Bonus Epilogue(Five years later…)FrancoAugusto barrels past me to where Marcello and Milo are dragging the Christmas tree into the living room.“Mommeeee, we’re back.”“I’m coming,” I hear Samantha answer from the direction of the kitchen.A second later, our two daughters run into the room with chocolate icing all over their mouths.“Did Mommy let you lick out the bowl?” I ask as they each grab one of my legs and stand on my shoes.With my daughters giggling, I keep walking toward the foyer.Samantha appears in the doorway with Augusto in her arms, and frowning at the girls, she says, “Sienna! Bianca! You’re getting icing all over your father’s pants. Come wash your hands.”Before Samantha can head to the bathroom with our triplets, I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, and plant a kiss on her mouth.“Let me just change into comfortable clothes, then I’ll take the kids so you can –”She interrupts me before I can finish my sentence, saying, “We have to decorate the tree.”I
SynopsisWhen I finally get a life-saving kidney transplant, I think the worst is behind me.Boy, am I wrong.I start feeling eyes on me wherever I go. I’m being watched. Stalked. Hunted.It’s downright scary.Then the hunter steps out of the shadows, and my life implodes. I’m taken by Renzo Torrisi, a dangerous and unforgiving man.Turns out the kidney I received belonged to one of his men and I have to repay the debt. Only the terms are unclear, and the rules change on a whim.Held prisoner in his penthouse, I have to serve the ruthless mafia boss like the god he is.Whether I’ll survive being Renzo’s captive is up for debate, though.Chapter 1SkylarDame, the restaurant where I worked as a sous chef, had just gotten their first Michelin Star because of me.I had an interview lined up at one of the top restaurants in New York.If I got the position as head chef, I would’ve been able to create my own signature dishes.I was on fire and was ticking off one goal after the other. But t
Chapter 2RenzoWhile I’m checking the status of all the shipments with Elio, I hear Giulio’s infectious laughter as he spars with Fabrizio and Vincenzo.“Giulio, it’s no use sparing,” I mutter. “I’ll never make you a guard.”He stops mid-punch and pulls a disgruntled face. “Come on, Renzo. I’m almost as good as Fabrizio and Vincenzo.”I let out a snort while Vincenzo says, “You wish.” Just to prove his point, he swipes Giulio’s feet from under him, making him fall on his ass.Elio’s booming laughter fills the air as he shakes his head, his tone filled with sarcasm as he drawls, “Yeah, you’ve gotten real good.”With a scowl, Giulio climbs to his feet. “I was caught off guard.”Getting up from the chair, I say, “Elio, make sure the shipment to China isn’t late. The contract with the Triads is important.”“Will do, boss.”When I walk to the door, Giulio catches up to me. “Where are we going?”“The restaurant,” I reply as I leave the warehouse.“For lunch?” he asks. “I’m starving. Sparri
Chapter 3SkylarWith every passing day, I become weaker, and Dad grows more frantic.When Dr. Bentall told us I was out of time, I struggled to process the fact that I’d die soon. A million things went through my mind.How unfair life is.I’m too young.I’ve barely had a chance to live. What happens when you die?Is there a heaven, or is it like before you were born, where everything is just black?I’ll never get to run my own kitchen. I’ll never make food for Dad again.I’ll never get married, and Dad won’t walk me down the aisle. I won’t have children.It’s unfair.But the thoughts slowly faded, and in their place, a weird acceptance that ‘it is what it is’ settled in me.There’s no fighting the inevitable.Whenever I think something is too hard or impossible to handle, I somehow manage to overcome it. It’s the same with dying. In the end, I’ve made peace with what’s coming, so I don’t lose my mind.Dad comes into the hospital room, and a tired but happy smile tugs at my mouth. Aft
Chapter 4RenzoOpening the door, my eyes land on the nurse, and I order, “Open him up and put his organs back in his body.”Pale as fuck, she nods as she cautiously steps into the truck.Elio follows her inside, his face torn with worry and grief as he says, “This is fucked up.”“Was Antonio the first man here?” I ask, my eyes already locking on my soldier.Antonio comes closer as he nods and gestures at the dead bodies on the floor. “I just reacted without thinking to keep one of them alive for information. I’m sorry, boss.”“Tell me everything,” I order. “Leave nothing out.”He points at the bodies again. “I found the fuckers removing Giulios organs and killed them before calling Elio.”My eyes flick to where Bianca’s opening the cut on Giulio’s chest before returning to Antonio.“One of his kidneys has already been taken for a transplant,” Bianca says, drawing my attention back to her. “I couldn’t stop it without giving myself away. I had to sign the documents with the doctor, so
Chapter 5RenzoFor the past couple of hours, I’ve been watching Harlan Davies.The man is in his mid-fifties and looks like any other wealthy man in New York.But he isn’t just any other man. He’s the fucker who paid for Giulio’s kidney.My phone rings for the hundredth time, but again, I ignore it.After Harlan buys something to eat in the cafeteria, he takes a seat at one of the open tables.Figuring he’ll be here for at least fifteen minutes, I turn around and head to the hospital room Davies’ daughter is in.Unlike Angelo, Franco, and Dario, I don’t have a problem with killing a woman. But I’m not as bad as Damiano, who won’t hesitate to wipe out an entire family.For the past ten hours, I’ve tried to process Giulio’s death while trying to figure out how I’m going to approach this shit show.If I wipe out the Davies family, I won’t get to the fuckers who are peddling organs in New York. That’s my priority right now.Nearing the room, my fingers curl into fists, and no matter what
Chapter 6SkylarWaking up the day after the surgery, I feel groggy as hell.An image of an attractive man standing next to my bed flits through my mind, and a frown forms on my forehead.Was it real or a dream?I can remember him vividly. He had black hair cut in a sharp faux style, the sides trimmed short. His eyes were a unique color, light brown irises with a dark green ring around them. Almost cat-like.He even growled like a tiger.“The kidney belongs to me.”My eyes widen as the thought that I might have seen a freaking ghost hits me.“Don’t be absurd,” I mutter to myself as I gingerly try to sit up.My midsection and abdomen are tender from the surgery, but the pain is a lot less than I expected.Leaning back against the pillows, I let out a sigh.Just then, Dad comes into the room, and when he sees I’m awake, a smile spreads over his face.“How do you feel?”The corner of my mouth lifts into a grin as I answer, “Stronger.”Leaning over me, Dad presses a kiss to my forehead be
Chapter 7SkylarWaking up in the middle of the night, I’m still clutching a pen. I fell asleep while making a list of things I have to do when I get released from the hospital.I’m so excited about the second chance I’ve been given, I can’t wait to get out of here.While I set the pen down on the bedside table, I pat the covers in search of the notepad. When I don’t find it, I reach for the remote so I can turn the lights on.Movement catches my eyes, and as they flick to the door, I don’t see anyone.I could’ve sworn I saw something move.Switching on the light, I glance at the covers, but not seeing the notepad, I frown and search the floor around the bed.“Where did it go?”Just then, my eyes land on the bedside table, and I see the notepad.I must’ve put it there before falling asleep.Getting comfortable on the bed again, I pick up the notepad and pen and flip to the page I was writing on.I read over the list I’ve made, then my eyes widen, and a gasp escapesme.A life for a li
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