Thorton Gallardo POVOne Month LaterSeparately, the Valderrama and Gallardo Mafias are capable of incredible things. They both rule with iron fists and awe-inspiring efficiency. Where the Valderrama commands the respect of their peers, my brothers and I are tenaciously ambitious. Combined—we’re a force to be reckoned with.We’re only a month into our merger, but all of Italy works like a well-oiled machine. With the Valderramas’ connections and my transportation network, we’re virtually unstoppable. I don’t think the criminal underworld has ever seen a more impressive organization. With Leo running the numbers, Samuel enforcing our laws, Roman negotiating our deals, and Damien keeping his ear to the ground for any whispers of dissent, we have the entire city under our thumbs. But right now, the last thing I want to think about is work. Zandra, unfortunately, has other plans.“Remind me to ask Samuel to pay the Southern Administrative District a visit. A couple of businesses haven’t
Cassandra Valderrama Gallardo POVI never wanted a big wedding. Growing up, I wasn’t the type of girl who dreamed about flowing white dresses, enough flowers to open a florist shop, or exorbitantly expensive multi-tier cakes. I’m perfectly content with what I have—my family in attendance and my man standing proudly at the altar.We’re in a small chapel, tucked away in one of the quieter, more peaceful corners of the city. I’m dressed in the same wedding dress Mom wore when she married Dad, the very same veil on my head. There are no words to describe how honored I am to wear it. I hope one day, I get to pass it on to my own daughter to wear at her wedding, and perhaps even my granddaughter after her. Little things like these, full of sentiment and love, are how traditions are born.Dad and I stand just in front of the main entrance to the chapel. Everyone’s taken their seats, and the music is beginning to swell. I know he had his reservations when I first agreed to marry Thorton, but
Manfred Valderrama POV “Thank you for coming with me today.” Tamara smiles warmly as we step out of the private hospital, and walk toward the car I had sent to pick her up this morning. “Here, you can keep this one.” She hands me one of the black and white photographs the sonographer printed out for us, and when I look down at the grainy image in my hand, I can’t help smiling at it. A Valderrama heir, a chance for me to do things so differently. This was not the way I planned on becoming a father, but fate had other plans, and who the fuck am I to argue with fate? “I’ll have my driver take you home.” I look into the pretty, hazel eyes of the woman, who will bring my child into the world, and wonder if I’ll ever be able to love her. Tamara is attractive and kind, she knows how to satisfy a man, which is exactly what got us into this situation. But will it be enough? It will have to be. I wasn’t raised among love, my mother never really paid me much attention as a child. I was broug
The girl glares at me maliciously as I release her mouth, sliding my hand down her throat so she can talk. “Amara!” She scowls at me. “And do you know why you are here, Amara?” I keep my voice low and try to ignore the tingle of thrill I’m feeling at my fingertips. She shakes her head and I swear I see a tear start to form before she bravely blinks it away. “You’re here because your daddy fucked with the wrong man.” My fingers slip lower, brushing between her pert, little tits. I regret having my guard strip her down to her underwear now, that pleasure should have been mine. Taking one of those tits in my palm, I crush it, making a gasp slip from her lips and her eyes close, almost like she finds a little pleasure in my touch. “You’re here because he is unable to protect you,” I remind her of the position she’s in, in case she’s forgotten. Lowering my touch to her tight, flat stomach, I spread my fingers wide and slip them under the waistline of her white, cotton panties. “And you'r
Manfred Valderrama POV I sit at the breakfast table waiting for the door to open and when it does, one of my guards drags Villafuerte’s feisty daughter into my dining room. She struggles against him and I get a strange satisfaction from the fact she immediately pauses when she sees me. I still haven’t permitted her any clothes, just clean, black lace underwear which I think compliments her golden skin tone. It also makes me decide I don’t like the way Ludo’s hands look on her. “Release her,” I order, watching as the girl studies the space around her, appearing overwhelmed. I’m not stupid enough to buy it though, The grandeur of my dining hall won’t be something Amara is unfamiliar with, her father is a very rich man, and she will be used to these kinds of luxuries. What I predict is that she’s getting her bearings, and looking for an escape route, one that she won’t find. I’ve got this place locked down like fucking Alcatraz. “Join me.” I gesture my hand to the space that's been la
Manfred Valderrama POV I watch her pretty eyes stretch wide, as she looks down between us and sees my big-long cock for the first time. Now, the confident, little bitch looks scared. She may have, somehow, managed to manipulate an orgasm from me before we got started; I was weak to give in to the temptation, but now I’m feeling like I’ve got the upper hand again. I can still taste her on my lips, and the moan she made as she came all over my tongue makes me fucking determined to hear it, again. Taking my cock in my hand I guide it through her pussy lips, coating its tip with her pleasure and feeling her sensitive clit still pulse. This will be a challenge, I felt how tight Amara is when she clutched around my fingers and I can’t imagine what my cock will do to her. What I do know is that it will be an experience I won’t want to forget. She watches me, as I press myself against her delicate, little opening. I feel the tension in her fingertips as they grip my biceps and she braces he
Manfred Valderrama POV I stare at the girl and wonder what's going through her mind. My cock is still hard and seated deep inside her warm pussy, and there seems nothing more satisfying than knowing she’s full of me. What's happening to me isn’t healthy. She is making me weak, but it appears that her lack of resistance is helping my plans go smoothly so there is little I will do about it. “Manfred.” I give her my name because I’ve decided I’d like to hear her say it. “What?” She looks back at me with confusion on her face. “I thought you should know the name of the man whose child you will carry.” My fingers trace over her flat stomach and the thought of it swelling keeps my cock hard inside her. “I want to know why—” “Shhhh.” I place a finger over her lips to silence her. “I won’t tell you why, so don’t ask.” I don’t know why I feel the need to keep it a secret from her. Maybe, I want to spare the girl from having to know what a cunt her father really is, or perhaps the fact th
Manfred Valderrama POV“It’s been a while since you checked in with your father, you should call him,” I tell her, placing a cushion under her hips to ensure every drop of my cum stays inside her. Dr Fererro tells me that it’s very rare for a woman to get pregnant within the first month of trying, but that doesn’t stop me from being disappointed that we were unsuccessful. I will do all I can to ensure that, this month, we do not fail. “I think that would be a little awkward, right now.” Amara looks down at her body and giggles, proving that she’s forgiven me for being absent these past few days. What she won’t know, is that I suffered just as much as she did. I had to gain back some control and test myself. I needed some space away from her and all the feelings she put inside me. Although, all it proved is that I’m every bit as weak as I thought I was. The amount of times I almost gave in and went to that basement, just so I could fuck her out of pure need, is embarrassing. “I do rec
Cassandra Valderrama Gallardo POVI never wanted a big wedding. Growing up, I wasn’t the type of girl who dreamed about flowing white dresses, enough flowers to open a florist shop, or exorbitantly expensive multi-tier cakes. I’m perfectly content with what I have—my family in attendance and my man standing proudly at the altar.We’re in a small chapel, tucked away in one of the quieter, more peaceful corners of the city. I’m dressed in the same wedding dress Mom wore when she married Dad, the very same veil on my head. There are no words to describe how honored I am to wear it. I hope one day, I get to pass it on to my own daughter to wear at her wedding, and perhaps even my granddaughter after her. Little things like these, full of sentiment and love, are how traditions are born.Dad and I stand just in front of the main entrance to the chapel. Everyone’s taken their seats, and the music is beginning to swell. I know he had his reservations when I first agreed to marry Thorton, but
Thorton Gallardo POVOne Month LaterSeparately, the Valderrama and Gallardo Mafias are capable of incredible things. They both rule with iron fists and awe-inspiring efficiency. Where the Valderrama commands the respect of their peers, my brothers and I are tenaciously ambitious. Combined—we’re a force to be reckoned with.We’re only a month into our merger, but all of Italy works like a well-oiled machine. With the Valderramas’ connections and my transportation network, we’re virtually unstoppable. I don’t think the criminal underworld has ever seen a more impressive organization. With Leo running the numbers, Samuel enforcing our laws, Roman negotiating our deals, and Damien keeping his ear to the ground for any whispers of dissent, we have the entire city under our thumbs. But right now, the last thing I want to think about is work. Zandra, unfortunately, has other plans.“Remind me to ask Samuel to pay the Southern Administrative District a visit. A couple of businesses haven’t
Zandra Valderrama POVI only have so much time. Before long, my baby bump will begin to show, and then the jig is up. I need to figure out how to break the news to Dad without sending him into full-on cardiac arrest. My decision is final, though, no matter what he or the rest of my family has to say. I’m keeping this baby, and I’m going to protect him or her with every fiber of my being.Do I think Dad might disown me when he learns the truth? Probably not. He’s always been a level-headed guy. I doubt he’d do anything so drastic… But that doesn’t stop me from coming up with a Plan B, C, and D—just in case.I’m just about to pull out my phone to look up some rudimentary information on what mothers should expect when I hear a strange sound coming from outside. The screech of car tires, angry shouting. My heart automatically leaps into my throat and lodges there. Oh, God. Are we under attack? All this excitement and paranoia can’t possibly be good for the baby.My little brother comes ho
Thorton Gallardo POVHalf of Italy belongs to the Gallardo Mafia.I should be over the moon.I’m anything but.“We’re seeing staggering profits,” Leo tells me from the other side of my desk. One of his detailed spreadsheets is pulled up on his tablet. “We’ve had next to no resistance from the remaining Valderrama in the area. They’ve all but fled to the north of the city. The raid left them scrambled, but I don’t think now is the time to keep pushing. There’s still a heavy police presence in the area.”“Sure,” I mumble. I’m only half listening, partially because I know Leo’s got everything under control, and partially because I can’t bring myself to care. It’s almost cruel how we have everything we want, yet I have nothing I need.“The taxi business practically runs itself at this point,” Leo goes on. “Since Detective Rossi, uh, passed, there’s been no reason for the police to keep sniffing around. He was the only one who could link us to our criminal interests, and it doesn’t look l
Zandra Valderrama POVI’m bedridden for what feels like an eternity.Aunt Natalya keeps telling me it’s frankly a miracle I survived. Very few can take a bullet through the chest and live to tell the tale. It’s nothing short of divine intervention. But even if I did have the energy to get out of bed, I wouldn’t. A heavy fog clouds my mind, and it has nothing to do with the pain meds I’m on.I can’t stop thinking about Thorton. I can barely even think of his name without pins and needles stinging my eyes. No matter what I do, no matter how much time has passed, I can’t bring myself to accept he’s dead. The lives we lead are dangerous ones. Death and injury is an accepted workplace hazard. I just didn’t think it would actually happen.“Come on, Zandy,” Alessandra whispers at my bedside. There’s a bowl of chicken noodle soup on her lap. It’s all I’ve been able to stomach lately. Everything else makes me feel barfy.“You should eat something,” Mom adds softly. She’s seated on the other si
Thorton Gallardo POVIf obsession is a disease, then I’m sick and suffering.My waking thoughts bounce back and forth between Zandra and Rossi, trapping me in a never-ending cycle of cause and effect. I can’t stop thinking about her, about how cold and small she was in my arms as the lights faded from her eyes. My chest tightens at the realization that I’ll never get to kiss her again or speak to her again. Rossi has to pay—he has to.Tracking the man down this time is a whole lot easier. He’s paraded around like a damn war hero, showing up for interviews and public award ceremonies. I lie in wait, watching from the back of the crowd, dressed in an unassuming pair of jeans, a black sweatshirt, and a baseball cap. The hood’s drawn over to obscure my face. A whole line of TV cameras is here, along with nosy reporters and a handful of uniformed cops. I can’t just approach him. I may want vengeance, but I’m not suicidal. This place is too public, too many witnesses. I need to bide my time
Thorton Gallardo POVPulling up to the Valderrama’s private residence is practically begging for immediate execution, but I have no other options. I need to see Zandra, need to know she’s okay—even if it kills me.The place is swarming with armed guards, all of them training their weapons on us as the car screeches to a halt in front of the house. The moment I jump out, at least four of them barrel toward me. I came fully prepared for the beating of my life, but what happens next is so much worse.“Stand down!” Manfred Valderrama shouts at his men. They do so, snapping to attention as he trudges down the front path, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles are white. I see so much of Zandra in him.And that’s why I don’t react when he winds back and punches me in the jaw. I stumble to the ground, my ear ringing and my face throbbing. I deserved it. I deserve all of it. I will accept it.I see no point in fighting back. Even if I wanted to, Manfred Valderrama is almost three times my ag
Zandra Valderrama POVI awake with a start.There’s a blinding, throbbing pain in my chest, just below my left shoulder. I can’t make sense of my surroundings. Everything’s too loud, too bright. Confusion makes the room spin and fear makes my blood run cold. What just happened? How did I get here?“Easy, Zandy,” Aunt Natalya says as she hooks me up to a blood bag. O-positive, according to the sticker slapped on the front. “It was a high caliber round, so the bullet went right through you. You lost a lot of blood, but you’re lucky it missed all your important organs. Four inches lower and it would have pierced your heart.”Aunt Natalya is speaking perfectly clearly, but I don’t understand a word coming out of her mouth. Is it because of the shock? The pain? Probably both.I groan. “What happened?”“Relax, sweetheart,” Dad says. He’s at my bedside, his brows steepled together in grave concern.My uncles are here. So are Mom Amara, Alessandra, and Jovito. It’s a miracle my room is big en
Thorton Gallardo POVI don’t need to be an expert in reading body language to know tensions are running high. This is a public meeting—as is the tradition—hosted in a restaurant that’s been completely booked out.The lighting is dim. Armed men are everywhere. They don’t just belong to the Valderrama, but to the other families I’ve managed to piss off, as well. Why couldn’t we have done this in the back of some dingy room? Because this is a show of good faith, of honor, an unspoken code of conduct. There is nowhere to hide here, no secrets to be kept…which is exactly how I know everyone in this room hates my guts and they’re itching to reach for their guns and show it.Zandra—gorgeous, beautiful, fierce Zandra—sits at the head of the table. Her father and her uncles stand behind her like silent stone sentries. Around the table, the other Mafia heads sit. Some faces are familiar. Others are not. They all have one thing in common, though, and it’s the way they all stare daggers at me and