Timothy stood fuming with rage as he watched Cara break off the kiss with the unknown man, reflecting on her last words.
Babe. You're here? Babe. You're here?!
His hands balled into fists as he simmered in anger.
"You've been cheating on me?" He spat out distastefully, and Cara let out a cold laugh.
"I guess we can call it even then." She entwined her fingers with that of her pretend boyfriend's. "...or maybe not. This is your fourth time, right?"
Timothy, visibly annoyed, took a step towards her.
"Are you crazy? Come over here while I'm still being nice, and let's go home."
Cara let out a hollow laugh.
"Home? You mean the apartment I paid for?"
"I never asked you to! You did that on your own." Timothy replied with a snarl.
Cara felt foolish once again. After everything she had done for him, he was just going to brush it off like none of it mattered. Like it didn't cost her a lot.
She was always the one giving, even with the little she had.Was she really foolish?
Memories of the time they've spent together flashed through her eyes. She was the one who always offered to pay whenever they ate out. She was the one who offered to pay the lease of his apartment. She also did all his cleaning and cooking.
God! She felt pathetic!
Did she really have to do all that to keep him? He wasn't even worth it!
"You never really loved me, Tim. If you did, you would not have treated me badly. I'm done." Cara replied unfazed. Still holding onto the hand of her surprisingly quiet pretend boyfriend, she turned around to open the staff room door when Timothy's next words stopped her.
"Well, how do you plan to pay back the thirty grand your father owes?"
"What?"
Cara turned back to him.
"Come with me, and I'll help you."
Cara's face remained cold and distant. To say she was surprised would be a lie; she had suspected it all along. Whenever things started to get better for her, a problem greater than she could mentally handle on her own would occur. That's how he has been able to keep her by his side-he'd make her believe the entire world was against her and he was the only one who cared. Moreover, her father once mentioned how Timothy promised to give him some money to make their lives better during one of his drunken shows. She suspected but decided to believe it wasn't her Timothy. Now, everything was starting to add up together. She had once wondered where her father got the funds to fuel his gambling addictions. Now she knew.
What a psychotic bastard!
Cara stood up straighter, her cold and proud demeanour totally contrasting how she felt within. She wasn't going to let him see through her, and this clearly irritated Timothy who took another step closer.
If she wasn't going to come back to him, then no one else can have her.
He made a move to reach for her when the stranger, who had quietly been watching it all, pulled her behind him. Stepping out of the dim light, he stood in front of Timothy, staring him down.
Timothy was a tall man himself, but he had nothing on the six-foot-three-muscle man who stood in front of him. The man seemed to be struggling to hold himself up, and his once deep grey eyes were now bloodshot, but Timothy would recognise him anywhere.
"Adonis." He whispered softly, unconsciously taking a step back.
Adonis squinted his eyes at the mention of his name. He was correct to think that the lousy guy whose voice had been aggravating his headache had a slight pinch of Italian accent. From the look on his face, Adonis could tell he recognised him. He tried to recall where he had seen his familiar face, but he couldn't will his brain to.
He felt hot! All he could think of was getting a release, and the kiss from earlier only fuelled his desire. He still hasn't figured out if it was in the beer or water he drank earlier, but he was sure that once the culprit was caught, he/she would paid dearly.
Tainting his drink with an aphrodisiac was a low blow.
Adonis let out a small groan, thick beads of sweat running down his face, as he ordered
"Leave."
Timothy didn't need to be told twice; throwing a final angry glare at Cara, he stalked away. If the rumours were true and Adonis is who they've described him to be, it was better he addressed Cara another day.
Adonis swayed on his feet, placing his hands on the wall just in time to stop himself from collapsing, and Cara rushed to his side.
"Oh my God, are you fine?" She searched his face frantically, watching in confusion as he recoiled from her touch. He stood to his feet, taking a step back from her.
"Go. Leave here."
"No. I can't do that. You clearly don't look well." She stubbornly refused.
Adonis let out a painful, loud groan, wiping his hand down his face.
"You have to get out of-" was all he could say before he swayed once again. In an attempt to save him from falling, Cara placed a hand on his bicep, earning a soft groan from Adonis as his head fell to her nape.
He littered light kisses all over, taking the skin between his lips as he sensually sucked at it.
Cara let out a small embarrassed moan, wetness instantly pooling between her legs. As much as she was confused, she felt extreme desire.
Is it possible to feel desire for a man you just met?
Momentarily snapping out of it, Adonis pulled away from her. Gripping her shoulders tight, he spoke with the little strength he had left.
"Leave bellissima, or I won't be responsible for my actions."
Cara remained unknowingly adamant.
"I know we're strangers, but you just helped me. You're sick, and it's my turn to return the favour. I want to help you."
Adonis chuckled darkly, pushing her against the wall.
"You want to help me?"
"Yes." Cara replied in a breathy whisper and wondered if that was her voice. She was meant to be helping the sick man, not getting turned on by his little touches and groans.
It was as though her reply broke the last restraint Adonis had left. Tapping her butt twice, he whispered.
"Jump." As he bunched up the material of Cara's skirt around her waist, her thick legs clinging tightly to his.
"Wait!" Cara tried to stop Adonis; the realisation of what was about to happen was just occurring to her, but Adonis was long gone.
Pulling his trouser just low enough to free himself, he gripped her chin in between his hands. Staring into her eyes, he instructed.
"Try not to make a sound."
And then he took her.
****
Italian Vocabulary
Bellissima means gorgeous
Bernardi HotelCara let out a small moan as she rolled over on the bed, taking in the unfamiliar room. She felt her ears prickle at the sound of the shower running in the other room and came to the conclusion that she wasn't alone.Glancing at the bedside clock, it read 8 a.m. She sat up suddenly, which wasn't the best choice at the moment, as she felt a slight twinge of pain in between her legs.She was late for work.She moved to get off the bed when memories from the night before flooded her mind.Adonis taking her on the wall of the club. In the car. In the elevator. At the door of the hotel room. On the bed. When she cried out she couldn't take anymore, he took her on the bed again. In the shower... and finally in the early hours of the morning.He was a beast in bed, unravelling even the deepest fantasies she never knew she had.Cara felt her face flush red with embarrassment; she couldn't believe she just had a one-night stand with a man she barely knew-not even his name.She h
All heads turned at the ding of the doorbell. They watched the young woman, who could easily pass for a high schooler, hold tightly to the tote bag on her arm as she skipped into the cafe with a big smile on her face.Multiple faces tried to stifle their laughter as she walked up to the counter in clothes that looked to be three times her size, but she couldn't be bothered. It hadn't even occurred to her that she was the centre of attraction."Good morning. Two cups of caramel machiatto and one walnut pie, please." Cara ordered as she thought back on the last time her family had walnut pie. It used to be a tradition. Whenever there was good news to share, they always had walnut pie.She decided it was time to renew the tradition. It seemed like only good things would happen from now on."Your coffees and walnut pie." The attendant said, and Cara received them with an overly excited thank you.She pulled up the tote bag on her shoulder for the third time since she'd reached the cafe as
Gone was the carefree girl with light eyes that showed happiness; a minute was enough for Cara to understand what was happening. Staring at the men through blazing bloodshot eyes, she whispered."Is that my father?" Silence reigned in the room, and Cara's eyes drifted over to the body on the floor. She closed her it in pain, and a single tear rolled out.Followed by another and another until they were gushing, yet a sound didn't come from her. She raised her head to look at the man with the bloodied knife in hand."Is that my father?" He smirked, his eyes crinkling at the side."Mine is six feet under, so he definitely isn't mine."His subordinates snickered, and suddenly, All hell broke loose."You bastard!" Cara screamed as she lunged for him, but was blocked by one of the men.Was her life a joke? Her father's dead, yet they seem to be acting like nothing happened. Is murder a joke to them?She clawed at the air, thinking of a way to free herself from his subordinate's hold. Th
The Bernardi Mansion.A heavy knock sounded on the door of Adonis's home study, and he ignored it as he leaned back, stretching his legs to get comfortable, his eyes not leaving the laptop screen on his black mahogany desk.It was footage of the club from the night before.Folding his hands beneath his chin, he narrowed his eyes as a young man came into view; he looked around twice before slipping into an office.Adonis's office at the club.The knocking continued, more louder and impatient than the first. Before Adonis could tell whoever it was to go away, the door was thrown open.A young, handsome man who looked to be no more than 35 years old strolled in with a teasing smirk and a bag of chips in one hand. Unlike Adonis, who always wore a simple black-brown, roughly curled hairstyle, he was a blondie with the same build.Adonis threw him a glance."I didn't say enter.""...but I don't care either way." Luca sang out, munching loudly on the chips.Adonis rolled his eyes at Luca. Th
It took Luca longer than he'd like to admit for the meaning of those words to register in his brain.I want you to meet my future wife.Oh, h*ll no!He sprung to his feet just as the door to Adonis's fancy study slammed shut, in pursuit of the man himself. "Tell me you're joking." Adonis paused in his steps, fixed him with a cool, then shrugged as if to say, 'If that's what you want.'"I'm joking." "Thank God." Luca breathed. "And for one second I thought you were actually serious about finding a wife." Adonis stopped once again. This time, he had reached the top of the grand staircase that led to the living room. He turned to Luca."I wasn't joking about you meeting my wife—well, fiancè for now." "You just said you were joking." "Because you asked me to." He retorted and resumed his journey down the stairs. Knowing Luca, it'd take another minute or two for him to fully grasp the situation, but that was just how he was. Whenever he was smart, he was smart to the core, and whene
Cara watched as Adonis-with so much unnecessary grace-lifted a spoonful of food into his mouth.She looked down at her still filled-up plate.Yes, she was hungry and had been the one to suggest that they had dinner first before anything, but she felt too uncomfortable to scoop anything down her throat. Everything about this place made her uncomfortable. She'd been walking on eggshells since she stepped into Adonis's home. Just the chair she was sitting on looked like it'd cost her home, and everything in it, including herself, to replace if she just as much as scratched it.She had caught herself glancing around more times than she could count since she walked into his home. The sofas, the rare antiques, the chandeliers, and even the grand staircase you'd see just as you step in through the big and expensive glass doors of his home.His home. Cara scoffed.No. This wasn't a home. It was a mansion.Not your typical modern glass see-through mansion. No. This mansion had a blend of b
Did he kiss her or did she pull him in? Neither was sure as they met in the middle.Like fire to ice, Adonis and Cara clashed against one another.He sucked in her bottom lips, giving it a painful nip, and earning himself a soft gasp. Taking his chance, Adonis forced his tongue into her mouth. He explored every corner of it, drinking her in like a man that has been starved of water for days.Suddenly Cara felt herself being pulled up. For a moment she was sitting; the next, she was roughly pressed against the wall with her neck in a choked hold.She pushed at him. Closer or away? She wasn't sure. Adonis gripped her tighter, his nails digging into the flesh at her neck, and Cara released a choked sound at the overwhelming feeling.She tapped on his arm as she struggled free, but he didn't let up. His chest was pressed firmly against hers. It took a great difficulty to pull her hands up and she pushed at him once again, but it was futile.He didn't move an inch.Adonis bit down hard o
"Sei pazzo?" Luca exclaimed."Dimmi Adonis! Are you crazy? Uhn? A war? Your coronation is just a few days away, but you want to start a war? You must be crazy." "Keep your voice down!" Adonis hissed."Keep my voice down. Are you even hearing yourself?"Adonis looked away.This was exactly why he wanted to keep it to himself."Your grandfather mustn't hear about this!" Luca concluded. "Forget it, Adonis. Don't start anything." He paused. "You haven't started anything, right?"Adonis remained muted."Mio Dio Adonis. Tell me you haven't done anything stupid and I don't mean literally." All Luca got in return was silence. He stared at Adonis, a disappointed and frustrated look on his face at his nonchalance. Adonis was sprawled out comfortably on the sofa, his arms folded to his chest as he avoided Luca's gaze like he hadn't just dropped a bombshell.This was bad. Very bad. Breaking the treaty could threaten Adonis's position in the family. He might not get a chance to be Capo anymore.
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