I lie with his arms wrapped around me. He's falling, even I can see he is. Hence, I told him to come to bed. If he's away from Dale, he should calm down more. "I'm sorry." "Dario, don't apologise." "I need to. How often did he hit you?" He runs his finger down my side. "It was once Dario." Just once, which I think is why it was so easy to forget I was blackmailed into staying with him. He barely shouted at me. "But it was bad." I want to say no, but I can't, as I have no idea what was said. "I broke a couple of ribs and my nose." His mother worked in a hospital. So she helped, he told her I was attacked while outside. It covered the truth. "You should have just walked, little rabbit. Especially after he hit you." His eyes stare into mine. "That meant giving up on you, and I wasn't willing to, Dario." I couldn't walk and let him fall. "I'm sorry I shouted and swore at you." I laugh slightly at his words. "I mean it, little rabbit." "It's fine; you make it up to me in other wa
She falls asleep, and I get dressed; walking into the bathroom, I rip the blindfold off him and then the tape from his mouth. "Who else knows about the video?" He glares at me. He was all talkative before. "Is the video only on your phone?" He keeps his mouth closed. I laugh slightly. "Oh, you weren't as pissed off about me cutting your toes off as you are about hearing me pleasure her," I smirk, and his glare hardens. I'm right. "She has some wonderful kinks, you know." His head shakes at my words. "Oh, she does, so I don't blame you entirely for not satisfying her; she should have made you aware." "I am not discussing this with you." His words are almost growled. "If you had spoken to her like that, you would have had her panting." I chuckle, and he glares. "It's a fact. She has a thing for growling, especially if you're calling her a dirty slut." "You think they were screams of pleasure? More like torture." I laugh at his words. At least now he is talking. "The fact she squir
I sat with Dario and his family for breakfast, but Dario was unusually quiet. I need to find out about Dale and ensure there will be no way of that video getting seen. Looking at him, he is happily driving while whistling to himself. "Dario." "Yes, my little rabbit." He turns and smiles before continuing. "What happened with Dale?" "He died." I glance at him. He's so fucking unbelievable. He knows exactly what I mean. "Dario." "Nothing, he didn't speak. I moved him downstairs, and well, he had a fall and died." "You kicked him down the stairs." "Something like that little rabbit. My arms were getting tired of dragging him." His words have me laughing. Yet the fear builds in me. "Dario, I'm worried." "Why? He's dead." Sighing, I nod. "But the video, others who may know?" I peer at him, waiting. "Doubtful anyone does. If they knew about the video, that means they knew about his dodgy business." "Which is possible." "Unlikely." Groaning at his words, I turn and face. "Sit
I keep my head lowered on her shoulder, but my eyes up and watching. Evaline's mouth continues to tease my neck while I try to keep my eyes on the guy's hands. Five minutes pass the same, and I know it looks suspicious; we're the least active people in the room, and it is causing us to get looks. The guy I'm watching, though, barely looks around the room. "Play with me, little rabbit." We need to fit in, and right now, we're not. It would be easier if he had one woman with him, not two. Two, make it more challenging. I'm trying to ensure I don't miss anything. I feel Evaline's hands stroke down my body, slowly unfastening my trousers. I groan as I feel her hand fist my cock, slowly working it. Pleasure burns within me, but I continue to watch. Seeing every subtle movement, I am wondering if Marco got this wrong. He's been fine. I've seen nothing out of the ordinary. I feel Evaline shift, and she slides from my lap to kneel between my legs. Her head lowers, and I groan. My eyes fal
When we got back from the club, Dario sent me to bed. Sent. Because when I tried to talk to him, he glared at me, so I did as I was told. Now, I'm dressed and ready for the wedding, but Dario is nowhere to be seen. He wasn't here when I woke, either. Walking down, I see Lorenzo, and he smiles at me. "Have you seen him?" "Out the back." He points, and I walk in the direction. Getting outside, I see him sitting on a chair. Walking over, I sit opposite him. "Dario." "Not today." Standing, he walks in, I didn't think about telling him. It was like ten years ago. Walking in, I see him sitting with his brothers and dad. I stand waiting, but he ignores me. Sighing, I walk through and go to the other side of the house. I see Iz first. Walking over, I smile at her. "Thought you were going with Dario?" She sits and looks at me. "That would involve conversation, so I have no idea what is happening right now." I know I should've told him, but it just seemed like a waste of time. I didn't t
My head hurts when I wake. I was overthinking everything last night, and my mind wouldn't switch off, which means now my head is killing me. I pick up my phone and glance at it, but there's still nothing. I was convinced he would at least message to ask if I was fucking okay. Apparently not, though. Showering, I consider the way forward. I can't keep avoiding him, and he can't keep avoiding talking to me. Even if he is really damn good at it. The knocking has me wrap the towel around my body. Walking through, I pull the door open, expecting to see Dario, but it isn't. "Evaline. Can I come in?" Nodding, I step out of the way, watching ass Taylor walks in. I watch as he takes a seat on the sofa. "Why are you here?" I stand and look at him. "To ask about Dale, why else?" He turns and looks at me. "I need to know if you knew?" Walking in, I sit, pulling the towel tighter. "Knew what?" Did I know what? "About his side deals? The ones that had him running?" My head shakes. "Come on
My body doesn't move as he sets up the camera in the corner of the room. I can't let this happen, but he's at the door that I need to get out of the room. Standing, I walk to the bathroom, and his hand grips me. "Can I not use the toilet?" His head shakes. "Like you can be trusted." "Like I can do anything. I'm naked in a fucking towel, Taylor!" "Fine, but don't lock the door." I watch as he grabs his phone. "If you take too long, I'm coming in." Sighing, I nod and walk into the bathroom. Closing the door I rush to the window. Opening it slowly and quietly, I peer down, I can do it. I think. It's on the second floor. I'm sure I can do it. Walking to the toilet, I flush it, then turn on the tap. Rushing back to the window, I swing my leg out of it. I'm fucking crazy, I'm naked, but there is no damn way I am agreeing. There is a small ledge. I move and dangle out of the window. My toes just touching the ledge. Now what? There is a portico below me. It's about 5ft away. Surely I c
I'm angry at her for not telling me. So I don't want to speak, as I will just shout at her for not telling me. Then there is the fact it's my fault. She did it all to save me. Someone who isn't worthy of fucking saving. I want to cuddle Evaline, but I can't because, at the same time, I don't feel like I deserve her. She deserves someone like Matteo, not me. What do I have to give her anyway? I look at her as she sits quietly. I'm not ignoring her to be cruel, but to keep her away from me as I know I will hurt her. She shouldn't want me, she shouldn't have given up her life to save me, and that pisses me off. I thought I was getting over the fact she gave up her life for me. Then, hearing him and knowing Dale had essentially for months forced her to carry drugs and have other men touch her made it worse. Part of me wants to shake her so damn hard for being so fucking stupid. She lost more of her life than I would have if I had gotten caught. Does she not realise that? What she gave
I'm so fucking happy. This is the best Christmas ever. She's pregnant, Alex is officially ours, and she's marrying me! Tonight! I left her for a bit. Her dad is here, so they are talking everything out. I wanted to be there but knew she needed space to do it herself. I look across the chairs and other things. She wanted to come outside, but we banned her. She can't see this, not until later. "It's looking good." Lorenzo smiles at me. "Have you considered this, Dario?" Marco looks at me. "She said yes! She said she would marry me." She said yes. "I know, but I mean the whole surprise wedding; she said yes, but that doesn't mean now." "Yes, it does!" She wouldn't say yes if she weren't ready now. She's ready. She will say yes. She will love this. "Okay, calm down, you're too high." Marco chuckles, but I can't. I feel amazing right now. "How is it going with her dad?" Matteo looks at me. "No idea. I gave her space." I'm giving her space. "Matteo, he's staying at your house toni
I walked out of the room feeling sickened. Not so much that he had slept with my mother, more he slept with me purely because I looked like her. Like in his mind, I was her. I need to check on Alex. Walking into his room he's sat up on the bed looking at the book. "Read it?" He holds out the book, and I laugh. "Move over." I climb onto the bed, and he cuddles into me as I read it to him. Today is Christmas. I didn't realise, but Lucia had the baby on Christmas day! It's nearly three. I read to him, watching as he fell asleep. Slowly, my eyes slip closed. I wake feeling someone wrap their arms around me. Glancing behind me, I see Dario. I open my mouth to talk, and he shakes his head. "No. Leave it, little rabbit. Let's just sleep for a couple of hours." He holds onto me, and I fall asleep, with him and Alex cuddling me. I need to get answers later. I wake up in bed alone. Neither Alex nor Dario are here. Climbing from the bed, I go to our room and begin to get ready. "Little ra
So far, this guy hasn't been forthcoming. It's Christmas, and we're wasting time on him. Sure, we could just forget him and go to bed for as few hours as possible before getting up, but he's a risk. Alice came to get the baby, and Lucia is currently resting. So this needs sorting now. He's not someone who can be trusted alone, even with soldiers. "I never would have hurt her." I look up, confused. "Evaline, my plan was never to touch her or harm her. Weirdly, she is just like her mother. She's amazing." "How did you meet her mum?" I want to get her answers. "I had just taken down a target and was ready to leave when I saw her. I was twenty-eight, and she was thirty-nine. She was so different. She was so amazing I just went over and said hi, which is how it began. At that point, Evaline was born." "Did you see Evaline?" "No!" His head shakes. "I never did; we had been sleeping together for years. She wouldn't let me see Evaline. She spoke of her. He found out about the affair and
I look at Marco. He's heard nothing. "It's Christmas. Maybe just leave it until after today?" Lorenzo looks at me. "I can't do much, Lorenzo." I can't do anything without information that we don't have. "This is your first official Christmas with Evaline, don't fuck it up." Our dad looks at me, and I know he's right. The gunshot has us all jump up and rush out. I watch as a window smashes and smoke begins to flood the hall. "Get the women and kids!" Marco screams, rushing upstairs; I grab Luciano, Lorenzo grabs Alice, and I see soldiers follow Marco up to Lucia and Evaline. Carrying Luciano down, I sit him in the safe room. Rushing up, I see someone carrying Alex. "Put it on." I see something throw a mask at me. Placing it on, I rush up and see Evaline fighting to get to Alex's room. "Alex is downstairs, little rabbit, go." I watch as she disappears. Rushing through, I get to our room and see him. Throwing myself at him, someone grabs me and stops, and I watch them grab him. "D
I wake hearing a bang, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. I reach out to Dario, but he isn't there. The sound of gunshots has my body jump up and out of bed. Rushing, I get the gown and wrap it around my body as the windows in the room smash, and smoke begins to fill the room. I rush for the door and hear something. Turning, I look behind me and see someone jump through the window. Running out the door, I get grabbed. Screaming, I go to hit him. "Evaline, go with him!" Marco? I feel them pull me, but I try to get to Alex. I need to get Alex. Screaming, I fight against him. "Alex is downstairs, little rabbit, go." I don't get a chance to respond. I'm just pulled further away. As we reach downstairs, I'm thrown into a room and the door locks. "Evaline, thank god you're okay!" Lucia rushes and hugs me. I look around, Alice, Lucia, Alex, and Luciano are in here, and I believe it's James. I'm not sure which soldier it is. "What is happening?" I look around us. This room has no windo
Dario's arms stay around me as we dance. He started out fine, but in the past week, he's been slowly drowning and getting lost in his mind. I know he's constantly overthinking what is happening. Everything I try fails. Sex works while we're having sex, and then he's back in his head. It's taking so much effort to keep him here and with us. The last thing we need is for something to happen and for him to slip away in his mind and not wait for answers. So, I need to keep his mind off Mad Hatter or Tim, as they haven't been able to find anything. Marco even tried to send a message out for my dad in the hope he would reply and give us something, but it's been silent. I lean up and kiss his lips. "We haven't spoken about how many kids you want." I smile, and he looks at me so damn confused. "Babies, Dario, how many do you want?" "I just want you." My eyes roll. "You have me. We have Alex. I want to know about us making babies. How many?" He seems to be considering it. "I would be hap
It's too quiet, and I don't like quiet, not in this way. Quiet in my head, fine, but this feels wrong. He's gone quiet. He's stopped sending messages out. He's ignoring us. He's planning, he's planning something, what is he planning? I pace the room. Today is Matteo's engagement party. Tomorrow is Christmas. It's too fucking quiet. Quietly, quietly, not a sound. I'm listening and listening. "Dario!" I turn, and Marco is staring at me. "You're singing." He holds out his hands. "We were waiting for you!" "I..." Something is wrong. Quietly, quietly, not a sound. I'm listening and listening. "Dario!" I glance at him. "Get out of your head, focus." I can't focus. It's too quiet. "Okay, tell me what is in your head. You keep singing quietly, quietly, so speak." "It's too quiet." It's too quiet. "Right, and I agree it is. It's unusual. He's gone quiet; he's not responding, but stay out of your head. It's been half an hour. How long have you been standing here pacing and singing in yo
I sit with Dario. His brothers and his dad are facing me. "You slept with him, just say." Marco laughs. "I did, but that isn't it. That time, I never returned; about a year into it, Dale had bought a holiday home. He sent me to it alone and told me not to leave as it wasn't safe. I stayed there for maybe six months. A few weeks after I got there, the guy showed up. He basically moved in with me." I see Carlos' mouth drop open. "He never stayed in one place!" "He stayed with me. Dale would send maybe one message a week saying I wasn't safe and to stay hidden. If I tried messaging him, it wouldn't go through. I told him I couldn't keep calling him Mad Hatter, so he said to call him Tim for now. That wasn't his name, I don't think. He confided in me, told me about his childhood and things, and I know I should have said, but I saw him as a friend." Which was stupid. "And now you don't? Why?" Marco looks at me, waiting. "Because now I realise he was trying to get information from me.
Dario pushes me to sit in a seat and faces me. He's looking at me like I'm about to blow everything up. I feel like I am. I didn't tell him everything, not because I didn't want him to know, but because I had no idea how or if he would handle this. Then, I just figured out things while he was getting Alex in bed. "Little rabbit, please." He looks at me, almost begging. "I didn't tell you everything. I stayed at a small holiday home without Dale for about six months. I have no idea where he went. Tim, or Mad Hatter as we know him, stayed with me." "You knew his fucking name!" "No! I told him I felt awkward calling him Mad Hatter, so he said to call him Tim, which could be his name for now. His name isn't Tim. It's just a name he said to call him, so I didn't have to call him Mad Hatter." "You don't know for sure, little rabbit, why the fuck did you live with him for six months!" "Dale was gone. I don't know where or why. He was just gone. Tim isn't a bad guy, or I thought. Dale h