Claire
It still felt like a dream. One moment I was standing on the road thrown out of my apartment with nowhere to go, and another I was sitting inside a luxurious limousine with sleek interior that screamed money. I had to admit, it was very entertaining watching Nolan's jaw drop when the men ushered me Into the car. 'Who the fuck are you?' Nolan had confidently walked up to the bodyguard only to have his hand twisted behind his back. He'd wailed like a pig on the slaughter table and I'd felt a wave of satisfaction seeing his cleanly shaven smug face twist in pain. I'd gotten into the car on an impulse with the aim to annoy Nolan further, but now that I was sitting inside the luxurious car driven to heaven knows where, the fear began to kick in. "Shit, you should have at least inquired where they were taking you before getting into the car Claire." I knocked on the partition slightly, watching it slide down. "Is there anything you need miss?" "Um, where are you taking me?" "Our boss instructed us to get you. There is no need to panic, you're safe with us." "Who is your boss?" "Vincent." The bodyguard said, "Vincent Morano." Every nerve in my body stiffened like a string pulled tight. "Morano?" It was a very familiar last name. The name of a person nicknamed 'Death.' Vincent Morano was the popular lord of the Italian Mafia who owned a very large portion of LA business market. "The Vincent Morano?" I asked again not believing my ears. "Yes Miss. Sit tight and enjoy, if there's anything you need please feel free to ask." The partition slid up leaving me alone inside the back section of the car with a bottle of expensive wine and snacks I didn't touch. Why did Vincent Morano send people to get me? I'd never met him before. Was he going to kill me? Torture me? What kind of trouble did I willingly walk into? The ride to Encino ended and a luxury mansion stood in front of me. One of the properties belonging to Morano. The bodyguards hauled all my suitcases and I was led into the beautiful entrance of the mansion. High ceilings with glistening chandeliers greeted me, I gulped nervously when the guard opened the door to a pristine looking home office with windows that showcased a view of the best spots in LA. The man sitting behind the table had an aura that scared me to the bones. When his chair swiveled to my direction, I sucked in a breath. "You?" The surprise in my voice was unmistakable. "Hello Blue." That deadly smile lifted his sinful mouth. The man before me couldn't be described as handsome it was an understatement. Maybe my memory of him from that night was hazy, but seeing him again now he was certainly more handsome than I remembered him to be. "You are Vincent Morano?" I found myself asking. "In the flesh." He replied, getting up from his seat to approach me. "What do you want from me? If you're thinking that I might be useful to you in anyway then you're certainly mistaken, I don't know anything about the Mafia world and have certainly never been involved in..." "Shh." He was standing in front of me now, a finger on my lips. The warmth of his closeness made my heart tumble in my chest and blood rushed up my cheeks. "Did I ask if you knew anything about the Mafia?" His irresistible hazel eyes studied mine and amusement shone in them, "You're afraid of me." He stated rather than asked. "Who wouldn't be?" I said willing my voice not to shake, "You can't kill me, if no one hears from me they'll alert the police and you'll be hunted by the law." He suddenly threw his head back, a vibrating sound of laughter tore out of him. It felt strange seeing a man feared by all laugh in front of me. "You never told me you could be this funny Blue. Do you think the law can bring me down?" An evil glint shone in his eyes, "Rather, I can destroy the law." I had no doubt he could. Scrambling away from him, I rushed towards the door but it was suddenly pushed open and a huge guy with the physique of a wrestler strode in. "Vince, I've got news..." He suddenly stopped talking when he saw me. "Is this her?" He asked, eyes looking at me from head to toe. "Yes Rocco, that certainly is her." Vincent Morano replied with a smirk on his mouth. "What do you people want from me?" The intention had been to escape, but who was I kidding? If Vincent Morano wanted me inside this mansion, running out wouldn't save me because there would be no escape route. "What I want from you is simple Blue." He said with a calmness in his voice. "Why do you keep calling me Blue?" I suddenly asked. He chuckled, "Have you seen your eyes?" My eyes? I suddenly realized why the nickname seemed to make sense, I had blue eyes. "I want you to be my girlfriend for three months. You'll live here with me until then." "What?" I almost laughed finding his proposal funny. "You want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?" "Whoever mentioned the word pretend sweetheart?" He raised a brow. "But you don't even know me, and I don't even love you." "So?" "So I can't be your girlfriend." "The word can't isn't in my vocabulary Blue. I always have what I want." He was breath-stoppingly handsome, any girl in LA or even all over the world would jump at the opportunity be his girlfriend, but I knew this man was bathed in blood. And I would never start a relationship without love, I had a feeling there's something he wants to achieve by doing this. "Don't worry Blue, this transaction will be very favorable to you as well. Within this span of time you get anything your heart desires, luxury vacations, shopping sprees, a limitless use of money at your disposal." I frowned, "Money can't be used as a substitute for love Mr. Morano, a relationship cannot survive based on greed and wealth." Someone suddenly laughed, I turned to see the huge guy called Rocco cackling. "You might want to reframe your views about life. Everything can be bought with money." "I'm sorry Mr. Morano, but I'm not that type of girl. If you could let me leave now." Saying this, I turned and made for the door. "You want your dream job back don't you?" I suddenly stopped walking. "From what I've gathered, it's your absolute dream to work at this company called Glam. I'm a nightmare to most people, but for you, I can make your dreams come true." He dropped a file on his table and I stared at his face in suspicion before walking over and picking up the file. My eyes widened when I read the contents. "How did you...?" "You can get your dream Blue, as the new owner of that company I can give you whatever position you desire. I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss the chance to get back at your loser of an ex boyfriend." He smirked, beautiful yet dangerous. But I found my heart thumping at a glance from the demonically handsome man. He'd done his research about me, that much was evident. "Tick tock Blue, your answer." He leaned over his desk, his elbows on the table and fingers crossed together, he looked like a devil making business transactions in hell. What did I have to lose? I wasn't going to be killing anyone, I just had to be the mafia's girlfriend for a few months. Working at Glam had always been my absolute dream, I didn't want to lose that. "Alright Mr Morano, I'll be your girlfriend." "The name's Vincent to you sweetheart." *** The wrestler looking guy escorted me to a bedroom ten times the size of my whole apartment. The walk in closet was filled to the brim with pure luxury. A piece from the Alexander McQueen new collection, the Dior new spring collection, and a whole lot of other expensive brands sat in the closet elegantly. I had the best sleep of my life that evening on the softest double queen sized bed in the whole world. When I woke up the next morning, I was attended to by maids dressed in strict uniforms. Helping me dress up and ushering me down to the breakfast table. Vincent wasn't there for breakfast but I was served a sumptuous meal. While I was eating, a siren like sound suddenly filled the air. Guards lined into the mansion running straight up the stairs in panic. "What's going on?" I asked a maid near me. Just when I was beginning to get comfortable, I hoped things wouldn't get bloody with the alarm sounding. "Something urgent seems to have happened. But you shouldn't worry, the boss has instructed that you be kept away from any disturbing occurrences here." "Where is she?" Amidst all the chaos, the sharp voice of a woman rang from the entrance. "I'm sorry Miss Natalia, boss just brought his girlfriend home yesterday and instructed us to make sure she is perfectly comfortable, we can't let you see her." The female snorted, "Get out of my way. I'll find her myself." The sound of heels clanking filled my ears and soon a sexy woman with the figure of a model stood in front of me looking at me like a piece of garbage. "So you're the bitch who stole my man?"Vincent The blue eyed girl had haunted my dreams after that one night I'd broken my rules for her.Was it just a case of lust for her after she'd sent me wildly hard with desire after that night?Whatever it was, I would have a taste of her now that she was living with me, the desire for her would disappear, just like it always did for every other woman.No woman had lasted more than three months in my life and I was damn sure this Claire Santos wouldn't be any different.She was a new toy that caught my attention, and that attention would certainly expire soon.Alarm sounds suddenly filled the air and I knew something dreadful had happened.Rocco burst into my office urgently."The alarm is coming from the safe In the upper east wing Vince, someone has tampered with the safe."Hearing that news I immediately abandoned every work I was handling, following Rocco up to the east wing. Bursting into the room where my safe laid behind a wall of painting, I felt my blood boil when the sig
Claire'Thirty seconds to make you want me Blue.' His whisper repeated in my head as I walked back to my room In a daze.If he only knew the amount of heat his presence had awakened in my body. I could feel the dampness between my legs. My desire for him was far more than the single night I'd been drugged. My phone suddenly buzzed on my bed, checking the text that arrived, a smile lit up my face.I hadn't heard from my brother in a while, though he always informed me whenever he wouldn't be available, he'd always send texts to check on me from time to time.~How is my little sunshine doing? I've missed you. I only have three months till I wrap up my volunteer service to a camp of survivors from the war and I'll be back in LA. I can't wait to see my little sister. Take good care of yourself. Love, Your Big Brother.~I smiled at his text feeling happy and relieved to have heard from him again.We'd lost our Dad when I was five years old, though the memories of what happened are foggy
ClaireNatalia distributed the cards.Vincent didn't seem to budge even as I whispered to him that I didn't know how to play poker. I had no choice but to sit down and play.Johnny stood behind me, telling me the rules of the game in a whispering voice. The first game was an epic fail for me. "One would think the owner of this casino's woman would know how to play. You can withdraw if it gets too difficult for you." Natalia remarked shuffling the cards for the next round."Don't speak too soon Miss Natalia, I've always been known to carry around unbeatable luck." I said pulling out my cards randomly, not wanting her to get the best of me.Natalia giggled shaking her head. Mockery filling her voice as she said, "Where did you find this little clown Vince? She's hilarious."Vincent didn't say a word nor interfere in the game. He silently watched me with a plain look in his eyes making me feel a burn of scrutiny from his gaze.Rocco lowered himself to whisper something in his ears and
Vincent I had taken the wrong fucking step. Bringing that girl into my house was a big mistake.After that night at the bar, I found myself restlessly recalling images of her beautiful blue eyes and innocent face. I was wracked with the irresistible urge to have her near me. I found out everything there was to know about her and discovered that she lost her job and her ex boyfriend was planning to buy out her apartment complex to kick her out. The thought of her being homeless didn't sit well with me, so I proposed her a deal to stay with me as my girlfriend. That was far against my principles, but the Blue eyed angel had charmed me in a single night.'Love is pain Vincent, love destroys. The minute you feel something for someone, a feeling you've never ever felt before, you must run from it, because that feeling will stop at nothing until it destroys your soul.' These were words my sister once told me, the image of her eyes lost like a soul fluttering in the wind still burned in
Vincent The fools were just too easy to find. It took thirty minutes to scan all the shady looking hideouts on the upper east side, and only one was left unchecked.When my men informed me of the location of the hideout they hadn't checked, I drove there myself and sure enough. About five men were guarding the entrance.They shot at me immediately I showed up but I'd been raised amidst bullets, evading them was as easy as a walk in the park for me. When I shot at them I never missed, sending one bullet each through fatal points that killed all five men instantly.A single kick broke down the door to the warehouse.Donatello's underling, who had infiltrated the casino had Claire pinned beneath him, half naked with blood trailing down the side of her face."Morano." The man said with a quivering voice, evidently my presence pressed fear into his heart like it did for everyone else, "How...how are you here?"He scrambled off Claire's body, crawling to the side. I'd already sighted the
Claire"On what grounds do you think I should send her away? It has already been proven that she didn't take the heirloom." He spoke indifferently while feeding me another spoonful."She's only going to be a liability. Look at what happened today, we have never lost this much to Donatello, but immediately she showed up we're suffering painful losses.""For him to already know about her it means we really do have a spy in our midst. Someone around us has been reporting back to him about my every move. That should be your biggest concern. Find the spy and make them face my punishment.""But Vince, this girl...""Don't make me repeat myself Rocco." The way his voice darkened this time made me unconsciously shiver. His eyes flashed a dark bloodthirsty glint that made me stiffen in my spot, I couldn't even open my mouth to accept the food he was feeding me."I'll find the spy, but I still think keeping this woman here is a terrible idea." Rocco left the room after that. "Will you eat or w
Claire He pulled me back against him the instant I moved, my legs sitting on either side of him while his hands held my thighs still. "Scared?" His voice was thick with desire as he whispered in my ear and left a small bite on my earlobe. "No." He gazed into my eyes and tugged my body closer, I felt the bulge against my core again and bit my lips to hold in the moan threatening to slip out. I felt a desperation to move and grind against the hardness poking my center, right at the spot I was aching and needing. His rough hand touched the side of my face, his thumb trailing over my lips. "Have you bewitched me Blue, I've never wanted a woman this badly." He wanted me. The thought made me relax in his hold, letting my arms circle his neck. Our breaths mingled and I ached desperately to submit myself to him, mind, body, and soul. It had taken a lot less than thirty seconds for me to want him this much. "Will you love me Mr Morano?" I asked, a softness in my voice a
Vincent I stood on the balcony in my room, a thick cigar sitting in my hand. The smoke I blew from my lips swirling around me. 'Will you love me Mr Morano?'I let out a dark smile when I recalled the words Claire had spoken to me. How she even began to get the idea of love baffled me.The Moranos have been a family leading powerful clans of Mafias for decades, we never settled for a single woman. Love was never in my blood. But this woman who'd just entered my life seeking for love was one that had made me act in ways I hadn't done before.Her appalled eyes flashed in my memory of the moment she saw what was happening at the Friday night of lust party. She must have been caught off guard by it all, but I hadn't felt satisfaction like I thought I would.Bringing her there had been to break her spirit of ever wanting to ask me for love again, but what she had said to me after I'd brought her home still rang fresh in my mind. 'You have two days left to decide if you still want love, o
ClaireThe black SUV sat outside the steel gates of our house. I could already see Vincent through the rolled down windows smoking a thick cigar in his hand. I got into the passenger seat and a strange silence reigned after I'd said a subtle hey which he replied with a hum. I stared at his face through the rear view mirror, a small frown sat on his brows and it was evident he was worried about something.Reaching over I grabbed the cigar from his hand and he finally looked at me, a strange calm in his hazel eyes."Don't tell me you want to smoke, Blue?" His voice was deeper than I remembered, strangely making heat pool between my legs.When you've missed someone, sometimes you don't even realize it until you see them again, everything about them would begin to excite you. From their eyes, how their voice sounds, and how the buttons on their shirt are half opened then your eyes can't help but wander down their chest till you glimpse a bit of dark ink...Dark ink? I found myself notic
Vincent "Keira, will you tell me what the fuck is going on?" Everything seemed fishy, from how Keira kept pacing around the living room, to the pain that momentarily reflected in her eyes which she hid away thinking I wouldn't see but I certainly had. Keira had certainly met that man before, but what I had to know was where, how and what made them both react the way they had."Is this your first time meeting him?" She suddenly asked stopping her pacing movement."Yes. Now tell me what's going on."She dug her fingers into her long hair, pulling them back on her head before letting out a frustrated sigh. "Vincent that man is..."She suddenly trailed off as if waking up from a trance, as if she wasn't supposed to tell me whatever she had planned to say next."Keira." I moved towards her but she avoided me, as if fighting whatever vulnerability that would open up if I came any closer."All you need to know is this...that man, is not who he seems, he's so much more dangerous than he a
ClaireThe car drove into the huge mansion driveway. I tilted my head to glance at Rodrigo, his face was still stone cold and impassive, I suddenly began to feel nervous."Why are you so nervous sunshine?" He suddenly asked with a playful smirk on his lips."What? I'm not nervous at all."Rodrigo laughed and flicked my forehead playfully remarking. "Liar."He swung open the car door and got down. I began to slightly feel a bit relieved that he didn't seem to be in a bad mood. Rodrigo was the most important person in my life, no matter what I do in life, I wanted to make him happy, I wanted to get his support.Vincent was sitting in the living room, dressed casually when we were led in by a maid.His hazel eyes met mine across the room, as if he already knew I was here even before our presence was announced. There's been a strange connection between us lately. I can feel him, and it's evident he can feel me too.Perhaps this was the connection between two people who have given their
Vincent Darkness surrounded me as I strode into the warehouse that smelled of rusty metal and blood. The only audible sounds were those of my shoes clanking against the smooth floors. It had been long since my hands last tasted blood, long since someone died from my hands, but I was certain it wouldn't be as pleasurable for me as it used to be.Because now I have something that makes my mind spin, my heart race and my body surge on fire. Something priceless...A precious little woman, who has stolen my heart.It used to astonish me, and maybe it still does, how I'd fallen for her so hopelessly that now my eyes seem to see nothing else but her. The more time I spend with her, the more I wanted to spend even more time with her. I finally understand the fucked up arrangement called marriage and why people do it.With how rapidly my blood pounds in my ears with anticipation to see her again whenever she isn't near, I would give anything to keep her with me at all times. That blasted
Claire Days flew by like the passing wind. Though Rocco voiced his disapproval of me being with Vincent and his support for Natalia, he didn't stop me from taking care of Vincent. But it did make me resent Rocco, a little bit. Even if I felt he seemed to have a reason for suddenly choosing Natalia's side. On the evening of the sixth day after Vincent had been shot, I was laying my head on the side of his bed and slowly drifted to sleep. By the time I woke up, I suddenly felt a large hand stroking my head tenderly. I stiffened for a while before I suddenly jerked my head up to find hazel eyes smiling down at me. "Hey..." His voice was hoarse and thick. I jumped out of my seat hastily. "Vincent... you're really awake this time." He was sitting up in the hospital bed not looking at all like someone who'd been shot and almost lost his life. I couldn't help the rush of emotion as I flung myself into his arms. He chuckled deeply at my actions and all I could do was shed tears of re
ClaireNatalia's words had sounded like a bluff to my ears so I ignored her.I stayed by Vincent's side religiously. Rodrigo was exhausted from having donated blood, I had to take him home and explain to him what happened."Your boyfriend suddenly got shot on the road and you were there?" He suddenly exclaimed with a startled expression, "Sunshine, that was very dangerous. What if you had gotten shot, what would I have done if you...""Rod, nothing happened to me right? Besides the target was Vincent and not me." A deep frown settled on Rodrigo's face. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. Silence reigned in the car."Rod?" "A man who gets shot randomly on the streets must have many secrets and hidden enemies. He isn't safe for you." "How can you conclude that when you haven't even met him?""Sunshine..."I knew what he was going to say. In Rodrigo's eyes, anything that could cause me harm should be kept far away from me. He was going to voice his verdict of disapproval.Though I w
ClaireThe red lights in the ER flickered on and I crumbled to the floor in a weak heap.I could hear Vincent's guards conversing on the phone with a thick Italian tongue. Everything happened in a rapid blur around me, my heartbeat was unbearably loud in my ears, so loud that I began to form words with them.'This will kill him, he was shot in the heart.''Vincent is going to die!''Vincent is going to die!'Fear struck me like a lightning bolt and more tears streamed down my face. I rapidly shook my head against the unbearable words forming in my mind."No, he's not going to die. Nothing will happen to him. He's going to live and I'll stay by his side, I'll always stay by his side." The thought of losing him clenched my heart with an unbearable pain, I couldn't harbor that thought for longer than the few seconds it had surfaced in my head so I chose a mindless optimism.Wiping my tears I composed myself, stood on my feet and began to pace.The memory of blood pooled around Vincent g
Claire'...so when will you let me meet your brother?' I couldn't stop thinking about what Vincent said. I'd let those words pass after we were interrupted by the others, Vincent didn't ask about it again and I never brought it up because I didn't know what to tell him. Rodrigo wanted to meet him, only to confirm if he loved me and would take care of me, but what I didn't expect was that Vincent would want to meet him too and if they met, Rod would quickly figure out if Vincent has true feelings for me or not.And if he finds out Vincent doesn't love me, he wouldn't approve of me being with him.The next day when Lea and I met for lunch at a restaurant, my mind was lost in thought even as she kept talking."I can't believe that Sean. He kept convincing the guys through the group chat that your boyfriend seems to be hiding something. He thinks Vincent is some sort of drug dealer or something, he even kept telling them that he would expose whatever criminal records Vincent might have
ClaireI nervously waited at the side of the road in front of the Acer's gaming court in the city until I saw Vincent's black SUV driving into the parking lot. A bright smile split on my face and I ran towards his car just in time as he stepped down. "Hello Blue." My heart skipped a beat when he flashed me that dazzling smile as he stepped down. I felt the urge to run into his arms and bury myself in his hug but I held back the urge not knowing if it would make him uncomfortable."Hi." I greeted instead fiddling with my hands. "Actually I..."His finger suddenly stopped my mouth from saying more. "Before anything, don't you think a mere hi is too bland to greet your boyfriend?" I was more than happy to run into his arms and embrace him tightly. I wasn't expecting him to hug me back but he did, and I closed my eyes momentarily at the feel of his powerful arms around me. "Vincent, you know how to play games like bowling don't you?" "Hmm." He replied affirmatively with a hum, tigh