Nikolai’s POV "Boss, Dimitri has escaped." Fuck! My grip on the empty glass tightened. My jaw clenched as I tried to process the guard's words. Dimitri has escaped? How? Rage coursed through my veins, burning hotter than I had ever felt. I was going to punish him cruelly for what he had done to Alessia. But the bastard ran away before I could reach him. Suddenly, my attention shifted when I heard Alessia's laugh. I turned back to her to find her on the floor, laughing like a maniac. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her hands clutching her stomach. The fire in her eyes was back, but not in the way I desired. "You planned this, didn’t you?" I muttered under my breath in a dangerously low voice. Instead of answering me, she simply smirked. One side of her lips curled into a deadly smile. My blood boiled. She helped him. My patience snapped, and I lost control. "Do you have any idea what you’ve done?" My voice was barely calm. Her lips parted slightly, but she did
My skull pounded with pain as if tiny needles were piercing every inch of my head. It felt like I had been tossed around and left to rot. My eyelids feel heavy, making it difficult to open my eyes at once. Before I could force them open, a strange scent filled my senses. It was unfamiliar yet oddly refined. Suddenly, I remembered the last thing that happened to me before I lost consciousness: the car, the rough hands, the sweet, sickeningly scented cloth. I was kidnapped! Panic surged through me, and instinctively, my eyes shot open, only to close immediately as the sharp sun rays blinded my vision. It was already morning, meaning I had been out all night! A shiver ran down my spine.My first instinct was to check my clothes, and I was relieved to feel them against my skin. It took me a few minutes to adjust my vision to the light. Slowly, I sat up. A wince escaped my lips when pain shot through my limbs. My collarbone ached, my knuckles felt raw, and my knees throbbed as if I
**Third Person POV** Nikolai stormed into the mansion. His eyes were deadly and ready to burn; his palms were curled at his sides into tight balls, ready to punch; and his body was taut and eager to kill. His breaths came out loud and rough, barely containing his anger. His muscles twitched as he rotated his neck. He couldn't believe that Dimitri had slipped through his fingers. He searched for the traitor everywhere but couldn't find him. Nevertheless, he was determined to find that bastard again and get rid of him. It was midnight when he returned home. There was a deadly silence all around the mansion; the air was suffocating with tension as if the walls sensed his anger. Not even the wind made a sound as if he could stop it with his rage. He was out of control. He knew only one person could calm him down, and that was his wife, Alessia. He not only wanted her; he needed her. After what had happened earlier, he knew she would not let him near her, nor did he want to push
Alessia's POV "Nikolai is out there looking for you like a hungry wolf." Antonio's words rang in my head, and I stopped dead in my tracks. My brain felt like a battlefield, torn between what I should do and what I wanted to do. I wanted to run out of this house, away from Antonio, away from everyone, but I knew that the moment I stepped out, Nikolai would find me. He would drag me back to his cage, and this time, his wrath would be unforgiving. All my hopes of escaping him would come to an end. Earlier, I stayed with him because he had Dimitri with him. I wanted to know the truth, and now that I know it, even a second with him feels like a prison sentence. How could I breathe in the same room as the man who destroyed my family without a shred of remorse? I inhaled deeply. I really need to stay away from him. My fists clenched and unclenched as I swallowed hard, trying to ease the pain in my heart. He is a murderer, a cruel monster from whom I should keep my distance. And e
Nikolai's POV Three days. Seventy-two excruciating hours. My fists curled tightly. My Dolcezza has been away from me for the last three days. These three days felt like three decades. I wasn't this restless when I was away from her for three years. Maybe because at that time I knew she was with her father, safe and secure, beyond my reach but not in danger. Now, I don't even know where she is. "Fuck!" The curse slipped from my mouth. A metallic taste of blood touched my tongue as I bit my lower lip tightly when the sharp edge of the whip dug into my skin, deeper this time. My whole body was drenched with sweat; my back was dripping with hot, thick blood. But I care less. Because this was my punishment for letting her go, for being foolish enough to think I could control her fire. My Dolcezza. My stubborn, reckless, impossible Dolcezza. How could I be so careless toward her? Another whip landed on my back, further opening my fresh wounds. The pain spread through my
"An- Antonio?" My voice stammered. I clutched the sheets tightly and pressed them against my pounding heart. My breath caught in my throat, and my eyes widened in horror. I couldn't see his face due to the darkness. The man leaned forward and crossed his arms over his chest. “Tsk,” he clicked his tongue. I sucked in a deep, audible breath; my heart was ready to burst from my chest. “Your husband.” My heart dropped, and my blood ran cold. The windowpane clattered, allowing moonlight to penetrate the room, and I finally saw Nikolai's face. He didn't look like the man I knew. He resembled a monster. His eyes were red and baggy, his nose flared angrily, and his jaw tightly clenched. He seemed to be barely controlling himself. The air around me thickened, suffocating me. I couldn't breathe. A shiver ran down my spine as the air became cold and heavy. I prayed it to be just another nightmare. Nikolai stayed in place for a few moments, making me believe he was there.
Nikolai's POV The people around me watched in surprise as I walked through the corridors of Antonio's company. I was moving like a man possessed. I was actually furious; I just needed my Dolcezza back in my arms. How could he even think that he could take her away from me and that I would stay silent? The guards eyed me warily, but a sharp glance from me had them stepping aside. They knew who I was and knew better than to test my patience today. One of his men tried to stop me, but I just pushed him away. Without any formality, I opened the doors to his private cabin without hesitation. He was seated behind his mahogany desk, working on his laptop, doing something. He was holding a glass of whisky in one hand. His head snapped up as soon as he heard the loud bang of the door. At first, he was taken aback, but then a slow, dark, and satisfying smirk stretched across his lips. The bastard had been expecting me. "What a great surprise, Capo," he drawled, swirling the amber
Alessia's POV "He has happily handed you over to me for a piece of land." The color drained from my face when I heard Nikolai. Though I didn't trust Antonio much, my heart broke. Every damn person I have met in my life has always betrayed me. It feels as if the ground has shifted beneath my feet. My knees buckled; I was about to fall, but before I could lose my balance, Nikolai's arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to his chest. "You have no idea what I had to let go of to have you back in my arms." I blinked as a gasp escaped my throat. The intensity of his possessive grip burned into my skin, reminding me of where I belonged. Why? Why does it have to be me every damn time? Why? "There is no one else in this world who can protect you the way I can," Nikolai added. "I would burn the world before I let anyone else take you away from me." He leaned down and dipped his head into the crook of my neck. He inhaled deeply as if I were a drug keeping him sane.
At first, I was completely taken aback when he slammed his lips against mine. I wasn't prepared for it.Not at this moment. He always does things unexpectedly. But this ...The desperation with which he kissed me took my breath away. It wasn't soft or gentle, it was raw, fiery, and filled with a thousand unspoken emotions. When my brain realized what exactly he was doing, my fingers curled into his shirt on their own. The force of the kiss made me stumble back, but he was quick to wrap his arms tighter around me, pulling me so close to him as if terrified I’d disappear again.His heart hammered with equal intensity under my palms. He was feeling the same as I. Unable to hold my emotions any longer, I responded to the kiss with equal hunger, pouring into it all the longing, guilt, and pain I had carried in his absence. His mouth moved against mine like a man starved—devouring, exploring, reclaiming.It had been so long…Too long.One of his hands slid down my back while mine mov
"You—were you really there?" I asked in complete surprise. He softly nodded, his lips stretching into a wider smile. "Why didn't you come to me earlier, Nick? Why?" I demanded, clutching his shirt tightly. I would have actually been happy if I had known he was there. All the time, I had the feeling that Nikolai was with me, yet I still felt hollow inside. "Say something, Nick!" He chuckled softly before cupping my face once again, holding me as if I were fragile and priceless at the same time. "Because there, you weren’t just fighting, Alessia. You were shining.” He paused, brushing his thumb over my cheek and catching the fresh tear that slipped out. “I didn’t want to steal your moment,” he added, smiling tenderly. “But… it was I who clapped for you first.” I shook my head; he was impossible. "And what—what about in the hospital? Why did they declare you dead?" I breathed. "A nurse told me that your uncle took you and..." He closed his eyes for a moment, indicat
The moment the intruder's face came into the light, the gun wobbled in my grip before slipping from my hands with a loud clatter. My breath hitched in my throat. Everything seemed to cease in those moments. My heart pounded so hard that it was deafening. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't blink. I was afraid he might disappear from my sight if I blinked. Am I being delusional or what? Because right in front of me stood Nikolai. My Nick. My mind refused to accept what my eyes were showing me. The doctor told me he had died and had already been buried, that I lost him forever, that he would never come back again, but he was standing right here, right in front of me, tall and very much alive. But he looked very weak. His eyes were tired and sunken. Yet they lit up the moment they caught my gaze in the darkness. Both of us were frozen in our places. "Nick," I whispered to myself. It was such a low murmur that I was sure he didn't hear it, but maybe he heard the voice o
The applause that followed my crowning ceremony was deafening. It should have made my heart swell with pride, but it didn’t. I couldn't immerse myself completely in happiness because something was missing. It wasn't just anything; it was the biggest part of my life. Nikolai. This place was and is rightly his. I am merely filling his space to prevent the throne from falling into the wrong hands. I was strong all this time, but I am unsure how I will rule this Empire alone. Drawing a deep breath, I stepped down from the stage with slow and steady steps, ensuring that I kept my chin high to prevent the crown from falling. It is not just a crown; it is a heavy responsibility that rests on my head. People bowed before me, and a few came forward to congratulate me with warm words. "Congratulations, La Regina,” they said. “You’ve made history.” I mumbled a small thank you with a soft smile on my lips. I could see that a few of them were faking their smiles. Of course, not everyone ca
“This is mine!” Marco roared, pointing to the throne behind us “I built this! I cleaned the blood! I earned every piece of this empire while you were out living in your bubble!”“You stole what was never yours to begin with,” I said, in a low but steady voice. “You manipulated the system, lied to the council, and betrayed your own bloodline. The only thing you’ve earned is a disgrace.” I spat venomously. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, I cut him off. "Nikolai transferred his property in my name with the hope that I will raise our child and give him everything he deserves. I can not let anyone snatch my baby's right" I stated. Silence spread in the hall, and Marco broke. “You think you can fool everyone with that belly and a couple of forged papers?” he spat. “You don’t know anything about ruling an empire, Alessia. You’re just a spoiled little brat and we are not even sure if you are carrying Nikolai's blood!”Unable to stop myself anymore, I slapped him
“My birth certificate, my documents, and even DNA tests, if you want,” I said coolly. “All prove I was born of the legal wife of Mr. Rossi. I am the only legitimate heir; Marco is...” “Enough!” Mr. Rossi roared as I started opening his cards one by one, cutting me off mid-sentence. The dirty secrets he has been hiding from everyone for so long are now being exposed, and he just can't stand it. I have always considered Marco my real brother because he never let me feel otherwise, but only we family members know the truth. He was not my mother's son. He was the result of my father's betrayal. "I haven't even started, Dad," I said, infusing the word with honey-dripped venom. “What are you implying?” one of the council members asked, frowning. “How could you make such a serious accusation against your own father and brother?” “Whose father? Which brother?” I asked sharply, turning to the man with fire in my eyes. “They both died for me the day they tried to kill me.” The hall
"NO" Silence. Ear-deafening silence. This is what spread after I announced my decision. A single word detonated like a bomb. First, they were not expecting me to be here, and after knowing the reason behind my presence, they were definitely not expecting this answer from me. My father flinched in his position, and Marco's smile vanished. "What did you just say?" Marco growled near my ear, narrowing his eyes at me. He couldn't believe his ears. "I said no," I repeated just for him, just in case he didn't hear me. I turned slightly to face the Mafia council. "I am not ready to give my consent to make him a mafia king," I declared. The council members exchanged looks of confusion among themselves. The crowd gasped and whispered amongst themselves. "Any particular reason behind it?" The senior-most council member asked. "My husband built this Empire with his blood and sweat. He didn't inherit it; he earned it through scars. Before handing it over to someone else,
Black dress... This is what you are supposed to wear for the mafia king's crowning ceremony. It is a sign of power and mourning for the bloodshed that leads to the throne. It is a old tradition. That's why I wore white! Because I wasn’t here to mourn. I was here to defy. The black dress sent by Marco lay in the corner of the room like a rag while I slipped into a satin white gown, which I was meant to wear on my wedding day. I chuckled to myself. What irony. The silence in the room pressed into my skin like needles. I stood in front of the mirror, staring blankly at my own reflection. The dark circles under my eyes were clearly visible, and I hadn’t even tried to hide them. Let the world see what this house has done to me. My hair fell messily over my shoulder. I picked up a brush, and, as usual, I was about to tie it up when I remembered that the other women would have styled their hair into stiff buns because this was what was required of them today. So, I won't! I dropped
Thirty hours... it has been thirty hours since I last had a bite. The hunger was burning in my stomach, but what was worse was the thirst. My tongue felt like sandpaper, and my head pounded as if someone were hammering it from the inside. At one point, when I couldn't hold it anymore, I went to the bathroom and took a few sips to keep my baby alive. Marco knows the condition of my baby. He knows that I need not only meals but also the medicines for my baby to live, and he is still doing this. I don't have any purpose to live anymore. With Nikolai gone, I would have gladly given my life too, but in all this, my baby is suffering. It has nothing to do with betrayal, power, or position. I have spent the entire day lying lifeless on the bed, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers. Tears dribbled down the sides of my eyes, dampening the pillow. The only sound that could be heard in the room was the soft ticking of the antique clock on the wall. My stomach groaned again, but I d