I felt so stupid, peeping through the slit of the plain grey curtains in the expensive suite Vince had booked. I watched him and Luca smoke and chat on the balcony like inseparable siblings.How could I not have noticed the resemblance? They looked too much alike. Almost same height, almost same build, same dark hair and from the angle I was, they looked like twins!I gasped, moving away from the curtain when they both turned towards the room. I quickly went into the bed and pretended to be asleep. “I hope she’ll be coming with us to the masquerade ball.” I heard Luca say to Vince.He sighed. “If she behaves for the rest of the day, she might come.” He replied. “She’s quite the wild cat, you know.”At this, Luca burst into laughter.“Then you have exactly what you need, brother.” He said.I waited until they were both out of the room before I opened my eyes but I had to shut them back when I caught sight of Vince returning. “Get up.” He growled above me.Fuck. He knew I was
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and I couldn’t recognize the glamourous woman staring back. I looked like a princess draped in luxury. The hairstylist had done a wonderful job and the make up was subtle but defined. I touched my neck, imagining a beautiful jewelry around it and just then, Vince entered with a small box in his hand. He looked so different in a white cooperate shirt but handsome nevertheless. His hair was still wet from showering, his perfectly tailored dark slacks molded to his powerful thighs. “I picked the green dress. It looked better with my eyes.” I said, rubbing my hands down the beautiful emerald dress I was wearing. The smooth, cool fabric soothed my aching backside. He said nothing in reply, his icy eyes all fixed on me. “Vince--.” I tried to say something but I pressed my lips together when he turned me around to face the mirror again. He took out a dazzling silver jewelry from the box and fixed it around my smooth neck. “Thank you. It
I was kept in a dark room. The walls were of old bricks, the floors were rough and filled with dried up stains. My tummy rumbled in disgust. I couldn’t even breathe properly, the stench was horrible.“Hermosa.” Fabiano opened the rusty metal door, his shadow casted into the room.“Why are you keeping me in here!?” I asked, wiping off my tears. I didn’t want him to see me as weak and pathetic. If I could survive Vincenzo, I could survive him.“For many reasons.” He shrugged, moving further into the room. I moved backwards. “You’re quite a beauty. I see why Re wants to stick his cock in you.”I cringed at his crude words, like I wasn’t the same girl that enjoyed getting whipped on the butt.“He’ll come for me.” I lifted a confident chin up.Just then, Fabiano barked out a laugh. I was so disgusted at the sight of food remnants in the corners of his mouth. He was truly a fat pig. “Re will come for you!?” He asked, wide eyed and then laughed again. My chest tightened with hurt. He
~~VINCENZO~~ “Are the plants in place?” I asked Luca, my brother and right hand man and he nodded, his pistol fixed in his hands. We’ve surrounded Fabiano’s mansion, waiting for the right time to strike. He had my little princess in that lecherous urchin infested house of his. He took her away from me… right after putting a bullet in my arm. Even after a quick medical care, it still hurt like a fresh wound. I should be taking the rest my doctor suggested but I will know no rest until my angel is safe in my arms again. And if he had dared to touch her, I swear by the blood that runs deep in my veins, I will wipe out his entire bloodline. “We have everything in place. We can go in now, through the back then when we--.” “Wait.” I said, halting Luca’s plan. There was a rustling in the bushy gardens we hid in. I peeped just above the overgrown leaves and caught the sight of a familiar green dress. “Its her!” I whispered, signaling my men to lower their guns. I squatted f
It was 5:00am in the morning and Vince still wasn’t home. I paced around the room, my mind clouded with thoughts of him. What was he doing now? Was he alright? Did he kill Fabiano? Did I still have to open his safe and get the envelope? What was in the envelope?My mental health was a complete mess. Since the week Toby got missing and I got abducted by Vince, I have had series of mental breakdowns. I was totally visiting my therapist after all this.A hard knock on the door snapped me out of trance. I held my aching head—the result of panicking and restlessness—as I hurried to the door and opened it.“Hey.” It was Vince. He stood at the door, all sweaty with the top two buttons of his shirt undone. His expression was guarded, like he didn't want to display any form of emotion. He looked like he needed a hug.So, I hugged him.“You’re okay.” I said, nibbling on his neck. He picked me up, my legs hooked around him as he led us into the room.“Why aren’t you asleep? You should be asl
I stood, frozen like an icicle in middle of the room, surprised by the figure in front of me. I hadn’t expected him to be in the house. I had thought he was still in Las Vegas.“I asked you a question, Jessica. What are you doing in here?” Luca’s scowl deepened. “Nothing, I was just…” My words trailed off as I was unable to finish that sentence.“You shouldn’t be in here. Only Vince comes in here.” He said, dangerously to me, “Leave now.” He ordered, his eyes were so cold, like he was warning me.I glanced at the safe and then at him. I wondered if he knew what I was searching for in here.“Don’t tell Vince.” I pleaded in a small voice before I scurried out.Hours later, I was still in Vince’s room, staring blankly at the TV. My focus was away from the soap opera I had been watching as my mind drifted off to the scary possibility of Luca telling his brother about catching me in the safe room.The door suddenly opened and Vince entered. He was back.“Vince? Is everything alrigh
He was shirtless, standing in the middle of the room with his muscular back to me. I felt like I was having a panic attack, my nostrils dragging for air like there was limited oxygen. I was silent, waiting for him to say something, anything and when he did, it was an order. "Kneel." He growled, his voice deep like still waters. I didn't even know when I fell to my knees, hands placed on my thighs. I was wearing a big grey t shirt that covered my lacy maroon panties. "We can both agree that I've been patient with your indecisiveness and emotional outbursts." His voice was harsh but I could tell it wasn't from anger. He was in Daddy mode. "Yes." I rasped. "Good." He nodded, curtly. "So you understand why I have to do this." His eyes were hard as rocks. Beautiful rocks. I nodded, biting my lip. "I'm sorry.." I said, "Daddy." I added in a hush tone. "Don't you worry little pet, you'll be sorry when I'm done with you." He took the two steps he needed to get directly in
I was still in disbelief, staring at Vincenzo like it would bring me out of this surreal moment. Never would I have thought he would do something like this, relinquishing power and handing it over to me on a platter of gold."Jessie? Are you okay?" He touched my face and that was when the tears gathered in my eyes streamed down."You're letting me go?" I sobbed.With a smolder, he pulled me into his arms. "Yes." He rasped. "If I want to have you, it has to be all of you. I know you're unstable, forcefully sunk into my world and seeing you cry.. tears me apart."I wanted to say it, right there and then. I wanted to confess that I loved him. It was right on the tip of my tongue but... I couldn't.I swallowed down those words because I knew better. I knew better than to mention the world 'Love' to someone like Vince."Thank you." I whispered, holding him tight. He said nothing in reply, only the hard beating of his heart filled my ears.Vince took me back to my apartment in a black ferra
I was sat on Fabiano's thick, sweaty thighs against my will. He had a gun pressed to my lower back, tracing slow, mocking circles with its cold tip.I couldn’t even cry. I was paralyzed with fear.Luca stood by the window, watching like a robot with no emotions. He wasn't going to help me. Vince still hadn't found me.I was really fucked this time.“Isn’t she pretty, Luca?” Fabiano said suddenly, shattering the suffocating silence.He blew a stream of hot cigar smoke across my bare arm, making me shiver.“You do know Vince is probably scouring the earth for her right now, right?” Luca’s eyes were locked on Fabiano like a hawk’s—unwavering.Fabiano hummed. Then he leaned in to place a soft kiss on my nape. I squirmed as goosebumps rippled across my skin.“Of course. She means the universe to him. But he knows better than to be reckless. Otherwise, I'll—” He made a clicking sound with his tongue as he lifted the barrel against my neck.Luca sprang forward. “I’d die before I let you harm
I gasped, breath filling my lungs as I regained consciousness.I was on a soft bed, a four-poster pink bed. I looked around and noticed I was in a bright room. Nice furniture, white curtains. The air was fresh and citrusy. It reminded me of home.“Cara?” a familiar voice called from the direction of the door.It was half open, dark curly hair peering in.“Luca?” I squinted. He stepped inside, a glass of water in his hand. He was in a clean white shirt and black sweatpants. He looked like any nice, handsome guy.An image of him staring down at me as I went unconscious flashed through my mind.He drugged me!“What is this!? What’s happening?” I scurried out of the bed. I staggered a little as my head ached and my vision blurred.“Calm down, Cara—” He reached for me.“Don’t...” I stopped him. I could barely stand; I felt all weak. My head was spinning, so I had to sit on the chair behind me. “What did you do to me?”“I helped you,” he nodded. His eyes were strangely so different—like som
~~LUCA~~They were back together.Imagine that. I was right at the corner of her apartment, watching them in his car for more than an hour. I wondered if they had sex. I couldn’t see because the windows were tinted.Also, he spent the night. He actually slept over. For the first time, I thought of hurting my brother.The next morning, I waited outside her classroom door, needing—no, craving—a conversation we should’ve had long ago.As the students poured out, I braced myself for the sight of her.“Luca,” she gasped when she saw me, startled like she’d seen a ghost.She looked so pure. So virginal in that soft white dress. Vince bought that dress. I knew his taste—classy and expensive.“You don’t reply to my calls or texts anymore,” I said, my voice tight.I tried hiding all the hurt I felt from last night.“School. It’s just school. Too many classes,” she replied, breathless.“Not Vince?” I asked, eyeing her. I wished she would just tell the truth.“What? No! I…” Her voice faded.I wa
Darren had wanted another date before I left—quite hurriedly—Penny's home, but I wasn’t prepared for that. I thought we were moving too fast and needed to slow down.I needed to move on from the trauma of being with Vince before starting fresh with anyone.But instead of moving on, I missed him. I missed him so much, and I hated myself for that.Seeing Vince cry was always jarring, and that heartbreaking mental image was plastered in my memory.God, I wanted to see him again. I needed to see him again.Once in my apartment, I changed into the pink fluffy PJs he got me and took a cute selfie. I posted it on my Insta story with the caption: 'Feeling lonely', hoping the thirsty men in my followers would stay off and that a certain someone would get the message.It didn’t take a minute before he viewed it—he’d been stalking my socials since we fought. It made me feel a little mushy.Some hours later, as I was finishing up a write-up on my laptop, I heard the roaring of a car downstairs. D
~~VINCENZO~~ It had been exactly two weeks, three days, and twelve hours since I cried like a fucking kid in front of a girl a decade younger than I was. I hadn’t even cried when my father was shot before my very eyes. I hadn’t cried when my mother cut me off from her life. I hadn’t cried when my late wife left me for another man—and everyone branded me her killer. But this tiny woman, this little brat, made me spill tears. How fucked up was that? All the hurtful words she said to me that night were still burned into my heart, branded onto my soul. Every night, I had nightmares about it. I missed her terribly—more than I was bold enough to admit. And soon, that longing turned into something else--I began to stalk her. I stalked her socials, tracked her day-to-day schedule and routine. She visited the library every Tuesday and Thursday immediately after her last class. She ate cereal before going to bed on Fridays. She applied lip gloss just before getting on the bus--she ha
It had been two weeks since I last saw Vince—two weeks since I had the biggest breakdown of my life. If I could turn back time, I'd end whatever toxicity we had all over again. Still, I missed him terribly. He respected my decision—and surprisingly, that hurt even more. No calls, no texts, no surprise visits.Luca, on the other hand, sent sweet texts, flowers, and visited once or twice. Not that we kissed or anything. No—I was having a fresh start. No more mafia men. Just me.Going back to college for the final lap was as exciting as it was tedious. The projects, the important classes... I couldn't wait to get it over with and move to Seattle, where my dream publishing company was. Chicago held too many sad memories for me—especially because of him."Jessieeee, my brother just liked a cute photo of you I posted last night!" Penny, my closest friend, squealed excitedly. We were having ice cream in her new convertible, soaking up the beautiful day. For some reason, she’d been trying to
"Don't give up on me, Noah. Don't give up on me," Joyce kept chanting through her tears as the nurses rolled her husband away into a ward.She was held back, forbidden from entering, despite how desperately she tried.I covered my mouth, unable to hold back the overwhelming despair that rippled through me, causing me to cry miserably.Vincenzo did this. He did this. But why Noah? Had he misfired? Or was it intentional?"What if he dies?" Joyce asked, fear displayed in her wet eyes. I had never seen her in such a devastated state before, like her whole world was ending."He won't," I shook my head, bringing her in for a tight hug. She cried, slumping against me, and her agony fueled mine.I wanted to believe this was all Vincenzo's fault, but deep down, I knew — I had brought this upon my sister.A few hours later, we received a report from the doctor, and thankfully, Noah was going to survive. He had been shot in the back, and the bullet had done severe damage to his left shoulder bla
Joyce had went all out for her husband's birthday party. The beach house was really aesthetic, the party decorations were perfectly organized. A few friends of Joyce and Noah's were present, laughter and small talks in the air.I was pouring myself a glass of wine when Joyce approached me with someone."Jessie, you remember Michael Lowe from my wedding after party?" She grinned, presenting my ex heartthrob.I almost knocked off my glass of wine at the unprepared sight of him. He was exactly how he was years ago. Tall, sandy blonde hair, bright green eyes and a perfect build. He was in a white shirt and dark pleated slacks."Michael. It's been so long." I said, breathlessly.He flashed me a seductive smile. "It's good to see you again, Jessica."There was a small pause as we both stared at each other, smiling like idiots."Well, why don't I leave you both to reacquaint yourselves. I'll be over there with Noah." Joyce must have been so proud of herself. The almighty matchmaker."Wow. Y
Having Luca in my apartment was dreamy, like one of my fantasies about him. His perfume, which smelled wonderfully like ocean breeze, filled the atmosphere of my room."How's your wound?" I asked, watching him as he studied my room like he was in a museum. His bandage was still on."Still hurts," He nodded, his eyes now fixed on my pink plushies. He scoffed, amused. "Your room is exactly how I fantasized," He said, glancing over to me, "All pink and girly."I blushed, his admission to fantasizing about me was not lost on me. I pulled at the hem of my cream cashmere blouse."It's my favorite color." I told him. Just like Vince, I knew his would be black.Luca went ahead to sit in the grey recliner Vince had sat in the last time he was here. A dreadful thought came into my mind."You know it's risky for you to be here. I left the house without Vince's knowledge. He may come to look for me." I said to Luca as I sat on my bed."Vince won't be coming here anytime soon." He said, confidentl