Mirabella's PovThe tension in the air is brewing hot as we avoid each other, the silence between us deafening. It's been days since our argument, and the distance between us feels like an insurmountable chasm.Another day passes and the silence still remains.I walk down the stairs and heโs there, at the foot of the stairs, his mouth positioned as though he wishes to speak to me.I donโt want to talk to him. I turn back around and run back into my room, locking the door behind me.Itโs become a routine for the both of us.Today heโs frustrated at me, and tomorrow, itโs me whoโs frustrated at him.Itโs a very unhealthy way to deal with our problems, but I cannot bear to stand and watch myself looked down upon by a man Iโve stood by and condoned for so long.Iโve had enough of this back and forth.Another day passes and itโs still the same.Another day passes and I grow more anxious of this unending silence. Matteo creeps around me. He watches me from the shadows, takes care of me with
Matteo's PovI sit patiently behind my desk, waiting for when my wife will decide to make the wise decision of beckoning my call.An hour sweeps by quicker than I expect, and when I am in the middle of putting away the documents I am working on, my officeโs door creaks open and Mirabella peeks her head through.A smile attempts to stretch at my lips when her eyes meet mine, but I bite down the inside of my cheek to hold it down.I get off my seat and round my desk, settling my ass on the edge of the center. โCome here,โ I flick two fingers at my wife, my tone commanding.She gives her eyes a roll. โYou donโt get to make demands, Matteo.โA humorless chuckle escapes from underneath my breath. โIf I have to ask again, dear wife, you wouldnโt appreciate how quickly this escalates.โMirabella is skeptical at first, but soon after, slow steps start moving her towards me. She heaves a breath and stops walking when sheโs at a close proximity with me.โCloser,โ I whisper.She takes two short,
Matteo's PovโNow, your punishment.โ As I say the words on a predatory tone, I slip the cuffs out of my pocket and secure it around my wifeโs wrists.She gasps a sharp breath, her brows pulling into a deep furrow.โMatteo, what are you doing?โ She asks, her tone bewildered. โWhy am I being punished?โI quirk a snarky smile, โyouโll know soon, wife.โMirabella looks up at me, fear dancing in her orbs. Good, she should be afraid.I grab her arm, pulling her into the room attached to my office. The one no one else is allowed to enter. I slam the door shut behind us, the sound echoing off the walls."You were never so bratty, Mirabella darling. You were always so obedient, always bowed your head to my every command, and now. . .what changed?" I demand, my eyes blazing with anger.Mirabella swallows hard, her eyes darting around the room. "I-I don't know what you're talking about, Matteo.""Don't play dumb, baby," I smile a corny smile, my fingers tucking away strands of her hair.Her eyes
Matteo's PovAs I hold her into me, soothing her into calmness, my wife seems to relax further with every passing second.โDid I go too far, baby?โ I ask, my mouth resting on the space behind her ear.โNo, no, not at all, Matteo.โ She exhales a staggered breath as she turns around to face me, her eyes holding mine. โIโm perfect.โโPurple looks good on your skin,โ I say on a whisper, leaning down to fuse my lips with hers. She gasps into my mouth and I expel a sigh of relaxation, my hands moving down to massage her ass.I pull her bottom lip between my teeth and give it a small bite. The act draws a moan from Mirabellaโs throat; a moan that sends excitement coursing through my bones.Slowly, I begin leaning down, dragging my tongue in slow glides along her neckline. My wifeโs hands come to rest on my shoulders fisting my shirt in a tight grip, her chest heaving with quickened breaths.I run my tongue over her cold, tightly perked nipple before closing my lips around the bud. She throws
Matteo's PovI wake up early with a feeling of an unexplainable joy, and when I feel my wifeโs warm body molded into mine, her face looking relaxed and at peace as she clings onto me in her sleep, that unexplainable feeling of joy expands more at my heart. I gently brush a strand of hair out of her face, and she stirs, smiling.That beautiful smile."Good morning," she whispers, her voice husky."Buongiorno, bella," I reply, my voice low and husky. I lean in, kissing her softly. She tastes like sleep and sweetness. And like me.I linger on her lips, feeling my heart swell with love. I glance at her belly, rounding out her nightgown. Our little one is growing, and I can't wait to meet them.โHow are you feeling this morning, Tesoro mio?โ I ask as I bury my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling a deep breath, my arms tightening around her.She hums lovingly, the palm of her hand coming to rest on top of the back of my palm. โI feel so good, Matteo. A little tired, a little sore, but
Matteo's PovWe spend a few more hours at the hospital, breezing in and out of one observation room to another. And in all the hours we spend at the hospital, all my wife does is talk my ears off about how upset she is with me for not disclosing the details of the surprise I have for her.I love the woman, but she can be infuriating and wearisome when she wants to be.After the checkup, I dismiss my men to head back to the estate, seeing how Iโd like to enjoy a more private time with my wife without those brooding men hovering over us like some spy birds.I open the passengerโs side for her to get in, bowing my head like her very own private chauffeur. Thatโs exactly what I am, putting in consideration how many rides Iโve taken her on.Get your mind out of the gutters, Matteo Denaro.When I get into the driverโs side, my mouth part for words, but Mirabella put her hand up, stopping me from speaking even before I get the chance. โIf whatever you intend to say has nothing to do with you
Matteo's PovA few days later.Blood has always been a constant factor in my life. From the earliest years of my life that I can remember, up until now, it has never been unknown to me.Shedding and spilling blood whenever I see fit has become a part of me, and I've learned to welcome it with open arms.And I donโt just welcome it unwillingly, I am so willing to do whatever it takes to spill as much blood as I can. Itโs an act which I enjoy so much so I donโt feel at ease when I havenโt indulged.My hands are bloody, my eyes tightly narrowed, bottom lip caught between my teeth as I stare at my wifeโs father in contemplation.The old man is on the floor, several parts of his body bleeding out, his throat eliciting pained and sorrowful whimpers, and his eyes rolling to the back of his headโan indication that heโs slowly drifting into the depths of darkness. Death.โFuck,โ I whisper frustratedly, my gaze shifting from the old man to Alessio who also has a regretful expression etched on hi
Mirabella's PovMonths later.I'm huddled in the kitchen with my husband, whispering and giggling like conspirators. We're planning a surprise party for our twins, Mariano and Mariana.A party to celebrate their sixth birthday.Itโs been months since my children turned six, but I was skeptical about throwing a party for them for several reasons.First, my son doesnโt exactly like being surrounded by lots of people. He in-fact only enjoys the company of his sister and I do not wish to trigger him by forcing him out of his natural habitat.Secondly, our worst enemy, my father, was roaming free and devising several means to harm my family. I didnโt want to have us all in one place where he could easily hurt us.Now, heโs dead; hence, weโre throwing an intimate party for the kids."Okay, so we've got the cake, the decorations, and the games," I say, ticking off each item on my list. "What about the guest list?"Matteo replies, "Just family and close friends. We want to keep it intimate."
Alejandroโs PovThis anxietyโIโve never felt anything like it before. My nerves are all over the place, my skin trembling. I kiss Mariana again for the millionth time in a handful of hours.She smiles at me. The smile is distant, almost like it doesnโt reach her eyes. I smile back and pull her closer, holding her as tight as I can, fearful that this might be the last chance I get at holding her this close to me.And no, this has nothing to do with her winning the fight or dying in that cage because as long as I breathe, Mariana will walk out of that cage alive and well.But Iโm afraid of the responsibilities that come with the position sheโll occupy. Iโm afraid that she might forget our love and become intoxicated with power.All of this might just happen in a few hours.โThe way youโre holding me, Alejandro, one might think Iโm about to die from a terminal disease.โShe says.Is she trying to make a joke? Does this seem like a joke to her?I open my mouth to speak but a knock on the
Marianaโs PovโI will fight in her place. . .โThe world around me goes completely silent the moment Alejandro blurts those words. When I planned to use him as my human shield in chaotic times like this, I didnโt expect to fall for him so ridiculously hard that Iโm unable to imagine him getting hurt for my sake.Love is a strange and terrifying thing. I never imagined feeling it this deeply, this intensely. Not for Alejandro. Not for a man who was supposed to be my shield, my weapon. And now, the very thought of him stepping into that cage for meโฆ itโs unbearable.The second reason?Itโs pride. Itโs survival. These men already think Iโm weak. They see me as nothing but a womanโRadimrโs wife and mother of his son. If Alejandro steps into that cage in my stead, I will be proving them right, I will become that which they think I am.Weak.Unworthy.And then, everything Iโve clawed my way toward will crumble before my eyes. I canโt let that happen. I wonโt let that happen. So, no. Aleja
Marianaโs PovOne word.Fuckers.No, letโs make it two words.Misogynistic fuckers.Theyโve kept me in here for hours, scrutinizing me, digging into my soul in their fruitless attempt at finding the truth of what truly happened to my husband.Alejandro too is seated here as a high ranking made man and a member of this family. Surprisingly, my father, mother and brother are here too. Not inside the parliament room, but theyโre right outside the door, waiting for when the chaos escalates so they can stand in for me.It warms my heart.โLetโs go through it again,โ one of the elders says, โwhat did you say happen to your husband? Tell us that story again, in detail.โโI. . .โ I open my mouth to speak but Alejandroโs thick, aggravated voice resounds, cutting me short. โI believe she has told that story more times than we all can count.โโYes, we know that,โ another elder says, his russian accent thick. โBut we need to hear it again.โโWhy?โ Alejandro asks, โwhy are you poking a woman wh
Alejandroโs PovDonโt sleep tonight.Iโve thought about those words in every way possible, imagined every possible scenario thatโll make Mariana ask me to stay awake tonight, and yet, Iโve found none.Or maybe I havenโt thought about it as deeply as I should.I wanted to hold her, to ask her more, but the presence of her husband made that impossible. And now, hours have ticked by, and Iโm still unable to get my answers.Waitโis tonight the night? Is her plan unfolding tonight?Truth is, I donโt even know what her plan is, but I strongly suspect it has everything to do with ending Radimr. So, if sheโs asked me to stay awake tonight, it might mean she needs me close.I pull open my roomโs door and step out into the hallway. The manor is too quiet. Everyone is asleep, and those who arenโt are standing guard outside of the house.My stomach twists with a warning that chaos is brewing tonight, but I push it aside and start walking. I make a turn towards the stairs and start moving up the s
Marianaโs PovTime flies when happiness fills your days.Itโs been two months since I gave birth to my Angel. Two months since my heart swelled with love so pure and overwhelming, I thought I might drown in it.I love my son.I love him for coming into my life and unraveling a part of me I never knew existed. For being my light in the darkness.But most of all, I love him for arriving exactly when I needed himโas though sent by the universe itself to give me a way out.Because today, after weeks of persuasion, my husband has finally done what Iโve been waiting for. He has presented my son to the elders of his family, naming him as his successor should anything happen to him.Itโs tradition, a ritual of power. To the outside world, itโs a declaration of legacy. To me, itโs the final piece of the puzzle.I know Angel is too young to be entangled in this messy, bloody business, but I had to secure his place in this world before setting my plans into motion.Plans that have been months in
Alejandroโs PovThis is the happiest Iโve ever been in my life. For the first time, it feels like I have a complete familyโno, I know I have a complete family.In the last three months, the universe has granted me a gift I never expected: uninterrupted time with the woman I love and the child she carries. Our son. Every morning, I wake up beside her, wrapped in the warmth of her presence. I feel my sonโs first kick as the sun rises, and his tiny, eager movements as the night falls. Iโve stayed awake with them, laughed with them, cried with them, fallen sick with them, and loved them. Iโve been a father and a lover in every way that matters.Why? Because Radimrโs travels somehow stretched from days into weeks, and weeks into months.โSomething else has come up, and Iโll need to stay another week. . .โ Thatโs been his excuse for three months.On the phone, Mariana plays the part of the concerned wife. She sighs and murmurs her disappointment, as though his absence truly pains her. But
Marianaโs PovWhen my eyes open, Iโm met with the most beautiful sight Iโve seen in days. Alejandro, sleeping peacefully, his lashes fluttering, arms still wrapped around me.Wow!How did we fall asleep?I lean in and smack a kiss on his lips, causing him to stir a bit, groaning, his arms tightening firmer around me. I kiss him again, this time longer.It doesnโt take seconds before his mouth parts, his lips fusing with mine. I moan just as a groan vibrates throughout his body.His eyes flutter open, just a tiny slit, the lazy gaze holding mine. Itโs like realization dawns on him and he retrieves his lips from mine in a swift motion. โMariana. . .โ He whispers groggily.โMake love to me,โ I declare.His brows pull into a furrow, lips formed into a pout. โI. . .โ He starts and I cut him off.โPlease,โ I hush, my lips ghosting over his.His resolve falters. And heโs staring at me with adoration as well as restraint.Then thereโs the feral desire burning in his eyes. In mine too. The ris
Marianaโs PovTime seems to slow down when things arenโt really going your way.Maybe I pushed too hard, too far the other night. Far enough that Alejandro has been completely ignoring me for days now. Far enough that Radimr has become ware of me, always staring at me with suspicious eyes. Far enough that the maids in this house seem to avoid me as often as they can.To simply put, Iโve been living an isolated life for the past seven days.Just me, and my heavy fucking stomach. Itโs dreadful just as much as it is comforting.Iโm pulled out of the daze when a towering figure stands in front of me and wraps his hand around me. โDonโt look so sad, Iโm just going to be away for just a few weeks, my love,โ Radimr whispers as he hugs me. I thin my lips into a smile. โIโll miss you.โHis smile is radiant when he replies, โIโll miss you too. Please donโt over work yourself. . .or get to upset while Iโm gone. I wouldnโt want anything to happen to my son.โ Stupid fucker.I scoff. โIโm a big g
Marianaโs PovโLook at that,โ Alejandro says, his voice low, the smirk on his lips sharp enough to cut. โHow easy it is to lure you out here and break your heart into a million pieces.โThe words land like a blow. He doesnโt even try to soften them. And I know exactly what he means. When he came into my room, kneeling by my bed, whispering the words I had been desperate to hear for months, he knew. He knew I was awake, knew Iโd hear every word and cling to the hope they offered.It wasnโt an accident. He said them to draw me here. To break me just as much as Iโve broken him.Petty bastard.But itโs not the cruelty of his intention that stings the mostโitโs how he chose to do it. By humiliating me in front of someone else. Bringing her into a room that should have been our sanctuary, our safe haven.My lips tremble as I force out the question. โWhat is that supposed to mean?โAlejandro steps forward, his movements slow and deliberate, his smirk twisting with mockery. โWhat are you doin