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?
Cassandria POV.The last month has been difficult as what would be my wedding anniversary is approaching and I know I will break down. Everything is still pretty fresh in my mind and I’m finding it harder and harder to hold the memories off.I have been waking in the night covered in sweat and shaking as I relive the memories. So I have not been sleeping. Andros knows something is wrong, but I brush it off. Lying to him that I am working on designs for the latest contracts. I know he knows I’m lying, but he won’t push me for the truth.Tonight I am being taken to a new exclusive night club called Sinners and Saints. Apparently everybody who is anybody in this town will be there. So I have to go. Even though I would rather stay home surrounded by snacks and crappy TV. But Lola has other ideas.Lola is Andros’s girlfriend. I caught them in the kitchen and that is an image I need acid to remove. Apparently, they have been dating for nearly a year and he didn’t tell me because he didn’t w
Matteo POV.This meeting is draining. The nightclub Sinners and Saints is the newest property in my inventory. I don’t usually do my illegal business deals in my legitimate businesses, but then again, I’m untouchable. So I can do whatever the fuck I want.Right now, I am looking at the son of a bitch who is sitting in front of me, squirming in his seat. I may be the mafia king and anything is fair fucking game. But I draw the line at human trafficking. All the families agreed to that law when I took over ten years ago.So this piece of shit Michael Santo thought he could go under the radar. He is wrong and he won’t make it out of this building alive.The club isn’t open yet and for good reason. Even though the authorities can’t do shit to me, I don’t want members of the public to see his corpse being carried out of here.“Tell me Michael. How’s business?” I ask as I sit watching him like a hawk. He begins to relax. The stupid cunt thinks he can get one up on me? It’s laughable, really
Cassandria POV.The sex god is Matteo DeAngelis. Bloody hell!“Andros, I need to erm, go.” I say as I look at my big brother and his smile disappears, and he moves to me.“What’s wrong?” he asks, and I turn and walk back to the VIP section, pushing past people to get to my clutch so I can go home. I have just been grinding on the damn mafia king who is my big brother’s best friend and boss. Could the ground open up and swallow me whole, please?A hand grabs my wrist and I feel what can be described as static run up my arm and I gasp as I turn and bump into his hard chest.“Don’t run from me. I won’t hurt you,” he says and I gulp, getting lost in his eyes. I nod my head and smile softly at him as I look down. His fingers move to my chin and he tilts my head back. And it’s like he is looking into my soul and I shiver.“Matteo. Who is this bitch!” I’m snapped out of the stare off with him as I look at the woman glaring at me seething with rage. Now she is a barbie doll. Typical LA brat.
Cassandria POV.I spent the day alone. Andros left a text on my phone telling me he had to go and do some work and Lola went to her apartment. So I have the house to myself. I guess he knew I needed my space after what happened last night.So here I am, sitting in my sweats, his hoodie with the hood up obscuring my face, with the curtains closed, wrapped in a blanket surrounded by snacks and bottles of soda. I ordered a pizza and it should be here soon. I shut my phone off after I read his text message and ignored the door.Now I’m binging my shows as I dig into my ice cream. Yes, I am not ready to face the world after what happened last night. The door bell rings and I groan.“Pizza for miss Bristol-Romano.” I sigh and grab the remote from under the blanket, and pause the show as I shuffle to the door. I know I look like death warmed up. But I don’t care. I open the door and take the box and bag and thank him as I close the door and lock it again.Moving back to the sofa and the safe
Cassandria POV.Looking up at this huge mansion, I nod in appreciation. It is gorgeous. Modern and sleek. Floor to ceiling windows complete with privacy glass. The walls are white, the front door is a double door in black. The three steps leading up to the front doors are made of white quartz. I look up and there is an enormous window just above the front door.There are up-lights against the walls. It looks cold, masculine, clearly a bachelor pad. Andros opens the door and ushers me inside.I step inside and just wow. The interior is clean and shiny. The marble floors shine and the walls are white, with modern artwork hanging from them. The entry way has two stairs cases that join to a platform at the top complete with glass panelling. I feel sorry for whoever has to keep them clean.There is a lounge area with black area rugs and a huge open fireplace. Definitely a bachelor pad. It lacks warmth, and that lived in feeling. I follow Andros under the arch of the stairs and into a cater
Matteo POV.Shit! Why did I have to say that? She bolts away and I shout after her, but she won’t stop. She is running on pure adrenaline. Andros looks up, hearing me shout after her. He runs after her like I do. My security team is closing in on her.“DON’T FUCKING TOUCH HER!” I scream, and they back off as she screams and falls to the ground. She is fighting invisible forces and I know who it is. That cunt of an ex-husband of hers. Curtis motherfucking Black.“NOOOOOOO, CURTIS, STOP, PLEASE. I’LL BE GOOD, PLEASSSSEEE!” she thrashes her eyes are open but vacant. Her mouth opens in a silent scream and her eyes go wide. Her body tenses as she rolls onto her back, kicking and screaming to get away.My heart shatters. Why did I have to open my fucking mouth? I run to her and grab her up. Her fist connects with my face and I see stars. Fuck! Andros grabs her face in his hands and calls to her. For a moment, she stops and her eyes clear as she looks at her brother.Then it happens again. I
Cassandria POV.Waking, I feel groggy, my head feels heavy and my mouth is dry. I look up at the ceiling and around the room. This is not my room? Where the hell am I and what happened? I sit up and see a bottle of water next to me. I reach for it and take a long drink. The cool water is soothing in my dry mouth and throat.I remove the white blanket from my legs and swing my legs over the side of the bed, holding my head as it pounds. Closing my eyes to stop the pain. I stand and wobble slightly before sitting back down.I need to remember what happened. I remember going to Matteo’s home for a family day. Then it is hazy, blank. Nothing. Did I drink too much? Was it a dream? The door to the room opens and Andros walks in with Lola, Matteo, and a woman who looks like a doctor. Oh, this is bad.“Cass.” Andros runs towards me and pulls me into a hug. He is squishing me, but I hug him back.“What happened? Where am I?” I ask, but it sounds like I’m underwater.“Lay back down. We had to s
THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS TRIGGER WARNINGS, SO PLEASE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ WHAT CASSANDRIA WENT THROUGH, FEEL FREE TO SKIP. READ AT YOUR DISCRETION!Cassandria POV.After I have used the bathroom and spent some time staring at my reflection, I’m ready. Well, I’m as ready as I ever will be, but I know once this is out in the open, I can focus on getting better, stronger and being who I was meant to be.A knock makes me break the stare off with my reflection.“Cass, is everything ok in there?” Lola’s voice comes through the door. I sigh and nod my head once at my reflection. I turn and walk to the door. I unlock and open it.“Everyone is downstairs in Matteo’s office.” I bite my bottom lip and look down. No, Cass, no more looking down, head up, chest out and walk.“What about the guests?” I ask, and she tilts her head to the side.“Oh sweetie, they left like yesterday.” My eyes widen, yesterday. So I was out the whole day? No wonder I felt like shit when I woke up. She takes my hand in