Alessandro’s POVI woke up with a jolt, panting heavily as I rubbed my eyes trying to steady myself after the dream I just had. This wasn’t the first time I was having a dream concerning myself, Gianna, and a third party I’ve never figured out but I had never had one as intense as this. I wasn’t a superstitious person but what I’ve learned from my own experiences was that my dreams often came to pass if caution wasn’t taken. A war was coming, a small part of me had always believed it would come to this but now that I had dreamt of it, I fervently believed in the possibility now. I sighed, pushing myself off the bed as I walked towards the corridor. A breath of fresh air would do me good. I stepped into the corridor and walked towards the railings overlooking most of the city. Manhattan was a beautiful sight to behold and I would love to spend a week here on vacation when all of this blows over. “You can’t sleep too?” Yoda’s voice jolted me out of reverie. I blinked for a moment
Six months ago“Here’s a cup of milkshake to thank you for covering my shift tonight, Gianna.” I grinned from ear to ear as she pushed the cup towards me. I reluctantly accepted with a long sigh, grateful to be heading home after working a double-shift for the fourth time in a week. I waved Emma goodbye before starting my long journey home. I couldn’t afford to use the subway because I was dead broke with a lot of debts left unpaid, so I had to save up every spare dollar I could afford. I checked my watch, it was 12:00 AM already, I would only be able to sleep for three hours before I would need to divide my mornings between taking care of my sick roommate, Eve and trying to catch up on everything I was falling short on. The road home was lonely but safe, I walked down this path everyday, dragging my tired legs and longing for my bed. Ever since I moved here, I knew I had to come up with a story that would be believable if I wanted to stay and from my experience, everyone got move
“Tiffany!” I yelled, tapping the counter. “Jesus Christ, Gianna.” She let out a groan. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.” “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past two minutes but you’ve been busy fantasizing about some boy or something,” I said, glaring at her mockingly. “You’re going to be the death of me someday, Gianna.” I sigh. “Before that happens, I need you to take the orders from the tables to your left,” I ordered, pointing her in the direction. “I wish you’d have gone home, you look like you’re about to pass out any minute from now.” “It’s too late to go home now, isn’t it?” She chuckled as she made her way towards the designated table. For the past six months, I’ve been working as a bodyguard for Don Ethan, a mafia lord in Manhattan and it’s been going pretty well for me. My finances were becoming stable and I had been able to save for a new apartment much to my delight. For the first time in three years. I was able to do something tangible for myself
GIANNA POV“You cannot do that, Father!” I said angrily, slamming my hand against the table while trying to control my rising anger, but I was failing.My father looked up from his papers, adjusted his glasses, then went back to his work, completely ignoring me. After a moment, he set his papers aside, settled into his seat, and picked up a cigar. One of his guards standing behind him lit it for him.He took a drag, blowing smoke into the air while staring at me. Finally, in the most nonchalant tone, he asked, “What is it, Gianna?” My jaw clenched as I tried to suppress my growing anger. I took a deep breath and said,“First of all, why did you crown Miguel underboss? I have been the one by your side during dangerous missions and life-changing deals, but for some reason, Miguel deserves that title and I don't? He basically does nothing, Father!” He stared at me, saying nothing, before taking another drag of his cigarette. He exhaled the smoke and said,“It doesn’t matter what you do o
The ride to the club was quiet, my mind replaying the events of the day and my heartbreak. I had loved Mike so much that I invested my all into the relationship without holding back . That was how much I cared about him, but like everyone else, he ended up betraying me.I got out of the car and walked into the club, heading directly for the bartender. “The usual?” he asked. I nodded, my tears flowing this time, but I sniffed, trying to compose myself. “Are you fine, ma’am?” he asked, concerned. I nodded in response.The loud music banged in my head, but I knew that as soon as I drank some alcohol, it wouldn’t matter anymore. He tossed a drink my way, and I immediately downed it in one gulp, the alcohol burning against my throat. “Hit me with another,” I said.I could tell the bartender looked at me with concern before reluctantly agreeing to give me another shot. He mixed my drink while I wasted no time gulping it down. I almost broke down crying again, but I quickly controlled it, tak
I woke up the next morning, wincing in pain as the side effects of the alcohol kicked in. Glancing to my left, I saw the man still sleeping peacefully beside me. He looked so peaceful when asleep, one could barely believe he was the man taking me in such wild way the night prior.I tried to move my legs and winced at the soreness between my thighs. Just how intense had last night been? Despite the discomfort, I had to admit it was the best experience I had ever had. Even now, seeing him clearly, he was still impossibly handsome. My eyes roamed over his shirtless body, covered with some nice tattoos, and I gulped.I quickly gathered my things and pulled out some cash from my bag, leaving it on the table with a note that read, “Thanks for the night.” I felt it was the least I could do, given how great the night had been.I scrambled into my clothes as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake him, and made my way out of the room and the hotel.Fortunately, my car was parked outside. I cl
I gritted my teeth as I stared hard at Don Alessandro. He was poking me, trying to rile me after what happened between us last night and the situation we presently found ourselves in. But I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose my composure. It wasn’t worth it and he wasn’t worth it either. “What was that all about? What money was exchanged between the both of you?” Maya asked, her eyes darting from her father to mine. She opened her mouth to speak again but a glare from Don Alessandro forced her to shut up. I let out a groan as I massaged my temple. As satisfying as seeing the embarrassment on Maya’s face was, a small part of me wished that the past 48 hours of my life never existed. I stole a glance at my father to see him silent, his face was rigid and he hadn’t uttered a word yet. I wondered if he regretted picking Miguel over me but I knew he would rather die than admit to making a mistake. Miguel’s first act as the underboss had been to trade in
Gianna’s POV“Is there a problem, Don Alessandro?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “My father has agreed to your terms and he’s willing to give you the Alessia Cartel ring in exchange for my brother.” “I know that, Gianna. But do you want to let go of the Alessia cartel without putting up a fight? I know who it’s named after and I know what it means to you.” Don Alessandro said. “She has no say in my business, Don Alessandro. If there’s anyone you need to ask approval from, it’s me.” My father said before I could say anything. Don Alessandro turned and nodded to the guards standing behind him who held up Miguel and they took turns beating Miguel. My mouth hung open in shock as I watched the entire scene happen, there was nothing my father nor I could do except watch as Miguel was beaten into a pulp. “Let this serve as a warning to you, Salvatore. Do not speak unless spoken to. Do you understand?” Don Alessandro drawled, an amused expression on his face. “Yes, Don Aless
“Tiffany!” I yelled, tapping the counter. “Jesus Christ, Gianna.” She let out a groan. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.” “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the past two minutes but you’ve been busy fantasizing about some boy or something,” I said, glaring at her mockingly. “You’re going to be the death of me someday, Gianna.” I sigh. “Before that happens, I need you to take the orders from the tables to your left,” I ordered, pointing her in the direction. “I wish you’d have gone home, you look like you’re about to pass out any minute from now.” “It’s too late to go home now, isn’t it?” She chuckled as she made her way towards the designated table. For the past six months, I’ve been working as a bodyguard for Don Ethan, a mafia lord in Manhattan and it’s been going pretty well for me. My finances were becoming stable and I had been able to save for a new apartment much to my delight. For the first time in three years. I was able to do something tangible for myself
Six months ago“Here’s a cup of milkshake to thank you for covering my shift tonight, Gianna.” I grinned from ear to ear as she pushed the cup towards me. I reluctantly accepted with a long sigh, grateful to be heading home after working a double-shift for the fourth time in a week. I waved Emma goodbye before starting my long journey home. I couldn’t afford to use the subway because I was dead broke with a lot of debts left unpaid, so I had to save up every spare dollar I could afford. I checked my watch, it was 12:00 AM already, I would only be able to sleep for three hours before I would need to divide my mornings between taking care of my sick roommate, Eve and trying to catch up on everything I was falling short on. The road home was lonely but safe, I walked down this path everyday, dragging my tired legs and longing for my bed. Ever since I moved here, I knew I had to come up with a story that would be believable if I wanted to stay and from my experience, everyone got move
Alessandro’s POVI woke up with a jolt, panting heavily as I rubbed my eyes trying to steady myself after the dream I just had. This wasn’t the first time I was having a dream concerning myself, Gianna, and a third party I’ve never figured out but I had never had one as intense as this. I wasn’t a superstitious person but what I’ve learned from my own experiences was that my dreams often came to pass if caution wasn’t taken. A war was coming, a small part of me had always believed it would come to this but now that I had dreamt of it, I fervently believed in the possibility now. I sighed, pushing myself off the bed as I walked towards the corridor. A breath of fresh air would do me good. I stepped into the corridor and walked towards the railings overlooking most of the city. Manhattan was a beautiful sight to behold and I would love to spend a week here on vacation when all of this blows over. “You can’t sleep too?” Yoda’s voice jolted me out of reverie. I blinked for a moment
I didn’t just task the investigator I hired to find Gianna, I also ordered him to report everything he could learn or discover about everything that has happened in her life ever since the night she disappeared.I wanted to know who I was coming up against, going into a new state unprepared would be folly and to their detriment. My biggest concern was the information I got about the man Gianna was supposedly working for, it was reported that he was a seasoned war hero. He didn’t shy away from conflict, he faced them head-on no matter the circumstances levied before him. If diplomacy failed to resolve the problem at hand, there was every possibility that war would be the next logical move and I was going to relish going up against a manlike Ethan. Before we left home, I sent out spies all over to report any news of an ambush as soon as we landed. I would hate to be blindsided and if anything I’ve read happened to be true, Ethan was besotted with Gianna and love could make a man do un
Alessandro’s POV“So what? You’re going to cajole Gianna and blind her with lavish gifts to win her over once again and you think that’s going to work after what happened between the both of you last time around?” “If that is what it would take, I’m willing to go the extra mile to make it happen. I need her back and I must get her back.”I waited for Yoda to speak but he remained silent. “You don’t approve of my decision. Is that it?” I asked Yoda after a long period of silence.“You’re my mafia Lord, Don Alessandro,” He replied. “I am bound by duty and honor to accept your decree.” “I don’t need any of this nonsensical stuff right now.” I glared at him. “I’m asking you, brother to brother. Tell me what you think of my decision.”“What I said remains true. I can only hope that you don’t end up regretting going down this route.” Yoda answered. I nodded, eager to see to the end of this discussion. “What brings you here? You made mention of something concerning Gianna that requires
Alessandro’s POVIt’s been a year since Gianna ran away after the mess that Lydia had created and so much had happened between that incident and now. I had believed that it would be easier to find her with the contacts I have all over the world but I couldn’t have been more wrong. We had scoured the country hoping to find her wherever she might be but our search was fruitless. I hated the dilemma we were having to deal with, news about Gianna’s disappearance was beginning to circulate and I didn’t know how long I could keep it hidden, and being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons made me incensed. A solution would have to be found as soon as possible or I would end up losing everything I’ve ever worked for. My mafia was one of the most powerful ones in the country, we thrived and excelled beyond our wildest dreams and we were the envy of many others who sought to emulate our feats but the cracks were beginning to show. I couldn’t help but reminisce to one of the last times I ha
Alessandro's POVIt's been a week since Gianna left and we've searched virtually everywhere she's ever been to and reached out to nearly everyone she's connected to here in the United States but we haven't managed to find her just yet. My best guess was that she had left the country or worse. Yoda had pleaded with me to refrain from any negative thoughts but I knew better than to leave any angle exposed anymore. I had to prepare myself for the worst-case scenario and that was it.The board meetings that my half-brother had incited ended with me putting a gun inside his mouth and threatening to kill him and every member of his family if he ever dared to use this situation to make his move for my crown ever again. He'd been the number one name on my suspect list but after a thorough investigation, he was found clean and I moved on to the next target–Lydia. She'd somehow gotten news that I was about to hold her hostage and she managed to leave the house amidst the commotion. It wasn'
Alessandro's POV"What the hell did you just say to me?" I yelled, pushing myself off the chair as it clattered to the ground noisily. "I–I, She's, I–" The guard stammered, making me more irate as I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall."I'll give you one more chance to talk and if you don't, I'll kill you," I said in a menacing tone before releasing my hold on his neck and watching him crumple to the floor, coughing."Where's Gianna, my wife?" I asked again."She's missing." It felt as if my whole world had come crashing down on me. I was so close, so close to actualizing my dream so why did this have to happen at this point? "We've searched the grounds and we've managed to track the car she escaped into the airport but there's no CCTV footage of her ever getting into the airport and her name isn't on any flight list. We've run multiple checks into possible aliases she might used, but we've come up with nothing. Her phone was found inside the car and her mess
My eyes flung open as I let out a huge sigh of relief as I tried to normalize my haggard breathing. It had been all a dream, a very bad dream that I had just woken up from. I peered around the room, trying to figure out where I was and at the same time I was struggling to see with all the bright lights making their way into my eyes. Segments of the dreams flashed before my eyes, accelerating my heartbeat for a few seconds before I calmed down. It was only a dream, none of it was real. I wasn’t going to die. I tried to get rid of the bad dream that I had just woken up from and I was trying to figure out where I was. I was lying on a bed in a white room, the environment seemed oddly calm and peaceful enough. I lifted my hands towards my eyes to see that I had a cannula with a drip stuck in my left hand. I was beginning to piece everything together from my state, the room, and other equipment that was coming into my line of sight. I couldn’t do this anymore. Waking up every morning a