Twenty-seven: Audrina Bianchi Andre had a large, blown up picture of my Vogue cover in the entry way. He stood behind me, pressing himself up against my backside. I could feel him. He was hard, and it made my mouth fill with vile. It hadn’t been so long ago that I had been in bed with Luca. That my husband had been making me feel all sorts of wonderful things. Now though, it wasn’t Luca. It was the man that had been my abuser for years. He made me sick. He brushed back my hair, his fingers grazing my neck, making it flinch. “Do you like the picture? I had it specially made. You were so excited about that cover. I even threw you a party that night. You invited your little friends. And of course, you fucking betrayed me.” He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me around roughly so that I was now facing him. “It drove my wife mad, having that there. But I always made sure that she knew that you were the only woman for me.” I didn’t know what to do. His poor wife. Andre was a monster, and
Twenty-nine: Audrina Bianchi “You’ve got to wear the dress that Andre got you.” This order came from Marie as I was getting ready for the party to celebrate the launch of my Vogue cover. It was also supposed to be my birthday, but there hadn’t been any mention of that. Marie wasn’t exactly the kind of woman that was sentimental about things. Of course, how could she be sentimental when I wasn’t even her own daughter? When Daddy had stayed----The Fixer----it might have been enough to make her love me. But now, I was nothing more than a reminder of what she had lost. For that reason, she hated me. And did what she could to make my life miserable. As my makeup team worked on my face, I clenched my hands in fists. I had a plan. Things were going to be okay. Luca knew the truth about who I was. Daniela was coming to the party, and tonight I would tell her the truth about me. Daniela was the sweetest person I knew. Once she realized that we were sisters, there was no way that she wou
Thirty Luca Capaldi I couldn’t find Audrina anywhere. The night had started off so good and then Marie had ruined everything the way she usually did. Daniela, strangely, (or maybe not) was dancing with Niccolo. The two of them had been in a weird rythm and Niccolo had mentioned something about scaring off some guy at the coffee shop a while ago that had resulted in a “date” between them. He assured me it was a one time thing. I didn’t buy it for one second as I watched the two grind up against each other. My brother looked happy for once. He was just too much of a dumbass to realize that was a good thing. Me, I wanted my girl. I got up from the black, velvet couch that I was sitting on and went to go look for her. I pushed my way through the crowds of people dancing in the club. I’d had an idea of how this night was supposed to go. I was supposed to get Audrina alone and we were supposed to be together. Maybe even run off to Vegas and get The Fixer and Giuseppe to sign off on
Thirty-one: Audrina Bianchi The dress that was left out for me to wear didn’t provide much coverage. I’d worn less at photoshoots but it was different when I wasn’t given a warning before hand. And someone I hated was making me wear the thing. It was off the shoulder, backless, and red. I had no idea how I was going to wear it. I also didn’t want to be wearing it while I met my young daughter for the first time. But I knew what would happen if I didn’t wear it. I left my hair down and once I finished, there was a knock on the bedroom door. “Audrina?” I heard Andre call. “Are you ready? Our guests are here.” I took a deep breath. Then I opened the door. Andre’s eyes roamed over my body, and I tried hard to keep my face perfectly neutral even though the lust he had for me was making me want to throw up. I had never once wanted him the way that he wanted me. I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t just let me go. But Andre was all about control. It wasn’t that he loved me. It was
Thirty-two: Luca Capaldi When my father was alive, everyone second guessed me. They would look to Giuseppe, then Niccolo, then me. But only as a last resort. And usually because it was something neither my father or my brother wanted to do. Now though, I was the head of our family organization. I had power and people to do things for me. The Fixer said we had to take on the Barretta’s together. Because if we didn’t get rid of them, they would come after all of us. I had my family with me. Niccolo, who had come back when I explained everything that was going on. My cousin Domitus, who was from the New York branch of the Capaldi family. Along with his brothers, Felix, Anthony, and Benedict. Then there were the cousins from Miami. Marius, Julian, and Noah. And the ones from Los Angeles. Cristian, Gio, and Xavier. Thirteen of us all together and that didn’t include the other men that we had underneath us. Or The Fixer, who was the important part of all of this. “Explain to me w
Thirty-three: Audrina Bianchi I kept on pulling at my hair on the car ride to my daughter’s home. “Where did you say we were again?” “Connecticut,” Vale said. I glanced back at him. “Why Connecticut?” “You really think anyone from the organization was going to think she was here? Audrina Bianchi’s long, lost out of wedlock daughter?” I coughed. “She wasn’t born out of wedlock. Remember, I married Luca in Vegas.” “That was real?” Vale said. I nodded. “Yes.” “I always figured that was just something the two of you cooked up so that Andre would leave you alone.” I shook my head. “No, it was real. And Grandfather Lorenzo still tried to make me marry the bastard even after he knew about everything that was going on with him. He kept on threatening to get the marriage to Luca annulled. Said that Luca had taken advantage of me.” Vale raised an eyebrow. “He didn’t, did he?” “No,” I said, “he didn’t. If anything, once I saw him, I wanted him more. I was the one who sent
Thirty-four:Luca Capaldi When I brought Audrina home on the night of her birthday, Augusta was in the kitchen. She was preparing the weeks meals for us. She never knew if we would be home or not when she was and she liked to have freshly prepared food for when she wasn’t available to cook. Augusta was playing Frank Sinatra on the radio and singing to herself as she made fresh pasta. I told Audrina to wait out in the hall. “Augusta?” I called. Augusta looked up and smiled at me. “Luca, nino, what are you doing home early? I thought that you were supposed to be out with that girl you have a crush on. Dani said something about a birthday party for her?” I blushed fiercely. “Daniela talks too much.” The older woman smiled at me. “She is my daughter. Of course, she does. So, did something bad happen?” I shook my head. “Actually, uh. I brought her home with me.” Augusta wagged a finger at me. “You better not get that girl pregnant. She seems like an ambitious young woman. She
Thirty-five: Audrina Bianchi I had never been happier. I had met my aunt. She knew who I was finally. And she was going to get me out of the Barretta family grasp. I would get to marry Luca. The boy that I loved. And everything would be fine. I let Luca take my hand and lead me to his room. The second I was out of Augusta’s eyesight, Luca started kissing me. “You’re going to be my wife,” he growled, as he bit down on my lower lip. Wife. When Andre had talked about it, being married felt like a death sentence. When Luca talked about it, the idea of being married to him felt like heaven. I giggled nervously. He was pressed up against me, and I could feel his cock in between my legs. “Are you going to fuck me finally, then?” He laughed. “Not until I make an honest woman out of you, Beauty Queen. But Augusta did tell us to go to my room. Of course, there’s all kinds of things that we can get up to in there. I can still give you what you need, huh?” “Good.” I kissed his neck, and
Nine Lauren Gallo Present I was able to stay. I anticipated him firing me. I anticipated him following me. I did not anticipate wanting him again. How could anyone go through what I went through with him and still want him? I couldn’t explain it. When I arrive at work the next day, I am humming. I also have his coffee ready for him that I pick up at our old favorite spot. I am there before him. I sit on his desk, and I place the coffee cup on it while I sip mine and smile. After a few minutes, the door opens, revealing him. “Coffee, boss?” He looks from the cup on the desk to me. I can feel his eyes travel up and down my body. I flush. I know I’m flushed. I can feel it from head to toe and I absolutely hate it and love it at the same time. I feel like a teenage girl all over again. His eyes settle on mine. “You greet all of your bosses like that?” I shrug. “Only the ones I like.” He raises an eyebrow. “Did you like my cousin?” I snort, and take a sip of my coffee before I get
EIGHT Domitus Capaldi PresentWhen I had Lauren, I felt like I had the answer to all of my problems. A sweet, little, submissive that did everything I wanted without question. After the accident when she left, at first, I didn’t want anyone. Then, I could no longer deny my urges. So, to keep them in check, I opened Labyrinth. My sex club. Patrons pay for rooms and inside them they can do whatever they want. Each one is paid to each of their specific tastes. And soundproof. All membership costs is a secret. And the absorbent yearly fee, of course. Manhattan real estate doesn’t come cheap, after all, and I have to keep the lights on somehow. I employ both men and women at the club. All kinds. You never know what someone might be into. And, of course, patrons are able to bring their own guests if they want to. What I should really do is throw Lauren over my shoulder, take her here, and have my way with her. But I can’t do that. I’m her boss and, in her mind, she barely knows me. Not
SEVEN Lauren Gallo Past I try not to think too hard about it when I find out from a text from my coach that Mitch was killed in a robbery. I have other things to worry about. Monday morning, my mom and I move my stuff into my dorm at the fancy private school that she’ll be working at and I’ll be going to. “Wow!” she says. “This place is huge.” I nod in agreement. Cagney Academy is on the Upper East Side. By being a student here, I’ll have access to their private ice rink, and Stephanie will be able to devote her time to training just me. Meaning I will have a better shot at the Olympics. As an added bonus, Ellie goes here too, and I’ll have Carla, Domitus’s cousin. The real problem is that I’ll have to deal with Domitus. And the rest of the Capaldi brothers. From stalking Domitus on social, I’ve learned that there are three other Capaldi brothers. Felix, Anthony, and Benedict. Benedict is a short, wirey, brunette kid that’s obsessed with the hockey team that plays at the stadiu
SIX Domitus Capaldi Past The next time I see Lauren Gallo, it’s a week after our little date. The family business and school keeps me away from the rink. But my father is meeting with the stadium manager to talk about getting new sponsors for our sports equipment. He’s also supposed to meet with Mrs. Gallo, Lauren’s Mom, and talk with her about securing her a teaching position at the school that I go to. Cagney Academy, a private school on the Upper East Side. As a teacher, Mrs. Gallo would get free admission for her family and since Lauren is her family, she would be able to go. Meaning I could see her all of the time whenever I want. At the moment, my father is talking with Laurens mom. She has sandy blonde hair, and brown eyes, and seems warry of my father. Smart woman. Most people are charmed by his wealth and good looks. I wonder if she’s dealt with his type before. Lauren says she doesn’t know who her father is, so maybe Mrs. Gallo’s husband was a made man. Or maybe she ju
FIVE Lauren Gallo Present My first thought when I see my ex-boyfriend is that he got taller. And hotter. And I’m fucked. I won’t be able to handle this. I managed to escape Domitus Capaldi once, by faking amnesia and moving half way across the country. But then my high school stalker came back and I was back home, in the city, working for the first man I had run away from. The second one, Michael Russo, had popped up in Los Angeles a few months ago. And I had no idea where he was. But I knew it would only be a matter of time before he popped back up again. He always found me. At least if I was in Domitus’s grasp, I had one monster to scare off another. I thought my cover was blown when Felix saw me. Felix had been my sounding board when I dated Domitus. In fact, I had had a little crush on him for a while but Felix and me had never done anything because we knew that Domitus would kill him if we did. Carla, to her credit, had done her research and knew about my ‘memory lo
FOUR Domitus Capaldi Present “Hey, you’re late.” This comes from my younger brother Felix, which is a surprise to me. Felix normally doesn’t care about anything. He’s twenty-three, a year younger than me, and barely shows up to work half of the time. The title he has is mostly for looks anyway. Felix is almost as tall as me, with black hair that’s slicked back with too much gel, and as many tattoos as I have. In reality, Felix runs most of the family clubs. And by run, I mean, frequents them on a regular basis and pretends to be doing work. “Why do you care?” I ask. “I’m never late. The only reason I was late this morning was because of the traffic.” “Um, well…” “Well, what?” “Well, your new secretary has been hired.” “Good. Shelia’s on bed rest now and it’s been hell using temps. Who did HR hire?” Felix made a face. I sigh. “Just tell me, Felix. I don’t want to play games. If it’s someone I hate, I can just fire them. Remember, I am the head of the New York branch o
THREE Lauren Gallo Past His hand was in between my legs. He touched my pussy. I hadn’t even been kissed yet, but Domitus Capaldi had touched my pussy. I was wearing tights, but I could still feel it, and the wetness in between my legs that came when he touched me there. I had no idea why he had become fixated on me but I didn’t think that he was going to give up on this anytime soon, judging from the hungry look on his face as he watched me while we ate. He has already talked about fucking me. He says that he wants to do it on the table of the restaurant, but that he’ll take me on a bed instead. He is a rich kid who has probably never heard the word no in his life. Meaning he won’t take no from me. Worse, his father owns the place where I practice my skating. The rink that has been the one constant in my life. And the Capaldi family is known for, along with owning half of New York City, shady business deals that involve clubs, drugs, and gambling amongst other things. I’ve neve
TWO Domitus Capaldi Past The first time I saw Lauren Gallo, she was wearing a blue velvet skating outfit, trimmed with fur. With each spin and jump, her little skirt went up, revealing her perfect, pale legs. I imagined my head in between those thighs, devouring her pussy, and making her scream my name and my cock goes hard at the thought. Dad had invested in the old ice-skating rink since my brother’s loved hockey, and he thought he could turn a profit from it. Me, I had never really been interested in sports. I worked out in the gym, and boxed for self-defense, but that was it. I was the heir to the New York branch of Capaldi Industries. My father wanted me to take over for him when he died. I didn’t have time to do anything outside of work for my father. I did everything my father asked of me. Never asking anything for myself. But when I saw Lauren Gallo, I wanted her. She had brown hair, and brown eyes, and a round face with full lips. She was tiny, and her breasts were
ONE Lauren Gallo Past There is someone watching me as I practice. The ice rink is my safe space. As I practice my routine for the millionth time, I can’t focus on anything but the eyes on me. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end. As my routine comes to an end, I straighten up and look for the person watching me. There’s a teenage boy leaning up against the wall of the skating rink. He’s tall, with broad shoulders, jet black hair, and reminds me of a dark prince out of a fantasy novel with high cheek bones and full lips. His hands are tattooed and the long, black, jacket that he wears I imagine hides full sleeves on either arm. An older man comes and talks to him. He looks like him, but with slightly grey hair, in his mid-forties. The older man’s gaze goes from me to the boy and he smirks. The boy rolls his eyes but the dark, heated gaze that he has remains on me. It makes heat go through my legs in a way that I have never felt before. Competitive skating doesn’t leave