"We are the Mafia," Leonardo said, his voice steady, gaze fixed on his wife’s face.Sofia's eyes widened in horror, her lips quivered as she tried to question."What... what... do you mean?" Sofia stuttered, her voice shaking. "D... do you work for the M... Mafia?" Her words barely escaped her lips, the fear evident in her every syllable.Leonardo sighed, clueless about how to make this easy for his wife. He never wanted to scare off Sofia, but the truth demanded to be spoken. He struggled to find the right words, to soften the blow without diminishing the gravity of his confession. The silence between them stretched, heavy with unspoken words."Listen, Sofia, don't freak out." He shifted closer, his eyes pleading for understanding. "I need you to understand that my involvement in the Mafia is not what you think."Sofia's gaze wavered, a mix of confusion, fear, and curiosity dancing in her eyes. She waited, her heart racing, for him to continue."I… don't work for the Mafia," Leonard
Sofia turned her head towards him, her face contorted with shock and disbelief. She felt disappointed to know the whole truth of their contract marriage."So you married me for this position?" she asked, her voice filled with a mixture of hurt and confusion. Leonardo couldn't help but feel amused, wondering how someone could be so naive."You can say that, and it's not my fault," he responded, his voice tinged with a hint of defensiveness. "I had never met you before our marriage. I didn't know you at that time. So yes, I married you for this position. But..." Leonardo leaned forward, his face just inches away from hers, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "...it is different now."Sofia's eyes searched his face, her expression a mixture of vulnerability and skepticism. "How... how is it different? I am the same girl, and you are a Mafia king," she said, her voice trembling with uncertainty.Leonardo leaned even closer. A slight, knowing smirk played on his lips. "Because now I am
Leonardo's lips ravished Sofia's, his desire evident in every desperate kiss. He couldn't get enough of her, his tongue teasing and parting the seam of her lips, seeking permission to explore the depths of her mouth. Sofia caught up in the intoxicating whirlwind of passion, eagerly reciprocated his advances, her tongue dancing with his in a fiery embrace.As Leonardo continued to taste the sweetness of her lips, a knowing smile played on his face. He sensed her lack of experience, and the realization excited him even more. With an unrestrained hunger, she bit down on his lip in a moment of desperate desire, sending a surge of pleasure through his veins, knowing she wanted him just as much as he wanted her.Reluctantly pulling away from their passionate exchange, Leonardo looked deeply into her eyes. He had to hear it from her lips to have the confirmation he sought. "Sofia, am I your first kiss?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and possessiveness.Her face dippe
After speaking with his father, Leonardo took care of some business calls before returning to the room. Sofia was still peacefully asleep, her innocence radiating from her face. A small glimmer of joy found its way into Leonardo's heart as he observed her serenity.Careful not to disturb her slumber, he slid under the covers and drew her closer to him, his arm encircling her delicate frame. With Sofia nestled against him, he felt a sense of solace he hadn't experienced in a long time. The comfort of her presence lulled him back into a deep sleep.Upon awakening once more, Leonardo discovered that Sofia was no longer in bed beside him. His eyebrows knitted together, and he propped himself up on his elbows, scanning the room for any sign of her. Yet, she was nowhere to be found.Concern prickled at his skin as he rose from the bed, his feet carrying him toward the bathroom. "Sofia? Are you there?" he called out, his voice filled with a tinge of worry. There was no response. He turned t
"But baby, today I want to have your favorite food," he said, pulling her closer. Leonardo wrapped his arm around her and guided her inside the room from the balcony."Okay, now it's your turn to order our breakfast," he said, handing her the intercom and pressing the button for room service.She looked at him with fear in her eyes. "I... I've never ordered take-out or food delivery before. I... I don't know what to order."Her words ignited Leonardo's anger. How could the Ricci family treat their own daughter like this? She was so innocent and unaware of many things in their society.Now he was certain that the rumors about Sofia in society were false. She was completely different from what he had heard about her. He wondered who could spread such lies and vowed to find the culprit and make them suffer for their actions.Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Leonardo softened his voice as much as possible. "It's very simple, Sofia. Just tell them what you want for breakfast. Anythin
Leonardo's arrival was a sight to behold. Clad in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo, he emanated an air of sophistication and power. His attention to detail was evident in the impeccable knot of his red tie, while the unbuttoned black jacket revealed the crisp white shirt that lay beneath. His hair slicked back with gel, added an extra touch of refinement to his already striking appearance. As always, Leonardo had the ability to make Sofia's heart skip a beat with his devilishly handsome face.His intense gaze swept over his wife, taking in every detail from head to toe. Sofia could see the admiration shining in his eyes, causing her own heart to flutter. He cleared his throat, drawing her attention."Excuse me, ma'am," Leonardo began, a playful tone lacing his words. "Have you seen my wife? I left her in this room. Where did she go?" His eyes continued to scan the surroundings as if searching for a missing person.At first, Sofia was momentarily puzzled by his question. However, the
Evelyn's eyes remained fixed on Leonardo, her gaze smoldering with an intense desire that threatened to consume him whole. Her seductive stare held a promise of passion as if she would pounce on him the moment the opportunity presented itself. Her hunger for him was palpable, so palpable that it seemed she could practically taste him in the air. A slight sheen of perspiration glistened on her forehead, a testament to the heat that burned within her. As Leonardo introduced Sofia as his wife, a flicker of something dangerous passed through Evelyn's eyes. It was a burning gaze that bore into Sofia, filled with a lethal intent that could have incinerated her with its intensity. But just as quickly as it appeared, Evelyn concealed it behind a carefully crafted smile, masking her true feelings. Sofia, innocent and unsuspecting, felt a sudden wave of nervousness wash over her, unsure of the storm brewing beneath Evelyn's facade."Nice to meet you, Sofia," Evelyn said, her voice laced with a
Sofia stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as a wave of humiliation washed over her. The blood drained from her face, leaving her pale and vulnerable. Throughout her life, she had endured countless insults, but never before had she felt such intense shame. This was different; it cut deep into her soul.Leonardo, her husband in name only, had betrayed her in the most unexpected way. The sweetness he had shown her earlier now felt like a cruel deception. How could he be so tender one moment and then callously cheat on her with his ex-girlfriend the next? The realization hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless.A surge of anger mixed with hurt coursed through Sofia's veins. She knew, logically, that Leonardo didn't owe her anything. Their marriage was nothing more than a contract, a façade for the world to see. But still, she had hoped for more. She had dared to believe in the possibility of love, despite the circumstances.Evelyn, Leonardo's ex-girlfriend, stood
“You’re not telling her anything,” Domenico added, his tone less of a suggestion and more of a command. “She’ll be broken, Leo. She’ll never be the same after this—and neither will your marriage. You can’t do that to her.”His voice cracked slightly, frustration and desperation laced in every word.“I can’t watch her fall apart,” Domenico continued, his eyes pleading. “You know how much her self-respect means to her. She’s strong, but this… this would destroy her.”Leonardo looked away, guilt tightening his chest. “But… what if she finds out?”Domenico didn’t hesitate. “How?” he snapped, stepping forward. “How the hell is she going t
Leonardo didn’t answer. Instead, he unbuckled his seatbelt, yanked the car door open, and stepped out without a word.“Where are you going?” Domenico frowned, confused.Sighing, he unfastened his own seatbelt, turned off the engine, and pushed the door open. He stepped out onto the sidewalk, his eyes instantly locking on Leonardo.The mafia king was pacing slowly, hands in his pockets, head low. The road was nearly deserted—just the occasional car speeding by. Above them, the night sky was star-scattered and dark, the moon absent. Street lamps cast pale yellow pools of light on the sidewalk, flickering faintly. It was quiet, almost eerily so.“What’s going on, Leonardo?” Domenico pressed, his voice taut with tension. Panic had begun creeping up his spine ever since Leonardo had admitted he’d done something that could break Sofia’s heart.Leonardo stopped pacing. He looked out at the road like he was hoping it would swallow him whole.After a heavy silence, he finally muttered, “I slep
Domenico drove like a man possessed, the tires screeching against the asphalt as he pulled into the clinic’s private entrance. The second the car stopped, medics were already rushing out. Leonardo had called ahead.Leonardo barely got out of the car before two nurses approached with a stretcher for Rusty, who was unconscious and pale from blood loss. Domenico helped them load him onto it, his jaw tight as he watched his injured man disappear behind hospital doors.Leonardo winced as he clutched his shoulder, blood still seeping through his shirt. A nurse tried to usher him inside, but he waved her off.“Get Rusty stable. That’s the priority,” he muttered.“You both need care,” she insisted.“I said, treat him first.”Domenico rolled his eyes. “For once, don’t be a stubborn bastard.”Eventually, the Italian don allowed them to clean and dress the wound—nothing deep, but enough to sting and tear the fabric of his day. The bullet had grazed him, but the tension in the room made it feel d
The musty air inside the warehouse was thick with dust and diesel fumes. Shafts of sunlight slipped through the cracks in the rusted ceiling, cutting across crates of firearms marked with foreign stamps. Leonardo adjusted the cuffs of his black linen shirt, stepping around a crate with slow, measured confidence.Domenico stood at his side, expression unreadable, arms crossed, and a Glock holstered beneath his leather jacket.Anthony Gonsalvis lit a cheap cigar and grinned, the oily kind of grin Leonardo had always distrusted. “Everything's here, Don Morelli,” Anthony said, waving a hand toward the open crates. “Fresh stock. No serials, no loose ends. Clean work.”Leonardo gave him a long, quiet stare. “I don’t give a damn about the wrapping, Anthony. What’s the price?”Numbers were exchanged, fake smiles offered. Domenico crouched beside a crate, pulling out a semi-automatic and inspecting the chamber. Everything seemed legit—too legit.Then came the sound.A sharp whistle. Tires scre
The soft rustling of the curtains filled the quiet bedroom as the moonlight streamed in through the open windows, casting silver streaks across the floor. The night air was cool and still, carrying with it a sense of calm that the couple hadn’t felt in days. Dinner had been quiet, filled with concerned glances from Leonardo’s parents and affectionate giggles from their children, Vincenzo and Lucia. But now, in the sanctuary of their room, it was just the two of them—no distractions, no interruptions.Sofia sat on the edge of the bed, brushing her fingers over the blanket absentmindedly. Leonardo stood by the door for a moment, watching her. She looked fragile in the dim light, her hand resting protectively over her belly, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.He finally walked toward her, kneeling in front of her like a man seeking redemption.“I owe you an apology,” he said softly. “Not just for last night, but for all the times I let my anger win. For making you feel like y
When Leonardo finally arrived home in his disheveled state, guilt weighing heavy on his shoulders, he found Sofia waiting for him near the front door. Her phone trembled in her tight grip, and the moment she saw him, she shot to her feet, rushing toward him.She threw herself into his arms, her body shaking as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Where were you the whole night, Leonardo?” she cried, her voice breaking. “Who does this to his pregnant wife after a small fight, huh?”Her sobs echoed in the hallway as she pressed her face against his chest. Leonardo’s heart shattered at the sound of her pain. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as though he could shield her from everything—including himself.“I’m sorry, amore mio,” he whispered, lowering his head and pressing his lips to her hair. “It won’t ever happen again. I swear.”Sofia pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his stormy grey eyes with her tear-filled blue ones. Her voice was soft, but the words st
Leonardo stared at Ava, his heart sinking with helplessness. He still couldn't believe what had happened. The reality of his marriage, his love for Sofia, stood like an immovable wall between them. No—he loved Sofia, more than words could ever express, and the mere thought of betraying her, even if he didn’t remember every detail of the night, made him feel like a criminal.God, what have I done?He turned his gaze away, guilt consuming every corner of his mind. Ava was sitting on the edge of the bed, the sheet pulled around her like a fragile veil, watching him with eyes full of something that looked like hope. But staying here any longer would only be a bigger mistake. Whatever happened last night—it shouldn’t have.“I have to go,” Leonardo muttered, already stepping toward the door.His hand had just touched the knob when a trembling voice froze him in place. “Leo…” Ava whispered, her voice broken. “I’m very alone.”He stood still, his back to her. The image of Sofia’s face flashe
Ava reached out, her fingers tracing lightly along Leonardo’s chest as she whispered soft, seductive words into his ear. But even in his dazed state, his reaction was immediate and fierce—he jerked away, his eyes clouded and nearly closed, yet his actions were furious as he shoved her hand aside with surprising strength.“Ouch,” she muttered, stunned more by the rejection than the force. His body was firm, solid like carved marble, and every part of her ached with longing. She had dreamed of this moment for years, and now that he was here—in her home, in her bed—she couldn't accept defeat.But it was clear: he wasn’t yielding.Frustrated, Ava stepped back and signaled her driver, who had been waiting just outside the door. Without exchanging a word, he entered the room and silently helped her undress Leonardo—his limbs heavy, his consciousness fading. She administered another dose of the sedative, watching his breathing slow as the drug took effect.Only then did she dismiss the drive
Sofia didn’t want to call her—not now, not ever. It went against every ounce of pride she still had. The very idea of reaching out to her to ask about her own husband made her stomach twist with humiliation. But her instincts as a wife were louder than her ego. Something deep within her, something raw and unexplainable, told her she had to find Leonardo—and that she would do whatever it took.With a shaky breath, she tapped the name on her phone screen. The dial tone rang only twice.“Ava, hi,” she said softly as the call connected, trying to sound composed.There was a pause before Ava responded, her voice low, almost too calm. “Sofia,” she said, the way one might say the name of an unexpected guest. “What makes you call me today?”Sofia hesitated, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Um… is my husband with you?” she asked carefully, every word laced with tension.There was a sharp inhale from the other side.“Your husband? And you don’t know where he is?” Ava’s tone instantly shifted