Chapter 1.

Cassandria POV.

“I’m sorry, Mrs Black, but the crash has left you infertile.” Those words swirl around my head and a part of me is happy for that fact, but the other part is devastated. I’m happy because I escaped my fate of being married to him. But at the age of twenty-five, I do or did want a child. It won’t happen now because of him. I was twenty-one when I married him. The monster known as Curtis Black.

It has been a year since that crash and I am away from him and that is what matters. I lost everything when I married him. My freedom, my sanity, my friends, and family, hell, I nearly lost my parent’s company and my life. I’m well rid of him and his sadistic, drug-fuelled ways.

“Hey, little one. Where did you go?” I take in a breath as I look up at my big brother Andros, who is looking at me with worry in his ice-blue eyes, the same as mine. I smile at him as I open the laptop to start this meeting with the company shareholders. It’s three in the morning here in LA and the meeting is with one of the headquarters in London.

Andros came to my rescue after the crash. I cut ties with Andros after a year of being married to that monster. He got in my head telling me that my brother, the only family I had left, was after the company our parents left to me. So I believed him and cut Andros out. Then Curtis came to me wanting my help with his company and when I refused, that was when the man truly became the monster.

“Cass!” I snap out of the past and look at my brother as he places a coffee down beside me and I smile.

“Thanks. I’m fine. Why are you still awake? Or are you just coming home?” I ask him and he smirks at me, running a hand through his dark hair that is like mine. I will say this about my big brother. He is seven years older than me, but he is a man whore.

Doesn’t mean I don’t love him, though. He was there when I needed him most. He doesn’t know the truth, and I won’t be telling him or anyone soon. All he knows is that the crash left me infertile.

“You know what I do for a living, so that in itself is a daft question. But yeah, I’ve not long got in. Now come on, you have a meeting to start.” I groan out and stifle a yawn as I take the mug and sip the goodness.

Andros works for his long-time friend. Matteo DeAngelis. Matteo is the mafia king. I have never met him or know how the two of them met, but Andros and I live in his gated community.

I know little to nothing about Matteo, only that he is untouchable and Andros is his second in command or something. I keep myself to myself, shrink into the background and that is what I like best.

“Thanks for the reminder. Go, I’m ok unless you want to help me with these old men? And the latest designs?” I ask, fluttering my eyelashes at him. He raises an eyebrow at me and pouts.

“Nope, I’m good. I told you, the only design I know is that of a gun. Besides, the company was left to you. You are better at this stuff than I am,” He says as he moves around the kitchen island and kisses me on my head and he chuckles. Andros is ex-military, and he never wanted the company. I was so stupid to believe that sadistic piece of shit. But you live and learn and boy, did I learn.

“What are you wearing?” I look down and chuckle. I’m wearing a blouse with my pyjama pants. They don’t need to know I’m still technically in my pj’s.

“Don’t start. It’s too early for this bullshit.” I say and he laughs. He hugs me, and I stiffen slightly. Still not used to people touching me other than to inflict some kind of pain.

“Ok, well, I’m going to bed. Remember, you are their boss. Don’t take any shit or I will pay them a visit.” He winks at me as he saunters away and I shake my head at him as I watch him disappear.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Is everyone here? Good, let’s get started. I want the design contracts and financial reports for the last quarter.” I say as I watch the screen split into twelve. They all say good morning and we start the meeting.

Bristol-Romano International does everything from construction, design, fashion, manufacturing of cars and luxury yachts and cruise liners. We even have military contracts. So we have our fingers in a lot of pies.

My father started this company when he was in his early twenties and it quickly became a billion dollar business. When he met my mother in Sicily, he fell in love at first sight and they married within six months and together they became the king and queen of the business world. Together they built Bristol-Romano International into the empire it is.

Technically, I don’t have to work but I do to keep my mind occupied. If I don’t, well, the nightmares come through and I re-live what happened to me.

After three hours, the sun is rising as I listen to the last report and schedule another meeting for two week’s time. I shut the laptop, stand and stretch with a yawn. I reach for the mug to sip my coffee to find it empty. I groan as I make a fresh one and walk to the back garden and sit down, looking out over the pool.

Life in LA is different from the three years I was living in New York. Even so, where this community is, it’s quiet, and it is what I needed. My hand rests on my stomach over the scar and I sigh, removing my hand as I go back inside.

I need to shower and get ready for the day. Today I’m going shopping with my personal bodyguard. Tony or the hulk, as I call him. It is my mission to make him crack a damn smile. He is always so serious.

I walk through the house and up to my room. As I walk past Andros’s room, I can hear him snoring like a damn tractor and I continue on to my room. I enter my room and walk into my closet and grab my ripped designer jeans, a white shirt, and underwear. I’m not like the barbie dolls that live here. Yes, I love fashion, but I prefer comfort over sky high heels and clothes don’t cover the goods.

I head to my bathroom and begin to get ready for the day ahead. My bathroom is spacious. A claw-footed bathtub is on a raised platform next to the window. A shower enclosure is in the far corner. I have a vanity and a toilet. It’s all white and chrome.

Entering the shower, I turn the two shower heads on and step under the cold water as it begins to heat. My mind flashes to what happened to me, but I shove it all back down. Nope, that is the past and I don’t live there anymore. I’m here in LA living in the present.

I shampoo and condition my long black hair. I have the hair and eyes of my mother, her olive skin tone, long legs, and her boobs. I have my dad’s proud straight nose and pouty lips. Once I’m ready. I shut the shower off and get ready for the day.

Once I’m dried, dressed and my hair is dried and straightened. I put it up in a ponytail. Apply mascara and lip-gloss and I’m ready to go.

I head back downstairs as the doorbell sounds and I move to open the door to find the hulk standing there.

“Hey Tony, come in.” I say as I move out of his way and he walks in. I look at the time and see it’s ten in the morning. Damn, how long was I in the shower for? Oh, no, did I lose time again? I follow him into the kitchen as he makes himself a coffee. This is what he does. I hear Andros come down the stairs. I look up and see him in his boxers and no shirt, for fuck’s sake.

“Eww, bro. Cover up dude.” I say as I look away and he ignores me and kisses my head as he bro hugs Tony.

“What are your plans little one?” he asks as Tony hands him a mug and they both watch me.

“Shopping.” Tony glares at me and I smile innocently. Seriously, I may have a slight addiction, but it’s not bad.

“Oh man, you armed? You are going to need it.” Andros chuckles and I snarl at him. How rude.

“Hey, I’m not that bad.” I defend myself, and he nods his head and rolls his eyes.

“Sure, I mean it took two weeks, Cass, for you to pick a car.” He says, and I narrow my eyes at him.

“Safety first Andros. Not all of us like SUVs or carry a gun.” I say to him and he grins at me.

“Safety first, huh? Ok then in that case why did you buy that barbie car? Nothing safe about it.” He says and I gasp, my jaw hitting the floor. I step up to him and he stops chuckling. I poke him in his bare chest.

“That barbie car, as you call it, is stylish and beautiful. She does the job.” I say as he nods his head at me. No one talks shit about my pearl white Bentley Continental GT Convertible. No one!

“Anyhow. Come on hulk, we have some shopping to do.” I say as I grab my purse and phone and head to the door.

“Have fun guys and Tony, good luck.” He waves us off as I walk to my baby and open the door. Climbing in, I wait for the hulk to strap in. I give the command for the car to start. I drive slowly down the drive and onto the street. I look at hulk and smirk as I rev the engine and he looks at me with wide eyes.

“Cass, don’t you …” I shift and floor it as I laugh and he screams. See, not so much of a barbie car now, is she?