Gosh, I'm so so sorry for the few days I was inactive. I fell very sick and I couldn't write for days. I'm a bit better now, so it's back to daily updates 🥳
Pov: BiancaI had begun to rise as early as Andre did every morning. His routine had become my routine and right now, it was five in the morning and we were currently working out in his gym.I was no stranger to weight lifting and heavy work out routines but Andre's weights made mine look like plush toys. I snuck a glance at him to see him attacking a punching bag.He had been tense, restless and pensive for a few days now, spending more time in his office at the club, coming back late at night and still talking strategy with Leon over the phone until it was well after midnight.The celebration party for Emilio's birthday kept getting shifted and rescheduled and I had a feeling it had a lot to do with whatever Andre and Leon were planning.They were planning something. I just wasn't sure what, and I didn't want to ask because I didn't want to intrude and put him in an uncomfortable position.The early mornings was the only time I had to spend with him before he had to go to work and
Pov: BiancaStepping into the living room a few hours after Andre left for his 'trip', I stopped short at the guards I saw taking up residence in the living room.No, I wasn't shocked at Antonio, Antonio was cool. "You're here?!" I gaped at Alfonso. I was so sure he'd jump at the opportunity of leaving my ass behind if the opportunity came up. And I'm sure the opportunity did come up seeing as Andre took most of his men with him to rain down hell on some unfortunate guy."Don't look so surprised to see me," Alfonso grumbled, going back to staring out the window.I rolled my eyes and walked into the all encompassing living room. It was really so big, my old apartment would fit perfectly in here and there'd still be space left."Andre said you're not to leave our sights," Alfonso said, his voice gruff and no nonsense, like he expected me to argue.But I wasn't like that anymore. I knew what needed to be done to stay safe and keep Andre from losing his shit."I know. You want coffee?"
Pov: BiancaI woke up to someone dumping an entire bucket of water on my head. It felt like I was drowning until it was over.I was sputtering, coughing, shivering in only a thin tank top and jeans. I blinked away the last of my unconsciousness and looked around me, my heart crawling into my throat.I was in a dark, dank room filled with angry, scary looking men, tied to a chair with thick heavy ropes around my wrists that could strangle a narwhal.I recognized the man that I had stabbed, and the man that had knocked me out. Most of the men were leering at me like I was a piece of meat and they were a pack of hungry hyenas.I was fighting to stay calm but my entire body was frazzled and trembling. What are they going to do to me? How am I going to escape from here?Andre wasn't coming to save me. He had to be halfway across the world by now and I doubt he would want to drop the very important shit he had going on to come and save my ass. Alfonso and Antonio were pretty much dead. I c
He leaned so close to me that I could see every pore, every line on his face. "Thirty two-" he growled in my face, "thirty two of my men. That's how many your Don has taken from me. I intend to return the favour, Bianca. Let's hope killing you will send the right message that for every member of the Braterstwo the Italians kill off, their Don is going to receive a piece of your flesh. I will cut you up piece by piece until they get the message that we are not to be fucked with."While what he plans to do will most definitely incure Andre's wrath and most probably get him killed, I knew that I'd be long gone by the time Andre makes his way back to Chicago. He'll need to spend time looking for me and even if he finds where they're keeping me, there's no telling how heavily guarded this place is. Even if he breaks in, there's no stopping them from shooting me in the head before he ever gets to me. I was done for.The tears came before I could stop myself. My heart was squeezing painfull
Pov: AndreThe moment I laid eyes on Bianca and registered all the cuts on and bruises on her body, seeing her surrounded by my enemies... I'd been running on nothing but pure rage and anguish ever since.The way she had looked at me like she was so relieved to see me, like I was her savior, when I was the one that had gotten her into this mess in the first place. That shit ate me alive.And then, I had killed that man in front of her, the one responsible for her stab wounds and she had looked at me with an expression I have never really seen on her. An expression of fear.I had tried to pick her up and she had flinched from at first. As if... As if fuck! As of I was going to hurt her.She had clung to my suit jacket and sobbed into my chest, making the most agonizing sounds that made my insides crawl with vengeful rage.But as the battle raged around us and the last of the Polish were rounded up to be tortured later, Bianca grew increasingly quiet and reserved. She was barely breathi
Pov: BiancaEveryday was more confusing than the last. I had lost track of the exact dates and I slept more than I was conscious.I roused awake to an unfamiliar room that smelled like antiseptic and menthol.Someone was wiping the hair off my temple... It was Andre. I'd recognize his touch anywhere."Christ, baby," he whispered in that anguished voice he uses these days, "please be okay."I struggled to keep my eyes open. My body felt like it had been run over by a truck and stuffed with painkillers. I was sluggish and groggy, numb and slower than usual. The painkillers must have knocked me out because I wasn't aware of what day or time it was."Go back to sleep, micetta."I shook my head slowly, trying to look up at him. Trying to see his face, and when his tired face swam into focus, my heart did a sad little skip.He looked like he had aged ten years since I last saw him. The scruff on his jaw was dark and he looked like he hadn't slept in days... I knew for sure that he hadn't be
Pov: AndreI had gone out to the verandah on the second floor for a smoke and to think when I stopped dead in my tracks.My entire body tightened with apprehension and revolting anger when I saw who it was that was there with me."I thought I told you to leave?""You did." He beamed, "I didn't listen." He shrugged. "Figured you were just trying to look tough in front your new girlfrie- Oh." he pretended to correct himself, "I mean, stepsister.""How did you even sneak into the building." Knowing him, he probably slithered in through the sewers like the fucking rat he was."I don't need to sneak in. In case it isn't obvious, Andre, your father still thinks the world of me and welcomes me into his home when I come visiting. You're the only one in the family who can't stomach my presence."The only one in my family with some common sense is more like it.Lucas was a weasel and a snake, as slimy as they come. I wouldn't trust him even if he came to me in a dream with angel wings and a fuc
Pov: AndreI watched as she walked slowly into house, her eyes wide in amazement. She dropped her overnight backpack in the foyer (the overnight bag I had asked to carry but she insisted on lugging behind her) and looked around. Taking it all in.She turned to look at me, a skeptical look replacing her look of amazement. I slid my hands in my pockets and held her gaze."You said you were taking me to my apartment.""This is your new apartment," I told her. "The other one got compromised.""This is a whole ass mansion.""With better security," I explained. "There's a safe room installed, in case anything happens." Because I sure as hell won't be taking any more chances.I didn't want Bianca stepping foot in the penthouse because I didn't want the memories of her ordeals to come crashing back."I expect this is coming out of my monthly stipend." She raised an accusing eyebrow at me."Yes," I lied. "It's a big house," I said quickly to avoid more conversations down that part. "Come, I'l