*Bradley POV*I twirled the glass cup that was in my hand, glaring hard at it as if I wanted to take my rage out on it. Damn Victoria, why are women so stubborn?When I saw her standing outside my door with that luggage, it made me remember the first time we met during high school, a lovely encounter I can't seem to forget.FLASHBACK _______The knocking on the door jerked me up from my stool, "Who the fuck is that!" I pulled the door open with annoyance; it opened abruptly, and the view of a beautiful young lady filled my view. I was drawn to her in an instant."Hey!" She spoke shyly, fidgeting with the textbooks that were in her arms."Hey... um..." I was lost for words for a second; we stood still looking at each other like we wanted to pounce on each other. It was love at first sight, a love I know I shouldn't deserve because of the type of person I would soon become, but damn, greediness when it sets in."Huh... I'm so sorry, I was looking for my study partner's dorm; I guess I'm
*Victoria POV*I woke up in the middle of the night with a grumbling stomach. I lifted my butt off the bed carefully. I saw a glass of water beside my bedside, which made the flashback of what happened in the kitchen flow back into my head, "Jeez!" I facepalmed myself.I trotted out of my bedroom and carefully walked towards the kitchen. Everywhere in the kitchen has been cleaned and properly arranged. I close the proximity of the kitchen cabinet, and I, opening the shelf—looking for any sort of snack."Seriously? No snacks!" I slapped the last shelf closed loudly out of frustration before realising it, " Shit, I hope no one heard that.""What should I do? This bitch is really hungry," I addressed my grumbling stomach, still searching around for any sort of food. It's past 2:00 a.m. in the night. I don't know if any restaurants would be open, this is one of the problems of moving into a new neighbourhood—you have to start looking into every detail from the start.My lingering gaze fe
*Victoria POV*I stepped out of the house, dressed in a chiffon dress paired with a sandal heel.I slid into the limo that came to carry me,Mr. Carlos had informed me about how his grandpa, who suddenly appeared in the company today, wanted to confirm the news, and he would like me to come over to the company to put on an act so that his grandfather wouldn't suspect anything.In no time the car arrived in front of the most luxurious empire in the city of New York. The Russo Empire itself—the entire structure of the building is made up of solid, see-through glass, having the most luxurious interior designs. I pulled the door open and stepped out; several people with cameras rushed towards me. This damn press."Ma'am! Ma'am, please, a minute of your time," The reporters yelled, followed by the sound of clicking cameras, some activating their camera recorders."Ma'am, is it true that you and Mr. Carlos have been dating for some months now?" One of the reporters openly announced."Yes," I
*Victoria POV*"I must say, you look ravishing," Carlos complimented, guiding me by the waist into his grandfather's villa. I didn't know when I blushed in return, focusing on my heels without looking shy."I didn't know we'd have such company!" I intoned, giving out a nervous smile, staring at the several people who were present at the long dining table."That's oblivious the old man's doing; he wants to test us in every possible way. Now is the time to give it your hundred percent, Vikky. "Don't mess things up," he silently warned, squeezing my waist, which made me flinch a bit."Grandpa," I cheered out, went on my knees to pay my respect. "Rise," he ordered; this time his tone was a bit tender. "You're welcome; please take your seat," he added."She is a beauty; I'm glad Carlos is finally showing us his woman." A red-haired woman commented, and I gave her a polite smile."Why is she the only one getting the spotlight? Hey! I'm here too?" Carlos shrugged his shoulder arrogantly befo
*Bradley POV*I added more pressure on my foot, speeding the car to its maximum level not caring if I was going against the traffic rules. My fingers kept clenching around the steering wheel, eyes boring hard at the road. I drove into my penthouse compound in no time, roughly parked the car in the parking lot, and then went into my apartment."Hey, Master Bradley—" I waved off my hand to stop Tessa's greeting, walking towards my room with predatory steps.As soon as I got into my room, I went to grab a bottle of whisky from my mini wine bar, uncorked it, and took a long sip, pulling out my tie rashly."Damn you, Victoria!" I cursed and spat at her picture. "Why can't I get you out of my head, huh? Who the fuck do you think you are to torment me? Why did you even show up again?" I lamented, pulling hard at my hair, and I smashed the bottle of whisky against the portrait of her that was closest to me."You!—" I pointed at another portrait of her and wheeled around at the sound of my doo
*Victoria POV*I hissed inwardly when Carlos finally pulled away from me after the incomer passed; it was one of the household maids."Let's go." He spoke out authoritatively, and I rolled my eyes at him for that."What are we going to sleep on now? I don't carry any extra clothes," I made known when he ushered me into his room.The room looked so beautiful, like a model mini palace; the entire roof had a solid mirror, and different designs of chandeliers were scattered everywhere, engulfing the room with lights. Why so many lights? Is he afraid of the dark too? Beautiful, ornate furniture; the entire floor is covered with an Arabic red and black carpet; the room is very spacious and heavily decorated with luxurious things. The flamboyant type."Well, we'll have to sleep with our underwear," he replied casually, which made me give him a dumb look. I watched him walk to his closet and pulled out a tee, then threw it in my direction; I caught it with ease. "Wasn't expecting you to catch
*Victoria POV*I have been avoiding Carlos since last night, but it seems I can't escape the weekend morning. Mr. Russo demanded that we all come out for breakfast. It was making me so nervous; I don't think I could bear the way Carlos would be looking at me like some sort of pervert. I don't even know what came over me.I trotted into the dining room, dressed in a simple, flowery gown that wasn't that revealing and settled in flip-flops."Good morning, Grandpa," I gave out a casual smile, going over to him to pay my respects before taking a seat closer to Carlos while Bradley was seated opposite us. I wasn't expecting him."What took you so long?" Carlos turned to me, his voice a bit cold, but he shielded it with a smile. "Sorry love, it was difficult picking an outfit you would love." I winked at him, fidgeting with my gown under the table.The server started to dish food inside a plate for me. "She doesn't eat seafood; remove the shrimp," Bradley's firm order erupted in the air, ma
*Victoria POV*After the heated argument with Carlos, he stepped out, leaving me in the room to wallow in my thoughts. I began to weigh other choices: to escape or to stay and finish my mission. What of the benefits I will get from him when all this is over? Should I throw all that away? Well, I should have known that a deal with Carlos ought not to be like a bed of roses.And Bradley, what the hell was wrong with him? He was giving me the silent treatment and caring for me at the same time. What's his plan? Is he trying to cause a rift between me and Carlos? I bet it fucking worked."That bastard!" I cursed inwardly, then wheeled around when I heard the sound of the door squeaking open. "Mr Carlos," I called out when a figure emerged from his back as well."You will go to the patio and wait; I have a business to settle in this room." He ordered nonchalantly, hands tucked inside his pocket most arrogantly, and the way his chin steadied forward, chest protruding out, gave out his prou
*Victoria POV*Adrenaline of anger washed through my body while I walked to the bedroom. I need no one to tell me what Carlos had been doing inside. I wanted to ask for a favour but realised it's not worth it; I should stay far clear from him. I took time to dress so much for him this morning he didn't even bat an eye, but when it got to his gay whore, he unleashed all his time and energy. What made me even more furious was Bradley. Was he thinking I'm a dumb woman? Trying to hide the shitty thing his boss was doing behind closed doors, he was really stupid to think I'm a fool.I bet he is so happy, laughing at my predicament. All this was supposed to be a revenge to make him suffer for hurting me, for betraying our love, yet it was looking like it was backfiring on me. How can I call this revenge when he is the one getting the upper hand? I need to get Carlos all to myself; that's the only way to tear a flesh out of Bradley. I stormed into my room; my eyes wandered to the shelf locat
*Bradley POV*I had to take a shower again after breakfast; Victoria's stunt made me suffer such a terrible hard-on, and the fact that I haven't gotten laid since she came back into my life was adding to my issues. Not like I can't—just that it seems like cheating to me.I was heading to Carlos's office; from there, we will be going to each of the operation sections that were under the management of the three underbosses for inspection. I had another twenty-four hours to provide Carlos with the name of the traitor, which I will execute with Ted tonight.I gave the door of his office a soft knock but got no response in return; instead, a loud moan tore out of the throat of a man, followed by Carlos groans. He was at it again—fucking so early? It was very unusual of him, especially when he knew we had a lot of things to take care of, but should I blame the young man? I bet Victoria affected every one of us at the dining table—not just me and Carlos but the soldiers as well.I backed the
* Victoria POV*The opening of the door snapped me out of my thoughts; I glanced at the beachside one last time and could no longer see Bradley before I turned my full attention to the figure advancing through the door."You're awake!" He sounded shocked but quickly brushed that look from his face."Where were you last night?" I felt shocked when I asked that kind of question: what was my business about what my boss was using his time for?"Hmm....I...I mean, you shouldn't be seen avoiding your room; your subjects might start to get suspicious." I stuttered, trying to drive meaning to what I couldn't even wrap my head around."Yeah." He simply said, trotting with powerful steps into the bathroom, and I scoffed at that action. I bet he went to get laid with one of his gay whores; that's why he is rushing to get into the bathroom like a husband caught cheating with a very disgusting mistress. The thought of him getting laid made my eyes blazed out for an unknown reason. He came out of i
* Victoria POV*I didn't know when I dozed off last night while checking the room out. I lifted myself from the bed and glanced at the other side of the mattress that Carlos was supposed to sleep on; it wasn't rumpled—it was untouched. That simply means he didn't sleep in this room. Where is he? Did Tessa lie to me?I slide off the bed, knotting my nightie garment; my eyes wandered outside the window, and I was shocked to see the vast island. I wasn't expecting this vicinity to be capable of having a beach. I strolled closer to the window, peering out to take the full view of the place. I looked to my left, and my body stiffened at who I saw—Bradley.I watched him jogging along the beachside, the morning ray shining up on his flexing muscles that looked so alluring. If not for my dignity and my ego, I would have walked to him, grabbed him, and pulled him to bed with me. I badly want that body writhing on top of me while he fills me with his cum. It's been long since I felt like a real
*Bradley POV*I trotted towards Carlos's office ground, where he usually hosts gang meetings; he said he needed a few minutes before the meeting started, but I was going to invade that because he needed to know something before the meeting began and, if possible, to answer the questions to the looks in his eyes a while ago when he saw me greet his woman—no, greet Vikky in that manner.Nevertheless, I don't regret what I did; I thought I could sort this out without selling myself openly, but when I saw her, I almost fucking fell to my knees. All my restraint to wanting to love her from the shadows broke. I planned to be a stalker lover, hiding behind shadows while I loved her the way I wanted. I was succeeding so far; I had men reporting to me about her well-being, taking pictures for me to see how beautiful she looked every day, and even going as far as sending anonymous messages and flowers, but it seemed that tactics would no longer work. I think I should learn from that little boy—
* Victoria POV*The ringing of the bell and chattering of people woke me up. I rose up from Carlos's lap, peering straight out of the window at the people walking across the street of Rome."Sorry that I slept off. How close are we?" I turned to face him. "Very close, he murmured, not averting his gaze from his phone. I leveled myself on the seat properly; my eyes wandered to the front and brushed across Tessa, who was stealing gazes at me. When we were on the plane, she kept doing that, which I noticed before I dozed off.The Mercedes Benz pulled to a halt in front of a deserted building. Carlos stepped out, followed by Tessa. I was reluctant to do so because of the vicinity, because what the hell could we be doing in such an environment? What happened to the beautiful houses we passed by? Aren't humans the ones living there?"Are you planning to spend an eternity there?" Carlos growled at me; I gave him a dumb look before saying, "Don't tell me this is our final destination?" He sim
*Victoria POV*I opened the door, and Carlos stormed right through it. "What the fuck is wrong with you!" He roared out, and I took a step away from him. "What's going on? Who wants to kill us!" I yelled back, tears dripping from my eyes. I acted like I didn't know what kind of life they were into."That's none of your business, okay? Don't worry; since the date of the contract has been extended, I will include more benefits""I'm not interested; I want to quit!" I pretended to want to pull out from the deal; I already knew he would never accept it. I just needed to divert his attention from the stunt I pulled in the sitting room.His eyes blazed; he wheeled away, slapping the door shut with a bang. "Don't make me hurt you, woman. You can't back out from the deal until I say so. My world now knows you as mine. You wouldn't even be safe if you go away now." My brows quirked up, Your world? What are you?""A made man! A Don, the head of the Russo mob family, idiot!" My eyes bugged out;
*Bradley POV*I stepped out of the shower only to meet a figure on his knees—Ted, to be precise. A young boy, he will be in his early twenties and probably still a newbie to make him have such guts to spill such about his superior.I tied the belt of my bathrobe securely, walked closer to my mini wine bar, and pulled out a bottle of vodka with two tumblers. "Come with me," I affirmed, going through a particular direction where my mini parlor was demarcated by a see-through wine curtain.I took a seat on the sofa; he rushed and took the one opposite me, making an evil smile creep up my face. He really has guts. "I admire your little bravery; you don't wait for me to offer you a seat; you simply did it yourself; that's applaudable." He swiftly stood up from the seat, fidgeting.I peered at him. What age did you become a made man?" I question firmly."At sixteen, boss.""How old are you now?""Nineteen, boss.""Impressive," I intoned, uncorked the bottle, and began to pour the liquid int
*Bradley POV*The Carter, located in Rome, is one of the biggest and most precious ones among all the ones we own, the main source of wealth and power of the Russo family; if it's taken, it will be the end of us. We would have to protect it with all we got even if it's the last drop of our blood.I dropped the call after speaking with Don Carlos and Lord Russo; they promised to send more soldiers to the headquarters."The dead bodies of our fallen brethren have been cleared from the areas alongside that of our enemies, and messages have been sent to the families, and the warfare team is compelling the compensation fee." Maria relayed."So, what's next?" Her tone holds no ounce of friendliness; she is angry, enraged by the loss of her men, which I completely understand.I released a soft sigh before I huffed; we should take some rest; tomorrow, we will conduct a meeting." I turned to face her. I watched as her fist clenched, teeth gritting. I know she is thirsty for blood, for vengeanc