JADE
I propped myself in the black limousine that was expected to convey I and Luciano to my new home. We sat few metres away from each other and for some reason, my heart was palpitating so badly.Aurora's and Mariposa's taunt kept on replaying in my head like a song on repeat.Why were they calling me all sort of derogatory names like whore and a slave? And what did they mean by hopefully I can bear Luciano a son before he tosses me away?Was that the main reason I was to marry him? To become a baby making machine?! I literally had a life ahead of me before all these now these people are trying to subjugate me and turn me into a housewife!A thought roamed at the back of my mind as we both drove in silence. Would he force me to consummate the wedding though?My parents had made sure no man had carnal knowledge of me right from the time I was little but tonight he might.....No. If he does it then it would be rape because I will not consent to it.But these people seem like they are even higher than the law themselves."Luciano" I braced myself up and called out to him."Yes?"I had multiple questions to ask. I did not even know where to start from. "Did you ever have a first wife?"I did not mind asking him this question. I needed to know the kind of man I was married to especially after Aurora's words of him casting me away like the others.He turned his gaze away from his phone and had his eyes on me.Did he perhaps find my question annoying or intruding?"No I never got married in the past. You are my only wife" the words left his lips slowly.I breathed a sigh of relief. But why am I relieved to learn about this?"But I do have many mistresses" he added to my very dismay.Of course. Goddammit. What was I expecting?! He said he will be a dutiful husband to me back at the reception but I doubt it.He has many mistresses. Not even one!He is a handsome wealthy man, how could I have expected more from him?"Are you angry principessa? You do not seem to like the information?" He asked, chortling at my discomfort."Of course not. Why would I be? Men are polygamous in nature. Have as many as you want if you so desire it" I scornfully and sarcastically spat at him."Is that what you really think?"I nodded as a reply and he did not say anything else again. I focused on watching the road as we drove but I guess I was so deep in vexation that I did not even notice when we drove inside what seemed like a huge luxurious estate.Was he the only one staying in such a huge area? Why this place can house more than a hundred people!God I can not start imagining how many acres of lands were used up! We drove past various grand mansions, all looking luxurious and opulent. The area seemed so garden like, adorned with well trimmed bushes and various radiant flowers.Each house we passed were all connected by the paved clean white roads. Mini fountains which oozed pure clear crystal water and gothic statues were deposited at all corner along with the different types of flowers and various expensive cars which were littered all around. I noticed quite a handful of guards and staffs everywhere we drove, and I think I even saw a swimming pool too.Oh my God! How rich are these people? He can not tell me only him lives in such a grand estate."This is our family's estate. It has been in the family for generations upon generations, passed down from one kin to the next. My uncles and their families, my cousins and their families, my brothers and their families, even my mother, they all reside right here. We also have quite a handful of loyal staffs who keep this place running smooth as silk," Luciano declared, as if he had the uncanny ability to pluck thoughts straight from my mind."Wow. It is very, uhm...too huge" I was too dazed to even think of a befitting reply.Luciano laughed and smiled, "We shall soon get to my house so you can be settled in" I did not say a word after that. In due time, our ride took a halt and Luciano was the first to get off as I followed suit.We stood in front of a huge milky shade mansion which looked more gothic than the rest of the houses.Wait. He lived here?!My jaws dropped to the ground at the size but I was quick to mask my surprise seeing how amused he was when looking at me.More than a dozen staffs were arrayed before him. They all bowed their heads as if he was some sort of king.Taking hold of my hand, Luciano pulled me into the grand walls of his mansion, the staffs closely following us before dispersing to their various duties.One thing I noticed was that I saw quite a number of men with guns at the wedding and I felt it was just for safety but now I am seeing those same men in our house with us and they even seemed to have increased in size."Will we not pay respect to your father and mother?" I asked before we climbed one of the intricately designed stairs that divided the huge living room.I did not know why I asked that but it was the respectful thing to do. I guess. Luciano took a halt, "my father is late and my mother is late too", he said the words with no emotions in his facial features and even voice.Huh? Is this man bipolar? But minutes ago he spoke of his mother. "But you said your mother lived here with you""My step mother. She is my step mother. We can go greet her later. But not now"I developed a rapid surge of goosebumps as we climbed the flights of stairs. Suddenly I felt more terrified of him than before and I did not know why.Was it the manner in which he addressed his parents death?Swiftly, I pulled my hands away from his."Why did you do that?" He questioned."You do not like it when I hold your hands?" He added taking a step closer towards me which were replaced by two backward steps from me."Sir..." the voice of a staff timely cut into our conversation.Three maids approached us from behind,giving a respectful bow before one of them spoke."We were instructed by your mother to be your wife's personal maids and prepare her for tonight"Prepare me for tonight?"Very well. Take her with you" Luciano consented before walking away.What were they preparing me for?Would I have to put up a show to impress the entire Grecos?It was then I got the clearer picture of what they actually meant.My wedding night consummation.JADEA WEEK LATERThe smell of waffles sifted into my nose as I cracked my eyes open to find Luciano packing some food in a flask. A smile formed at the corner of my lips as I looked up at him. “What are you doing?” He looked back at me, “we're going to the beach, let's have a picnic there.”I gasped, excitement bubbling within me. I threw off the blanket covering me and got on my feet as I hugged him. Then, realization struck. “Didn't you say I can't go outside for now because…” I trailed off, but he knew what I was insinuating.It wasn't safe, even with Raffaele still hospitalized, a man like Luciano wasn't short of enemies now was he? Especially since Arturo threatened him a week ago, he's been paranoid ever since. He turned around and grazed my chin with his fingers. “I won't keep you inside forever my love, this isn't the life I want for you, I'll be there to protect you, and they'll be men on standby in the distance okay?” I nodded, my smile faltering. “Now go get ready,” he
LUCIANOI laid Jade on the stretcher as the nurses pushed her towards the emergency room. I squeezed her arm gently, “You're going to be alright,” I said, looking down at her. She swallowed, blinking rapidly. “Sir you'll have to wait here for her,” a nurse said, blocking my way as they closed the door to the emergency room.I nodded and stepped back, “she's pregnant, please save her,” I pleaded. The nurse nodded and entered the room, shutting the door behind her. Another stretcher rolled past me, one carrying Raffaele, his almost soulless eyes locked with mine for a fleeting moment before he was whisked into the emergency room. Aurora, her eyes puffy and red let out a cry as she pressed her back against the white walls, sliding down. I clenched my jaw, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat. “Code red! Code red!” A man screamed from inside as the life support machine started beeping. Aurora and I jumped to our feet, plastering our faces against the glass.It was Raffaele, h
LUCIANOThe car tires rolled against the asphalt as I drove towards the abandoned factory, a scowl etched into my features. I was going to save Jade, no matter the cost. Petro and my uncle had managed to convince me to take a few amen along with me. After all, what good would it be if I went alone and got killed by Raffaele, what would happen to Jade and our baby? Who would protect them?The mission was impromptu, so most of my best men were not available, most where offshore handling other issues. So the available ones would do. Petro would arrive at the location later with some back up, it was now or never. I was going to make Raffaele regret ever crossing me, he would regret putting Jade in harms way. The gravel crunched under my boots as I stepped out of the car, the deserted factory looming ahead. Luca's gaze met mine for a fleeting moment, a silent understanding passing between us before he and the others melted into the shadows. Raffaele wanted this solo - a dance of blood
LUCIANO I kicked the dirt beneath my feet as I let out a frustrated sigh, the sun had dipped and it was getting darker by each passing second. All my men had rounded up near the church. “We searched the area to the best of our ability, there was no sign of her anywhere,” Petro said. I stole one final glance at the cluster of houses in the distance. I couldn't help but wonder if there was a chance that she was inside one of these houses, tied up and scared.I looked around and arched an eyebrow, “Where's Jose?”As if the universe could hear me, my phone rang in my pocket, he was the one calling. “Hello, Luciano… You might want to see this,” his voice sounded over the line. I stepped into the abandoned wooden house, cigar sticks were scattered all over the floor and it seemed like some people had been here.Thuds met my ears as Jose descended from the stairs. We made eye contact and he tilted head upwards. “Upstairs, they left some things, it looks like Jade was here.”I followed
LUCIANOMy car screeched to a stop where the tire track vanished. I looked ahead, frustration clogging my reasoning. I couldn't find Jade like this, I had to think of a plan, come up with something..I let out a shaky breath as my anger rose. When I catch the person who took my Jade, I'll make them regret being born. The shrill of my ringing phone permeated my thoughts, I looked over at my phone, a scowl forming on my face. It was Petro calling. “Hello?”“Hello, Luciano, the cops are at the house and they want to speak with you since you're her husband.”“I'll be there in a minute,” I replied. I jammed the gear shift into reverse left this trail, the road went on and on for hours, there's no way I'd find jade like this. My automatic gates slid open as I drove in. A cop car was parked in front of my mansion, sticking out like a sore thumb. This was an anomaly for a mafia gang, but a necessary one. I got down from my car and made my way inside. “Good morning officers,” I greeted, plop
LUCIANO My shoes connected with the concrete floor as I stepped down from my car, banging the door shut behind me. Fatigue sat on my shoulders as I made my way into the mansion, it was still early in the morning, the sun was struggling to fully set. The only flicker of hope I had was that I'd meet Jade at home because I had left before she even returned back from her parenta house. Her presence made everything feel much lighter. I made my way into the house, my blazer folded against my forearm. As soon as I was in the hallway, my head was already swiveling around in search of my wife. One of the maids walked up to me, curtsying a bit before retrieving the blazer from me. “Where is Jade?” I asked.Elizabeth shrugged innocently. “I don't know sir, she hasn't returned since she went to see her parents.”My expression tightened, “What? Elizabeth, are you sure about this? Because I called her yesterday night and she said she was driving…”I facepalm myself, admonishing myself for not cal