The Triplets
“I love you. Ryan, I love you.” A dam broke inside her and she reached for him as the words poured out. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her the rest of the way home. And then she was there, snug against him, kissing his mouth, his chin, his jaw, anywhere she could reach while saying “I love you” over and over again.“Every day,” he said between kisses. “I need to hear you say it every damn day for the rest of our lives. Think you can handle me?”She eased back, put her hands on his cheeks, and stared into his eyes. “I can handle you, Ian. It’s being without you that I can’t handle.”He rested his forehead against hers. “Good, because you’re never going to get rid of me again.”Double Wedding Day
“You sure you’re ready to do this?”
Annabelle met Anaisse’s eyes in the mirror. “Hell yes. We’ve rehearsed and everything. Aren’t you?”“Me? Yes. I can’t wait. But I know this whole thing was kind of my idea.” She bit her lip and gave Annabelle the big, blue-eyed Bambi stare. “Now I’m worried I’ve rushed you. Maybe you need more time.”“Nope.” For emphasis, she shook her head. “I’m good. Completely healed.”“Physically, yes,” Anaisse quickly agreed. “And you’ve never looked more beautiful.” Annabelle watched in the mirror as Anaisse smoothed nervous fingers along the short, silky skirt of Annabelle’s dress. “But are you mentally prepared?”Was she? She frowned. “I think I am. I mean, how hard can it be? One little strut down the line. All eyes on us. Give ’em a show when we get to the end, then we’re outta here. Easy.”“Okaaaay. Just so you know, I think the plans leaked to the press. Doing this outdoors was probably a mistake. I can’t promise some paparazzi won’t get a shot. This could be splattered all over the tabloids come tomorrow.”Now she did feel some hesitation, only because that kind of publicity might not be what Anaisse wanted. “I’m sorry. If you want to pull out, I completely understand.”“No, no. I want to go for it. I don’t care who sees.”What a sister. “If you’re good to go, I’m good to go.”Anaisse smiled, and happiness radiated off her in waves. “All right. I’ll stop stressing.”“About time. You also look amazing, by the way. Sweet, classy, and hot as hell, all at the same time.” It was true.Anaisse blushed. “Thanks.”A rap sounded on the opposite side of the door, and then Val came into the small room. “You”—he pointed at Anaisse—“and you.” He swung the finger toward Annabelle. “Let’s go. The other girls got the crowd warmed up. It’s showtime.”Annabelle glanced at Anaisse and lifted a brow. “Ready?”Anaisse nodded.Val offered them each an arm. They linked up and walked through the door, down a short, marble-floored hall, and along a vine-covered pergola. She heard the music now and tried to pace herself accordingly. They reached the lawn. Sunlight streamed over a runner of white carpet. The pristine path bisected the assembly of guests standing in front of their white-slip-covered folding chairs and ended at a rose-covered lattice arbor where several people waited. Beyond the arbor stretched a breathtaking view of the gleaming mountainous terrain, but gorgeous as the ocean view was from the bluff-top perch of the Kingsom estate they’d rented for this particular event, Annabelle found her attention drawn to the people gathered in front of the arbor.Ginger, Ariana, and Lee Anne stood on the left, uncharacteristically elegant in shimmering silver sheaths. Opposite them stood the younger Gregorio brothers, two dark-haired, dangerously hot specimens molded from the same formidable clay as Tommy—Michael, the rough, tough, Marine, and the other, the MBA, which Annabelle thought in his case ought to stand for Major Bad-Ass.Then came Thomas Gregorio, all restrained ruggedness in his black tuxedo, standing next to the placid-faced minister. Her eyes cut right and landed on Ryan, and her heart did a little flutter. God, he looked so handsome. Tall and tanned and cover-model polished, but the civilized tux couldn’t conceal the energy coiled in his lean, hard body, or his innate, alpha-male assurance. That insanely gorgeous, sexy man right there loves you, a little voice whispered.The music swelled and then subsided when they reached the arbor. Val snuffled loudly, cleared his throat, and said, “Thought you girls were smarter than this,” in a gruff stage whisper that sent a ripple of laughter through the audience. He kissed Anaisse’s cheek, then turned to Annabelle, swept her into a theatrically dramatic embrace, and planted a loud, smacking kiss on her. She raised a hand to her head to keep her hair from spilling out of its sleek twist and used the other hand to feign some damsel-in-distress beating on Val’s back.He hauled her upright, tapped her chin lightly with his knuckles, and said, “Best move you ever made, kid.” Then he was gone and the minister turned to Anaisse and Tommy. Annabelle watched, teary-eyed, as they pledged their love, their futures, their everything, to each other, and exchanged I-dos.Then it was Ryan’s turn. She watched his face as he repeated the minister’s words. No hesitation. Not a single stutter. He topped it all off with a slow smile delivered straight to her. The minister turned to her. “And do you, Annabelle, take—”“I do!” she shouted. Oh, hell yes, she did. She wrapped her arm around Ryan’s neck, fused her mouth to his, and kissed him with everything she had. And kissed him…and kissed him…and kept right on kissing him.Somewhere in the back of her mind, she heard the guests cheering and clapping. She heard the minister saying, “Wait. Wait…not yet!” and then rushing through the “With the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife” part.When she broke away for air, Ryan looked down at her with a devilish glint in his eyes. “Wanna cut out early and get started on the honeymoon?”Her laugh turned into a squeal when he hauled her up against him and brought his mouth down to hers. “I do,” she whispered when she could speak again, and sealed it with a kiss.Behind the backdrop of the happy wedding ceremony, an old female uninvited guest was looking at the newly double-wed couple, crying, saying to her heart, “I’m very sorry my triplets, my children, my life secrets will be buried with me. Once, I was an heir of a Billionaire Mafia Boss Emilio Bernardino, but, I chose to hide and live freely. Rocky Ace de Luna, Craig Gomez, and Montero Villar brought Anya to Italy. Where is Anya now?”
XXXAlexander Vittorio POV(Twenty years old…)The aroma hangs heavy in the air, the delicious bread smells luring me to the kitchen where I find Mama and Tanya admiring the pineapple honey cake they just baked.It’s my favorite smell in the world – Mama baking in the kitchen. It’s home.The moment Mama spots me, she gives me a stern scowl. “Don’t you dare try to steal a slice young man, it’s for after dinner.”It’s Marc Vincent’s birthday today. My brother is three years older than me. We haven’t seen much of him over the past years as he’s been training in Palawan Island to take his place in the Filipino Mafia called Demonyo Gang. With my father being a boss, it’s only natural that we follow in his footsteps.I take a seat at the table, eyeing the cake like it’s my last meal.“Do you want coffee?” Tanya asks me.“Please.” I smile at the girl who’s like a little sister to me.My parents adopted Maryo and Tanya Peters, and even though things were rocky at first, Maryo is now my best frien
Anya Santini De Luna POV(Eighteen years old...)Glancing around me, it’s still hard to believe I’m in Metro Manila.I was supposed to take this trip with my father – Rocky Ace De Luna, the Italian Mafia Boss but he died in a car accident on New Year's Eve.Next month will be a year since he passed away. The grief still comes in waves, especially when I see one of the sights Papa always talked about. Besides, Papa named me – Anya Santini De Luna – I don’t know why. Papa did not tell me the name of my mother.We planned this trip for over a year, and it was meant to be my graduation gift. With he’s gone, I decided to honor his memory by going ahead with the vacation; the Philippines, Scotland, and Hawaii. We each chose a destination, and right now, I’m on the first leg of the trip.Sometimes I’m struck by a wave of panic. Honestly, it’s a little terrifying exploring a foreign country alone. But Papa Rocky Ace told me that the Philippines are great for tourists. It’s terrifying being alo
Xander Vittorio POVPapa pointed out Olga as she entered the club, and I memorized her outfit because I didn’t get a good look at her face. It all happened a little too fast.Sitting in a car that’s parked by the side of the building, I watch as Marc Vincent lights a cigarette.“Mama’s going to lose her shit when we come home with the girl,” I state the obvious.“Luckily, that’s not my problem,” my brother mutters. “I’m going back to Puerto Prinsesa, Palawan Island’s as soon as we’re done with this job.”I let out a sigh while scanning our surroundings. “I wish I could go with you.”Princess Coastal Entertainment is a training school slash resort in Palawan for anyone in the criminal world. It’s the only neutral ground on the planet where we’re taught how to be assassins, smugglers, and anything else crime-related. Marc Vincent is learning everything regarding torturing, fighting, and shooting. I’ll go through the same course as him once I turn twenty-one.“Just one more year.” Exhali
Anya de Luna's POV Terrified, I stare at Xander.He looks a hell of a lot calmer than I feel.In a matter of hours, I’ve gone from swapping clothes with Olga to being grabbed off the street to a car accident to being kidnapped.It’s surreal.God.Panic flares hot through my chest, and a hysterical breakdown threatens to overwhelm me.If I weren’t scared out of my mind, I’d actually appreciate how attractive Xander is. He has longish, dark brown hair, and strands fall over his forehead, making him look like one of the bad boys Papa Rocky Ace always warned me about. His eyes are brown with golden flecks giving me the impression he’s a jokester. He’s not dressed in a suit like Olga’s other guards but is wearing black cargo pants, a black t-shirt, and boots.There are tattoos on the back of his hands running all the way up his forearms, where I can see his veins snaking beneath his skin.I have an overwhelming need to get to know him because he’s locked in this tiny room with me. Without
Alexander Vittorio POVIt’s getting hard to tell how much time has passed since Riccardo Ponti visited us.I was caught off guard that Ponti was the one who ambushed us instead of Emannauel.Riccardo Ponti is the eldest son of Ignacio Ponti, who’s been loyal to the mafia all his life. It’s no secret the Ponti family isn’t happy about the ties between the mafia and bratva, but I didn’t think they’d go this far.The Italian is looking for shit to rain down on his head. Once Viktor, the head of the bratva, and Andre, the head of the Demonyo mafia, hear of this, all hell will break loose.The Demonyo Mafia is tied to the Bratva through marriage, and from what I’ve heard, it’s a happy marriage. There’s also the fact that Viktor and Andre are close friends.With Ponti taking us, he’s declaring war on the mafia and bratva.I’d laugh my ass off if it weren’t for the shitty position I find myself in.And then there’s the girl. She’s been quiet since I agreed to keep her secret. I’m impressed s
Anya Santini de Luna POVMy body aches from all the anxiety and terror I’m feeling.At least my bladder’s no longer going to burst, but standing in the room with our captors, my relief is quickly forgotten.Are they going to kill one of us?All of us?My eyes land on the tooth near Marc Vincent, and I feel the ache in my jaw.God.This is horror. Pure freaking horror.My gaze flits all over the room, my breaths already rushing over my lips.How am I going to survive this?“Uncuff Marc Vincent,” the one in charge orders.The other guy unlocks Marc Vincent’s cuffs, then another order is given. “Get up, Marc Vincent.”I watch as Xander’s brother climbs to his feet. He has the same emotionless expression on his beaten face as Xander.Riccardo gestures to his guard or soldier. I’m not sure what to call him.“Darius will shoot one of you unless…” Riccardo gets up and looks at Marc Vincent. “You have to choose who will get tortured next. If you refuse, Darius will kill one of you.”Oh, God.
Anya de Luna's POVI’m sitting next to Alexander, who still hasn’t come to. They just dropped him on the floor and locked us in the room again.My nerves are frayed, and I don’t know how much more I can take.Xander went along with my lie, and because of it, they beat the crap out of him. I feel horrible for putting him in this position, but in all fairness, I’m here because he kidnapped me.It’s hard to think of Xander as my kidnapper especially when we’re being held captive by worse people.My eyes move over all his injuries, the slash on his left forearm, the stab wound in his right hand, and all the blood on his face. It looks like his nose is broken.I wish I could clean him up.My gaze darts to the door, and I’m torn in two. What if I ask for a first aid kit, and they torture us some more?What would Xander do?He’d give them attitude.Climbing to my feet, I suck in a deep breath of air and walk to the door. My insides begin to tremble with fear, but knowing I won’t last long if
Xander Vittorio POVI was worried Ponti was going to starve us to death, but luckily they finally gave us something to eat.It’s four pieces of dry bread and one chicken breast each. It’s a far cry from Mama’s food, but it will have to do.I finish my food before Anya is done with her first slice of bread.When she catches me eyeing her food, she tears the chicken breast into strips, takes one of the strips, and pushes the rest of her food closer to me. “You need it more than me.”I hesitate for a moment, but knowing she’s right, I take two strips of chicken and a slice of bread and wolf it down.“Finish the rest,” I say, not wanting her to starve.We’ve been in this room for three days, and after the first day’s torture, we’ve only been allowed out of our prison to visit the restroom. It’s usually in the morning and late at night. It’s also the only time we get to drink water.If they’re going to feed us every three days, we’re fucked.Another thing that worries me is that I’m gettin