Chapter 13DamianoDuring the helicopter ride to Manhattan, my thoughts turn to the night before.I caught Gabriella sneaking around the house after midnight, but when she just grabbed something to eat before heading back to her room, I returned to the sunroom.I spent an hour thinking about the satin robe she wore and how the fabric flowed around her body when she moved. I got glimpses of her toned legs and way too fucking sexy shorts.By the time I headed to bed, I felt agitated.When the helicopter touches down on the helipad, I’m pulled out of my thoughts.I help Mamma out of the aircraft and lead her to the elevator with Gerardo following us. I gave Carlo a rare afternoon off so he can spend time with his mother.We’re quiet on the ride down to the basement, and when the doors open, I see Vito and Emilio waiting by the SUV.They signal for the other group of guards that we’re leaving, and Gerardo opens the back door.Once we’re seated, with my mother between Gerardo and myself, E
Chapter 14GabriellaWhen the closing credits of Safe Haven roll over the screen, I smile at Mrs. Accardi.“I love the movie.”“I thought we’d watch it while Adia’s out with Damiano. He doesn’t allow anything with violence near her.”My curiosity gets the better of me. “May I ask why?”“Damiano’s father was a bastard,” she says, but before she can continue, Carlo comes into the sitting room.“Are you done with the movie, Ma?”“Yes.” Her gaze rests lovingly on her son. “Why?” “I want to spend some time with you.”She darts up from the armchair. “I’ll never say no to that.” Waving at me, she says, “Enjoy the rest of your night, cara.”“You too.”Once I’m alone in the sitting room, I walk to the shelf and grab the erotic book Mrs. Accardi made me read aloud last week when she played the prank on me.Sitting down on the armchair again, I curl my legs beneath me and open to chapter two.My eyes dart over the words, and as I read page after page, my heartbeat speeds up. When I get to a scen
Chapter 15DamianoIt’s been a week since I kissed Gabriella in the sunroom, and even though I’ve made up my mind, I haven’t been home since.Work has kept me fucking busy, and then Dario’s woman got kidnapped. It’s been one shit show after the other.I met Dario’s girlfriend at a ballet show earlier tonight and could see how much he already loves her. He’s fallen hard and fast, and if we don’t get her back, I have no idea what it will do to Dario.The drug dealers that grabbed Eden right from under our noses are either fucking stupid or brave. I don’t know Eden at all, but you don’t touch a capo’s woman and life to tell the tale.Angelo, Dario, and I are sitting in a helicopter while Carlo flies us toward a yacht where girls will be sold as sex slaves.Dario got the lead on the black market, and I can tell my friend is about to lose his shit. The only thing keeping him in line is the authority I have over him.When Carlo lands on the helipad of the supersized yacht, Angelo gets out f
Chapter 16GabriellaI’m going to lose my mind.I keep alternating between worrying and feeling angry because Damiano won’t tell me what he plans to do with me.I’ve been at the mansion for three weeks, and even though I love spending time with Mrs. Falco and Mrs. Accardi, the uncertainty is eating me alive.It doesn’t help that Damiano hasn’t been home for the past twelve days. The man laid a life-altering kiss on me, only to disappear.Earlier this week, it took all my courage to call him, but he was so abrupt over the phone I couldn’t get an answer from him.And I don’t have the guts to call him again.Suddenly, a hand settles on my shoulder, making me startle.“Sorry, cara,” Mrs. Accardi says. “You’ve been so quiet we wanted to check on you.”She helps Mrs. Falco take a seat on my balcony, where I’ve been sitting for hours contemplating my uncertain future.I straighten in my chair, releasing the hold I have on the blanket that’s wrapped around me.Instantly, the early winter chil
Chapter 17DamianoI only manage to sleep for three hours before I’m wide-a-fucking-wake.While I put on a pair of chinos and a sweater, my thoughts turn to the past week.Luckily, we were able to find Eden, and after seeing Dario lose his mind, it’s clear as fucking daylight the man loves her.I have to admit Eden managed to impress me, which is a rare feat. She killed a fucker with a high heel.I should be more careful around Gabriella and her five-inch heels.A chuckle escapes me, and the sound actually startles me.As I tuck my Glock in the back of the waistband of my pants, I leave my suite.I head downstairs, and when I near my mother’s sitting room, I hear Aunt Greta say, “I loved Queen Charlotte’s season most.”“Me too,” Mamma agrees.When I enter the room, Gabriella’s gaze darts to me. “Did you get any sleep?”“Three hours,” I mutter before I take hold of Mamma’s hand and help her to her feet.Glancing at Gabriella, I say, “Give me thirty minutes, and we’ll have that conversa
Chapter 18GabriellaI run straight to my room, and once I shut the door behind me, I suck in desperate breaths of air.Holy crap, that was intense.I press a hand to my stomach where it feels like a kaleidoscope of butterflies is out of control and fluttering like crazy.I can still feel the powerful tingles from when I unintentionally rubbed myself against Damiano’s bulge. My body just reacted to feeling him between my legs, and I pressed down on him.Worry trickles into my heart.No, Damiano said I did nothing wrong.He wanted me to leave before he lost control.Is that good or bad?I lift my other hand to my face, my fingers brushing over my swollen lips.He tasted like whiskey, wild and burning with passion as he claimedme.Dio. He’s too much man for me.My thoughts return to the conversation we had before he kissed me, andmy eyes lower to the ring on my finger.It’s a bit big but gorgeous, the design vintage, and the diamond large.Damiano thinks I’m strong, and that’s why he’
Chapter 19DamianoI managed to get another three hours sleep and feel a little more human. It’s early the morning when I walk toward Gabriella’s suite.Knocking, I wait for her reply before I push her bedroom door open.She’s sitting by her dressing table, and it’s the first time I see her without makeup.“Oh,” she gasps, quickly climbing to her feet.“We need to start with your training,” I say as I move closer to her, my eyes drinking in the sight of her natural beauty.Makeup or no makeup, my fiancée is breathtaking.“Training?” she asks.My gaze sweeps over the pantsuit she’s wearing. “Shooting lessons. Do you have casual clothes?” She nods. “I have leggings.”“Change into them.” When she remains standing, I add, “Now.” “Oh … okay.” She hurries into the closet.While I wait for her to change her clothes, I walk to the window and stare at the view of the lake.It doesn’t take long before Gabriella comes back into the bedroom. When my eyes land on the tight-as-fuck leggings and her
Chapter 20GabriellaLying in bed, I struggle to fall asleep, my mind filled with the past two days' events.I saw another side of Damiano today. When he held me on his lap, I actually felt safe.I felt more than safe.Whenever I’m near him, there’s a constant fluttering in my stomach and my heart beats a mile a minute.I’m becoming more and more aware of how attractive he is. The way he moves. The domineering air he carries himself with. The brisk way he talks.Even the silence.It feels like he says so much without him saying anything at all.He held me tight, which means he does have a caring side. He hasn’t hurt me since the incident where he slammed me down on the floor.He pressed kisses to my hair like he does with Aunt Aida, and it felt indescribably good.For the first time in my life, a man has shown me kindness. I never in a million years expected it to be Damiano Falco.My eyes start to burn with tears because now that I’ve felt some form of affection, it shines a glaring
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.“I’ll take her home first thing tomorrow morning,” 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 we’re alone.I suck in another breath of air, then all the trauma I’ve 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 hasn’t 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, “Launch the fucking grenades!”Tommy 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 I’m 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 hasn’t stopped working since I gave the order. “Do you know where Stefano is?”“His phone signal is bouncing off three towers. I have the area but not a precise location.”“Where?” I bark.“Somewhere near Manorville. Just over an hour away by car.”My phone buzzes, and I rip the device out of my pocket. Unlocking the screen there are more messages from Stefano.I haven’t tried to call him, because then I’d be playing straight into his hands.They’ve had Gabriella for twenty-four hours now, and I try to brace for the worst as I open the text.You’re quiet, cousin. I hope you don’t 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.“Let’s get started,” the sa
Chapter 37GabriellaWhen I startle awake, my entire body aches so badly, I let out a gasp before groaning.Dio.They left me hanging overnight, and the room is freezing. The extreme chill in my body makes the pain so much worse.There’s complete silence as I glance around the room.Yesterday, I was too shocked by the attack and torture to take in anything.I see a metal table and various tools and knives. There’s also a stick with prongs, which they used to electrocute me with. The laptop is still on the table, and the camera’s pointed at me. It looks like I’m in a basement.Knowing I’m being recorded, I lift my head and school my face into an emotionless expression.What doesn’t break you makes you stronger.With nothing to do but think, my thoughts turn to the attack.Aunt Greta. Gerardo. Martha.Sorrow pours into my chest.Please let Aunt Greta be okay. Dio. I hope they got to her in time.When a lump forms in my throat, I try to swallow it down.Before I’m able to process my sorr
Chapter 36DamianoI’m standing in the armory with Angelo, Franco, Renzo, and Dario.Dario’s set up a working station for himself by my systems where he’s searching for anything that can help us find out who’s behind the attack.My phone starts ringing, and letting out a growl, I pull the device from my pocket.“What?” I snap.“The club,” Pippa, the manager of my club, says. Panic laces the words. “There was a car bomb, Mr. Falco. It blew the side wall away. We won’t be able to open.”“Motherfucking Christ,” I shout. “Deal with the shit. I’m busy.” “Yes, sir.”I end the call, and before I can throw my phone against the wall, Carlo grabs it from me.“We need the phone,” he reminds me. “In case the fucker calls.”The fucker, being the person who’s attacking me.I let him keep the phone as I stalk a few steps away before turning to face the men.“Who is behind the attacks?” I bark.“We took out Miguel’s entire family, but maybe it’s one of his men,” Angelo says.“No. The person knew wher
Chapter 35GabriellaMy body jerks as I regain consciousness. My shoulders strain, and rope bites into my wrists as I jerk again from being hauled into the air.A headache starts to pulse behind my temple, and when I crack my eyes open, I see a concrete floor beneath me.Shit.The memories of the attack pour through my mind.I remember the mansion shuddering from loud blasts. Gerardo falling.Aunt Greta gasping for air.Aunt Greta.Dio, I hope she survives the gunshot.I lift my head, and seeing two men in a room with me, horror ripples through me.One of them secures the rope so it will keep me hanging in the air.My shoes are gone, and the pencil dress I’m wearing is pulled up high on my thighs.Shit.“She’s awake,” one of the men mutters. “Get the boss.”Boss?My mind starts racing, flashes of the attack hitting me while I worry about what’s going to happen.I hope Mamma’s okay.Maybe Damiano found out about the attack, and he got to her in time.Damiano.Suddenly, Stefano walks in
Chapter 34DamianoCarlo lands the helicopter on top of the building, and I wait for him to switch everything off.“Who would attack the warehouse?” Carlo asks as he joins me“I have no fucking idea,” I mutter while sending Emilio a text demanding an update.Anger vibrates in my chest as we walk toward the elevator. When my phone vibrates, I read the message from Emilio.Three men dead. Nothing was taken. It’s weird. I don’t feel it’s safe for you to come here. Go to the club. I’ll meet you there.Letting out a sigh, I mutter, “We’re going to the club. Emilio will meet us there.”The news of the attack was unexpected. Sure, an enemy can crawl out of a fucking hole at any time, but usually, things are quiet over the festive season.We take the elevator down to the basement and head to the SUV, and soon, Carlo steers the vehicle in the direction of the club.A couple of blocks from our destination my phone starts ringing while it buzzes with message after message.“Jesus fucking Christ,
Chapter 33GabriellaWhile Martha carries the clothes between my old suite and Damiano’s room, Aunt Greta helps me pack everything into my side of the closet.Aunt Aida’s sitting on a chair we brought into the room for her, keeping us company.“Did you enjoy the wedding before Damiano dragged you away?” Aunt Aida asks.“Yes.” I let out a chuckle. “Thank you for everything you did to make it a perfect wedding, Aunt Greta.”“You’re welcome, cara.”“Oh, I just remembered,” Aunt Aida says. “You can call me mamma or mom. Whichever you prefer.”I stop what I’m doing and drop the hanger on the floor. “Really?”When she nods, I rush to her, and leaning down, I wrap her up in a hug. “Thank you.”“No need to thank me,” she chuckles as she pats my back. “We’re family now.”Letting go of her, I get back to work.Damiano comes into the closet, then glances over the clothes. “Is it all going to fit?”“Yes.” I shoot him a smile. “I’ll make it fit.”“You can always leave your summer clothes in the ot
Chapter 32DamianoWith every passing second, where the guests are drinking champagne and enjoying the reception, I grow more and more impatient for them to leave.“Stop scowling at everyone,” Gabriella whispers, where she’s sitting beside me.“How much longer?” I mutter.“We only get one wedding,” she says, “try to enjoy it.” “I am, but I also want to be alone with you.”She pats my chest and smiles at Samantha as she walks by the table.“You look stunning, Gabriella,” Samantha says, not even daring to look in my direction.“Thank you,” my bride accepts the compliment like the queen she is.Aunt Greta rushes toward us and says, “It’s time to open the dance floor.”“Dance floor?” I mutter. “No one said anything about dancing.” “Do it for me,” Gabriella whispers before standing up.Unable to refuse her anything, I climb to my feet and follow her to the middle of the floor.A song starts to play, and as I take Gabriella into my arms, I ask, “Which song did you pick?”“Anyone by Tommee P