It was already close to midnight and Enzo hadn't arrived yet. Though he had told her he would be late, she couldn't help but worry and she couldn't bring herself to sleep either. Elena's garden looked a lot more tranquil in the nighttime. Fireflies floated by in the darkness. She lit the pale yellow tiki torches and decided to take a stroll while she was in there. Chirping noises coming from the lovebird's cage drew Lily's attention. The poor bird fluttered its wings, chirping aloud. Its mate had died recently maybe that's why it was so restless. Lily opened the cage and it fluttered away. A few seconds later, it came back to its cage on its own. "It knows that a cage is a safe place and that you care for it. So it will always come back even if you free it." Enzo's deep voice slit the night's silence. "I had told you to sleep early." He said from the doorway that led to the back garden. She sighed. "Couldn't sleep without you." An unsaid emotion passed his face in the dark. He
The smell of cheese filled the kitchen. The female voice of a CNN news reporter came from the living room as Lily stirred the sauce for carbonara. Lily enjoyed cooking for Enzo. It was also one of her favorite hobbies besides gardening. Nonna taught every girl in the family how to cook and do basic house chores so they didn't have to hire servants because 'It saved money'. Nonna was a bit stingy because she had come from a humble background. Nonna had called a few times to check up on her. To see if she was okay. Lily couldn't be more okay. She was practically bubbling with happiness whenever she was with Enzo. Two months had flown by so quickly. She couldn't believe how close they had gotten. Yet, there were still some things Lily hadn't known about him. About his parents. About their family's past. Enzo was evasive whenever she touched on that topic. So Lily thought it was best if she tried to find the answers from someone else in this house. "What was Enzo's mother like?"
[TRIGGER WARNING: The following chapter contains drug abuse, explicit language, violence, and trauma.] "I killed her." His gritted out, tension in his voice. "Hope you're satisfied with this naked truth of mine." "I-I don't understand..." Dread surfaced on her beautiful face. "You loved your mamma, Enzo." She whispered. "Why?" She wanted the truth? Fine. "My father was an abusive bastard. He beat up my mother every fucking day. I used to take the abuse for her, but he still hurt her, if not with fists then with words." His jaw clenched and unclenched. Tension turned palpable in the air like dreary dark storm clouds. "Leo was sent to nonna's so he wouldn't have to see the shit my father was doing to our Mamma. She wanted to protect Leo, but I stayed because I wanted to protect her." His lungs weighed a ton in his ribcage. Veins popped against the thick skin of his clenched fists. "Then one day when I came home from school, I saw my father on top of her on the kitchen floor. He
Anxiety began to push itself in her guts as soon as he stormed out of the bathroom. As a woman who hated confrontation, she wanted to step out of her comfort zone and be brave for once, but it turned out to be a stupid mistake. Enzo didn't want to look her in the eyes right now. She bounded off from the bathroom counter and ran after him. She hugged his waist from behind to stop him from walking away from her. "Please stop avoiding me like this." She pleaded."You must hate me or at least--" He ran a palm down his face. "--Fear me.""I admit that I was... shocked when I heard that." Anyone in her position would be. "But I don't hate you, Enzo.""I'm a man who killed my own mother." There was so much pain in the way he said that. Lily's heart bled for him. She only held him tighter against her, refusing to let him go."You didn't." She said vehemently. "You were trying to save her."He let out a self-deprecating sound. "Did I?""How old were you when this happened?""Thirteen.""You
Two police officers escorted Fredo outside the prison's enormous iron gates. An unsettling chill settled on Enzo's spine as their eyes met. Fredo narrowed his gaze in inspection before displaying that big, psycho smile. "Enzo! My boy!" An unnerving feeling boiled Enzo's blood. This man had seen him cry for fuck's sake and that was mortifying. Enzo wanted to die that day because he couldn't bear to live with the guilt of killing his mother. But when Fredo shot his arm, a sudden urge to hold onto his life seared in his spirit. He was thankful for that but also hated this man to the guts. His uncle was too fucking unpredictable. "Took you long enough, son." Fredo slapped Enzo's arm. The arm he had shot seventeen years ago. Dull pain resurfaced beneath Enzo's flesh and his left eye twitched. "You're a man now. You even grew taller than me." Fredo remarked, assessing their height difference. Enzo stood at least a foot taller than Fredo, but that ghostly shadow this man always carri
The moment Lily heard the front door open, she leaped from the living room couch where she was reading a book. With a big smile on her, she pattered to the hall to greet Enzo at the door. He was away for two days on a business trip and she couldn't wait to hug him. "Welcome home, Enzo--" She trailed off when she found out that it wasn't Enzo. Instead, it was a middle-aged man standing there in the foyer, wearing a black, ill-fitted suit. The man scratched his clean-shaven chin and poked his tongue against his cheek as he regarded her. Why does that face look so familiar?"Um... who are you?" Lily asked."I'm Enzo's uncle Fredo." He answered with a small smile. "So you're now my nephew's wife--""Fredo! What the hell are you doing here?!" Lily's soul almost jumped out of her body hearing Sasha yell from behind. Fredo tsked and shook his head in disappointment as he tilted his eyes toward Sasha. "Is this how you welcome your brother after he comes home from jail after all these year
"Ah. So you do remember me." Fredo flashed that big familiar grin at her. "I wanted to see how Ariana's daughter is doing before I leave the Cosa Nostra for good."There were two ways to leave the Cosa Nostra. Either by death or with the permission of the Boss. Lily hoped it was because he got Enzo's approval to leave. She couldn't fathom the idea of this man, who replaced her father and gave what little fatherly love she needed in her childhood to die. Fredo looked around the huge mansion. "Is my nephew keeping you happy here?""He is," Lily assured as if she couldn't be more sure. Fredo chuckled. "Your mother and I were engaged when we were young. Did she ever tell you that?"That surprised Lily. "No.""I guess she didn't," Fredo muttered under his breath. "Your father knocked her up. So I couldn't marry her. I was heartbroken, then I turned to drugs for comfort. Then years later, she proposed to have an affair because her husband was a cunt." He let out a derisive breath. "Your
Lily was laying on the couch waiting for Enzo to finish his phone call while she munched on a bowl of fruit loops watching a Korean Drama on TV. She had been binge-watching many TV shows for the past few weeks.She was dressed in a baggy black sweatshirt and black boyshorts. Sometimes she wondered how and why Enzo found her sexy even being dressed like a homeless woman. The power of love, she guessed. Although, Enzo never really told her he loved her...Not openly at least. The thought left a sour aftertaste in her mouth. Sasha was on leave since it was Sunday, leaving the couple alone in the mansion. Lily was shocked to know about Sasha's family history. Nicolas Salvadori openly cheated on his loving wife and had a separate family with another woman.Sasha's mother died when she was young and Nicholas brought her home, although Elena was furious about her husband's infidelity, she was kind enough to adopt a child who lost her mother. Elena Salvadori was a woman with a big, gener
5 YEARS LATER... LEONARDO'S POV I reclined in one of Enzo's plush office chairs, half listening to my cousins drone on about business. My gaze landed on Enzo's hands as he gesticulated, and I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing. His nails were painted a glittery pink and decorated with Hello Kitty stickers. When he caught me staring, Enzo shrugged. "Gigi ambushed me this morning." "Daddy-daughter time looks good on you, brother," I teased. Enzo shot me a wry look. "We'll see how you handle it when your little hellion grows up." I chuckled thinking about my spirited son. "Adriano keeps things exciting, for sure. Just yesterday he finger-painted a mural on his bedroom wall using Rosalina's lipstick." My cousins howled. "Takes after his old man," Luca said. "In all the best and worst ways," I agreed. Right on cue, my cell phone rang. I didn't have to check the caller ID to know it was Adriano's teacher. "That'll be Mrs. Dawson now. Let me guess - he set off stink bombs in
LEONARDO'S POV(A few months later...)A piercing cry split the night air. I groaned, clinging to the last remnants of a pleasant dream as little Adriano's wails persisted."Your son is awake," I mumbled, still half asleep.Rosalina stirred slightly. "Before sunrise, he's your son," she quipped drowsily.I chuckled at the familiar Lion King quote, then dragged myself reluctantly from the warm bed. I shuffled over to the crib and gently lifted my bawling son into my arms. We had named him Adriano, after Rosalina's father."Shhh Adriano, go back to sleep," I soothed, rocking him gently. His tiny mouth rooted hungrily at my chest, latching onto my nipple. I winced. "Wrong nipple, buddy."I retrieved one of the bottles of breast milk Rosa had pumped earlier and offered it to Adriano. He sucked greedily, his cries subsiding as I held him close. I smiled down at my son, my heart swelling with love and pride. He had his mother's beautiful hazel eyes and my strong Salvadori nose and chin.I
ROSALINA'S POV I stared at my reflection, scarcely recognizing the radiant bride smiling back. The strapless gown hugged my body perfectly, the pink floral accents on the skirt matching my rose tiara."Oh, you look absolutely beautiful!" Lily dabbed at her eyes as she helped me smooth the skirt.I couldn't stop smiling, joy bubbling inside me. After everything, this day had finally come - my wedding day! My Nonna stepped forward, clasping my hands warmly. "Stellina, I'm so happy for you. You chose well, my dear. That boy loves you with his whole heart."I embraced Nonna tightly. "Thank you. For understanding, and supporting us." She stroked my hair lovingly. "Always, il mio tesoro."A loud commotion outside made us glance at the door. I heard Leo's voice rising insistently."Let me see my wife, damn it!"Isabella shot me a bemused look. "Somebody's impatient to get this show on the road."I laughed softly. Trust Leo to toss tradition aside. My heart swelled with love for my soon-to
ROSALINA'S POVI clutched the address in my hand, the edges creased and worn from the countless times I'd unfolded it. Antonella DiMarco - the stranger who used to be my mother. "You sure about this, babe? No one would blame you if-""I'm sure," I cut him off, my voice tight. "I gotta do this, Leo. I can't..." My throat closed up for a moment. "I can't move on until I look her in the eye and get some damn answers."He nodded slowly, jaw tight. I could practically hear the argument raging in his head about why this was a bad idea. But one glance at my expression and he just sighed, holding out his hand.I shifted in my seat, trying to ignore the growing pressure in my bladder. The sun was starting to set, casting an orange glow across the desert landscape blurring past. Leo kept his eyes fixed on the road, one hand resting gently on my knee in silent support.I knew I should've gone to the bathroom again before we left the last rest stop an hour ago. But nerves had killed my appetit
LEONARDO'S POVThe dank basement reeked of blood and fear. My uncle Giovanni was tied to a chair, swollen and battered from the beating he had gotten. But I felt no pity for the traitor.My cousin Luca's eyes were wild with grief. Losing his twin Lucio had destroyed him. Now seeing his father Giovanni revealed as a turncoat was the last straw."Alright, talk," I said coldly to Giovanni. "Spill why you teamed up with Andrae against your own family."When Giovanni stayed silent, Alessio slammed a fist into his gut. Giovanni wheezed in pain as Luca flinched, choking back a sob."Last chance," I said casually as Giovanni fought for breath. "Give me the details, then you get a quick death for ratting out the family."Fear flashed in Giovanni's eyes. He started rambling about how Andrae had approached him and offered control of the family if Giovanni helped kill my brother."Lies!" Giovanni cried desperately. "He used me! I never wanted Vincenzo dead, you gotta believe me!"Disgust roiled t
LILLINA'S POVI cradled Enzo's limp hand in both of mine, pressing fervent kisses to his chilled fingers. The steady beep of the heart monitor was my lone comfort as I maintained my bedside watch. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, but he remained locked away in unconsciousness. "You have to come back to me, Enzo" I whispered, my vision blurring. "Our daughter needs her father." I swiped angrily at the tears streaking my face. I had to be strong for our child, though the effort threatened to shatter my fragile composure.A knock interrupted my swirling thoughts. Carlo entered, his expression carefully neutral. "Any change?" I shook my head mutely, a fresh wave of tears spilling over. Suddenly, Vincenzo's hand twitched feebly in mine. I gasped, leaning forward intently as his brow furrowed. "Enzo?" I choked out. "C-can you hear me?"With agonizing slowness, his eyelids fluttered open halfway, still clouded by anesthesia. But they locked onto mine with recognition that flooded my
ROSALINA'S POVThe courthouse appeared all too soon, a hulking stone edifice that filled me with dread. Andrae dragged me forcibly up the steps, his grip leaving blossoming bruises on my arm. I scanned the empty foyer frantically, praying for some means of escape. At the far end, an elderly clerk sat stamping documents behind a high desk.Andrae strode toward him purposefully, shoving me ahead of him. "We need to be married immediately," he barked.The clerk's eyes widened at Andrae's imperious demand, flickering uncertainly to my tear-stained face. "I'm sorry, sir, but there are certain requirements..." he began weakly.In a flash, Andrae had a pistol aimed at the man's forehead. "The only requirement is that you do as I say," he growled. "Now."The clerk paled, raising his trembling hands in acquiescence. "Y-yes sir, right away." He fumbled with shaking hands to ready the license and certificate, the gun still leveled at his head.Once the documents were prepared, Andrae scrawled hi
VINCENZO'S POVChaos erupted as bullets flew in all directions. Years of simmering hatred between the Salvatores and Armandos had finally boiled over, transforming my brother's wedding into a bloodbath."Get the women and children to safety!" I bellowed. My men rushed to usher the terrified guests away from the hailstorm of lead.I scanned the pandemonium desperately for my pregnant wife. "Lily!" Where was she? There - a flash of her yellow dress across the courtyard. I sprinted towards her, bullets kicking up shards of brick at my heels.She stood paralyzed behind an overturned table, one hand instinctively cradling her belly. I shielded her body with mine and urged her towards the exit. "We need to move, now!"We scrambled into a sheltered alcove. Her eyes were wild, face streaked with tears. "Oh God, the baby-""You'll both be alright," I soothed. I peeked out - we weren't far from an escape route. I steeled myself. "On three, we run."I took her hand in mine. "One, two, thre-"The
ROSALINA'S POVI slipped into the marble restroom, the swell of violins and chatter fading behind the heavy door. Gripping the gold-flecked countertop, I steadied my breathing, willing my roiling nerves to quiet. Today Leonardo pledged himself to another while our unborn child grew in secret within me.The door creaked open and my reflection paled. Mia. An awkward tension thickened the air as we hovered, over the betrayed bride-to-be and the 'other woman'. To my surprise, her dark brown eyes held no malice. Only sympathy. "Hey, Rosalina," she said gently. "Are you okay?"I attempted a weak smile, my hands trembling. "A bit unwell, thanks." A massive understatement. I smoothed my dress self-consciously, the pink chiffon Leonardo adored. Mia's gaze flickered over it. "That color suits you Wanna rest a while in my suite?"Giving a weak smile, I nodded. I followed mutely, sinking into an ornate chaise lounge as attendants fluttered around Mia. The opulent chamber with its marble friezes