LOGINOtensia blinked her eyes open and tried to sit upright. Before she could, Vito’s strong, firm hands gripped her and forced her back down. A small groan escaped her lips as pain shot through her legs, burning beneath her feet. Her toes curled on instinct, but even that small movement made it worse. She sucked in a breath, her chest rising fast, and her eyes squeezing shut. She swallowed and went still, realizing her body would not obey her yet. Vito’s hands holding her did not move, keeping her from hurting herself further.“I warned you, doll. Don’t take alcohol. Your head can’t carry it.” Vito said, his hands still resting on hers. She kept her eyes away from him angrily.The sound of his voice only made the pressure in her chest worse. Her mind drifted back to last night. The laughter from Saskia and Vito, Saskia leaning too close to him, and Vito’s hand at her waist.Otensia’s fingers curled slowly, as heat spread through her chest. She pulled her hands free at last, turning her f
Who wouldn’t know Saskia Venturi? Ortensia certainly did… which woman wouldn’t? Saskia was a fashion icon of Europe, the creative force and owner behind Venturi Casa. Every woman admired her, every magazine, every social event, and every runway whispered Saskia Venturi's name.Makeup, couture, perfume... if it existed, Saskia had her touch on it. She was the kind of woman who seemed untouchable, glamorous, impossible to ignore. Her influence stretched across countries, and her power wasn’t just in wealth... it was in her presence, her ideas, her unstoppable vision.Saskia wasn’t just a name. She was a phenomenon that women aspired to emulate and men could only notice in awe.A millionaire, a very big name, yet Ortensia’s eyes were fixed on Saskia as she looked at Vito. There was a softness in her gaze, a lingering warmth that spoke of history, of unspoken feelings that hadn’t faded.The way she held his eyes… it was clear she still cared, maybe even loved, though life had pulled them
Ortensia was already crying inside, she squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting to see what was happening... three men against Vito. Then, the car door swung open and she screamed, “Please! Please don’t take me!”“Doll… it’s okay. It’s me,” Vito said softly, his voice grounding her like an anchor in a storm. She lifted her tear-streaked face, and he gently wiped her cheeks with his thumb. “Hey, it’s okay,” he whispered, steady and calm, though his eyes still burned with violence.Her hands trembled as she clutched his. “You killed them?” she asked, her voice breaking.“It was either them or us,” he replied quietly, holstering his gun. He didn’t want to tell her the truth that those men were after her. She didn’t need that fear sitting in her chest. He turned toward the bodies, snapping quick pictures with his phone before shoving it back into his pocket. When they got to the party, he’d have Enzo dig into who those bastards worked for. No one touched what was his and lived to tell it.H
VITO Today was the day we were leaving for the yacht party Valentino had invited us to. Four days ago, Enzo had come back with his report, saying Valentino was too clean. The kind of clean that made my gut twist. Nobody in power ever came out spotless, there was always dirt, always blood somewhere under the nails.The morning felt too calm, Ortensia excitement buzzing like static. Meanwhile, I couldn’t shake the unease crawling beneath my skin. Something about Valentino didn’t sit right with me.Enzo had said, “Boss, there’s nothing... no debts, no bribes, no shady deals. The man’s record is perfect.” In this world, perfection was the biggest lie of all. I’d seen men hide their sins, I’d seen angels with knives under their wings."You’re going to make us late, doll!" I called from downstairs, impatience rough in my tone as I checked my watch."I'm done!" she shouted back, her voice echoing before she appeared at the top of the stairs. Her hair slightly messy, a sheen of sweat on her
VITO It had been a week since the gala, and I could finally breathe. Ortensia’s unease that night had stayed with me longer than I expected. Most girls would have flourished under attention, flashing smiles at cameras, hanging on a wealthy man’s every word.But not Ortensi, she had that resistance. She didn’t fake comfort or excitement. And I couldn’t stop wanting to protect her from the world, She was real and it made me want her even more.Ortensia stepped inside the living room, dragging exhaustion in her every movement.“Hey,” she said softly, sinking into the sofa like the world had just pulled her under. She looked tired in a way that made me want to wrap her in my control.“How’s Rico doing?” I asked casually, but she froze, her eyes narrowing in that way that made my pulse spike.“You put him in that situation… tortured him close to death,” she said.I hissed, low and dangerous. She was daring me. “Don’t push me, doll,” I warned, letting the edge in my voice curl around her.
ORTENSIA A well-dressed host stepped onto the stage, commanding attention with an effortless charm. We sank back into our seats, the weight of the earlier interview and Vito’s public announcement lingering in my chest.My mind still raced, and my heart still pounding, as I tried to focus. The host began speaking passionately about the Women of Milan Empowerment Fund, detailing their initiatives to uplift female entrepreneurs and creatives across the city. When he finished, the audience erupted in polite applause, and a famous Italian soprano, Giovanna Bellini, rose, her voice soaring beautifully, filling the hall with pure, emotive resonance that left everyone captivated.My hand rested lightly on Vito’s, seeking comfort, and he didn’t move it away neither did he pull back. These days, just his presence made me feel safer.When Giovanna Bellini finished her performance, applause filled the room, loud and sustained, fading slowly into a soft murmur as the first courses were served. T







