Adonis blinked."I was kidnapped as a child? Nonno never mentioned anything.""Not even in your tell-the-story journal?"He shook his head in disagreement, his grey eyes shining in utter disbelief."Hmm." Miguel shrugged. "I thought he would've explained that to you.""Well, you can, Dad." Cara chimed in, curious about the details as well. "Maybe it'll help us get a clue to solving the picture.""There's nothing much to solve corazón. It's a simple and clear story." He dismissed, picking up his refilled glass, "How old were you in that picture?" Adonis stroked his chin, refreshing his memory. From the picture, he looked grown, but still too young to be a teenager—probably in his preteen years so he threw the guess out,"...between twelve and thirteen?" watching as Miguel took a swig of his drink, the loud gulp making him wish Cara would allow him just a glass.His heavy gaze met his wife's, who—somehow could read his thoughts— gave him a stern look that left no room for negotiation.
Cara's POVIf I was told twenty-four hours ago that I'd be here, on my father's couch, sitting beside my husband, listening to secrets no one could ever imagine, I'd scoff, and continue to wallow in my sorrow.Or perhaps, I'd trade them all for just the news that his fingers twitched—anything better than the same old news.But here I was. And it was happening.Watching Adonis chew on his bottom lip in deep thought in response to my father's question made it hard not to feel a sense of relief.I know it's weird. We've barely solved anything, but a few days ago, we were practically lost. With zero information, zero strategy, and most importantly, held ransom by Tina and her mother.So forgive me if I feel happy about the fact that we now have a direction. The end was near; I could feel it.Finally, we'd be able to live like normal couples do. No drama—at least not too much, no threats, and with our babies.My hand subconsciously tightened around his, a tingling feeling wrapping me up in
Cara's POV"Yes," Adonis answered plainly, with a straight face.I wasn't going to be deceived so I didn't reply, waiting for his blank expression to crack. For him to say he was just kidding. But he kept staring at me like he was done.My gaze moved to my father's, whose expression mimicked his also, and then it occurred to me. Was I the only one who thought of it as a joke?"You guys are actually serious?" They remained quiet, unwavering.My lips parted in a disbelieving scoff, "Nah... you can't fight. Let me rephrase that; you won't be fighting anywhere. Especially not in an illegal boxing ring." "Why?""Why?" I repeated. "Why?? Are you crazy?""I just want to know why you're so against it.""Well, for starters, you just came out of a two-month coma. Do you think because you've been sitting here, talking all day without passing out, it automatically means you're immortal?" Hard words stabbed at him, portraying little of the burning feeling inside of me.I wouldn't say I was ang
Cara's POV"I have the tracker on. However, I feel it won't be needed. Today's just to get the feel of things and know what I'm up against." Adonis informed me as he pulled on his black hoodie.Dressed in black sweats and a hoodie with a black cap, he looked more like a street thug going on a theft mission. My eyes shined as he lifted his cap to push back some of his curls, and I couldn't help but blush.Let's say a classy, rich street thug. A normal one wouldn't look this good and reek of a million-dollar cologne."So, I'd like you to stay at your father's place for the time. I'll check in every two days to prevent them from getting suspicious of me." He continued, dishing out instructions like he had been doing for the past fifteen minutes since I walked in from the shower."Bel, are you listening?" He called from the dressing room."Yeah," I called back. "Just be quick. You've been in there for almost thirty minutes. And pull off your left stud. I don't want any of those club ladie
Cara's POV"Ouuu... And The Striker takes down his opponent. It seems like the competition is getting tougher the more we advance." The announcer described."Oh my God." I gulped, averting my eyes from the gruesome scene only to look back a few seconds later.I think I can relate with those who find this thrilling. As messy as the fight is, it's hooking... leaving the viewers guessing."Oh no!" He cried out dramatically as the said 'Striker' picked up his struggling opponent and threw him against the iron net of the ring, causing him to bounce back to the ground. "I think Snake is not going to make it."He thinks he's not going to make it and he's still officiating the fighting? What sort of monstrosity is this?Swallowing down an invincible knot in my throat, I unconsciously moved closer to Adonis. "Is he going to survive the fight?"His eyes darted to mine for a second. "He should... if he gets up."The entire room ceased their loud chattering, waiting for the man to stand, yet he d
Cara's POV With my jaw still dropped open, I watched my husband pull off his cap and hoodie, leaving him in just his sweats and a tight tank top.He dumped them on my lap, "Hold on for a minute." Then he was moving towards the ring. My hand darted out to stop him."Wait!" He looked back, and I glanced around, sinking under the peering eyes of the crowd around us."Are you for real? You'd die out there! Didn't you see how he crushed the other guys?" My voice dropping to a whisper, "I am not ready to be a widow, Adonis."This was exactly why I remained adamant about coming. Why didn't he always think these things through? He didn't even discuss this with me.The corners of his lips tilted up, triggering an unexpected rage within me."You're smiling? Really? Is this something to smile about? Get that smirk off your face this instant, and let's get out of h—hmph!" Adonis's lips landing on mine silenced every other word I had to say.He pulled away."I'll be back." And he was off.My fa
Cara's POVI took in the arrangement of the six guys around me simultaneously browsing through the sea of passing people for my husband."I should come quietly? Why?" I asked, my hand slipping under my hoodie to bring out one of the weapons I brought along.The knife or the gun? Whichever it touched first.Coming prepared was a wise thing to do. Who knew they'd come in handy, and Adonis wasn't even here? I could already see myself gloating about this to my father.My hand gripped the firm, smooth bottom of an object I knew too well, about to pull it out when the same guy spoke again, "Don't even try to." Next thing, all six of them were flashing the guns hidden in the waistband of their trousers."Let's make this less noisy." I felt cheated, "Hey! I thought I was the only one with a weapon.""Do you think anyone could walk into a place like this without being protected?" He scoffed. "Fights break for the littlest reason. Take a look at how people increase their pace when they get t
Cara's POV "One red top, three black tops, one blue, and one yellow." I ranted, dashing as far as possible before they realised what was happening. However, they had their backs to me, looking to be caught up in some sort of argument. "Give me more, Bel," Adonis stressed. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. "One blondie, one frizzy brown, the rest are jet black."One of the boys, who hadn't spoken at all, glanced at me for a brief second, making my heart skip, then joined their heated discussion again.I sighed in relief, covering the phone with my other hand as I backed away."More useful information, Cara; check their bodies," Adonis urged."I'm trying; they're distracted for now, so I don't want to give anything away. I"'m straining my neck for more assessment.The same guy suddenly looked up again, eyes narrowed at me, snarling aggressively."What is she doing?" Five heads turned towards me at his question, and the colour drained from my face. They each had
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