Matteo's Pov“Matteo. . . I-I-I. . .”“Answer me!” My palm delivers a force filled smack across her face and she hit the ground with a thud, a loud sob finally wrecking through her.Her body quakes, “let me explain, Matteo. Please.”I become like a mad man possessed by a wicked entity. I don’t care that she’s bleeding from her mouth. I raise my feet off the ground, pushing my leg backwards and returning it forward with full force.I kick her so hard on the stomach that she tumbles a few times but her voice doesn't waver as continues screaming her plea.“Matteo, please. . .don’t. Please, Matteo.” I’m unyielding to her plea. I kick her hard again and she yelps aloud as she continues begging me.I go to kick her again but a strong arm grips my shoulder, a familiar voice murmuring into my ear, “be angry all you want but stop hitting her.” I look over my shoulder and thankfully, it’s Alessio.His reasoning makes sense.I take a calming breath as I watch Mirabella groan in pain whilst Pablo,
Mirabella's PovSixteen years ago.Ten year old Mirabella."Mirabella! I hope you're reading and not playing?!" Mother yells from her lab and I chuckle, peeking my head through the door to the secret passage."Can I play a little mamá? I've been reading nonstop."Mother smiles at me with understanding. "My baby. You have to study hard if you want to become something. You need to develop a sharp mind."I pout, giving her my puppy eyes and she chuckles. "Okay then pumpkin, ten minutes."Thank you mamá! I run back in, pulling out all my toys with an ear to ear grin.Since I've become knowledgeable, I've never been to school even for a day but mother says it's normal that I don't go to school.She says that I'm undergoing special training, therefore, I need to always be by her side in the laboratory whilst she works. I sometimes want to make friends just like my sister but mother knows and wants the best for me.Don't get me wrong, staying with my mother in her laboratory has to be the coo
Matteo's Pov"Twenty five million!""Thirty million!""Thirty five million!""Fifty million!"My nose flare.Who the fuck is this bitch?It has been five years.It has been five fucking years!Five years since I lost my wife and everyday I regret the poor decisions I made on that day five years ago. After she was taken away by her friends, I thoroughly read through those documents until it dawned on me that I was mistaken. It was all a misunderstanding. I read through those documents and finally understood her plight, I understood her need to remain silent but I was too late. She was already gone and I had to live with immense guilt.I looked for her, I did. Tore the whole city apart in my quest to set my eyes upon my wife one more time but she just vanished into thin air as though she never existed.And I became a shadow of myself, having to live with regrets for as long as five years.The regret of killing my brother, friend and partner; Pablo.The regret of launching an attack on Ma
Mirabella's PovMost people say that the past has no effect on the future, but I strongly believe otherwise. The past, present and future are strongly connected to each other. Like the holy trinity. They're so connected in a way that one cannot thrive without the other.It is the events of the past that perfectly creates the present and it is the events of the present that gives life to the future.I know this because my past plagues me even until this day. My past is the reason I still live in misery, my past is the reason I've made very careless decisions and my past is the reason I've become the very depiction of evil.My marriage into the Denaro's family would be considered one of the careless decisions I made in the past even though I was forced into it.I'm going to swallow my pride and admit that I don't know how I managed to stay in a marriage with that good for nothing, selfish, piece of shit for so long.I begged that fucker, begged him to make wise decisions, begged him to
Matteo's PovShe has nothing of mine?She has nothing of mine?!I crane my neck back, laughing without an ounce of humor whilst the water continue running down my body.She's delusional if she thinks that she isn't mine. Her existence is mine, that body is mine, those eyes are mine and should be kept on me, those lips are mine. Everything she has is mine.Everything she is and will ever be belongs to me.Especially those two angels.I've always known Mirabella to be nothing less than perfection, and now, she has blessed me with the most perfect children. They're out of this world with their peculiar features and I made that.I made that!I have two fucking kids and I made them with the love of my life!This is going to be so much fun.I laugh some more, wrapping the towel around my waist, hurrying to get ready for the dinner that's about to begin in less than thirty minutes. I cannot wait to speak to my children. I have a shit ton of questions to ask them and I know very well how piss
Mirabella's PovThe act of embracing the truth. To look beyond the difficulties and the fear that comes with facing reality. To view the truth as a blessing. To find solace in the fact that the truth is a sparkling light even when the storm of darkness looms.I've embraced the truth.The truth that I can no longer keep my children away from their heritage. The truth that whether I like it or not, my children will always have Matteo Denaro's blood pumping through their veins. The truth that my little angels desperately crave their father's love.But it hurts so bad. It hurts so bad that I have to let him into their lives except, I have no choice in the matter.They love him, they want him, they're happy that he's here and I'll be the most selfish person on earth to take that away from them.I've never seen my children beam with joy the way they did last night whilst talking about their father and I cannot say for sure how they figured out that Matteo is their father but I guess blood i
Mirabella's Pov"Good to know because the next time you put hands on those kids, I will not think twice about burying you alive."A scoff slips my lips. "Wouldn't be the first time."Something in the line of regret and guilt flashes in those beautiful hazel eyes, his jaw visibly tensing. "Mirabella. . .I fucked up.""When have you never?" I raise a brow and his head drops, his gaze shifting from me to the ground.His hold on my neck is released but he's not stepping away from me. His gaze suddenly but slowly shifts from the ground back to me. Our eyes stay heavily locked on each other, our breaths hot and ragged. His eyes drop to my gaped lips and then to my exposed cleavage, causing me to gulp down harshly."Mirabella. . ." He whispers and pulls me close to him, his lips immediately slamming against mine. A gasp slips my lips and he takes advantage of the opportunity, slipping his tongue into my mouth, intertwining his tongue with mine in a dance battle whilst eating the fuck out of
Mirabella's PovOne thing about embracing truth is the pain that comes with it. The truth rips you apart piece by piece, it feeds on your inside, forces you into solitude, messes with your head but it somehow finds a way to make you feel whole.Embracing and coming to terms with my truth haven't been the easiest thing to do but I oddly feel whole. I feel satiated. I'm at peace with myself because I allowed the truth take charge.But there's a whole lot of other issues arising like a great storm within me and I cannot say for sure how I'm to remain calm when that storm comes.Is it regret?Is the love I feel for my husband still there?Is my past catching up on me?I do not know but all I know is there's just so much that I can take.A small knock sounds on my door and I don't need a seer to figure out who's on the other side. I hurriedly wipe my face clean of every traces of tears or sorrow or even sadness.Why does he bring out this side of me?"Come in." I call out and the door is g
Mariana’s Pov“Why did you bring me here?”My voice is accusing as I ask the question, my eyes tight, void of emotions. Alejandro’s Adam's apple bobs, an indication that a thick lump just slid down his throat.Then he smiles. He doesn’t know it, but the smile seems forced. “I’ve told you a million times, Mariana,” he says, his tone firm, robotic, “I want us to live freely for at least one week.”And that’s how I know he’s lying.Alejandro might be dangerous, but he has a casual persona. The type of man to wear a matching set of sweat shirt and pants in a room full of formally dressed men. The type of man to pull a trigger with a smile on his face. But his sudden seriousness when I ask my question is enough to sell him out. He’s suddenly defensive, and when one becomes defensive, something is amiss.“Cut the crap,” I murmur, my voice inaudible.“What was that?” Alejandro’s voice is low, sharp. It cuts through the air like a blade. His eyes are on mine, waiting, daring me to answer.I
Alejandro’s PovEating is done, and the basket is discarded to the side, leaving enough space for Mariana and I to share in each other’s warmth.We’re lying beside each other, finger interlocked, our gazes faced towards the sky. We revel in the silence, feel the depth of our connection without actually speaking.And it surprises me how Mariana is so receptive to this newness, to this softness.The intensity of her beauty, the authority in her words, and even her gracefulness will have anyone who doesn’t truly know her believing that she’s such a tough woman who has no emotions.Lies.She’s just as soft hearted, and she craves gentility.The night is still, the sound of the waves the only thing breaking the quiet. I’m staring up at the sky again, but I can’t help it—my mind keeps drifting back to her.What does she feel about me? What does she feel now that we have our finger locked, and our eyes faced towards the same direction?I roll onto my side, propping myself up on my elbow so I
Alejandro’s PovDay one on the Island.I jerk awake to heat, my muscles straining. Mariana’s body is perfectly molded into mine, her mass of dark, silky hair falling over my chest.A feeling of satisfaction fills my heart and I kiss the back of her head.She groans, and shifts back, wanting to disappear into me. But she wakes something else. Her ass locks around my growing bulge and a strained grunt escapes in my throat.“Shit, baby,” my voice comes out gruff, “you need to move a little.”I go to gently push her legs when she suddenly arches her back into me, causing my hand to land between her thighs. She moans.Fuck me.I move my hand, my fingertips grazing the skin of her inner thigh. She stirs, a small cry eliciting in her throat. I can’t tell if she’s fully awake, but her breathing is too uneven for someone who is still asleep. My hand squeezes her thigh, waiting for her to stop me. She doesn’t. I take that as a sign to continue. The hand buried between her thighs travels furth
Mariana’s PovWe’ve had quite the journey, moving from flying, to riding in the back of a truck, and now, we’re boarding a boat.I have no complaints.This somewhat reminds me of my days of active duty, the days when I was going on dangerous missions. The feeling is exhilarating.“You can’t keep ignoring me, my lady,” Alejandro’s whiny voice resounds beside me. And it warms my heart. Still, I sidestep him and make my way into the boat.I sit in the plush leather seat, feeling the warmth of the sun-kissed leather envelop me. The boat's engines roar to life, and we set out, gliding across the turquoise waters, leaving the world behind.I inhale and exhale a breath, calming my heart.My hair whips back, the strands dancing in the ocean breeze. I laugh, feeling carefree, alive. The wind carries the sweet scent of saltwater and the faint hint of Alejandro's cologne. I throw my head back and breathe a relieved sigh. The blue of the ocean catches my eyes. The shininess of it, the glow cast
Alejandro’s PovResistance. That’s all I see in her eyes. She’s fighting her pleasure—a war between her flesh and her mind. And I’ll tell you for sure that the flesh will always win.My face buries deeper, my tongue swirling around her bud. Her skin tightens, but she holds back her voice.“Let go, baby. . .Let go. . .” I urge, my tongue pushing into her entrance, curling. She doesn’t budge. I push a finger into her, and another, and another, and another. I curl all three fingers and she lets out a cry.“There you go,” I praise, “there you fucking go. . .”And then I’m fucking her recklessly with my fingers and my tongue. She cries harder, her body jerking. Her sweet, melodious voice draws a moan out of me. And suddenly, it’s no longer a fight of pleasure.She’s full on fighting me.I see how much my words affect her, but I know it’s not just about the words. It’s the confirmation. She always has been curious to know if I hold a grudge against her over what transpired between our pare
Mariana's Pov“It was you?” I ask, unsure, “the soldier who stole from the family?”“Bingo,” he smiles broadly, “we’re going to have a blast, baby.”I lean back into my seat and allow my brain fall into silence and calmness for a moment. Just a few minutes. And then laughter erupts in my throat.My chest quakes with the frequency of my laugh, tears gathering at the corners of my eyes.“You’re a fucking genius aren’t you?” I ask, cackling, “all that calmness you exude, all that patience and endurance. . .you had it all figured out.”Alejandro’s eyes are on me, observing, careful. The movement of his arm is slow, deliberate as he puts his gun down.“You’re not mad at me?” He asks.I tip my head to the side, my teeth diving my bottom lip, nibbling sensually. Alejandro throws his hips in the air, a small grunt resounding low in his throat.“Is there a reason to be angry?” I ask and wait.He hesitates for a moment before tucking his gun away. And that’s when I strike. He doesn’t see me com
Mariana's Pov“It was you who put him in that state after all. How did you do it, Maria, huh? Was it the cookies you couldn't stop serving him? Or your special teas? How the fuck did you, right under our noses, succeed in reducing Don Vladimr Zakone Vaslav to a vegetable?”My brows twitch and a muscle feathers in my jaw. I throw my back against the backrest and heave out a sigh, my eyes locking with his.“I’m still waiting, Mariana,” Alejandro presses. He tries to sound serious, but I notice the slight upturn of the corner of his mouth and the look of awe in his eyes.He’s not angry.Good.Perhaps he is but is exceptionally good at concealing it: the logical part of my mind warns.My brows twitch. “Mind your business, Alejandro,” I mutter, my tone bored.His chuckle rumbles. “Your business is my business, amore mio,” he replies, “especially when my name was mentioned. “And that mad son of yours, his punishment will be doubled for ever putting hands on Alejandro. . .” I didn’t think a
Mariana's Pov“My love should be enough for the both of us, Mariana.”His words shake me to the core. And what shakes me more is the emotion swirling in those orbs of his. Why won’t he get angry at me?Why won’t he scream at me? Do something that shows me how much I drive him to the point of anger?“You’re a fool,” I mutter, a hand raking through my hair. “Come get my bags, soldier!” I command. A smile coats his lips as he approaches. He picks up my bags as though they weigh nothing and then he turns around, intending to exit the room.The door creaks open and Radimr walks in, his eyes on me, tender. He flashes me a smile and I mirror his smile.Huffing out an angry breath, Alejandro storms out of the room. But he doesn’t leave—he stands by the door, his eyes peeking through the small space.He watches as his brother’s arms envelope me in a hug, he watches how I reciprocate that hug with so much enthusiasm. His eyes cloud over with rage. And then Radimr’s mouth crashes on mine, rava
Mariana's PovI puff out a breath and squeeze the last of my clothes into the small travel bag I intend to go on my travels with.A little backtracking here: earlier today while Alejandro, my husband, and myself sat in my office deciding how to track down the soldier who dared to steal from the family and run off, Alejandro had volunteered to track him through the countries the fucker has been in and out of in the last few days.And at that moment, my stupid little heart thought it was an opportunity. An opportunity to experience those seven days Alejandro promised me without dealing with my husband’s suspecting eyes.What did I do? I made a declaration that I regretted right when the words left my mouth.“I’ll go with you,” I blurted, surprising both brothers.“What?” My husband had asked, eyes wide.“You know how good I am with words, baby,” I responded as I slid my hand into his. “Sending Alejandro alone for something like this might turn out to be a mistake. He lacks in communicat