They say nuns are off-limits. I call that a challenge. They say obsession is a sin. I stopped counting sins when blood became my business. She says I’m a sinner. She’s not wrong. But when I have her whispering confessions against my skin that would make Lucifer himself blush, what does that make her? A firecracker wrapped in a habit. All rosaries and rebellion, thinking she can drive me away with Scripture and that ice-cold stare. Amusing. Her holy water won't wash away what I do to those round tits. She's not a bride of Christ yet. And the harder she prays for salvation, the more determined I am to show her what real worship feels like. They say God answers all prayers. But in my city, prayers come to me first. Her vows or my empire. Heaven or my hell. The choice was never really hers to make. God may forgive me, but she won’t.
View MorePROLOGUE
NIKOLAI ⟿❂⟾ New York, 7 Years Ago ⟿❂⟾ “Kill him.” Matteo fucking Gianni, my father, didn’t believe in wasting words, and I didn’t believe in saying them either. He slid the manila folder across like it held nothing more interesting than the lunch menu at his favorite restaurant. Dino Donatello. Mid-40s. Ran weapons and girls out of Staten Island, made deals with anyone who waved a dollar in his face, and skimmed more than his share off our shipments. He’d successfully worked his way into my father’s bad books, and now he’d have to be burned with those books. It was a simple job. Walk in, handle it, walk out. A routine. “Don’t think,” my father added, not even looking at me as he poured himself a glass of scotch. “Just get it done.” I’d learned not to argue with him by the time I turned 15. At 22, I wasn’t stupid enough to start now. So I nodded, took the file, and headed out without another word. The Donatello house was a two-story dump at the edge of a rundown neighborhood. In places like this, screaming didn’t raise eyebrows and police sirens were just background noise, which made tonight perfect. I parked a block away and walked the rest of the distance. Tonight, I was slipping into this guy’s life to wreck it like I’d done to others a thousand times before. I heard the commotion before I even reached the house. “You can’t do this, please!” The sound of a palm cracking against skin cut off that whimpering voice, replaced by a shrill cry. The muffled thud of something heavy hitting a wall, followed by the sharp sound of a girl’s voice desperately trying to reason with whoever was onto her. I paused at the back door, hand on my gun. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else here tonight. Dino Donatello was supposed to be alone, drunk, and oblivious, a quick, easy job. But judging by the shouting coming from the kitchen, someone had decided to complicate things. “How dare you tell me when I can have you?” Dino’s voice, slurred and venomous, echoed through the small house. “You’re nothing! Just like your mother was nothing!” I leaned against the wall just outside the kitchen, peering through the doorway. Dino was towering over a girl, dark-haired, maybe 17 or 18, who looked like she was one shove away from breaking. “Please, don’t talk about her!” She whimpered regardless. Her face was streaked with tears, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her hands were up, palms out, like she could ward him off with sheer desperation. “You ungrateful brat!” Dino snarled, slamming his hand down on the rickety kitchen table. It cracked under the force, which made the girl flinch. “You think you’re too good for me now? You’re nothing without me. You’d be dead in the gutter without me!” She wiped her face with the back of her hand, her breath hitched as she tried to speak. “I’m not like her. I won’t be like her.” He lunged, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her into the fridge. The old appliance groaned under the force, magnets and a faded photo falling to the floor. “Ah, she thinks she has a choice!” Dino roared, spittle flying as his hand squeezed her neck. “You’ll do whatever the fuck I tell you to do. I own you!” I pulled out my phone and hit record. Family drama, episode one. She clawed at his hand, her eyes wide and watering as he tightened his grip. “You’re… choking me,” she gasped. “I can make you enjoy it,” Dino hissed. He pulled her away from the fridge and threw her onto the floor like she weighed nothing. She hit the ground hard, a pained cry escaping her lips. Dino stalked over to her, kicking her in the ribs. “Get up,” he sneered, delivering another kick. “Get up, you little bitch.” The sound of his boot meeting her side so hard she curled in on herself, shielding her head with her arms, but he didn’t stop. Blood smeared the floor beneath her, dark and shiny in the fluorescent light. Behind her, a small boy peeked out from behind a chair. Wide eyes, trembling lips, clutching a stuffed bear so tight its seams were splitting. He was maybe five or six, and every time Dino’s boot connected with the girl, the kid flinched. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I muttered under my breath, zooming in on the kid with my phone. “Who brings a kid to a beating?” The girl must’ve noticed the kid because she twisted her body to shield him as best as she could. “Please, Dino,” she rasped, blood dripping from her mouth. “Not in front of him. He’s just a kid.” Dino grabbed her by the hair and yanked her head back so hard she cried out. “Shut up!” He started fighting with his belt. That’s when the kid made a sound—a little whimper, barely audible, but it stopped Dino in his tracks. He turned, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. “Get the fuck out of here,” he barked at the boy. The kid didn’t move. “I said go!” Dino roared, taking a step toward him. The girl scrambled to her knees, throwing herself between them. “No! Please, Dino, leave him alone!” This is better than cable. I was already pissed and so disgusted, but I kept recording. Dino turned his rage back on the girl, punching her across the face so hard she crumpled. Blood sprayed the wall behind her, and she hit the floor with a dull thud. “Get up,” He growled, nudging her with his foot. “I’m not done with you.” She didn’t move. The kid let out a sob, and Dino rounded on him again. Shit. Time to give this fucker a free pass to hell. But just as I was about to do that, the girl, who I feared was dead a few minutes ago, made a swift move. It would’ve been funny if it wasn’t so pathetic. The kid had no chance. Dino was twice her size, and drunk or not, he had the advantage. I should’ve ended it right there. One clean shot. Instead, I stayed put, lowering my gun slightly. Watching. Somehow, I found it… entertaining. She grabbed the first thing within reach, a cast-iron skillet, and swung it at his head. The impact sent him stumbling back, swearing and clutching his temple. “Not bad,” I murmured, holding my phone for a better view. The girl pressed her advantage and crashed out, she screamed at him, calling him every name under the sun. Dino shook his head, dazed, and then lunged at her again. This time, he grabbed her by the arm and shoved her into the counter. “You little bitch!” he snarled, his face inches from hers. That’s when she saw the knife. It was lying on the counter, gleaming under the flickering fluorescent light. Her hand darted out, and before Dino could react, she stabbed him. The first stab hit his shoulder. He roared in pain, releasing her. The second plunged into his stomach. By the third, Dino was on his knees, clutching the handle still embedded in his chest, choking on his own blood. The girl staggered back, her hands trembling. The knife slipped from her fingers and clattered to the ground. She stared at her bloodied hands, then at Dino, and then at nothing, then she was staring at the door where the kid had been standing earlier. She shook her repeatedly and started mumbling. “No, no, no…” I clicked my tongue. “Beginner’s guilt,” I thought, smirking behind my mask. “You’ll get over it.” She turned suddenly and bolted upstairs, her bare feet pounding against the wooden steps. This was my cue. I stepped into the kitchen, gun drawn. Dino was alive. Barely. His blood was almost drained, his breathing labored, but he wasn’t dead. My father wouldn’t be too happy about that. When his eyes met mine, they widened. “Gianni… please…” he gasped. I crouched beside him, inspecting his wounds like I was a chef checking the doneness of a steak. “Oof, that’s bad,” I said, pointing at the knife sticking out of his chest. “You really should’ve gone to a doctor for that.” Dino gurgled something incoherent. I leaned over him. “So aside from being a thief, you’re also an abuser.” I shook my head in disgust, “You’re lucky she got creative, though. If it were me, I’d have just shot you.” He made a choking sound, and I straightened, pulling out my knife for effect. “I’ll be back in five minutes. If you’re still breathing by then, I’ll consider it a personal insult.” I turned my attention to the stairs. The girl had run up there. Part of me wanted to leave it alone, but my father’s order was simple. Don’t think. Just get it done. That didn’t mean leaving loose ends. Holstering my gun, I stepped lightly, avoiding the blood trail as I followed her path. She was in a small bedroom at the end of the hall, crouched protectively in front of the kid who clung to her, burying his face in her side, they were both crying. When she heard my footsteps, her arms spread even wider to shield the boy. Her eyes locked on the gun in my hand, and her face crumpled. “Please,” she whispered in a broken voice. “Don’t hurt him.” I raised a brow even if she could not see it, she added hastily. “I didn’t mean to kill him, please!” She wasn’t begging for herself. She was begging for the kid. I didn’t respond. I stepped closer, keeping the gun steady on her forehead. Her head was bowed, so her jet black hair made it impossible to see her face properly. I reached out and grabbed the cheap necklace dangling around her neck. She flinched, raising her hands to shield her face. “It’s all I have left of her,” she said in a trembling voice. I yanked the necklace free, ignoring her words, and tucked it into my pocket. She didn’t move, didn’t fight, just stood there shaking as the kid whimpered behind her. I stepped back, then lowered my gun slightly. My eyes flicked between her and the little boy. For a moment, I considered finishing it. The job was already messy, and leaving witnesses wasn’t exactly my style. But the kid… and something about the way she fought that idiot downstairs. This could be the only chance to freedom she’d be getting in her pathetic life. If the guilt of killing a man doesn’t kill her later on, I’ll come back and do it if she ever becomes a problem. I turned without a word, and headed back to the kitchen. By the time I got there, Dino was gone. “Shit,” I muttered, scanning the blood trail that led out the back door. I stepped outside, following the trail into the narrow alley behind the house. The bastard was still alive, and he was bleeding out somewhere in the darkness. “Fucking dick,” I muttered, pulling out my phone to check the recording. At least I had proof. wouldn’t make it far in his condition, and even if he did, I could track him down and finish the job. Tucking my phone away, I adjusted my gloves and started back where I’d come when I heard a soft sound. “Take us with you.” I stopped, turned and frowned. “Uh?” “He’ll come back and kill us,” She said quietly. “Please take us with you.”Hey fam! And that’s a wrap! Writing Nikolai and Sylvia’s story has been such a refreshing ride for me. . . and for you, I hope. First time exploring the whole complex plot of church, convent, bad boy meets innocent angel nun vibes—and whew, I loved every second of it! I hope you did too, because I’m just getting started. This universe is growing, and I’m committed to giving you something fresh and different with every new book. From Russel and Allesia’s very spicy good-girl-meets-mob-sex-god vibe, to Vincenzo and Stacy’s once-upon-a-villain POV and chaotic trauma hate-to-love, to Nikolai and Sylvia’s soft opposites-attract, passionate bad boy vs innocent nun redemption arc—we’re building characters you’ll never mix up. Now the big question is—WHO’S NEXT? Oh, it’s coming. I just need to revamp a few things, change the route, switch up the theme… you know how I do. I haven’t decided which character to pick yet (lol), but trust me, it’ll be worth the wait. Speculate in the comme
EPILOGUE ⟿❂⟾ Sylvia ⟿❂⟾ The pregnancy hormones were going to be the death of me. I sat in the car outside Nikolai’s new warehouse, my hands gripping the steering wheel as another wave of need crashed over me. Fucking ridiculous. We’d had sex this morning before he left for work. And last night. And the night before that. Yet here I was, five months pregnant and practically vibrating with want, because I’d caught a glimpse of him adjusting his shirt this morning and hadn’t been able to think about anything else since. Dr. Martinez had warned me about increased libido during pregnancy, but this was insane. Poor Nikolai was probably wondering what he’d gotten himself into, though he’d never complained. If anything, he seemed to worship my changing body with an intensity that made me feel like a goddess even when I felt like a whale. Through the windows, I could see him talking with his men, Luigi, Manuel, and Viktor clustered around him as he gestured at something on the floo
Chapter 163 ⟿❂⟾ Nikolai ⟿❂⟾ I ran her a bath while she sat on the edge of our bed, slowly peeling off her work clothes. The sight of her in just her lingerie—something I’d specially requested—all soft curves and smooth skin, sent the familiar jolt of want through me that she always inspired. But underneath the desire was something else—a nagging worry that had been growing stronger over the past few weeks. She’d been tired more often, pushing herself harder than usual, and now the nausea… “The bath’s ready,” I said softly, pushing the thoughts aside for now. She smiled gratefully, rising to kiss me softly before disappearing into the bathroom. I heard the soft splash of water as she settled into the tub, followed by a contented sigh that made me smile despite my concerns. Russel and Allesia insisted on keeping Maeve so we could settle into married life properly for the first few months. That was working really well, considering how often we converted every part of our new home
Chapter 162~ Work-life Balance⟿❂⟾Nikolai⟿❂⟾Hey guys! 👋We’re almost at the end! I’ve been thinking about what to write next, and I’ll share updates (plus new edits!) on @author_commy over on I. n.s. t.a.g. r.a.m go follow if you haven’t already.Please recommend this book to your friends, leave an honest review, vote, and follow to help it reach more readers.Now enjoy the ending—I hope these books have filled your leisure time with so much love & smiles.💖(Expect the next chapter in a jiffy)Love you! 😍⟿❂⟾I pulled into the parking lot of my wife’s new office. It had taken two months of construction and more money than I cared to calculate, but seeing the kids from the convent finally settled into a proper home made every penny worth it.Sylvia had been relentless in her vision for this place. What started as a simple relocation away from Albany had evolved into a full-scale NGO operation, complete with educational programs, counseling services, and what she called ‘life ski
Chapter 161 ⟿❂⟾ Nikolai ⟿❂⟾ Dylan’s eyes swept the room, taking in the expanded group since he’d last visited. “Seriously though, between marriages and babies and engagements, I can barely keep track of who belongs to who anymore.” “It’s called growth, Dylan,” Melissa said sweetly from her perch on the arm of Kegan’s chair. “Some of us are evolving beyond eternal bachelorhood.” “Well, I’m not eternal. I’m just… selectively single.” “Selectively single,” Marcel repeated with a snort. “You mean ‘chronically unable to commit’?” “I can commit,” Dylan protested. “I committed to showing up tonight, didn’t I?” “Two hours late,” Kegan pointed out, earning himself a mock glare. “Fashionably late,” Dylan corrected. “There’s a difference.” Some things never change, and Dylan’s commitment issues were about as reliable as Sicily’s sunshine. “Speaking of commitments,” Melissa said, turning those bright eyes on me with that mischievous gleam that usually meant trouble, “we haven’t talked
Chapter 160 ⟿❂⟾ Sylvia ⟿❂⟾ “What?” The word came out as a shriek of surprise before I could stop myself. “Oh my God, congratulations!” But even as the words left my mouth, I could see this wasn’t the joyful revelation it should have been. Allesia was shaking her head, fresh tears spilling over. “I’m scared,” she whispered. “I don’t know if this is a bad time. I forgot my shots because I have this project I’m working on—this film that’s been consuming all my time and attention. I’ve been so scattered, so focused on my career…” I guided her to one of the kitchen stools, my hands gentle on her shoulders. “Hey, it’s okay. These things happen.” “But they shouldn’t have,” she said, her voice breaking. “Russel and I, we had a plan. We agreed to wait at least four years before having another baby. Adelio is barely two, and I was already pregnant during our wedding planning, which was stressful enough. We wanted to give ourselves time, to let me establish my career, to give Adelio more
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments