ADRIAN
The vibration of my phone snapped me back to reality. I didn’t need to check the screen to know who was calling.
“Mamma, di cosa si tratta, sono occupato?” I hissed into the phone, switching to speaker as I drove.
“Non è questo il modo di parlare a tua madre, Adrian,” she half-laughed, but I knew she didn’t mean it. I cut her off before she could start her usual lectures.
“Sto guidando,” I muttered, knowing she’d get the message.
“I hear you. Don’t forget the breakfast at home tomorrow.”
“I got it. Have enough rest.”
One would think the traditional family breakfasts we had weekly were for bonding but they were anything but.
Whatever warmth the family had once had died with my father. Now, those meals were strictly business.
Every week, we met to discuss:
Who owed us money and how to make them pay...
Who dared to become an enemy...
New profits.
Typical of a ruthless mafia family like mine.
Speeding through the streets, I decided to stop by one of my bars unannounced.
News had reached me that there was resistance brewing, someone was getting too close to our enemies and I intended to find the mole myself.
The moment my car pulled in, the backdoor outside was cleared. My men dragged everyone out of the main office and shut the doors.
My guards stood by, flanking the man I assumed ran this part of town.
I straightened my well-tailored suit, gave a curt nod, and walked to the office.
“Is the office cleared?” I asked coldly.
“Yes, sir.”
I took a seat on the couch as four women dressed like my usual whores stood before me.
“The blonde one,” I said, dismissing the rest.
I didn’t make love.
I fucked.
Hard.
And I never fucked the same woman twice. Kissing? Out of the question. It felt too intimate, too close. I didn’t need that.
After a quick release, I fixed myself, took a seat again, and prepared to get down to business.
I was a monster, and I knew it. I chose. I used. I destroyed. Then I killed.
“My visit’s unplanned,” I began, my voice icy even to my own ears. “I’ve got better things to do than sit here, so tell me, is everything running smoothly? No one going behind our back and all?”
“No one would dare to, sir. Everything’s going well,” Lorenzo answered.
A little too quickly but I didn’t call him out on it.
“Good,” I said simply as I stood to leave.
His eagerness was suspicious. But I had no doubt my surprise visit would rattle enough cages.
Someone was going to make a mistake and I’d be waiting.
…………
Sitting across from my mother was the last place I wanted to be, but I had no choice.
“Will you hate me forever?” she asked, her eyes holding that damn pleading glint I despised.
“I don’t know. Let’s check in twenty years,” I said, my tone colder than ice.
“Adrian-”
“I’m really busy. What’s the update?” I cut in, my jaw clenched tight. Just being here irritated me.
“I need you to collect information for me,” she said finally, dropping the act and getting to the point.
“Why the fuck would I waste my time chasing information you want?” I asked, lighting a cigarette.
“They know who killed your father. I haven’t got the names yet, but I will. Also, the Bianchi family wants to make a deal. They’re offering to join forces in exchange for shared territory. The information they have could give you the answers you’ve been searching for half your life.”
Her words hit like a sledgehammer.
What the actual fuck?
“I’m not joining hands with anyone you suggest!” I exploded, rage boiling over.
“Adrian-”
“Why are you so fucking sure they have what I want?” I shouted, my voice echoing through the dining room.
“You’re Capo dei Capi. That means you’ve always got a target on your back. Allies matter. I’ve been having meetings to help you! Dammit!”
My blood turned to fire.
“Listen well, because I won’t say it again,” I growled, venom in my tone. “I am your fucking King. If I don’t assign something, you don’t fucking do it. The next time you meet anyone behind my back, I’ll consider it a breach of Omertà and won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your head.”
One of her guards had clearly known and hadn’t told me.
Betrayal.
I never gave second warnings.
I stood, turned, cocked my gun, and fired straight into his heart.
He dropped dead.
My mother gasped.
“Adrian! Please-”
“The next bullet might land on someone precious,” I warned coldly. “Next time, not even a second should pass before I know everything. Consider this your reminder. I hope I’m loud enough.”
“Did you just threaten your mother?” she screamed.
Mother.
The word made me scoff.
Killing that bastard had shaken her.
Good.
Let her remember who I was.
She’d always cared more about money. When she had to choose, she picked wealth over my father and now she was playing house like nothing had happened.
That made me furious. She’d pulled the trigger that stole my father from me. I would make her regret every deal she ever made.
“Calling me your son is a privilege,” I said. “One you no longer have.”
With that, I walked out, leaving the house in chaos.
Someone killed my father and kept it hidden. I’d find out who and they’d pay. Then, I’d come back for her.
Whether she lived or died by my hand would depend on how deep her part was in the game.
Back at my desk, I tried to concentrate on documents, but my thoughts kept circling back to my mother, the Bianchis, and whatever the hell she’d promised them.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, shut my eyes for a moment and then the door burst open.
Only one person had the balls to do that.
Luca.
“You really have a death wish,” I muttered, opening one eye to find him grinning.
“You look like shit,” he laughed, dropping into the seat across from me.
Luca was my cousin, enforcer and second-in-command.
Loyal to the grave. We’d been inseparable since childhood. He was the kind of crazy bastard who could laugh through torture and I mean it literally.
“Get the fuck out, Luca,” I growled, not in the mood and already regretting having him told him about my shitty morning with mum.
How could I tell him I might have to kill my own mother?
He shook his head.
“No can do, boss. There’s an auction tonight. Let’s go. Buy some bitches, act casual. Every major player in the underworld will be there. We don’t have a lead yet, but this could get us close.”
“Not interested.”
“Marco Bianchi will be there,” he added, his eyes narrowing. “This is your best shot to figure out what he wants from your mother.”
That got my attention.
“Fine,” I said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it.
What the fuck did Marco Bianchi want?
And why the hell wasn’t he afraid?
I stood, ready to find out.
Hi huns,Thank you so much for giving my book a chance. I hope you find the two books and two couples to your liking. I promise I will do my very best and I will keep on improving so you can live nine lives with me on different adventures. Book three will continue under this book. I hope you'll like it as much as I do.With love.JK
Camilla ‘’I can’t believe I said yes and I’m wearing a wedding gown instead of being on a flight away from here.’’ I shake my head in disbelief and Ella laughs as she stares at my reflection with me. This has been the most crazy thing I've done and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm so happy and being here with my best friend makes it even more fulfilling. ‘’I guess the day we went out to try on the dress was a sign that the time was near.’’She jokes but quickly rushes to the bathroom. ‘’Ella are you okay?’’ I follow her and she turns to me with a thumbs up as the realization hits me. She is pregnant! ‘’I haven’t told him yet she confesses and I laugh. ‘’Your secret is safe with me.’’ I wink at her and we continue to prepare for my wedding. Who would have thought that the two of us would ever tie the not? I was just a maid, he was the prince of the underworld. I can’t help but feel nervous and wonder if I’m good enough for him. ‘’Was the Viktor issue handled?’’ I ask Ella
Camilla It’s been five days since the doctor said Luca would be fine. Three days ago he regained consciousness but I’ve been too afraid to approach him. I don’t know if he even wants to see me. His mother has been very supportive and hopeful that our love will blossom into something beautiful but I’m not so sure about that. We have never been on the same page and now I don’t even know how to face him. It's crazy how time flies and relationships change. But I can't help but wonder. What do you say to a man who took a bullet for you after you had said the most horrible things to him? ‘’Just go and see him before you regret it,’’ Ella says and I shake my head. I have been avoiding visiting him by any means necessary because the guilt wouldn't let me live after seeing him unconscious and knowing that my mouth led us here. If only had kept quiet and not said anything to provoke Viktor, maybe this would have turned out differently. Once again, it has been proven that we are meant to
CamillaEverything happens so fast that my mind can barely keep up with it. Tears roll down my face as I sock into Luca’s blood. His body starts to get cold and I scream so loud as the guilt grips me. The one time that I decide to finally stand up and not be tossed around, costs me so much. This should have been me. I should have been hit but he took the bullet for me. He did it even when I had said the most horrible things to him. I don’t know how everything happens but I hear guns blaring and shouting. Angry voices are in the air as someone pulls me from Luca. Everything is in slow motion and it feels like I’m not really present but experiencing this through someone else. ‘’Mr. Moretti said to protect you with our lives!.’’ The man shouts but I fight him. ‘’You should be calling an ambulance! Can’t you see he is on the brink of death?!’’ I scream but it seems I’ve been screaming so much without knowing and my voice is now barely audible. ‘’Take her to safety!’’ Adrian orders and
Adrian. Pride cannot begin to explain what I’m feeling as I watch Luca beat up the famous Dimitri like it's nothing. Blood splashes everywhere with each punch that he throws. He tries to throw a few punches, but Luca is too fast and too accurate. The boy is a machine and having made him my enforcer satisfies me to the very core because like always, I only got the best. I knew he had feelings for Camilla even before I had asked him to watch over her and my assumptions were proven right after that but I did not think he would push through with this despite my countless warnings.’’The brat has really fallen in love this time.’’ I chuckle as I pull out my phone which is vibrating. ‘’Are you just going to let that little spoilt brat start a war!’’ John shouts and I have to remove the phone from my earpiece to avoid them from bursting. ‘’That brat is the Enforcer and if he has done so much damage to a man like Dimitri, imagine what he will do to you?’’ I respond lazily. I don’t even k
Luca Anger seethes through me as I walk out of Camilla’s apartment. I don’t blame her but the least she could have done was trust me and join hands with me. I guess I’ve done so much to hurt her that she would rather hate me. Even though I know she didn’t mean anything she said, It hurts like hell. ‘’Send up security five times more intense,’’ I instruct Sean. I was too late and I found the son of a bitch gone, but that was the last time because everything ends now. The Russians may have power but I’m a fucking enforcer with Moretti blood in my veins. Power is defined by us and I’m about to show these men exactly what that means. My phone vibrates and I check the caller ID as I walk to the car. ‘’Yes, boss?’’ I respond, addressing Adrian as I expect him to gloat. "Viktor called.’’He says and I laugh dryly. ‘’Then I guess you got the memo. I was hoping to call you once I got his head on a silver platter.’’ I speak through the phone as I step on the reverse. ‘’I will handle Vikt