I wake up with a contented smile on my face, basking in the afterglow of a restful night's sleep. At nines months pregnant, with my due date rapidly approaching, it's become increasingly difficult to find a comfortable position that allows for uninterrupted slumber. But last night, the stars aligned, and I was blessed with the gift of deep, rejuvenating sleep.As I stretch languidly, I feel Stefano's strong arms snake around my rounded waist, pulling me closer to his sleep-warm body. He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck, his stubble deliciously rough against my sensitive skin, and inhales deeply as if trying to absorb my very essence."Morning," I murmur, my voice still husky with sleep."Good morning, luce del Sol," Stefano replies, his lips brushing the shell of my ear and sending delightful shivers down my spine. "How was your night?""Not bad," I say, relishing the feeling of his large hand splayed protectively over the swell of my belly, his wedding band glinting in the
ANDREAI release a sigh of relief, closing my eyes as I bask in the gentle warmth of the morning sun. I love the sun. My serene Moment is abruptly shattered as my irritating brother shoves me aside in his haste to descend the stairs of our private jet."You couldn’t wait, could you, asshole?" I retort, my tone dripping with exasperation."Wait for you to continue pretending we've arrived at our vacation destination?" he counters, rolling his eyes. Ladies and gentlemen, meet my brother, Santiago. Standing at a towering six feet with a well-built physique that drives countless girls wild, he's the epitome of an annoyance. We both inherited our dad's dark brown hair and ocean-blue eyes, though thankfully not his impatient attitude."That's not what I was doing. I was just trying to enjoy Sicily's morning sun before we head to the meeting. I don't see anything wrong with that," I explain, shrugging my shoulders before descending the stairs."I don't care, just get in the car. The Costanzos
The next few days fly by in a whirlwind. I spend them in back-to-back meetings with Santiago, hammering out the final details for the renovations of the Costanzo Hotel in California. It feels like a whirlwind, but we're nearing the finish line with the deal.Today, Saturday, I wake up early, courtesy of a nightmare that seems to have been triggered by my return to Italy, but it was expected. I rub the sleep from my eyes, glancing out the window of my room, and witness a scene that jolts me awake completely.There, in the early morning light, I see Aurora engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat with a man. It's a sight to behold, and I can't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her opponent. Aurora is a force to be reckoned with, precisely delivering punch after punch.Aurora maintains the upper hand despite the man's attempts to defend himself. She has him pinned to the ground, between her legs, and it's clear he's struggling to keep up. It's either tap out or face the consequences, an
With the deal finalized and my flight set for later in the evening, I make my way to Aurora's office for a final lunch before I leave. Her office is situated in a sleek, modern building, its glass facade gleaming under the Sicilian sun. As I step inside, the cool air offers a welcome relief from the warmth outside, and the sound of my shoes tapping against the polished marble floors echoes in the airy lobby. The receptionist greets me with a warm smile. She kindly directs me to the 66th floor, where Aurora's office awaits.The elevator zooms upward and dings open to reveal Aurora's office. I knock gently before letting myself in."Hey there," I greet her with a smile as I step into her office."Babe, you're here!" She exclaims, though her smile seems tired. Papers are strewn across her desk haphazardly."I thought you said you were ready," I remark, standing before her desk.Aurora sighs, rubbing her temples. "I was, but then Stefano's secretary went into early labor. With the replacem
Later that night, Aurora and I head out for dinner to make up for our missed lunch date. We've just placed our orders, and as we wait for our food to arrive, the gentle hum of conversation fills the air, punctuated by the clink of silverware and the occasional burst of laughter. Aurora's question pulls me back into the present, prompting me to recount my visit to Stefano's office earlier in the day."What took you so long at his office earlier?" she asks as she takes a sip of her wine."He was on a call, so I had to wait for him to finish before I could drop off the documents and leave," I explain."Phew. I was worried he had a problem with the work you did," Aurora admits, her relief evident.I shake my head. "Nope, everything was fine," I reply, choosing not to mention his little back-end comment about me.""Speak of the devil," Aurora suddenly says, waving behind me. I turn to see Stefano approaching our table with a tall, handsome guy. His appearance has changed since our earlier e
I step out of the mall, my arms laden with shopping bags, a mix of designer labels and high-end boutique purchases. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow over the parking lot as I make my way to my car. It's been weeks since our return from Sicily. I had hoped that my father would finally recognize my potential and give me more responsibilities at the office, especially since I didn't cause any trouble for Santiago during our time there. However, much to my dismay, nothing has changed. It is as if my efforts and achievements have gone unnoticed, leaving me feeling invisible and undervalued.In an attempt to distract myself from the gnawing sense of disappointment, I decided to spend the day indulging in a shopping spree, using my father's money. I know that the amount I spend won't even make a dent in his vast fortune, but a part of me hopes that the constant pings of the transactions will serve as a reminder of my existence. It is a petty move, driven by a desire to be acknowledged
We finish dinner, and I retreat to my room my mind is abuzz with the newfound responsibility and the prospect of proving myself to Dad. I begin packing, meticulously selecting outfits that strike a balance between professionalism and personal style. Halfway through, I decide a glass of wine might help ease my nerves and aid in the packing process.I head downstairs, and as I approach the kitchen door, I freeze. The sound of Mama and Santiago's hushed yet clear voices reaches my ears. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I find myself lingering, the door slightly ajar."Phew! I was so worried your sister would question why he suddenly decided to involve her in the family business," Mama expresses her concern.Santiago's response hits me like a punch to the gut. "I know; I can't imagine how hurt she will be if she finds out he just asked her to head over to California because it was demanded, not because he finally sees her worth," Santiago remarks. His words strike a chord in my heart.
The next day, with a heart heavy with unspoken words and a resolve as unyielding as the California cliffs, I board our private jet to the Golden State. I am determined not to give that man—the one who never wanted me—the satisfaction of seeing me falter. Despite the turmoil churning within me, I am resolute to stand tall. I arrive at the Costanzo Hotel, a bastion of luxury, where I ensure everything is going according to plan before heading to the Costanzo family office in California.It is a little late in the evening. I am going now because there was a lot. I had to check at the hotel site. After a brief drive, I pay the taxi driver and step into the building.The office building looms above, its glass facade reflecting the night sky. I push through the revolving doors into a lobby that's quiet at this late hour, save for the soft click of my shoes on the polished stone floor. As I approach, the receptionist looks up from her desk, her face brightening with recognition. I inform her
I wake up with a contented smile on my face, basking in the afterglow of a restful night's sleep. At nines months pregnant, with my due date rapidly approaching, it's become increasingly difficult to find a comfortable position that allows for uninterrupted slumber. But last night, the stars aligned, and I was blessed with the gift of deep, rejuvenating sleep.As I stretch languidly, I feel Stefano's strong arms snake around my rounded waist, pulling me closer to his sleep-warm body. He nuzzles his face into the crook of my neck, his stubble deliciously rough against my sensitive skin, and inhales deeply as if trying to absorb my very essence."Morning," I murmur, my voice still husky with sleep."Good morning, luce del Sol," Stefano replies, his lips brushing the shell of my ear and sending delightful shivers down my spine. "How was your night?""Not bad," I say, relishing the feeling of his large hand splayed protectively over the swell of my belly, his wedding band glinting in the
The warm sun caresses my skin as I step out of the car, breathing in the salty sea air. Stefano's strong hand grasps mine gently, guiding me toward the stunning villa that will be our home for the next few days. After all the stress and drama we endured with Ivan, this babymoon getaway to the Costanzo family's private island is exactly what we need.At 20 weeks pregnant, my belly is really starting to show. I rub it affectionately, feeling our little one kick inside me. Stefano smiles, placing his hand over mine. "We're here, amore mio," he whispers, his eyes shining with love and excitement.As we tour the magnificent villa, I can't help but be in awe of its beauty. The living room opens up to a glistening pool, the water sparkling invitingly under the sun. After a refreshing shower, we settle into the plush bed, the sound of waves lulling us to sleep.The following day, I awake to the tantalizing aroma of breakfast and Stefano's warm smile as he carries in a tray laden with my favor
We arrive back at the office after a few minutes of driving, the hum of the city a distant noise through the car windows. The sun is setting, casting a golden hue over the glass buildings and turning the streets into a labyrinth of shadows. I walk into my office, the familiar scent of polished wood and the faint aroma of coffee lingering in the air. I take my seat behind my mahogany desk, the weight of the day settling on my shoulders.I’m about to open a document and start reading when I feel the cold press of metal against my neck, the sudden chill sending a shiver down my spine.“Hello, krasivy,” Ivan’s voice rasps, his foul breath fanning across my skin, making my stomach churn.“Hello, Ivan,” I reply, my voice steady despite the fear knotting in my chest. I reach for my gun in the drawer but stop as he speaks again.“Do not even think about it,” he warns, taking my gun with a casual ease. “I have missed you like crazy these past few weeks. Did you miss me?”I turn to look at him,
I settle into the chair in the warehouse meeting room, my hand unconsciously resting on my slightly swollen belly. At fifteen weeks pregnant, the changes in my body are subtle - noticeable to me but not yet obvious to others. I push thoughts of the baby aside, focusing on the task at hand.“Tell me, Fred, how are we doing?” I ask the man Santiago hired to help me ruin Ivan.“We have destroyed a good number of his restaurants here in the US. The Costanzo family is also doing an excellent job with his businesses in Europe. Good is what I would say, Ma’am.”“That’s good to hear. Has he visited any of the places we’ve destroyed?”“No, he hasn’t.”“None?” I ask, a little shocked.“Yes, none.”“That is odd. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he comes out of his hiding place.”“I believe so, too.”“Hopefully soon. We can end here for today. Thank you.”“You are welcome, Ma’am,” he says, leaving the meeting room.I follow him once I gather my things, my mind racing with the implicatio
A week or two has passed since I returned to Miami, the familiarity of home providing a small measure of comfort amidst the grief that still clings to me like a second skin. Work has been a welcome distraction, the routine of the office offering a semblance of normalcy in a world that feels irrevocably changed. And through it all, the tiny life growing inside me has been my anchor, a constant reminder of the love Stefano and I shared.Today, I find myself at our gang's headquarters, a place I rarely frequent due to Dad's desire to keep me out of our mafia business. I am on my way to Santiago's office."How are you doing, Sis?" Santiago greets me as I enter, his eyes searching my face for signs of the pain I've become so adept at hiding."I'm doing well," I reply, sinking into the chair across from him. "And you?"He nods, a flicker of understanding passing between us. "I'm good. I have what you asked for." He slides a file across the desk, the innocuous manila belying the significance
Three weeks have passed since Stefano's death, and the pain still feels as raw as the day I learned of his fate. Sometimes, I catch myself pretending he's just away on a long trip, that he'll walk through the door any moment with that crooked smile I loved so much. But reality always crashes back, leaving me breathless with grief.Today, I'm heading to the airport to fly back to Miami. Stefano's funeral was a week ago, a blur of black clothes and tear-stained faces. I cried so much that day I feared for our baby's well-being. But our little one is strong, just like their father. I'm determined to take care of myself and this precious life growing inside me. It's what Stefano would have wanted.As I descend the stairs, my hand trailing along the smooth banister, Aurora's voice breaks through my reverie. "Are you ready to go?""Yes, I am," I reply, reaching the last step. The maid follows behind with my final bag, a bittersweet reminder that I'm leaving this place that holds so many mem
Later that night, Thomas arrives at my room with a bulletproof vest in hand. My heart races as I realize what this means—I'm going with them. Aurora joins us, her presence a comforting reassurance that she'll be by my side, keeping me safe in the car.As we arrive at the location where we suspect Stefano might be held, an eerie silence hangs in the air. Aurora and I wait in the car, our hands clasped together, as Thomas leads a group of men into the abandoned building. The minutes drag on, each second an eternity of uncertainty.Suddenly, Thomas emerges from the building, his face contorted with rage. He kicks the car tires, a guttural scream of agony tearing from his throat."What's wrong?" I ask, my voice trembling as I step out of the car."Nothing," he replies, his eyes avoiding mine.Aurora comes to stand beside me, her presence a steadying force. "Did you find Stefano?""No, we didn't," Thomas admits, anger seething beneath his words."What did you find inside that has you so wo
It's been a few days since I witnessed that horrifying video of Ivan torturing the love of my life. The images haunt me, seared into my mind like a cruel brand. I try to stay strong for the tiny life growing inside me, but it's a constant battle. Every time the memories resurface, tears flow unbidden, and my thoughts spiral into the dark abyss of what horrors Stefano might be enduring at Ivan's merciless hands.In a desperate attempt to find him, I tried calling the number Ivan used to contact me that fateful day. But it was a futile effort - the calls never connected. He must have used a burner phone, discarding it the moment our conversation ended. The video itself arrived on a phone Ivan mailed to me, a calculated move to avoid leaving a digital trail. As much as I loathe him, I can't deny his cunning. Had he sent it via email or social media, tracing the device back to him would have been far easier.The Costanzo family has been relentless in their search for Stefano, mobilizing e
The sun hangs high in the Sicilian sky as I sit in the Costanzo estate's opulent living room, my packed bags waiting for Stefano. The baby and I are doing fine, but today, I'm leaving Sicily. Stefano plans to send me to Singapore until it's safe for the baby and me to return to Sicily or Miami. Nobody knows where I am going except Stefano and me. We all felt it would be safer that way; even my mom doesn't know.Aurora's entrance breaks my reverie. "I'm going to miss you," she says, her voice thick with emotion."Me too," I reply, fighting back the lump in my throat."Hopefully, Stefano will deal with Vladimir soon, so it will be safe for you to be around us again," Aurora adds, her eyes reflecting a mix of hope and worry.I nod, glancing at my wristwatch for the second time in twenty minutes. Anxiety gnaws at my insides. "Did Stefano tell you anything to pass on to me?" I ask, trying to keep the desperation out of my voice.Aurora's brow furrows. "No, was he supposed to?""Not really,