The moment they landed in New York City, Aaron was back to work. He didn't even come back home with her but went straight to the office while Bella alone came to his penthouse.
She would also join the office again but from tomorrow. She wanted to rest today, though they used a private plane which was like home in the air but nothing could match the comfort of a real home.Bella felt herself at ease in Aaron's room, it had his aura and scent, she felt as if He was with her. She was already missing him by her side and after what He told her last night in Venice she didn't know how to react to it.For him that conversation was normal but not for Bella. She didn't know how to act near him now, till yesterday, she was living in bliss but what now, she loves him but He didn't want her love. Surely enough she believed his words. He will be loyal and honest with her but loving her?He desires her body but not her heart. What should Bella do to her heart"You look worried. Is everything alright?" Aaron couldn't help but ask when she didn't give any response. Bella had been acting weirdly since He returned home from the office today and He didn't want a tense environment at home. "Bella…" Aaron called for her again, this time a little harshly to pull her out of her thoughts.She jerked and looked at him in question. "I am sorry what?""You look lost, what happened?""Nothing, I am…" She started but couldn't complete the sentence and sighed. Bella raised her eyes and stared at him with hesitation. She was scared since she had seen the gun in his closet and she couldn't stop herself from asking about it. "Aaron, I saw a gun in your closet." Aaron gave her a blank look, "So?""Why do you have a gun? What's the need?" She asked in a nervous tone and worried eyes. "I got scared seeing that Deadly weapon in your closet. What's the need for a gun, Aaron?" Her voice was a little shaky as she repeated. He sighed before levelling a look at h
"Why did you bother with all these gifts, Bella," Elena asked when Bella showed her all the gifts she bought for her and Sabrina from Italy. Bella rolled her eyes. "Aaron asked me to buy everything I like for you and Sabby, Granny. And don't talk so formally with me, please. I am still the same granddaughter who you used to scold for burning pancakes."Elena kissed her granddaughter’s cheek and smiled as she wrapped the beautiful shawl around her shoulders, Bella bought from Italy. "Is Venice still the same as I described it to you?" Ellena asked, looking lost in the memories of her younger days.Bella felt a deep tug in her heart seeing her grandmother as she imagined her young and happy walking around Venice with her husband, and now her being old and widowed too. She felt sad for her. "Do you miss your young-self, Grandma?"Elena smiled. "I have lived a beautiful life with my husband and children, Bella. I miss the people I lost, not my young-self," she sighed and kissed her again
"Bella?" Aaron called her as He watched Bella looking lost sitting on the Sofa with a magazine opened in her lap but her attention was not in it.Bella startled hearing Aaron's voice and turned her face to look at her husband. For a moment, She considered asking him to keep Asher away from Sabrina but restrained herself because she trusted her sister enough that she would break all her ties with Asher. And she didn't want to become the reason for the rift between the brothers. "Bella, what happened? You seem tense?"She stood up from the sofa and smiled at him. "No, I am not tense, actually, I was waiting for you. I cooked for us but you are late once again.""I was working," He said, resting his hand against her face softly. But his answer made her frown, "Working? But Aaron, I made your schedule, your meetings ended at five."Aaron sighed at her unending questions. "My office ended at five, Bella not my work. I am the boss, I decide when to wrap my work." Bella stiffened as she se
Bella watched the beautiful painting showcased on the wall, the vibrant colours on the canvas hypnotized her, she wanted to buy it for herself but she couldn't buy such an expensive piece of art. Twenty-five thousand dollars were way out of her league. Bella always loved art exhibitions and visited many during her college time before everything that happened to her, Alas! Life went on and her love for paintings got lost under the burden of responsibilities. Yesterday, when she was making Aaron's schedule she noticed this Painting exhibition and auction for underprivileged children in Africa and she wanted to join him for this event but didn't want to ask him. But Aaron was an observant man. He noticed the wistfulness in Bella's voice when she recited to him about this auction so He asked her to join him, Bella agreed immediately and here she was enjoying the beautiful art of various famous artists. But this one particular painting caught her eyes. "Nice work," Bella frowned, she h
Bella fluttered her eyes open as she watched Aaron sleeping beside her. He looked so handsome while sleeping that she only wanted to stare at his face.She smiled, recalling how caring He was when they returned home yesterday. He didn't leave her alone for the whole day and worked from home. He called one of the chefs from his mother's house to prepare dinner for them and then Bella slept the whole night in his arms, peacefully. She stretched her hand to touch his face but gave up on the idea and moved closer to his face. "Why are you so handsome, Mr. Machine," she whispered softly so that He wouldn't wake up but unaware of the fact that it was impossible for him to not wake up even at the slightest sound. He was hearing everything she was saying, "My beautiful Machine," she chuckled at his nickname and placed a soft kiss on his cheek before getting out of the bed silently and went to shower. After showering she donned a mid-length nightie as she decided to cook breakfast, she woul
"The Velenoso is asking for the CCTV footage of the art gallery, Master," Kim told Killian as she entered his room and sat on his lap. "Tell Joseph to give it to him. After all there is nothing in it."Kim nodded. "As per your instructions, a different footage has been provided to the art gallery's security team."Killian smirked, "I will enjoy this game in the long run, what do you say, how much time will it take The Velenoso to understand that I want his wife?" He asked, tracing the outline of her breast. His eyes were dark and full of intimidation. "You will be far ahead of him in achieving your purpose, Master," her answer pleased him and the smirk on his face widened. "You deserve a prize for your work, Kim. Ask for anything.""Anything, Master?" She asked. She wanted to make sure he would not punish her if he found her question infuriating. Killian sequenced his eyes. "Anything, Kim." He answered. "Will you stop fucking me after you get her?"Killian laughed at her insecur
When Aaron entered De Luca's restaurant, Flavio was already sitting there with his wife and the De Luca clan. He gritted his jaws in anger, seeing his second-in-command, Flavio who should be standing beside him not sitting with De Luca. Composing himself, He moved to them. "I thought it's a business meeting, not a family dinner, De Luca," Aaron commented when He reached the table they were sitting upon. "This is a family meeting, actually, Aaron." De Luca smiled standing up. Flavio stood up when he watched Aaron standing beside De Luca.Rosalina and Cara's father, Maximus followed De Luca's lead and stood up as well. Aaron watched them as they all stood up except for one and that was Cara. Flavio noticed Aaron's gaze on his wife, he grabbed her hand and made her stand on her feet. Cara winced in pain inwardly, her body aching from the beating he gave her after their lunch with Killian. This time he beat her like a mad animal. She was wearing a full-sleeved long dress to hide her br
"Aaron…" Flavio's voice stopped him from sitting in the car. He gestured to Marcus to close the door of the car and turned around to face his second in command. Flavio's wife was standing beside him, Aaron ignored her and fixed his gaze on Flavio, waiting for him to speak. "The things De Luca offered…" he started but Aaron didn't let him finish, He moved forward and stopped in his face. "First of all, I didn't interrupt you inside in front of outsiders but let me clear you one thing precisely. You will not call me by any name except Boss. And secondly, I don't discuss my business on roads, Flavio. You are my second-in-command, Velenoso’s second-in-command, so behave like one." He warned him. Flavio gritted his jaws but remained calm. Gone are the days when he used to call him ‘Aaron’ or ‘Cousin’. Now he was under him by rank. The only cons of being second in command. "I know I am your second-in-command and you didn't like that I was sitting with the De Luca clan rather than join
After Twenty years—"Taking back New York City?" Mikhail looked at his Pakhan questionably. He was surprised at the sudden demand of his boss. "But Velenoso rules over it, Pakhan."A pair of ocean-blue eyes stared at Mikhail. He blinked leisurely at Mikhail and smirked."Russians used to rule over it once. Now I want New York back under Bratva again. Velenoso has ruled over it enough, now I want my city back, Mikhail." He stated with authority in his tone and rage in his eyes.Mikhail swallowed the thickness in his throat. "It wouldn't be easy to take it back from him. He is committed to his Cosa Nostra and for this, He even killed your uncle years ago!""It's a bloody revenge, Mikhail. He snatched my uncle, my father's beloved brother from him. So it's only fair if I snatch something dear to him.”He stood up from his chair and walked to the huge glass window before looking at the dark sky with considerable vicious thoughts running in his mind. "Who does He love the most?" He asked
Bella turned around, shielding her daughter from the bullet. She shrieked when the gunshots sounded. She waited for the pain but she felt nothing. The bullet hit the wall beside her. But then the more bullets kept showering, she heard screams and curses, the loud voice of bullets made Aira's cries grow louder and louder. She didn't turn around and kept praying to Mother Mary to protect her daughter even at the cost of her life.Cara shrieked in horror when the bullet went through Killian's arm instead of hitting Bella. Killian cursed loudly as pain shot through his nerves, the gun fell down from his hand. The bullets kept showering and before he could even blink another bullet hit him in the shoulder. "Fuck!" He cursed, crouching down. His men shot back and tried to protect Killian but they all fell one by one as the bullets never stopped showering from all sides. He looked at Cara who stood there numb. "You bitch, do something!" Cara looked at the gun before her. She snarled once
"Aria! Sabby!" Bella woke up with the nightmare. She looked around to find her daughter and sister but was shocked to find herself in the bed alone. Asher moved to her immediately. "Bella, you need to calm down, the doctor said you got unconscious because of stress." He said holding a glass of water for her. Bella looked at him with teary eyes. "They took Sabby and Aria." Asher controlled his emotions and nodded. "I know. Eldy left to bring them back. He found out about the person behind the attack."Bella's eyes sparkled in hope. "He did? Who kidnapped them!" She demanded.Asher sighed. "Riccardo."Bella was stunned. "Your uncle?""Yes. We all are shocked but you don't have to worry. Eldy will come back soon with Aria and Sabrina. Trust Eldy. He will make everything fine."Bella looked at him for a long time before nodding at him. "I do."Asher smiled. "Don't worry, let me bring you a cup of coffee. You will feel good after it.""No, I don't…""Have it. You will feel good," he sai
"What do you mean they took them, Eldy?" Asher asked his brother who was staring at the dark sky. Asher came running to Aaron's penthouse the moment he got to know about the attack on Sabrina and Bella. The doctor came just after him to check on Bella. He wanted to see Sabrina but his brother was not answering him. "I am asking something Eldy! Where is Sabrina?”Asher yelled at his brother in anger. "They took them both!" Aaron snapped, turning around and facing his brother. "They took Aria and Sabrina!!" He yelled back, his cold grey eyes were screaming in anger too.Asher stiffened. "Aria?" Aaron squeezed his eyes. For the second time in his life, He felt dread. The first time was when Maria died. "They have my daughter. I felt like a fucking failure for not being able to protect her and my family. She trusted me and I…What if something happened to Aria or Sabrina. Bella will never forgive me. Hell! I will not be able to forgive myself."Asher walked to his brother and rested his
Aria started crying too when she saw Sabrina crying. "Sabby…." Bella tried to soothe her daughter but she kept crying and stretched her arms to go to Sabrina.Bella felt bad for not being able to calm her sister or daughter's cries. "Sabby. Please stop crying. You don't have to feel like this," she caressed her sister's arms while bouncing Aria in her other arm."Okay, tell me. Do you still have feelings for him?" Bella asked her sister. Sabrina swallowed and wiped her tears, averting her eyes and looking in another direction. She felt stupid for crying over Asher like this. She sighed and forced herself to control her raging emotions. "Sabrina?" Bella whispered but Aria was still crying so she turned her attention to her daughter. "Please stop crying, Ari." She begged her daughter. Sabrina squeezed her eyes and forced a smile onto her face before taking Aria from Bella."Sabby is not crying anymore. You should also stop crying, choco pie." Aria blinked innocently, her lips stretch
"You wanted to talk?" Asher asked Sabrina when she was patting Aria to sleep. She raised her eyes and nodded. This was the time for her to take her revenge. "Yes," she said, "I wanted to talk to you."Asher smiled at his niece and touched her small fingers before meeting Sabrina's eyes. "I am listening." He said, his eyes gleaming as he looked at her. "I am ready to be with you again but you have to prove your love for me, Asher."Asher beamed. "I am ready to give up on my life for you, Sabrina. Tell me what can I do to prove my love for you?"Sabrina nodded. "Give up on your brother and come with me. Leave your brother and quit this crime world. I don't want you to meet your brother again. So tell me, Asher Knight, are you ready to leave your brother for me?"Asher was stunned. Did he hear her right? She was not asking him to leave his Eldy forever, right?“Sabrina. I love you, you know that. My feelings are real for you. Yes, I was wrong two years ago but now I have changed. I am t
Giovanni held his gaze. "Ethan proved his worth. He had both brains and power. You had power but the decision you took against Russia on your first mission cost me both men and money, Riccardo. Ethan saved you."Riccardo shrugged again. "He was my captain. It was his duty to save me.""Yes But you lost your face, Riccardo. Ethan was the only one who proved himself against the Russians."Riccardo chuckled. "And you found the perfect man for your daughter. You know what hurts me the most, Gio?" He said, fixing him with a look. Giovanni sighed. "So today you are going to get this all out. Years of pent-up anger against me.""Years of pent-up pain and hurt. You may call it anything you want. I married Lucia because you wanted it. It was Cosa Nostra's tradition that if you want to become the Capo, you must marry An Italian woman. You made that rule, didn't you?""I did because that's what other seniors wanted. Cosa Nostra runs on rules.""The same rules you forgot when you made Ethan Cap
"Where are you going, Madam?" Marcus asked Sabrina when she was about to enter the elevator with Aria in her hands. "To the park downstairs. Aria and I need fresh air."Marcus shook his head. "I am sorry, Madam but you can't go out. Please get back inside."Sabrina made a face. She was grounded in the house for more than a week without getting outside air. “Why? Do I need a permission letter to walk in the park now!" She snapped at Marcus. "Yes, you do. I am under strict orders from my Capo. If you want something, you can tell me. I will bring it for you but you are not allowed to go out. It's not safe."Sabrina thinned her lips and glared at him before going back into the penthouse. She was angry at her sister for accepting that criminal back in her life. She wanted to run away again with Bella and Aria but knew that now it was almost next to impossible because her sister will never leave Aaron again. Not after knowing that He was her saviour all along. She was shocked too when Be
Cara closed her eyes in pain as Lucia slapped her hard against the cheek. "You whore! My son died because of you. You are a bad omen for my family.""She lost her child. Stop tormenting her, Lucia." Riccardo snapped and took her out of the room. "You forced me to come here. I wanted to be with my son. He will be buried in a few hours. Why didn't she die instead of him?" Lucia snapped at Riccardo and snatched her arm from his hold in anger. Riccardo gritted his jaws, anger shooting through his nerves. "You are right. I shouldn't have come here with you. It's better if she stays here alone. She has already suffered enough.""She can die for all I care!" She snapped and walked away from there holding her son's memories in her heart. Riccardo sighed and stopped the nurse who was about to enter Cara's room. "Do you want anything, Sir?" The nurse asked him.Riccardo nodded. "Yes. I want you to take care of my daughter-in-law. I am leaving for my son's funeral. Take care of her." He said