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 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
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 "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 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 The baby’s wail pulled my attention like a fishhook. It was constant, sharp, and so goddessdamned insistent. I glanced up from the register, eyeing the little girl as she squirmed in her mother’s arms. She was red-faced, her tiny fists flailing in frustration while the mother, barely sparing her a glance, bounced her absentmindedly. I wondered how it felt to have someone depend on you like that, and I didn’t envy it.The clock on the wall behind them caught my eye—9:58 p.m. Relief coursed through me. Almost there. Just two more minutes and I’d be free from this badly lit hellhole for the night.I handed the woman her bags with a tight smile, her child’s cries still ringing in my ears. As she shuffled away, I slipped off my name badge and tossed it onto the counter. My shift was over. Finally.I made my way to the back room, the hum of the blinking lights overhead grating against my nerves. The locker door creaked as I opened it, grabbing my scuffed leather bag. Slinging it
Azzura. Adriano led me out of the club, and my heart pounded in my chest like a drum. The bass from the music faded behind us as we stepped into the cool night air. I felt a mix of excitement and nerves.As he maneuvered through the crowd, it was as if the throng of bodies parted like the sea for him. I couldn’t help but wonder if they all recognized him, if they knew the power he held.As we approached the front, I spotted a man in dark sunglasses and a sharp suit standing next to the bouncer I knew from previous nights. The moment this man turned and saw Adriano, he put a phone to his ear and barked out orders that I couldn’t hear over the noise of the street. Then, just like that, he walked away, leaving me feeling even more curious about the man I’d chosen as my hit for the night.When we got outside, I wasn’t surprised to see the man in the suit holding open the door of a sleek Range Rover. It looked expensive, just like everything else about Adriano.His hand slid to the small
Adriano. The little rat thought she was clever.No, she must have assumed she was a damn genius to have actually had the pair on her to pull of such a stunt. In my house. With my presence just mere inches away from her at the time. I remained in bed, alone now.I rested on my back, staring at the ceiling as I let my breathing even out. Everything seemed calm, but my mind was racing, thinking back to this morning. If I could even call it morning. Thinking back to her. The best goddessdamned lay I’d gotten in a long, long time.Because when I’d opened my eyes earlier today, seeing a half naked little vixen tiptoeing through my room, it was barely dawn at the time.But it wasn’t surprising to see that the best fuck I’d had in a damn long time had a different agenda as she pranced around my room. Rummaging through my things like a little thief. And she was a thief, in fact.I’d watched her through half lidded eyes as she immersed herself in filling her pockets.She went through my
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