~ALINA’S POV~His fingers dug into the bare skin of my inner thigh, pushing my dress higher, exposing me to the cool air of the car and to his hungry gaze.“Val—” I gasped, but his mouth was already on my neck, teeth scraping over my pulse point as his other hand fisted in my hair, tilting my head back.“Val?” he growled against my skin.My breath hitched.I could feel his eyes glued to me, quiet for a moment. Then, without a word, he reached up and flicked the dome light on.Warm, sudden light bathed the car’s interior, bright enough to make me squint.And there I was.His gaze roamed over me slowly, taking in the flush on my cheeks, the smudge of lipstick at the corner of my mouth, the way the strap of my dress had slipped off one shoulder.I swallowed.“Now I can see you properly,” he said, voice low, amused. “I can see how hungry you are for me.”My cheeks flushed red and I shifted under the weight of his gaze, acutely aware of every inch of skin the light touched.“I wasn’t hidin
~ALINA’S POV~The leather seat creaked as Valentino reached between us, his fingers deftly working his belt buckle open.The clink of metal, the slow drag of leather through loops—every sound sent a fresh pulse of heat between my thighs.His gaze never left mine, dark and commanding, as he pushed his pants down just enough to free himself.Oh God.Even half-hard, he was massive, thick and heavy in his own grip, the tip already glistening with precum.My mouth watered just looking at him.“Moglie,” he rasped, his voice rough with need.He reclined the seat back with one hand, the motor whirring softly as it lowered him into a near-horizontal position.His free hand wrapped around mine, guiding my fingers to his throbbing length.The second I touched him, he groaned, his hips jerking slightly.“Fuck,” he hissed, his fingers tightening over mine. “Yeah… just like that.”His skin was like hot velvet over steel, the weight of him intoxicating in my palm. I stroked him slowly, watching as h
~Alina~ The clock read 10:15 p.m. when I pulled into the driveway of Ashford Road. A cool wind rattled the trees, sending a shiver down my spine as I stepped out of the car. Maybe it was the late hour, or maybe it was something deeper, but unease curled in my stomach. Shaking it off, I made my way to the front door. Tomorrow, this house would be my home, the place where Ethan and I would start our life together. I could already picture it—lazy Sunday mornings, laughter in the kitchen, and falling asleep in his arms every night. Marrying Ethan Lockwood, the man I had loved for five years since college and my best friend’s cousin, felt like a dream come true. Tonight, we were following the age-old wedding tradition of spending the night apart. Ethan was here in our new home while I was supposed to be at Jade’s apartment. But as I was double-checking my things, I realized I had forgotten something important. My late mother’s necklace, the one I planned to wear tomorr
~Alina~ “What!?” My breath hitched, my entire body freezing as Ethan’s words echoed in my ears. Dennis was Jade’s son. The child she had in her final year of college. The little boy I had helped raise, loved like family. She had told me it was a one-night stand, a mistake. That some random guy at a club had gotten her pregnant and disappeared. She had cried in my arms, sworn she didn’t know who the father was. And I, God, I had believed her. I had stood by her, paid for her pregnancy and after-birth expenses, held her hand through every doctor’s visit, every sleepless night. At one point, I even stole from Dad’s safe and from my mom’s purse, using my family’s money to make sure she and Dennis never lacked anything. I had sacrificed for them. And the whole time…… Ethan was Dennis’s father. A sharp, ugly sob tore from my throat as I stumbled back. “You,” my voice broke, “you lied to me. Both of you.” Jade smirked, completely unbothered. “You shou
~Valentino Romano~ “The shipment from Colombia arrived last night,” Rocco, my PA reported, standing across from my desk, his voice businesslike. I swirled the golden liquid in my glass, watching the ice melt into the whiskey. “And?” He hesitated for half a second. “They were short,” he admitted. “Five kilos missing.” Silence settled over the room like a thick fog. The sound of my glass tapping against the large L-shaped executive desk was the only thing that filled the air. Five kilos. I exhaled through my nose, setting my drink down. “Let me guess,” I murmured. “The shipment was handled by the Cortés crew?” Rocco nodded. “Sí, Boss [Yes, Boss.].” “Then they are either incompetent or they think I’m blind.” I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “Which one is it?” “Does it matter?” Rocco asked. “The disrespect is the same.” He was right. It didn’t matter. A message needed to be sent. I picked up my gun from t
~Alina~ The moment the plane touched down in Milan, a wave of nostalgia crashed over me. For a second, I wasn’t a heartbroken, penniless woman. I was a little girl again, running barefoot through the sun-drenched streets, my father’s laughter echoing beside me. I could almost taste the sticky sweetness of gelato on my tongue, feel the warmth of his large hand holding mine as we weaved through the bustling streets. Back then, Milan had been magic. Now, it was just another reminder of everything I had lost. I tightened my grip on the handle of my suitcase, the wheels clicking softly against the airport’s shining floors. The air smelled like freshly brewed espresso, warm pastries, and expensive perfume. I moved through the crowd, my body heavy with exhaustion, my heart heavier with the weight of what awaited me. By the time I slid into the back of a taxi, the midafternoon sun lights washed the streets in a golden glow. The ride was silent. I kept my eyes on the
~Alina~ A slow, steady beeping sound pulled me from the darkness. My head throbbed, my body ached, and the air smelled different. Unfamiliar. I woke up slowly, my eyes adjusting to the soft light from the chandelier above me. The ceiling was high, decorated with gold patterns on ivory-white paint. The bed beneath me was too soft, the sheets cool against my skin. As I turned my head, the rest of the room came into focus—furniture, heavy velvet curtains partly covering tall windows, and shiny black tiles. This wasn’t my room. A chill ran down my spine as last night’s memories hit me. I had been kidnapped. Panic shot through me and I tried to sit up, but my movements felt restrained and uncomfortable. My hands flew to my chest, gripping the unfamiliar fabric and as I slowly looked down a violent shiver ran through me. I was wearing a pristine white lace wedding gown. My breath hitched. What. The. Hell? A scream tore from my throat before I could stop it. The do
~Valentino~ I stretched out a hand to her, my gaze locking onto her perfect, full-figured body. For some reason, I had always preferred curvier women. Society glorified tall, thin women with sharp cheekbones and endless legs, but that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted a woman with flesh, softness, and curves that could handle a man like me. Alina had all that and more. Her rich, dark hair cascaded past her back in loose waves, framing a heart-shaped face. Her bright green eyes were filled with fear, an emotion that, for some reason, intrigued me. Her full lips trembled slightly, and her porcelain white skin had lost its color from shock. The maids had dressed her while she was unconscious to avoid any delays, and I had to admit, they did a damn good job. The fitted silk dress hugged her curves perfectly, cinching at the waist before flowing elegantly to the floor. The makeup they applied made her look more mature, stripping away the innocen
~ALINA’S POV~The leather seat creaked as Valentino reached between us, his fingers deftly working his belt buckle open.The clink of metal, the slow drag of leather through loops—every sound sent a fresh pulse of heat between my thighs.His gaze never left mine, dark and commanding, as he pushed his pants down just enough to free himself.Oh God.Even half-hard, he was massive, thick and heavy in his own grip, the tip already glistening with precum.My mouth watered just looking at him.“Moglie,” he rasped, his voice rough with need.He reclined the seat back with one hand, the motor whirring softly as it lowered him into a near-horizontal position.His free hand wrapped around mine, guiding my fingers to his throbbing length.The second I touched him, he groaned, his hips jerking slightly.“Fuck,” he hissed, his fingers tightening over mine. “Yeah… just like that.”His skin was like hot velvet over steel, the weight of him intoxicating in my palm. I stroked him slowly, watching as h
~ALINA’S POV~His fingers dug into the bare skin of my inner thigh, pushing my dress higher, exposing me to the cool air of the car and to his hungry gaze.“Val—” I gasped, but his mouth was already on my neck, teeth scraping over my pulse point as his other hand fisted in my hair, tilting my head back.“Val?” he growled against my skin.My breath hitched.I could feel his eyes glued to me, quiet for a moment. Then, without a word, he reached up and flicked the dome light on.Warm, sudden light bathed the car’s interior, bright enough to make me squint.And there I was.His gaze roamed over me slowly, taking in the flush on my cheeks, the smudge of lipstick at the corner of my mouth, the way the strap of my dress had slipped off one shoulder.I swallowed.“Now I can see you properly,” he said, voice low, amused. “I can see how hungry you are for me.”My cheeks flushed red and I shifted under the weight of his gaze, acutely aware of every inch of skin the light touched.“I wasn’t hidin
~ALINA’S POV~I glared at him in disbelief.Is he high?He didn’t flinch, he just kept going. “Let me tell you the truth. I only made you sign that contract because I needed a wife. My Padrino wouldn’t let me ascend as Don unless I was married. I didn’t want to court anyone. No one seemed worthy. So… I used your father’s debt as an excuse to make you marry me.” His eyes locked onto mine. “I don’t care about the money anymore. Or the properties. I only care about you.” My heart thudded. I stared at him. Was he… being serious right now ? He didn’t care about the debt? About the inheritance? Maybe he wasn’t the devil the world made him out to be. Maybe there was a heart in there. A heart that just needed the right kind of love. Should I tell him about my father’s company? No. No, Alina. Don’t be stupid. He’s a mafia Don. They lie. He might feel this way now, but what if he wakes up tomorrow and changes his mind? What if I piss him off? What if he seizes everything? I’
~ALINA’S POV~The moment I stepped out of the car, all eyes turned to me.I felt it like heat on my skin.Heads turned, some subtly, others not even trying to hide their gawking.Val just smirked, proud and possessive, his hand sliding firmly around my waist like he was staking a claim. He didn’t say a word, but I felt his pride in every inch of that touch. Like he was saying; Don’t you dare look at her. She’s mine.A man walking past actually stumbled, his head craning so hard in my direction that he nearly walked into the wall. Somewhere near the valet station, a car screeched just a little too hard to a stop.Valentino gave a quiet laugh under his breath.“Easy,” he murmured with a smirk, his hand tightening around my waist.He was smug about it. And protective. And I… I liked it.We entered the restaurant, his hand never leaving mine. The restaurant was perched atop one of the tallest buildings in the city, the sixty-eighth floor, to be exact. As we stepped inside, I was hit w
~ALINA’S POV~“What? You’re seriously paying three times for that?” the lady hissed, loud enough for half the room to hear.Valentino didn’t flinch. His grip stayed firm on my waist, his presence a shield I didn’t realize I’d needed until that moment.The sales associate, unfazed by our exchange, pulled a machine out of his pocket and spoke softly, almost nervously. “Sir,” he said with a respectful nod. “Your PIN.”Still holding onto me, Valentino pressed his code with his free hand, his thumb moving over the keys swiftly.Beep. Beep.Tap.Confirmed.The screen flashed green. Payment Accepted.A beat of stunned silence followed.The woman scoffed, arms crossed so tight her fake nails looked like they were about to snap.“Whatever. Let him waste his money.”Her voice grated against my nerves, bitter and sour. I couldn’t stop the disgust curling in my chest as I looked at her—she had that sour energy of someone who thought being loud meant being a bad bitch.Her boyfriend looked like h
~ALINA’S POV~I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest, clearly expecting her rotten attitude.“Yes,” I snapped. “Well, I’m buying it,” she said sweetly, then turned to her boyfriend. “Babe, get it for me,” she drawled, dusting invisible lint off his cheap-looking jacket. He hesitated—just a fraction, but it was enough to guess he couldn’t afford it. “You know I want it,” she pressed. “I said I saw it first,” I repeated, a little louder this time. She scoffed. “You think you can afford that? Please.” I stared at her. Did she really think I was going to roll over because she strutted in with designer heels and a man at her side? She laughed and said, “My man is buying it for me. You can go look at something cheaper.” I stepped forward. “No. I want this one.” “And you think your boyfriend can afford it?” she sneered. “Sweetheart, he’s probably out there trying to haggle a clearance rack. Oh, I forgot—a fat ugly bitch like you can’t afford to have a man. Who wants a
~ALINA’S POV~I slipped into the car, the door closing softly behind me as Valentino rounded the hood and climbed into the driver’s seat.He didn’t speak at first. He just started the engine, and the MC20 purred to life like a beast.Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” hummed low through the speakers. It was dark out, the kind of soft, hazy Toronto night where the streetlights looked like gold dust smeared across black silk.It was quiet… until my heart started doing this ridiculous flip inside my chest.He was taking me on a date. A real one.How? Why?He could’ve said a ride or a meal, but no—he said a date.And I couldn’t stop the butterflies that instantly scattered in my stomach.This wasn’t what I expected. This was supposed to be a contract marriage, a cold arrangement where we used each other to get what we wanted.I had a goal—to find out what happened to my parents, to claim my father’s empire, to rise on my own.But this… this felt like something else.The man beside me wa
~VALENTINO’S POV~Was this the woman I married?I stared at her, stunned, as she rose from her seat, slow and poised, like a queen in a court full of kings. She adjusted her dress lightly at the hips, her chin lifting with grace, and I could swear the temperature in the room shifted.There was fire in her—not forced, not loud. Just natural, and absolutely astonishing.God, she looked stunning.Mr. Herrera leaned back in his chair, fingers still folded beneath his chin, watching her like a man waiting to be proved wrong.I could hear Jerome’s breath hitch slightly. Mine almost did too. I hadn’t expected her to speak up. I wasn’t even sure she would.But here she was, standing in front of international investors, about to answer one of the most challenging business questions thrown at us so far.She inhaled once, then spoke.“Thank you, Mr. Herrera,” Alina began. “Now, to your question. You asked how Tino Autos plans to stay ahead of competitors who might launch similar prototypes by th
~ALINA’S POV~ I chuckled under my breath. “Wow… I didn’t know you were so playful,” I murmured, peering up at Valentino with a look of amused surprise. Inside, though, my thoughts were spiraling. Every moment with him revealed something new. He wasn’t just the cold-blooded Don the world feared. He was protective, calculated, and now… playful? I liked seeing these different layers. It made me wonder how many more were still hidden beneath that sharp suit and cold expression. Valentino turned his head slightly, lips curving into a slow, dangerous smirk. He leaned in, his mouth brushing close to my ear, his voice low enough to stir something deep in my chest. “Your Majesty,” he murmured, “there are many things you don’t know about me.” He paused for a beat, fingers brushing lightly along my spine as he straightened again. “But don’t worry, moglie … you will. Soon.”A warm rush bloomed in my chest. God… was I falling for this man?Jerome held the door open, and we stepped into the