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 8RenzoUnresolved anger is like cancer. It fucking spreads and destroys everything in its path.I swing the bat at the fucker’s hip for the fourth time, and he howls with pain.After posing as a buyer, Dario set up a meeting with this guy. He’s the one who sold Giulio’s information at the blood bank.“Who the fuck did you give the information to?” I shout, unable to control my rage, as I slam the bat into his lower back.“Please,” he begs through snot and tears. “Don’t kill me.”We have him stripped down to his underwear, his body covered in bruises and blood.Caught in a haze of white-hot wrath, I beat the fuck out of him until I’m breathless, and he’s a whimpering mess at my feet.My body vibrates from the destructive emotions, and my voice is ice fucking cold as I ask, “Who did you sell the information to?”“I only have…an email,” he whimpers. “I never…saw the person.” “Give us the email,” I demand.He lifts his head and tries to crawl a couple of feet away from me. “It’s
Chapter 9SkylarThe stitches were removed a few days ago, and Dr. Bentall says my body is adjusting to the transplant at a satisfactory rate.Honestly, I feel as good as new, and with every passing day, I’m becoming stronger. I’m even gaining weight again.While I fill little pockets of dough with shredded beef so I can make steamed dumplings, Louisa places a cup of tea on the counter.“You’re spending too much time in the kitchen,” she chastises me. “You promised to take it slow.”“If I take it any slower, I’ll be in bed twenty-four-seven,” I mumble. I shoot her a grin. “It feels like I’ve been released from a prison sentence. Let me enjoy life.”“I just don’t want anything going wrong.”Giving her a reassuring smile, I say, “Nothing will go wrong. I feel healthy, and as soon as I get tired, I’ll take a nap.”She lets out a sigh before walking out of the kitchen, and I take a quick sip of the tea then continue making another dumpling.Suddenly, the tiny hairs on the back of my neck
Chapter 10RenzoSitting in my living room, I watch the lifestream from the cameras I planted in Davies’ mansion.I bring the tumbler of whiskey to my lips and take a sip, my eyes glued to Skylar, where she’s blow-drying her hair.She’s physically changed over the past three weeks. Her face isn’t gaunt anymore, and her skin has a healthy glow. With the weight she’s gained, she’s gone from pretty to strikingly beautiful.She’s sitting at her dressing table, facing the camera, and when I look into her clear blue eyes, it feels as if she can see me.Her movements slow down, and with a frown forming on her forehead, she switches off the hairdryer.She glances around her, then tugs her bottom lip between her teeth before murmuring, “This is getting insane. There’s no one there.”The corner of my mouth lifts in a predatory smirk. “Oh, I’m here.”Brushing her shoulder-length ginger hair with hard strokes, she says, “I better stop seeing ghosts everywhere, or Dad’s going to drag my ass to the
Chapter 11SkylarA miracle happened today.Dad finally let me go to the store on my own. It felt weird driving a car, but as I walk up and down the aisles, I feel empowered.That’s until the eerie sensation I’ve been experiencing since I left the hospital ripples down my spine.Shaking my head hard, I do my best to ignore it as I grab flour and baking powder from the shelf.Unable to help myself, I glance over my shoulder, and for a split second, I catch sight of a man in a light brown suit.Like an idiot, I stand frozen while staring at the end of the aisle.I’m not insane, and there is no such thing as ghosts.Fear tightens my stomach, and tearing my eyes away from the spot where I saw the man, I push the cart to the next aisle.I keep glancing around me, and by the time I reach the fruit and vegetables, I’m second-guessing myself once again.I’m digging through zucchinis, looking for the biggest ones, when someone comes to stand slightly behind me. When I see the light brown suit
Chapter 12RenzoAfter concluding the deal with the Mexicans, I find myself watching Skylar Davies twenty-four-seven.The other day, when I got close to her at the store, I could feel the fear vibrating from her.She’s aware I’m watching her, and even at home, she’s constantly on guard and glancing around as if she expects me to creep out of the shadows.I’m not going to lie. I’m enjoying this little game of cat and mouse way too fucking much.Sitting on the other side of the restaurant, where Skylar and her father are enjoying dinner, the corner of my mouth lifts as I stare at her.Topolina.Calling her ‘little mouse’ seems fitting. Just like a cat, I’ll play with her before biting off her fucking head.I watch as she smiles at her father and says something before she gets up and walks to the back of the restaurant, where the restroom is.I wait a few seconds before I climb to my feet and follow her. I glance around to make sure no one’s paying attention to me before I slip into the
Chapter 13SkylarYesterday, Dad contacted the private security firm, and he said they’re putting a skilled team together to protect me.It doesn’t make me feel any better, because I think we should go to the police, but Dad won’t hear about it.Sitting in Dr. Bentall’s office at the hospital, we wait for him to arrive so he can give me a checkup. He’s already twenty-five minutes late, and Dad’s getting agitated.“What’s taking him so long?” Dad mutters as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.I watch as he dials Dr. Bentall’s personal number, but a moment later, he shakes his head. “It goes straight to voicemail.”Patting Dad’s arm, I get up and say, “I’ll check with Julia.” Walking to the reception counter, I smile as I ask, “Do you know where Dr. Bentall is?” She gives me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry you’re waiting so long, Skylar. I’ve tried to call but can’t get a hold of him. Do you want to wait a little longer, or should we reschedule? I can squeeze you in tomorrowafternoon.
Chapter 14SkylarA million questions bombard me, but I don’t have the guts to ask any of them.My knees ache, and my body feels weak. I sway again, and it brings Renzo’s attention back to me.“With you still recovering from the transplant, this must be taking a toll on your body,” he says, his tone biting.“She’s innocent in all of this!” Dad suddenly exclaims.Renzo’s eyes flick to the man who’s holding a gun. I assume he’s a guard, and without a word passing between them, the man walks to Dad and slams the gun into the side of his head.“No!” I cry desperately.“Shut up,” the guard hisses at me.Whimpering, I scoot closer to Dad, but the guard aims the gun at me, and it has me instantly freezing.“No, please,” Dad begs as he quickly moves between the gun and me. Tears spill over my cheeks, and a sob explodes from my burning chest. “Enough!” Renzo’s voice is like a whip tearing through raw skin, and Iswear my bladder is a second away from failing me.Giving Renzo a pleading look, I
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