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 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.
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 POV“You are quite brave to confront me, Giulia Mancini.” His deep voice echoed in the room, commanding attention.I had walked into this office with all the boldness I could muster to demand for my father's release but this didn't seem to go as planned.The opulent decor seemed to intensify my anxiety, and my legs were trembling, but I managed not to show it.I took a deep breath and decided to say something, “You are holding my father hostage and I want him released.” A playful smile that disappeared almost immediately curled his lips.“Oh, yes… Your father owes me a substantial debt.”My eyes welled with tears as my sweaty palms clutched my small purse containing my last savings. “I'll pay it, whatever it takes.”“Lorenzo.” He called out.A man in his late thirties who stood behind his table the whole time watching in silence walked towards him and dropped a file on the table after which he went back to his initial position. He went through the file for a split second a
Giulia's POV“Where are we going?” I asked as Lorenzo led me down a dimly lit alley.“My boss has got a special job for you.” For the first time, I saw Lorenzo smile, and it sent shivers down my spine.The alley led us to a nondescript door. Lorenzo brought out a keycard and swung open exposing us to a stairway.As we descended the stairs I adjusted the annoying short black dress I was forced to wear.We climbed until we reached a door. The bouncers outside gave a slight bow to Lorenzo and pushed the door open.The door revealed a smoke-filled room, and my stomach churned. I had never seen a place like this.“Welcome to Black Heaven,” Lorenzo said as he gestured for me to go in. I was hesitant and my legs felt too numb to take a step.Before I realized what was happening, Lorenzo grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.The clamor of clinking glasses, unpleasant laughter, and shuffling cards overwhelmed me. The air reeked of smoke and desperation.“Follow me,” Lorenzo muttered to my hear
Giulia's POVI didn't turn to look at the door. I was so scared. The aura he exuded was menacing.The maid bowed and rushed out. He must have signaled her to leave.I heard his footsteps as he walked towards me. Soon, he stopped. I could feel him behind me as his warm breath rested on my neck.“Giulia.” He called, his voice deep and fierce.“Yes, master,” I answered, my voice barely audible. I stood still and didn't look back.He walked slowly from behind and stood in front of me. I could see the rage in his eyes.“How dare you disobey my orders?”“I'm sor…” he didn't let me finish. He put his index finger on my lips. He looked at me for a split second and turned his back on me.“I own you now, young woman.” He let out a dry laugh. “ You have no choice but to do as I say.”He turned back to face me. He took a step forward and I took a step backwards. This continued until I got to the wall and he was two steps away.“I asked you to wear a dress Giulia, and you declined.” He paused to l
Antonio's POVI had walked to my room with Giulia trailing behind as I thought of the unbearable things I could do to her just to find Sophia sprawled naked on my bed.“What are you doing in my room, Sophia?” I asked in an angry tone.“I came to see the man of my dreams,” she answered in a seductive tone as she eyed Giulia.“And who is he?” I was running out of patience already.“It's you, my dear Antonio.” she smiled sheepishly.“Get out of my room Sophia!” I roared in anger. Sophia got up from the bed immediately and scrambled around for her clothes.I noticed the cold glare she gave Giulia before leaving but I didn't care. My eyes roamed all over her body. She looked beautiful, but I dared not admit it.“Sit!” I ordered Giulia and she sat on the bed. The innocent and fragile-looking woman sat quietly as she watched me undress.I unbuttoned my dress halfway and stopped.“Why don't you help me undress?” I asked and her eyes widened. She got up and walked to where I stood.Her hands
Antonio's POV_Flash back_“Please let me go.” The lady cried out as she tried to free herself of her husband's grip. Her husband held her tight not wanting to let her go. She looked tired and helpless.My father stood on a spot with a gun in his right hand pointed at the couple. He turned to look at me. I searched his eyes for answers, but his look was cold as ice.I desperately wanted to help the lady. She was in so much pain and anguish. I took a step further, and my father held my shoulders with a forceful grip. “Stay back, son, this is not your fight.”“Let go of the woman, Ricardo,” My father said in a forceful tone. He was angry but was never the type to shout.“Never!” The man yelled as he pulled the struggling woman forcefully to remain in front of him. “ If you pull that trigger, then you are going to kill her first, and you don't want to,” he concluded with a disgusting laugh.“This woman doesn't deserve to be treated this way,” My father said again, with the gun still poin
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
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