Donnie April Novels & Stories

"When you were looking at that magazine, your eyes were glued to this ring. Couldn't look away." "So I bought it for you." There was a smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He had no idea I'd only stared at the ring so he could pay off his debt faster. The cold of the diamond crept up my finger and into my chest. I shivered. But he didn't need my help. Did he? The voice on the phone had just called him Don. The Angelo I knew was a broke kid drowning in mob debt. What a joke. "Three whole years," My voice came out cold. "A Don playing dirt-poor with me. Was it fun?"

What specific tier of garbage coding was currently clogging her brain cells, forcing her mouth to manufacture a low-society word like "contaminate" Donnie let out a bright, melodic chuckle that he simply lacked the capacity to contain. He casually casualized his arm, his fingers snapping forward to execute a highly deliberate, sharp flick straight against the deep-crimson patch coloring her forehead. "My data ledger currently preserves an absolute zero regarding a girlfriend variable." The exact second the verification left his lips, he smoothly booted his towering frame upward and evacuated her perimeter.

Elena's breathing exercises. In for four. Hold for seven. Out for eight. It didn't help. Nothing helped when the weight of everything came crashing down. I was going to marry Dante Moretti. The man whose family my father had murdered. The man who'd looked at me tonight with pure hatred burning in his dark eyes. The man who'd wrapped his hands around my throat and made me feel something other than guilt for the first time in five years.” My phone buzzed. Unknown number. “This wasn't my idea. But I'll make it work. Three months. Then you're mine. - DM”

In the chat window lay the message I had sent him hours earlier: "Are you done?" He called me. No answer. He called again. Still no answer. He summoned his assistant, Dante Russo. "Call Carlo. Ask if my wife is still there." The assistant made the call. His face changed. "Mr. Bellandi, Carlo said Donna waited until midnight, then left. She left alone." Something inside Matteo suddenly went hollow. He thrust the child into the nanny's arms and turned toward the door. Sienna chased after him. "Matteo! Where are you going? The ceremony isn't finished!"

The last thing I want is to hyperventilate in front of DJ Burgman’s family. The door opens at that moment, making my breath catch. Dr. Burgman is a beautiful woman with ebony skin, deep brown eyes, and beautiful curly hair. We’re both about the same height, but this woman is perfectly voluptuous where I'm slim. “Hello,” she smiles kindly. “Can I help you?” I bite my lip and nod my head. “H-hi, I’m…” Connor’s hand tightens in mine with support. “I’m April, and I’m here to talk to you and your son, DJ.”

All over one photo with my own brother after years apart. I stared at her, cold. "You're mistaken. I'm Lucas's sister. Not some side piece. Do your homework next time." Betty looked me up and down like I was dirt. "Sister? Don't make me laugh. Lucas's sister is a Donna. She's powerful, connected, and untouchable. You think you can compare? Trash like you survives on its back." I decided to take that as a compliment on my looks. Otherwise, I'd have already ended her.

April could not believe what she had just remembered, the demon.... the demon was the mysterious doctor who had saved her. He was the doctor that found a heart donor for her and saved her. However, April could not understand why he did that, why did he save someone he was hellbent in killing?

“Oh, that’s new. Wilbet only ever buys you ugly tulips. These are…” She plucked a rose, pressing her nose against it. “... expensive.” “Must be from the club committee,” I said quickly. “We’re hosting a fundraiser next week.” Cass gave a low, amused laugh. “Club committee? You sure it’s not someone who’s actually seen you smile?” I shot her a look. “Oh, don’t play coy or dumb with me, Aziza. You and I both know these aren’t from Wilbet. These are from someone. Dare I say... special?

I took the microphone and swept my gaze across the crowd, my voice steady and firm. "Ten years ago, I chose to fake my death to protect my family and my son. Ten years later, I'm back. Those who stand with this family will be rewarded. Anyone who betrays us or lays a hand on my loved ones, no matter who you are or which family you come from, I will make you pay the ultimate price." Applause erupted again as all the family heads shouted in unison, "Long live the Donna. Glory to the Medicis!" After the celebration, Fabrizio took me back to the old family estate on Holbeck. This was where I was born and raised.

Long enough that the compound had started feeling like the whole world. "Dinner?" "Dinner." He held my gaze. "Just dinner." Rosabella made a sound that might have been a cough. "Yeah sure. I'd like that," I said. The rest of the day passed quietly. I worked in the medical bay. Small things. The ordinary maintenance of keeping people functional. Around mid-afternoon Darius appeared in the doorway. Frank's consigliere. The quiet one who watched everything and said little. He had the kind of stillness that came from years of assessing threats and deciding in seconds which ones mattered.