Adonis and Cara both whipped their heads towards Dimitri in shock!"What?"Dimitri smiled."Oh. I didn't know you guys would be so happy about it. Should I see if I can extend it to a week?""No!" They echoed together. "Why?" He looked between them both, and Cara signalled Adonis to speak up. She didn't think she was ready to spend three whole days in an unknown place with him. At this point, she wanted no distractions, and I've been doing fine for the past week. Being cooped up in a room with him was a temptation she wasn't sure she could overcome.His eyes darted to Adonis's, then pointed to his grandfather. Adonis stared back with a bored look before giving in."The coronation is next week." He plainly stated, and Dimitri waved him off."Of course. We have a lot of time before then.""I have things to do. Preparations to make.""Preparations that can wait, Figlio (son). Take your wife for a vacation. She's been through a lot these past few days and deserves it." Cara brooded on
"Mr. and Mrs. Bernardi. We'll be landing shortly. Please fasten your seat belts and prepare for touch ground." Cara awoke to the announcement from the pilot, letting out a big yawn.Had they reached already?She looked to her side to see Adonis passing the last of some orders on his phone before he ended the call and adjusted himself."You're up."A simple statement. No emotion whatsoever."Yes. Is there a problem?" She asked."No. I just wanted the men to be ready for anything." "You have men in Italy too?" "I told you, Cara. It's home." He dipped his head to the side, a smug look on his face. "You know what? Why don't I show you around on the first day? We can explore after that." Cara couldn't help the giddiness she felt."You have time for that?""Like I said, we're on our honeymoon. We might as well act like it." His voice went dangerously low, and she didn't miss the implication behind his last words.Before she knew it, they were landing, and excitement bubbled up within her
Cara's POV "Nonno (grandfather)." I heard Adonis's voice as I blinked my eyes open. He was on a call. "Why didn't you tell me? Is this why you sent me home?" It had an accusatory tone and he paused for the other person, who I'm guessing is his grandfather, to speak before replying."No. Their little threat is nothing. You know it's normal during times like this." He paused again, and I shut my eyes quickly when I noticed him turning towards me. He released a deep sigh then a grumble before he spoke again."I just hope you're not hiding anything more from me. Cara's fine. No, we didn't have sex yesterday. Why do you even want to know that?" He paused again, and I wondered when the call was going to end. My face had turned into a blushing mess. Since when did he start having conversations like this with his grandfather? Maybe they were closer than I thought."You're not angry she didn't wear the traditional gown?" Adonis asked, and I could hear surprise in his voice. "Yeah. She's
Cara's POV"Get up; we're leaving now," Adonis ordered as soon as he ended the call. I acted like I wasn't listening; my food suddenly seemed more interesting.He had just taken a few steps when he noticed I wasn't behind him."Didn't you hear me? I said, We're leaving?""To where?""Back to the US." I pouted— like I actually pursed my lips together pouted."But we just got here, and you're yet to show me around like you promised." Adonis groaned in frustration. "There was a break-in at the mansion. We can always come back later. Now let's go." I refused to stand up. Folding my hands to my chest like a spoiled child. "No." "What is wrong with you, Cara? This is serious." "I'm not going." I remained adamant, hoping my childish tantrum would save me an extra minute or two. But Adonis was more quick-witted than I thought. His eyes narrowed into thin slits."Is there something you're not telling me? Did you have something to do with the break-in?""What? How can? Pshh... no. I'm
Adonis slowly opened his eyes, sitting up gently. He stretched his sore body and felt his bones pop in places he never knew was possible. His eyes took in the familiar white walls, his nose picking up the stench of concentrated antiseptic; even without the continuous beeping of the machine by his side, he'd recognize this place anytime.He had been here more times than should be considered healthy.He stretched once again to be sure he felt no underlying pain. If the throbbing ache in his ribs and light headache were all the injuries sustained, then he was in luck. Honestly, he expected more. The door to the hospital room quietly slid open as though the person on the other side was avoiding making unnecessary noises, and Luca stepped in with a jar of water and a cup in hand.His eyes met Adonis's, and he paused in his steps. He was pissed. Adonis could tell that much from the lack of words the moment he stepped in."You're up. Good for you." Luca walked over to his bedside and dep
Cara's POVI don't know how many hours I slept for-but I knew I drifted in and out of consciousness a few times.The first time was after the accident. I wasn't fully awake, but I knew I was being carried by Adonis.I'd recognize his masculine, woody scent anywhere. My vision was blurry, and the pain was stabbing into my bones all over, but I could feel his rapid heartbeat as he breathed heavily. He was injured too. That much I could tell. Then he stopped and gently set me down on the grass before settling beside me. I didn't understand what was going on, but whenever I tried to think about it, my head hurt, so I stopped. Another wave of pain hit me, and just as I was about to lose consciousness again, I felt a soft, warm press on my nape as he pulled me closer.The second time I gained consciousness was only for a short while. My heavy eyes opened for just a minute, and I could see people frantically running around me. I couldn't hear a single thing due to the loud ringing noise in
"So she'll be fine if she just takes her medication. I advise that she take a lot of rest to allow her bone to heal." The doctor said to Adonis, who was sitting beside Cara on the bed.It was the next day, and they were about to be discharged."Are you sure it's okay for her to leave?" Adonis glanced at Cara; she looked worse than he did. Her left leg was wrapped in a crutch, her head in a bandage, and her arm in a cast. "If you're going to be discharged, then I want to be discharged too." Cara harrumphed.The people in the room had silently been watching them bicker back and forth as Adonis had been trying to convince Cara to stay back for the past thirty minutes, but she wasn't having it. He had work piled up from the few days he wasn't around and had yet to fully investigate the break-in scenario, so he decided to head back home. The moment Cara found out, she also decided to leave.Adonis sighed in frustration. He couldn't believe she was already back to arguing with him so quick
A young, beautiful lady lay stark naked on the bed in a room coated with red and black paint. She was on all fours, each hand and leg chained to a hook at each corner of the bed.Her fair skin had several lines of red and was bruised all over, and her head bobbed violently, influencing the moment of the bed as it slammed against the wall, saliva dripping down her chin.From the back, you could see wetness dripping down her legs, and whenever she tried to pull it together, the chains prevented it.Choking sounds and breathless moans could be heard all over the room as her eyes continually rolled to the back of her head.At the foot of the bed on a sofa sat a naked man, watching the scene in front of him with so much pleasure as he stroked himself."Wider." He instructed, and the lady spread her leg further as far as it could go. A satisfied smirk spread out on his face, and his hand moved faster as he could feel the start of an orgasm.He shuddered in delight, ordering"Faster."And th
Cara's POV"So we do not just live for today..." Adonis said, rounding up his speech, "We live for tomorrow, too. People say do not be stuck in the past; we're not. We're just bringing a part of it that we never want to forget." He placed his hand against his heart, the raw pain in his eyes betraying his composed self. "My brother would forever be remembered for his tenacity and courage in the face of trouble. He made this happen." He gestured all around, referring to our family. "And that's why I'll step down with one last word." Adonis's eyes met mine, and I gave him a smile of encouragement. This was the moment—the highlight of his speech. The words we'd been practising for days. He was going to say them..."I love you, Luca Romano. Rest on."The atmosphere was sober, not tearful as I expected, but at the same time, we've all shed a handful of tears during the last few weeks; I didn't think anyone had more in stock.Weeks had passed since the raid, and now, under the Italian sun,
As soon as they filed out of the study, the guard waited till he heard the elevator ding close before slipping out. He immediately dialled Luca's line."Hello? Are you here already? Hold up, I'll meet you at the reception.""No! The mansion is being raided. Diavolo..."Luca, who was already walking out of the waiting room, halted. Oh shit... what perfect timing!"What's going on there?"The guard proceeded to fill him in on everything he had heard, and Luca patiently took them in, some familiar, some new."What did they mean by transfer of ownership?""I do not know. But I think whatever it is, it has to do with Sarah, and they're going to kill her. He already instructed that all the men in the house be killed. What do we do, boss?"That was a question Luca wanted to ask himself. He never noticed any transfer. They were cornered, and walking into that house without a plan was suicide.He glanced back at Miguel, who was whispering harshly over the phone. He had been doing that for a w
Cara's POV As soon as the words left my mouth, all necessary documents were brought to me, and Adonis was wheeled off.Standing in the waiting room while I nearly ran out of my mind felt like a luxury with everything that was going on, and I was somewhat grateful for that.I needed to get to my father, but my phone was broken. Reaching into the bag on the sofa, I pulled out Adonis's phone, which I had intentionally hidden and lied that we left at home, immediately dialling his number.First ring. Second ring. Third ring.The call didn't connect. Who then sent the text that Adonis saw? Perhaps...My finger pressed on his contacts, scrolling through until I settled on the one I had an inkling about. The first ring didn't even complete as the receiver picked up the call."Freddie. What the f*ck is going on? What did you say about Luca?""Cara? Dio, siamo fottuti (god, we're screwed). I don't know what to do." He cried, sending a pang through my heart, but I cleared my throat."What do
Cara's POV"Any news?"Frustrated, I clenched the fabric of my gown to control myself from snapping at my stressor of a husband, gritting out between clenched teeth."No." He stared at me for a second more before turning his face the other way.I began a mental countdown.Three, two, one—"Shouldn't they have reached out by now?""No. No, they shouldn't have." I replied with a tight smile. "It's been barely an hour since they left." "Just an hour?" Adonis breathed heavily, showing how weaker he was getting by the minute. "It feels longer." Yeah. Definitely weaker. The normal Adonis wasn't this talkative."It wouldn't feel that way if you stopped asking. You've asked five times since they left. The phone is on the table." I gestured to my device, which I had placed on a desk I had dragged between the sofa and the bed to prove to him that I wasn't hiding anything when he asked the second time."Look at it. The moment it beeps, you'd know." "Yeah, I would." He murmured. "I just feel
Cara's POVAdonis and I paused, staring at their wide eyes—well, Luca's. The atmosphere immediately switched into one of urgency. "For heaven's sake! Why did he choose to attack now?" I cried out."Because we're occupied at the moment? What better time to strike the sheep than when the shepherd is away?" "What did the men say?""He has over two hundred men with him, and they're heavily armed. I believe it's a takeover. About fifty were ours.""The takeover we've been expecting." My father clarified and I gave him a pointed stare."But everything is set right?""Everything but Adrian's sample.""That shouldn't be a problem, I'll find a way to get close to him and snip one." Luca offered."That isn't necessary. I already did."We all paused, staring at Adonis in surprise. "You... did? When?""Just before I collapsed, remember I fell on him?""Dude... you're crazy," His second-in-command commented. "Hmm... you're very competent." My father supported. "That's settled then. We should le
Cara's POV"Cara." I jerked awake at the sound of my name, blinking away the sleep in my eyes. "You can see him now." Doctor Bruno said. Exhaustion displayed across his face, showing how draining the last few hours had been."He's awake?" I rasped, stifling a yawn. My entire body felt sore from sleeping on the chair.How many hours had it been?Eyeing the big clock on the wall—5am. Thirty-one hours. Sun rays were beginning to stream in from outside lighting up the hallway. This was the second sunrise since Adonis had his...I sighed, pulling myself up when I noticed something odd. Before sleep finally claimed me last night, I was sure there were two men passed out on the chair opposite me. Now I could see just one.My brows knitted in a frown, "Where's my father?""He left to get a cup of coffee. He woke up a while ago." Doctor Bruno replied. My eyes darted to Luca, who still had his head bent, eyes closed, and arms folded over his chest. From the weird position he was in and the
Cara's POVAll through the drive to the hospital, I couldn't stop imagining the what-ifs.What if his case had worsened? What if his case was already beyond the point of recovery? What if he doesn't regain consciousness at all?I didn't know what to expect, and the fact in itself was sickening. Literally speaking.At the hospital, we found my father and Doctor Bruno talking at the reception and were immediately escorted to Adonis's room."What happened? He was fine before I left." I asked, my eyes zeroed in on my husband's unconscious form. "I don't understand either. We stood up to see Diavolo out when fluid suddenly began to leak from his nostrils—My face contorted, "Excuse me, what? Fluid?""I wouldn't say it was sudden. The fluid is from his brain. I believe there's a leak somewhere." Doctor Bruno cut in, "Remember, we have left this untreated for long, so adverse effects like this are bound to occur."My heart skipped a beat. At the end of the day, it was due to Adonis's stub
"To warn you." Was all Cara said, but those three words were enough to get his full attention if it was still divided. "Diavolo's at my father's." Luca leaned forward, clasping his hands in concentration. "The time has come then?" "Yes, it has." She confirmed. Both were speaking in parables... half words. Despite not using complete sentences, they understood each other. "I'm surprised Adonis let you leave the house at all." "He didn't have a choice. My presence there would only cause chaos. It was better for me to be away, believe me." "Still, you could've sent someone. It's not safe for you to be moving around unprotected. Adrian had recruited a lot of people. The threat would be too overwhelming for a mere dozen guards." "I don't have a dozen and have you forgotten what I said?" Cara stressed. "I needed to warn you." "Yeah. From what? Adonis couldn't come himself to do so?" He scoffed, rising to his feet to get his pills. One of the few things he was gratefu
Cara's POV One would think arriving at the mansion I'd missed so much would bring me joy, but it only made my anxiety turn sour.What are the odds that I'd meet Tina at the door just as I was about to walk in?"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in..." she taunted.As usual, I was taken aback; it would take a million years for me to get used to this version of her. She used to be the only reason I looked forward to working at the restaurant... one of the sources of my rarely enjoyed happiness. Now she was... different.She gave me a once-over, her face scrunched up like she was disgusted. "You look fat... I must say. And how is life treating you, now that your rich husband is not so rich? Did you think all your problems would go away when you married him?" Tina laughed mockingly.I eyed her outfit, composed of the latest pieces of Louis Vuitton from her head down to her feet. "Are you sure you're not projecting yourself on me?""Excuse me?""You're the one who changed because you