. . . AUTHORโS POV The phone buzzed, breaking the heavy silence of Lucianoโs office. His sharp eyes darted toward the screen before picking up. โValentino,โ he said curtly, leaning back in his leather chair. โLuciano,โ Valentinoโs voice was tense, bordering on frantic. โSomething happened. Adelineโฆ a boy took her.โ Luciano sat up immediately, his spine rigid as his heart skipped a beat. โWhat? What do you mean, took her?โ โThey left the restaurant together. It wasnโt normal,โ Valentino explained quickly. โShe didnโt seem comfortable, and it looked like they knew each other. I thought it was odd, so I called you.โ Lucianoโs hand tightened around the phone. His mind raced as his protective instincts surged. โDid you see his face? Who is he? Where the fuck were your men? Why did you let her go? โ โ I do not know him. I did not want to let her go but she stopped me knowing it will lead to a big mess โ Valentino admitted. โ Somethingโs not r
. . . ADELINE I blinked my eyes, my vision blurry as I took in my surroundings. My head was throbbing and a groan escaped my lips. It hurts. I blinked my eyes to get a clear vision and looked around. It was an unfamiliar room. The thoughts sent shivers down my spine. The room was dimly lit, the soft glow of a single bulb illuminating the wooden walls and modest furniture. It smelled faintly of earth and old wood, and the faint sound of wind whistled outside. I froze as the realization dawnedโthis wasnโt the city. I was โฆโฆ kidnapped. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest as I tried to piece together what had happened. Memories came flooding back, vivid and sharp: leaving the restaurant with Asher, the argument in the parking lot, his hand gripping mine, forcing me into his car. The water he gave me to drink and then I passed out- my eyes widened in horror. โAsherโฆโ I whispered to myself, my voice trembling. He is so dead. Why would he even do such thing whe
. . . ADELINE I was sitting on the cold wooden floor, my knees pulled tightly to my chest. My chest heaved up and down and I was exhausted, my attempts to escape having failed miserably. My arms trembled as I hugged myself, the frustration and fear weighing heavily on me. I wanted to run away. To get out of here quickly. The silence in the room was maddening, the ticking of an old clock the only sound accompanying my racing thoughts. I did not know if my family or Luciano would be able to find me because even I did not know where I was. It was too dark outside for me to even see anything. Two hours had passed since Asher had left me alone. I had screamed, banged on the walls, tried every possible way to unlock the door, but nothing worked. Now, I sat slumped in defeat. My body drained but my mind still whirring with desperation. I closed my eyes and hugged myself tighter. Suddenly, the door creaked open. My head snapped up, my eyes narrowing as I saw Asher walk
. . . LUCIANO I looked in my right direction to see Adeline was running toward me, her hair disheveled, her face streaked with tears, her expression a mixture of fear and desperation. My heart felt a bit relieved finally able to see her as my heavy breathing begin to calm down. โAdeline,โ I whispered, relief and anger battling for dominance as I rushed toward her. She didnโt slow down, throwing herself into my arms as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I caught her, lifting her effortlessly as I held her close. Her body trembled against mine, and I could feel her uneven breaths as she buried her face in my shoulder. I closed my eyes inhaling her scent to calm my throbbing veins that had wanted to feel her since she disappeared. โAre you okay?โ I asked, my voice was low but urgent as I pulled back slightly to look at her tear-streaked face. She shook her head, sobbing as she stuttered, โIโฆ I think I killed him.โ My eyes narrowed, confusion flashing
. . . ADELINE I leaned against a rough bark of a tree, my chest heaving as I struggled to catch my breath. We had been running for sometime but I did not know what to do anymore. There was no exit, nothing and We were lost. I wiped sweat from my brow and turned to Luciano, who had stopped a few paces ahead of me. He stood rigid, his back partially turned to me, one hand pressed tightly against his forearm. His jaw was clenched, the muscles in his face taut as though he was biting back a scream. I quickly straightened, my breath catching for a different reason now. โLuciano?โ I called, my voice wavering as I stepped closer. His head snapped toward me, but he quickly averted his gaze, shaking his head as though to dismiss my concern. โItโs nothing,โ he muttered, his voice strained, but the slight quiver in it betrayed him. My brows furrowed and my heart pounded, a mixture of residual adrenaline and a growing sense of dread. I took another step forward, my eye
. . . LUCIANO โ Adeline โ I called her name as she softly blinked her sparkling dark orbs making her look so beautiful. Her chest heaved up and down as she started breathing heavily. I could feel her hot breath fanning my face making me gulp. She gasped as I snaked my arm around her waist and pulled her close as she slowly wrapped her arms around my neck, her fingers gripping my hair softly making me imagine all the wild thoughts. I pulled her on my lap before my hand traveled down to her bare thighs and inside her thighs. โ l-Luciano- โ Her eyes shut and her lips parted as she moaned softly. โ its daddy for you โ I whispered as she clenched her fist on my collar now. My hand moved to her panties and touched her soft petals making her whimper. โ I need you โ She moaned and a small smile crept on my lips. She needed me as I much as I needed her. I held her waist and in a second, her panties were off and on the ground. โ daddy โ She whimpered feeli
. . . ADELINE I gasped and my eyes turned teary not because of the pain but the pleasure. His hand gripped my hair, fingers buried deep into my hair as he controlled the movement of my head. His cock thrusting in and out of my mouth before he rammed it in deeper, shoving his cock deep into my throat. I gagged terribly,my fingers on his thighs digging into him as I gripped tightly. He pulled his cock out, all sir=eared with drool. I coughed badly but only for a few seconds before he slapped my cheek with his cock impatient to get back into my mouth. My lips parted and he shoved inside of my mouth again and I gagged again only for a tear to roll down my cheek. โ fuck! Youโre so sexy, baby! โ My nipples were erect, so fucking hard and my entire body was even hotter than I ever knew it to be. The thought of doing it in a fucking cave and when weโre being followed, was something I did not added to my bucket list but now that It was real, I fucking loved it. โ y
. . . AUTHORโS POV Luciano moved through the dense woods with careful steps, his arms cradling Adeline against his chest. Her head rested on his shoulder, her breaths soft and steady as she slept. The moonlight filtered through the canopy of leaves above, casting silvery streaks across their path. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves underfoot. Lucianoโs jaw was tight, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The weight of Adeline in his arms wasnโt a burdenโhe carried her as though she weighed nothing. Yet the sight of her like this, so vulnerable, stirred something fierce and protective within him. She was safe for now, but for how long? The car came into view through the trees, and Luciano quickened his pace, careful not to jostle her. Christian was leaning against the hood, his phone in hand, scanning the area as Luciano approached. Without a word, Christian opened the back door, and Luciano gently placed Adeline onto the backseat
. . . AUTHORSโS POV The first light of dawn crept through the gauzy curtains of their bedroom, painting the walls in soft hues of gold and rose. The air was cool, a gentle spring breeze slipping through the cracked window, carrying the faint scent of blooming jasmine from the garden below. The world outside was just waking, but inside, time seemed to pause, wrapped in the quiet intimacy of Luciano and Adelineโs shared sanctuary. Adeline stirred beneath the tangled sheets, her dark hair spilling across the pillow like ink on parchment. Her skin glowed faintly in the morning light, still warm from sleep, and she stretched lazily, a soft hum escaping her lips. She blinked her eyes open, catching sight of Luciano beside herโpropped up on one elbow, his gaze already fixed on her with an intensity that made her heart flutter. His dark hair was tousled, his bare chest rising and falling steadily, and a slow, mischievous smile played on his lips. โMorning, beautiful
. . . AUTHORSโS POV The grand cathedral was awash with golden light streaming through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the polished stone floors. Rows of pews were filled with family and friends, their faces beaming with anticipation and joy. The air was thick with the scent of fresh lilies and roses, arranged in lavish bouquets that lined the aisle. At the heart of it all stood Adeline, a vision of breathtaking beauty, though her heart raced with a nervous flutter she couldnโt quite tame. Her wedding gown was a masterpieceโivory silk cascading over her frame in delicate layers, the bodice adorned with intricate lace that shimmered faintly in the light. A long, gossamer veil trailed behind her, catching the soft breeze that slipped through the open doors. Her dark hair was swept up elegantly, adorned with tiny pearls that glinted like stars. She was stunning, radiant, yet her hands trembled slightly as s
. . . AUTHORโS POV โOh my God, Adeline, I knew there was something going on between you two!โ Eva nodded vigorously, her hands clasped together. โWe all knew, honestly. The tension between you guys was so obvious!โ Rose smirked as she leaned in. โAnd now look at you, pregnant with uncle Lucianoโs child! This is huge.โ Adeline, still overwhelmed, wiped at her tear-streaked face and tried to catch her breath. โYou guysโฆ this isnโtโโ โIt is happening,โ Kiara interrupted with a knowing smile. โAnd you need to start accepting it.โ Alessandra, watching the girls fuss over Adeline, smiled warmly before stepping forward. โAdeline, are you happy?โ Her voice was gentle, yet firm. โBecause thatโs what matters most.โ Adeline looked up, her teary eyes meeting Alessandraโs. She hesitated, emotions swirling inside her like a storm. Was she happy? Everything had happened so fastโtoo fast. She had barely even processed it. But when she thought about it
The dining room had been filled with laughter and warmth just moments ago. Everyone was finally at peace, enjoying a rare moment of normalcy after the chaos that had ruled their lives for so long. But now, all of that had disappeared. Adeline gripped the edges of the sink, her breath coming in short, uneven gasps. Her stomach churned violently, and she barely managed to keep herself upright as another wave of nausea rolled over her. Her hands trembled as she wiped the corner of her mouth, her mind racing at an uncontrollable speed. Pregnant? The thought hit her like a bullet, making her knees weaken beneath her. It couldnโt be. Could it? The signs were all thereโthe constant fatigue, the sudden cravings, the unusual weight gain, the nausea. She had brushed them off, thinking it was stress or just her body adjusting after everything that had happened. But nowโฆ A warm, firm hand landed on her back. โAdeline,โ Lucianoโs voice was steady, but there was an u
. . . AUTHORโS POV The evening air was crisp, wrapping around Adeline like an unwelcome reminder of the past. As she stepped out of the sleek black car, her heels clicking softly against the stone pavement, a sickening wave of nausea hit her like a tidal wave. The moment her feet touched the ground, her chest tightened. This placeโthis very groundโwas where Leonardo had screamed his last breath, where Biancaโs body had burned. The memory of that night clawed at her mind, vivid and unforgiving. The scent of smoke and blood seemed to linger in the air, as if the earth itself had absorbed the sins of that night. Her throat constricted, and her stomach twisted violently. Eva, stepping out beside her, immediately noticed. โAre you okay?โ she asked, her voice filled with concern. Adeline swallowed, forcing herself to nod. โYeah. Justโฆ memories.โ Eva didnโt press but gently squeezed her hand. Ahead of them, Charles had already made his way inside, his pres
. . . AUTHORโS POV The warm glow of the vanity lights cast a soft radiance over the room as Adeline applied the final touches of her makeup. She ran her hands down the smooth fabric of her short, form-fitting dress, appreciating how it accentuated her curves in just the right way. The deep color contrasted beautifully with her skin, making her look effortlessly elegant yet subtly seductive. Eva, standing by the mirror adjusting her earrings, turned to look at Adeline and let out an approving hum. โDamn, Adeline, you look stunning.โ A small chuckle escaped Adelineโs lips as she twirled slightly, checking her reflection. โYou think so?โ Eva grinned. โOh, I know so. If you werenโt my best friend, Iโd probably be jealous.โ Adeline smirked. โThatโs what I like to hear.โ Eva walked closer, giving her an exaggerated once-over. โSeriously, though. Youโre glowing tonight. Did something happen?โ Adeline scoffed, rolling her eyes. โOh, please. I think i
. . . AUTHORโS POV The once chaotic mansion had settled into an eerie stillness. A week had passed since that fateful nightโthe night fire had swallowed their enemies whole. The night that had left them all scarred in ways they had yet to understand. Adeline had barely left her room. She laid curled up in bed, her body wrapped in the warmth of the blankets, but it wasnโt just the blankets that held her. Vladimir refused to let go. The sixteen-year-old clung to her like a lifeline, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, his head resting against her shoulder as he slept. For the first time in what felt like forever, they had been able to sleep peacefully. No nightmares. No fear. No waking up to the sound of gunfire or the cries of the dying. But peace didnโt mean healing. The wounds were still thereโfresh, raw, and bleeding beneath the surface. Luciano had kept his distance from them, knowing they needed time to breathe. He had taken control
. . . AUTHORโS POV The night was thick with the scent of blood and burning hatred. Leonardo laid merely breathing on the ground, broken beyond repair. His body twitched, spasming in pain, his breath ragged and uneven. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the dirt, soaking into his clothes. But even as his strength faded, his pride remained. Even now, he smirked through the agony. A twisted, delusional smileโone that dared them to do worse. Charles started laughing. A slow, mocking chuckle that sent a chill through the gathered crowd. The men of Lucianoโs mafia stood with their heads hung low, not daring to interfere. The womenโAlessandra, Angelina, Isabella, Aurora, Kiara, Roseโall watched in silence, their faces a mixture of horror and disbelief. This was not just a punishment. This was an execution. Luciano stood still, his dark eyes empty, watching his brother bleed out like it meant nothing. Adeline felt Eva tremble beside her, her grip tightening
. . . AUTHORโS POV The scent of blood, sweat, and expensive whiskey lingered, mixing with the heavy bass of the music that still vibrated faintly in the background. The moment had stretched so thin it felt like time itself had paused. Elenaโs lifeless body laid on the floor, her once-beautiful face frozen in shock, blood seeping from the bullet wound on her forehead, staining the cold marble beneath her. But no one in the room seemed to mourn her. Charles had his gun raised, his hand steady, his face void of emotion. Leonardo stood unfazed, his lips curling into an amused smirk, his sharp eyes flicking between Charles and Luciano. Adeline stood rooted in place, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs. She had expected bloodshed tonight, but not like thisโnot this soon, this mercilessly. And then came the revelation. Leonardoโs voice, mocking and unbothered. โWill you kill your own brother for someone else?โ A cold shiver raced down Adelineโs spi