Unspoken Promises

Damian“Fuck this.” I roar, hurling my crystal scotch glass at the wall. It shatters like every other plan in my life. “Great. Now I’ll have to get one of the whores down here to clean it up.”I slump into my chair and let the rage simmer inside me. Maybe I should’ve shown a little remorse; pretended to care that my fiancée ran out in tears after catching me balls-deep in another woman. But I don’t. I can’t even pretend that I do. I just never expected her to walk in. But maybe it’s for the best. Let her cry to her daddy. Maybe her tears will prepare her for what life with me will actually be like. I’d love to hear what that pedo fuck has to say.I can’t stand her father, Riccardo Morelli. Never could. I’ve got no respect for any man who touches or sells kids. We’ve been trying to catch him for years, but the bastard’s slippery. Last time we had something solid, his father swept it under the rug. We couldn’t touch him. Still can’t.I need to focus, but my brain’s all over th

SareenaYesterday started like any other day. I woke up, pulled on my running gear, and tiptoed into the kitchen to make coffee for me and Kathy. The moment the aroma hit the air; she’d wake up and start on her famous French toast. It was our unspoken morning ritual; gentle, reliable and always so comforting.Kathy’s been my nanny since I moved away from home at almost thirteen. Just a kid, alone in a new world; with only a nanny. But Kathy wasn’t just anyone. Before that, she was a maid in our family home. She’s more than just my caretaker. She's been like my second mother. She never had any children of her own, so she poured everything she had, all of her love into raising me.I tied my sneakers, stretched, and started a slow jog toward the forest trails behind the university. It was supposed to be a short run, just enough to shake the morning fog. I had originally planned to stop by the dean’s office afterward to inquire about summer internship openings. Maybe I’d even sign

Sareena I step out of the airport and immediately spot Tommy, our family’s ever‑loyal lapdog. Why on earth would Dad send him? He’s one of the main reasons I had to get out of New York in the first place.The moment he sees me; his face lights up and he heads my way with his arms spread wide, as if we’re supposed to hug.“Hey, beautiful,” he drawls.I sidestep like he’s contagious. “That’s creepy, Tommy. Call me Sareena. We’re not friends, and we’re definitely not on friendly terms.”His arms drop, but the cocky smirk stays. I walk straight to the car. “Why don’t you ride up front with me?” he calls after me.I ignore him and slip into the back seat. Pop in my earbuds. Any conversation with him is the last thing I want.Being back in New York feels… strange. I haven’t set foot here since Mom left me at MIT’s doors more than five years ago. I wasn’t even thirteen then, fresh out of high school, clutching full scholarships to every Ivy League. I never expected they’d actually let

MariaSareena helps me up the stairs and into my room. She’s always been such a good girl, even when life hasn’t been kind to her. I know she has questions, but I’m not ready to answer them yet. But I will soon; after this wedding. Her life has been difficult; always neglected and often forgotten. I don’t deserve her love, but I know I did everything I could to protect her. I couldn’t save Sophia from Riccardo’s grip, but I got Sareena away. One day, I hope she will understand how much she means to me. She’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received.She sits me down on the edge of the bed and begins wiping my face, gently cleaning the cuts. Her touch is soft and soothing, just like it always was. She used to do this every time Riccardo hit me. I know she’s going to make a wonderful doctor. She’s already healing others, just by being herself.Sareena honestly thinks I don’t know anything going on in her life, but I do. Kathy calls me every day, sends pictures and updates. I’ve save

DamianEver since that meeting with Maria, I’ve had a twisted grin stretched across my face. I’ve never given a damn about anyone’s virginity. I’m personally no priest, and the women in my life are definitely not saints. But knowing Sareena’s untouched really does something to me. It’s not even just sexual. I feel possessive of her. Around 5 p.m., I pulled up with my father and Luca outside the Morelli mansion. We were exactly on time.Having Luca with us wasn’t just for show. His son already briefed him on the whole mess, and we needed Luca’s authority to pin Riccardo into a corner he couldn’t slither out of. No way would Riccardo defy the Capo, especially not with Gino present.Riccardo and Gino met us at the door. We followed them into the formal sitting room like sharks trailing blood.We didn’t think Gino knew about the sex tape yet. The old man still gets his information the way dinosaurs did; through the newspaper and whoever's dumb enough to speak in his ear. That was the