Mariana's Pov“Give me a fucking name goddamnit!” He yells and I wrap my arms around him, holding him in a tight hug.“Just let it go, Dad. But for what it’s worth, his name is Caleb.”I make a mental note to remind my mother to provide a Caleb for my father because I sure as hell know that this man will not let this fly without getting rid of the made up sex offender.My father—the great Matteo Messina Denaro—tightens his grip on me, mumbling words into my ear like a mantra. “I’m so sorry, princess, I’ll make him pay. I promise to make him pay for hurting my little girl.”I nod against his chest, a string of pain and guilt tugging at my heart but I quickly push it to the back of my mind, reminding myself that this lie is a necessary procedure for the mission ahead.“I want to ask a favor, papá.”“Whatever you need, firecracker.”I swallow on nothing, loathing the words that are about to leave my mouth. “I’ve decided to get married to Mr. Vastlav.”Father freezes, gently pushing me aw
Mariana's Pov“Fuck this.”I’m pulled atop Alexandr’s laps, a gasp escaping my lips as I get comfortable on him, wrapping and interlocking my fingers around the back of his neck. His darkened silver eyes stare deeply into soul, leaving me completely bare and vulnerable before him.His bulge pushes into me from beneath and I gasp, taking the opportunity to grind on him as ragged breaths escape both our parted lips simultaneously. “You don’t know what you’re signing up for, Mariana.” He growls, his fingers digging into my waist, his shoulders tensing as his dick pulsates.I chuckle. “Like I said, I’d love to chance my luck.”And like a starved man, Alexandr’s lips land on mine. He kisses me with so much desperation, his teeth biting down on my bottom lip, his tongue competing with mine in a dance battle.I match his pace, not allowing myself to surrender completely to him.“Fuck.” I breathe, steadying my hands on his shoulders.He chuckles, heaving out a shuddered breath in an attempt a
Mariana's PovTwo months later.“I Mariana Denaro take you Alexandr Radimr Vastlav to be my lawful wedded husband.”My back is slammed against the wall with a great force and I groan through my chuckle, immediately moaning at the feel of my husband’s tongue exploring my neck.“To have and to hold.”With a grunt, my husband rips my dress off by the hem, his large palm kneading my breast whilst the other free hand works fast at ripping off my white lacy bra and thong.Throwing my head back, an ecstatic moan slips my lips as I inhale and exhale ragged breaths through my mouth, my heart beating uncontrollably fast and hard against my ribcage.“For better or for worse.”Alex grunts against me as his lips enclose around my nipple, a pained cry immediately escaping the back of my throat when his teeth sinks into my sensitive nipple.“In sickness and in health.”He flips me around, pressing my front against the cold wall as his wet lips begin trailing kisses across my back, his teeth very oft
Mariana's PovThree months later.Psychology.The biological science which studies the phenomena of conscious life, behavior, origin, developments and manifestations of human behavior.I’ve had three months to study and observe my husband’s random changes in behavior and I’ve come to a conclusion that Alexandr Radimr Vastlav suffers from dissociative personality disorder.In simple terms, my husband suffers from multiple personality disorder. Many of which I know and have come face to face with and many of which I have no idea of.At first, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact that my husband is a man with many different personalities. But after a series of observations and series of events that has occurred since my marriage to Alexandr, I can no longer live in denial.It is important to embrace the problem before seeking out the solution.Slipping out of my robe, my fingers lazily trail across my skin, across every mark and every dent, across every bite mark
Alejandro's PovHuman want.The strong desire to own or possess something or someone that is either unavailable, absent or inaccessible. The most interesting thing about selfish desires is the vicious manner at which it digs its claws beneath your skin, leaving you in complete pain and agony until you’re fully surrendered to the carelessness and recklessness of those desires.Growing up in a family like mine, I’ve never truly wanted anything. Not freedom, not happiness, and definitely not a sense of belonging. I lived the way I was conditioned to. But today, for the first time in my life, I want something and I’ll not rest until I have it.Funny.It really is laughable how for the first time in my life, I’m fighting an inner battle with my selfish desires all because I set my eyes upon a certain beautiful woman who happens to be my brother’s wife.I’ve never had the opportunity to be in the presence of a woman who’s as elegant and exquisite as my brother’s wife. Her soft vanilla fragr
Mariana's PovIt’s dinner time and Radimr is back. We’re seated silently at the table, waiting for the chef to bring out our dinner. And as we wait, my body tightens with nervousness by the second.The tension radiating in the room is palpable, unnerving. Radimr’s eyes are lingering on me longer than I’d like them to, as though he searches for something, an answer, a truth.Did Alejandro tell him yet?Why’s he so silent?Why’s he staring at me like this?It’s bad enough that I had to deal with one crazy man. Now, I have two of them on my tail. Worst of all, they’re brothers.How do I get out of this mess?How in the hell did Alejandro discover so much about me under a few hours?Who’s he?What power does he hold?When he said he hates his brother, why did he mean?Is he someone I can trust to help me accomplish my goals in this house?My mind reels with questions, questions that demand immediate answers.“You’re sweating,” I hear a thick and heavily accented voice. It’s my husband. I
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.