Cassandria POV.We drive to the secret location and we are silent. The bags were removed as soon as we got them both in the van. Anya is leaning her head on her mother’s shoulder and Katya is watching me.“Sign off.” I say through the earpiece and everyone does.“Report. Anything?” I ask again and I hear a voice in my ear.“Onryo, it’s Ghost. We have fanned out and one of mine has spotted four black SUV’s travelling at speed towards the village. What are the odds it’s him?” she says with a chuckle and I smirk.Ghost or Katarina Valentino. She is the wife of the mafia Don Salvadore Valentino. She has a daughter who is two years old called Alessa. She retired but does the occasional jobs for Alina.“Very good odds. Thanks Ghost. Keep me updated.” I say and cut the comms link. I lean back and just watch as Katya watches me. I know this woman has endured a lot. I know she can recognise the same pain in me.“How long?” She asks me, and I look at her in question.“For what?” I ask her, and
Cassandria POV.It has been a total of five days since I took Katya and Anya. I have kept my word and they have not been harmed. I know who I will use to get him to come with me willingly. I will use them both if needs be. Besides, they are both covered in liquid latex and makeup to give the illusion that they have been harmed.We have been staying here and members of Ghost’s team have integrated into the village and have been reporting back. Nikolai is going out of his mind. No one knows we are here. But today is the day.I have his number that Anya provided me with. I plan on calling Nikolai today and having Anya scream in the background like she is being tortured. Even though she will be sitting on the sofa with her mother watching TV.Ivan has gravitated towards Anya and I think he has a soft spot for her and her him. I thought I would never see the day that Ivan would be all goo goo eyed over a woman. But here we are.They do make a cute couple. Today I’m not feeling so hot. I wo
Cassandria POV.We leave the safety of the cabin and Katya and Anya are both placed in the back of the van, restrained and their heads covered in bags. Clothes torn and covered in fake blood. Pig blood. Need to make it believable.“Be careful, tesoro. We have snipers at the ready.” Matteo says to me. Ok, time to get my game face on. I sit in the back of the van with my trusty Katana at my side and in my thigh holsters are my guns.I’m in all black, complete with a vest. The team are all in black with crash helmets on. I will be the only one that is recognisable.After all, I want them to know it was me. Donna Cassandria Bristol-Romano. That brought him to his knees, begging for his life. Of course, I am prepared for any and every eventuality. I know he will try to save his own skin, so I am prepared for this.Nikolai forgets I know him. I know the games he plays, but I can play them too.We drive, and everyone is silent as we drive to the location. The closer I get, the more anxious I
Cassandria POV.We arrived back in the states early hours this morning. Katya and Anya both came with us. They will now start living here, in my mansion. I woke up after having a nightmare.I left the bed and headed down into the kitchen of the mansion. It’s still dark outside. I replay the nightmare in my head.Laying in a white bed, the sound of babies crying when I feel something gushing out of me. Looking down, I’m covered in blood. Then darkness. To wake up in another nightmare.Bound and restrained as men and women do unspeakable things to me. There is one woman, sitting on a throne-like chair, watching all of this play out. She is laughing and mocking me.“All hail the Mafia Queen.” She says laughing as she sits crossed legged drinking from a glass. As I’m defiled at her feet. That was when I woke up. Frantically looking around the bedroom. Matteo snoring beside me. I couldn’t sleep after that, so I came downstairs with my laptop.I decided to get some work done. In truth, I ha
Cassandria POV.Nikolai’s little brother.Nikolai’s little brother.What the actual fuck!“Do not worry about Stefan. He is nothing like Nikolai. Stefan hated what his brother did. As for how he knows your mom. Stefan is special, or he was special forces. He worked for your father. It was his job to protect them. Your parents gave him the day off. The day the jet crashed. Stefan was beside himself. He returned to Romania, a broken man. Years later, when word got back to me about you. Stefan went looking for Nikolai to kill him. He never got the chance.” Katya tells me. This woman is a fountain of useful information. Information I can use.“Why now?” I ask, and she shrugs.“That is a question for him. He will be here to watch over you from a far. If I were you, Cassandria. I would ask Andros about him. He didn’t use his surname. He used another, he used mine. Ask Andros about Stefan Dorondei. He will know who he is. But trust me when I say this Stefan means you no harm.” She says and I
Cassandria POV.After everything I have learned, I know I have a decision to make. It may not be the one I want to make, but I know deep inside of me that I will have to.I am taking these nightmares as a sign.I pace in the bathroom, fidgeting with my fingers as I wait for the timer to go off. Matteo is watching me pace like a caged animal.“Tesoro, stop. You are wearing a hole in the floor.” I bite my bottom lip but keep pacing. The last time I did this, I was so scared. I know this time will be different hence why my decision will be based on not only this result, but the combination of everything.I’m tired and I have done so much and lost even more. If I stop now, I can at least rest and let Matteo handle it. I mean, I will still help out but I won’t be actively involved. I just can’t anymore.The goal was to take out Curtis, and those that hurt me. I’ve done that. Does it make me a shitty person for waiting to back away?The timer goes off and I stop pacing and take a deep breat
Cassandria POV.Twins!Twins!I was told over a month ago and I freaked out. The nightmares and dreams show twin girls. Me covered in blood and then horrendous pain.They are a warning.They are an omen.Matteo knows all about my dreams, and I am more convinced that I have made the right choice. I can’t allow anything to happen to me or these babies. I will fight if I have to. But I’m hoping with me backing off we will all be ok.The weeks have blurred together as Matteo and the rest of them try to find Claudia. I am helping but not being too involved. Anya has joined the team, and so has Katya. Katya has a wealth of knowledge and we are following her word as Anya backs it all up.Anya and Tati are both an unstoppable force. They can find anyone. We have had a few hits on locations and Ghost has joined the hunt. We will get Claudia soon and I’m hoping it is before I give birth.Matteo has purchased another mansion. We went to see it and even though it was beautiful. I prefer the one h
Matteo POV.I’m nervous, so fucking nervous with what I am about to do. The past few weeks have been busy, but I have always found time for tesoro mio. Even arranging this surprise has been nerve-wracking. She deserves the best and tonight she will get it.I have had an overnight bag packed for us both, and a few other things. I know she is so used to doing everything for everyone. But she isn’t used to having someone dote on her and I want to change that and tonight I will be.I have been looking for her for about twenty minutes when I hear the music coming from the gym. She thinks I don’t know that she is training, nothing happens here without me knowing and approving.I get closer and the music gets louder. Alice Deejay Better Off Alone. I open the door and there she is. Walking on the treadmill, unwrapping her hands. It is then that I notice the punching bag is still swinging to a stop. So today she has been doing some boxing.I know yesterday she was doing some light weights and
Cassandria POV.It has been a year since I killed Claudia and sent the message to every trafficker out there. Tati and Anya found everything from within the mansion before we destroyed it.We are working to bring every trafficking ring down. So far, it is working. All the Don’s of each family are helping with this effort. I couldn’t be prouder.I have opened sanctuaries for the victims and their families. So they all get the help they need, whether it be financially, emotionally or just to help those that walk through the doors.Pheonix Couture is doing great as well. With the help of not only Bristol-Romano International but DeAngelis International, all our businesses are thriving. We joined our companies. Some of the victims also work with in our business.Gabriella and Alexandra are growing beautifully. I spent the first few months not leaving their side. Matteo has done a wonderful job in raising our girls. They continue to make me laugh every day. They are truly our little miracl
Cassandria POV.I drive the SUV at speed the closer I get to the gates.“Tesoro, slow down,” Matteo says as he braces, but I ignore him as I collide with the gate. The gate opens. I sneer as I drive to the front door and screech to a halt. I rip the door open and step out. I look around. Yeah, if this doesn’t scream ambush, I don’t know what does.“CLAUDIA, HERE I AM! COME OUT AND FACE ME LIKE THE COWARD YOU ARE!” I shout as I look at the camera. I point my finger at it, knowing she is watching me.The rest of the convoy arrives, and each person steps out and walks closer to me. Just as the front door opens and I stand firm as men all pour out surrounding us. Some tucking their dicks back inside their pants. Vile bastards.I waste no time in attacking, and everyone does as well. I’m cutting men down left and right. Not giving one shit. I see my opening and I take it. I run into the mansion.Matteo screaming after me. I run with my Katana slashing and stabbing as I go to anyone who tri
Cassandria POV.I told Andros and Matteo to pack some clothes for him and the girls. I can’t have them staying here, not after what went down. So I am taking them to my mansion. They will be safe there. I called Zana and Heather and asked them to head over and set up some rooms for everyone.The girls have not left my side and I smile, not wanting them to. I will protect them with my life.“Momma, what about Brutus?” Gabriella asks and I look at her and smile.“Brutus? My beautiful boy, he will be ok. He is very strong and stubborn. Does he behave?” I ask her and she nods her head and I smile. I have missed him and I will see him again.“Yes, he lets us ride him. He is very gentle.” Huh. Is she talking about the same horse? Brutus is stubborn as hell.“I’m glad he is piccolo tesoro. He was my baby before you both came along.” I say to her as I stroke her black hair. She leans against one of my shoulders and Alexandra is leaning against the other one.“Momma, how are you here? Papa sai
Matteo POV.I’m laying in bed going over the events of recent days. We had not long returned from Sicily with Andros. The girls went with Lola and Cassian back to my compound and I headed with Andros to Bristol-Romano International HQ.That was when it happened. The moment tesoro mio remembered her brother. Then she collapsed and had a seizure. Not long after that, her assistants arrived to find her and Andros was instructed to let Cass or Anastasia or whatever you want to call her rest.The doctor was called, and my heart was in my mouth the entire time. Hearing her screams, seeing her foam at the mouth, her eyes rolling into the back of her head. Then it just stopped. Her chest heaving and her eyes flickering.The doctor came and wanted her to be placed in the hospital, but we all agreed that she should rest at home. We did take her to the hospital, and she was still unconscious. She underwent MRI scans, X-rays, blood work. Everything came back within normal ranges. But she was stil
Anastasia POV.After we met with Tiny at the store, I gave him carte blanche. So he knows what I want and need and his team has already started. All the materials needed will arrive tomorrow. So today they are ripping out everything. Tiny has a team of thirty under him. From plasters, decorators, electricians, plumbers, tilers. You name it; he has it.I have used Tiny and his team from when I opened my first store in Milan. They go where I go and do what is needed. I laughed when he told me his name was Tiny. Because the man is anything but tiny. He is huge. His team or crew are ex-military and are really handy men to know.In their spare time, they are part of an MC. The MC is called The Princes Of Darkness. Tiny has a wife called Tanya and a son that has just taken over as president. His name is Harry Hatchet Jackson. Who has a child on the way with his wife Deanna.All the money they make from making my dreams reality goes towards what the club and the local town need. So I see it
Anastasia POV.I slept like shit last night, plagued with dreams. Matteo DeAngelis was the dominant feature in them. I was happy then they took a dark turn. A maniacal laugh of a woman sounded around me. Then a sting. Me screaming, but it wasn’t me; it was someone who looked like me.“All Hail the Queen.” She said, but I can’t see her face. My body jolts with each hit, each brutal, disgusting thing that happened. I screamed and begged it to stop.I was woken by a wet nose and tongue against my cheek. I never went back to sleep after that. So I did what I do best. Work.The front door opens and I don’t stop finalising designs for the store opening. I already have some of the completed pieces here to go into display cases for general sale. I will also be showcasing some of the custom designs. But those will only be for VIP customers.My jewellery is designed to suit every budget. Not just the super rich. The opening night will be an invitation only event to all the high rollers in this
Matteo POV.When we arrived in Sicily. My little miracles were so excited as soon as the SUVs rolled to a stop at the compound, they were off and running towards Alina and Dimitri. Everyone loves Gabriella and Alexandra.Dimitri walks to me and hugs me and I hug him back just as Andros and Lola walk out of the house. Lola has hold of little Cassian on her hip and he too has the Romano traits. The icy blue eyes and black hair.“Matteo, you don’t look so good.” Dimitri says to me and I look at him and then at Alina, who is talking animatedly to the girls and, of course, little Natalya.“We need to have a meeting ASAP.” I tell him and he looks at Alina and she looks up and the smile vanishes from her face as she stands up and nods her head once before the girls run over to Andros and Lola.Andros and Lola love the girls. Andros scoops both of them up and hugs them tight.“Our little ones, I swear you are both going to be taller than me if you both keep growing like this. How was your fli
Anastasia POV.The dull throbbing in my head wakes me. God, what did I drink last night? Oh, that’s right, everything. God, I drank like a fish and I don’t know why.I’m currently face down with the hoodie over my head face planting the pillow. The sun is beaming through the room, warming my ass, and I really need the bathroom.I roll out of bed, and land on the floor, wrapped in the quilt. God damnit, one Anastasia burrito coming right up with a side of the mother of all hangovers. I fight to get out of this quilt and succeed. Walking to the bathroom, I make quick work of making myself feel and look more human.After a long scolding hot shower, I’m now wide awake and feeling slightly better. Grabbing a towel, I walk into the bedroom and head to my closet and grab shorts and a sports bra. I pull them on and start doing my stretches as I jog down the stairs and into the kitchen.Making a juice before heading to the gym. I turn the music on and up and grab my hand wraps and start wrappi
Matteo POV.I’m lost in thought as I sit in the jet heading toward Sicily. The girls are all sleeping in the bedroom. All I can think about is Anastasia. She does have a striking resemblance to Cass. But nothing is making sense.The flight has been silent, each of us in a state of shock at seeing her and her not remembering anyone. So that just tells me she isn’t Cass. But my gut is telling me she is and I will get to the bottom of it.“Matteo, I have what you requested.” Tati says breaking me out of my thoughts. I look at her as she stands and hands me the iPad.“What did you find?” I ask her and she sighs.“I can’t explain it. You need to read it, Matteo, but I warn you it is bad.” She says and I look from her to the information. I nod my head and call Colin to me. He is my air steward. I only have men working on my jet as the female staff would try to get me into bed. I’m completely celibate. I will remain that way too, especially after what happened.“Yes, sir, what can I get for