Kaan’s POV. She suddenly dropped to her knees. “I wouldn't dare, dad. I didn't know you two were married.” Her voice was frantic and she trembled as she spoke, "I-I wasn't targeting you, Dad. I swear. I just...I couldn't bear the thought of her being happy with you, while I'm still grieving the man I loved." I leaned forward, my voice growing cold. "Soni, are you blaming your mother for that good-for-nothing’s death?” “She's not my mother, dad.” She lifted her head, she was crying, but I wasn't moved by her tears. She's disappointed me twice. Both times, she was after my wife's life. “I don't like her, dad. Please. I can't like her. I won't like her. Please, divorce her, dad.” Uncontrollable anger was surging inside me but I kept it in, staring at her blankly. One of my ways of disarming enemies was to regard them without emotions on my face. When her tearful eyes met my blank expression, Soni began to grow anxious. I knew she wanted me to react, even a tiny bit. It would give h
Kaan’s POV. Richard's words struck a chord, and for a moment, I felt a pang of nostalgia and affection for the little girl I had raised as my own. “She's no longer the little child I raised.” I said after a while, finally lifting my gaze from the documents. Walking towards the entrance, Richard fell in step behind me. “Why do you think so boss?” “She allowed a man's promises to enter her head and cloud her judgment. She's been making decisions based on emotions, rather than loyalty and duty." I stopped at the entrance, turning to face Richard. "That's not the Soni I raised. The child I knew would never have betrayed me like this." Richard flattened his lips. He had no idea that Soni had broken the family's rules and gone to engage in human trafficking with that good-for-nothing, but I wasn't about to sell my daughter out. Richard may be loyal, but every man has a weakness. I know that some people in the family covet the position I occupy. If they found out what Soni did, they w
Kaan’s POV. This territory was closer to mine, maybe I should truly consider snatching it. I don't want insects feasting on my good crops in the long run…moreover, I have the belief that someone in this territory lent the Kim gang a hand to lay siege on my property. Our cars pulled over at a resort, away from the bustling and chaotic streets of the city. Men in black suits lined along the way, looking intimidating and alert, but I wasn't intimidated by them. I went in with Richard, and Raven, who was inside of the cars behind us. Apparently, we were supposed to go in with two guards while the others stayed around the building. When I entered, the noisy atmosphere instantly died down. Indeed, that's how it should be. They should all be scared of me. I walked with confidence and purpose, with a cigar stick dangling between my lips. My hands were tucked into my pants. It seems I'm the last to arrive. They must have been waiting for years for my arrival, again. My lips curled. I li
Kaan’s POV. The Korean Mafia must think I have something that would benefit them more than it would benefit me, and they want that. I leaned back in my chair, steepling my fingers together as I regarded the spokesman. "I'm listening," I paused, “What exactly do they want in exchange for a... seat at their table?”“They only want you to return the territories to them, noth– ““Tsk. Tsk. Tsk,” I clicked my tongue, wiggling my index finger back and forth in disapproval. "You'd think they'd know better than to make such a simplistic proposal," I said sarcastically and continued. "I didn't take those territories just to hand them back for a… seat at their table.” The thought was simply laughable. Even though they gave me such an important position, they could still filter out what they didn't want me to know about their politics, businesses, and whatnot. They could even set me up, or treat me like a spy, so what's the point? I don't need the territories, nor do I need a seat amongst th
Rena's POV. My voice was low, just for her ears. She was stunned after hearing that, and I took a drag of my cigar and blew the smoke at her stunned face. Alessia took a step back, her face pale. The smoke from my cigar wafted around her, and for a moment, she seemed to be surrounded by a mist of uncertainty. Then, her expression changed, and a sly smile spread across her face. "A wedding, you say?" she repeated. "How...quaint. And who's the lucky bride?"“A beautiful woman. You're invited.” A smile subconsciously played on my lips when the thought of that crybaby crossed my mind. I should head home before she wakes up. But the meeting wasn't over, those fighting and cussing each other were being chastised by the ‘peacemakers’. I don't have the patience to listen to this nonsense.“Oh? Seems that's her only quality? I'm sure she's a lucky woman. But I know you'll be bored with her in no time. You have a certain...reputation, Kaan." She raised an eyebrow. "One that I'm not sure your
Rena's POV. It was my wedding today, standing by the floor-to-ceiling mirror, I couldn't believe the damsel staring back at me. My diamond encrusted, white ball gown made me look like a princess from a cartoon. The flawless makeup on my face was a masterpiece, accentuating my features in a way that made my Beauty outshine my dress. My hair was styled in loose, soft and romantic low updo. It looked messy, beautifully messy. I felt breathtakingly stunning - if words could describe me. The woman staring back at me in the mirror was a vision of elegance and sophistication, a true bride-to-be, a million dollar bride. Thinking of the man I would be getting married to, my husband, per se, I felt a surge of excitement and anticipation, knowing that in just a few hours, I would be walking down the aisle and into the arms of that man that had set my heart ablaze. I didn't know how it happened. Was it the first time I saw him at the auction house? The feeling he involved in me then was wha
Rena's POVThinking of it now, the event finally made sense. At the auction, he waited to see who would win the bid. When he made sure it was Kim Jeon, he left. After that, he barged into Kim Jeon’s yacht and killed them all… I had thought he did it to show me a glimpse of his world, but as it turned out, I was only a pawn. Otherwise, why would he kill everyone for a woman he barely knew? He was wealthy, he could have simply won the bid if he truly wanted to save me… my gaze suddenly snapped to Soni. “Why are you telling me this?” I asked. Of course, I knew why. She didn't want me to go ahead with the wedding. “Because I hate you so much, that seeing you smile makes me want to peel off your skin.” She said it with so much hate, that my skin crawled. For some reason, I felt she was capable of it. “But I can't physically hurt you,” she smiled bitterly, a lobe tear sliding down her cheek. “My dad, he doesn't want me to hurt you. But Rena, I want you gone from our lives.” She said in
Rena's POV As we took our vows, Demir's expression remained bland. I tried to cheer him up, but his mood was ruined. It was I who almost fell, and embarrassed myself, yet he was the one still angry. “You could have broken some bones,” he had said when I tried to talk him out of seeking those in charge of decorating the hall. “But I didn't,” I replied. “Only because Soni saved you,” he retorted. I bit my lip and lowered my head, sighing softly. He's scary when he's angry. After exchanging rings, I kissed him passionately, even before the priest gave his consent. “You can't remain angry on our big day, Zaddy. I'm not pleased,” I whispered on his lips. “And you think a kiss would fix it?” He asked. My head bobbed like a child's, “I'm sure. You like my lips a little too much,” I giggled. He stared at me for a while, then tapped my nose, “You're becoming too braven.” I could feel his deadly aura subsiding. Grabbing his hand, I placed it on my head, beaming like a child, “Reward m
Kaan~Five years.Five goddamn years. I built an empire in that time. United the mafia families under my rule, spilled rivers of blood to become the overlord of Italy's underworld. Those politicians, businessmen, bankers, and demons who pushed Pablo to go against me, I made them all bleed. Slit their throats one after the other. I made men kneel, buried traitors, burned cities. And my name clawed its way to the most ruthless and most feared Overlord in history. I did it all, for her. For them. But no crown, no throne, no victory ever filled the void her silence left.And now… now the silence was broken.The moment I got the call, my heart stopped. She was awake, the doctor said. Just two words, but they shattered me more than any bullet ever could. I drove like a madman, ignoring every red light, every law, every rule except the one screaming in my chest: Get to her! The guards at the hospital entrance stood aside without a word. They knew better than to stop me. I stormed through
Alessia~They say you don’t hear the bullet that kills you.But I heard it.Not in the way of metal ripping through flesh – but in the silence before it. The moment the world goes still. When your heart finally realizes it’s run out of reasons to beat.That’s what I felt when I heard Kaan had taken Pablo’s head.He came for us like death with a vendetta. A storm that remembered every name. A god, bleeding but unbroken. I should’ve known he’d survive. I should’ve known love wouldn’t be enough to kill a man like him.Because I tried. God help me, I tried.I loved him once. Maybe I always did. But you can’t love a storm and expect to stay dry. You can’t want the throne and the king. And I wanted it all.That’s what ruined me.We’re hiding in what’s left of the Castellano estate. It’s nothing now – cracked walls, shattered marble, the perfume of gunpowder curling through the halls like incense for the dead. My people are scattered. My second-in-command is missing. And I have a bullet lodg
Kaan ~He holed up in a countryside villa near Caltanissetta, surrounded by luxury and fools. It was almost funny. He always thought money made him untouchable. Now, he hid behind marble walls while my soldiers scale them like wolves.We breach the gates in under three minutes.I stormed the hall myself – gun in one hand, machete in the other. Pablo’s men scatter like insects. I killed three before they could blink. Matteo dropped the guards near the staircase. Blood slicked the floors. Screams echoed off the high ceilings.Pablo tried to run but I seized him by the throat. He said a lot of jargon, but I only asked one question:“Who went after my family?”Without hesitation, he gave her up. “Alessia! It– It was her doing. I tried to talk her out of –”I drove the machete through his chest. I didn't care about his nonsense. I watched the horror in his eyes, the regret, and remorse. But it was too late. He should have listened when I warned him. Two down, one more to go. *******Pabl
Kaan ~He didn't speak. He was brave. But not brave enough. “Bang!” I put a bullet through his kneecap.“Ahhh!!” He screamed like a pig on a butcher table.“I’ll ask once more.”His lips tremble. “The Al…I don’t know her name, just…the Alessandro woman and Pablo. They brought maps. Codes. Said they had someone close to Ferrente feeding intel.”I already knew.But hearing it confirmed the truth I’d been avoiding.“I want every man vetted. Every file reviewed. If they’ve looked at me wrong in the last year, I want their head on my desk,” I snarl at Matteo.He nodded, his face paled. He was scared of me, I could see it. I take one last look toward the sea, where the fog has swallowed the horizon whole.You want a war, Alessia?You’ll choke on it.… We burned the docks by morning.No more shadows for the Vipers to hide in. No more Alessandro scouts weaving through cargo yards under the flag of smoke. The flames licked the sky like a beacon. But victory tasted like ash when you knew it
Kaan~I was halfway to Catania when the call came in.One ring.Two.Then silence.It wasn’t unusual. Not for men like me. Sometimes silence was safer. Cleaner. But something in my gut twisted the wrong way. Something colder than instinct, sharper than a blade. I stared out the window of the moving car, watching Sicily blur past.Then the second phone rang – the one no one was supposed to use, except one person. I picked it up immediately.“Soni?”Her voice was cracked glass. Choked with dust. “D– Dad…?”My blood froze. “Talk.”“They bombed it. The villa. It's – it’s all gone.”Everything stopped. My lungs. My pulse. The world. “What?”“I got her out. B– but Rena…. She… she's receiving medical care. We’re in the tunnels now.”“Turn the car around!” I barked the order. My driver didn’t even ask. He saw my face, and the fear in his eyes was answer enough.“Who did this?” I asked, voice low. I already know. It couldn't have been anyone but Pablo. “Dad?” she called. “Burn them to the gr
Rena~I knew something was wrong. When he kissed my forehead and my stomach, I was awake. But I didn't stop him from leaving. I knew it was important. I knew that to build a safe haven for our child, he needed to weed the poison out of the roots first.Still, when the door clicked shut and his footsteps faded into silence, my chest felt hollow.I rolled onto my side, placing a protective hand over my still-flat belly as I strained myself to get the note he left for me. It was a lullaby. I chuckled despite myself, because I couldn't tell if it was for me or our baby. But either way, I read it aloud, softly, my voice cracking with emotion."Little light in darkest night,Rest your soul, the world’s alright.Though I walk through storms and flame,My heart returns when you whisper my name."I pressed the paper to my lips, breathing in his scent faintly lingering on it. The tears came quickly - warm and silent - because it was for both of us. And because I knew what it meant.He was walk
Kaan~She looked at me like the whole world had just changed.And it had.The doctor’s words echoed over and over in my mind, warping time itself.Pregnant.My Little cat, my woman, my wife, was carrying my child.I couldn’t move at first. Couldn’t speak. I just stared at her, at the disbelief and wonder lighting up her beautiful face. The soft shine in her eyes. The tears she didn’t try to hide.And suddenly, nothing else mattered.Not the blood I’ve spilled. Not the empire I built. Not the war that was still waiting just outside the hospital walls.None of it.Only her.Only this moment.I dropped to my knees before her and laid my hands over her belly like it was holy. I bowed my head – not because I was defeated – but because I was undone. By her. By this.“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice too full to be strong.She touched my hair, so gently I nearly broke apart.I pressed my lips to the soft cotton of her dress, right where our child was growing, and closed my eyes. I couldn’t
Rena~His mouth was fire. His hands were everywhere. He pressed me down into the sheets like he was afraid I’d vanish if he let go. I could feel it - his desperation, his need, his relief.My robe fell open. His shirt followed. The space between us became airless.“I thought of you every night,” he whispered, voice hoarse. “I counted the days.” I said as my fingers desperately worked on his belt. Even after I was discharged from the hospital, he didn't touch me, afraid he'd hurt me. But it's been almost two weeks and I couldn't wait anymore. “You didn’t lose count?” His lips curled, his nose brushing against mine. “No. I carved each one into my bones.” The sound of his belt leaving his trousers as I pulled filled the air. He froze above me, eyes darkened, full of something dangerous and tender. “Say it again.”“I missed you,” I whispered. “I missed you so much, it hurt. I thought I'd die.”He kissed me. I moaned, my body arching from the bed, wanting to feel the heat of his body,
Pablo~They were all fools.The mayor. The other dons. Even Kaan, with his clean-cut suits and those sharp, unforgiving eyes. He thought peace could be bought with threats and forced surrender.I chuckled. The fool didn’t know we were already sharpening the knives, waiting impatiently to butcher him. The general meeting ended at dusk with Kaan’s agreement for a ceasefire, rebuilding the city, and unity for Sicily’s sake. The mayor looked like he'd die if Kaan didn't agree. And when the idiot did, the Mayor was like a newlywed, married for love. Stupid. It was comical. Kaan looked smug when Alessia stood and bowed her head to him, declaring surrender, begging him not to hurt her clan. What a performance, what a laughable joke. Everything made me laugh. Honestly, I couldn't stop laughing, even now. That bitch played him. She baited him. And the so-called almighty Kaan fell for it. “Hahahaha…!… We met an hour later in an abandoned stone chapel on the outskirts of Trapani. The per