MAXIMILIAN POV
That was almost perfect, only my heart hurt a little when tears covered her eyes when she was thrown out of the bar, but it was working out better for me. I wanted to ask the manager to just fire her and I would find a reason to speak with her and make an offer to her but she did it on her own. “Her clumsy ass placed herself in my own arms” I mutter to myself “Are you okay?” Javier raises a brow at me. “I have to go change these trousers,” I say quickly to catch up with her outside before she disappears and I can't find her. I step out into the dark the streets which are crawling with homeless men and women, “fuck” I whisper to myself turning the other way and I spot her enter an alleyway I'm too familiar with. I immediately follow behind her, my guards following behind me, I stop them, if I'm going to approach her I'm not going to make it look like some threat. I enter the alley and I don’t spot her, the space is dark with a few fires lit with homeless men huddled up, they share looks, eyes yellow and filled with greed as they watch me, but in twice their size and covered with tattoos, my gang tattoos, that's enough to keep them away. “Stop!! Leave me alone!!” I hear a scream from the alley on my left My feet are fast and my heart drums in my chest, tasting blood in my mouth already if someone hurts her. “Leave me alone!!!” “Aaaaahhhhh” I hear her scream again and I reach the entrance of the alley. She's pushed to the ground by four grown men, shock in her eyes “What’s a fatty like you doing on the streets uh? Did your daddy disown you?” the one in the middle kicks her leg the others laughing “Yeah that's not happening on my watch” I walk forward quietly walking towards them, I tap the one in the middle. “You might want to stop that” I place my hands behind my back. Her scared and panic-filled eyes turn to me “Max..” she says the words halting in her throat Now that's enough to turn me on, to beat the men in front of me just to save her from them. “And who are you big boy?” they turn around the one in the middle coming forward. My hands reach into the back of my shirt pulling out a silver pistol, my fingers slide across the gun smoothly, “Do I need to speak twice?” I raise a finger at their scared faces “Won’t risk it for this fatty” he says and they scram before I can hit him. My eyes move to Giana’s, I don't understand what is everyone's definition of a hot woman but she's the most gorgeous definition of a woman I can describe for a man, like me. “Here” I tuck the gun behind my back reaching my hands out to touch hers but she pulls back fear on her face. “I think you have to trust me here, I just saved you,” I say a brow raised at her “Someone just recently told me not to trust anyone” she whispers her tone low and scared. “I'm not just anyone am I?” I raise a brow at her, her fingers gently fixed between my knuckles, I pull her up to her feet and she's stained in mud and dirt from head to toe, u remember the kick in her leg? “Are you okay?” I turn my head down to point at where the homeless man kicked her. “I’m fine” she nods reassuringly, “Thank you” her arms go around her body protectively, “I’m sorry for earlier too” “It’s fine, let's get you cleaned up and comfortable” I point at the exit of the alley, “I'll assume you've not had dinner.” She stands at first, her eyes filled with panic as they meet mine, “you will be fine, trust me” I say my voice low and reassuring, I grab her fingers gently leading her outside, my guards find me easily with the cars and I fix her into the car. Her palm tapping on her knees nervously as we travel in the car. “You should calm down, I’m not going to hurt you,” I say turning back to the window, soon we reach one of my apartment penthouse Her eyes move up gulping air right after. “You should have a bath, I will ask the maids to bring you some clothes, and the chef will start on something what do you want to eat?” I say after directing her to a spare bedroom She stands in silence in the middle of the room, shock written all over her face at my sudden help, “Thank you Sir” she says “It's Maximilian to you Giana” I call out shutting the door after her. A while later she comes downstairs, her body wrapped in a matching pajama set, she's covered from head to toe but still, the most seductive person to walk the planet, I take a sip of my wine watching her enter the kitchen and seating on the dining chair across me. “Here,” I say pointing to the chair. In shock she stands up and takes a sit beside me, the chef starts serving dinner and I notice one thing quickly, she knows how to use her cutleries really well. “So tell me Giana where you actually disowned?” I raise a brow at her “No,” she says quickly, “my parents are dead” she mutters her eyes moving down in sadness “I'm sorry for bringing them up, I didn't know it was a soft topic for you,” I say watching her face I have an offer for you Giana” I say my voice low and steady, ready to put my plan into action. “I don’t want to do anything illegal,” she says abruptly turning to me with sharp eyes. “Completely legal” I mutter pushing her plate to her side and placing a contract in front of her. “Marriage contract between Maximilian North and Giana Marino” she reads out her shocking eyes rising to meet me. “Giana, I want you to marry me” I whisper in the dining, the candles the only thing reflecting our faces to each other.GIANA POV“Max” I moan my voice loud in the bedroomAs he pushes me to the wall“I see the way you look at me, with those seductive eyes” he whispers in my ears pulling back and our lips mesh together again, sealed in a passionate kissHis fingers trail my thighs almost like he wants to carry me around his waist but I halt him immediately,“You can’t,” I say my cheeks turning pink from embarrassment, Dante could never carry me due to my size and always ended up with me on the floor and being laughed at by him.He rolls his eyes, grabs me easily, and throws me over his back, he turns to the dark bedroom my squeals the only sound he can hear.He gently places me on the bed, “I've wanted to fuck you since the very first day I saw you enter that bar” he says his lips leaving trails of kisses on my neck.Tingles fill my body, my nipples rising and trying to escape my shirt, “Please Max” I moan as his lips move down to my neck, my shirt still covering my body.“Patience Giana,” he says swee
Chapter sixGianna's POV“Is this a joke?” Dante is the first to speak and I wanted the ground to open up and bury me. Why, of all the men in this world, did it have to be him?Maxmillan glances at me but I don’t dare hold his gaze. I let my eyes fall on the ground like it is the most interesting thing ever.“Do you have a problem with my woman?” Max's arm instantly wraps around my waist and my breath hitches. Something about the way he says it makes me melt.“Do I have a problem? That is my fucking ex-wife!” Dante exclaims in disbelief and my palms grow sweaty. Is it too late to run? I knew this was a crazy idea but why the hell did I still agree to it?I can feel their judgemental stares boring holes through my skin. These people barely know me because Dante always tugged me away in a corner like I was something to be ashamed of.Yet, of all the worse possible things that could happen, I was more worried about the way Maxmillan saw me. Will he change his mind and realise this is a m
Chapter Seven/-Maxmillian-/He is daring me.I don't want this to escalate to a fight but if he is asking for it, so be it. Gianna is mine and the mere thought of her being the same space with her ex makes me so mad.“Are you sure you want the answer to that question?” I ask coldly, stepping towards him. Something flashes in his eyes and he moves away from her.At least he knows better than to challenge me.“I don't know what you two are planning but be rest assured, it is not going to work!” He shoots us a glare before making to leave. I catch his arm just before he passes me.“Next time I find you in the same space with my wife, I promise you, you won't get to walk out with those legs,” I say in a low tone and release him. He looks like he wants to say more but on second thoughts, he decides against it and just walks out.I turn to Gianna who looks frightened out of her mind. The raw fear and unshed tears I see in her eyes make my heart clench. She doesn't deserve this.“Are you ok
Chapter EightDante's POVFuccccckkkkk!I smash my glass of wine angrily against the wall. Just when I thought things were going as planned, that fat bitch just had to show up and ruin everything!She ruined everything!Does she have any idea that my inheritance is at stake here? My fucking birthright was going to be taken from me!“Fuckkk!” I curse again, angrily clearing my desk. I didn't even care that my laptop hit the ground. That stupid bitch was about to cost me everything!”Dante?” I hear suddenly. “Are you okay in there?”Was I okay? Would I be breaking things if I was okay? When I didn't give a response, the door opened and Piper stepped in.Her eyes scan through the mess and she stares at me with a puzzled expression.“What happened?” She asks.“Gianna!” I hiss. “That's what happened.”Her expression immediately changes. “Your ex-wife?”“You mean my uncle's wife?” I retort and for a few seconds, she stares blankly at me.“I… I don't understand…”“Maxmillian brought her to d
Gianna’s povWe returned to the mansion late and tired. Personally, I'd say it was a bad idea. I would have preferred if we went back to his penthouse but for some reason, I was back to this horrid nightmare.Thankfully, I was tipsy enough to get my mind off it. Max took me to his room and the mere thought of the things we could do in here made my cheeks heat up.As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I cursed inwardly. I wasn't the type to think about things like that but just being in the same space with Max made my brain malfunction.He was at the bar, pouring me another drink. I didn't tell him I was tipsy already, nor did I reject his offer. I needed liquid courage for whatever was going to happen tonight.“Here you go,” he offered me a glass and I immediately accepted it from him.“Are you purposely trying to get me drunk?” I asked, sipping my drink. He chuckled.“I don't need alcohol to do the things I want to do to you,” he said, sitting on the couch just across the room. I s
/Gianna’s povI didn't want to go downstairs. Not after everything that happened last night. To make things worse, Max had to leave for an important meeting earlier so I was stuck here until he came back to fetch me.The initial plan was to hide away in my room until Max came back but my stomach didn't agree. My stomach grumbled loudly and by the time I checked the time, I discovered it was way past breakfast.The only option was to cook so I headed for the kitchen to make something easy but delicious for myself. I entered the kitchen and was stunned by the magnificence of it. It was even more beautiful than Dante's and a lot bigger.I moved to the cabinets, ready to explore it when I heard a voice behind me.“What are you doing here?”I immediately turned to see a woman I didn't quite know. She was most likely a sibling of Max or maybe Dante's cousin. I wasn't sure which one but she was one of the people that didn't like me.“I skipped breakfast so I came to make something to eat,”
Gianna-/I didn't realize I hit her until she staggered back, clutching to her cheek.I stared at my palm in disbelief. I didn't think I had it in me to retaliate or defend myself.“I didn't mean…” I started but she immediately lunged at me.“Did you just hit me? How dare you?!” She growled, hitting me. I took the first slap because I deserved it. I should have just talked back rather than raise my hand on her.But then the second slap came and she claws going to give the third when I caught her hand.“That is enough, Melody. I was wrong to hit you but that doesn't give you enough reason to hit me thrice,” I told her, shoving her back. Her eyes blazed with fury as she stared at me.“You think two slaps is enough to erase the imprint of your filthy hands on me? You have another thing coming,” she said and stormed out of the kitchen.I stood for almost two minutes, trying to process what she just said to me.I cleared up the debts and walked out of the kitchen. I sat there in my room, w
Gianna-/“Hey.”I opened the door slowly.“May I come in?” He asked.“It's your house,” I muttered, walking away from the door. he entered the room with a tray of something I couldn't quite tell.He set it down on the table and sat on the couch.“I brought you breakfast,” he said.“Okay,” I said simply. Silence followed for a few minutes. “About last night…” he started. “I talked to my mother and sister. They are going to stay out of your way from now on and I hope you can stay out of theirs. We are only staying here for a few days and then we will move to my house so you don't have to deal with anything.”“Okay.”“Okay? That is all you have to say?” He asked.I looked at him. What else would be have me say? He already concluded without hearing from me and now he was talking like he was doing me a favour.“Yes.”He let out a sigh. “Are you mad at me?”I looked at him in disbelief. Was he seriously asking me that after everything that happened?“I don't have anything to say to you,”
Gianna-/Germany.It felt like I was stepping into the world for the first time. I checked out my bags and headed outside the airport.I honestly wasn't sure where I would go from here or how to start over. My mind shifted to Max and guilt clawed my chest.Was this the right choice? Running away like this?I didn't have time to think about that. It was no use anyways. If I stayed with him, Dante would either kill him or his enemies would kill me and my baby.It was a hard choice to make. I didn't even have the audacity to ask him to leave the Mafia for me. I knew he wouldn't.First step, I needed to check into a hotel and get settled in, then start planing my life.I hailed a cab and got it. The hotel was nothing like I saw back in China. It was beautiful and exquisite in its own way but I couldn't stay here.It was way too expensive. I couldn't afford to throw money around like that.“Can you take me somewhere cheaper? Like very very cheap for an average person?” I asked the driver.
/-Piper-/Eric North was such a daddy. Tall, sexy and handsome. I could barely keep my eyes off him.We were having dinner at one of the most expensive restaurants in town and Dante… well Dante didn't seem too thrilled to meet his uncle.In fact, he was grumbling all the way here. He spoke about how Eric had singlehandedly murdered his brother's just so he could become Chairman of the North Group.Now, these were all allegations. No one has proof so he couldn't be charged. While Eric was bitter about that, I found it hot.“It's good to have you both join me,” Eric smile, eyes flickering to me. “And you are even more beautiful than the last time we met, Piper.”My cheeks grew red.“I see your husband is taking good care of you,” Eric smiled, but there was something behind that smile. Something that sent my body spiralling with heat.“Damn right I have!” Dante cut in. “Why have you asked to see us? What do you want?”“Always so forward, Dante,” he chuckled. “Is it wrong to have dinner w
Maxmillian-/She was gone.I returned to the suite but she was nowhere in sight. I check literally everywhere!From the room to the bathroom to the pool area and even the balcony but she wasn't there.The main reason I rushed back here was because of the alert I received on my phone. I know I gave her my card to buy whatever she wanted but I thought she would just order food since she was still weak.But seeing that amount, I was more than certain it couldn't be her. Gianna wasn't that reckless and extravagant. Not that I cared about the money she spent, I just knew she wouldn't allow herself to. She was too money conscious.I began searching the hotel itself, going floor by floor but she was nowhere in sight. The fact that she was sick made me even more worried.Where could she gone to in her condition? The thought of her passing out somewhere made me even more afraid.I tried calling her but for some reason, I couldn't reach her so I sent her a text, hoping she wasn't out cold somew
Gianna-/Run away.That was what my mind was singing for the last few days.I was going to, no doubt, but how to do it was the issue. I didn't have the finances, first of all.Yes, Maxmillian paid me as his PA, but it wasn't enough for me to just vanish. I would need food and shelter when I leave the country. I was going to be jobless for the first couple of months, I needed money to last me that long.Whicb was why I came up with this ridiculous plan, just in case I found my chance. Max always gave me the black card whenever I went shopping so hopefully, if I could just go shopping without him, I could withdraw as much money as I needed and vanish.A part argued it was theft but the other part reminded me that I was married to this man. Spending your husband's money is not stealing.“Are you going out?” I asked quietly. I was still in bed, tugged under my blanket, while Max was dressed in a shirt and tailored trousers.“Yes, but I'll be back shortly. Three hours tops,” he responded.
Gianna-/The doctor walked into the room just as Maxmillian was leaving to grab lunch.“How is she now?” Dr Morales asked.“Still throwing up but arguably better than last time,” Max responded. “I'm just going to get her lunch.”“Oh, that's good to hear. Go ahead, while I examine her,” she said and Maxmillian left the room.The woman walked to me with a very bright smile. Too bright for someone visiting a patient.Just before I could assume the worst, she broke the news.“Congratulations, Mrs North. You are four weeks pregnant!” She told me and I sprang off the bed in shock,. momentarily forgetting the fever.“What?!” I gasped. “You don't mean that, right? It's a joke…”Her expression faltered a little. I guess she was expecting me to be happy but how could I be? I was barely surviving with Maxmillian and now, I was about to dd a baby to the mix? I would be insane to be happy in this situation.“Unfortunately, it is not a joke, Ma'am. You are indeed pregnant and I believe it is a good
/-Gianna-/I felt sick.Throwing up constantly in the bathroom, not to mention the splitting headache that followed.I pulled the duvet over me, clinging to it tightly for warmth as Max was no longer in bed. I needed warmth.Desperately.My eyes burned and I could feel the fever creeping in. Where the hell was Maxmillian?Almost as soon as the thought left my head, he returned to the room.He was with a tray in his hand . He went to get breakfast for us.“Babe, are you okay?” He asked, joining me on the bed. I scooted closer to him, craving body warmth but afraid to expose my body to the cold at the same time. “You're cold?”I nodded.He picked up the AC remote and turned it off.“Why did you tell me that earlier, baby?” He muttered, wrapping his arms around me. As if he could sense it, his hands went to my neck and instantly widened. “You're running temperature.”Of course I knew that. I could barely open my eyes because of it.“You're going to fall sick, baby,” he said,. helping me
Dante-/They were out of the country?!Gianna had the audacity to leave the country after I gave her a timeframe to kill Max? She must really take me for a fool.Obviously, I have given her way too many chances, that is why she thinks it is okay to mess with me.She was testing my patience. Stepping on the tail of a tiger to see if it would bite, huh? I wasn't going to spare her this time!Piper's laughter snapped me out of my thoughts. I immediately shot her a glare.“And what is so funny?” I growled.“Nothing, just remembered that once upon a time, I said someone's plan was going to fail and they took it for granted. Thought I was just being a bitch. Now I can't help but wonder how that is working out for them,” she mused.Is she seriously mocking me in this situation? That fucking bitch! Sometimes, she makes me wonder how the hell I even ended up with her. She has been nothing but a thorn in my flesh. Always ready to laugh at my failures.I was about to reply her when a call came i
Maxmillian-/It was Arrica.I knew from the very beginning and those spiders were confirmation. I just couldn't let Gianna know that. She hates me enough, I couldn't give her another reason to hate me. Especially on this vacation.I had to leave it all to Zhang while I texted Marco, my right-hand. He was supposed to handle this before it got to us.Marco; I'm sorry, boss. We were still tracking her but we have her now.”The text was a little annoying but I had to put the distance into consideration.Me; Fine, but take care of her this time. I don't want her causing any more trouble for me. Fail and I would have your head on a platter.Marco: Yes boss.I hung up the phone and turned to Gianna who was now asleep. She had been so worried and restless. She needed the sleep.Her phone rang beside her and I picked it up to avoid waking her. The caller was unknown so I answered it. I didn't say a word and waited for the person to speak.The other end of the line was silent. The person was wa
Gianna-/It happened so fast that I almost didn't see it happening. One minute, a gun pointed directly at me and the next second, countless shots were fired.The masked man dropped to the floor and my grip on Max's hand tightened. Mr Zhang stepped forward to check it out.He took off the mask and it was no one special. I looked at Maxmillan and he didn't seem to recognise the man either.So he really knows nothing about this? A wave of relief washed through me. Maybe Max really had nothing to do with this. Maybe this wasn’t about him. Or me. Maybe we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.Zhang kept examining the body for anything that could give us some form of clue, I think.By the time he lifted the man's shirt, he suddenly froze.“What is it?” I asked. Max stepped forward with me clinging behind it. It was a spider tattoo.Maxmillan's expression changed.“What's wrong? Why won't you tell me anything?” I groaned. I was too terrified to be kept in the dark right now.“Leave