Even in my absence, I had been sure that Mariella was okay. She was upset, which was understandable, but she was safe. Adonis had ensured it. I hurried into my wing and up to my room, unable to control the burdening feeling in my chest. I needed to let out all that I had been holding inside, to tel
[FOUR YEARS LATER] EROS I was panicking more than Ella was. But I couldn’t take her screams, let alone look at her. She was covered in sweat from head to toe and her entire body was shuddering. This was partially my fault, I could say. She buried her head back on the pillow and let out another lo
I walked toward Ella’s bed and sat down beside her. She pulled herself up with much difficulty and looked down at our daughter. “She’s so small,” I said, my eyes filling with tears. The wait, the pain and everything were worth this—this joy and the deep love I felt in my heart. I met Ella’s gaze a
Pain, guilt, regret, shock, hatred, fear and anger are emotions much stronger than love, happiness, relief, gratitude and respect—that was the only lesson I had ever learned from my papa, Danilo Romano, the Underboss of Minneapolis. The first time I had experienced one of those overwhelming emotion
MARIELLA Every step was like a pin pricking at the sole of my stilettos, my feet heavy with anxiety and a bit of anticipation. The sound from the main hall had my heart drubbing at an infuriating rate; a pace I never knew was possible. The closest I had seen Adonis Vitale was a few months ago at a
EROS Adonis stalked toward me as I entered the room. I hoped he wouldn’t start lecturing me in a room full of people, most of whom weren’t aware of my relationship with him. The very few who’d known who Adonis was to me would always know to keep their mouths shut. For their own safety. It had alway
MARIELLA I was so mad right now, but I couldn’t show it. Looking like a lunatic in front of Eros Castellanos was the last thing I wanted. So, the best option was to grab my sister and drag her out of the room toward the direction of the washrooms. Arabella was upfront about everything. She’d alway
MARIELLA I’d never had an embarrassing moment in my life, besides the occasional trips and falls as a child. But fainting at the altar of my own engagement party would always be on top of that list. Forever. Just when I’d thought my day couldn’t get any worse than being at the pedestal, it had. I