Maxmillian-/I never intended for her to find out this way. She was going to be the Donna, sure, but dumping everything on her was going to make things a lot more difficult.I already had my men on the Italians. I needed an explanation on the stupid stunt they pulled. I would have gone personally to meet their boss but I needed to take care of Gianna first.I hated the way she looked at me. Like I was a danger to her. I wanted her to understand that I might kill people, but I would never hurt her. None of them were half as innocent as she was.“Gianna, please say something,” I pleaded when she remained silent for too long.“I… I am not cut out for this…” she blurted and my breath stilled. “I… the mob life… it's not for me. I can't live knowing my husband is a murderer.”“Okay, Gianna, you need to calm down. I know you need space to process everything and I am willing to give you that…”“I can't have any blood on my hands,” she interrupted. It was as though she wasn't hearing anything
Kesley-/I knew he was going to come.Maxmillan couldn't resist me even if he wanted to. Ex-wife or not, I had that man wrapped around my finger.I tossed my phone and got off the bed. I had already picked out the sexiest lingerie I owned and a transparent nightie.That was more than enough to do the job. With Max, you didn't even need to do a lot, especially when he was head over heels for you. Every single action of yours becomes automatically appealing to him.I soaked in the tub, using all the fragrances he liked and after drying my body, I got dressed. A little bit of perfume and falling hair, I knew I was going to steal not only his eyes but his heart.I picked out the oldest wine in my collection and set two glasses.“Alexa, set the mood with something soothing,” I ordered and the lights turned into a dim blue with soft music playing in the background.Perfect.A few minutes later, I heard the car drive in and I was beyond excited.I took another look at myself to make sure I w
Gianna-/How do you avoid your own boss especially when you are his PA?Back at home, it was easy to avoid him but at work, there was no escape. Something always came up, pushing me to have a conversation with him.He was always in my space, taking up my head, heart, fucking senses. Even when all he did was stay professional, I still couldn't get him out of my head. The proximity was killing me.How was I supposed to think like this?“Gianna, what's my schedule for the day?” He asked, without looking up from his laptop. I exhaled slowly before speaking.I kept my voice steady, professional. “You have a meeting with the board at ten, a lunch appointment with Mr. Vasquez at one, and a conference call with the London branch at three.”Maxmillian nodded, still not looking at me. “Cancel lunch.”I frowned, clutching my tablet a little tighter. “It’s been set for over a week. Mr. Vasquez is expecting…”“Cancel it,” he repeated, his tone sharp.I swallowed hard. “Understood.”Silence settled
Gianna-/I felt bad for him. Seeing him look so embarrassed.He wasn't exactly a bad guy. He was trying his best not to come on too strong on me and Maxmillian just went ahead to frighten him.“I'm so sorry, sir. I was only having chat with her…” Quinton tried to explain but Maxmillian didn't even let him finish.“I don't think you were paid to chat with employees,” Max said coldly. “Especially not my PA.”“I'm sorry, sir,” Quinton apologized.“You better be. Get on your way now,” Max ordered and Quinton scurried away.I turned to him. I had been silent because I didn't want to disrespect him in any way.“That was very unnecessary. He was just being friendly!” I stated.“Oh, we're talking now?” He huffed and I looked at him in disbelief. Was he being serious, right now?“You're unbelievable. You just bullied an innocent employee and you're going to pin it on our fight?” I retorted and his eyes darkened.“Innocent? He had a bunch of files in his hands and all he could about was asking
Gianna-/“That is a joke, right?” I blurted after a long silence.“You can see it in whatever way you want to,” he said simply and walked away.My whole body was still. I couldn't move. It was if time had paused along with everything around me.I didn't have a choice. He just made it clear that I was going to belong to him no matter how I felt or what I thought.He was going to force me into his dangerous life.Now, I wasn't even sure who was better. Dante or Maxmillian? It felt like I had somehow moved from frying pan to fire.For the rest of work, I was more like a ghost. I didn't see Max after that conversation and I wasn't sure if that was a good thing, considering that I was going to meet him at home.Work soon came to a close and I already ordered an Uber. The whole time, my head was blank. It was like I didn't fully process what was going on in my life right now.My phone rang and I picked it up absentmindedly.“Hello,” I greeted in a monotone.“You are such a terrible friend,
Gianna-/Adrian was still talking, completely unaware of the impending storm about to crash down on both of us.I should have listened to that warning voice in my head. I should have never come here.Now it was too late.My pulse thundered in my ears as Maxmillian North stood from his darkened corner, his imposing frame moving with slow, murderous steps toward our table.The air in the room changed.Adrian must have sensed it too because his easygoing demeanor stiffened. He followed my line of sight, and his jaw clenched when he saw Max approaching.“Well, well,” Adrian murmured under his breath, swirling the last of his wine. “Looks like we have company.”What was he even doing here?Max stopped right beside me, his aura suffocating and snatching every bit of oxygen in the place. He didn’t acknowledge Adrian. Didn’t even look at him.His focus was solely on me."Gianna." His voice was quiet. Dangerously quiet.My breath hitched.The way he said my name wasn’t with the normal warmth.
Maxmillian-/“What?” Gianna blurted.“I gave you a choice. Chose wisely,” I shrugged and she shook her head, facing the window while muttering something under her breath.Something I clearly heard.“Fucking psychopath.”She probably thought I was bluffing but I was going to leave it to time to let her uncover the truth. For now, I was going to hunt that reckless bastard who thought he could touch what was mine.I would make his life so miserable that he would wish he were dead. Right from the moment I first saw them together in that restaurant, I knew what I was going to do so I had my men surround the place. They were going to seize him the moment he stepped out and take him to my warehouse.There I would deal with him when I arrived.I called one of the boys because I didn't want to get there and waste my time.“Is he in your custody?” I asked.“Yes boss. We have him restrained in the torture room,” he answered.“Good, do not lay a finger on him. He is all mine, got it?” I instructe
Maxmillian-/“Come on, man, you don't have to do this,” he went on rambling. “I'll stay the hell away from her, I promise. I swear, I'll never talk to her again. You don't need to do this, man. Trust me.”I didn't dignify him with a response. I was going to cut off his tongue and I meant it.I already warned him twice and clearly, that wasn't warning enough for me. He just enjoyed testing me.Adrian’s body jerked against the restraints, his eyes darting between me and the knife I now twirled between my fingers. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the fear that clung to the air.“Max, please—” His voice wavered, desperation creeping in. “You don’t have to—”I struck fast, gripping his jaw with one hand and forcing his mouth open.His words cut off in a strangled sound, panic flaring in his wide, frantic eyes. He thrashed, but the ropes held firm."Your tongue," I murmured, pressing the flat side of the blade against it. "It's been running a little too wild, don't you think?"A gar
Dante-/I knew she was seeing my uncle. I wasn't stupid. I followed her myself and confirmed it. Her movements have been very suspicious for the last few days, so forgive me for stalking my own wife!The fact she could walk in here and still deny it. Pretend like there was nothing when she was nothing but a fucking slut.I thought the alcohol would calm me down but it only fueled my rage, coupled with how slow business was going for me.I was very certain I had been blacklisted for my contacts to suddenly run out of deals for me.“What do you think you're doing, Dante? Have you lost your fucking mind?” she yelled, groaning out in pain as she held her head. She checked her hands and was shocked to see blood. “You bastard, look what you've done!”“I will only ask you once,” I said coldly, smashing the bottle against the wall as I approached her with a deadly glare. “Where are you coming from?”She stumbled back, one hand pressed to the bleeding cut on her scalp, the other raised slightl
Piper-/“You taste so fucking good, sweetheart. It's been weeks and I still can't get enough of you,” Eric said, pulling me back into his arms to give me a kiss.I wouldn't even die it, the old man was a lot more exciting in bed than Dante. He fucked me like I was a whore, just the way I liked it and he was a very generous spender.“You want to go to Dubai this week, right?” He said.“Yeah,” my eyes lit up. “There are so many things I want to get for us.”“Us,” he chuckled. “You mean yourself?”“Oh come on, baby. I will definitely get something for you as well. A wristwatch, maybe,” I shrugged.“You don't need to get me anything. I'll wire a million dollars to you. I'll get my jet ready to take you so you don't have to worry about flight money,” he said and I wanted to scream.The man was so hot when he said things like that.“I also have a beach house there so you can just stay there. It's fine if you still want to lodge in a hotel though,” he said and I was just speechless.Eric Nor
/-Gianna-/We were back in Italy and Maxmillian was yet to say anything to me or even demand an explanation.Guilt ate deep into me and I didn't know what to do but it was obvious he was so mad at me.I adjusted on the bed, staring awkwardly as he walked on his laptop. It was pure torture. Being in the same room with someone and getting silent treatment.Whether it was a bad time or not, I had to talk to him.“Max…” I started out quietly. “Can we talk? Please…”He didn't answer me as expected. Since he found me in Sydney, I have been met with this torturous coldness.I should have just screamed then, that I was pregnant with his child and had to leave because I was afraid when his enemies came for us, he wouldn't be able to protect us.Maxmillian's fingers continued to fly across the keys of his laptop, completely ignoring me, as though I wasn’t even in the room. The silence was thick, suffocating, and it gnawed at my insides, making my chest tighten with every passing second.I could
Maxmillian-/So this is what we're doing now, huh? Running across countries. She was definitely how much I was willing to chase her.If she wanted us to play the hide and seek game from continent to continent then she was welcomed to be my guest.She would always be in the open to me.I stared at the map on my phone. I zoomed in the spot blinking red. Sydney, huh?I suppose I really had to thank Kesley. I'd give her more money if I could. If she hadn't placed that tracker on Gianna, I would have never found her.I couldn't even get pissed at the fact that she put a tracker on my woman. I mean whatever she planned to do didn't happen yet so I could take it.For now.We touched down on Sydney about three hours later because we had to change course midway.I landed at the airport and rented a car. She was staying in some crappy hotel away from the heart of the city. I typed in the location in the gps and began driving.It hurt my heart that she was actually putting in a lot of effort to
/-Gianna-/How the hell did he get this number? I got the phone here, got a new number! The only person who has my number is Mrs Heidi.How the hell did Maxmillian get it all the way from Italy?Or….My heart started hitting fast. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be.There is no way he could have found me. He can't possibly be in Germany. My eyes watered. It hasn't even been up to a month yet and he has already found me?“Gianna!” He called again and I blinked.“How… how did you find me?” My lips trembled as I asked the question. “How… I did…”“I am on my way to get you,” His voice was cold and devoid of all forms of emotion. “This is your chance to explain. Say whatever you have to say because when we meet, you won't have the chance to say anything.”I could feel my heart pounding in my ears. I was unconsciously stepping back as if he was right in front of me. I opened my mouth but words failed me. Nothing would come out because it was terrifying.Terrifying that all my efforts were
Gianna-/When I woke up, I felt relieved and better. Ariel wasn't in the room but she dropped off food for me. I picked it up and began eating.I didn't realise how hungry I was until I tasted the delicious food. She really outdid herself if she prepared this but if she bought it, then I had to know that restaurant.After eating, the doctor came in for my daily checkup, after which I was discharged. I was a bit skeptical about going back to my hotel room, even though Johann was arrested.I knew they were only going to detain him for a few months at most and then he would be back here to torture me. Or worse, get his revenge.I had to leave.So when I got to Glamour, I packed up and went to see Mrs Heidi. It hurt that I couldn't work for her any longer, she was such a sweet woman but my baby and safety were my priorities.I couldn't risk that, even for a nice employer.Mrs. Heidi’s office smelled faintly of lavender and furniture polish. She looked up from her desk as I entered, her f
/-Gianna-/God please, no….I couldn't afford to lose this baby now. I have come all this way, ran from the man I loved, all in a bid to protect this child.I would never be able to forgive myself if I lost it at the end of it all. How will I even be able to face Max?“What's wrong with you, Gianna? Is it like your period or something?” Ariel asked worriedly. She didn't know I was pregnant. None of them did.I thought I could keep it that way but I had to speak now. If I didn't, this child might die.“Please take me to the hospital…” I pleaded. “I think I'm losing my baby.”“Oh my God, you're pregnant?!” She gasped.“Ariel please, ask the questions later. I need to get to the hospital right now!” I stated.She snapped out of it instantly, helping me up. “I don’t have a car, but I’ll call for a ride, just hang on!”The pain in my lower abdomen was unbearable. A sharp, tearing sensation, followed by the unmistakable warmth of blood. I tried not to look down. If I looked, I’d break down
Gianna-/I moved out of the way at the last minute and he hit the wall. I slipped past him and ran into the bathroom. I locked it immediately and stepped backwards with a pounding heart.“Gianna!” He growled, pounding the door with his fists. “Open the fucking door!”I pressed my back against the cool tile wall, hands trembling violently as he pounded against the door again.“Open it, Gianna!” Johann roared. “You think you can hit me and just walk away?!”What is he even talking about? I didn't hit him! He hit the fucking wall when he was trying to grab me.Another thud. The hinges groaned. I had no idea how long the cheap lock would hold.My breath came in sharp gasps. I scanned the small bathroom. No window. No other exit. Just a toilet, a sink, and a flimsy towel rack that would snap like a twig if I even tried to swing it.I pulled out my phone, dead. Of course. Of fucking course.“I was trying to be nice!” Johann shouted, voice cracking with fury. “I was trying to fix things!”So
/-Gianna-/I regretted saying yes the second I walked into the quaint little café Johann had picked.The air smelled like freshly baked bread and cinnamon, and the place was so cozy it felt like it belonged in a storybook. But still, this was Johann. The same man who had cornered me days ago with eyes too dark and voice too smooth to trust.He was already waiting at a corner booth, surprisingly well-dressed in a gray coat and a scarf loosely wrapped around his neck. When he spotted me, he stood up quickly and pulled out a chair like we were on some kind of date.“Good morning,” he said, with the kind of smile that made you wonder if he practiced it in the mirror.“Morning,” I mumbled and sat down.“I took the liberty of ordering. I hope you don’t mind,” he said, then added quickly, “Just the traditional stuff.”Moments later, a waitress came by with a tray loaded with food that made my stomach grumble.A basket of freshly baked Brötchen and rye bread sat in the center. Alongside it we