Alessia’s POV
I woke up to the sound of the alarm. “Ugh,” I groaned. “So much for getting paid.” If I was in the Olympics, I would be the fastest person to ever get ready. When I got to the dining room, the twins already had breakfast. Ella was a sweetheart and dished my plate. I sat down, eating my plate of waffles. I was almost done with my food when I glanced at my watch. “Oh lord,” I muttered and ate the last waffle. Kissing the kids goodbye, I ran out of the house and made a mental note to register them in a new school before next week. The moment I arrived at the company, I felt instant regret. I hated that the universe was so unkind to send Dominic back to me and, worse, as my boss. Why in God's name did he have to be that? I walked to my office, happy I didn't meet him, and my jaw nearly dropped when I looked at the transparent door, and there he was, sitting in his office reading a script. Whose bright idea was it to make the doors transparent? My throat itched as I stared at him. His side frame was a perfect art. As he loosened his tie, I gulped and then he turned, catching my gaze. His strong piercing gray eyes pulled my soul. I almost died of embarrassment when he smirked, and I looked away. He definitely knew which buttons to push. Idiot! I tried to concentrate at work, secretly stealing glances to see if he was still watching me as my cheek turned bright red. He smiled when I met his eyes and I wished there was some way I could make the door less transparent. I gave up, sighing and pretended to work on my computer. He must have given up, because when I looked up again, he was working on some papers. Then came the mails, I smiled finally had some work to do. They were easy at first and all I had to do was routine checks. For the rest of my work time, I made a list of items the twin would need for school and did some research, picking only the ten best schools close within the area. By the time I was done, it was past 6pm and I had to go home. I logged out of my computer, grabbed my purse and left the office. Dominic was still working on his computer. Perfect I took a deep breath, took out a candy from my purse and chewed before stepping into the elevator. The doors closed shut and surprisingly opened again. “What the...” I muttered and kept quiet when I noticed Dominic. Ugh, Lord give me strength. Why did he have to use this elevator? I gave my best fake smile and pretended he didn't exist. His cologne drifted towards me. I took a peek at his face once more. The elevator's door closed and I felt the air start to suffocate me. Alessia, what the hell are you doing? You're supposed to hate him. Look away. Now! “Are you done staring?” Dominic asked. Oh, crap! He caught me. He turned his gaze to me. “This is much better.” “I wasn't looking,” I defended. “Hmm, doesn't seem like it,” he answered. I looked away and began counting the numbers on the elevator top. “You're awfully quiet, today,” he said, turning to me. I looked at him confused wondering what he was thinking. “Huh?” The words escaped my mouth. “Oh, I am in a rush to go home, plus I have some work I have to finish when I get home.” “Do you always avoid confrontation, or is it just around me?” He asked. What the hell was he talking about about now? Has he gone mad? I turned to glare at him, and the elevator jolted, making me lose my balance. He caught me in time before I fell, holding my waist. I blinked, finding it hard to stop looking into his eyes. They were so bold. My heartbeat rose and I tried to catch my breath. “Uhh,” I muttered and gently got out of his grip. The elevator shook again and this time, I crashed into his chest. He held me tight, and I tried to wriggle free. “Um, thanks. You can let go now.” I moved, but he didn't budge. What was he doing? “Dominic,” I called softly. His hand lingered, holding my waist so I couldn't move. His fingers brushed against my hip as he leaned closer. His warm breath touched my face. I tried to move away, but it only brought me closer. “Let me go, Dominic. It's not funny,” I said, my voice trembling. “What are you scared of, Alessia?” He asked. “I'm not scared of anything. Now, take your stupid hands off me before I break them!” I shot back. “Oh, really. I'll like to see you try,” he replied calmly. I swallowed, looking away as I tried to free myself. How strong was he? I should have picked another elevator. Damn this man! Damn his stupid elevator! Damn his touch! Damn his...oh no. What's he doing? I felt his hand move downward, touching the side of my lap. His fingers traced my upper thighs and I quivered. This can't be happening! Scream, do something, goddamn it! Alessia, move your body now! “Dom...Dominic,” I stuttered, speechless. The elevator rumbled again, and I screamed. It shook violently and the lights began to flicker. He held me tight, keeping me still even when the lights went off. I started to panic, my breathing harsh. I hated being locked in tight spaces. He noticed and calmly moved his hand on my hair. “It's okay,” he said calmly. “I've got you.” I clutched my hands at his chest, trying to steady my breathing. His warm body soothed me. The elevator finally stopped shaking, and the light came on. None of us moved. I had gotten control of my breathing. I wouldn't want someone to see us like this. “You can let go now,” I said. He looked down at me, his lips curling into a smirk. His eyes dropped to my lips. “Can I? He asked, his deep voice making my legs wobble. “You're impossible,” I murmured, shoving him away. I stepped back, reaching the wall of the elevator, but he followed by caging me in his arms. “Impossible?” He repeated, sounding amused. “I think you mean irresistible.” I rolled my eyes, scoffing at his stupidity. “You're not only a jerk, but a chronic harasser. Get the hell away from me!” He smiled, and moved away. One of the buttons on the elevator shone and the elevator opened. Before I could reach for it, Dominic pressed another button closing the door. “Are you insane?” I asked. “We're going down, not midway,” he answered. “I don't care. I want to get out of this damn elevator!” I yelled.Alessia’s POV“Alessia, you're trembling,” he said, reaching for me.I slapped his hand away, panting with anger.“Alessia,” he called, but I was super angry.He came closer, his hand reaching for my forehead and I slapped it with my bag.“Don't touch me! I hate you!” I spat. He didn't seem angry and came closer.I fought, hitting him but he pinned me easily on the elevator’s wall. “Hate me? Why don't I feel it?”I glared at him, but my eyes softened. He was awfully close, his face barely an inch apart from mine.His thumb brushed over my lower lip, and I sucked in a sharp breath. My anger crumbled like it hadn't been there.He leaned in, his eyes darting from my eyes to my lips. I shouldn't want this, but I did. My lips parted slightly welcoming him.His lips slightly brushed mine, and my body shivered. How did I let him have this effect on me?I closed my eyes waiting, but nothing came. His hands dropped from my waist and I opened my eyes.He smirked and looked away facing the eleva
Dominic’s POVI couldn't stop thinking about Alessia. She was like a drug. Every time I saw her at the office, I had to fight harder to focus on my work. I knew she was my enemy's daughter, but she didn't know that.I should have hated her, but I didn't. I got out of the conference room, having not paid attention to a single word.The ideas were boring and I gave the coordinators a warning.“I want something better by next Monday or you're all fired. You're dismissed.”Everyone scrambled away, and I walked back to my office. I noticed Alessia walk into her office. She looked daring today. Her long legs in those tiny high heels were captivating.She didn't notice me, and I opened my office door. I walked in, noticing a faint smell which was different from mine.I logged into my computer, and it loaded quicker than usual. Something was wrong. My hand brushed the desktop. It was warm. It shouldn't be. I looked around and my gaze rested on Alessia. She looked up and I smiled, forgetting w
Alessia’s POV“Let me out!” I screamed, banging my cuffed hands on the wall.“You psycho, let me out!” I yelled.I fell to the floor, tried and panting. How could I be so stupid? I had forgotten about the CCTV.My kids, they would be missing me. How could I mess up in just a week of work?My throat felt dry from all the shouting and I coughed.The door started to slided open and I crawled up, struggling to my feet. I would make a run for it the chance I got.Once the door opened, I ran but he caught me, carrying me on his shoulder and throwing me back to the bed.“Get off me!” I screamed. “You sick twisted psycho!”“I doubt that,” he said, holding me in place. “Turns out you're not only keeping one secret from me.”I looked at him surprised. Had he gone mad?“What do you...” I started, but he cut me off.“Who is the twins' father?” He asked, sending shivers down my spine.How did he know? I hid it perfectly. I never kept it in my resume. Oh shit! He's got access.“Twins? What twins?”
Dominic’s POVI walked out of the office. It was late and past ten.Matteo walked behind me to the car. “Have someone make sure she doesn't escape,” I instructed.“Yes, boss,” Matteo answered.Ella took the kids to school. I watched her leave after kissing the twins.I was patient watching them from a distance.Lorenzo chased the ball, his dark hair flying around while Elena twirled with the other girls in her pink dress.I got out of the car, thinking of the best way to approach them. I didn't want to scare them. I removed my suit jacket, straightened my hair with my hand and crossed the street.Elena was the first to notice me. She stopped spinning, and crouched to her level.Elena stopped smiling and I smiled. “Hello there.”“Who are you?” She asked, looking at her brother. “I'm Dominic. I work with your mom,"I answered.“You're Mommy's boss?” Lorenzo asked, running over. He looked me up and down, not accepting me.“Yes, that's right. You must be Lorenzo,” I said. “Your mom talks a
Alessia’s POVI woke up in the same annoying bedroom I had been trapped in for days. I slowly rose from the bed, groaning from the exhaustion.My body was tired and I wanted to leave. I missed my babies. Ella must be worried by now and Lorenzo wouldn't be able to concentrate. He was always following me around.“Ugh, damn you, Dominic!” I yelled, taking off the left pair of my shoes and throwing it at the door.I crouched to the floor about to cry. I never believed I could be away from them for so long. Then I remembered something. Mg phone. They should have called by now.Slowly, I stood up, checking my body for my phone but it wasn't there. I remembered my purse which was outside the room, probably locked in Dominic's office.“Damn it!” I grunted and slapped my forehead.How could I leave something behind? I panicked knowing they would have called.I paced back and forth, thinking of a way to get out. Dominic already knew about the twins and I was scared he would take them from me.D
Dominic’s POVI stood in my private study, the DNA test results in my hands. The paper felt cold, distant, as though it wasn’t mine. But it was. The twins were mine. My blood. My flesh.And yet, as I stared at the document, all I felt was possessiveness. It wasn’t the anger I expected. It wasn’t fury or betrayal.I should be angry, but here I was thinking of a chance with her and the kids. Yet, I still felt guilt. I had been responsible for her family's loss and I was still greedy to want more from her.What is wrong with me?"Argh," I yelled, slamming the paper on the table."I should hate you Alessia. Your family, for everything they did to me. Why can't I hate you?" I murmured.My frustration rising with my pants and my fingers resting on my forehead.The sound of the door moving caught my ears. My fingers dropped to my side and I opened my eyes to see Matteo walk in."What is it?" I asked, with a frustrated tone."You look awful," Matteo replied, in a casual tone."Thanks," I answ
Sophia’s POVThe night wind stroked my skin as I stepped out of the gleaming black vehicle, its bright lights playing on pebbles of the driveway. The towering walls of Dominic’s house towered above like a fortress. No reassuring welcome from him. No soothing solace of words. No anything but cold deafening silence.I slammed my door shut behind me and strode up to the entrance, my heels clicking on marble steps. The employees, formed up to welcome me. Their rehearsed greetings were of no use to me."Welcome back, ma'am," they whispered together.I didn’t grant them that recognition and walked in.The bodyguards followed closely behind as I walked in.The moment that I stepped through the doors, cold cameras' eyes followed my every movement.I hated the silence. A new boundary that had never been there before. Dominic had never physically held himself off, but now it wasn't distance that he was maintaining. It was emotional distance that had grown up around him.How could he leave me ha
Alessia's POVSomething didn't feel right. I knew it. It was the queasy, peculiar feeling at the bottom of my stomach.Dominic had moved me to a remote house in the middle of nowhere.He had promised to bring the twins to see me and I waited eagerly.The big house was isolating and boring. I missed work, I missed hanging out with my darlings. I missed Ella.Dominic had double-checked the security with bodyguards on all four corners of the house. He didn't think I wouldn't run away. But how could I run when I was waiting to see my babies. I was no fool not to realize he could find me.I paced around the room, a new habit that I had formed recently. I stopped staring at the large glass, watching the moon. It looked so peaceful.Then that feeling returned again, it felt like someone was looking at me. My entire body begged me to get up and I did so. At this time the firing of a bullet shattering the glass and piercing the wall.I fell down almost immediately and crouched behind the bed.
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