Chapter 4GabriellaMy heart is beating wildly in my chest, dread coating my skin, and my nerves frayed from the interrogation I somehow survived.The past forty minutes of sitting next to Damiano were the most unnerving of my life.My hand still tingles from gripping his arm. I was so scared when the plane took off I didnโt realize Iโd grabbed hold of him.I can be glad Iโm still alive after touching him without his permission.The split second before I pulled my hand away, I felt his strength rippling beneath my fingertips.Even where Iโm sitting on the other side of the cabin, I can feel the violent energy coming from Damiano.His refusal to answer my question makes me worry. It would be stupid to assume he took me for himself. He might have something worse planned for me.Dio.I suck in desperate breaths as a panic attack threatens to overwhelm me. Youโd think Iโd be used to nerve-wracking situations after everything Iโve endured at the hands of my family, but sitting in a private
Chapter 5GabriellaMy eyes dart from one tall building to another, and Iโm struck speechless at the hustle and bustle of cars and people so late at night.After an hour's drive, the SUV enters an underground parking, and only when we climb out do I realize the other guards didnโt follow us. I have no idea whatโs happened to my belongings.โCome,โ Carlo mutters.I follow Damiano and his guard into an elevator, the muscles in my body wound tight as I cautiously glance from one man to the other.Being alone with them is super unnerving.Instead of the elevator opening on a residential floor, the doors open on the roof.When I see the helicopter, my stomach drops to my feet, and my mouth dries up.Oh no.This is why Damiano made the comment earlier.The wind is icy up on the roof, and I try to rub some warmth into my arms.The helicopter doesnโt look as trustworthy as the private jet, and I start to tremble as I climb into it.Damiano takes a seat beside me, sitting much closer to me bec
Sorry guys made mistake with numbers.Chapter 6GabriellaEven though I went to bed late, I wake up before my alarm. I press the button to open the curtains, and climbing out of bed, I adjust the bathrobe Iโm wearing while walking to the windows.โDio,โ I whisper when I see the breathtaking view of the sun rising over the lake.Noticing a balcony, I find the door and unlock it. When I push it open, a cold breeze sweeps over me. I step onto the balcony, drinking in the exquisite sight of the tall trees on either side of the vast backyard.Itโs the most beautiful view Iโve ever seen.I take a seat on one of the wrought-iron chairs by a small round table and pull my legs up so I can cover my feet with the bathrobe.Crap, itโs much colder here than in Palermo.I donโt think my clothes are warm enough for the snowy winters New York experiences.Staring at the scenic nature and the guards scattered over the property, I suck in a deep breath as I try to gather my thoughts.Everything thatโs
Chapter 7DamianoStanding out on the veranda with my eyes roaming over the backyard and guards, I donโt glance behind me when I hear movement.I recognize my motherโs steps, and bracing myself for a million questions, I turn to face her.She takes a seat on one of the lounge chairs, then says, โGreta says the girl is beautiful.โI move closer and sit down on one of the chairs. With my gaze resting on my mother, I mutter, โAunt Greta is right.โโDid you take Gabriella for yourself?โ she asks, getting right to the point.โNo.โ I glance at the open French doors before saying, โIโm going to arrange a marriage between Dario and Gabriella.โโOh.โ Mammaโs eyebrow flies up. โHeโs such a sweet boy. Heโll be good to her.โโShe better be good to him,โ I mutter.โAlways so protective,โ Mamma chuckles.โDonโt tell her. I need to talk with Dario before sheโs informed of the arranged marriage.โโOkay.โ She takes a deep breath before letting it out slowly, then asks, โIs Stefano very upset that you
Chapter 8GabriellaIt took me the whole day to get settled in the suite, and when I walk into the dining room for dinner, Mrs. Falco and Mrs. Accardi are already seated at the table.โWhere have you been hiding today?โ Mrs. Accardi asks.โIโve been unpacking everything.โ I take a seat at the table and give Gerardo a tentative smile when he also joins us.Martha brings out the food, and when she places a plate of spaghetti and meatballs in front of me, I whisper, โThank you.โโI looked for you in your room and left the Wifi password on your bedside table,โ Gerardo informs me.โThank you.โGood, now Iโll be able to check my social media pages.Crap, Iโll need an address for any promotional merchandise I get sent.I glance at Gerardo, then push through and ask, โWhich address can I use to receive packages?โA frown forms on his forehead, and stabbing a meatball, he asks, โWhat kind of packages?โโSometimes I receive makeup and skincare products to promote on my social media pages.โHe t
Chapter 9DamianoWhen Carlo brings the SUV to a stop at one of my warehouses, I shove the door open and climb out. Straightening my jacket, my gaze sweeps over the area before I head toward the side door.The moment my men see me, they straighten up.Tommy rushes toward me. โWe found the fucker trying to deal in Mott Haven. There were five other guys with him, but the fuckers put up a fight, and we had to kill them.โNodding, I walk to where the drug dealer is sitting on the floor. My men have restrained him with zip ties and already gave him one hell of a beating.Stopping a couple of feet from the prisoner, I say, โDealing in the Bronx and Brooklyn is ambitious. What made you think it would be allowed?โThe man lifts his head, and when his eyes lock on me, they widen with fear.Immediately, he starts to ramble, โWe were just told to sell in those areas. They offered us good money for the work. Please, I have a family. Itโs tough out there. I just wanted to make a quick buck.โWhen
Chapter 10GabriellaWith Damiano home, Iโve spent the entire day in my bedroom making a skincare tutorial.Things were tense at breakfast, so I skipped lunch. When Martha came to check on me, I told her I was working and not to worry about me.Knowing I canโt miss dinner, I check my appearance in the mirror. Iโm wearing a short, black cocktail dress with a low-halter top.โYou can survive dinner with Damiano,โ I whisper before I leave my room.I walk down the hallway, and as I come around a bend, my eyes land on Damiano, whoโs coming from the other wing. I slow my pace so heโll head down the stairs before me.His eyes only touch on me for a split second, and he doesnโt say anything.I havenโt interacted much with him, but itโs clear heโs a man of few words.I follow him down the stairs, my gaze drifting over his broad shoulders before locking on his gun.Even at home, where weโre surrounded by an army of his men, heโs armed.When I take the last step, my left heel gives way, and not
Chapter 11DamianoFeeling rattled, I walk to my motherโs private suite, and knocking, I wait for her to answer before I enter.When I shut the door behind me, I ask, โHow are you feeling, Mamma?โโIโm fine.โ She pats the space beside her where sheโs sitting on a sofa near the windows. โItโs nothing to worry about, so donโt take your anger out on Gabriella.โWhen I barged into Gabriellaโs room, it was with the full intention of killing the woman. However, before I could reach for my gun, I saw the same expression on her face Iโve seen countless times on Mammaโs.Itโs a blank look that masks years of trauma, and itโs one of the few things in this world that makes me feel like absolute shit.I witnessed firsthand how Gabriella was mistreated by her family and Stefano. I can only imagine what kind of abuse sheโs suffered throughout her life.I shake my head as I take a seat, and resting my elbows on my thighs, I rub my palms over my face.Mamma places her hand on my arm before moving it
Twenty-two years laterโฆ)EpilogueDamianoWalking out onto the veranda, I glance at the lake before my eyes drift over my guests.Everyoneโs at the mansion for a cookout to celebrate Mammaโs eightieth birthday.She didnโt want anything formal, so I only invited the other heads and their families over to spend the day with us.I head toward where the men are sitting and take a seat.Dario points to where the kids are standing in groups, and he lets out a chuckle. โRosie is following Enzo around. He canโt shake her.โI watch as Darioโs sixteen-year-old daughter sticks to my second-oldest son like glue. When Enzo stops and wraps his arm around her shoulder, the poor girl almost melts into his side.Fuck.I better have a talk with Enzo, whoโs just turned twenty. I donโt want him getting any ideas until Rosieโs eighteen.Thankfully, he gives her a brotherly hug before letting go of her.My gaze follows Enzo as he walks to where his brother, Christiano, is talking to Angeloโs sons.When my
Chapter 45DamianoAmelio arranged a Mercedes van and a Porsche Cayenne for the vacation in Cape Town. As weโre driven to the hotel, my eyes are on Gabriella, whoโs grinning as she stares at the landscape.โItโs so green, and the mountain is stunning,โ she tells Mamma.She was surprised when I allowed us all to travel in the same vehicle, and I had to explain the risk of an attack isnโt as high on vacation as it is in New York.โThe roads arenโt as busy as in Manhattan,โ Gabriella mentions. โItโs nice.โI give her hand a squeeze and lean into her. โAre you happy, amore mia?โShe smiles at me, excitement making the green flecks in her eyes brighter. โYes. Thank you for arranging all of this for us.โโEmilio did all the work,โ I mutter.โYouโre welcome, boss,โ the fucker says from the driver's seat. โDonโt make me throw you out of the car,โ I grumble.When we pull up to The One & Only thatโs situated near the waterfront, I slide the door open and climb out.My muscles are stiff from all
Chapter 44GabriellaEven though I didnโt have much of an appetite, I made Coda alla vaccinarafor Mamma, knowing she loves oxtail.I hope Stefano suffers a lot.Itโs all Iโve been thinking about since we arrived home after attending the funeral.I canโt believe Aunt Gretaโs gone.I glance at Mamma, where sheโs sitting in an armchair with her eyes closed.โHow are you doing, Mamma?โ I murmur.Slowly, she opens her eyes and lets out a heavy sigh. โI keep listening for Greta. Itโs so quiet without her.I know.โShould I switch on the TV?โ I ask.She shakes her head. โIโm actually tired, cara. I think Iโll go to bed.โ โLet me walk with you to your room.โI get up from the chair and help Mamma to her feet.As we walk to her bedroom, I wrap my arm around her shoulders and give her a sideways hug, then say, โPlease let me know if there is anything I can do to make you feel better.โWe stop near her door, and she gently pats my cheek. โYouโre already helping, mia figlia.โHearing her call me
Chapter 43DamianoArriving at the warehouse, I get out of the SUV and head to the side entrance.โCarlo, go torture Stefano,โ I say. โJust donโt kill him yet.โHe nods, and I stop by the room where Mrs. di Bella is being held. โAre you going in?โ Emilio asks.โYes. Go keep an eye on Carlo.โWhen Iโm alone, I think about everything Gabriella told me.As ice flows through my veins, I open the door and step inside. I glance at Bobby, whoโs been guarding her, and nod to the door.After he leaves, my gaze settles on Mrs. di Bella, whoโs tied to a chair. โComfortable?โ I ask.Her breaths explode over her lips, her skin pale with sorrow. Fear darkens her eyes as she stares at me.โGabriella told me what you did to her,โ I murmur, my tone dark with anger. โWhat you allowed to be done to her.โโItโs all lies,โ she cries.I dart forward, and grabbing hold of her neck, I force her and the chair backward until she slams into the concrete floor.I pull out my gun from behind my back and press the
Chapter 42DamianoAfter leaving Gabriella in Mamma and Vitoโs care, Emilio drives Carlo and me to the warehouse.Yesterday was a quiet day for us. Once we all got some sleep, Emilio ordered food for everyone. There wasnโt much talking being done, because we were all processing the shitstorm we just went through.But as Iโm on my way to the warehouse, my thoughts are focused on what lies ahead.Vengeance burns in my chest, an incessant inferno that can only be extinguished with blood.A fuck ton of blood.Today, everyone whoโs hurt me and mine will die. Everyone but Stefano. He will suffer a million times more than Gabriella did before he meets his gruesome end.After the SUV pulls up to the warehouse, I shove the door open and climb out.Dressed in a suit, I adjust my jacket before I walk to the side entrance while pulling my phone out to call Tommy.โYes, boss?โ he answers on the second ring. โBring them.โโBe there in ten minutes.โWhen I enter the building, I head to the room wher
Chapter 41DamianoI got little to no sleep with my cock buried deep inside Gabriella. Not fucking her is impossibly hard, but she needs the rest, so I power through.I deserve a fucking gold medal for the sweet torture Iโm forced to endure.Then she fucking stirs against my chest, and her pebbled nipples brush over my skin.Christ.When her inner muscles clamp around my cock, I let out a harsh breath, sweat beading at the back of my neck.Before I can ask if sheโs awake, Gabriella slowly starts to swivel her hips.I let out a groan, my fingers digging into her ass cheeks. โYouโre killing me.โโHmmโฆโShe rubs her clit against me, the movements quickly pushing me toward an orgasm.โAmore mia,โ I grunt. โYouโre going to make me come.โโThatโs the plan,โ she moans before starting to press kisses to my pecs. โYou feel so good.โ Her teeth tug at my nipple. โYou taste even better.โI donโt stand a chance against my wife, and I thrust up once before shooting my release into her wet warmth.M
Chapter 40GabriellaI was allowed a very quick shower before a nurse tended to my wounds.I sit on the side of the hospital bed, and clench my jaw while I watch as Damiano talks with a doctor.I just want to be alone with my husband.Somehow, I manage to keep my expression neutral as I struggle to keep all my emotions from spiraling out of control.Finally, the nurse leaves, and I slip off the bed. Even though my feet are raw and ache from running barefoot through the damn woods, I walk to the window and pull the blinds shut.โIโll take her home first thing tomorrow morning,โ I hear Damiano tell the doctor while I gingerly move back to the bed.I brace my right hand on the white sheets and suck in a desperate breath of air.I hear the door shut, and I glance at Damiano to make sure weโre alone.I suck in another breath of air, then all the trauma Iโve been forced to endure shudders through my body.Damiano moves closer to me, and when his fingers wrap around the back of my neck, I ca
Chapter 39DamianoDirt shoots into the air as we come to a screeching stop in the lot at the front of the property. The house is medium-sized and looks like it hasnโt been painted in the last decade.There are a dozen armed men scattered around the property, and they open fire on the SUVS while they try to find cover against the sides of the house.I shove the door open and order, โLaunch the fucking grenades!โTommy sends a grenade flying into the side of the house where a group of men are taking cover, and bodies fly into the air.Using the door as a shield, I open fire on the fuckers that are shooting from inside the house, and I have to reload the magazine before Iโm able to move away from the SUV. With the submachine gun held in position, I run toward the house while shooting every fucking man I lay eyes on.My vision tunnels on the front door, and I riddle it with bullets before my body slams into the wood. It gives way easily, and I keep going, taking out target after target u
Chapter 38DamianoWith Mamma and the other women and children safe, we all focus on getting everything ready for the attack.Impatient as fuck, I glance at Dario, who hasnโt stopped working since I gave the order. โDo you know where Stefano is?โโHis phone signal is bouncing off three towers. I have the area but not a precise location.โโWhere?โ I bark.โSomewhere near Manorville. Just over an hour away by car.โMy phone buzzes, and I rip the device out of my pocket. Unlocking the screen there are more messages from Stefano.I havenโt tried to call him, because then Iโd be playing straight into his hands.Theyโve had Gabriella for twenty-four hours now, and I try to brace for the worst as I open the text.Youโre quiet, cousin. I hope you donโt think you have any other option than to step down.I suck in a deep breath before pressing play on the attached video. It shows Gabriella still hanging from the ceiling by a rope.She must be in so much fucking pain.โLetโs get started,โ the sa