Azzurra I was grateful—grateful to God, to fate, to whatever force had given me the strength to push him away before I lost myself. Before I surrendered to the temptation of his lips, his touch, his presence that made it impossible to think straight. My heart pounded, my breath uneven as I pushed him away with all the strength I could muster. Adriano barely moved, his body solid like a damn wall, but he let me go, his dark eyes watching me with something between amusement and frustration. I took a shaky breath, gripping the edge of the nearby table to steady myself. My pulse was still racing, but not entirely from fear. That was the problem. I clenched my fists and glared at him. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. Adriano tilted his head slightly, looking at me like the answer was obvious. “What does it look like?” I swallowed hard, my skin still tingling from where his hands had been. He made it sound so
Azzurra Adriano didn’t say a word as the car pulled into the driveway of his estate. His grip on my waist remained firm, his dark eyes locked on mine as if daring me to break the silence. I didn’t. I didn’t trust my voice, didn’t trust myself not to say something I’d regret—something that would only push him further. The driver stepped out first, but Adriano didn’t let me move. Instead, his fingers traced the curve of my jaw, his touch light but possessive. “You’re coming with me.” Not a question. A command. I exhaled sharply. “Like I have a choice?” His lips curled at the edges, amused by my defiance. “You always have a choice, Azzurra. You just never make the right one.” Before I could respond, he opened the door and stepped out, pulling me with him. His grip on my wrist never loosened as he led me inside. The house was quiet, the dim lighting casting shadows against the sleek marble floors. It felt too intimate, too dangerous, like I was walking into something I
ADRIANO I ran a hand down my face, exhaling sharply as I watched Azzurra bolt out of my room like the damn house was on fire. My mother, meanwhile, stood in the doorway with the same infuriatingly calm expression she always wore; cool, composed, and completely fucking unreadable. I clenched my jaw. "Did you have to do that?" Luna Vienna lifted an elegant brow. "Do what?" I let out a humorless laugh. "Really? You barge into my room, unannounced, scare the shit out of Azzurra, and now you're playing dumb?" She stepped inside like she owned the place, which, technically, she did. She smoothed a hand over the sleeve of her dress, gaze flicking over my still-unbuttoned shirt with a look of mild disapproval. "You should be thanking me." "For what?" I snapped. "For stopping you from making a mistake," she said simply. "That girl isn’t worth the trouble, Adriano." My fists clenched. "You don’t get to decide that." Her lips twitched slightly, like she was amused by my defian
AZZURRA If there was one thing I had learned since stepping into Adriano’s world, it was that Luna Vienna was a force to be reckoned with. A woman like her didn’t need to raise her voice or throw tantrums to make her presence known, one sharp look, one carefully chosen word, and she could bring anyone to their knees. I didn’t want to be one of those people. Which meant I had to find a way to get on her good side. If Adriano, with all his power and control, couldn’t say no to his mother, then what chance did I have? Fighting her would be a losing battle. So, I made a decision, one that felt like swallowing glass. I would try to befriend Luna Vienna. The problem was, how did you make friends with a woman who seemed determined to make your life as difficult as possible? It was like trying to befriend a mother-in-law who had already decided you weren’t good enough for her son. And worse, she enjoyed making that clear. I spent the next few days trying to navigate her presenc
AZZURRA Being Andrea’s personal maid wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. At first, I hated the idea. Wearing this ridiculous uniform that barely covered anything, following Andrea around like a lost puppy and dealing with her mood swings? It sounded like a fucking nightmare. But after a few weeks, I started to realize something Andrea didn’t actually hate me. Oh, she was still a spoiled brat, still annoying as hell, but she wasn’t cruel. She didn’t treat me like shit the way some of the other rich assholes in this house did. Maybe it was because she secretly enjoyed my suffering, or maybe just maybe it was because I knew about her little habit. The one where I found her spying on the Beta.Andrea never brought it up, but there was a gleam in her eye sometimes, like she was waiting for me to say it.Not happening. But there was something else I noticed about her. Every night, she came home late. Drunk and she always smelled like different colognes. One night, it was
AZZURRA We got back to the house in silence. The girl clung to Andrea the whole way, shaking like a leaf in the wind. I could still hear the man’s screams in my ears, but I could still smell the blood from Andrea’s gunshot. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it. Andrea didn’t say a damn word as she carried the girl inside, straight past the curious stares of the maids and into the living room. She sat down on the couch, adjusting the girl in her lap like she was some fragile doll. I sat across from them, not sure what to do. Andrea tilted the girl’s chin up. “Alright, sweetheart,” she said softly. “Tell me everything.” The girl hesitated, her lip trembling. Her eyes darted between us, like she was waiting for us to suddenly change our minds and throw her out. Andrea sighed. “You’re safe now. No one’s gonna hurt you. Just tell me what happened.” The girl swallowed hard, then whispered, “I was kidnapped.” My stomach twisted. Andrea’s jaw clenched. “Who took you?” “I...
AZZURRA The girl was adjusting well. It had been slow at first. She barely spoke, she flinched at sudden movements, and she ate like someone who was afraid her food would be taken away, but gradually, she started to change. She no longer hesitated before taking a second helping of food. She didn’t jump every time Andrea slammed a door open, which happened often. And, the biggest change of all, she smiled. Not often, not fully, but there were moments when her lips curved slightly, and her eyes softened. Andrea pretended she didn’t care. She acted like she hadn’t noticed the girl was warming up to them, but I knew better. I saw how she always made sure the girl had enough food, how she tossed a blanket over her when she fell asleep on the couch, and how she deliberately told stupid jokes just to coax a reaction out of her. It was nice. Almost peaceful. Then Adriano and Luna Vienna came back, and that peace shattered. The moment Andrea got the news, her entire demeanor changed
ADRIANO Azzurra blinked at me, then looked left and right as if she expected someone else to be standing beside her. “Are you… talking to me?” she asked, pointing at herself like she genuinely couldn’t believe it. I leaned back in my chair, watching her carefully, enjoying her confusion. “Yes, you.” She let out a breathy laugh, folding her arms across her chest. “Oh, so you can see me? I thought I had somehow become invisible during the course of these two weeks.” I exhaled sharply, pushing my chair back as I stood. Her eyes followed my every movement, but she didn’t step away. Not yet. I walked around the desk, taking my time, watching as her muscles tensed the closer I got. “Why weren’t you this cheeky with my mother around?” I asked, tilting my head. Her glare sharpened. “I could ask you the same thing.” I smirked. She wasn’t wrong. I took another step toward her, then another. “You should have put Andrea under check.” She rolled her eyes, scoffing. “No one pu
AZZURRA An explosion of fire burst inside me, spreading from my stomach to the tips of my fingers. My blood sizzled. My body tingled. I couldn’t breathe. The press of his lips against mine hit me with such intensity my first response was to push him away. I brought my palms up to his chest to shove him as hard as I could, but when he nipped at my bottom lip and then licked it, soothing the sharp sting with his tongue, want filled my veins with boiling water. A moan traveled up my throat. My fingers curled, and I scraped my nails down his stomach, stopping at his belt buckle. He hissed against my lips and then slid his tongue inside my mouth. I felt that wet glide between my legs. Just the knowledge that his hands were on me sent a tremble through me, but the feel of them, the palm sliding over my hip to the curve of my ass; the gentle yet unyielding grasp on my throat incinerated any of the resistance left in me. I swayed toward him, my body melting against his. His lips le
AZZURRA "You look like shit by the way.” “Sorry Beta Leonardo for my shabby dressings," I said, then to myself I muttered as I pushed myself up, "I could have easily taken my bathe and dressed fancy while being locked up. Where’s your Alpha? Too busy doing other things?" What the fuck was I saying right now, I sound needy. His face darkened immediately. He grabbed my arm, a little too tightly. “Don’t talk about him like that. He is your alpha too.” I ripped my arm out of his grip, rolling my eyes. Whatever. Save your loyalty speech. "I am going back inside.” Leonardo’s eyes bulged. “Are you out of your fucking mind?” “People say that a lot,” I shrugged. He stared at me like I’d grown two heads. “You’ve just escaped that crazy bastard, and now you want to waltz back into his mansion?” “There are women and children in the basement,” I said firmly. “Locked up, starving. I’m not leaving them.” “No way,” he said, crossing his arms. “You’re not going anywhere near that place. A
AZZURRA I thought I was safe. I really did. Dressed as a maid, I had managed to blend in, and the woman who had walked in earlier didn’t even take a second glance at me.But just when I was about to sneak out again, the door burst open, and she stormed in.“You! Come here and help me dress,” she snapped, flipping her long black hair over her shoulder.I blinked. “Me?”“Of course you! Do you see anyone else in the damn room?” she huffed.Shit. I had no idea how to dress a rich woman. I’d barely managed to tie the stupid apron on myself.I followed her into her room, my eyes wide as I took in the giant mirror and the expensive perfumes on her vanity. She sat on a velvet stool and pointed to the fancy green dress on the bed.“Help me put that on.”I picked up the dress and stared at it like it was some kind of puzzle. There were way too many buttons, ties, and tiny clasps.“Are you new or just stupid?” she muttered.Before I could answer, or fuck something up, the door opened again. A g
AZZURRA The room they kept me in smelled of dust and mold. The window was too high for me to reach, and the door was locked from the outside. I sat on the cold, hard floor, pulling my knees to my chest. I had no idea how long I’d been there, hours, or maybe a day. My stomach growled, but they hadn’t brought me any food. My throat was dry, and my head hurt from the constant tension. I tried to think of a way out, but the door didn’t budge when I tried pushing it earlier. These bastards knew what they were doing. I wasn’t going anywhere unless they let me out. Eventually, I heard footsteps. The lock clicked, and two men walked in. One of them grabbed my arm roughly, hauling me to my feet. “Get up. The boss wants to see you,” he grunted. I yanked my arm free, glaring at him. “You don’t have to drag me like a damn animal.” He just smirked. “Keep talking, princess. See where it gets you.” The other man tossed a dress at me. It was red, flashy, and way too tight for my liking. “Put
ADRIANO I leaned back in my chair, swirling the amber liquid in my glass as Leonardo went over the plan again. The dim light of the room made shadows dance across the walls, giving the place an almost scary atmosphere. I didn’t mind it, though, darkness was comforting. “So, we have to make sure none of the boys catch on that we’re onto them,” Leonardo said, his tone clipped. “If we move too soon, they’ll scatter like rats. We need proof before we make a move.” I nodded, taking a slow sip. “We’ll set up a decoy shipment. Something valuable but not too crucial. If they try to intercept it, we’ll have them cornered. Make sure the right word gets out so it draws them in.” Leonardo smirked. “Already on it. I’ve got a few guys spreading rumors about a high-end weapons stash coming in next week. Should be enough to get their attention.” “Good.” I set the glass down, tapping my fingers on the table. “Once we catch them in the act, we make an example. Can’t have the rest of the crew
AZZURRA The car Luna Vienna had arranged for me was waiting at the entrance, sleek and intimidating, just like the man I was supposed to deliver the parcel to. I held the small package tightly, my hands shaking as I stepped into the backseat. I couldn’t believe she was sending me to Massimo De Luca. Of all people, why him? My mind was racing, trying to figure out why. Why me? Why did Luna Vienna choose me, of all the other servants, to deliver this package to the most ruthless mafia don in the city? It didn’t make sense unless she knew. Unless she had done a little digging into my past and found out about my mistake. I bit my lip, staring out the window as the car glided through the city streets. The dress Luna had provided clung to me like a second skin—black, elegant, but modest enough to not draw too much attention. The invitation card she’d handed me was embossed with gold lettering, a formal request to attend some kind of charity gala hosted by Massimo himself. I couldn’t
AZZURRA The late morning light seeped through the thin curtains, casting a warm, amber glow across the room. I stirred, my body still sensitive and buzzing from what had happened. As I slowly regained consciousness, I felt the comforting weight of Adriano's arm draped possessively across my waist. His breath was soft and steady against my neck, his bare chest pressed against my back, radiating heat. My cheeks flushed as memories from just a few hours ago washed over me. His hands gripping my hips, his lips tracing a line down my throat, and his low growl vibrating through my skin. I couldn’t help the small, contented sigh that escaped my lips. It felt surreal, lying here with him like this. I hadn’t expected to fall asleep afterward, not with my heart still racing and his touch imprinted on my skin. Carefully, I shifted, attempting to slip out from under his arm without waking him. Adriano murmured something in his sleep, his hold tightening momentarily before relaxing again.
AZZURRA My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn’t help the shiver that ran down my spine. I wanted to deny the flutter in my stomach, but his touch was making it impossible to think straight. “You were reckless last night,” he said, his voice thick with something darker. “Dancing with strangers, wearing something that barely covered you... did you want to be punished?” My cheeks flamed, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. “I didn’t—” He cut me off by pressing his lips to mine again, capturing my breath in a heated, demanding kiss. His hands gripped my hips, pulling me flush against him. I could feel the hard lines of his body through the thin fabric, and I couldn’t suppress the moan that slipped out. Adriano took that as encouragement, deepening the kiss, his tongue brushing against mine. He pulled back just enough to speak, his lips brushing mine. “You’re a menace, Azzurra,” he murmured. Before I could respond, he guided me back to the bed, his hands firm but not
AZZURRA I woke up to a brutal headache pounding against my skull, my body aching in ways I wasn’t sure had anything to do with the alcohol I had consumed last night. A groan escaped my lips as I turned my face into the pillow, trying to block out the cruel morning light. The scent surrounding me was unfamiliar yet strangely intoxicating, masculine, dark, and undeniably my boss. My eyes snapped open. What the fuck?I pushed myself up too fast, and the room tilted violently. I gritted my teeth, waiting for the dizziness to pass, and that’s when I noticed the unfamiliar sheets tangled around me. Dark, expensive, and definitely not mine. I turned my head slowly, my breath catching in my throat when I took in my surroundings. This wasn’t my room. It was his. Shit.Panic clawed at my chest as I tried to recall how the hell I ended up here. The last thing I remembered was Adriano dragging me out of the club, throwing me into his car, and then… Then what?My eyes widened as