“I want a different kind of meal from Arya,” Juan teased. “What’s that?” “Why don’t you sit on my face and you’ll know.” *+*++**++* Arya was never meant to stand out. With a deceased mother, an abusive father, and only a high school certificate to her name, she lived quietly and worked as a waitress in a bar, but one night she got just one look from Juan Moreno, the most feared mafia lord in Sicily and things went south. Sold like property to a man she didn’t know, Arya thought the worst had already happened. Until Juan came for her. He didn’t save her only, he claimed her just to have owner ship of her and then locked her in a prison disguised as a mansion. Now, she’s the most wanted woman—not for a crime, but for her beauty. And two ruthless mafia kings are at a cold war for ownership of her body. Juan, believes Dominic—his longtime rival who wants Arya is the only threat. But when he faces several attacks from an enemy he once thought was dead, he realizes his empire might fall. Can Juan protect the woman he would burn the world for, or will he be forced to hand her to the only man who might keep her alive?
View MoreJuan Moreno sat at a table in the crowded bar. It was one of the minor establishments he kept just for the fun of it.
A pole dancer was entertaining the men who sat drinking, smoking and jesting but his eyes were focused somewhere else. There was a young waitress who was pouring an old man a glass of wine. She smiled at him, her green eyes lighting up beautifully. "You are beautiful," the old man said in English. It was obvious he was American. "Thank you." He wondered if she were American from her looks and the way she talked. He shook his head, an American couldn't come to Italy just to work as a waitress in a bar. Those Westerners were usually in Italy for tourism. He signalled for her to come over but just then, the man who was owing him millions showed up. His name was Diego and his face was scarred and his eyes swollen. "Hey," Diego greeted in Italian. "Sorry for not coming in a while, I got busy with... Life." "I was thinking you did not want to pay my millions," Juan said with a mischievous smile. Earlier that day, he had sent his men to attack Diego and told him that if he did not show up at the bar, he would be beaten up. The bar had a secret gambling room, unknown to even some staff members and he had met Diego there. Diego has been desperate and unlucky with cards. He has offered Diego a huge sum of money but with a contract that indicated he pay it back within three months including 75% interest. "Why would I refuse to pay?" Diego chuckled nervously. The girl came over to the table. "Would you like me to get you anything?" She asked. Juan noticed that the moment she took a good look at Diego, she shifted on her feet uncomfortably. "Is there a problem?" He asked her in English, knowing Diego did not understand. "Has he wronged you? Or is it the other way around?" "Not at all," Arya replied with a tight smile. She avoided eye contact with the Greek god-looking kind of man in her front. He was smoking hot but something within her told her he was dangerous. "Sei sicura di quella principessa?" He asked, switching to Italian. He wanted to be sure. "Of course." "If that is the case, get us two beers. We'd like to keep things simple." Arya walked away from them and got the drinks. She was being very cautious as she could feel a piercing on her back. The sexy Greek god-looking man was still staring at her. "Here are your drinks." She set them down on the table carefully and walked to another table. She felt uncomfortable with her stepfather sitting at that table with the man for some reason. Somehow, she knew he was one of the many men her stepfather owed from gambling. Most of the money she got from working was to pay off debts because she had no choice. Her stepfather was terrifying so she had to dance to his tune. Several times, she had run away— even moved to a new city to start a new life but he always found her and made sure to punish her for it. Now, she resolved to please him while praying every day for his demise. "So about my money," Juan grinned, opening the can. He took a generous gulp from it. "When will I be getting it back?" "I am working on it. I'll make sure to pay it as fast as I can." "Are you sure you can pay it?" Juan laughed. "It is a pretty large sum and you have nothing left. Remember our agreement? Pay the money or I harvest any of your organs." "Hey, boss. Don't be cruel to your man." "You are not my man," Juan hissed. "I hear hearts are expensive and are in high demand. Is your heart in good condition?" Arya overheard this. She knew her gut feeling was right, the handsome man was dangerous. However, she was happy if the man would harvest her stepfather's heart. She needed him to die but she did not want to get her hands dirty and she was too scared and naive to hire someone. "Best he dies at the hands of his creditors," she muttered to herself. "Juan..." Diego laughed nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Come on, be a little lenient." "I want my money." Juan locked eyes with the girl again. She had been staring at them and he knew she listened to their conversation. He felt a little prodding at his heart. For some reason, he did not want the girl to think of him as a monster. "But yeah, I am just joking. I would not harvest your organs, man." Diego scratched the back of his head nervously. "Are you sure about that boss?" However, Juan's attention was not on Diego. The girl was refusing to break eye contact and something about her captivated him. He wondered if it was her angel-like face; with soft yet angled facial features. She was well-tanned and had pouty lips. She walked away from his sight finally but he still could not take his eyes off her. Her body was also perfect. She was slim and slender but with a full chest and hips that swayed as she walked. He began to imagine doing certain things with her. My mind needs cleansing. Juan muttered to himself. "Hey, boss?" Juan was snapped out of his reverie by Diego's voice. The man had been talking for a while but Juan had not heard a single thing. "I see that look in your eye," Diego had a teasing smile on his face. "How about I give her to you? She's beautiful is she not?" "Give her to me?" Juan raised his eyebrows. "Yes, I own her and I am willing to part with her but only if you cancel my debt."Police stations had that one smell Juan didn't like. He never went to one willingly, except the situation was dire. Like this one. He walked through the hallways and saluted a man. "Down the hall. You'll see the person in charge." he said. "Nice seeing you Mr. Moreno."Juan nodded. Belle kept her arms crossed, her eyes moving from one door to the next. Juan walked beside her, restless, his hands deep in his pockets.“Are you sure this is the right place?” Belle asked quietly, glancing at the man in uniform near the end of the hall.“Yeah,” Juan said, nodding once. “This is where they said they brought her.” He didn’t look at her when he spoke. His voice was low and tired.They stopped by the counter. A middle-aged officer with graying hair looked up from a clipboard. “Yes?” he said.Juan leaned on the counter slightly. “We’re here to request a DNA match. For the body they found at the pier.”The officer blinked. “And you are?”“I’m her boyfriend,” Juan said quickly. “And this is her
Juan’s hands shook as he held the note. It was crumpled at the edges, like it had been folded too many times. Belle stood close to him, holding her breath. The woman who gave them the note had already gone inside, leaving them alone on the porch.He looked down at the first line.I'm sorry. But life hasn't been worth living. To whoever still cares enough to look for me,His throat tightened. He read out loud with a shaky voice. I don’t know what to say anymore. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to be happy, but I'm never happy. I’m tired of doing that. I’m tired of trying to belong in a world that keeps pushing me away and abusing me. Belle pressed a hand over her mouth.I’m sorry for not being stronger. And um, if you ever see this Juan. I loved you even if you never believed it. Even if you thought love was something to win or control. I loved you enough to walk away, because staying was killing me.Juan blinked hard, his chest burning. He could barely see the words now.Don’
Juan was going crazy. One whole fucking week and Arya had not made any attempt to contact him. He could hardly concentrate on the mission he was to do, but luckily he has Dominic who wanted the circle gone as much as he did. Maybe he and Dominic coming to a truce wasn't much of a bad idea. He has called her twice— two days after she had stayed away. The first went through but she didn't pick, and the next call went straight to voicemail. Belle had told him to leave her the fuck alone. And then she wouldn't pick his calls anymore. He ran a hand through his hair, frustration crawling through him. He had tried to keep his mind at peace by constantly by checking her location. It remained at Belle's house. He wanted to go over there— get on his knees and beg her to come back. But his pride won't let him. His phone beeped just then. He half expected it to be Dominic maybe, some update about the latest circle member they were going to kill, but it wasn't. It was Belle. Hey, Juan h
He sighed and called again, but her number went straight to voicemail. "You're just unnecessarily petty," he muttered feeling annoyed. He couldn't just call Arya especially not after the argument they had before she left. But then he was worried. She was with Belle, so she was safe right? Belle had good guards, Belle was careful...Belle wasn't necessarily a target.In fact, with everything going on, she was safer with Belle. His mind wouldn't rest either ways. He picked up his phone and decided to check her location. "Thank God," he breathed out, seeing the red dot was in Belle's house. She would come back when she's ready. He said to himself. *+*+*++*+*+*She was exhausted by the time she got to Venice. It was evening already—closer to night time even. The sun had gone down almost completely, bathing the city in a dim orange light.The bus stopped near a small square, and Arya got off slowly. The ground felt uneven under her shoes. She could hear people talking in low voices
"I should go," he said quietly. "I'll bring you some cash in the morning."When he left, she walked to the door and watched him disappear down the road. The street was quiet again.She turned back to the small living room. The light was dim now, and shadows stretched across the floor. She sat down on the couch, holding the folder close to her chest.For the first time in a long while, she felt like she could breathe.Her father’s house would be safe. Her memories would be safe. And soon, she would be far away from everything that had hurt her.She looked at the keys on the table and smiled faintly.Tomorrow, she would leave Sicily.And maybe, just maybe, start over.For the rest of the night, she kept tossing and turning— worrying that Juan would come here and take her back to the mansion. There was a part of her that wanted him to. A part of her that wanted him to care, but then how could he when he has his enemies to focus on?She sighed and glanced up at the clock for the hundred
Belle waited a few seconds, then drove off slowly. Arya watched the car disappear around the corner before she turned back to the building. The entrance was small and the paint on the walls had long peeled away. She stood there for a moment, breathing in the cold air.Then she walked up and paused at the door. She didn't even have a key anymore. She sighed, feeling stupid. With a sigh, she checked the wall vase with plastic flowers and heaved a sigh when her hands grasped onto a metal. She pulled it out, a grin spreading across her face and she unlocked the door, stepping in and closing it behind her. The room smelt musty and damp, cobwebs hung from one end to another, dust coated every surface as well. The house didn't look the same as she had left it last. There were several beer bottles strewn across everywhere, the couch had turned a dirty shade, part of the carpet was ripped, and the rocking chair that belonged fo her biological father was broken. She let out s breath, her
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