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 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 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
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
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
Giulia's POVJust as we stepped into his room, I pulled him closer and placed my lips on his, leading to a heated kiss.He had spoiled me today, it was my turn to return the favour.Our tongues twirled endlessly around each other and I felt the best run through my body.Antonio turned the other way and pinned me to the wall with our lips still in motion.Antonio's lips soon left mine. I closed my eyes as he trailed kisses from my lips down to my chest.He quickly ripped my dress off so he could access my breasts.“I loved the dress,” I said with a playful frown.“I got you this one, I'll get many more…”“if you say so.”Antonio went back to my lips and let his hand fondle my breasts, making every move worth the while.He pinched my nipples slightly and I moaned.Antonio let his hand drop to my panties and he tore it.He could have just asked me to take it off but what time was there to do so?Antonio took his lips from mine and pulled me up so that my legs were around his waist.He mad
Antonio's POVThe sun rays from the slightly opened curtain shone into my eyes.I opened my eyes to find Giulia still sleeping peacefully beside me. I moved away the strand of hair scattered on her face and placed a kiss on her forehead.I swung my legs from the bed and stood up. I didn't want to leave her side but I had to.If I was going to accomplish my plans for the day, I had to start early. I had never felt so much peace in my entire life, being with this woman was everything.I went to the bathroom to freshen up.As I had my bath, last night's ordeal presented itself in my thoughts.I carried Giulia in my arms from the dining room after the first round and when we got to my room, we went again before I collapsed.Damn! I waved away any more detail that came to mind before the urge to pounce on sleeping Guilia came.Life looks good again. I finished and prepared the bathtub for Giulia.It was something I had never done or even dreamt of doing for any woman but Giulia deserved to
Giulia's POV“Antonio asked for you,” a maid who had walked in after I asked her to, said.“Where is he?”“He is in the dining room; he's inviting you for dinner.”“I'll be there in a giffy,” I answered and she left after bowing slightly.I reached out for my dress as I had just had my bath a few minutes ago.As I put my dress on I took countless deep breaths to ease my heavy heart but it wasn't working.It would have been better if I ate in my room, I didn't want to see Vincenzo. I could only think of how I had left that day at the airport.I had not taken my time to think deeply on how he must have felt that day because I thought I was never going to see him again.But here I was…I walked to the dining room, my heart pounding heavily in my chest and for a moment, I thought it was going to come out.If there was anyone I didn't want to see now, it was Vincenzo.I didn't want to sit at the same table with him but I had no choice. I had never been this uncomfortable.I honestly began
Giulia's POVTwo months laterI walked into the building twirling my waist like I owned the place.I was earlier than usual and I couldn't help but imagine the look on his face when he got in to meet me in the office. I wore whatever I wanted but was sure to not abuse the privilege I was given to do so.Since the last time the boss shunned them, everyone was careful with what they said to me.Of course, they still gossiped but never to my hearing. The place became silent whenever I walked past.The receptionist, Amanda, became my best friend.We always exchanged pleasantries and did a little chit chat for a while before I took the elevator.Today wasn't any different.“You look good girl,” she said with a smile even before I got to her.“You don't look bad yourself,” I smiled back.“I still can't believe how lucky you are,” she said, the smile not wearing off.“What is it?” I asked with raised brows.“You are the only person who has worked this long as the boss’s personal assistant; g
Antonio's POV“Where is she?” Vincenzo asked immediately as he set his eyes on me.Vincenzo flew down after I told him about Sharon. I tried to dissuade him but he insisted on seeing her.“She is in her room.”“You already gave a stranger a room in your home; who knows if this is a trap?”I took a deep breath. I hope I wasn't making the wrong decision in bringing her in.“What if it's not?”“You have been getting countless attacks, Antonio… she could be one of them,” he interjected.What if Vincenzo was right?How I suddenly believed she was my sibling was what I couldn't fathom, yet my conviction was stronger than my doubt.“She's not.”“How sure are you?” He frowned.“I felt a connection the moment I saw her, the trust came so easily.”"Since when did you start working based on your emotions?”I took a step closer to him with a burning gaze.“I'm not working based on emotions, I'm being realistic.”“I hope you are not making a mistake you'll forever regret,” he said and looked away.
Antonio's POV“Good morning,” a nurse greeted me as I made my way to Sharon's room.I responded with a nod, not sparing her a glance.I got to her room to meet the doctor coming out.“Good morning, Antonio.”“Good morning Doc,” I answered. “How is she?”“Her health has improved, she's responding to treatment,” he said.“That's good news,” I said with a light smile and walked into the room.Sharon lay quietly with a drip fixed to her arm. Her mood lightened up when she saw me.I dropped the things I had bought for her on the table and sat next to her.She looked better than the previous days; her health had improved.I leaned in to place a kiss on her forehead and she smiled.How I'd come to care so much about this stranger was something I was yet to understand.''I brought some things for you,” I said as I helped her sit up.“That's so nice of you.”I picked the bag and handed her the fruits in it.For the last few days, I figured that she preferred fruits to food so I always got them
Giulia's POV“Bloody hell,” I muttered as i sleepily reached for my buzzing alarm to turn it off.I wanted to stay in bed a little longer but it was 5:30 am and I had to be ready before seven.I rolled out of bed and went to freshen up. As I opened my drawer, his words came to mind.‘You are to dress well as you would be almost everywhere with me.’I took out a mini corporate skirt and a long sleeved shirt coupled with my black heels. I carefully did my make up and packed my hair in a messy bun leaving two strands to fall forward.I quickly put on my jewelry and I was all set. I picked up my phone to check the time and it was a few minutes past six.Way to go, girl!I picked up my hand bag which I had arranged the night before and stepped out of the room.Then I remembered one more thing. ‘Always come with a jacket or two so as not to freeze to death.’I rushed inside to pick up the jacket he had given me the day before. I couldn't afford to freeze to death.My stomach grumbled but I
Giulia's POV "Lucien."What in the world was he doing here? Lucien, who was in shock, regained his composure.I was in awe. I just wanted the ground to open and swallow me; I thought I was never going to see him again."Giulia," he said with a smile.Why in the world was he smiling? Well, he wasn't the one who thought we were never seeing each other again."Babe," a high pitched voice came from inside.Lucien had a girlfriend?When Lucien didn't respond, she came out to see us standing faced each other. The shock on my face had been replaced with anger and Lucien retained his smile.Her eyes darted from Lucien to me and then back to Lucien."Do you know her?" She asked."I do," he answered curtly, in hopes that I didn't speak before he did.What was I even supposed to say?"We had a little clash yesterday and I never expected to see her today but it turns out we are neighbors."A little clash? The word 'neighbors' rang a loud bell.Was this what Vincenzo was talking about? He should
Antonio's POV"How is she?" I asked."Her condition is critical, and her breath is quite unsteady," the doctor said with his hands in his pocket."I want to see her."The doctor looked at me in hesitation before giving a nod.I followed him to the room and as he entered I followed suit with my mind in chaos.The moment I set my eyes on Sharon I broke down mentally and emotionally.She lay down looking lifeless with oxygen masked to her face. I couldn't help but blame myself for her condition.I got to her bedside and watched her. "What do we have to do to keep her alive?""I'm not certain about her survival but we can try...""What is that?" I asked in desperation. I couldn't let this woman I had just met hours ago die."We could carry out an operation. We've managed to stop the bleeding but the bullet has not been removed.""Why?""The bullet got to her heart and it's not something we can remove carelessly... it's a miracle that she is still alive," he said.I let my eyes run through