She looks like an angel when she's sleeping. I've been sitting here waiting for her to wake up so I could tell her what I found. I don't know how she's going to take it. The arrival of her mother hit her hard. Combined with the past few days, I'm not sure she'll be able to take any more shocks but she has to know this before anyone else. By anyone else I mean Giovanni. I see all the things he's doing to try and get Maria... Carina to trust him. Fuck, it's going to be hard to call her that. Even though I've known all along who she was, calling her Carina is just weird. She told me everything after I rescued her from one of the guys she'd tried to blackmail for Lombardi. I'm not sorry that asshole is dead by the way. I hope he rots in hell or wanders around and sees just how strong Carina is now. The guy she was trying to blackmail was Russian and Lombardi wanted to force him to do business together. That Russian prick wasn't scared of Lombardi. He stuck Carina in the basement saying t
A month. That's how long it took for me to finally break away from all that madness and finally have peace of mind. Giovanni wouldn't let me leave because things kept coming up. All of a sudden I was the busiest person on earth. Making sure shipments which were drugs and illegal firearms were sent out and arrived at their destination, having meetings with Padre's partners and assuring them that business would proceed as usual, and hiring more men to replace the ones that had died while attacking Cris's mansion. Goodness, the list was endless. On top of that, there was Marianna, her mother -because I can't bring myself to think of her as my mother- and Damiano. It turns out that Marianna and Damiano had come up with a plan to spy on me. She says she only wanted to know how I was but I don't believe her. To me she's still the same little witch who'd given me sleepless nights because I was afraid if I closed my eyes, she'd do something to me. I can't change my opinion of her just becaus
The past few weeks have been hectic. Trying to recover from the attack and keeping my business on top hasn't been easy. I had to use a bit of money from my personal account to compensate for the merchandise Mari took from me. Alone, it wouldn't have mattered but put together with the money Fausto stole from me, things weren't looking too good. Luckily I had Nev by my side and even though he's been mad at me for dating his kidnapper, he helped me with everything I needed. The only reason I'm here was because I knew he would take care of things while I was away. I might have pretended to let Tommaso convince me to bring him to the Maldives. He begged me day and night and I couldn't refuse him. Although his father wasn't buying that bullshit. We both know I would have eventually followed her even without Tommaso's nagging. I've been on a few dates with Mari but since she left my house, she hasn't gone back. She was scared the guys wouldn't welcome her like they did the first time becaus
I understand why Cris was so pissed that he cut our vacation short. His house is nothing more than a pile of ash and rubble. The beautiful house that stood here just a few days ago is gone with everything that was inside it. Nev said they called the fire department but they took too long to arrive and he suspects someone, probably the person who torched their house, had done something to delay them. Not that anything could have been saved. This wasn't a normal fire. The person who did this made sure nothing could be salvaged. Luckily, no one had gotten hurt because the perpetrator knew they could get away with it if no bodies were found. See arson is one thing and murder is another. Combined, they could bring the police here. Not that they could have done anything either. Their investigation would be a waste of time since no evidence would be found. The fact that someone was brave enough to set Don De Luca's house on fire only means they were clever enough not to leave anything that
"Insecure much?" "No. But we all know just how you've always coveted my things ever since we were kids" She couldn't stand that my hair was shinier than hers so she cut it. And there was that time she said a dress was ugly until I put it on. The designer gushed about the color suiting me anyway and the next thing I know, Marianna wants it back. I've never understood where her hatred for me came from and it's even more puzzling now that I know we're related. If she hadn't been so mean, I believe we would have been the best of friends. We could have grown up together and covered for each other whenever Padre got pissed. Maybe my life would have been bearable. But it's too late now. What's done is done. There is no going back. "Gee, I have my own boyfriend. I'm not interested in yours" I can see the look in her eyes. It reminds me of when we were kids and she was about to do something that would get me in trouble. God, why isn't she dead? Cris takes my hand, kissing my palm. "Let's
"Can we talk?" I ask Ornella. No matter how hard I try to, I can't understand why she didn't take Carina with her. It's clear Lombardi didn't care about any of them. Hell, he shot fake Carina right in front of me. I don't think he would have given a shit if they all died or faked their death. As long as they didn't take anything from him, he would have continued living his life as if nothing had happened. Unless there was a reason Ornella couldn't take her too. Maybe someone stopped her from doing it. I've been staying in the Lombardi mansion for two weeks now and aside from just wanting to watch over Carina, I have been observing everyone else. I came to the conclusion that Marianna is a bit mental if not crazy, Damiano wants to come off as dumb but he's just pretending. While he was still living in my house, I had no reason to study his behavior because he was just Carina's - no. Aurora's boyfriend. But he lied and that made him a suspect too. As for Ornella, she is definitely hidi
"It's nothing. Are you ready?" I left her to get ready because I wanted to take her out for dinner. "You're not trying to seduce my boyfriend too. Are you?" she asks her mother who laughs nervously. "Goodness no. I mean he's handsome but not really my type" "I don't trust you or Marianna so stay away from my man" I like how possessive she is of me. Although it's a little disturbing that she feels the need to warn her mother to stay away from me. This is what happens when families live apart from each other. "Let's go. I'm sure you're starving" ushering her out of the room, I throw one last glance at Ornella before closing the door "Where do you want to go? Any cravings?" "Yes, chocolate cake" she grins up at me. Ever since we started living together, she's been more open with her feelings. When she smiles or laughs, it's genuine. She's stopped pretending to be happy and has started being truly happy, which in turn makes her glow. Or maybe it's the pregnancy. Whatever the reason,
"Trust me?" I nod. Because I really do trust him. I know he'll do everything he can to get me out of this car alive. I've never done this before. I know these things aren't as fun as they look in movies and despite the world I live in, it's not every day some nutcase decides to cut car brakes. When did they do it anyway? Who could have done this? First his house and now his car? Is someone hell-bent on killing him or what? Was he right and this is somehow about me? I don't get it. Who doesn't want me to be with him? I can't think of anyone who would be opposed to our relationship. Paulo scowls every time he sees Cris but I know he'd never do anything to put me in danger. And he's the only guy I've been with. If Aurora was still alive, I would have suspected her. She was crazy enough to pull something like this. But she's not and she was my only enemy. So who? Damiano? Could it be him? Maybe he's trying to avenge Aurora's death..."Put your hands through the sleeves," Cris says holdin
My eyes snap open when something heavy lands on my face. I have to jerk my head back to see what it is. Not a what but a who. Val. Marianna is standing next to the bed her face filled with disgust. She did not just dump the kid on my face "What the fuck?" "Sorry to burst your little bubble but I'm done babysitting" "Where is Fabian?" Cris asks sitting up and pulling Val into his arms. I've never seen anything so beautiful. His muscles flex when he lifts him in the air and I have this urge to run my hands on the leathery skin. Leave marks on them so everyone knows he's taken. Fatherhood suits him. "He left claiming he was busy" "Couldn't you have waited until later? It's seven in the morning" "I could. But knowing that you're here enjoying your married life while mine is falling apart didn't sit well with me so here we are" "Aren't you the one who pushed us back together?" "I regret it. If I'd known what would happen, I wouldn't have lifted a finger. That way we'd
"Why isn't he picking up?" "Maybe he's busy? Val can be a handful sometimes" Soriano offers and I want to punch him. Since when is Cris too busy for me? Also, I wasn't talking to him. Why did he feel the need to answer? Dumbass."Don't you have something to do or somewhere to be?" "Nope. It's my off day today" "Great. Can you go have it elsewhere?" who invented off days again? Oh wait, it was me. I thought it would be a good idea for the guys to have one day off to spend with their families or bitches but now I realize that it was a mistake. These kinds of employees don't need off days. Hanging up, I call Fabian. He picks up on the first ring. For the millionth time, I wonder why he's so glued to Cris. Obviously, I'm the better guy between us. Loving, considerate, appreciative- is that even a word? Any way. I would totally treat him well if he was my guy. When we went to kill Lombardi, I thought we'd bonded and tried to get him to come to work for me but he flat-out tur
I was prepared for this. Lashing out at me whenever she is unhappy or angry. It will take some time for her to completely forgive me so until then I can't do anything but take everything she throws at me. But fuck, it hurts. Knowing that I let her down and I can never change it. If only I could turn time back. "I never stopped caring" "Sorry. I was just shocked" "Why did you let her go?" "Because Damiano asked me to. He said she didn't know that I was pregnant. Besides, killing her wouldn't change anything. It's not like I can be pregnant again" No, she can't. "Come on. Your sister bought a lot of food. I wonder if she was planning on locking us in here for a week" I change the subject because it feels like now isn't the right time to talk about Leone. Someday we will be able to talk about him comfortably without it being too much for her. At least I hope so. "She's an idiot. Luckily she's with Fabian or God knows what would happen to your son" "Paulo and your friends are here
"You're the one who wants to wait." "Not anymore" He pulls back to take off my dress. Making me realize that he's still fully dressed while I'm completely naked. "Don't you think you're overdressed for the occasion?" "I can't wait any longer," he says spinning me around. My eyes connect with his in the mirror and the wicked smile on his lips is enough to let me know what he's thinking. I hear the sound of a zipper then his hot, hard cock is between my crack. He spreads my cheeks open, wedging himself between them, and starts to slowly move up and down. Lord, that feels good. With his eyes still on mine, he reaches up to caress my breasts, pinching my nipples and sending a bolt of heat straight to my pussy. There's something erotic about watching him play with my body. Watching both our reactions to his ministrations. Especially since I'm naked and he's still dressed. It feels like I'm his plaything. Like he can't be bothered to get undressed because he knows I'll accept him either
Did being a father change him so much? It's been more than an hour and he hasn't touched me which is unlike Cris. The man I know couldn't keep his hands off me. We were like rabbits who fucked anywhere and everywhere. Has he changed or am I not desirable anymore? Did I get old and lose my sex appeal? I'm not even thirty yet. How could he lose interest so fast? He made me sit next to him at the dining table and all he's done is hold my hand. Jumping up, I rush to the bathroom. I was pregnant but never got to breastfeed so my breasts aren't saggy. They're still firm just like how they used to be. And I haven't lost my waist yet. It's still there. I turn around several times to make sure that I'm not lying to myself. Since I came here, I haven't tried dieting or going to the gym. Maybe I gained a little..."What are you doing?" He asks leaning on the door, making me jump. "Fuck, you scared the living daylights out of me" "Are you looking for something?" "Yes. My sexiness
"Last chance, Cris. If you mess it up, I'll send you to hell myself" Damn it! Who was I kidding? I never had a chance. Maybe provoking him wasn't a good idea. If I hadn't talked to him, he would have continued his play. Giving me more time to convince her that I am the better choice. Then again, who's to say she would have given in? Actions speak louder than words. She doesn't trust me. Locking her door was a clear sign that she didn't feel safe with me. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I hadn't let her go the first time we met. Why does she keep going back to him? He'll hurt her again. I know he will. Turning off the laptop, I take my car keys and leave. She needs to come back to her senses. After everything that bastard did, how could she forgive him? It's okay if she doesn't want to be with me but he's not right for her either. He left when she needed him the most and he will do it again. "Sir" "What?" "She's still waiting for you in the lobby"
I'm curious to know if they've made up but I don't want to disturb them in case they're in the middle of it. Carina just needed a little shove to see that she still loved her husband. I know the other guy, Marco, has done a lot for her but he honestly scares me. Cris is on our level. If we put our minds to it, we could destroy his business and leave him penniless. As a matter of fact, if he does something stupid again, that's what I'll do. But Marco? He's too powerful. He doesn't go around showing it but Damiano told me about him and I was shocked. If someone like that were to date my sister, of course, we would be known as the most powerful family. But it would also mean that we couldn't do anything without his permission. I thought about it really hard. About who would make Carina happy. Maybe I'm judging Marco too harshly but I don't think he can do it. She doesn't look at him the same way she looks at Cris. At first, I just wanted to mess around with her and se
"Marianna!" "Gee, are you trying to burst my eardrum? What's the problem now? Shouldn't you be happy for having a sister as caring as I am?""I'm sorry but did you not hear me when I told you to stay out of it? Are you deaf?""Yes. I usually become deaf when it suits me. Which stage are you at?" "I don't know what's going through that thick head of yours but I'll have you know that I'm going to kick him out" "I took the keys with me" Idiot "I have two spare keys you dumbass" "Damn it! Why are you so stubborn? I just want to see you happy" "It doesn't have to be with him. I can be happy with someone else" I lower my voice so he doesn't hear me. Waking up to find him hovering above me almost gave me a heart attack. But it's not the first time I've caught him watching me sleep. If I didn't know him I'd think he was a creep. "Remember when you left the Maldives and were kidnapped by that asshole?" "Yeah. Marco's guys saved me and took me to his house" "Half a point
Now I'm a hundred percent sure Marianna spent all night planning this. I don't know if I should thank her or be pissed. This could go two ways. Carina could either ignore everything and kick me out or she would end up thinking I was in cahoots with her sister and possibly hate me forever. Either way, it's not gonna end well. Before she comes out, I check for other notes and get rid of them. I've just discarded the last one when she asks, "Is there food in there? Marianna said she ordered some" Some is an under... Fuck. Thank God the fridge door is shielding me or I wouldn't know how to explain my hard-on. One look at her and my cock jumps up happily. I know I have no right to demand anything from her but there's no way I'll let her leave the house dressed like that. The floral dress is simple, exposing her shoulders and a good part of her legs but damn it, those legs are mine. That cleavage is mine. Every part of her is mine. She moves towards me and for a second, I forget to breat