Claire’s POVI watched as Don’s gun raced fast and got lost amongst some cartons stacked on top of each other at a corner the moment Salvatore kicked it away. Some cartons at the top tumbled and fell over each other as the gun hit the ones at the bottom. I bet Don was powerless now because his two guns were gone and nowhere in reach. Salvatore got exactly what he wanted – the upper hand. Don, now without guns and I, forcefully nestled against him with his arm tight around my neck, Don and I were at his mercy. I raised my hands to try pulling his arm off my neck – a futile effort because Salvatore only tightened his grip on my neck. “Salvatore, please let me go. Let us go, please” I begged “Shut the fuck up, bitch” He nudged my temple with the gun “Fuckin' take your hands off Claire, you monster!” Don growled “And if I don't, what you gon’ do, boy?” “Let go of my wife, Salvatore. Take your filthy hands off her!” Don’s forehead creased in annoyance “I'd rather insert them filthy
Claire's POVMy eyes enlarged as Salvatore's men grabbed me, pulling me away from Don with force. I struggled with them but my strength wasn't enough to pull them off."Let her go!" Don shouted, pushing forward, but Salvatore stepped in, his face which I now found very ugly by the way, twisted into a snarl.With a swift of his hand, he slapped me hard across the face. My head shook to the side, and I cried out in pain. Don struggled to reach me, but they pulled him down harder. His eyes burned as Salvatore slapped me in front of him again."You need not struggle, fool" Salvatore spat at Don, his voice "Tie him up," he ordered his men.Don struggled as the men bound his wrists behind his back. My eyes met his, and the feeling of this being my fault could not be shaken away. "Don!" I screamed, but Salvatore's men would not let me go.Don's eyes fixed on mine and a frown on his face. I could see the defiance oozing from his expression as he sat tied to the chair, the chains digging into
Claire's POV I saw blood seep from Don's occiput as he fell into the river with a loud splash. What in Pete's sake just happened? My mind raced as my hands trembled. My fingers shook until the gun fell from my hand. My whole body quivered as I stood rooted to one spot. I shot Don. I just shot my husband. I freakin’ pulled the trigger! Lord have mercy. My eyes watered more. What had I done? Salvatore's order to his men to finish Don up snapped me out of my thoughts. “That's enough, Salvatore, that's enough!” I yelled as I marched towards where he stood. A tear had already rolled down my cheek. “Haven't you done a lot already? Tell them to stop!” I grabbed his shoulders and shook him vehemently as more tears streamed down my face “I said that's enough! Enough already!” I screamed into his face “Get off me, bitch” He snarled at me, pushing me away from him. I doubled over as I almost fell but I immediately regained my stance. It was no use talking to Salvatore so I went over to
Claire's POVSalvatore watched with a satisfied smile while I kicked and screamed at his men."Why are you doing this?" I yelled, my voice almost lost from screaming. "What did I ever do to you?"Salvatore smiled wider. "Don underestimated me, Claire. And now, you're going to pay the price."My eyes glared with anger and fear as I was dragged back to the dungeon. If I do not come up fast with a plan, I will be locked here forever. Salvatore had no intentions of releasing me soon…not when…Don was…deadThe men threw me back into the cell, slamming the door shut behind me. I collapsed onto the cold stone floor, my body shaking as I cried. I had to get out of there, I could not bear this pain for long, without Don. The world seemed like it was going to end. I was trapped, at Salvatore's mercy. And knew that mercy was a luxury I couldn't afford at this moment."Just kill me now," I spat. "Get it over with."There was no point living anymore.Salvatore's smile grew wider. "No, my dear," he
Claire's POV “What the fuck is this?” He growled, making me shudder in fear “If you knew you couldn't eat, you could have just said so, rather than puke! Now this place is a whole mess!” He gesticulated angrily as he spoke “But I tried saying so, you weren't just paying attention, idiot” I muttered under my breath “What did you say?” He moved closer to me, menacingly “Nothing” I almost couldn't hear myself because my voice came out as a whisper. My lips quivered as I spoke. “Better. Now, clean up this mess. I don't wanna come back and see it” “But how—” I was saying but he interrupted me“I don't care how you wanna fuckin’ do it, just do it” That said, he banged the door of the dungeon behind him as he walked out I looked at the food again in the tray. Macaroni and cheese with crispy bacon and broccoli. As a pregnant woman who had not eaten in two days, I was supposed to have gobbled up everything the moment it was set before me, but I didn't. I couldn't. I hated broccoli, so
Claire's POV "What...what did you just say?" I stuttered."I said, I want you to give me some head," he repeated."In your dreams!"Salvatore's expression turned cold. "Oh, I think you will," he said. "You'll do exactly as I say, or you'll suffer the consequences."I shook my head, my heart racing."I won't do it," I repeated."We'll see about that," he said, his eyes glinting with evil. "If you don't comply, I'll make sure you suffer. I'll hurt you in ways you can't even imagine."It was close to the end. I wanted to end my life at this moment. I could not keep doing this. What more would Salvatore make me do? How long would this keep going?I didn't want to stay around for too long to ensure this happening. I wanted him to pull the trigger and shoot me off."I am better off dead, Salvatore. Kill me now!" I screamed, my eyes shooting red."You do not even deserve death if you do not do as I say"It was a lie. The usual unbelievable tactics. There was nothing I could do to convince hi
Claire’s POVI watched as Salvatore's men –all ten of them– fanned out around me. Salvatore had ordered them to do so. I was not sure exactly what was going to happen, so I held my peace, patiently waiting. Gentle breeze blew against my unclad self, making my hair move leftwards. Deep down within me, I had a feeling I was about to get whipped, because why else was I tied naked to a pole? Or were his men going to have his way with me while he watched? I hoped not. “Get me those whips over there” Salvatore said to one of his men who wasn't among the ten. My gut had just been confirmed. I was about to be flogged. “Here, boss” “Share it to all of ‘em” I needed no seer to tell me what was about to happen. I was about to be flogged by all ten men with fierce looking whips. Could my situation get any worse? “How many strokes, boss?” The first man asked after he had gotten his own whip “Let's see….” Salvatore trailed off, drumming his ring decorated fingers against his lips “Fifteen
Claire's POV I woke up to water pouring on my face as well as my body. I was on the hard floor of my cell, in a pool of my blood and water. I tried to move but pain shot all through my body, threatening to paralyze me. I was hurting, from my eyes to my arms, to my legs. Basically, everywhere. It felt like I was placed on nails and pins which had been knocked into a board and had been made to face upwards. “And the bitch is finally awake” Salvatore said as he neared where I lay “You dare not die on me, you hear me?” I didn't say anything. I was too weak to speak. My lips trembled as I shook with silent sobs. “I. asked. a. question” He said through gritted teeth as he yanked my hair. I managed to mutter a reply as more pain spiraled throughout my body. “Get her up. She needs a shower” A man grabbed my arm and pulled me up. For a moment, my knees felt like jelly and my steps wobbled, but he paid no attention to that and roughly pulled me along with him.I adjusted the thin sleeve
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