ALESSANDRA
"Stai attenta, ragazza!" My uncle admonished me from the car as he witnessed my near-tumble in my heels after I got down from the car. I cursed under my breath and briefly considered discarding my heels and walking barefoot, but the grandeur of the mansion before me quickly banished that thought from my mind. Ever since I left my family to live with my uncle and his three sons, Father only summoned me back for two reasons. Either he wanted to reprimand me for something stupid I did, which rarely happened, or he wanted to introduce me to one of his clients, who would be my prospective husband. Judging from the dress he sent to me the previous day, I was sure it was the second one but it didn't bother me. That was my duty as the daughter of the Capo dei Capi of the California Familia, one of the most dangerous crime syndicates in the country. After my first marriage had gone south, I had fought very hard to maintain my independence, unlike my sister, Mia, who was still in our father's clutches. That's why I was determined to refuse whatever plan he had for me tonight. Fortunately, Mia was only sixteen years old so I guess he was going to have to wait a while before he could use her. As soon as I crossed the threshold and stood before the door, an unsettling shift enveloped me. The heavy, eerie silence around the place sent a shiver racing down my spine, leaving me with goosebumps prickling along my skin. My uncle, Enzo must have also sensed it since he pulled out his Taurus 9mm and gave me a solemn look. I nodded slowly and summoned a bright smile as I walked into the house. My heart was beating loudly in my chest as I looked around the quiet place. “Hello?” I called out with a shaky voice, “Is anyone home?” A small whimper echoed from one of the rooms, freezing me in my tracks. My uncle quickly turned and strode toward the living room, his hurried steps almost explosive against the quiet of the house. I took a deep breath and forced myself to follow him, each step heavy with anticipation and dread as I moved through the dimly lit hallway. My fears were confirmed when I caught sight of my uncle, frozen like a statue, his hands raised high in the air. We had just stepped into the living room, and his imposing figure blocked my view of whatever had caught his attention. I tried to maneuver around him, but he remained planted in place, unyielding as if he were guarding against an unseen danger. When I finally succeeded, the sight before me knocked the air from my lungs, causing my eyes to widen with horror. The entire room was a mess. Pieces of broken glass and furniture were haphazardly lying across the place, but that was not the sight that made my entire body tremble. My family members were kneeling in the center of the room, surrounded by armed men. My mother and aunt shielded my younger sister, Mia who was brawling her eyes out. “Ah, I see you are finally here,” a deep voice rumbled. “Welcome, mia amata.” I stilled when I heard that familiar voice, turning to see the man I never thought I would see in my life again. The fact that he was the only one sitting on a chair languidly like he owed the world spoke of his position in the room. I whispered in disbelief, “No, this can't be...” “Alessandra, go!” My father commanded, his voice filled with urgency. The man in front of him immediately struck him with his gun, sending him sprawling on the floor. My father released a pained groan as he struggled back to his knees, blood covering his face. The man adjusted his black gloves as he spoke to me in a threatening voice, “If you take another step out of this room, I will burn this house to the ground. A small price to pay, considering the money your father stole from me.” “Leo, what are you doing here?” After those first words flew out of my mouth, I realized how inappropriate they were in this situation so I asked him, “How did this happen?” Despite the chaos I was seeing, my brain was unable to register the fact that my childhood love was in front of me, pointing a gun at my father's head. Leonardo De Castello was the son of my father's enemy, Davide De Castello who was the Capo de Capi of the New York Familia. I hadn't seen him since the day I helped him escape from my house one summer break with the money I stole from my father's safe. Cold fear soaked into my body, causing me to retreat a bit, “You returned to the mafia?” "Yes, I did,” His tone was unapologetic as his emerald eyes held me in place, “I promised you I'd return, didn't I?” I sucked in a harsh breath after hearing his words. “Why are you here?” “Your father owes me 500 million after the shipment he promised us didn't come. So I told him that any of his daughters would do as a replacement, but he refused,” Leo's eyes moved to me, watching me carefully like a predator. “What do you think, Lexi?” “My name is Alessandra,” I corrected him, “And he is right. I can't marry you, Leonardo.” “Why?” My gaze swept across the room, lingering on the faces of those around me. The atmosphere grew thicker, charged with an unyielding tension that pressed against my chest. I noticed my relatives shift uncomfortably, their eyes darting away like startled birds avoiding a predator. A sense of despair washed over me, settling into the pit of my stomach, as a chilling realization crept into my mind—this silence was more than just awkward; it was a sign of something darker lurking beneath the surface. They didn't tell him. Leo was still not aware of the truth. “Because I am a widow, Leonardo.” I knew things were going to go south but I didn't want to lie to him. “I married your brother, Giovanni De Castello.”LEONARDO Fuck. This couldn't be true. I was barely processing the news I had received from Alessandra when my eyes caught a movement approaching me from behind. Without a second thought, I turned around and emptied a few bullets on my assailant's body. When Enzo's body hit the floor, all the women in the room started screaming like they were reaching the climax of a fucking song. I glanced at Alessandra's stiff figure, her eyes wide as she stared at her uncle's figure. What a fucking joke. She was actually crying for Enzo, a man who used to hit her when we were little kids whenever her father was not around. If she was going to behave like this now, then how was she going to react when she discovered that the shipments were taken by me? A surge of anger coursed through me when I thought about everything I had gone through to return to her. I had spent three months crafting this little scheme to rescue her but it seemed like she didn't need me anymore.One promise. All she had to
ALESSANDRA Everything felt like a nightmare to me. Leonardo had followed through with his intention to marry me, whisking me away to New York City, plunging me into his world without warning. Just a week later, he organized every detail of our wedding, sending invitations to the most notorious crime syndicates across the country. Papa was not invited. My mama and sister, Mia, had received their invitations, but they were unable to attend since they were busy mourning my uncle, Enzo. Ironically, the date that Leonardo chose for his wedding happened to coincide with Enzo’s burial. What a cruel man. On the day of the wedding, he presented me with the most beautiful dress I've ever laid eyes on, crafted with delicate lace and shimmering silk, after vanishing for an entire week. I felt like a caged animal, losing the hard-fought independence I had gained after my first marriage. Rocco, one of Leonardo's trusted men, entered the room with a package in his hands. "You have a package," h
ALESSANDRA I had no idea how we ended up in his house after I said those words to him. All I knew was that my hands were all over him, touching and stroking his body like it was my right to explore every inch of his delectable body. I figured that if I was unable to avoid sleeping with him, I would have to do it on my terms. Leonardo was so hard and warm, his masculine scent enveloping me like a soft blanket. And the best part was that he let me do it. I pulled away every piece of clothing my hands touched on his body, and he watched me silently, lazy amusement dancing in his eyes. When my hands brushed his belt buckle, he quickly grabbed my wrists and said, “You are drunk, Lexi.” “No, I'm not,” my cheeks flushed in embarrassment when I noticed the slur in my words. I brushed my lips across his neck, causing his grip on my wrists to tighten. He made a low, rough noise of frustration at the back of his throat but still refused to budge one bit. His stiff figure made me more det
ALESSANDRA As I woke up the next morning, a flood of memories came rushing back to me. I felt a sense of embarrassment as I recalled my wild behavior from the previous night. I hesitated to open my eyes, feeling reluctant to face the consequences of my actions. Fortunately, Leonardo was not in the room, so I hurriedly made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. I suspected that he had left early to attend to some illegal business, so I took the opportunity to reflect on my actions from the previous night.Since I was the one who initiated the physical contact between us, I had no idea how to get out of the horrible situation I had gotten myself into. Although last night had been spectacular, I had no intention of repeating such a mistake because that would only mean that I had accepted my fate to stay in this world. As my stomach let out a low, rumbling growl, I realized it was time to find something to eat. I frowned when I realized how weak my legs felt, struggling to maintain a n
ALESSANDRA When I finally arrived in California, it was already 10 o'clock in the night. My heart raced in my chest as I stepped down from the cab I had taken from the airport, standing before a fancy, silver gate, its sleek design reflecting the dim streetlights above. The streets were hauntingly quiet, but I knew better than to believe that I was alone. Somewhere hidden in the shadows, my father’s security detail was likely watching, their presence cloaked in the inky darkness of the night. I approached the sleek video intercom, its surface cool to the touch as I pressed a button, a faint click breaking the stillness of the night. Moments later, a voice resonated through the device, crisp and slightly distorted, “Who is this?”“It’s me, Donato. Open the gate,” I replied, my voice steady and confident, masking the shiver that rippled through my body from the biting cold. The night felt heavy around me, wrapping me in a dark, chilling embrace. It was crucial to make the bodyguard b
LEONARDO “Leonardo, per favore, smettila di farlo!” Rocco pleaded, his voice a mixture of exasperation and urgency as he lunged toward me once more. This was the fourth time that night he had attempted to wrestle it from my grasp, but I stubbornly held on, unwilling to yield. The dim light of the room flickered, casting long shadows as our scuffle grew more intense. I growled, “Go away, Rocco. I don't want to see anyone right now.”After my heated argument with Alessandra, I stormed out of the apartment and went straight to my office. I craved a drink that would drown out the ache in my chest, but the pain still lingered no matter how many glasses I poured down my throat. Every time I sipped the expensive alcohol, her face would suddenly invade my mind. I was going crazy from the sound of her laughter in my ears and the memory of her smile that was etched on my mind like a fucking tattoo. Why did her feelings change towards me? What have I done to make her so.... disgusted with me
ALESSANDRAIt was afternoon when Father returned from his business trip the following day. I could hear the sound of his voice right in the hallway after he climbed the stairs talking to my mother. Although we had agreed that I would wait for him in his office, ready to discuss some private matters, my mother still tried to stall him, her laughter and lively chatter intentionally delaying his entrance.I couldn't blame her for it. The very thought of my Father's arrival had sent me an unsettling chill for the past hours but I didn't want to waste any more time here. I had to leave the house before Leonardo came looking for me. The door opened when I was preoccupied with my thoughts, but I was able to catch my Father's figure standing in the hallway. His expression changed the moment his eyes landed on me, his face contorting in anger. The door creaked open just as my mind was lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. I glanced up to find my father standing in the doorway, his figure framed
ALESSANDRA After my sister's words, I immediately rushed down the stairs along with my father to see Leonardo standing in the living room with a small army of men. The room was filled with quiet sobs as everyone watched him wielding a knife at my cousin's neck. “What the hell do you think you are doing? Put the knife down, Leonardo!” My father's furious voice cut through the suffocating silence in the room. I knew all hell was about to break loose when my eyes spotted some men moving across the room from the other end, silently trying to close the distance between them and their target. Leonardo's eyes did not stray from me even one bit but his men kept their vigilant eyes on their surroundings. The way his eyes locked onto mine, cold and unyielding, sent a jolt of fear through me. I could tell he was very furious about my sudden disappearance but there was something darker lurking in his eyes. Something raw and intense. “Since my wife decided to visit her family without telling
ALESSANDRA I woke up in the late in the night with a throbbing headache and pain over all my body. It took me some time to realize that I was lying on the couch in an office. The heavy scent of medicine told me that I had been treated, and memories rushed to me. Orlando...beating me....trying to rape me.A single tear slipped down my cheeks as I released a pained sob escaped my lips, when I tried to move a bit. Compared to the incident with Noah, I felt like this one topped the my list of traumatizing experiences I had gone through. I really thought Orlando was going to have his way with me until Leonardo arrived. As I continued to cry, a pair of arms suddenly pulled me up, drawing me closer to a warm body. When I recognized his body scent, fresh tears poured down my cheeks and hugged him tighter.Leonardo stroked my hair tenderly and spoke, “Don't worry, every thing is alright now.”I pulled away and asked, “What will happen to him? Is he still alive or...”“Do you really expect
LEONARDO I paced back and forth outside my office, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I awaited Keith's diagnosis about my wife. Every fiber of my being wanted to burst into the room and confront the politician, but I forced myself to remain outside the door.“He's all tied up now,” Dante informed me, arriving with my new Capo, Rocco. “Do you want to meet him now?”I shook my head. “No, I need to stay here for Alessandra. Just keep the bastard conscious enough for me to deal with him later.”Dante, sensing my turmoil, placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “She’s going to be okay, mio fratello.”My heart clenched at the memory of finding her so beaten and broken. She had looked so lovely this evening before we left the house, but now her body was bruised and battered. Her face, once unblemished, was now swollen and covered in cuts and bruises.I felt like I was losing my mind each minute that passed without Keith's appearance but just when I was about to burst, the doctor fina
ALESSANDRA I felt like a complete fool staring at the face of my friend who pretended like he didn't know all through the dinner. Even worse, when I discovered that he could speak Russian as he conversed with my husband about secret matters. This situation only reminded me of the words that Bianca had been repeating since she met me. All men were liars and cheats. I couldn't help but make a face when I took the first bite of my meal. The pasta in my mouth felt rubbery and dry, something that even my younger sister would never cooked in a thousand years. “What's wrong, Alessandra?” Leonardo noticed my expression and turned his attention to me. “Do you not feel well?”“I think I need to use the restroom,” I rose from my seat, not casting a glance at either one of them. Leonardo immediately beckoned a nearby waiter and asked her to guide me so I left without looking back. After hiding in the restroom for a good thirty minutes, I decided it was time to come out before Leonardo came l
ALESSANDRA I still have no idea how I managed it, but somehow, I reappeared before my husband in just thirty minutes. Dressed in a stunning green dress with a fitted bodice and a sweetheart neckline, I made my way toward Leonardo. The A-line skirt cascaded to the floor, sweeping gracefully across the stairs as I approached him.“All set,” I announced, still smoothing the curls pinned at the back of my hair, awaiting my husband's judgement. “How do I look?”He glanced at me, his expression impassive. “Good. Let’s go,” Leonardo replied curtly, grabbing my hand and turning to walk away. His words left a dull ache in my chest, and I couldn’t shake the pang of disappointment as I watched him disappear out of the house.His quick change of attitude left me extremely baffled as we rose the car ride in silence. At first, I thought he was acting like this because of a bad business call, but my unease increased when he started giving me one-word responses. “Is everything okay?” I shot him a q
ALESSANDRAThe next few days passed like a soft breeze, dispelling the boredom and loneliness I had felt before. I spent most of my days working at the restaurant and my nights exchanging stories with my younger sister, Mia. Although she was still depressed with the news of Dante's incoming wedding, she seemed slightly better now that she had gotten a new internet friend. However, I had also acquired a new friend who always dropped by the restaurant to come and eat after work hours. Orlando was a very sweet man who constantly praised my cooking, sharing stories about his days campaigning for the position of the mayor of the city and he always left with an extra helping for his mother. One day, he asked, “I'm having dinner tonight with someone important, and I wanted to know if you'd like to be my escort for the evening.”I could tell he admired me, which was unfortunate since I already belonged to someone else. Noticing the faint blush on his cheeks, I couldn't help but tease him. “
ALESSANDRA The next day, I had just finished preparing my first dish of the day in the restaurant when my boss called me over from the exit. The unexpected summon made me slightly anxious, but I quickly wiped my wet hands on a nearby napkin and hurried over to her.“Is there something I can help you with, Madame?” I asked.The old woman paused, staring through the door at the crowd of customers enjoying their meals. After a moment, she turned back to me and said, “There's someone who wants to meet you, Alessandra. He claims to be a friend of yours.”“A friend?” I repeated, furrowing my eyebrows in confusion. Leaning over her shoulder, I scanned the room for a familiar face, but saw no one I recognized.Mrs. Dubois gently pushed me back, shielding me with her body as she spoke, “If you don't know anyone over there, then just tell me. I will go and fetch some of Leonardo's men over and-”“Wait, Leonardo's men are also here?” My heart skipped a beat as I stared at her with wide eyes. I
ALESSANDRA My heart pounded loudly in my chest as I stood frozen before Rocco who was now standing before. I had no idea what to tell him and I was a hundred percent sure that he wouldn't believe a word I said. My mind remained black even when Bianca shot me a look, silently willing me to do something but I couldn't. “I should have known you were not to be trusted but now, I have proof,” Rocco's snarled, turning away from me. “Just wait and see what Leo would do when he finds out you are nothing but a traitor.”Guilt and anxiety flashed through my eyes as I tried to stop him. “Rocco, wait! It's not what you think-”“How boring,” Bianca commented dryly. She blocked his path and faced him. “If you want to tell him, then go ahead. But the truth was that I gave Alessandra a mission to find out if her hot chef colleague is single. She was supposed to ask him out for me, right, Alessandra?”I cleared my throat when I caught Bianca's look and replied, “Y-Yes, but I told you that Leonardo
ALESSANDRA That evening, I decided to pay Mia a visit. When I entered her room, I found her lying on the bed, her entire figure hidden beneath the sheets. Concern etched across my face, I dropped my bag to the floor and moved my tired body toward her. “What's wrong, Mia? Are you feeling unwell?”“D-Dante...” Mia sobbed, clutching the sheets tightly as I tried to pull them away from her.I stilled, my heart racing with anxiety and worry. “What happened to Dante? Is he dead?”“No,” she shook her head, tears streaming down her face. “He's getting married!”“What?”“Mamma just called me, and she said Valentina and Dante are getting married!” she informed me. I sank into the bed, trying to wrap my head around the idea that my former best friend was getting married to my brother-in-law. With both their personalities, I was sure they would never be compatible with each other but that was not my business anymore. “Well, maybe this is what is best for everyone,” I remarked. I knew Mia was n
ALESSANDRA After that night, Leonardo never returned to the house. He stopped calling and texting me, and I lacked the courage to reach out to him. He had every right to be angry, but I wished he would give me a chance to explain.A few days later, I started working at the restaurant Le Jardin Des Saveurs as a gourmet chef. My employer, Mrs. Dubois, was very pleased with my dishes and always took good care of me. According to her, it was Leonardo who helped her start a new life after being abandoned by her husband and children.“I had stage 3 cancer once,” she confided. “My husband, who was Capo working for Davide, didn’t want the world to know the truth, so he locked me up in a hospital for treatment. When I finally recovered, I returned home to find he had taken a new wife, a new mother for my children.”My heart ached as I saw tears well up in her eyes. I grabbed a couple of tissues from the desk and handed them to her. “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Dubois,” I said softly.She dismissed my