Chapter 3SamanthaPicking up my third slice of pizza, I eat it while looking at my bank accounts. With all the overtime I’ll probably be working, I’ll be able to pay the credit card off in no time.I would’ve had enough money for the fridge if I hadn’t paid the membership fee for Paradiso, a taboo club in the heart of Manhattan.I joined the club because I want to spend time with a man in a secure environment. I’m hoping it will help me work through my issues with men.Men. God, I’ve been unlucky when it comes to the opposite species.With the pizza forgotten in my hand, my thoughts spiral down the dark hole Todd Grant ripped through my life. When I started dating him, I thought I’d struck gold. The neurosurgeon was charming and polite and went out of his way to make me feel special. All the female staff at the hospital envied me.Then, everything came crashing down around me, and I was forced to flee Houston. I di
Chapter 4SamanthaWith my first appointment at Paradiso scheduled for seven thirty, I take my time showering and getting ready.The apprehensive part of me thinks I’m insane for joining the club. People go there to have wild sex, and here I am, just wanting to talk to a man.Maybe I should cancel.Checking my reflection in the mirror, I take in the black dress I’m wearing and wonder whether it’s too formal. Then again, I don’t think jeans would be appropriate.“You look fine,” I whisper before turning away from the mirror.Just as I gather my keys from the side table near the front door, my phone starts to ring. I answer the call and position the device between my shoulder and ear before opening the front door.“Samantha speaking.” “Hey, sweetie. It’s Mom.”“Oh hey,” I say, my tone a little lighter. “How are you?”“Good. I’m calling to let you know I won the knitting contest. Your mother
Chapter 5FrancoWalking toward the main section of Paradiso, my thoughts are filled with Miss Blakely.The woman actually impressed me today.From the moment I got to the office until we left, she worked so fast I struggled to keep up. It became a fucking competition, and the pace was relentless.A smile threatens to tug at the corner of my mouth because today Miss Blakely was the kind of PA I’ve been looking for since I started the company.Entering the main room, my eyes drift over the members who are enjoying drinks. I notice a new man talking to a blonde, and as I keep walking, her face starts to come into view.When I have a direct view of her, my feet come to a halt, and my lips part with shock.What the fuck?I watch as my PA smiles awkwardly at her partner.What the hell is she doing here?It takes a lot to shock me, but seeing my PA at Paradiso has stunned me senseless.
Chapter 6SamanthaUgh, I wish Mr. Vitale would stay out of the office. Last Friday was so peaceful when he didn’t come in.I roll my shoulders to ease some of the tension while I put together all the documents that will be needed for a meeting on Thursday.A message from Mr. Vitale pops up on my screen via the internal messaging system, and I give it a disgruntled look.Keep the schedule clear for the 26th of June and wear something comfortable that day. We’re inspecting a building I’m interested in buying.Just freaking great. I can’t think of anything worse than spending an entire day alone with Mr. Vitale, and I’ll fall behind with my other work.Bringing up my emails, I search for the approval from HR for the vacation time I’ve requested. Adding a note to the email, telling him to keep in mind that I’ll be out of the office for the whole week of the Fourth of July, I forward it to Mr. Vitale.Within se
Chapter 7SamanthaMy breaths explode over my lips as I rush to the nearest subway, and on my way home, sweat beads on my forehead as I struggle not to have a panic attack.My fingers grip my handbag tightly, and my shoulders are hunched as I do my best to avoid the other pedestrians on the sidewalk.When I finally reach the safety of my apartment, I make sure all five locks are in place before sinking down on one of the couches.I cover my face with trembling hands and try to focus on taking deeper breaths.Feeling physically ill, my entire body is coated in a fine layer of sweat. It’s been a while since I had a panic attack, and it opens the floodgates,making the memories escape from where I keep them locked up in the darkest part of my soul.Unable to move a muscle or make a sound, I can’t even open my eyes. I think I’m lying on my bed.I hear movement, then Todd’s voice as he croons, “I’m never letting you go. We’re meant to be together.”Why is he here? I was clear when I broke
Chapter 8FrancoStanding in front of the security monitor for Miss Blakely's room, I watch as she takes a seat in the armchair.Mr. Forester’s sitting on the bed, and even though I can’t hear what they’re saying, the conversation looks stilted.My eyes latch onto Miss Blakely’s face, and it’s clear as daylight she’s not comfortable at all.When she wraps her arms around her waist in a protective move, I order, “Put on the sound. I want to hear what they’re saying.”“Yes, sir,” one of the men replies.I step closer as he turns on the sound, and it’s in time to hear Mr.Forester say, ‘Are you always this quiet?’The man makes himself comfortable on the bed as Miss Blakely answers, ‘Yes.’Christ, she looks like she’s about to have a nervous breakdown. Where’s the feisty woman I’ve gotten to know over the past three weeks?‘So…uhm…what do you like to do in your spare time?’ she asks. ‘When I’m not at work, I’m here.’Minutes pass before Mr. Forester pats the covers and says, ‘Come lie do
Chapter 9FrancoI’m not going to lie, I’ve never done anything remotely close to this.Sitting on the floor with my PA is the last thing I expected to do tonight. But it’s weirdly satisfying.Whenever I speak to Miss Blakely, I keep my tone soft and don't treat her like I would at the office, because I don’t want her to run for the hills.Passing a burger and fries to her, our fingers touch, but she quickly pulls back. Her features tighten, and while she’s busy drowning her fries in ketchup, I watch as she sucks in a deep breath of air.Haven’t we touched before?I search my memory, and realizing she’s always kept a couple of inches between us makes me wonder what happened to her.I can take a few guesses, but they all make me angry just thinking about them.She might’ve annoyed me the first two weeks she worked with me, but since she got her act together, it’s been, dare I say, pleasant.Wanting to separate the time we spend together here at Paradiso from when we’re at work, I ask,
Chapter 10 Samantha Preparing a cup of coffee for Mr. Vitale, I can’t stop thinking about last night. It went so much better than I expected. A smile plays around my mouth as I place the cup and two cookies on a tray. Even though the evening started off rocky, it ended on a high note. I spent over two hours with a man, and not once did I feel panicky. I’m on the right track, and I’m confident I’ll be able to regain my trust in men with the help of my mystery man. Obviously, I’ll always be cautious when dating, and I’m not just going to allow anyone into my life. But this is a good start, and where I would usually feel depressed after a panic attack, I feel optimistic. Carrying the tray to Mr. Vitale’s office, I set it down on the corner of his desk before heading back to my desk. I’m bracing myself for Mr. Vitale’s anger because I snooped around in his house, but I have an apology ready. Just as I reach my chair, Mr. Vitale comes down the hallway. Today, he’s dre
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