Mirabella's PovIn my younger days, my mother made it a point to make me feel like a princess. She’d dress me up, doll me up, making sure I felt as content, beautiful, seen, and happy as possible.“You’re a princess, my love, and all princesses always have their wish granted to them. All you have to do when you want something is to wish upon it and it’ll all be yours. You deserve all the best life has to offer,” she’d say.I didn’t believe her.And the tragic events of my life were enough reasons not to believe her.But today, as I stand by the grand door of the St. Peter’s Basilica Rome, with my daughter by the right side of me, and my son by the left side of me, both of them holding my hands and ready to lead me down the aisle where I’ll once again exchange my vows with their father, this time in truth and from the depth of my heart, I now have an understanding of what my mother used to say to me.As my husband comes into view, holding our eight month old babbling daughter to his ch
Genre: Romance, Mafia.Theme: Dark romance.Setting: The book unfolds in Italy and migrates to Russia, and is set to occur in the 21st centuryTone: Dark, wild, and steamyCharacters:-Mariana Denaro: Female lead.Alexandr Radimr Vastlav: Mariana’s husband.Alejandro Raes Vastlav: Mariana’s brother in-law and her love interest.Mariano Denaro: Mariana’s brother.Mr and Mrs. Denaro: Mariana’s parents.Story Extract:“I want you, Mariana.” Alejandro asserts.“I’m Married.” I whisper.“I. Want. You.” He pushes.“I’m Married. . .to your brother.”He tuts, “quite an unfortunate situation for you, wouldn’t you agree?”. . .She’s a liar.He’s smart.She’s a con artist.He’s a psychotic maniac.She’s on a mission of discovery.He’s on a mission of destruction.Mariana Denaro, the first daughter of the powerful Italian mafia family, is a force to be reckoned with. Behind her polished facade and designer gowns, she conceals a sharp mind and a calculating heart.To the world, she's a spoilt bra
Mariana's PovMy life is fucked.There’s a certainty that the devil is clapping and laughing in pride, rejoicing over what I’ve become—a slave to his evilness.It’s laughable how I’m supposed to be in control of my life, yet, I’ve opened myself up to the dirtiness and suffering of humanity, pushing my body to a point of eruption with self destruction.The heel of my boots knock against the tiled floor, the sound bouncing off the walls in echoes. I leisurely stride into the large living room of my parent’s manor with a bottle of scotch in one hand, and in another, between my index and middle finger, a joint.My parents took up half of the estate, building their manor and I sometimes wonder what they do with such a large space when it’s just the two of them. A few helps included.“Where are they?” I ask the maid who comes to usher me in. But instead of giving me an immediate answer, she takes her time, judging my outfit, her disgust laced eyes roaming my barely covered body from head to
Mariana's PovI walk into the pool house only to find it crammed from wall to wall with drunken and overly horny adults. Letting out a somewhat quiet laugh, my eyes desperately scan the entirety of the room inch after inch until they finally land on the one person I hoped to see.“Leah!” I yell out in excitement as I run towards my best friend, engulfing her in a playful hug whilst she laughs, playfully kissing my cheeks and wishing me a happy birthday.Our fingers lace together and she twirls me around three hundred and sixty degrees, letting out a low laugh before affirming, “You look absolutely stunning, birthday girl!”Dramatic much.Laughter bubbles out of me with my head thrown back. “You look absolutely stunning, sister in law,” I tease and she rolls her eyes at me, a shy scoff eliciting in her throat.Minutes after conversing with Leah, I make my way to the middle of the room with a bottle of scotch in hand, screaming my proclamation. “Thank you all for attending my sick party
Mariana’s PovI’m seated alone when all of a sudden, I feel a presence beside me. I look up and my eyes find Mathew staring down at me with his creepy smile.“Penny for your thoughts?” Mathew plops down beside me, breathing out an alcohol reeked breath. I have to physically force my throat to tighten in order not to gag.Out of all my friends, Mathew is the one I mistrust the most. I often find his traits very bizarre and he’s someone who exudes desperation for attention.More like he wants to be noticed by me but for a specific reason.“Hey Matt, having fun?” I question and he hums with his eyes closed shut.We both maintain the very much needed silence for some minutes before he speaks up. “What exactly is your deal, Mariana? You have access to drugs, you’re sometimes covered in blood, you live in this castle with lots of guards. . .” He trails off and my eyebrows furrow at him.A sudden gasp that has me flinching erupts from his throat, “Your father is a drug lord? Tell me! It make
Mariana's PovTime and time again, I’ve heard People say that there’s a fire burning in my soul, a fire threatening to reduce me to nothing but ashes, a fire that might make or mar me—only time will tell.But do I care? No.I have not a care in the world about what that fire does to me because I’m twice as dangerous. People might not see it, sometimes they look at me and think that I’m just another woman whose only concern is to whore around until her entire life is fucked up. Sometimes I’m overlooked because of my gender, especially in our world of crime.But I’m the danger you should avoid. I’m the danger that comes at you without warning. Everything about me screams danger but I made a choice a long time ago to suppress my demons.I suppressed the urge to be evil and all of a sudden, my life crumbled from every corner. And now, I’ve truly become just another woman. A daughter born to the Denaro’s. A daughter born to the most powerful family in Italy who’s been prepared to be marri
Mariana's PovFather smiles as though accepting the challenge. “What the fuck did you just say to me, young lady?”Leah side steps Mariano, exposing herself to the danger coming after her. This girl—her oblivion will be the death of her. “I said,” she gulps, “with all due respect, sir, I’d like to point out that you’re the most uncultured human being I’ve ever come across.”It’s silent for a second, filled with heavy, angry, and fearful breaths. But the look in my father’s eyes is familiar. I know him well enough to know that instead of being angry, he’s impressed by her boldness.But she doesn’t need to know this, so that it doesn’t become a constant habit of hers to talk back to the Godfather of Italy, especially with his subjects around.Father chuckles.That stupid man scoffs, excitement dancing in his eyes.Mariano swallows hard, desperation filling his orbs as he whispers a few things into Leah’s ear but she’s not having it.And my mother’s lips are turned up the slightest bit.
Mariana's Pov“Alexandr Radimr Vastlav. Thirty five years old. The newly named Pakhan of the Orekhovskaya OPG. In simple terms, the Crime boss of Bratva. First son of Vladimr Zakone Vastlav.”My slides pad against the floor as I make my way down the stairs, dreading the conversation that I’m about to have with mio padre.“His family and our family haven’t been great friends for years and it unnerves me how a son of Zakone would want to be in business with our family.”I stop midway, placing my palm flat on the wall, releasing a shuddered breath.“Something happened to me years ago, way before you and your brother were even conceived and the Russians were involved. Your uncle Ares gave them hell while I was stuck on a wheelchair.”I contemplate turning back around and heading back into my room but I don’t go with either option. I’m a loyal soldier and I’ll do what I have to do.“Years later, after I’ve had you and your brother, they connived with Marcelo and tried taking you both from
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