VICTOR Proposing to Madeline had not been part of my initial plan. In fact, I had been determined to push her away, believing that her life would always be filled with danger and hardships. Besides, I never saw myself as the marrying type. I chuckled softly to myself as I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. We were only a few miles away from her father's estate, and I had made a demanding request for an audience with Antonio, her father. Surprisingly, he didn't seem taken aback by my request, although I hadn't mentioned that Madeline would be accompanying me. She was my weakness, but also an integral part of my being. The idea of marriage had never crossed my mind until I heard the fatal gunshot that ended the life of a man I once trusted. It was in that moment that I realized how fleeting life could be. The ring on Madeline's finger belonged to my mother, one of the few pieces of jewelry my father had given her that held sentimental value. Deep down, I knew my mother would have
He remained silent, and in a matter of seconds, she grabbed his arm, causing him to nearly stumble. As I approached, he raised his hand, gesturing for me to stop, shaking his head. "My daughter deserves an explanation. I assume that's why you're here." She laughed, her hand poised as if she were about to strike him. "Don't," I interjected softly. Madeline recoiled, exhaling sharply. "You're right. He's not worth it." I knew there was more to her father's anguish and the decision he had made. "You were aware that my father had fallen in love with Sophia Massimo." Antonio appeared taken aback, almost pleasantly surprised, as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. "Yes. I introduced them. You see, there was a time when I had feelings for Sophia, but we were distant cousins. When she went to America to pursue an acting career, I followed her progress, occasionally visiting her when I was there on business. I had already begun taking over from my father, so my presence was req
Monte Carlo Under the radiant sunshine of a picturesque afternoon, we graced the red carpets of my movie premiere. The crowd, numbering in the thousands, eagerly gathered to catch a glimpse of a mafia king portrayed as a hero—a spectacle fit for the annals of cinematic legends. However, deep down, I yearned to distance myself from this world. As the crowd chanted my name—"Carnal King! Carnal King!"—Madeline, my beloved, laughed beside me, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She clung to my arm, and as we walked, she couldn't help but comment on the spectacle unfolding before us. Her words were laced with both curiosity and a touch of disdain for my co-star, whose appearance resembled that of a fairy princess. Such thoughts, however, remained mere fantasies, as I chuckled along, playing my part in this grand performance. Amidst the camera flashes and the roar of the crowd, I maintained a vigilant watch, scanning the faces before me, even as I maintained the facade of delight. The ques
"Madeline inquired about our destination, her unease lingering from the events at the premiere. I responded, intending to address the secrets that burdened us. Initially, I had no intention of opening Dante's envelope, as his words held no significance to me. However, feeling obligated to fulfill the dying man's wish, I reluctantly opened it, thereby altering my world once again. The contents inside brought forth a mix of heartbreak and solace. Eventually, I came to terms with the fact that he had bequeathed his entire estate and fortune to me through his will. It was tainted money, often referred to as blood money. Moreover, I discovered that I was also the heir to the Massimo mafia family, alongside my father's empire, which encompassed vast sums of money from drug trafficking and various legitimate investments. At some point after Dante's actual demise, a decision would need to be made. Dante deserved some credit for risking his entire reputation to rectify certain wrongs. While i
(This is the start of the volume 2. This is the side story which will focus on Rafael Reigo. He's a member of the mafia alliance) RAFAEL I was born into a position of power, the eldest son of a ruthless man devoid of morals. I was raised in a world where brutality and unforgiving actions were the norm. We were feared like gods, and anyone who crossed our path faced dire consequences. I took whatever I desired, regardless of the aftermath. Chicago was my playground, and my preferences leaned towards the depraved. I was a sadistic individual with little patience, but there was no time for amusement. The city streets were in turmoil, with rumors swirling around. I was determined to restore order, no matter what it took. Heads would roll. Lives would be lost. Obedience would be reinstated. Nobody dared interrupt me, fearing the consequences of my anger. That's why the sight of the tall, alluring woman caught my attention and ignited a primal desire within me. I tilted my head as she
A few seconds went by. Then ten more. She struggled, avoiding eye contact as she tried to find the right words. I waited patiently, sipping my drink and contemplating how to handle the situation. "Listen, if you want my help, you're going to have to talk to me. I'm not known for my patience, so at least give me your name." After another pause and a faint moan, she finally spoke up. "Okay. I don't want to play games. I'm Emily Fiennes, Rafael. Maybe you remember me. I had nowhere else to go, and you're the only person I trust. The truth is, you're the only one who can protect me. If he finds me, he'll kill me." Her words hit me like a jolt of electricity, stirring up intense arousal that I hadn't felt in years. Memories flooded my mind, bittersweet and captivating. I gazed into her striking green eyes, momentarily lost in the past. "You belong to me," I asserted in a commanding tone, toying with the leather strap in my hand. "Yes, sir," Emily whispered, struggling against the rest
"Oh, I understand," she replied, her back arching and her head tilting. Her captivating green eyes gazed back at me knowingly. She was fully aware of the passionate encounter that awaited us. Taking a deep breath, I leaned in and kissed her passionately, eagerly parting her lips with my tongue. The taste of her surpassed my expectations, a combination of sweetness and the boldness of scotch. It was a powerful aphrodisiac, and I found myself completely captivated by her mystery. As I pulled her body closer to mine, she moaned into the kiss and pressed her hands against me. I loved the sensation of her fingers digging into my skin, leaving a pleasurable hint of pain. I gripped her hair firmly, bringing her even closer to me. She responded by moving her hips against mine, igniting a powerful desire within me. The kiss became an intense expression of passion, and I couldn't get enough of her. I dominated her tongue with ease, reveling in the wild and primal connection we shared. Emily
She appeared surprised by the specific command, but complied with it. As I slid the damp section of the belt across her tongue, she swayed forward, almost as if she were about to collapse to the ground. Her hunger was evident, nearly matching my own intensity. "Imagine the moment I whip your genitals," I said in a husky voice, needing to take a few deep breaths. "Yes. Oh God, yes, sir," she responded. Stepping back, I wrapped the buckled end of the belt around my hand and flicked the end against her breasts. Her body trembled, her mouth opening wide, yet her eyes remained filled with absolute ecstasy. I repeated the action, snapping my wrist, the sound of the strap striking her skin like captivating music. I was consumed by desire as I slapped her breasts one final time before moving behind her, tenderly caressing her beautiful buttocks. Her body was exquisite: an hourglass figure with rounded hips, long legs meant to entwine around my waist, and perfectly shaped breasts. I longed
I went for a drive to visit Stefan at the hospital before returning home. Upon entering the house, I immediately sensed its coldness and stillness. It seemed as though Emily had left, and although I would have been devastated, I couldn't bring myself to be angry. She deserved to have a happy life. With a heavy heart, I dropped my keys on the hallway table, finding it difficult to proceed further into my own lifeless dwelling. Without Emily, there was no love, no brightness. I made my way towards my office, and as I approached the open door, I froze. She had discovered the papers I had signed, another secret I had kept from her. Frustration welled up inside me. Then, a delightful aroma of vanilla and cinnamon caught my attention, emanating from the kitchen. Confused, I ventured closer, and my senses were greeted by additional scents that made my mouth water: garlic, tomatoes, onions, and the fragrance of fresh bread. Taking cautious steps, I continued towards the kitchen, and amidst
"Mmmm... And I love you," I replied, my heart filled with the weight of those words. We remained wrapped in each other's embrace for several minutes, and when he finally eased away, I felt an unexpected sense of emptiness, a subtle pang of loneliness. An irrational fear crept into my mind—that I would always worry about his return, that I would never feel completely safe. But as if he sensed my unease, he zipped up his jeans and gathered me into his arms, disregarding our disheveled state as he led me back to the living room. Tenderly, he settled me on the couch, pulling a blanket over my naked body. Then, he simply disappeared. Confusion and worry washed over me. Had I done something wrong? I waited anxiously for a few minutes, contemplating getting up from the couch, when he reappeared. In his hands, he held an open bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses. It was a moment of enchantment, especially coming from a man who claimed not to have a romantic bone in his body. He pour
I also came to understand that Rafael had his limits when it came to sharing details about his business and his involvement in certain matters. He had mentioned before that it was partly to protect me, although I couldn't be certain if it was solely due to a lack of trust. Regardless, I decided not to push the issue at that moment. Instead, I cherished the time we spent together, enjoying our dinners and the comfort of his embrace. Amidst the chaos of bullets and death, a realization nagged at me, refusing to be ignored. Sensing an opportunity to lighten the mood, I playfully said, "What if I promise that I'll never let that happen again?" Rafael pulled me up from the ground, a skeptical look on his face. "Do you honestly think I would fall for such a promise?" he replied. "Not at all. You're a wise old man," I teased, unable to suppress a grin. Despite his guarded nature, Rafael had shown me various facets of his personality, including his vulnerability. My love for him was profoun
EMILY Love. That single word had replaced the suffocating fear that had nearly drained me of the will to survive, even though thoughts of death still lingered. Despite being assured that the nightmare was over. From the moment that bastard had forcibly taken me from William's house, I had resigned myself to never seeing Rafael again. While the monster had not followed through on his threat, instead locking me away until he eventually dragged me to the club, I couldn't shake his cowardly face from my mind. But amidst the haunting images that I knew would fade with time, Rafael's heartfelt words echoed in my ears. The horror in his eyes when he laid eyes on me confirmed that he would move heaven and earth to find me, if need be. Curled up under a blanket on the couch, my legs tucked close to my chest, I gazed at the crackling fire he had built. The uncharacteristic cold snap had given him an excuse to pamper me with hot chocolate, the fire perpetually ablaze. I would never have exp
As I made my way towards the elevator, I noticed the attention I was receiving from those present in the club. Although some of my soldiers were discreetly positioned throughout the venue, it was much easier to identify the members of the Kadik gang with their leather jackets and dark jeans. I confidently approached a group of them, extending my arms. "I have an appointment with Konstantin." As I had expected, they conducted a search for weapons before allowing me to enter the empty elevator. The doors opened, and I could hear classical music playing from the speakers, an intriguing choice considering the nature of the individual I was about to meet. There he was, seated like a king, reclining in an opulent velour chair with one leg casually draped over the armrest. Dressed in a flowing white shirt and loose dark trousers, his appearance would have been almost comical if not for the underlying tension. "Konstantin Solntsevskaya," I greeted him, noting that Emily was nowhere to be s
He followed closely behind me, mirroring my confident stride. The time for this relentless war to reach its conclusion had arrived. And we were determined to emerge victorious. I inserted the drive into my computer, accessing the array of files it contained. "What are we up against?" Aleksei inquired, his customary vodka in hand. "Lists of names, supporters of our respective organizations," I replied. It was evident that someone had gone to great lengths, investing significant time and effort, to compile such an extensive and incriminating roster. "Blackmail," Miguel murmured, his voice barely audible. Indeed, it was a form of blackmail, but not the kind Armando had previously hinted at. "A weapon of sorts," Victor suggested. I glanced at him, acknowledging his insight. "You're correct. It targets those who work for us, placing them in impossible positions. They are left with no choice but to either yield or flee, eradicating crucial support from the police, city councils, atto
Despite the enjoyable moments we shared watching games and sharing drinks, we had neglected to engage in meaningful conversations. In all honesty, I found myself somewhat intimidated by him – his amiable nature, kindness, and passion for life, which was completely devoid of violence. Perhaps it was time to change that. "Hey there. I heard you're improving," I said, unsure if I expected him to open his eyes or not, but I sensed that he heard me. "Everything will be alright. Just know that I have my best men protecting you." All I heard in response were the various sounds of the machines. Frustrating. Swallowing hard, aware that I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, I held his hand tightly as a solitary tear rolled down my cheek. What had become of our family? "Anyway, I can't stay long, but I'll be back, alright?" There was no response, no acknowledgement of any kind. "Stefan, know that I love you, brother." I squeezed his hand once more, finally letting go. For some in
"Who? Who the hell took her?" Through a series of strained breaths, he managed to utter, "Ra..." Blood-tinged bubbles escaped his lips, followed by a violent cough that wracked his body. It was evident that time was running out for him. "Russian." A chill ran down my spine, and I bristled at the revelation. Axel could never be mistaken for a Russian. "Okay, just rest," I urged, despite the conflicting emotions within me. I realized that he might still hold valuable information. Refusing to release my arm, he tugged me down closer to him. "Desk. Look. Drive." I glanced towards his desk, trying to comprehend his words. "Take... it." "Alright." Rising to my feet, I walked over to his desk, methodically opening each drawer. Finally, I discovered a solitary jump drive. It had to be what he was referring to. Returning to his side, I held the drive in front of his face. "Is this what Lucas was going to give Emily?" "Ya... yes. A copy." He began coughing up more blood, his chest heaving
The others looked on silently, aware that the day had come when we would have to reveal our secret meetings. There was no avoiding it any longer. "Then we work together until this is resolved, regardless of the consequences," I declared. Each person in the room nodded in agreement. We had received assistance and information, but what we faced was unprecedented. The fact that sworn enemies had formed an alliance meant someone knew we were working together, and they saw it as a weakness. But we knew better. We were a formidable force, and we had much to lose if we failed, especially the safety of our loved ones. After ending the call with Dante, I walked away from the others, dialing the number again to relay the necessary information to my father. It was a futile gesture, as I knew he would never forgive his impulsive son. "Dante, things are getting intense. We need to organize the soldiers immediately," I said urgently. "Rafael, we have a problem," Dante replied, his voice laced w