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
Matteo POV.Hearing what my tesoro endured was brutal. Reading it was different from hearing from it. She detached herself when she was speaking, like she was a robot, going through the motions. But the fire in her eyes was a dead giveaway. The room is dead silent. No one speaking, just processing what we all just heard.“I want that fucker found, I want him dead and all of the men and women who touched her.” Andros is the first to speak through gritted teeth, his knuckles white as he tries to control his urge to fly to New York and torture the prick.“We are leaving Curtis Black for last, but trust me. I have a plan for him. The rest have been taken care of. I want to know who was at these sex parties regardless of if they participated or not. They are all guilty by association.” I say to him, and it does nothing to quell his rage.“What about this man, Nikolai? What about him? Cass said he didn’t touch her, that he tried to help her. Who is he?” Tony says and I sigh, knowing exactly
Cassandria POV.Entering the house that I live in with my brother. I know things are going to be different now. He now knows the truth and will no doubt wrap me in bubble wrap and keep me away from everything and anyone who can hurt me.But I need to get away, I need to leave. I don’t need the pity or the over protectiveness. I need to live my life, get back on the damn horse, as it were. Not be couped up at home like a laying hen. No, I need to go to the one place that always felt like home.Sicily. To my zio Francesco and zia Sophie. They will help me, and I can start to heal without people breathing down my neck. I love my brother, but he is too overbearing and I need to breathe. I can’t do that here.I need the sea, the sun, the fresh air. I need to go home. Andros thinks that I don’t know the truth about who I am. I have known for a short while now. I know I shouldn’t have kept it from him, but he, too, has kept it from me. So it’s tit-for-tat.I grab my phone and dial the number
Cassandria POV.Seven years was the last time I was here. Seven years and the area has changed so much. We drive along the costal road. I look out of the window and smile, watching the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea glisten under the blazing sun.I’m already feeling at ease, like the crushing, oppressive weight is starting to lift from my chest, the black cloud of depression or the black dog as it is known is shifting, evaporating from my being.We drive towards the gates that keep the Romano compound secured. The pine trees line the drive and terracotta tall planters warm in the sun with roses in various colours. We drive up the driveway to a small fountain in the centre. The cars come to a stop at the door.My door is opened, and I take a deep breath of the sea air. I smile as I climb out and look up at the mansion that I always felt at home in. This was my madre’s childhood home. It hasn’t changed much.It’s warm jagged quarry stone front with arch windows encased with wrough
Matteo POV.Checking over documents in the office, the door opens with a bang and I look up and see a furious-looking Andros as he storms forward. I move the laptop away and stand to look at him.“What crawled up your ass?” I ask. This is not usual to see him like this, a bull in a damn china shop.“She is gone.” He shouts as he clutches at his black hair. He paces and I sigh. I knew this would happen. Cynthia said she would. I didn’t think she would leave so soon, though.“Where?” I ask him and he looks up at me. His blue eyes are raging with fire.“Sicily.” He hands me an envelope and I take it from him. I open the lip and pull out the paper. Unfolding it, seeing her beautiful cursive handwriting. I read it.Andros, my big brother.By the time you read this, I would have left. I’m sorry for not being strong enough and for being a burden to you. It was never my intention to drag you into my mess.I have sold my car and left my phone and key in the house.Know that I am safe and I hav
Cassandria POV.Entering the bedroom that was once my madre’s, but when we stayed here during vacations, it became mine. I smile up at the posters on the walls, the familiar pictures on the dresser. The chest at the foot of the kingsized bed. The white voiles around the posts of the bed and hanging from the canopy.A proper bed fit for a principessa, she would say. I can see her as I would sit at the vanity dresser with her behind me as she would comb my hair and braid it, speaking to me in her native tongue. I walk closer and pick up the comb and clutch it to my chest. Looking at the wallet sized pictures of us all around the mirror. Happier memories of when Andros and I were children.I allow myself to break down in the privacy of the room. I walk to the chest and move to my knees, and open the lid. The old wooden style chest. I lift the heavy metal catch and lift the lid, allowing it to open completely.I can smell the perfume she used to wear. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. It wafts ge
Cassandria POV.FOUR MONTHS LATER!I used to love doing this as a child. Laying in the dewy grass looking up at the sky, especially if there were clouds, so I could let my imagination run wild. But without the taste of blood in my mouth and the winded feeling in my gut.“Ohh, look at you. On your back panting for breath. Tap out, little one, you are not ready.” The mocking, arrogant asshole that is Ivan is blocking my sun with his taunts as he leans down, trying to make me feel inferior. But fuck him.He stands and holds his bear paw of a hand out for me to take. I slap it away and roll onto my knees with a groan, and spit the blood into the grass. I stand up, catching my breath.“That’s it, little one, run along. You don’t have what it takes to beat me.” I look at him over my shoulder and smile at him, my eyes watching him. A glint in them, a promise of both pain and humiliation that I, a little five foot eight girl, will take down the Russian mountain.“Keep telling yourself that, p
Matteo POV.After the shower incident, every time Cass looks at me she is blushing and I don’t know if it is because of the cold water thing or the sight of my cock that has made her embarrassed. Either way, that blush makes her look cute.I had Tati bring clothes for her this morning so we can get to the conference. Today is about making connections, settling old grievances and up dating laws. We do this so it stops war over territories and keeps everyone happy.Cass is sitting next to me in my SUV as we both drive to the Los Angeles Convention Centre. We also have food and drinks, so it takes the edge off. The whole area and surrounding buildings and roads are secured. Private security, military, and police.If anyone wanted to take us all out, it would be at this event, even though no one would be so fucking brave to try. It is always best to be safe rather than sorry.We have an escort like always whenever I go anywhere, seriously you would think I was the president, but then agai
Cassandria POV.I wake up stretching from the most delicious dream of Matteo. I’m still half asleep as I wriggle round in my bed. I grip the pillow beside my head and pull it under my chest and sigh as I rub my face against it. I hear the shower turn on. I lift myself up and listen carefully.Is he messing? Why the fuck is Andros in my fucking shower? Oh, hell no. I thought we were done with this? clearly fucking not. Oh, he will pay.“Andros, you better not be in my shower, you fucking ogre.” I say out loud as I turn so I’m on my back. I groan and pull the quilt away. I climb out of my bed and stagger forward.“Andros, I swear to god, if you are using my stuff, I will end you.” I say with a growl as I move to the bathroom door. Wait, something is off. But what is it?My brain is still sleeping, but I know one thing, Andros, will regret the day he fucked with me in my house. I creep to the bathroom door. My hand on the handle and I turn it quietly and make a face when it doesn’t make
Matteo POV.The drive is taking forever as I keep kissing her. She moans in to my mouth. I pull back, panting, as I look down at her and she smiles softly up at me.“Tell me it is done. Tell me you are finished with your revenge. Tell me you want this as much as I do.” I ask her, searching her blue eyes and her smile lights up her face. Her hand softly caresses my cheek and I lean in to it, turning my head to kiss her palm.“It is done. I am done with this revenge, well I will be when I kill them both. Matteo …” she looks away, not wanting to meet my eyes. She is … rejecting me? I move off of her and help her sit up. She turns to face me.“I understand. I’m sorry, tesoro.” She chuckles at me and I look at her as she shakes her head.“It’s not that. I haven’t let a man touch me since I left Curtis. I want to, god only knows I want to. I’m just … well, I’m scared. I’m scared to open that part of me. My body wants it, but my heart is cautious and rightly so. I know you think that you hav
Matteo POV.I was in the middle of my speech when the PA system was overridden. I looked up and saw the four Irish King’s standing looking down at us all, like we were their subjects. I could hear the murmurs asking why they were here? And who are they? Then I look up and my breath catches in my throat as Cass comes into view.She looks like a goddess. Standing there is a nude dress adorned with crystals and pearls. She looks every bit the queen I know she is and will be.When she made her descent down the stairs to the music, I’m stuck in a trance.“Baby, what is she doing here?” Val hisses at my side but I ignore her, too mesmerised by the vision at the other end of the hall. The Don’s move like she has commanded them to.She walks slowly, seductively, her hips swaying and she mouths the lyrics, but not to me. Her icy gaze is firmly on Valentina and Rocco. My cock stirs as I watch her, my mouth is dry and I gulp down the closer she gets to me.Everything disappears around me, and it
Cassandria POV.I step out of the dressing room and into my bedroom. The gasps have me smiling softly at those in my bedroom. The glam squad are looking at me like I am their goddess.“Oh my god, you look … wow,” Anton says and his team parrot their approval. I raise my chin just a tad bit higher, felling like the queen I know I am.“Thank you all for the compliments. It has been a while since I dressed in anything other than ripped jeans.” I say with a chuckle.“Girl, you have got the looks, the body. If I looked like that even in my Drag, I would flaunt it every day.” Gary says and I smile at him. He told me he is a Drag Queen when he was doing my make-up. I panicked, but he has skills. He told me don’t worry, doll, I won’t make you look like me.“The offer still stands. If you ever leave my zia, then I would gladly take you all in. Oh, before I forget.” I say as I walk towards my phone and pull up my banking app. I had asked Alina for their banking details before in a text and she
Cassandria POV.The days have blurred together, as we have planned to get both Valentina and Rocco at the masquerade ball tonight.We have eyes on Curtis and we may have slipped him something in his IV. Something that will he will never recover from. He will die slowly, painfully. No trace will be found and there is no cure. I know this because I researched about this new drug that the Russians have been developing. So yeah, I entered the DeAngelis mansion with the help of Dr Cynthia Monroe and gave him the drug.I may or may not have given something to Valentina and Rocco. Something that will stop them escaping too fast, a weak sedative but given over time, increases its potency. They won’t get far.They always say poison is a woman’s weapon. But to me, any weapon should be a woman’s weapon.We go over the final plans for tonight before Alina gets a call, and she heads to the door. Yes, they are all staying here with me. They may as well I have the room and I like their company. It b
Matteo POV.I have let her down; I have let the families down. She is right; I don’t deserve the title of king. I failed to bring her the justice she deserved. No, she had to go out and get that justice for herself. She doesn’t need anyone to fight her battles. She will end up getting herself killed and there is nothing I can do about that.Unless?Unless I take her captive. But no, she would hate me more for that and could very well revert back to how she was when she was first bought to LA. I don’t want that, but at the same time she needs to be brought to heel.We drive in silence back to the compound. I’m lost in my thoughts about what to do with her. All I can do is sit back and watch as she takes her revenge. Then and only then will she be satisfied? Will she then be happy? Will she then move on? The answer to those little questions is, I don’t fucking know.All I do know is that there will be more bloodshed at her hand, and she will slip further into the darkness.We pull up ou
Cassandria POV.I step into my kitchen with my head raised and head towards the kettle to make a coffee. I ignore the heated glare on my back.“Tesoro. We need to talk.” I look at the kitchen cabinet in front of me.“No, I don’t think we do, Matteo.” I say as I go back to making my coffee before I turn with the cup in my hand as I lean against the counter and just watch him. He looks pissed and relieved at the same time.It’s an old-fashioned stare down. Who will break eye contact first? Well, it sure as shit won’t be me. Whatever he has to say, I’m not interested.“Cass, little one. What the hell? Why would you go to this extreme?” Andros asks me. I sip my coffee, still not breaking eye contact with Matteo. Yes, I’m challenging him and I won’t fucking lose.“Because you and him are pussies and wouldn’t. So I did. Don’t try to act innocent, Andros.” I say, still not looking away. I don’t think I’ve even blinked. The tension is mounting in my kitchen. Matteo stands slowly as I raise a
Cassandria POV.Being back in LA doesn’t bring back any feelings. I’m unfeeling and it has been three days since I did what I did to Curtis. He is alive, but was beaten within an inch of his life. We are heading to drop Curtis off. It’s the least I can do.Matteo really needs to change the access codes to the main gates of the community. I punched in the code and we drove through. Driving past the house that was considered home for over a year. I didn’t stop until we were close to the gates of the compound. I spun the wheel and reversed the rest of the way. Once we were right by the gate.“Now.” I say and the back doors are opened as Igor grabs out a battered, bruised and bleeding Curtis and just drops him at the gates before he re-enters the van and we drive off.“Easy-peasy. Done. Now let’s get out of here.” I say as I keep driving forward and back out of the community.I pull up and we dump the van and walk towards the waiting armoured SUVs. I climb in the back and Igor climbs into