“What do you want?”I fired at Luciano.Just the sight of him makes my stomach turn. And the fact that it’s all his fault I had to go meet with Don and now he won’t leave me alone, annoys me. Yet he just shows up by the road where I and Nick stood waiting to call a cab, in a fancy car. It’s the first time I’ve seen him outside of my apartment after all these years. And it made me wonder what caused the sudden change of him appearing in a car and stopping by me at the side of the road.Beside me, I could feel the rage and anger that radiated off Nick’s body. Nick has only seen him a few times and he never ceases to get crazily mad at him each time. I can even say he hates his guts more than I do. But Luciano as expected wasn’t moved by both our glares that was pinned on him. His eyes was trained on me.“Hello to you , Claire”He said ignoring my question from earlier. I rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t know what it was that he wanted from me but deep down, I hope it doesn’t involve wan
"Ha bambina, I thought you'd never come""So? Aren't you happy I did? It's what you want isn't it? To take advantage of my desperation".I fired at him.He might not be the current cause of my misfortune and I should probably direct my anger and frustration somewhere else but he was the only one I could think of firing and directing all of my anger at.My heart was full of so much hatred and hurt that I didn't know who else to take them out on. And since he's no better than the devil who did this to me, then he might as well be at the receiving part of my anger.He shook his head, still unmoving from his seat."Questa Ragazza, always having ideas in your head. You've got it all wrong Bambina. I didn't force you to come here though I contemplated it when you didn't show up for days" he stopped and chuckled."But once again, Gattino, I am a very patient man. My patience paid off". He stretched a hand to gesture towards me. "Here you are, on your own" *(Questa Ragazza means "this girl")
I really wished we could just get it over with. I would even wished I was rather drugged to sleep so I would not experience those thrusting and release. The thought of another man apart from Luciano as usual, coming unto me disgusted me for some unknown reasons.I walked out of the VIP room Don Dada was in and was met with those huge guys running after me earlier. Their faces were scowling and I did the same. What the heck! I would never be intimidated by dogs.I shot them a deadly glare, communicating to them that they should move out of my way. Since their boss did not have complaints, they probably thought it was fine to let me go and so they moved out of my way.I strode down to the area where music was blasting. The stench of alcohol was so strong in the air and I somehow felt pleased with it. I moved towards the bar counter and reached out to the bartender."A shot of Tequila." I ordered and he brought my order immediately. I was not even properly dressed for a night club, I was
I did not bother to branch at Nick's apartment and just headed straight to mine. I was pretty sure he would be boiling with so much fury about what happened with Luciano earlier so I decided to let him be. Besides, it was already late into the night and I also needed some restless rest.I got into my apartment and sank into the couch, with Don's thick cologne still in the air. He smelt so damning nice but that was not even the issue now. A part of me felt quite good that things would eventually work out with my revenge and the other part of me was torn and angry.Of course, selling myself in exchange for revenge against Luciano was the least I could do but then I was scared for myself. I started to think, if I eventually get my freedom from Luciano what would I do with my life?I was not sure my dignity and pride as a woman was still intact so I would literally still go out into the world and live as a shadow of myself. No academic qualifications whatsoever, no hidden riches anywhere
I was so curious about what Don Dada had said to Alex that made him release me so easily without even asking. Alex looked like a total gentleman when he rarely wasn't and I know so well what Mafia Dons are capable of. Could he have threatened him? Or bought him off? I did not know. The sudden park of a car in front of me jolted me out of my thoughts. I pushed the thoughts aside to focus on the physical.I realized the car that parked in front of me was a Rolls Royce. Waiting patiently for the person in it to come out, I remained standing. "Don said to bring you." A man in a black suit came out of the car and said. He definitely looked like a guard and I did not think twice before getting into the back seat of the car.Neither the driver nor the guy said any word to me as they just remained focused on the road till we got to the supposed place where they took me to. I did not need anyone to tell me that it was a house, a mansion at that. Driving into the premises, I realized this
I did not understand what Don Dada said until some ladies in uniform came around and took me. Finally, I was seeing females for the first time since I stepped into that house. We entered the elevator and I watched one of the three ladies set the elevator to take us to the second floor.I was led to a room as soon as we stepped out of the ride. The funniest part was that I was not even arguing or anything. The ladies seemed to be of few words and I was not interested in talking too. I just wanted to know why Don Dada was doing all these.A night with me was what he needed but now he was making strange moves. In all of these, I prayed so earnestly that Luciano would not find out about this. There was no way I would return to that red torture room or that dreadful cliff and be thrown down, not even when I had not executed my revenge plan."We will be taking off your clothes now." One of the ladies stepped forward and said. I furrowed my brows out of realization, this was what Don Dada me
My mind went off for a second and then started functioning again. Birthday? Whose? He noticed the reaction on my face and then said, "Bambino, it's too bad if you don't even remember your own birthday." What is he talking about? I thought as I just stared at him, looking clueless. Then his amused expression turned into a serious one. "You are not serious right now, Claire." He said. That was the first time he would be calling my name, maybe that was meant to jolt me back to my memories but I had no idea.His eyes darkened as he stared at me. I was seeing pain and anger in his eyes literally as our eyes were locked in each other's. "I ran a background check on you and your birthday is supposed to be today, come to your senses Claire!" He raised his voice a bit, having me feel a bit intimidated.My birthday? I did not even remember what date it was. It was the least of the least of my problems because for fifteen good years, I was under the terrible control of Luciano. I spent twelv
Don Dada did not say a word to me till he dropped me off at my apartment. I could not even tell what was on his mind, so crazy. He just kept mute and focused throughout the drive as if he did not want to speak to me on purpose.I decided to act the same, feeling pissed. "Thanks for today." I said to him as I alighted the car and he nodded. The fact that I could not tell whatever was on his mind was killing.As I got to the entrance of our moderate apartment complex, I saw Nick standing there with his eyes on me. My heart totally skipped a bit up on seeing him. He must have seen me alight from Don Dada's car and so we would really have it out with each other tonight. There was so much explanations to do and I could not decide where to start. The fact that I had not seen him after the drama with Luciano to atleast apologize to him added fuel to the fire. "Hi Nick." I reached out softly as I approached him. He was expressionless as he just stood with his hands shoved into the pockets
Romano's POV "And what the fuck is wrong with me going to my wife's party and kissing her?" Don bellowed.It was the next day, he wouldn't let me come into the room all through the night. I knew he had sneaked into that party and Claire was right."What is risky about showing my identity?""Because the news might get to a certain person who put you in this condition and you're not in the exact position to exert the revenge you want on him." I barked also.He was silent, for some while, before he finally opened his door. "Tell me all about this certain person? Is he a threat to my marriage?""Don, if you had enough rest like you were told, you probably would have remembered my now. Brad specifically said your memory would come in days, but you're stressing too much and making things worse."He paced the room for a minute and then turned back to me. "You're fucking my sister" he bellowed angrily, and that caught me unaware.He grabbed me by the trousers, almost squeezing my scrotum. "Do
Claire's PovDon!It was Don. No one else kissed like that, no one else gripped me in such a way. His scent, no one else had it. I was hallucinating, right? Don was dead. It has been months. I needed to get this off my mind. But no, I couldn't. Even if I wanted to, tonight wasn't the right time because I felt his body, his build, only one had that.I had just taken Davidson to the toilet and dropped him off with his Nanny when I was heading back inside for the birthday party. It was time I announced Don's death to his friends, but now my mind had been changed.I ran towards Romano when I saw him coming with Elyse. "Don" I panted. Elyse came over to my side, easing my breathing."What happened?" Romano asked."I saw Don. I met…I…it was Don…he kissed me. I recognize his smell, he's…Don""Claire, be calm," Elyse said. "You said you kissed who?" She asked with a little frown on her face like she couldn't believe what I said and was concluding I had made out with someone else."I promise
Don's Pov"You cannot go!" Romano yelled. He had been doing a lot of yelling lately and I didn't like it. "Don, look" his voice was back to normal and calm now. "No one can see you like this. I already informed you, your memory first before stepping out of here" he said."Why don't you just tell me what happened? I trust you.""Brad asked me not to. You need to remember yourself. You know all the details, the anger would be fueled in you if you remember yourself."What anger? Why did I need to be angry? Did something bad happen? He wouldn't tell me."It is my wife's birthday today. There is a party and you asked me not to go. I am not hurt anymore, I am healing from the wounds, what else is making me stay back? Claire would be delighted to see me!"All my efforts in convincing Romano proved futile. In minutes, he had dashed out of the house for Claire's party. I shared this treatment and hated that I couldn't see any of my family. I needed to remember something. To fucking remember w
Claire’s POV I sat in front of my mirror, doing my routine skin care as usual. A pregnant woman still had to look pretty and peng. Tomorrow is my birthday, by the way. Intermittently, I caressed my bump, feeling how rounded and big it was. I also couldn't wait for my baby boy to get here. My EDD was due anytime soon. I just hope it doesn't happen tomorrow. Just as I reached out to grab a pimple popper from the vanity table, my phone on the bed rang. That should be the baker. We had agreed that she should deliver the cake today so that there would be no unnecessary delay tomorrow. Only my hair stylist and makeup artist were going to come tomorrow as early as possible. By the way, the dress I was going to wear tomorrow was also ready. I couldn't wait. Before I could push the stool backwards and fetch my phone, the ringing was already exhausted. Fortunately, whoever the caller was called again and I picked up on the second ring. It was Davidson. “Hellooooo, Claire!” Her cheerful voic
Romano's POV I was back with Brad and we both watched and listened, waiting for Don to start talking. It seemed kind of difficult at first because it looked like he was putting a strain on his ability to remember but eventually, he began to talk. Brad stood nearby, concern written all over his face. “Take your time, Don. We’re here for you” He encouraged, his voice reassuring. I nodded in agreement, eager to hear him speak already, so we would know how far his recovery had gone. Don’s eyes closed for a while, then fluttered open some moments after. “I remember, Claire. She was my wife. I remember her scent. It was like….fresh flowers, maybe lilacs, or even lilies” He recalled. My heart swelled with emotion. He was indeed getting better. “Okay, what else do you remember?” I pressed, hoping to hasten his ability to respond He closed his eyes, trying to struggle. But Brad calmed him. "It's okay. Perhaps you remember something about a lodge?" He asked.He was stretching his memory
Don’s POV Darkness, light, darkness, and then light again. My eyes flickered open as I saw the ceiling of where I was. This wasn't anything like…Wait…The banging in my head and a buzz ringing in my ears and I had to lay back. There was an oxygen tank beside, it wasn't just that, a lot of other medical equipment followed.This wasn't our honeymoon, was it? I tried to search my memory for how I got here. The thing I could remember was a group of men attacking us on our way to the helicopter on the rooftop.Claire and I had planned to go for our honeymoon and, I was… attacked, shot in the arm. Claire had been bleedingI slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in the view of the room I was in. Everything was a blur. I had no idea where I was or how I got there. My mind was a complete blank.I tried to sit up, but dizziness washed over me again, forcing me back onto the pillow. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths to calm myself down.As I lay on the bed, feeling lifeless, I started to
Claire's POV "Why are you here?" I asked when I opened the door to my room. "How did you get in here Salvatore? How did you find me?"His eyes, were softer this time. "Somehow, I found you, Claire."My heart raced when he began to unbutton his shirt. "I was a fool to be upset with you. You did all you could to stay away from me and I have no judgements. I was wrong, Claire, I was."As he spiked, all I wanted to know was how he found me in the penthouse. Or was this the penthouse? As I turned back to look at where we were, the room changed - into Salvatore's room.I was confused… but Salvatore's voice brought me back. "I know you want me Claire" he had pulled his short this time. "And I want you too" he approached me, trailing his hand on my body.I was wearing my light nightwear. "Don't be scared, Claire* he said.In a swift move, Salvatore cocked my head to the angle he wanted and kissed me hard. Hard and rough. His tongue devoured mine, seeking authority. Surprisingly, I kissed ba
Claire's POV I knew Elyse suggesting that we should go to Romanthe's house to discuss a baby shower was a ploy to see her man.Getting to his entrance, I caught both of them giving each other a familiar look and a blush on Romano's face. His gaze met mine and I raised my eyebrows, not believing Romano could blush.He ushered us in without hesitation and offered us a glass of juice."So, what's the plan for the baby shower?" Romano asked."We were thinking of renting a multi-purpose hall," I said. "But then we thought, maybe it would be better to have it, at your house, Romano," I said, according to Elyse's idea."My house? Why's that?" Romano asked."Well, it's a family celebration, and we thought it would be more intimate and cozy at your house," Elyse said. "Plus, it's a lot safer than a public hall.""That makes sense," Romano said. "My house it is, then." Was he responding only because Elyse wanted it to?"Great," I said. "We can set up the backyard or the living room or whatever
Claire's POV"I'm so excited for the baby shower," Elyse said, looking up at me with a smile. "We need to start planning the details. What's your theme? Have you thought about games and food?"Elyse and I were resting on the couch in the penthouse, enjoying a lazy afternoon together. We'd just finished lunch, and Elyse couldn't get over her excitement about the baby shower I was planning.I laughed. "Slow down, Elyse. I've barely had time to think about it. But I do know I want something simple and intimate. Maybe just close friends and family."I was almost due…oh, I could feel this baby coming and I was excited at the thought of going into labor and birthing Don's son.Elyse nodded. "That sounds perfect. And I've already started thinking about baby names. I have a few favorites for a boy."I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What are they?"Elyse grinned "Well, I think 'Atticus' is a great name. Or maybe 'Ethan'?"I chuckled. "Those are both nice names. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. W