Chapter 22FrancoI’ve stayed away from Vitale Health and Paradiso because I don’t want the Slovak mafia attacking me at my companies where innocent people can get hurt.Working from home, I’m surrounded by an army that’s ready for war. Dario has converted my living room into his personal office space.Whenever I have to pass through the living room to get to the sliding doors, I almost break my neck, tripping over all the fucking computer cables.Renzo has practically moved in, and I can’t do a fucking thing without the man breathing over my shoulder.I’m on a call with Paulie. I sent him to Houston to get information on Todd’s whereabouts.“About a year ago, he was in a pretty bad car accident,” Paulie informs me. “Apparently, he was released from the hospital two months ago, and no one has seen him since. Word around town is he’s gone to his cabin to recover.”“Find out where the cabin is and check it out,” I order. “On it, boss.”As I end a call with Paulie, I glare at Renzo. “Sto
Chapter 23SamanthaWatching Ms. Jameson (who’s made it abundantly clear she’s keeping her last name) load a very disgruntled Mr. Parker’s plate with potato salad, a snort escapes me.He keeps trying to stop her, saying he doesn’t want so much.“You will eat every vegetable on your plate before you’re allowed to have meat,” she orders sternly.“You’re going to kill me with all these vegetables,” he argues. “At least you’ll die healthy,” she mutters.“How does one die healthy?” Mr. Parker asks his wife. “Seriously, Matilda, do you hear yourself when you speak?”She points the spoon at him, and the potato salad falls off, dropping to the grass between them.“Why are you sitting all alone?” Mom says as she takes a seat beside me. “Go mingle with the neighbors and have some fun.”I point at the elderly couple. “Shhh. I’m watching the show.” “Are they at it again?” Mom asks.“Ms. Jameson says Mr. Parker has to eat all the vegetables before he can have meat, and he’s not standing for it,” I
Chapter 24FrancoWhen I climb through Samantha’s window, there’s no sign of her.I move toward the bedroom, and looking inside, I see her standing on her toes so she can put her luggage on the top shelf.Christ, it’s good to see her.I walk closer, and coming up behind her, I take hold of her hip.“Oh Jesus,” she gasps before stumbling backward and colliding with my chest.“Welcome home,” I say, my tone soft. I lean down until my mouth is by her ear. “I missed you.”She turns around, and giving me a playful look of warning, she says, “Don’t sneak up on me. You’ll give me a heart attack.”“Sorry, baby.”She wraps her arms around my waist and says, “I missed you too.”“I missed you more.” I lift my hands and brush my palms over her bare shoulders and arms. “You look beautiful in this dress.”“I’m glad you like it.” She grins up at me. “I got it in Seattle.” My eyes search her face before I ask, “Did you have a nice time?”“The best.” She turns around and closes the closet doors, then s
Chapter 25FrancoMy body trembles with rage, and I’m clenching my jaw so fucking hard I’m a second away from cracking a tooth.The fucker.What he did to her is unspeakable, yet she finally managed to talk aboutit.The fucking fucker. Paulie better find Todd Grant so I can rip hisballsack off and shove it down his throat.“He finally left. I don’t know how long I laid there before the drug he gave me wore off. I got up and cleaned myself, then packed what I could into my car and left Houston.”Her voice is void of emotion, and it cuts fucking deep into my soul.“I know I should’ve gone to the police, but I was so traumatized, all I could think to do was run.”It feels as if my soul is hemorrhaging from hearing the hell she had to endure.“I don’t know how he drugged me. I don’t know what he did to me while I was unconscious. All I know is I lost a part of myself, and I don’t think I’ll ever get it back.”I want to pull her into my arms, but I’m scared it will stop her from talking.
Chapter 27SamanthaI’m so exhausted someone could knock me over with a feather.After one hell of a busy day, I’m taking a quick shower, and once I’m done, I quickly dry myself and lather my skin with lotion.I’ve chosen to wear another new dress for my mystery man, hoping he’ll like it as much as the one I wore on Sunday.While I get dressed, my thoughts turn to work. The only good thing is Mr. Vitale hasn’t been in the office much.The sad part is, I think I’m starting to accept he’s a mafia boss, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.I mean, on one side, the job pays really well and I’m just a PA doing regular PA work. On the other side, he’s one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.Ugh, why do I bother fretting about it? It’s not like I can do anything to change my situation.After I put on a pair of ballet flats, I quickly brush my hair and swipe some mascara on my lashes.When I walk into the living room, I see a black scarf lying on the coffee table.The blindfold.I glance around
Chapter 28SamanthaAs the shock keeps rippling through me, I cover my mouth with my hand.My eyes are glued to Mr. Vitale’s face, and it takes a moment before I can process his expression. His features are torn with worry.It’s weird seeing him like this. Even when we were attacked, he kept his cool.He’s always come across as broody, rude, and overly arrogant.This isn’t my mystery man who’s only shown me patience and affection.I shake my head again, unable to believe I’ve been so stupid.In my defense, why would a billion-dollar CEO also run a taboo sex club? During the day, he’s always abrupt while barking orders at me, and at night, he’s gentle.It didn’t even cross my mind the two men might be one and the same person, because they were worlds apart.Sure, at times, it felt like there was something familiar about him, but it never stuck.“This was not a game to me,” Mr. Vitale says with a pleading look. “When I had to step in because your partner fucked up, I took over because y
Chapter 29FrancoI didn’t close an eye last night.I kept replaying everything in my mind, wondering if there was a better way to handle the situation.As the elevator doors slide open, my heart pounds in my chest. I don’t know what I’ll do if Samantha’s not here.I walk down the hallway, and as her desk comes into view, I let out a sigh of relief.Thank fuck.“Morning, Samantha,” I say, my tone soft.She doesn’t stop typing and keeps her eyes locked on the screen. “Morning, Mr. Vitale.”Her features are tight, and from the dark circles beneath her eyes, it’s clear she didn’t get any rest last night either.“Can you come to my office?”She doesn’t stop working. “Is that a question or order, sir?” “It’s a question.”“Then the answer is no.”I have to suppress the urge to drag her to my office and instead ask, “How are you holding up?”“I’m fine, Mr. Vitale.”The printer starts working, and Samantha gets up from her chair. Instead of giving me a wide berth, she pushes me out of the way
Chapter 30SamanthaPulling away from Mr. Vitale, I switch off my computer.When I grab my handbag from the bottom drawer, he asks, “Where are you going?”“Home,” I mutter. “It’s only ten-thirty.”I let out a sigh as I look at him. “I’m going home so I can think about everything you said. Unless you want me to stay at work. In which case, you’ll wait longer to find out whether I’m sending you to hell or giving you a chance.”He moves out of the way. “You can go home.” “Thank you,” I mumble as I walk past him.Honestly, I need to process the freaking hot kiss he laid on me. I can’t focus on work while my lips still tingle.Leaving the building, I head to the subway, and when I reach my apartment, I can still feel Mr. Vitale’s lips on mine.Then, a realization hits me. I didn’t have a panic attack when Mr. Vitale kissed me.That’s a win, right?My phone begins to ring, and I almost ignore it but change my mind because it might be my parents.Looking at the screen, I see Jenny’s name. “H
Chapter 30GabriellaWith the wedding date scheduled for next Saturday, we’ve been super busy.Mrs. Accardi’s been an enormous help. Honestly, she’s done most of the work.I got to spend some time with Damiano, but tonight, the other heads of the Cosa Nostra and their partners are coming over, and I’m nervous as hell. I’ve just put on the sheer body suit and high heels when Damiano comes into my walk-in closet. His eyes land on me, and he stops dead in his tracks. “No,” he growls as he slowly starts to shake his head, his expression darkening by the second. “There is no fucking way you’re wearing that infront of the other men.”“Hold on before you burst a vein,” I mutter.I grab the cream jacket out of my closet and put it on. When I fasten the belt, and the fabric spreads out like a short skirt, I say, “See. Everything’s covered.”He stares at me for a while before he says, “Fine. But the fucking jacket stays on at all times.”I walk closer to him, and wrapping my fingers behind his
Chapter 29DamianoEven though I want to spend the entire day in bed with Gabriella, I don’t. The women have been cooped up in the mansion for over a month, and it would be selfish of me not to take them out.Especially now that Miguel’s been dealt with.When I walk into the dining room with Gabriella beside me, Aunt Greta grins at us.Carlo’s sitting where Gabriella used to sit, so she can take the chair to my left.I pull out the chair and wait for her to take a seat before I press a kiss to the top of her head. Walking around the table, I place my hand on Mamma’s shoulder then kiss the scar on her temple.“Morning, everyone,” I murmur as I take my seat.When we’re all done greeting each other, I announce, “We’re going out after breakfast.”Carlo lets out a groan. “Where?”“Wherever the women want to go,” I mutter.“Shopping?” Mamma asks, excitement in her tone. “Christmas is only two weeks away.”Fuck. I forgot about the festive season. “Shopping it is,” I agree.“Forget breakfast,
Chapter 29DamianoEven though I want to spend the entire day in bed with Gabriella, I don’t. The women have been cooped up in the mansion for over a month, and it would be selfish of me not to take them out.Especially now that Miguel’s been dealt with.When I walk into the dining room with Gabriella beside me, Aunt Greta grins at us.Carlo’s sitting where Gabriella used to sit, so she can take the chair to my left.I pull out the chair and wait for her to take a seat before I press a kiss to the top of her head. Walking around the table, I place my hand on Mamma’s shoulder then kiss the scar on her temple.“Morning, everyone,” I murmur as I take my seat.When we’re all done greeting each other, I announce, “We’re going out after breakfast.”Carlo lets out a groan. “Where?”“Wherever the women want to go,” I mutter.“Shopping?” Mamma asks, excitement in her tone. “Christmas is only two weeks away.”Fuck. I forgot about the festive season. “Shopping it is,” I agree.“Forget breakfast,
Chapter 28GabriellaWhen Damiano pulls out of me, I flinch, and it has his eyes snapping to mine.“You okay?”I nod quickly. “Yes. Just sensitive.”He lies down on his back, and when I climb off the bed, his gaze follows me to the bathroom.I quickly clean myself before wetting a washcloth. When I walk back into the room and crawl onto the bed, he takes the washcloth from my hand and throws it on the floor.My eyebrows draw together, then he says, “I don’t want to clean you off me yet.”His possessive tone makes my stomach flutter.Damiano pulls me closer, and when I lie down beside him, his arms wrap around me, and he buries his face in the crook of my neck.Just like earlier, I throw my leg over his and hold him tightly to my body.My fingers trail up and down his back, and I press a kiss to his temple. He lets out a heavy sigh and melts into me.I keep caressing his back, and not even minutes later, his breaths even out as he falls asleep.He smells like rough sex and danger, and
Chapter 27GabriellaI startle awake when I’m picked up off the bed.Grabbing hold of broad shoulders, it takes me a few seconds before I realize Damiano’s carrying me out of my room.“You’re home,” I say, my voice hoarse with sleep. “Hmm…” he grumbles.He stalks into his suite and places me on the bed before he goes to shut the door. The room is dark, but I can see as he comes back to bed.He lies down beside me, then orders, “Turn on your side. Back to me.”I do as I’m told, and when his arms wrap around me, and I feel his face press against the back of my neck, a wide smile spreads over my mouth.I hear him take a deep breath before he lets it out slowly, then his body shudders. An intense energy pours from him, filling the air with tension.“Are you okay?”Not saying anything, he only nods.Needing to hold him, I turn around, and wrapping my arms around his neck, I nudge him to tuck his face beneath my chin.Brushing my hand over his hair, I press a kiss to his temple. His arms ti
Chapter 26DamianoMy phone starts to ring, and seeing Dario’s name on the screen, I answer, “You better have good news for me. My men killed the fucking uncle.”“Miguel’s in Miami.” I can hear the relief in his voice, and it finds an echo in my chest.“Wheels up in thirty minutes,” I order. “Let the others know we’re meeting at the airfield.”“On it.”Ending the call, I lock eyes with Carlo. “Dario found Miguel. The fucker’s in Miami.”Climbing to his feet, he says, “Let’s go.”As I walk out of the lounge, I signal for Vito and Emilio to join us.When they catch up to us, I mutter, “Get a group of men to meet us at the airfield. I want them heavily armed. We’re attacking Miguel.”“Got it, boss,” Emilio says, immediately pulling out his phone to make the call.We hurry out of the club, and once we’re all in the SUV, Carlo starts the engine. “Fucking finally.”“You can say that again,” I mutter, more than ready to put an end to Miguel.I haven’t been home in two weeks, and I’m exhauste
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
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 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