Giovanni’s POV Thirty goddamn minutes and not a word outta her. I steal a glance, expecting fireworks but she's staring out the window like she lost the damn plot. Part of me wants to rip the air with screams, shake her till the truth rattles out like loose change. But I know better. Patience, Giovanni, patience. My only weapon against this silent storm.So I push the pedal into the floorboard, the engine roaring like a pissed-off beast. Nobody's tracking us tonight. My phone, casualty of her hissy fit, lays cracked on the leather, a silent witness to our descent into madness. I reach for it, but a swift kick sends it skittering like a scared roach.Her eyes, green fire in the gloom, lock onto mine. "Stupid," she spits the word dripping with venom. " They can fucking track it if you call. You want them camping on our asses?"My breath turns to gravel. Damn her. Every word is a barb, twisting in my gut. Fury, confusion, something raw and primal, churns in my chest. I stare back, a cor
Gabriella’s POV There were worse things than realizing you’ve woken up in the middle of an unfamiliar bed. It’s waking up wrapped in the arms of the man who hurt you but knowing you’ll let him hurt you all over again just because your heart still beats for him. But just because my heart still beats for him doesn’t mean I should’ve let him ruin all my plans. Or should I? I gulped and let myself trace the soft lines on his forehead. Even asleep, Giovanni looks strict and serious. His thick brows are almost at war against each other and he makes this deep snoring sound. Stop. Don’t let yourself fall again into this trap. “ Trying to kill me, wife?” I gulped and almost jumped out of bed when Giovanni suddenly opened his eyes. His quick reflex immediately grabbed my waist making my face land on his chest. I could feel a loud heartbeat but I am not sure if it’s his or mine. “ Don’t move. I’m still sleepy.” Normally, I’d punch his face or I'd kick his ass and point my gun to his head,
Gabriella’s POV SEVEN YEARS AGO. “ It’ll be over once he realizes you’re dead.” I shockingly stare at Allistori’s back once his words cut to the air like a fucking sharp knife. He calmly put his whiskey on the table and looked at me. At first, I was afraid because of the way he looked at me. The first time I saw his eyes, it was something. It was as if he was from hell and the darkest part of him can be seen through his eyes. “ I already made sure to leave evidence behind so you cannot be found—.” “ Why are you helping me?” The low sound of his footsteps was the only sound breaking the silence. Allistori stared back, put up a smirk, and did nothing but shake his head. I’ve waited for him to say anything but he only stared as if he was mesmerized by something. I gasped. “ Is it because I’m a Vittorio?” Allistori watched me. Carefully. Strategically.He’s watching me as if my face bears all the answers he needs in this world. His pupils dilated for a second and it changed. I saw
GABRIELLAMy heart skipped a beat. "Rover, what are you doing here? Who’s with you?" I quickly went to Rover's side who looked like he just woken up from a deep sleep. I don’t know what to feel right now and I think my heart will explode from every emotion I am feeling. Giovanni looked like he was in a daze too but I kept myself composed because my son…our son is standing right in front of us. Rover blinked, looking confused. "Tito Van brought me. He said it was safe."My eyes shot to Giovanni. " Tito Van? You brought him here?" I cannot hide the accusation in my voice. Giovanni shrugged, his face calm but eyes burning with intensity. "I told you I can do everything to find him, Gab."Panic rose in my chest. "Rover, come here," I said, trying to steady my voice. I needed to get him away from Giovanni before anything else was said.Rover walked over to me, his small hand slipping into mine. I looked down at him, forcing a smile. "Did you have fun with Tito Van? Where’s your daddy Al
Gabriella’s POVIt's been three days since we arrived in this hidden forest. The cabin's secluded location provided the safety we needed, but it also made me feel trapped. My organization was out there, and I had no way of reaching them. Giovanni had confiscated my phone, saying he needed to figure out who the traitor was. But I was the leader of my organization too, and I couldn't afford to be cut off like this.Rover's laughter echoed through the cabin, momentarily lifting my spirits. He was adjusting surprisingly well to having Giovanni around. Seeing them together, playing and bonding, filled me with a mix of relief and anxiety. I couldn't deny that Giovanni was a good father, but the situation was far from ideal.I watched Giovanni from the kitchen, his brow furrowed as he talked on the phone. He had been
The safe house was a small, unassuming cabin deep in the woods, surrounded by dense trees and hidden from view. I knew about this before and I’m the only person who has access to this. It’s one of the properties of Santoro. We arrived just before dawn, and Giovanni carried a sleeping Rover inside, laying him gently on the couch. I quickly checked the perimeter, ensuring there were no signs of intruders. Satisfied, I joined Giovanni in the small living room."We need to talk," Giovanni said, his voice low and urgent, the tone of a man accustomed to giving orders. Again.I nodded, sitting down across from him. "I know. We need to figure out who’s behind this and why they’re targeting us."Giovanni ran a hand through his hair, eyes dark with worry. "They’re getting closer, Gabriella.
The following week was a whirlwind of planning and preparation. Giovanni and I worked tirelessly to ensure Rover’s safety, finally deciding on a secluded boarding school known for its strict security measures. It was a place only Giovanni and I knew about, a sanctuary where Rover could be safe from the chaos that was about to unfold.With Rover securely in place, Giovanni and I returned to our normal lives, or at least the facade of normalcy. The charade had to continue. We needed Allistori to believe that I still harbored a deep hatred for Giovanni, that our old animosities were still very much alive.One evening, after making sure our plans were progressing smoothly, I found myself slipping into my own house under the cover of darkness. The familiar scent of the place brought back a rush of memories, both comforting and unsettling. I moved quietly throu
Gabriela “ You can kiss harder than that,” he whispered. The scent of smoke and bourbon fills the air, it was addicting yet, suffocating. “ What’s wrong, Santoro? Do you not enjoy being owned?” His voice was laced with distaste. My gaze found him. Rage fuels my heart to push him away. “ No. Not with someone as beast as you,” I smirk and hit his chest, ready to pull away when suddenly, his hand grips my hair, pulling me closer to his body. “ Careful, Santoro. I might ruin you, right here, right now,” he darkly said directly beneath my ears as I felt his fingers painfully stroking the tips of my hair. My heart was beating too fast and I cannot move, not when my whole family was here, at this beast's mercy. The elite party lights, champagnes, and sexy music didn’t justify how disgraceful this place was. A pity party for the Mob families, announcing a dream of happily ever after which doesn’t exist in our dark world. Only the greedy attend this kind of party. Only those who bathe