The moment I stepped out of the moving vehicle, into the huge building that laid before my very eyes, Matilda couldn't help but take in everything before my very sight.Standing right before me was years of hardwork, coming off that horrific relationship with Jaxon.A lot of people would have gone into the state of depression, after everything Jaxon did, but I was never the type to back down. While strolling through the hallway, deep in contemplation, I was greeted by a familiar voice saying my name. "Ayla!" he called out. "It's been a while since we last saw each other!"I looked over and saw Bruce, a friend and marketing analyst, walking towards me with a friendly grin. "Great to see you again Bruce! How are you?" I asked extending my arm for a friendly hug.Bruce has been one of the main men to push me to the limit with the business and I always found a way to show him gratitude for that."How is Finn and Feris doing? I bet they are really big now " he said with a smile on his

When your wife died, sadness and despair were the expected emotions, but I felt only anger and resentment as I watched the coffin being lowered into her grave.Nine and I had been married for eight years. On the day of our anniversary, death ended our marriage. A fitting end to a bond that had been doomed from the very start. Maybe it was fate that today was the hottest day of the summer. Sweat trickled down my forehead and temple, but the tears wouldn’t join in.Father tightened his grip on my shoulder. Was it to steady himself or me? His skin had been pale since his third heart attack, and Nine ’s death didn’t help matters. He met my gaze, worried. Cataracts clouded his eyes. Each day that passed had him fading away even more. The weaker he got, the stronger I needed to be. If you appeared vulnerable, the mafia would eat you whole.I gave him a small nod then turned back to the grave, my expression steel.Every Underboss of the Famiglia was in attendance. Even Luca Vitiello, our Ca

Mom had been very clear that I wouldn’t meet Leonard until our official introduction during dinner. I was supposed to stay in my room all afternoon while my parents and my future husband discussed my future as if I was a two-year-old without an opinion.Dressed in my favorite denim overall dress, and beneath it a white tank top with sunflowers, I crept out of my room when I heard the bell. Barefoot, I made no noise as I tiptoed toward the upper landing, avoiding every creaking board.I knelt down to make myself smaller and peered through the banister. From the sound of the voices, my parents were exchanging pleasantries with two men. Dad came into view, smiling his official smile, followed by Mother who radiated delight. Then two men came into my field of vision.It wasn’t difficult to guess which one was Leonard . He towered over Dad and the second man. Now I got why they compared him to Luca. He was broad and tall, and the dark-blue three-piece suit made him appear even more impo

I was still shaking when I entered my bedroom after my first encounter with Leonard . He had been intense and cold, not to mention dominant. Ordering me to change my wardrobe? How dare he?“There you are! Where have you been?” Mom asked, ushering me toward my walk-in closet. “We need to get you ready. For God’s sake, Matilda , what are you wearing?”She tugged at my clothes until I started undressing, still in a trance. Mom gave me a curious look. “What’s with you?”“Nothing,” I said quietly.Mom turned to the selection of dresses she must have spread out on the bench before I’d arrived. “I can’t believe you don’t own a single decent dress.”I’d always avoided going to official events because I hated the insincere schmoozing and backstabbing attitude of those who attended them. “What’s wrong with the dresses I own?”Mom had chosen the three least quirky dresses from my collection. All of them were in my favorite retro Audrey Hepburn style. Mom picked up a sky-blue dress with white d

I waited at the front of the church for Matilda. Faro stood to my right and across from him waited one of Matilda ’s friends, who looked awfully young. A reminder of my own future wife’s age.When the music started, I turned my attention to the entrance of the church where Felix entered with Matilda at his side. She was dressed in an elegant long white dress with a long-sleeved lace top. Her hair was pulled up, except for her bangs.She was smiling slightly as her father led her toward me, but her tension was unmistakable. When she arrived in front of me, I noticed the small sunflowers woven into her hair and bridal bouquet. Her eyes met mine, and for a moment I caught the hint of defiance in them, surprising me. Then her father handed her to me, and Matilda became tenser, her smile wavering.She looked marginally older thanks to the makeup and her elegant dress. Still, her fine-boned, clammy hand in mine and the innocence in her eyes reminded me of her age.Despite her youth, sh