DEIRDREAn hour passed after Matteo left, and he never returned. He had reminded me to be outside by 7, and it was already 6 p.m.I tried to ask him where he went, but I never received a response to my text. I even called him, but he didn't pick up the phone. I couldn't help but wonder if he was avoiding me. Maybe. But then, I couldn't think of anything I did wrong to deserve being ignored. Or perhaps I did.Sighing, I walked towards the full-length mirror, took off Matteo's shirt, and slipped into the dress.Its fabric, a lustrous, bright blue satin, seemed to capture the essence of the deep, cerulean sea. The sequins were meticulously arranged in intricate patterns, glimmering like a thousand stars. They caught the low light in a dazzling display, casting prismatic reflections that danced across the room.As I touched the elegantly tailored bodice, my gaze moved to the sweetheart neckline that accentuated the curves of my torso. Delicate straps adorned with tiny crystal beads framed
DEIDRE"Wait," Matteo called out as I headed towards the door. He reached into his pocket, took out a small box, and stepped towards me.Raising my eyebrows, I stared at him as he opened it. Inside was a white gold necklace with a vivid blue sapphire set in platinum, surrounded by brilliant diamonds. It was stunning and undoubtedly costly. I couldn't understand why Matteo was giving me another necklace when I was already wearing one.I shook my head as he approached, and I pointed to the one around my neck. "I already have one.""I want you to have this," He said, getting even closer.I began to shake my head, but he gripped the locket of the necklace, snapping it open. "Kendall," He murmured, his eyes flicking to mine before glancing at his hand. "I still want you to have this," He repeated.Then he stepped behind me, unhooked the necklace from around my neck, and dropped it into his pocket. I felt the coolness of the white gold chain around my neck.After he was done, I looked at m
MATTEOIt was the La Festa dell'Ombra, also known as the festival of shadows. This annual gathering was a secret known only to the most influential and mysterious figures of the underworld. It featured masked revelers, enigmatic performances, and secret ceremonies held in the heart of the cruise ship's hidden chambers.Maybe I shouldn't have brought Deirdre here. I heard the warning in Jackson's voice earlier. Perhaps he had known that Javier, the troublemaker, would be here.Javier was from a rival gang, and he should have known better than to approach Deirdre when she was with me. But he didn't even look apologetic. It was as if he was deliberately taunting me.And why was the ship filled with enemies on all sides?!My eyes narrowed when I spotted three more, each flanking the side where Deirdre was seated.To Deirdre's right, three seats away from her, Enzo Romano sat. He looked at me with intrigue in his granite grey eyes. He was also known as "Silencer" due to his few words but i
DEIRDRE"Are you one of Matteo's friends?" I asked the man who escorted me out of the room. His salt-and-pepper hair was impeccably styled, a dimpled smile on one cheek, and his dark eyes twinkled as he looked down at me.He was tall and muscular, and next to him, I felt very small, like a dwarf. I couldn't help but notice he seemed much closer to Matteo than Javier, even though they didn't seem like friends, much like Lucia had seemed with him."I'm Vittorio De Luca," the man introduced himself. "I can't exactly say we're friends, but we're not foes either."I sighed, shaking my head. "So, he entrusted me to you? What if you do something horrible to me? I mean, you could toss me into the water just for the fun of it.""Why do you think that, darling?" he asked, raising his brows."It's Deirdre," I corrected him, slightly uncomfortable with how both men I'd spoken to tonight had referred to me endearingly.Even though I knew it meant nothing and wasn't a big deal, I didn't enjoy it. I
DEIRDREI jolted as another shot rang out.Now, it was evident to me that it was not a Roman candle definitely going off.It sounded more like a gunshot. I stood by my door with Vittorio beside me. He hadn't left, and he was taking his promise to Matteo seriously. I didn't mind him being with me, especially since whatever was happening outside frightened me.Yet, it seemed like I was the only one afraid. People were still partying. I could hear the music blasting from the old jukebox, but the gunfire was louder, and no one seemed to notice.Suddenly, there was silence. The music was gone, and I didn't hear any screams of people running for safety. Frowning, I turned to Vittorio, my brows raised. "What's happening?""Can you stay here by yourself? Will you promise me not to leave the room?" he asked."I can't make that promise without knowing what's going on. And as for staying in the room, I can't say. Matteo is out there and...""Your husband is fine," Vittorio grunted.I hadn't told
MATTEOWhy didn't the alarm go off yet?I couldn't tell. My eyes narrowed as I watched the engineer working to mitigate potential damage to the ship. Vittorio had described it as minor, but the frantic activity in the engine room suggested otherwise.Stepping away from the engine room, I headed to the wheelhouse. "Where are we? I need our exact location," I asked the captain, sweat coating his face despite the air conditioning."That's the problem. For an hour now, we've been in the middle of nowhere, and...""An hour?" I snapped. And yet, no one had mentioned anything."Yes. We might be at risk of the ship sinking due to the storm. I predict a cyclone is on its way. We can only hope for the best," the captain said."Where's the nearest island from here?" I pressed. I didn't suppose the ship sinking had anything to do with the storm, and I doubted a cyclone was on the way."I wouldn't know," he admitted.Striding towards him, I grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the door. "
DEIRDREI doubted it had been a minute since Matteo finished speaking when the heavens opened, unleashing their fury.The once gentle rain now poured heavily, and I could feel the ship's timbre groan in protest.Never did I think this would happen. Today, of all days, seemed like the end for me.I was barely in my prime, with a daughter waiting for me at home, yet here I was in the middle of nowhere – no, stuck on a ship in the midst of a storm.I was going to die; it was evident. I was on the verge of meeting my demise in this unforgiving storm.Throughout my life, I thought I would live fruitful years and die at a ripe age. Perhaps I shouldn't have harbored such thoughts and wishes.Biting my lower lip as it quivered, I turned to Matteo, feeling the grip of his hand on my shoulder."Are you alright?" he asked."You caused this, Matteo," I muttered, my eyes welling with tears."You brought me here against my wishes, and now I'm going to die. I'm leaving Kendall in this cruel world!"
DEIRDRE POVI awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and flies buzzing, accompanied by a hand groping my shoulder."Wake up, Deirdre," Vittorio's unmistakable voice said, and I opened my eyes slowly.Grimacing as they felt glued together, I rubbed at them, regretting it immediately as they throbbed.Yet, I tried again."Vittorio," I murmured as soon as I could see clearly.I frowned, staring at my surroundings. I was still in the lifeboat, but it was now on a sandy beach.No, it didn't look like any ordinary beach; it resembled a remote island. I saw nothing in sight—no humans, just sand, water, and tall trees.The last thing I remembered before dozing off was us entering new territory. The storm that sank the ship seemed confined to that area, as the other side of our journey was much smoother with the storm that had occurred.Standing up, I groaned as my limbs ached from being cramped in the small space. Even though it was just the two of us, Vittorio's supplies had nearly filled the
DEIRDRE POVITALY—SICILY, FERRARI ESTATEYesterday, when I felt something shifted in the way that Matteo had made love to me in Disneyland while listening to the fireworks go off multiple times, I knew something was going to change, but I never knew he'd be bringing me to his family home in Sicily.It felt like I had taken a nap in London to wake up in Italy. The weird thing was that he didn't give me the time to take in my environment, and boom, a party started.In his defense, he was a public figure and was hosting a charity for his return. He couldn't afford to miss it and needed to appear with me.I wonder if Matteo was afraid I'd run away from him, hence why he had brought me here.It wasn't as if I could run away from him while in London, much less in an unfamiliar environment like this. Besides, if I was planning on escaping, Kendall would be part of the plan, but Matteo separated the three of us for some reason. We hadn't arrived together.He had mentioned Kendall coming with
DEIRDRE POVTWO DAYS LATERI watched as Matteo took a few steps away from me, barking orders into his phone. He had been tensed since we arrived here, and I knew he was only smiling because of Kendall. She was the reason we were here; after all, Matteo had promised to bring her to Disneyland, and he was trying to be happy for her.It wasn't sadness I saw in his eyes; it was anger, and I couldn't help but wonder to whom it was directed.Kendall was a different matter. The moment we stepped through the gates of Disneyland, her hand had left mine. Her little gasp of delight and the way her eyes lit up as she took in the colorful sights melted a part of me.It was this reaction I wished to see in her all the time, and I was glad that she experienced this while with Matteo, her father."Mummy, look! It's Belle!" Kendall squealed. She ran towards me, gripping my hand while pointing her finger toward a woman in a flowing yellow gown with brown hair curled at the tip and subtle makeup. She wa
DEIRDRE POVI groaned, twisting on the bed. My body tingled as the event of last night flooded into my head, and I let out a slight moan.My cheeks warmed as I recalled all that had happened. From getting spanked to wanting to allow Matteo to tie me up like a dog and fucking my mouth until my throat went sore. I remember begging him to spill his semen on me and telling him how I enjoyed him doing so.Should I talk about the piss he had forced out of me three times due to disobeying him?No, I most certainly shouldn't.Last night's event was dirty, humiliating, yet pleasurable. Would it be weird if I said I wanted him to do it again? Maybe.Again, my cheeks warmed due to my excitement. I guess I was insane.But hey, if you were in my shoes, I doubted you wouldn't want Matteo to do all the things I had said to you.Matteo wasn't just handsome; his bedroom game was a hundred percent, leaving you satiated."Hey beautiful," I startled, becoming instantly awake. I turned to Matteo. I had fo
DIEDRE POV"He's going to be fine," Mrs Smith assured me for the umpteenth time."No," I murmured, my gaze traveling to the wall clock.It was close to midnight, yet Matteo wasn't there. How was he going to be okay then?My head reeled as I thought back to the gunshot I had heard, followed by the scream. I couldn't precisely say whose it was, and it could be anyone. Yet, I couldn't help but think it was Matteo's.The voice had been a deep, masculine voice. It sounded almost like Matteo, and I could barely hear what was said, seeing as Lucia had nudged me into the car."He isn't here; how do you want me to believe that he's fine?" I asked her.Folding my arms in front of me, I breathed out.I shut my eyes, opened them again, then shut and opened them again, hoping he'd magically appear in front of me.But I knew then to hope for that to happen.Mrs. Smith's expression softened. "You're exhausted. You haven't slept since arriving. Mr. Ferrari wouldn't want to see you like this."Then he
DEIRDRE POVI groaned, turning in my seat. My stomach did a flipflop, and my eyes shut tightly.I was not too fond of flying. It was one of my many fears, but I didn't think I had any choice in this situation.I couldn't tell where Matteo and Victtorio had gotten the chopper, but I was grateful. We had set out of the island very early, and soon, we'd be arriving at the airport as it was stated.I had been sitting in my seat for only God knows how long and counting until the moment we were going to land."Cara," I heard Matteo's raspy voice in my ear, then he placed a hand on my forehead."Are you sick?" he asked.I shook my head slowly, swallowing back the vomit that surged up my throat for the umpteenth time.My eyes were shut tight, and I continued to grip the chair I was in as if I was holding on for dear life."You look pale, and you're sweating..." he murmured.I didn't need to stare at him to know he was frowning.I didn't respond to him, and I shook my head again. Hoping he'd
DEIRDRE POVMatteo didn't love me.Of course, he didn't. I was stupid to think he'd be bowing at my feet when he didn't three years ago.I was just a fuck mate to him then and still a fuck mate now.I assumed his taking me to the forbidden waterfall could mean he was into me and wanted to explore other things with me, but he had done it to fuck m,e, and I had allowed him.Sighing as my eyes closed and opened, I sat up on the bed, pushing a hand through my hair.Why would I want him to love me anyway? It was silly. I was going to leave him and never intended to stay with him after leaving the Island, yet I still desire to hear the three-letter words."Deirdre," I groaned, falling back to the bed. Everything was confusing, even my heart. It knew what it wanted, and at the same time, it didn't."I don't want to leave him anymore," I muttered, pushing my bottom lip out.I guess it was insane. Staying in a loveless relationship and barely knowing what your husband was up to. He'd disappear
DEIRDRE POVI was exhausted by the time I finished translating the last word on the map. It was tiring, yet at the same time exhilarating.The last time I did something like this was three years ago, and everything had ended instantly after meeting Matteo.I barely went to functions, and I didn't have any clients as well to ask for my service. At that time, I had believed Matteo had a hand in it.The way he glared at men who stared at me whenever I walked by, I believed he had gone behind my back to say things he shouldn't.He was very much possessive and meddling. I remember we had gotten into an argument after he had accused me of flirting with a client just a week after we started seeing each other.Yes, it wasn't only Vittorio he had accused me of flirting with, and I had taken it at that time to be jealous.I had thought it cute, but I had ignored the deep red flag waving in front of me. It was obvious.To be honest, I guessed I was into Matteo's overall personality. Domineering,
DEIRDRE POVA while later, Matteo walked towards me with a large paper in his hand.He sat on the bed, making me rise slowly and gazing at his hand."What's that?" I asked."The outcome of today's search," He said, then opened it slowly and turned it to face me.It was a map. My eyes widened, and I sat up straight, "Does that mean we can..." I trailed off.I didn't want to be too excited for fear that it might not really mean what I was thinking about."Yes, darling. We can finally leave here. However, we need help with decoding it. And you are the translator here." Matteo pointed out."What language is it in? And do you realize I don't know all the language of this world?" I asked him.Matteo shrugged his big shoulders, "I am sure it's nothing you can't handle," He said.Then he added, "I believe it's in Armenian."Matteo set the map before me, looking at me with expectation-filled eyes."Tell me it's one of the languages you are fluent in, Deirdre," He said."Well, today is our luck
MATTEO POVI followed her, watching her wrap another towel around her.Then she looked up at me and grinned, "We should go to bed. It would be easier.""Yes, that's true," I said.Deirdre dropped the towel to the floor, then laid on her back and spread her legs wide.I couldn't help but stare at her pussy.It was already glistening, dripping wet."I believe it is only fair if you eat me; I would do the same." She said."Eat me, Matteo." She ordered.My mouth watered at her words.She was offering me her pussy.How could I say no to that?"Fine, baby," I said, then moved towards her, "But first, we'll try something else. I'm sure you're going to love it.""Okay," She shrugged.I got on the bed and knelt in front of her.Then, I gripped her thighs, pushing her knees against her chest, her feet by her head."Keep your legs that way," I commanded, "No matter what happens."Deirdre nodded, and I pushed her thighs further, opening her pussy more.I moved closer and blew at her entrance.She