LOGINNella’s POVThe villa was quieter than usual that afternoon.Giovanni had left early for a meeting downtown — something about territory lines and a shipment that needed his personal sign-off.He had kissed my forehead before he went, hand lingering on my stomach for a moment longer than necessary, and then he disappeared with two cars and four men trailing him like shadows.The rash from last week had finally faded, the ointment working quietly the way small miracles do — without announcement.I wandered the halls barefoot, one of his white shirts hanging loose over my leggings, the hem brushing my mid-thigh.The pregnancy was more visible now — a soft, undeniable curve that made my hands drift to it without thinking.I still hadn’t told anyone outside the villa.Not even Antonio or Brenda.I went to the art room; it was filled with several paintings—Giovanni’s, a lady arching her back in the doggy position while the hands of a strong man locked her wrists backwards, and the view of t
Giovanni’s POVThe bedroom was quiet except for the soft sound of Nella’s breathing and the faint wet glide of my hands over her skin.She lay on her side, naked, one arm tucked under her head, the other hand resting protectively over the gentle curve of her stomach.The pregnancy was visible now — not huge, but unmistakable.A small, perfect swell that made something primal twist inside my chest every time I looked at it.I knelt beside the bed, one knee on the mattress, working the cinnamon-shea ointment into her calves first.Her skin was warm from the shower, flushed pink in places from the hot water and the allergic rash that had appeared after the dinner.The scent of cinnamon filled the air — sharp, sweet, and grounding.The smooth movement was soothing her skin and making her feel relaxed.She closed her eyes.I continued. "How do you feel now?” I asked.“Much better,” she replied”“Hmm hmm. That’s what I want to hear.”She sighed – small, involuntary – when my thumbs pressed
Nella’s POVThe second trimester isn’t going the way I had imagined in my head, but I have been trying to cope, not like I have a choice, though.I have gotten used to the quiet villa and the mute bodyguards. The maids—I never got to see their faces fully; they were always bowing.Giovanni did not know I had been in touch with Antonio for a while and that he kissed me at the capo’s private dinner. I’m not sure of Antonio’s intentions; I just want to have my life figured out, not caged as the girl subjected to the Don.Here we are, at another private dinner.This dinner was supposed to be small — just a handful of Giovanni’s most trusted capos, a few wives, and the new Don himself.“Get ready; we have a dinner to attend tonight.” Giovanni had said to me that evening, staring deep into my eyes like he was searching for something.I sat to his right, my black dress revealing a bit of my cleavage, trying to look like I belonged in the mafia world, but I knew too well it wasn’t for me.The
Brenda’s POV (Flashback – 12 years ago)I was twenty-two years old and drowning.The restaurant in Palermo was a tourist trap: overpriced pasta, waitresses in tight black dresses, and men who tipped with wandering hands.I worked the late shift six nights a week, smiling through gritted teeth while my feet bled in cheap heels and my daughter slept at my mother’s apartment across town.That was the night a man named Rico walked in. The most dreadful and dangerous I'd ever known. No, he didn’t look dangerous, nor did he look like someone who could snap a person’s neck backwards in five seconds.Instead, he looked like money — quiet money. More like a humble billionaire with his dark suit, no tie, silver at the temples, and his eyes like the colour of wet slate.He sat alone at the VIP corner table; he ordered a bottle of Barolo and a plate of bruschetta he barely touched.When I brought the wine, he looked up at me and smiled. I noticed how he’d watch me arranging the wine glass.His g
Nella’s POVI was losing my mind in this villa. Giovanni always had business meetings to attend; I can go days without seeing or speaking to him.Not like I missed him, but this villa seems too large and quiet.A week had passed since the latest attack. What if Giovanni hadn’t come in time? But he did; he’s always early.Lucas was dead.I kept telling myself that.I had seen Giovanni shoot him.I had watched the light leave his eyes.So why did I still feel so empty?The revenge I had craved for so long had been handed to me on a silver platter, yet it tasted like ash.Tallia was still gone.Papa was still gone.And I was still here — trapped in Giovanni’s world, carrying his child, wearing his shirts, sleeping in his bed, opening my legs whenever he tells me to.I was bored and restless.Angry at everything and nothing.I needed to feel something that was mine.Not his.Not grief.Not fear.Just… me.I wanted to do something fun; the art room had already been filled with a series of
Giovanni’s POVThree months ago – New YorkThe bar in Lower Manhattan was loud, dim, and full of people trying too hard to forget their problems.I had come for a business meeting — a quiet sit-down with a few East Coast associates about territory lines and shipping routes. The kind of conversation that happens in back rooms with expensive whisky and careful words.The meeting ended early.I stayed for one drink.Then I saw her.She was at the far end of the bar, perched on a stool like she owned it, nursing a glass of something dark.Her ginger hair spilling down her back in wild waves and storm-grey eyes that looked like they could cut glass.She was drunk — not sloppy, but the kind of drunk that makes a woman dangerous.Her black dress clung to every curve – full breasts, small waist, and hips that begged to be gripped.Long, curvy legs crossed at the ankle and her red heels dangling.She caught me staring.Instead of looking away, she lifted her glass in a mock toast and smirked.
Nella’s POVI stirred, blinking against the dim light of the room.The sheets were cool against my skin, but my body felt heavy — like it belonged to someone else. Giovanni sat across from me in the armchair by the window, quiet and still, elbows on his knees, watching me with that unreadable dark
Giovanni’s POV“All rise to salute the Don,” the bishop announced.The entire chapel stood. One after another, the Capos and guests approached me with smiles, offering congratulations and handshakes.But my attention drifted elsewhere.My eyes moved to the seat where Nella was supposed to be sittin
Nella’s POVIt was 9 p.m.The villa had been quiet for hours, but now the silence felt loaded — like the calm before a storm that had already started brewing somewhere else.I stood by the window in the master suite, still dressed in the emerald gown, with silver heels hurting my toes. The inductio
Nella’s POV “Slissh.”The heavy curtains slid open with a soft hiss, letting a sharp blade of morning sun cut straight across my face.I groaned, turning my head into the pillow. Punishment. It had to be punishment. All I wanted was sleep—deep, dreamless sleep where Tallia’s voice didn’t keep scre







