OCTAVIA'S POV I couldn't contain my worry of having to go to Nile's house again, he will probably not try anything since his wife and Zion would be in the house too. The thought of facing him again made my stomach churn.The evening arrived and I smoothened my sweaty palms on my dress as Zion parked the car and we made our way to the entrance. The air was crisp, and the sky was painted with the colors of the setting sun. Zion held my hand as if sensing my nervousness. "It'll be fine," he said and placed a quick kiss on my lipsI forced a smile, I couldn't shake away the feeling that I was being watched. "Me too, Zion."We were greeted at the door by Nile, he smiled widely and acted as charming as ever as he gave Zion a manly hug and shook my hand squeezed it tighter than he should. But I could see the coldness in his eyes when he looked at me, it was a stark contrast to the warmth he projected. "Welcome, welcome," he said, ushering us inside. "It's so good to see you both."Their h
OCTAVIA'S POV I dried myself after my shower and put on my robe; I stared at my phone on the bed, contemplating whether to call Zion. Fuck it, I'm going to do it. He has got to understand that I would never do that. How can he believe I would seduce his brother without a second thought? Taking a deep breath, I dialed Zion's number; my heart raced slightly as I held the phone to my ear. The line rang a few times before he picked up; the background was noisy. I could hear music and the sounds of glasses clinking and people laughing. It was like he was at a bar or a party; neither of the two hurts less. "Hello?" Zion's voice came on the line; it was slightly slurred. I could tell he had been drinking, and the realization made my heart ache even more."Zion, it's Octavia," I said, keeping my voice steady. "We need to talk, don't you think?"There was a moment of silence on the other end before he responded. "Octavia, what do we need to talk about? What do you want from me? Haven't you
OCTAVIA'S POV The room was dimly lit, so I couldn't see all the details. The cold metal of the handcuff that bound my right hand to the bed frame dug into my wrist. It seems no one is keeping guard, and I can't hear any voices outside. I need to get out of here before they come back; my heart raced as panic surged through me, but I forced myself to stay calm as I looked around for something to free myself. I should have something I can use in my bag; one of them took it from me earlier. I looked around for it, but it was nowhere in sight. I scanned the room, looking for anything else that could help me escape. I strained to reach the nightstand with my free hands; there's nothing else on it except the picture frame. My fingers brushed against the edge, and I managed to knock it over. The glass shattered, and I quickly grabbed a shard; it nicked my hand, but I ignored the pain that came with it and began to work on the cuff, trying to pry it open. The glass tore through my hand as
OCTAVIA'S POV I took in my surroundings as I followed the girl; this house is a mansion. She led me through another grand hallway, and I took in the beauty that surrounded me. The house showed wealth and power, and it also had a somewhat homely feeling to it, something I haven't felt in a long time. With its high ceilings adorned with intricate chandeliers, the walls were lined with rich, dark wood paneling. Ornate paintings and sculptures were placed at different corners that we passed. The floors were polished marble, their cool surface reflecting the soft glow of the ambient lighting. Every detail, from the luxurious rugs to the elegant furniture, spoke of a life far removed from the one I have always known. It all feels a bit overwhelming, and I feel like an intruder in this world of grandeur and authority. She stopped in front of a door, in what looked to be another part of the house. "Is there anything you would be needing, ma'am?" She asked "Uhh, no thank you," I said awkw
OCTAVIA'S POV "Oof," I exclaimed in suprise stumbling slightly, a large hand held my shoulder and steadied me with a firm grip. I was on my way back inside the house when i bumped into someone, I looked up to see a man, he was dressed in a suit.What's with these people and wearing black. I'm not suprised to see him dressed in black like the other men I have been seeing since I got here. "Will you watch where you are going. Do you want to get killed." He said sharply in a deep voice that matches his face. He's got that rugged bad guy look with a scar running across his face from his eyes to his chin. He looks like the type of guy you won't want to run into, I should probably be scared but right now, I have bigger fishes to fry. "I'm sorry," I said immediately "You should be," he snapped and bumped my into my shoulder. "Who the fuck let a stray in," he muttered to himself dusting invincible dust off his clothes and started walking away."I don't know who you are but you better
ZION'S POV "Zion!" I snapped out of my thoughts at the sound of someone yelling my name. I turned to see my friend and the director of the new gig I'm working on looking are me with concern. "Is everything fine, I've been calling you for the past three minutes, where's your mind at," "Ohh sorry I didn't hear you," I replied, I had been lost in thought. "Yeah I noticed, you've been out of sorts today. Is there something you are hiding from us?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me. "Nah, I'm good. Just have to few things on my mind that all," I replied ignoring his insinuation. I can't bring myself to find any humour in things these days. I've been like these for a while now.It's because she is not here. "That's a new development," he joked."Is there anything you want?" I asked. "We are going to have to stop shooting for today, Mabel had to be taken to the hospital. Apparently she has a stomach." He said"Mabel?" "The model, the dark skinned one," he said looking at me
OCTAVIA'S POV DAVINCI'S MANSION IN PALERMO The cold air of early January greeted me as I stepped out of the grand estate; it is a contrast to the warmth inside. A crisp chill hung in the air, feeling sharp against my skin; it seems there is a sea nearby as the faint scent of salt mixed with the cool breeze. Despite the cold, a strange warmth spread through me; it feels like I am waking from a strange dream.Bree was practically bouncing next to me; her energy was uncontainable even in the frigid weather."Do we have to go today?" I asked "Yeah, definitely. What's there to wait for? Plus, you need supplies, don't you?" "There's a closet filled with clothes in my room; I'm guessing you need a reason to go out," I added. "Oh, come on, I definitely just want to show you around, and you need a new phone, don't you?" she defended. I have noticed Bree has a very bubbly personality as opposed to Bryon, who is more reserved and quiet. "A phone can always get delivered to the house; every
OCTAVIA'S POV I stepped out of my father’s office, my heart weirdly heavy; I clutched the knife in my hand as I grieved for the mother I never met. This piece of weaponry is like a connection to a life I have never known. I walked back to my room, and when I opened my door, I stopped in my tracks, my eyes widening. About twenty shopping bags were arranged side by side at the foot of my bed, and as I walked closer, a sleek, brand-new iPhone sat on the nightstand. Its glossy black surface reflected the dim light of the lamp. I shrugged off my coat, letting it fall onto the bed, and picked up the phone. It was already set up with my number, Lionel, Bree and Bryon's number were also saved om it. My stomach twisted as I thought about Rose. She would be worried sick by now. I changed into a pair of comfortable sweats and sat on the edge of the bed and dialed her number. The phone rang twice before her familiar voice came through. "Hello,""Rose, it's me," I started cautiously. “Octavia
Elena found out I was sleeping in Bree’s room a few days later. She came into Bree’s room one morning when I was still knocked out from the pill and found me sleeping in her bed.‘’Why’s Octavia in your room?’’ she asked. She had come to spend some time with Bree as she was leaving very soon.She shrugged. ‘’She likes my bed?’’She didn't believe the story because she was in the room the following morning, and Bree said the same thing. I was awake and just sitting on the bed, feeling down and upset.‘’Good morning, aunt Elena,’’ I said. She had a tray of different arrays of fruits that she had been feeding Bree with every morning. She said it would make her conceive easily and have a healthy baby.‘’Are you okay, Octavia? You look pale,’’ she said to me.I looked at her, my eyes heavy. The tablets were putting me to sleep, but I'd always wake up tired. I was feeling a bit more depressed daily.‘’Yes, aunty. I’m fine,’’ I said, looking at the tray of fruits in her hands. I
I turned around to the sound of his voice. ‘’Did I wake you up?’’ I asked, walking away from the mirror.He squinted his eyes and groaned. ‘’Where are you all dressed up to?’’‘’I have a very important meeting in town, babe. It was so sudden,’’ I said, walking over to him and kissing his cheeks. ‘’Good morning.’’He creased his brows. ‘’I can’t let you out just yet, Rory. You were attacked just last week and you aren’t fit to be going out yet.’’I laughed gently. ‘’I know you are bothered about me, and I love it so much. But you seem to be forgetting who you are, baby. You are Lionel da VInci.’’ I walked over to the mirror to brush my hair. ‘’No one can mess with you.’’He shook his head. ‘’I’ve been proven wrong one too many times,’’ he said.‘’Well, I am Rory Morano. No one can mess with me,’’ I said, chuckling dryly.He sat up. ‘’What is this urgent meeting about?’’I patted my lips against each other gently. ‘’My cousin,’’ I said. ‘’I have a meeting with the security chie
‘’You are a cat.’’ I laughed as I walked into the room with a tray of food. He leaned up to receive the food.‘’A cat with nine lives,’’ I continued.He winced and quickly masked it with a smile. ‘’It wasn’t really a good shot.’’Aaron had had a hernia when he was a teenager, and the surgeon had left a mesh frame when he did the repair. It was that framework that had trapped the bullet that had been fired at him, stopping it from hitting his liver. The doctor said it was one of the wonders of the world.‘’What life number are you on now?’’ I asked.‘’Should be three,’’ he said.The room became silent suddenly as our minds drifted to the event of that day. I had the opportunity of putting the lives of two of my enemies that day but I had hesitated. I wasn’t sure if I was not going to regret it eventually. Another concern was the man I had seen.‘’I saw the man behind the door, Aaron,’’ I said, looking at him. His brows were furrowed. I had a feeling he knew what I was about
‘’I will never let what happened to repeat itself again,’’ i saqid, grubting as the pain hit my bones. He was bent over me, and i saw the look of confusion on his face.‘’Let what happen?’’ he asked.‘’For another Giovanni to be taken by a da Vinci,’ i said, my breath hitching.He tied a warp of cloth over my arms. ‘’The doctor is on the way,’’ he said.—-I had heard their arguments everry night when the doors were shut and the lights were turned off. Each day, as i rrolled on my bed wide awake, i heard them. The arguments got more heated, but the subject never changed. ‘’I love Elena, John. that’s someting you can never understand,’’ Antonio said.‘’She is a da Vinci,’’ my dad would yell and the arguments woould go on.Antonio had fallen in love with Elena while he was working as a spy. My father tried to let him see that such a union could nver work. Theyy would recognise that he was affiliated with us and they would dhave his head. But it was never easy to advise people
I had received a call from Nile that he had found my phone and wallet. When he said ‘found’, I knew he meant he was ready to return it. I was willing to let him keep the phone and wallet, but I needed some cards in my wallet and some files on my phone. So despite not wanting to see him again, I decided to return to the house.The first clue I got that something was wrong was the gate was not manned by any armed person. Nile never left the gate unmanned. I thought it was weird. So, I called him. His phone rang, but he didn’t pick it up. I became concerned. I hurried in, hoping nothing had happened.Then i saw the man lying on his pool of blood. My heart raced. There had been an attack. I searched for my phone, attempting to call the police when I heard a gunshot. I stood still. The gun shot had come from within the house. Whoever had come to attack my brother was still there.I wasn’t sure who to call for help. Calling the police was going to bring light to a lot of our affair
The third bullet hit the floor just a few inches beside him and he yelped out in pain. Aaron walked up to me and looked at me, asking me if he should finish the job.‘’Drag him downstairs,’’ I said to Aaron. Slow down the bleeding, and tie him to a pole. No clothes on.’’He nodded and gave instructions to the men. I enjoyed the show for only a few minutes before I decided it was time to leave. Even though I had a raging anger in my heart, I couldn't bring myself to kill him. But the humiliation was enough. He would leave the rest of his forsaken life in misery.I knew Aaron was concerned that I had let him live. ‘’Boss,’’ he said to me as we approached our car. ‘’We can’t let him leave. That is not the mode of operation of da Vinci.’’‘’It isn’t him we have to kill. It’s Nile,’’ I said.‘’But he gave the order too. Leaving him is a sign of weakness. Da Vinci does not forgive,’’ he said, anger creeping into his tone.In the last two years, my name had grown to become a sens
I put off the phone and hid it in one of the drawers. Axel was trying to kill me? It was unbelievable. I had spared him even though he deserved nothing from me, yet he wanted me dead. By an assassin.Even though I tried to justify my own attempt on Rory’s life, I could not anymore. I wanted Rory gone and seeing someone wanted me gone too was a blow that I hadn't expected. I had not been to Eleganz clubhouse since i left. It was a place that brought much trauma to me, but i knew it was the only place i could find Axel. i was going to personally pull a bullet through his brain. I took Aaron along with me, and three other armed men. I knew things were going to get pretty messy.Whenever he was at the clubhouse, he was always at the VIP section, either at a game or in a room with the girls. I knew he was at the clubhouse because I could see his truck and those of his entourage parked outside.‘’VIP section,’’ I said to no one in particular as I led the way.It was afternoon
There was pandemonium in the compound. For a minute, I thought the hitman had killed Rory and a mixture of satisfaction and regret overwhelmed me. Until I heard them asking for the family physician to attend to her. She was in labour.‘’What’s going on?’’ I asked one of the security men who was stained with blood.‘’Mrs da Vinci got shot and she’s in labour, ma’am,’’ he said, rushing off.Shot? Labour? Why wasn’t she dead? What kind of assassin didn’t give a fatal shot? I asked for that she should be killed, not wounded. The only thing i could hope for right now was that she and her baby would not survive the shot.‘’Oh my goodness,’’ Bree said, running into my arms. ‘’It’s gory. Someone tried to kill aunt Rory.’’I rubbed her back, my mind racing with uncertainties. Was it a bad decision to use this so-called agent? Was she going to survive? Would my father find out it was me? Would he forgive me? Would Rory forgive me? Was I wrong to doubt her?‘’Octavia?’’‘’Huh?’’ I lo
Rory Moraano. I remembered her too well. But who wanted her dead?It was in the policy of Sergio to meet with the clients while I had no contact with them. This was to ensure the safety of the clients, in case I got caught. But as I paced in the room, I found myself increasingly interested in who would want to kill Rory.I knew she was married to Lioneel da Vinci, and news had it that she was pregnant with a son for the mafia boss. It had been a very clever move on her end, to seal herself into such a place of power and wealth. Ii could only think of one person who would want her dead, and that would be Octavia.I walked around the room, thinking about what such powerful information could do for me. The cut I got from Sergio was usually half of whatever was paid. At least, that was what he told me. I couldn’t trust him with the truth and he could be receiving more than he disclosed. This was a good chance to make some good money, all I needed was the information of the client.