Dominic was beyond annoyed as he stormed away from his guards but not because the girl was missing. He was annoyed because the reason Arya was missing might have to do with Juan and he did not like to think that his rival has outsmarted him. Sighing, he decided that he would sort it later on as he had an important dinner to attend that night. When he got to his office to sign some papers before getting dressed, he was surprised to see a suitcase on his desk. He has been the one to unlock the door and no one else had the key so how was sit possible? He scrutinized it with utmost suspicious prying at his heart but opened it nonetheless. The suitcase was filled with money and at the top; a note read— That's four million. Twice the amount you paid for her. *+*+*+*+*+*+*Juan has his hands on Arya's waist as they walked into the ballroom where the dinner was held. It was dimly lit with chandeliers from the high ceilings above each dining table. The tables were draped in a white cloth
The dinner was a bore to Arya. All that was going on was an auction, men eating and drinking and talking business but everything they said was a bit coded. It was from the conversation however that she discovered Juan was into the wine business; he had a vinefields of grapes and had orchards across several countries. His enemy Dominic was also into a similar business but they had illegal businesses she could not really get wind of from the conversation. "Excuse me," Arya mumbled to Juan standing up. She had already found a way to escape from him. She would go to the restroom and that way he wouldn't be able follow her. Instead of going to the restroom, she would find an exit and run away. "Where are you going love?" He asked in a sensual voice standing and putting his hand on the small of her back. "I need to use the restroom," she smiled at him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'll be right back love."Juan did not miss the sarcastic tone when she called him 'love'. "Let's go."
"Juan," Arya said in a trembling voice as she stood up and backed away from him. "I—""Explain yourself," he said in a dangerously calm voice, moving towards her. He trapped her against the wall with his hand placed above his head; his talk frame loomed over her making Arya feel so small. She swallowed hard and whimpered softly. Everything had been going well so how the hell had Juan known where to find her?"I just... Needed some fresh air," she lied, looking away from him. He was obviously not going to believe her but she decided to push her luck. "And somehow you ended up at a jeweller's trying to sell what I gave you?" He raised his brows. "No-no.""That's what it looks like angel, or should I say devil?""I run this city mio Angelo. There's no place you run to that I won't find out." His thumb caressed her cheeks softly. "I'll make sure to punish you," he murmured in a menacing way.Those words sent a shiver down Arya's spine because somehow, she knew he would be true to his w
"You don't tell me what to do." "Let's go for a drive. I think you need to see for yourself what I do to people who don't obey my words." "I'm not going anywhere with you," she said defiantly. "I make the rules here angel, do you want to be carried again?" Huffing in annoyance, she began to follow him. On getting the car he opened it for her before getting in. He drove through the city in silence, his free hand resting on her thigh. Arya tried removing it severally but it was to no avail as he was unloved by her actions. After a while, she let it be. The city began to fade away soon and they were surrounded by water on the left and trees on the right side. As they journeyed on, the water was sparse and the trees began to dwindle. Poorly constructed houses began to appear at intervals till they got to a sight that was in ruins. A path however has been carved into that place and Juan drove through it till they got to a place packed with trees and a lot of foliage where there
"Juan," Arya gasped, turning to face him. "What?" He lifted his eyebrows. "I put him out of his misery like you wanted."He carried her from his lap onto his shoulders as he stood up. With a nod that said a thousand words to his men, he strolled out of the dilapidated building.They began to trudge the path they had come only for Juan to suddenly halt in his tracks. He gently put Arya onto her feet and motioned for her to be quiet and stay put.He trod carefully on the path, making sure to barely make a sound as he peeked through the bushes. With a furrowing of his brows, he dialled a number on his phone and murmured words that Arya couldn't hear. "Stay behind me love," Juan said. "I'll have my men watch your back," he told a confused Arya. Clasping her hand in his, he led her back to where his car had been parked. Juan scrutinized it suspiciously; everything about his car looked fine but the footprints he had noticed did not belong to the boots of his men. He made sure they all ha
"You wouldn't dare." Juan's expression was cold and murderous. If looks could kill, the man holding Arya would have died a long while ago. "I'm asking you nicely one last time, let her go.""And I won't be telling you nicely," the man replied. "No. She belongs to our boss, you stole her from him.""I never stole her. She was presented to me on a silver platter by one of your men," Juan smirked. "Are you aware Dominic has a price for whoever reveals a traitor to him? Especially if he has punished someone else for a mistake.""I am well aware how my boss operates," he responded. "What if I allow you know who the traitor in your midst is? The person who gave her to me?""In exchange for the girl? Never!" The man spat at Juan's feet. "One day, the boss will still find out.""Are you sure about it? Or he will find out you had tje opportunity to get a name and you missed it.""He won't punish me for that. He will praise me because I did not give the prize up for information.""Sometimes,
"What did you just do?" Juan's eyes turned red, his fingertips turning cold. For a second, Arya froze with fear but she recovered quickly, not wanting him to see how scared he made her. She looked up at him defiantly. There was no way in hell she was going to cower in front of this man. She needed to show him she wasn't scared of him.Her heart was hammering against her ribs, but she clenched her fists to keep them from trembling. She would not—could not—show weakness to anyone again especially not to him."I slapped you for the stupid words that came out of your mouth, and I will do it again if need be." She said in a sharp tone, glaring at him.Juan's jaw twitched. There was a storm brewing behind his eyes, but Arya refused to look away. If she backed down now, she'd lose whatever semblance of control she had left."Trust me, little princess, you do not want me to teach you your place," he responded dryly."Neither do you want me to put you in your place!" she yelled at him, eyes bu
Juan remained still for a moment, absorbing her words. The silence between them became so tense that it could probably not be cut by a knife. He let go of her and then clenched his fists at his sides. He tried to restrain himself not to say anything that would come out harsher than he would want it to, and the only reason why he had not punched her was because she was a woman. If it were s fellow man, he would have done so. Then again, getting violent was only going to prove her point further. That he was a monster. There was no arguing with her words, it was true. Arya could see that he was livid from the tightening of his jaw to the way he wanted to calm his breathing. She was no sorry for her words neither did she feel an ounce of guilt. However, she was slightly surprised by the weakness he'd displayed for even a second. There had been a tinge of vulnerability in his eyes but as quickly as they were there, it was replaced by the ice-cold edge of the man who'd once controlled ev
He took her arm and then lifted her to a position where she straddled him, and then he placed his hands around her waist, sliding up her hoodie slightly— hands tracing the side of her stomach and her back, stopping just beneath her breasts. "You're not wearing a bra, how naughty of you Arya."Before she could speak, his fingers grazed her nipples and she gasped, eyes rolling back from the wave of pleasure that hit her. Her nipples hardened like a rock instantly, her body filled with the need for a desperate release. She never knew that pleasure could exist for her when a man touched her after her first experience. But with Juan, things were unbelievably different in ways she didn't want to admit. She was not yet sure if she was falling for him or just attracted. He lifted her hoodie off her completely, throwing it against the bed, greeted by the sight of her firm and round breasts. "Fucken perfect," he mumbled, tracing a circle around her nipples before latching his mouth, sucking
"What? What do you mean?" Belle asked, whipping her head around fast to face Juan. "You can't... I..." "Yes," Juan replied firmly, his face unwavering as he stared daggers at her. Despite how angry he was, there was still a slight softness in his eyes. "You leave tonight. Marco Bellini is no longer here and staff has been cross checked. You have maids who can cater to you. There's no reason for you to be here.""So you're kicking me out?" She gave him a look of disbelief, tears welling up in her eyes. "Juan?""Since you have come here Belle, you have been nothing but trouble for what is not even necessary," he hissed coldly. "You are taking advantage of my relationship with you and I will not tolerate that. You know how much u hate things like that. You of all people should know that."Belle scoffed, shaking her head. "Fine. I'll leave, right now."She stomped away in annoyance and then she tripped at the door. Concerned, Arya rushed to the door and pulled her up. "Are you okay?" She
"Ju-juan," she moaned. It came out as a desperate cry of need as his fingers slipped through the soft cotton fabric. "What is it Mio Angelo," he rubbed small gentle circles on her clit sending a wave of inexplicable pleasure through her brain. "I—" she couldn't talk, all she could do was moan against him."You what?" He whispered sensually."This... We..." Her brain was foggy, mind clouded with intense pleasure as he increased the pressure. "I— please.""Please what?" He asked, his second hand squeezing her breasts gently. "You want me to stop?"Yes. She wanted to say, but all that erupted from her was a whimper of need."Please what?" he asked again, this time his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "Tell me, Mio Angelo. Do you want me to stop?"Arya's breath caught in her throat. Her body arched into his touch, wanting more get not wanting to give in to him. Her lips trembled with words she couldn't form. Her mind screamed for clarity, but her body who was a traitor clung to the p
Juan remained silent for a long time, not saying anything in response. "Sur, are you there?" the head of security asked skeptically, wondering if the line had gone dead or if it was just Juan."You mean to tell me that I'm paying you all to do a goddamn good job and until now, you never noticed that something was wrong with the footage?" He hissed through the phone with a cold and menacing voice. "Even if the surveillance staff did not notice. You are the head of security for a reason. How could that pass you by? Do you not supervise it.""Sir, we were not expecting the footage to be compromised," the head of security replied weakly, trying to give an argument that was sensible enough. "We have been..""I pay you to report and treat any suspicious activity. Are suspicious activities meant to be expected?" Juan yelled through the phone. "Send me a copy of the footage of that day. From The surrounding areas as well. The one at the entrance. Who went in and who went out.""As you wish s
Dominic sucked his teeth sharply and have Juan a glare. "Half of it.""One eighth," he argued back without blinking. He would offer more but not now. He needed to show Dominic he wasn't willing to budge on his offer so Dominic will negotiate a lower amount. "Your vineyard is worth more than the money.""So I should sell my entire vineyard or give you an equivalent worth to save it? It might as well burn down and I start all over," Juan laughed. "And might I add, that's a legal property," he smiled. "Unlike you, I have insurance.""One fourth," Dominic said dejectedly realizing that he had no choice. If one eighth was worth more half of the vineyard that got burnt in Venice, the he might as well get the full money's worth."One sixth and the dealers contact. He won't be charging you anything for dealing.""The deal has been done," Dominic said, looking at his phone. "Bomb has been planted. It is your largest vineyard in Sicily. The largest of the three in Catania. Bomb has been placed
"I will," Juan answered without any hesitation. Dominic nodded and smiled. "How loving of you Juan. It's a pity she will not do the same, or will you princess?" He asked, looking her squarely in the eyes. She looked away and said nothing. The question in itself was ironical in nature. Lose everything? She has already lost everything the moment her stepfather sold her off and Juan came to get her. Her everything was now Juan— she lived under his roof and as much as she hated it, she didn't have a choice. She did not answer Dominic though, because she didn't owe him a response. She adjusted herself in Juan's lap which made him stiffen and she could feel something harden beneath her. "You are not answering me princess," Dominic said. "She doesn't have to," Juan said hastily and in a hoarse voice, for fear of her answer. He knew she wouldn't, but he did not want her to say the words out loud."My everything is Juan," Arya finally said, eyes locked onto Dominic. "If I lose everything
Juan's blood ran cold at the statement. "Is that a threat?" He questioned. His voice was icy cold as well and he was already seeing red. Dominic had been getting too bold as of late and he wondered if this was a ploy to get either half of the shipment or to get Arya from him. Or could it be that Dominic was lying simply to rile him up for no reason?"Not at all Moreno," Dominic responded in a voice was was too calm."You wouldn't dare.""I have no reason to burn down your vineyard," Dominic scoffed. "And I'm not asking for war from you. I am offering you help."Juan's jaw tightened. He began to grind his teeth together in anger. "If you have no intentions of burning on of my vineyards, why then will you tell me that.""Ask your security to let me in," Dominic answered. "I do not have weapons on me."The line went dead with a click. "Casso!" Juan swore, slamming the phone on the chair beside him angrily. Arya stiffened at the sound of his voice ringing in her ears. "I'm sorry Mio An
"Well, we are currently sorting it out," Juan sighed. "How is Belle though? Heard the accident affected one of her legs?" Dante questioned as they walked into one of the living rooms. He sunk onto a couch and the gave a sigh of relief. "Ah yes. She's on a wheelchair.""I do hope she gets better," Dante sighed. "I'll go up to see her soon. I need a bit of rest, my legs are tired.""Understandable," Juan chuckled. "But about her getting better, perhaps you should talk to her to stick to her wheelchair. She walks around until she's I'm excruciating pain.""Ah, the stubborn girl," Dante said, chuckling fondly. "How does her leg want to heal?" "You'd have to ask her about that one."Juan patted his lap to Arya who stood awkwardly beside one of the couches. "Come, sit Mio Angelo."Arya rolled her eyes and ignored him, walking over to sit on a chair far away from him. "That's not where I asked you to sit." He gave her a deadpan stare and cocked his head at her. She returned his stare wi
Greco tapped his pen lightly against the desk. He stared at the complaint form, filling in the necessary details.Manslaughter.Vehicular collision.Suspicious tampering. He signed at the bottom, folded the papers neatly, and slid them into a file. Grabbing his jacket off the chair, he tucked the file under his arm and headed out.The courthouse was about twenty minutes away, and traffic was mercifully light. Greco drummed his fingers against the steering wheel as he moved the car.When he got there, he didn't bother waiting in line. He walked straight past the security checks, giving a slight nod to the guard who pretended not to see him.He chose to use the stairs instead of the elevator and then went to the third floor, walking towards Judge Santiago's office that was at the end of the hall way. He rapped his knuckles once on the door before pushing it open. The judge looked up, looking mildly annoyed until he saw who it was. Greco set the file down on the desk, flipping it open