Chapter 38SamanthaEven though I’m exhausted, I can’t fall asleep.Lying on Franco’s bed, I hug one of his pillows to my chest while I think about my life and everything that’s happened.What will the other employees at work think when they hear I’m dating the CEO?Probably that I slept my way to the top.Do I care?No. Not really.I have to call Mom and tell her about Franco. She’s going to be over the moon.Is Todd really gone?How do I feel about that?Pondering the question, I snuggle into the pillow and take a deep breath of Franco’s scent.I hate that things turned out the way they did. If only Todd had accepted our break up.Franco is right, though. Todd doesn’t deserve to live after everything he’s done to me. He’s a monster, and God only knows how many women he’s already hurt.Has Franco killed him already?I wait for the tsunami of emotions to hit, but there’s only relief at the thought that Todd won’t be able to hurt me again.I bring my hand to my neck and wrap my fingers
Chapter 39FrancoI might not have gotten much sleep, but I feel more rested than I have in a long time.Where there was a hollow emptiness in my chest, it’s now brimming with love and happiness.Samantha is imprinted in every fiber of my being.When I walk out of the closet, dressed in a suit, I find my woman sitting on the edge of the bed and staring at her bare legs.She glances up, and a smile tugs at her mouth as she takes in my suit. “You look handsome.”I grip her chin between my pointer finger and thumb, and nudging her face up, I press a kiss to her lips. “Thank you, baby.”When I pull away, she pouts at me. “Feed me. I’m hungry.”I glance at my dress shirt she’s wearing, and the thought of my men seeing her like this fills me with jealousy.But I can’t keep her locked in my room. We need to get some clothes from her apartment.I stalk back into my closet and finding a pair of sweatpants, I take them to her.“Stand up,” I order as I go down on one knee.She obeys and places h
Chapter 40FrancoAfter getting Samantha settled in my place, I head to the armory.It was a good idea to assign Via to her. I feel a hell of a lot better knowing Samantha has a guard with her when I have to take care of business.When I walk into the torture room, it’s to see Todd’s limp body hanging from the shackles.“Are you still alive?” I ask as I move closer.He pries his eyes open and lets out a garbled sound.I glance at Santo and order, “Bring it in.” Turning my eyes to Marcello, I say, “Let the doctor down.”While Marcello frees the man’s wrists from the shackles, Todd lets out a painful groan.Santo and Joey carry a wooden box into the room and place it on the floor.When Todd drops to the floor, he lets out a cry, which makes a smile form on my face.I gesture at the box and order, “Put him in it.”Santo and Joey gather Todd’s broken body off the floor, but when they lower him into the rectangular box, he regains some strength and grabs hold of the sides.“N-no…N-no,” he
Chapter 41FrancoWhen Renzo and the others follow me into the room, Miro’s eyes dart between us from where he’s tied to a chair.With Samantha back at the office, I had the guys come over so we could put our plan in motion.“I can see why he isn’t the head of the Slovak mafia,” Angelo mutters. “Why did he piss himself?”Miro might be older than Ivan, but he doesn’t have the balls to run a criminal organization.I let out a sigh. “Because he’s shit scared.”“We didn’t even slap him around,” Renzo mutters. “Let’s do this,” Damiano orders.I hold out my hand, and Marcello passes me Miro’s phone. When I move closer to Miro, he starts to breathe faster, his eyes growing wide with fear.“What’s the password for your phone?” I ask.“T-three, nine, f-five, five, t-t-two,” he stammers.I unlock the device, and checking the contacts, I find Ivan’s number and press dial.I put the call on speakerphone as I move to stand behind Miro. “Bál som sa!” Ivan snaps.“Your brother is a little preoccupie
Chapter 42SamanthaI place the tray with coffee and cookies on the corner of Franco’s desk, and leaving his office, I take a seat behind my computer.Where was I?I read the last couple of lines, then continue typing the letter I have to send to the bank before ten a.m.“Morning, Miss Blakely,” Franco suddenly mutters before heading into his office.What the hell?I get up from my chair, and following him into the chamber of wrath, I place my hands on my hips and scowl at him. “What was that?”“What?” he asks as he shrugs off his jacket and hangs it over the back of the chair.“Morning, Miss Blakely,” I do my best impersonation of him.He does something weird with his eyes and gives me a chin lift, which only makes me frown more.“You don’t get to be a grumpy asshole anymore,” I say as I walk closer to him, and jabbing my finger in his chest, I continue, “You don’t get to fuck m–”A smile spreads over his face as he interrupts me. “We have company.” “What?”He gestures to the door, a
Chapter 43FrancoWatching Samantha open box after box is a sight to behold.When the men offloaded the truck, she was so happy she actually clapped her hands.“Ohhhh, this is my grandmother’s hand mirror. She got it from her grandmother,” she says with nostalgia coating her words.We’re sitting in the middle of the foyer with her belongings scattered around us. From the looks of things, it will take us a couple of days to unpack and find a spot for everything.She pulls a framed photo from the box and hands it to me so I can see. “This was taken on my first day of school.”I look at the little girl, who’s the cutest child I’ve ever seen. “Why do you have three ponytails?”She shrugs. “Back then, I thought it looked pretty.”When she takes a shoebox out, she grins at me. “Oooh, all the love letters I received.”“Give that to me.” I grab it from her before she can hold it out of my reach, and taking the lid off, I open the first piece of paper. “Your hair looks like candyfloss?” I let
Chapter 44FrancoAfter my private jet lands in Seattle, Samantha smiles happily as we walk to the SUV. We climb into the backseat while Milo and Via take the front seats.I left Marcello in charge of things back home while I take a short vacation to meet Samantha’s family.My fingers tighten around hers, and it has her saying, “They’re going to love you. Stop worrying.”“I’m not worried,” I mutter. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I’m nervous. It’s my first time meeting ‘the parents,’ and I want things to go well.”“They will.” She places her palm on my jaw and nudges my face toward her. When our eyes lock, she says, “And even if everything goes wrong and they hate you, I’ll still love you. Nothing will change that. Okay?”I lean closer and press my mouth to hers, savoring the feel of my woman’s lips before I pull back and say, “I want everything to go flawlessly for you, baby. I know how much your family means to you.”Her fingers brush over my jaw, her eyes soft with lo
Chapter 45FrancoScott sits at the kitchen table, watching as I roast the potatoes with herbs until they’re crispy.“Where did you learn to cook?” he asks.“My mom.” I glance at him from over my shoulder. “She practically lived in the kitchen.”“Do your parents live in New York?”I shake my head. “They passed away a few years ago.” “I’m sorry to hear that,” he murmurs.“They lived a long life,” I mention.His eyebrows fly up, “How old are you?”“Thirty-five. My parents had me late in life.” I take the pan off the stove and prepare three plates. Walking to the back door, I tell Milo, “Food’s ready.”“Coming, boss.”“Let’s eat here,” Scott says. “If we make a mess in the dining room, my wife won’t let me hear the end of it.”I let out a chuckle as I place his plate in front of him. “It sounds like Samantha takes after her mother.”“She does.”Milo grabs his food and heads to the living room while I take a seat across from Scott.There’s a nervous tension in my body as I lock eyes with
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