CHAPTER FORTY-FIVEARIAThe sound of the doorbell ringing woke me up from my sleep. I rose from my bed with a frown. I wasn’t expecting any online orders, and the bodyguards never disturbed me. Yawning, I stood up and stretched my limbs before walking over to the living room.As I approached the door, a slight wave of fear washed through me. What if it was someone dangerous? What if somehow, Maximo’s enemies had found my location? What if they took down Miguel and Enrico?“Stop it,” I muttered to myself, shaking my head to get rid of the paranoid thoughts.I got to the door and stared into the security monitor screen. A soft breath of relief escaped my lips as I saw it was just Enrico. As I pulled the door open, I wondered why he was knocking on my door this early in the morning.“Hey,” I greeted groggily while rubbing my eyes.Enrico’s scowling face appeared hazy in my eyes for a few moments. I had to blink repeatedly to get myself fully awake. “From the boss,” he said gruffly, han
CHAPTER FORTY-SIXARIASeveral emotions filled me as I stared at the man standing before me. Anger, lust, frustration...all swirling in my soul like a tornado.“Get out,” I hissed, stepping forward and shoving his chest with both hands. He didn’t budge. Instead, it was more of an invitation for him to step further into my space. “Get the hell out of here, you asshole.”My voice was loud and I was sure Miguel could hear me insulting his almighty boss, but I didn’t care. I was blinded by rage and exasperation.Maximo however didn’t seem pleased. His face contorted in anger as he grabbed hold of my wrists and used his leg to close the door shut. “You know better than to speak to me like that,” he said in a low growl, his dark eyes staring down into mine. The heat from his body seeped through his black dress shirt, making my breathing hard. I gritted my teeth and snatched my hands from his grip. I wanted him to feel how much I hated him right now. Wanted him to know how furious I was.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVENMAXIMOMy eyes snapped open to the golden sunlight pouring through the windows. It took me a few seconds to remember where I was as my eyes scanned over the unfamiliar peach-coloured walls.Aria.I glanced at the space beside me, where I’d cuddled her after several rounds of fucking, where I’d woken up at midnight to slowly fuck her from the side, and found it empty. The sheets lacked her warmth. How many minutes or hours ago had she gotten up? I stood up from the bed and pulled on my briefs before walking into the adjoining bathroom. I washed my face and brushed my teeth with one of the spare toothbrushes I found in the bathroom cabinet. I’d specifically asked for spare personal items to be made available in Aria’s apartment because of specific scenarios like this.My nose was hit with a savory aroma as I stepped out of the bedroom. I walked into the kitchen to find Aria fully dressed up. She had her back to me, so I had a few minutes to drink her in. She was in
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHTARIAI didn’t expect to be hurt by his words. I didn’t expect it to feel like my heart was being punctured by something sharp. He was saying exactly what I’d wanted him to say for a long time now, and he was promising to do what I wanted him to do. So why did it hurt to hear?Maximo stormed out of the dining room and I sat down to eat my breakfast. It was almost of no use. My appetite was ruined, and my stomach churned, several emotions swirling in it. Yet, I forced myself to take a bite of my scrambled eggs and bacon. It felt like sandpaper in my mouth, yet I chewed it before flushing it down with my now-cold chocolate drink. I hated forcing myself or being forced to eat, but I didn’t know how long the interview was supposed to last and I knew I wouldn’t have the time to eat anything as soon as I got to my location. Maximo walked out at that moment, fully dressed with a cold demeanor and indifference. Without sparing me a glance, he walked over to the door. My br
CHAPTER FORTY-NINEMAXIMODim lighting from an old, flickering bulb illuminated the dark room. The smell of blood, sweat and death lingered in the air, creating a thick stench. “Do you want to keep lying?” Luca’s voice rang out, and a tortured scream followed closely after a sizzle went off. The smell of burning flesh filled the air.I wondered what Aria was doing. I wondered if she finally felt happy and free without me. “I’ve said everything I know! Please, I’m sorry.”I knew she didn’t miss me the way I missed her, didn’t think of me every second of the day like I thought about her. “You haven’t said everything, Antonio.” Another sizzle went off, followed by a loud cry.Was she enjoying fashion school? Did she make new friends? Did she meet anyone...any man? My hands balled into tight fists at the thought.“Maximo..." hiccup “...I mean S-Scar. Please, I’m sorry!”My attention finally focused on the man in the middle of the room. Irritation filled me as my gaze traveled up his un
CHAPTER FIFTYMAXIMOI felt the heavy stares of everyone in the room on me. They were silent, each person waiting for my next words or line of action.“Do you, or does anyone else here, think they’re better than her?” I finally asked, sneering at them all. “Does any of you think you are more loyal to me or the mafia than she is?”The smug look slowly wiped off his face as he continued to look at me. “Since I was a child, I’ve learned the history of our people, of our mafia. I listened to tales from my grandfather. I read books. I asked questions. I gained knowledge. A lot of you currently seated here and looking at me wouldn’t be alive today if our past leaders decided to kill your grandparents who tried to betray them..."Another round of murmurs went off, and my irritation spiked. I slammed my right hand down against the table. The loud sound made the room quiet once more.I pointed a finger at one of the elderly familia underbosses. In his mid-seventies, he was one of the oldest a
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONEMAXIMOBlood rushed to my head, anger clouding my vision as I swiftly whipped my gun out and shot. A loud bang followed, gasps of shock filling the room. Uncle Roberto, still standing, was as stiff as a stone.“Never speak of Aria in such a manner again,” I growled, my eye glinting as I added. “Because next time, I won’t miss.”Uncle Roberto tried to act unbothered, touching the side of his face where my bullet barely grazed him, but I could see the fear in his eyes knowing that I would do well on my threat. This wasn’t just a threat to Uncle Roberto. It was a warning to everyone else currently seated in the room. And I desperately wanted the warning to be more than this. I wanted to kill him, to have his blood splatter against the wall behind him. The only thing that held me back was my respect for my papa’s legacy as Uncle Roberto was the only living friend he had. “Get out,” I spat. “All of you.”They all stood up and walked out of the room, leaving only Lorenzo
CHAPTER FIFTY-TWOARIAI haven’t heard from Maximo in days, six days to be exact. At first, I tried to pretend that it was for the best. I finally had my freedom. I was living in a peaceful part of the city, I was chasing my dreams to be a fashion designer. I made a new friend. I was happy.But deep down in my heart, I longed for him. Every day, I expected him to call or text. I expected him to show up in the apartment. I expected to see or hear from him. But I got none of that. And the sinking feeling followed. Did he really mean it when he said he no longer cared? Did he hate me now? Had he gotten tired of me? The questions made my chest squeeze painfully. They distracted me from the fact that I was finally living the life I’d always wanted. I was living on my own terms, away from any harm or danger. No bodyguards or men were watching my every move, telling me I couldn’t leave the house. I should be happy, but I wasn’t. Instead, I only felt worse. If Maximo had dismissed my bodyg