KIRA’S POV.“W…W are you doing here?” I asked, trying to steer away from the tension in the room.“This is my room,” Adrian replied coldly. “And for some reason, when you fainted, Maria thought it would be a good idea to dump you in here. I almost ended up in the guest room. Came in to change, and what do I find? You… moaning my brother’s name. Pathetic.”Shame flushed through me and I swallowed hard, wishing I could disappear. "I'm sorry," I muttered as my gaze darted around the room, finally registering where l was. The room was cold, with high ceilings and dark, heavy curtains that made it feel hollow. It lacked any warmth or personal touch as if no one really lived here. The bed beneath me was massive, with gray sheets—and a small stain, evidence of my vulnerability.I turned to the edge of the bed, ready to climb down when Adrian's hand shot out, stopping me."I didn't tell you to move, did I?" he said, his voice hard.I glared at him, the heat rising in my chest. “Last time, I c
KIRA’S POVI stood in front of the mirror admiring the new necklace sitting delicately on my neck. Aunt Linda stood beside me, her eyes watching me with deep admiration.“Isn't it beautiful?” I smiled at her in the mirror.“Yes, yes it is,” she quickly agreed.“Too bad it has to be on my neck, it deserves to belong to someone who isn’t as sour as I am.” I shook my head slightly at my reflection.“No, my darling. You’re far from sour. You’ve just had a bit of bad luck with the family you ended up with. You are beautiful and you deserve all the beautiful things in the world, Mia.”My heart swelled with appreciation. “Thank you, Aunt. Thank you for always—”But before I could finish, the door opened and Adrian walked in even though no one permitted him to. As always the big bad Adrian never waits for permission or listens to instructions.“I’ll leave you two alone,” Aunt Linda said, giving my shoulder a gentle pat as she walked toward the door. “Try to have fun at dinner, dear.”“I will,
KIRA’S POVFor a brief moment, there was silence—a huge emptiness. The wind screamed in my ears as I jumped, but I didn't move, something held me back. My breath hitched “Dylan?" I whispered, my heart leaping at the thought that he'd run after me. Relief flooded my chest for a split second until l turned back and realized it wasn't him. My dress had hooked on a metal bar sticking out from the ledge."Ugh!" I groaned, feeling frustrated. "Does the universe hate me so much that It won't even let me commit suicide in peace?"I yanked my dress free, the fabric ripping as I stumbled backward. I cursed under my breath and turned back toward the edge of the roof, feeling more determined.“There’s nothing left for me here,” I whispered to no one. The world spun around me as I stepped forward. This time, there was no hesitation, no stupid rod to hold me back. The air whipped past my face, time seeming to stretch. The noise of the city below dulled into an eerie silence.For a moment, I felt w
KIRA’S POVClick.Silence.My breath caught in my throat.No bullet.My eyes flickered to my husband as he laughed crazily."For someone who tried to kill herself, you sure are afraid to die." Adrian sneered.He rotated the gun, and a new magazine clicked into place.My terror reignited and my heart raced. Adrian’s finger wrapped around the trigger again and I shut my eyes tightly as I braced for impact.“Kira dear?” Maria's voice came suddenly from the door breaking the tension.My eyes shot open and I looked towards the door in hope while Adrian glared at it looking annoyed. He wouldn’t kill me with a witness around, would he? I thought trembling.Maria knocked again “Kira darling, are you okay in there? I brought you food.” I struggled against the ropes again, not daring to shout. Adrian sighed and walked towards the door opening it just the slightest.“My wife is a bit… occupied,” he said, glancing back at me with a sinister smirk forming on his lips. He pressed a finger to his m
KIRA'S POVAdrian's father, Paulo walked further into the room alongside Dylan, a stern expression on his face. Their entrance drew attention from the already seated guests, and they all stood up to shake hands. Adrian's father's gaze swept the room, his displeasure evident. He cleared his throat taking a seat, "Good afternoon, everyone. Sorry we're late,” he said, his eyes narrowed at his son’s plate before looking up at him "I didn't expect you to start without us."Adrian unfazed, shrugged and started to eat. I could feel Dylan’s eyes on me as he slipped into the seat beside his father, directly across from me. My hands fidgeted in my lap nervously.“Kira,” Adrian called, and I looked up at him. His expression remained impassive, but his voice took on a hint of annoyance. "Eat.”I grabbed a spoon and started to put food on my plate. Only the sound of cutlery was heard in the room as everyone ate in silence. After the meal, the maids brought Panna Cotta but Adrian rejected his.The
KIRA’S POV“Mrs Vasillos?” Someone called out, knocking on my door. I groaned, pulling the duvet higher to my chin. The knocking stopped and I sighed in relief, closing my eyes.“Mrs Vasillos!” The voice called out again.For fuck’s sake! It’s Saturday! Can’t I get a fucking break?I reluctantly sat up and rubbed my eyes, “Just a sec!” I groaned and got up, grabbing my robe from the nightstand and wrapping it around me. I yanked the door open to see Romano standing in front of the door.“Yes?” I asked, annoyed.“Your stylist is here, the Don wants you downstairs in ten minutes,” he said, before walking away.I stood there with the door open, confused. What stylist?I shut the door and sighed in anger; I wanted to sleep in today. After the talk with Adrian yesterday, I was up all night thinking about ways to prove to Adrian that I needed his help.I packed my hair up and walked into the shower. After my shower, I put on a T-shirt and some shorts before heading downstairs. A stylish wo
KIRA’S POVMy first task was to hit ten consecutive targets at the shooting range. When I asked Adrian to help me become stronger, this wasn’t exactly what I had envisioned. I had hoped he would teach me how to be emotionless and reserved like him, but it seemed Adrian had other plans. The next day, he sent Romano to escort me to the mansion’s shooting range."Ever fired a gun before?" Adrian asked, handing me a sleek pistol."I've practiced,” I replied, "but never actually shot at targets.”My father made sure we learned how to shoot, he said we needed to be able to protect ourselves from any form of danger if the day ever came. However, I never took it seriously because I was never allowed within ten feet of the outside world beyond the mansion. Until now that is.Adrian's smirk hinted at doubt, “Go off," he said walking out of the pit.I took a deep breath, trying to steady my hands, as I focused. The first few shots
KIRA’S POV“You look stunning!” My stylist Emma squealed once I came out of the changing room. She had offered to come to the house for the fitting but I declined because I wanted to leave the house. No, I needed to leave the house!All week Adrian has been on my ass, I was taking shooting lessons and Ralph my new personal trainer was grilling me in the gym. Adrian said and I quote, ‘Weak people are a liability, physical strength is just as important as mental toughness’Whatever that means!Romano was always there, even during my gym sessions. At first, I was uncomfortable, but I had grown used to the gigantic robot man always lurking in the corner.I am almost certain he isn't human.“What do you think,” Emma asked looking up at me.‘What do I think? I think I need to rest, I need to eat. I’m so freaking sore all over!’ I screamed in my head. God, I see what that sounds like.“It’s beautifu
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