MasukChapter 22 ~Adriano pov ~ My car sped down the road like a streak of lightning, the engine roaring beneath my grip. In the rearview mirror, I could see my men following closely behind. The phone rang, and I connected it to the car’s Bluetooth. “Boss, we got the location,” one of my men said. “Good,” I replied curtly, pressing harder on the accelerator. The city blurred past in streaks of gray and gold as my mind burned with fury. Minutes later, I reached a deserted road. My eyes swept the area sharp, alert. There it was an abandoned building sitting at the edge of nowhere. I stopped at an isolated corner and stepped out, the cold air brushing my skin. My men followed quietly, awaiting orders. Cyrus must think he’s clever, I thought grimly, scanning the structure. He probably has men stationed all around. But even with an army, they’re not enough to stand against mine. I gave a single nod my men understood instantly. I never needed words with them. They moved like shadows
Chapter 21 ~ Adriano’s POV~ I sat in a private meeting room surrounded by men all eager to join my empire. They talked too much, each one trying to impress me, but their voices faded into background noise. My mind wasn’t in the room. It was still stuck on the kiss I had with Elena. Her lips felt so damn right against mine that I nearly lost it savoring those lips. I didn’t even know what came over me. I was never a man to lose control or let emotions get in the way, but whenever I was close to her, it always seemed that way. I was certainly no man who does love, the word alone sounded foreign to me. Maybe I was just woman deprived, that’s all. This marriage was only an agreement and nothing more. It stays that way. “Don, what do you think?” one of the men asked. Taking a sip from my glass, I was about to answer when a knock came on the door. Ethan, the bodyguard I assigned to watch over Elena, stepped in, breath quick, face drawn."Sorry for intruding, Don,” he said, bowin
Chapter 20 ~ Elena’s POV ~ “Adriano.” We both turned toward the voice. Standing there was Adriano’s grandfather tall, stern, flanked by two guards behind him. His presence alone seemed to still the air around us. He walked closer, each step heavy with authority. I tried to move slightly from Adriano’s hold, but his arm only tightened around my waist. His jaw clenched as his grandfather’s gaze shifted between us. “You must be Elena,” the old man said, his tone soft but commanding. “It’s nice to meet you, sir,” I replied politely, bowing my head slightly. “Dear, call me Granddad,” he said with a warm smile. “You’re my granddaughter-in-law now.” I smiled awkwardly. Adriano’s expression, however, hardened his eyes turning cold. Why does he look angry? “What do you want, old man?” Adriano’s voice sliced through the air. His grandfather arched a brow. “Can’t I speak to my granddaughter-in-law?” Adriano rolled his eyes, jaw clenching. “You’re quite the beauty,” the o
Chapter 19 ~Elena’s POV~ I stood beside Adriano, his hand firm around my waist as people lined up to congratulate him on becoming the new Don. His expression was unreadable ,calm, confident, detached the perfect image of a man in control. I, on the other hand, forced a polite smile that was beginning to ache. My cheeks hurt, my legs burned in my heels, and every second felt like an eternity. The hall smelled of champagne, smoke, and expensive perfume the scent of people pretending to care. Can this night just end already? Just when I thought I could breathe, I spotted my father and stepmother walking toward us Marcus, my half-brother, trailing behind them. My stomach dropped. “What are they doing here?” I muttered under my breath. “Congratulations, Mr. Romano,” my father said, extending a hand toward Adriano. He took it, his expression polite but distant. Marcus followed suit. My stepmother gave a smile so sugary it made my stomach churn. “Elena, dear,” she said sweetl
Chapter 18 ~Elena’s POV~ We walked into the grand hall, Adriano’s hand firm on my waist his touch both protective and possessive. He guided me to a table before we sat down. Even sitting, he exuded power, his aura commanding silent respect. The low hum of chatter, the clinking of glasses, and the scent of whiskey mixed with expensive perfume filled the air. Men in dark suits, women dripping in jewels, laughter that sounded more like mockery . Everything screamed power and sin. The air heavy with smoke and arrogance. The orchestra played soft classical notes, almost drowned out by the hum of expensive conversations. I shifted uneasily. The room felt suffocating, filled with people whose hands had surely been stained with blood. I don’t belong here, I thought, clutching my purse tightly. “Stay here, Don't move” Adriano murmured, leaning close enough that his breath brushed my ear. “I'll be back.” Before I could respond, he was already gone swallowed by the crowd of dangerous me
Chapter 17 ~ Adriano’s POV ~ I leaned against my black Lamborghini Aventador, phone pressed to my ear while discussing business with my PA. The night breeze brushed against my face, but my focus wasn’t on the conversation anymore. Wondering what was taking her so long. My gaze drifted toward the mansion entrance and then I saw her. At first, I glanced away, then my eyes darted back with the speed of lightening before I could stop myself. She descended the marble staircase with slow, graceful steps, the red gown clinging to her body in all the right places. Her dark hair shimmered under the light, and each sway of her hips sent a strange heat crawling up my chest. What the hell… I muttered inwardly, lowering the phone slightly. My throat tightened. She looked like something out of a dream no, a temptation sent to test my control. “Fuck,” I whispered under my breath, barely audible. My heart skipped a beat something it hadn’t done in years. For a man like me, emotions wer







