As Don of this family, I should not care about a young girl's tears, but I do. Seeing Selena cry and know that I am the cause of it, tears at my very soul. There is a knock at my office door, and it has to be Antonio. "Enter." I wasn't really in the mood for a conversation, but it has been coming since we left the meeting with Torres. Antonio walked in, his expression a mix of concern and loyalty. He knew me well enough to gauge my moods, and he knew better than to say anything that wasn't necessary. "Don Joseph," he began, his voice formal despite our friendship. "The preparations for Selena's protection are in place. We have men watching the perimeter and the house at all times." "Good," I said, my eyes never leaving Selena's retreating figure. "I want her guarded 24/7, understand? No one, not even George, gets near her without my permission." Antonio nodded; his expression grim. "Of course, Don Joseph." He knew better than to question my orders regarding Selena. "May I spea
In three weeks, I am going to be married to Joseph. I have no idea what that really means. I have never had a mother around to tell me about relationships and how they work. I have never even been out on a date. I have never even really talked to a guy unless it was at the bodega, which really doesn't count. The only person I have to talk to about all of this is Marta and I hate to have to ask her about these things. It's embarrassing that I know absolutely nothing about men. But I need to know. I need to understand what is expected of me. So, with a deep breath, I sit down next to Marta in the kitchen while she is making dinner. "I need to talk to you about something," I say, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "Of course, mia cara," she says, setting down her knife and looking at me with kind eyes. "What's on your mind?" I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. "The marriage," I whisper, glancing around the room to ensure no one else can hear. "What... what does it mean?"
I have missed my mother so much since she passed away. Planning a wedding would have been something she would have loved. She would love Selena and be happy that I was settling down. The part she would not be happy about is the circumstances of this marriage. She would want me to find the love that her and father had. I think that could happen, but it is going to take a lot of work for me to convince Selena that I am a good man. I knew that Selena was feeling the weight of the situation, so I decided to give her space, hoping she would come around to the idea of marriage. But as the days passed, her anxiety grew, and I could see it in her eyes. She avoided me at every turn, and when she did speak, it was with a formality that felt like a knife in my heart. I knew that I had to do something to make her feel more comfortable. It was during breakfast that Marta approached me, her eyes filled with concern. She whispered, "Selena is not okay," and my stomach dropped. "What do you mea
The dinner was simple but elegant, and I began to relax the more we talked. I had never had wine before, and I was feeling a little funny. Joseph asked me to dance and I was embarrassed to tell him that I didn't know how. "Come, Selena," he said, standing up and holding out his hand. "dance with me." I stared at him, my heart racing. "I don't know how to dance," I confessed, feeling my cheeks heat up even more than the wine had made them. "Don't worry," he said, his voice gentle. "I'll lead." He pulled me up from the chair, his strong hands guiding me to the center of the room. He was so close that I could feel the heat radiating from his body, and I was suddenly very aware of his nearness. The wine had loosened my inhibitions, and I allowed myself to be drawn into the moment, closing my eyes and leaning into him. As the music filled the library, he began to move, and I stumbled after him, trying to keep up with the rhythm. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close as we
The days leading up to the wedding were a whirlwind of activity. Dress fittings, meetings with caterers, and endless planning filled every moment. Yet, amidst the chaos, I made time to check in on Selena, always asking if there was anything she needed. I wanted to do everything I could to ease any anxiety she was feeling. Antonio had been keeping his ears open for anything brewing with the cartel. Deal or not, I did not trust Torres one bit. "Selena, I have to go out," I told her one evening as we sat in the library, her nose buried in a book, and me, going through paperwork. I have been spending most of my evenings with her. She was only one more class away from finishing her studies. She wanted to get it done before the wedding. I was so proud of her for how hard she has been working. Her eyes looked up at me with a hint of sadness, "Where are you going?" "Just a meeting," I said, trying to keep my tone casual. "It's nothing for you to worry about." Selena nodded but I c
The last three days has been a whirlwind. I have had my hair and makeup done. I have never worn makeup before. I don't even recognize myself in the mirror. I guess most girls would have their mother here to guide her through everything, but I didn't. Even though she walked out on me, I still missed her. Marta was here for me, and I care for her deeply. I think she has taken care of me like a mother should. The dress is beautiful. It's something from a fairytale, with its white lace and delicate beading. It makes me feel like a princess, but I can't shake the feeling that I am playing a role in someone else's play. Marta is beside me, her eyes filled with excitement. She is the one who picked the dress out. "You look beautiful, Selena," she says. "And you will make a stunning wife for Joseph." The words hang heavy in the air, and I can't help but wonder if this is what she truly believes or if she is just trying to comfort me. I look at my reflection again, searching for some sign
“I am ready, Joseph." Those words sent every bit of blood flow from my brain to my hardening cock. I leaned down and kissed Selena, my hand tracing the curve of her waist. She kissed me back, her arms wrapping around my neck as our bodies melded together. We had danced around this moment for weeks, but now there was no turning back. As I began to unbutton her dress, I took my time, savoring each inch of skin that was revealed. She trembled slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she looked up at me with a mix of anticipation and trust. The weight of her gaze was almost too much to bear, but I knew I had to be gentle. The fabric of Selena's wedding dress whispered as it slid down her body, revealing the soft curves that had haunted my dreams. She was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, and I had to remind myself to breathe as I took in the sight of her. She was no longer the girl struggling to just make it day to day, she was my wife, and I had promised to
Selena's breathing slowed, and she snuggled closer, her head nestled into the crook of my neck. Her heartbeat was a steady drum against my chest, and I felt a sense of peace that I hadn't felt in a long time. We laid there for hours, our bodies tangled together, saying nothing but speaking volumes with our embraces. But as the first light of dawn began to peek through the curtains, Selena's breathing grew shallower, and she shifted in her sleep. I felt a twinge of regret that I had to leave her side, but business called. I had to ensure that our new alliance with the Columbians was secure, and that she was safe from any retribution that could come her way. When I woke up, my whole body felt sore. My muscles ached from the love making. My insides were sore but not painful. Joseph had been so gentle with me. When I turned over, I had hoped to see his handsome face, but he was gone. My heart sank as the room felt suddenly cold without him. I reached out to the spot where he ha
I am over halfway through my pregnancy, and it terrifies me to think of having my baby here. I hate being held prisoner. I did not want the same fate for my baby. I was being raped daily by Torres. I had tried so hard to just block out every thrust and every ounce of pain that he would inflict on me. He enjoyed giving me pain and I have the marks to prove it. As I lay in bed, my belly aching from his rough treatment, I hear a faint whisper. "Selena, it's Anna." I sat up, my eyes searching the darkness. "What is it?" "I found out something," she whispered urgently. "They're having an auction really soon here at the house." My heart sank. I knew what that meant. I had seen the way Torres looked at me, the way he talked about me to his men. I was going to be sold. "When?" I asked, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. "In two days," Anna said, her own voice shaking. "What can we do?" I whispered, my heart racing. Two days. That was all the time we had before I would be han
Thankfully, all of the Capos had remained loyal to me. There was no evidence of them conspiring with Salvatore. The meeting was tense, with everyone aware of the gravity of the situation. We discussed our options, the tension in the room thick as we weighed the risks and potential rewards of each plan. We needed to find Selena and crush Torres without igniting an all-out war with the Columbian Cartel. "We have a lead on a warehouse they use for storage," Antonio spoke up, his eyes never leaving mine. "It's a good place to start." I nodded, the room spinning slightly. The painkillers were wearing off, and the pain in my side was a reminder of the bullet that had nearly killed me. "Call a meeting with some of the other families," I said through gritted teeth. "We need to move quickly and quietly." Antonio nodded, already on his phone, arranging the meetings. I knew that Selena was strong, but each day that passed was another day of hell for her. The thought of Torres's touching
I never thought I could feel like a slave, but that is what I have become. Torres enjoys humiliating me every chance he gets. I walk around naked more than I have on clothes. Torres has been true to his word so far. No one has laid a hand on me, except for him. His touch is cold and calculated, as if he's trying to claim me in a way that goes beyond the physical. The other men in the house are allowed to look but not touch. It's like I'm a piece of meat in a butcher's window, displayed for all to see but only the highest bidder can take home. But even as I follow his rules, I'm planning. I have to find a way out of here. For the baby. Every night, after Torres has visited, I lie in the darkness, my thoughts racing. The room is cold, and I pull the covers tighter around my body, feeling the soft swell of my stomach. The baby kicks, a reminder of the life that grows inside me, a life that deserves a chance at happiness, not a future in this hellish world. I want better for he
I feel like a weight is holding me down. I am trying so hard to open my eyes. All I can hear is this loud beeping. "Mr. Rossi, wake up," a voice says, and suddenly, there's a hand on my shoulder, shaking me gently. My eyes crack open, and I'm greeted by a blur of white lights and concerned faces. The pain is a dull throb now, the fever's grip on me loosened. I blink, trying to focus, and see Antonio leaning over me, his expression a mix of relief and exhaustion. "Welcome back, Boss." Antonio's voice was a welcome sound, the first sign that I wasn't hallucinating. I managed to croak out a response, "Selena... where is she?" "We don't know," Antonio said, his expression grim. "But we're looking. We've got everyone on it." I nodded, feeling the heaviness in my chest lift slightly. The doctor hovered at the foot of the bed, his face a mask of professionalism. "You need to rest," he said firmly. "You've had a close call with sepsis. You're not out of the woods yet." "How lon
I lay on the bed, my body trembling with the aftershocks of what had just happened. The dress felt like a prison, sticking to my damp skin. I needed to get out of these clothes, out of this room, out of this nightmare. With shaking hands, I untied the dress and let it fall to the floor. The fabric pooled around my feet, a sad reminder of the violation I had just endured. I stepped into the shower, the water scalding my skin as I tried to wash away the doctor's touch. I scrubbed until my skin was red and raw, the tears mixing with the water as they streamed down my face. When the hot water turned cold, I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my shivering body. I felt exposed, like every inch of me had been laid bare. I needed to find a way out of here, to escape this hellhole. Our baby deserved a future, and I would not let anyone take that away from us. I sat on the bed, my eyes scanning the room for any hint of a way out. The walls were bare, the window too high to reach,
**Parts of this chapter may contain triggers for some readers of reference to a sexual assault. Discretion is advised** I have been tossing and turning for hours. I have been praying that Torres was lying about Joseph being dead. We are supposed to be together to raise this baby. How could our lives be turned so upside down? I heard the lock click on the door and a young girl walked in with a tray of food in her hands. She looked no more than sixteen, with wide eyes that had seen too much and a tremble in her step that betrayed her fear. She paused just for a second before she set the food on the table. "They told me to give you this." I sit up slowly and take the tray from her. "Thank you. What’s your name?" "Anna. Please don't tell anyone I talked to you." "Of course, Anna. Is there anything you can tell me that might help me get out of here?" Anna's eyes widened, and she took a step back. "I-I don't know anything. I'm just here to work." The door clicked shut
By the time Antonio and I got back to the estate, I was beyond exhausted. The only thing keeping me standing was pure adrenaline. "Joseph, you need to rest," Antonio said, his voice thick with concern. "Rest? How can I rest?" I snapped. "My wife is out there, pregnant with my child, and all we have is a boat that's been turned into a floating morgue." Antonio sighed heavily. "We'll find her," he assured me, his own eyes filled with a steely determination. "But you're no good to her if you're dead." I knew he was right, but the thought of Selena in the hands of those monsters was eating me alive. I stumbled into my office, the room where I had made countless deals and taken so many lives, and slammed the door shut. I needed to think, to plan, to find a way to get her back. "If I don't have her Antonio, I might as well be dead. She taught me how to live life. She is carrying my child. I promised her that I would protect her and I have failed her." Antonio nodded, understandi
Regardless of how much pain I am in, the only thing I can think about is Selena. She is innocent in all of this and so is our baby. Salvatore will pay for what he has done to me and to my family. When we arrive at the warehouse, it almost looks abandoned. My men, armed and ready, fan out around the perimeter, each one sticking to the shadows. My breath is ragged, my chest a constant throb of pain, but the thought of Selena and our baby pushes me forward. The sound of distant voices and the occasional shout echo against the metal walls. We move swiftly and silently, the tension thick. As we approach a side door, I catch the faint whiff of something sweet—Selena's favorite perfume. A flicker of hope ignites within me. "Break it down," I whisper to the men surrounding me. The door gives way with a crash, the sound echoing through the silent warehouse. We spread out, our footsteps barely make a sound as we search the vast space, our eyes peeled for any sign of her. The first fe
I am so scared for myself, the baby, and Joseph. They shot him right in front of me. There was so much blood. My mind was racing when I was shoved into a cold, metal cell. The smell of the warehouse was a nauseating mix of dust and mold. I could feel the baby kicking as if she was reminding me to stay strong. I sat on the floor, my back pressed against the wall, and I tried to slow down my breathing. The sound of distant voices and footsteps echoed through the building, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this hell. I had to keep my head clear and find a way out. The cell door creaked open, and a figure stepped into the dim light. It was one of the men who had taken me. His eyes raked over me, his gaze lingering on my stomach. "You're the one they want," he sneered, tossing me a bottle of water. "Make sure you stay hydrated. We don't want any problems with the merchandise." The door slammed shut, the echo reverberating through the metal chamber. I clutched the water to m