Lyla could feel the intense heat and pressure radiating from his body, making her heartbeat erratic. Carlo suddenly lifted his head, his gaze darkening with a forceful, unyielding intensity. He placed his hand on her denim-clad hips, his touch firm but not painful, as if he was holding back a restless urge. One by one, their clothes fell away, exposing Lyla’s skin to the warm air, and she could feel the temperature in the room rise with it.His fingers trailed over her shoulder, the heat from his touch sending a shiver down her spine. It felt as though Carlo was in command of every inch of her skin. Bit by bit, her rational thoughts crumbled under the weight of his gentle yet relentless actions, her resistance melting away as her body responded to his.That night, in the empty apartment they no longer called home, their bodies intertwined, giving into the raw, unrestrained passion. They moved until they were utterly spent, their skin marked with the evidence of the night’s intensity—C
Leonardo Ferretti now resides in a small coastal town along the eastern shoreline. Ever since waking from his three-year coma just three months ago, he relocated to this quiet place to recover and undergo rehabilitation.Carlo drove for four hours before finally arriving at the mansion perched on the edge of a cliff.The salty sea breeze whipped against the rocky shoreline, and the distant sound of crashing waves felt like a deep, unsettling murmur. The mansion stood tall and imposing at the highest point of the coastline, like a fortress detached from the rest of the world. Yet, for Carlo, this place wasn’t one of safety or comfort. Instead, it was filled with shadows and hostility.As soon as he stepped out of the car, Leonardo's butler approached, bowing slightly. “Sir, Mr. Ferretti is resting. He’s requested that you wait in the sitting room,” he said. Carlo nodded and followed him inside. The mansion’s interior was as grand and opulent as ever, with intricate décor that spoke of
Carlo stepped into his father’s study, and the stifling air hit him immediately. The room was steeped in silence, with only the faint sound of waves crashing against the cliffs outside, as if the ocean itself was sighing endlessly. Near the large floor-to-ceiling windows, Leonardo Ferretti sat quietly in his wheelchair, his gaze unfocused as it lingered on the vast ocean before him, lost in a state of deep, weary contemplation.At sixty, Leonardo's body was beginning to show signs of aging. Three years ago, an assassination attempt from a family rival nearly claimed his life. Though he miraculously survived the gunshot wound to the head, it left him comatose for three years. He had only recently regained consciousness three months ago, but the ordeal had taken its toll. His once powerful physique had withered, and now he moved with difficulty, his pallor a stark reminder of his vulnerability.This man, who once led the most powerful Mafia family on the East Coast with an iron fist, w
Carlo smiled faintly, his tone devoid of any emotion as he said calmly, "Father, with mother taking care of you, you’ll be fine. As for me, I have a lot of business to handle. After all, in the three years you were in the hospital, other powers have taken quite a bit of the family's territory. It’s a blessing you’ve woken up, but your recovery will take time. Surely, you wouldn’t want everything you built to be handed over to others while you’re still healing, would you?”Though Carlo's voice was steady, the truth behind his words was undeniable.Leonardo’s expression softened slightly, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes. He knew that Carlo had indeed made great efforts in the family business, especially during the past three years when the turmoil within the Ferretti family had become increasingly apparent.Mrs. Ferretti, his legitimate wife, came from another powerful Mafia family, but over the years, her family had declined. Her son, Blake, lacked any real capability—driven by
As Carlo stepped out of his father's study, the butler was waiting, almost as if Leonardo had planned it all. The butler approached swiftly, informing Carlo that Valentina Bianchi was in the vineyard behind the mansion.The Ferretti family’s legitimate business included luxury wines, and the mansion boasted a small vineyard and winery, often used to entertain important guests or host grand events.When Carlo entered the vineyard, he saw Valentina quietly painting under the shade of the grapevines. Valentina was a talented artist, and although she had given up her dream of becoming a painter for Leonardo, her skills had not diminished over the years.Carlo didn’t disturb her. He silently moved behind her, watching her in admiration. She was painting a serene scene of the vineyard—the sunlight filtering through the leaves, grapevines wrapped around wooden trellises, and in the distance, the small winery building stood peacefully, bathed in golden light.Leonardo had handed over a dozen
He thought back to the girl named Isabella Cavalieri.Over a year ago, when he was on the run in Italy, he had accidentally revealed his whereabouts. The assassins sent by Blake relentlessly pursued him, forcing him into a dead-end. Desperate, he dashed into a bustling bar, hoping the noise and crowd would conceal his presence.Later, he learned that the bar belonged to the Cavalieri family. The assassins had made a scene, angering the eldest daughter of the Cavalieri clan. She sent her bodyguards to drive them away, thus saving Carlo.He overheard people addressing her as Miss Cavalieri, and instantly realized that the seemingly delicate girl in front of him was from the famous Italian Mafia family. Carlo was not one to let opportunities slip by. He knew this girl wasn’t just his savior but could also be his ticket to survival. So, he began to show up at the same bars and social events where Isabella frequented, deliberately making his presence known. It didn’t take long for him to ca
Instinctively, Valentina knew that the woman named Lyla was the one Carlo couldn’t let go of.Without revealing her thoughts, she smiled warmly at her son. “Alright, let’s drop it. Go down to the cellar, pick a wine you like, and share a glass with your mother, okay?” Carlo was eager to end the conversation as well. He hated showing anger in front of his mother. After the bitter disappointment his father had become, his mother and Hudson were all he had left for family comfort.“Alright.” He nodded, then turned and headed for the wine cellar.Once Carlo disappeared from view, Valentina swiftly picked up his discarded phone. Lyla’s previous call had ended, but just moments later, it rang again. This time, Valentina answered.A panicked voice came through immediately, “Where’s Dr. Riffe? He didn’t show up for class today, and the school contacted his wife. She said he left early this morning, but no one’s heard from him since.”“Was this your doing? Don’t joke with me—I know you’re try
Lyla was arrested by the police in the middle of her class the next afternoon.The arrest warrant, issued for the alleged murder of Dr. Riffe, hit her like a tidal wave. She felt an overwhelming dizziness, as if the entire world around her had dissolved into an eerie silence.A female officer stepped forward and cuffed her wrists. Lyla caught sight of a male officer speaking, but all she could hear was a faint buzzing in her ears. His words were completely lost on her. As she was led out of the classroom, she noticed her students whispering amongst themselves, and other faculty members staring at her with both curiosity and concern. Among them, Lucas came running toward her.“I’ll get you a lawyer, Lyla, don't be scared.'” Those were the last words she heard before the officers pushed her head down and roughly shoved her into the back of the police car.Sitting between two officers in the backseat, Lyla felt utterly numb. Her mind seemed to shut down, overwhelmed with fear and humili