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
Antonio's POV"Reports indicate our re-strategize efforts are failing," I growled, frustration etched on my face.I stood at the head of the conference table, surveying my team.The four men whom I had added earlier, Alessandro, Mario, Franco, and Roberto, sat quietly, their faces set.Giulia’s eyes narrowed. "Someone's leaking information."“Exactly! And we still haven't figured out who it is.” Rage was building up inside of me.Vincenzo nodded, his expression thoughtful.Giulia's gaze met mine, concern flickering.Mario, my head of security, spoke. "Sir, I've reviewed the protocols. Our systems are secure."Franco, my financial advisor, added, "Transactions are clean."Roberto, a seasoned enforcer, grunted. "My guys are loyal."Lorenzo took notes, his expression intent."Who could be betraying us?" I demanded.Alessandro, my private detective voice dropped. "We'll investigate every angle."Giulia's hand brushed mine and my gaze swept the room."Vincenzo, what do you think?" I asked
Giulia's POV“Marco De Luca is here,” the bodyguard who hurriedly walked in said.I suddenly found it difficult to breathe. This was completely insane.What was he doing here?I felt the blood drain from my face as Marco de Luca walked in, his eyes blazing with anger.He had his hands crossed behind his back and bodyguards surrounding him."What's going on here?" Marco demanded, his voice echoing through the room.Leonardo's smile faltered, but he quickly regained composure. "Just discussing a mutually beneficial arrangement, Marco."Marco's gaze locked onto me, and I shrank under his intense stare. How did he know about Leonardo's proposal?How did words spread so fast?"You think you can take her from me?" Marco spat, his voice dripping with venom. "She's mine."I turned to Antonio who watched Marco with intense gaze. He seemed unbothered by whatever he said; he didn't spare me a glance.“What makes you think she is yours?” Leonardo asked.“She was sent here on a mission,” he paused
Antonio's POV“What just happened has nothing to do with me,” Leonardo shrugged. “I came here for something, and I'm going to leave with it.”Those words hit me like a bomb. I had to think of something fast.If I should let Leonardo take Giulia, there had to be a way to bring her back. I wasn't just going to do something without thinking of a solution.She was my companion and our contract hadn't expired yet but that wasn't excuse enough.My empire was failing and I needed the negotiation but letting Giulia go just didn't go well with me.“Leonardo… you will surely leave with what you came for,” I said and his eyes glimmered in triumph.I turned to Giulia who sat stunned at my speech.“Antonio, do you…” Vincenzo started but I interrupted him.“But we'll have a deal,” I continued. “What deal?” Leonardo asked.“You’ll take Giulia for the negotiation but the moment my empire gets back on its feet, you'll give her back.”Leonardo laughed. “ Your empire is below getting back on its feet;
Giulia's POV“Welcome to my home, Giulia,” he said, his voice dripping with charm. “I'm glad we could come to an agreement,” Leonardo said as he gently removed my blindfold.He smiled, his eyes gleaming with triumph.I stepped out of the car and onto the driveway, my eyes widening as I took in the grandeur of Leonardo's mansion.The building was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with sleek lines and towering spires that seemed to touch the sky.Leonardo's hand was wrapped around my wrist, his grip tight as he pulled me towards the entrance. I stumbled and my heels clicked on the marble floor as we stepped inside.The interior of the mansion was just as impressive as the exterior.The walls were adorned with priceless artwork, and the furniture was elegant and modern.I felt a surge of unease as I realized the true extent of my situation. I was a pawn in a game of power and manipulation, and there was no way out. All thanks to my dad.Leonardo's voice cut through my thoughts, his t
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
Antonio's POV“Don't tell me you are going to attend,” Vincenzo said.A bodyguard had come into my study where Vincenzo and I sat with an envelope.After reading through, I passed it to Vincenzo to take a look. It was an invitation from Leonardo to attend a ball he was hosting.“I am.”“Why should you honour his invitation? He has done enough already, who knows what plans he has next?”I smiled dryly. “You still don't understand, Vincenzo... I'm honoring the invitation and you are coming with me.”I appreciated the fact that Vincenzo was concerned but he still didn't understand yet.“You are insane…” Vincenzo spat angrily. “Make me understand.”“There's no time to start making explanations; we are going.”I picked up my cellphone and put a call across to Lorenzo who picked up immediately.“Make preparations, we are attending the ball.”“We are?” he asked in surprise.“Yes, we are.”“Okay,” he answered, his voice lingering with hesitation and I hung up.Vincenzo stood up angrily and t
Giulia's POVI wanted to scream but the wide palm of the slender being prevented me from doing so. My back was pressed against his hard chest.His grip on me was firm, making it difficult for me to move away, but I struggled anyway.The figure leaned closer and I could feel his rusty breath against my ears.He whispered. “Antonio sent me.”I stopped struggling and stood still while I tried to process what he had just said.Antonio sent him? How did he get in, then?“I guess you'll stay quiet now so that we can talk; I have limited time,” he whispered again.I nodded.He turned me to face him as he placed both hands on my shoulders. He let his eyes roam around me like a father examining his child.He opened his mouth to say something but shut it.“Is something wrong?” I asked with raised brows.“My name is Fred and as I said earlier, Antonio sent me as a spy to come check on you and get information which would be written in circolo.”His face was straight, but his eyes had a show of em
Giulia POV“Giulia, take off your panties and begin to touch yourself.”There was no smirk on his face, his expression was blank. I wasn't sure if I should do as he had said or disobey.I stood there watching him in silence. I was scared but I wasn't just going to let him take advantage of me.“You are quite stubborn,” he said. “The thing is, there's no guarantee that you are going to see Antonio again.”“I will see him again,” I answered almost immediately.“Well… till then, you'll do as I say.”“I’ll do as you say but not on this one.”“Then, I'll make you,” he scoffed.The crackle of a gun brought me to my senses.“You can either choose to die or do as I say.”I took my panties off and here I was naked before my captor’s rival. All I wanted was to run away from earth entirely.My life was a total mess. I began to wonder how I became so unfortunate.I let my hands roam all over me; from my breasts to my laps and he watched quietly.I walked to him slowly and seductively. He watched
Giulia's POV“Welcome to my home, Giulia,” he said, his voice dripping with charm. “I'm glad we could come to an agreement,” Leonardo said as he gently removed my blindfold.He smiled, his eyes gleaming with triumph.I stepped out of the car and onto the driveway, my eyes widening as I took in the grandeur of Leonardo's mansion.The building was a masterpiece of modern architecture, with sleek lines and towering spires that seemed to touch the sky.Leonardo's hand was wrapped around my wrist, his grip tight as he pulled me towards the entrance. I stumbled and my heels clicked on the marble floor as we stepped inside.The interior of the mansion was just as impressive as the exterior.The walls were adorned with priceless artwork, and the furniture was elegant and modern.I felt a surge of unease as I realized the true extent of my situation. I was a pawn in a game of power and manipulation, and there was no way out. All thanks to my dad.Leonardo's voice cut through my thoughts, his t
Antonio's POV“What just happened has nothing to do with me,” Leonardo shrugged. “I came here for something, and I'm going to leave with it.”Those words hit me like a bomb. I had to think of something fast.If I should let Leonardo take Giulia, there had to be a way to bring her back. I wasn't just going to do something without thinking of a solution.She was my companion and our contract hadn't expired yet but that wasn't excuse enough.My empire was failing and I needed the negotiation but letting Giulia go just didn't go well with me.“Leonardo… you will surely leave with what you came for,” I said and his eyes glimmered in triumph.I turned to Giulia who sat stunned at my speech.“Antonio, do you…” Vincenzo started but I interrupted him.“But we'll have a deal,” I continued. “What deal?” Leonardo asked.“You’ll take Giulia for the negotiation but the moment my empire gets back on its feet, you'll give her back.”Leonardo laughed. “ Your empire is below getting back on its feet;
Giulia's POV“Marco De Luca is here,” the bodyguard who hurriedly walked in said.I suddenly found it difficult to breathe. This was completely insane.What was he doing here?I felt the blood drain from my face as Marco de Luca walked in, his eyes blazing with anger.He had his hands crossed behind his back and bodyguards surrounding him."What's going on here?" Marco demanded, his voice echoing through the room.Leonardo's smile faltered, but he quickly regained composure. "Just discussing a mutually beneficial arrangement, Marco."Marco's gaze locked onto me, and I shrank under his intense stare. How did he know about Leonardo's proposal?How did words spread so fast?"You think you can take her from me?" Marco spat, his voice dripping with venom. "She's mine."I turned to Antonio who watched Marco with intense gaze. He seemed unbothered by whatever he said; he didn't spare me a glance.“What makes you think she is yours?” Leonardo asked.“She was sent here on a mission,” he paused
Antonio's POV"Reports indicate our re-strategize efforts are failing," I growled, frustration etched on my face.I stood at the head of the conference table, surveying my team.The four men whom I had added earlier, Alessandro, Mario, Franco, and Roberto, sat quietly, their faces set.Giulia’s eyes narrowed. "Someone's leaking information."“Exactly! And we still haven't figured out who it is.” Rage was building up inside of me.Vincenzo nodded, his expression thoughtful.Giulia's gaze met mine, concern flickering.Mario, my head of security, spoke. "Sir, I've reviewed the protocols. Our systems are secure."Franco, my financial advisor, added, "Transactions are clean."Roberto, a seasoned enforcer, grunted. "My guys are loyal."Lorenzo took notes, his expression intent."Who could be betraying us?" I demanded.Alessandro, my private detective voice dropped. "We'll investigate every angle."Giulia's hand brushed mine and my gaze swept the room."Vincenzo, what do you think?" I asked