Sophia’s POVDon Pedro's Villa:I threw the glass across the room, where it shattered against the wall. My chest rose and fell in the glare I wielded at the splintered slivers glistening on the marble floor. The pricey wine ran down the wallpaper, the stains like blood.This was not how this was supposed to go.My fists balled up as rage ignited within me. Diego ought to have been dead by now. Dominic was meant to be mine. Instead, it all had fallen apart. Diego was living and breathing and Dominic was running through my fingers like sand.The air was too thick while I stomped around the room, heels tapping angrily after each step. The servants hurried off, heads lowered, afraid to look me in the eye. Let them be afraid. They should be. I wasn’t in the mood to put up with weakness.I swung open the heavy wooden doors and strutted down the long hall toward my father’s office. The guards on either side of the door snapped upright as I neared. I pushed the door open and marched inside wi
Sophia's POVThe reflection in the mirror wasn’t just mine anymore. I looked like hell. I was tired, with dark circles under my eyes. I hated that I lost to Alessia.Even my own father called me useless. I wished I could rip her throat out.I screamed, letting the anger out. “Bitch!!!”“I hate you. I fucking hate you!” I yelled again.“He's mine, you hear me! Mine!” I shouted. “You will not be able to have him if I cannot.”I was huffing like a savage animal and panting. “You maggot, let’s see how far you can go.”I wanted her to die so badly with her little demons.I picked up my phone, dialed the number in my head and tapped my legs impatiently as it rang.The man answered on the fourth ring.“Flynn,” I said, voice low, sultry. “Still guarding Dominic’s precious empire like a good little dog?”He was silent for a second. Then, “What do you want, Sophia?”“Is that how to talk to your girlfriend?”He scoffed. “Girlfriend? Seriously? You have been using me like a slave and sleeping wi
Dominic's POVI had never known such fragile peace. From where I sat, I watched Alessia and the kids play on the terrace.Their laughter warmed my heart, and I felt myself wanting to join them.I clutched the bottled water and opened the cork. The water and calmness was blissful.Alessia turned and caught my eye. With a gentle smile, she said, “I thought you were working.”I replied evenly, “I was, until now.”She cocked her head and teased, “Trying to sweet talk your way out of your paperwork again?”I rose and crossed the patio slowly. “Maybe. Or perhaps I wanted to give you something.”She didn't understand and raised her eyebrow to show it.I smiled and got closer to her. “It's my treat for beating Sophia up,” I joked. She laughed and I reached into my back pocket and produced her old phone.“Is that my phone?” She asked, inspecting it, and I nodded.“I figured it was foolish of me not to trust you after everything,” I said.She chuckled and held the phone. “Are you sure? I could
Dominic's POVThe flames roared loudly, and I slowly dropped my hands from my face.I started to breathe again and looked around angrily. Someone wanted me dead, and they wanted me scared.My phone vibrated in my pocket.I pulled it out and checked the Caller ID. It was the warehouse's second line. They never used that except for emergencies.That wasn’t good.I answered. “Yeah?”“Boss. It’s Yuri,” came the heavy Russian accent. “You need to come. Now.”I blinked hard. “Why?”There was silence for a while, and then he spoke again. “Someone sent a virus to our system, and we kind of have an issue.”“Spit it out, already,” I groaned.“The men we left behind are dead. Someone got in, and we can't find them,” Yuri said.My hand clenched the phone so tight I heard it creak. “How long ago?”Yuri answered. “Half an hour. We just found out.”Only members of my Mafia group who were also made bodyguards knew all the warehouse locations and extra shipment houses in case of emergency. Since Matte
Dominic's POVCarlos stepped into the light smiling. “Hello, bastard.”“Who told you?” I asked, standing from my hiding spot.“Bold of you to come out like that. What makes you think I won't shoot you?” Carlos asked.He was always too dramatic for me.“If you wanted to, you would have shot the second I raised my head. Now, answer. Who sent you?” I asked.“Who else? You really had to push that one person, didn't you? Well, if it makes you feel better. I rejected her offer. I like to work alone. It gives me the thrills,” Carlos replied and took out his gun.I didn't flinch and waited as he pointed the gun to my head. My men aimed at him, and I signaled for them not to risk it.I was out of ammo and my men have less chances of survival.“What do you want?” I asked.“To kill you, what else?” Carlos asked and laughed. His face immediately returned to being angry. “You have been pissing me off for a long time, and I have had enough of your shit!”“You mean you got too tired of being a loser
Flynn's POVI was with Dominic a few minutes ago when he disappeared in a hurry.I glanced at my wrist watch, and I let out a sigh. On any other regular day, it would be time for the children to head off to school, but their family was not regular.I stayed in the car, waiting but then gave up because I realized that I had to do the move on my own.The cold morning smacked me in the face as I stepped out of the car, my fingers involuntarily fluttering on the steering wheel before I slammed the door shut with a jerk.I looked up at the sky. It was lovely and it annoyed me in some way.I looked into the rearview mirror. The seats were empty for now, but within ten minutes, they would not be.My phone buzzed. I picked it up and wished I hadn't. Sophia had sent a message."Don't be a fool. Or by God, I will destroy everything you have ever laid your hands on."I realized that she was manipulating me. "Narcissistic bitch," I cursed.I clenched my teeth, stuffed the phone into the lining of
Alessia's POVThe sun had already sunk behind the hills, leaving the sky a strange mix of gray and violet. The house was too quiet. Not just the peaceful kind of quiet but the heavy kind that sits in your chest like a warning.I checked the clock again. It was 6:47 PM.The twins were supposed to be back by 2:30. Flynn had taken them to school. This was new. Flynn should have called or texted if they were going to be late.The maid appeared and I ran to her. “Is Flynn back?” I asked.“No, Ma’am,” she answered.“Do you have his number? He's with my babies and I'm worried,” I complained.“Uhm, the house phone line has all the guards' numbers on it,” she replied.I didn't hesitate and ran to get the house phone. I called Flynn for the third time and it went straight to voicemail.“Come on, Flynn,” I muttered, pacing near the grand staircase. “Don’t do this to me.”I called again, but still got nothing.I called the school with my phone, and when I was told My kids hadn't made it to school
Matteo’s POVNothing felt worse at the moment than the piercing ache in my rib. It grew as I regained consciousness.“Ugh,” the words escaped my lips as I turned to face the sky. My eyes darted around the environment. I was in the woods. I looked down at my body and saw blood stains on my suit.My hands began to unbutton my suit jacket, and I felt like I had been stabbed a couple of times.“Shit,” I groaned as I looked down at the blood on my side.My memory rolled back to the past hours when I had been driving. I had crawled out of the car after the accident and ended up here.I bit my lower lip as I rolled to my other side and almost screamed. I let out small preparation breaths as I pulled out the piece of glass on my right rib side.I coughed after getting it out and started to move my legs.They were weak but not broken. I looked around again and finally noticed the old, wooden cottage ahead.Maybe, someone could help me if I got to them. I slowly forced myself, grunting as my fe
Alessia’s POVI breathed in the cool air, wishing every day could be as peaceful as this. The second we stepped into the mansion, I knew peace was a lie.After the SUV drove for what felt like ages, the huge gate appeared. After the gates, it took two minutes before the mansion appeared.I wasn't sure this was the main house, but it looked magnificent and much larger and wider than the last one.We got out of the car, and then I walked into the house. The second she saw me, Ella ran towards me and crushed me in a tight hug.“Thank goodness, you're alright. I was so scared I wouldn't see you again.”I smiled for her. The twins clung to my legs. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be here.A few hours later, while in my room. I heard the sound of cars coming into the compound. I closed the book I was reading and walked down to the living room.The first person I saw was Dominic. He stood across the room, and his eyes met mine as he looked up. He turned away just half a second later.I didn't u
Dominic's POV:“What did you just say?” I asked, surprised.My hands froze, and I didn't feel the blood move in them anymore.“You heard me. If you kill me. Someone's gonna tell her the truth,” she said.“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked calmly, despite the anger and confusion I felt inside.Her lips curled up into a smile. “Bingo. I got you. You didn't think I would just let you win, did you?”“I know you, Dominic. It's not easy to tell you would try to get out of this…” she said, looking around. “Marriage.”“What is she talking about?” Diego asked, crossing his arms.Sophia looked me in the eyes and smiled. “Should I tell them, or are you going to do it?” She asked calmly.“For the love of God, just push the trigger already,” Max said.“He can't,” Sophia said. “Or he’s going to lose her. He knows.”The ugly smirk that appeared on her face made my skin crawl.“She's bluffing,” Matteo said.“Am I?” Sophia said, turning to look at Matteo. “You should know I don't ever do t
Dominic's POVThe chapel was silent. You could hear the heartbeat of everyone present as the cold metal rested on my fingers.Sophia's eyes locked onto mine, her neck throbbed and she swallowed. Her voice shook as she spoke, but she tried to stay strong. “Y….you wouldn't shoot me.”I smirked, cocking the gun and stepping closer, closing the space between us. “Really? Would you like to test that theory?”Her throat danced as she gulped, and fear crossed appeared on her face. She had every reason to be scared.“D…don't do it, Dominic,” she begged, her words slipping out faster than I expected. “I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just…I did it because I loved you. I was….I was jealous.”“Bravo, honey. That's the biggest excuse I have heard from you today,” I thought.A bitter laugh escaped my lips. She dared to even try. She held my kids up and locked the woman I loved.“Jealous? Do you really think that excuses this?” I asked angrily.“Dominic, don't!” Don Pedro shouted. My eyes moved a
Dominic’s POVThe hush inside the chapel cut through me like ice. Brass chandeliers hovered overhead, but I ignored the light. I stayed fixed on Sophia’s face, watching her play queen.“Dearly beloved,” the priest began, voice echoing, “we are gathered here to witness—”Every other thing the priest says was rubbish to my ears.Her lips curved into a predator’s smile as she leaned close. “Say ‘I do’ or your family dies,” she whispered, breathing warm against my ear.She still thought she could tell me what to do.I held perfectly still. I enjoyed the confusion and shock on her face.The priest cleared his throat. “Do you Mr. Dominic Rossi, take this woman, Miss. Sophia De Luca to be your legally wedded wife?”Sophia’s eyes flicked toward the guests. She gripped my hand so tight my bones ached. “Now,” she mouthed. Her tone stayed sweet for everyone else.I raised my head. The room tilted under the weight of every gaze, but my lips did not move.A soft murmur rose among the crowd. Don Pe
Matteo’s POV“Down,” I hissed, yanking Diego behind a crumbling concrete post as the two guards at the gate made a slow patrol turn. Max’s voice clicked through the comms.“Visuals confirm. Two down, four more outside. East perimeter clear.”I tapped twice against my throat mic. “Team Alpha, hold the exit. Team Bravo, you're with me.”We moved low and fast, our feet barely brushing the mossy ground. The bunker loomed in the distance like a buried beast, hidden beneath layers of overgrowth and silence.We reached the entrance Flynn marked on the map. It was an old drainage tunnel half-covered in vines and thick mud.“This feels like a terrible idea,” Max started to complain. “I should have sprayed more perfume. Looks like I’ll get a stronger one.”“Flynn better not be lying,” Diego muttered.“He’s not,” I replied, crouching to lift the grate. “His bones are too fragile for the punishment I'd deliver if he did.”“You people never seem to make me forget my wrong life decisions,” Max comp
Matteo’s POVThree hours ago…“We breach in twenty-four minutes. No delays,” I said, in a calm, steady low voice that sliced through the dim hum of the underground ops room. Everyone was dressed in black suits and was packing up some battle gear.I stood over the table where the maps, marked-up floor plans, thermal images, and a cluster of weapons lay sprawled like a puzzle waiting to be solved. My finger traced the red mark on the east side of the bunker’s outer wall. That would be our entry.Max was hunched next to me, his fingers flying across a tablet as he synced feeds from the drone. Rico checked ammo clips, slamming each one into the side pocket of his vest with mechanical precision. Dino ran a silent countdown under his breath as he timed the window between patrol rotations. Diego sat near the end of the table, soldering the final wire on a miniature drone, calibrating it to fly low and undetected.But the real piece of work sat in the corner. Flynn. He was bruised, looked pal
Sophia’s POVToday was the day I got married. It felt perfect. The Rossi estate would bow to me.I stepped onto the marble landing, and every servant halted.I made sure everything had been arranged the night before.I stood in front of the large mirror admiring the silver wedding gown I wore and moved even when the maids were holding some parts with pins.She pulled the corset tighter. The door opened and another maid walked in. I could hear the orchestra rehearsing their notes downstairs.I was done in a couple of minutes and descended down the staircase with the maids lifting the hem of my dress.I stopped halfway and turned back to them with a glare. “Make sure the aisle is spotless. I will not have a single petal out of place.”I turned to continue walking down the stairs when I saw a decorator rushing in the hall and knocked over a glass vase in his panic. He apologized to the maid on the floor.“Are you blind or just desperate to be fired?” I snapped.He quickly apologized, sta
Matteo’s POVThe rain had not stopped for hours.“We found him,” Ella said, breathless, as she burst into the surveillance van.Her voice cut through the silence like a blade. I turned from the monitors, where a flickering street camera had just caught Flynn slipping into a dark alley three miles from Dominic’s estate.“That's odd,” I murmured and pressed the earpiece. “What would he want back here?”“Maybe some evidence, paperwork or something,” Ella responded.She might be right, and I accepted her explanation without hesitation. “Let’s go, everyone. Now.”Max was already at the door, checking his Glock with total focus. Diego slammed the laptop shut and shoved it into his bag. Ella moved beside me without waiting for orders. Flynn had resurfaced, and he was headed straight into our den.I drew out my gun but lowered it and kept my eyes forward.We circled the side of the house until we reached a third-floor window. It was Dominic’s private study. No light seeped through the curtain
Dominic's POVThe second Domino's voice came, I relaxed. I had expected him to be here but not this soon.He stepped forward, but still a bit farther from me and ordered. “Drop the gun, Dominic. Now.”His voice was calm. I didn't move. I kept my gun aimed at Sophia.Her lips twisted into a sickening grin, like she had won. She proved that she was mad like I thought.My eyes were locked on Domino, studying him, but I still made sure Sophia knew she couldn't move. I had my eyes on both of them.I heard footsteps hurrying up the stairs, and then five more men walked into the room, each armed, and aiming a gun straight at me.I didn't move an inch. They didn't scare me.I could hear Sophia breathing heavily below me. She was still naked and didn't make an attempt to cover up.“Cover up,” I said, trying to protect whatever dignity she has left.“Why? Don't you…” she argued, but I wasn't having it.“I get you want the entire planet to see you naked, but it makes me want to puke,” I said, st