flash through my mind, all involving things I didn't want to imagine. I hear Andrew De L
Andrew De LucaSeeing her leaving the house in such a wounded state, running as if she'd been severely hurt, made me realize one thing: I was a fool.“Go after her now,” I ordered one of the employees standing beside me.“What a mess, Don,” Lorenzo remarked, watching me closely.Emma didn't deserve this behavior from me. It might have been who I was, but I knew I felt something for her. I didn't want to lose the only woman who managed to stir any kind of emotion in me.As the security went to bring Emma back, Lorenzo noticed that the unbearable journalists had left after the gunfire I'd ordered.“Sir,” the maid approached, and I glanced at her. “Miss Ize and Mr. Gian will arrive today; their plane is due to land in a few hours. She requested that you pick them up from the airport.”My mind was so muddled; I'd forgotten that Ize and Gian were returning today. I'd arranged for them to go to Italy, where they'd be safe for a while until things settled down. But now, I needed my sister cl
POV EmmaAs that car drove without my knowledge of the destination, my thoughts merged. I pondered Andrew's kiss with another woman, wondered where his lunatic uncle was taking me, and what his intentions might be.My heart raced, and I struggled to maintain steady breathing, inhaling and exhaling, trying not to panic. I knew stressing out was a risk to the baby—I couldn't lose this child. It was all I had.“Where are you taking me? Please, tell me,” I pleaded with the driver, but to no avail.“I'm just doing my job, ma'am,” he replied.“Is your job kidnapping people? What a career choice. Your mother must be proud!” I spat out the words in frustration.My belly started to ache, a sharp pain I couldn't explain. I just hoped it wasn't anything with my child.The car slowed to a stop. I looked around, trying to memorize the place, but I was unfamiliar with it. I prayed to God to get me out of this. I was sure that amidst all the bad happening in my life, He hadn't abandoned me.The driv
EmmaIt never even crossed my mind that my life would be the way it is now. Everything seemed so lost, so far away, until a certain mobster brought me to an unknown mansion. Andrew had changed from being that closed man who was cold and calculating. He was different now, more open, more affectionate.Five years flew by as if they were just a breath of time. Life has unfolded into countless possibilities since we ventured into a new chapter. The frenetic routine of a hospital became my world, where every day was a constant learning experience, every patient a story to be cared for. Today was my graduation, a day I never imagined I would be witnessing.It wasn't easy, I studied so much that my hands hurt.“Honey, have you seen my underpants? I can't find them,” Andrew says.“If you look in the closet instead of the sock drawer, I bet you'll find them,” I laughed. “Funny.”Liam comes running into the room, he's a beautiful boy, his golden hair like mine, and a bit like Andrew's, his e
POV Emma“Put the Christmas tree more in the center of the room, love,” I said to Andrew.We were decorating the mansion for Christmas, I really loved this time of year, but we'd never had a full house on this date. It was just me and my dad, but now we were going to have a full family.Today was Christmas Eve, and I was proud of the beautiful work I was doing at my father-in-law Matteo's NGO. We distributed food, clothes and toys, and I knew that every single one of those things would make the children happy. I felt fulfilled.I looked at Andrew who was struggling to put the star on the top of the tree, I loved him! And every day I became more sure of that. Liam was growing at lightning speed, this child already wanted to run around the house.“Son,” I went after him nimbly.“He really can't sit still,” Andrew said, “Come with daddy son, let's go and see the Christmas tree.” He carried Liam on his lap, and then gave me a kiss.”Everyone was coming over tonight, we were having a spe
Emma's POVToday was Friday, one of my favorite days of the week, and the day I received news that would completely change my life.Do you know that moment when your heart seems to want to jump out of your mouth? I felt that way today, when I finally held up the letter that represented everything I had longed for. College has always been a challenge, and today, there, in my hand, was the proof that it was all worth it.The sunlight seemed to shine in a different way, as if it were congratulating me too. Every step to the college was a mixture of anticipation and nervousness. It seemed that everyone around me knew what I was about to discover.When I entered the building, everything seemed to take on a new meaning. The corridors were like trails to a new beginning, and every room a learning opportunity. And there it was, the letter, the gateway to a new phase of my life.As I read those words, a whirlwind of emotions flooded over me. It was as if the world was welcoming me to a new cha
POV AndrewThe wedding was perfect, but I can't deny that I was looking forward to our honeymoon a thousand times more. "Wow, how beautiful every place is," she said, looking at the scenery."We were in the private jet, and Emma hated it. She said we were going to die and that she was scared, but after a few minutes by my side she forgot all about it. "Italy is enchanting," I said with a twinkle in my eye. I had chosen this as my city. My biological father, Matteo, had left me some property here and I was going to enjoy it too.Speaking of him, we were getting better and better as father and son. We were close, he and I talked about everything, and he showed me that it's possible to have a healthy relationship with your father. I forgave him, I understood that we can make mistakes. And holding a grudge wasn't going to make me a better person. I knew that.We were going to Milan. The best part of Italy for me. I was happy to bring my Principessa along."I've never traveled to place
POV EmmaOne hour, ten minutes, and twenty seconds.That's exactly how long it was until I walked down the aisle, and my heart was racing faster than ever. The make-up artist finished making the final adjustments to my make-up and hair. Then the seamstress makes the final adjustments to the wedding dress.When everything is ready, I turn around and look at myself in the mirror, I look beautiful, holding back the tears from falling from my eyes.My make-up was basic, but it completely highlighted my beauty. My hair was tied up in an elegant updo.“Here you are, the most beautiful bride I've ever seen in my life,” my father said as he entered the room.His eyes were watery, and although he hadn't agreed one hundred percent with my marriage to Andrew, he was thrilled. My father still felt guilty about everything he had put me through.“Dad,” I smiled, “I can't believe you're here.It was going to be one of the happiest days of my life. I would truly be united with Andrew, the vows would
POV Andrew When we arrived at the place where Lexie was supposed to be with my son, Emma got out of the car and I asked her to get back in.I didn't feel at all good about the situation, and I felt guilty about the whole thing. Lexie had always loved me, and I hadn't wanted to reciprocate. I always made it clear that it was just sex, nothing more, and that I would never take on any woman. When she saw me with Emma, she went berserk. I'd put a stop to it, I asked them to put her up against the wall, but it was no use. Lorenzo strategically positioned himself outside the car, watching for any movement.“I'm going in first,” I said to everyone in the car, and Emma looked at me."“I'm going in too, it's my son."“Emma. We don't know what this crazy woman wants, I'll go in first and try to talk to her, please wait in the car. That's an order,” I said.“Okay, sir,” she looked at me with fire in her eyes.She swallowed and sat back down in the back seat. My heart squeezed, I knew she was
POV EmmaThe wedding preparations were driving me crazy. There were so many things to sort out, the venue, the dress and a thousand other things that I couldn't even measure. On top of that, I was the mother of a baby, and now I had the responsibility for the NGO. But I didn't complain, I liked being busy. It occupied my mind. Liam, now four months old, continued to bring me joy every minute. Everything was amazing to me again. His eyes identical to his father's, his huge smile, he was a baby who brought so much light into our lives. I was completely happy with this new phase. I was trying on the dress, I was going to buy it in the same place I bought my first one. We weren't going to call many people, just family members and some of Andrew's mafia friends. “This dress is perfect on you!” Ize smiled, looking at the dress.I looked at myself in the mirror. My emotions were running high, I was finally going to get married, the first marriage couldn't count as real, because it wasn
Andrew's POV“Gentlemen, it's always a pleasure to be with you,” I say to the guests attending Liam's christening.Our little boy was three months old, three months of happiness and love. I never thought I'd be a father, in fact, I never even considered the idea, it was far from my plans, they only included partying, women and business. But she arrived and changed my whole perception of everything.Liam is on Emma's lap and has just been baptized. We Italians, and especially Mafiosi, consider baptism to be very important. The Catholic tradition was present in Sicilian culture.I look around at all the people who were significant to us. Ize's belly is taking shape, and I can't believe I'm going to be an uncle. Well... A year ago I couldn't have imagined getting married and becoming a father."In a little while it will be the baptism of your child," I whispered to Lorenzo and we toasted with a glass of wine. "I'm anxious, and tired. Your sister has every strange desire, and I'll be da
Emma POVFour months later.“You don't have to run, we're at the mall, not the Formula 1 race,” I say to Ize, who's standing in front of me.“I was trying to find the pharmacy,” she rolls her eyes.After we've walked around the mall a bit more, she finds the pharmacy. My giant belly is almost unbearable to bear. After Ize's wedding, she decided that she would stay with us in the mansion, at least until our son was born, she wanted to be part of the birth of her nephew or niece. As the mansion was huge, I was very happy. I loved her presence. My mother wasn't going to stay there, but she always visited us. She got along with my father, and they're living together in our house, Andrew paid off the mortgage as a present for me. I was immensely happy. It was one of the things I thought would never be possible.We were at the mall looking at clothes for the baby, most of the outfits were unisex since we didn't know the sex yet. And of course, the wardrobe was always behind us.“What do