I rise from my seat, tears welling in my eyes as the profound hurt weighs me down—just like Derek, my grandfather, and Mitchel's father, they all want to take something from me."Bee," Niko calls out as I whirl away, the sting of impending tears blurring my vision. "Bianca!" His desperate and strained voice pierces through the haze."Leave me alone," I half-sob, half-shout, the words tumbling out in a rush, raw and unfiltered."I'll go," Benji calls out, his voice echoing in the tense silence as I step out of the room, my heart pounding fiercely against my ribcage, each beat a reminder of the anxiety swirling within me."No, you fucking won't," Niko's voice cuts through the air like a razor as he strides forward, his presence commanding and fierce. I can hear the determined confidence in his tone, which grows louder as he approaches. "She's my fucking wife." The weight of his words hangs in the air, heavy with the gravity of our situation, a stark declaration of loyalty and possession
BiancaEmma was waiting on tenterhooks, her skin glistening with a warm, sunkissed glow as I stepped into the dining room for dinner that very night I had woken. The soft, golden light of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting a welcoming hue across the room. She flung herself at me with unrestrained joy, taking my hand from Niko's grip as she enveloped me tightly, her laughter ringing like music in the air."Oh, bee!" she cried, her voice filled with delight as she held me so closely that I momentarily questioned whether we had ever truly parted. The world around us faded, leaving just the warmth of her presence and the happiness that danced between us. She hasn't held me that close in what feels like an eternity, and for just as long, I've found myself resisting that kind of intimacy. The warmth of her embrace still lingers as Niko clears his throat, jarring us back into the present. My gaze sweeps over the long dining table, beautifully set with plates brimming with
BiancaI awaken to the sensation of unfamiliar bedding enveloping me, the gentle warmth of the air wrapping around the room like a soft cocoon. The scent of fresh linen mingles with the earthy fragrance of the vineyard just beyond, creating an inviting atmosphere. My gaze is drawn to a pair of ornate doors flung wide open to reveal a sun-drenched balcony that overlooks sprawling rows of grapevines. With a rush of adrenaline, I bolt upright, the fine sheets slipping away from my legs as I leap from the bed. The vivid scenery before me stirs a wave of nostalgia, reminiscent of my father's vineyard nestled in the sun-soaked hills of southern Italy. "You're awake," Niko calls out, his voice a melodic contrast to the tranquility of the morning. He sits casually on one of the elegant wooden chairs, his attention absorbed by the breathtaking view that stretches across the lush landscape. A wave of excitement courses through me as I race towards him, my heart pounding in anticipation. Throw
Continued:Peering into the room, my gaze falls on Benji, lying unconscious on the table, his chest eerily exposed as if caught in a moment of vulnerability. The glint of surgical instruments catches the harsh overhead light, and the doctor deftly inserts piping into Benji's chest cavity, a stark reminder of the life-and-death situation unfolding before us."Tell me what to do," Bianca says, her voice steadier now, though I can still sense the uncertainty shadowing her demeanor. The weight of the moment hangs heavily in the air, punctuated by the beeping machines that seem to monitor not just Benji's life but our own connection to it, too."I'm more than willing to scrub in," Luca declares, striding into the state-of-the-art operating room with a sense of purpose. He effortlessly peels off his jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt beneath, and rolls up his sleeves, revealing his muscular forearms, which speak of both strength and agility. He approaches the sink, methodically scrubbing
NikoI'm going to kill him.Maim him.Every fucking body part will be skinned alive, and his dick fed to him like soup from a blender.I detest and abhor him with every fibre of my being, yet there exists within me a conflicting emotion—a fragment of my soul that cherishes Bianca. That part understands the bitter truth: to keep her by my side, I must endure this torment and remain passive in the face of my own resentment. Luca gently intervenes, preventing me from crossing a line I hadn't fully realised I was approaching. I had been poised to insist that she stay by my side, completely disregarding her own feelings and desires. In that moment, I recognised how close I came to stripping her of her autonomy, unwittingly trying to control her choices and dictate her path. I detest men who are willing to be that man, and I detest Luca for making those choices with Emma."Niko, you're going about this all wrong," he warned as we assessed the wreckage in the room a warning similar to my own
Continued:He worked skillfully, his fingers dancing over the buttons as he hacked into the door's code, focused and determined. After what felt like an eternity, a soft buzzing filled the air, accompanied by a triumphant green light that illuminated the area above the door. I glanced over to see Luca, Drake, and Mitchel—three formidable leaders that rule our mafia with an iron fist—raising their hands in a silent command, their expressions steely as they signaled for their men to prepare for a fight and their men moved into position before them both a protective stance and following their silent commands.With a mix of tension and anticipation, Benji pushed the door open, his gaze never wavering from mine, as if he was trying to convey an unspoken promise. In an instant, the silence shattered as a barrage of bullets erupted from the room, echoing like thunder in the chaos.The men behind me began to return fire and I leaned into Benji, covering my eyes with his chest, and my ears wi