Being disowned by her family was a bittersweet moment for Anastasia. On one hand, she felt a strange sense of freedom, like she was no longer shackled by their expectations. But on the other hand, it still hurt deeply. The people who were supposed to love her unconditionally had turned their backs on her. Yet she chose her freedom. She chose to chase happiness, no matter how painful the price.As she stepped through the gate of her family villa, a lump formed in her throat. Her mind kept circling back to Alex. She had dialed his number countless times, clinging to the hope that he would answer and that he’d somehow know exactly what to say to make everything right. But all she heard was the same automated voice: “The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable.”With a frustrated sigh, she sent him a text: “Babe, where are you? I’ve been trying to reach you.” She stared at the screen for a moment, hoping for a response that didn’t come. There was no time to sit and wait. H
At the first light of morning, Luca arrived again, and Alex slid into the SUV, which was already waiting for him. But as soon as he stepped inside, something felt different. The interior wasn’t the usual one he knew SUVs to always have. This SUV was customized—built for a very specific purpose.Alex’s eyes shifted to the back seat. There was only one chair, set at an angle, facing a large screen that looked like a high-tech workstation. A faint sense of unease crept into his thoughts, but it faded quickly. The strange setup didn’t bother him much—nothing seemed to lately.“I’ve heard news that Michael is in Italy,” Luca said, starting the car. “He came into the country from Southlake at midnight. I’ve got my eyes on him, and in 29 minutes, he’ll be ours.”Alex barely reacted to the news. His confidence was unwavering. He didn’t fear Michael or the task ahead. He was a secretive man of power, wealth, and influence—men like Michael was only temporary obstacles in his path.As the SUV pu
Anastasia arrived back at her apartment but hesitated before stepping out of her car in the driveway. She was still troubled by the events from earlier, unable to shake them from her mind.“What got into me?” she whispered, asking herself over and over. But no answers came. Sighing, she tried to push thoughts of Jackson aside, hoping that it was all behind her now.Finally, she stepped out of her car and reached for the door of her apartment. But as her fingers touched the handle, she noticed something—it was already unlocked."Could it be Alex?" Anastasia wondered, freezing at the door.She had given Alex a spare key a few days after they started dating, just in case he needed to drop by when she wasn’t around. But Alex had always been respectful; he never came over without giving her a heads-up.“He didn’t call today,” she muttered as she stepped inside, hoping Alex would be there and that she'd finally have someone to talk to about her day.But instead, she found someone else in he
Alex and Luca arrived at the front of a building, its towering height resembling that of a skyscraper. On the sleek, glass wall of the building was a 3D inscription that read, "M. Famiglia." At that moment, Alex knew they had arrived at the right place.The front of the building was eerily silent, void of any pedestrians. The only figures present were men in suits standing as security by the entrance, their presence marked by guns strapped visibly to their knees in sleek holsters. The atmosphere was tense, the kind that made anyone think twice before approaching.Alex’s gaze drifted across the narrow one-way street that the building overlooked. Parked in a neat row, he noticed three distinct reporter vans.“TNT…”“NTA…”“CCC…”He muttered the names written boldly on the vehicles under his breath, a quiet smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. It was clear. The press had gathered inside the M. Famiglia building, likely to interview Michael. His instincts told him the game was about
As Luca rose to his feet and said these words, Michael’s eyes blinked rapidly, his face betraying the fear he was trying so hard to conceal. He stammered, his voice faltering before he finally managed to speak.“uh, um, um, we won’t be tolerating questions from a non-reporter.”Luca smirked at the remarks. What did he mean by "non-reporter?" Pointing to the sticker on his chest, Luca replied, his voice steady and laced with sarcasm, “Mr. Michael Famiglia, perhaps you’re not looking at me very clearly. I’m a reporter for Early Birds News, and I’m going to be asking you some questions.”A hush fell over the room. None of the other reporters said a word or raised their hands for questions. The tension was palpable as every eye turned toward Luca, waiting to see what he would ask.Michael’s secretary, seeing the situation slipping out of control, quickly stood up. His expression hardened as he tried to take charge, knowing the gravity of what Luca might reveal. “I will be answering the qu
“What?” Lord Famiglia exclaimed at the dining table. He was eating an apple with a table knife and sipping his wine to wash it down when he heard the news.“What?” he screamed again. In his sixties, he was clearly preparing to retire from the drama surrounding his business.To him, the mafia business was a life-threatening game, and he had planned to hand over the reins to his son soon. But now? “Luca did this?” he asked the news bearer—a man who had walked into the dining room to deliver the shocking update about the conference.“Bring my son to me!” he ordered, flinging the apple in his hand away, dropping the knife onto the table.His blood boiled inside his veins. He was furious. To mess with his son was to mess with him, and he wouldn’t tolerate it. Everyone knew how dangerous Lord Famiglia was, which was why, after conquering the entire mafia scene in Italy, no one dared challenge his authority.He was the poison no one wanted to swallow, and now this fool Luca dared to dig his
Anastasia had just left Alex’s apartment, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach. She had been trying to reach him all day, but her calls went unanswered. What if something had happened to him? Each ring felt like an eternity, and with every passing moment, her anxiety grew. She was desperate to hear his voice, to know his whereabouts, and to assure herself that he was safe.Suddenly, her phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. Hope surged as she glanced at the screen, but her heart sank when she saw the name. “Emmanuella?” she muttered, disappointment washing over her.Emmanuella had a knack for calling at the most inconvenient times, and Anastasia couldn't shake the feeling that this call would only add to her stress. The last time they spoke had been before that disastrous gathering when that arrogant jerk embarrassed her and her boyfriend in front of everyone. If this was about another get-together, she was ready to turn it down flat.“Hey!” she answered, forcing a cheerful
Jackson was the type of guy who thrived on violence. Each act of aggression ignited a primal urge within him, a craving that twisted into something darker. The thrill of anticipation made his blood race, and he could feel himself responding, his body betraying him with an undeniable rise. He was electrified by the prospect of dominating someone, and today, that someone was Anastasia.“I will find you, and today, I will have a taste of you.” Jackson sang these words in an awkward melody, the sound bubbling into wicked laughter that echoed through the apartment. His voice filled the silence, a sinister serenade that underscored his twisted intentions.The outline of his hardening member was visible through his trousers, even if no one else was paying attention to it. He strolled around the living room, his footsteps slow and deliberate, as if savoring every moment of the hunt.He knew Anastasia was hiding in the bedroom, having locked the door behind her, but the thrill of pretending to