Summer 2006 Thirteen-year-old Regina was rushing to the kitchen because Isabella, her nanny, had promised she could eat ice cream once she was done with her homework. She'd done it in record time and wanted her reward. Isa never lied and if she wanted anything, she could have it but there was a kind of excitement she always felt whenever she earned her rewards. A sort of fulfillment a thirteen-year-old didn't have words to describe. Since she was in a hurry, she wasn't careful with her steps and missed the last two stairs. With a scream, she went flying, prepared to land on her face and break her nose. Instead, strong arms wrapped around her and she fell on top of something hard. Her forehead colliding with something harder. "Oomph" She lifted her head, ready to offer an apology, and looked into the most beautiful green eyes she'd ever seen. The word sorry died in her throat. "Wow," she breathed in innocent wonder. How come she'd never s

"Where are we on the shipment?" "We're making progress, ma'am" I throw him a dirty glare over my shoulder "Try again" "It will be done by the end of the end day, ma'am" "I don't need to tell you what will happen if this isn't sorted today" it's simple. Heads will roll. I am not in the mood to play games with those bastards at the port. If that shipment is a day late, I will handle it the way I normally do. By shooting first and asking questions later. I'm tired of men thinking they can get away with defying me just because I'm a woman. Dino nods. I expect him to leave but he continues to stand where he is "Anything else?" "Mr. Gambone is waiting for you in your office" "When did he arrive?" "A few minutes ago, ma'am""You can leave" I bite out through gritted teeth. Keeping up my calm and unbothered facade when all I what I want to do is run in there and punch him for invading my privacy. He shouldn't be here, much less in my office. Who knows what he's

I take one last look in the mirror and then make my way to the office downstairs. It's past ten and aside from the men patrolling outside, everyone has retired to their rooms. Lifting a book off the shelves, I press a button that opens a secret door then push it open and press the lift button. It opens immediately because no one uses it. Once I step inside, things go back to how they were, the door closing and the shelves returning to their normal position. I lived in this house my whole life but I never knew about the secret rooms until I defied papa. Then he turned into someone else. Someone I couldn't recognize. It's been that way for years now. Except, now I'm the one he can't recognize. It makes me wonder if he's ever regretted his decision. Would things have been different if he'd stopped when I begged him to? The elevator stops and the doors slide open. As I walk into the room, my heels announce my arrival. There are days like today when I expect him to turn his head and look a

Flashback "Christ, move" he grabs the extinguisher and puts out the fire. I realize there was a kitchen towel next to the stovetop and it's half burnt. That must be the source of the fire. Or the oil I accidentally poured on the towel. Federico turns to look at me, annoyance flashing in his eyes. I wonder if it was his favorite towel "Were you trying to burn my house down?" "I want eggs" "Yes, Your Highness. Who the fuck do you think I am? Your maid?" "Then move. I'll cook for myself" "Forget it" he takes the pan with burnt eggs and throws it in the sink then grabs another one. Cracking two eggs in a bowl. I wonder why I didn't think of that. "Make it four" "You know I'm starting to think this deal is not worth all this trouble. Eat your fucking eggs and go back home" "We already signed the contract," I tell him watching the way he flips the eggs. How are they not burnt? "How did you do that?" "Control the fire. If you're not sure about the amount of heat to

PastPast "I won't marry him," I say, my voice strong with false bravado. Papa slaps a hand on top of the table, making me flinch. De Angelo just left after spending the entire night ogling me like a creep. I can't stand him and despite how much Papa hates me, I can't believe he's trying to force me to marry him. "I don't remember asking for your opinion. " "I will die before I marry De Angelo" "Then fucking die, Regina, but know that you will show up to that wedding. Dead or alive" his harsh words tear another piece of my heart away. This is not the man I grew up with. This is not the father who, up until two weeks ago, meant the world to me. Ever since he found out about my relationship with Chris, he changed into someone else. I thought he'd be happy that I found love. That he would only give me a hard time, but eventually agree to my relationship because he loved me and wanted the best for me. How very wrong I was. Now Chris is dead and I'm set to marry one of his as