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 15RenzoWatching Skylar scream at her father on the live stream from the camera in the room brings me a sliver of satisfaction.It looks like she’s losing her mind, and it’s clear she had no idea where the kidney came from.Not that it changes anything.I’m still going to make her suffer for the rest of her life.The way I have to suffer every day I’m forced to live without Giulio.Skylar slumps down to her ass and leans back against the wall. She looks exhausted.Not wanting her to die yet, I know I’ll have to make her more comfortable.“Carlo, put a bed in one of the empty offices,” I order. “On it, boss.”My eyes are glued to the screen as I watch Harlan stalk up and down like a caged animal while Bentall stands in a corner.Skylar buries her face in her arms that are wrapped around her knees, the skirt of her dress pinned between her calves and the back of her thighs.My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I quickly pull it out. Seeing Dario’s name, I answer, “Did you find o
Chapter 16SkylarI thought I wouldn’t be able to shut an eye, but I ended up passing out. I slept like the dead before waking up in the dark room.I have no idea what time it is, but seeing as I can’t hear any noises, I assume it’s the middle of the night.Sitting up on the bed, I glance around the room, and my eyes latch onto a shadowy figure standing in the corner.I stare at Renzo while draping the covers over my lap and legs.I have no idea what the man plans to do with me, and it terrifies me. “Sleep well?” his voice rumbles from the corner.Unable to speak, I nod. “Good.”Minutes of silence follow where he just stares at me, and it rattles the hell out of me.“You have good instincts,” he suddenly pays me a compliment. “Every time you were in the kitchen, or watching TV, or in your bedroom, and you glanced around thinking you were losing your mind, I was watching you.”My mouth drops open, and before I can stop myself, I mutter, “That’s not creepy at all. ”He lets out a chuckl
Chapter 17RenzoAs I rise to my feet, I pull Skylar up until she’s standing on shaky legs.I let go of her and gesture to her father as I order, “Untie him.”Carlo comes closer, and pulling a pocket knife out, he flips it open and crouches behind Harlan, cutting the cable ties.When Harlan climbs to his feet, rubbing his swollen wrists, I say, “You have five minutes to say goodbye to your daughter.”“What?” he gasps, his eyes flicking between me and Skylar. “Why?What are you going to do?”Not answering the man, I cross my arms over my chest and mutter, “Your five minutes has already started.”With panic blooming over his face, he grabs Skylar to him and holds her tightly.“No matter what happens, I love you, sweetheart.” She begins to cry harder and clings to her father.I didn’t get to say goodbye. Christ. I’d give everything I have to hug Giulio one last time. To tell him I love him.My grief spirals until the deadly rage that was soothed by killing the doctor returns with a venge
Chapter 18SkylarThere’s a camera showing my bedroom.My mouth grows dry when I think Renzo probably watched me get dressed.Has he seen me naked? Shit.My fear spirals a little as the question teeters on the tip of my tongue.As Renzo drops the remote on the coffee table before shrugging off his jacket, the question bursts from me, “Did you watch me get dressed?”His eyes touch on me for a second, then he casually takes his phone from the inside pocket before draping the jacket over the back of a couch.He sets the device down next to the remote, and only then does he look at me again. I can’t place his expression, but the longer he just stares at me, the faster my heart beats.His gaze burns down my body and stops on my bare legs, where there are still droplets of dried blood.Finally his lips part, and he says, “I suppose we have to get you something clean to wear.”He’s not answering my question. That has to mean he did see me naked.Right?He grabs his phone again and dials a nu
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