Ava A few days have passed since I had sex with Riccardo in his office. That night I couldn't sleep. I kept replaying what happened in my mind. I still couldn't believe I slept with him and not to mention I gave him a blowjob while Jessy was sitting there. Speaking of Jessy, I swear he knows I was under the table that day. Every time he sees me he grins and winks at me but I act as if nothing had happened. Coming back to today. I was in my room getting ready since we were invited to a ball. Riccardo didn't seem happy about going, making me wonder if all the mafia bosses were going to be there. The bedroom buzzed with excitement as Steph dug through jewelry boxes, her silver dress sparkling with every move. Tonight was the masquerade ball, but my mind was stuck on what had happened between Riccardo and me a few nights ago. "I knew this would look amazing on you," she said, gesturing to the black satin dress I had just put on. I smoothed the fabric over my hips, admiring my reflec
Ava Riccardo brushed off the question, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against the counter next to me. He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You’re loving this, aren’t you?" he said, his voice low and playful. "Enjoying what?" I shot back, but the warmth creeping into my cheeks gave me away. "The way every guy in this room is checking you out," he replied, his lips nearly touching my ear, his breath sending goosebumps racing down my neck. "The way their eyes linger on what’s mine." I rolled my eyes, even as I found myself leaning closer to him. "I’m not anyone’s property." His hand found my jaw, tilting my face so I had no choice but to look into his eyes. "Don’t kid yourself, Ava. You’re mine, and deep down, you know it." Before I could say anything, he lowered his head, his lips grazing the curve of my neck. The warmth of his mouth sent a jolt through me, and I hated how easily he unraveled my res
Ava There's a light, almost playful vibe between us, and honestly, I'm not used to this kind of attention—at least not like this. "Nice to meet you, Ava." I’m about to reply when I hear a deep, unmistakable voice from behind me. "Get the hell away from my wife." The words slice through our light chat like a knife. My stomach drops, and I turn around, surprised. Riccardo is there, glaring at Vito with an intensity that makes my heart race. His jaw is tight, fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes blaze with a raw, dangerous anger. Vito, sensing the threat, quickly steps back, hands raised in a mock gesture of surrender. "My bad, Don De Lucca. I didn’t mean to intrude. Just admiring the view." He throws me one last look, a playful smile still on his face, before he walks away. Riccardo keeps his gaze locked on Vito until he’s out of sight, his eyes still simmering with rage. Then, his focus shifts to me, and I can feel the weight of his stare—heavy and possessive. The atmosphere
Ava The morning sun peeked through the curtains as I gradually opened my eyes, the gentle hum of the house being the only sound I could hear. I stretched, feeling the lingering tension from last night between Riccardo and me, even though we hadn’t said a word since. I was at a loss for how to feel. My mind was a jumble, and my heart wasn’t faring any better. I got out of bed, threw on some comfy clothes, and headed down the grand staircase. The house felt oddly quiet this morning, as if everyone was keeping their distance. As I turned the corner into the kitchen, the aroma of coffee greeted me, along with the light chatter of Bento and Steph. Lucifer bounded around my feet, barking happily as I bent down to give him a scratch, his warm fur providing a bit of comfort. "Good morning," I said softly, running my fingers through his fur as I stood back up. "Morning," Bento replied, his tone playful. He looked up from the counter with a cheeky grin. "You doing okay today?" I shot him a
Ava Tonight is a big deal for my dad. I’ve already been warned to behave myself after I ordered a yellow dress for the occasion, but when he saw it, he completely lost it. “You can’t do anything right, can you? You know Maddy hates yellow, and yet you went and ordered one!” He snatched the dress and tossed it to the floor. Then he told the maids to get rid of it. “Why can’t you think about others? You did this just to annoy me!” He shoved me down and walked away. I wanted to say I actually liked yellow, but I knew better than to argue. I glanced at the clock and realized I had only ten minutes before I had to meet my parents downstairs. If I was even a minute late, my dad would make me pay for it. I remembered that night two years ago, right after my sister passed away. I was ten seconds late, and my dad made me eat outside, forcing me to eat my food off the ground like a dog. I shook my head to push that memory away. Then I caught my reflection in the full-length mirror. The w
Ava The ballroom glows with a warm golden light, crystal chandeliers casting dazzling reflections on the sleek marble floor. Mafia families mingle with forced politeness, their smiles as empty as the greetings they exchange. Guards lurk in the shadows, always alert—a constant reminder of the tension that hangs in the air like a heavy perfume. I step into the gala with my family, the fabric of my black gown trailing behind me. The dress hugs my figure just right, and I can feel the weight of countless eyes on me. I’ve gotten used to it—being scrutinized, evaluated, judged. My dad always said that’s just part of our legacy. Still, I hold my head high and keep my face neutral, hiding the unease bubbling just below the surface. “Don’t you dare embarrass me. You know what will happen. I wish your sister was here. She knew how to play the game and win people over.” It stings, but I’ve learned to take my father’s harsh words in stride. As I scan the room, I nod politely at a few familiar
Riccardo The tie around my neck sat just right against the crisp white collar of my shirt, but I fiddled with it anyway. Everything had to be perfect tonight. No slip-ups. No distractions. I knew what I had to do. I looked up and met my own gaze in the mirror. Sharp suit, polished shoes, not a hair out of place. In our world, presentation was key. If you looked powerful, people would believe you were. The only person missing was her. She was the one that always made sure I looked perfect for these events. "Are you going to take forever, or are you actually planning to leave this room?" Bento’s voice cut through the quiet. I glanced over at my brother. He was lounging against the doorframe, his suit jacket draped casually over his shoulder, his tie already loosened. He was the complete opposite of me in every way. I straightened up and said, “I’m ready,” while fiddling with my cufflinks. Bento raised an eyebrow, smirking. “You don’t look ready. You look like you’re about to
Ava The clock on the wall ticked away in the heavy silence, each second stretching out like forever. I sat rigidly on the cream couch in my dad's study, the lingering smell of his cigars hanging in the air. Mama was next to me, her hands neatly resting in her lap, her face giving nothing away. Richard leaned against the wall, arms crossed, but the tension in his jaw showed he was not happy about being called here. "What's the big deal?" Richard asked, his tone sharp, slicing through the quiet. Papa, sitting behind his grand oak desk, didn’t flinch at his tone. His dark eyes moved between us, heavy with authority. "Let’s get to the point," he said, his voice steady but firm. "We need to strengthen our alliances, and the best way to do that is through marriage." My stomach dropped. Marriage. That one word sucked the air right out of the room. I looked at Mama, hoping for some reaction—some hint that this was just a bad joke. She sat still, her eyes glued to the floor. Of course,
Ava The morning sun peeked through the curtains as I gradually opened my eyes, the gentle hum of the house being the only sound I could hear. I stretched, feeling the lingering tension from last night between Riccardo and me, even though we hadn’t said a word since. I was at a loss for how to feel. My mind was a jumble, and my heart wasn’t faring any better. I got out of bed, threw on some comfy clothes, and headed down the grand staircase. The house felt oddly quiet this morning, as if everyone was keeping their distance. As I turned the corner into the kitchen, the aroma of coffee greeted me, along with the light chatter of Bento and Steph. Lucifer bounded around my feet, barking happily as I bent down to give him a scratch, his warm fur providing a bit of comfort. "Good morning," I said softly, running my fingers through his fur as I stood back up. "Morning," Bento replied, his tone playful. He looked up from the counter with a cheeky grin. "You doing okay today?" I shot him a
Ava There's a light, almost playful vibe between us, and honestly, I'm not used to this kind of attention—at least not like this. "Nice to meet you, Ava." I’m about to reply when I hear a deep, unmistakable voice from behind me. "Get the hell away from my wife." The words slice through our light chat like a knife. My stomach drops, and I turn around, surprised. Riccardo is there, glaring at Vito with an intensity that makes my heart race. His jaw is tight, fists clenched at his sides, and his eyes blaze with a raw, dangerous anger. Vito, sensing the threat, quickly steps back, hands raised in a mock gesture of surrender. "My bad, Don De Lucca. I didn’t mean to intrude. Just admiring the view." He throws me one last look, a playful smile still on his face, before he walks away. Riccardo keeps his gaze locked on Vito until he’s out of sight, his eyes still simmering with rage. Then, his focus shifts to me, and I can feel the weight of his stare—heavy and possessive. The atmosphere
Ava Riccardo brushed off the question, a smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against the counter next to me. He reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You’re loving this, aren’t you?" he said, his voice low and playful. "Enjoying what?" I shot back, but the warmth creeping into my cheeks gave me away. "The way every guy in this room is checking you out," he replied, his lips nearly touching my ear, his breath sending goosebumps racing down my neck. "The way their eyes linger on what’s mine." I rolled my eyes, even as I found myself leaning closer to him. "I’m not anyone’s property." His hand found my jaw, tilting my face so I had no choice but to look into his eyes. "Don’t kid yourself, Ava. You’re mine, and deep down, you know it." Before I could say anything, he lowered his head, his lips grazing the curve of my neck. The warmth of his mouth sent a jolt through me, and I hated how easily he unraveled my res
Ava A few days have passed since I had sex with Riccardo in his office. That night I couldn't sleep. I kept replaying what happened in my mind. I still couldn't believe I slept with him and not to mention I gave him a blowjob while Jessy was sitting there. Speaking of Jessy, I swear he knows I was under the table that day. Every time he sees me he grins and winks at me but I act as if nothing had happened. Coming back to today. I was in my room getting ready since we were invited to a ball. Riccardo didn't seem happy about going, making me wonder if all the mafia bosses were going to be there. The bedroom buzzed with excitement as Steph dug through jewelry boxes, her silver dress sparkling with every move. Tonight was the masquerade ball, but my mind was stuck on what had happened between Riccardo and me a few nights ago. "I knew this would look amazing on you," she said, gesturing to the black satin dress I had just put on. I smoothed the fabric over my hips, admiring my reflec
Ava I opened my mouth to say something, but the words just wouldn’t come out. I wanted to express how much I wished to erase that kiss from my mind, yet my body had other ideas. Instead, I shot him a glare, trying to maintain my defenses. "Quit pushing me around," I said, though my voice felt weak against the tension building between us. He chuckled, but it wasn’t a lighthearted laugh. It was dark and tinged with bitterness. "Is that really what you think this is? Just me pushing you around?" He stepped closer, and I could feel the heat radiating from him. My breath caught, and for a second, I thought I might break down. But I held it together. "We’re not doing this. Not again." He reached out, his fingers grazing my jaw and tilting my head up to meet his eyes. "You’re lying," he murmured. "You’re lying to yourself, to me, and to everyone else in this house." I grabbed his wrist and pulled his hand away from my face. "You think you can just touch me whenever you feel like it?" H
Ava I tried to brush it off. The kiss. The way he kissed me. The sensation of his lips, the way he held me as if I were his lifeline, like he was desperate and I was the only thing that could fill that void. I’ve fantasized about his lips for ages, and now that I’ve experienced them, I can’t get enough. But I’d never confess that. Not to myself. Not to him. Dinner the next day was meant to be just another evening. But with Riccardo, nothing was ever just ordinary. I found myself sitting next to him at the long dining table, pretending to pay attention to the chat between Steph and Bento. They were going on about some mundane family business topic that didn’t interest me at all—but I couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept circling back to that kiss. The intensity of it. The way his lips had taken mine, as if he’d been waiting for that moment, like he couldn’t hold back any longer. It was meaningless. So why did it feel like everything had shifted? I squirmed in my chair, trying to i
Riccardo The house was still, except for the occasional creak of the aging walls. After the chaos of the last few days, the quiet was a relief, but sleep still eluded me. The sharp pain in my ribs from the bullet wound was nothing compared to the frustration swirling in my mind. I wandered into the kitchen, shirtless and clutching a glass of whiskey. The cool air brushed against my skin as I leaned against the counter, watching the amber liquid swirl. I should have been concentrating on the Sterlings, the mole we had to deal with, anything but her. But Ava kept invading my thoughts. I took another sip, my jaw tightening in irritation. She drove me crazy—her stubbornness, her defiance, her reckless tendency to put herself in harm's way. And then there was that kiss. Just thinking about her lips on mine sent a rush of emotions I couldn’t quite identify. The sound of soft footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ava standing in the kitchen doorway. She wore a silk nigh
Ava The late afternoon sun streamed through my room's windows, casting a warm golden glow on the walls. Yet, despite the peaceful scene outside, my mind was in turmoil. I couldn't shake the images from the basement—the blood, the screams, and the chilling intensity in Riccardo's gaze. It felt like I had uncovered a darker, more frightening side of him, and I was left wondering how someone could turn into that. He reminded me of my father. I hated what they did to people. The way they torture people is like it was some kind of sick, twisted joke. A sudden knock broke my train of thought, and before I could respond, Steph breezed in, dramatically closing the door behind her. "Ever heard of knocking?" I said with a hint of sarcasm as I turned to face her. "Not really my thing," she shot back, grinning as she flopped onto my bed and stretched out. "Besides, you've been sulking all day. I'm here to rescue you from your own thoughts." I let out a reluctant laugh, but it quickly faded.
Ava I stroll through the warm breeze, inhaling the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers in the gardens, trying to push aside the chaotic thoughts swirling in my head. His kiss still lingers on my lips, but there's something else nagging at me—making me question if I truly know him at all. I can hear the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft hum of the day, yet all I feel is the heaviness of my thoughts. I married a man who can kiss me one moment and then act like it never happened the next. I loved how his lips touched mine. It was something I dreamed about for years and now that it finally happened, I felt afraid. Maybe it's because I am afraid he is only using me to replace Madeline? Or maybe it's because life has shown me what people can do to you. Then something caught my eyes. A quick movement—a glint of light from a camera lens peeking out from behind the hedge. I keep walking, but my heart skips a beat. It’s one of the guards. A chill runs down my spine, and I can’t shake th