Hope you guys enjoy today's chapter.
Marco»»»◈«««I glanced back at the closed door, the muffled sound of Lilianna's voice lingering in the air until she likely walked away with her brother. Why hadn't Kason informed me about Lilianna's visit? Isn't that his entire damn job?I rolled my neck, fighting to contain the surge of anger threatening to consume me. The door swung open, revealing Kason's stoic figure standing on the threshold. His gaze met mine, guarded.I wasted no time in getting straight to the point. "Why the hell didn't you tell me about Lilianna's visit?"His expression remained impassive, but I could sense the tension coiling beneath the surface. "I didn't think it was relevant," he replied evenly."Relevant?" I scoffed incredulously. "She's my wife, Kason. Everything involving her is relevant.""Boss, I didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble for you," he explained, "Mrs. Costello's visit wasn't about you—it was about her and Samuele. You said it was fine for her to see her brothers whenever she wanted
Lilianna »»»◈««« "...Do you imagine Amy when you fuck her?" I asked, stepping back until I felt the chill of the glass railing against my back once more. His eyes narrowed, a flicker of something unreadable crossing his face. He'd taken off his suit jacket, leaving it behind. His white shirt was open at the collar and the first two buttons, giving a glimpse of his chest. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, but the rain had soaked through, causing his shirt to stick to him, revealing the contours of his muscles. The droplets highlighted every curve and ridge, accentuating his strength. Despite the rain, he stood there, his posture confident. Each droplet tracing a path along the defined lines of his body. I extended my arms, draping them over the railing on either side of me, the bottle still gripped firmly in my hand. Tilting my head back, I gazed up at the sky, rain cascading down around me. Each drop felt like a small impact against my skin, but I paid it no mind, too f
Marco »»»◈««« I kissed her... What the fuck was I thinking? I despised her, yet I let her lips touch mine, staining the memory of Amy with this betrayal. Her lips were the last lips that had touched mine and now I lost it to Lilianna. I loathe her with every fiber of my being, yet in that moment of weakness, I succumbed to her proximity. I betrayed my vows, my promises, and the memory of the only woman who gave her life for me. I was disgusted with myself, with my lack of control, with the fact that she could still elicit such a reaction from me. I kissed her, and with that one action, I dishonored everything I once held sacred. I had this inexplicable urge to claim her lips, and without a second thought, I acted on it. It was a reckless move, driven by a primal instinct that I couldn't control, let alone explain. Now, she's acting as if she has some kind of entitlement over me as if this sham of a marriage we're in holds any significance beyond a vengeful facade. I k
Lilianna »»»◈««« As I stepped onto the set, the bright lights blinded me momentarily. The click of cameras echoed in the spacious studio, and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Today was the day I'd been waiting for—the day to capture the essence of my modeling career in a portfolio that would hopefully launch me into the stratosphere of success... or so I hope. The makeup artist whisked away any imperfections, enhancing my features. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink into the chair, trusting her to work her magic. "Ready for you, Lilianna," the photographer called out, and I opened my eyes, feeling a surge of excitement. With a quick glance in the mirror, I adjusted my posture and smoothed down the fabric of the elegant gown that hugged my curves. I have done this before, I can do it again. With each click of the camera, I channeled a different emotion—seductive, mysterious, powerful. I lost track of time as I moved through the poses, each one a piece of art ca
Lilianna »»»◈««« ONE MONTH LATER »»»»◈«««◈»»»◈«««« I stood outside the sleek glass doors of the modeling agency, my heart was pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement. Adjusting my coat nervously, I took a deep breath to steady myself before stepping inside. The reception area was buzzing with activity, models were chatting, agents bustling about, and the sound of heels clicking on the polished floor. I approached the receptionist with a confident smile. "I'm here for the open call," I said, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. The receptionist nodded and handed me a form to fill out. I quickly scribbled down my name, contact information, and measurements before returning the form and taking a seat among the other models. As I waited for my turn, I couldn't help but steal glances at the other models. They were all so effortlessly chic, their presence commanding attention even in casual attire. I smoothed down my own outfit, suddenly self-conscious
Lilianna »»»◈««« Kason swung by to pick me up, and we headed home together. Once we got there, I decided to unwind with a nice, relaxing shower. Afterward, I rummaged through Amy's wardrobe and settled on a pair of soft, comfy pajamas. They were a bit shorter on me, but they felt snug and cozy. I walked upstairs barefoot and made my way to the kitchen. There, I spotted my meal waiting for me on the counter. With a sigh, I pulled out a chair and settled down, glancing around the room. The kitchen was enveloped in silence, the only sound being the faint echo of my footsteps. Most of the lights were off, casting a shadow over everything. It felt eerily quiet, adding to the creepy atmosphere of the empty room. It's been a month, we had no source of communication. Amalia said that he doesn't even talk to them anymore. It seemed like he was shutting out everyone around him, except, of course, for Nikolai Costello. I speared the steak with my fork, ready to take a bite, when the soun
Lilianna »»»◈««« My jaw dropped in disbelief as I glanced at Kason, then at his battered knuckles, and then returned my gaze to his smug expression. It took me a moment to process the news. "I...I can't believe it. This is amazing! When do I start?" "We're excited to have you, Lilianna," Rachel continued warmly. "We'll need you to come in for a fitting next week. Can you make it on Tuesday at 10 AM?" "Yes, absolutely, I can be there," I replied, still in shock. "Great! We'll send you an email with all the details, including the address and what to bring. If you have any questions before then, feel free to reach out." "Thank you again, Rachel," I said, my heart pounding with a mix of disbelief and nerves. "Welcome aboard, Lilianna," Rachel said before hanging up. I slowly lowered the phone, my hands trembling. I looked at Kason, his battered knuckles and smug smile. "Tell me you didn't," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. He made an even smugger face. "If that's what
Marco »»»◈««« ONE YEAR LATER »»◈««««◈»»»»◈«« I stepped off the plane, my polished shoes making a muted thud against the jet bridge. The familiar, sharp scent of the city greeted me as he walked through the private terminal. It had been a year and a half in Rochester—time spent away from my home and my empire. I moved through the airport like a ghost. I glanced around, taking in the sights and sounds that I had missed in my absence. A line of black SUVs waited for me outside. So much for being discreet. I hadn't told anyone I was coming back. The only people who knew were Niko, Scott, and Lorenzo, and they were enough. But Scott always makes a fucking spectacle out of everything. I sighed and made my way to the lead SUV, where Scott stood with a smug grin on his face. “Welcome back, Asshole,” he said, opening the door for me. “Cut the theatrics, Scott,” I muttered, stepping in front of him. “I thought we were supposed to keep a low profile, especially with the FBI breathing d