KIRA’S POV“Instead of pointing guns, maybe you should focus on controlling your wife, Azrael,” Fabrizio sneered, his eyes drilling into me. “She was the one throwing herself at me. Knowing you, I’d think you’d warn her about men like me. So, let’s not pretend I’m the one to blame here.”My heart dropped. “No… I didn’t—he’s lying.” I stammered, glancing at Adrian, his expression was frigid and unreadable. My gaze flicked to Paulo, standing nearby, his face barely masking the storm brewing beneath.The man Adrian had called Caruso earlier, spoke up, his voice as icy as the atmosphere around us. “Let Mancini go, and we’ll release your girl. There’s no need to turn your inauguration into a bloodbath.”Adrian released Fabrizio’s collar, sending him stumbling backward. Everyone still had their guns up and that just made the sickening feeling in my stomach grow with each passing second. Almost immediately, Romano pushed from between the crowd, making his way to me, “Did he harm you in any
ADRIAN'S POV“So, what was the plan, Adrian? Murder me and make it look like an accident while you fool around with a… a…” her voice fell as she pointed a finger at Jess–or Jeanie hell if I knew her name. “Whore…” I finished for her, not bothering to hide my amusement as a smirk curled on my lips. She couldn’t even call the woman I was supposedly cheating on her with a whore to her face. Pathetic!This wasn’t cheating. I was as free as a man could be since this marriage is a fucking farce. She wanted Dylan’s dick, and I wanted nothing to do with her. To me, Kira Neel was nothing more than a social experiment that had gone terribly wrong. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, a foolish trait that will eventually get her killed in my world, and no amount of training will change that.For as long as I can remember, I have gone out of my way to avoid people and unnecessary conversations, keeping my thoughts and presence a mystery. If they knew what you were thinking, you couldn't put a b
KIRA’S POVI walked into the house quietly, craving nothing more than a long, cold shower and some sleep. My feet dragged across the cool tiles as I inched toward my bedroom. Once inside, I shut the door lazily and dropped my fanny pack onto the bed before pulling my hair into a bun.“Ugh…” I groaned as I peeled off my sweat-soaked sports bra. The relief of having it off was immediate. I tossed it into the laundry basket before hooking my thumbs into the waistband of my shorts.Before I could pull them down, I heard someone make a tsking sound from the other side of the door. It sounded closer than usual, which was odd, but I turned my head around to look and met a familiar pair of dark brown eyes I knew too well. I didn’t shut the door well!“Ah! What the hell?” I yelped, dragging my duvet from off the bed and using it to cover my chest, before turning back around. “Why did you stop? I was enjoying the little show.” Dylan smir
KIRA’S POVA huge hand was placed over my mouth and nose, and I braced myself to pass out amidst my little struggle to free myself. Whoever this person was had an iron grip because no matter how hard I twisted or kicked, they didn’t release me. “L…Let me go!” I struggled, muffling into the napkin, hoping that the perpetrator would comply.I was pulled deeper into the shadows, and within a few seconds, Adrian stepped out of the room. He was so sweaty that it was visible on the white shirt he wore. The sleeves had been rolled up and his broad muscles flexed subtly underneath the shirt as I watched in shock. Adrian was torturing that man—but why? I knew life in a mafia household, the Vasillios household came with its complications, but I never imagined witnessing a man being branded with a hot iron would be one of them. My father had always kept his work away from the house.“Romano!” He called out, glancing at where we hid in the shadows.
KIRA’S POV“Again,” Romano said, not even sparing me a glance.“What do you mean again? I hit the bullseye.” I retorted, turning around to face him and pointing dramatically at the dartboard. He was seated lazily on a black bean sack chair at the edge of the armory. Sitting up slightly, he waved the stopwatch in his hand. “Two minutes and twenty seconds,” he announced, flatly. “That’s how long it took you to hit the bullseye. In that time, Ma’am, you could have been shot or stabbed multiple times in a knife fight.”I clenched my teeth, swallowing my irritation. I hated when he spoke to me like a clueless toddler and then threw in ma’am at the end, like that somehow softened the insult.“What does throwing darts have to do with a knife fight? And how on earth would I ever get into one anyway,” I shot back, rolling my eyes at him. I threw my hands up in frustration, annoyed by how much he was enjoying my misery.Romano leaned back on his bean sack and focused his attention back on the
KIRA’S POV“I live here,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. The girl stared at me from head to toe, her scowl deepening as she took in my appearance. I didn't need a mirror to know what she was thinking. I looked like I’d just crawled out of Hurricane Milton.“What do you mean you live here?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. Was Adrian now giving accommodation to his conquests? The thought made my stomach sink uncomfortably, even though it shouldn’t have. We weren't a real couple, after all, but letting one of his whores shack up here is still disrespectful.Before she could answer, the back door swung open, and Maria entered, carrying a plastic bag overflowing with vegetables.“Hey, Mum!” the girl said, her tone brightening, ignoring my question.Mum? With her back still turned to me, Maria responded in Italian, her voice warm and welcoming and the two launched into a full conversation in Italian, completely ignoring my presence.I blinked rapidly as I stood there feeling com
KIRA’S POVComing out of the mansion, I spotted Romano leaning beside a black SUV, dressed in worn blue jeans and a black sleeveless vest that clung to his masculine frame. For the first time, I noticed the large spider web tattoo crawling from his neck down across his chest before vanishing beneath the fabric. My curiosity piqued, wondering just how far it extended—but I quickly pushed the thought aside.Spotting me, Romano pushed open the rear door for me, waited for me to climb in, slammed the door shut behind me, and slid behind the wheel.As soon as we hit the road, the tension in the SUV became suffocating with Romano driving like a maniac, he took a sharp corner without warning, and I was thrown back against the seat with a hard jolt.“Hey!” I wanted to yell, but I bit my tongue. Losing my cool wasn’t an option… not if I wanted answers.Straightening my dress and smoothing it over my lap, I broke the silence, “Where are we going Romano, I can't enter a mission blind, I need to
ADRIAN'S POV.Nursing a glass of Scotch, I stood by the window of my study, my gaze fixed on Kira as she chatted animatedly with Romano by the car. He laughed-–yeah my fucking underboss laughed. Kira wasn’t funny. She was irritating as hell. So what, exactly, was making Romano giggle so much?Gripping the glass tighter, I watched as his eyes watched her intently as she gestured happily with her hands, clearly caught up in whatever silly story she was telling. She wore a blue sundress that clung perfectly to her curves, her hair loosely tied in a messy ponytail, I watched as her boobs moved with every exaggerated motion. My irritation simmered as I watched their exchange. Where the hell had Romano taken her? My meetings with my father, Blackbone, and Tius ended hours ago, so what had they been doing all this time? And why the fuck did they look so damn comfortable together?The loud ring of my phone tore me from the scene. I stepped away from the window, setting the glass down on the
KIRA’S POV“Of course, she isn’t, honey,” Sasha said, a fake smile plastered on her face. My father raised an eyebrow in confusion, as though giving her permission to continue, and she didn’t hesitate. “We all know Azreal hasn’t touched her, honey. Last I heard he prefers sleeping with his maid’s daughter rather than our dear Kira.” She faked a sob for dramatic effect.My eyes widened at her words. It was true, but how did she know that?“That’s not—”“Oh, you poor thing. You don’t need to act strong for us. We’re your family,” she interrupted, finishing her unsolicited speech with fake sympathy.Beside her, Kayla and Karina snorted.“Yeah, so what if he prefers sleeping with the maids? You’re still the Dona,” Kayla taunted and Sasha nodded in agreement as if validating her point.My father remained silent, watching as his family tore me apart with their cruel words, mocking me, and like always, his reaction was the same.Nothing.Sasha's hands moved to touch mine but I moved them qui
KIRA’S POV"We're here, ma'am." The driver's voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts.I looked up and took in the grand mansion in front of me, a house I knew all too well. This was Paulo Vasillios's estate, but after Adrian's inauguration, it now belonged to my father.According to Romano, when the blood treaty between our families is fulfilled, there are benefits for both sides that each Don must provide. I guess this house was part of my father's share.I knew every inch of the estate, especially since I had spent every holiday here after my kidnapping.Dylan lived in the U.S. but would always return to Italy for the holidays as a way to strengthen the bond between our families.My father often let me accompany him, and I'd spend those holidays here, living a life far remote from the one I had back at home.This house was full of memories, every corner holding a fragment of what remained of my former life.As I stepped out of the car, my gaze drifted up to the roof. The last
ADRIAN'S POV.Nursing a glass of Scotch, I stood by the window of my study, my gaze fixed on Kira as she chatted animatedly with Romano by the car. He laughed-–yeah my fucking underboss laughed. Kira wasn’t funny. She was irritating as hell. So what, exactly, was making Romano giggle so much?Gripping the glass tighter, I watched as his eyes watched her intently as she gestured happily with her hands, clearly caught up in whatever silly story she was telling. She wore a blue sundress that clung perfectly to her curves, her hair loosely tied in a messy ponytail, I watched as her boobs moved with every exaggerated motion. My irritation simmered as I watched their exchange. Where the hell had Romano taken her? My meetings with my father, Blackbone, and Tius ended hours ago, so what had they been doing all this time? And why the fuck did they look so damn comfortable together?The loud ring of my phone tore me from the scene. I stepped away from the window, setting the glass down on the
KIRA’S POVComing out of the mansion, I spotted Romano leaning beside a black SUV, dressed in worn blue jeans and a black sleeveless vest that clung to his masculine frame. For the first time, I noticed the large spider web tattoo crawling from his neck down across his chest before vanishing beneath the fabric. My curiosity piqued, wondering just how far it extended—but I quickly pushed the thought aside.Spotting me, Romano pushed open the rear door for me, waited for me to climb in, slammed the door shut behind me, and slid behind the wheel.As soon as we hit the road, the tension in the SUV became suffocating with Romano driving like a maniac, he took a sharp corner without warning, and I was thrown back against the seat with a hard jolt.“Hey!” I wanted to yell, but I bit my tongue. Losing my cool wasn’t an option… not if I wanted answers.Straightening my dress and smoothing it over my lap, I broke the silence, “Where are we going Romano, I can't enter a mission blind, I need to
KIRA’S POV“I live here,” she replied, her tone dripping with sarcasm. The girl stared at me from head to toe, her scowl deepening as she took in my appearance. I didn't need a mirror to know what she was thinking. I looked like I’d just crawled out of Hurricane Milton.“What do you mean you live here?” I asked, narrowing my eyes. Was Adrian now giving accommodation to his conquests? The thought made my stomach sink uncomfortably, even though it shouldn’t have. We weren't a real couple, after all, but letting one of his whores shack up here is still disrespectful.Before she could answer, the back door swung open, and Maria entered, carrying a plastic bag overflowing with vegetables.“Hey, Mum!” the girl said, her tone brightening, ignoring my question.Mum? With her back still turned to me, Maria responded in Italian, her voice warm and welcoming and the two launched into a full conversation in Italian, completely ignoring my presence.I blinked rapidly as I stood there feeling com
KIRA’S POV“Again,” Romano said, not even sparing me a glance.“What do you mean again? I hit the bullseye.” I retorted, turning around to face him and pointing dramatically at the dartboard. He was seated lazily on a black bean sack chair at the edge of the armory. Sitting up slightly, he waved the stopwatch in his hand. “Two minutes and twenty seconds,” he announced, flatly. “That’s how long it took you to hit the bullseye. In that time, Ma’am, you could have been shot or stabbed multiple times in a knife fight.”I clenched my teeth, swallowing my irritation. I hated when he spoke to me like a clueless toddler and then threw in ma’am at the end, like that somehow softened the insult.“What does throwing darts have to do with a knife fight? And how on earth would I ever get into one anyway,” I shot back, rolling my eyes at him. I threw my hands up in frustration, annoyed by how much he was enjoying my misery.Romano leaned back on his bean sack and focused his attention back on the
KIRA’S POVA huge hand was placed over my mouth and nose, and I braced myself to pass out amidst my little struggle to free myself. Whoever this person was had an iron grip because no matter how hard I twisted or kicked, they didn’t release me. “L…Let me go!” I struggled, muffling into the napkin, hoping that the perpetrator would comply.I was pulled deeper into the shadows, and within a few seconds, Adrian stepped out of the room. He was so sweaty that it was visible on the white shirt he wore. The sleeves had been rolled up and his broad muscles flexed subtly underneath the shirt as I watched in shock. Adrian was torturing that man—but why? I knew life in a mafia household, the Vasillios household came with its complications, but I never imagined witnessing a man being branded with a hot iron would be one of them. My father had always kept his work away from the house.“Romano!” He called out, glancing at where we hid in the shadows.
KIRA’S POVI walked into the house quietly, craving nothing more than a long, cold shower and some sleep. My feet dragged across the cool tiles as I inched toward my bedroom. Once inside, I shut the door lazily and dropped my fanny pack onto the bed before pulling my hair into a bun.“Ugh…” I groaned as I peeled off my sweat-soaked sports bra. The relief of having it off was immediate. I tossed it into the laundry basket before hooking my thumbs into the waistband of my shorts.Before I could pull them down, I heard someone make a tsking sound from the other side of the door. It sounded closer than usual, which was odd, but I turned my head around to look and met a familiar pair of dark brown eyes I knew too well. I didn’t shut the door well!“Ah! What the hell?” I yelped, dragging my duvet from off the bed and using it to cover my chest, before turning back around. “Why did you stop? I was enjoying the little show.” Dylan smir
ADRIAN'S POV“So, what was the plan, Adrian? Murder me and make it look like an accident while you fool around with a… a…” her voice fell as she pointed a finger at Jess–or Jeanie hell if I knew her name. “Whore…” I finished for her, not bothering to hide my amusement as a smirk curled on my lips. She couldn’t even call the woman I was supposedly cheating on her with a whore to her face. Pathetic!This wasn’t cheating. I was as free as a man could be since this marriage is a fucking farce. She wanted Dylan’s dick, and I wanted nothing to do with her. To me, Kira Neel was nothing more than a social experiment that had gone terribly wrong. She wore her emotions on her sleeve, a foolish trait that will eventually get her killed in my world, and no amount of training will change that.For as long as I can remember, I have gone out of my way to avoid people and unnecessary conversations, keeping my thoughts and presence a mystery. If they knew what you were thinking, you couldn't put a b