Mirabella's PovI exhale a breath through my mouth as I come awake from an exhausting slumber. My eyes part open but remain in a narrowed slit as I gulp down my saliva to wet my throat.My head is engulfed in a pang of pain as I attempt recalling the events of last night. "Matteo?" A whooshed whisper escapes my pained throat and I wince."Mrs. Denaro? I'm Beth, your nurse." She quickly checks my pulse and with a sigh of relief, she asks, "How do you feel?""Where's Matteo?" I throw a question right back at her, stammering and wincing through each word."Mr. Denaro is not here at the moment ma'am." She answers politely."Please call me Mirabella." The nurse—Beth—offers me a tight nod in agreement. "Did he come to see me? My husband I mean."Her eyes light, her lips stretching into an ear to ear grin, "of course!" She excitedly squeal with a tiny jump.Oh.This one's a sucker for romance."He didn't leave your side even for a second." I look at her with narrowed eyes, confused as to why
Mirabella's PovI lie on my back unmoving as tears blur my vision. I sniffle, gulping down the loud sob threatening to break out of me because I'm tired of crying. I'm so tired of being pitied.I'm tired of everything in general.It has been a month, a month since I returned from the hospital, a month since I last heard from Ares and the worry I feel is killing me.I'm torn between two worlds. A world where I'm giving my best to come out of the dark place I was pushed into; I want to forget. This past month has been me trying to forget what happened to me, but with each passing minute of everyday, a small part of my memory of the event of that night is unlocked and it kills me each time.It's driving me insane.And then there's a part of me which strongly believes that Ares has been caught up in a dreadful situation.I'll never forgive myself if anything happens to him because of me.The list of my troubles never ends.One more thing on that list would be Matteo. God, that man drives
Mirabella's PovI am beautiful.I am powerful.I am extraordinary.I was created for great things.I wasn't put on earth to wallow in misery. . .Two months.It has been two months since I first used my legs after the incident.The moment I got up on my feet, I decided there and then to put myself first. To talk about myself correctly, to stand strong, to take care of myself without relenting.And I've done just that.Swallowed my pills religiously, started intense psycho and physiotherapy and the way I feel right now is enough proof that my hard work is paying off.Recovering hasn't been the easiest, considering that the memories of that night still exist; the nightmares and panic attacks, but I find myself becoming stronger and more resilient after each dreadful episode of panic attack. That's the most important part of it all.Today, I'm sitting in my father's office after he had invited me over to talk about very important matters—his words not mine—except, I've been seated here l
Matteo's PovWhat did I do?What have I done?What the fuck have I done?!I thought I was doing the right thing by staying away from her. I thought I was protecting her, I thought. . .God! I thought a lot of things.But her reaction goes to show that I fucked up in more ways than one.Her pained voice still ricochets in my ears."I'm your wife! You don't like me? You can't stand me? I get that but I'm still your wife and it was your child that was taken away in that inhumane manner! It was your wife's body and soul that was broken and ripped apart! It was I, your wife who needed her husband in her moments of weakness and vulnerability but you weren't there Matteo.""I hate you so much, Matteo Denaro and I regret everything we've done together. I regret letting you touch me with your filthy hands. I hate every breath you take and I hope you die a painful death for everything you've put me through."My chest constricts."Look at me, Matteo! God, Matteo! Why? Why are you doing this? Why
Mirabella's PovIt has been over an hour since Matteo walked out my door, I cried about it but not for long, because I’ve gotten so used to him being so cold and distant.I understand his struggles but I’m no longer willing to put up with it, which is why after having a bath, I’m now seated and fully relaxed on the cushion, reading through the annulment papers with great focus.If he is willing to walk away from me, then I should be willing to do the same. I can no longer hold him against his will.Continuous loud bangs resound against my door and after a while of ignoring it, I walk over to the door full of rage as I swing it open only to be met by Matteo’s shirtless torso, hooded eyes and messy hair.Shit.I squeeze my thighs together.It’s been too fucking long!He tries walking into the room but I shove him back with my palm on his chest while my eyes narrow to slits, my glare venomous and molars grinding. “Yes?”Silently, he stares at me for long minutes, his features expressing c
Mirabella's PovA lone tear slides down my face and I gulp as my eyes flutter open. Matteo’s gaze softens at me and I stifle a sniffle. “I’m sorry.” I whisper as he trails chaste wet kisses down my neck line muffling a, “thank you.”What he’s thanking me for, I do not know but I like it. I love it.“Don’t ever apologize about this princess, hmm? It’s completely normal.” We both stare at each other with kind eyes for about a minute before he heaves out a sigh, murmuring. “I’ll go get you cleaned up.”I shake my head in disagreement. “I want you Matteo. Don’t stop on my account.”Matteo lifts himself off me and sits on the bed so that his back is resting on the headboard. Pre-cum oozing out of his very hardened dick. “Are you sure?” He asks as though questioning himself and I nod my answer. “Really sure?” I nod again as I sit up to fully face him.“I need you to be in control. Take charge of how this goes so that you don’t feel suffocated.” He mutters gently and I hesitate before nodding
Matteo's PovI had a great night!I had a great fucking night!And I know this by how my cheeks hurt from the ear to ear grin plastered across my face as I stretch myself awake and from the silky dark hair sprawled on my arm.My beautiful wife.I giggle to myself, scattering chaste wet kisses all over her naked body while she grumbles in her sleep, making me aware how tired she is from our conjugal endeavors."Creep," she murmurs begrudgingly. "Don't think about it, I'm very tired.""Good morning to you too, my beautiful princess." I fawn, gaining a low hum and a screeching sound from my wife as she stretches her muscles. "I get that you're tired but we need to be somewhere, so get your ass out of bed and go get ready."She grumbles, "do I have to go?""I don't know princess, but I think you might want to come along. Do me a favor? Wear a dress and make sure to leave out the underwear."Her head is thrashed backwards, laughter bubbling out of her. "Creep. Such a sex freak.""Only for
Mirabella's Pov"Do you want to know something?" I question Lex as I lean down, whispering, "that man is my father, the dead woman was my mother and the person he's looking for is me." Into his ear.He gulps down on nothing, his face pale as a ghost as his eyes widen.Lex opens his mouth like he's about to scream but I beat him to it, plunging my blade right under his jaw, pushing it in until the tip of the blade pokes out at the bridge of his nose.His body convulses as he groans, bouncing on the seat he's strapped on, tears spewing uncontrollably from his eyes.I stumble back with humorless laughter bubbling out of me."Do you remember Lex? That was exactly how I sounded when you and your cohorts railed me whilst plunging your blades into me. I couldn't use my voice because you all forced me into silence!" Tears stain my cheeks.I whip my head around to find Matteo and the boys moping at me with surprise. Understanding even.They understand that my pain has transformed me into somet
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