Claire's POV I remained suspended, my wrists and ankles tied by thick ropes. I struggled and kicked, but it was no use.Salvatore stood before me, "You should have just listened, Claire," he said, With a flick of his wrist, Salvatore signaled to his men. They sprang into action, setting up a large stone fireplace in the center of the courtyard.Even when I was dangling upside down, my eyes widened in horror as I realized what was happening. "No, please," I begged, but Salvatore just laughed."It's too late for mercy, Claire," he said. "You're going to make a wonderful addition"They arranged firewood and charcoals. Next they pour gasoline on it and throw in a matchstick. The fire starts burning. Slowly, it heated up and grew into a large fire which scalded me. Soon it caught some part of my hair and then part of my body that was already filled with the denatured alcohol and that was when I screamed out loud and begged Salvatore to release me."You know what to do to get released, C
Claire’s POV I sat in the darkness of my cell, the cold stone floor causing me to shiver. I felt better, better than the last time. Two weeks had passed since Salvatore's men had brought me here, leaving me in this dark, small space like trash.At first, I was horrified by what would happen to me. I had expected Salvatore to return, to punish me like he used to. But as the days turned into weeks, I began to think that he had forgotten about me.Or so I thought.The sound of footsteps echoed outside my cell, growing louder. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the heavy sound of Salvatore's boots.Salvatore entered the dungeon and I shrank, wrapping myself.Salvatore took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've been thinking, Claire. Perhaps it's time we... renegotiate your terms of imprisonment."I swallowed hard, my mind racing with possibilities. What did he want from me? And what would I have to do to survive?I hated that he was back. I was already excited that my wo
Claire's POV The door to the room I was in creaked open with so much force, making me jump in fright. Salvatore barged in angrily. It was the morning of our flight to Chicago and I was still not dressed yet. My hands flew to shield my bare breasts. The only thing I had on me was a pair of black lace panties. The tip of my hair dropped some water. I had just gotten out of the bathroom and I had not blow-dried it yet. “The fuck, Claire!” He expounded “You're still not dressed yet?” I opened my mouth to talk but I couldn't form any words. “For fuck’s sake, we have a flight to catch in minutes and you're just in panties?” His forehead was creased in annoyance as he reached out and grabbed my left arm. His fingers dug into my flesh and it felt like I was clawed by an animal. My right hand still struggled to shield my breasts. “You jumped scared me, Salvatore. I just finished taking a shower” I replied, with pleading eyes “Do I look like I give two hoots about that? Hell, what do you
Salvatore's PovComing back to Chicago was blissful. This was my home, the real Salvatore's life. Getting back into what I had been doing previously before hearing about Luciano's death was my goal now. I had to put my life on a little pause to get revenge for Luciano's death and I was glad it was a successful mission. I might have lost the people that were truly close to me, but I was on the winning side. I killed some of Don's men and Don was dead also, by the way, his wife was with me and she would start her stripping classes.Just like how Luciano used her, I was going to use her for business also, till I was satisfied. I needed to stop torturing her for days, so her wounds would heal and she would be good for business. She did see it as good luck, but trust me to have better…or worse plans.I had kept her in the room next to mine for proper monitoring but there were more reasons for keeping her in there.As I faced my reflection in the mirror, naked. I had just taken a bath. I ad
Claire's POV I watched as Megan filed her nails at one end of the living room. I had a question to ask her but we had never really talked. I didn’t know what it was like conversing with her, but she was the only person I could think of who could give me an answer. My palms were sweaty as I debated on how to approach her. Start a conversation with her, then throw in the question or just ask the question straight up at once? I wasn't sure exactly which one was going to work. She happened to see someone in the room with her because she raised her head. Our eyes met and I averted my gaze. When I looked at her again, she had returned to filing her nails. “How may I help you? You seem like you need something” She said, not taking her focus off her nails “Oh, ohm….I….I have a question to ask” “Okay?” She arched a brow at me, my cue to go ahead and ask my question “So, I want to know what Salvatore's favorite food is” “And why would I tell you that?” She paused her filing and stared
Salvatore's PovAs I looked at the caller ID. It wasn't something I could ignore. Do I move to a distance to answer the call? I cursed under my breath at the distraction. "Hello…" a sound of displeasing."Boss, I'm sorry to disturb you." She said."Be sorry. What is the matter?" I wiped up some of Claire's juice from my lips."It's Davidson. He is screaming and crying.""And why is that?" I asked, a little bit concerned "He is talking of visiting you and even broke his window trying to escape.","And where were you when all of this was happening? Didn't I pay you to watch him!" I yelled and the silence on the phone lasted for a while."I was in the… kitchen" her voice shook."I'm sorry, Mr Salvatore.""Well, make the boy understand that he can not come to visit me and I am doing enough by coming to see him!""I'll do that" she quickly responded."And give him all the prescribed pills and just get him to sleep somehow. You know the consequences of leaving this bit to yourself and I wo
Claire's POV My reflection stared back at me through the mirror. My face had been contoured and my cheekbones had been heightened, courtesy of the make-up artist, a talented male cross-dresser named Sasha. “Oh my, oh my” He exclaimed as he clasped his hands on his chest, in the manner that most effeminate men would “Claire to the world! They wouldn't know what hit them!” A plastic smile spread across my lips. He had done a good job but I wasn't interested in that. I didn't like the fact that I was being forced into doing something against my wish, but I had no choice. “We're good to go, girl. Get up, let's look at you” Sasha said after he had adjusted my wig and tucked strands of hair behind my ears I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror, in all my stripper glory. I was dressed to the nines, with my extremely high heels, fishnet stockings, and a flashy blonde wig that cascaded down my back.Sasha grabbed the makeup brush and quickly dabbed different portions of my face, hy
Salvatore's PovMegan lay beside me, she had replaced the imaginary pleasure I thought to have with Claire, but now it was midnight and she was asleep but I was not. I lay wide awake, unable to get any sleep, the room felt very hot even when I knew the climate was cold.I sat up on the bed for some minutes, before the stomach upset hit badly. I groaned and placed my hand on my abdomen, beating it slightly as I tried to prove strong. I lay back on the bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling.I didn't feel well. I groggily sat up in bed again, my stomach stirring with a rush of nausea. I glanced over at Megan, who was fast asleep beside me.It was useless waking her up over some little symptoms. Maybe all I needed was water, or a drink or something that could stop this feeling. As I tried to lay back, the pain came again."Hey, Megan... I don't feel good," I whispered urgently, shaking her shoulder.Megan murmured something confusing in her sleep and rolled over, pulling the blankets tighter ar
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