VINCENZO
I watched as she finally looked up, her gaze meeting mine. The gasp that escaped her lips caused a flicker of amusement to cross my face. Despite her dishevelled appearance, there was no denying her beauty. Those captivating blue eyes held a certain depth, while her lips were full and enticing. But it was the dimples on her cheeks that truly caught my attention. She was undeniably stunning.
Quickly regaining my composure, I cleared my throat and reminded myself not to be distracted. This woman was not here for admiration or pleasure. She was here as a means to an end, a pawn in the game I played. I needed to maintain control and not let her presence sway me.
"Are you done?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of coldness. The slight twitch at the corners of my mouth betrayed a trace of amusement, though I quickly masked it. I couldn't let her see any sign of vulnerability or attraction. I was the devil, after all, and emotions were weak
VINCENZOChirkov—the man who held a dark place in my past, the man responsible for my mother's death. The mere mention of his name ignited a fierce fire within me, fuelling my determination to bring him down. And now, fate had delivered his own daughter into my hands, a pawn ready to be played."You have Chirkov’s daughter in your hands and you know what that means," He said, his tone dripping with calculated intent."I have to take it slow," I explained, my mind already formulating a plan. "Bringing him down outright won't be enough. I need something that will strike at his very core, something that will tarnish his image before I make my final move. And his daughter, Anya, is the perfect instrument to extract that information."A cruel smirk danced across my lips as I contemplated the path ahead. Anya's escape from her father's clutches, her palpable resentment toward him—I sensed an opportunity to exploit her and unra
ANYAThis was the third week of my stay in the Cassano estate, and despite the luxurious surroundings and Cosima's motherly affection, I couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of loneliness that engulfed me. Cosima, with her kind and nurturing nature, had become my beacon of light in this dark place. Her love and care filled a void in my heart that had been empty for far too long.As I sat in the kitchen, munching on some fries, I observed Cosima as she buzzed around, her energy seemingly boundless for a woman of sixty. She wiped her hands clean and settled down beside me, her warm presence comforting."So, bambina, how is your stay here?" she inquired, using the endearing nickname she had bestowed upon me shortly after my arrival.I pondered her question for a moment, unsure of how to put my feelings into words. It wasn't a terrible stay, nor was it particularly enjoyable. The truth lay somewhere in between."Not too good and n
ANYAPRESENT TIME“Are you going to keep standing there?” Carlo's piercing gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving me alone outside Vincenzo's door. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts and steeling myself for what lay beyond that closed door. With a hesitant hand, I raised it and gently knocked."Come in," Vincenzo's voice came through the door, devoid of any warmth or friendliness.Pushing the door open, I stepped into the room, my eyes immediately drawn to Vincenzo's figure behind the desk. He was engrossed in his work, his fingers dancing across the keyboard, commanding attention with each keystroke.I hesitated for a moment, taking in the surroundings. The room felt imposing, with its sleek and minimalistic design, giving off an air of power and authority that matched Vincenzo's demeanour.Summoning my courage, I took a few steps closer, making sure
ANYA"What the fuck!" Vincenzo's voice boomed, his exasperation slicing through the air like a sharp blade. The sudden outburst startled me, causing my heart to race even faster in my chest."Vince!!!" A voice screamed, breaking the tension-filled room. My eyes widened as a stunning blonde beauty sprinted into Vincenzo's waiting arms. I instinctively moved out of the way, a mix of surprise and astonishment flooding my senses. I watched in awe as they embraced, her lips smothering his face with joyful kisses.I stood there, gaping like a fish out of water, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me. Vincenzo, the formidable and ruthless Capo of the Italian famiglia, was transformed in that instant. The laughter that erupted from him shook his entire being, reaching deep into the depths of his soul. It was a sound I never thought I would hear—a sound that rendered him boyish and carefree, if only for a fleeting moment.
VINCENZO As I watched Alessia and Anya walk away, a mixture of emotions swirled within me. Alessia had always been a source of light in my life, my little sister who brought warmth and laughter into even the darkest corners of our world. And now, seeing her connect with Anya, it brought a sense of joy and relief, knowing that she had found a friend, someone who could understand her in ways others couldn't. But then, my thoughts shifted to Anya herself. The way she smiled, the way she carried herself with a quiet strength—it was maddening. She had gotten under my skin, infiltrating my thoughts and desires in ways I never thought possible. Her presence in my life was a constant reminder of the tangled web of loyalties and vengeance that bound us together. Her father had taken away my mother, a wound that ran deep within my soul. I was supposed to stay away from her, to distance myself from the daughter of the man who had caused
ANYAToday, it was my turn to serve breakfast, and as usual, Natalina and Camila joined me in the task. We prepared the tray with care, making sure to arrange everything perfectly. It was a routine we had grown accustomed to within the confines of this luxurious mansion.With the tray in my hands, I made my way to the elegant dining room. As I entered, my gaze briefly met Vincenzo's piercing eyes, but I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a slight blush creep up my cheeks. There was an undeniable intensity in his stare that always made me feel a mix of nerves and curiosity.Vincenzo sat at the head of the table, commanding an air of authority that came naturally to him. Matteo, Carlo, and Alessia, his trusted inner circle, were seated by his side, exuding a sense of loyalty and camaraderie. However, my attention was drawn to the two unfamiliar faces seated next to them—a handsome young man and an equally striking woman.As I positioned
ANYA"You startled me," I blurted out, my voice slightly trembling. Vincenzo's mere presence had a way of both captivating and intimidating me, making it difficult to keep my composure.His lips curved into a smirk, clearly amused by my reaction. "Are you looking for me?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of mischief.I shook my head, trying to regain my composure. "No," I replied firmly, hoping to convey that his presence didn't affect me as much as it did. But deep down, I couldn't deny the flicker of curiosity that burned within me whenever he was around.A knowing glint danced in his eyes as he continued to study me. "Oh yeah?" he challenged, his smirk widening. I could sense the playful undertone in his voice, as if he enjoyed teasing me.I took a deep breath, determined not to let his charm get the best of me. "Yes," I responded, my voice carrying a touch of defiance. I wanted to wipe that infuriating smirk off his face,
VINCENZOI watched as Anya walked away, her presence lingering in my thoughts. There was something about her, something different that stirred emotions within me I had long tried to suppress. I couldn't deny the effect she had on me, the way she made me feel alive in a way I hadn't experienced in years.But I knew better than to allow myself to feel. Weakness was not an option for me, not with the enemies that lurked in the shadows, waiting for any sign of vulnerability. My father's mistakes had taught me that lesson all too well, and I couldn't afford to repeat them.No matter how much I tried to distance myself from her, to remind myself of the past and the pain it held, she continued to invade my thoughts. It frustrated me, infuriated me even. I couldn't afford to have distractions, especially not with Emiliano's presence looming over us, a constant threat to the famiglia.I had tried using the excuse that her father was responsible fo