Chapter 15Cristiano Annalisa turned away from me at the last second. She pulled back, and my lips landed on her cheek instead of where they were supposed to. My hands that had tried to cup her face were now hanging in the hair, confused as to why Annalisa had withdrawn when she had been leaning into the kiss just moments ago. Or, hadn't she? “Cristiano, I-I didn’t mean to… em—” she stammered, trying to explain herself even when it didn't matter anymore.“It’s fine.” To my surprise, my voice came out steadier than I felt. I dropped my hands on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You must be tired. Go upstairs and freshen up.”She nodded without saying anything else, avoiding eye contact like she was scared of something, but what? Did she think I’d be mad about her pulling away? No, I wasn't mad at her, but disappointed? Yes, absolutely. Most women are dying to throw themselves at me, but Annalisa was different and I liked her for it. This wasn’t the first time she had held
Chapter 16Annalisa Cristiano was impossible. There was no other word for it. Sure, I appreciated that he cared for me, but his way of showing it was completely over the top. A part of me wanted to scream at him for meddling with my life, while there was this other part that knew that, deep down, he had done it because he cared for me.I sighed, tossing my phone onto the bed as a yawn escaped my mouth. It was a new morning. Another day to face the world, and another day to try my best. I knew it was going to be difficult securing acting roles without an agency. That was why I had made up my mind to sign with one today. A real one—not Cristiano pulling strings in the background, not someone helping me just because of his influence that was backing me.This was about me and my talent. I had to prove to the world that I could stand on my own.Cristiano had agreed to drop me off. He had some meetings today as well, so it worked out. I made him promise not to get involved in today’s procee
Chapter 17AnnalisaInstead of heading home, I noticed the bodyguard wasn’t taking the usual route. “Where are you taking me?” I asked, not knowing whether to panic or not as he bypassed the turn I expected him to take.“Boss asked me to drop you off where he’ll be meeting you.”“But we didn’t discuss meeting at anyplace” I said, trying to rethink whether I had forgotten something I had talked about with Cristiano.“It seems like he’s planning a surprise or something along those lines for you.” he replied in that burly but steady voice. Surprise? Cristiano was planning a surprise? That's a first. “I hear you, but I never got your name though.” Trust me, I wasn't thinking that extreme. I asked for his name just in case he was working with an enemy. And if he wasn't, it's never too bad to be familiar with my bodyguard.“It’s Buddy.” He smiled, glanced at me for a moment through the rearview mirror before turning his attention back to the road.As we drove down the city, I felt a flutter
Chapter 18Cristiano“I don’t get why you’re making a big deal out of this, Lisa. She’s harmless,” I said, trailing behind her as we entered the living room. Annalisa had suddenly called me like thirty minutes to the time I promised I'll be there, insisting that she wanted to go home. But when I asked why, she barely answered, all she repeated was that she wanted to go home. During the ride back home, she avoided any conversation I tried to bring up as she kept staring out the window in silence. It was only when we got to the front door of the house she finally opened up, unable to hold the frustration within her anymore.“How could you not tell me she was your past, Cristiano? Damn, I was all over her!” she blurted out, pulling her hair with a look of annoyance on her face.“Like you said, baby girl. Daniella is my past, and you are my present.” I tried to move closer, closing the gap between us, but she just backed away, avoiding my touch, and putting a distance between. This only
Chapter 19Annalisa As much as I wanted to narrate how the heated moment with Cristiano had continued, it was a pity there was no continuation for it. We had gotten so into the kiss when Cristiano's phone rang, interrupting us from doing more. He ignored it at first, but the phone kept ringing persistently until eventually, he sighed and pulled away, apologizing before disappearing into his study. I had hoped that he would be quick, thinking we could continue from where we left off, but an hour passed, then two, then another, untill eventually I fell asleep while waiting for him on the couch, just like the other night.Now, I was waking up on my big bed, alone. A yawn escaped my mouth as I sat up, stretching my arms. I had no idea what i would be doing today, but I knew I wasn't going to chase anymore auditions, not after the last rejection. Maybe I deserved a bit more time off. I was just starting to imagine a week off when my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I knew at once that it
Chapter 20AnnalisaAfter I finished signing the contract, there was this odd thought that crept into my mind. Did Cristiano have a hand in this? I didn't want to be ungrateful by doubting at this moment, but the more I thought about it, it seemed really possible. The role everyone played was too perfect like it had been planned. The same people who had avoided me yesterday, were overly nice today. Everything had happened so fast, don't blame me, that was enough to disbelieve.But, as much as I wanted to question it, there was a confidence built inside me that overshadowed every doubt. I had this feeling that maybe, just maybe, I had actually earned this opportunity on my own. I took a breath, allowing myself to feel the pride of it.The CEO, Mr. Bernardo shook my hand one last time, grinning with a warmth that seemed too genuine to be fake. “Congratulations, Mrs. Morano. We look forward to seeing what you bring to the screen.”“Thank you so much.” I replied, trying to keep my voice s
Chapter 21Cristiano A day before the present…I let out a grunt as I got to my study room, pulling out my phone, and checking the screen to see the five missed calls from Ricardo that had ruined my erotic moment with Annalisa. Few days ago, the Salvatore empire Don had asked to me partner with him to raid a military zone, in order to take possession of the armed equipment that they had. Apparently, the Salvatore didn't have enough men on their own to carry out the mission, so they wanted some of our men to back them. But now, just as I had predicted, they were probably about to go back on their words.I called Ricardo back, and he answered on the first ring. “Cristiano, you’re finally available.”“What’s going on, Ricardo? What couldn’t wait?” I asked, keeping my tone steady even though his own panicked voice kept me on edge.“It’s Salvatore’s men,” he replied in a very low voice. “They showed up at the dock tonight. They are saying we messed up the shipment, claiming we switched th
Chapter 22Annalisa In our haste, Cristiano shut the door behind him with the back of his leg. Before I could react, he was on me, pressing his lips against mine with a fierceness I didn't expect. Every part of him seemed impatient, as if he had been holding back for ages.Cristiano's teeth grazed over my lower lip as he playfully took control of the kiss. His tongue was inside my mouth, darting against mine as though he were playing a game of tag. I struggled to match his pace, finding it difficult to breathe in no time.“Cristiano…” I murmured against his mouth, needing just a second to catch my breath.He pulled back, releasing heavy pants from his mouth as he smiled softly. “I’m sorry, cara. I’ve waited for this moment for so long.” One of Cristiano's hands brushed across my cheek, and the other hand wrapped around my waist, drawing me closer until I could feel his hardness press against my tummy.I felt my face heat up, and I knew by now, a blush must have crept over my face. “I’
Chapter 68 Cristiano Some sights are so heartbreaking, so devastating, that they knock the breath from the lungs—like an invisible hand reaching into the chest and squeezing tight.That was what it felt like when I saw Annalisa after the shootout.She was sitting at a corner, completely trembling in nothing but her nakedness, her flawless skin bruised with whip marks, and her face pale as death. But it was her eyes that did it. Those broken, empty eyes that looked at me like I was a stranger. Like she didn’t even recognize me anymore.I wanted to touch her. To pull her into my arms, hold her so tight that she would never slip away from me again. But when I reached out, she flinched.She fucking flinched at me.And that was all it took. All the rage, all the fire in my chest, all the ‘kill Giovanni with my bare hands’ energy I had been running on—it just died at that moment.I had lost her.Maybe not physically, but mentally? Emotionally? She was gone.And it was my fault.If I hadn’
Chapter 67AnnalisaYou know that feeling… that feeling of wanting to crawl out of your own skin? That feeling that makes you want to genuinely peel it off and start over because no amount of scrubbing, no amount of soap, no amount of water will ever make you clean again?That was exactly how I felt.I was sitting on the edge of my queen size bed, wrapped in some ridiculous fluffy robe I've never worn before, while the female doctor kept insisting I had to get treated first. Stitches, antibiotics, something about blood loss. I wasn’t really listening.“I need to take a bath,” I said, my voice coming out barely more than a whisper despite all her professional advice.The doctor frowned. “Madam, you need medical attention—”“I NEED TO TAKE A BATH!” I snapped, gripping the arms of the chair so hard my nails dug into the expensive upholstery. My chest was heaving. My throat burned.The room fell into silence. Bree shot the doctor a look, something pleading, something desperate like a “giv
Chapter 66AnnalisaHave you ever felt so scared to the extent where your body forgets how to breathe? Like your lungs are working, but the air just… doesn’t feel real? Your heart is racing, but instead of fight or flight, you’re just stuck—trapped in this endless loop of fear that refuses to let go?Yep, I just described how I felt. My arms wrapped around my knees, my body curled into itself, but it didn’t matter. I couldn’t make myself small enough. I couldn’t disappear no matter how much I wanted to.The air in the warehouse was thick—gunpowder, blood, something metallic and bitter. Every sound was too loud. The distant sirens, the murmur of voices, the way my own pulse pounded against my skull. My eyes refused to focus, everything blurring together like a twisted nightmare.And Cristiano—I had watched him kill.Not just kill. ‘Slaughter.’His movements had been sharp, precise. No hesitation. No mercy. He had torn through Giovanni’s men like they were nothing, like their lives he
Chapter 65CristianoHave you ever tasted the kind of anger that makes you want to tear the whole world apart? The kind that sits heavy in your gut, weighing you down like chains, but also fuels you like the purest shot of adrenaline?That was me.My hands were steady, my breathing even, but inside, I was a storm waiting to be unleashed. Giovanni had taken Annalisa. My Annalisa. And that bastard was about to learn that “you don’t touch what belongs to me and live to tell the tale.”The convoy of blacked-out SUVs tore down the rain-slicked streets, slicing through the city like a pack of wolves hunting prey. Ronald’s men had met us on the way, just like he promised, bringing an arsenal that would make a warlord proud.“Boss,” Ricardo muttered beside me, clicking a round into his rifle. “We’re locked and loaded.”I nodded once, eyes locked on the warehouse up ahead. It stood on the edge of the docks, hidden in the shadows, metal walls rusted and stained with time. The kind of place wher
Content Warning: This chapter contains depictions of sexual violence, which are necessary for the story’s progression. Every detail serves a purpose and is not intended to glorify or justify violence in any form. Reader discretion is advised, thank you.Chapter 64AnnalisaPain had a way of distorting time. One second stretched into eternity, every heartbeat a slow, agonizing reminder that I was still here, still breathing, still enduring. But pain wasn’t just physical—it was mental, emotional. It crawled into the cracks of my mind, whispering doubts, telling me to give up, to let the inevitable happen.But hell, fuck that.If Cristiano wasn’t coming, then I was going to save myself.A guttural scream tore from Giovanni's throat as I sank my teeth into his member. It was a hard bite. I felt flesh against my molars, the sharp tang of blood exploding across my tongue. Giovanni howled, his body jerking as he stumbled backward, cursing in every language he knew.“Stupid f*cking b*tch!” Hi
Content Warning: This chapter contains depictions of sexual violence, which are necessary for the story’s progression. Every detail serves a purpose and is not intended to glorify or justify violence in any form. Reader discretion is advised, thank you.Chapter 63AnnalisaI used to think pain had a limit. That the body would eventually shut down, fold in on itself, and drift somewhere safe when things got too unbearable. But it turns out, I was dead wrong.Because pain wasn’t just a sensation—it was a living, breathing thing, wrapping itself around me, digging its claws into my skin, whispering in my ear that this wasn’t even the worst of it. I wasn't even close to the worst Giovanni could present, yet.My stomach had dropped when the guard that Giovanni had instructed to bring his whip, obeyed without hesitation. And it had felt like I was living in a bad dream when a sleek, coiled whip landed in Giovanni’s outstretched hand. He tested it by letting the leather slitter between his
Chapter 62CristianoThey say a man doesn't know rage until something he loves is ripped from his hands.I knew rage. I was drowning in it at this very moment.The city blurred past in streaks of neon and rain-slicked roads, but all I saw was red. The red of her dress the last time I held her. The red of the taillights she never should have stopped for. The red that would spill when I put a bullet in Giovanni’s fucking head.She had been mine since the moment she walked into my life—since the first time she tilted her head with that teasing smile and called me hubby with those plump lips of hers. I could still hear the way she said it, how her plump lips formed the word like it was her favorite thing to say.How many times had I kissed those lips? And how many more times had I told myself I had forever to do it?I prayed she was okay.For the first time in my life, I actually fucking prayed.She had no idea what she was doing to me. No idea how deep I had fallen for her, how she had w
Forewarning; Life is not always a bed of roses. This chapter contains violence, please skip if you're not comfortable.Chapter 61AnnalisaThe water was cold.But I didn't care.After days of sweat and filth clinging to my skin, of enduring the irritating stench filled in this warehouse, I had appreciated every second of the bath Giovanni finally allowed me. I scrubbed until my fingers started to hurt and my skin started to sting. God knows how hard it was holding back the urge to cry as I brushed my teeth with trembling hands, desperate to erase the taste of his lips on mine, his hands, his control, and most especially their sour-tasting food.Now, as I curled up beneath the thick blanket that reeked of Giovanni's cologne, I allowed myself to sink into the mattress. I was so tired. The exhaustion in my bones was unbearable, my arms and legs felt so heavy, all I wanted at the moment was to close my heavy eyes. I wanted to sleep.But then, life always had other plans. The door to the
Chapter 60Cristiano “Even a machine breaks down if you push it too hard.”Dr. Moretti’s voice followed behind me, ringing in my ears, sharp and unwelcome, as I staggered outside. I didn’t have time for this—I didn’t have time for him. The moment I stepped outside, my mind was already on the battlefield and worst case scenarios. The only thing that mattered was getting to Annalisa. Everything else—my exhaustion, the dull throbbing in my skull, the fact that I hadn’t eaten in over twenty-four hours—was irrelevant.But then, a firm grip on my arm pulled me back. Ricardo had been the one who grabbed my arm.“Wait.”I glared at him, ready to snap, but he held up a crisp white handkerchief. “You’re bleeding.”I frowned. “What?”Ricardo gestured to my face. I swiped the handkerchief under my nose and pulled it back to see it soaked with a red, dark and fresh blood.Fuck.Before I could process it, a second wave hit. The world around me blurred, colors melting together, and for a terrifyin