Se connecterARIELLE’S POVThe next day, I didn't see Matteo when I woke up. It felt like yesterday didn't happen, but the bandage in my arm proved that it did. I sat on the wide window seat in the living room, staring out at the gardens. My arm still throbbed under the fresh bandage, a constant reminder of last night’s stupidity. The mansion felt like a cage today.I miss Yvonne. The sound of footsteps made me look up. Frederico walked in, hands in his pockets, that usual easy smirk missing from his face. He looked serious for once.“Frederico,” I said, sitting up straighter.He stopped a few feet away and studied me for a moment. “You really know how to push Matteo’s buttons, don’t you?”I let out a bitter laugh. “He makes it easy.”Frederico shook his head and dropped into the armchair across from me. “Listen, Arielle. I like you. You’ve got fire. But you need to stop infuriating my brother the way you do. Last night could have ended a lot worse. The Russians aren’t playing games, and neithe
MATTEO’S POV I stared down at her, my fingers still wrapped around her slender throat. Her pulse hammered wildly against my palm. Those defiant eyes of hers dared me even as fear flashed across her face. “Then do it… Matteo.” Her voice came out shaky, but she lifted her chin higher. “I dare you.” For a second, the room went dead silent. Only the sound of her ragged breathing filled the space between us. I chuckled low, dark. The kind of laugh that usually made grown men piss themselves. But Arielle? She just kept pushing. My grip tightened just enough to make her gasp. Not enough to hurt. Never enough to really hurt her. “You think I won’t?” I whispered against her ear, lips brushing her skin. “You think because I put a ring on your finger I suddenly became soft?” She shivered but didn’t pull away. “I could snap your neck right now, Kitten. End this headache you’ve become.” Her small hands came up and grabbed my wrist. Not pushing me off. Just holding on. “Then why don’t yo
MATTEO'S POV I watched my men from one of the seaports give their presentation on their delivery. I was bored, but then one couldn't let others handle such business. The only people I trusted most was Nikolai and Frederico, aside from those two, I'd rather listen to these long talks. “Don, we have a situation at hand. Your wife and cousin left the estate without security.” One of my men informed me. “What?” I asked and stood up immediately. Nikolai had received threats from the Russians early this afternoon, we didn't ponder much on it because I figured she was locked safe in her room. I should have known my rebellious wife would try to cause more trouble. “Find her, now.” I declared and he bowed and left. “This meeting is adjourned. I have better things to do.” I declared, then made my way out of the conference room. Anger cursed through my veins. But I took heavy strides towards my car. Frederico met me outside. “I don't know how your wife convinced Yvonne to help
THIRD PERSON'S POV The living room felt smaller now, the silence was suffocating as Yvonne pointed her gun at them. Yvonne's nine-millimeter didn't waver. The barrel stayed locked on Lydia's chest like it had a personal grudge against her. "Apologize," she repeated. "Or I start redecorating. Starting with that fake smile."Lydia's lips trembled. Jake looked like he might faint. Celeste just stared, cigarette forgotten between her fingers, ash crumbling to the floor."I'm... sorry," Lydia forced out, barely a whisper."Louder," Yvonne snapped. "My girl deserves to hear it.""I'm sorry, Arielle," Lydia said, eyes darting to the floor. "You're not... pathetic."Yvonne snorted. "Close enough. Now talk. All of you. The gold. Giselle. Why the hell did you sell Arielle out like yesterday's trash?"“And here I thought I was unlucky on my wedding day when the Morretti's stormed the event.” Celeste finally moved, stubbing out the cigarette on the arm of the couch without care for the burn
Arielle’s POVThe next morning arrived too quickly. I moaned softly as my eyes fluttered open, the sheets tangled around my legs. The room was quiet, too quiet. It dawned on me that Matteo was gone. I sat up, frowning at the empty side of the bed. That man is something else. One minute he’s killing without blinking, the next he’s carrying me like I’m made of glass. And I still don’t know what to do with any of it.I decided—for now—to stop thinking about him. Whatever reason our paths crossed, I had to believe it was destiny. Some twisted, blood-soaked destiny, but destiny all the same.“Arielle!” Yvonne’s voice cut through the silence as she barged into the room without knocking, already dressed in a sleek black jumpsuit that screamed trouble.“You’re still in bed, girl? Breakfast was over an hour ago.” She planted her hands on her hips, frowning dramatically.“Where’s Matteo?” I asked, rubbing sleep from my eyes.Yvonne’s frown instantly turned into a teasing grin. “Ohhh, don’t t
ARRIELE'S POV “Nice to finally meet you, Arielle,” she says, removing her mask.I suck in a breath.“It’s not so nice to finally see you, Giselle. How could you? I can’t believe you know me and I had no idea you existed until I was kidnapped to be your replacement.”“My replacement, huh?” She tilts her head. “Didn’t your precious stepmother tell you who I am?”I stare at her, confusion crashing over me. “My stepmother? What does she have to do with this mess?”I wonder what dirty game Giselle is trying to play.“I’m not here to answer your stupid questions, Arielle.” She steps backward, eyes never leaving mine.“Giselle, you can’t just leave. Go tell Matteo the truth. I can’t keep staying here when you’re the one they want. You’re ruining my life!”“Ruining your life?” She laughs softly. “Come on, Arielle. Don’t pretend you don’t like the Don. Just endure all of this… for the time being.”I glare daggers at her. “You’re insane. I’m not a whore, and I refuse to stay with the Don when







