I discovered during the police investigation that she had been working for a strip club where she had been the most in demand for a private dance. I shut my eyes. We needed money, but Mamma had promised to look for a way. Zia didn’t have to do it. “I may be a bastard, but I’m not the one who treate
ADONIS “Congratulations, Vitale. You figured it all out,” Matteo said, giving a swift glance to Valery. She and Cole were seated at the sidebar, their faces still filled with worry. “I reckon it was hard.” Dom shook his head, sitting beside me on the long couch. Dom didn’t like the idea of Matteo
“Lack of judgement, you say? I did what I had to do.” She poked Matteo’s chest over his tailored suit. “Desperate? Maybe. But without judgment? Never.” Matteo’s jaw tightened. “This is not—” “The time and place for this?” She arched a brow. “I think this is exactly where we should discuss things a
I didn’t object and gave a curt nod as Matteo pulled his gaze to me. My men stood by until they all left the mansion, silently. I finally looked down at the paper and realised it wasn’t a paper. It was the reel, the only picture I’d ever taken with Zia—Leona. I had kept it as a reminder of what she
BELLA [Eight years ago] Matteo was close behind me, tensed as if I could get lost any moment if he looked away. I could feel his worry through my bones. But it wasn’t only because we were in unknown territory. He didn’t fear the unknown. I was eighteen and tiny and he was twenty-six and huge, wit
“Blood for blood is not the answer, son.” The pastor was still calm, despite Matteo’s outburst. “Besides, it was one of her last wishes.” “I’ve always respected her wishes and look where it got her.” I could barely catch the sadness in his voice. The pastor studied his expression and then reached
“Because she is a part of Zia... and not just the father’s.” The pastor held the baby’s head and slowly stroked a thumb over her light brows. He met my flickering gaze and asked, “Do you need more reasons to care for her?” The nun held her out to me and carefully placed her in my arms. Alessia’s li
BELLA I sat on the bed next to Alessia’s sleeping body, and for the first time, saw her as who she was—Adonis’s daughter. I had been trying not to compare their features since the moment I had seen Zia and his picture, but I couldn’t force myself to do it anymore. Black hair, pink lips, a slightly
“I should’ve killed that kid when I caught hold of Durant. That fucking bastard! Even his son isn’t any less,” Julian groaned. “He’s just a kid,” I murmured under my breath. That was what I believed. Aleksandr was a kid whose father had done terrible things and got taken away from him. He could no
BELLA Checking up on Fabi and Mamma one last time, I headed downstairs. The events had shaken everyone today. I knew I had nothing to reassure them with, not until Adonis and Matteo were back. Dante and Julian, the enforcer, were on the couch, faces smeared with tension. Julian’s phone buzzed, and
“Bombs,” someone yelled out. We lowered ourselves under the table while Adonis and his men pulled their guns out. Many men and women rushed toward the exit, trying to save their lives. I pulled Alessia closer to me and Mamma let out a heavy gasp and peeked her head out from under the table. “Don’t
“He had huge muscles and there were tattoos on his hands.” He pointed at the back of his hand. “He looked scary.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the look on his face. So pure and innocent. “You have nothing to fear,” I assured him and he stepped out of the room. “You’re the new bride.” “I am.” Ther
BELLA The outdoor reception was Ros’s idea. She loved the sight of string lights and candles, decorating almost every part of the bamboo ceiling and poles, giving the venue a light yellow touch amidst all the whites and blues. The only part I hated was that she wasn’t here to bear through the eveni
“You taste,” I scraped my teeth just below her clit and she moaned loudly, “so fucking delicious.”***BELLAOh, God! This was too much. I was riding his face, desperate to match the movements of his tongue. I wanted to hide my face in a blanket, worried about how this overwhelming need looked on me
“So hot.”There was a mix of lust, hunger and desperation in her eyes that sent blood rushing all the way to my cock strained against the harsh materials of my briefs. I pushed my hand underneath the waistband of her panties, down the mound of her sex covered in a small scruff and held her in a tigh
ADONISHelena made her way to her daughter, pulled her aside and said something to her, which made both of them laugh. They exchanged a hug and then Bella’s eyes were on me. She gave a little jerk, asking me why I was looking at her. Only if I could tell her why. She was the most beautiful woman to
I released her hand, cupped her cheeks and pressed my lips on hers, making sure everyone saw who she belonged to, who had her for the life ahead, and who would protect her if they ever thought of hurting her. I would always be there with her. As her husband. As her protector. As everything she dese