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 "Wait, back up!" I repositioned myself to be sure I was comfortable. Hearing the wrong thing was possible when in discomfort. Believe me, caring for Adonis, I have experienced a lot.There was a time I ran out of the bathroom with lather all over my body thinking I heard him call my name—that is beside the point anyway. I looked up at a disturbed Cecelia."What did you just say?""I said Luca is—"Not that! I heard you clearly the first time; I just find it hard to believe. You mean Luca. Luca Romano?" The same Luca that had encouraged me to get together with Adonis when I barely knew him?Impossible. Cecelia wiped her face again, staring at me with a 'Is my life now a joke to you?' look. I held up my hand in surrender. "You can't blame me. I wouldn't believe this if it wasn't coming from you. You know how much he loves love. You know what?" My face hardened. It may seem unbelievable, but the look in Cecelia's eyes told me it was a delicate situation."Him asking to
Cara's POV"Thank you," I said softly as the doctor wiped away what was left of the gel on my protruding belly. I was in a hurry to get back to the mansion.. in a hurry to see Adonis. It wasn't like he could speak or even blink at me, but being in his presence alone was calming. It made me feel content. Just seeing the light rise and fall of his chest reminded me that there was still hope. Done with my check-up for the day, I stepped out of the hospital with my bodyguards behind me, ushering me into the car, and then we were off.It's been a month since that night. Over seven since I met him, and four since I got pregnant. The time was so little, but a lot had changed. I remember thinking to myself a few months back that I wanted my father's killers gone within six months of being Mrs Bernardi.If you asked me now, everything was so wrong with that thought.The next thing I knew after Alvaro delivered the news to myself and Luca, I was waking up on a bed. It seemed like passing
Luca gave Miguel a pointed look, waiting for him to speak up and say it was a prank, but the elderly man's face remained as stoic as ever. He snorted. Then looking over to Cara, who had on a dumbstruck look, his eyebrows pulled down in a frown, He wasn't the only one who thought that to be blasphemy. There's no way she believed Miguel, right? Her expression said otherwise.This time, he couldn't stop the snort from turning into uncontrollable laughter.By the time he was able to pull himself together, Luca had moisture seeping out of the corner of his eyes. They met Miguel's hard expression again, and all remnants of the smile on his face disappeared."You're serious?"Miguel stared back in reply, and he let out a chuckle that wasn't by any means light."Antonio and Adonis are half-brothers? What sort of deceit is this? Are you feeding us lies? Why would his grandfather hide this from him?" "Dimitri didn't know until his son confessed it during his last days." Luca ran a hand th
Cara's hand moved to cover her mouth, which had dropped open. "Are you saying you're my father?" "Let me reintroduce myself." Miguel leaned forward. "My name is Miguel Rodriguez, leader of the Spanish mafia, and you, Camila Rodriguez, are my only heir." "Well, that's just... f*cked up..." She trailed off with an incredulous look. Her second reason for coming along was to see if she could find any clue about her birth parents since her father was suspected to be part of the Spanish mafia, but this revelation tipped the scale.She wouldn't have imagined something like this in a million years. Taking a seat, before her shaky legs gave out, she spoke."I thought I was adopted but found out recently that I wasn't. My parents weren't who I thought they were..." She started, explaining her recent findings to him.Miguel hummed."What were their names?""Adrian and Martha Rodriguez." The name brought a bitter look to Miguel's face."Adrian is my money-hungry cousin. He has a gambling ad
Cara's POV I took a cautious step back, eyeing him wearily."How do you know my name?"He still had that look of disbelief—no. It had evolved into something more sentimental. A mixture of both sadness and hope."You have her eyes," Miguel responded. "Whose eyes?" "Your mother's." "Y—" I frowned. "You know my mother? She died of cancer a few years ago." He shook his head in disagreement."No. Tatianna died in an accident." I took another step back, getting ready to bolt out of the building if necessary. "I do not follow." Luca stepped forward. "Neither do I. We didn't come here for this, Mr. Miguel. Hand over our capo and men, and we'll be on our way." "You took my shipment," Miguel replied in a bored tone."We did nothing of the sort. We didn't even know that the Spanish mafia was still involved in the dealings. We had planned to poach all your suppliers and buyers, not steal from you. That is beneath us. Imagine how surprised we were to get your note." Alvaro scoffed."Tha
Cara POVThere was no time to waste. Within an hour, all the men were packed, and we were ready to leave.I sat at the back of the seat of the car as Luca drove with Cecelia by his side. She had woken up just as I was about to leave and insisted on coming along."Where's their base?" I asked as he started the car.Luca shrugged."Two hours away from here, but I can make it within one if I step on it." In less time, we were approaching the estate gate, and he spoke in a hard voice, "State tutti attention, il gioco inizia adesso (everyone be alert, the game starts now)."I didn't need an interpretation to know that he was addressing the men behind us. We were about to go into an unknown territory.He slowed down as the gate was thrown open, switching gears as he regarded me and Cecelia this time, "Buckle up. This is going to be a rough drive." And then, we were off.****As promised, we got to our destination early, and I couldn't stop the eerie and jittery feeling I felt as I stood
Cara's POV I once heard the sound of the summer rain was like a balm to a soothing ache. Whoever said that was wrong. My ache wasn't being soothed. If anything, I've just become more aware of how empty the enormous room was. Sitting on the bed behind the covers, staring blankly at the rain as it drew patterns on the window, I looked like a beauty locked up in a luxurious apartment by her beast.Maybe they were right. Just that a balm couldn't be applied to a heart injury. The last time I was here, I left with a giddy feeling, hoping to be back as soon as we achieved our goal.The goal had been achieved. But I was the only one back.Heavy thunder cackled as though it was laughing at my predicament. Ever since I met Adonis, it's been one issue or another. I don't think we've ever gone a month without blood being spilt in the mansion.I knew what I signed up for when I agreed to be with a mafia man, but it was beginning to seem like all he was surrounded by were lies and enemies.I'd
Luca stared at Cara in shock. The Spanish mafia was the strongest of all the mafia families. Even the Bernardis couldn't compare. They'd been in existence long before the Italian mafia found its feet. But that was until a few years back. No one had heard from them in a long time. From what he could recollect, what was left of them had gone into hiding shortly after the attack that almost destroyed their family. Even he didn't know the whole truth exactly, as he was still a child, so he didn't witness their reign or when the attack happened. All he knew from the stories they were told was that the Spanish mafia was not to be messed with, and there was very little of them remaining.It was like they decided to step back after it happened and kept their hands off everything that had to do with the mafia world.Now Adonis was missing, with only their emblem as a clue, and Cara claims to know them?Taking his eyes off her for a minute, he announced."Call back all the men. Tell them we
Cara's POVI pushed my way through the sea of men gathered at the clearing in front of the mansion, stalking up to unknowing Luca, who was busy pelting orders at the men."Luca!" He wheeled around, searching for the source of the voice, and his eyes widened into saucers when they saw me."Why are you here?"I narrowed my eyes at him in disbelief. "Why am I here? Why are you all here?""You're not supposed to know." "That would've worked out if you didn't give me the band." I waved it in his face. "What do you mean Adonis is missing? Isn't he meant to be at the hospital undergoing surgery by now?" Luca avoided my gaze, and my heart skipped a beat. I drew in a shaky breath."What is it? Tell me what happened." I stumbled. "Cara!""I'm fine. Tell me... tell me precisely.""He never made it to the hospital," Luca replied in a small voice, but I heard it. My stomach tightened in knots at his response. It can't be what I'm thinking, right? There's no way Adonis would give up so easil