Mirabella's PovMy demands flood his eyes with desperation, causing the hazel orbs to darken. I don’t break his stare when I slowly slide off the bed on my feet and begin to slowly, seductively discard my dress.I slide the sleeves down my shoulders and drag the stretchy, tight material down until it’s pooled around my ankles.I reach for my bra next, smiling in mischief when my husband’s eyes tightens harder, a grunt escaping him.The lacy bra falls to the ground. And I am left in nothing but my thong.Yep, I pulled it back up earlier.My husband’s breathing grows erratic and unsteady. Two steps brings him extremely close to me, causing me to force in a sharp gasp at the close proximity of our bodies.“Turn around for me, baby.” He says, his voice hushed. I obey his demand. His body pushes me forward until my knees touch the edge of the bed. He whispers again, “lie down on your stomach and put your hands behind your back.”I don’t waste any time to obey. I lie on my stomach, my wrist
Matteo’s PovIt is not the early morning sun peeking through the blinds and into my eyes that wakes me from the most enjoyable sleep which I’m having with my wife wrapped around me. It is the vibration of my phone.Inhaling a deep breath, I let go of my wife’s body and turn to the side, sorting to reach for the device.Messages from Amir.Amir is a friend of mine who does certain kinds of favors for me. Deadly favors. He has no direct affiliation to the Mafia, but he makes certain to be here whenever I need him.Even Mirabella knows nothing of his existence and I intend to keep it that way.Marcelo was last seen boarding a private flight to Tesoro Azul. It is believed that he made a stop between Escalera and Chuparosa. He wasn’t traveling alone, but I’m yet to discover the identities of his companions. More information will be—The bed shifts, Mirabella’s small moan while she stretches herself awake flooding into my ears. “Matteo,” she murmurs wordlessly, her voice rough and tired. “W
Mirabella's PovSuch a dutiful wife I am. It’s laughable how I just said yes to that very difficult demand when my gut and my mind were screaming at me to say no.I wanted to refuse him, yet, I couldn’t. Because he was so close to me, so much so the warmth of his body invaded my senses and took control of my mind.I let him go out there. I let him go on a hunt for a deadly criminal whose only life’s purpose is to end his life. Our lives. I let him put his life at risk knowing how impulsive he gets when things don’t go his way.I nodded my head to his request and now, I am drowning in paranoia.“Mamà,” my daughter’s voice slices through my ears, startling me back into reality. I smile at her, ruffling her hair. “Are you okay?” She asks further, her lips forming a pout.“I’m alright, baby. Did you need something?”She grumbles. “We were playing a game and you just stopped.”A sigh resounds. It's my son, Mariano. And he looks so laid back, almost bored and uninterested. “Stop bothering h
Matteo's PovI have come to a conclusion that spending months away from doing the job I was trained to do has somehow contributed to the drift of my mind.I was born with a purpose. To head my family, to be a dangerous man, to keep feelings aside and deal without mercy. All through the course of my life, I have tried to stay focused on my duty and follow the path which was curated for me by the people who were before me.It was easy to spill blood and ruin people until Mirabella, my wife came along. From the moment she warmed her way into my heart, It has become as though this world of blood and chaos holds no water in my life anymore. As though I continuously seek out the peace and quiet.And ever since discovering about my kids and surviving multiple gunshot wounds, I have become more desperate for that peace and quiet.Which is why now, twenty four hours after leaving Italy for Mexico in search of another blood to spill, my mind has gone far far away from here. Instead of preparing
Mirabella’s PovMIRABELLAIt’s been over one hundred and forty eight hours since my husband left for Mexico in search of my father, and it’s been forty eight hours since he arrived at the Denaro estate but has refused to come and see me—his family.He’s stalling.Something must be keeping him away.Perhaps he discovered Helen’s visit and the reason behind it. Maybe he’s stalling in order to get his act right, tighten loose ends, and manufacture more ways to manipulate the situation. To manipulate me.As heartbreaking as it is, I guess it’s time I embraced the true nature of the man I married.It is true that he might love me, but his affection for me doesn’t change the fact that he is a monster through and through.It’s another day, and I’m once again setting up the table for lunch. It was his request; that I make him a nice meal and wait for his return.I have made nice meals two days in a row, and he’s yet to come to me.Today will be the last.If he doesn’t come home today, I’ll kn
Mirabella’s PovMy bones wobble, my footsteps unstable, staggering as they lead me back into the main house.In my mind are thoughts of my father’s words, as well as thoughts of my husband’s ex-mistress.Will Matteo truly do the unthinkable to keep this union standing?Would he hurt the people he loves if it means keeping this relationship intact?If so, then this is not love. This is a sickly obsession. And I do not want such for myself.A stray tear sort to make its way down my cheek. I gently wipe it away as I expel shallow exhales before pushing open the door and walking into the manor.Plates still clink, echoes of laughter filling the space. They’re still eating. It’s good thing that he’s occupied for I do not want his attention at this moment. I just need some time to myself.But he somehow feels my presence while I try to tiptoe through the space and up the stairs.“Mirabella,” excited voice calls for me and I freeze, my breathing catching in my throat.I don’t answer his call
Matteo's PovThere’s a rage that sizzles through my bones. The same rage that weakens my bones, yet, they’re as strong. The same rage which weakens my heart, yet, makes it so fierce. The same rage which has sent my mind into an overwhelming sense of disbelief and despair and loathe.All of those despicable feelings are directed towards one person.The man whom I’m storming through the compound into the holding cell to have a chat with.As my footsteps echo across the long hallway, my wife’s father’s laughter begins to echo. He knows I am coming, and he knows why I am coming.And the sick man somehow finds pleasure in it; in the fact that he’s close to completely ruining my family.It aggravates me.I should have just severed his tongue when we caught him. Bloody disgusting man.When I enter into his cell and find his teeth on display as he grins widely at me, I charge at him with a growl.My fist plummets his face, unending cuss words spilling from my mouth.“Idiota,” slam.“Sciocco,”
Mirabella's PovSpoons and plates clink, my children’s little voices pass through my ears like soft whispers as they throw their tantrums, my husband chews his food loudly—an effort to infuriate me.Even with the unspoken words and unexpressed anger looming over my husband and I, we find ourselves sitting at the dinner table, trying to force smiles on our faces for the sake of our children.Not like they care, considering that they’re munching on their dinner and chattering away as though we do not exist. Still, we hope to create a good example for them.As the meal goes on, the silence between my husband and I becomes more and more uncomfortable. It’s my daughter, Mariana who looks up from her plate first, her eyes meeting mine. Furrowing her brows, she looks between her father and I before refocusing on her food.For a moment, she leans into her brother, whispering something into his ear. Mariano snickers, his eyes stealing a quick glance at his father.I shift uncomfortably in my se
Alejandro’s PovThis anxiety—I’ve never felt anything like it before. My nerves are all over the place, my skin trembling. I kiss Mariana again for the millionth time in a handful of hours.She smiles at me. The smile is distant, almost like it doesn’t reach her eyes. I smile back and pull her closer, holding her as tight as I can, fearful that this might be the last chance I get at holding her this close to me.And no, this has nothing to do with her winning the fight or dying in that cage because as long as I breathe, Mariana will walk out of that cage alive and well.But I’m afraid of the responsibilities that come with the position she’ll occupy. I’m afraid that she might forget our love and become intoxicated with power.All of this might just happen in a few hours.“The way you’re holding me, Alejandro, one might think I’m about to die from a terminal disease.”She says.Is she trying to make a joke? Does this seem like a joke to her?I open my mouth to speak but a knock on the
Mariana’s Pov“I will fight in her place. . .”The world around me goes completely silent the moment Alejandro blurts those words. When I planned to use him as my human shield in chaotic times like this, I didn’t expect to fall for him so ridiculously hard that I’m unable to imagine him getting hurt for my sake.Love is a strange and terrifying thing. I never imagined feeling it this deeply, this intensely. Not for Alejandro. Not for a man who was supposed to be my shield, my weapon. And now, the very thought of him stepping into that cage for me… it’s unbearable.The second reason?It’s pride. It’s survival. These men already think I’m weak. They see me as nothing but a woman—Radimr’s wife and mother of his son. If Alejandro steps into that cage in my stead, I will be proving them right, I will become that which they think I am.Weak.Unworthy.And then, everything I’ve clawed my way toward will crumble before my eyes. I can’t let that happen. I won’t let that happen. So, no. Aleja
Mariana’s PovOne word.Fuckers.No, let’s make it two words.Misogynistic fuckers.They’ve kept me in here for hours, scrutinizing me, digging into my soul in their fruitless attempt at finding the truth of what truly happened to my husband.Alejandro too is seated here as a high ranking made man and a member of this family. Surprisingly, my father, mother and brother are here too. Not inside the parliament room, but they’re right outside the door, waiting for when the chaos escalates so they can stand in for me.It warms my heart.“Let’s go through it again,” one of the elders says, “what did you say happen to your husband? Tell us that story again, in detail.”“I. . .” I open my mouth to speak but Alejandro’s thick, aggravated voice resounds, cutting me short. “I believe she has told that story more times than we all can count.”“Yes, we know that,” another elder says, his russian accent thick. “But we need to hear it again.”“Why?” Alejandro asks, “why are you poking a woman wh
Alejandro’s PovDon’t sleep tonight.I’ve thought about those words in every way possible, imagined every possible scenario that’ll make Mariana ask me to stay awake tonight, and yet, I’ve found none.Or maybe I haven’t thought about it as deeply as I should.I wanted to hold her, to ask her more, but the presence of her husband made that impossible. And now, hours have ticked by, and I’m still unable to get my answers.Wait—is tonight the night? Is her plan unfolding tonight?Truth is, I don’t even know what her plan is, but I strongly suspect it has everything to do with ending Radimr. So, if she’s asked me to stay awake tonight, it might mean she needs me close.I pull open my room’s door and step out into the hallway. The manor is too quiet. Everyone is asleep, and those who aren’t are standing guard outside of the house.My stomach twists with a warning that chaos is brewing tonight, but I push it aside and start walking. I make a turn towards the stairs and start moving up the s
Mariana’s PovTime flies when happiness fills your days.It’s been two months since I gave birth to my Angel. Two months since my heart swelled with love so pure and overwhelming, I thought I might drown in it.I love my son.I love him for coming into my life and unraveling a part of me I never knew existed. For being my light in the darkness.But most of all, I love him for arriving exactly when I needed him—as though sent by the universe itself to give me a way out.Because today, after weeks of persuasion, my husband has finally done what I’ve been waiting for. He has presented my son to the elders of his family, naming him as his successor should anything happen to him.It’s tradition, a ritual of power. To the outside world, it’s a declaration of legacy. To me, it’s the final piece of the puzzle.I know Angel is too young to be entangled in this messy, bloody business, but I had to secure his place in this world before setting my plans into motion.Plans that have been months in
Alejandro’s PovThis is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. For the first time, it feels like I have a complete family—no, I know I have a complete family.In the last three months, the universe has granted me a gift I never expected: uninterrupted time with the woman I love and the child she carries. Our son. Every morning, I wake up beside her, wrapped in the warmth of her presence. I feel my son’s first kick as the sun rises, and his tiny, eager movements as the night falls. I’ve stayed awake with them, laughed with them, cried with them, fallen sick with them, and loved them. I’ve been a father and a lover in every way that matters.Why? Because Radimr’s travels somehow stretched from days into weeks, and weeks into months.“Something else has come up, and I’ll need to stay another week. . .” That’s been his excuse for three months.On the phone, Mariana plays the part of the concerned wife. She sighs and murmurs her disappointment, as though his absence truly pains her. But
Mariana’s PovWhen my eyes open, I’m met with the most beautiful sight I’ve seen in days. Alejandro, sleeping peacefully, his lashes fluttering, arms still wrapped around me.Wow!How did we fall asleep?I lean in and smack a kiss on his lips, causing him to stir a bit, groaning, his arms tightening firmer around me. I kiss him again, this time longer.It doesn’t take seconds before his mouth parts, his lips fusing with mine. I moan just as a groan vibrates throughout his body.His eyes flutter open, just a tiny slit, the lazy gaze holding mine. It’s like realization dawns on him and he retrieves his lips from mine in a swift motion. “Mariana. . .” He whispers groggily.“Make love to me,” I declare.His brows pull into a furrow, lips formed into a pout. “I. . .” He starts and I cut him off.“Please,” I hush, my lips ghosting over his.His resolve falters. And he’s staring at me with adoration as well as restraint.Then there’s the feral desire burning in his eyes. In mine too. The ris
Mariana’s PovTime seems to slow down when things aren’t really going your way.Maybe I pushed too hard, too far the other night. Far enough that Alejandro has been completely ignoring me for days now. Far enough that Radimr has become ware of me, always staring at me with suspicious eyes. Far enough that the maids in this house seem to avoid me as often as they can.To simply put, I’ve been living an isolated life for the past seven days.Just me, and my heavy fucking stomach. It’s dreadful just as much as it is comforting.I’m pulled out of the daze when a towering figure stands in front of me and wraps his hand around me. “Don’t look so sad, I’m just going to be away for just a few weeks, my love,” Radimr whispers as he hugs me. I thin my lips into a smile. “I’ll miss you.”His smile is radiant when he replies, “I’ll miss you too. Please don’t over work yourself. . .or get to upset while I’m gone. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my son.” Stupid fucker.I scoff. “I’m a big g
Mariana’s Pov“Look at that,” Alejandro says, his voice low, the smirk on his lips sharp enough to cut. “How easy it is to lure you out here and break your heart into a million pieces.”The words land like a blow. He doesn’t even try to soften them. And I know exactly what he means. When he came into my room, kneeling by my bed, whispering the words I had been desperate to hear for months, he knew. He knew I was awake, knew I’d hear every word and cling to the hope they offered.It wasn’t an accident. He said them to draw me here. To break me just as much as I’ve broken him.Petty bastard.But it’s not the cruelty of his intention that stings the most—it’s how he chose to do it. By humiliating me in front of someone else. Bringing her into a room that should have been our sanctuary, our safe haven.My lips tremble as I force out the question. “What is that supposed to mean?”Alejandro steps forward, his movements slow and deliberate, his smirk twisting with mockery. “What are you doin