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
"Let's postpone the coronation," Adonis announced to his grandfather.Dimitri's brows pulled down in reply."Why?"Everyone had settled in and things were back to being somewhat normal—if you look past the extra guards and bandaged newly wedded couple. Adonis has gone all out and doubled the security in the estate. It was the next day after their discharge and the day Dimitri would be returning to Italy. He called in his grandson to ask for updates about the attack when he dropped the bombshell.Dimitri found it hard to believe the words he had just heard. Had his grandson become bipolar or was he suffering from multiple personality disorder? A few weeks back he was pleading for the marriage clause to be cancelled and the coronation to be moved up. Two days ago, he was refusing to go on a honeymoon trip because he wanted to be ready for the coronation.Now he doesn't want it anymore? The more he thought about it, the more his eyebrows pulled down, the frown on his face becoming mo
Adonis stomped down the stairs furiously, a confused Luca who didn't know exactly why he was angry, chasing after him.All he knew was they were having a discussion and making good progress until the telephone call. Adonis marched into the living room, his deep voice calling for his wife."Cara?"He got no reply."Adonis, what's going on?" Luca asked, but Adonis ignored him and stalked up to a guard by the door."You! Where's my wife?"The guy looked like he was about to pee in his pants. Although buff, he wasn't a tall guy, and the stare-down he received from Adonis made him feel frightened even though he wasn't the source of Capo's anger. He pointed towards the stairs."Upstairs. Second floor." "Doing what? With who?" Adonis snapped at him."I don't know. She just told me she was expecting someone, and I should send him up when he gets here." Adonis wheeled around and stomped back up the stairs towards the second floor."Adonis wait up! What's going on?" Luca followed closely beh
Luca quietly escorted a fearful Kane to the garage. He took a step back, his gun still pointed at him as he activated the unlock system. The wall pulled back, showing a narrow, dim path that led underground."Get in." He orderedKane followed without a single protest. He believed he had the protection of the Grecos as promised, but he doubted if it was up to this point, so he cooperated.Better to be safe than sorry.They worked down the narrow path, further into the underground tunnel, until they reached a big brass door.Luca knocked twice. Once. Then thrice, and the door was opened from within. He pushed Kane in, causing him to stumble. As soon as he found his footing, Kane's eyes widened at the state of the room.Being used to their way of life, he wasn't surprised that they had an underground basement. In their world, it was a necessary place to conduct violent business without distractions, but the state of the room made him wonder if he'd ever come out of there alive.It was li
Cara's POVI sighed in relief, sinking further into the bathtub as the warm water engulfed my body, soothing my aches. It's been two months since the day Kane came to the mansion for the first time.Two months since I became Mrs. Bernardi, and to say it has been one hell of a roller-coaster would be putting it mildly. Adonis had been the same as always, controlling, chauvinistic, arrogant, and hot-headed, and I was the stubborn one. Although, compared to how we started, there was now a mutual understanding.Something like respect and care between roommates. Nothing more. Except you don't sleep with your roommate at every given chance.Life as Mrs. Bernardi has been good to me. It was nice knowing I could live comfortably without having to worry about survival. The sex, on the other hand, as always, was mind-blowing.We'd bicker back and forth and have intense arguments that always ended with both of us panting heavily on the bed. Sometimes in the bathroom, other times in his study.
Cara's POV"Adonis," I called out softly. "Adonis, get up. You're bleeding."The black shirt he had on was torn in several places, and his left cheek was a little swollen. He had a small but deep cut on the left side of his eyebrow. My eyes scanned his form in search of the main source of the excessive bleeding. "Adonis. Come on." I called again when he didn't reply the first time but got nothing again.No way. He can't be dead, right?I crawled over to his side of the bed, giving him a shake, desperately trying to wake him up."Adonis, are you dead? Please wake up. I'm getting scared." I roughly shook him until he released a groan, popping one eye open."What is it?" He rasped"You're bleeding. We've got to get you to the hospital or call Dr. Bruno. I can't leave you bleeding out like this, please." My voice was heavy with worry and moisture glinting in my eyes.Why was I pleading? The reason was unknown to me too. Adonis grumbled, stiffly dragging himself up the bed to get more
"Babbo (father)?"Little Adonis abruptly sat up from his bed at the sound of a door closing. He was a very light sleeper and usually woke up at the littlest noise."Babbo (father), is that you?" His legs touched the ground as he rubbed at his sleepy eyes. It was his room back in the Italy mansion. The home he grew up in for a while and knew like the back of his hand. He'd come down with a cold the previous day, so his nanny was fast asleep beside him. The cunning little child carefully slipped out, hoping not to be noticed.Getting to the entrance of the hall, he looked around for the expected guard who wasn't at his post. Happily, the six-year-old child trodded the big empty corridors in search of his father. Everyone was asleep, as they should be around midnight, so no one stopped him on the way.He was sure he had heard the sound of a door being shut, but which of the doors? That he didn't know.Adonis walked quickly in the direction of his father's room. That was another thing
Cara's POVI woke up to the familiar sound of painful grunts. Or should I say I never really slept? Tossing over, I switched on the bedside lamp.Adonis's brows were pulled down, cold sweat all over his face as he lay stiffly. He was having sleep paralysis again, and this was the third time in three days. Ever since that night...I don't know what to do anymore. I've tried talking to him, but I'll be better off speaking to a fish than Adonis. I've tried reaching out to Luca and Cecelia, but Luca's line hasn't been going through. I'm guessing he's still recovering, and that's justified. Reaching out to Nadia and Dimitri crossed my mind, but I didn't want them to worry.His grunts increased, and I softly shook him awake."Adonis. Adonis wake up." As usual, he didn't, and I tried the second time, more forcefully. "Adonis, wake up!" His eyes flung open, his chest moving up and down in rapid pants as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. I took his hand in mine, rubbing it in comf
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 brows furrowed, a deep crease forming between them as Adonis handed her the empty glass of water. "Do you feel better now?"He grunted, a wry smile playing on his lips, yet the bead of sweat trickled down his temple despite the cool air, and his clenched jaw told her he was just trying to be strong. "I think we should end this discussion here for now. You've done enough talking for one day."Miguel scoffed, pouring a shot from the whiskey that was brought to taunt Adonis. The ice clicked together as he swirled the drink around, eyes closing in pleasure at the strong smell."Don't tell me you're that weak?" "Dad!""What? He's out of the coma; the worst is over. He should be able to withstand any other pain. Just saying." He raised one hand in surrender, taking another sip to hide the mischievous curl of his lips.Adonis knew well what Miguel was playing at. Forget medication. He'd do anything just to get a glass of the whisky he was having. However, for some reason, Cara see
"You already know Sarah's history. Her infidelity and birthing two children for Sabestien." Adonis began. "She married twice right, but did she love either of them? The answer is no." That stunned Cara."Not even the first one?" Adonis's mind went back to the man he killed a few months ago, the memory touching the surface of the emotions he felt that night.Such a pity he died for a love that wasn't real."No." He replied. "Her one true love was Salvatore's son. I know you still don't get it, but hold on to that."Miguel arched his brow, fixating his gaze on AdonisSarah loved Adrian? But he didn't say a word. "My father knew of Sarah's dealings; that's also another fact, which resulted in everyone believing I wasn't his biological son; that," Adonis stressed, "...isn't a fact but a miscommunication— an intentional one at that."The elderly man couldn't hold back this time,"...intentional?"Adonis hummed, wincing as the vibration reached his ears, "Yes. Nonno and father told you
Adonis paused, an uncomfortable silence settling in the room as he gave Cara and her father time to process his confession.The way she stared at him, mouth agape and eyes wide with a mixture of disbelief and shock indicated she, in particular, would need a while to—but as her face pulled a look of horror and nose wrinkled, he knew she wasn't just surprised; She's got to be reeling on at least four emotions...Her face kept contorting and switching within seconds, unlike Miguel, who remained quiet, gazing at him with a calculative expression and steeples fingers."I am utterly and completely lost."He cocked his head, his lips parting to speak when a dissatisfied pout graced her lips."Seriously. Even a scriptwriter wouldn't add this much twist to his or her story. Why the hell is your family so complicated?"A soft snort racked out of Adonis when he saw he was right. He felt like a psychic on the seventh plough in the spiritual realm.First, confusion. Now, annoyance? How many more
Cara paled in realisation. This was the reason for his lack of attentiveness. Her heart dropped. "It's my fault." "Stop it." "No." She looked away. "You were fine before. I'm guessing it's a side effect, right?" "Yes, but— "Then it is my fault." She cut Adonis off, eyes widening when he didn't refute the claim. "It really is. I can't believe you'd have to live like that for the rest of your life." Miguel's face contorted in disbelief. "What are you talking about, Camilla? What is she talking about?" "I should've just taken the bullet." Adonis cursed, momentarily dazed at her stupid conclusion. "Are you crazy?" "Do not speak to your wife in such a manner!" "She's being illogical. It's just a temporary side effect that'll clear with time. So you would prefer to die with my children because of a simple discomfort I can manage?" He argued but even he felt the slight twinge of his eyes as he winced from the ringing sound that he'd gotten used to the moment he a
Leaving the mansion with Adonis was a bit more difficult than planned. Not the action itself but the 'convincing the rest of the people'.He was recuperating, and his grumbles were far more subtle than Cara expected, yet he didn't object to leaving. Not once.The problem, however, was the questions and scowls on his men's faces as they wondered why their Capo, who had only awakened a few hours ago, would be leaving his home with his wife, who had also left without a word a month back.After the surprising news from his wife, Adonis had quietly agreed with her. Cleaning up and packing all his necessary things. He didn't speak another word. Not to her or anyone else. Not even to his men, who lined up side by side on the ground floor, waiting to greet him with happy expressions until they realised he was leaving.Then it fell. The obvious confusion on their faces twined the chaos happening in the family; still, there was no one to give answers—no one had them.At least no one but Tina,
Cara yanked the covers away, hurriedly pulling on a coat over her robe.Adonis had woken up? God! That felt like the best news she'd received all her life.Her heart had nearly stopped in joy and relief until Luca's next words followed as did the increasing sound of metal clanging in the background.He sounded so urgent..."Talk to me, what's going on?" She hissed, rushing out of the room. "I'm on my way and will be there as quickly as I can. And what is that awful noise?"Luca kissed his teeth, "That would be the sound of your husband's tantrum. He's refusing treatment when he can barely stand on his own."Cara would've laughed if it hadn't been for the seriousness of the situation.Luca sounded more like himself than he had in weeks, and if she had any doubts about Adonis being awake, that had just cleared it up. The violence said more than enough..."We kind of delivered the news to him when he walked in on me and Tina in his study.""You shouldn't have done that.""I know! But th
Adonis's POVI was stuck in an unknown place—I'd been stuck there for a while. Living through the same horror over and over again.The crazed look in Natasha's eyes as she aimed for Cara and gow I jumped in without a second.The repetition caused me to keep reliving the pain.The pain and anxiety I felt when I thought Cara was going to die.The pain as the shot pierced through my chest.At first, it was all I kept seeing until that one time when I heard her voice. 'Adonis. I need you.'It reminded me of that night in the room. I wanted to go to her but couldn't. In the empty hollowness of my mind, I felt lost.Once in a while, I'd hear her voice and other times; it was just blackness. Then, the very day, I saw her in the void, and she reached out to me... the moment I took her hands, my eyes fluttered open. They lazily fluttered about the space. What I laid on felt extremely soft and comfortable.I recognised it as my bed; then my eyes took in the familiar sight of my room.Everyth
Whoever had said love doesn't bring pain had lied. After our intimate night together, I'd tried everything I could to get Cecelia to leave, but it just always ended in just a fight.We were both walking on eggshells around each other, yet she refused to leave.It got me thinking: Does she love me that much to stick by my side, or have I made her used to toxic situations?There was a sizzling tension between us that was threatening to explode anytime soon. The fact that I was also busy making arrangements at the mansion made it easier to avoid her, but that meant I had to see Cara.She, I knew, I had to avoid at all costs. There was no use acting like I was pissed at her; she'd see right through me. Unlike Cecelia who kept overlooking everything I did, and I couldn't be more glad when Miguel reached out to me to begin the plan.It was going to be the last straw for her, and as I anticipated—it was.Approaching Tina was overrated. I already knew it'd be easy, but it was too easy.How