Dominic’s POVI heard Sophia inhale loudly from the other end. “How could you?”I leaned back in my seat, rubbing my temple. “You’re going to need to be more specific,” I said.“You humiliated me,” she said curtly. “In front of everyone.”I let the silence linger, waiting. She wasn’t finished.There was a softness to her voice, the anger tinged with something in it. “Do you still even love me?”I closed my eyes briefly. “You know what the answer to that is.”A second breath, the first one quakier. “So, that’s it? You’re canceling our engagement as if it were nothing?”“It never meant anything.”A sharp gasp escaped her over the line. “You’ll regret this.” Her voice fell to a hissing whisper. “I swear to God. I’ll make you pay.”The call ended.I looked at the phone for a long moment and then put it down. There was no remorse, no guilt. If anything, I felt lighter.Sophia was my past. I wish she had dismissed the engagement because she was not going to be calm. She was never calm.If s
Dominic’s POVAs soon as I laid my eyes on him, I knew there was no peace for the night.Damn it. How far can this mad man go?Diego was seated at a table across from ours. I knew what he wanted and I knew I wasn’t going to give him any story.Charity work news, my ass. He’s onto something else and I know that one of those lunatics sent him to Me. Are they attempting to get him killed? Or is he that foolish?I watched him, swirling a glass of wine in his hand as if he had all the time in the world. His eyes were fixed on me with an annoying smirk as a challenge hung in the air. The bastard was having the time of his life. I reclined back against my chair, twirling the glass of wine around my fingertips, neglecting his existence. He was trying to bait me, and I had no intention of falling into whatever sick trap he thought he was setting to win.But Diego had other plans.He stood, with a bottle in hand, and walked toward my table with an air that belonged to a man who believed the upp
Diego’s POVAs soon as I stepped out of that restaurant I knew that Dominic Rossi was lying. Not a single man it takes to reach the top of the food chain, without stains of blood in his hands. His success was too slick and too clean, and I didn’t trust clean. It meant that something was being hidden.Men like him in the high ranked business men were not always clean. I just needed to find what they were hiding so everyone could see.I needed proof. Well, Mr. Rossi, I am going to dig up your closet dirt. Get ready, because your sweet days are going to be over.I chuckled and went immediately to my personal office that evening. It was a small, nondescript building just on the edge of Rome where I did more of my sensitive work. The hum of servers greeted me inside and my computers booted. I poured myself a drink and readied for a long night.I went with the obvious one which was Dominic. His name was associated with dozens of legitimate businesses, involving real estate and high-end tech
Dominic’s POVThe vibration of my phone against the polished oak desk broke me out of my thoughts. I had been looking at financial reports before, but when Matteo’s name came across the screen, I recognized this was more important than the numbers.I answered, calmly. “Talk.”“You’re not going to like this,” Matteo’s voice crackled over the phone, his tone layered with the sort of weight that told me whatever he was about to say would be more than just bad news. “Diego Maze has been doing a bit of digging around. “Not only into you but also Alessia.”“What?” I railed and ground my teeth. The mere name was enough to make my hands tighten around the phone.Diego Maze!The self-satisfied journalist known for digging things up that should be best left to remain buried in the ground. I had not foreseen how far his curiosity would lead him.“What exactly has he found?” I spoke in low tones, but something dark curled inside under the calm.“He’s been tracking her history, Dominic. He’d flown
Dominic’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the elevator, the office was in chaos. Phones rang nonstop, workers spoke in urgent whispers and every screen around them blared with financial updates and breaking news. The air was thick with tension, but everyone was afraid to make eye contact with me.“Mr. Rossi,” Matteo ran at me, color drained out of his face. "We have a serious problem."“Of course,” I said, pushing past him into my office. “What is this time Matteo?”The floor vibrated with discomfort, eyes buzzing toward me before reading my irritation. I opened the door and stepped in, my executive team already seated.Franco, my C.F.O., brushed a hand through his graying hair. "It's bad, Mr. Dominic. Really bad."I settled into the head of the table and looked at him the way a hawk does. "Explain."Matteo pushed a tablet over the table. "This."I glanced at the screen, and read the article’s headline. The Double Life of Dominic Romano: Mafia Boss or Corporate Mogul? The headline sea
Flynn’s POVI had done plenty of questionable things in my life, but the thought of doing anything that would betray Dominic felt like I was striking a match at the end of a gas line. Dangerous. It was so foolish and so suicidal that I wondered if love was worth this level of stupidity.But here I sat, perched on the edge of a barstool in the house’s security room, phone pressed to my ear as Sophia’s cold, calculating voice played out on the other end.“You know what to do.” Her tone was snappy, and bracing. “You have one job, Flynn. Don’t screw it up. Be sure she sees the news and I hear she’s got an update about herself! Make sure she sees that one! Got it!”I rubbed my mouth with the back of my hand, the taste of half chewed sandwich in my mouth. My stomach tightened, not because I was hungry, but because of the heft of the order I had just received.“Yeah,” I muttered. “Got it.”The line went dead. I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders to shrug off the discomfort crawling
Diego’s POVThe light from my laptop screen bathed my cluttered desk in a ghostly glow. I leaned forward, eyes skimming over the records I’d assembled over the past few days. Every bit of information I found led to something deeper, something darker than I’d thought. I thought I was on the verge of revealing Dominic for the criminal genius he was. But when I dug deeper, something else bubbled to the top.The name DeLuca.I froze. Pedro DeLuca was no petty mafia boss. He was a living legend in Rome, a man whose very name struck fear into the hearts of even the most hardened of criminals.His kingdom spanned countries, governing trade routes, illegal arms trafficking and a mesh so tangled that law enforcement was afraid to step in. And if Dominic was connected to him, this was no longer just about corruption. This was about survival.I scanned a document that included offshore accounts, money transfers and cryptic messages. Some of them traced back to Dominic, while others bore the unmi
Diego’s POVThe pain consumed me as I opened my eyes slowly.My head dropped down, the taste of blood like copper in my mouth. My eyelids were heavy, but the scratchy hands pulling me through the dust kept me awake. My body was a dead weight, impotent against their grip. With each step, stabbed with sharp spasms of pain, my ribs bruised, maybe cracked. My shirt was wet with blood, my own sweat mingling with the grime below.I could hardly see when they dumped me on the bare concrete floor. With an agonizing thud, my body landed on the ground, the impact against the concrete sending shock waves of pain through my back. A boot came crashing into my ribs, wrenching a strangled groan from my throat.“Get him up,” said a gruff voice.Gripping arms pulled me up, hoisting me into a chair. They bound me, the rough ropes cutting into my wrists, pinning me like a beast before slaughter. Phantoms circled around me, figures gliding with muted malice. I could hardly raise my head, but I felt their
Lorenzo’s POVThe whole backseat shook as the car door slammed. I was scared, but had to act strong for Elena. Dad wouldn't be proud if he knew I acted more scared.He always said I was the man and I was going to act it. Elena whimpered beside me, her fingers tightened around the neck of her stuffed bunny on the end of her bag’s zip.I didn't cry and reached for her. She hugged me and sobbed. My fear was soon replaced with anger and I glared at the driver driving us into the thick trees. I hadn't seen a single person in sight from the back and I was waiting to scream if I saw one.I tried my best to memorize every twist and counted them like Dad had taught me some days ago after playing hide and seek.“Where are you taking us?” I asked, while I continued glaring at him.“Be quiet,” Flynn answered.“I said be quiet,” he said again, in a harsh voice.“You don't scare me Flynn,” I said.He stepped on the brakes and slowly turned to face me. Elena held me tightly.“How do you know my name
Matteo's POVDiego was as annoying as ever. I had to wait an awful ten minutes for him to change into new clothes in his room.“Could you hurry the hell up? I'm sick of standing on my legs,” I lashed out.He turned to look at me, and wore his floral blue shirt. “Sit your ass down or get a wheelchair. You look like you need it,” he responded.“That's it,” I said and walked thunderously to him. He backed up and raised his hand in surrender.“Yo, dude. Chill out. I'm done,” he said.I grabbed his collar and raised my fist. “Piss me off again and I'll knock your teeth out.”Diego looked scared but still adjusted his shirt. He walked to the door and glanced at me. “Aren't you coming?”I followed behind him, hating every moment he greeted everyone around the pub. We continued until we got to the restricted part of the pub.Two bodyguards stood at the entrance. Immediately, they saw Diego, and they let us pass. I heard Diego sigh. I wasn't interested in his father-son problems.Diego stopped
Matteo’s POVNothing felt worse at the moment than the piercing ache in my rib. It grew as I regained consciousness.“Ugh,” the words escaped my lips as I turned to face the sky. My eyes darted around the environment. I was in the woods. I looked down at my body and saw blood stains on my suit.My hands began to unbutton my suit jacket, and I felt like I had been stabbed a couple of times.“Shit,” I groaned as I looked down at the blood on my side.My memory rolled back to the past hours when I had been driving. I had crawled out of the car after the accident and ended up here.I bit my lower lip as I rolled to my other side and almost screamed. I let out small preparation breaths as I pulled out the piece of glass on my right rib side.I coughed after getting it out and started to move my legs.They were weak but not broken. I looked around again and finally noticed the old, wooden cottage ahead.Maybe, someone could help me if I got to them. I slowly forced myself, grunting as my fe
Alessia's POVThe sun had already sunk behind the hills, leaving the sky a strange mix of gray and violet. The house was too quiet. Not just the peaceful kind of quiet but the heavy kind that sits in your chest like a warning.I checked the clock again. It was 6:47 PM.The twins were supposed to be back by 2:30. Flynn had taken them to school. This was new. Flynn should have called or texted if they were going to be late.The maid appeared and I ran to her. “Is Flynn back?” I asked.“No, Ma’am,” she answered.“Do you have his number? He's with my babies and I'm worried,” I complained.“Uhm, the house phone line has all the guards' numbers on it,” she replied.I didn't hesitate and ran to get the house phone. I called Flynn for the third time and it went straight to voicemail.“Come on, Flynn,” I muttered, pacing near the grand staircase. “Don’t do this to me.”I called again, but still got nothing.I called the school with my phone, and when I was told My kids hadn't made it to school
Flynn's POVI was with Dominic a few minutes ago when he disappeared in a hurry.I glanced at my wrist watch, and I let out a sigh. On any other regular day, it would be time for the children to head off to school, but their family was not regular.I stayed in the car, waiting but then gave up because I realized that I had to do the move on my own.The cold morning smacked me in the face as I stepped out of the car, my fingers involuntarily fluttering on the steering wheel before I slammed the door shut with a jerk.I looked up at the sky. It was lovely and it annoyed me in some way.I looked into the rearview mirror. The seats were empty for now, but within ten minutes, they would not be.My phone buzzed. I picked it up and wished I hadn't. Sophia had sent a message."Don't be a fool. Or by God, I will destroy everything you have ever laid your hands on."I realized that she was manipulating me. "Narcissistic bitch," I cursed.I clenched my teeth, stuffed the phone into the lining of
Dominic's POVCarlos stepped into the light smiling. “Hello, bastard.”“Who told you?” I asked, standing from my hiding spot.“Bold of you to come out like that. What makes you think I won't shoot you?” Carlos asked.He was always too dramatic for me.“If you wanted to, you would have shot the second I raised my head. Now, answer. Who sent you?” I asked.“Who else? You really had to push that one person, didn't you? Well, if it makes you feel better. I rejected her offer. I like to work alone. It gives me the thrills,” Carlos replied and took out his gun.I didn't flinch and waited as he pointed the gun to my head. My men aimed at him, and I signaled for them not to risk it.I was out of ammo and my men have less chances of survival.“What do you want?” I asked.“To kill you, what else?” Carlos asked and laughed. His face immediately returned to being angry. “You have been pissing me off for a long time, and I have had enough of your shit!”“You mean you got too tired of being a loser
Dominic's POVThe flames roared loudly, and I slowly dropped my hands from my face.I started to breathe again and looked around angrily. Someone wanted me dead, and they wanted me scared.My phone vibrated in my pocket.I pulled it out and checked the Caller ID. It was the warehouse's second line. They never used that except for emergencies.That wasn’t good.I answered. “Yeah?”“Boss. It’s Yuri,” came the heavy Russian accent. “You need to come. Now.”I blinked hard. “Why?”There was silence for a while, and then he spoke again. “Someone sent a virus to our system, and we kind of have an issue.”“Spit it out, already,” I groaned.“The men we left behind are dead. Someone got in, and we can't find them,” Yuri said.My hand clenched the phone so tight I heard it creak. “How long ago?”Yuri answered. “Half an hour. We just found out.”Only members of my Mafia group who were also made bodyguards knew all the warehouse locations and extra shipment houses in case of emergency. Since Matte
Dominic's POVI had never known such fragile peace. From where I sat, I watched Alessia and the kids play on the terrace.Their laughter warmed my heart, and I felt myself wanting to join them.I clutched the bottled water and opened the cork. The water and calmness was blissful.Alessia turned and caught my eye. With a gentle smile, she said, “I thought you were working.”I replied evenly, “I was, until now.”She cocked her head and teased, “Trying to sweet talk your way out of your paperwork again?”I rose and crossed the patio slowly. “Maybe. Or perhaps I wanted to give you something.”She didn't understand and raised her eyebrow to show it.I smiled and got closer to her. “It's my treat for beating Sophia up,” I joked. She laughed and I reached into my back pocket and produced her old phone.“Is that my phone?” She asked, inspecting it, and I nodded.“I figured it was foolish of me not to trust you after everything,” I said.She chuckled and held the phone. “Are you sure? I could
Sophia's POVThe reflection in the mirror wasn’t just mine anymore. I looked like hell. I was tired, with dark circles under my eyes. I hated that I lost to Alessia.Even my own father called me useless. I wished I could rip her throat out.I screamed, letting the anger out. “Bitch!!!”“I hate you. I fucking hate you!” I yelled again.“He's mine, you hear me! Mine!” I shouted. “You will not be able to have him if I cannot.”I was huffing like a savage animal and panting. “You maggot, let’s see how far you can go.”I wanted her to die so badly with her little demons.I picked up my phone, dialed the number in my head and tapped my legs impatiently as it rang.The man answered on the fourth ring.“Flynn,” I said, voice low, sultry. “Still guarding Dominic’s precious empire like a good little dog?”He was silent for a second. Then, “What do you want, Sophia?”“Is that how to talk to your girlfriend?”He scoffed. “Girlfriend? Seriously? You have been using me like a slave and sleeping wi