Giulia's POV“Follow me,” Antonio said and I stood up.Just a few minutes into when Don Antonio and I were supposed to have dinner, Lorenzo walked in and whispered something into his ears and Don Antonio's jaw tightened.He stood up and changed in a casual outfit and when he got to the door, he stopped like he had forgotten something; that was when he turned to me and asked me to follow him.We walked outside the mansion and a car was already waiting outside.The driver opened the door and Don Antonio let me go in first while he followed after. Lorenzo was at the passengers seat.We soon got to a warehouse in a somewhat creepy environment and the car stopped.Don Antonio, Lorenzo and I came down while the driver stayed behind.It was so creepy and cold that I fought the urge to not shiver as we walked towards the warehouse which was just some steps away.“You are cold.” He said as he took off the jacket he wore and handed it to me. He still looked very angry.I quickly put the jacket o
Antonio's POVAs Giulia wrapped her arms around my neck I shuddered. I drew her closer and let our lips dance in harmony.We kissed for a while, and I went ahead to bite her lower lip and she moaned.The reason for all this was to prove to Vincenzo that I could treat my companion right, and nothing more but a strange feeling was creeping in.It was just a day of being nice, and I was already feeling attached.‘It has always been there, you just decided to hide it.’ My mind suggested and I shoved it away.I led her gently to my bed and made her lay on it then I placed both hands on the bed so she was in-between.While we kissed, I gently undressed her and let my hands move freely all over her body, and she let out stifled moans.I disengaged from the kiss and began to trail kisses from her neck down to her chest while I made delicate moves with my hands.I soon got to her breasts and I fondled them. I could feel her heart beating fast and she struggled to suppress the moans.I finally
Vincenzo's POV“Good morning,” Giulia said as I sat opposite her and I answered.I had walked into the dining room to find Giulia and Antonio already seated for breakfast.They weren't chatting but she seemed relaxed around him, unlike when I first arrived in Italy, and it pained me to see that it was so.I drew a seat and sat opposite Giulia.“Good morning,” Antonio said with a warm and not-too-pleasant smile that signified a hidden victory.I knew exactly what that smile signified; it meant that he had gotten Giulia before me.It was now I understood why he didn't say a word to me when he saw me with Giulia earlier today; he felt that he had won her and nothing could be done about it.He'd normally almost kill me after he found me talking to her, but he just walked away after she left, and we still haven't had the little chat.We were having breakfast peacefully when Sophia walked in and I frowned.What in the world was she doing here? I thought my brother was done with her.“So thi
Antonio's POVI watched how Giulia looked at the far end of the warehouse continuously, she seemed uncomfortable and scared.“Let's go,” I said as I stood up and she sighed in relief.She stood up after me and walked towards the exit hurriedly. Lorenzo and I followed from behind.“She looks like she's running away from something, or should I say someone,” Lorenzo said just exactly what I had in mind.“I can see that,” I said. “I wonder who it is that she's running from.”“She put up the same act at one of the casinos the last time we went there,” Lorenzo had his usual blank expression.“She'd better not be doing anything dangerous behind my back,” I muttered angrily.“I'll be on the lookout,” Lorenzo said as we got to the car.“Good.”Giulia was already in the car waiting. “You left me behind,” I said as I joined her in the car and then signaled the driver to start the car. “I'm sorry; I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible,” she said while avoiding my eyes.“Why is that?”
Giulia's POVAs I walked to Antonio's study, I couldn't help but ponder why he called me.I hadn't been in his study for a very long time. He neither allowed me to go to the casino nor did he ask me to go with him to the warehouse since the last time.As I entered the room, my heart began to race; the space was filled with tension.Lorenzo, Vincenzo, and several other familiar faces who sat around the huge table in the center of the room turned to me.I drew out a chair at the far end of the table and sat down.Lorenzo's eyes darted toward me, his expression guarded. I could sense unease beneath his composure."So, everyone's here now.” Antonio, who sat at the head seat with his elbow resting on the table, said. His gaze commanded attention.Was everyone here? I had looked around for Sophia but I couldn't find her; maybe she was yet to arrive.Antonio began, his voice low and menacing. "My empire is being dismantled, piece by piece. Someone is leaking information to my rivals."The m
Antonio's POV I paced my study, my mind racing. Sophia's betrayal was all I could think of. How could she? How did she even think of it? "Lorenzo, get in here," I called out, my voice echoing off the walls. Lorenzo entered, his expression cautious. "Sir?" "I need you to find out who's feeding Sophia information," I growled. "I want names as soon as possible." Lorenzo nodded, his eyes darting toward Giulia, who stood by the window. "Yes, sir." Lorenzo walked out and Vincenzo came in almost immediately. "Giulia, what do you know?" I demanded, my gaze locking onto hers. Her eyes widened. "Nothing, Antonio. I swear." I studied her, searching for deception but her expression seemed genuine. Suddenly, a wave of fatigue washed over me and my legs trembled. No, not now. I clenched my jaw, fighting the familiar symptoms. Fibromyalgia which had given me a chance to live a normal life for some time now was lurking back in. "Antonio, are you okay?" Giulia and my brother asked in uni
Giulia's POVI walked to Antonio's study with the files he asked me to keep earlier lost in thought.The current situation of the empire was just so unexpected and unpleasant. Who'd think that this would ever happen?What also bothered me was how Don Antonio allowed Sophia to go after all she did.Maybe he had something special in mind for her, who knows?That dude is dangerous!Suddenly, Lorenzo appeared beside me."Giulia, can I have a word?" he asked, his tone low.“Okay,” I answered a bit surprised.Lorenzo wasn't the one to talk to me. The only time he spoke to me was when Don Antonio asked him to assign me to a task.We stepped into an empty hallway."I'm listening, Lorenzo," I said."You've been noticing things, haven't you?" His eyes locked onto mine.I hesitated. "What do you mean?""Antonio trusts you, but be careful. Not everyone shares his faith." His words sent a shiver down my spine."I still don't understand what you mean by this statement.”Lorenzo's gaze drifted aro
Giulia's POVI navigated the dimly lit warehouse, maneuvering through shady figures negotiating tirelessly over illicit goods.Don Antonio had described where I would find Victor, and I looked around for it."Giulia!" A huge black guy behind a marble counter called out to me.“Name?” I asked as I approached him.“Victor, Why?” he answered with raised brows.“I just wanted to be sure,” I answered, handing over the envelope."Package from Antonio."Victor's eyes scanned the contents before nodding. "Good work. Tell Antonio, 'Eagle's Wings' are secured."I nodded, allowing the cryptic message to sink in.As I turned to leave, my gaze swept across the warehouse. That was when I saw him – Lorenzo, standing near a pillar, conversing with someone.My curiosity sparked and I edged closer.The person beside Lorenzo wore a hoodie, face hidden but a flash of red lipstick caught my attention.Sophia?I froze, unsure.Lorenzo's companion sensed my gaze and swiftly pulled the hoodie tighter, conceal
Giulia's POVI walked into the dining room for breakfast, filled with a feeling of triumph after yesterday's success.The sound of Sophia's laughter filled the air as they ate. They seemed to be in a good mood after their meeting with Lorenzo.Maybe Lorenzo had some good news for them.Well, their joy wasn't going to last long because that was the last information he was going to send since Antonio already knew he was the mole.I went to join them and Sophia didn't pay attention to me, neither did Leonardo and I was grateful for that.Sophia suddenly got a phone call.“Yes, please.” She responded to the other party.She was quiet as the person on the other end spoke.“I'll be there in five,” she answered before she hung up.She quickly stood up and gave Leonardo a kiss on the cheek before rushing out.I finished my meal quickly and got ready to leave.“Sit!” Leonardo ordered.I looked at him in shock as I placed myself back on my seat.He smiled at my compliance and maintained a strai
Antonio's POVI sat behind my desk, my eyes fixed on the papers in front of me.My empire was on the rise, and I could feel the momentum building.Seventy percent increase in a few months, all thanks to my brain and to Giulia.I don't know how she managed to get that information but I could tell that she was a smart one.It was a remarkable turnaround, and I knew it wouldn't go unnoticed by Leonardo.The door to my study opened, and Lorenzo walked in. “Antonio, good morning,” he said, his voice smooth as silk.
Giulia's POVI sat quietly on my bed as the look on Maria's face before she died kept playing in my head.It has been weeks since she died but it felt like it all happened yesterday and memories of her lived rent-free in my head.Maria was so much like a sister to me and some stupid mafia who thinks he can get whatever he wants took her away from me.I rarely went out so the maids were forced to bring my meals which I barely had an appetite for to my room.I couldn't shut Leonardo out. He had a spare key and came in whenever he wanted to get what he wanted.
Giulia's POVI rolled to the other side of the bed as my abdomen ached.It was my fourth month here and I was beginning to get a hang of everything except for Leonardo's brutality.Maria had come in earlier to check up on me but left immediately to attend to something and I knew just where she went.I hadn't heard a word from Antonio since I sent that message and I never had the chance to speak to Frank. He was almost like the wind.Maria walked in with a smile that disappeared almost immediately when she saw the surprised look on my face.“What's the occasion, Maria?” I asked as I sat up.“It's nothing,” she answered. “So, how are you feeling?” She was trying to divert the conversation, but I knew better.“Maria, I'm fine and nothing wouldn't make you smile like that, it's something.”“Okay, fine.”She went to shut the door and came to sit next to me.“Gabriele and I are planning an escape,” she spoke in whispers.“Gabriele? Who's Gabriele?” I asked with raised brows.“Yes, he's my b
Giulia's POV “Giulia,” he called and I almost fainted.How did he know I was here? I didn't tell anybody I was coming here. Not even Maria.“Come out now,” he ordered.I still stood behind the curtain. Maybe he wasn't so sure that I was here, he must be playing along with his instincts.Leonardo turned with a big frown. “Come out, Giulia.”Oh! He was fully aware of my presence, so I was caught. I walked out shakily from behind the curtain soaked in panic sweat.I couldn't breathe properly as I stood before Leonardo. This was going to be the worst day of my life.“You know,” he started as he walked back to his desk. “If any of my men saw you first, they'd have beaten you to stupor before coming to me.”I swallowed hard. The room was cold but my sweat pores could only produce more sweat.“What were you doing here?” he asked as he rested his back on his swirling chair.“I… I um…” I stuttered.“Speak now,” he ordered and I shook.“I came to…” I started again and stopped.There was no val
Giulia's POV“Sometimes, I wish there was something I could do to help Don Antonio.”I paced my room to and fro while Maria sat on the sofa watching me.“You seem to care about him a great deal; he's a ruthless mafia,” Maria said.“You know that too?... I mean the fact that he's ruthless,” I was surprised.“Who doesn't know Don Antonio?” She laughed. “He's a wild beast.”I raised my brows speechless. Maria was so bold to say these things; she wasn't as timid as the other maids.“How about Leonardo?”“He's ruthless too but he cannot be compared to Antonio who kills for a living.”“So, Leonardo is nicer?”“Not at all,” Maria laughed. “I didn't say so. Leonardo is ruthless as well.”“Fair enough,” I answered.“But ma'am,” Maria started. “Why do you care so much about helping Don Antonio?” she asked, not taking her gaze off me.“If I'm helping him, I'm helping myself,” I looked away from her. “This place is killing me.”“I get it,” Maria said. Her voice was steady and soothing.For a mome
Giulia's POV I opened the door and walked in. It was his conference room, a beautiful room with an ugly scenario.Leonardo held a gun in one hand while three men knelt in front of him trembling and a pipe which he smoked on the other hand.I never for once thought that Leonardo smoked, and from the look of things, I couldn't tell if I was to join the men or watch them get killed.“Giulia!” Leonardo called when he noticed my presence. “Join them.”“What?” I was surprised.“Join them, Giulia,” he roared.“What did I do?” I asked. “There should be a reason why I should join them.”If I had to join them there should be a reason why.One of the men who knelt before Leonardo locked eyes with me and shook his head in what seemed like pity.I soon had a bad feeling about this, maybe I should have just done as he had asked without asking questions.Leonardo didn't utter another word. He sucked on his pipe a little longer and released the smoke from his nose.He did a little hand movement and
Giulia's POV“You'll be fine,” Maria encouraged as she placed her hand gently on my shoulders.She had become more than a mere maid; she was now a friend.It was already two weeks and I still hadn't recovered from the shock of what happened at the ball.Antonio could have been killed or severely injured. I would not have escaped a scratch either.That was why Sophia was in a good mood. She thought they would be able to get him killed at the ball.Since then, I've gone through brutal and ill treatment from Leonardo and Sophia.Oh! My Antonio.To my greatest surprise, after the attack which led to Antonio leaving immediately ended, the event went back to normal.It must have been planned by every one of them and there's no way Maria could not have heard.I was dying in silence and the best option was to speak to her.“Did you know that an attack was being planned against Don Antonio?” I asked as I sat facing her.“No,” she answered curtly with a surprised look on her face. “Not all word
Vincenzo's POV “Antonio, what are you doing?” I yelled.Antonio had called Lorenzo, Franco, Mario, Alessandro, Roberto and I for a meeting.He had been sour since the ball yesterday, not that he was any different but he was still sour and refused to talk to me.I had wondered why he called for the meeting up until now.The moment he entered, he pounced on Franco without uttering a word.His eyes were filled with rage as he pulled Franco from the chair where he sat.“What did you do?” He roared.Franco's eyes were filled with confusion as he stammered. “I… didn't…do…do…anything.”“Shut up,” Antonio's eyes were dark with anger; it seemed like nothing could stop him from doing whatever he had in mind.“You should at least tell him what he did before killing him,” I chipped in.Antonio threw me a deadly glare; if looks could kill, I'd be sixteen feet under.“Stay out of this Vincenzo.”He threw Franco to the ground. “I'm going to kill you,” Antonio said as he walked towards Franco.Franc