Mariana's PovHello, this is Mariana Vastlav, Don Radimr’s new bride.Hello, this is Mariana Vastlav, Don Radimr’s new bride.Hello, this is Mariana Vastlav, Don Radimr’s new bride.That’s all I’ve heard since stepping out of Alejandro’s car. Oh, let me not forget to add the same robotic smiles and echoes of, “she’s a sight to behold,” I’ve heard from every single person Alejandro has introduced me to.Their business partners.I’ve been in this business long enough to know when I come across men and women of substance and power who are in one way another involved in this business.And now, I’m wondering which of them is powerful enough and resentful towards the Vastlavs. I’m desperately searching for a candidate who’ll help me achieve.Maybe I shouldn’t stray too far with my search. Perhaps I should look inwardly. Perhaps Alejandro has both the power and the resentment. But things might get too messy with him.I loathe the way my heart and body reacts to him.What if he changes his mi
Mariana's PovThe car is silent, the ride smooth, too silent and too smooth.We feel it, both of us, that undiluted tension, that desire. Alejandro’s eyes have refused to leave mine, he’s been holding my gaze through the rear view mirror as he drives us back home.And frankly, I’m unable to look away.It’s not until I feel my cheek getting wet when a rope of tears drags down that I realize I am lost in my brother in-law’s eyes.Laughter ripples out of me. I let myself go, laughing hard, my hand on my chest, tears pooling out of my eyes.“What’s wrong, Maria?” Alejandro asks, his brows pulled into a deep furrow. He knows, he’s a stranger, yet he knows me well enough to know there’s nothing humorous about my laughter. I’m simply expressing my pain and confusion through it.I giggle, breathing out a sigh. “My life’s fucked.”He casts me a single glance before refocusing on the road. “And you know this how?”I shrug my shoulders and bite down on my bottom lip, urging my voice to steady.
Mariana's Pov I call out. “Wait!”Alejandro stops but doesn’t turn to look at me. “What is it, Mariana?” He asks his tone leaning into the harsher side.“I. . .I. . .” I stumble upon my words.“You have to say it, Maria,” he implores, his tone impatient. “I’ll assume nothing until you’re clear with your words.”Words?I don’t do words, I do action. And for that reason, I walk past him, heading straight for the library. As I walk, the space behind me remains silent. I stop and turn around to face him. “Are you coming or what?”I don’t wait to gauge his reaction or hear his response when I leisurely stroll into the library, head for the shelf where the door to his secret room is hidden, input the code and walk into the room.Alejandro enters right after me, his intense gaze holding my stare. I wait for him to look away but he doesn’t.My heart thunders violently. Why does he like staring into my eyes so much? What is it about him that seems to overwhelm my senses whenever he’s near?He
Mariana's Pov“Why the fuck do you look so flustered, Mariana?”Radimr’s sudden question almost startles a gasp out of me, but I don’t let it, I don’t let myself show him the secrets I might be hiding.Clearing my throat, I answer on a hushed tone, “it’s nothing. I. . .I was—”“Let the lady breathe, brother, she just ran down a flight of stairs.” Alejandro interrupts, his eyes creased at the corners as though he’s smiling. Is this funny to him?Crazy motherfucker.Radimr scratches the back of his head, a hum vibrating in his throat, his head bobbing in a nod.I move forward to greet my father in-law, but he seems to be in a bad mood. His eyes are tight as he slowly drags the spiteful orbs along my form. “She lost weight, Radimr,” he says, his tone nonchalant.My husband’s tone falters when he answers, “I try
Mariana's PovI am in Italy.I am in Italy.I’ve never felt better. After living in that hell of a marriage for three months, enduring a psychopath as my husband, I can finally breathe a little better.My convoy of tinted black cars drives in a straight line, lined up as they slowly file through the gates of my father’s estate.My chin trembles as we drive by the familiar manors and gardens. And when I sight my brother, mother, best friend, and father from afar as they pace impatiently in front of my parent’s home, I feel my heart racing with reckless abandon.This is my family.The car comes to a slow halt and I jump down, running towards my brother, my soulmate. He meets me halfway and wraps his arms around me, lifting me off the ground and twirling me around.The atmosphere fills with laughter and joy.“I’ve missed you so much, my pumpkin,” he singsongs, cackling happily.“I’ve missed you too, Mariano.” I whisper, holding him tight, tears almost escaping my eyes. My brother sets me
Mariana's PovBlack pants, black shirt, black baseball hat; that’s what I’m clad in—my usual uniform for whenever I have to meet my mother at our meeting point. Her laboratory in the estate.As I approach the door, the soldiers pull open the door for me and I step in, the smell of smoke and chemicals filling my nostrils immediately.It’s something I’ve become accustomed to. And I sometimes wonder why my father allows my mother to have her little research laboratory here in the estate knowing that whatever she does in there is not legal.What if there’s a raid, they’ll leave out evidence for the feds to walk in on.“What were you thinking acting out the way you did back there, Agent Shadow?” A firm voice slices through my thoughts, pulling my mind back from a daze.I look behind me. It’s my mother and her partner, uncle Ares. Uncle Ares’s lips form a smile—a welcoming smile. But I’m in no mood for smiles and welcomes. This is a place of business, and I’m here to do nothing but that. O
Mariana's PovMy eyes are dried of tears, my emotions put under control. I’m seated in the silence, feeling my mother’s gaze on my face.The silence lingers for a while. And then she breaks it. “What did you mean by what you said, Mariana? Does Radimr have a brother no one knows of?” She asks, curiosity laced in her tone.I thin my lips and blink once, steadying my voice before answering. “Yes.”Mother nods, a hum rumbling in her throat. “And you think you might feel something for him?”“Yes.” I breathe.Mother falls silent again—silence that lasts only for a moment. Our eyes meet and hers reflects the understanding of the matter. She understands that this is beyond my control, that the heart can’t be controlled.“Does he feel the same?” She finally asks, breaking the awkward silence.I pull my bottom lip into my mouth, nibbling with my teeth, my mind running in circles, weighing the gravity of the situation. “I don’t know, mamà?” I answer, my voice monotone.“What does that even mean
Mariana's PovThe meeting has suddenly migrated from my mother’s laboratory to the parliament room. We’re all filing through the hallway into the parliament room, everyone maintaining a silence that can create chaos.And by everyone, I mean: My mother, my father, my brother, Uncle Ares, Uncle Alessio, Uncle Dean, and Uncle Maxwell.The gravity of the situation, which I know nothing of, seems to be so deep my uncles didn’t even care to hug me after a long time of not seeing me.I step into the dimly lit room, my heart racing with every creak of the old wooden floorboards beneath my feet. The air is thick with an eerie silence, making my skin crawl.Shadows dance across the walls, like dark specters watching my every move. I try to shake off the feeling, but it only intensifies as I venture deeper.Fear grips my chest, squeezing tight. I can't shake the sense that I'm being led into a trap. Every step feels like a betrayal, as if I'm walking further into darkness.My breath comes in sho
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