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 21DamianoSlowly, the trembling eases in Gabriella’s body.My mother’s had so many panic attacks I’ve lost count over the years. In the beginning, they were bad, to the point where she’d pass out. But not once has my mother fought me while she had an attack.I had to restrain Gabriella before I was able to calm her down.Even during a panic attack, she still fights.I press another kiss to the top of her head.A nightmare about me giving my permission for Stefano to marry her had her hiding in a fucking closet.“What did Stefano do to you?” I ask my tone too rough from the anger skirting around the edges of my mind.Not wanting her to misunderstand and think I’m talking about the nightmare, I add, “Before I brought you to New York.”“Nothing I couldn’t handle.”Anger pours into my chest, and I clench my jaw as I snap, “Tell me!”Gabriella jerks in my hold, and when she climbs off my lap, I don’t stopher.“He just hit me a few times.” She pauses for annoyingly long secondsbe
Chapter 22GabriellaI can’t stop the tears from falling, the pain something I’ve never experienced before.I knew it would hurt losing my virginity, but not this much. With every thrust, it feels like Damiano’s trying to tear me open, and it burns like hell everytime he pulls out.His arm around me tightens, and I cling to him for dear life as he thrusts harder and harder.Breaking the kiss, his eyes keep mine imprisoned as he claims me, and even though it hurts, I don’t look away.I watch as his features tighten, then he jerks once before all his weight bears down on me. His face transforms from brutal to the hottest sight I’ve ever seen.As Damiano orgasms, and I feel the strength drain from his body, I realize in this moment, he’s as vulnerable as he’ll ever be.I wrap my arms tightly around his neck, and he practically engulfs me before he plunges into me twice more.When his body stills, he doesn’t pull out.The pain starts to ease a bit, and as we just hold each other, the grav
Chapter 23GabriellaWhen I wake up, it takes a moment to make sense of my surroundings.I become aware of Damiano’s arms wrapped tightly around me, my back pressed to his chest. He’s holding me the same way I hold my pillow when I sleep.With his face pressed to the back of my neck, his breaths warm my skin. One of his legs is thrown over mine, and his manhood is hard and big against my butt.I had sex with Damiano.After the first memory hits, they all pour into my mind. The shooting lessons.Damiano hugging me.The nightmare, and him comforting me. Experiencing my first orgasm.My thoughts stop on the memory, and my lips curve up.When Damiano kept rubbing his cock against me, it made me feel so much pleasure it was overwhelming.I remember everything when he took my virginity. The look on his face. The way his body moved. The pain as he kept thrusting until he found his own pleasure in my body.Even though it hurt a lot, I’d do it a million times to see that hot look on his face a
Chapter 24DamianoDressed in black cargo pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a coat, and boots, I tuck my Glock behind my back as I leave my suite.As I take the stairs down to the first floor, my phone starts to buzz like crazy.I dig the device out of my pocket, and a dark frown forms on my forehead as I answer, “What?”“The hotel is on fire!” Emilio shouts, sirens blaring in the background. Anger explodes in my chest, my fingers tightening around the phone. “Fuck,” I mutter. “I’m on my way.”“Carlo!” My voice thunders through the foyer.He comes running out of my mother’s sitting room. “What?”“The hotel is on fucking fire,” I relay the message to him as I stalk toward the French doors. When I step out onto the veranda, I mutter, “You’ll have to fly.”“On it.” He runs ahead of me to start the helicopter.When I climb inside, I glance at the house and see Gabriella standing on her balcony. She’s only wearing a bathrobe, and it’s freezing outside.I yank my phone out, but not remembering t
Chapter 25GabriellaWith my lips parted, I watch as bag after bag of clothes is carried into the foyer.Holy crap.“Did we really order so much?” I ask.“I added a couple of items I thought you might like,” Mrs. Accardi says.Caro Dio.“Should I take the clothes to your suite, Miss di Bella?” Martha asks. “Or do you want me to wash them first?”“They’ve already been dry cleaned,” Savannah, Mrs. Accardi’s personal shopper, informs us. “My team can pack the clothes in your closet. Just show them the way.”Martha leads the team up the stairs, and all I can do is shake my head.“Damiano is going to lose his shit when he sees how many clothes I got,” I whisper under my breath.“No, he won’t,” Aunt Aida says. “As his fiancée, you always have to look your best.”Still.My thoughts turn to Damiano, who hasn’t been home in over a week. “I’ll be right back,” I say before I head up the stairs.Walking into my bedroom, I hear the staff work in the closet. I grab my phone and quickly leave so I d
Twenty-two years later…)EpilogueDamianoWalking out onto the veranda, I glance at the lake before my eyes drift over my guests.Everyone’s at the mansion for a cookout to celebrate Mamma’s eightieth birthday.She didn’t 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. “Rosie is following Enzo around. He can’t shake her.”I watch as Dario’s 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, who’s just turned twenty. I don’t want him getting any ideas until Rosie’s 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 Angelo’s sons.When my
Chapter 45DamianoAmelio arranged a Mercedes van and a Porsche Cayenne for the vacation in Cape Town. As we’re driven to the hotel, my eyes are on Gabriella, who’s grinning as she stares at the landscape.“It’s so green, and the mountain is stunning,” 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 isn’t as high on vacation as it is in New York.“The roads aren’t as busy as in Manhattan,” Gabriella mentions. “It’s nice.”I give her hand a squeeze and lean into her. “Are you happy, amore mia?”She smiles at me, excitement making the green flecks in her eyes brighter. “Yes. Thank you for arranging all of this for us.”“Emilio did all the work,” I mutter.“You’re welcome, boss,” the fucker says from the driver's seat. “Don’t make me throw you out of the car,” I grumble.When we pull up to The One & Only that’s situated near the waterfront, I slide the door open and climb out.My muscles are stiff from all
Chapter 44GabriellaEven though I didn’t have much of an appetite, I made Coda alla vaccinarafor Mamma, knowing she loves oxtail.I hope Stefano suffers a lot.It’s all I’ve been thinking about since we arrived home after attending the funeral.I can’t believe Aunt Greta’s gone.I glance at Mamma, where she’s sitting in an armchair with her eyes closed.“How are you doing, Mamma?” I murmur.Slowly, she opens her eyes and lets out a heavy sigh. “I keep listening for Greta. It’s so quiet without her.I know.“Should I switch on the TV?” I ask.She shakes her head. “I’m actually tired, cara. I think I’ll go to bed.” “Let me walk with you to your room.”I 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, “Please let me know if there is anything I can do to make you feel better.”We stop near her door, and she gently pats my cheek. “You’re already helping, mia figlia.”Hearing her call me
Chapter 43DamianoArriving at the warehouse, I get out of the SUV and head to the side entrance.“Carlo, go torture Stefano,” I say. “Just don’t kill him yet.”He nods, and I stop by the room where Mrs. di Bella is being held. “Are you going in?” Emilio asks.“Yes. Go keep an eye on Carlo.”When I’m 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, who’s been guarding her, and nod to the door.After he leaves, my gaze settles on Mrs. di Bella, who’s tied to a chair. “Comfortable?” I ask.Her breaths explode over her lips, her skin pale with sorrow. Fear darkens her eyes as she stares at me.“Gabriella told me what you did to her,” I murmur, my tone dark with anger. “What you allowed to be done to her.”“It’s all lies,” 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 Vito’s 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 wasn’t much talking being done, because we were all processing the shitstorm we just went through.But as I’m 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 who’s 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.“Yes, boss?” he answers on the second ring. “Bring them.”“Be there in ten minutes.”When 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 I’m 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 she’s awake, Gabriella slowly starts to swivel her hips.I let out a groan, my fingers digging into her ass cheeks. “You’re killing me.”“Hmm…”She rubs her clit against me, the movements quickly pushing me toward an orgasm.“Amore mia,” I grunt. “You’re going to make me come.”“That’s the plan,” she moans before starting to press kisses to my pecs. “You feel so good.” Her teeth tug at my nipple. “You taste even better.”I don’t 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.“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