ANMELDENANASTASIALight scattered all over the room, filtering through the curtains and successfully pulled me from a restless sleep.My eyes barely wanted to open.All night I’d tossed around, convinced the lock on my bedroom door was little more than decoration. Anyone who really wanted in wouldn’t be stopped by it.Like someone who had blue icy eyes, a hot temper and a pro at kidnapping and drugging young women on their birthdays. I could only sleep knowing well enough that Nico's room wasn't far from mine.And it gave me comfort.I threw myself around, staring at the plastered ceiling. I had to get up from bed and look around, study this prison. If I was going to escape this prison, I have to know it very well.I needed to explore—search for weaknesses, make a plan. Nico might’ve made peace with this whole forced marriage, but I sure hadn’t.Strangely and comforting as it is, the bathroom had all the toiletries you could ever think of. Even from brands that were rare. The kind you only se
SANTINOI stood there waiting for my son at the top of the staircase. My face burning with rage. “To my office. Now.He didn’t argue.Did say a word, just looked at me before walking towards the marble floor towards the West Wing. I walked behind him, my teeth grinding against my jaw so hard it ached. I knew shouting at my son wouldn't help, I needed to use control.Inside the office, Nico went straight for the liquor cabinet.Once we got in, my son made his way towards the wine cabinet. Luca was still around after we had finished discussing earlier. It was good that he was here, he would be able to prevent me from murdering my son. I shut the door after we got in, rage settling down my chest.“Sit down, Nico.”He didn’t move until he’d poured himself nearly a full glass of bourbon. “You wanted to see me, Papà?”I poured my own drink, circling behind the desk, trying to breathe through the heat behind my ribs. I always aimed to be composed, calm, deliberate. But my son had a way of sh
ANASTASIAI kept screaming until my there was a pain in my throat. The door stood firm, making sure it was filled with darkness all around me. I was locked in and not a single person was coming to get me.Oh God. No.Oh God. I would die here.I felt my throat go as dry as a burnt wood. This was a dream I dread. Caged in below ground, where no one would find me.Was there even air down here? Chest burning, I fell to my knees. How long would it take to suffocate? A few hours?I could feel hysteria edging out the plain old panic in my mind. The therapist I saw for my claustrophobia had said to breathe and to count to one hundred, that remaining calm was the key.I shut my eyes and began counting numbers to help me calm and steady my breathing but that was useless too. The muddy air kept mocking me.How many men had died in these walls?Has Ravazzani killed anyone here?Of course he has, Ana. As the Capo of one of the most Dangerous Mafia Families in Italy.Could there be ghosts of people
SANTINO POVMy head turned immediately, the bathroom door creaked open and I felt my body rise.As much as I hate to tell myself the truth, I was always eager to see what she looked like during my teenage years. She was basically my crush.I felt disgusted with my thoughts. I know I'm not too old to be her father, but she's already betrothed to my son. I have to focus on delivering her.Everyone strained their necks to get a look at her as she walked to an empty chair. Her soft breast moved in a rhythm with her body, she had long legs that suited her curvy body and her whole figure with bright golden hair flowing down her back.She had a face so calm and beautiful it could make angels weep.Damn! She was a goddess.When I finally brought myself to look away, I caught Luca giving me a cunning smile.Had he read my mind?When my father died and I took over as capobastone ten years ago, I’d made my cousin my right hand. No one was more loyal or trustworthy. We’d grown up side by side, sp
ANASTASIA POVThe dream refused to release me. I keep fighting to open my eyes, my mind filled with thoughts that just keep hanging in thick molasses. Dull, heavy, and thick. I couldn't breathe it out.Where is this? Where am I?Whispers and hushed voices flew around me, accompanied by this vibration on my skin. Was I caged in a moving car? I couldn't move my hands immediately, each trial felt stressful. Even blinking was hard.What’s wrong with me?Then the memory crashed in—the wall, Ravazzani, the needle piercing my neck. D*mn him. He’d drugged me. That b*st*rd.I shifted my mind on breathing, bending my mind to clear off and failing to submit to the dizziness that was about to take me. I had to stay alert and fight.“Finally. You’re awake.”If I had any strength, I’d have recoiled. Was he watching me while I was helpless? Of all the people to get kidnapped by—a cold-blooded killer and a stalker. Perfect.I lay on a mattress—sheets cool and stiff beneath me. “You… you kidnapped m
ANASTASIA POVIn the afternoon of the same day, I grabbed my makeup bag and flinged into a handbag. I didn't need much with me when I escape but I needed the ones dear to my heart. Like the beautiful earrings Mamma gave me. And a cute picture of me and the twins at Eiffel Tower.The leggings that hugged my legs and *ss just right. And, of course, my passport and some cash.“This is a terrible idea,” Mira said. “How are you going to survive?”“Forget that. How do you expect to get past Papà and the guards?” Luna glanced up from her magazine without much interest. “You’ll never even make it off the property, Ana.”“I will.”I kept sneaking out of the house the day I found the crack in the wall two years ago. I made more cracks so it would be easier and that's how I kept getting past the security anytime I felt like. I snuck out last November and had my first sex with Liam. Losing my Virginity to him.My sisters didn’t know about that route. It was too risky for anyone else.Luna snorted
SANTINO POVThe car pulled into the old warehouse lot. Judging by the broken windows and rusted signage, the place hadn’t seen use in years which made it ideal for what we were about to do.When the vehicle rolled to a stop, I opened the door of the rental and stepped out. Luca followed suit, movin
ANASTASIA POVTORONTO, OntarioIt's not everyday you meet the devil himself on your Eighteenth birthday. But I did.Still dizzy and dealing with a huge hangover, I slid under the sheets, my toes rubbing warm skin and rough hair.So last night, one of my friends threw a graduation house party by her







