The city lights shimmered outside my penthouse windows, a glittering sea of neon and glass. But I couldn't see them. My gaze was fixed on the phone, my thumb tracing the edge of my silver case. I was on the phone with one of the estate managers, the one I had a contract with for high-end properties. "Anything available?" I asked, my voice clipped, the words barely a whisper above the city's hum. "Mr. Rossi, you know I only deal with the best. Right now, I have a stunning three-bedroom penthouse in Tribeca, but it's going fast. There's also a beautiful townhouse in Greenwich Village, but that one requires a full renovation. And then there's a lovely modern apartment on the Upper West Side…"I stopped him, "Just the penthouse in Tribeca."My thumb moved to the call-end button, but I paused, my mind racing. She didn't need a penthouse, but I wanted her to have the best. I hated this. I hated how this woman, my assistant, was getting under my skin. I was supposed to be above all this,
Mr. Rossi appeared in the doorway of my office, his presence filling the small space like a tangible force. He tossed me a set of car keys, his expression unreadable. "Go wait in the car," he said, his voice as cool as the marble floor beneath my feet. I didn’t question him, just nodded and walked out, my stomach doing flips. The thought of being alone with him in his car was terrifying, exhilarating, and confusing all at once. I settled into the passenger seat, the leather cool against my skin. My eyes were drawn to the city lights twinkling outside the windows, a mesmerizing tapestry of color against the night sky. Then, I saw him, stepping out of the building. He moved with such grace, his aura radiating power and confidence. His movements were calculated, deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. He was undeniably handsome, with chiseled features and a jawline that could cut glass.He was a man who demanded attention, and here I was, lost in my own internal turmoil. As he
A month and a half. That's all it had taken. A month and a half of navigating the labyrinthine corridors of Rossi's Enterprise, of dodging the sharp elbows and sharper tongues of the power players, of learning the unspoken rules and the even more unspoken desires. And today, Mr. Rossi wanted to see me. My heart hammered against my ribs as I knocked on his door. The sound was swallowed by the thick silence of his office, only to be followed by a gruff "Come in." My hand trembled as I pushed the door open, and the sight that met me sent a wave of heat flooding through my body.Mr. Rossi sat behind his desk, a mountain of mahogany almost as much authority as he dis. His usual crisp suit was loosened, his tie pulled loose and hanging like a forgotten promise. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of tanned skin, his nice tattoos and the crisp lines of his collarbone. The sleeves were rolled up, leaving his forearms exposed, strong and tanned, the veins p
The phone buzzed on my desk, the familiar tune of Rossi's Enterprise ringing through the quiet afternoon. I picked it up, my voice calm and professional, "Rossi's Enterprise, how can I be of help to—" "Put your boss on the line," a gruff voice cut me off, the words raw and laced with a chilling edge. My hand tightened around the receiver. "Mr. Rossi is indisposed at the moment and unable to take your call. Can I take a message?" My polite refusal was met with a deafening silence, thick with unspoken menace. It stretched on, each second amplifying the pounding in my chest. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and menacingly calm, sending chills racing down my spine."Put Luca on the fucking line. Or I’ll walk into that building and put a bullet through your fucking brain, Lena Roselle fucking Vargas, as well as your boss if I so please."My blood ran cold. Each word was enunciated with chilling precision. He didn't yell, didn't need to. The quiet threat held more power than an
The wind whipped through my hair as I sat beside Mr. Rossi, watching his profile as he drove. His hands, strong and sure, held mine, one gently guiding the steering wheel, the other warm and comforting in mine. The city lights blurred into streaks of color as he navigated the familiar streets, his focus unwavering, his presence a strange mix of calming and unnerving.He was an enigma, this man, this boss, this… secret lover. I didn’t know what to call him, what to make of him. He had swept me off my feet, but I was caught in a whirlwind of confusion. Who was he? This man who smiled at the mention of a threat, a bullet aimed at both of us? This man who remained calm and collected while I was terrified, who never once flinched at the danger that had been thrown our way. My gaze drifted to his lips, the way they curved into a smirk when he spoke, the way they seemed to hold back unspoken words. I needed to know him, to understand the man that had become both my boss and my secret lover,
Mr Rossi -Luca’s chest rumbled with a satisfied sigh as he gently scooped me up from the floor. My legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, and he carried me back to the bed, his touch firm yet surprisingly tender. He laid me down gently, his eyes never leaving mine, and I felt a shiver of anticipation course through me. Leaning down, he trailed a searing kiss along my collarbone, his fingers working at the clasp of my bra. It came undone with a soft click, and my breasts, still damp with his essence, spilled free. He inhaled sharply, his gaze lingering on their fullness before he shifted to cover me completely. With a swift tug, he pulled my pants down, his touch lingering on my hip, my thigh, the sensitive skin of my inner knee. He paused, his eyes fixed on the juncture between my legs, his gaze making my core throb. I felt hot and swollen, my body desperate for his touch. “Fucking beautiful” he breathed, the word a prayer against my skin. He lowered his head, his tongue tr
Watching Lena come undone beneath me was intoxicating. The way her body arched, the way her cries filled the room, the way she looked at me with pure, unadulterated desire burning in her eyes - it was a heady experience. But as good as it was, I knew I'd only just scratched the surface of what we could be. She needed more, craved more, and I was more than happy to give it to her. My gaze fell on the flickering candle, its flame dancing in the shadows. The perfect tool for a little… education. Picking it up, I let a single drop of molten wax fall onto Lena's breast. Her scream, sharp and surprised, was music to my ears. A dark smile spread across my lips as I watched the way her breath hitched, the way her nipple peaked under the gentle sting. “Principessa,” I murmured, my voice husky. “You have no idea what pleasures await you.” (Princess) I trailed the candle along her skin, watching the way she shivered, the way her eyes widened with a mixture of fear and anticipation. On her
The morning sun streamed through the window, painting stripes of gold across the rumpled sheets. I stirred, the warmth beside me lulling me back into slumber. Then, I saw her. Lena. Tangled in my arms, her hair a cascade of dark waves across the pillow, a strand tickling my cheek. She looked… not pretty, but beautiful. The kind of beautiful that makes you stop and stare, the kind that steals your breath. A smile stretched across my face, and I reached out, gently pulling her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open, those ice blue pools that had first captivated me. They were still sleepy, a bit hazy, but the way they crinkled at the corners when she smiled made my heart skip a beat. "Good morning," I murmured, my voice husky with sleep. "Morning," she mumbled, stretching and yawning. We lay there for a while, silent, just enjoying the warmth of each other’s presence. I traced the line of her jaw with my finger, admiring the way the morning light danced on her skin. "How are you feeli
Luca’s POVThe heavy bag groaned under my assault. Jab, cross, hook. Jab, cross, hook. Each punch was an exhale, a release of the pressure building inside me. My knuckles ached, a dull throb that resonated through my forearms and up to my temples. It was a welcome distraction.Boxing, cigarettes, and paints became my strange, twisted trio of coping mechanisms. The ring, the sweat, the brutal rhythm of my fists against leather, the usual puff of smoke, the stroke of the brush. It was a cleaner way to burn the shit out.It’s funny, the things you find yourself turning to when you’re teetering on the brink. I'd box until my knuckles bled, smoke until my lungs ached, or… or paint. The painting was… different. God, how I loved it. And how much I hated it. My father, that cold-hearted bastard, had always sneered at it. 'A waste of time,' he'd called it. 'Unmanly.'He’d effectively beat the passion out of me for years. But my mother… she'd always understood. Always encouraged. She'll say "
Lena's POVI finally finished cooking, the aroma of the beef stew filling my penthouse. It smelled like home, like comfort, like a fresh start. I poured myself a bowl, grabbed my plate of rice, a spoon, and settled on the couch. I put on a familiar reality show, something light and funny that wouldn't require too much brainpower, and just enjoyed my meal.The stew was delicious, exactly what I needed. It warmed me from the inside out, nourishing my body and soul. For the first time since leaving Italy, I felt a flicker of hope, a sense of control over my life. This was going to be my new normal, and I would do my best to keep it. Routine, healthy habits, and a focus on my baby. That was the plan.The next morning, I woke up early, the sky still a soft, pre-dawn gray. It was 5:20, and I decided to go for a walk, if not a jog, at least. I didn't feel nice at all. My body was sluggish, my mind foggy, and the lingering anxiety was a constant companion. I needed to move, to clear my hea
Luca's POVThe plane climbed higher and higher, its lights shrinking against the vast, indifferent expanse of the night sky. I watched it until it was just a faint glimmer, then a shadow, and finally, nothing at all. Lena left me. Everything I thought I knew, everything I'd built, everything I wanted... gone. Everything that had given my life meaning for the past year, just... vanished. It all left with that plane.I was alone again, standing on that cold, empty tarmac, but it wasn't the same as before. Before, I was just empty. Now, I was hollowed out, a shell of a man with a gaping hole where my heart used to be. It was worse than I ever thought.I stood there for what felt like hours, the cold air biting at my skin, but I barely felt it. The chill inside was far more profound. I stared up at the star-dusted sky, as if I could somehow will her back, pull the plane out of the sky and return her to me. But the sky remained silent, indifferent to my silent plea.I clenched my fist an
Lena's POVLuca wasn't comfortable with all my turning and tossing. I could feel his frustration radiating off him, a palpable tension in the air."Lena, look. I don't know, this shit is fucked up. I apologize, I'll become better… It's just. Fuck!!" He finally exploded, the words laced with desperation."Don't scream that shit in my ear," I snapped more tired than angry, turning away from him again. Every apology, every promise felt hollow, like a performance."Trust me, please," Luca practically begged, his voice cracking with emotion. But I couldn't say anything. What was there to say? The trust had been eroded, chipped away by his inconsistent behavior, and I didn't know how to rebuild it."Le-""I need time, Luca. Please book me a flight right now. I can't stay here much longer." The words were out before I could fully process them. The words felt like ripping off a bandage, painful and necessary. It was a gut reaction, a desperate need to escape, to breathe."Lena…""Luca, pleas
Lena's POVI showered in Sarah’s bathroom, trying to wash away the tension and the lingering scent of violence. We decided to head out for a little cozy night out. I wore Sarah’s sweatshirt and pants since I didn't want to go back to my room and likely face Luca.We both slid into Sarah’s Range Rover. “When does Raiden get back from school?” I asked, trying to distract myself from the turmoil in my own life. I missed him too.“Was just about to tell you now. I’ll pick him up from school, and then we can go to the park. You okay with that?”“Yeah, absolutely,” I replied, grateful for the distraction.We arrived at Raiden’s school, Sarah went in to pick him up, and in no time she was out with Raiden by her side. Sarah placed Raiden in the backseat, “Heyy,” I squealed, my voice full of affection, he was startled at first. He scooted over to see my face from where I sat in the passenger seat, and the sweetest smile appeared on his face, warming me up. For this part, I really don't mind
Lena's POVImmediately I sat down, Luca sped off. I tried to make small talk with him, but was outright shut down. I was trying to figure out why exactly he was angry. If it was because of the pregnancy talk earlier or what. Fast forward to two days later, and Luca still wasn't fucking with me. He was distant and sharp, and it was pissing me off. Little things were starting to get to me, and I felt nauseous most of the day and as well did not have time to deal with his bullshit and stupid mood swings.I still didn't see Marco since the field. I was sat on the island stool eating the sandwich I made before I felt a presence beside me. “Hii,” Sarah said to me. “How are you? Feels like I haven't seen you in ages.” I said, trying to match her cheerfulness.“Right. I'm good, Nobody's fault but your's though” Sarah replied, and I just gave her a small silly, guilty smile.“Raiden?” I asked.“He went to school,” Sarah said.“Oh. Who dropped him off, cause you're here? Or are you just getti
Lena's POVI picked up my pace, wanting to catch up with Luca. He was already far ahead, but at least I could still see him, so I didn't lose track. We were in a large, open field that was surrounded by large trees. It felt quite deserted from the rest of the world, and precisely so. On entering the plot of land, about a five-minute drive before where he parked the car, there was a board that read 'Rossi's Property,' so definitely nobody would dare come near it.I finally got to where Luca was standing, panting. He barely gave me a glance. There were three men and then Dmitri and Igor on the ground looking even worse than they did in the underground.. Luca said something to the men in Italian, and they bowed their heads and started to move out. When they got closer to me, they bowed again. I didn't know what to do, so I bowed and waved at them, feeling incredibly awkward and confused.“Stay back somewhere,” Luca's deep voice said to me, and I backed up a little.He went inside the
Lena's POVLuca gifted me Igor's hand. A dismembered human hand. My initial reaction was pure disgust and a cold fear that ran right through me. I mean that's somebody's real hand.But then…I thought about the fact that Luca really did all of that for me. Even though he probably enjoyed doing it, a thrill went through me. It was… hot? Sexy? Nice? Yeah… all of those things. But not everyone was fucked in the head like that, I couldn't stomach it.I felt Luca’s hot breath on my neck as we stood on the balcony outside the room. He’d followed me out here after I asked him to get rid of the hand. “So, you don’t appreciate the gift I got you, yeah?” he asked, a hint of teasing in his voice.“I do,” I said softly and honestly. “It’s just that… I’m scared of it. Damn, Luca, that’s somebody’s real, severed hand, cold and fresh in a box. Would you not be shocked if I was totally okay with it, with the background I come from?”Luca placed his hands on the railings, effectively locking me in be
Luca's POVI carefully slid away from Lena, trying not to wake her. Peeling back the covers, her naked body was on full display. God, she was beautiful. I lightly touched her thigh, running my hand up its length, and she stirred slightly. I continued caressing, moving my hand higher, until it was between her thighs. Slowly, lightly, I moved my hand back and forth, and she instinctively spread her legs open a little further, still lost in sleep. I chuckled softly at whatever she must be dreaming about.Now I had access. Her clit. Already wet and slick. I started running my finger over it, teasing her gently. I pressed two fingers against her entrance, feeling her walls, and she let out a small moan. I slipped one finger inside, and she jerked slightly. A smile tugged at my lips. I added another finger, starting to move them slowly and deliberately, drawing out the pleasure.Lena’s eyes fluttered. Those beautiful ice-blue depths, meant only for me. My drug. They were filled with lust a