Dominic’s POV“Alessia,” I called, but she couldn't hear me. “Alessia!”This time she moved, looking at me.“Are you okay?” I asked, looking suspiciously at her.She looked scared.Had I been too harsh on her?“Y…yeah. I'm fine. I was just thinking of what to say to them,” she replied.I nodded, watching her dial the number and talk on the phone.My heart melted and I had to stop myself from smiling every time she spoke to the twins.“What kind of crazy boss keeps you at work for days?” her friend spoke through the receiver.“It's not his fault,” Alessia answered.I listened to the twins tell her they missed her and I glanced at my watch. Three minutes passed and she was still on the phone, but I could sacrifice more.She looked beautiful when she smiled and I started to feel bad for holding her here.She turned to me, and followed my gaze on the watch then said her goodbyes.“You'll see me soon, baby. Mama loves you,” she said, with kissing sounds and I had to stop myself from smilin
Dominic's POV:“What the hell did you do?” My voice thundered.The other women stopped laughing and they swallowed.“What do you mean darling?” She asked calmly.“Don't act dumb. I hate it,” I warned.“Darling, you're embarrassing me. My friends are here,” she cooed.I looked at them, and my anger rose to the top. “Get out! All of you.”They stood up, dropping the glass on the table and rushing out of the room.She watched them go and looked at me with a frown. “What the hell is wrong with you?” She asked, almost yelling.“Who gave you the right to put her up in the bounty list?” I asked, walking towards her.She looked around, trying to remember, then her face brightened. “Aaah! Alessia isn't it?”I stopped in front of her, withholding every urge in my body not to hit her. I never hit women.“I thought I should do us both a favour and have her out of the picture,” she continued.“Why?” I asked.“Because I won't have another woman to have my fiancé's children and stay around him!” She
Dominic POV:I drove quickly ignoring the traffic lights and stepped on the brakes. The speedometer climbed higher. I had to get to Alessia before Sophia's man did.She was a stubborn woman and if she knew I had her, then she also knew where I had kept her.I chuckled slightly at the thought of racing crazily on the road, because of a woman.Sophia! You crazy woman!I stepped on the gas again, and zoomed past the bus stop. Soon, I noticed red and blue lights twirling on the road behind me.Glancing at my rearview mirror, I saw the police patrol van.“Shit! How could I forget about that?” I murmured and continued driving. They were on my tail.The best I could do was not to turn this into a wild goose chase. And I was the idiot that drove more than the speed limit.I kept my foot on the gas pushing the speed further outrunning them, but I soon slowed down.Getting noticed on the news wasn't something I wanted for myself.I sighed, and loosened my grip on the wheel. And slowly took my f
Dominic’s Pov It wasn't hard before the chief agreed. He smiled and shook my hand. “Pleasure doing business with you,” he said. “Same chief. Same,” I replied, dropping his hand. “Then, I'll take my leave,” I said, and adjusted my shirt. The chief nodded, and I opened the door. I walked out, smirking as I glanced at the officers that had brought me here. James, the blonde officer looked surprised, and had his mouth wide open in shock. I made a small wave and walked out of the station. My hands drove down into my pocket and pulled my phone out. I rang Matteo's number and counted silently until he picked. “Yes, boss,” he said. “Has the bastard spoken?” I asked. “No. He's unconscious and I doubt he'll be waking up anytime soon,” he replied. “Huh?” I asked. “He must have slipped a pill in. It's obvious who sent him,” Matteo answered. “Make sure the bodyguards stay with Alessia. If a single hair on her head goes missing, they are going to answer to me,” I warned.
Sophia's POV:“You jerk!” I screamed, grabbing the first thing close to me. I threw the crystal vase to the wall and it smashed into pieces flying into every direction with the dirt in it.“How dare you?” I continued, not satisfied. I needed more to quench my anger and I stormed to the table, breathing harshly and swept everything off it in one hard shove. The tea cup and wine bottle fell to the floor shattering into little pieces.I walked over to the table stand by the side of the room, and picked the lamp smashing to the floor.“No one insults me in front of my friends!” I yelled, and ripped the curtains off the wall. The fabric tore, breaking my newly done nails.I hissed, as the pain hit me. I had the worst type of anger. It kept moving until I acted.Dominic! You son of a bitch!If he thought he could play me and humiliate me as he wished, then he was joking. I would never stand for it.Slamming my fists on the table, I panted. “Screw you! Screw your whore! I'm not letting you o
Sophia's POV:“Elena!” I yelled, but no one answered.“Jasmine!” Continued. “Or whatever you guys are..”I didn't know who was who, but I needed them now.Where the hell were they? Bloody maids. They knew nothing but to be idle. I slowly stood, and three maids rushed in, with their heads bowed.Their hands folded in front of them like obedient lambs. I was sick of staring at their pitiful sight. They made me sick.They were slow, useless and boring.“What the hell took you so long?” I asked.They kept quiet, and it only made my anger boil even more. I silently counted to ten and got calmer. I did another ten before I spoke. “Get me a phone.”They raised their gaze at the same time, and exchanged nervous, shifting uncomfortably.“Are you deaf?” I asked, watching them. “I need a phone. Get me one.”“Um, do you mean your phone, Miss or…?” One of the maids asked hesitantly.I rolled my eyes, wondering where their senses went? “Obviously not, you idiots. Mine's ruined,” I said, looking at
Sophia’s POVAlessia looked aghast, her mouth opened wide, her eyes brimming with astonishment. She stepped back slowly, her hands clenched by her side."Fiancée?" she whispered, surprised. Her voice was almost inaudible.I smiled smugly while turning my diamond ring on my finger, that low light made it shine. "Of course, darling. And I do not like indeed when girls like you come and nuzzle around my man."Her throat bobbed with emotion as she swallowed. "I…I didn't know.""Oh yes, you did," I answered and cocked my head at her. I took a step closer, frightening her. "Now, I really don't care how innocent you think you are. Girls like you?"I laughed, leaning close enough to see her flinch. "Y'all love to play the victim card. Act all weak and helpless while men fall at your feet. But I see through that little act."Her breath was shallow, but she held her silence. Wise girl. She knew how to read the room.I dragged my painted nails on the couch in frustration. My anger got the best o
POV:That hesitation was almost indiscernible from her. But almost. Then she stepped back, hypothetically folded her hands in her lap, and sat right in front of me, looking just like the woman who was trying to appear calm while the exact opposite was true.Lengthen the silence, and just look her in the eye. Wait.Just when she opened her mouth to speak, I spoke."How strange," I mused, and swirled the wine in my glass yet again. "Today I heard something interesting."She blinked, "Oh?"I nodded. "Someone was spotted- a certain someone- somewhere he/she shouldn't have been."I was not mentioning any names; there was no need.The fingers of Sophia were twitching against the table.Perfect. You're buying it."Someone?" she asked cautiously."Indeed." I took another sip and studied her closely. "Someone who ought not to have been anywhere near the city; someone who was to be...relocated."Her face suddenly drained of all color.I leaned, and zipped in. "But I guess he or she wasn't moved
Sophia's POVI felt him before I saw him. I raised my head to see him in the mirror. The hair on my skin tingled and danced as I felt my pulse ticked faster.“Hi, baby,” I greeted, secretly praying he didn't pull the trigger.“Baby?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.“I…” I started.“Shut it,” he cut me off before I could produce the best lie I had just created.“Where are they?” He asked.“Where is who?” I asked, faking ignorance.“Answer me one more time with a stupid question, and I'll make this quicker,” he replied.I knew he wasn't bluffing. He cocked the gun and moved his finger to the trigger.“Wait…for real. I don't understand what you're saying. I said, “Just relax and talk to me, please.” I could win the Best Actress award at the Oscars with my act. There was no way in hell I would lose this easily and let him find them. Not when I knew I still had leverage against him.Wasn't he supposed to be in Carlos's care? The idiot could never do anything, right? So much for teamwork. W
Sophia's POVI felt him before I saw him. I raised my head to see him in the mirror. The hair on my skin tingled and danced as I felt my pulse ticked faster.“Hi, baby,” I greeted, secretly praying he didn't pull the trigger.“Baby?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.“I…” I started.“Shut it,” he cut me off before I could produce the best lie I had just created.“Where are they?” He asked.“Where is who?” I asked, faking ignorance.“Answer me one more time with a stupid question, and I'll make this quicker,” he replied.I knew he wasn't bluffing. He cocked the gun and moved his finger to the trigger.“Wait…for real. I don't understand what you're saying. I said, “Just relax and talk to me, please.” I could win the Best Actress award at the Oscars with my act. There was no way in hell I would lose this easily and let him find them. Not when I knew I still had leverage against him.Wasn't he supposed to be in Carlos's care? The idiot could never do anything, right? So much for teamwork. W
Dominic’s POVI lay there on the concrete floor, staring blankly at the damaged ceiling with blood pooling at the corner of my mouth. The metal cuffs cutting into my skin caused my right wrist to throb, and my left eye was slightly inflamed and itching. My body lost heat to the chilly floor, yet I accepted the discomfort. It was fuel and proof I was still alive.I had only one motivation to get out of here, and that was my family.They’d tossed me in here like a corpse—no light, no air, just piss-stained walls and silence thick enough to choke on. I had counted the hours by the rat scratching behind the stone near the far corner. Five hundred and sixteen scratches. That’s how long it had been since I last saw the sun.I had been here for two days. I knew my kids and Alessia were in danger, and I owed it to them to get them out since I had put them in a mess.Footsteps echoed from the hallway.I didn’t move.The heavy door creaked open. Light spilled in, and I fought the instinct to
Diego’s POVI slammed the door behind us the second we returned to the estate, my boots echoing on the polished marble floor. Matteo had already poured himself a glass of wine like we hadn’t just walked out of a warzone disguised as a council meeting.“That voice…” I cornered him in the bar and grabbed a seat.The air conditioner did little to ease the heat on my face, but it wasn't as hot as the suspicion burning in my gut. I took the remote from the bar table and pressed a button. The air increased. “That voice back there—was that really him?”Matteo didn't blink. With a smug air, he sipped his wine, swirled it, and cocked his head in a smile. “Take a wild guess.”My mouth went dry. I stared at him, the puzzle pieces finally snapping into place like a gut punch. “Holy hell. You used AI.”He chuckled, low and unapologetically, like I’d just praised him for art theft. “About damn time you caught on.”“Good lord, did you see the shock on their faces?” I asked, and he nodded, then sippe
Matteo’s POVI stepped into the cellar room and felt every eye burn into my skin.I was invited to the Mafia meeting. It wasn’t unusual for me to arrive alone without Dominic. Actually, he sent me twice to attend the meetings for him when he was busy.Only this time, he had been captured and he was in the custody of one of the members in the room.Don Pedro sat at the head, his back rigid like iron, resting on the chair. His cold eye followed me.Carlos sat at his side, with his arms folded, and lips curled in contempt. I moved forward with steady steps, without a care.Ferdinand sat opposite Pedro and smoked his cigar.He raised a hand as I reached the table. His gentle authority followed and everyone kept calm.Don Pedro wasn’t cooperative. “Where’s your boss?” He asked.I smiled and said calmly. “Mr. Dominic traveled to handle some business issues.”Carlos injected his two cents. “Is that so? We weren't informed.”I watched his smile turn into a smirk and answered. “It was imprompt
Alessia's POVAs two men pulled me across the floor, my scream ripped from me like a ferocious beast.They didn't flinch when my legs kicked out and thrashed against their holds.When my heel struck his shin, one of them grunted, but he continued.“Quit it,” Sophia said.The other muttered something in Spanish, like a curse word. I didn't care and wanted to be free from them.I knew Ella and the others would be back with help, but I doubted that Sophia would be so foolish to remain in this place.My wrists burned as the rope held me tight.My throat felt dry from screaming, but I didn't stop. Someone had to hear me.“If your plan is for someone to hear you, then be rest assured no one can. We're in the middle of the forest, and no one ever travels around here,” Sophia said proudly.“You crazy, stupid bitch!” I screeched.“Let me go! Let me go!” I said, fighting the men and scratching them as hard as I could.They ignored me and dragged me inside. My nails scraped the walls as they sho
Ella's POVI woke up choking to the taste of blood in my mouth. My wrists and head ached. I was on the floor of some locked up room.My wrists were chained, and also my ankles.I forced myself to sit up and looked around me.Alessia, the maid and Max were tied up too. “Max?” I called softly.Then I turned to Alessia and whispered again. “Alessia.”They were still unconscious and I started to crawl towards them, but the chains pulled me back.They looked pale. It scared me and I felt they were almost dead. I started to swear as I watched their pale faces and lips."No," I rasped. "No, no, no."I tried crawling to them again, and the chains jerked around my wrists. A soft hiss left my lips as the pain touched me.I had no idea who that woman that had captured us was, but I knew she was trouble.Alessia had better tell me everything when she got up. I had been so worried about my best friend that I hired Max the second I found out he was also a private investigator.I was trembling with
Ella's POVI woke up choking to the taste of blood in my mouth. My wrists and head ached. I was on the floor of some locked up room.My wrists were chained, and also my ankles.I forced myself to sit up and looked around me.Alessia, the maid and Max were tied up too. “Max?” I called softly.Then I turned to Alessia and whispered again. “Alessia.”They were still unconscious and I started to crawl towards them, but the chains pulled me back.They looked pale. It scared me and I felt they were almost dead. I started to swear as I watched their pale faces and lips."No," I rasped. "No, no, no."I tried crawling to them again, and the chains jerked around my wrists. A soft hiss left my lips as the pain touched me.I had no idea who that woman that had captured us was, but I knew she was trouble.Alessia had better tell me everything when she got up. I had been so worried about my best friend that I hired Max the second I found out he was also a private investigator.I was trembling with
Lorenzo’s POVThe whole backseat shook as the car door slammed. I was scared, but had to act strong for Elena. Dad wouldn't be proud if he knew I acted more scared.He always said I was the man and I was going to act it. Elena whimpered beside me, her fingers tightened around the neck of her stuffed bunny on the end of her bag’s zip.I didn't cry and reached for her. She hugged me and sobbed. My fear was soon replaced with anger and I glared at the driver driving us into the thick trees. I hadn't seen a single person in sight from the back and I was waiting to scream if I saw one.I tried my best to memorize every twist and counted them like Dad had taught me some days ago after playing hide and seek.“Where are you taking us?” I asked, while I continued glaring at him.“Be quiet,” Flynn answered.“I said be quiet,” he said again, in a harsh voice.“You don't scare me Flynn,” I said.He stepped on the brakes and slowly turned to face me. Elena held me tightly.“How do you know my name