LUCA'S POV.
She didn't say a thing; she didn't flinch either. I felt her body tense beneath the gun and it wrecked on my nerves the more,
With gritted teeth, I pressed the gun harder against her temples, her eyes locked into my piercing blue ones.
I sniffed even harder into the air, the scent of sex mixed with sweat evident; she looked like a mess.
Her hair ruffled. the gown she had worn, along with the thong tossed carelessly across the floor. She had the duvet wrapped over her body, clinging on to her skin by its dear life.
“Tell me, Isabella… Maybe I'll play nice. Who the fuck was it? Tell me now or I'll burn down the fucking house looking for him." I cursed at her; I was loud; I was losing control.
I was enraged, bitter. Jealous... and fuck, this was a wrong time for this shit, but I was hard... fucking hard. So much that it pressed against my pants,
She looked hot; matter of fact, she looked sexy all through the damn party. Her resilience had turned me on all day; I hated to admit the fact, so I brushed it aside, thinking of it as just me needing to get laid.
And now seeing her this vulnerable, barely clothed. Smelling like an after sex made my balls hurt.
Yet the image had me nauseous; panic shot up my spine; the thought of her on her belly while some man fucked her from behind made my blood boil.
All I had fucking seen was red.
“You are insane; no one was here!” She responded, trying to sound tough, but that was the thing… She was trying too hard, so much that her voice had severed.
Her eyes darted around the room, as if looking for any clues that could fucking sell her out.
I pulled a phone to my ear.
“Check the CCTV cameras; anyone heading in or out of my wife's room, I'd like to know.” As soon as the link was clicked I spoke.
A few seconds into it, the voice came on again, shaky, dreading. “It's down; nothing is on… at least an hour now.?It's been blank," the head of security explained.
“Fucking wanker! What the bloody hell should that mean?” I questioned, each word I spoke dripping with venom.
Isabella whined, the gun was poking into her skin now, making an outline of its shape on her head… but; she fucking caused it, at least I didn't rip her apart or skin her alive…yet.
I'd have fun doing that later, but first, I need to know who had the guts to sleep with her! To fuck her, so much her hair became a rough mess.
I pressed my knee against her side, pushing her over towards the bed; she sucked air in through her teeth, wincing from the pain, but she wasn't trying today… She hadn't snapped back, having no loose words or snarky retorts… She was simply still. Silent.
“Get Antonio here now!” I ordered ending the call before tossing my phone against the floor harshly.
I corked up the gun, and my hands settled on the trigger.
“Speak now! I swear I'll pull the damn trigger if you don't…and I'll be sure to keep you alive, but in pain, you bloody slut” I cursed, seething with rage.
“Does it change anything? Go ahead, Luca, pull the damn trigger, but it won't change my response; no one was here. You are really paranoid.”
She had the upper hand; she was setting a tease. I pressed the gun even harder. Fine, if she wanted to play nasty, two could play the game.
The door flung open while I was about to make a shot. Antonio walked in slowly, his eyes narrowed from the position I was in, hunched over Isabella's head, my hand on the trigger and Isabella pinned to the bed, suffocating into the mattress.
“The CCTV camera was out, technical difficulties,” Antonio explained with a curt nod,
“Fucking hell! Fuck this!” I cursed. Pulling the trigger.
A gunshot rang through the room; Isabella tensed up, and a loud gasp escaped her lips.
I had shot wired into a hole right above her head, into the mattress
I pulled away from her, grabbing her by the hair; she flinched backwards, finally baring her face toward mine, her eyes filled with tears streaming down her cheeks.
She believed I would shoot her... heck, I almost shot her.
“I want the cameras to be traced. Check for any suspicious presence, and yes... I want every working staff and security member of the inner house sacked and replaced immediately.” I ordered Antonio he responded with a bow.
He passed Isabella and me one last glance before talking away from the room.
“I told you, no one was here…You should have shot me, because I swear by my life I'll kill you, and it will be soon, Luca.” She threatened, in between sobs, sniffing hard, I realised I scared her pretty bad. And I liked it; now she was getting a hang of who the boss was.
“I'm a mafia… a ricci for fucks sake, I'd be damned before letting you fuck around with some cheap bum… consider yourseld lucky, and since you have so much time to go sleeping like a fucking whore… you stay with me henceforth!” I deadpanned in a low, menacing tone.
“Fuck off… You can employ a new batch all you want, but it makes no difference; you don't own me. I'll fuck who I want.? Too bad your paranoia is sucking up to your ass, there! Was! No! One!” She repeated her voice dripping with mockery,
I felt irritated that my skin crawled hearing her… She had beaten me to it; there was no evidence thanks to that damned technical bullshit. Fine,
She was done pulling my strings.
I thought hatred was enough, but if she wanted to get down to the death enmity, I'd gladly give her.
“I'll have your stuff packed into my room, i'll have my eyes on you all day and night onward… I would not let you out of my line of sight, ever. You thought being married to me was bad enough? Well…Welcome to hell; I'll show you what being married to me actually means.”
.ISABELLA'S POV.I groaned, wincing from pain as my body crashed with the harshness of the cold tiles beneath me, the duvet falling loose of my body as I struggled to wrap it back tight.“Good, I hope you are uncomfortable.” Luca murmured, his bloodshot eyes bored into mine; he was pissed as hell.He tossed me a faint fabric of pyjamas of his?… I couldn't tell, but it was just as big and soft; it could have been his.He stormed into the bathroom, granting me sparsely nine seconds to wriggle into the clothes he provided; the fabric was so soft it brushed against my nipple with each move I made, hardening my tits as pebbles.“You'll stay here until you submit to me. You are mine, Isabella, and you have to get your act together. It would be better for you.” He snapped the words icy, sharp, and menacing. I swallowed a lump in my throat , fuck this,I wasn't weak, maybe my father had screwes things up for us, but I was a trained one, so why the fuck would I let the bloody bastard make
..ISABELLA’S POV The lace of my wedding dress felt like chains, wrapping around me tighter with every breath. The fabric was smooth against my skin, but it may as well have been ropes binding me to my fate. This wasn’t a dress. It was a costume—a cruel joke.The thorns of the bouquet bit into my palms, the sharp pain grounding me. Blood welled under my grip, smearing the edges of the roses. I didn’t loosen my hold. I wanted to feel it, wanted the sting to drown out the boiling rage inside me.But it wasn’t the roses or the dress that made my blood burn.It was him.Luca Ricci stood at the altar, every inch of him radiating control. His broad shoulders were squared, his sharp jawline catching the light streaming through the cathedral windows. The scar along his jaw only added to the picture of danger he exuded.He didn’t smile—not even the faintest twitch of his lips. He didn’t need to. His satisfaction was quieter, colder, and sharper than any blade.He wasn’t marrying me because he
.LUCA’S POVThe knife lay on the desk where I’d left it, its blade glinting in the soft morning light spilling through the curtains. It was a relic of last night’s little drama—Isabella’s pathetic attempt to kill me. I picked it up, running my thumb along its sharp edge. Sleek. Clean. Deadly. A knife suited for quick, efficient work. I imagined her holding it, her hands shaking but her eyes filled with fire. She wanted to kill me, and she had come so close. Too close. The skyline stretched before me as I stood by the window, turning the blade over in my hands. My penthouse was a fortress, impenetrable, just like me. Isabella thought she could challenge that—challenge me. But this wasn’t a fairy tale where defiance would save her. Breaking her wouldn’t just be satisfying; it would be art. A slow, sharp smile curved my lips. Her hatred wasn’t misplaced. The Morettis had stolen from me long before her father shot my brother. Adrian’s death had destroyed more than my family—i
.ISABELLA’S POVThe air in Luca’s office was cold, even though the space itself was spotless and luxurious. The sharp scent of leather and polished wood filled my nose as I ran my fingers over the edges of the papers on his desk. I wasn’t supposed to be here. I wasn’t supposed to be doing this. But after everything Luca had done to me—trapping me in this marriage, poisoning me just to teach me a lesson—I had no choice. I needed something. Something to fight back with. I had woken very early, searching through the rooms weary of each cctv I came across with. I spent the rest of last night finding their blind spot but even now this seemed too easy.I felt as though he was watching, calmly waiting for me tk be done, enjoying making a fool of myself.My hands trembled as I flipped through the files, my heart racing. Most of it looked like routine business transactions, but I knew better. Luca didn’t run an empire on “routine.” Then I found it. A small black notebook hidden und
.LUCA’S POV“Get out,” I said, yanking open the car door. Isabella stayed where she was, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at me like she wanted me dead. The glowing lights of the mansion reflected in her hazel eyes, turning them molten with anger. “Do I have to drag you out?” I asked, leaning closer. My voice was calm, but she’d been pushing me all day. Maybe I did ‘forget’ to inform her about a party she was meant to accompany me on purpose until an hour ago.“Do it,” she said, her lips curling into a bitter smile. “Drag me out in front of your precious guests. Show them what a gentleman you are.” I grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward until our faces were inches apart. “We’re late, and if you embarrass me tonight, Isabella, I swear I'll break your neck myself.” Her laugh was cold, cutting through the tension like a blade. “If you weren’t so desperate to use me as a trophy, you’d probably have done it already.” I released her with a shove, and she stumbled slight
ISABELLA'S POV.“You sick psychopath!” I cursed, slamming the door shut as I alighted from the car; he walked out the other end with a smirk strapped to the sides of his lips.My eyes trailed off to his sleeves soaked with blood; the bullet meant for me had grazed through his arms, but I couldn't give a flying fuck about it.“I almost died because of you; you brought me down into your war!” I screamed, seething with rage.“So?” He questioned. Corking up his eyebrows like this was some sort of joke. “Maybe next time I'll just let them take you,” he responded, his words dripping with mockery and nonchalance.I watched in awe. My lips parted as he stormed past me, whistling to himself; my heart thumped hard in my chest. Oh, I hated this man.I hated him so much I wanted to strangle the life out of him, but I couldn't; he proved that to me twice. I was weaker compared to him.The automatic doors pushed open as he walked in, and I followed behind, hot on his heels.“You should have; no one
ISABELLA'S POV.Cold chills ran down my spine hearing those words, whatever defiance I had, whatever walls I built. Whatever anger and energy and resilience I had before , they all cracked on the spot I let myself loose swinging forward on the rsil standing back to my feets, the iciness of the tiles shot through my skin as I inched forward,I closed all the space between us, hating the god awful annoying grin still on his face.“Don't you dare lay a finger on Matteo, don't you dare …I can see that look in your eyes, you bloody devil. If you lay a finger on my brother, I'll...”“What?” He asked. Cutting into my words, pulling me closer, his arms wrapped behind my waist. I wouldn't mistake this for compassion or a joke impact. Maybe I felt fear for thr first time in a long while; I worked twice as hard. Maintained all public appearances. acting as though I was the only child of my dead mother and dead beat dad,All so Matteo, my poor autistic brother, could stay in his healthcare sc
LUCA'S POV.My jaw ticked, my eyes not wavering off her as she made her way down the stairs, walking elegantly in the blue, silky, lace, slitted gown I got for her… It had an opening at the back; the fabric had clung perfectly to her curves complimenting every part of her body.Her hair, ran carelessly over her shoulder in a hat, made her more sexy and defiant she looked dangerous; I loved it.She knew how to cause a scene, too bad she'll be making it with me.“Enjoying the view?” She asked, the frown on her face growing deeper as she approached me. Finally standing on the last flight of stairs, I tried hard not to roll my eyes at her comment. “Merely staring at you, makes me want to puke all I had for lunch.” I snapped, turning my gaze away from turning on my feet without waiting for a moment of her response.“Don't act funny, or make baseless remarks, or try making an escape; you'd embarrass yourself, Isabella. Besides, I'm certain you won't want Mattoes's head on a plate,” I asse
.ISABELLA'S POV.I groaned, wincing from pain as my body crashed with the harshness of the cold tiles beneath me, the duvet falling loose of my body as I struggled to wrap it back tight.“Good, I hope you are uncomfortable.” Luca murmured, his bloodshot eyes bored into mine; he was pissed as hell.He tossed me a faint fabric of pyjamas of his?… I couldn't tell, but it was just as big and soft; it could have been his.He stormed into the bathroom, granting me sparsely nine seconds to wriggle into the clothes he provided; the fabric was so soft it brushed against my nipple with each move I made, hardening my tits as pebbles.“You'll stay here until you submit to me. You are mine, Isabella, and you have to get your act together. It would be better for you.” He snapped the words icy, sharp, and menacing. I swallowed a lump in my throat , fuck this,I wasn't weak, maybe my father had screwes things up for us, but I was a trained one, so why the fuck would I let the bloody bastard make
LUCA'S POV.She didn't say a thing; she didn't flinch either. I felt her body tense beneath the gun and it wrecked on my nerves the more,With gritted teeth, I pressed the gun harder against her temples, her eyes locked into my piercing blue ones. I sniffed even harder into the air, the scent of sex mixed with sweat evident; she looked like a mess.Her hair ruffled. the gown she had worn, along with the thong tossed carelessly across the floor. She had the duvet wrapped over her body, clinging on to her skin by its dear life.“Tell me, Isabella… Maybe I'll play nice. Who the fuck was it? Tell me now or I'll burn down the fucking house looking for him." I cursed at her; I was loud; I was losing control.I was enraged, bitter. Jealous... and fuck, this was a wrong time for this shit, but I was hard... fucking hard. So much that it pressed against my pants,She looked hot; matter of fact, she looked sexy all through the damn party. Her resilience had turned me on all day; I hated to ad
.ISABELLA'S POVAntonio stood before me, his chest heaving, his hands balled into fists at his sides as if holding himself back from crossing a line we both knew would change everything. His dark eyes locked on mine, filled with a mix of longing and restraint that sent a shiver down my spine. "Tell me to leave," he said, his voice rough and low. "If you don’t want this, tell me now." I didn’t answer. My breath caught in my throat, my body betraying me as my feet remained rooted to the floor. I hated him. I hated that he’d left me, that he’d found his way back into my life only to stand here, making me feel things I swore I’d buried long ago. But more than that, I hated how much I still wanted him. “Shut up, Antonio,” I whispered, taking a step closer, my voice trembling but firm.. “Just… shut up.” Before I could lose my nerve, I grabbed his shirt, yanking him toward me. His lips crashed against mine, hot and demanding, and the world around us disappeared. His hands were everywh
.ISABELLA'S POV.“That bastard! Who does he think he is?” I raged, storming through the corridors out towards my supposed bedroom; anger coursed through my veins with each step I took. He humiliated me, the bastard. How dare he compare me to Alessia? What sort of freak does he tend to be? She shot him.She shot him!.Alesia had put a bullet through him, and he was out there drooling about it. I knew he was a sick psycho, but even at that, he was still in love with her.I bit against my lips, running my fingers through my hair as soon as I slammed the door to my room. I tapped my foot against the floor, anxiety easing through me. What exactly had made me change my mind? I had the bastard, I let him leave and breathe. I spared his life, and that was the thanks I got.Act like a ricci? I wasn't up to Alessia's standards? I'm his wife now?.He had a lot to gloat about; merely thinking back to the sick smirk on his lips made my insides churn, burn…crawl. I had… I should have emptied th
..LUCA'S POV.Bloody fuck.She's poison; every word that came off her lips was no better than venom, and I just kissed her?.“Are you insane?” She asked. Spitting continuously against the grass, I watched, not moving as she wiped at her lips aggressively and then turned back to face me, her eyes filled with rage.“You talk too much, Isabella. Weren't you so jealous earlier? What's so hurtful about a kiss?” I inhaled again, grinning wider, trying to mask my own surprise.I had kissed her without thinking, and if looks could kill, I bet I'd be dead by now.“You may be married to this facade we have going on, but if you bloody touch me without my consent again, I'll murder you,” she spat.A smile stretched on my lips, relieved to see she wasn't thinking too much into the kiss just as I was.“Fine, are you ready to leave now?” I asked again, turning away before she could catch a glimpse of my broken expression.She didn't say a word; she stormed past me, finally reducing her pace as we
.ISABELLA'S POV.He tensed up; his hands trembled as they got loose off the grip i had on.His gaze flickered, an unnamed emotion in them, his eyes bulging out, almost falling out of their sockets. He was stunned, and I could see that was an abstract I never imagined he could have. Just then, I see it too.Of course. Tall, blonde, and oozing confidence. Just his type. And the perfect reason to ignore me.Yet I brushed it aside, shoving the thoughts down, an irritated feeling coursed through me, my eyes on his, anger eating up my senses; he fucked me out.He had a thing for blonde hairs? And why was she smiling so brightly?.But to my surprise, she wrapped her arms over his neck, close enough to him that I had dug my fingers into my palm, trying hard not to yank her by the hair.“I missed you, Luca,” she said, the words flirty and the evident yearning look in her eyes embarrassing me on her behalf.What was she bloody doing?. Seducing a married man in broad daylight?.“It's been too
LUCA'S POV.My jaw ticked, my eyes not wavering off her as she made her way down the stairs, walking elegantly in the blue, silky, lace, slitted gown I got for her… It had an opening at the back; the fabric had clung perfectly to her curves complimenting every part of her body.Her hair, ran carelessly over her shoulder in a hat, made her more sexy and defiant she looked dangerous; I loved it.She knew how to cause a scene, too bad she'll be making it with me.“Enjoying the view?” She asked, the frown on her face growing deeper as she approached me. Finally standing on the last flight of stairs, I tried hard not to roll my eyes at her comment. “Merely staring at you, makes me want to puke all I had for lunch.” I snapped, turning my gaze away from turning on my feet without waiting for a moment of her response.“Don't act funny, or make baseless remarks, or try making an escape; you'd embarrass yourself, Isabella. Besides, I'm certain you won't want Mattoes's head on a plate,” I asse
ISABELLA'S POV.Cold chills ran down my spine hearing those words, whatever defiance I had, whatever walls I built. Whatever anger and energy and resilience I had before , they all cracked on the spot I let myself loose swinging forward on the rsil standing back to my feets, the iciness of the tiles shot through my skin as I inched forward,I closed all the space between us, hating the god awful annoying grin still on his face.“Don't you dare lay a finger on Matteo, don't you dare …I can see that look in your eyes, you bloody devil. If you lay a finger on my brother, I'll...”“What?” He asked. Cutting into my words, pulling me closer, his arms wrapped behind my waist. I wouldn't mistake this for compassion or a joke impact. Maybe I felt fear for thr first time in a long while; I worked twice as hard. Maintained all public appearances. acting as though I was the only child of my dead mother and dead beat dad,All so Matteo, my poor autistic brother, could stay in his healthcare sc
ISABELLA'S POV.“You sick psychopath!” I cursed, slamming the door shut as I alighted from the car; he walked out the other end with a smirk strapped to the sides of his lips.My eyes trailed off to his sleeves soaked with blood; the bullet meant for me had grazed through his arms, but I couldn't give a flying fuck about it.“I almost died because of you; you brought me down into your war!” I screamed, seething with rage.“So?” He questioned. Corking up his eyebrows like this was some sort of joke. “Maybe next time I'll just let them take you,” he responded, his words dripping with mockery and nonchalance.I watched in awe. My lips parted as he stormed past me, whistling to himself; my heart thumped hard in my chest. Oh, I hated this man.I hated him so much I wanted to strangle the life out of him, but I couldn't; he proved that to me twice. I was weaker compared to him.The automatic doors pushed open as he walked in, and I followed behind, hot on his heels.“You should have; no one