《Sold To The Mafia Don》


 Chapter 1~Mira

    <h4>Chapter 1: 1~Mira</h4>


    What started as a normal day for me turned into something chaotic and life-changing when a bunch of goons invaded my bakery.


    I watched in horror as my customers scrambled about, running for their safety.


    My heart dropped at the thought of being robbed. This was my only source of ie. I could not afford to lose anything especially not my rent.


    "Mira Valente?" One of the men who towered above me in height said.


    My breath stilled. How did this scary dude know my name?


    I swallowed before responding. "Yes? Is there something I can do for you today?"


    "Where¡¯s your brother?" He responded with a question.


    I frowned "My brother?"


    "You¡¯re not deaf are you? Where the fuck is Roberto?!"


    I flinched at his yelling.


    "I don¡¯t know where he is. Why are you looking for him?"


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what my brother had done this time. He was always getting in trouble for one thing or the other.


    The man who seemed to be the head of the goons present spoke up just then. "He owes a huge sum of money to my boss."


    I shut my eyes and sighed, wondering when my brother would stopnding himself in trouble like this.


    "I¡¯ll pass your message across." I said.


    He shook his head. "No. You¡¯reing with us."


    "What? There¡¯s no way I¡¯m going anywhere with you."


    "Who says you have a choice?"


    I tried to run for it but before I could take five steps they had caught me and knocked me unconscious with chloroform.


    ~~~


    The blindfold was tight around my ears. I was down on my knees, hands tied to my back.


    This was torture.


    I had no idea where I was or if these people were going to kill me. I was shivering in trepidation.


    A bunch of footstepsing from a distance was all I heard. Soon I heard the doore open.


    "Bring her to me."


    The sound of the deep raspy voice of whoever just spoke, sent tingles down my spine.


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    Next thing I knew, I was roughly hoisted up by someone, shoved and forced to kneel again. The whiff of expensive cologne reached my nostrils and I involuntarily sighed.


    I flinched when I felt a pair of fingers rub my face. I tried to shake it off but he held my chin and kept me still.


    "Let me go." I said through gritted teeth.


    The chuckle he released next had me shivering once again.


    "Where is Roberto?"


    "I don¡¯t know where he is." I said.


    "For your own good, I¡¯d advise that you tell me where he is or you¡¯ll never see each other again. Maybe in the afterlife if there¡¯s anything like that."


    "Roberto-"


    He cut me off. "Your brother owes me a whole lot of money."


    "This has nothing to do with me. I don¡¯t even know where he is!" I yelled.


    It was a lie but of course I could never sell my brother out and put him in grave danger even though his actions had put me on a ticking time bomb.


    Suddenly the blindfold was removed and I finally beheld the face of whom I correctly assumed was the boss.


    His gray eyes were piercing as he stared straight into mine.


    I followed his gaze as he gave me a once-over.


    "You¡¯re going to be my wife." He said out of nowhere.


    My voice trembled but I held his gaze. "There¡¯s no way I¡¯d agree to marry you. I¡¯d rather die."


    "Either that or your brother dies."


    His words sent cold shivers down my spine and every word of protest died on my tongue.


    "Yeah I thought so." He smirked.


    Signalling his guards, he told them to untie me and get me into his helicopter.


    I tried to resist their hold but there was no way someone as fragile as me could overpower any of them.


    "Where are you taking me?" I yelled on top of my voice.


    "To your new home." He said, not sparing me a nce.


    I couldn¡¯t believe I was being held hostage. My mind could not fully grasp this reality. How did things escte so quickly?


    This felt like a bad dream I needed to wake up from.


    "Roberto I¡¯m going to kill you." I muttered under my breath as I fought back tears.


    Why did he have to get into this kind of mess and drag me into it?


    I sat in the helicopter looking away from my captor who seemed unbothered by the fact that he was forcing a woman he doesn¡¯t know from anywhere to marry him. He was obviously a psycho.


    What I didn¡¯t know was that I was about to marry the most dangerous man in the country - the Italian Mafia Don - Jace Romano.

 Chapter 2~Mira

    <h4>Chapter 2: 2~Mira</h4>


    The helicopter descended about an hourter on arge piece of real estate that belonged to him.


    He walked in quick strides, nked by his guards. There was a permanent scowl on his face and even though it was evening, he still had sunsses on.


    Entering the mansion, I saw that there were more guards all over the ce.


    I marveled at the magnificence of the building. It reeked of wealth. There was more luxury in this ce than I¡¯d ever experienced in my whole life.


    We were in the middle of therge living room when a woman¡¯s voice called.


    "Jace?"


    He paused.


    "Mother," he said, walked up to her and ced a kiss on her cheek.


    "Who is this?" She asked, giving me a once-over.


    "This is, Mira."


    There was something about the way my name rolled off his tongue that made my pussy throb.


    Keep it together Mira!


    "Mira is my wife to be." He said throwing a sly smile in my direction.


    I swallowed not knowing what to expect from this woman who did not look nearly old enough to have a son of his age.


    "Did you kidnap her?" She asked, rushing to my side. She apparently knew her son well enough. Maybe this was not his first rodeo.


    A part of me wanted her to convince him to let me go.


    "Mom, stay out of this. All I need you to do is start nning the wedding. Invite everyone. The wedding is happening in a week."


    "A week?!" I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    He barely acknowledged my reaction.


    "Get someone to show her to her room." He instructed and walked off to god knows where.


    This was a nightmare. One I terribly needed to wake up from and fast!


    I was soon led to a room that was bigger than my entire apartment.


    Finally left alone, I sat on the bed and cried my eyes out. My phone was taken away so there was no way to call for help. I couldn¡¯t even reach my brother who put me in this mess in the first ce.


    I wanted to escape but with how heavily guarded this whole estate was, I was stuck. I would never be able to get out in one piece.


    A knock on the door interrupted my emotional moment, I walked up to it and saw two maids. One of them held a tray of food for me and the other rolled in two suitcases.


    "What¡¯s in there?" I asked, wiping my eyes as I pointed at the boxes.


    "Mr Romano says these are your essentials." She responded.


    They left soon after and I was alone again.


    I did not realize how famished I was until the aroma of the food reached my nostrils. I wolfed it down quickly.


    When I was done, I opened the boxes and find a new set of clothes. The other one included toiletries and jewelry. And also a new phone.


    I unboxed the phone, put it on and inserted the SIM card ced in the box. The first thing I tried to do is call my brother to get me out of the mess he made.


    It rang the first time and there was no response. I called repeatedly and eventually had to send him a text just so he would know it was me. He called back almost immediately.


    "Roberto, what the hell have you done?!" I yelled.


    This was not a time to exchange pleasantries.


    "Mira? Oh my goodness, I¡¯ve been so worried. Where are you?"


    "How much did you take from Jace Romano?" I asked, ignoring his frantic expression of relief.


    He went quiet.


    "Answer me or I swear to God I¡¯ll tell him where you are and how to kill you."


    He sighed. "Fine. Two hundred thousand dors."


    "What?!" I screamed.


    "I didn¡¯t steal it I promise. I made a delivery and the people I delivered to attacked me. They took the money back."


    "Why didn¡¯t you just tell him that?"


    "I tried but he wouldn¡¯t believe me. So I had to run for it."


    I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.


    "I told you to not get involved in dirty business but you never listen!"


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll find a way to get you out of there."


    I shook my head resigning to fate. "Don¡¯t bother. I¡¯m getting married to him in a week."


    "No way. I can¡¯t let you marry such a monster."


    "If I don¡¯t you¡¯re as good as dead." I said, deadpan. He did not seem to grasp the severity of the situation.


    The door came open just then. Speak of the devil and he appears.


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    I hung up quickly.


    "I see you¡¯re already getting veryfortable."


    There was something searing about his gaze that made me turn red.


    "What are you doing here?" I asked, agitated at the sight of him.


    "You seem to forget you¡¯re in my house." He stated, raising a perfectly arched brow. "It¡¯s only been a few hours and you¡¯re already staking your im. Nice."


    I looked away from him.


    "I want to be left alone please." I muttered.


    "You were speaking to your brother."


    It was not a question. It was a statement. And I did not know how to respond to that.


    "Invite him to the wedding."


    "Huh?"


    He spared me a nce, "You heard me. Who else is going to walk you down the aisle?"


    "Are you going to hurt him?" I asked, genuinely worried for my brother¡¯s safety/


    He smirked. "His debt has been paid already. There¡¯s no need for that."


    So basically I was sold to him for two hundred thousand dors.


    Just great.


    I took a step back as he drew near. His hands reached out and held me in ce. I was shaking like a leaf as he nuzzled my neck. His fingers reached into my hair and he made me look into his eyes.


    "I¡¯m going to fuck your brains out soon."


    My breath hitched.


    I was supposed to be offended by his vulgar use ofnguage. I was supposed to feel disrespected or vited but instead, I felt a pool in my panties.


    There and then I knew this was not going to end well.

 Chapter 3~Mira

    <h4>Chapter 3: 3~Mira</h4>


    The week went by in a blur.


    I barely saw the man I was about to marry and if I was being honest with myself, I was relieved about it.


    There was something about him that I could not ce my finger on. Whenever we were in the same space, his aura overshadowed everything.


    Standing in front of the mirror, I took in the sight of myself in a custom couture mermaid dress that would cost two years rent in my apartment as well as my bakery. My auburn hair was packed up in a stylish bridal updo and I was adorned with actual diamonds.


    Jace¡¯s mother had picked out everything I was going to wear. Of course she asked for my input but I was not allowed to leave the premises.


    His mother seemed indifferent about everything so I could not tell if she liked me or not.


    A knock on the door cut through my many thoughts.


    "Come in," I said, adjusting my veil.


    "Mira?"


    "Roberto?!"


    I rushed to him and gave him a tight hug. When I pulled back, I frantically scanned his features for bruises of any kind.


    "Did they hurt you?"


    He shook his head. "No, not at all. I¡¯m fine."


    "Are you sure?"


    He nodded, looking away from me.


    "This is all my fault. I wish I had listened to you before."


    I caressed his face. "It¡¯s fine."


    "No it¡¯s not! You¡¯re not supposed to be marrying a monster because of my foolishness."


    "Shh," I shushed him. "I promised mama that I would always protect you. I wouldn¡¯t be able to live if something happens to you."


    "Besides," I started in a bid to make the tough conversation lighter. "I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll get bored of me sooner orter and let me go."


    For the first time in a very long time, I saw my hardened baby brother shed a tear. Losing our parents quite early had taken a toll on us and with us being the only surviving members of our family, all we have is each other.


    "You¡¯ll make me ruin my makeup." I said jokingly as I tried to blink back tears of my own.


    "Sorry." He said, squeezing my hand. "You look so beautiful,"


    I managed a smile, "Thank you."


    Another knock came just then and I didn¡¯t need anyone to tell me it was time to be bound to a stranger.


    We descended the stairs as a guard led the way to the courtyard where the ceremony would be taking ce.


    There were lots of people I had never seen before, probably Jace¡¯s family and business associates.


    For an impromptu event, he pulled quite a crowd.


    When I looked up, I saw my groom waiting for me, looking dashing in a nice tux. His expression was in and stoic so I couldn¡¯t tell what he was thinking.


    Roberto shakily ced my hands in his. The stern look on Jace¡¯s face was enough to have me shuddering.


    "Please take care of my... my ... sister." My brother said with a slight stutter.


    "She¡¯s in good hands." Was Jace¡¯s response.


    I don¡¯t know why what he saidforted me.


    If only I knew the life I was signing up for.


    ~


    The ceremony began. The officiant made us say the vows. I hesitated a bit. Was I about to make the greatest mistake of my entire life?


    Would he eventually let me go like I assumed? Or was I just being delusional?


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    "Mira,"


    I was immediately jolted out of my reverie to see Jace¡¯s piercing stare at me.


    "Sorry. Yes I do." I managed to answer.


    We exchanged the rings shortly after that and soon we were pronounced man and wife.


    There was a slight apuse from the guests.


    My heart dropped when the officiant said he could kiss the bride. I did not think about this part.


    He slowly took off my veil. I held my breath and shut my eyes as he leaned closer.


    I expected to feel him directly on my lips but he simply nuzzled me and ced a peck beside my lips.


    I opened my eyes to meet his and I saw mirth in them even though his lips remained in a thin line.


    We walked down the aisle hand in hand. The photographers took pictures. And after that, we headed to the tent set up for the reception dinner.


    My eyes couldn¡¯t help but notice how almost everyone in this room was armed. It was as if they were always prepared for war and bloodshed. I shuddered at the thought, wondering if this was forever going to be my new reality.


    The reception wasn¡¯t a long one. We cut the cake. Shots were fired in the air to celebrate our union and then we had a stiff first dance.


    Jace gave a brief vote of thanks and dismissed everyone.


    I gave my brother a very tight hug, holding back tears as I watched him leave. I made him promise to not get into anymore trouble because there was only so much men I could marry for his sake.


    Jace pulled me with him shortly after that.


    While inside the house, away from the crowd that was still having a bit of a party, I decided to head to my room and rest, d that the wedding was done and over with.


    "Where are you going?"


    I stopped in my tracks and turned to him.


    "To my room?" I pointed in its direction.


    "You¡¯re my wife now. Your stuff has been moved to where you belong. Let¡¯s go."


    "But-"


    "It was not a request, Mira."


    Letting out a frustrated sigh, I refused his hand as he led the way to the master bedroom.


    I followed like a sheep led to the ughter house.

 Chapter 4~Mira

    <h4>Chapter 4: 4~Mira</h4>


    His room felt as dark and as brooding as him. It¡¯srge, dimly lit and very clean . It has dark wooden furniture. The thick curtains block out any external light from prating the room. I believe there¡¯s a balcony.


    I look down and feel a thick persian rug under my bare feet. He made me take my shoes off at the door. There¡¯s a faint scent of cigar that fills the space and it feels like I¡¯ve entered a sacred space that no one is allowed to be in.


    "Wee, wife." His raspy voice reaches my ears and I remember I am not alone.


    I feel hime close and wrap his strong arms around me. I freeze. His closeness to me is making me feel things I cannot exin. More than anything I want him to keep his distance but I¡¯m too scared to speak. My life is now in his hands and I was trying to not offend the mafia king.


    He wraps my hair around his fist after letting it down from my the hair pins holding it up.


    Then in one swift move he turns my face to his. His breath fans my face and I can smell the slight hint of whiskey in his breath.


    "Take your clothes off,"


    "What?"


    I wasn¡¯rt sure I heard correctly.


    "You heard me."


    "Jace-"


    "It¡¯s Mr Romano to you,"


    "Huh?"


    "I don¡¯t repeat myself."


    I swallowed. "Mr Romano-"


    In one swift, unexpected move he tugged down the zipper of my dress and pushed the fabric down until shoulders were bare.


    "Please wait," I said, desperately trying to cover up.


    His eyes stare into mine with such intensity, I almost sumb and take everything off.


    "I¡¯m so tired. Maybe some other time."


    His chuckle is dark and it sends goosebumps on a rampage over my body in the air conditioned room.


    "No woman says no to me. Especially not my wife." He growled lowly.


    He came closer and I took steps back fearing in my heart that he was going to force himself on me and there was nothing I could do about it. He was a feared criminal drug lord, involved in even more heinous crimes. There was no stopping him from getting what he wanted.


    "I¡¯m in a good mood today so I¡¯ll let you be," he said, his eyes sweeping over me.


    "But the next time I tell you to take your clothes off, you do just that. Got it?"


    I nodded quickly.


    "Words," He growled.


    "Yes Mr Romano." I blurted out quickly.


    He turned and walked away after that and I sank to the floor in tears. I felt relieved yet at the same time scared of what I had gotten into.


    ~~~


    I went to the bathroom after I had stopped crying. It was fancier than anything I had ever experienced. The patterned walls drew me and when I stared at myself in the mirror, I saw that my eyes were red and bloodshot.


    I washed off my makeup and just stood there looking at my bare face.


    I felt trapped in this space.


    I looked at the glimmering ring on my finger and sighed. This looked very expensive. Maybe if I ran away and sold it, it would give me a small fortune.


    But knowing how powerful the Italian mafia is, I figured there was no point trying to escape, they would find me and probably kill me. I was not ready to die. I didn¡¯t want anything to happen to my brother either.


    I managed to take a shower after that.


    Then I entered the closet and and saw that my new stuff had been arranged.


    This man only wore dark clothes. There was no trace of color in his closet. And it seemed like I would bring the pop of color. But even my clothes were neutral tones. Beige, nude, white, ck. Nothing stood out.


    I wondered if it was a rule to wear in toned outfits once you belong to the mafia. It was boring and very unlike me but from the looks of things, I had no choice.


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    I picked a in pajama and went straight to bed. It had been a long day.


    I could not bring myself to sleep even when I wanted to. I tossed and turned on therge bed waiting for him toe back into the room but minutes turned into hours and there was no trace of him.


    This bed felt strange. It felt like I was being drowned in it. How was I supposed to cope.


    Then I remembered I had not seen my phone in forever. I wondered where it was taken to.


    I got on my feet and searched around the room for it. Luckily I found it in one of the bedside drawers.


    I turned it on then sat back in bed scrolling on social media till I could get some sleep. I could not post anything about my wedding. It was supposed to be a secret. No one could know where I was so I would not be a target.


    How did I know about this? My new mother inw had told me during the week as we prepared for the wedding.


    This was my new life. My new reality and there was nothing I could do to change it.


    If only I knew how chaotic my life was about to get.

 Chapter 5~Jace

    <h4>Chapter 5: 5~Jace</h4>


    "Jace."


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    "Mother,"


    I watched her as she walked into my home office.


    "Is there something I can help you with?" I asked quite impatiently.


    I had things to do. I wondered why she was here at such time of the night especially after a festive day.


    "Why did you marry that girl?" She questioned me.


    "She¡¯s my wife and her name is Mira." I said, not sparing her a nce as I nced through messages on my phone instead. Some of our drug deliveries were being dyed and it was costing me money. I was going to deal with everyone involved if they did not sort it out soon.


    "You have not answered my question."


    "You are the one who said the family line has to be continued so I have a wife who would bear heirs to the empire."


    "You were supposed to marry Don Castillo¡¯s daughter for alliance sake."


    I gave a one sided shrug, "Too bad I¡¯m married now,"


    "You know this is going to cause a war Jace. You are too nonchnt about this!"


    My eyes snapped to hers. I saw the fear in them. She was worried about an attack. She was worried about my safety as her son. What she didn¡¯t know was that I was ready for anything. My father had prepared me for anything before his unfortunate passing so she did not have to shake like a leaf. It didn¡¯t suit her as the matriarch of this family.


    "I have everything under control mother. You should get some rest. From tomorrow you start teaching your new daughter inw on her duties as the wife of head of this empire."


    She sighed in resignation and eventually did as I had said.


    Finally alone I thought about my impulsive yet well thought out decision to marry Mira. I had had my eyes on her for a while and her brother¡¯s stealing of a meager sum which I could have let go of easily was the perfect excuse for me to im her like I had initially nned without much of a hassle.


    She was mine now and if she thought she could escape me, she had another thinging.


    ~~


    I returned to my bedroom few hours past midnight. I had been working on myputer, reading through different documents. My legal businesses were my cover. The clubs, hotels, casinos and constructionpany my family owned had been left for me to hand over as the only heir of my father. My cousins handled various sectors of the businesses but I had to oversee everything as the head.


    It was tasking but it was what I had to do as the head of the fronts and more importantly the underworld.


    Entering my room, I found her deep in sleep under the covers. She looked soft and fragile like something that could be easily broken.


    My eyes traced her features. She had little heart shaped lips, her skin was pale and seemed supple. I wanted to run my hands through her brown waves.


    My cock twitched at the thought of wrapping that hair around my fingers as I banged her from behind.


    There was so much I wanted to do to that little pretty body of hers. But I didn¡¯t want to rush it. I wanted her toe to me, to beg for it. I could only imagine what it would be like for her to scream my name in pleasure. Pleasure only I could give her from now on because if anyone dared put their hands on what¡¯s mine, I would kill them without batting a lid.


    Unable to stop myself, I traced a hand over her face. She moaned softly and turned to the other side.


    "The things I¡¯m going to do to you." I chuckled softly.


    She had no idea what wasing to her.


    I let her be and went to take a shower. I needed to get some sleep. Tomorrow was another day and I needed to work.


    ~


    I barely slept. Before dawn, I was up and out of the house. My first stop was the central warehouse.


    I entered my car and drove myself while my guards followed in another vehicle. I preferred to be alone with my thoughts as I drove. I had my weapons with me in case of anything but being alone while driving typically cleared my head.


    The drive to the Central warehouse was about thirty minutes. It was early so there was no traffic as I zoomed to the outskirt of the city.


    I had about six warehouses in the city, five asides the central; two for drug distribution, another for weapons storage, the front warehouse that posed as a logisticspany and the abandoned one where all my defaulters were tortured by my goons.


    The central was my main office where the big decisions happen. This was for surveince, encrypted files and elite guards. If you needed me and I was not at one of my clubs or other businesses, this was where to find me.


    I stopped in front of the building that looked like a regr industrial structure on the outside.


    The first floor was a wide open space with fluorescent lights. This space was heavily guarded. The weapons and the personnel in this ce were topnotch and that was because they would do anything to protect their Don.


    I sat in my office over and waited for Tomas, my number one handyman. He had been with me from a young age. His father was loyal to mine and we practically grew up as brothers. If there was anyone I could trust, it was Tomas.


    "Don," he said in acknowledgement. "Aren¡¯t you supposed to be on your honeymoon or something?"


    I raised a brow. He knew me better anyone. I did not have the time for such frivolities.


    I could get sex anywhere so why book a destination for it?


    "You already know my answer that." I answered him gruffly. "Anything from the Castillos"


    "Our spy is yet to return with a report. Maybe they¡¯re too scared to confront you." He said.


    "They better be."

 Chapter 6~Mira

    <h4>Chapter 6: 6~Mira</h4>


    A knock on the door jolted me awake. I sat up quickly, removing the hair that was clinging to my face. I had no idea how long I had slept and when I woke up the room still felt strange to me. But the bed wasfy.


    And maybe I dreamt it but I felt someone touch my face while I was asleep. But looking around, there was no one else in the room.


    I ran my palm over the side of the bed. It was slightly ruffled. It looked like Jace had slept here.


    The knock came again and I flinched. It was more rapid this time.


    I hurriedly ran to the door.


    "Good morning,"


    It was one of the helps.


    I nodded, unable to form words in response to her greeting.


    "Donna Carm is asking for you."


    That was Jace¡¯s mother.


    "Oh. I¡¯ll be down soon." I said.


    I wondered if she was calling me down for breakfast. I had been eating in my room since I was brought here but now that I had be a wife, maybe I was allowed to dine with her and Jace in the dining room.


    I quickly showered and picked up a sun dress to wear downstairs. I had no make up on and I simply brushed my hair out as I applied a little gloss on my chapped lips.


    I hurried downstairs and surprisingly found her waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. I paused my hurried steps as my eyes met her cat like ones. I swallowed.


    "Good morning Donna."


    "Mira," she said with a nod of acknowledgement. "You overslept."


    "I was so tired from yesterday."


    "Hmm," she hummed. "My son is keeping you busy already I see."


    I almost choked on my saliva as soon as she said that.


    "Uh no-"


    "Spare me the details. We¡¯d probably see the results in a few months anyways."


    My hands instinctively went to my stomach. Was I required to have a child so soon? With Jace Romano???


    The thought made me so dizzy, I held on to the banister on the stairs.


    "We have a lot to do today. Get something to eat and meet me in te east wing."


    "Yes donna," I nodded.


    She walked off majestically like she typically did while the help that came to call me led me to the dining room where my breakfast had been served.


    I ate the toast and eggs absentmindedly as I wondered what activities my mother inw had lined up for me. Was she going to teach me how to make meals for her son? Or how to attend to visitors? What did a mafia don¡¯s wife do?


    ~~~


    I went to East Wing of therge mansion, led by one of the guards that was on standby for me.


    I followed, letting my eyes roam the ce. Somehow it felt like there were lots of secrets behind these walls.


    I reached Donna¡¯s side of the house and I was led into her tastefully furnished space. She seemed to be simpler than hervish son.


    I sat down in the living room and waited for her toe down.


    Once again, she walked down the stairs majestically and I reflexively got on my feet, watching here down slowly.


    "Sit," she said as she gestured for the guard that came with me to leave us.


    I sat down, suddenly feeling nervous.


    "Mirabel, that¡¯s your name isn¡¯t it?"


    "Yes ma¡¯am."


    "I don¡¯t understand why my son chose to marry you."


    Wow. She just went straight to the point. What she didn¡¯t know was that I did not understand why her son chose to marry me too. I had never met him. We were strangers. Yet he decided I was going to be his wife and did not give me a choice.


    I did not know anything about him other than the fact that he was the feared Italian Mafia don. And we probably never would have crossed paths if not for the fact that my brother had dipped his hands in what he was not supposed to.


    "You do not belong to our world." She stated the obvious.


    I did not even understand how the mafia worked. I was simr to a dumb blonde in this situation.


    "And if you¡¯re not careful," Donna Carm continued, "You get killed."


    I felt my heart stop beating for a second. "I don¡¯t want to die." I whispered.


    She chuckled. "Of course you don¡¯t. This is why we have to make sure that you¡¯re trained and ready for anything."


    "Trained?"


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    "Yes. You¡¯re Don Romano¡¯s wife. You¡¯re an easy target and you cannot be weak."


    She said it so intensely, I could feel myself sweat in the air conditioned room.


    "na!" She called out.


    I looked around the space, wondering who it was that she was calling on.


    Ady that looked like she was around my age came in looking kitted up in what looked like military regalia to me.


    "She¡¯s going to be your trainer. Jace wouldn¡¯t want another man to breathe near you so I had to hire a female. She¡¯s good."


    I awkwardly waved at na who simply gave me a nod in acknowledgement.


    "You need to go and change to something more appropriate. The helps have ced your gear in your bedroom."


    Once again, I was led out and soon found myself back in my room.


    I put on the ck long sleeved shirt,bat pants, trainers and sighed as I packed my hair up in a ponytail.


    I was shocked to see na waiting outside my door.


    "Ready?" she asked.


    I nodded and followed as she led the way to the training room.


    "Oh help me lord." I muttered under my breath.

 Chapter 7~Mira

    <h4>Chapter 7: 7~Mira</h4>


    I was breathing heavily and I was just two exercises in.


    Now I had to punch the punching bag repeatedly. My arms were hurting. I was running out of breath yet I could not catch a break.


    na was not very lenient with me and I was feeling so overwhelmed. It was just my first day for goodness sake!


    I wanted to cry more than anything.


    What had I gotten myself into? This was not the life I signed up for. I was a small baker in this big city. That was all I knew how to do. Why was I going through training like I was going to war? A war I know nothing about.


    Out of nowhere, I heard a thunderous voice that was slowly bing familiar.


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    "What¡¯s going on here?"


    na immediately stood straight, bowing her head to acknowledge him.


    "Don,"


    "I asked a question." He stated, sounding really upset.


    "Donna Carm has asked that I train her."


    In quick strides he walked to where I was and held me by my waist. I felt a jolt of electricity course through my body at his touch. The scent of his masculine cologne filled my nostrils and made me feel slightly dizzy.


    I looked up at him. His eyes met my tired ones and hardened.


    "Without my permission?" He said, turning to na.


    "Donna says she has to learn how to protect herself."


    "I am more than capable of protecting what¡¯s mine. My wife does not need any of this."


    "But-"


    His re shut her up.


    "I pay people like you to protect her. If anything happens to my wife, I will have your heads cut off!" He yelled at not just her but every other guard present in the training room.


    I was taken by surprise when his hands went under my knees as he carried me out of there like I was as light as a feather.


    Hesitantly, I put my hands around his neck as he took me upstairs. I could feel the stares as we moved until we were out of sight.


    He ced me on the bed without a word when we reached his bedroom. I let myself sigh in relief.


    My eyes followed him as he took off his shirt. The crest of his taut abs made me swallow.


    I tried to pry my eyes away from him but I couldn¡¯t. He caught me staring. I looked away and he walked over. He pulled my chin and made me face him.


    "Look at me." He rasped sexily, sending goosebumps on a rampage around my skin.


    I felt him bite my neck slightly. I gasped.


    "Get in the shower." He ordered me and like a robot, I took off my clothes and went in, not in front of him though.


    I was busy washing off all the grime and sweat from my training session when I heard him came in. Naked.


    I almost shut my eyes, almost covered myself too but I stood there frozen by the intensity of his gaze.


    Hisrge palm went around my throat.


    "You know what I want to do with this mouth?" He said in a gritty whisper.


    I was breathless as I stared at his lips.


    "Why don¡¯t you show me then?" I returned, wondering where my courage came from.


    Was I daring him?


    His smirk was lethal.


    "Go on your knees. Now."


    That was an order. I did not have a choice. I dropped slowly, my eyes stayed on his. The steam around us did not help with the heat I was feeling.


    "Good girl."


    I felt my pussy tingle at the sound of that.


    He put his hands in my hair and drew me to his hard cock.


    "Prove to me this mouth is mine. All of you is mine."


    I took him in my mouth, gagging as it hit the back of my throat.


    I saw him shut his eyes and throw his head back slightly.


    And just like that he opened his eyes and met mine in few seconds.


    "Don¡¯t break eye contact," he growled. "Not once."


    I stared into his eyes as my head bobbed back and forth. I sucked and licked on it like my life depended on it. Maybe it did.


    He could kill me an there was nothing anyone would be able to do it.


    So like an obedient little y thing, I gave him the pleasure he wanted.


    At some point, he began to thrust into my mouth.


    My jaw ached, so did my knees but I didn¡¯t stop until he let out a loud groan and came into my mouth.


    "Swallow it. All of it."


    I shut my eyes and took in every drop that I could.


    He pulled me up shortly after.


    I thought he was done. But no. He made me lift my leg till it was wrapped around him as he fingered me steadily.


    I held in my moans.


    "I want to hear it. Moan for me." He whispered.


    I let out a moan that was foreign even to my ears.


    "Yes." He whispered.


    When his thumb rolled around my clit, I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head.


    "You want this don¡¯t you?"


    "Yes," I said shakily.


    He dipped another finger into me instead, making me gasp. His pumps became faster. And for the first time I had an orgasm from what would be regarded as forey.


    I almost lost my bnce as my body shook but he held me in ce. When I recovered, I felt his burning gaze on me. He seemed amused by my reactions. My cheeks burned in embarrassment.


    He turned off the shower, wrapped me in a towel and pressed a kiss to my forehead just before he walked out of the shower.


    I let out a breath as he left. Now that was an experience.

 Chapter 8 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 8: 8 ~ Jace</h4>


    I never kissed anyone. I wondered if she was taken aback by that. But then it did not matter. She would get used to it.


    When I asked my mother to teach how her to be my wife, I did not expect her to send Mira tobat training. She did not need any of that. All she needed was to sit pretty and be a trophy wife. Make my meals, satisfy my sexual desires and maybe have my heirs in future. She would help n and host my parties. Everything a perfect wife would do. I did not need a woman who had to protect herself. I could do all of that. It was my responsibility.


    My phone rang just then, I had to leave again. I thought the work day had ended but there was a slight emergency that needed me, ording to Tomas. Pulling out a drawer, I picked up one of my pistols and put it in my back pocket.


    I was out the door before Mira could finish dressing up. We¡¯d finish what we startedter.


    My guards were on alert as soon as I walked out. I got into my car and sped off to one of the warehouses where I was needed - the abandoned one. Yes, it was torture time.


    It was dangerous to want to be enemy and whoever that fly was would figure it out. I would typically have let my boys handle it but this one piqued my interest in the same way Mira¡¯s case did. I was curious.


    It was a spy from a small rival mafia group. I needed to see who their spy was. Lowkey, I was fascinated by how much courage they had, knowing I could erase their existence in the snap of a finger.


    The drive was over and hour long. The ce was on the other side of town and there was quite a bit of traffic.


    I got there and stormed in.


    "Where is he?"


    "Don," Tomas said, handing me my cigar. "It¡¯s a she."


    I paused and stared at him.


    "They sent a woman?" I asked again just to be sure.


    "Precisely," he nodded.


    I almost let out augh. I was that amused. It was no surprise she was caught on time.


    She was tied down and on her knees and was wet. The leather outfit she wore clung to her skin and her curls were wet. When the blindfold was removed and my eyes looked into hers, I saw very seductive eyes. She got on her feet after I told them to loosen her and the curves I saw were massive. This was definitely intentional.


    "What¡¯s your name?" I asked.


    She was quiet.


    "Answer the question," I maintained calmly.


    "Tia," She responded.


    "Who sent you?"


    "I cannot disclose that to you."


    "I see you¡¯re begging for death. We already know where you are from. You can¡¯t y games." I spat out gruffly.


    "If you knew, you would not be asking me that."


    I took out my gun and aimed it at her leg. She was testing me and I hated it. The only person allowed to do that was my woman and even she had not tried that yet.


    "I¡¯ll shoot you now and have your body incinerated. Dare me." I said in a deathly tone. I saw a shift in her posture and knew I got her there.


    "Alonzo sent me,"


    "Alonzo?"


    Iughed humorlessly. That puny rat sent a woman to try and seduce me?


    I¡¯d pretend I have taken his bait.


    "Keep her here. She¡¯s one of us now." I announced to everyone in the room. "I¡¯d let you know where to assign her."


    I got on my feet and walked out of there.


    "She¡¯s hot. I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t make a move," Tomas said as we walked to my car.


    "I just got married. It¡¯s way too early to show my true colors to my wife." I replied him with a chuckle.


    "Falling in love so soon?" He teased.


    "There¡¯s no such thing as love in our world my brother. There¡¯s duty, power and great pleasure."


    "Hmm. If you say so,"


    He sounded like he did not believe me but I did not care. I had no business falling for any woman. I was going to do all the duties as a husband - provide, protect and of course give leg shaking orgasms. Asides that, there was nothing more to do.


    "I want Tia to work closely with me. I need to keep a close eye on her."


    "Don¡¯t tell me you want to fuck your wife and mistress under the same roof?"


    "Who said anything about that?" I asked with raised brow.


    "I see the look in your eye Jace. I know you."


    I chuckled. "Nothing wrong with a threesome, don¡¯t you think?"


    Heughed. " I have nothing to say to you."


    ~~~


    Leaving that ce, I found out for my ¡¯day job¡¯ assistant that I had a meeting with the board of the constructionpany I inherited from my father. As the CEO, I had to be there and knowing how these people could be, I was sure the meeting was going to take a lot of time.


    I stopped the car and switched ces with Tomas. He was the only one I trusted to drive me. I needed to switch up my outfit. Taking off the leather jacket and ck shirt underneath, I picked up my drycleaned crisp white shirt and put it on as well as the cks. I wore them and tucked my shirt into my pants. Then I picked up my cologne and sprayed some. After that I was good to go. I fit the part of the CEO well enough.


    I kept my gun in the pigeon hole of my vehicle. Tomas was going to follow me in as security.


    The rest of my guards were allowed to go back home as we did not want to attract any attention.


    We went into the building through the underground parking lot with the private elevator. I buttoned my shirt up to look more professional, I looked at Tomas and he nodded in approval. I looked sharp.


    "Good day gentlemen." I said as I walked into the conference room.


    We exchanged pleasantries and the meeting started properly.


    I sat the head of the table.


    Mr Ellis was the first to speak up. "The business is really thriving Mr Romano," he started off.


    I nodded knowing there was a but.


    "But..."


    There it was. I fought back a smirk.


    "The numbers are skyrocketing and not exactly adding up ording to the auditors. Some of the shipment in warehouse three raised some internal gs. It¡¯s nothing serious we are just concerned."


    I could smell their suspicion from a mile away. They were too afraid to use me outrightly of doing some shady stuff behind the scenes.


    "Mr Ellis, the shipment was rerouted under a different contract and it will be sorted out soonest." I said nkly.


    There was still some murmuring.


    "Does anyone have something to say?" I asked, letting my voice thunder over the murmurs.


    "There are some spections about the genuineness of your wealth Mr Romano and we¡¯re afraid it could taint us too." Evan, a young and dumb board member spoke up.


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    My re at him was so hard, I saw his hands shake as he took a gulp of water.


    "Spections are for tabloids Evan, we deal in facts here."


    I picked up my ss of water and took a slow slip as they watched me closely.


    "Now, unless you or anyone else in this table has evidence that Navarro Infrastructure is operating outside thew... I suggest we keep our discussions focused on construction."


    My eyes locked with Evan before I continued. "I¡¯d hate for your name to end up next to mine in those spective stories."


    I watched him swallow understanding my threat.


    "Meeting adjourned," I said to dismiss them as I walked out of the conference room.


    That would teach them not to mess with me.

 Chapter 9 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 9: 9 ~ Mira</h4>


    It was quitete at night. I was unable to sleep. I had been thinking about what happened between Mr Romano and I during the day and I could not understand why my body was still tingling.


    I had no idea if he was going to be back soon. Or if he was going to being back at all.


    But I did not want him to touch me like that again. I knew I was his wife but honestly I would not mind him sleeping with someone else if I did not have to face this kind of mental torture.


    He seemed like he would be rough in the bedroom, I was not sure I would like that.


    I heard the doore open and I immediately shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep.


    I heard him shuffling around the room.


    Then his sultry baritone filled the room as he said, "I know you¡¯re not sleeping."


    I did not fall for it. I kept my eyes closed. But he dragged the nket off.


    His lips rolled over my neck and I gasped.


    "Please don¡¯t touch me," I said in a whisper.


    "You¡¯re mine and I can do whatever I want with you." He growled into my ears roughly.


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    With all my might, I dragged his fingers off my throat.


    "I am not your property Mr Romano, I¡¯m a human being." I gritted out, wondering where I got courage from.


    "You¡¯re mine."


    "I¡¯m your wife. Not some object!" I spat out, staring him straight in the eye.


    His jaw clenched.


    "It¡¯s too early for you to start growing wings Mira."


    "I didn¡¯t think I needed permission to." I retorted.


    He chuckled darkly and got on his feet, staring at me all through. I sat up on the bed and stared back fiercely even when I was scared on the inside.


    "You¡¯re a feisty one. I like it." He nodded in approval and I wondered if he was being sarcastic.


    "But you know what I do to feisty women?" He leaned close and all I wanted to do was melt into the bed.


    I shook my head as I gulped.


    "I tie them to my bed and fuck them until they beg for mercy."


    His whisper made me shudder. I don¡¯t know if it was because of what he said or how he said it but I knew I would lose it if he tried anything funny with me.


    "Have a good night...wife."


    I watched him walk away, seeing his back muscles flex as he moved. This man was sexy and he knew it too well.


    I tried to calm my racing heart as I fought to not let myself think of all that he had said to me. He constantly promised a good time in bed but I did not want him near me. Somehow I knew I would be trapped in this even more because he would literally fuck my brains out.


    I still wanted to escape this somehow. I just needed to figure out how to do it without putting mine and my brother¡¯s life in danger.


    I don¡¯t know when and how sleep took me but I slept off eventually, hoping that the next day would be better.


    ~~~


    Roberto called me the next morning. I was just getting ready to go down for breakfast after a help told me that my ¡¯husband¡¯ was waiting for me.


    Husband.


    I still was not used to that.


    I picked up the call as soon as it popped up on my screen.


    "Roberto," I sighed into the phone. "How are you?"


    "I¡¯m fine sis. How are you?"


    "I¡¯m great."


    "No really, how are you? I know you hate it there and this is all my fault. I should never-"


    "Shhh." I cut short his rambling.


    "I¡¯m perfectly fine." I said to him even though I wasn¡¯t.


    "I¡¯ll find a way to get you out of there. He can¡¯t keep you hostage forever." He sounded determined to get me out of here.


    "Jace and I are married Lorenzo. Legally." I reminded him. "We¡¯re getting along just fine. I just need you to stay out of trouble."


    He went quiet for a bit.


    "Can you promise me that?" I asked.


    I did not want him to worry too much and do something crazy that could get him killed. That was all I was trying to do - save him.


    "Yes. But if he ever hurts you, don¡¯t hesitate to tell me. I don¡¯t mind losing my life just so that heartless beast never messes with you again."


    It warmed my heart that he was ready to risk his life for me as I did for him. We were all each other had.


    "I promise everything¡¯s fine Roberto. Just take care of my bakery and ensure everything is running smoothly until Ie back."


    I had no idea when I would even be allowed to leave the estate premises but I was somehow hopeful I would be able to go back to my shop and continue doing what I love.


    A knock on the door, interrupted everything.


    "Roberto, I have to go. Take care." I said and hung up quickly. I rushed to the door and opened. It was the help who had called me several minutes before.


    "Don Romano is still waiting for you madam."


    "I was just getting ready. Let¡¯s go." I said frantically.


    She stared at the phone in my hand before turning away.


    I had barely gotten into the dining room when he spoke up.


    "Who were you speaking to?"


    I paused. "What?"


    His eyes met mine and his re was too strong for me.


    "I was speaking to my brother." I immediately answered.


    "What were you speaking about?" He asked me.


    "How is any of that your business?"


    He dropped his cutlery and it echoed in the silent room. It seemed like everyone held their breaths.


    "Woman, you will not speak to me like that especially not in front of my staff. Do not forget who I am." His voice was stern.


    "Do you understand me?!" He yelled and I flinched.


    "Yes, Mr Romano."¡¯


    "Good."


    He got on his feet and stormed out immediately after that.


    I sat there and realized I had lost my appetite while the few staff present gave me bewildered stares.


    Maybe no one had ever spoken to him like that or anyone who dared got themselves killed. I wondered if I was going to join the list of victims soon.


    I looked up and my eyes met with his mother. Donna Carm.


    She was staring at me but her face did not give anything away.


    "I¡¯m in trouble." I muttered under my breath.

 Chapter 10 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 10: 10 ~ Mira</h4>


    After the whole drama at breakfast, Donna Carm asked me toe to her in her quarters when I was done eating. I barely had an appetite after what happened between me and Jace so I just got up and followed her instead.


    I expected her to scold me.


    "You have an event to attend tonight. Jace told me to inform you. In a couple of hours, the stylists would be here." She told me.


    "Yes Donna,"


    "You may leave."


    I was unable to hide my surprise. That was it?


    She was not going to yell at me for disrespecting her son?


    I turned to leave.


    "One more thing Mirabel,"


    There it was.


    I swallowed and turned back to face her.


    "A Don like Jace needs a woman who knows her to wrap him around her finger. If you want to enjoy this union for however long it mayst, you have to learn the ropes." She advised.


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    "But...how?"


    She gave me a slight smile. It was barely obvious.


    "I believe you¡¯re a smart girl. You¡¯ll figure it out."


    Leaving her quarters, my shoulders were slouched. I felt overwhelmed by this strange ce I was in. I was confused by everything as the days went by. I felt so dumb and foolish for letting myself get into this.


    This was beginning to look like an out of body experience because me from a month ago would have never dreamt of marrying a powerful mafia lord whose hobby was probably bloodshed and all form of criminal activities that made him filthy rich.


    "Donna,"


    I looked up at the sound of a strange female voice.


    She looked like a new guard because there was no way she would call me that if she wasn¡¯t new.


    "I¡¯m just Mira."


    "You¡¯re Don Romano¡¯s wife yes?"


    I looked her up and down. She was gorgeous. She had small eyes that looked they were constantly narrowed to slits and her curves were massivepared to mine.


    "Yes I am." I answered.


    "Then who else is supposed to be called Donna?"


    "His mother is." I said and tried to walk away.


    "I¡¯m Tia." She introduced herself like I asked her name.


    "Hello Tia." I said with a forced smile. "Wee to the team, I guess."


    "I may not stay on the team for too long." She said with a meaningful smile.


    I frowned, wondering what she meant.


    "Hey newbie! Why are disturbing Don¡¯s wife?"


    Thankfully another one of the guards on patrol came in just then.


    "I was just introducing myself." She said with so much sass.


    I could tell the other guard was immediately offended.


    "No one speaks to the don¡¯s wife. She is his prized possession."


    I felt my breath hitch as he said that. Were they all trained to believe that?


    Was I Jace¡¯s prized possession.


    "We¡¯ll see about that." Tia muttered and I heard her.


    What was her problem with me? I did not even know her from anywhere.


    "Thank you, Ali." I said, reading his name tag. Then I turned to Tia. "I¡¯ll see you around I guess."


    She smiled back at me and after that I walked away deciding to not think about the very weird conversation I had just had.


    ~~~


    True to Donna Carm¡¯s words, the stylists came few hourster. It all started with a spa treatment, then a manicure and pedicure before the hair stylist got started on my hair and the make up artist did her thing.


    When the wardrobe stylist brought the dress I could not help but gasp.


    It was a sleek floor length satin gown with a high slit that went up my thigh. It had a plunging neckline with just enough cleavage. It wrapped around my curves perfectly and the thin straps showed off my shoulders.


    For jewelry, I had on a diamond choker ne with matching drop earrings.


    My shoes were ck stilettos with gold designs.


    When I looked at myself in the mirror after the whole m session, I could barely recognize myself. My brte hair fell to one side of my shoulders in waves, the make up was wless with a bold red lip and a smoky eye.


    I had to admit to myself that I was gorgeous. And on top of that, I smelled really good.


    "Mr Romano is ready for you ma¡¯am."


    I took my eyes away from the mirror and turned to the stylist who had brought me the message.


    I had not seen him since after the situation at breakfast. I wondered if it would be awkward.


    I walked down the stairs and saw that he was waiting for me at the bottom. Our eyes met and stayed locked for a few seconds before his steely gray eyes took me in from head to toe. How did I never take note of his eye color until this moment?


    He met me halfway and took my hand as he led me down the remaining stairs.


    "You clean up well," he said taking a hungry look at me yet again.


    "You do too," I responded inly as he of course looked very nice in his tux.


    "Here,"


    He took my right hand and slid on a statement.


    "It¡¯s a family heirloom. Don¡¯t lose it." He said as I kept staring at the shiny gold emerald stone ring. It looked like it cost a fortune.


    "Why do I have to wear it tonight?" I couldn¡¯t help but ask him.


    "It¡¯s a symbol that you have been epted into the Romano family. My mother said to give it to you."


    After our conversation earlier, this was thest thing I expected from her.


    But of course with me getting married to someone like him and into a family like this, I had to learn to expect the unexpected.


    I let out a sigh hoping and praying that the night would go smoothly.

 Chapter 11 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 11: 11 ~ Mira</h4>


    The drive was filled with tense silence. When I tried to pick up my phone to pass the time, Jace stopped me. He said it was not the time and if I needed to look at anything I should stare at the window as the car drove past different things. I was a little bit upset by that so I frowned.


    "Keep that up and you¡¯ll have a reason to shed tears by the end of the night." He warned me.


    I immediately fixed my face into something in. He seemed pissed and I knew better than to be stubborn after what happened in the morning.


    We arrived at the venue about half an hourter.


    My heart raced as we walked into the fancy ballroom of the the hotel that I found out belonged to Jace.


    He took my hand in his own and when we walked in with his guards surrounding us, all eyes were on us. I could hear mumbling and whispering as we walked in. I looked up at my husband and saw that his jaw was set. He looked even scarier than what I assumed him to be.


    His gray eyes stayed focused ahead and he did not even spare me a nce as we moved in.


    As we moved further into the fancy ce, my eyes trailed over the decorations. Unable to stop myself, I gasped at the sight. It was gorgeous and screamed luxury.


    Unexpectedly, he leaned in, his hand was on the small of my back and it felt like a burning sensation when he pressed into me.


    "You¡¯re THE Jace Romano¡¯s wife. Act like it." He said through gritted teeth in my ears.


    Anger shed in my eyes briefly as I looked at him. Once again, I had to fix my face.


    "Do not leave my side and do not take any drinks from an untrusted individual." He instructed me.


    If only he knew how much I hated being told what to do.


    "Don,"


    "Tomas, you¡¯rete." Jace said.


    I looked up and my eyes met with the handsome stranger who had approached us. He was handsome with brown hair and and had softness in his brown eyespared to Jace whose steely gray eyes suited his personality perfectly.


    "Hello to the beautiful wife of Don Romano,"


    I smiled softly and reached out for a handshake but he took my hand and kissed my knuckles instead.


    I was d my makeup covered my blush.


    "This is Tomas. He handles the things I don¡¯t have patience for." Jace said to me.


    "You¡¯re safe with him if I¡¯m not here." He added and I nodded.


    "Nice to meet you Tomas." I finally spoke.


    "Pleasure¡¯s all mine Mrs Romano."


    My heart skipped at the mention of the title. I had never heard so formally. In fact it was then I realized I was out of the house for the first time since Jace Romano took me. He really did take away my freedom. I was in jail without realizing it.


    One after the other guests starteding to us.


    The event had started proper and everyone wanted to speak to the host. I was led to a table by Tomas while Jace dealt with business.


    "What would you like to drink?"


    I looked around the uniformed servers in the room.


    "Um, nothing." I responded.


    "He told you not to take anything right?"


    "Yeah," I chuckled, feeling awkward with all the stares and whispers.


    "What would you like? I¡¯ll get it for you."


    "Anything soft is fine." I said.


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    Tomas nodded and walked off.


    The whispers felt louder after he left.


    "Is that Jace Romano¡¯s wife?"


    "I heard they had a lowkey wedding."


    "I heard their marriage was rushed."


    "I didn¡¯t even think he was in a rtionship. He has so many women!"


    "Wasn¡¯t he betrothed to someone else?"


    I immediately felt ufortable hearing all of that. Why were they gossiping so loud? I thought rich people knew how to handle things like this better.


    Tomas returned with my drink soon and thankfully sat next to me. His eyes seemed to be roaming around like a hawk in search of something or someone. I had noticed that was how all the guards ced at different entrances behaved too. They were very serious about their jobs.


    My eyes trailed over to Jace as he shook hands with different people. Some of them were well known business men. Others seemed to belong to the underworld, I could tell from his bodynguage when they approached and how they carried themselves.


    There was something about people in the mafia and how they are always so guarded. Their expressions are always rigid and threatening. It was almost as if smiling was abominable.


    Unexpectedly, a girl in a quite revealing dress approached him. She had her guards in suits behind her and she had a seductive smile on her face as she approached.


    I saw Jace stiffen.


    Coincidentally, our eyes met.


    "The Don wants you over there." Tomas said to me, getting in his feet.


    "Now?" I asked in surprise.


    "Now."


    Tomas gently pulled me up, signaling to one of my two personal guards that they needed to follow me with his fingers.


    My feet had started to hurt in these heels so he helped me walk over to where my husband was.


    Surprisingly, Jace immediately pulled me to his side, possessively cing his hand over my hips as soon as we got to where he was.


    "Caterina, this is my wife Mrs Mirabel Romano."


    The gorgeous woman in front of me gave me a detailed once over. She was sizing me up. I immediately felt self conscious. She probably thought I was not a good fit for someone like him. I agreed with her. I did not belong his world and I was sticking out like a sore thumb in the midst of these prestigious individuals.


    "So the rumors are true. You broke off our engagement and got married to this?" She gestured at me.


    I was unable to hide my surprise. I had no idea he was engaged before now. If he was, why on earth did he choose to marry a random stranger like me?!


    This night just got more interesting.

 Chapter 12 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 12: 12 ~ Jace</h4>


    The Castillos decided to make a grand entrance at my event and I was not pleased about it.


    I was in the middle of talking to a business associate when I sighted them from the corner of my eye.


    Don Castillo came in with his son and of course his daughter with an unusual amount of security.


    He knew his entry would raise questions to the press about my rtion with him, further fueling their spections about my businesses. He was doing this to spite me and make me an easy target for the authorities. I could see through his bullshit and I was not falling for it.


    I could already sense the murmuring and feel the suspicions from the clean businessmen.


    I wondered who added the Castillos to the guest list for the event.


    Other mafia families here came in with one or two security who were lowkey with their weapons but this old man came in with fully kitted men, unsettling my guests.


    My jaw was clenched. I was pissed as he approached. Thest thing I needed was an open gun fight at a public event of this magnitude so I was going to try and keep my cool.


    "Don Romano," he smirked evilly.


    I nodded in acknowledgment, my lips pursed in a thin line. "Nice to see you Don Castillo. I wasn¡¯t expecting you."


    "I received an invite and I thought it would be disrespectful to turn down the invitation of a man that would have been my son inw."


    I gave a curt nod to acknowledge what he said, ignoring his subtle jab.


    "Congrattions on your wedding."


    "Thank you."


    "Well where¡¯s the Mrs?" He asked, casually looking around like he would know her if he saw her.


    "She¡¯s around here somewhere." I replied.


    "I better go find my seat. An old man needs to rest." He chuckled and left to go sit next to my mother who got on her feet to acknowledge him.


    My eyes met my mom¡¯s. There was still worry in them. I looked away just as his daughter started to approach.


    <fn5e63> Read full story at find¡¤novel</fn5e63>


    I nearly groaned as she sashayed towards me. She looked like a seductress as usual. I was almost tempted to remember all the times we were tangled under the sheets.


    Caterina was a stallion in bed. I shut my eyes, fighting off the memories of her twerking on my cock. She was wild and that was exactly what I liked. She even had the massive curves to go with it. But I could not let myself marry her for some reasons.


    "Hello stranger," she grinned sultrily.


    "Caterina. Nice to see you," I said.


    I certainly did not mean that. I looked around until my eyes met Tomas. He understood my signal as soon as he saw the problem in front of me.


    "I wish I could say the same. You messed us up Jace. We have so much to talk about."


    "I don¡¯t think we have anything to discuss, Cat." I said inly.


    She chuckled humorlessly and tried to get closer to me. I immediately took a step back. Thankfully Tomas had brought Mira. I possessively ced my hand around my wife¡¯s hip immediately.


    "Caterina, this is my wife, Mrs Mirabel Romano."


    Calling her full name out sounded sexy to me. I looked down at her gorgeous little self. Maybe I would do something about that tonight if I was not too tired.


    Caterina spoke up, bring me back to reality, "So the rumors are true. You broke off our engagement and got married to this?"


    I knew the look in her eyes too well. She was trying to belittle my wife. I would not stand for it.


    "If by ¡¯this¡¯ you mean my wife, yes I broke off our engagement and got married to this beautiful woman by my side."


    She scoffed. "I know you¡¯re trying to spite me. Have your way with her if that¡¯s what you want so bad. But you know where home is and I know you¡¯lle back to me."


    She was overly confident and I hated that I could not caution her the way I typically would. I was still in public and I did not want to cause her scene.


    Her father had given her wings I needed to clip.


    "You can leave now." I said through gritted teeth.


    I was fighting hard to not cause a scene and I could see she wanted to push me.


    "Jace-"


    "I will not repeat myself Caterina Castillo. Tomas, escort her to her table." I said.


    Taking Mira¡¯s hand, I walked with her to introduce her to other guests as my wife. If Caterina thought I was ying games, I was going to prove to her that I wasn¡¯t.


    I noticed that Mira had be cold after that interaction. She barely gave polite smiles as I took her around and introduced her to both legal and illegal associates.


    For my associates that belonged to the mafia and knew my family quite well, some of them nodded in approval seeing the family heirloom on her finger. Even I was surprised when my mother agreed to give her the ring tonight. I thought it would take more time.


    I led Mira back to the table after a while. She seemed ufortable.


    I could tell she wanted to return home but could not say it out loud. We were almost done here. The point of this gathering was to subtly introduce my new bride into the society I belonged to and it was a sess so far except for the unwee interruption of the Castillos.


    "Let¡¯s go." I said, getting on my feet only a few minutes after sitting for the first time in hours.


    Once again, the drive home was quiet. Now it was extra quiet because Mira seemed deeply upset.


    A part of me wanted to know what exactly was getting her so upset but, I did not want her to see that I cared. She would assume I was weaker than I let on.


    ~


    We got to the mansion near midnight. Mira got out of the car first.


    I took my time,ing down from the back, wishing I had driven instead because I felt slight car sickness.


    "Jace?"


    I turned and faced my mom as soon she called out to me. She had just arrived too.


    "We need to talk."


    I sighed. "If this is about the Castillos, I know what I¡¯m doing."


    She frowned. "Are you sure? They are vicious and you should not have ended your engagement to Caterina the way you did."


    "How else would I have ended it?"


    She went quiet.


    "Yeah. I thought so." I stated and walked off.

 Chapter 13 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 13: 13 ~ Mira</h4>


    I sat down in front of the dressing table as soon as I got into the room. I did not even notice he was not behind me because my mind was going in the different directions after the awkward interaction with his ex.


    I picked up the makeup wipes and started cleaning my face slowly.


    Not long after, he came into the room. I stared at him through the mirror as he took off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. He was not looking at me so maybe he did not know I was staring.


    "Is there something you want to say?" He asked, still not looking up.


    I thought about it. Was there anything I wanted to say right now? I could not even point out why I was slightly upset tonight.


    So I shook my head.


    <fn37c9> For original chapters go to f?ndnovel</fn37c9>


    "Words, Mira."


    "It¡¯s nothing." I mumbled.


    I faced the mirror again and picked up another wet wipe to clean off the foundation on my face.


    I did not hear him approach me. Maybe it was because I was in my own head that was swarming with different thoughts.


    I felt his hand on my bare shoulder and nearly jumped. He made me sit still.


    I looked up at him and saw him staring down at me. He took the makeup wipe from me and slowly wiped it over my red lips. He did it so slowly and intentionally, staring into my eyes for the most part, I knew he was trying to seduce me. I shut my eyes, trying to not fall for his seduction.


    I needed answers not a night of the hot sex he had continuously promised me.


    I felt his fingers wrap around my throat and I gasped, opening my eyes once again.


    "What¡¯s on your mind?" He rasped out, letting his Italian ent show and I felt goosebumps creep up


    "Caterina. That¡¯s her name right?"


    His hold loosened around my neck.


    "Yes. Why?" He asked with his brows furrowed.


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were engaged?"


    He chuckled. "How was I supposed to tell you that? We don¡¯t even talk much, wife."


    "Can¡¯t you see how crazy this is? Did you even hear yourself?!" I snapped, unable to take it anymore.


    I kept wondering if he was crazy.


    "How do you decide to marry someone a week after kidnapping them when you¡¯ve never met before? Now married, you hardly speak to your wife and you think it¡¯s normal???" I found my voice going up and that was because he was not giving the reaction I expected.


    Jace Romano was smiling. Smiling!


    That confirmed everything I thought of him. He was a sick psychopath and my life was in danger being around him. But even that was not enough to stop me from yelling at him.


    "You are sick!" I screamed, shoving him in his chest. He did not move so I kept hitting him.


    "Mira, stop it."


    I was not listening to him as the tears spilled down my face the more I hit him.


    It all happened so fast. He threw the vanity mirror aside, letting it shatter to the ground as he pinned me to the wall that was behind it.


    A cold chill immediately ran down my spine as my teary eyes looked into his. He pinned my hands over my head.


    "You need to calm down." He growled.


    "You can¡¯t tell me what to do." I said back to him in a shaky voice.


    "Yes I can. I am your husband. You are mine." He stated fiercely.


    "I don¡¯t care. I hate you with every fiber in being."


    "That¡¯s good. I¡¯d hate for you to fall in love with me so soon." He smirked and still had the nerve to kiss my neck.


    His free hand ran over my bare thigh. I whimpered, trying to shake off his hand.


    "Don¡¯t fight it," he said in a whisper as he leaned down to kiss my bare cleavage. I shivered as soon as his lips touched my skin.


    His hand trailed further up my thigh and his fingers brushed past my wet panties.


    "Just let me go." I said even if my body was sending a different message.


    "Are you sure?"


    "I don¡¯t want to be another one of your ythings Don Romano." I said firmly.


    That made him look up.


    "You¡¯re letting Caterina¡¯s words get to you? She doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s talking about."


    "Oh she doesn¡¯t?" I asked with a raised brow. "I saw the way you looked at her."


    He smirked again. "My wife is a jealous one."


    "No I¡¯m not. I don¡¯t even like you." I spat out bitterly.


    "Your pussy is saying otherwise," He said and went ahead to dig a finger into me.


    I gasped out his name.


    "Look me in the eye and tell me you don¡¯t want me to fuck you." He challenged me.


    I tried to look into his eyes and say just that but he began to thrust into me with his index finger and his thumb was rubbing over my clit through thece on my panties. I moaned instead.


    He pulled out just then and made me taste myself by inserting his finger into my mouth. My horny self licked it up.


    "I thought so," He gave me a sly grin after that as he unpinned me from the wall and tapped my face instead.


    "Go freshen up," he practically ordered me.


    I shut my eyes, trying to gather myself as I stood in front of the bathroom mirror. Why did he have such an effect on me? I was supposed to be repulsed by the thought of the man who had forced me into marrying him touching me. But here I was falling easily into his seduction.


    I needed to get away from this before it would get out of hand.


    When I came out of the bathroom in my robe, I said the first thing that came to my mind.


    "I need to have my own room."


    He was on a call so he put his phone down and faced me.


    "What would you need your own room for. This room is big enough for both of us."


    "I don¡¯t want to be in the same room with you anymore."


    "Running away from the inevitable I see." He smirked for thre umpteenth time tonight.


    "I¡¯m not running away from anything!" I said defensively. It was obviously a lie but he did not need to know that.


    "If you aren¡¯t running away, prove it by staying here."


    I stared at his face, his sharp jaw and his body built like that of a Greek god.


    I could not resist the temptation so I stood my ground.

 Chapter 14 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 14: 14 ~ Mira</h4>


    "Okay."


    My eyes went wide when he agreed. I know I had insisted but I did not expect him to agree so easily.


    "You have one week." He added.


    I shook my head in disagreement. "I need it to be permanent."


    "You don¡¯t get to decide that."


    "But-"


    "You have one week with a room all to yourself. If you y nice, I might extend it." He cut me off and yawned after speaking.


    That was the first time he seemed like a human being to me. It was way past midnight and he looked tired. It had been an eventful night and here I was making him exhausted instead of letting the man sleep.


    He went into the bathroom after that, I changed into my pajamas and slid under the covers to catch some sleep. I did not realize how tired I was until my back hit the bed.


    ~


    I woke up quitete. His side of the bed was empty which was not unusual because he was an early riser. I went into the bathroom shortly after I realized that ss and everything about the broken vanity had been cleared up. How did they do all that without me hearing a thing?


    I was just done freshening up when a knock on the door came in. I got on my feet and headed to the door to see one of the maids holding a tray.


    "Good morning Mrs Romano."


    "Good morning." I answered despite the fact that I was confused.


    "This is your breakfast."


    I frowned in confusion, "Why am I having breakfast here?"


    "Um," she immediately looked nervous.


    The guard beside her spoke up.


    "Don Romano has left strict instructions that you are not allowed to leave this room until he returns."


    "What?"


    "He left for Puerto Rico this morning and dropped these instructions."


    "What?!" My ears were hot. "When is heing back?"


    "No idea madam."


    <fn8d4a> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n Find?Novel</fn8d4a>


    "I¡¯m not staying trapped in here. I order you to let me pass." I said firmly.


    "Sorry ma¡¯am. But the Don¡¯s orders are final."


    I could not believe what I was hearing.


    "I¡¯m not hungry anymore. You can take the food away."


    "But-" The maid tried to speak.


    I lost my cool just then. "Take it away!!!" I yelled and mmed the door in their faces.


    ~


    My phone rang hourster after several knocks from different people telling me I needed to eat something or Don Romano would have their heads.


    "Hello. Who is this?" I said, sounding upset.


    "You¡¯re starving yourself my wife. Do you miss me that much?"


    There and then I realized I did not even have my husband¡¯s number. Proof of how sick this union is.


    "You¡¯re an asshole!" I spat out angrily.


    "Tell me something I don¡¯t know." Heughed.


    "You are so freaking maniptive. I hate you so much!" I screamed and nearly threw my phone away but for the fact that I needed to be able to speak to my brother and this was the only way I could be sane while this asshole kept me trapped in this room until his return.


    I could tell he was smiling like the fulfilled psycho that he was.


    "Eat something okay? I need you to be healthy for me."


    "What if I don¡¯t want to be healthy? What if I rather die than be with you?"


    He was quiet. I had finally made Jace Romano speechless. I almost smiled in triumph.


    "Trust me, you don¡¯t mean that. Eat something so I don¡¯t have toe back and make you."


    I snubbed him.


    "I mean it, Mira."


    I hung up and blocked him from calling me.


    Shortly after the call ended, another knock came. I got on my feet, realizing that starving myself was quite pointless right now and maybe because I feared that Jace would make good his threat.


    I opened the door and took the tray from the same help that I yelled at in the morning.


    "Sorry for yelling at you earlier." I apologized promptly.


    "I understand ma¡¯am. It¡¯s not easy being trapped in one ce against your will." She smiled.


    She did not look a day over twenty. She was young and I wondered how she found herself working in such a ce. I thought to befriend her but decided against it. She could be one of the people asked to keep an eye on me by Jace.


    "Thanks."


    I took the tray in and sat down to eat my meal as I watched some movies on TV. I might as well make the most of my ¡¯room arrest¡¯.


    I looked through some of my messages on social media. Some of my old friends were asking where I was, even my customers.


    It was then it hit me that I had not baked anything in forever because I was carried away by trying to get out of this trap of a marriage.


    Baking was all I knew how to do. It was what had been my sce when my parents died. It was what I used to see myself through my college degree asides the schrship I had. And it was how I managed to take care of my little brother who still turned out to be reckless no matter how much I tried too keep him from trailing the same path our father did. He was a true son of our father because he never listened just like our dad.


    I was worried that now that I was away and unable to monitor his activities, he would get into more trouble. I just hoped he would learn a hard lesson now that I had to take the fall for him by marrying the devil himself.


    I scoffed at the reminder of how Jace had yed me. I foolishly believed him when he said I would have my own room for a week only for him to sly me like this.


    I was upset again.


    "I really need to find a way out of this," I said out loud as Iid on the bed and stared up at the high ceiling.

 Chapter 15 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 15: 15 ~ Jace</h4>


    My trip to Puerto Rico had been nned weeks prior. I stepped out of my private jet, grimacing as the humid weather hit me unexpectedly.


    The drive from the private hangar to the vi I was having the meeting was longer than I anticipated. I began to wonder where Tomas had chosen for me to meet up with Armando Rivas.


    Just when I was about to get really sick of the ride and wish I was driving, the driver swerved into the vi that faced a water front.


    And just when I was about to get out of the car I remembered my mother had called to tell me Mira had refused to eat anything all day. I groaned. Why did she have to be unnecessarily stubborn? I understood that she was upset about the fact that I had basically reimprisoned her in the bedroom but that was her punishment for trying to move out in the first ce.


    I was going to return in a few days and maybe, just maybe I would make it up to her. Maybe.


    I decided to call her for the first time ever. I doubted she actually had my number. She would not have picked up if she did.


    <fn4100> Read full story at FindN0vel</fn4100>


    Just as I expected, she was livid and yelling at me over the phone. I found it funny. In fact, it was sexy that she thought she could shout some sense into me. It only made me want her more. I wanted to push her buttons so bad, we would have angry sex. That was the n.


    But as usual, I had to threaten her a bit so she would eat something. No wife of mine was going to starve herself and look unhealthy. Not under my watch.


    One of my guards knocked on my window. I wind down and faced stared at him through my sunsses.


    "Don, he¡¯s waiting."


    That was my cue to get out of the vehicle. I needed this meeting to be as brief as possible.


    I walked in and the smell of cigars filled my nostrils. The ce was heavily guarded. Everyone had their hands on their weapons, ready to pull the trigger.


    I hoped I would get out of here without triggering a gun fight. The cartel could be troublesome. Everything was a power y to them.


    I was led up to the rooftop where they were seated.


    Armano Rivas was at the head of the table. That was typically my spot but I would let him have it. This was a business liaison that was important for my pockets and even if I could not fully trust this one eyed man, I needed him for this.


    We shook hands.


    "Don Romano,"


    I gave him a curt nod. "Rivas. It¡¯s good to see you brother,"


    I shook hands with the two other allies he hade with. Too much of a crowd if you ask me. This was supposed to be a one on one meeting.


    We took our seats.


    "Congrattions are in order. I heard about your marriage to a beautiful woman," Armano said to me, puffing on his cigar.


    "Thank you." I said. "Would have invited you but we wanted a small ceremony."


    "I see. Didn¡¯t want to trigger the Castillos I see,"


    My jaw clenched and I fought back a hard re.


    "Let¡¯s get down to business." I said, changing the topic.


    "Alright then. What do you need me to do for you?"


    "The current route for transporting through the Caribbean has be unsafe."


    No thanks to a mole, the authorities have been busting up our asses and there was only so much I could keep paying. I needed to find an alternative.


    I needed Puerto Rico to be the alternative route for my deals and with Armano as the Cartel boss, I need his help. I was at risk of losing more money, power and looking like a joke to the rivals. I did not want to seem desperate but I needed this.


    I continued, "Like we discussed over the phone. I want Puerto Rico as the stopover for new shipments."


    "Interesting." He hummed, crushing the base of his cigar in the ash tray. "What¡¯s my cut?"


    Of course, typical of him to cut to the chase.


    I sat back and stared at him properly. "Twenty percent of my profits."


    Heughed along with his allies.


    "Romano, I know very well how much you make. You can¡¯t be serious."


    "If you know how much I make, you should also know how much I lose." I said back unsmiling.


    "I¡¯m going to help you save money. You can do better than this." He said.


    My tongue went over my teeth as I grunted. "State your price."


    "Navarro¡¯s legal businesses give us protection for smuggling and sixty percent."


    "Rivas, have you lost your mind?"


    I was pissed.


    He shrugged, "You¡¯re the one on the verge of losing money, power and status in our world. You need me."


    My jaw clenched again as I tried to calm my nerves.


    "Thirty percent. For legal protection from Navarro, we already have a lot on our hands."


    "Like an impending war from the Castillos and your family members because you married a liability?" Heughed at his sordid joke and the two idiots next to him forced theirughs too. Even they knew he was crossing the line.


    "Watch it Rivas. Do not forget who you¡¯re speaking to."


    I could shoot him dead here and now and the worst that could happen would be a gun fight between my men and his.


    "Don Romano, I apologize,"


    I could see he was fighting back a smirk. He did not need protection through Navarro Industries. He just wanted to find a way to throw jabs at me. I would not stand for it.


    "Thirty five percent. Nothing more, nothing less. Do we have a deal?"


    "I suppose we do."


    I had mywyer bring the documents and after about an hour, the papers were signed.


    "I¡¯ll be sending some of my men over to join yours." I said as I got on my feet, ready to leave.


    "You don¡¯t trust me enough to not smuggle your shipment." He chuckled as we shook hands.


    I tapped his shoulder slightly.


    "This is the underworld, Rivas. Trust is a rare currency."


    In a matter of hours, he would face the consequences of throwing his little jabs at me after the slow poison I had slipped into his shoulder began to work.

 Chapter 16 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 16: 16 ~ Mira</h4>


    It was day two of being trapped in Jace¡¯s bedroom.


    I was bored. Bored out of my mind. I had walked around, sat on the floor, watched as many movies as I possibly could.


    Every time I tried to give the guards an excuse for me to leave the room, they always used toe up with an annoying solution.


    Like when I said I needed to go down to the gym and workout. They gave me a gym mat and an iPad filled with home workout tutorials. I was furious. So furious I wanted to break something which was very unlike me.


    Out of curiosity as well as boredom, I decided to look around the room. I had been too scared to snoop around but now that I was stuck, I decided to open all the drawers I could find.


    I checked the ones by my side of the bed and his. There was nothing out of the ordinary there. It was just different random stuff like journals I was too scared to open. Pens, passports and condoms and a stained white handkerchief that I wondered if it was stained by blood or just red wine.


    There was nothing out of the ordinary until I got to the middle drawer on his side of the bed. It seemed to be locked.


    I searched everywhere I could for the key to open it. I did not want to break it so he would not know I was looking around his stuff.


    I was still battling with the drawer¡¯s handle when I pulled the bottom one and saw a clean pistol. It was probably new and unused.The shiny metal caught my eye and every other thing was forgotten.


    I had never held a gun before and somehow I was intrigued to know how it worked.


    It was obviously not loaded. But it was heavy anyways.


    I ced my hand on the trigger and pressed on it. It was empty but it still made a sound.


    Now I wished Jace had not stopped me from training with na. Maybe I would have been learning how to shoot by now.


    I walked with the gun to the curtains that were always shut. They were thick and heavy but I managed to push them aside so I could see.


    The sliding door leading to the balcony was shut but I could see that it was such a beautiful view. So why was it always covered. I needed to ask someone to open it up for me so I could receive some fresh air.


    I dropped the gun on the bed, then I walked towards the room¡¯s door and knocked on it from inside.


    I heard the guard bring out the keys and open it.


    "Hi. Do you have the key to the door leading outside? I need some fresh air."


    "Um, the Don doesn¡¯t let anyone go out there. It¡¯s prohibited."


    I frowned. "Why?"


    "I can¡¯t answer that ma¡¯am. Only the don can."


    "But-"


    "Is there anything else you need?" He cut in before I could ask more questions.


    "No." I stepped back inside and heard him lock the door again.


    ~


    Another couple of hours passed and I was taking a light nap when I heard the door opening. I immediately opened my eyes and sat up.


    Of course it was him. I red at him as he walked in, all traces of my sleep gone.


    I was almost distracted with how good he looked in his leather jacket, white shirt and ck jeans. His designer sunsses covered his eyes and the scent of his cologne filled the space.


    "Hey beautiful," he smirked.


    I got on my feet, sneering at him.


    "You jerk!" I spat out angrily.


    "Easy there little one,"


    The door came open again just then and I looked at who wasing in. It was one of his guards holding a bunch of shopping bags.


    "I got you a little something." He said gesturing at the bags.


    "I don¡¯t want anything from you." I said, looking away in annoyance.


    "Leave," he said to the guard. He dropped the bags and left.


    We were left alone.


    "Come on, it was just two days." He said to me, taking off his sses.


    "Easy for you to say." I scoffed.


    He called all the shots so it was so easy for him to think I was overreacting. How was anyone able to think this was normal behavior?


    "I am not an object. I am Mira Valente and my father if he was alive would never let anyone treat me this way." I did not know when the tears started to spill.


    I picked up the gun and pointed it at him as he tried to touch me.


    "Don¡¯te any closer." I told him, still pointing the gun, holding it with my two hands. I did not care that I was practically shaking as I held it.


    <fn33c1> Fresh chapters posted on find¡¤novel</fn33c1>


    "You want to shoot? Do that then," He said,ing closer despite my warning.


    He put his head on the tip of the gun where the bullet was supposed toe out of.


    "Shoot then."


    To be honest, I wished there was at least a bullet in it so I could end him once and for all. But to show I was serious, I pulled the trigger anyway. Of course nothing happened.


    "You hate me that much huh?" He chuckled.


    "Yes I do."


    Ignoring me, he pulled me closer to him.


    I tried to wiggle out of his hold but he overpowered me, took the gun out of my hand and pinned me to the bed.


    He wiped my wet face with his thumb.


    "I hate seeing my women cry." He whispered against my skin.


    "Oh. And how many of them do you have?" I retorted.


    "Let¡¯s just say you¡¯re the most important amongst all of them." He rasped again my lips.


    My eyes fell on his full lips. A part of me wanted to take them in mine. But god forbid I ever make the first move especially on a man I despised.


    His fingers trailed over my nipples through the light fabric of my top and I felt them harden.


    To be Continued...

 Chapter 17 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 17: 17 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was fighting back a moan when he kept rolling his thumbs and index fingers over my nipples.


    It was making me go crazy. Yes I was still angry. But there was something about his touch that was making me lose focus.


    "You like that?" He whispered in my ears.


    "Hmm,"


    I could not form words so I hummed instead.


    He rubbed more furiously, squeezing on them even more and my moans went a notch higher. I hated that he had such an effect on me.


    "Say my name," he whispered in my ears.


    "Mr Romano?" I asked.


    "I like that but you should call me daddy next time."


    I giggled foolishly.


    Why the hell was I giggling?


    Slowly, he slid my shirt off and when he his tongue licked my left nipple, I threw my head back, biting on my lower lip.


    He took one of them in his mouth and yed with other with his fingers.


    "Ohhh," I moaned.


    He moved to the other boob and repeated the process. A part of me worried that the guard outside could hear me moaning but then I was too far gone to care.


    He kissed my breasts over and over. Then I felt his fingers slide down to my core. He yed with my clit, making me writhe in pleasure.


    I gasped when he pumped a finger into my wetness.


    <fn4360> The source of th?s content is Find¡ïNovel</fn4360>


    Unable to hold back anymore, I reached for his jeans and tried to let his hard monster free.


    My mouth watered at the sight of it. I met his eyes as he stared down at me.


    "Turn around. Now. I want to see that pretty ass obey me."


    I swallowed as I did so and he spanked me a few times.


    I felt him rub the tip around my entrance. I bit on my lower lip and awaited entry.


    When he slid in and filled me, I nearly screamed but I held it in.


    His thrusts weren¡¯t slow. They were fast and nerve wracking. A part of me expected him to go hard but not this hard.


    The sound of pping skin filled the room as well as my loud moans.


    He held my hands to the back as he banged me roughly. I kept trying to catch my breath but he was not letting off.


    "Please wait." I managed to say, trying to catch my breath.


    "You¡¯re going to take it, Mira. All of it. You hear me?" He said, breathing into my ears as he pulled me into the same position. My knees were shaking.


    I held on the bed stand for support even as he choked me. I had never been fucked like this in my entire life.


    When he finally cummed, I heaved a sigh of relief. It was going to take forever to recover from this.


    Surprisingly, he carried me into the bathroom and helped me clean up because he could see that I was exhausted.


    I could not feel my legs. My tired eyes met his amused ones.


    "What¡¯s funny?" I managed to ask him.


    "Oh nothing. I hope you just realized you¡¯re in for a ride."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "¡¯You¡¯re mine now. Fully."


    I was still trying to understand what he meant.


    His hands trailed down to my pussy area.


    "I have imed you. And this belongs to me. No one cane near it ever again."


    "What if this marriage ends?" I asked.


    His chuckle was dark enough to send chills all over my body. "Bold of you to assume you¡¯re going anywhere sweetheart."


    I immediately shifted back, giving him distance.


    "Don¡¯t touch me ever again." I said as my eyes filled up with tears.


    His eyes dimmed but he said nothing as he walked out of the bathroom.


    I slid to the ground, letting the water from the shower soak me as I cried.


    This was torture.


    I felt used.


    I tried to wash his hands off me.


    He had brought me here to be his sex ve. I was not his wife but a ve to his desires.


    The realization pped me in the face and I cried even harder, even though I tried to suppress the loudness of my sobs.


    I hated my life. This was not what I wanted.


    Thest thing I wanted was to be married to a monster who wouldn¡¯t let me go and live my life.


    I wondered if this was how it would be for the rest of my life.


    I would be trapped here and he would have his way with me whenever he pleased?


    And I would have to give him a child or children eventually?


    "Oh my goodness he cummed inside me." I got up immediately as soon as I realized.


    I thought of where my birth control pills could be. I hadn¡¯t had a reason to use them.


    I needed to find a way to get another set of pills because thest thing I wanted was to get pregnant in a situation like this. I would rather be termed a barren woman who he kicks out than have babies in this prison of a house.


    I stayed in the bathroom, for several minutes aftering to that conclusion.


    When I eventually came out, he was fully dressed in casual clothes.


    He did even look at me as I stepped into the room.


    "You should take two of that." He said, pointing at a tray ced by my side of the bed.


    "What¡¯s that?" I asked.


    "Birth control."


    I froze. How was he always two steps ahead of me?


    "Um, you don¡¯t want me to give you an heir something?"


    "Do you want to get pregnant?" He asked with a in expression.


    I immediately shook my head vigorously.


    "I thought so." He went back to looking at his phone.


    And just like he said, I took the pills.


    "Am I allowed to leave the room now?" I asked him after a while.


    His eyes met mine for a second.


    "Yeah. I see you¡¯re bored. I¡¯ll have someone escort you for a shopping spree tomorrow."


    "I don¡¯t want to go shopping." I said, squeezing the robe tightly. I was nervous about what his reaction would be to what I was about to say.


    He already got some stuff for me from his trip. I did not need anything more.


    "What do you want then?"


    "I want to go to my shop."


    His eyes snapped to mine yet again and this time I could tell exactly what he was feeling.


    Rage.

 Chapter 18 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 18: 18 ~ Mira</h4>


    It was quiet for several minutes and I just sat there staring at him, waiting for a response.


    "You¡¯re not going." He finally said.


    "But-"


    "Mirabel, I said you are not going anywhere."


    I got on my feet, ready to pour my heart out.


    "Mr Romano, I worked hard to get that ce to what it is. And it is unfair that you expect me to discard everything I worked for just to be stuck in this suffocating ce. Do you not have a heart?!"


    "It¡¯s made of stone." He said coldly.


    His response made me speechless.


    All I could do was cry.


    "Mira, if you want to bake, I have kitchen that is three times the size of that shop with all the utilities you could only dream of back there. Go in there and bake."


    I had to admit it was a good idea but I really just wanted to go somewhere familiar. It had been a month. My shop had been closed down and I barely had any money.


    I looked at my bank ount and it was practically empty.


    "Jace- Mr Romano," I immediately corrected myself. "This isn¡¯t fair to me." I said softly, feeling my heart break with every word.


    He sighed. "Okay. What do you want?"


    "I just want to go home. Even just for a bit. I hate it here." I admitted to him. My lips puckered and more hot tears spilled out of my eyes.


    "I have my reasons for not letting you leave this ce." He stated firmly.


    "But you can send some guards with me. I won¡¯t try to run away. I promise."


    I did n on running away but I needed to gain his trust first.


    He let out another sigh. It sounded like I had put him in a tight spot.


    "I¡¯ll think about it. Can you stop crying already?" He said, looking ufortable.


    He handed me a handkerchief to wipe my face with, awkwardly rubbed my shoulder and left the room.


    Who would have thought that a man like Jace Romano could be moved by tears? I certainly did not think so.


    Maybe I had found the perfect way to rope him around my fingers after all. Maybe.


    I did not see him for the rest of the day.


    By the time I woke up the next morning he was still nowhere to be found. I wondered if he was even in the premises.


    He was always so secretive about everything and I was basically clueless about everything he did. I only knew what the inte could offer about who he was. So I was practically lost.


    I went down for breakfast and saw that he was not there but his mother was.


    "Donna," I bowed my head a little to acknowledge he.


    She looked up from her te and nodded back.


    "Free as a bird huh?" She said referring to when I was trapped in his room.


    "I¡¯m not so sure about that." I said as I sat down. "But a win is a win I guess."


    "Hmm," she hummed, still chewing on her food. "Jace left not too long ago. He said something about you being a baker."


    Knowing her, I was sure she knew that already so maybe she just wanted to hear it from me.


    "Yes, I own a small bakery in the smaller part of town."


    "I assume that¡¯s where he met you." She said.


    I hesitated. "Jace and I never... met."


    "Oh. My bad."


    "Yeah," I swallowed and decided it was about time I started to eat too. I was famished.


    "Would you like bake to something for me?"


    She was Donna Carm. That was not a request. It was an order.


    "Okay. What would you like?"


    She shrugged, "Maybe biscuits. Something we can have tea with."


    "We?" I questioned, just to be sure I heard correctly.


    "Yes. I have a guesting."


    "Alright then." I said with a nod.


    "Everything you need is in the kitchen. The staff there would help you out."


    She got on her feet and left the room. I finished up my meal quickly and entered the kitchen.


    I had never been in here before and it was way bigger than I anticipated. This was my dream kitchen. I should have expected nothing less from a billionaire gangster like Jace Romano but I was stunned regardless.


    The staff were very helpful. They told me the kind of biscuits Donna Carm liked and how much of everything to put. I could never have pulled it off without their help.


    I could not imagine what her reaction would have been if I messed anything up. She seemed indifferent about my existence and my marriage to her son. I did not expect her to be nice and lovey dovey considering the circumstances surrounding my marriage to the don.


    In all honesty, I could not tell if Donna Carm liked me or not and it somehow put me in a tight spot. But as long as she was not necessarily mean to me, I had to take it as something positive I guess.


    I served the biscuits on a nice tter and ced the teacups and little kettle filled with hot water and headed to the east wing.


    I was let in by the guard in front of her door. He did not look familiar though so I took it he was a new member of the staff. Besides there was no way I could possibly know all of them if I barely left my room.


    I got in and heard lightughtering from the kitchen area.


    I walked in that direction and was stunned by the sight of her guest.


    It was none other than Caterina Castillo.<fn9a0e> Checktest chapters at fin?novel</fn9a0e>

 Chapter 19 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 19: 19 ~ Mira</h4>


    They stoppedughing as soon as they saw me. I gulped, standing still in the same position.


    "Mira,e on in." Donna Carm said to me, gesturing for me to approach them as they sat the table.


    I slowly walked towards them and ced down my tray. I felt Caterina¡¯s eyes watching me like a hawk.


    I turned to leave after dropping the tray but Donna Carm called me back.


    "You should sit with us." She said.


    My eyes went to Caterina who was still staring at me. I could not read her expression totally but I could tell she hated the sight of me from the first time she saw me at that party.


    <fn045a> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? F?nd-Novel</fn045a>


    I sat down, looking at my nails like they were the most interesting thing in the world. When Caterina wasn¡¯t looking, I took a closer look at her.


    She was a dazzling caramel skinnedtina. Her curly hair fell down to her waist, her naturalshes looked like falsies and her waist to hip ratio seemed nonexistent. She was too beautiful for words. I could not understand why Jace broke up their engagement. I wish I knew the backstory.


    "You baked these?" She asked me.


    I looked up at her face, jolting out of my thoughts.


    "Yes I did." I answered.


    "They¡¯re nice." She said.


    Donna Carm nodded in agreement, taking another bite.


    "Thank you." I managed to say in a soft voice.


    I watched them converse. They seemed close. Caterina seemed like the perfect fit to be the wife of Don Romano. And of course she was the one that his mother would approve of since they had a good rtionship. She belonged and fit perfectly into their world while I stuck out like a sore thumb.


    I was ufortable. I wanted to leave.


    All of a sudden, Donna Carm got on her feet.


    "I have to make a quick phone call. Excuse me." She said and walked off and left me alone with the woman who seemed to hate my guts.


    "How did Jace meet you?" She asked after a few seconds of awkward silence.


    "Um-"


    How was I supposed to answer that? Was she supposed to know that he kidnapped me and forced me to be his wife and I married him a week after meeting him for the first time?


    "I heard he kidnapped you and made you marry him." She said with a sly smile. If she knew already, why was she asking me? That was what I was wondering when she continued speaking.


    "Poor thing. I can¡¯t believe he would go this far just to spite me." She chuckled mockingly.


    "I don¡¯t understand you." I spoke up.


    "He married you just a few weeks after our break up."


    That was news to me.


    "So?"


    Sheughed. "You¡¯re not just a rebound. You are his ything. The only difference is that he made you marry him so it could seem serious to me."


    I was speechless.


    "Jace can be extreme in everything. Especially in the bedroom." She winked.


    I almost cringed in disgust. I did not need that kind of information.


    She continued, "You look so innocent. I don¡¯t think you can even keep up with all his wild fantasies, his roughness, all of it."


    I tried to get pictures of them banging out of my head. I saw the way he looked at her while at his event weeks ago. I knew that she fit his wild and hardcore nature and the kind of sex they had would always be too much for me to keep up with. I did not n on being his sex ve anyways so there was no way I could keep up.


    "But maybe I shouldn¡¯t judge. Maybe when we have a threesome I would be able to say for sure." She grinned.


    I clutched my chest, immediately disgusted by what she just said.


    "I would do no such thing. I¡¯m not anyone¡¯s toy." I said through gritted teeth.


    She chuckled again. "Well you look like it."


    "Excuse me." I tried to get up. I was done listening to her nonsense.


    "I¡¯m not done speaking to you Mira."


    "Well I am done."


    "Sit or I¡¯ll have my guard shoot you."


    "In my husband¡¯s home?"


    I may not have been willing to be his wife but I was his wife regardless.


    "Look at you getting toofortable." She threw her head back andughed even harder.


    "I could have you killed right now and you¡¯ll only be counted as a random casualty in the heat of our breakup while I reunite with Jace. Try me,"


    Her face seemed to change into something evil. She truly meant what she said.


    I swallowed. For all I knew she could have been saying the truth. I would be killed and forgotten while they would get back together. I would just be caught in the crossfire of their toxic love. I was a nobody and no one would be able to go to war for me.


    So like a wimp, I sat back down on the seat.


    "Good girl." She grinned as I did.


    "I don¡¯t hate you. You haven¡¯t exactly done anything wrong. I just need to remind you of your ce."


    I listened, fighting back every tear that wanted toe out of my eyes.


    "You¡¯re a nobody. A little rat in the midst of predators and you¡¯d be crushed if you try to do more than you¡¯re asked. Just y the dutiful little wife that you are. When Jace Romano is done with you, he knows where the real good pussy is. Who knows, he might be over at mine tonight," She winked again, picking up her bag and getting on her feet while I sat still, trying to keep my emotions in check.


    ¡¯"Take care, Mrs Romano." She scoffed and walked off.


    Her words bit into my skin more than they should have.


    I heard the door shut before the tear I had been holding back rolled down my face.


    ~


    I cried so hard when I got back to my room. I cried until I could not breathe anymore.


    I sat on the floor and mourned my fate. Why did all the terrible things have to happen to me?


    I didn¡¯t know how long I had been on the floor when Jace came in.


    "What happened?"


    I shook my head. "It¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m fine."


    I tried to wipe my face but he held my hand. How was I supposed to tell him his ex came and practically threatened my life?


    "Mirabel, what happened?!"


    I flinched a little bit as his voice went up.


    "Please don¡¯t get mad if I tell you."


    His jaw ticked.


    "That depends on exactly what you tell me."


    "Your ex was here and she was mean to me." I said.


    "Caterina?" His brows furrowed.


    I nodded.


    "What was she doing here?"


    "Donna invited her over."


    "What?"


    I saw his eyes light up in anger before he spoke next.


    "Tell me everything."

 Chapter 20 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 20: 20 ~ Jace</h4>


    I marched towards my mother¡¯s side of the house in quick, angry strides.


    "Why would you bring Caterina in here?" I asked as soon I saw her.


    "It¡¯s nice to see you too son."


    I had no time to exchange pleasantries.


    "Why was Caterina here? And what did she say to my wife?" I asked angrily.


    "I wasn¡¯t here when they had a conversation, Jacopo."


    "Don¡¯t call me that."


    My voice dropped to something colder than ice.


    She knew how much I hated the name. Why was she trying to spite me even more?


    We had a silent stare down.


    She spoke up first. "You know that girl isn¡¯t fit to be your wife. Caterina said a few things to her and she goes on to cry like a weakling. She is a liability and you have no business being married to a woman like that."


    "That is none of your business. You had no right to set her up like that."


    Why couldn¡¯t they just let her be?!


    She sighed. "Son, I have nothing against Mira. She¡¯s a sweet, beautiful traditional woman but she is not the kind of woman you should have by your side as the don. Have your fun with her and let her go and live her normal life. She does not belong here."


    I understood where she wasing from but that was not for her to decide.


    "Mother, I am not a kid. I know what I¡¯m doing." I said.


    <fn7c59> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find[?]ovel</fn7c59>


    "Are you sure about that?" She seemed to doubt me.


    "If you¡¯re doing this to spite the Castillos then it¡¯s not a good idea."


    "That is not what this is about,"


    "Then what is it?"


    I chose to avoid the question instead. "Did you bring Caterina here to make Mira scared?"


    "That was not my intention but you know Cat, she can take things too far."


    My frown went deeper. Caterina had no right to scare my wife like that.


    She pushed a te in my direction.


    "Sit. Mira made some nice biscuits for us." She said, immediately crunching on one.


    "You made my wife cook for you and my ex??"


    Now I was furious again. Did she even realize that this woman was married to the Don Romano of the Italian Mafia?


    What did they take her for? A maid??!


    "Don¡¯t do this again mother. My wife is not a maid." I warned as I turned to leave.


    "Get her something to do then. She¡¯s good at what she does. Let her go back to working at her bakery. She can¡¯t sit up there all day." She called after me.


    "It¡¯s none of your business." I said for the umpteenth time as I walked away.


    It was none of anyone¡¯s fucking business what I did with my woman.


    I got into my car headed to the one ce I least expected to visit. At least not for a long time.


    It waste into the night and there was no traffic and as I sped down the highway, I began to think it was not such a good idea to go there but it was toote to turn back.


    I parked in front of her duplex and because I was already well known, the security let me into the premises.


    I ced my palm over the lock and it opened. I was surprised she had not removed my fingerprint from the lock.


    "Caterina?"


    I called out as I got into the finely furnished living space.


    It was quiet. So I called out again, yelling even more this time.


    She soon came down the stairs in a bathrobe. Her hair was wrapped up in a towel.


    "I was expecting you." She said as she reached the ground and approached me.


    "Why did you threaten my wife?" I asked her cutting to the chase.


    She rolled her eyes. "Ohe on Jace. Cut it out with this stunt of a marriage. I know you did it to spite me."


    "I am married now. I¡¯m done with you and you had no right toe into my household and threaten my woman."


    "Is it that weakling you want by your side? Have you lost it?" She yelled.


    "Hey! Watch it." I warned her.


    "Or else what? What are you going to do about it?"


    "Don¡¯t push me." I warned her.


    She came closer, stood on her tippy toes and whispered in my ear, "Your wife is a weakling and she¡¯s rubbing off on you."


    I held her neck. It did not stop her. In fact it egged her on as she rubbed her hand over my crotch area. My cock stirred.


    "Caterina don¡¯t start what you cannot finish."


    "I can finish it." She whispered, letting tongue trail over ear lobe.


    I shuddered slightly.


    I watched her go down on her knees and unbuckle my pants.


    She took my full length in her mouth and I shut my eyes, wrapping her wet hair around my fist as she did what she knew how to do best.


    "Fuck." I hissed as sucked on my balls as well.


    This was not the n but here I was, shamelessly fucking her in the mouth. When I shot into her mouth, she swallowed every single thing.


    "I want you to sleep over." She said, getting on her feet as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.


    "I have to go home..."


    She threw her robe to the ground and my breath hitched. I swallowed. She was bare in front of me.


    "Caterina."


    I hated how she knew this was my weakness. She was one of the few women that I knew could keep up with my stamina. Mira couldn¡¯t do that. She did not even want me near her so I might as well take the opportunity and get myself a good fuck.


    "You know you want this."


    She pushed her bare chest towards me. As usual, I bend her over and take her from behind. It¡¯s rough. It¡¯s hard and it is void of emotions from me.


    And when I finish. I do not cuddle her. I sleep in her bed and leave at the crack of dawn.


    It was sex. That was all it ever was for me. No emotions attached because what was the point?

 Chapter 21 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 21: 21 ~ Mira</h4>


    I received a message from a strange number that morning just before I could get out of bed. It was a picture captioned with; ¡¯Told you he¡¯ll alwayse back to me. You¡¯re just a little distraction.¡¯


    I immediately regretted opening it. It was a photo of Jace in her bed, bare chested.


    It was obvious. They had sex.


    No wonder he did note backst night.


    She was right when she predicted that he would be over at her ce than night. She knew him that well. He was truly hers.


    "Wow," I whispered, unable to form a real reaction to what I saw.


    There was no way I could feel cheated on because she was his actual woman anyways. I was just a pawn on his chessboard.


    And when he was done with me, he would throw me away and reunite with the woman meant for him.


    I was not supposed to feel anything. I was supposed to at least be happy I would not be trapped in this for too long.


    I stared at door. Maybe he would walk in and tell me he wanted a divorce so he could go back to his ex and to be very honest, I would be thrilled. The only problem is how used I would feel. He had touched me a little more than I¡¯d have wanted him to but there was no going back on it.


    I got on my feet and entered the bathroom. I shut my eyes and leaned against the sink as I thought of how I was going to go back to living my everyday life. It would be different. I would probably continue living in fear because of all that happened but at least I would be free again.


    My phone beeped just then. It was an alert of a credit transaction in my bank ount. I gasped at the figure. I opened it quickly and checked who it was from. It was from Jace. I immediately frowned.


    Why would he send me this much money? For what?


    Then it dawned on me that it could be my send off money. He was not going to let me off without anything.


    I quickly showered. It was the day of my freedom. This was going to be a Chapter of my life I would keep buried away from everyone else. By the time I return home and they ask where I¡¯ve been, I¡¯d just tell them I went on a trip. It was as simple as that.


    I took a shower, washed my hair, dried it and brushed out my waves.


    I soon entered the closet and started to pack up my stuff.


    "What are you doing?"


    I jumped and screamed, startled at the sound of his voice. I did not even hear hime in.


    "Mira, I asked you a question." He emphasized.


    "I¡¯m packing up my stuff."


    "Why?"


    "You¡¯re done with me right?"


    For the first time, I saw him look confused.


    I took my phone out of my pocket and shoved it in his face. I first of all showed him what Caterina sent. I saw his jaw clench as well as his fists. Then I showed him the money he had sent me.


    "You two are back together. You don¡¯t need me anymore." I said.


    "You¡¯re mistaken." I said.


    My frown deepened. "I don¡¯t understand."


    "I¡¯m married to you. Not Caterina."


    "So she¡¯s your mistress now? Isn¡¯t she the person you¡¯re supposed to be married to?"


    "There¡¯s never going to be anything between us. Ever again."


    "But you slept with her." I stated, deadpan.


    He sighed, looking ufortable. "It was a mistake."


    "But-"


    He took something out of his pocket and slid it on the ind towards me. It was a ck card.


    "Buy yourself anything you want." He said and turned to leave.


    "How about my freedom? Can I buy that?"


    He paused and turned to me and yelled in frustration, "I¡¯m letting you go out, Mira!"


    "Letting me. Do you see how that sounds? I¡¯m not some pet you can let out of the cage!"


    "Maybe you¡¯re my pet."


    I tsked. It did not matter how many times I said it to him, he would always forget that I¡¯m a human being.


    "Just get yourself something nice. Hang out with your friends or something. I have work to do."


    He walked away.


    I ced my head in my hands.


    Just when I thought I was free of all of this madness, I was still trapped.


    <fn05e5> Chapters first released on find(?)ovel</fn05e5>


    I could not go down without a fight. I came out of the closet.


    "Jace."


    He was just about to open the door when he stopped, his hand was stuck on the handle.


    "I told you it¡¯s Mr Romano to you."


    "I¡¯m your wife right? So why can¡¯t I call you by your name?" I retorted.


    "That¡¯s not how it¡¯s done in this world."


    I scowled. What exactly did he mean by that?


    "Why did you choose to marry me?" I asked.


    He turned to look at me but was quiet.


    "Answer me! Why did you choose me of all women to torment?!" I yelled as my voice broke. I was not supposed to cry. It made me look weak, especially to him but I could not help it.


    I raised my phone up.


    "You just sent me nearly half a million dors. That¡¯s two times more than whatever my brother owed you. You¡¯re a fucking billionaire. You could have let that money go but you decided to trap me here instead. What did I ever do to you to deserve this?"


    He was still quiet. His expression was unreadable and it frustrated me even more.


    "Just be the trophy wife I married you to be Mira. Embrace your new reality. Stop fighting it."


    He walked away after that.


    And no matter how many times I called after him even in the midst of my tears, he did note back in.


    I sat on the bed, head in my hands as my tears dropped and I admitted out loud for the first time since this all began that...


    "My life is over,"

 Chapter 22 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 22: 22 ~ Mira</h4>


    I had refused to eat anything all morning.


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    The helps hade one after the other to ask me what I wanted and I kept telling them I did not want anything. Maybe Jace had sent them because they kept showing up at every hour after he left.


    My suitcase was still there in the middle of the room staring at me. I was still on the bed, staring into space.


    I wanted to leave. I wished it was easy to escape. I wished I was not under strict surveince, maybe I would have found a way out of here.


    There had to be a blind spot somewhere. I sat up as the wheels in my head began to turn. I had to think fast. I had enough money to leave the country and start a new life somewhere. I just had to figure out how to protect myself and my brother in the process.


    I stood on my feet and began to pace the room as I thought.


    Then a knock on the door came and interrupted my thought process.


    It was noon when Donna Carm called for me and this time I wondered what she had up her sleeve. What lesson was she going to try to teach me this time? Was she going to bring another woman to threaten me?


    I wondered if she understood that I was the victim here. I did not want to be in this marriage as much she did not want me in it. We were literally on the same page.


    I could not trust her after the stunt she pulled with Caterina. I was going to be extra cautious around her.


    "Hello, Donna." I said when I saw her.


    "Mira," She acknowledged me with a small smile. "What¡¯s going on with you this time?"


    "I¡¯m not sure I understand." I was genuinely confused by the question.


    "Your husband was here this morning. He med me for you trying to leave and that I better fix it." She said with a subtle eye roll.


    I stood there and wondered why he would do that.


    "He slept with Caterina." I finally spoke after several seconds for silence from me.


    She was quiet for a bit.


    "And?"


    I don¡¯t know what reaction I was expecting from her but this was not exact it.


    "Then he sent me a huge sum of money and gave me his ck card to go shopping."


    "What are you waiting for then? Spend that money."


    "But-"


    She sighed, sounding exhausted. "Mira, this isn¡¯t the world you¡¯re used to, I understand. If Jace decides that you must be in it, you have to ept that. And if you are going to remain his wife, you have to act like it. Go on that shopping spree and take your ce as his wife. Enjoy all the benefits."


    This was the most I had heard her say at once.


    "Don¡¯t be a child. If he insists he wants you here, you have to y the part. You have to woman up."


    I nodded despite not liking how it made me feel. I did not want to be here in this ce I did not belong in. I did not want to be a trophy wife.


    She raised her hand like she remembered something.


    "You really need to do some shopping. We have a family gatheringing up and you have to look the part."


    I gulped.


    I had not properly met the rest of their family. I had no idea what their family unit was like. I did not know what to expect with them.


    "You should go now so you¡¯ll be back before dinner." She said, dismissing me.


    I went back to my room, picked up the card and prepared to head out.


    This was the first time I would be leaving the house without Jace since I got trapped in here. I knew I would be heavily guarded and I hated it.


    I walked outside and for the first time got a perfect glimpse of the surroundings during daytime from the front of the house. The only time I had been out here was at night and seeing it during the day brought a different feel.


    It had a typical view of an enormous estate with greenery everywhere, interlocked roads but the difference here was how guards with weapons patrolled every corner and there was cameras all over the ce. This was not normal. It was far from it.


    The chauffeur brought the SUV and I entered the back while one guard sat in front.


    When the car started moving, I looked back and saw that there was another one following. It was obvious that Jace had told them to follow me everywhere.


    "Where to ma¡¯am?" The driver asked me as the car started moving.


    "City mall." I answered without giving it much thought.


    There was no other ce I knew to shop. I had never been to any other fancy stores.


    We got to the mall and for the first time in a while I smiled. I smiled at the sight of people other than the heavily armed guards at different turns in what was supposed to be home.


    I almost wanted to run inside but that would probably cause a scene because even as I came out of the vehicle, people were already staring.


    "Um can you keep your guns hidden? You¡¯re scaring people." I said to the guard that sat in front of the car I rode in.


    "The don wants you to be protected at all times ma¡¯am."


    I nodded. "Yes I know but this is too obvious. Don¡¯t you have smaller guns? I just want to shop without any problems."


    He took off the bigger gun around his neck and signalled to the other two in the next vehicle to do the same as they followed me inside.


    My first stop was Saks Fifth Avenue. I got to the front of the store and sighed.


    "Here goes nothing..."

 Chapter 23 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 23: 23 ~ Mira</h4>


    Thankfully, two of the guards stayed outside while only one of them followed me in, giving me a safe distance so I did not feel suffocated.


    Immediately I walked in, I felt watched. Maybe it was because I was underdressedpared to the other customers. But with a guard obviously behind me, they did not have to judge me so much.


    I picked up a trolley and pushed as I looked around all the expensive stuff in therge store. Some of the perfumes here had my full yearly ie on the price tag for one bottle. People were actually that rich but all I had ever known was poverty.


    I was worried about spending too much money here and upsetting Don Romano. But on the other hand, I wanted to take his mother¡¯s advice to spend his money. I just hoped it was not a test of some sort or even a set up.


    I saw dresses from different designer brands, Dolce and Gabbana, Alexander McQueen. There was one that caught my eye from Alexander McQueen. It was a silky ck midi dress that was sleeveless. I saw that it was about seven hundred dors and had to hold in a gasp so the other customers wouldn¡¯t look at me like a pauper.


    I went to the dressing room and tried it on. It fit like a glove. I was definitely taking it.


    I moved to the jewelry section and picked up some Pandora nes and earrings that would match with the dress.


    I was busy trying to pick up some Louboutin heels when I heard my name.


    "Mira?"


    I turned around and met a familiar face.


    "Charlotte, hi!" I said with a smile.


    It felt good to see someone familiar for the first time in quite a long time. She was one of my wealthy customers who patronized my business whenever she came to New York. Her orders used to make my day and sometimes I wished for the luxuries she could afford. Crazy how I was shopping in the same ce as her now. If only the circumstances were different.


    "Oh my goodness I¡¯ve been trying to reach you!" She tried to hug me but my guard stopped her.


    "It¡¯s fine. I know her." I told him.


    He hesitated for a bit before stepping aside.


    Charlotte¡¯s eyes went wide in surprise. I saw the questions in them.


    She hugged me and I hugged her back.


    "It¡¯s so good to see you. Where have you been?"


    "It¡¯s a long story." I said with a stiff smile.


    "Well, I have time. Do you?"


    "Um, I¡¯m not done shopping yet."


    "We can talk while we shop."


    "Okay."


    She went on about how she came by my shop once in the past week and it was practically empty. She saw my brother and when she asked him of me, he said I wasn¡¯t there. That was all he could give.


    "I was so scared something had happened to you. I¡¯m so d you¡¯re okay." She saidughing in relief.


    I wish I was okay. I was being held hostage.


    "So howe you¡¯re here? And why do you have a body guard?"


    "This is my husband¡¯s guard. There are two others waiting for me out there."


    It felt weird to say that aloud.


    "What? You got married?!" She shrieked and immediately covered her mouth due to the awkward stares we got.


    "Sorry. Sorry. Why didn¡¯t you tell me?"


    "It was so sudden." I said with an awkward chuckle.


    Sheughed. I wish she knew how serious I was being.


    "Oh well. I totally get it. Your brother definitely misses you."


    I swallowed. I missed him too.


    "He sure does." I said with a forced smile.


    I picked up a few more things and headed to the counter so I could pay.


    She paid for her stuff first and left quickly as she had to pick up something in another store. She made me promise to wait for her. The cashier was all smiles with her, probably because she was a regr customer. But when it got to my turn, she was frowning at me.


    "I hope you have enough credit to cover for all this." She muttered as sheputed my stuff.


    "Excuse me?"


    "You heard me." She said, giving me a once over.


    I could see she was judging me based on how I was dressed. I was wearing a simple top and jeans and all because it was not a designer outfit, these people assumed I was not fit to get into their shop.


    "Do you have any idea who you¡¯re talking to?¡¯ My guard was furious and seemed ready to pull out his pistol to threaten her. I stopped him with a wave of my hand.


    I did not want to cause a scene or bring more attention to us.


    <fnef32> Original content can be found at F?ndNovel</fnef32>


    A part of me wanted to walk away but I had taken my time to pick up all this stuff. I could not just abandon them because of a ssist cashier.


    I brought out the ck card from my purse.


    "Here you go."


    I watched her attitude change slightly.


    "We have to be sure this card isn¡¯t stolen." She had the audacity to say that.


    My guard was about to re up again.


    "The name there is Jace Romano. I¡¯m his wife." I introduced myself, shing the diamond ring and wedding band in her face.


    "The Jace Romano?" Her mouth dropped.


    "The one and only." I grinned.


    "I¡¯m so sorry ma¡¯am."


    I raise my hand, cutting her off.


    "I¡¯d like to speak to your manager." I said.


    Funny how the same person who was so condescending to me was now pleading with me because she needed the job. I shook my head.


    I hated how people treated others based on how they looked and who they are, not because they are human beings. It was disgusting to see.


    In the end I decided to let it go as I did not want to attract any attention to myself in the first ce and I still needed to catch up with Charlotte anyways.


    I had them pack my stuff. The guards picked up the bags and that was how I left the store.

 Chapter 24 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 24: 24 ~ Mira</h4>


    I met up with Charlotte at a restaurant after my bags were dropped in the car I came with. I had to follow them because I was not allowed to be left alone without protection.


    I missed being free to walk around the mall without attracting any attention to myself.


    I entered the restaurant and took my seat opposite Charlotte. I told the guards to order whatever they wanted as they sat at a table. They declined, stating that they weren¡¯t allowed to eat while on the clock. I insisted and they had their seats but were still high on alert.


    "I¡¯m sorry but who is your husband?"


    I paused at the question. "Uh, why do you ask?"


    "You have three hunky men following you around, you¡¯re shopping designer stuff and to top it off, I saw you pay with a ck card. I have to be curious." She listed out with a shrug.


    Her curiosity was understandable but I wasn¡¯t sure how to tell her who I was married to because she would want to know more.


    Our meals came just then and that was a wee distraction. It was then I realized just how hungry I was. I had not eaten anything all day and the food smelt heavenly.


    I dug in without wasting time and savored every bit of the meal while trying to buy myself time.


    She was clearly enjoying her te too, hopefully enough to forget about the question she asked earlier.


    My phone rang just then. My eyes widened at the caller ID.


    I drank a bit of water before picking up.


    "Hello?"


    "Who are you having lunch with?"


    <fnc288> Get full chapters from F¦ÉndNovel</fnc288>


    My eyes went to the guards as I frowned. Those snitches! They looked away as soon as they saw my eyes on them.


    "She¡¯s a friend." I said in a clipped tone.


    "Be careful of the kind of information you share with that ¡¯friend¡¯. Hurry up and get home." He said and hung up before I could say anything else.


    God, I hated this man so much. I felt like a child with strict parents who wouldn¡¯t let you do anything without their permission. It was so frustrating, I wanted to scream. But that would only cause a scene.


    I simply smiled as I stared at Charlotte who was looking at me with curiosity written all over her face.


    "That was my husband. He misses me so I need to start heading home." I said with a stiff smile.


    "So soon? We haven¡¯t even talked enough." She pouted.


    "I know," I sighed, still forcing my smile hoping it would look as natural as possible.


    "Are you reopening your bakery anytime soon or you¡¯re still on your honeymoon?" She asked, wiggling her brows in a teasing manner.


    I chuckled. "Um, about that..."


    I knew it would break her heart to hear that I was not running my business anymore. I had to think fast.


    "I work from home now." I blurted out before I could stop myself. I gave her my new number and told her to text me her order whenever she needed my services and I would have it delivered to her.


    If that was then only way I could leave the house then I had to take my chance.


    "Sounds great. Take care and congrats again!" She said as she waved me off.


    "You too. Thank you," I said back as I walked away.


    My mood immediately soured as I remembered I was being led back to my cage. I loved the taste of freedom I just had for the first time in several weeks.


    I just hoped Charlotte would order soon so I could find a reason to get out of the house again.


    I sat in the back of the car and stared outside the window all through, enjoying the scenery while I could.


    My mind trailed to my brother. From Charlotte¡¯s description, he seemed miserable in my absence. I missed him and I needed to see him.


    I wondered if asking him to visit was a bad idea. I was not sure.


    In about half an hour, we approached the towering gates of the Romano estate. I heaved a sigh.


    I was back to prison.


    ~


    Walking into the house, I was stunned to see Jace at home, downstairs for that matter. He was justing out of the gym, he had a towel hung over his shoulders. He wasn¡¯t putting on a shirt and my eyes stayed stuck to his chiseled abs.


    I swallowed, feeling myself bing hot. Was the AC working or was it just me?


    What the heck was wrong with me? Who gets attracted to their captor?


    I could not deny that he was a good looking man but it still could not change the fact that he was the devil¡¯s twin.


    "I take it you enjoyed yourself." He said.


    The sound of his voice brought me back to reality.


    "Yes I enjoyed the taste of freedom you finally let me have." I said sarcastically.


    "You¡¯re wee." He said and started walking up the stairs.


    "I never said thank you."


    "I know," He said, giving me a once over as he paused on the stairs. "There are other ways you can do that."


    I gasped, looking around because I was sure the guards heard that and surely understood what he implied.


    This man has no shame, I thought.


    I could swear he was smirking as he climbed up the stairs.


    Instead of following him, I found my way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. I could have requested for someone to get me one but for some reason I did not want to be up in the same room with him just yet.


    "Don probably really likes her,"


    "No. I don¡¯t think so. He just wants to try something different. She¡¯s not his type."


    "And he decided to get married? Don¡¯t you see he always wears his wedding band? He¡¯s loyal."


    "I think they¡¯re actually in love but just faking their fights for us. You know they always think we¡¯re spies."


    "Maybe."


    I heard the different voices as I approached the kitchen. They immediately got back to work as soon I got in. I picked up my bottle of water from the fridge and left quickly.


    As I walked back to the room, I almostughed at all their assumptions.


    Loyal?


    Someone like Jace Romano could never be loyal. I believed he had mistresses in every country. He could afford it.


    And to be honest, I did not care.

 Chapter 25 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 25: 25 ~ Mira</h4>


    I got upstairs, entered his room and heard the shower running. My shopping bags were already set on the floor in front of the bed.


    Opening the bottle of water I got from the kitchen, I gulped it down as fast as I could. I was so thirsty after a long afternoon and it was going to be dinner time soon.


    When I finally finished the bottle and set it down, I saw him staring at me. I was immediately startled.


    "How do you move so silently?" I asked him out of genuine concern. He always appeared at of nowhere.


    He shrugged and walked into the closet. My eyes followed as his muscles flexed from behind and his taut ass came into view. I found myself swallowing some saliva. I had to stop myself from getting carried away every time I saw this monster who had taken away my freedom. I needed to consistently remind myself of who he was and what he had done to me.


    When he came out of the closet dressed in joggers and still bare chested, I remembered something. I needed to return his ck card.


    I brought it out of my purse and stretched my hand to give it to him.


    "Here¡¯s your card. Thank you." I said to him, genuinely thankful for him giving me the chance to enjoy some form of luxury. But I was not just thanking him for how much he let me spend. I was thanking him chance to see the sky again even if he was the one who stole that chance for me to see it in the first ce.


    Maybe I was just being dumb but at least I was not ungrateful for a little bit of softness from his side.


    Who would have thought that I would be unable to freely move around? I never saw iting. I would have run faster if I knew this was how things were going to turn out.


    He didn¡¯t say anything in response. He simply nodded.


    "Keep the card. You¡¯d need it for future purchases."


    I immediately shook my head in disagreement.


    "I don¡¯t think I can do that. You¡¯ve given me more than enough money to sort myself out." I said.


    "You¡¯re my wife. There¡¯s no such thing as too much when ites to providing for you."


    His words made me go quiet.


    "Keep it." He said again.


    Reluctantly, I ced it back in my purse.


    "Let me see what you got for yourself." He said unexpectedly.


    "Huh?"


    "Mira you should know by now that I hate having to repeat myself."


    Hurriedly, I picked up the bags and tried to show them to him.


    "Take your clothes off and try them one after the other."


    I froze at his instruction.


    "Right now?"


    "Did I stutter?" He asked, raising a brow as heid back with his hands behind his ears.


    My eyes fell on his tattoo of a dagger piercing a heart near his chest. I had seen it in passing several times but I never took note of it until now. I wondered what it meant.


    "I don¡¯t have all night."


    I knew he had seen me naked a couple of times. In fact we had fucked once but there was something about me taking my clothes off in front of him while he watched that made me nervous.


    Hesitantly, I took my shirt off first. Then I unzipped my jeans and slowly pulled it down.


    "Take those off too," he said, gesturing at my underwear.


    "I-" I wanted to say no but he cut me off.


    "You heard me."


    His eyes had me pinned to the spot. I had no choice but to take them off.


    I stood bare in front of him, wanting to cover up because I felt some type of way.


    "Don¡¯t." He instructed.


    I picked up the dress I got.


    "I don¡¯t want you wearing clothes."


    I paused.


    "You got shoes and jewelry right?"


    "Yes I did."


    "Try those on,"


    "Without any clothes?" I asked in surprise.


    "Precisely,"


    I had mixed feelings about this. I felt ufortable but at the same time intrigued by the fact that he wanted to see me like this. This would have been so sexy if the circumstances were right but they¡¯re obviously not.


    It seemed like I was taking too much of his time so he opened the boxes of jewelry himself, got on his feet and ced them around my neck.


    When his skin touched mine, I shivered.


    <fndd38> Fresh chapters posted on F¦Énd£Îovel</fndd38>


    Then suddenly, he grabbed one of my butt cheeks, squeezed it and spanked it. I gasped.


    "You like that?"


    I didn¡¯t respond.


    "I need words, Mira." He growled in my ears.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say. Did I like that? Maybe I did. But a part of me didn¡¯t want him to know how much I liked his touch because I was not supposed to enjoy it.


    "I don¡¯t know." I whispered as he stood in front of me.


    I looked up at him as he stared down at me. Holding me by the waist, he pulled me closer to him.


    My nipples rested on his bare chest and instantly hardened.


    As usual, his fingers went around my throat.


    I expected him to bend his head down and kiss me but he didn¡¯t. It was then I noticed that we had never kissed, not even when we had sex. His lips had never touched mine. That was weird. It was odd in fact.


    But I didn¡¯t have the balls to ask him why he touched every part of me but my lips with his.


    His index finger rubbed on one of nipples. I shut my eyes and began to lean into the pleasure of it when he pinched both of them.


    I hissed in pain. It was sweet pain but pain nheless.


    He picked up the box containing the Christian Louboutin heels.


    "Put these on,"


    Hesitantly, I slid the shoes on, already knowing where this was going.


    To be Continued...

 Chapter 26 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 26: 26 ~ Mira</h4>


    "Touch yourself," Hemanded, staring straight into my eyes.


    "Um,"


    "Lay on the bed. I¡¯ll sit right over here." He said, pointing at the ground we stood on.


    He took the seat in front of the dressing table, and sat on it as Iid on the bed.


    "Spread your legs Mira. I want to see what¡¯s mine."


    I sighed and swallowed,ying my head down as I looked up at the ceiling. This felt weird.


    "Now, Mira." He emphasized.


    I started off with touching my boobs, feeling my nipples harden yet again.


    <fn5d1d> Content originallyes from F¦Énd£Îovel</fn5d1d>


    "I want to see your face."


    I shut my eyes in frustration. Why was this man torturing me?


    I sat up a bit so our eyes could meet.


    "Look at me while you do it." He rasped out. "I need to see what this sexy body can do."


    Somehow, that statement gave me the confidence boost I needed. I let my finger go down and rub my clit repeatedly.


    "Look at me." He repeated and I looked back up.


    "Put a finger in. Slowly. I want to see everything." He said.


    How was he saying that so calmly? I wondered but I did it anyway.


    I gasped, as my finger went in and out of my already wet pussy. I bit on my lower lip and fought back a moan.


    "Don¡¯t hold back. I want to hear every sound you make."


    That was the cue I needed as I let out a loud moan.


    "Two fingers in. Spread those legs." He instructed yet again.


    I did and I could feel my eyes going back as I pumped as hard as I could, repeatedly for minutes.


    I was soon close to my orgasm.


    "Don¡¯t even think about cumming." I heard him snarl.


    At this point, I couldn¡¯t see him anymore. I could only hear him.


    "I¡¯m close," I managed to say through shaky breaths.


    He came to me and too my fingers out. He made me taste myself and I licked it up hungrily.


    "Tell me what you want," he rasped out, looking straight into my eyes as his hand trailed down to my core.


    "I..."


    I couldn¡¯t form the words because I could only moan again.


    "I just want to cum." I cried out as his fingers went in and continued from where I stopped. He was painfully slow. I wanted to beg him to go harder.


    In fact I wanted his whole length inside me instead but I was too proud to beg for it.


    He tapped on my clit repeatedly. I held on to him, gasping into his chest as he teased me even more.


    "Mr Romano please,"


    "Tell me what you want," he said in my ears again, pushing my hair out of my face.


    "I want...you."


    Just like the devil he is, he smirked and pulled away just then.


    "Of course you do." He said, took my shoes off, carried me into the bathroom and ced me under the shower, leaving me to wash up.


    "What the fuck?" I managed to whisper when it had all registered in my brain.


    I couldn¡¯t believe he just did that. He just seeded in making me hate him even more.


    ~


    I came out of the bathroom, d in my bath robe and couldn¡¯t find him anywhere. Where had he gone to so fast?


    I felt exhausted after all of that and slightly upset I did not get my orgasm so I just found the bed and slept off shortly after.


    I woke up in the middle of the night feeling thirsty. I had not drank anything since that evening. And I did not even eat before I slept.


    I twisted the door knob and stepped out of the room, heading down the wide hallway to find my way to the kitchen. I made a mental note to keep a bottle of water with me in the room so I would not have to make such a long journey to the kitchen next time.


    The house was absolutely quiet. It was always quiet even during the day but this was pin drop silence.


    I heard footsteps as I approached the stairs and paused my movements. I believed it was one of the guards on patrol. I was right.


    When he saw me, he looked shocked.


    "Madam?"


    "I¡¯m just trying to get water from the kitchen." I exined to him hoping he would not think I was trying to escape or something.


    He nodded and I walked past him.


    The lights were dim but I could still see clearly enough to head to the kitchen.


    I saw a few more guards patrolling that area and I told them the same thing I said to the first one.


    I made it to the kitchen in one piece and opened the refrigerator.


    I picked up a ss and poured myself some water. Just as I was about to drink it, I looked up and screamed.


    "Oh my goodness you scared me!" I said putting my hand over my chest. Why did he always have to do that?!


    "What are you doing down here?" He questioned.


    "What does it look like?" I retorted.


    "Watch your mouth, woman."


    I narrowed my eyes at him and scoffed. After that stunt he pulled, I was utterly irritated by the sight of him. Why on earth was he here questioning me like he was a blind bat? Or wasn¡¯t he supposed to be like a nocturnal creature who stayed active at night.


    "How did you know I was down here?"


    "I heard you leave the room."


    I thought about his response. "You weren¡¯t even in the room, so how did you know I wasn¡¯t in there?"


    He smirked. "That¡¯s for me to know and for you to never find out."


    My frown deepened.


    "Go back to bed. I¡¯ll see you in the morning." He said and disappeared the same way he came.


    "This man is a psycho." I muttered before taking another sip from my ss.


    He truly was.

 Chapter 27 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 27: 27 ~ Jace</h4>


    I took a sip of the whiskey in my ss. It burned my throat but I enjoyed the feeling.


    I puffed on my cigar and sighed, leaning back into my chair. I was in one of my warehouses getting feedback from my workers on the progress of the Puerto Rico route.


    Armano Rivas was currently fighting for his life with the slow poison I gave him, giving me free reign over the route as his subordinates feared me.


    He should have known better than to mess with me.


    My office door came open without a knock. There was only one person who could do that.


    "Someone seems to be in a sour mood today." Hemented as soon as he walked in.


    "Tomas," I said, gesturing at the seat in front of me. "What¡¯s the update with the shipment heading to Canada?"


    "Delivered."


    "Paid?" I asked with a brow raised.


    "Paid."


    "Good. I need some time off anyways." I groaned and sighed.


    "What¡¯s going on?" He asked knowingly.


    "We¡¯re heading to Rome soon to meet with you know who." I informed him.


    "Mira is going with you?"


    I nodded. "She has to. She needs to meet them."


    "Does she know about this yet?"


    "She doesn¡¯t."


    There was no way she would know unless my mother told her.


    As much as I hated to admit it, I was quite nervous about Mira meeting my family. We were a bunch of sick fuckers and she was too innocent to be tainted by their dirt. Mine inclusive.


    But then there was nothing I could do. I had to go and it was required for my wife to join me. It was tradition.


    "And is that why you¡¯re in a bad mood?"


    "Isn¡¯t it enough reason?" I asked him back.


    No meeting with my external family members ever ended well.


    "You haven¡¯t visited the clubs and casinos in a bit. How about we go there tonight?" Tomas suggested.


    I raised a brow.


    "My treat." He grinned.


    I almost rolled my eyes. "Oh please, I own the ce. Why would I let you pay?" I


    "Oh I knew you wouldn¡¯t let me pay. I was only pretending to be courteous." He grinned cheekily.


    I chuckled.


    Crushing my cigar, I picked up my jacket as well as my phones and we left the warehouse, heading to one of the clubs I owned.


    ~~~


    The club was in the middle of town so it was a long drive from the warehouse.


    By the time we got there, the night was already in full swing.


    Of course as the boss, we were led to the VVIP section. Tomas ordered for drinks and soon the strippers came and did their thing.


    I was on my third drink when I heard some slight disruptions.


    The bouncers weren¡¯t allowing certain people into the section and they were making a scene.


    Of course as a businessman, I did not mind parting my section with well paying customers so I signalled Tomas to go check it out while I stayed on my phone.


    He didn¡¯t look happy when he came back.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" I asked over the loud music.


    "It¡¯s Lorenzo Castillo."


    "Shit." I cussed, knowing fully well that that bastard would want to cause a scene here.


    I needed to think fast, especially for the safety of the civilians present. I also did not need any bad press right now.


    "Don, what do we do?!" Tomas shouted over the music.


    "Let them in." I said.


    <fna90d> Content originallyes from F¦Énd£Îovel</fna90d>


    "What?"


    I gave him a stern look and he knew better than to let me repeat myself.


    I sat back in my rxed position as he walked away to tell the bouncers to let them in.


    The asshole walked in with his entourage of guards and half naked women. Nothing out of the ordinary in this scene but it was obvious he came here with a purpose.


    "Don Romano!" he yelled over the music.


    I acknowledged him with a nod and a in face as I took a sip of my drink.


    Lorenzo was a charmer. He was simr to Tomas in that aspect. He seemed to y the nice guy but was a snake underneath.


    Tomas had always hated his guts all through my rtionship with Caterina which was supposed to form an allegiance of both our families.


    Unsurprisingly, Lorenzo sat next to me and put his hand around my shoulder.


    I saw Tomas trying to step in but I signalled him to let it be. I could take care of myself. I constantly took antidotes to protect me from possible poisoning and I of course could defend myself in a battle of punches and kicks.


    "You¡¯re married now I hear," He said.


    My grip on my ss tightened.


    "I am."


    "And you¡¯re still fucking my sister?" He asked sounding amused.


    I shrugged. "Shit happens. She wanted it."


    "My sister is not your y thing. She is a Castillo and would not be reduced to a mistress." His tone went cold after my nonchnt response.


    "I want nothing more to do with your sister. She begged for it, I gave it to her and now she just has to live the memory of the best she¡¯s ever had." I said, trying to spite him.


    "You bastard." He gritted out trying to grab my throat. I held his hand and stopped him.


    "Don¡¯t even dare." I warned him.


    "You better keep protecting that pretty little wife of yours. Because when I get my hands on her, she would beg for-"


    I did not let himplete the statement before I punched him in the nose.


    He was bleeding as he punched me back.


    That was when all hell let loose. There was punching and kicking between our guards and while I was busy trying to beat Lorenzo to a pulp as he fought me back, someone decided to shoot, causing more chaos as everyone on the dancefloor scrambled for safety.


    What was supposed to be a fun night out turned into something I was desperately trying to avoid. I looked around at the mess and cussed under my breath...


    Yeah. Shit..!

 Chapter 28 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 28: 28 ~ Mira</h4>


    Jace Romano barged into the room in the middle of the night while I was binge watching a series on Netflix.


    I was startled when he came in because I was not expecting him toe back tonight. I could perceive the smell of alcohol and cigarettes as he walked in and my nose scrunched up.


    "You¡¯re awake. Good." He said, approaching the bed.


    "Pack your stuff we¡¯re heading to Rome first thing in the morning."


    "Rome? Why?"


    "No questions, Mira!" He snapped.


    I flinched at his tone.


    "Just do as you¡¯re told." He added coldly.


    I got on my feet and entered the closet to do as I was told. I had no idea what to pack so I just picked a bunch of random stuff - clothes, shoes, jewelry an toiletry. I didn¡¯t even know how long we would be staying but I was too scared to speak because he looked really upset. I didn¡¯t want him to even hear me breathe.


    I looked up as he brought a first aid kit out of a drawer. That was when I noticed the bruises on his fingers and his face.


    "Did you get into a fight?" I spoke before I could stop myself.


    He turned to look at me for a second and then faced the mirror again. He was not going to answer me. I knew from the way his jaw was set and the rage in his eyes.


    "Let me help you with that." I offered.


    How silly of me to do that.


    I took his hand and tried to help him wrap the bandage but he snatched it from me like my touch burned. I flinched again, slightly this time.


    "Do as you¡¯re told. I¡¯m perfectly capable of taking care of myself." His words sliced through me like a de


    I was too stunned to speak. Well that¡¯s what I get for not minding my business and letting my emotions control me instead of my brain.


    He could get himself bruised, battered and even killed for all I cared. I was never going to express concern for him again.


    After packing the different things I could manage to think of, I thought about asking if I could help him pack but I decided against it. I did not want to get shunned again.


    He left the closet and when I came out, he was already in bedying under the covers.


    <fna761> Newest update provided by findnovel</fna761>


    I had never slept before him so it felt weird to get in bed after him.


    ~


    I barely enjoyed my sleep when I heard him get up. It wasn¡¯t daybreak yet. I couldn¡¯t exactly know what time it was since the curtains were always sealed shut. I felt him tap on my shoulder once and when I opened my eyes, he was staring down at me.


    "Wake up, we leave in an hour." He said and walked away. From the smell of his cologne, I knew he was dressed and I was probably the one holding him back.


    I dragged myself out of bed, hating how I had to have my sleep interrupted because of an impromptu trip to Rome, Italy.


    I took a quick shower and slid on the beige lounge wear I picked up and put asidest night.


    I applied some lip gloss after moisturizing my face. Then I put my hair in a ponytail. After that, I rolled out my suitcase. He was sitting on the couch waiting for me.


    "Ready?"


    I nodded.


    "Words."


    "Yes I am." I said with a huff. I was not a morning person so I hated having to speak so early in the day.


    "Come on," He said and walked ahead of me.


    Surprising, he took my suitcase out of my hand.


    I followed him as he carried it down the stairs until one of the staff took it out of his hand and took it to the vehicle.


    I was shocked to see him getting into the driver¡¯s seat of the car we were supposed to ride in. I slid into the passenger seat beside him. I had never seen him drive so this was a whole new experience for me.


    The drive to what I assumed was the airport was quiet. It was still dark. I still felt sleepy. He was not a man of many words and to be very honest, there was nothing for us to speak about.


    It was not shocking to me that he was a good driver and quite a rough one at that. It was a good thing I fastened my seatbelt as he sped on the highway which was nearly void of cars because it was still very early.


    We finally arrived at a private hangar.


    This was the billionaire, Jace Romano, of course he was flying private. How silly of me to think that he was going to fly with amercial airline. He was not one to go through lines, he instead paved his own path. Typical.


    He parked and I stepped out of the vehicle. I followed him like a lost puppy into the waiting lounge as his staff prepared the jet for take off.


    I sat there, ying games on my phone and scrolling through social media while he made different calls.


    I half expected his friend, Tomas, to be here but from the looks it was just me and him going. I hadn¡¯t seen Tomas since the party from weeks before. I really enjoyed hispany and looked forward to seeing him again.


    I shrugged at the thought. It was toote now.


    It was about half an hourter before we were led to the jet.


    I held back a gasp as my eyes took in the fancy interiors of the ce. It was gorgeous.


    I never thought I¡¯d experience flying first ss on a ne, a private jet seemed like a stretch but here I was. It took everything in me to not take a picture.


    No one was supposed to know who I was married to and the kind of life I was living. It seemed too risky and for some reason, I feared I¡¯d be an easy target because of him.


    My instincts proved to be right.

 Chapter 29 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 29: 29 ~ Mira</h4>


    The flight took nine hours. And a lot happened during that period of time.


    I was still gazing at the luxurious interior of the jet when he asked me sit and buckle up. The plush leather seats felt superfy. There was a bedroom, a bar and a very silent crew. They came to wee us and went back to wherever they were situated. The ne wasrger than I expected too.


    I settled into the seat with a sigh as we got ready for take off. Jace sat across me. I could feel his eyes on me as I gripped the arm rests when the ne started to take off.


    It had been so long since I flew and every time I did, I got nervous about the takeoff.


    I shut my eyes tightly all through until the jet was finally in the air and somewhat stable. I opened my eyes and met his.


    "Are you alright?"


    I saw a hint of concern in his eyes.


    I nodded. "I¡¯m fine."


    He signalled for someone and the flight attendant came. He told her something I couldn¡¯t hear and then she came to me with a smile.


    "Mrs Romano, would you like to have some champagne or espresso?"


    I thought about it. I wasn¡¯t sure I was in that headspace to actually want to drink anything whether soft or strong.


    "Water is fine." I replied her.


    She nodded and left.


    I faced the screen in front of me, looking for what to watch.


    The hostess came back with my ss of water but she also had a te. I was confused. I did not ask for anything but water.


    "Don Romano ordered this for you, ma¡¯am." She said as soon as she saw the confused look on my face.


    I nced at him but he was busy on hisptop.


    "Thank you," I said to her with a small smile and she left.


    I picked up the fork, sliced into the cake and brought it to my mouth. It tasted heavenly. It reminded me of the pastries I used to make at my own bakery. That made me happy and sad all at the same time.


    But it also softened a part of me because even when he was obviously a jerk, he still cared about my feelings. Kind of.


    Maybe he did have a soft spot for me, I started to think but I shook off the thought. Men like him did not know how to love. They only knew duty, performance and pleasure. There was nothing affectionate about Jace Romano and I needed to get those delusional thoughts out of my head.


    <fn1963> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fn1963>


    I forgot to thank him for ordering it before drifting into a nap. I hardly had a proper sleep from the previous night so it was pretty obvious that I had to nap.


    When I woke up, there was a te of food waiting for me. Some rice, peas andmb chops.


    "Slept well?"


    I sat up, realizing he was sitting next to me on the bed. I felt him carry me to the bedroom during my nap.


    "I guess so. Are we close?"


    "We still have a couple of hours to go." He answered.


    Somehow I noticed how unsettled he was.


    Was he... nervous? I wondered.


    But of course I could never ask him that.


    I went back into the sitting area after eating. I was holding a ss of juice as I stood to stretch my legs when there was slight turbulence. I mistakenly spilled my drink on hisp as he caught me when I was about to fall.


    I was so thankful it wasn¡¯t hisptop but it was awkward all the same.


    "I¡¯m so sorry." I apologized quickly.


    He huffed in response.


    "I¡¯ll help you clean it up." I said.


    "Just sit." He sounded irritated and that was enough reason for me to sit still in my seat for the rest of the flight and not utter a single word.


    ~~~


    The flight finallynded hourster. I sighed in relief as we got off the ne.


    I had never been on a flight for that long.


    As expected, there were cars waiting for us as we disembarked from the flight.


    He helped me get in first.


    I stared out the window as the driver sped through the city.


    The city of Rome is beautiful. It took my breath away.


    I couldn¡¯t help but bring out my phone to take a few videos.


    He snatched it out of my hand after I had taken just one. I gasped in shock.


    "What was that for?"


    "No one must know where you are." He growled lowly.


    Angrily, I snatched my phone back.


    "I don¡¯t even have a social media presence. I don¡¯t post anything! I¡¯m taking these videos for the sake of memories!"


    I didn¡¯t care that his driver and guard were seated in front listening to me yell at their feared boss. I had had it with him and his controlling behavior.


    "Hey!"


    "Don¡¯t yell at me. I did not nothing wrong. You¡¯re at fault, ept that." I retorted.


    He went quiet for a bit and when he spoked again, his tone had calmed down.


    "Fine. You can make your videos."


    I was already upset so there was no point anymore.


    "Never mind. So I don¡¯t reveal your location." I retorted sarcastically.


    "Mira."


    I could hear the warning in his tone but I did not care. I turned away from him and faced the window for the rest of the ride. There was silence all through but it was nothing unexpected.


    Several minutes passed and it seemed like It was another trip entirely far out of the busy parts of the city. I was tempted to ask how long this drive was going to be. Weren¡¯t we supposed to be sleeping at a hotel?


    It wasn¡¯t until we approached the gates that led to what looked like castle that I realized that I was meeting his family.


    Shit. Why didn¡¯t it cross my mind before? Why on earth did he not give me a heads up?


    I immediately started to panic.


    I red hard at him. I was sure he noticed but chose to ignore me. As usual.


    As the car drew closer I figured I was right. This was not a mansion. It was an actual castle. I wondered when it was built, how many rooms it had, how many underground escape routes it possibly had. I had so many questions running through my mind. These questions were cut short when the guards came to open my door.


    "Wee to the Romano residence." One of them said stiffly.


    I nodded unable to even whisper my thanks as I looked up at the towering building.


    Jace walked past me as I gaped up at it.


    "Try not to get lost." He said as he went ahead of me.


    "Cazzo!" I cussed under my breath in Italian, d he was too far away to hear me.


    That was indeed what he was. A dick.

 Chapter 30 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 30: 30 ~ Jace</h4>


    She was upset with me. I could tell. But right now I could care less about an angry woman. I had more pressing matters to attend to.


    We were led to the bedroom I usually stayed in whenever I visited. The guard opened the door for me. I went in quietly.


    Mira came in shortly after, dumping her handbag on the closest chair. I could feel her the anger radiating from her body.


    What she needed to realize was that this wasn¡¯t New York, USA. This was Rome and we were in the Romano stronghold. This house had too many eyes, even more knives. And while I was the overall head, I still had rivals amongst my family members.


    My phone rang, interrupting the silence.


    "Mother."


    "How was your flight?"


    "Smooth. As always." I said.


    "Good."


    "Are you going to be able to make it?"


    "I raised you well enough to handle them on your own, Jace." She answered, her voice was cold as ice.


    "Of course. I was just asking."


    "Good. Take care then."


    "Take care," I said back and hung up.


    I turned around at the sound of running water in the bathroom.


    Intrigued by the thought of seeing her sexy body yet again, I took off my clothes and decided to join her in the shower.


    She looked at me, unsurprised as I walked in. Then she looked away and continued scrubbing her body furiously.


    I took a long look at her. I decided to look at her closely for the first time. I loved the way her brown hair was slicked back when wet and rested below her waist. Her slim waist looked like something one of my hands could hold.


    Mira was sexy without trying too hard and it drove me crazy how someone could be so effortlessly beautiful.


    Of course I had never told her that. I did not need her getting ideas. She would think I was going soft and take me for granted. They always did. Besides, if anyone knew or saw that she was possibly my weakness, they would use her to get to me. I did not need that kind of baggage on me right now.


    I picked up the shower gel she was using and rubbed it over myself still looking into her eyes.


    "You¡¯re really not going to speak to me anymore?" I asked.


    She ignored me.


    I was not used to being ignored. It was typically the other way around me. This woman did not fear me. And weirdly enough, I found it very attractive.


    "Mira." I called out her name, loving the way it rolled off my tongue every single time.


    <fn95bc> Find the newest release on f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn95bc>


    "Can you just let me be? You¡¯ve done more than enough to annoy me for one day. I¡¯m tired and hungry and I really don¡¯t want to argue with you anymore. I do not have the energy."


    Tired of her venting, I covered her mouth with my hand.


    "I didn¡¯t expect you to be a yapper." I said with a slight chuckle.


    Her eyes narrowed at me.


    I inwardly sighed. She was even more upset now.


    She tried to get my hand off her mouth but I held it in ce until she bit me. I barely felt it.


    "I hate you." She said bitterly after I took my hand off.


    "I know." I smirked, enjoying her anger. She looked cute whenever she was upset and she did not even realize it.


    She tried to leave. I held her back and spanked her ass cheek. She red at me.


    Then I watched her storm out of the bathroom, hurling cuss words in Italian.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle again. This was the highlight of my day. It took the nerves off me.


    I took my shower and left the bathroom few minutes after.


    Mira was having dinner by the time I came out.


    I had them bring up her food because I didn¡¯t want her meeting anyone yet.


    I went downstairs to join the rest of them for dinner.


    As I walked down, I tried to mentally prepare for meeting up with them.


    I got to the table and saw all of them seated in their usual order. As the head, my seat was left bare while they sat on opposite sides.


    "Buona sera a tutti. I hope no one started nning my funeral while I was away." I said. (Good evening everyone.)


    My father¡¯s second younger brother, Uncle Pietro, was the first to wee me.


    "Benvenuto!" He eximed. Of course he was drunk as always. Pietro used to be feared but now he seemed to be theughing stock of the family. (Wee!)


    "You¡¯rete." Uncle Ricardo, my father¡¯s immediate younger brother said.


    "It¡¯s nice to see you too, Uncle." I said with forced politeness.


    I turned to my aunt, Giuletta Romano-Valente. She had her usual frown and was as usual, overdressed for dinner.


    "Hello Aunt Giuletta,"


    "Where¡¯s your wife?" She asked, barely acknowledging my greeting as she scowled.


    "She¡¯s tired. It was a long flight and I¡¯m letting her sleep." I answered calmly.


    "You picked azy one." Her daughter, Lucia said.


    I looked up at her sternly. She shifted in her seat ufortably.


    I was going to deal with herter.


    I turned to face my two other cousins.


    Enzo Romano and Dario Romano.


    Enzo was around my age and the son of my uncle, Ricardo. He was a charmer and sometimes managed to grate on my nerves.


    Dario was Uncle Pietro¡¯s son. Quiet and honestly quite the opposite of his obnoxious father. I guessed we had his mother to thank for that. He hardly spoke but was very observant. Our rtionship was cordial. No beef or at least none that I knew of.


    I decided to sit and take my ce as the head of the table.


    For now, I just wanted to eat and rest. I would worry about them meeting Mira tomorrow.


    ~~~


    I went into the library after dinner. It had been so long since I got in here. I sat at the desk.


    I remembered how my father used to sit here anytime we visited Rome. And as a teenager, he would tell me to prepare myself cause I would sit here soon someday. Someday came sooner than I anticipated it to.


    I heard a knock and when the person came, I fought back a groan.


    He had a boyish grin on his face. He still looked like the annoying kid I used to fight with back then.


    "What is it Enzo?" I asked, knowing he came here with a purpose.


    "Don Romano of the Italian Mafia is letting a woman yell at him?" He mocked me with hisughter.


    My jaw clenched. Those stupid staff had gone on to snitch about my argument with Mira in the car on the way here. Now they were trying to undermine my authority? How dare they?!


    My grip on the book I was holding tightened.


    "I can¡¯t wait to meet this woman who holds such power over you." He smirked.


    "You sent your staff to spy on me?"


    He shrugged, "They were just gathering intel cuz. It¡¯s not that deep."


    My eyes bored straight into his as I said, "Enjoy it while you can."


    He may not have fully grasped my statement. But he would find out why I said that soon.

 Chapter 31 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 31: 31 ~ Mira</h4>


    I felt so tired. After dinner I dozed off, knocked off like a light, I had no idea when Jace came back into the room that night.


    When I woke up, I finally got the chance to look around the room. There was not much difference between this and his room in New York. Only that this one had a balcony I could freely go to.


    I sat up and stretched.


    My eyes trailed to the bathroom door and saw him leaning against the doorframe staring at me intensely. My heart jumped.


    Was he trying to give me a heart attack? Why was he watching me like a predator trying to hunt down a prey?


    "What?" I asked him with a frown. I was still upset with him. I was always upset with him in fact. He never ceased to get on my nerves.


    "Get ready for brunch. You¡¯re meeting my family today." He announced, standing up straight.


    I could feel my nerves kick in. He was all dressed up in a suit and looked dashing in it.


    "Mira,"


    He paused at the door and turned to me.


    "Dress to kill."


    He said that and left me to my thoughts.


    I knew I had to dress to impress but I wasn¡¯t sure I packed enough for that.


    But then my eyes trailed to the couch at the opposite end of the room. I saw a couple of shopping bags.


    Inside, I saw a ck Dolce and Gabbana dress sheath dress. It was sleek with a high neckline, open back and knee length slit. Looking at the tag, I saw that it was custom made.


    <fn2dc2> Th?s chapter is updated by F¦ÉndNovel</fn2dc2>


    He had my measurements? I paused and pondered.


    He was Jace Romano. Of course he did!


    The heels were ck stilettos with red soles. They were high but I could walk in them.


    Then I moved to the jewelry. I saw a diamond tennis bracelet. I gasped. Then I opened the box ofplimenting diamond earrings. They were so beautiful and for sure very expensive.


    He added a Valentino clutch. When I opened the gorgeous purse, I saw my initials engraved inside. I covered my mouth in a gasp. He wasn¡¯t done. Thest shopping bag I opened contained a Tom Ford¡¯s ck Orchid perfume. It smelled heavenly.


    I stood back and stared at every item in awe. I wondered if he thought of all of this beforehand to take take the pressure off me. If he did, I was super grateful for it.


    With no time to spare, I rushed into the bathroom to get ready. I could not wait to try on every single thing.


    After having my bath, I sat in front of the mirror and decided to apply some light makeup to my face. There was no time to do a full face beat and I was no expert either.


    I did the best I could, brushed out my brows, applied mascara and a deep red lipstick with a bit of gloss to make it shine, then I curled my hair a bit and my face was ready.


    I slid on every piece of clothing he made ready for me. I spun around in front of the mirror, stunned at how beautiful I looked. If Roberto saw me right now, he would not recognize his sister. For this reason, I took a video and sent it to him.


    Walking out of the room, I felt my confidence skyrocket.


    I catwalked down the massive staircase like a beauty queen. My heels clicked the ground as I walked, announcing my presence even before I neared the dining room I was led to by the guard in front of me.


    The two guards in front of the double door leading to what I correctly assumed was therge dining room, pushed the door open and I majestically walked in. All the murmurings I heard stopped as soon as I entered.


    They were all seated, Jace was at the head of the table. Our eyes locked for brief second. I saw a slight nod of approval from him and I almost smiled in relief. I looked as good as I thought.


    "Good day everyone." I said, taking in all the strange faces as they sized me up from head to toe. No one even cracks a smile. I felt judged and my smile had started to waver.


    "So this is the girl?" An older women asked Jace with a sneer.


    Jace gets on his feet and walked over to where I stood. He put his hand on the small of my back.


    He started off by introducing them to me first. I took note of their names and faces, d they weren¡¯t so much.


    When he was done, he wrapped his arm even more possessively around me.


    "Family. This is my wife, Mrs Mirabel Romano."


    They muttered vague responses I could not exactly pick up on. I looked up at Jace and he gave my arm a slight squeeze to probably reassure me. I forced a smile.


    He led me to my seat that was thankfully next to his eyes. I felt ufortable and I felt watched by everyone else but him so I kept my eyes glued to the te as we all ate.


    I thought I had passed the stage of scrutiny and everyone was busy minding their business when Jace¡¯s uncle, Ricardo, spoke up.


    "What do you know about this family, Mirabel?"


    I looked up quickly. How was I supposed to answer that question now? In truth, I barely knew anything about Jace, talk more of his family. If I answered wrongly I would just fuel their bias against me. They would believe it even more that I did not belong in their world and hate me even more. I could already tell that I thought I was a liability to the Don.


    "Uh-"


    "And how is that question necessary?"


    We all turned to the person that just walked in.


    To be continued...

 Chapter 32 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 32: 32 ~ Mira</h4>


    I didn¡¯t think there would ever be a day I would be relieved to see Donna Carm walk in with all her charisma. I guess this was the day. I had no idea she wasing. I wondered why she did not join us on the jet when we came yesterday.


    I looked up at Jace.


    If he was surprised to see her, he did not show it.


    I noticed the respect Jace¡¯s uncles and cousin¡¯s had for her as the matriarch of the family.


    Jace¡¯s aunty, Giuletta did not seem happy to see her. In fact I was beginning to believe she did not like any female that wasn¡¯t her or her equally mean daughter.


    "Hello to you too Giuletta." Donna Carm said sarcastically as she sat down.


    "So nice of you to grace us with your presence." Giuletta replied in the same tone.


    My eyes darted between them. There was an unspoken tension that could be cut with a knife between them.


    I sat there and wondered why they were like that but there was no one I could ask.


    "I see you¡¯re still dressing like you have something to prove."


    I held in a breath. That was a very direct shade from Donna Carm.


    "And you¡¯re still dressing like you don¡¯t have to try." Guiletta responded promptly. "Some of us don¡¯t have the luxury of being feared because they married a man of power."


    "Never disrespect the Donna." Pietro said sternly to Guiletta.


    It was probably a known rule as Guiletta shut up after that.


    It felt like a sh of different powers in a room and I felt suffocated by it.


    "Back to you, Mira" Ricardo turned to me again.


    Oh dear god, why me? I thought as I let out a controlled breath. If there was anything I had learned from watching movies with such setting, it was that your face was not allowed to give anything away.


    "Whose daughter are you?" He asked me.


    Oh this was an easy one. I almost sighed in relief.


    "My father was Ammerigo Valente." I answered with a small smile.


    The room oddly went silent. I saw Jace and his mother exchange gazes.


    "Valente?" Giuletta said.


    "Yes." I nodded.


    "Was-"


    "Brunch is over." Jace interrupted whoever was speaking. "Dario, meet me in the library." He said and walked off.


    My eyes followed him until he was out of the room. Dario soon followed him.


    One by one, they all left the dining room and just as I was about to leave too. Donna pulled me back.


    I stumbled and managed to find my feet without falling.


    <fna396> Official source is F?nd-Novel</fna396>


    "I hope you see how they are?" She questioned sternly.


    I nodded as I felt her grip on my arm tighten.


    "If you want to survive here, Mirabel, don¡¯t just smile. Learn who not to trust. That was your lesson today."


    She walked away after. And I just stood there feeling the confusion and frustration ravage my being.


    I managed to walk to the room, feeling myself worry about theplicated situation I had gotten myself into. It felt suffocating.


    I thought dressing up and looking good would help me get confident and it did for a while but the intimidating people in the room, made all that confidence slowly dete.


    ~


    When Don Romano came into the room after hours of being away, I was in pajamas, reading a random book.


    I didn¡¯t move when the door opened. I did not take my eyes away from the book either. There was no exact word to describe how I was feeling. I just knew that I was not okay no matter how much I tried to pretend.


    "You handled yourself. Barely. Next time, don¡¯t wait for my mother to save you." He said out of nowhere.


    His words pissed me off so badly, I threw my book straight at his head. It missed him and hit his shoulder instead before dropping to the ground.


    "Maybe I would have been better prepared if you had fucking told me why you were bringing me to Rome or been kind enough to tell me what they¡¯re like! You let me out in the wild and expect me to know how to handle myself?!"


    "You will stop raising your voice right now!" He growled at me,


    "And you would stop acting like a child. You are a thirty plus man." I retorted, unafraid of the fact that he was fuming as he stared at me.


    "Mirabel Romano."


    "Valente." I corrected him, standing up on the bed.


    "Romano."


    "Valente."


    "You¡¯re my wife!"


    "I will never regard you as my husband." I said through gritted teeth.


    "That¡¯s funny because I really do not care what you regard me as. Whether you like it or not, you are mine and no matter how much you try to piss me off, I¡¯m not letting you leave this marriage."


    I screamed so loud, pulling at my hair.


    "Just let me go!!!!" I yelled so hard, I thought I would lose my voice.


    He approached me and stepped on the bed with his shoes on, holding by my throat.


    "Stop throwing a fucking tantrum and get with the program." He gritted out.


    I was losing my breath as I tried to loosen his grip on my neck.


    "Let me go." I said, fighting to breathe.


    He dropped me like a rag doll back on the bed while I kicked and screamed. The he stormed out of the room, mming the door behind him.


    I was sick and tired of all this.


    In my frustration, I impulsively picked up my phone and called the only person I could think of that would possibly be able to give me a bit offort.

 Chapter 33 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 33: 33 ~ Jace</h4>


    I chugged down my shots of tequ. Shutting my eyes as the alcohol kicked in.


    How did this little girl manage to rile me up so fucking much?!


    I was so angry, I thought about punching a wall a couple of times but that would only bring me pain and bleeding which I didn¡¯t need right now.


    I was still reeling with anger with I heard gunshots from outside.


    I paused, listening to be sure it was not a false rm.


    I heard them again and immediately sprung into action. I opened one of the many chambers in the castle and took out my gun with bullets.


    I picked up my phone and called the head guard.


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    "Don, the Castillos justunched an attack on us."


    I stilled.


    "How many are they?"


    "We haven¡¯t been able to track but they¡¯re not much."


    "I¡¯ll be down in a bit." I said, ready to spring into action.


    "No Don. It¡¯s our job to protect you. We¡¯¡¯ll handle them."


    I hesitated for a bit but then I remebered my father¡¯s words;


    "You do not fight every battle. The war is yours."


    "Alright then." I hung up the call as I stood there and started wondering.


    How did the Castillos know that I was in Italy? Someone must have ratted us out. And when I find out who it was, that person would beg for death.


    I came out of the library and saw my mother approaching me. I knew the look in her eyes so I spoke up first.


    "It¡¯s under control mother."


    "It better be. You know what happened thest time." She said. Her voice was fierce with emotion.


    I swallowed. Thest time something like this happened years ago, we lost my father and younger brother. And though it was more intense than tonight, it all started with warning attacks like these. She had warned my father and he did not listen.


    So every time she spoke to me about this, I knew she was being reminded of the past.


    But my father did not raise me to be a coward. I would not back down for the Castillos to win. Never.


    At that moment, I remembered Mira.


    I left my mother and ran towards our bedroom.


    She was hidden under the covers.


    "Ahhhh! Please don¡¯t kill me." She screamed as soon as I touched her.


    "Shhh." I hushed her quietly. "It¡¯s me."


    "Jace?" She peeped out from under the covers.


    "Yes." I said, fighting back a groan. Who else would it be?


    Did she think it would be easy to prate the castle and for the intruders to get to where she was? My soldiers weren¡¯t just uniformed men, they were trained to protect us with their lives. I paid a good sum of money for that.


    "Come with me." I said, carrying her out of the bed and setting her feet on the floor.


    I needed to put her somewhere safe in case of anything. I know my head guard said they had it under control but it was my job to totally keep her safe as she couldn¡¯t defend herself if faced with danger.


    Pulling her with me. I took her to the back of the closet, pushed a button and had it open into a secret chamber where I also kept weapons.


    "Stay here and don¡¯te out until Ie and get you." I instructed.


    She nodded shakily.


    "Here," I handed her one of the knives in the collection. It was a sleek dagger made to kill anyone on the spot.


    "If anyone gets in here which is almost impossible, stab that person." I said, meaning every word.


    "But-"


    "You heard me Mira."


    She nodded again and sat still in the chair.


    On impulse, I ced a kiss on her forehead and left.


    I pressed the button again and the door to the hidden chamber closed.


    I ran out to the balcony and saw that the gunshots had barely decreased. On the contrary they had increased.


    I went down and saw Enzo and Dario wielding their weapons.


    "What did you do?" Enzo asked as soon as he saw me.


    I scowled. "What is that supposed to mean?"


    "The Castillos are attacking this household because of you. How did they find out where you are?"


    "I have no idea." I mumbled, checking if my weapon was intact.


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    He groaned in annoyance.


    "You alwayse here with bad luck."


    My eyes snapped to his.


    "What did you just say?" I asked.


    "You heard me."


    Riled up and overstimted by everything going on around me, I lunged at him and punched the side of his head. I was aiming for his eye but his quick reflexes ruined that punch.


    Dario stepped in just then, putting himself as a wedge between us.


    "This is not the time or the ce for your nonsense,"


    My mother¡¯s voice came from behind me.


    "Jace you are the Don, you should not let your subordinate get to you. That¡¯s not what leaders do."


    I heaved a breath. I was getting too emotional and I hated it.


    "Maybe he should step down for other capable hands to handle the position." Enzo muttered audibly.


    My eyes snapped to his. "You think you¡¯re capable? You think you have what it takes to lead this family?!"


    "Yes I do you half baked Don. Youe here with your American ent and think you can lord over us who are true sons of the soil!"


    My eyes went red with rage.


    Enzo had stepped on the tiger¡¯s tail.


    "Don," the head guard rushed in just then.


    "What is it?" I snapped at him.


    "The intruders have retreated."


    I was somewhat relieved by that.


    "What¡¯s the casualty report?"


    "We killed three of their men. The rest are injured and the others are trying to get the injured ones to safety."


    "What about ours?" I asked.


    His eyes drooped. "We lost five of our men. It all happened so fast."


    I shut my eyes and sighed.


    "Ensure condolence packages are sent to their families." I said and walked away.


    Bloodshed was the order of the day in our world and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The least I could do was console the loved ones of the deceased.


    I hated to admit it but the Castillos had won this battle. But the war that was brewing, I would make sure to win it no matter what.

 Chapter 34 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 34: 34 ~ Mira</h4>


    I looked around the scary looking room filled with weapons of different kinds. I shivered, not because I was cold but because I was scared. The sound of those gunshots made me terrified.


    As I sat there, waiting for Jace toe and get me, I kept questioning if this was going to be my new normal for the rest of my life.


    Yes he had insisted that I was not going anywhere but I needed to know why he went ahead and married me so quickly. He wanted sex, he could have just that, why go the extra mile and marry me?


    It was all so confusing and scary at the same time.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I had been there. I felt exhausted just sitting in this ce that was filled with weapons I had never seen up close.


    I remembered the button he pressed when he wanted to leave the room. I thought about pushing and getting out of here. I was beginning to feel suffocated in the room. The sight of all the dangerous weapons on the shelves made me feel ufortable.


    I walked towards it and as my hands hovered over the button, I thought about his instruction. What if I came out and walked into my own death?


    It would break my brother to hear his sister died gruesomely, just like our father did. Those thoughts were what made me sit back. As long as the death was avoidable, I¡¯d have to do everything in my power to get out of its way.


    I was about to go back and sit when the door came open. Jace came in with a stern look on his face.


    "What were you about to do?"


    "I...uh..I," I found myself stuttering.


    He pulled me towards him by my arm.


    "I told you to stay put!"


    His raised voice made me flinch.


    "You don¡¯t listen do you?"


    "I didn¡¯t want to step out." I said, trying to defend myself but he wasn¡¯t listening.


    "Do you have any idea how dangerous it is for someone like you to be out in the open when there¡¯s a battle going on?" He continued scolding me.


    I frowned. "Someone like me?"


    "Yes!"


    "Someone who¡¯s a liability huh?"


    He stepped back.


    "What are you talking about?"


    "I know everyone here thinks I¡¯m a liability and I don¡¯t belong here. You don¡¯t have to pretend." I said.


    "That¡¯s not for you to worry about." He answered me, clenching his fists.


    "Tell me why you married me."


    He groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "We¡¯re back to this? Again?"


    "Yes. I need to know." I said firmly.


    "Mira get into bed and sleep. It¡¯s been a long night."


    "I need answers Jace. And no, I will not call you Mr Romano or whatever it is you want to be called."


    He looked down at me, our height difference was more obvious than usual as I looked back up at him.


    "I¡¯ll show you why I married you." He said, and carried me over his shoulder.


    "Put me down!" I yelled and kicked. He was unbothered. In fact, he spanked my butt instead. Then, he threw me on the bed.


    "Don¡¯t even think about it." I warned him, trying to crawl away from the bed but he held my legs down.


    "I keep to my promises Mira." He said and slid off my panties in the process.


    I was still fighting him when his thumb went to my clit. I bit my lower lip to fight back a moan. He did not stop, in fact, it made him do it better.


    "Look at me." He ordered.


    I opened my eyes and met his steely gray ones.


    He pressed down at my clit. "This is mine."


    I gasped and threw my head back. He held my chin and made him look at him again.


    His fingers went through my folds.


    "This is also mine. Every inch of you belongs to me."


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    It sounded like a vow, an oath even. And it scared and excited me at the same time.


    I looked at his lips, full and firm, the kind that lured you in and made you want to kiss him nonstop.


    "Kiss me," I said without thinking.


    "I don¡¯t do kisses." He responded.


    That was a rude shock to me.


    "Why?" I asked as I sat up.


    "No questions Mira."


    "You can¡¯t just shut me up every time I ask something I have a right to know." I retorted.


    Jace ignored me and went ahead to squeeze on my boobs. I guessed he knew that this was a weakness for me.


    When his tongue trailed over my nipples and he sucked on them, I was a goner.


    My hands reached for his pants and pulled out his cock. I let my hand rub on it repeatedly. He cussed a few times, proving he was enjoying it.


    He stopped me after some time and slid into my wetness. His thrusts were painfully slow. I wanted to scream.


    "Say it." He said against my ears, pinning my hands above my head as he slowly thrust in.


    "Daddy." I whispered.


    "What should daddy do to you?"


    "Fuck me, please." I whimpered.


    "Louder." He growled in my ears as he roughly yed with my clit.


    "Fuck me daddy!" I screamed in a voice that didn¡¯t sound like mine.


    That was all it took for all hell to let loose.


    Each thrustnded harder than thest one.


    He sucked on my neck so hard, I knew he would have left a hickey.


    My moans for sure must have echoed out of the room because they were so loud. I tried to cover my mouth at some point but he snatched my hand away and pinned it down with his.


    "Let it out so you can remember no one can fuck you as good as me."


    He was right. I had never had sex this good with my ex. I had never even had an orgasm during sex before Jace.


    "Who owns this pussy now?" He said as he spun me around to take me from behind.


    "You do." I said before gasping as he entered me again.


    It was a wild night.

 Chapter 35 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 35: 35 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was sore by morning. My legs hurt.


    I wondered where Jace got his stamina from because every time I thought it was over, he would spin me into another position, making me scream in pleasure.


    This had to be a distracting mechanism and I was ashamed to admit that it was working.


    "You¡¯re noting down for breakfast?" He asked me as I came out of the bathroom.


    "I can¡¯t walk." I said with a groan.


    He smirked. "That¡¯s perfect."


    I red at him and he seemed even more amused.


    "I¡¯ll have them send your meal up here."


    I nodded. "Thanks."


    I went to the mirror and saw the hickey he nted there.


    "Oh God." I blushed in embarrassment. There was no way I could go downstairs and let anyone see it by mistake.


    It was embarrassing enough that I was screaming profanities and moaning for hours.


    Even if the walls were soundproof which I wasn¡¯t very sure of. It was too embarrassing to limp into a gathering of judgemental family members.


    The knock on the door told me that my breakfast was here already. I stood up and went to the door but my face contorted into a frown when I saw who had knocked.


    "Enzo?"


    "The beautiful Mirabel, yes it is me." He smiled at me.


    "Good morning. Don Romano is downstairs." I responded believing he wanted to speak to Jace.


    "Oh I know," he grinned.


    "What are you doing here?" I couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    "I just wanted a one on one chat with you. Is it okay if Ie in?"


    I immediately felt ufortable.


    "I think this is a good spot to talk," I said with a stiff smile.


    He smiled back too in the same manner.


    "I think you¡¯re a very beautiful woman Mira. I¡¯m starting to think Jace married you to keep the rest or us away." He smirked as he continued. "Smart man. But unfair."


    "Um," I swallowed. How was I supposed to respond to that?


    He ced his hand by the doorway and pushed his face closer to me. I stepped back.


    "You know, most of the women who marry into this family end up bitter or...broken. But you? You¡¯re too pretty for bitterness and too smart for heartbreak. A lethalbination." His Italian ent was thicker than I anticipated as he said all those words.


    He stood back. "Of course I¡¯d never disrespect my cousin¡¯s wife..."


    Then his eyes glinted with obvious mischief as he kept speaking. "But if you weren¡¯t his, Mira. Let¡¯s just say we¡¯d be having a different conversation."


    Bold of him to assume I would be attracted to his brazenness.


    "I-"


    Thankfully Jace walked up just then with the help carrying a tray of my food.


    "What are you doing with my wife?" He asked, putting his arm around my waist possessively.


    Enzo smirked. "Rx cousin, I¡¯m just being friendly. You can¡¯t me me for appreciating such beauty."


    I wanted to puke. Who exactly did he think he was? Who would be attracted to someone like this?


    He walked away with his head high like he hadn¡¯t just made a fool of himself to me. He had lost my respect there and then.


    "Ignore him." Jace said to me.


    I nodded. He did not have to tell me twice.


    ~~~


    Jace was gone for the most part of the day and I just sat in bed, surfing through the inte for different baking recipes. I low key wished I could head down to the kitchen here and practice but knowing how hostile the people here could be towards me, I decided to stay put and practice whenever we got back to New York. Speaking of which, I had no idea when we were returning. We had been here for a few days and it had been a lot of drama and tension.


    I wanted to return to New York already.


    My phone beeped just then. It was text from my brother. Before I could check it, his call came in.


    "Hi Roberto," I said as soon I picked up and ced it on my ear.


    "Hi sis."


    "How are you doing?"


    "I¡¯m supposed to be asking you that. Are you okay?"


    "Yes I am, Yesterday was just so overwhelming for me but I feel much better." I told him.


    I had called him after my altercation with Jace and cried over the phone for the first time to him. I had never done that before and even though I felt slightly relieved afterwards, I immediately regretted it because of what he was about to say...


    "I really need to find a way to get you out of his grip." He said.


    "Leave that to me. I¡¯ll figure it out. I don¡¯t want you getting in trouble."


    "You always say that! It¡¯s my duty to protect you." He argued.


    "Listen to your older sister. I¡¯m perfectly fine. It was your recklessness that got me here in the first ce. Do not go ahead and do something stupid." I warned him sternly.


    He was quiet for a bit.


    "It¡¯s my fault." He said in an emotional whisper.


    "Roberto Jason Valente, stop it right now. I should never have called you yesterday. I am alright. Jace takes care of me."


    "You¡¯re practically in a luxurious prison. Your customers keep asking me about your whereabouts and I do not know what to say to them." He retort hit me like a brick.


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    It was my turn to go quiet. It had been several weeks since I attended to my business and though this was not my fault, I felt terrible for abandoning them. I wondered how many gigs I¡¯d missed out on. I wasfortable enough and had enough money sitting in my ount but my freedom had been sold in the process. Bring it up to Jace would most likely not end well so I decide to say the first thing I could think of.


    "I¡¯d take orders when I get back to New York and you can help me deliver them. If they¡¯re too much, I¡¯d make some deliveries myself."


    "You¡¯re serious?"


    "Yes I am." I nodded even though he couldn¡¯t see me.


    "What about the monster?"


    I smiled. "You mean Don Romano?"


    "Yes. Him." I chuckled.


    After dealing with Jace for a while, I found my brother¡¯s angry baritone hrious. It sounded so thinpared to Jace¡¯s deep voice.


    "Leave that to me. I¡¯d let you know when everything is set." I told him.


    The call ended and I went back to learning my recipes. They would most likely being in handy soon.

 Chapter 36 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 36: 36 ~ Jace</h4>


    I fired a shot once. Then another and another, all in the space of ten seconds.


    I watched the body drop to the ground in fulfillment even as blood sshed everywhere and stained my white T-shirt.


    I had taken it upon myself to shoot this spy with my very own hands.


    He had been caught trying to pass more info to the Castillos and when my attention was called to it, I knew I had to see for myself.


    "Clean this up" I said as I walked away from the torture room to take a call.


    It was Tomas.


    "Don,"


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    "The Castillos tried intercepting one of our shipments but we have it under control. Lorenzo poached some of our clients."


    "That motherfucker." I cussed under my breath almost wishing I had killed him when I had the chance.


    "We¡¯re working on a retaliation. I hope you weren¡¯t affected by the attack in Rome."


    "Not at all. I just killed the spy who ratted out my location." I told him clenching my jaw at the reminder.


    "Those motherfuckers." He cussed as well. "When do you get back?"


    "Soon. I need to put some things in order." I responded.


    "How¡¯s the Mrs holding up?"


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    I thought about Mira for a fleeting moment.


    "She¡¯s fine I guess," I answered with a shrug.


    "People have been asking about her. They¡¯ve been trying to track down her past." He told me.


    "What?"


    I was stunned by that piece of information but then I also expected it.


    "Yes." Tomas concurred..


    "Take care of it." I ordered.


    "Yes, Don."


    "Anything else?"


    I could tell he had something more to say. I had known him for that long.


    "The police have started sniffing around Navarro again."


    I sighed. These people never got a hint.


    "Speak to the ountant. Pay someone high up to get them off my back."


    "On it."


    That was the end of the conversation. I hung up.


    ~~~


    I walked down the stone path leading to the back of the castle. I went through the gardens and eventually got to the ce I so badly wanted to be since I got here.


    My father¡¯s grave.


    It was well tended to as always. He was buried next to my grandfather and grandmother. I barely remembered my father¡¯s parents but from the little I know, they were a vicious couple that made the Romano empire what it is. Kudos to them.


    Focusing on why I was there in the first ce, I faced the my father¡¯s grave stone. My eyes trailed over what was written there.


    ¡¯¡¯Don Vittorio Romano.


    Beloved Husband. Fierce Father. Ruthless Leader. May his legacy never be questioned.¡¯¡¯


    I chuckled every time I got to read this. He wrote this by himself long before his demise. My mother made sure it was written.


    I squatted, getting a closer view of his framed photograph that hung on the wall. I would never admit it out loud but I missed that stern face of his, his firm baritone and his no nonsense demeanor. And even though he was very hard on me as his first son, I appreciated those rigorous trainings that I thought would take my life at some point.


    "I am raising you to lead this family when I am gone. You cannot be a weakling." He would say to me anytime I was bold enough toin about being exhausted.


    I started shooting guns from a very young age. By eleven I was learning to perfect my aim. By the time I was thirteen, I was able to hold the gun with one hand.


    "Don Vittorio. The man who ruled with an iron fist." I started off. "You¡¯re gone now but I¡¯m the one bleeding."


    "I hope you would proud of me Papa." I rasped out feeling an odd sensation in my chest as I tried to breath.


    I was not a man of many words just like he had schooled me to be. I carried so much weight on my shoulders from when he passed. There were times I wanted to drop everything and run away but if I failed, I would be a disgrace to the legacy he had built. I had big shoes to fill and despite the fact that it had been years since I filled his shoes, I didn¡¯t think I was doing it well enough. Every now and then I wondered what he would say if he was here to see all that was going on.


    If I flopped, I would fail my mother, I would fail the entire Romano lineage, I would fail even my wife whom I had vowed to protect. Mira may not have been able to grasp why I wanted her in my life. I did not want to get married to another rigid and bitter woman of mafia descent. I had had enough of that.


    I needed someone as oblivious and innocent as her by my side so I could at least say I had something pure and untainted. She felt like my redemption. But I didn¡¯t know how to express that without looking weak.


    No I was not in love. I was intrigued by the thought of having someone like her by my side to ease me of the day¡¯s struggles. I did not need a rival as my woman.


    If I had married Caterina I would still be on my toes because her father couldunch a takeover at any time and I would be either blindsided or constantly guarded. I did not want that for myself.


    I needed Mira to be the one good thing I had.


    "See you another time, Papa." I said giving him a salute.


    I didn¡¯t know when I would be back in Rome again especially with all that happened during this trip but whenever I dide back, I hoped I would not be back here feeling like a disappointment to my father¡¯s legacy.


    The Castillos may be winning the battle right now. But when the wares, it would be total extinction for their entire lineage.


    That was a promise.

 Chapter 37 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 37: 37 ~ Mira</h4>


    I stood at the balcony, staring outside. This was a massive space. It felt like the gate to the castle was so far away.


    I was beginning to feel homesick and by that I mean my actual home. I missed my brother and I wanted to see him again.


    I had sent him some money earlier and he was screaming his gratitude. It warmed my heart to see him so happy but when I asked him what he was doing for work, he was unable to give me a good response. I switched to big sister mode again, scolding him while warning him to not squander the money I¡¯d sent.


    God knows I had done everything I could to make him not be a menace but it felt like no matter what I did he always got himself in trouble. I couldn¡¯t abandon him. He¡¯s my only living rtive, he¡¯s my responsibility and I could never leave him out in the cold.


    And even though his shenanigans had put me in more trouble than I ever anticipated, I wanted him to be okay no matter what. I wouldy down my life for him.


    The breeze blew my hair in different directions. I enjoyed the fresh air. I weed it.


    Wanting more of nature, I decided I was going to take a walk.


    Jace was nowhere to be found. He was probably busy with some mafia work and for me, I was bored out of my mind staying in one ce.


    I heard someone mention a garden and I asked for one of the helps to guide me to it so I wouldn¡¯t get lost.


    I followed her, walking through the stoned pathways, taking in the sight of everything as I moved. The guards were situated all over the ce as usual. The tightened expressions on their face showed how uptight they had be after the attack from few days before.


    My sun dress was blown by the wind as we reached outside. I held it down as I walked into the garden filled with different types of flowers. From red roses, to Ca lilies, a few oleanders and such beautiful poppies.


    I brought my nose closer and smelt the flowers. I sighed. Nature is beautiful when tended to. Everything seemed so put together and arranged to give the best aesthetic.


    I couldn¡¯t help but ce my phone at a strategic angle to take a few beautiful pictures and videos.


    I had no idea when we would leave for New York but if it wasn¡¯t anytime soon, I would not mind just so I could visit this garden everyday.


    It was the burst of color the dull ces in this castle desperately needed.


    I shut my eyes and exhaled.


    "Enjoying yourself?"


    I paused and opened my eyes to the see who the person who had interrupted my supposed enjoyment.


    It was Lucia.


    She was all mmed up despite wearing a sundress simr to mine. I wondered if she was going somewhere or she really just wore makeup and walked around the house.


    "I am. Hello Lucia," I said in response.


    "Hello. Mira, right?"


    I paused. I knew she knew my name. It wasn¡¯t that hard to remember but then I let it slide.


    "Yes, Mira."


    "You seem like a nice little girl." She said, giving me a onceover.


    "I didn¡¯t realize there was so much of an age difference between us."


    "Age is just number. Status is what I¡¯m referring to."


    Okay she was throwing shade.


    I hummed. "I see,"


    She chuckled and I could hear the mockery in her tone.


    "My cousin can be funny at times. But then what do you expect from and Italian Don who decides to be based in USA? Of course he¡¯d be cut off from tradition and try to make a difference."


    She said, ¡¯make a difference¡¯ like it was a bad thing. I was unable to hide my confusion.


    "You do realize you¡¯re speaking to his wife right?" I reminded her.


    She scoffed. "Yeah right."


    I scowled. What exactly did she mean by that?


    "Dons like Jace never settle for one woman. He brings a new woman on his arm every other time he visits. The only difference here is that he married you."


    <fn3c40> ?????? ???? Find?Novel</fn3c40>


    I hated how her words got to me but I decided to stand my ground.


    "Well, Lucia, that makes all the difference."


    "You¡¯re a temporary fix. And he¡¯ll marry someone that befits his status soon." She argued.


    "You¡¯re friends with Caterina aren¡¯t you? Isn¡¯t that what this is about?" I called her bluff immediately.


    Sheughed softly. "You¡¯re smart. I didn¡¯t take you for a smart one."


    The condescendingpliment made my skin crawl.


    "You¡¯ve seen Caterina. Look at yourself," she gestured at me. "You know you¡¯re not match for him."


    I rubbed on the diamond ring on my finger and swallowed.


    "Maybe you should put this energy into your own love life so you won¡¯t be out here fighting other people¡¯s battles." I said.


    "How dare you?!" She raised her hand to hit me but the guard who followed me down here immediately stopped her.


    "Let me go you twat!" She screamed.


    "No one touches the Don¡¯s wife." He recited like a robot with his head bowed slightly.


    She forced her hand out of his grip and was escorted away from me.


    "This isn¡¯t over." She fumed as she stormed away.


    I ced my hand over my chest to calm my racing heart. That was close. I could only imagine what I would have done if she hit me.


    I walked further into the garden until I reached a point where I saw three finely decorated graves.


    I read what was written on the tomb stones and stared at their pictures until I got to the third one.


    I don¡¯t know why but it felt like I had seen that face somewhere. It was vague but the memory seemed vivid at the same time.


    "Don Vittorio?" I read the name on the tombstone aloud.


    I wondered if this was Jace¡¯s father.


    "Ma¡¯am. The Don is asking for you." The guard who had been following me startled me out of my thoughts.


    I nodded and turned to follow him but as I moved, I looked back one more time at the picture.


    There was something about this face but I could not ce my finger on it.


    If only I knew what wasing...

 Chapter 38 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 38: 38 ~ Mira</h4>


    I walked into the room and met him pacing while he was over the phone.


    I took a closer look at him. Even while looking a little bit disheveled, he still managed to look so hot.


    Why was I sounding like a woman in heat?


    I needed to snap out of it.


    "Where have you been?" He asked as soon as he dropped the call.


    "I went for a walk."


    "Next time you go for a walk, pick up your damn phone." He muttered angrily.


    I looked at my phone and saw that he had called me thrice and my phone was on DND.


    "I had no idea you called."


    "Your phone should never be on DND."


    I looked down as I said. "Yes Mr Romano."


    I felt his eyes snap back to me and look at me intensely. He was probably surprised by my meek response. But I was in too much of a good mood to have him ruin it with his paranoia and controlling behavior.


    "We¡¯re heading back to New York. Go and pack your bags."


    My good mood immediately evaporated. "So soon?"


    "Yes."


    "But why?"


    "No questions Mira, just do as you¡¯re told."


    "I¡¯m not some cargo you can move around." I stated through gritted teeth.


    "You¡¯re my cargo and I¡¯ll move you however the fuck I want."


    I gasped.


    Not wanting to waste my time arguing with him, I walked into the closet. Arguing with him was like talking to a brick wall. I did not have the energy for that. So I just picked up my box and began to pack up everything I came with.


    As usual there were no words between us as we packed. I half expected him to get someone to do it but it seemed he didn¡¯t trust anyone here to get it done for him. I couldn¡¯t me him. He had family members that saw him as a rival. That¡¯s crazy but it was his reality. I almost felt pity for him.


    "Dinner¡¯s at eight. Dress fancy.",He said and walked out of the room yet again.


    Why did I have to dress up to sit at a table with people that were not exactly pleasant to be around? I groaned.


    He had a new dress hanging in the closet waiting for me. It was white, contrary to all the cks I had to wear before.


    "Jace?" I called out to him from the closet.


    There was no answer.


    I sighed and corrected myself. "Mr Romano?"


    "Yes Mira?"


    I rolled my eyes. Why did he have to be so formal?


    "Why do I have to wear a white dress?" I asked,ing out of the closet to show it to him.


    His eyes pinned me to the spot.


    Yup. That was my answer. I was not supposed to be asking questions but just doing as I had been told.


    I was just zipping up my suitcase when he came into the closet.


    "Did you forget something?"


    "Yeah." He rasped and pulled me towards him.


    I fell into his chest with a gasp.


    He looked at me intently and as he rubbed his thumbs over my face. I swallowed and parted my lips, hoping in the back of my mind that he would break his strict rule and ce his lips on mine.


    He leaned closer and I stretched a little closer to him. Just then, his phone rang, interrupting the little moment I foolishly thought we were having.


    I escaped his grip and went into the room as he answered his call.


    ~


    Dinner time came around a few hourster. I got up an hour earlier to prepare for it.


    As usual, I curled my hair and applied minimal makeup. The white sleeveless dress clung to me like a second skin.


    I took onest look in the mirror, picking up my clutch and adjusting my waves once again.


    I saw him through the mirror, watching me. He looked smashing in his all ck suit as always.


    "You¡¯re lucky we¡¯rete. I would have bent you over right now." He said staring at me intently.


    <fn81d8> Discover more novels at find{n}ovel</fn81d8>


    That was the closest thing to apliment I had received from him.


    I immediately felt a pool of wetness in my panties as he said that. Why did he have to tempt me like that?


    "Let¡¯s go." He said.


    I stood up straight and turned to him. He offered me his hand and I took it.


    When we trailed down the stairs, I saw the look of admiration from some of the staff. It was unmistakeable.


    I looked up at him for a bit. Maybe we did look good together after all but I could never get my hopes up with him. Maybe I was his vor of the month with a wife title. Maybe he was going to dump me soon which would actually turn out in my favor because I did not want to be here in the first ce.


    We walked into the dining room and everywhere seemed silent as we got in.


    There was a look in Donna Carm¡¯s eyes. I had no idea what it was. Maybe it was approval, maybe admiration but it was nothing negative.


    I was courteous enough to salute everyone at the table as Jace and I sat down. As usual, I sat next him on the seat which was obviously reserved for me now.


    Dinner began and was uneventful for the most part asides the small side talks I was choosing to ignore.


    My eyes met Lucia and her mother¡¯s for a minute. They were probably speaking about our altercation in the garden. I did not want to mention it Jace that his cousin almost hit me. The good thing was that she was not able to.


    I was still pondering on the thought when Jace decide to give a toast.


    He raised his ss as his eyes scanned the room like he owned everyone in it.


    "To family..." he started.


    Everyone raised their sses. I did too.


    He smiled and it did not reach his eyes.


    "To the ones who break us, to the ones who bleed for us and to the ones who sit at the table and pretend to love us."


    He raised his ss slightly higher as he said, "Salute."


    Everyone clinked sses in silence.


    Jace looked at me for a minute. Then he took my hand and I got on my feet, slightly confused.


    "Good night family."


    We walked side by side as we walked away. I followed his lead until we were out of the house and into the waiting car.


    The trip I thought was going to be the next day was happening tonight.


    (

 Chapter 39 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 39: 39 ~ Mira</h4>


    The ne was waiting for us by the time we got to the hangar. It was a long drive from the Romano castle to the hangar so it was enough time to prepare.


    We got on the jet. Jace led the way as always and I followed with mixed feelings. I wasn¡¯t sure how to feel about going back to New York because it felt like he was stricter with his rules but since I did not have much of a choice, I kept mute.


    It took a couple of minutes but the ne eventually took off.


    I looked over at Jace. He had barely said a word to me after his mboyant toast and our dramatic exit from the Romano castle.


    He was usually not a man of many words but his silence tonight just felt heavier, like there was something serious weighing him down.


    It was not my ce to ask if anything was wrong because I knew he would most likely ignore me.


    I dozed off about an hour into the flight after the cutting silence had me tired.


    This time around I didn¡¯t feel him carry me into the bedroom but when I woke up briefly for a bathroom break, I saw that I was on the bed.


    Coming back to the room, I saw that I had slept for just three hours, which meant I had about five hours to go before this flight would end.


    I walked back to where he was seated and saw that he was asleep.


    Out of concern, I picked up a nket and tried to cover him up. He immediately seized my arm with a tight grip.


    I yelped in pain.


    "Jace it¡¯s me!" I eximed before he could reflexively hit me.


    He stopped and groaned, rubbing over his eyes with his free hand.


    "What are you doing out here?" He asked.


    His sleepy voice sounded so attractive.


    Mira focus. I told myself.


    <fn8b31> This text is hosted at find{n}ovel</fn8b31>


    "I saw you were cold so I wanted to cover you up with a nket." I said, showing him the nket I came with. Did he think I was trying to kill him or something?


    It wouldn¡¯t be a bad idea but that would mean I would die too.


    "Thanks." He said and took it out of my hands.


    I don¡¯t know why but i immediately felt flustered because Jace thanked me for the very first time. I didn¡¯t think he was capable ofmon courtesy since he always acted like a cleaned up gangster/thug which is technically what he was but still...


    "I¡¯ll go back and lie down now." I said and made to leave.


    "Stay." He said, pulling me back.


    He made me sit on his thighs, facing him.


    When his tongue flickered over my neck, I shivered.


    I let my hands trail over his smooth shaved face. His jawline looked so sharp, it could cut through anything. My fingers trailed over his lips.


    I think he saw it in my eyes how badly I wanted to kiss them because he leaned closer. I did too.


    But just when our lips were about to touch, the ne shook violently.


    He held me close to him until the turbulence was over and when it seemed everything had settled, he buckled me into my seat.


    Once again, the moment was gone like it never happened.


    ~


    We touched down in New York and truly the air was different back home.


    The cars and his entourage were waiting for us as soon as wended.


    As we got down from the jet, I was stunned to see some people taking pictures. Yes, I didn¡¯t look disheveled or anything as I made sure to make myself look decent mostly because he insisted. He even gave me a pair of sunsses to cover my eyes that felt heavy with sleep.


    "What is this?" I asked him through a whisper as he held my hand while we walked down the stairs.


    "Let¡¯s call this a distraction. Smile like you mean it." He said through gritted teeth.


    I exhaled and swallowed. I thought he wanted to keep everything about his personal life a secret, why was he putting me out there now?


    Of course I smiled while trying to bow my head.


    "Keep your head up." He said in my left ear, leaning so close, I¡¯m sure the media people thought he was being a romantic and doting husband.


    The pictures continued until we got into the car and he drove us out of there.


    I was so relieved when we were finally alone. I turned to him and yelled.


    "What the hell was that?!"


    "I¡¯d watch that tone if I were you." He said, eyes focused on the road.


    I exhaled, trying to calm myself down. I just had a long flight and I did not need a headache.


    "I need you to answer me." I managed to say in a controlled tone.


    "You heard me when I said it¡¯s a distraction."


    "Distraction from what?"


    "You¡¯¡¯d understand sooner orter. Just y the part." His response was so vague, it grated my nerves even more.


    "Jace-" I was trying to say but he cut me off.


    "Mira this is not the time or ce for your drama! Let me concentrate!"


    I flinched at his yelling.


    And just like that, I recoiled, letting my eyes stay glued to the window.


    It was stupid of me to get toofortable just because I assumed we had a ¡¯moment¡¯.


    I was too dumb for my own good.

 Chapter 40 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 40: 40 ~ Mira</h4>


    As expected, the rest of the drive was quiet. It felt good to be back home in New York. But the realization that I wasing back to a cage did not help the feeling one bit. It saddened me that I was back to being in the prison Jace had specifically curated for me.


    It was a long drive to his mansion but we got there eventually. My mind was going in the different directions but I came back to the present when we arrived.


    I didn¡¯t wait for anyone to open the door for me, I just got out and entered the house. I muttered answers to the the staff that weed me as I made my way upstairs and to the bedroom we shared.


    Tired and feeling dirty from the trip, I quickly took my clothes off and entered the shower, locking the door behind me so he wouldn¡¯t think about joining me in here.


    I didn¡¯t realize how exhausted I felt until the hot water touched my skin. I sighed in relief as the warmth enveloped me. It felt like therapy, like an escape. A very much needed escape.


    When I was done, I came out of the shower, picked up the hand dryer and blow dried my hair.


    By the time I came out of the bathroom, there was no sight of him. I half expected him to show up out of the blue like he was always doing but he was nowhere to be found.


    I wondered if he ever got tired and just rested. But then realizing he had a lot on his te made me rethink. Maybe that was why he was so rigid. But I shook the thoughts off, I wasn¡¯t supposed to express any form of sympathy towards him. He was who he was because he chose to be.


    I picked up my phone after dressing up in some lounge wear so I couldy in bed and watch some TV.


    The first thing that popped on my news feed was a news article.


    "Billionaire Business Mogul, Jace Romano makes a sudden appearance with new bride."


    I read the headline with wide eyes. As I scrolled down the article, I saw pictures from us getting off the ne few hours earlier.


    The article stated something about us getting married in Rome.


    I sat up. Was that why he made me wear a white dress?


    It was scary how everything was always so thought out by him. But then I wondered what his aim was for putting us out into the public now especially after we¡¯d been married for like two months. Strangely enough, none of the photos from that rushed wedding had leaked to the inte.


    I continued reading. The article stated that I was an unknown woman but put my name as the new Mrs Romano. Quite condescending if you ask me but I decided that ignoring the news was the only thing I could do. Hopefully the people that knew me would be unable to tell it¡¯s me because I looked very different. The sunsses and my loose waves covered most of my face. I was dressed differently from what they¡¯d been used to so I believed it would be difficult for them to be sure it was me. And because I would be indoors more often than not, no one would be able to see me outside again.


    I heaved a sigh of relief. But I concluded too soon.


    Jace came in just then and took a quick look at me.


    "I need you to be more active on your socials from now on," he said.


    "I¡¯m not a social media person." I muttered in response to him.


    "You¡¯d have to learn then."


    "Are you trying to use me as a cover up? Won¡¯t putting a personal part of your life out there make you more vulnerable to your enemies?" I asked him.


    I didn¡¯t know too much about these things but if there was anything I knew from watching movies, people like him could easily be taken down through their loved ones.


    I paused.


    Unless he didn¡¯t mind me being put in harm¡¯s way as they try to get to him. I was basically going to be a pawn on his chessboard.


    I made sure let him know what I thought.


    "What the hell are you talking about?" He asked looking genuinely perplexed.


    "I¡¯m right. Isn¡¯t that it?" I got up and faced him.


    The frustration on his face was obvious but I was totally unmoved by it.


    "You want your enemies to use me to get to you. And even if they hurt me you wouldn¡¯t care!"


    He walked over and held me by my arms. "Mira, I would rather take a bullet through my chest than let someone touch a strand of your hair."


    My breath hitched as soon as he said that. I looked straight into his eyes as his bore into mine.


    "Do you mean that?" I asked like an innocent child.


    "I swear on my life." He stated firmly, enunciating every word.


    I blushed besides myself. What is wrong with me!


    Was I overthinking it or was this the soft side of Jace Romano manifesting in front of me? It felt surreal.


    "I just need the police to be off my back for a bit and afterwards you can be a ghost."


    "Okay." I said softly.


    "Limitment interactions, do everything to protect your peace. But I just need them to think everything I do is clean."


    <fn3806> The rightful source is Find?Novel</fn3806>


    I never thought the day woulde when he would actually exin things to me. I was used to him telling me to not ask questions and just do as I was told.


    This was new and I liked it.


    The only problem was that he acted bipr and could switch from hot to cold at any moment. It irked me but this was who he was. I had to learn to prepared for anything.


    He pressed a kiss to my forehead and walked away once again. I sat down on the bed, rethinking everything that just happened.


    "This is a lot." I sighed.


    Just when I thought I would adjust to the peace and quiet of being hidden, I was being thrown into the public again.


    I could never catch a break.

 Chapter 41 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 41: 41 ~ Jace</h4>


    As I left the room, I could hear my father¡¯s voice in the back of my mind. I was going soft. He didn¡¯t raise me to be that kind of man who bows to a woman¡¯s every wish. Or to be moved by any of her tears and tantrums. I needed to pull myself together.


    I walked to my study/home office and saw that my breakfast had been ced there. I opened the te and hummed.


    I settled into my seat and I bit into the croissant set on my table as I flipped through the files with my left hand. Yes I was supposed to be resting after a long flight but I did not have the time. There was so much work to catch up with.


    I was busy taking a sip of my coffee when a knock on my door came.


    "Come in." I said just loud enough for the person on the other side to hear me.


    Tomas walked in shortly after. I was expecting him.


    "Don," he bowed slightly.


    I nodded in acknowledgement of his salute.


    "How are you?" I asked.


    "Well. How are you?"


    "Never been better."


    He grinned slightly. "I thought you weren¡¯t a man of lies."


    "You¡¯re calling your boss a liar?" I asked, leaning back on my swivel chair and raising a brow at him.


    "You look exhausted." He pointed out.


    I nodded in agreement. "I am."


    I was and in all honesty, I didn¡¯t know how to rest. There was so much on my te at the moment.


    "How about taking a vacation?"


    I chuckled deeply. "With everything going on? You know that¡¯s not possible. Besides I just got back from Rome."


    "You and I know that was far from a vacation. In fact, it meant more work."


    He was correct. Every time I was in Rome, there was a lot more strain on me.


    "I¡¯m fine." I insisted.


    "If you say so." He shrugged. "I saw the article."


    <fnda13> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? F¦ÉndNovel</fnda13>


    "A Don¡¯s gotta do what he has to." I said, leaning back to puff on my cigarette.


    "You think it¡¯s a good idea to put yourself out there?" He seemed unsure.


    "It¡¯s just for a while. I need to clean up some bad publicity." I exined to him.


    "Alright then." He said with a hesitant nod.


    "What¡¯s going on with the Castillos?" I asked, sitting back up. It was time for serious business.


    "They haven¡¯t tried anything yet but we are constantly alert. Eyes and ears on the ground ready for anything."


    "They messed with the wrong Romano." I muttered.


    ~~~


    My corporate job was the most boring part of my life. Itcked the thrill I needed. I had to be forced to be unnecessarily polite to people I did not give two shits about because I was trying to keep up a certain image all because I did not want to blow my cover as a gangster.


    It was a good thing these people knew how to stay within their boundaries so I would not have to react a certain way.


    I was at the office for the first time in weeks for yet another board meeting.


    It was the end of a quarter and the board had to review numbers. Again.


    I listened to the presentations halfheartedly, checking my phone every now and then for updates from my main upation.


    "Sir?"


    I looked up when someone called for my attention.


    "Yes?" I answered, trying to mask my irritation with a in face.


    "The marketing team has suggested that we have more social media campaigns."


    "Yes you should do that."


    "The social media team may need you for some appearances just to boost engagement."


    I sat back and stared at her sternly.


    "I run several businesses. I¡¯m hardly ever in one ce. How do you expect me to make myself avable for your little dance videos?"


    I almost felt insulted by the suggestion. These Gen Z staff were getting unnecessarily bold.


    "Sorry sir." She immediately apologized.


    A notification came in from Mira. She had just followed me on Insta. I smirked. This was perfect timing.


    "I have someone that can help you with that." I said, smiling slightly knowing that Mira would throw a fit about this.


    I watched everyone exchange nces and mutter a few things I did not care to know about.


    "Okay sir." The girl whose name I didn¡¯t care to find out finally responded to me.


    "I¡¯ll send her in by Monday." I added as I got on my feet.


    It was the middle of the work week already so starting off the next week was perfect.


    Since she wanted to be out of the house so bad then this was the chance she needed.


    I dismissed them and walked out of the meeting. I went up to my office which was basically redundant because I was barely ever in there.


    It was cleaned up as always. I stood by the floor to ceiling window and stared at the New York skyline. The city was buzzing with life underneath.


    Looking around the ce, I inhaled. My father used toe here once in a while as well. It would have been a nice ce to work. But I had too many shady things going on and I couldn¡¯t bring my transactions here for the sake of discretion.


    I looked around the wide office space. It would not be a bad idea to have Mira work here.


    There was a private elevator so she could enter and exit the building without anyone noticing and I could always have a few guards follow her to work. It was perfect for her.


    I picked up the telephone and called my secretary. She barely had to do anything for me as I was mostly unavable so I¡¯m sure she was surprised to hear the inte ring on her end.


    "Sir," she sounded out of breath like she had run to the phone or something.


    "I need you to get the office ready for my wife."

 Chapter 42 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 42: 42 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was in the kitchen making a batch of cookies. Charlotte had almost immediately responded to my text when I told her I was avable to take her orders.


    She ordered a bunch of stuff. From cookies to cupcakes and an apple pie. I almost asked if she was having a party but then I assumed it was because she had missed my pastries. She was a loyal customer after all.


    I had a little bit of help from the staff in the kitchen. Scratch that, they wanted to help me do everything. I had to insist on doing most of the stuff because I was used to handling everything myself back in my little bakery.


    I wiped the sweat off my forehead with the back of my palm. I was quite tired because it had been a long time since I did any of this. Thankfully this was thest batch of cookies I had to pack for the day. But I was so overjoyed over the fact that I was doing what I loved again.


    I put the cookies down waiting for them to cool. While I mixed the frosting for the cupcakes.


    I was busy piping up the icing on a cupcake when one of the helps came to me.


    "Ma¡¯am, Don is asking for you." She said.


    I paused and checked the time on the digital clock hung high up on the kitchen wall. It was a few hours past noon. What was he doing back so early?


    I dropped the piping bag, washed my hands and was about to leave the kitchen when he walked in.


    He was wearing gray cks that matched the color of his eyes paired with a white shirt that was folded at the sleeves. My eyes met his.


    Oh my goodness he caught me checking him out. I blushed and looked away.


    "Hi." I squeaked. "You¡¯re back early."


    His eyes roamed the kitchen with a bored expression.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "I uh-"


    I swallowed. How was I supposed to tell him I was taking baking orders?


    Knowing someone would tell him sooner orter what I was doing especially if I started getting frequent orders, I decided toe clean.


    "I¡¯m making a client¡¯s order." I answered.


    "You¡¯re taking baking orders?" He asked with an arched brow.


    I exhaled. "Yes I am. I can¡¯t just sit indoors all day and not do anything."


    "Hmm." he nodded. "How do you n on making deliveries?"


    "I was hoping one of your drivers would drop me off?"


    "Finish up. We need to talk."


    I watched him walk away and as soon as he left, I sighed in relief.


    When I was done packaging everything. I rushed upstairs to take shower and dress up to go deliver Charlotte¡¯s order.


    "You¡¯re not going anywhere."


    I paused.


    "Jace please. I need to go deliver this."


    I didn¡¯t mind going on my knees at this point.


    "Hand the delivery details to one of the staff and let them handle it." He stated without batting a lid.


    "I¡¯m not running away. You can have as many guards as you want following me. I just need to deliver this in person." I pleaded.


    "My answer is no."


    "But you said I have to be more active on social media. This great content and it¡¯ll be good for my brand." I tried that route, hoping it would get him to agree.


    He hummed and I thought he was pondering on it.


    "Great point. But no means no." He finally said.


    "Why are you so evil? What do you gain from snatching my happiness?!" I found myself screaming, unable to hold back anymore.


    "I¡¯m simply trying to protect you." He answered so calmly, it grated on my nerves.


    He had the freedom to go wherever he liked while I was stuck here being moved around like a piece of cargo. I was absolutely sick of it.


    "No you¡¯re not! You¡¯re controlling my life and I hate you for it." I cried out.


    My phone rang just then and it was Charlotte. I wiped my eyes and tried to fix my shaky voice as I picked up.


    "Hi Charlotte. Your package would soon be on its way to you." I said calmly even though my insides were screaming.


    "You¡¯re not delivering it yourself?" She asked sounding surprised.


    "No I¡¯m not."


    "Oh. I was really hoping we could catch up."


    I red at Jace. This was all his fault!


    "I was hoping so too. But something came up so maybe some other time." I said, trying to stop my voice from breaking.


    The call ended shortly after that.


    "That wasn¡¯t so hard was it?" He spoke up as I put my phone back in my purse.


    "Don¡¯t speak to me." I warned him with a wag of my index finger as I walked away.


    I went downstairs and found someone to help me deliver the boxes of pastries. I had to remind the driver to not overspeed no matter what while I handed him a smaller pack of leftover cookies as an incentive so he would handle them with care.


    He nodded and I stood an watched him drive off, feeling my heart break at the realization that my road to a bit of freedom had been blocked by none other than that evil husband of mine.


    I almost kicked the curb on the driveway out of annoyance but I would only hurt myself in the process.


    I stormed back inside. I did not want to see his face so I decided against going back in.


    I went to the backyard and sat by the pool. Taking off my shoes, I dipped my legs in the water and just sat there staring into space.


    Jace¡¯s call came in. Maybe he assumed that I had stubbornly gone out against his will. I wish I did that. I wanted to rile him up as much as he did to me but I was too scared.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I sat there for. But my phone rang a couple of times and I did not pick it up.


    Soon, I heard footsteps.


    "These taste nice." I heard him hum behind me.


    I shut my eyes, feeling my frustration build up. Why couldn¡¯t he just let me be?


    "Mira."


    "Hmm?" I hummed a response after a long moment of silence from me.


    "I¡¯m only looking out for you."


    "You¡¯re not my dad."


    "But you call me daddy."


    I gasped, feeling my cheeks burn in embarrassment. He had men around the pool. I was sure they heard that.


    I heard him chuckle in amusement for the first time and it made me feel some type of way.


    "You¡¯re a good baker, you know?" He said after a while.


    I fought back a smile as I said, "Thanks."


    He pulled me up and put a chocte chip cookie in my mouth.


    I chewed on it, covering my mouth as the cookie filled it while I chewed. He pressed a kiss to my forehead.


    <fn4adb> The source of th?s content is F?ndNovel</fn4adb>


    I felt so much warmth envelope me as I went into his arms for a hug.


    Okay this actually felt nice.


    We went back inside and even though there were no words said, I didn¡¯t feel mad anymore.

 Chapter 43 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 43: 43 ~ Mira</h4>


    A ton of notifications hit my phone at once and I was stunned. What the hell was going on?


    When I opened the app that was bringing all this buzz, I realized I was yed once again.


    All that time I thought we were having a moment by the pool, Jace had someone take pictures of us. He posted it on his social media page with the a heart emoji as the caption. Now the press had something to feast on. And what made it worse was the fact that he tagged me. Now I had a ton of followers I had no idea what to do with.


    It broke my heart that he was simply toying with my emotions for personal gain. I hated him even more now and I was very pissed.


    The text from Charlotte telling me she enjoyed the pastries I baked as usual was the only thing that could uplift my mood just a bit.


    As night came, Jace did not sleep in the same room. I wasn¡¯t sure I could let myself call it our room just yet. I still felt like a stranger here but I doubted I would ever be anything more than that. I¡¯d always be the stranger he picked up and got married to in a week like the maniac he was. I would always be that girl he felt he could do anything he liked with because she was always going to be his property.


    I didn¡¯t realize I was crying until the thoughts started to hit hard one after the other and the hot tears rolled down my cheeks.


    On impulse, I got on my feet and walked out of the room. Strangely enough, the hallway was quiet. There was no guard in sight.


    I walked towards the end of the hallway where I saw a door with the ¡¯Do Not Disturb¡¯ sign boldly imprinted.


    I typically assumed he was in there and wanted to turn back, not wanting to speak to him after the stunt he just pulled. But there was a part of me that was curious regardless of his presence so I twisted the knob.


    Surprisingly, it wasn¡¯t locked. Then I went in and saw that it was...empty.


    Why would someone like Jace leave this ce opened? A man like him kept his cards close to his chest so it was surprising that he would leave it unattended to. Or maybe he was closeby but I didn¡¯t care to think about that.


    The room looked like every other home office or study. Books lined the shelves all over the ce and his desk was piled up with files, there was a desktopputer, a mug filled with pens. Basically everything that would be in a normal office was in there. The only difference was that it was at home.


    I walked further in and slowly shut the door behind me so it wouldn¡¯t make a sound. I went further into the room, taking a look around the ce.


    My fingers trailed over the books with curiosity until my eyes fell on a particr portrait on the opposite side of the wall. It was simr to the one I had seen in Rome. I guessed I was right to assume this was Jace¡¯s father. There was no other reason why this man¡¯s photograph would be in his office.


    <fnfb0d> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fnfb0d>


    Once again, I saw shes of this man¡¯s face from a distant memory. It felt vague and vivid at the same time. It confused me so much, I was beginning to feel a headache. I held on to my head and sat down on the couch trying to gather myself.


    I got on my feet again after a couple of minutes and went to the shelf under the photograph. Maybe I could find out something about this man in there, I thought.


    I pulled out the first drawer and saw a book. Its pages were empty but something fell out of it. A letter that had been ripped open.


    I dipped my finger into the envelope and brought out the letter. I was about to open it when Jace¡¯s voice thundered from behind me.


    "What hell are you doing in here?"


    I flinched so hard, I dropped my phone and the letter along with it.


    He looked so enraged, I was actually scared.


    "I asked you a question Mirabel."


    "I, um-, I-"


    I was a stuttering mess stumbling over my words because I could not think of a possible exnation to give him. He had caught me red handed and even though I thought I would not care if he caught me in the beginning, I obviously did.


    He came closer and I took steps backwards for every step he took towards me until I was pinned against the wall. I held in my breath as he ced his hands on either side of me.


    "Don¡¯t go looking for what isn¡¯t looking for you." He said against my ears like it was a warning he needed my brain to register.


    I shivered as his breath touched my skin.


    Then he stepped back, picked up my phone and handed it to me after checking if any damage was done.


    My eyes stayed on the letter as he picked it up as well.


    "These things are kept private for a reason. I do not appreciate you snooping around my things." He said coldly. There was an underlying warning in his tone to never try it again.


    I nodded, feeling strange chills all of a sudden.


    As he led me back to bed, I could not help the gnawing feeling in my chest that he was hiding something deeper than I imagined from me. There had to be a reason he was holding me hostage. It ran deeper than the surface.


    Also, there had to be a reason why the picture of his father was messing with my memory.


    Maybe it was the red string theory or I was just overthinking things but something strange was going on and I needed to find out what it was and soon too.

 Chapter 44 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 44: 44 ~ Jace</h4>


    Walking back to the my office, I almost heaved a sigh of relief.


    That was a close one. I did not need her to find anything she didn¡¯t need to. I walked over to the drawer where the letter had been in and decided to change its position. I locked all the drawers and kept the keys in a safe position she would not think of going to especially because she did not know her way around the house.


    Mira¡¯s wandering just gave me a reason to make sure she got out of the house a little bit more. I needed to allow her do her baking business and let her go out for deliveries. I also needed to let her know about the job opening I had set up for her at Navarro constructions.


    I needed to do everything to get her away from snooping around often. She wasn¡¯t ready to know the truth. Not yet. Not ever if I could help it.


    ~


    The next day, as I walked up to the room, there was a guard walking closely behind me, holding a Hermes box.


    I had my mother get her personal shopper to purchase a Birkin bag for Mira. This was going to be her constion gift because I knew she would be pissed about having to go work in my office even if it wasn¡¯t an everyday thing.


    She was seated at the vanity mirror brushing through her luscious waves when I walked in. I stared at her bare back intently and swallowed. It had been a while since I touched her the best way I knew how to. I felt my cock stir just at the thought. But no, I needed to focus.


    <fn7f51> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on f?ndnovel</fn7f51>


    "Hello, wife." I said.


    "What is it this time?" She mumbled, getting on her feet.


    With a fleek of my finger, I dismissed the guard and he left immediately after cing the box on the bed.


    "Is it another event I have to dress up for?" She asked in a bored tone.


    "No it isn¡¯t." I answered, dipping my hands in my pockets to hide my boner. She looked exceptionally gorgeous today. There was just something about how she looked that was turning me on or maybe it was the fact that I hadn¡¯t beenid in a while. The point is, I was trying to focus and she was distracting me.


    "Then what is it?" She sounded impatient.


    I sighed. "Can you at least open it first?"


    "No. Tell me why you¡¯re giving it to me." She said, folding her arms in defiance.


    I exhaled, slightly exasperated by her drama. Mira could be a handful.


    "It¡¯s a gift for your first day of work."


    "Work?" Her brows arched perfectly as she asked.


    "Yes. Work." I concurred.


    "I¡¯m not sure I understand."


    "You¡¯ll be resuming at my office on Monday." I informed her, waiting for her vehement disagreement.


    "Hell no!"


    Yup. I knew her well enough.


    She dropped the box and tried to walk away. I pulled her back to me with one.


    "You¡¯re going to help my legal business get more social media leverage. The social media marketing team is going to need you for a few videos." I exined even when I felt like I didn¡¯t have to. She was meant to do as she was told.


    "I have no professional background in that so I¡¯m not fit for the job."


    "I don¡¯t mind," I shrugged.


    "I don¡¯t want to work for you."


    "Being my wife is a full time job." I said.


    "My point exactly." She retorted.


    "You have to do it."


    "Sebasti-"


    My nose red. "What did you just call me?"


    "It was a slip of tongue."


    I pulled her tightly. "Who the fuck is Sebastian?"


    It better not be anyone she was still frolicking with because I would cut off his dick.


    "Let go of me!" She screamed, fighting to get away from my hand but that only made me hold on tighter.


    "Jace let go of me!" She said through gritted teeth. "You¡¯re hurting me!"


    Her cry was what made me let go just a little bit.


    "What the hell is wrong with you?" She yelled, shoving me slightly.


    "You¡¯re going to that office on Monday. Everything has been prepared for you." I said as I turned to leave.


    "What about my business?"


    "You don¡¯t have to go there everyday." I said over my shoulder.


    I walked away, fully aware that she was seething and hating me even more. I could feel her hatred for me increasing on a daily basis. But it had to be this way for our own good.


    ~


    I met up with Tomas for drinks that night. We found ourselves in the VVIP lounge that was much quieter than the other parts of the club. I didn¡¯t need the extra noise right now.


    I downed the shots of vodka and shut my eyes as the alcohol kicked on.


    When I opened my eyes, I saw him staring intently at me.


    "Is there something wrong?"


    "Something is always wrong in our world, Tomas." I said with a slight chuckle.


    "I know but this one seems deeper than work."


    "I¡¯m fine trust me. I just need to unwind. Where is it?"


    He knew what I was asking about.


    "Are you sure?" He hesitantly asked


    I tilted my head and gave him a re. He for sure knew what that meant as he brought out the small package.


    I opened the sachet, poured some of the powder and took a long sniff.


    Afterwards, I justid back and sighed in relief, letting the substance do its job.


    It felt good.


    "Get the strippers up here." I said to him.


    He went and got them. I had one of my guards bring the briefcase with bundles of cash from the vehicle and as the women came, I drank more, I inhaled more coke. I tossed dor notes all over the ce.


    It¡¯s safe to say, I had too much of a good time, so much so, I cked out and forgot where I was and what I was doing.


    I trusted Tomas to get me home safely. And at the back of my mind, I knew I was going to wake up with a splitting headache the next morning.

 Chapter 45 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 45: 45 ~ Mira</h4>


    I sat up as I heard the door open at way past midnight. I could not sleep for some reason so I just sat there watching a movie.


    I was so shocked when I saw Tomas practically carrying Jace in.


    I got out of bed and stood on my feet.


    "Hi Tomas." I said.


    "Mrs Romano," he nodded to acknowledge me.


    "Mira." I corrected him before letting my eyes trail to Jace. "What¡¯s going on with him?" I asked, genuinely concerned.


    "He¡¯s as high as a kite right now."


    "Oh." My mouth formed a circle.


    <fnc2a8> Read full story at F¦ÉndNovel</fnc2a8>


    "Don¡¯t tell him I said that."


    I chuckled and nodded even though the state he was in bothered me.


    "Is he going to be okay?" I asked Tomas.


    He nodded. "But he¡¯s going to be very cranky in the morning so be ready for that."


    I exhaled. That was not new as far as Jace was concerned.


    "I¡¯ll see you some other time Mira."


    "Take care." I said and walked him to the door. Once he left, I turned to Jace and stood over him.


    He was knocked out. This was the perfect time to just strangle him in his sleep. At least it would probably look like he died from an overdose.


    But even as I stood there, I knew there was no way I would be courageous to pull through with it. I hated him but not enough to take his life. Well, at least not yet.


    I took off his shoes and struggled to slid off his jacket. I eventually did and I watched himy there, looking innocent. I had to admit that he was even more handsome in his sleep. His face rxed and for once it looked like he was not in a mood.


    I slid into bed shortly after and with time, I dozed off.


    ~


    I woke up and found that Jace was still asleep next to me. It was shocking to say the least.


    For the first time ever, I was up before him.


    I went to the bathroom and by the time I came out, I saw that he still hadn¡¯t moved from that position. In fact he had beenying the same position since when Tomasid him down.


    My heart immediately dropped in worry. What if he had kicked the bucket and I had slept next to a dead man?


    Immediately, I rushed to where he was and put my head on his chest.


    I heard his heartbeat, and then I checked his pulse. He was still breathing.


    "Phew." I heaved a sigh of relief. That was a close one.


    He stirred just then and before I could move his eyes were open and gazing into mine.


    His face scrunched up. Obviously the headache had started to kick in.


    "What are you doing?" He asked groggily.


    "I just wanted to be sure you¡¯re still alive since you passed out like a log." I responded cheekily.


    He sat up, clutching his head as he groaned.


    "I need water and some advil. Where are they?" He asked me, looking around.


    Oops. I totally forgot to make preparations for that. And it was mostly because I assumed he would be up before me.


    I watched his face contort into rage.


    "Are you dumb or something? It¡¯smon sense for you as my wife to make these things avable."


    His harsh words went straight to my chest and I could feel the breath get knocked out of my longs.


    Yes Tomas had warned me he would be extra cranky but he did not have to be so mean.


    "I¡¯ll get someone to bring them." I said in a subdued tone.


    "Hurry." He groaned.


    In a matter of minutes, I had gotten someone to get him water and the painkillers while I sat on my end of the bed minding my business.


    Breakfast was brought up and we ate in ufortable silence. Nothing unusual.


    I made my way down to the gym afterwards, leaving him lone with all his attitude.


    I had not exercised in a long while and seeing some of the guards in there made me feel quite intimidated.


    But the surprising thing was that as soon as I got in, they left one after the other. I wondered if Jace had told them they could not workout the same time as me. Now I felt bad that I had interrupted their training time. They were the soldiers. They needed the workouts more than I ever would.


    I went to the treadmill and ran on it as fast as I could and stopped it when I was out of breath. I paused to take a break and after a while, I went back to it.


    Then I lifted some dumbbells a couple of times. I also did some stretching and when I was tired, I sat down and just stared into space.


    The whole ce was empty so it was just me trying out everything.


    I checked my phone every now and then, hoping that someone would have a baking order for me so I would distract myself and avoid Jace and his crankiness even more.


    I hoped my brother was still telling the customers that I was taking orders online now. I really hoped he was.


    When I went back upstairs, I heard him in the shower.


    I was sweaty and needed to take a shower too but I decided to wait till he was out of there.


    It took a couple of minutes but he came out eventually, barechested with a towel around his waist. My eyes stayed glued to his chest and abs but I quickly looked away and went into the bathroom for my own shower.


    "I need a cookie." He said, the moment I came out of the bathroom.


    "What?"


    "You heard me," he said with a nk expression on his face.


    "Order some cookies then." I retorted even though I thought he wanted me to bake him some. And I typically would have after pretending to not want to.


    "You¡¯re the cookie I want to eat."


    ~To be continued~

 Chapter 46 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 46: 46 ~ Jace</h4>


    She froze when I said it. I liked seeing the effect I had on her. It was very satisfying.


    My eyes scanned her face as her damp hair framed it. My gaze trailed down to her lips. Every now and then I was tempted to kiss her. But there was no telling what would happen if I gave into that temptation.


    Then I pulled her until her back hit my chest and her ass rested on my cock. I felt it twitch at the contact.


    She gasped as I ran my hands through her hair. I could feel her fighting to resist my touch.


    "I have things to do." She muttered, moving away from me.


    To be honest, I felt slightly apologetic for yelling at her earlier but I did not exactly know how to apologize. Maybe some make up sex would get it off her mind, I assumed. But apparently she was not in the mood. Or so she thought.


    I was not ready to seduce her into it like I always did. I wanted her toe to me this time but Mira didn¡¯t seem very eager so I turned to leave the room. I had plenty of things to do anyway.


    "Why did you get so highst night Jace?" She asked out of nowhere.


    I halted my movements and turned to her. That question was so random and unexpected, it caught me off guard.


    I faced her fully and shrugged. Why did I decide to break my no coke rule for a taste of itst night until I was knocked out? Maybe it was because I was overwhelmed by everything going on around me. I was carrying the weight my father left me and it was tiring. No one could ever fully understand it because I never let them in. The only person who got a glimpse of it was my number one handyman, Tomas.


    "Maybe because silence is louder than gunfire sometimes." I finally answered in a distant voice that sounded foreign even to my own ears.


    "But-"


    I cut her off immediately.


    "I have work to do. I¡¯d like some chocte chip cookies though."


    She nodded and that was my cue to leave before she would ask further questions and start ying therapist. I couldn¡¯t let this turn into a moment of vulnerability.


    I knew women like Mira. They typically thought it was a case of salvation and I needed to be saved or helped by them. These kind of women would take it as a mission to change me for their sakes. I didn¡¯t need any of that sentimental bullshit. I was not looking for a redemption arc of some sort.


    ~


    <fn04e7> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find?novel</fn04e7>


    I found myself deeply engrossed in reading through different files and books my PAs from the different businesses I owned had delivered to my house. I didn¡¯t even have the time to visit my warehouses as usual. It¡¯s a good thing I had someone like Tomas overseeing all of that. It would have been too overwhelming for me.


    I picked up my phone when his call came in for the third time today.


    "What is it this time?" I asked with a sigh.


    "Pedro has some balls. He¡¯s refusing to pay up." He sounded upset.


    I chuckled. That son of a bitch owed me over three million and he was acting untouchable because he¡¯s friends with one of my father¡¯s close allies in the underworld. He seemed to forget that I inherited my father¡¯s enemies and not necessarily his friends.


    "What should we do boss?" Tomas asked.


    "Code blue." I said calmly.


    "On it."


    By the time he lost one or two of his loved ones ¡¯mysteriously¡¯, it would set him straight. No one could mess with my money and go scot free. If they thought they were invincible, I would prove to them how vicious I could be.


    I dropped my phone when a knock came.


    "Come on in." I beckoned on the person behind the door, waiting to see who it was.


    It was one of the maids holding a tray. I knew who it was from but I asked anyways.


    "Mrs Romano said to bring this to you." She answered.


    I looked at the te of freshly baked cookies and the ss of warm milk by the side. There was also a mug of what I correctly assumed was in ck coffee. She ced it on the table, right in front of me.


    "Tell her to join me." I said, dismissing the staff.


    A knock came again shortly after.


    "Come in." I said again.


    Mira came in reluctantly. She was probably nervous after what happened thest time I caught her in here.


    "You asked for me." She said, standing at the doorway.


    I took a good look at her. She had on a simple short dress that showed off her smooth legs. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail and even with her face bare of makeup, she looked gorgeous.


    Jace. Focus.


    I gestured for her to sit in front of me.


    "Join me."


    I watched her swallow slightly and let out a little sigh beforeing to sit down.


    I picked up a warm cookie and bit into it. The sweetness exploded in my tongue.


    "This is really good." Imended her with a hum of approval.


    "Thank you."


    There was a slight red tint on her cheeks as she said that.


    I leaned over and put a piece in her mouth. I watched her chew like it was something out of the ordinary.


    "Beautiful," I couldn¡¯t help but admit.


    Mira held a different kind of beauty. Better than anything I¡¯d ever seen. And I had been with many women.


    I leaned in slowly. And before I could stop myself, my lips pressed against hers softly. It was brief, it was slow but it felt like there was a crack in the wall I had built.


    I just kissed my wife for the first time ever and it felt...odd.

 Chapter 47 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 47: 47 ~ Mira</h4>


    My eyes widened when he pulled away.


    The kiss was brief and surprising. It was so unexpected, I sat there wondering what had gotten into him.


    My mind reyed when he said he didn¡¯t do kisses. What changed all of a sudden?


    "You taste like sugar." Hemented after minutes of awkward silence.


    I almost rolled my eyes and said, "Duh."


    Of course I tasted like sugar. He had just fed me a cookie before putting his lips on mine.


    "Come here." He rasped out.


    Like an obedient kid, I got on my feet and sat on his thigh as he gestured for me to.


    I felt him sniff my neck like I was a meal he wanted to devour.


    His fingers wrapped themselves around my throat. It wasn¡¯t a tight hold but I felt choked nheless.


    Then steadily, he pushed down the strap of my little dress and licked my shoulder. Then he went back to kissing my neck.


    I moaned, grinding him slowly. I could feel his arousal. It was bulging so hard, it felt like it would jump out at any minute.


    My panties were soaking wet by the time I grinded him for a few minutes. I was moaning at intervals as he sucked on my neck and yed with my nipples.


    My hands trailed to his cock and I unzipped his pants.


    I didn¡¯t wait for hismand before going on my knees and taking it in my mouth. I gagged and sucked on it like my life depended on it, feeling the satisfaction of hearing him moan slightly.


    When he was close to his release. He stopped me and pulled me back to hisps.


    Once again, he kissed me briefly before going back to sucking and squeezing on my boobs at intervals. He pushed one of my fingers to my clit and made me rub on it as I moaned loudly.


    "The door isn¡¯t locked. What if someonees in?" I said trying to keep my senses intact.


    It would be too embarrassing for anyone to walk in on us like that.


    "I don¡¯t care." He growled and continued his sweet torture on my nipples.


    Of course he didn¡¯t care. He was Jace Romano.


    Shifting my panty to the side, he slid into me and I gasped. With his hands on either side of me, he made me bounce on him repeatedly. I was practically screaming as he kept hitting my g-spot.


    I wrapped my hands around his neck as I bounced. He was looking into my eyes and I trying my best to look into his as I kept going.


    He made me turn around and soon I was in reverse cow girl position, riding him like with everything I could. I held my hair up with both hands as I did.


    <fnbd27> Updates are released by F?nd-Novel</fnbd27>


    He spanked my ass cheeks repeatedly, egging me on.


    "Oh god I¡¯m going to cum," I let out breathlessly.


    That was when bent me over the desk and rammed into me repeatedly, pinning my head to the table as I grabbed onto one of the edges.


    The sounds that came out of my throat felt foreign even to me. I felt like a slut every time he fucked me.


    "Don¡¯t stop!" I screamed with all my might.


    And he didn¡¯t. He went harder in fact.


    All that filled his office were my moans in the moment and the constant pping sounds of his skin against mine.


    I had the most earth shattering orgasm. He came shortly after, pouring everything inside me. I felt full. When he pulled out, I realized that I could not stand on my own feet so he carried me, into his private bathroom and helped me clean up.


    He washed my thighs gently, teasing my folds. I moaned a few times as he did that.


    I wanted to kiss him again but I did not know how he would react so I thought against it.


    "I love it when you scream like that." He said, breaking into the awkward silence minutester.


    "Really?"


    "I wouldn¡¯t say it if I didn¡¯t mean it, Mira."


    I nodded. Not sure if it was a good idea to tell him that my ex boyfriend never made me enjoy sex well enough to scream like that. And even when I faked it to make him do better, it pissed him off.


    Sex was different with Jace. Maybe rough sometimes but it was passionate and left me wanting more even when the circumstances weren¡¯t the best.


    No wonder Caterina wanted him back. She probably still did.


    A part of me still wondered if I pleased him enough in the bedroom. Or if he was going to dump me at some point when I no longer fit into his sexual fantasies.


    My legs were still shaky as helped me get on my feet and led me back into his office.


    I tried to head for the door. Since he was done with me so it was best for me to leave.


    "Where are you going?" He asked.


    I stood and pointed my thumb towards the door. "Back to the bedroom."


    "I didn¡¯t ask you to leave." He said, gesturing back at the seat I first sat on when I got in here.


    Hesitantly, I got there and sat in front of him yet again as I began to wonder.


    How did he not feel awkward after all of that steamy action? I half expected him to show a bit of post nut rity and want me out of his sight until he wanted me again. But no. Surprisingly, Jace wanted me to stay.


    We didn¡¯t say much to each other as we ate the cookies I baked and I drank the ss of milk which had gone cold while he drank his ck coffee. The silence wasn¡¯t awkward this time. It wasfortable.


    Maybe, just maybe we were on to something here but I would not get ahead of myself. He was unpredictable and I had to be ready for anything with him.

 Chapter 48 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 48: 48 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was upset.


    Sitting in front of the mirror that Monday morning, I couldn¡¯t help the frown that marred my face.


    Jace told me I had to resume in his office. And the fact that I did not have a choice was pissing me off.


    He said he was going to have to properly introduce me to his staff so I had to be up early and ready to go with him. I hated this.


    "You have to be smiley one when you meet my staff you know," hemented, taking a sip of his coffee.


    We were at the breakfast table that morning. I was all dressed up like a corporate baddie. I loved the fit but I wasn¡¯t too thrilled about a 9-5 job.


    "You¡¯re not staying for the whole day." He said.


    My eyes snapped to his. Was he reading my mind? Was he a psychic of some sort?


    "I can tell what you¡¯re thinking by looking at your face Mira. You need to work on your poker face." He stated, shocking me even more.


    I gaped, feeling my cheeks turn red in embarrassment. Luckily it was hidden by the makeup I had on.


    "Finish up. We have to be there in the next hour." He said and got on his feet, leaving me at the table to probably wait for me in his car.


    I took onest sip of my cup of tea as well as thest bite of my toast and eggs before following him.


    I joined him in the passenger seat of his car. He was driving as usual and I made sure to buckle up because his driving was straight out of Fast and Furious.


    The drive was quiet. I wanted to turn the radio on but I wasn¡¯t sure if it would make him mad or something so I just let it be and do my usual thing - staring out the window.


    I flinched slightly when I felt his hand on my thigh. He rubbed on it steadily.


    I nced at his face but his eyes were focused on the road like his hand wasn¡¯t doing something else down here.


    I didn¡¯t push his hand away. I just let it stay there, enjoying the warmth.


    I found it hot as he drove with one hand, his left hand for that matter. I looked away to hide how flustered I felt.


    "When is Donna returning?" I asked to make small talk and distract myself from all the warmth I felt inside.


    "She¡¯¡¯ll be back soon."


    From her story posts I saw that she had gone from Rome to Santorini in Greece for a holiday. She was having a good time and to be honest, I craved a vacation like that. And now that I was married to someone that could easily afford it, I was tempted to ask for such a trip but a part of me was worried that Jace wouldn¡¯t let me out of his sight. I hated that about this whole arrangement. I wished more than anything that he would just let me be free and not monitor everything that I did.


    An idea popped into my mind then. What if I made him fall for me? That would make it easier to get anything out of him.


    But how was I supposed to make a rigid mafia don fall for me? The only person that could probably answer that was his mother. I had to wait for her return.


    I was still pondering on the thought when the car came to a halt at the underground parking lot of hispany.


    "That was fast." Imented.


    He did not respond.


    Surprisingly, he got down and opened the car door for me. This was new, I thought in surprise until it clicked. We were in public territory so we had to keep up the act of a couple happily in love.


    I took his hand as he gave it to me and he intertwined his fingers with mine.


    "Smile for the camera." He said in my ear.


    I looked around for the camera and sure there was someone recording.


    When she was done taking the video, she introduced herself.


    "Hello Mr and Mrs Romano. I¡¯m Ariel, the social media content manager of Navarro Constructions."


    "Nice to meet you, Ariel." I shook hands with her, giving a polite smile.


    <fn638c> The source of th?s content is Find1Novel</fn638c>


    "You¡¯ll be working closely with her." Jace said to me.


    I nodded.


    We soon found our way to the elevator that would take us into the building.


    We found ourselves in the lobby and I had to fight back a gasp at how huge this ce was. It had a sleek, modern outlook and there were lots of staff thronging the ce.


    I looked up at him and wondered why they needed someone like me to make an appearance in a bunch of videos when he had hundreds of staff that could easily do that.


    I didn¡¯t get the time to ask him that because he quickly introduced me to the staff I was going to be working with (the social media marketing team). They were a bunch of younger people like myself and they gave me a warm wee.


    Then he had his secretary lead me up to his office which had been set up for me. It looked amazing and I especially loved the view from up here.


    I sighed. Maybe this was not such a bad idea.


    I sat down on the plush leather swivel chair and spun around with a sigh.


    He walked in a few minutester.


    "My secretary will be on standby for you. I have to go sweetie."


    Sweetie?


    I almost frowned in confusion at the sound of the endearment until I remembered where I was.


    I almost thought he was going to leave me without having any guards on standby but of course I was wrong. He had two of them that I had be quite familiar with here to watch me.


    Ariel stood there watching our interaction with a file in hand.


    And soon he left after pressing a brief kiss to my cheek.


    I sighed as I faced Ariel, gesturing for her to sit opposite me.


    "So, what do you need me to do for you today?"

 Chapter 49 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 49: 49 ~ Mira</h4>


    Ariel was saying a lot of things. And to be honest, I was finding it difficult to keep up. This was not my forte per se. I studied Hospitality and Business management and while I understood customer needs and interactions, I never got the hang media interactions.


    And to make it worst, I was not only going to be fronting for Jace¡¯s constructionpany, it also involved his other legal businesses. I got to understand that Ariel was basically going to be be my assistant moving forward, shooting every content I couldn¡¯t do on my own. We would also work together to curate content calendars.


    "This is a lot." I sighed after suggesting that we take a break.


    "Mr Romano believes you¡¯d settle in just fine." She said with a nervous grin.


    "With all of this, is there any way I can insert my baking business into my busy schedule?" I asked, really concerned about that.


    "Of course. I¡¯m avable to film you during your work process. It removes the seriousness of your husband¡¯s businesses from your page and focuses on you in your element."


    That sounded like sweet music to my ears. It was exactly what I needed to hear.


    "Perfect." I said with a wide grin.


    I felt hungry. And just like he could read my mind, Jace appeared from the private elevator in the office with a food tray behind him.


    "Hello wifey,"


    He smiled slightly. I was sure it felt odd for him to smile but he had to keep the act somehow. I almostughed at him but this was not the time or ce.


    I got up from my seat and went into his arms, inhaling the scent of his cologne and sighing as the familiar scentforted me a bit. Strange...


    He pressed a kiss to my forehead and rubbed on my face as he sat at the desk, facing me.


    I saw the guards exchange looks. They were probably as shocked as me to see their boss expressing his "soft" side.


    "What¡¯s going on? You haven¡¯t posted anything, neither has Ariel." He questioned in a low tone, sounding slightly upset.


    "It¡¯s not very good to post in realtime and she was giving me a lowdown of everything this task entails." I answered him with a stered smile.


    "I already told you all you needed to know."


    I shook my head in disagreement. "No you didn¡¯t. You simply threw me into the wild. And if not for her, I would still be so clueless."


    We argued in rushed whispers. I hoped they weren¡¯t eavesdropping on what we said. But even if they were, there was no way they would reveal our secret without Jace having them taken out.


    He looked at me for a hot minute and I stared back defiantly aided by the fact that he would not act like a jerk in front of an audience.


    "Eat up. I have other ces to be. I¡¯lle get youter." He said, adjusting his cufflinks as he got on his feet ready to leave.


    "Okay." I said, not bothering to bid him goodbye.


    Just like he came in, he went back through the elevator. Our eyes stayed locked on each other until the doors closed.


    "Phew. That was intense."


    Stunned, I turned to Ariel.


    "Oops. I said that aloud, didn¡¯t I?"


    "You did." I said inly.


    "Sorry. It¡¯s just that the heat radiating from you both is hotter than the summer sun. You two are so hot!" She eximed like a fangirl drooling over a fictional couple.


    "Um..." I trailed off, not knowing how to respond to that.


    "This is good for business," she went on. "You two give hot power couple vibes. Mr Romano gives broody gentleman."


    I almost snorted at the mention of Jace being a gentleman. Delusional.


    "And you, ma¡¯am, you give off sunshine with a sprinkle of bad bitch energy. No offense, I know you get what I mean." She said, looking flustered.


    I sat back and thought about it. If I was being totally honest, she was actually right.


    "I get you." I said eventually. Then I let my eyes trail to the food in front of me.


    It was like an actual buffet.


    "Let¡¯s have lunch guys. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m finishing any of this." I said to all three of them.


    After some little back and forths between all of us. I finally convinced them to join me after asking for extra cutlery and water from the cafeteria downstairs.


    We ate and made small talk in between. I believed there and then that the job wouldn¡¯t be so difficult. I just had to try to enjoy it.


    <fn6804> Fresh chapters posted on F¦Énd£Îovel</fn6804>


    ~


    The end of the workday came quite early for me. Jace came to pick me up.


    I was in the middle of a conversation with Ariel and I wasughing so hard. She was hrious and it felt nice to have someone to talk to after so long being cooped up in Jace¡¯s mansion where everyone overly respected me as the don¡¯s wife.


    "Seems like you¡¯re having fun."


    Myughter ceased just then.


    "Hey." I said, ncing at the time on the digital clock on the desk. It was just past 3pm. I didn¡¯t expect him to be back so soon.


    "We have to go." He said, sliding in his hands into his pant pockets. He had obviously taken off his suit jacket and all that he had was his typical ck shirt folded at the sleeves.


    "I¡¯ll see you soon Ariel. Text me whenever I¡¯m needed." I said, picking up my handbag.


    "Sure thing ma¡¯am." She said with a nod, getting on her feet as well. "Enjoy the rest of your day."


    I smiled and waved as Jace led me away.


    We got into the elevator and it was very silent. He was brooding.


    "You do not get toofortable with staff. They take you for granted easily." He said out of nowhere as we reached the parking lot.


    I was quiet for a couple of seconds as I entered the passenger seat of the vehicle as he slid into the driver¡¯s seat.


    "I can¡¯t just go there and start lording over everyone like they¡¯re not human beings." I finally responded.


    "Mira you are my wife. Act like it!" He yelled, hitting the steering wheel.


    I flinched. What had gotten into him?


    It was not even that deep.


    "I think I should ride in one of the other cars." I said, getting out of the car and walking away from him to the second vehicle.


    The guards looked confused and stared back at their boss, wondering if I should be let in.


    Jace didn¡¯t speak as he got down and stared at me. He only slid back into to his vehicle and sped off.


    I didn¡¯t know what his problem was but I would not be on the receiving end of his unjust anger.


    Not today.

 Chapter 50 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 50: 50 ~ Jace</h4>


    I wasn¡¯t supposed to react like that. I lost control of myself for a minute and it wasn¡¯t surprising that it threw her off. Her calmness in that moment wasmendable. It would probably would have blown over the edge if she had reacted the way she usually would.


    I was sure she was in safe hands that was why I didn¡¯t put up a fight when she chose to go in the other vehicle.


    My anger was a transfer of aggression over one of my messed up shipments. We were transporting some weapons via the Indian Ocean and somehow they were confiscated. It cost me millions of dors and freeing them would cost even more. It was very upsetting. And I had a feeling a few of my rivals had a hand in it, adding to the pile of problems waiting for me.


    My phone rang just then. I decided to slow down a bit on the highway. It was my mom.


    "Hello mother,"


    "Where are you?" She questioned.


    That question meant only one thing.


    "You¡¯re back?"


    "Yes. Come pick me up."


    I had to take a U-turn. I had to be at the airport within the next hour. My guards turned with me while the ones with Mira in their vehicle, continued heading towards to the house based on my instruction.


    When I got there, I sat at the waiting area. Not long after, she surfaced, looking decades younger than her actual age. But then she wasn¡¯t so old. She was 50+. Having gotten married and had all her children quite early, she was still looking youthful despite being a mother of grown adults.


    "Mother," I said, bending over to give her a hug. I pressed a kiss to her cheek.


    "You look well." She said, rubbing on my face.


    "You look better. You had a great time I see." I remarked.


    She grinned slightly. "I did. I have worked hard enough to rx and enjoy my remaining years."


    "You don¡¯t have to be so dramatic. You aren¡¯t dying anytime soon."


    She hummed, sounding disinterested in what I just said, "Hmm. We¡¯ll see."


    I hated it when she spoke like this but I was not going to indulge her today.


    The guards rolled her boxes while I held her hand and led her to my car.


    "You better not over speed." She warned me as she always did when she rode with me.


    "Yes ma¡¯am." I said, fighting back an eye roll.


    "Where¡¯s Mira?"


    I paused for a brief second before responding.


    "She should be home now."


    "What did you do now?"


    "What do you mean?" I scowled, tightening my grip around the steering wheel.


    "I saw you tense up at the mention of her name."


    "It¡¯s nothing." I muttered.


    "Jace..." She called knowingly.


    I sighed. "Okay fine. I transferred a bit of my aggression to her."


    "What happened?"


    I exined the confiscation situation to her.


    "You really are your father¡¯s son." She chuckled but it was humorless.


    "I¡¯m my own person," I countered.


    "Yet you embody all his negative traits." She retorted.


    I frowned, ncing at her briefly as she stared straight ahead.


    "You need to stop doing that. She is basically clueless about our world yet you keep offloading your baggage on her. She is not at fault."


    It felt like she was no longer talking about Mira. She was talking about herself.


    "I didn¡¯t mean to do that." I admitted.


    My mother was one of the few people I could let myself be vulnerable with but only to an extent.


    "I know. But you need to apologize. Especially because you need her to man the gates and protect your business from the authorities."


    Yes she was aware of everything going on here even though she had been away for weeks.


    I sighed. "Apologizing isn¡¯t my thing."


    "Of course. I knew your ego would get the better part of you." She said with a roll of her eyes.


    "It¡¯s just-"


    "I don¡¯t want to hear it, Don Romano."


    Her sarcasm was biting.


    "Get her flowers or something at least." She said, pointing at the flower shop up ahead.


    I groaned as I slowed down the car. Why did women have to be soplicated?


    I had no idea what kind of flowers Mira would like so I just went a safe option. Red roses.


    As the florist arranged the flowers, he asked if I wanted to write any thing on a card. I immediately said no. The flowers were enough.


    My mother sent me back to get one. And I had them write; "To my wife, I¡¯m sorry."


    It was easier than saying it with my mouth so I just went with it.


    I felt awkward putting the flowers in the backseat of my car. I had not done this in forever.


    When I went out on dates with Caterina, I had someone send flowers to her so they were impersonal but this was the first time I would do it myself no thanks to my mother.


    "This isn¡¯t a flimsy girlfriend. This is your wife. If you insist on her being your life partner, you have to try to not make her miserable in the process." My mother advised as we approached the mansion, patting my face softly as she got out of the vehicle.


    Her words stuck with me as she walked to her side of the house. We would meet up for dinnerter. Or not.


    I walked up the stairs with flowers in one hand. It was weird but it felt odd as I approached my bedroom. I low key wondered if I had to give it myself. Why couldn¡¯t I just get someone else to give it to her?


    <fne1e9> Discover more novels at Find~Novel</fne1e9>


    I could sense the bewildered stares as I walked past my staff. I didn¡¯t care to look at them. It would only throw me off.


    I got to the room and paused at the entrance. When I ced my hand over the knob, I exhaled.


    Here goes nothing...

 Chapter 51 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 51: 51 ~ Mira</h4>


    I settled into bed quite quickly after my return.


    I was surprised to see him turn his car around as the vehicle I was in was right behind him but apparently I did not need to apany him to wherever he was heading because the driver taking me sped ahead.


    I had just spoken to my brother, telling him toe visit because I had not seen him in a while. He seemed reluctant but after some insistence, he said he¡¯de around soon. Soon was not a specific date but at least I knew he had agreed toe around. If only he realized how much I missed him.


    I shut my eyes and plugged in my airpods, listening to some slow music from one of my favorite artistes, Adele. Her songs wrapped around me like a warm nket and somehow they helped me clear up my muddled thoughts.


    I was so caught up in this world of mine, I didn¡¯t hear Jacee in.


    I felt a tug at the nket wrapped around me and then I opened my eyes to meet his.


    He had one hand behind his back and he gestured for me to take out my airpods with his free hand.


    I sat up and did that, wondering why he was back so soon and already bothering me.


    "I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be here so early." I said. It wasn¡¯t even up to two hours since I got home.


    "I have something for you." He said.


    I sighed, assuming it was yet another mboyant designer gift.


    To say I was shocked was an understatement when he handed me a bouquet of roses.


    "For me?" I had to confirm.


    "Who else would it be for?" He said with a light chuckle.


    I picked up the card and read it. Was I dreaming or did I just read that he was sorry?


    I looked around for the camera. Maybe I was being catfished. In fact it was probably another one of the things he was doing for the public and all I had to do was post a picture to prove he was the doting husband and incapable of being a criminal drug lord.


    "Um, thank you." I managed to say, still figuring out how to process the gesture.


    "You¡¯re wee. I should not have been so aggressive over such a minor issue." He said.


    "You typically blow things out of proportion so I¡¯m not surprised." I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    "Not helping Mira."


    "Sorry." I whispered.


    I took a closer look at him. I had never seen him look so ufortable. This was the closest thing to an apology he could possibly give.


    "I have to head out now so I¡¯ll see you when I return." He said and walked away without waiting on a response from me.


    Typical.


    ~


    I was taking a walk to the kitchen when I heard the sound of a familiar voice. I almost thought I was imagining it until I went into the kitchen and saw Donna Carm in there talking to the chef.


    "Donna, I had no idea you were back." I said.


    "Hello, Mira." She said, giving me a small smile.


    To my surprise, she opened her arm for an embrace. I went into them, trying my best to mask my surprise.


    When we pulled apart she took a good look at me.


    "You look well. You¡¯re glowing in fact."


    I pushed strands of hair behind my ear as I looked away shyly.


    "I should be saying that to you instead. It seems like you had a wonderful vacation." I said, trying to return thepliment.


    "Oh yes I did. I almost didn¡¯t want toe back but my son would lose his mind without me being here when he¡¯s out of town."


    I paused.


    "He¡¯s out of town?" I asked in surprise.


    "Oh yes. He¡¯s going on an international trip. He didn¡¯t tell you?"


    I shook my head. "No. He only said he was heading out."


    She sighed, sounding exhausted. "Oh Jace. That boy never listens."


    "Do you have any idea when he would be back?"


    She shrugged. "You should know your husband by now. He¡¯s so unpredictable. But I hope hees back soon so you wouldn¡¯t be so lonely."


    I forced a smile. "Yeah, true."


    There was something about her tone that made it sound like I was being mocked but I could not outrightly point it out.


    "Let¡¯s sit outside and talk, shall we?"


    I swallowed. "Um,"


    "I don¡¯t bite Mira. Join me." She stated and walked off.


    I felt my heart pounding as I followed her to sit by the poolside.


    I took my seat opposite her as a maid served us some cocktails to sip.


    I watched her take a sip.


    I had no idea where this conversation would go and the fact that Jace wasn¡¯t even here to shield me from any form of drama made it worse.


    "I know you think I don¡¯t like you," she started off.


    "I never-"


    She tsked, wagging her manicured index finger. "Let me finish, Mira."


    I mped my mouth shut, waiting for her to speak.


    <fn9cf7> This text is hosted at find?novel</fn9cf7>


    "I still do not know exactly why my son married you. He doesn¡¯t want to tell me why. He doesn¡¯t even listen to me when it has anything to do with you." She continued, looking puzzled as she spoke.


    I listened with rapt attention, not letting my mind wander as she spoke.


    Her eyes stared into mine as she said, "I made him buy you those flowers today so he would think I¡¯m finally approving of this union. But the truth remains, that I don¡¯t."


    Her not approving of our marriage wasn¡¯t a shocker. Even I did not approve of it. But the flowers, that hit hard a little.


    "I have nothing against you as a person Mirabel. But you do not fit in here. You do not possess the qualities a Don¡¯s wife is supposed to have and he keeps shielding you from the reality of this world which is absolutely wrong on his part. But he never listens."


    I sat there wondering what exactly she was heading to.


    "I have an offer for you," she continued.


    I nodded, ready to hear it.


    "Give him an heir."


    Wait, what?


    ~To be continued~

 Chapter 52 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 52: 52 ~ Mira</h4>


    "I¡¯m sorry, what?"


    <fn50ff> Th?s chapter is updated by find(?)ovel</fn50ff>


    Her lips were in a firm line as she spoke.


    "You heard me. Give him a son or a daughter. He obviously wants nothing to do with a girl from a mafia bloodline and I understand that. So give him a child and regain your freedom or don¡¯t you want that?"


    "I..., yes I do, but-" I stuttered and she cut me off.


    "No buts Mira. There are sacrifices you have to make so you can live a good life. This is one of those times." She said.


    I was speechless. A wave of confusion hit me at once.


    "Are you on birth control?"


    I was thrown off by her direct question but I nodded and answered, "Yes I am."


    "Stop taking it. Seduce him at that time of the month and make sure he gets you pregnant."


    I was still processing what she said when she stunned me even further with what she said next.


    "I¡¯ll give you ten million dors to set up your life in another country afterwards."


    My ears rang at the mention of that sum of money. I found it unbelievable that she was willing to pay such a huge sum of money for me to leave her son after having a child for him.


    "Think about it Mira, I expect a positive response. All the odds are in your favor." She concluded and leaned back in her seat, sipping on her drink so casually like she had not just totally thrown me off bnce with her words.


    "Excuse me," I managed to say as I hurried inside.


    I went straight to Jace¡¯s bedroom and shut the door behind me as I leaned against it.


    Why did I have to be in the middle of chaos every single time? Why couldn¡¯t I just catch break for once?


    Donna Carm¡¯s words yed like a loop in my mind.


    "Give him an heir?" I heard myself reiterating aloud.


    I ced my hand over my stomach. Was I ready to carry a child for Jace or for anyone for that matter?


    What if he would not let me leave after having the baby. What if I was digging my own grave by doing such? Another thing was, what if Jace didn¡¯t want kids?


    Would I even be able to leave my child behind to start a life somewhere else?


    These thoughts gued me for the rest of the day and into the night. I couldn¡¯t sleep. I tossed and turned in bed, unable to let myself cross over to the point of unconsciousness.


    I sat up and even paced the room a couple of times.


    Having a child is a huge responsibility. But then a part of me knew this was my only chance to be free to live my life without looking back.


    ~


    The next morning, I picked up the bottle of birth control pills and stared at it.


    If I decided to stop taking it, it would take a bit of time for the effects to wear off.


    Jace and I did not have sex frequently and it only happened when he initiated it. Did this mean I would have to try to seduce him whenever I ovted? How was I sure he would give into it?


    Jace did things at his own will. He could not be cajole into it.


    I sighed, letting the confusion ravage me.


    A call interrupted my thoughts


    Speaking of the devil. . It was Jace.


    I picked up and ced the phone on loudspeaker.


    "Hey," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.


    "Mira."


    Something about the way he called out my name sent soft chills down my spine.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you were going on a trip."


    "It was sort of impromptu." He answered calmly.


    "Okay."


    "My mother told you?"


    I froze in that instant. Did he ask his mother to tell me to give him a child so I can leave?


    I thought about it and even though it made a bit of sense, it still sounded off because the offer seemed to being straight from Donna Carm and not Jace. He was not afraid of anything so I was sure if that was what he wanted, he would make me do it without requesting. Besides, he was the one who put me on these birth control pills I was considering getting rid off.


    "Mira, are you there?"


    I was jolted back to reality when he spoke.


    "What?" I said, trying to gather my thoughts.


    "She told you about my trip?"


    Silly me. Of course that¡¯s what he was asking about.


    I sighed. "Yes, yes she did. When are youing back?"


    "Missing me already?"


    I could feel his smirk from my end of the line.


    I rolled my eyes. "Of course not. I¡¯m just asking."


    "I have to go now. I have lots of things to do here." He said, sounding distracted.


    "You¡¯re in another country?"


    "In Switzend, yes."


    My mouth formed a circle as I said, "Oh."


    "Take care." He said and hung up before I could properly respond.


    I stared at my phone for a second and wondered if this was how I wanted to continue living. I was married to a man who seemed incapable of love. A man who would probably never see me as anything other than a trophy wife who gave him sex whenever he wanted it.


    He did not know me. I didn¡¯t know him. We were two strangers who were married and doing the nasty stuff couples did. There was nothing moreplicated than this.


    I wanted to be love and be loved. I didn¡¯t deserve any of this.


    I deserved a man who could apologize, a man I could have conversations with andugh till my belly hurts. I needed a man who could be my safe ce and one with whom every conversation would not seem like a power tussle.


    So if his mother¡¯s offer was my only ticket out of here...


    I was going to take the risk.

 Chapter 53 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 53: 53 ~ Mira</h4>


    Days had gone by. Jace wasn¡¯t back yet.


    I had been busy with a lot of things. From baking a few batch orders on my free days to heading to Navarro Constructions to shoot some PR videos with Ariel.


    On one side, I was still trying to get my brother toe visit because Jace wasn¡¯t around to scare him off.


    I had been avoiding Donna Carm, despite my decision to follow through with her n. I was not ready to admit the thought to anyone else but myself.


    Today was one of the days that I found myself in Jace¡¯s office at Navarro constructions.


    Ariel had just shot a video with a caption about me being the shy boss¡¯s wife and it was so urate because I was shy about being on camera even though I looked like a goddess. I was constantly mmed up to represent him properly. And from what I heard, the distraction was working as the media had stopped spilling dirty details about him. Everything now revolved around the fact that he¡¯s a newly married man with a pretty wife. A win is a win.


    "ording to your itinerary. It¡¯s Friday night and it would be nice for you to make an appearance at one of Mr Romano¡¯s club. You can visit the other ones week after week." Ariel announced to me.


    "Um," I immediately hesitated.


    I was not a clubber. In fact, I had only gone to the club a handful of times back in college and to be honest I did not enjoy the experience so much.


    "You don¡¯t seem very eager about the idea. We can just skip it." She said quickly.


    "Uh, no. I think I should go. I need to unwind after all."


    "Stressed?"


    <fndca8> For original chapters go to f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fndca8>


    "Very." I exhaled.


    "Would it be prying if I ask why?"


    I was quiet for a bit, practically staring into space. I had a lot on my te and I had no one to share my burdens. No close friends to speak to. With my new status as Jace Romano¡¯s wife, my walls had gone up even higher.


    "I¡¯m just worried about having a baby." I said with a sigh.


    Ariel gasped so loud, I was stunned. "You¡¯re pregnant?!" She squeaked.


    "No no. I¡¯m not!" I practically had to scream to my guard¡¯s hearing before they would snitch on me as usual to their boss.


    "Oh sorry." She immediately apologized, looking red at the cheeks.


    "It¡¯s okay." I assured her. Then I exhaled, wondering if this was a bad idea to share such information.


    "I¡¯m trying to get pregnant and I¡¯m just a little worried about it." I admitted to her trying to not go into full details.


    "Oh. Have you both visited the fertility clinic? You haven¡¯t been married up to six months so I don¡¯t think you should put yourself under any pressure. In fact, the best time to conceive is when you¡¯re not worrying about it so much."


    She didn¡¯t realize it but her advise was so profound. But the thing was I did not want to wait till a year to get pregnant. I wanted the process to be done and over with as soon as possible.


    "You and Mr Romano seem to have a lot of chemistry so I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll conceive naturally." She winked.


    I blushed. "You seem so sure about that."


    "I¡¯ve seen the way he looks at you!" She eximed, proceeding to fan herself with her fingers.


    "How he looks at me?" I was genuinely puzzled by that.


    "Yes. Like he wants to pin you to a wall and take you right there. I need to stop reading too many novels." Sheughed and I joined her.


    Our conversation immediately drifted to the viral books we had read and movies we had seen.


    It felt refreshing to have someone to speak to.


    It was the middle of our conversation that I decided it would not be a bad idea to head to the club that night. It was going to be a night of freedom without Jace breathing down my neck as usual. Once again, I was d he was away even though I had no idea when he was returning.


    With him out of town, his guards were not overly tense and strict with me and I absolutely loved the feeling of not constantly being watched.


    "You¡¯reing with me to the club right?" I asked Ariel.


    "Um I don¡¯t have anything to wear."


    "Let¡¯s go shopping then. I have my husband¡¯s card with me."


    I didn¡¯t think I would have a need to use Jace¡¯s card again but today was one of those days. I was taking Donna¡¯s advice and I was going to spend my husband¡¯s money now that we were still married because from the looks of things, I had limited time with him.


    Following the private elevator, we found ourselves down in the parking lot and the back of the Cadic Escde Jace had assigned for my use.


    We talked animatedly about anything and everything.


    We headed into a fancy fashion store and had the time of our lives shopping, sipping champagne and overall enjoying life. I had notughed like this in a long time and it felt so refreshing.


    All this made me yearn for my freedom even more. I needed to get pregnant and have that baby as soon as possible so I could live freely again.


    After shopping and dumping the bags in the car¡¯s boot. We were off to have dinner at a nice spot she rmended.


    We were practically waiting it out so we could change up and head to the club.


    I changed into a skimpy ck sequin dress while she opted for a in dark blue dress that rested above her knees. I felt like I was showing too much skin but she somehow managed to convince me that I needed to steal the spotlight as Jace Romano¡¯s wife, even though he was absent.


    We headed to the club shortly after.


    ~


    The ce was buzzing when we got in. It was the usual scene.


    I immediately felt overstimted and unsure if I could stay for long.


    The manager approached us as we walked.


    "Mrs Romano?" He called out to me.


    "Hello," I waved nervously.


    He shook my hand eagerly. "It¡¯s so nice to meet you, madam, finally. I¡¯ll show you to the VVIP section."


    I stared at Ariel, and she nodded.


    I needed to remember that I was married to the man who owned this massive space. I kept forgetting that.


    This was going to be an eventful night. I could feel it.

 Chapter 54 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 54: 54 ~ Jace</h4>


    Fine dining was one thing I enjoyed and while I was here in Switzend, heading from meeting to the other, I made sure to dine at one of the fanciest restaurants here.


    I was seated at my table, enjoying some nice food and wine, minding my own business and taking a break from all the various tedious activities that came with running the business whilst leaving Tomas to handle my mafia dealings until returned.


    "If it isn¡¯t the one and only Don Romano."


    That voice sounded way too familiar. And as I looked up, I fought back a groan as she catwalked towards the table I was having dinner at.


    "Are you stalking me now?" I asked with a brow raised, taking her looks in. She was stunning as always but that was not my business anymore.


    She scoffed. "You tter yourself too much Jace. You¡¯re not that important."


    "What are you doing in Switzend then?"I asked.


    "Work trip. The world doesn¡¯t revolve around you." She retorted.


    Yet here she was, taking a seat in front of me like I invited her to join me.


    I beckoned on the waiter to take her order, ignoring her eyes on me as I went back to my meal. She ced her order and continued staring at me.


    "Is there something on my face?" I asked, not looking up to meet her gaze.


    "There¡¯s something that should be on it. My lips."


    I smirked slightly. This woman never learned. She was still flirting with the enemy even when I was sure she was aware of the brewing storm between her family and mine.


    "Your father wouldn¡¯t like this." I reminded her.


    "I don¡¯t care about him, Jace."


    "I thought you¡¯re daddy¡¯s princess." I teased her.


    "You¡¯re the only one I wanna call daddy," she said, biting on her lower lip.


    I cleared my throat as I wondered how she still able to shamelessly flirt with me.


    Not gonna lie, I admired her outright behavior but she should have known better.


    "Youe from a family that respects vows, Caterina. I¡¯m a married man." I said with a drawl in my tone.


    Her long manicured fingers reached for my hand ced on the table and rubbed over it.


    "You always used to call me a wild cat. I don¡¯t y by the rules," she purred.


    I couldn¡¯t help but chuckle. If this was a ploy to seduce me and get info out of me (ssic move), it was not going to work.


    "Interesting," Imented, bored by her not so subtle performance of seduction.


    "You know you want this Romano." She said cockily.


    "I don¡¯t."


    Sheughed. "Look at you trying to y the loyal husband. All for a woman who is doing the opposite."


    She muttered thest part but I heard it loud and clear.


    My brows scrunched up. "What did you just say?"


    She smiled slowly, picking up her phone, then she tapped on her screen and slid the phone to me.


    I immediately picked it up to get a closer view of whatever she was showing me.


    The video made my eyes go red with rage.


    What the actual fuck?!


    Pushing Caterina¡¯s phone back to her, I got on my feet immediately and stormed out of the restaurant, hearing herugh behind me. I did not care about her mockery right now.


    ~


    As I got into the back seat of the car that was to take me back to my hotel. I felt myself shaking in rage.


    This was a scandal. Picking up my phone, I was furious as I put a call across. I dropped the phone shortly afterwards.


    In fact, a call wouldn¡¯t cut it. I needed to see her myself and yell some sense into her. Was she trying to tarnish my image?!


    <fna499> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? Find~Novel</fna499>


    This was exactly why she did not deserve any form of freedom. I gave a bit of it and she took it too far.


    Caterina had sent the video directly to my inbox, aggravating me even more.


    I put a call across to my pilot immediately.


    "Get the jet ready. We¡¯re heading back to New York immediately." I said.


    "Yes boss."


    No questions asked. That was how I liked it.


    Getting to my hotel, I picked up my suitcase and dashed back down, telling the driver to take me to the private hangar where my jet was parked.


    Even though there was no way I could meet her up and drag her out of that club, I just had to be there as soon as I possibly could.


    The drive was smooth until I was few minutes away from the hangar. There was a strange road block.


    I was no kid. These weren¡¯t ordinary goons.


    I picked up my gun and cocked it, keeping it by my side.


    I asked the driver to slow down as we approached.


    One of the dudes d in ck knocked on my tinted window and asked me to wind down.


    I did.


    "Hello sir."


    "Hello." I answered, gauging his stance.


    "Would you mind stepping down so we can discuss further?"


    I shook my head. "I¡¯m all ears. How may I help?"


    "We have a message from Kazimir Volkov,"


    "Shit!" I cussed, dodging the bullet that shattered the ss on the other window. I shot the bastard straight who tried to kill me straight in the head with the speed of light.


    How dare he think I would be so easy to get rid off? I felt insulted.


    It was a full blown shootout from my soldiers against them.


    My driver was killed and one of my guards was injured but the three rivals sent to eliminate me were killed in no time.


    I sighed as I took out the body of my driver and drove the car with damaged windscreen down to the private airstrip.


    Kazimir, the head of the Volkov Bratva (Russian Mafia) had messed with me at the worst possible time. He was allies with the Castillos after I rejected one of his botched up offers. He used Caterina to set me up.


    Oh they were so fucked!


    As I got on the ne, it was obvious I was not going to cool off on the flight either.


    I sat in my chair and stared straight at the clouds, my breaths were ragged. I craved the smell of blood like a bloodthirsty demon.


    "By the time Ind, someone¡¯s going to bleed for this."


    And that person better be ready.

 Chapter 55 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 55: 55 ~ Mira</h4>


    I woke up with a terrible hangover. I could barely remember anything from the previous night. I only knew I was pulled out of the club probably by one of my guards and I vaguely remembered how we dropped Ariel off at her apartment.


    I groaned and sighed as consequence of all my drinking hit me. I shouldn¡¯t have gotten carried away like that but Ariel whom I wrongly assumed was levelheaded like me was actually a wildcard. It was a wild night for sure.


    I lost count of how many shots I took. I remember opting for champagne but she convinced me to take some tequ shots instead. The adrenaline kicked in and I decided to let loose until the memory of whatever was happening around me wiped from my brain.


    I found my way to the bathroom and washed my face. I could finally see clearly after that. Then I spotted the ss of water and painkillers ced by my bedside. They began their work after a few minutes and I felt some relief.


    I took a quick shower and found myself back in bad. There was food ced on the coffee table in front of the couch in the room. They must have brought it in while I was in the bathroom.


    The thought of eating made me want to throw up so I decided against it until I could put myself together. I shut my eyes and soon started drifting into some sleep because I was still very exhausted.


    I don¡¯t know how long I had slept but I was jolted awake the hard m of the room door. I opened my eyes in shock. Why the heck would anyone bang the door like that?!


    I sat up and my eyes widened.


    "Jace? You¡¯re back?" I said, rubbing my hands over my eyes.


    "It¡¯s Don Romano." His tone was colder than ice.


    <fn4f32> Chapters first released on find?novel</fn4f32>


    What had his panties in a bunch this time? I wondered.


    "I didn¡¯t know you wereing back." I said.


    He took steady strides further into the room.


    For some reason, my heart dropped in fear. He looked like there was a dark cloud over his face. He was furious.


    What could have possibly happened on his trip?


    I watched him take his phone out of his pocket, click on something and shove it in my face. My hands flew to my mouth. It was a video of me practically twerking on some random guy whose face wasn¡¯t clear.


    "Jace, I-" I tried to exin.


    He stopped me with a raise of his index finger.


    "I gave you a bit of freedom. The freedom you always fight me over and this is how you choose to repay me?"


    I could feel my heart race. His tone was deadly. It was the kind of calm that was dangerous.


    "Answer me!"


    I flinched. "No, no! I was drunk. I had no idea what was going on. I promise I don¡¯t even know that guy!" I exined quickly, feeling myself shiver in fear.


    But it seemed like he was not listening to anything I was saying. He walked towards the door and locked it. He even locked the bathroom and pocketed the keys.


    I swallowed, watching him move around silently. I could hear my own heart beat in my ears. In steady strides, he walked into the closet and reappeared a few secondster, holding a box.


    He set the box down in front of me.


    "I¡¯m going to let you choose your punishment."


    "Punishment?"


    "Don¡¯t make me repeat myself, Mira. You¡¯d regret it."


    I stared at the box and gasped. I was shivering at the sight of the BDSM instruments contained in it.


    It was at that point I realized I was in deep trouble.


    He already had the ck blindfold in his hand waiting for me to pick from the box. There was a vibrator, the riding whip, a ball gag, leather cuffs, some lube, gloves and wipes.


    What was I supposed to pick from when I didn¡¯t want any of that?


    "Five seconds,"


    I could literally hear the clock ticking in my mind.


    "Time up."


    "The cuffs. I choose the cuffs!" I said desperately.


    "Toote. You¡¯re going to be punished however I choose."


    "Jace please,"


    My plea fell on deaf ears as he tore my pajamas off me. I felt the cold air from the air conditioner kiss my skin and I shivered even more.


    He cuffed both my hands to one of the bed posts above my head and tied the blindfold around my eyes.


    "You¡¯ll feel everything and see nothing." He said in my ears.


    I tried to pull myself free but I knew it was pointless.


    His fingers trailed over my skin and then went down and spread my folds, ying with them. I bit on my lower lip to fight back a moan.


    Then all of a sudden, he spanked me so hard, I screamed. The spot he hit began to smart.


    "You can¡¯t enjoy being punished sweetheart." He rasped, pinching my nipple. I hissed at the pain.


    Not being able to see him made this experience worse for me.


    I could feel him hovering around me. Then, out of nowhere the whipnded on my back.


    I screamed. I struggled to free myself as the sting burned.


    "Jace please."


    He didn¡¯t listen. In fact he whipped me again.


    "You want to dance with other men huh? I¡¯ll show you who you belong to."


    I whimpered when the third whipnded on my butt.


    His fingers wrapped my throat as usual and his kiss was rough. It was filled with so much anger, I wondered if he was this pissed because I was at the club or it was something else.


    "We¡¯re supposed to have a safe word." I whimpered softly.


    "Not today you don¡¯t." He growled, choking me in the process. "Who does this body belong to?" He asked me as the vibrator came to my clit.


    "You-" I said in between gasps of pleasure and pain.


    "Say it." He insisted, pushing the vibrator further into my clit.


    "You, Don Romano."


    "Good girl."


    I couldn¡¯t help but moan as my orgasm came close and just when I was about to reach my high, he took the vibrator away.


    "You cum when I want you to."


    ~To Be Continued~

 Chapter 56 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 56: 56 ~ Mira</h4>


    This was torture. I was losing my mind with every tease, every touch and every whip.


    The pain had given way to some form of sick pleasure and I found myself wanting him to fuck me. Hard.


    I wanted to feel him inside me so bad.


    <fnfa69> Fresh chapters posted on Find?Novel</fnfa69>


    "Jace please," I begged, not exactly knowing what I wanted.


    He uncuffed one of my hands and I felt free, hoping he would release the other one but I was in for a ride. Literally.


    Without warning, he entered me from behind. I gasped as he slid into me, holding on to the mattress as each thrustnded harder that thest.


    My legs were shaking and I was trying to catch my breath as he fucked me hard.


    He spanked me at intervals, dirty talking in my ears from time to time and it made me crave him more. This was the wildest thing I had ever experienced and sick as it sounded, I wanted more of it.


    I was close to my high when he pulled out yet again.


    "Beg for it." He ordered, teasing my clit. I flinched.


    "Please!"


    "I can¡¯t hear you."


    "Please daddy!" I yelled as much as my voice could allow me.


    "Who owns this pussy?" He asked.


    "You." I whimpered as he teased me with the tip of his cock going in and out of me.


    The spanked my as and firmly grabbed my hips.


    "Who do these hips belong to?"


    I bit on my lower lip before I answered, "You, daddy."


    "That¡¯s right. So no man should be able to touch what¡¯s mine!" He growled and mmed into me yet again.


    His thrusts were deep and soon I cummed all over his cock.


    He came soon after, pouring everything into me. I sighed in satisfaction when he pulled out.


    He uncuffed me and carried me to the bathroom. As usual.


    It wasn¡¯t until the water touched my back that I felt my skin burn. I couldn¡¯t help but burst into tears as he washed me up.


    Jace did not utter a word as I cried. He just gently scrubbed my back, rinsed me up and wrapped me in a towel afterwards.


    I was sobbing as heid me on my belly and applied ointment on my wounds.


    He fed me soon after that, still not speaking. I opened my mouth as he spooned the food in. He stopped and wiped my tears every now and then. I wondered if it was his own way of apologizing for how rough he was with me.


    "You have pretty eyes." He said, looking into my eyes like he was caught in a trance, while he tucked me in for a nap.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he was bipr. Wasn¡¯t he the man who tried to ruin me barely an hour before? How was he this kind and sweet person who moved from hitting me to washing me up, treating my wounds and making sure I was fed?


    To top it off, he wasplimenting while putting me to sleep like a child.


    It was an absurd experience.


    "Thank you," I managed to say in response before shutting my eyes to sleep.


    It was one of the best sleeps I¡¯d ever had.


    I had no idea how long I had slept but when I opened my eyes, he was not in the room. I had no idea where he went.


    I got out of bed after a while, wanting to head downstairs for the first time all day. Somehow I found myself going in the opposite direction towards his home office instead.


    There, I overheard him on the phone sounding furious.


    "Kazimir and the Castillos messed with me at the worst possible time!" He thundered, pacing the room.


    "They sure have some nerve. But you need to calm down."


    I was wrong about him talking on the phone because when I took a small peek into the office, I saw that his mother was standing there trying to calm him down.


    "Mother can you believe they sent three hungry looking goons to try and get rid of me? Me?! The Don Romano. I have never been so insulted in my entire life!"


    I sped my palm over my mouth. He just survived an assassination attempt. That was why he was so angry and he decided to take it out on me?


    Why did I have to be the one to bear the brunt of his anger? I winced as the wounds in my back began to hurt again.


    "You have to calm down." Donna Carm repeated.


    "I can¡¯t stay calm. This is war." He stated vehemently. I had never heard him express that much anger in his voice.


    "Don¡¯t take the bait."


    "What the fuck are you talking about?!"


    "Language young man." Donna Carm snapped.


    "Apologies," I heard him mutter.


    "All this would not be happening if you had simply married Caterina and joined our families!" She yelled back at him.


    I swallowed. Donna Carm still wanted him to marry Caterina and now I saw why.


    I heard him groan in frustration.


    "Again with this! You think the Castillos would not try to overthrow our empire from the inside if I had married Caterina. You really they¡¯re to be trusted? They¡¯re better off fighting us from the outside than being the enemy within."


    I was shocked to find out that the Castillos were his core rivals. Now it made perfect sense why he did not go ahead and marry his ex. They both had concrete reasons.


    "You¡¯re too stubborn. Whateveres out of this is on you Jacopo." She said.


    "Don¡¯t call me that!"


    I flinched at the way he yelled at his mother. It seemed like the name had triggered something and the awkward silence that came afterwards confirmed it.


    Having heard enough, I scurried away from the door and slipped into his bedroom.


    When he came back into the room, he took one look at me and asked,


    "What did you hear?"


    Oh shit.

 Chapter 57 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 57: 57 ~ Jace</h4>


    It was strange but I felt her presence when she came towards my office.


    <fnc802> Read full story at Find?Novel</fnc802>


    My suspicions were confirmed when I spotted her scurrying away after I yelled at my mother.


    "I didn¡¯t hear anything." She lied.


    "Mirabel, don¡¯t make me punish you for lying this time."


    She swallowed. "I didn¡¯t hear too much. I promise."


    Recalling how she was weeping like a child after I hit her a couple of times, I decided to let it slide. Just this time.


    "Go down and eat dinner." I ordered.


    Without question, she got on her feet and hurried out of the room before I could change my mind.


    I almost chuckled. So she had it in her to be obedient after all?


    Interesting.


    I picked up my keys and headed down to the garage.


    When I slid into my vehicle, I saw how bloodshot my eyes were. I hadn¡¯t slept. I barely ate. I was mad.


    Tonight I was going to take a long drive around the town in a car no one could recognize - my Ranger Rover Vr.


    I checked out the weapons in differentpartments and they were all intact.


    I ensured none of my guards apanied me. I wanted to drive solo. I could take care of myself without the unnecessary attention.


    My first stop was Tomas¡¯s home.


    I made my way up the elevator to his apartment¡¯s floor. I rang the doorbell as soon I got to the door of his apartment.


    "Don?" He seemed startled by my presence.


    That was expected. I didn¡¯t tell him I wasing and of course I came alone, which was kind of unusual.


    "Can Ie in or do you have a naked woman in there you don¡¯t want me to see?" I asked with a hint of mirth in my tone.


    He chuckled, opening the door wider so I could let myself in.


    Just as I expected he had a woman in there, d in lingerie.


    "Lina, excuse us." He said to her and the curvytina girl catwalked in the direction of his bedroom letting us have some privacy.


    "Can I pour you a drink?" He offered.


    "I need one." I said with a curt nod as I looked around.


    We had simr tastes so it was dark themed just how I would like any space without blinding bright colors.


    "Is this about Volkov?"


    I clenched my fits as attempted hit refreshed itself in my memory.


    "That bastard tried it with me and he¡¯s not going to survive it."


    "You need me to send some of our men there to get rid of him?" He asked.


    "That would be the easy way out."


    "Don¡¯t tell me you want to do it yourself, boss." He had a look of disapproval on his face as he said that.


    My ego was bruised. I could not imagine that him and the Castillos thought it would be that easy to get rid of me. I needed to prove to them that they were messing with the wrong person.


    "I need you to contact his second inmand. I want us to talk." I said.


    "Boss with all due respect. I don¡¯t think this is a good idea. Remember what Don Vittorio taught us. We fight the war, not the battles."


    I mmed my palm on the counter, rattling my ss in the process. "They are crossing the line with me Tomas. I have to show them who¡¯s the boss!"


    Tomas sighed.


    "I understand you, Don. But this is simply a bait. They could be leading you into a trap. Think of your mother, think of Mira, they don¡¯t want you dead."


    I paused and let myself think at the mention of the women that mattered to me.


    "So what do you suggest we do?"


    He leaned over the counter and spoke in a low tone. "We lie low. Let our subordinates handle them while we build and n for an outright elimination of all their bloodlines."


    I pondered on the thought for a couple of minutes. I did not want to look weak or like a coward but I guessed he was right. I needed to fool them while I nned my death blow.


    "I want a party."


    "A party?"


    "Yeah. Something to take the edge off." I winked, raising my ss at him.


    He nodded in understanding. It was going to be a good one.


    ~


    I left him shortly after that and continued my drive around the city.


    Even though his advice had pacified me a little, a part of me still wanted a bit of revenge.


    So I drove by myself to one of the Castillo¡¯s warehouses downtown.


    I parked at a safe distance and watched as they guards roamed the ce. I knew they had cameras all over the ce so I came prepared with my mask.


    I picked up my gun as I got down from the vehicle and approached the wired fence in steady strides. I aimed directly at one target after the other. I had put my silencer on the gun so as I shot all that could be heard was the dropping of bodies to the ground with a hard thud.


    I heard their rm bells go off as I ran towards my car. I practically jumped in as I heard some shots behind me.


    I sped out of there in no time.


    And just to rile them up a bit more, I picked up my burner phone and ced a call to the police with their exact location. Don Castillo was going to receive some interesting calls by morning.


    It was way past midnight by the time I drove into my mansion¡¯s premises. The house was as quiet as a graveyard as I climbed up the stairs.


    Mira was asleep.


    I made my way to the bathroom and sat in the tub for as long as I could.


    And when I finally garnered the courage, I bit into a towel and dug into my arm taking out the bullet that had gotten into it.

 Chapter 58 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 58: 58 ~ Mira</h4>


    I stretched and yawned as I entered the bathroom. I had slept so deep, I had no idea if Jace returned the previous night from wherever he went to.


    "Good morning." I said even as I was stunned to see him in there with a bandage around his arm.


    Knowing how much he hated it when I asked him certain questions, I decided to keep quiet and wait for him to leave.


    "What are you waiting for?"


    I hopped on one feet, almost feeling like I was going to pee on myself.


    "I need to pee." I said, pointing at the toilet.


    "So?" He arched a brow.


    "Well," I gestured for him to leave without saying it.


    "I have seen every part of you Mira, peeing shouldn¡¯t be an exception."


    I swallowed. This was about to get really awkward.


    I slowly walked to the toilet and sat on it, feeling his eyes on me, I refused to look up. But when I did, his eyes were fixed on the mirror in front of him.


    I let myself pee with my eyes closed all through.


    By the time I opened my eyes he was gone. How the hell did I not hear him leave? I wondered.


    He was like a ghost.


    I flushed and washed my hands. Then I decided to brush my teeth.


    ~


    I heard him groan as soon as I came out of the bathroom. Out of curiosity, I went to check on him and saw the first aid box as he tried to dress his wound.


    "Can I help you with that?" I offered nervously, awaiting his rejection.


    "Yes," he rasped, looking straight into my eyes.


    I was stunned by his positive response and not waiting to allow him change his mind, I got closer to him and checked the wound.


    "Is this a bullet wound?" I whispered.


    He nodded.


    I didn¡¯t want to ask how he got it. It was obvious that he got into something when he drove outst night.


    Slowly, I picked up everything I needed to dress the wound. I had a little knowledge about first aid treatment so I applied it to ensure the wound was not infected.


    I wrapped it with a clean set of bandages when I was done. It felt odd to be so close to him when we weren¡¯t having sex. The chemistry felt different with us doing something so normal.


    "All done," I said when I finished only to see him staring down at me, my lips specifically. I stared at his too.


    I don¡¯t know how I got the courage to, but I pulled his face towards mine, egging him on to kiss me full on the lips. I knew he wanted to. I wanted him to.


    His lips crashed into mine in no second. I moaned into his mouth, feeling a sense of fulfillment like it had scratched an itch of mine.


    I tried to deepen the kiss when an unruly interruption came as a knock on the bedroom door.


    We stood there for seconds staring into each other¡¯s eyes. I tried to fish out what it was his eyes were saying. They looked warmer than anything I¡¯d ever witnessed with him.


    "The door," he said, clearing his throat.


    I nodded, not exactly moving as quick as I was supposed to because my eyes were still on his. It took him looking away for me to get back to my senses.


    I scurried out of the closet and opened the door to the bedroom.


    "Good morning ma¡¯am."


    It was one of the staff.


    "Good morning." I said, hoping he would not take note of the fact that I was blushing red as a tomato.


    "There¡¯s someone here to see you."


    I frowned. "Me?"


    "Yes. Your brother-"


    "Ahhh!" I screamed, not letting her finish whatever she wanted to say.


    Disregarding the fact that I was still in my pajamas, I sped downstairs.


    He was standing there looking ufortable in the middle of the living room as I rushed in.


    "Roberto!" I screamed yet again.


    I practically jumped on him and him being the stronger sibling, he caught me. I hugged him like my life depended on it. I had not seen him in forever.


    "Oh my goodness look at you!" I eximed, holding his face in my hands as I turned it in different directions.


    It felt surreal to see him again for the first time in months. I couldn¡¯t believe thest time I saw him was at the wedding.


    "You look well." He responded with a soft smile.


    "You do too." I said, fighting back the tears that were about to run down my face.


    I made him sit while I gave him barely any space.


    "How have you been?"


    "Certainly not the same without you." He said after a long sigh.


    "Is that why you¡¯re keeping a beard?" I teased, rubbing on his goatee.


    He chuckled.


    We got engrossed in different conversations, talking animatedly as we typically did.


    It wasn¡¯t until hisughter stopped midway that I noticed we had a visitor.


    Of course it was Jace. He was no longer shirtless but dressed in a ck t-shirt paired with ck joggers.


    We both got on our feet instinctively.


    "Hello Roberto." Jace said to my brother. His face was expressionless.


    "Don Romano," Roberto said with a curt nod.


    "Nice of you to visit us." Jace said, beckoning on me toe to him with a move of his hand.


    I tried to move and surprisingly my brother held me back.


    "Roberto, what are you doing?" I said in a low tone through gritted teeth.


    He held on tighter. Was this boy trying to lose his life or something?


    "Let go. Now." I ordered him and reluctantly he let me go to Jace.


    <fn73f7> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? F?ndNovel</fn73f7>


    I stood by my husband¡¯s side and shivered slightly as he put his arm around my waist possessively.


    I watched them stare each other down. It seemed like a power tussle between two men over a woman they loved. Only in this case, it was my brother, who loved me more than anyone else, and my husband, who held on to me like a prized possession and nothing more.

 Chapter 59 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 59: 59 ~ Mira</h4>


    "Join us for breakfast."


    Us. That sounded unfamiliar to my ears. It sounded odd in fact. Jace made it seem like we were a team. Like I meant something more to him that the woman he married for his own gratification.


    I guessed I was overthinking it so I decided to let the thought go as I waited for my brother to say something in response.


    Speaking to him with my eyes, I implored him to be polite and give a positive response.


    "Sure," he managed to say in a clipped tone.


    I subtly sighed in relief. A win is a win.


    "This way,"


    Holding my hand, Jace led the way to the dining area and we took our seats in awkward silence.


    As usual, I sat next to Jace at the head of the table. Then I made my brother sit next to me as we continued our conversations in quieter tones.


    Jace was quiet as always and focused on his meal. I wondered if Donna Carm was going to join us but considering the fact that I had been avoiding her as much I could, I would prefer if she didn¡¯t.


    We soon began to eat. The meal would have been awkward but for the fact that I kept trying to keep my brother upied. Jace and I hardly spoke so I did not have to worry about him.


    I spoke too soon.


    "Who do you work for now, Roberto?" Jace asked out of nowhere. The smile on my brother¡¯s face disappeared.


    "I don¡¯t think that¡¯s any of your business."


    "Roberto!" I whisper yelled. What the heck had gotten into him?!


    He looked at me with a frown. "What? I don¡¯t owe him anything."


    I pinched his arm. "Stop it." I gritted out.


    "You should listen to your sister. She¡¯s the reason you¡¯re still alive."


    I swallowed, hearing the underlying warning in Jace¡¯s words.


    Roberto on the other hand was not backing down.


    "You stole her freedom. You are a heartless monster!"


    Jace got on his feet and I could feel my heart drop in trepidation.


    "Enjoy the rest of your visit." He said and thankfully walked away much to my relief.


    I smacked the back of my brother¡¯s head as soon as Jace was out of sight.


    "Ow!" He eximed, rubbing on the spot I just it.


    "Have you lost your mind?!" I scolded him. "Do you have any idea the kind of trouble you could have put yourself in?"


    I almost shivered at the thought of Jace punishing me for my brother¡¯s behavior. Oh god I was in big trouble.


    "Am I in trouble or are you?"


    His question silenced me.


    His eyes widened. "Is he hurting you?"


    "You need to go." I stated firmly.


    He was obviously stunned. "What?"


    "You heard me."


    "What has he done to you?!" He sounded frantic.


    I did not respond, I simply had him escorted out hating how his joyful visit turned sour very quickly.


    "I¡¯ll get you out of here!" I heard him scream as the two guards practically carried him out of the house.


    I wiped my eyes with the back of my palm, fighting back my tears as much as I could. This was not the time for them.


    I made my way upstairs. When I checked the bedroom, Jace wasn¡¯t in there so my next stop was his home office. Luckily I found him there.


    I knocked on the door and went in after he beckoned for me to enter.


    "I¡¯m sorry about my brother." I said, going straight to the point.


    He looked at me for a long moment and I felt like the ground should open up and swallow me.


    "Sit."


    "I don¡¯t think I want to."


    <fne125> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? findnovel</fne125>


    "I¡¯lle to you instead." He stood on his feet.


    Instinctively, I took steps back until he trapped me against the door.


    "I know your brother thinks he can free you from me."


    I shook my head quickly. "No-"


    "Don¡¯t even think about trying to cover up for him." He warned.


    I immediately mped my mouth shut.


    My eyes were closed tightly as he grazed my face with his cold fingers.


    "He can try." Jace whispered as his fingers went around my throat. "But you¡¯re mine, Mira and no on can take you away from me." His grip tightened and my eyes widened as they stared into his.


    A sudden wave of boldness hit me and I found myself kissing him. Maybe it was a ploy to distract him but I enjoyed this a little more than I was supposed to.


    Not letting him take the lead this time around, I let my hands go to his pants. I pulled them down and went on my knees.


    My eyes stayed on his as I took his full length in my mouth. His grip around my hair tightened and I heard him groan as I teased the tip of his cock.


    I gagged on it, rubbing on it with my hand as I went back and forth on it.


    When he cummed, I swallowed every drop.


    But I wasn¡¯t stopping there. I needed him to get me pregnant as soon as possible. I did not want my brother taking matters into his own hands.


    I got on my feet, stripped and tried to get him to the couch so he could take me.


    He paused for a second like he was contemting something.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry about your arm," I said, gesturing at his wound.


    He still seemed hesitant but he sat on the couch anyways.


    I sat on his cock, biting back a moan as it slid into me. Then I rode him like a a pro in between gasps, groans and hot kisses. It was intense. I was indeed a woman on a mission.


    After several minutes, I felt my orgasm hit and he came almost at the same time. I felt him want to pull out so I sat still until I was sure he had spilled everything inside me.


    I got off him after, panting tiredly.


    He held my hand as I tried to walk towards his bathroom, making me stop and look at him.


    "Mira, what are you up to?"


    I froze.

 Chapter 60 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 60: 60 ~ Jace</h4>


    There was something about the way she boldly took me on that suggested something deeper than the surface. She could not be that horny.


    She was either trying to distract me from her brother¡¯s mess up or there was something else.


    "What do you mean?" She asked me, sounding innocent.


    "It¡¯s nothing. Go clean up. I¡¯ll join you soon."


    She turned and I was tempted to smack her ass.


    I waited until she was out of sight before picking up my phone.


    "I need you to keep an eye on Roberto Valente."


    "On it boss." The person on the other end said. I hung up immediately after and joined her in the bathroom afterwards.


    She seemed to be so lost in thought she did realize when I walked in.


    A part of me wanted to ask her what was going on in her head but I did not need her thinking I was developing too much of a soft spot for her. She would take it for granted. I had already broken enough rules for her. I even let myself kiss her like my life depended on it.


    When she noticed my presence, she was so startled she almost slipped. I caught her.


    I felt my cock stir again.


    I thought about the pain in my arm and thought ahh fuck it. I had been through worse.


    I pinned her to the wall as the water from the shower drenched us. Raising one of her legs, I slid a finger in.


    I loved seeing her shut her eyes and throw her head back as I pleasured it her. It was so sexy to watch.


    Her raised leg went around my hip pulling me closer. I bent down and took her nipples in my mouth. Her moans were like music to my ears. Every sigh, every gasp and every plea for more felt like a melody.


    I pulled back and choked her as I slid into her wet pussy. She tightened around me and I groaned, enjoying the feel of her walls around my cock.


    I moved slowly trying to torture her so she would beg for it.


    "Say my name."


    "Daddy-"


    "Look at me."


    Dazed, she looked into my eyes as she whimpered.


    I pulled out almost totally and mmed into her hard.


    "Jace!" She screamed.


    "It¡¯s daddy to you." I growled in her ears, going as fast as I could.


    I hit it as hard as I could until her moans escted to screaming.


    I was panting too as I held her face in my hands until I spilled all my seeds in her yet again.


    There were no words said she cleaned up, stepped out of the bathroom and eventually left my office.


    I looked at the door long after she left. Whatever it was that was troubling her, I would find out sooner orter.


    For now, I had more pressing matters at hand.


    ~~~


    I adjusted my cufflinks and stepped out of the ck McLaren as a valet opened the passenger door for Mira. She came out ofthe vehicle, dressed in ck silk that hugged her like sin. I didn¡¯t say a word, but my hand found her lower back. A part of me was tempted to pull her aside and do nasty things to her in that dress.


    She looked around nervously. It was obvious she still didn¡¯t know what this ce truly was. Not yet.


    "Smile," I said under my breath, watching as the cameras caught us stepping through the golden entrance. "You¡¯re on Romano ground now."


    And indeed it was buzzing.


    Low jazz notes were ying in the background, blending into the rhythmic sound of slot machines as well the sound of calctedughter from the patrons.


    From the outside, it looked like a luxury hotel, discreet and prestigious. But inside, it was all power. Mine.


    Her eyes darted around, wide but trying to stayposed. Good. I needed her nervous. I needed everyone to know she was mine.


    My injured arm was hidden well under my jacket as I walked into the casino tonight. No one needed to know that I was injured.


    Inside, the floor was glittering under soft golden lights. Dealers in white shirts and vests ran games at every turn. Wealthy men with fat cigars and showy cufflinksughed over poker. Women draped in diamonds leaned over tables like felines waiting to strike. Waitresses weaved through the crowd, trays bnced, hips swaying. No one looked innocent here. Not even Mira.


    We passed the ckjack tables and I felt all eyes on us. Her especially. But I paid them no mind as we headed to the upper floor¡ªVIP only. The guards there didn¡¯t need to ask. They stepped aside as soon as they saw me.


    "I thought you said this was just a casino," Mira whispered, eyeing the private rooms behind smoked-ss doors.


    I slowly nced at her before responding.


    "It is," I replied. "Mostly."


    I could feel her shiver at the word. Good. Let her wonder.


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    Inside my private suite, it was quiet. Velvet walls, polished dark wood, crystal sses already set. The surveince feed blinked silently on the wall behind the bar.


    "Have a seat." I poured her a drink, then one for myself. "No guards in here. Just us."


    She perched on the edge of the couch, too aware of her surroundings. Her eyes moved toward the wall of monitors. She was trying to understand theyers. She always did.


    "You own all this?" she asked.


    I nodded. "Every table. Every coin. Every debt collected."


    Her lips parted like she wanted to ask something, but didn¡¯t. Smart girl.


    I walked to her slowly, letting the weight of the room press in on her.


    "You¡¯re not just here for the view, Mira. Tonight, they see you with me. That means something."


    "Like what?"


    "That you belong to the man who owns the shadows in this city."


    Her eyes narrowed. She hated when I talked like that.


    "Don¡¯t look at me like I¡¯m a monster," I said, brushing a strand of hair off her face. "I brought you here so you know exactly who¡¯s protecting you. And who you belong to.


    It was a subtle warning to whomever she was plotting with to gain her freedom. I ran the show and if I said she was not going anywhere. I meant it.


    She didn¡¯t reply. But I felt her pulse quickened under my fingers.


    Somewhere downstairs, someone cheered over a jackpot win.


    In here, silence reigned. Tension thick enough to wrap around us.


    I tilted her chin toward me.


    "Don¡¯t ever forget where you stand, Mira. This isn¡¯t just a casino. It¡¯s a war zone ¡ªand you¡¯re sitting beside the general."


    I needed her to remember that.

 Chapter 61 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 61: 61 ~ Mira</h4>


    I felt out of ce here. I was sticking out like a sore thumb watching him drink and watch everything happening downstairs like a hawk.


    I had never been to a Casino before and my saving grace was the fact that I was married to the man who owned this ce.


    I was so relieved when Ariel was brought in after Jace stepped out briefly to deal with some ¡¯business¡¯.


    "Hi Mrs Romano." She waved at me.


    "Just call me Mira. I haven¡¯t seen you in a bit." I said with a slight grin.


    "Yeah," she chuckled nervously. "I received quite a stern warning after the clubbing experience."


    "Oh," I shut my eyes, hating how horrible the oue of our night of fun was. "Sorry about that," I apologized.


    "Oh no it¡¯s my fault. That video wouldn¡¯t have leaked if not for my carelessness. Mr Romano had to pay quite a sum to get it cleaned up."


    "Wow," I sighed. I had no idea it was such a big deal. "Well, I¡¯m d that¡¯s over."


    "Me too."


    "Would you like to have a drink?" I asked, already beckoning for the waiter toe and take her order.


    "Anything soft would do. I¡¯m not trying to lose my job."


    "You won¡¯t." I found myselfughing even though I was quite surprised she still had it after what happened. My first instinct after she stopped reaching out to me was that she had been fired. To say that I was shocked to see her was an understatement.


    "He¡¯s asked for me to take pictures and videos of you two."


    "I thought the media ploy was over."


    She shrugged. "I¡¯m only following orders ma¡¯am."


    "Alright then. He¡¯ll be back soon."


    <fnf041> The rightful source is find{n}ovel</fnf041>


    Jace came in momentster, barely acknowledging Ariel as she saluted him.


    "Let¡¯s get this over with." He muttered.


    My eyes trailed back and forth between them. It was obvious he was still mad about the clubbing incident while Ariel on the other hand was still walking on eggshells around him. I med myself for all of this. I was too reckless, enjoying too much of the freedom Jace had given me. I practically shot myself in the leg with that because now I was back to being held under his tight rein.


    Ariel guided us in our poses. She said we should look as natural as possible but all that meant was tension. Jace and I were never rxed around each other and tonight she saw it first hand. Maybe she had begun to see that this marriage was a hoax and there was no romance anywhere.


    At the end of the photo op, I checked out some of the pictures and videos she took and to be honest we looked like the perfect aesthetically pleasing couple even though we were nothing like that. He was a messed up gangster and I was his ything for whenever he wanted a release and even though I enjoyed parts of it, there were times I felt like washing his hands off me.


    I felt his eyes on me and I looked up. Our eyes met and that was the signal I needed to follow him to his office and get myself banged over his desk.


    A part of me enjoyed his this risque kind of sex but it would have been better to be doing all this craziness and exploration with someone I was madly in love with.


    I really hoped I would get pregnant soon, have his baby and be free from all of this.


    I shut my eyes waiting for it to be over. Once again, he released everything inside me and when he spanked me, I jumped, not expecting it.


    Picking up a wipe form god knows where, he cleaned me up and helped me arrange my dress.


    "Ready to go?" He asked me.


    "If we were going to leave, why didn¡¯t you just wait till we got home?"


    He smirked. "Where¡¯s the fun in that?"


    I didn¡¯t find it funny. I simply swallowed and looked away.


    He had rang it in my ears that I was his possession. I was an object to him so he could obviously do with me whatever he wanted. I had no right toin or struggle. It was pointless doing that because he would never let me win.


    When got to the presence of other people, I stood up straight and forced a in face. No one needed to see how sad I was. It would give a wrong impression of the idea we were trying to sell to the public. So I kept it together and looked straight ahead as he guided me through the casino cing his palm on the small of my bare back. His touch felt like it burned. I was tempted to shake it off but I couldn¡¯t.


    The stares that followed as we moved were countless. I felt the scrutiny and judgement as we walked. But I also felt the fear and respect they had for him as the boss. It was intense.


    I was so grateful for the fresh air that hit my face as soon as we stepped out of there. I felt so suffocated with the smell of strong liquor and cigarettes. It was choking. I never wanted to be in such a setting again but I id not have much of a choice if he decided to bring me here.


    I waved goodbye to Ariel as she got into her uber. I was not going to be seeing her often as Jace had officially stopped me from going to his office in Navarro constructions. I missed my chance at freedom. I really blew it.


    I was seated at the back of the vehicle with him. He obviously couldn¡¯t drive because of his injury. Typical of me, I stared out the window as the vehicle moved.


    "You¡¯re quiet."


    "I¡¯m always quiet." I said, barely above a whisper.


    "Hmm." He hummed and said nothing else.


    Two years, I thought.


    I sat there, concluding in my mind that I had all I had to give him was maximum two years of my life before this shit show would be over.


    It was more than enough.

 Chapter 62 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 62: 62 ~ Mira</h4>


    If there was anything I knew about men like Jace, it was that they liked traditional women.


    If I was going to win him over, I had to devise a foolproof n to lure him in.


    When we got home that night, that was all I could think of.


    I had to make him think I had epted my fate and was going to stay forever. That was the only way this would work without any hint of suspicion.


    I had to do everything he wanted. I needed to be his damsel in distress who always needed saving just so I could massage his ego.


    This was way out of my character but I was going to do it anyways. Anything to break myself free.


    I started off my cleaning up after him despite the fact there were helps avable to get it done.


    One time, he had just had dinner in his home office and instead of letting a help get the tes when he was done, I went in there and did it myself, much to his surprise. Of course he refused at first, stating that he had workers for this exact reason but with a smile on my face, I insisted and he eventually let me.


    I nursed his gun wound by myself until his hand was totally healed. I did not speak until I was spoken to and whenever he wanted me to get in bed, I did it without question, pretending to enjoy the sex more than I actually did even when it was a good bang.


    ~


    On this particr morning, I got into the kitchen to prepare his meals myself. I woke up earlier than him and found myself in the kitchen with the chef as he was starting up breakfast.


    "Good morning ma¡¯am. Can I help you with something?" He asked, looking visibly surprised that I was in here so early.


    "Good morning. Well, yes." I said.


    He nodded. "Anything ma¡¯am."


    "I want to make my husband¡¯s meals from now on." I announced.


    "Ma¡¯am?"


    "I¡¯m not trying to take your job I promise," I said quickly.


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    I watched him sigh in relief, biting back my own chuckle. It was so early and I had made a grown man¡¯s heart race.


    "Okay, that¡¯s a relief."


    I let myselfugh a bit.


    "I just need to know what he likes and know how to make them. You can cook for everyone else but I just want to handle his meals."


    "No problem ma¡¯am." He agreed.


    I washed my hand and joined him shortly afterwards, listening to him passionately talk about different recipes and how Jace liked some particr meals. I took note of everything as he spoke and even typed some on my phone.


    When that was over, I decided to start with what I do best - baking. I baked a simple loaf of banana bread for Jace to have for lunch. I packed it up in a lunch bag with some other stuff for him.


    When I gave the lunch bag to him after his breakfast, he could not hide his surprise.


    "Here you go," I said, handing to him with a grin.


    "What is this?" He asked with his typical frown.


    "Your lunch."


    "Lunch?" His brow arched.


    "Yes," I nodded.


    "Why...?"


    I ced my arms around his neck, pretending to arrange the nonexistent creases on his cor.


    "I just thought about how skinny you¡¯ve been looking. You haven¡¯t been eating well and you look so stressed." I pouted, rubbing on his chin.


    "Um, thanks?"


    It sounded like a question but I responded anyways.


    "You¡¯re wee." I said, nting a peck on his lips before waving him off. "Have a nice day!"


    He walked away slowly. I could tell he was fighting the urge to look back at me.


    I smiled in fulfillment. Slowly but surely my n was working.


    "You seem to be learning fast,"


    I was startled at the sound of Donna Carm¡¯s voice. Apparently she had been watching me for a bit, seated at the table. To be honest, I did not even remember she was in the room watching all this unfold.


    "I don¡¯t understand." I feigned confusion.


    "I¡¯m sure you know what I¡¯m talking about." She said with a lopsided grin.


    "I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about." I maintained.


    "I hope you¡¯re resilient enough to finish what you¡¯ve started."


    I frowned, confused at what she was getting at.


    "What?"


    "Men like Jace are hard to love but when you fall, it¡¯s even harder to let go." She said slowly.


    My scowl went deeper. Who said anything about love? This was a game.


    "And when men like him fall in love, they would never let that woman go no matter what stunt she pulls. It¡¯s either him or no one else."


    I let myself ponder on her words for a bit.


    "Donna, I still don¡¯t know what you¡¯re driving at." I denied.


    She chuckled and nodded, biting into her sandwich.


    "All I¡¯m saying is that you should be prepared for anything. Make sure you win this game you¡¯re trying to y."


    I said nothing else to her as I walked away. There was nothing to say anyways. She would just keep going on speaking in proverbs and parables. I did not have time for that.


    But her words had unfortunately taken root in my mind and I had to do everything to shake off the feeling that she was right.


    What if Jace falls in love with me and refuses to let me go, soiling all my ns in the long run? That would be horrible.


    I did not think it was possible for me to fall for him. There was nothing about his character I wanted to fall in love with. He was attractive and very wealthy no doubt but that was it. He was unkind and unnecessarily brutal. I could not imagine myself spending the rest of my life being married to someone like that.


    And his mother was wrong for thinking he¡¯s capable of love. He was as cold as ice and had the heart of stone.


    And for that reason, he was not deserving of the love of a woman like me.

 Chapter 63 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 63: 63 ~ Mira</h4>


    "We have a party."


    I looked up from the book I was reading as he came in. Of course, no pleasantries, no endearments, just straight to the point as always.


    "A party? Okay." I answered. No questions asked.


    "Is there anything particr you¡¯d want me to wear?"


    "Red. I wanna see you in red,"


    There was something about the way he rasped that out that made me blush slightly.


    "Alright. When is it?"


    "Tomorrow night."


    I sighed in relief. At least he told me a night ahead and didn¡¯t just drop it on me impromptu. That seemed like progress to me.


    "What are you wearing?" I asked him, trying to make small talk.


    <fn373a> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? Find?Novel</fn373a>


    "Hmm?"


    "What are you wearing?" I repeated.


    "Um, a tux maybe." He shrugged.


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll look good. As usual." I said.


    He paused and stared at me, barely hiding his surprise.


    "Yeah, I guess."


    I smiled and went back to focusing on the book in my hands, probably leaving him puzzled with my change of attitude.


    ~


    My hands were shaking as I held on to the test strip. My period had been dyed for a day or two, so I immediately assumed that my n was already in motion.


    The ten-minute wait felt like hours. I just wanted to get it over with.


    I shut my eyes and kept heaving deep breaths as I waited for the results.


    My hope fizzled out when I saw the negative line. So all that work in the previous month was pointless. All that bending infortable positions yielded no results. I did not have it in me to be positive today after this. I puffed out some air, feeling my negative emotions build up.


    I knew I could try again, but what if it did not work out? What if I was infertile or something?


    "No, no," I shook my head vigorously, trying to caution the thoughts in my head. I had to stay positive. Who knows how the second month would turn out? I just needed better timing. Maybe.


    I trashed the strip and its box in the trash can. I had gone through the trouble of sending one of the helps to get it from a pharmacy. I closed my eyes tightly at the thought of her snitching to her colleagues that I was likely pregnant. That would be very awkward.


    The next time I needed something like that, I would go and get it myself.


    I heard the room¡¯s door open just then. I froze as the footsteps stopped at some point.


    "Mira?"


    I heard him call my name. I sighed, fighting back tears as I realized that this whole pregnancy disappointment meant more time with him. This was going to be a difficult night.


    "Mira."


    I nearly jumped as he opened the door.


    "Why are you crying?"


    I touched my face instinctively. The tears I thought I was fighting were actually rolling down my cheeks.


    I immediately shook my head. "Um, it¡¯s nothing. You¡¯re back early." I pointed out, trying to change the topic.


    Thankfully, he took the bait.


    "Of course I am. Tonight¡¯s the event." He said.


    "Yeah." I said through a sigh and followed him as I walked out of the bathroom.


    "You have a couple of hours. Your makeup artist should be on her way already." He stated, looking like he was searching for something in one of the drawers.


    "Okay." I nodded again, sitting in front of the mirror.


    "Is there something wrong?" He asked me.


    I looked at him through the mirror. I saw the genuine concern in his eyes.


    "I am."


    "Mirabel, I hate it when you lie to me." His voice was stern.


    "I¡¯m fine I promise. It¡¯s just period blues." I lied.


    "Oh. Take it easy then." He said, letting his cold exteriore back.


    "I will,"


    He walked out of the room afterwards. I had a feeling tonight was going to be an interesting one even though I had no idea what the party was about.


    ~~~


    The makeup artist and hair stylist arrived in a few hours and did their thing. By the time they were done working their magic, even I knew I looked out of this world.


    But I did not have the time to appreciate the whole look before Jace called for me to join him.


    He appreciated me with his eyes, wrapping his arm possessively around my waist, I admired how dashing he looked in his ck tux and his hair was slicked back smoothly. He looked nothing like a thug or gangster, he seemed like the perfect gentleman.


    I knew thepliment was on the tip of his tongue but he was fighting it. The hungry look in his eyes told me I was soon going to be in his bed and he may not even wait for us to return.


    He led the way to his Ferrari that would be taking us.


    As expected, he practically flew on the highway. I just wanted to get to the venue in one piece.


    Walking into the hall, my eyes widened immediately. His pictures were all over the ce.


    It was my husband¡¯s birthday and I had no idea??? What the actual fuck?!


    I looked up at him in shock. I was sure he felt my stare on him but he looked ahead like there was nothing going on.


    I was d in a backless crimson red gown with a plunging neckline that dipped just enough to tease as well as a sultry thigh high slit as well. The silky fabric was shimmering under the dim lighting and was paired with ck stilettos that made clicking sounds as I walked. My hair fell to my shoulders in thick waves as my face shined through with the bold makeup. Around my neck, I wore a delicateriat ne, paired with simple diamond drop earrings. My wedding rings, recently cleaned shed as well. I looked good and I was well aware of it.


    I didn¡¯t know it was his birthday. But looking like this... maybe I was his gift after all.

 Chapter 64 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 64: 64 ~ Mira</h4>


    This was the part I hated. The unnecessary and unabashed staring. I had learned to perfect my poker face but it did not make it any less ufortable that these people were gawking at us.


    Yes, he was the celebrant and we looked like a couple straight out of a magazine but this kind of staring was not needed.


    Ariel came towards us and I let out my first smile of the evening.


    "Hey girl," I said, pulling my arm away from his so I could hug her.


    "Hello Mrs Romano," she said wiggling her brows. "You look spectacr!"


    "Thank you."


    "Your pictures are going to eat tonight!"


    I grinned happily for once looking forward to the gorgeous pictures that I would have at the end of the night. Maybe I was actually getting used to this.


    "Happy birthday sir," she said to Jace.


    I turned to look at him and he simply nodded and looked away.


    I smiled apologetically on his behalf at her and she nodded like she was used to it.


    I pulled him closer as we posed for some pictures together. The other photographers had gathered around us like it was a red carpet show with the paparazzi all around.


    This event was certainly going to make it to the news.


    Jace pulled me closer and leaned in like he was going to kiss me. I felt my bones turning to mush as I ced my hand on his chest for bnce.


    The way he stared into my eyes... it felt raw and deep, almost like there was no crowd that we were performing for.


    Snap out of it Mira. You¡¯re getting carried away.


    I had to warn myself.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me it was your birthday," I said, arranging his cor and bowtie out of habit as he wrapped both arms around my hips.


    The hand cement was enough to give me an orgasm. I needed to focus.


    "I thought you knew." He said, softer than he typically would.


    "Of course I didn¡¯t. You nned a whole party without letting me know." I frowned.


    "Technically, I had other people n it. I only paid."


    I rolled my eyes slightly. "Same difference."


    "Do you need me to make it up to you?" He said in my ears in a sultry whisper. I grabbed his arm tightly.


    Did this man forget we had an audience or something?!


    I was thankful my makeup was covering up my blush. It would have been a different story if otherwise. Imagine me blushing like a schoolgirl in front of all this people.


    "You didn¡¯t even let me get you a gift. I would have done that if I knew." I said, genuinely feeling bad for not finding out earlier.


    I was still trying to win him over, I should have at least done my research. Silly me.


    "Don¡¯t worry about it Mira." He said, nting a kiss on my temple as he pulled my hand and took us away from all the cameras. The photo op was over. I was led to the table I was designated to sit with his mother seated next to me.


    I watched as different people came to pay her homage. From what I had noticed, she was more feared than the Don himself. She must have been more dangerous than I gave her credit for.


    "You two make a beautiful couple," she said over the music.


    I held in a breath, knowing she was going to eventually drop a bombshell.


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯d make beautiful babies as well."


    There it was. I slowly let out the breath I was holding through my mouth.


    Her eyes trailed down to my t belly.


    "Nothing yet?"


    I shook my head nervously. "Nothing."


    "Stay positive." She said, tapping on the back of my palm.


    She got up and walked over to a group of women whom I assumed were her friends.


    I felt the pressure mount on me again. I really needed to conceive as soon as possible. I needed this to happen fast.


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    I looked around the finely decorated hall. It was filled to the brim with people of timbre and caliber but for some reason, I had feeling that there was something else going on here.


    There was a bit of tension. It seemed to be normal for people in their world but for me it was thick.


    There were performers doing their thing on the stage, I recorded a few of them. There was slightedy andughter caused by the event¡¯s anchor.


    Jace came back to the table and stood by me as they sang him a happy birthday. He barely cracked a smile as everything went on.


    Sir, it¡¯s your birthday, at least smile for a minute!


    I shook my head at him as we sat down. How could anyone be so stoic? I was basically smiling on his behalf at intervals.


    Then there was a round of toasts starting with Donna Carm as she praised her son for being a hard worker. And how he has steered the empire in the right direction since his father¡¯s passing over a decade ago.


    The crowd of course apuded all that. Then it was Tomas¡¯ turn. I had waved at him across the room when we came in and he waved back. He seemed too busy for us to chat like thest time.


    He said a lot of nice things about Jace. It was proof that no matter how terrible you are as a person, there would always be someone who would say something nice about you.


    I was handed the mic at some point. I tried to turn it down but the anchor insisted that I say something. I was put in a tight spot.


    Slowly, I got on my feet and faced him. He looked at me for a bit and I took his hand in mine, intertwining her fingers all for show.


    "Well," I smiled, aware of every eye on me. "He is a difficult man to figure out sometimes. But underneath all that steel and silence is someone who is fiercely loyal."


    I looked around for a bit before my eyes fell on him again. "He protects me. And maybe that¡¯s the most anyone can ask for in this world. Happy birthday my husband." I concluded.


    There was a slight apuse amidst some murmuring. Jace squeezed my hand slightly as I sat down as if to say good job.


    The night was seeming ending on a good note until someone got up to give a toast. I felt Jace stiffen beside me for a second.


    This strange man said a lot of things and then his conclusion was where the chaos began.


    "Cheers to the past, the present... and the blood we owe."


    It felt like a dream when a bullet went through his chest immediately after that and he fell over his table, shattering the the tes on it to pieces.


    I froze in shock.


    What stunned me even more was the fact that everyone else seemed unfazed by it.


    I looked around, expecting a shootout or something but there was nothing like that.


    Jace got up and raised a toast. Everyone else raised their sses as well. My hands were too shaky to hold anything after all I just witnessed.


    "Mission aplished. Cheers!"


    "Cheers!" They echoed.


    The night ended with me once again realizing that I was indeed married to one of the most dangerous men in the world.

 Chapter 65 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 65: 65 ~ Jace</h4>


    "You were perfect tonight." I said to her as we got into our bedroom.


    She had been extra quiet after what happened at the party. It wasn¡¯t unexpected.


    Mira was yet to get ustomed to my world and what went on, in it.


    "Um, thanks." She responded, looking absentminded.


    "Enjoyed the party?" I asked for the sake of it.


    "I was at first," she said, shutting her eyes. "until..." she trailed off.


    "That¡¯s how the underworld works Mira, you¡¯ll get used to it."


    "But..."


    "He was the guy who tried to have me assassinated." I exined even though I typically did not have to.


    "Oh," her mouth formed a circle.


    "What about his guards?"


    I chose to not respond to that. While the party was going on, I had Tomas slyly eliminate his guards one after the other. We had this all nned out.


    It sounded crazy but the point of the whole birthday party was for him. Kazimir took the bait too quickly. It was too easy. He was dumber than I thought and it showed when he sent three puny men to kill me. Dumb fuck. The Russian mafia deserved a better leader and I had in fact given them a better opportunity.


    There was no way they could retaliate because they came for me first. In fact, he infiltrated my party so he had iting.


    I knew it would trigger the Castillos even more but at least they would know I was not to be yed with no matter what. Their turn wasing.


    I took off my jacket and removed the cufflinks on my shirt. Mira walked over and helped me put them in the closet.


    There was something suspicious about her change in behavior for the past few weeks. I needed to find out what it was.


    I went into the bathroom. I needed to wash all that gel off my hair so I reached for the product counter to pick up my shampoo. It slipped from my hand and fell directly into trash can. I picked up and paused.


    My eyes weren¡¯t deceiving me. It was a DIY pregnancy test kit. For the first time in a long time, I felt a bit of fear. Was Mira pregnant?


    I picked up the used kit. It had one line which meant it was negative. I sighed in relief. There was no way Mira could be pregnant unless...


    She stopped taking her birth control?


    She wouldn¡¯t dare.


    But what it was affecting her way too much and she needed to take it?


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    She should have told me instead so we would get the doctor to rmend something less severe.


    "This woman," I muttered under my breath.


    I¡¯d deal with thatter.


    ~


    "Boss,"


    I pulled Tomas into a bro hug as we celebrated at my office in the warehouse the next day.


    "You did well, my brother." I said, giving him hard pats on the back.


    He spearheaded everything and the assassination was seamless.


    "Have the bodies been evacuated?"I asked.


    He nodded . "Every single one of them. Currently in transit to their homend."


    "Perfect."


    I smiled at the thought of a mafia don being transported via a cargo ne amongst other bodies. The most befitting insult even in death.


    "They would most likely retaliate. Them and The Castillos."


    I shrugged. "It¡¯s pretty simple. We stay ready for them. But today we celebrate."


    I picked up the finest bottle of wine in the bar and he picked up the sses. I popped the bottle and poured the content into our winesses.


    Then with triumph in our gazes, we cheered to more victories.


    ~~~


    My phone rang while I was bent over on my seat, deeply engrossed in reading through some documents.


    The caller ID made me let out a groan. Why would he of all people be calling me?


    "Uncle Ricardo," I said coolly as I picked.


    "d to know you still saved my number," came his sarcastic response.


    "To what do I owe this honor?" I responded even more sarcastically.


    "You killed Kazimir. Impressive." He hummed in approval.


    "You know he tried to kill me." I said.


    "Hmm. I heard."


    "Great."


    "You had a party and you didn¡¯t think to invite your family. The same way you did not invite us for your wedding." He sounded usatory but I didn¡¯t mind.


    "It was quite impromptu." I said, referring to my wedding. But for the party, I did not see any reason for them to be there. They only brought along more toxic energy. The room was filled with a lot of darkness already, I didn¡¯t need theirs. Left to me, I could go years without seeing or speaking to any of them.


    "Interesting. I¡¯ming to America soon."


    That announcement messed with my head a bit.


    "What for?"


    "I need to see how you run my brother¡¯s legacy."


    I exhaled, trying to keep my voice in a steady tone. "With all due respect, I do not need a chaperon. I have been doing this for years with no supervision whatsoever."


    "That was before you started making emotional decisions instead of strategic ones."


    I clenched my fist, knowing what he was driving at. He had to right to bring my wife into this. It had been months since we tied the knot. They all just had to get over it at this point and stop insinuating some bullshit they knew nothing about.


    "I don¡¯t need you here." I insisted.


    "I don¡¯t need your permission Jace, I only called out of courtesy. Your mother knows I¡¯ming."


    I felt even more enraged at that. Why would she let hime without my permission?!


    "Enzo and I would be there in a few days."


    Could this get any worse? He wasing with the one cousin that pissed me off to no end. What the fuck!


    Shutting everything down, I stormed out of the warehouse, heading straight home.


    The drive was faster than usual because I sped towards the mansion furiously. Maybe I should have just called but face to face confrontations were better.


    I barely responded to my staff salutes as I practically marched into the house after parking my vehicle. I was headed straight for the wing my mother lived at.


    She was home, thankfully.


    I saw her in her kitchen pouring herself some tea.


    "I was expecting you." She said calmly. That riled me up even more.


    "Why would you let Uncle Ricardoe here without asking me first."


    "He¡¯s family, Jace."


    "Does it look like I give a fuck about that?"


    "Language boy. Remember who you¡¯re talking to."


    I swallowed, letting myself remember that asides the fact that she¡¯s my mother, she is also the feared Donna of the Romano family.


    "I don¡¯t appreciate you constantly undermining my authority." I stated.


    "That was not my intention."


    "Then what was it?!" I snapped.


    "You need to get your emotions under control. You¡¯re slowly losing focus and you need someone to keep you on your toes." She said before sipping from her teacup, staring straight at me as she did.


    My brows furrowed as I asked her. "Is this about Mira?"


    "Who said anything about her? Is she the only one who is capable of making you feel too much?"


    I knew my mother. That question was rhetorical. There was nothing I would say that would make her deviate from her mindset so I was simply going to let it be.


    I turned and stormed out of there. I approached my side of the mansion in steady strides and a stern face.


    I was passing the dining room when I heard a familiar voice.


    "Mr Romano?"


    I paused, letting the sound of her voice that felt like honey ring in my ears.


    I took a good look at her. How was she d in an apron and simple house clothes but looking sexy at the same time?


    "You¡¯re back early." She pointed out.


    "Yeah." I rasped, clearing my throat afterwards.


    She smiled and I swear it almost knocked the breath out of my lungs.


    What is wrong with me? I thought to myself, panicking a bit. I shook it off and approached her at the dining table.


    "I baked you a cake for your birthday." She said, pointing at the cake covered in ck icing and silver writing.


    "Oh,"


    "Yeah, it¡¯s in your favorite vors, red velvet and chocte."


    "Nice." I sighed. I let my finger trail over the icing and then I put it in my mouth looking straight into her eyes.


    Snapping my finger at one of the kitchen staff, I said;


    "Bring this upstairs."


    Then I took Mira¡¯s hand and made her follow me.


    I needed a distraction.

 Chapter 66 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 66: 66 ~ Mira</h4>


    I could feel my body shake in anticipation as he took my hand. I knew that look in his eyes.


    The cake got to the room before us, set on the coffee table in front of the couch.


    The staff that brought it up scurried off immediately.


    He took off his leather jacket and dropped it carelessly on the bed. I watched him take the knife and cut into the cake, taking a small bite with a fork. When he was done, he came to me, holding my face with both hands, he kissed me roughly letting me taste the burst of sweet vors on his tongue.


    I moaned into the kiss, fiddling with his belt as his hands roamed every part of my body.


    I thought we were moving towards the bed but he turned and carried me to the couch instead.


    I took off my top and joggers, left only in my underwear as he smeared his fingers with a ton of icing.


    "Take them off," he ordered, referring to my undies.


    With my eyes still locked on his, I unhooked my bra and threw it at him. I did the same with my panty. He caught it and something about the way he sniffed it did something to me. I found myself moaning without his touch. I was slowly losing control.


    With slow precision, he rubbed the icing over boobs, especially teasing my nipples.


    He leaned over me on the couch as Iid sideways, stopping his weight from pressing down on me. He took one of my nipples into his mouth and let his tongue trail over it.


    I felt my eyes roll to the back of my head as my mouth stayed open.


    With his clean hand, he dipped his index finger into my wetness. My moan came out as a whimper as he fingered me and sucked my nipples simultaneously.


    He came up and kissed me and I sucked on his lips hungrily. When he went back down, I felt him lick every bit of icing off me.


    But just when I thought he was about to unzip and let his cock slide into me, his phone rang. The shrill sound interrupted and even though I wanted to pull him to myself, I knew it was not my move to make.


    He picked up the phone and I watched his face change from a neutral expression to slight worry and panic.


    "I have to go," he got up.


    I didn¡¯t realize when the whimper of disappointment escaped my throat.


    "But we aren¡¯t done." I said.


    "The authorities are trying to invade one of my warehouses Mira. I need to go." He said, sounding slightly upset.


    I swallowed and nodded. His exnation was valid but I was already too turned on.


    He buckled up, slid his jacket on and rushed off, leaving me out in the cold with not even a goodbye kiss.


    Why was I even expecting something like that?


    It was just sex. There was no love here.


    I needed to stop getting carried away and focus on the game I was ying at.


    Getting on my feet, I went into the bathroom to wash off every reminder of all that just happened minutes prior.


    And when I was done with that, I found myself back in the room eating the cake I had baked to seduce my husband. It had worked exceptionally well by the way but it didn¡¯t go all the way due to unfortunate circumstances.


    ~


    My period cameter that evening which meant there was no trying for a baby for the next couple of days. I huffed and puffed in frustration. I couldn¡¯t wait for it to be over.


    I didn¡¯t see him for the rest of the night. I just sat there, taking one slice after the other from the cake until I slept off.


    When I woke up in the morning, he obviously wasn¡¯t here. I did not hear hime in, in the middle of the night either.


    This meant I was not going to be prepping breakfast for him as usual or making lunch but a part of me wondered where he was and if he was able to sort things out with the authorities.


    I took a quick shower after brushing my teeth, then I slipped into my gym wear.


    Without being allowed to go anywhere else or work as usual, the gym was the only ce I could burn out the extra flesh I had gathered in thest couple of months. And though the fat entuated my curves, I wanted to be as fit as possible.


    I saw Donna Carm on my way to the indoor gym.


    "Do you know where your husband is?" She asked me, not bothering to respond to my greeting.


    "Uh, no?"


    "I thought you were trying to y the doting wife." She sneered.


    I was taken aback my her jab. Did I actually do anything wrong?


    "He¡¯s in police custody!" She eximed.


    I flinched in shock.


    "He did mention something about the authorities raiding his warehouse, I didn¡¯t-"


    She cut me off. "Go and wear something appropriate. You¡¯reing with me to the station. Quick!"


    I practically jumped as she ordered me to. I went to the closet and forck of a better thing to wear in such haste, I picked up a simple brown maxi dress, threw it over my head and slid my legs into matching Hermes slides. Then I sprayed few puffs of my perfume over myself, I did not carry a handbag, just my phone as I hurried downstairs.


    Donna took a brief look at me as I joined her in the back seat of her vehicle.


    "Untie your hair."


    "Hmm?"


    She gave me a stern look. I quickly picked up my phone and used the dark screen as a mirror. My hair was still wrapped up for the gym so I untied it and allowed my fingers run through it to free the waves.


    The ride was filled with awkward silence. I had never ridden with her to anywhere, not even when she was nning our wedding. It felt weird. I was even scared to breathe.


    Arriving at the station, I saw Jaceing out of there. It seemed Tomas had already bailed him out as they walked side by side.


    Faking my concern and of course choosing to y the doting wife, I jogged towards him and gave him a hug. I¡¯m sure he was surprised.


    "Are you okay?" I asked, touching his face. He looked like he had barely slept and a part of me actually felt bad for him.


    "I¡¯m fine. Why are you here?" He asked, looking confused.


    "I had toe with Donna." I replied.


    "You didn¡¯t have to. It¡¯s sorted."


    <fnd3f2> This content belongs to find~novel</fnd3f2>


    "But why did they arrest you though? Did they find anything?" I asked.


    "This is not the time for such a conversation." He shunned me and then turned to Tomas. "Let¡¯s go."


    "You¡¯re noting home?" I still went ahead to ask.


    He ignored me and walked to his mother who was talking to the officer in church.


    I felt so embarrassed. Why was he being so rude and cold when I was simply just concerned about his wellbeing?


    "Don¡¯t think about it too much. He¡¯s just upset and he¡¯lle around." Tomas said from behind me.


    I looked at him and forced a smile as I nodded.


    Jace was never going toe around and I knew it.

 Chapter 67 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 67: 67 ~ Mira</h4>


    As expected, he did note home with me and his mother. He left with Tomas to God knows where.


    I let myself stay distracted with the few baking orders I had from my customers.


    My brother had texted me on my way to the station and I told him I¡¯d be able to have them delivered by evening.


    After thest time we met, our conversations had gone cold. I was even surprised when he texted me out of the blue.


    I made the batches of cookies and cupcakes, as well as a tray of brownies for the respective customers and I asked him toe around with my branded packaging boxes.


    I had to tell the security to let him in.


    When I walked out of the kitchen to meet him, we stayed with our eyes locked on each other for several seconds. And then I slowly opened my arms for him to get into. Looking up, I blinked back the tears I wanted to cry. He would always be my baby no matter what.


    "Don¡¯t do that again. Okay?" I scolded him in a pouty voice.


    He nodded. "Okay. I really missed you."


    I sighed. But then the words reyed in my head.


    "Wait so those orders are fake?" I questioned him. I swear I was going to kill him if I made me go through all that stress because he wanted to see me.


    He shook his head quickly. "No they¡¯re not. I just told them that you have special days for delivery and today was one."


    "You¡¯re so silly!" I said, pinching his cheek and heughed.


    "I¡¯m sorry about what happened thest time I was here." He apologized.


    "It¡¯s fine. Let¡¯s put that behind us. Just be nice the next time you see my husband." I told him.


    "I¡¯ll try. I hate him though."


    I was tempted to say ¡¯me too¡¯, especially after the stunt he pulled earlier.


    "I know," I said instead with a sigh.


    Roberto gave me a onceover. "Why are you wearing a big dress? Are you pregnant?"


    I gasped, smacking his arm in the process.


    "You should never ask a woman questions like that!"


    "Ouch!" He eximed rubbing on his arm. "But you¡¯re my sister, I deserve to know."


    "First of all, don¡¯t do that with any other woman because they might not take it lightly. Second of all, if I¡¯m pregnant, you¡¯d be one of the first persons I¡¯d tell."


    His eyes went as wide as tennis balls. "Wait, you n on having kids with that heartless man?!"


    I quickly covered his mouth, shutting my eyes in frustration. Why was this boy hell bent on getting me in trouble all the time?!!!


    "Shh. Don¡¯t yell. These walls have ears!" I shushed him,


    "Right, sorry," he whispered.


    "Well to answer your question...yes." I said relcutantly. "But it¡¯s for a reason!" I added quickly before he would yell again.


    "What the heck is the reason? I still can¡¯t wrap my head around the fact that he even touches you like that."


    He looked like it was about to puke and it made me even more amused.


    "Well what do you think he married me for?" I asked with an eye roll.


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    "That bastard." He gritted out.


    I looked around and whispered in his ear, "His mother is willing to help me get out of here if only I can give him an heir."


    "Are you serious?"


    I nodded.


    "So how long is that going to take?" He asked again.


    I shrugged casually even though the questioned bothered me. "I have to get pregnant first, then I can start calcting."


    "Oh."


    For some reason I did not want to tell him about the ten million dor offer. I knew that if I did, anytime I got cold feet, he would remind me of the money so I chose not tell him. At least not yet.


    "I¡¯ll go and pack up." I said, getting on my feet and picking up the packaging boxes. I could tell he had more questions and I was trying to avoid them.


    I took my time, packing everything andbeling the clients¡¯ orders with their names. Afterwards, we loaded his car with every package while I urged him to drive carefully as he left after giving him a tight hug. I¡¯d be seeing him the same time the next week.


    I stood outside long after he left, just letting the fresh air touch my skin. I didn¡¯t even realize when I found myself sitting on the steps leading into the house.


    I just sat there with my chin in my hands staring into space. There was no specific direction for my mind as it traveled. I let myself reminisce on my life before now.


    It was not perfect but it was peaceful. I never had to watch someone die, except...


    I shut my eyes tightly to dispel the thought. Gory memories like that had been buried at the back of my mind for years now. I shut that door and buried the keys and I wanted it to remain so forever...


    The gates opened at the moment and a vehicle sped in and stopped in front of me in a matter of seconds.


    Jace got out, looking new in a fresh outfitpared to what he had worn when I saw him that morning.


    "What are you doing out here?"


    "Um, my brother just left so..." I trailed off.


    "Roberto was here?"


    "He had to help me deliver some packages." I exined quickly.


    "You¡¯re still taking baking orders?"


    So many questions, I thought.


    I hesitated. "Well...yes."


    I tried to read his expression to know what he was thinking but it was stoic as usual.


    "Get in so you don¡¯t catch a cold." He said and walked off.


    I didn¡¯t realized how cold it was until he mentioned it. That¡¯s what happens when you¡¯re in your head too much.


    I went inside and found him looking for something in a drawer.


    "Is there something you need?" I asked him.


    "Yeah. I¡¯ll find it soon." He answered me halfheartedly.


    "Okay." I said, focusing on my phone.


    "Mira,"


    I looked up. "Yes?"


    "I¡¯ll have your things moved to the room across the hall. You¡¯ll be staying there from now on."


    My ears rang an rm as he said that.


    "What? Why?"


    "No questions." He immediately said like it was supposed to keep me quiet.


    Well, not this time.


    "Jace you can¡¯t just move me around like a cargo. Besides when I wanted to move the first time you didn¡¯t let me!" I snapped. I was done acting like a doting, obedient wife at this moment.


    "You are my wife and you do what I say. If I say you¡¯re moving to the room opposite the hall, you do that. If I need you, I¡¯lle to you or make youe to me!" He enunciated every word like he was speaking to a child.


    "So that¡¯s all I¡¯ll ever mean to you?" I asked, letting the hurt in my voice show.


    "What?"


    "I¡¯m not your wife. I¡¯m your whore with a wife title." I stated and walked away, not waiting for his response if he would even have one.

 Chapter 68 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 68: 68 ~ Jace</h4>


    "I¡¯m not your wife. I¡¯m your whore with a wife title." She stated.


    I watched her walk away, feeling too paralyzed to speak. I hated that she saw herself that way even when that was not entirely my intention.


    But then I had to keep her at arm¡¯s length for now for my own sanity. I was letting too much of emotions show and it was not befitting for a man of my status.


    A part of me desperately wanted to go after her as she left. But I couldn¡¯t. I could not let her see that she was beginning to get through to me. That was not the n.


    She came back into the room some minutester and walked straight into the closet without sparing me a nce.


    "I told you I¡¯d get someone to clear it out for you." I called from where I was seated as I heard shuffling in the closet.


    "I can do it myself," I heard her grunt, probably lifting something heavy.


    I sighed. What was it with women being so stubborn? Especially Mira and her petite little frame.


    I walked into the closet and saw her battling to bring down one of her suitcases.


    "You know you can spend the night here and do all this tomorrow." I suggested.


    "I don¡¯t want to be in the same room as you for much longer."


    Okay the sassy mouth Mira was back. It made me wonder why she was being so nice and obedient before now. It was an odd switch. But I decided to not pursue the question.


    I heard her mutter some things in Italian and fought back a chuckle. It sounded like something she learned from Duolingo. This woman was hrious without even trying.


    I watched her as she tried to shove her undies from a drawer into a transparent zipper bag. I had seen her angry but never this animated. Something must have snapped.


    I was indeed the only thing or in this case, person, that could tick her off like this.


    When I tried to help her, she pped my hand away. I was genuinely shocked and even more amused by it. Yeah she wasn¡¯t scared of me anymore that¡¯s for sure.


    I left her to keep packing while I ensured that the room she was moving into was sparkling clean. It was. She had the green light to move in and didn¡¯t have to see my face as often anymore. It was a win for her. She just didn¡¯t realize it yet.


    Without saying a word, she rolled out her boxes one after the other. I tried to help her pick up one of them.


    "Don¡¯t touch them." She gritted out in a warning.


    "Mira I got you these boxes."


    "So?"


    I was stunned to silence by her retort. I swallowed.


    "Remember who you¡¯re talking to."


    That made her re up even more. "Well damn you Jace Romano. I don¡¯t give a fuck-"


    I shut her up with a kiss and felt her melt into my arms like a puddle. I kissed her softly, like I meant it. Maybe I did.


    When we pulled apart for air, I felt caught in her honey brown eyes as she stared into mine.


    "Stop messing with me," she said and walked away.


    ~


    <fn7834> Official source is find?novel</fn7834>


    Mira didn¡¯te back into the room afterwards. She sent a help to help move all her stuff and that was thest I saw of her for the rest of the day.


    She didn¡¯te down for dinner. I preferred to let her be. I had them send her food upstairs with strict instructions for her to eat or deal with me.


    "Trouble in paradise?" My mother asked.


    "Paradise?" My brows arched in confusion.


    "You two were getting pretty cozy."


    "You need to stop speaking about her like she¡¯s not my wife." I said.


    "This doesn¡¯t look like a marriage."


    I scowled. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    "You two barely know each other. You¡¯re almost like two fuck buddies that live together."


    I dropped my cutlery, not expecting such use of rawnguage from my mother who constantly cautioned me against it whenever we spoke.


    "Mom!" I eximed.


    She was unfazed as she continued speaking. "Oh you know that I¡¯m saying the truth. The only difference here is that she did not choose to be that. She was forced. These are grounds for getting arrested you know."


    I swallowed. "I know. But she wouldn¡¯t dare."


    "That¡¯s because she doesn¡¯t want any harm toe to her only brother when she can help it."


    I exhaled. "This is an already established fact. So what are you getting at?"


    "Let that girl go and stop torturing her." She stated.


    "I am not-"


    She cut me off. "Yeah right. You can¡¯t even answer me when I ask you why you married her. Do you love her?"


    "I don¡¯t believe in silly things like that." I said, looking back at my te. I had lost my appetite no thanks to her pep talk.


    "That girl deserves to be with a man that loves her."


    "What¡¯s this about mom? I thought you don¡¯t like her."


    "I don¡¯t hate her either. I¡¯m indifferent." She said, gesturing with her index finger.


    I fought the urge to roll my eyes. She really needed to stay out of my business.


    "Why can¡¯t you just say why exactly you married her? I see it though. She¡¯s a pretty girl, not from a messed up family. She has good genes and you two would make beautiful babies. That¡¯s why right?"


    "Stop making assumptions mom. It doesn¡¯t befit a person of your caliber." I muttered angrily.


    "Then answer the damn question Jacopo! Tomorrow, Ricardo and Enzo would be here to judge and scrutinize that poor thing and you would do nothing to protect her. I¡¯m sure she has no idea they¡¯reing."


    "She¡¯s better off not knowing anything!" I snapped.


    "You¡¯re causing you two a lot of trouble by keeping her in the dark. Stop being so stubborn!" She returned in the same vein.


    I pushed my chair back and it made a scratching sound just as I got on my feet.


    "I¡¯m done here. Have a good night." I said and walked away from the dining room without looking back.

 Chapter 69 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 69: 69 ~ Mira</h4>


    I tossed and turned repeatedly.


    This new bed was softer but unfamiliar so I was finding it hard to let myself sleep.


    I got on my feet and turned on the TV. I flipped through Netflix absentmindedly searching for a movie to watch.


    I tried so hard to fight the thoughts of his kiss away from my mind.


    I did not want that picture reying itself in my memories. It felt like the more he kissed me, the more I lost my senses. This was what too much of being around a person could cause.


    <fnb8fc> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find¡ïNovel</fnb8fc>


    Now that I had calmed down, I figured this separation was not so much of a bad idea after all.


    But then did it mean sex would be the only thing that would let us be in the same space, asides attending events?


    This was crazy.


    I needed to fully detach from Jace emotionally and just focus on what I needed to do. I was letting my emotions cloud my senses like I did today. I did not want it to repeat itself.


    Maybe I would consider apologizing for snapping at him the way I did.


    No. I shook my head immediately. He did not deserve an apology for just kicking me out of his room with no exnation. He deserved the way I spoke to him and how I smacked his hands off. And he had no right to shut me up with a kiss like some male lead in a romance movie. This was not a movie. This was real life and I was in a toxic space with a torturer.


    I let out a sigh. My focus had moved from the movie ying in front of me and all my thoughts revolved around him.


    I decided to go downstairs and get myself a snack so I could enjoy the movie.


    It was nearly midnight so the house was quiet and dimly lit.


    I trailed down the stairs stealthily.


    I made my way to the kitchen and ran my eyes through the refrigerator. Ice cream was my first go-to. I would burn it off in the gym the next morning anyways.


    I shut the fridge and let out out a scream.


    He ced a palm over my mouth.


    I felt my heart thumping in my ears as he dragged me to a seat.


    "You have zero survival skills," hemented.


    "You scared the hell out of me and you¡¯re talking about survival skills?" I said usatorily.


    "If I saw a strange person watching me, I would throw a punch instead of screaming like a child." He retorted.


    I blink rapidly before speaking.


    "For starters, there was no reason for a strange person to be watching me until you came along with your problems."


    "You¡¯d be surprised."


    "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" I frowned.


    He did not say anything and I took that as my cue to leave. I grabbed my snacks.


    "You¡¯re eating all that tonight?"


    I sneered at him. "You have no right to judge me."


    "Who says I am?"


    "You¡¯re eating all that tonight?" I mimicked him in a forced baritone.


    Heughed.


    Jace actuallyughed!


    I swear I had never seen his full dentition before. It was too perfect.


    Did I just make THE Don Romanough?


    "You¡¯re capable ofughter?" I couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    "I¡¯m human, Mira." He said calmly, still smiling softly.


    I would never admit to his hearing but I loved the way his eyes crinkled up at the sides as he smiled. He looked like he was squinting as he did that.


    I shook my head, not believing it still. "No. You¡¯re a robot. Someone has to be impersonating you right now."


    "Would a robot know that your boobs are your weakness?" He said with a sultry smirk.


    I blushed crimson. Was he teasing me right now? I had to be dreaming. I must have slept off while thinking about him and now I was having a very vivid dream.


    I put down my treats and pinched him.


    "What was that for?" He asked with a brow raise.


    "I just wanted to be sure that I¡¯m not dreaming." I said, still reeling in shock.


    He smiled again. And this time I saw he had a slight dimple.


    This man is gorgeous.


    "I¡¯ll just go to bed now." I said, backing away before I would forget that I was still mad at him.


    He looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it and nodded.


    I went to my new room, chilled with my cup of ice cream and eventually slept off.


    ~


    The next morning came and I woke up still feeling like I was in a strange ce. This room was going to take some getting used to.


    I sighed and walked into the bathroom to wash my face.


    I stood in front of the mirror, wondering if I was still mad at him to the point that I would not make him breakfast like I had been doing for weeks now.


    Brushing my teeth, I looked in the mirror critically and I realized thatI looked a little sleep deprived because I sleptte after binging on a bowl of ice cream in the middle of the night. That¡¯s very unhealthy by the way.


    I let out a loud grunt. In all honesty, I felt like going back to bed. Jace would have to get his breakfast from someone else. Besides, I was the one who chose to take on the ludicrous duty. And it seemed to be yielding barely any results but I had to keep up with it because I was ying the long game.


    I heard a knock on the door and assumed it was someone sent by the chef to confirm if I was still making Jace¡¯s meal this morning.


    "Good morning Mrs Romano,"


    "Morning."


    "Mr Romano has asked for you toe down. He¡¯s expecting some guests and they¡¯d be here soon."


    "Oh." I was stunned by that piece of information. I nodded and shut the door as I thought of what to wear after showering.


    I picked a simple grey short sleeved dress that stopped slightly above my knees. Then I slipped into my go-to Hermes slippers.


    Then I put on a simple ne and earrings to wear as I brushed out my waves.


    I got downstairs and froze on the spot.


    Oh hell no.

 Chapter 70 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 70: 70 ~ Mira</h4>


    I nearly cussed under my breath as I saw them walk in like they owned the ce.


    After myst encounter with his family, I looked forward to the idea of not seeing them often.


    Fixing my face, I immediately sported a smile as they got closer.


    "Uncle Ricardo, wee."


    "Mira," he answered like he was forced to.


    I paid him no mind as I turned to his dick of a son, Enzo.


    "Hello Enzo. Wee." I said.


    He grinned widely as he said, "The one and only beautiful, Mira,"


    My skin crawled as he too my hand and kissed my knuckles.


    "Show them to the guestrooms," Jace said to the staff, thankfully stepping in and putting his arm protectively around my waist.


    I kept the fake smile until they were out of sight. Then I turned to Jace.


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell me they wereing?" I questioned in a rushed whisper.


    He shrugged. "Didn¡¯t think it was necessary."


    I half expected him to say something along the lines of them showing up unannounced. But the other half that was well aware of his nonchnce and this was totally expected of him though unfair.


    "I hate you it when you do stuff like this. It throws me off bnce." I muttered.


    "You¡¯re a don¡¯s wife, Mira. You¡¯re supposed to expect the unexpected." He said in a dismissive tone and walked off.


    I fumed, ring at him as he walked up the stairs.


    Yup. Everyday this man gave me more reasons to hate him more and more.


    I turned to the staff, wondering why they were staring at me.


    "The chef wanted to know if-"


    I didn¡¯t let her finish.


    "I¡¯m not making anything. Tell him to make sure our guests are well fed." I said and stormed up the stairs.


    ~~~


    I stayed in my room for the most part of the day. I was hell bent on avoiding Jace¡¯s family for as long as I possibly could because as long as they were here, it meant more drama. Everything that happened in Rome was still fresh in my memory.


    They were a bunch of messed up people and I wanted nothing to do with them. They did not like me very much either so it was a fair game. Me wanting to leave was absolutely justified.


    Dinnertime came and I had no choice but to go down and join them.


    I heaved deep breaths and continued practicing my polite smile.


    "On the bright side, Giuletta isn¡¯t here." I said to encourage myself. That woman hated my guts more than anything and I was more thankful that her and that bitchy daughter of hers were absent.


    I applied my lip gloss slowly. Anything to buy myself time.


    "You can¡¯t hide forever."


    I screamed so loud, it was almost enough to make the mirror in front of me break.


    "How the hell did you get in here?!"


    "The door wasn¡¯t locked. You need to work on survival instincts." He said calmly.


    "I do not belong your world."


    "The world out there is still a dangerous ce Mira and you¡¯re an easy target."


    "Because I¡¯m a fragile woman?" I retorted. Even though he was right, I was offended by the insinuation.


    He sighed. "It¡¯s dinnertime. Let¡¯s go."


    "I¡¯lle down when I¡¯m ready."


    "I¡¯m not going downstairs without you." He retorted.


    "Scared to face your own family?" I mocked him.


    "Don¡¯t push it youngdy."


    "Okay old man." I said, fighting back a smile.


    He looked away but not in time to hide his own smile. When he faced me again, he had his stern poker face own. The perfect actor! He was in the wrong career for real.


    "Let¡¯s go." He left no room for arguments so I walked ahead of him, refusing to take his hand.


    He caught up with me in no time and ced his palm on the small of my back as we went downstairs and found our way to the dining area where unfortunately, they were all seated.


    The tension in the room was palpable as we walked in.


    Surprisingly, Jace pulled out my seat for me before sitting down on his.


    I sat down after saying hello to my mother iw and everyone else seated at the table. I ignored the leering look Enzo gave me even though I wanted to pluck out his eye with a fork.


    We ate in silence. No small talk. Nothing. It was awkward.


    I missed when I would have dinner with my family and it would be loud and animated even though my mother would yell that we should not speak at the table. We never listened because our father was the number one culprit. Those were the good times.


    "Earth to, Mira."


    I jolted out of my reverie when Donna Carm snapped a finger in my face.


    "Yes?" I said, puzzled and lost on what they were saying because all eyes were on me.


    "Ricardo was asking about your baking business." She said, gesturing at him as he stared at me with a in look.


    I fought back a frown. Why would he ask me about something like that? Was he finally taking an interest in me and epting me as his nephew¡¯s wife or something? was taken aback by the question but I was going to answer anyways.


    "Um, what about it?"


    "How long have you been a baker? And as the don¡¯s wife, do you still do the business?"


    I slowly dropped my cutlery. Why did this sound like a bunch of interview questions?


    "Uh, I started my business back in college." I said. "And, I still take orders from time to time."


    "A very domesticated wife I see." He hummed. I heard the mockery in his tone.


    "And there¡¯s nothing wrong with that." Jace cut in before I could form a response.


    Ricardo chuckled dryly. "You want a liability so you can feel superior huh?"


    "With all due respect Uncle Ricardo, you need to watch it. This is my house and I would not let you disrespect my wife."


    It felt refreshing to see him defending me. I almost smiled. Almost. But I had to keep it together.


    <fn19ed> For original chapters go to FindN0vel</fn19ed>


    "Okay everyone. Let¡¯s all calm down," Enzo said, sporting that annoying charming smile of his.


    "We can all see why Jace chose her. She¡¯s a sight for sore eyes." He even had the audacity to wink.


    "Flirt with my wife one more time, and you¡¯d be eating your balls for breakfast." Jace warned him in a lethal tone.


    I let myself smile this time.


    Yeah, Enzo. What my husband said!

 Chapter 71 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 71: 71 ~ Mira</h4>


    Dinner was eventful. Just as I expected. It was almost like these people could not eat a meal without any drama. Maybe they survived on unnecessary animosity. I wondered how Jace coped with all of that but I was hopeful that in matter of a few years it would not be my problem anymore.


    Leaving the table, we walked side by side in silence. And when we made it upstairs, I almost made the mistake of following him into his room. I med it on the smell of his cologne that was invading my senses.


    "You wannae in?" He asked.


    "Huh?" I said, carried away by my thoughts.


    He gave me a look and I immediately shook my head.


    "No, I¡¯ll just call it a night."


    "Alright then. Good night." He said and walked in, shutting the door behind him.


    I was stunned. Not only did he notmand me to go in with him, he actually said good night to me for the first time ever.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he had hit his head somewhere or something.


    I shrugged regardless and went into my room, ready to catch some sleep.


    ~


    I was restless in the middle of night after I was jolted awake all of a sudden. I did not frequently have trouble sleeping so this was odd.


    I reached for the jug and ss of water by my bedside and was disappointed to see it was empty. I groaned in frustration.


    "Why is this happening to me?" I said, mourning my seemingly inauspicious fate.


    I dragged myself out of bed and opened the door, leading me out of the room.


    Stealthily, I walked down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen. I hated how it felt so far away. Big houses had their pros and cons. This was one of the cons.


    I reached the fridge and helped myself to a bottle of water that I downed in seconds. Yes, I was that parched. I took two extra bottles with me and was about to leave the kitchen when I heard voices by the poolside. The smell of weed filled the air and the manly voices I heard weren¡¯t that of guards.


    I stood still and peered through the kitchen blinds to get a view. It was Ricardo and Enzo.


    I snuck out of the kitchen to the dining area. I would hear them better from that end, I was sure.


    I perched by the window, holding my breath and hoping they would not notice me listening to their conversation.


    "The old Jace would never let this happen. He was ruthless. Now he lets a strange woman sit at the table like she belongs here." Enzo spoke first.


    Ricardo shook his head and tsked. "He¡¯s distracted. And distractions are dangerous on our world. He forgets what happened to Don Vittorio."


    I could hear the grin in Enzo¡¯s voice when he spoke next. "You think it¡¯s time someone else stepped in?"


    "I think it¡¯s long overdue. He¡¯s cking in his duties. Love is such a weakness."


    I frowned.


    Love? Jace was absolutely incapable of that and they were reading this situation wrongly. Plus why did they have to find a way to me me for whatever was going wrong in their world. I was literally clueless for the most part.


    "I bet she¡¯ll be pregnant soon. That¡¯s if she isn¡¯t already."


    I bit back a gasp. Was he indirectly calling me fat?


    Ricardo ignored his statement and proceeded to drop a bombshell instead. "You need to get married soon too. It¡¯ll make you a more responsible don when you take over."


    "Papa, I have no business getting married."


    "Shut it, boy. You would marry a woman of my choice for proper alliance. I won¡¯t let you make the foolish mistake Vittorio¡¯s son has."


    I could tell Enzo was sulking like a whiny little kid.


    I had heard enough and I needed to get out of here.


    As I practically snuck back to my room, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if these people were nning to harm Jace. What if they wanted to kill him to take over the don position?


    I covered my mouth in a gasp.


    Inasmuch as I hated this man¡¯s guts, he was Donna Carm¡¯s only surviving child and he did not even have kids of his own.


    I put my hand on my belly. Now I felt even more pressure to give him a baby because his life was in danger.


    I needed to tell him.


    I twisted the door knob and practically ran into his room.


    I screamed as I shut the door and saw a gun pointed at me. How the hell did he pick up a gun so fast?


    "Jace it¡¯s me!"¡¯


    "Mira? What the hell are you doing barging into my room by this time of the night? Is there something going on?" He questioned but I wasn¡¯t even listening anymore.


    His groggy voice sounded so sexy.


    Oh shit, something must be going on in my body after my period ended cause why is everything about this man turning me on?


    I slowly walked towards him, immediately distracted by him and unable to tell him what I wanted to say.


    Taking a bold step, I pulled his face towards mine and kissed him. He seemed stunned by my actions but let himself go by deepening the kiss and pulling me closer to him.


    When we pulled apart for air, I saw the desire in his eyes as they darkened.


    His fingers wrapped around my throat as he kissed me roughly yet again, raising one of my legs up to wrap around his waist, as he found his way to my clit and rubbed on it with his thumb through the fabric.


    I moaned into his mouth.


    "You¡¯re bing bold," he said against my lips.


    "Isn¡¯t that what you like?" I whispered in response, wrapping my arms around his neck.


    He chuckled and sucked on my neck instead.


    I threw my head back and moaned.


    He pulled down my pajama pants with one hand.


    "Soaked," hemented, dipping his finger into my folds.


    I blushed and looked away in embarrassment. me it on my cycle. Maybe.


    He pushed me to the bed and Iid there with my legs spread wide apart waiting on his entry. He teased me with it for a bit, only letting the tip go in.


    I practically begged for him to go all in. And when he eventually mmed into me, I feltplete.


    My legs were hung over his shoulder as he thrust into me. He held my hands in one of his, looking into my eyes as he fucked me like his little slut.


    I hated to admit it but I loved being in bed with this man more than I¡¯d like to admit. And I somewhat felt ashamed that to say that I loved the way my captor fucked me.


    Was this a kind of Stockholm syndrome? Would I need therapy after this? Maybe.


    But for now, I wanted to focus on getting my leg shaking, nerve wracking orgasms.


    I turned my face and bit into the sheets as my walls closed up in an earth shattering release. The way my heart was beating after that, I knew I would possibly get a heart attack if he went in again after released everything inside me.


    <fn4098> The rightful source is F¦ÉndNovel</fn4098>


    Raising my head, I kissed him before he could pull away. He didn¡¯t fight it. He caressed my face for a few seconds as his tongue and mine fought for dominance.


    "That was good," I said. There was something different about it tonight. I couldn¡¯t ce my finger on it.


    "It¡¯s always good, Mira."


    "Hmm.."


    He raised a brow as he pulled me up and carried me out of the bed to the bathroom.


    I said nothing more after that. There was no need to make things awkward.


    ~


    "I need to tell you something." I told him after we had caught our breaths and cleaned up.


    We weren¡¯t cuddling. He didn¡¯t do any of that. So he turned back and faced me.


    "What is it?"


    "I had a reason for running into your room tonight."


    "Figured you didn¡¯t know how to tell me you were horny." He smirked.


    "Jace!" I eximed, turning red in the face.


    "There¡¯s nothing to be shy about. I can fuck you anytime you want." He was still smirking as he drew me closer and spanked my behind.


    I hid my face in his chest.


    Mira focus! I had to remind myself.


    "Your uncle and cousin are nning to overthrow you." I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    He slowly took his hand away from my behind. I watched closely to see his face turn serious in the dark.


    "How do you know that?"


    I went ahead to tell him how I ended up downstairs and overheard the conversations. I narrated every bit, word for word. He listened with rapt attention.


    "That¡¯s all you heard?" He asked when I was done.


    I nodded. "Yes."


    "It¡¯s alright. Get some sleep."


    He nted a kiss on my forehead as he arranged the nket on my body.


    "Where are you going?" I asked him as he got up, worried he was going to confront them.


    "Mira?" He was at the door already when he called my name.


    "Hmm."


    "It¡¯ste. Sleep."


    He left after that.

 Chapter 72 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 72: 72 ~ Jace</h4>


    To say I was surprised by Ricardo and Enzo¡¯s schemes would be a lie. They were very open about me not deserving the Don position.


    Enzo had always believed he was the better match. I don¡¯t know how a person would be so delusional. But that was his problem. What he did not realize was that I was always a step ahead.


    I picked up my phone to call someone.


    "Don Romano,"


    "You said you have info for me." I said, getting straight to the point. No time for pleasantries.


    "Yes. You sure have more enemies and than allies."


    "Not my fault that I want nothing to do with human trafficking."¡¯ I muttered.


    He chuckled. "A good man. Just like your good father."


    "My father was not a perfect man. Neither am I." I said with a clenched fist.


    "No one said anything about you being perfect." He retorted.


    "Just needed to put it out there." I replied.


    "The Russian Mafia has cut off alliances with the Castillos." He announced.


    "That¡¯s news."


    <fn7a9a> Checktest chapters at F¦Énd£Îovel</fn7a9a>


    It wasn¡¯t. I predicted it correctly. No one would want to continue being allies with a family that caused the death of the leader.


    "They me the Castillos for the death of Kazimir. If they hadn¡¯t sent him to infiltrate your party to wreak some havoc. He would definitely still be alive."


    My thoughts exactly.


    "Too bad." I shrugged.


    "Smart move."


    "Hmm," I hummed. There was no need to thank him. I did not need his approval.


    "You have to be careful though. They may beying low now but they¡¯re trying to get you. Especially through your heart."


    "My heart?" My brows arched in confusion.


    "You know what I mean Romano."


    "Believe me, I don¡¯t." I insisted.


    "Your wife."


    I groaned. Why couldn¡¯t they just let Mira be? Why did they have to bring her into everything?


    That was my fault though but I just wished she would not be a target. I just wanted her to be my prized possession. My trophy wife, the one in and untainted thing I had, nothing more.


    "What do you suggest I do?" I asked after a sigh of resignation.


    "You¡¯ve been keeping her protected. Continue to do that. And if she¡¯s pregnant, you have to keep her hidden."


    "She¡¯s not."


    "When she does-"


    My jaw ticked as I cut him off. "She¡¯s not getting pregnant anytime soon. I¡¯ve made sure of that."


    "You can never be too sure. A child is a good thing."


    "I don¡¯t want to have one anytime soon. It¡¯s way too risky and too predictable. I need her to be out of harm¡¯s way."


    He sighed. "If you say so then."


    I exhaled as well, feeling the exhaustion hit me.


    "I need to go back to bed."


    "Take care, Romano."


    "You too."


    I went back into the room and found her deep in sleep.


    She looked peaceful and almost ethereal as she slept. One look at her and you would not believe the feisty, sharp mouthed, stubborn, naughty and crazily sexy woman that she was. She looked so innocent.


    But when I saw her the first time, I knew there was more to her and I was absolutely right.


    For a second, I pondered on the thought of us having kids together. Like my mother said, we would make beautiful babies.


    I stared at her t belly, hoping I had not gone ahead and impregnated her tonight despite not wanting kids anytime soon.


    Those kids had to wait until I had secured my throne entirely. I was in the middle of too much chaos right now.


    ~


    I was in the gym at 5am after barely three hours of sleep. I had only just slept before Mira barged into my roomst night and with all the action we had, my sleep time had inevitably been cut short. I liked those kind of interruptions.


    I lifted the weights without any music ying in the background. The noise would not let me think. I didn¡¯t need to be distracted from the pain, I wanted to feel it.


    I almost rolled my eyes as I saw Enzo walk in an hour into my workouts.


    "Good morning to you cousin." He said, a little too enthusiastic for my liking.


    "Enzo." I said with a curt nod.


    There was nothing good about my morning now that he was smiling in my face like a sly fox.


    "It¡¯s going to be a fine day." Hemented.


    "Hmm,"


    I picked up my Airpods. Maybe I needed the music after all.


    Thankfully he faced his workouts after seeing that I was not in the mood for small talk.


    A bright idea soon got into my head. I needed to mess with him a little.


    I faked a phone call.


    "Yeah I want the shipment rerouted to the Brooklyn docks. midnight tomorrow. No guards. No cameras. If the Castillos try something, we¡¯ll be ready." I said while he pretended to be too focused on his workout.


    I left the gym shortly afterwards, standing by the wall. I peeped him looking around as he picked up the phone to make a suspicious phone call.


    "Gotcha." I mumbled and walked off.


    I had not confirmed it fully but it was beginning to look like he was working with the enemy, if it was not an internal sabotage.


    ~


    I went upstairs and took a shower. Mira had left the room. I figured she would be making breakfast for me already.


    I had never admitted it to her hearing but I absolutely enjoy every meal she makes and the sweet treat she always gave me to apany my lunch. These were the kind of perks I looked forward to when marrying a woman like her asides the original reason for making her marry me in the first ce.


    Maybe if circumstances were different, I would fully embrace the much simpler, domesticated way of living. No illegal businesses and leading a simple life as a man with a wife and kids.


    But obviously, the circumstances had to be different and absolutely out of my control. Being the don of the Italian Mafia was my destiny and there was no way I could run from it. Ever.

 Chapter 73 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 73: 73 ~ Mira</h4>


    It had been an uneventful day. Well at least for the most part.


    I was cooped up under the sheets reading a book when I heard a knock.


    "Come in," I said as I sat up.


    Surprisingly it was Jace.


    "You¡¯re back early." I said.


    "Yeah." He answered, looking around my room.


    I wondered what he was thinking. There was no way to read the expressions on his face so I did not even bother.


    "I have something for you." He said.


    My eyes followed his movements as he handed me a small shopping bag.


    "Open it."


    Reluctantly, I took out the box out of the bag and opened it. I involuntarily gasped.


    It was one of the most gorgeous pieces of jewelry I had ever seen. It was a silver chain with gorgeous dull pink floral pendant. It was adjustable so it could fit the neckline of almost every dress I had. This was the perfect all purpose ne.


    "Jace, it¡¯s beautiful. Thank you." I said with a small smile in his direction while I kept admiring the piece of jewelry.


    "Not as beautiful as you. But you¡¯re wee." He said smoothly.


    I found myself giggling like a little girl.


    "Let me put it on you." He offered and I handed it to him, pushing my hair aside as he sped it around my neck.


    "Never take it off." He whispered against my ear.


    I shuddered slightly before I looked up at him. I was wondering why he said that when he spoke again.


    "Got it?"


    I swallowed and nodded.


    cing a quick kiss on my temple, he got off my bed and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him.


    I stood in front of the mirror and admired the piece of jewelry over and over. It was beautiful and felt like my neck was the perfect ce for it to settle. I wasn¡¯t sure I would ever take it off.


    ~


    I decided to take a walk after a while. I soon found myself by the poolside, letting the breeze blow my hair in different directions as I kicked my feet in the water.


    "Mind if I join you?"


    I bit back a groan as soon as I heard him say that. I really wanted this guy to go back to Italy already. His presence made me ufortable. And knowing he nursed a lot of hatred for someone who was his his blood made me hate his guts even more.


    "Sure," I sighed. I was not going to let him make me leave the poolside. I came out here to get some fresh air and even his annoying presence would not stop that.


    "So, how are you doing today?" He tried to make small talk.


    I fought the urge to roll my eyes.


    "I¡¯m well."


    "You don¡¯t like me enough to know how I¡¯m doing?" He joked.


    I was trying so hard to hide my irritation.


    "How are you doing Enzo?" I asked for the sake of it.


    "Not well."


    "And why is that?" I retorted sarcastically.


    "Oh that¡¯s because a beautiful woman like you isn¡¯t mine."


    My face immediately scrunched up in disgust.


    "You do realize, I am your cousin¡¯s wife." I reminded him just in case he was forgetting it.


    "I know he¡¯s incapable of treating you right. I can be your perfect gentleman."


    "You just proved you have a very questionable character." I spat out.


    He found it hrious and let his raucousughter fill the air. "You¡¯re married to the Don of the Italian Mafia. There should be no doubt that you married into a family of questionable characters. "


    I did not doubt that. In fact he was absolutely right but it did not make this any less disgusting.


    "Even if you do not have respect for Jace. Respect me as a married woman." I said through gritted teeth.


    "Mira you need to rx," he tried to reach for my hair and I smacked his hand off.


    "Feisty. I like it." He smirked.


    I almost spat in his face. Enzo was absolute slime ball. Yuck!


    I immediately got on my feet and walked away.


    Now I was conflicted on telling Jace what his cousin was trying to do. I already snitched about them trying to overthrow him. If I brought this up, I wondered if he would believe me or think I was lying and trying to cause a rift between him and his family by sowing seeds of confusion.


    I huffed and puffed in confusion as well as anger.


    I almost bumped into Donna Carm as I furiously stormed into the house.


    "I¡¯m so sorry." I apologized profusely.


    "What is getting you so blinded by anger young woman?" She asked me.


    I exhaled. "It¡¯s Enzo. He keeps trying to flirt with me. It¡¯s so disrespectful!" I said, trying to hold back from yelling.


    She shook head and sighed. "That boy,"


    "Go in. I¡¯ll handle it." She said, cing a palm on my shoulder.


    I let myself sigh in relief. "Thank you, Donna."


    I walked back upstairs and stayed in my room until dinner time.


    ~


    I was supposed to be heading down for dinner when I heard the unmistakeable sound of a gunshot. I froze my movements.


    It sounded again and I rushed to my window to check outside and see if the house was under attack again like in Rome.


    It seemed calm but the guards looked like they were high on alert.


    Out of curiosity, and obviously ack of survival skills, I decided to go outside out of my bedroom and see what was going on.


    <fn0b83> This update is avable on find~novel</fn0b83>


    I snuck out and headed to the balcony that was right above the living room.


    Jace stood there with a pistol pointed in the air. He was obviously the culprit.


    "I will end your life here and now and there¡¯s nothing anyone would be able to do about it you motherfucker." He gritted out murderously.


    I covered my mouth to cover the sound of the gasp that was about tho escape it.


    He was talking to Enzo who stood toe to toe with him.


    Ricardo sat there seemingly unfazed while Donna Carm stood on the side, watching their exchange with a bit of scrutiny.


    "I dare you, Jacopo."


    The punch that came next was a hard one. I was sure I heard Enzo¡¯s nose break.


    "Call me that one more time." Jace said in a deathly tone, prepping his gun.


    "Jace that¡¯s enough." Donna thankfully stepped in.


    "Figlio di puttana." Jace cussed and stormed off. (Son of a bitch.)


    Well, that was intense.

 Chapter 74 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 74: 74 ~ Mira</h4>


    The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife.


    The eerie silence that followed after that bloody scene came with chills. It felt like if anything as little as a pin dropped, it would sound like a trumpet.


    Jace walked past me in that furious state without a word. I knew better than to say anything to his hearing before he would take out his anger on me.


    Then I heard the door to his home office m shut. It sounded so loud, I felt the walls shake. It was better to stay out of his way for now.


    I went down to the kitchen after a while. The tension was still palpable. Enzo had been taken to treat his nose at god knows where. His father was out of sight, same as Donna Carm.


    I wondered if they fought because of Enzo trying to flirt with me. I immediately shook my head in disagreement. It had to be something else. Jace would never do that.


    Getting into the pantry, I took out my ingredients and ced them on the kitchen ind.


    I wanted to bake a nice treat for him. Maybe it would help him cool off. At least I hoped so.


    I contemted what I was going to make for him as I set the ingredients on the kitchen ind.


    "What do you think I should make for him?" I turned and asked the chef.


    "The don likes bomboloni." He answered.


    "Oh that¡¯s not a bad idea." I grinned.


    I immediately got into making the treat - Italian cream-filled doughnuts.


    It was ready within a few hours. I had my dinner in the kitchen in between. And after making a few batches of the doughnuts, I made a quick milkshake to add to the tray as I went up to give it to Jace myself.


    I hoped I would not get up there and find out he had gone somewhere while I ved away in the kitchen.


    I knocked on his bedroom¡¯s door a few times and there was no answer. Myst option was his office. Thankfully he was in there.


    "Hey," I grinned softly as I entered.


    He simply looked at me. I saw the burnt out cigarette in his hand. Someone had obviously been very busy in here.


    "I made these for you." I said, setting the tray down on his desk.


    "That¡¯s a lot of sugar." He muttered.


    I blinked, not expecting his choice of words.


    y the part, Mira. That was what I said to myself as I forced a smile.


    "I thought it would cheer you up. Sorry for trespassing." I muttered softly, turning to face the door with a feigned downcast sigh.


    "Sit."


    I bit back a smile as I turned to him with a neutral expression.


    "Who put you up to this?" He asked.


    I was taken aback by the question,


    "What are you talking about?"


    "You¡¯ve been acting strange. I don¡¯t know what your n is, but it¡¯s not going to work so you better cut it with the act." He insisted. The usation in his tone was barely hidden.


    "Jace, I am not Enzo who tried to betray you. It¡¯s bad enough that you¡¯ve kept me here against my will. And I¡¯m just trying to make things work. I don¡¯t want to keep being miserable here!"


    I don¡¯t know where the tears came from but they were the icing on the cake as I watched his hard exterior soften up. He got on his feet and walked around the desk.


    "It¡¯s okay," he mumbled, pulling me into his arms.


    With a grunt, he wiped the tears that had quickly flowed down my face.


    "Stop crying,"


    I had never seen him look so ufortable. I almostughed. Almost.


    "I¡¯m..." He swallowed. "I¡¯m sorry."¡¯


    My eyes snapped up to his. Was I dreaming or did Jace Romano just apologize to me?


    Someone pinch me.


    "Did you just-?"


    "Don¡¯t make a big deal of it." He cut me off quickly and looked away as I smiled.


    Pulling his face closer to mine, I nted a kiss on his lips, one that he deepened.


    Jace had a heart after all and he had begun to warm up to me. This was a win.


    ~~~


    It was a breath of fresh air, watching Enzo and his father leave. After the fiasco from the previous day, it was no surprise why they had to go.


    Jace stepped out early that morning. I had slept in his bed after a very interesting night. I could feel him let off all that pent up anger on me and it was bittersweet. Bitter because I was slightly sore from all the action and sweet because he gave me multiple orgasms as usual. I would miss that. But for now, I was going to enjoy the moment, pretending to be in love with him so he would not suspect a thing.


    I was standing in front of the mirror, once again admiring the ne he got me, when a knock on my room¡¯s door invaded my thoughts.


    I walked to the door and opened it only to be faced with a frowning Donna Carm. I flinched.


    "Donna?" I said in surprise. She had nevere to my room before.


    "Why are you sleeping in separate rooms with your husband?"


    This sounded like an interrogation.


    "He asked me to move."


    "And you agreed?"


    I hesitated for a bit. "Well, yes, you know how Jace can be. He never-"


    She didn¡¯t let me finish. "When a don starts keeping his wife away, it is for a reason. Don¡¯t let this stop you from achieving what we want."


    I nodded. "Yes ma¡¯am."


    <fn0177> Find the newest release on Find?Novel</fn0177>


    She nodded and walked away in the direction of his office. I wondered what she wanted to do there but of course I wouldn¡¯t dare ask.


    ~~~


    I had some cake orders to send out and once again my brother came around to help me with the deliveries.


    He was parked in front of the entrance when I got out of the house and I was helping him put the cake boxes in the backseat, making sure that they would not fall apart, when Jace drove towards us.


    "Uh oh," I muttered under my breath.


    Jace got out of the car and handed the keys to one of the guards so he could park it in the garage.


    "Hi," I said, forcing a smile.


    "Hey," he came to me and ced a kiss on my temple as my brother watched with an obvious frown on his face.


    "Roberto," Jace said.


    "Don Romano." Roberto answered.


    I had to cut in because the awkward silence was beginning to make me nervous.


    "He¡¯s here to pick up deliveries." I said quickly.


    "I see that. Did you save any cake for me?"


    "Um,"


    I did not expect that from him. But I nodded anyways. I had some leftovers I could give to him.


    "Great. See you in side." He said, pecking my temple again before he walked away.


    "You two seem pretty cozy." Roberto remarked.


    I shrugged. "Well, he¡¯s my husband."


    "Yeah for now," he mumbled back.


    I looked over my shoulder as Jace disappeared inside.


    For now...

 Chapter 75 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 75: 75 ~ Mira</h4>


    ~Few monthster~


    Things were different. Jace was still the cold, ruthless mafia don I knew but even though he was trying to hide it, he had be softer.


    He stole kisses from me every now and then. He spanked my behind slightly every time I passed for the fun of it and he treated me to nice things.


    And while all this was nice, I was upset that I was still yet to get pregnant. In fact I wondered if he got himself snipped or something just so he would not have kids.


    Every time I looked at him now, I felt butterflies stir in my belly. I enjoyed watching him eat whatever I baked or cooked and every now and then he droppedpliments on how well the food tasted.


    We had settled into a steady rhythm. No pressure. No gunfights. Just him getting his work done anding home to me where we had some good sex. A part of me almost wanted it to remain this way forever if that was possible. But I knew it wasn¡¯t.


    "We¡¯re going on a trip."


    "You or we?" I asked, setting down the book I was reading as he came out of the bathroom looking like Greek god with his soaking wet hair.


    I swallowed.


    This man was making me lose focus every now and then.


    "We. Pack your bags, we¡¯re going to the Maldives."


    I gasped. "Wait, is this a honeymoon?"


    He shrugged. "I guess you can call it that."


    "Oh my goodness!" I squealed and practically jumped on him.


    He caught me.


    "You¡¯re the best." I said as I ced kisses all over his face.


    He smirked, "Oh really? Let me show you how I can be better than the best."


    "Jace..." I couldn¡¯t even finish whining before he shut me up with a kiss and ced me on the bed.


    He was in the middle of taking my shirt off when his phone rang.


    I could tell he did not want to pick it up but whoever was on the other line was persistent.


    I groaned as he pulled away and picked up the call. From the look on his face, I figured the call was going to take a long time so I put my shirt back on and entered the closet to help him pack. I¡¯d handle mine after his.


    He came into the closet some minutester. He was in a hurry.


    "Going somewhere?" I asked, even when it was already obvious.


    "I have an impromptu meeting. Just pack up my stuff and yours. We¡¯ll leave when I return."


    "So soon?" I asked in surprise.


    "Yeah," he said, putting on his shirt and pants.


    "Alright then. See youter."


    He ced a swift kiss on my lips and practically ran out afterwards. I wondered what exactly he was hurrying off to do but then I had learned to not question him or even try to understand what happened in his world. I would always be kept in the dark and the truth of the matter is, I did not want to think about it.


    I was more focused on enjoying the moment and of course making sure my ns worked. I literally had ten million dors on the line and every time I did a pregnancy test, it still came out negative. I had monitored my cycle continuously, yet no results.


    There were sidements from his mother that reminded me of our deal. Her questions were subtle. It sounded like there was no pressure but there actually was.


    ~


    Catch flights and not feelings they said.


    But why was I looking at my captor like he was some rugged angel?


    He came back a few hours after running out of the house. And because I had packed for the trip, he basically came to pick me up so we could go the hangar together. Once again, we were flying private.


    He was busy on hisptop and had barely said anything to me since we boarded the jet but it didn¡¯t feel like the awkward, ufortable silence I was used to.


    I shivered slightly, pulling the nket to my neck. The air conditioner was zing cold.


    "Are you alright?"


    I turned to him and nodded. He looked away and continued typing. Because I was shameless, I ogled him like the snack he was. His brows were furrowed in concentration as he typed every now and then.


    There was something about him and the energy he radiated that made me want to cling to him all the time even when it did not make sense as he was not even a romantic individual.


    "Is there something on my face?" He asked, startling me out of my thoughts.


    I looked away as my cheeks turned as read as a tomato.


    "No." I finally said, biting on my lower lip.


    "Sure?"


    "Sure." I said back, picking up my phone just so I could stop staring like a sex starved wife.


    ~


    It was a long flight, about sixteen to eighteen hours. I had no idea when I slipped into a nap. I only woke up and found myself on the bed.


    Surprisingly, Jace wasying next to me, wide awake with his eyes on me. He hardly blinked even when I caught him staring.


    "Why are you looking at me like that?"


    <fne570> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n find{n}ovel</fne570>


    "You¡¯re so beautiful," he said like he was in a trance.


    I blushed and found myself hiding my face in his chest. His chest heaved as he chuckled. The sound made me sigh.


    Then he rubbed his palm over my hair as I looked up at him.


    "You¡¯re different," I said over a whisper.


    "How do you mean?"


    I shook my head instead, choosing to dismiss the thought. Thankfully, he did not pursue it as he pressed his lips to mine.


    I moaned into his mouth as his hands roved my body.


    His fingers teased my clit through the fabric of my joggers, just as our tongues fought for dominance. He won of course.


    As usual, when he slid into me, it was rough but I had gotten used to it. This was how he knew how to do it and I could neverin because I liked it. But a part of me wanted him to be gentler.


    ~


    I was panting when it ended.


    When he walked into the bathroom, I picked up my phone and tried to check if my cycle tracker was urate. It was two days to ovtion.


    I sighed in relief as the realization dawned on me that we were going to be honeymooning which meant that there would be lots of bedroom action between us.


    I truly hoped this was the one that would sessfully put a bun in the oven.


    When he came back out, I put the phone away and smiled at him.


    "That smile makes it harder to keep my hands off you," he said and I grinned even wider.


    "When did you get so flirty?" I teased back.


    "I¡¯ve always been flirty. You just didn¡¯t notice because you hated me."


    "Who says I love you now?"


    His face went grim for a second. "No one said anything about love."


    "Of course,"


    The moment was over. I hade to notice that Jace hated to hear the word, ¡¯love¡¯. It sounded abominable to him and a part of me wondered why.


    I understand he grew up in a world that was messed up with bloodshed and ack of emotions but I could not help but wonder if there was any more to his cold exterior. Had he ever gotten his heart broken or had he always been this way.


    My heart ached for whatever gruesome experience he had to face that made him so hardened.


    Maybe I would find out about itter or maybe not.

 Chapter 76 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 76: 76 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was thoroughly jetgged when wended in the Maldives.


    Jace held my hand as we came down the stairs that led out of the jet.


    Imagine my shock seeing Ariel there.


    "What the hell are you doing here?" I asked before I could stop myself.


    "I flew two days ahead. Mr Romano has asked for impable pictures from you."


    I turned to him before facing her again. "From me?"


    She grinned. "Well yes. You¡¯re the luxurious wife of a billionaire who enjoys quiet luxuries."


    "I thought we were done with that?" I asked him.


    "We do it on my terms." Came his clipped response.


    I swallowed my response. I was too tired to fight him and I could not even do it in public.


    "You could have at least told me about this so I wouldn¡¯t look crazy whileing out of the ne."


    "It makes you more human," Ariel said with a nervous smile, trying her best to reassure me.


    I sighed. I was too exhausted to say anything else.


    ~


    The vi was a dome of luxury. I held my jaw from dropping at the sight of it.


    The bedroom we shared had an ocean view and it was absolutely spectacr.


    Every bit of exhaustion wore off at the thought of taking a swim. I couldn¡¯t help it. I jumped in anticipation.


    I heard him chuckle behind me.


    "This is beautiful, Jace." I said.


    "Well this is just a tip of the ice berg. There are more beautiful things for you to see." He said with a wink.


    I caught on quickly and simply grinned.


    ~


    I entered the hot tub and sighed at the warmth. I wish I could stay there forever. It was so rxing.


    But s, I had to leave after a while. I was starving and dinner had been served.


    I slid on my night robe and fluffy indoor slippers as I made my way downstairs.


    "Where¡¯s Ariel?" I asked, when I got to the dining area.


    "She¡¯s done taking videos so she left." One of the guards answered me.


    "Where¡¯s my husband?"


    My husband. I was getting morefortable saying that.


    "He¡¯s on the patio ma¡¯am."


    I nodded and walked to the patio. He had his back to me.


    I paused as I heard him yell over the phone.


    "Deal with it! I can¡¯t do everything at once. I¡¯m one human being!"


    I flinched, stopping myself from stepping out.


    "She is not the reason for that. I¡¯m doing this for my father okay? Are you happy now?"


    "You don¡¯t need to know what I¡¯m talking about. You¡¯ll probably find out or not." He said with a hard tone.


    I was trying so hard to decode whatever he was talking about but I couldn¡¯t understand.


    I watched him hang up angrily. He was breathing like a raging bulldog and I thought to retreat so he would not take it out on me but I was not quick enough. He turned around and pinned me with his gaze.


    Uh oh.


    I swallowed nervously.


    "What are you doing here?" He asked.


    Surprisingly his tone was soft. Not what I was expecting.


    "Um, dinner is served?"


    "Let¡¯s go," he said, taking my hand and leading the way, while my eyes stayed on the back of his head, staring in confusion.


    This man had to be bipr or something.


    Dinner went on infortable silence. I kept stealing nces at him. Maybe he noticed or maybe he didn¡¯t, but he did not acknowledge it. He simply ate.


    When he was done, he excused himself because he had yet another phone call to make.


    My eyes followed him until he was out of my sight as he disappeared into the room.


    What could be the problem this time? Seemed like he could never catch a break.


    This made me think that giving him a baby would probably be more of a blessing. Children brought joy into their parents¡¯ lives. I smiled at the thought.


    That smile did notst. I was reminded of the fact that I would have to abandon my child at some point. At this moment, I wasn¡¯t sure I could pull through with it.


    But Donna would probably end me if I went back on our bargain so there was no backing out right now.


    What a mess.


    ~


    I was supposed to be tired. But a part of me knew I had to utilize this opportunity.


    He was shirtless,ying on his belly when I walked out of the bathroom after my nightly routine.


    I crawled over him, letting my legs stay on either side of him.


    My hair fell on the other side of my face as I leaned over and kissed his lips.


    "You¡¯re bing a very naughty girl," he said after a hum.


    "Then you should punish me daddy," I said through a sultry whisper.


    In an instant, he had flipped me over and pinned my hands above my head.


    "Maledettamente sexy," He muttered as his hand rubbed over my bare thigh.


    Those words set me on fire. It wasn¡¯t what he said but how he said. Like I was a deadly sin that he could not let go off.


    My lips parted as I whispered, "Kiss me,"


    I expected his lips to press onto mine roughly but he was shockingly so gentle. He cradled my face like I was the most fragile thing he ever held.


    And the way he looked into my eyes felt raw. His grey orbs enveloped me. There was something in his gaze that was beyond this moment but it could not be named.


    I kissed him back, slowly, gently. I didn¡¯t want it to end. The butterflies in my belly were on a rampage.


    When he slid into me, it was nothing like all the other times.


    <fn209f> ?????? ???? F¦Énd£Îovel</fn209f>


    And when I copsed in my orgasm, it happened at the same time for him which had never been.


    "You¡¯re different," I whispered again as he rolled to the side and pulled out of me.


    "This is the second time you¡¯re saying this." He said.


    "It¡¯s because you are,"


    I was trying to find the words. I didn¡¯t want to use the word "soft," considering the fact that it could be offensive to someone like him.


    "What does this mean?"


    "I don¡¯t know,"


    We cleaned up infortable silence after that. And for the first time, he cuddled me to sleep.

 Chapter 77 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 77: 77 ~ Jace</h4>


    I was starting to trade blood for softness because of her.


    I stared down at her as the rays of the moon framed her gorgeous face, making her look even more ethereal.


    Was I?


    I shook my head vehemently as if to chase out the thoughts. I could not be falling for anyone. I just liked her. A lot. And that was normal. I wasn¡¯t supposed to hate my wife right?


    I slowly slipped out of the bed.


    Maybe we were getting too close.


    This whole trip had been an impulsive decision. I just wanted to do something nice for her. She did not get a proper honeymoon and she deserved better than that. So I was just trying to make up for lost time.


    I stood outside and stared up at the moon even as the ocean made swishing sounds thatforted me. This was an escape that I needed too. If I was being honest, it was not just for Mira. I was drained, exhausted.


    Shipments had sunk in the sea. Millions of dors gone. Lives lost. Internal sabotage was what it seemed like but what difference did it make. This was the world I belonged and even though I was sick of it, I had no choice. It was my responsibility.


    That bastard, Enzo, was willing to take it but I knew him well enough to be sure he would bring shame to the family name. He was a traitor and a snake. I would not even be shocked if he worked with my enemies. Fucking nutjob!


    Tomas¡¯ call came with a lot of bad news earlier and I had to sweep it under the carpet so it would not ruin the trip for Mira. I was so sure she was stunned by my switch. Even I was surprised.


    I was learning to be softer with her. She was not the kind to be handled roughly but I didn¡¯t exactly know how to be softer than I was I already trying to do.


    ~


    "We¡¯re heading out, aren¡¯t youing?" Mira asked me.


    I took a good look at her. She was d in a bright floral sundress that unironically made her look like sunshine.


    Her face was bare of makeup but looked so plush and glowy. I wanted to pull her back to me and kiss those small lips of hers that she bit every now and then to seduce me, maybe it was on purpose or maybe not but it had the right effect on me.


    "No," I finally answered, snapping out of my reverie.


    "Why?"


    "I have work to do. You two have fun." I said to both of them.


    Yes, I finally acknowledged Ariel¡¯s existence. I figured that she bonded quite well with Mira and because I did not want her to be lonely, I ensured to bring her along.


    I did not want to be seen in public at this time even though we were thousands of miles away from home. I definitely would not be apanying her for shopping and because we were in another country, I didn¡¯t want her to feel alone. This was not about media stunts but she did not need to know that.


    I walked over and pressed my lips against hers to say goodbye.


    She seemed slightly stunned by it but eagerly returned it and eventually left.


    ~


    I stood shirtless at the balcony overlooking the ocean. It was peaceful. The blue ocean lulled me in with the calmness of its waves. The breeze over my skin made me feel a semnce of peace.


    It was quiet. For once, the voices in my head remained silent.


    My mind wandered to Mira. She must have been out there haggling prices with local traders. She would never want something expensive.


    I chuckled. If only this woman knew the effect she had on me. It was more than I anticipated.


    I was frustrated by how she was bing a major part of my entire existence unknowingly. I was slowly tipping to a point of being unable to imagine life without her as mine. It seemed like she had epted to be mine. I could see it in her eyes. She was no longer fighting it. She wasn¡¯t faking it anymore.


    Maybe it was not love. It was something like admiration.


    But then again, I could be overthinking things. In fact, I was beginning to sound like a lovesick puppy.


    "Snap out of it Jace," I muttered aloud, cautioning myself.


    This whole thing was getting out of hand.


    I sipped on my cup of coffee, letting the hotness burn my tongue a bit. Shutting my eyes, I sighed. I needed to let myself rx for once. I was burnt out, facing one problem or the other. It was exhausting to be me. I wasn¡¯t sure anyone else understood that.


    All they saw was a hardened gangster with a heart of stone. They didn¡¯t know the struggles I faced underneath that hard exterior.


    ~


    Tomas¡¯ call jolted me out of my afternoon nap. Of all times.


    It had taken so much to get me into this sleep. Why did he have to interrupt.


    "What is it , Tomas?" I groaned. I just needed some peace and quiet. I really should have put my phone on Do Not Disturb.


    He sounded apologetic. "Boss I know you¡¯re on vacation but I just had to..."


    "Out with it." I said impatiently.


    "Enzo was spotted around Europe with Lorenzo."


    I went quiet for a bit.


    That asshole. I knew he was up to something. I couldn¡¯t even be surprised.


    "Does anyone know where I am currently?" I asked.


    "What?"


    I grunted. He immediately understood that I did not want to repeat myself.


    "No."


    "Good. I need you to leak a fake location and when Enzo or Lorenzo try to get me, I need you to give them a message from me,"


    I went ahead and doled out the instructions on how I wanted this to turn out.


    "On it boss."


    "Now don¡¯t disturb me again until I¡¯m back in New York." I instructed.


    "Enjoy your honeymoon." He said teasingly.


    I smiled and hung up.


    I definitely would.<fnb3c2> Find the newest release on find[?]ovel</fnb3c2>

 Chapter 78 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 78: 78 ~ Mira</h4>


    "What do you think?" I asked Ariel as I twirled in front of her in the maxi skit and crop top two piece I picked up at this boutique.


    "This looks great."


    "Thank you. You¡¯ve barely picked anything," I pointed out.


    She shook her head, "Oh I¡¯m not much of a shopaholic."


    <fn5bc3> For original chapters go to find~novel</fn5bc3>


    "Nonsense," I said with a dismissive wave. "Pick anything you want, it¡¯s on me."


    "That¡¯s too much,"


    I insisted. "Trust me it¡¯s not. You¡¯re going through so much trouble for me."


    The fact that she started shopping as well made it even more fun.


    We went to the local market and bought different top hats and locally made jewelries as souvenirs.


    We even got to try some local cuisine and it was so much fun.


    I didn¡¯t want the day to end.


    But by 4pm, I got a text from Jace. We were going to dinner and I needed to be home before then.


    Typically, I would have frowned and almost thrown a tantrum about him spoiling my fun. But this time, I was eager to get home and see him. Odd...


    I slid into the back of the rental car with Ariel while the driver and the guard that apanied us stayed in front.


    We chattered animatedly, gushing about all the beautiful pieces we had picked up.


    I was going to do a whole fashion show in thefort of my room when I returned to New York.


    ~


    When we got home, the guards helped me carry my stuff out while Ariel picked up hers and headed to her quarters. We would catch upter.


    My brother Facetimed me just as I entered the bedroom.


    "Hey," he said, then frowned slightly. "Where are you?"


    "Oh we¡¯re on vacation." grinned as I showed him the shopping bags of what I got.


    "You¡¯re getting too carried away. I didn¡¯t think my sister was a gold digger."


    That came out of nowhere. I was too stunned to speak.


    "How dare you?!" I yelled when I finally got my voice.


    He was lucky he said this over the phone and not to my face because I would have pped the shit out of him.


    "You put me in this situation due to your recklessness. And now that I¡¯m trying to make the most of it, you dare call me a gold digger? You¡¯re crazy." I hung up immediately and blocked him.


    This was not my fault. It was his. How dare he try to shame me?


    I was breathing heavily as I sat back down, pondering on his words.


    What if he was right?


    Was I actually getting carried away by the luxuries I was experiencing being the wife to a billionaire?


    Was I slowly beginning to lose myself without even realizing it?


    I didn¡¯t have much time to think about it because Jace came in just then.


    His eyes scanned my features. I looked away quickly. His gaze felt too intense for me. It felt like he was peeling offyers of my skin.


    "I heard you yelling," he said.


    "You heard wrong." I muttered, getting on my feet .


    As soon as I tried to walk past him, he pulled me back.


    "What happened?" He questioned.


    I tried to be stubborn and break out of his hold but I should have known better. His grip tightened.


    "Jace, you¡¯re hurting me."


    Loosening his grip a bit, his eyes still stayed on me, boring holes into mine. ¡¯


    I sighed in resignation.


    "I¡¯m fine, I promise. I¡¯ll go get ready for our dinner."


    He looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it as he let go of me.


    ~


    I wore a backless short red dress that entuated my curves. Since I was doing my makeup myself, I did little to nothing with just some mascara and lip gloss and of course some powder.


    I slid into the ck heels I just got during my shopping spree and paired it with the customized LV purse he gave me in Rome. My hair stood in a sleek ponytail behind my head and of course I had on the ne he told me to never take off.


    "I¡¯m ready." I said as soon as I stepped out of the bathroom. He was seated on the couch waiting for me.


    He was wearing a white shirt and ck cks. Nothing out of the ordinary for him but he looked dashing nheless.


    cing his palm on the small of my back, he led us down the stairs to the waiting car.


    "Where¡¯s Ariel?" I asked, expecting her to be taking pictures and videos by now.


    "It¡¯s just you and I tonight, Mira."


    My eyes snapped out to his. There was something about what he said and how he said it that made me feel fuzzy on the inside. I bit my lower lip and looked away.


    Jace handed me a bouquet of white roses. I smelled them and smiled.


    "Thank you,"


    He nodded in acknowledgement but I could see that he was fighting back a small smile that was trying to break out on his face. Apparently, he did not like smiling in front of his guards.


    The restaurant was cleared out when we got there. Apparently he had rented the ce out for a few hours just for us. The fact that he went all out like this and it was not for the media was so endearing. It made me want to pull him to myself and kiss him.


    I didn¡¯t just think it, I did it.


    "What was that for?" He asked after we pulled apart.


    I shrugged, "Oh nothing. Let¡¯s just say that you¡¯re not so bad after all."


    "Are you falling in love with me?"


    The way he asked so seriously made me freeze. I was taken aback by the question. Where did ite from? And most importantly, was I falling for him truly?


    I asked myself so many questions in the space of a few seconds before responding to him in the best way I could.


    "I thought you don¡¯t believe in love,"


    "I don¡¯t." He said with a tone of finality.


    There was no need to press further. We didn¡¯t need to fall in love. This was not permanent. At least I knew that.


    The waiter came in with our orders and we ate infortable silence for the most part.


    We made small talk but the sexual tension that was between us was unmistakeable. I med it on the white wine and probably the fact that I was ovting but I wanted to jump him at that moment.


    "Let¡¯s get out of here," I whispered in his ears.


    He understood immediately, handled the bill and took my hand as he led us out of the restaurant.


    The drive was quiet. He was driving while the guards followed in the other vehicles.


    I felt his hand on my thigh every now and then and it made me want him more.


    I looked up and saw that we were not heading to the vi.


    "Where are we going?"


    "To the beach."


    "The beach?"


    "Trust me." He said, rubbing on my chin tenderly.


    I sighed and decided to do just that.


    He drove to the beach side and parked at a safe distance from the ocean.


    ??


    The car was quiet, save for the soft hum of the engine and the asional crash of waves from the ocean a few meters away. I could feel his gaze, heavy and dark, burning into me from the moment I unbuckled my seatbelt.


    And now, with the lights dimmed and the air between us thick with tension, I didn¡¯t dare look at him. I didn¡¯t trust myself to.


    "You really wore that dress to test my patience," he murmured suddenly, his voice was low and rough.


    My heart thudded. "It¡¯s just a dress," I said, barely above a whisper feeling all the confidence I had before we left the restaurant dissipate.


    "No." He reached over, his fingers curling around my chin to force my eyes to meet his. "It¡¯s the way you looked at me all night. The way youughed during the times we talked. If there was any other man there tonight they¡¯d wish they were me."


    His hand slid from my chin down to my bare thigh, brushing the hem of my dress. "But they¡¯re not me."


    And just like that, his mouth was on mine.


    It wasn¡¯t slow. It wasn¡¯t gentle.


    His kiss was all teeth and hunger, like he¡¯d been holding back for hours and finally snapped. I gasped as he deepened it, his fingers tightening possessively on my thigh, tugging me closer across the seat.


    "Jace, someone might see-" I tried to warn him. But on the flipside, I knew the ss was tinted.


    "Let them." His voice was gravel now. "They¡¯ll know who you belong to."


    His hands were everywhere. Pushing my dress up. Palming my hips. His mouth left a trail of hot kisses around my jaw, down to my neck.


    "Say it," he growled against my skin. "Say who you belong to."


    "You," I whispered breathlessly. "I¡¯m yours."


    He groaned and pressed his forehead to mine for a beat, his chest rising and falling with restraint.


    "You¡¯re gonna be the end of me, Mira," he muttered. "But not tonight."


    And then he pulled me fully into hisp. I unzipped him and moaned and his cock slid into my soaking wet pussy.


    The leather creaked beneath us, the heat of our bodies fogging the windows as the Maldives moon glowed through the windshield. Nothing existed outside that car - just his hands, his mouth, and the sound of his name falling from my lips like a vow.

 Chapter 79 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 79: 79 ~ Mira</h4>


    ~Weekster~


    My hands were shaky as the two red lines stared back at me.


    I sped my free hand over my mouth as the tears of relief flowed down my cheeks.


    Finally.


    After months of trying. I was finally pregnant.


    It felt surreal. Like a dream or an out of body experience. That was the best way to describe it.


    The trip to the Maldives definitely paid off. So all actually needed was a change of environment and for my body to be a little more rxed to take in and here we were.


    I couldn¡¯t wait to tell Donna Carm that our n was already in motion.


    I was already out of my bathroom when I paused.


    cing my left palm over my t belly, I let the reality hit me. I was really carrying a baby - a life - inside of me now, if those three used DIY test kits I used to be sure I was not hallucinating, were anything to go by.


    This was going to be my first time ever being pregnant. I did not know what to expect. I had barely had any symptoms. This was simply a routine check after my period dyed.


    If I went and told Donna Carm, it would make everything so... real.


    Jace.


    I swallowed nervously at the thought of him.


    I wasn¡¯t ready to tell him yet. I had no idea what to expect if I told him anything right now.


    "What do I do?" I asked myself as I sat on my bed, trying to process everything.


    This was a lot to take in.


    All of a sudden I felt fear overtake all the other emotions I was feeling at once.


    I immediately cowered in trepidation.


    ~


    By the end of the day, I gathered enough courage and walked to Donna¡¯s side of the house.


    The guards greeted me as I walked past them and all I could do was answer absentmindedly.


    The guard at her door held it open for me and I went in.


    "Mira?"


    "Donna," I said, nodding my head in acknowledgement.


    She observed me. "I haven¡¯t seen you a while."


    "Jace said you were out of town."


    He did not specifically tell where she went to but yeah she was out of town.


    "I had some things to deal with on his behalf." She answered, gesturing for me to sit opposite her.


    I wanted to probe what she meant by that but then I was never involved with their dealings. It was none of my business. Plus we had other pressing matters to deal with.


    "I have something to tell you," I said, wringing my hands nervously.


    She gave me a nce. "What is it?"


    I exhaled slowly.


    "I took a test this morning. I¡¯m pregnant."


    Donna Carm¡¯s eyes lit up immediately.


    That was the most reaction I had seen from her ever since we met several months ago.


    "That¡¯s fantastic, Mira. Finally!" She eximed.


    "Yeah," I said with a nervous smile, pushing my hair behind my ears.


    "Have you told Jace yet?"


    The mention of his name made my heart skip.


    "No. I decided to tell you first,"


    She nodded, "Hmm. Our n is in motion. In a year or less, you¡¯d get your freedom."


    "Yeah," I said after a bit of hesitation.


    Her brows arched. "Having cold feet?"


    "I-, no-" I stuttered, tripping over my words.


    Donna leaned closer like she wanted to tell me a secret. "Falling in love with him and this baby would cost you. You have to choose yourself."


    I nodded, agreeing to everything she just stated.


    I was getting too emotional. I needed to focus on why I was doing all this in the first ce. There was nothing for me here. I did not want to be here in the first ce. I was trapped in a luxurious prison.


    But then was I beginning to fall in love with my chains?


    ~


    The next day, I did a good job at hiding from Jace. I didn¡¯t join him for breakfast as usual. And surprisingly, he did not ask me toe down.


    I stayed in my room for the most part of the day, pondering how to break the news to him.


    A knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts and I was surprised to see hime in.


    "We¡¯re having dinner with some of my business associates, be ready by six." He went straight to the point. No pleasantries.


    I nodded.


    "Are you alright?"


    "Yes, I am." I nodded.


    "You¡¯ve been quiet. And I haven¡¯t even seen you all day,"


    "I¡¯m okay." I said, forcing a smile.


    "See you at six." He said, pressing a kiss to my forehead as he squeezed one of my butt cheeks.


    I couldn¡¯t help but giggle.


    But after he left, why did I feel this overwhelming sense of trepidation when I thought about telling him about my condition?


    I had no idea how he would react to it and that was terrifying.


    I looked at the time on my phone. I had a little over an hour to get ready so there was no time to continue sulking.


    I decided to wear a ck dress. That was what Jace would prefer for gatherings like these.


    I wasn¡¯t in the mood for too much makeup so I decided to go with something light and simple. A `no makeup` makeup look with a nude lipbo. Then I brushed out my hair and put it in a sleek bun.


    I spritzed some perfume, wore a pair of stilettos and picked up my clutch.


    He was waiting downstairs by the time I stepped out.


    "Tonight, everyone will look at you... but you are only mine." He said, bring my knuckles to his lips.


    I looked into his eyes as I smiled. The way he continuously imed me as his did things to me.


    This man was making me lose my senses as the days went by. I was bing unnecessarily attached to this unruly union we had.


    This proved I would definitely need therapy after all this.


    ~


    The dinner was at a fancy Italian restaurant. Apparently, these associates of his hosting us were trying to impress him. It was a no-brainer that you bring an Italian man to a ce that reminded him of home.


    "Mr and Mrs Romano, wee," The host weed us. "Right this way," he said, leading us to the table where two of Jace¡¯s associates were waiting for us.


    They got on their feet as we approached. Surprisingly, they were a young couple like us. No wonder Jace wanted me to tag along.


    The wife and I looked around the same age. I could have been wrong.


    Mr and Mrs Reign. Those were their titles. Or at least what I was choosing to call them.


    I shook hands with her husband, while we gave air kisses to each other.


    "It¡¯s so great to finally meet the Mrs Romano," the wife said.


    I smiled politely. "Oh, thanks?"


    I didn¡¯t know how to respond to someone anticipating meeting me. I didn¡¯t even know her.


    The men discussed business over dinner while I was stuck speaking to Mrs Reign whose name I found out was Eliana.


    Eliana was a chatterbox. I felt overwhelmed as she went on and on about things I had little to no idea about.


    When she brought up us having brunch one of these days as dinner came to end, I smiled politely and told her I was down for it. That was a lie. I wasn¡¯t going anywhere with that woman.


    I sighed as soon as I got into the vehicle with Jace.


    I had no idea how social interactions had be exhausting. This was what too much istion had cause.


    "Are you alright?"


    "Yeah, just wasn¡¯t expecting all that."


    "Hmm. I get you." He nodded.


    The ride continued infortable silence afterwards.


    When we got into the house, he asked me to join him in his room after changing.


    I wiped off my makeup and changed into some lounge wear.


    Opening the door, I went into his room and sat on the bed, watching as he poured a ss of wine into two sses.


    He came over and handed me one of them.


    I shook my head.


    "No wine?" He asked, brow raised.


    "I can¡¯t,"


    His eyes squinted in confusion.


    This was my only chance, I thought. It was now or never.


    "I¡¯m pregnant Jace." I said slowly.


    The air shifted immediately. He stared at me unblinking and more than anything, I wanted the bed to open up and swallow me.


    "This was your n all along," his voice hardened.


    My breath hitched. He was on to me.


    This was certainly not the reaction I was expecting.


    "Jace-"


    "Leave," he said coldly.


    I was taken aback by that.


    "But, Jace-"


    "Mira, get the hell out of here before I do something crazy."


    I flinched at the sight of his bloodshot eyes.


    I don¡¯t know how my legs carried me out of there but I found myself in my room across the hall, panting as I shut the door behind me, sliding down until I found myself on the floor.


    "This is not good."


    <fn6e2f> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? F?nd-Novel</fn6e2f>


    It certainly wasn¡¯t.

 Chapter 80 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 80: 80 ~ Jace</h4>


    Yelling at a pregnant woman was not how I nned to end my evening, But Mira should have known better.


    Why the hell would she stop taking her pills?!


    I didn¡¯t need this right now.


    This was certainly not the right time to have a baby. I was still on edge, preparing for the Castillos to attack as well as several other enemies.


    I had a lot going on with my businesses.


    Mira would be an easy target if anyone found out she was carrying my child.


    I considered sending her away but no, I needed to keep an eye on her at all times.


    Her having my child doubled the risks of her safety. How could she be so careless?


    "Unless..." I trailed off, shaking my head in disagreement at the thought of her doing this on purpose. She wouldn¡¯t do that.


    ~


    I couldn¡¯t sleep. I tossed and turned on my bed as the thoughts of having a child continuously haunted me.


    I wasn¡¯t ready to be a father. In fact. I didn¡¯t even think I wanted to be one. But then I couldn¡¯t let my legacy die with me.


    Every now and then I pondered on the thought of not having a child brought into this messed up world I found myself in.


    If I had a choice, I would not be doing what I did now. But it was a responsibility.


    I got on my feet and walked out of my room.


    When I got to Mira¡¯s door, I pressed my ear to it and heard her sob.


    My hands hovered over the door knob.


    A part of me wanted to go in there and scoop her into my arms as she cried. I wanted to kiss those tears away and tell her it was okay.


    But it was not.


    A child would change everything. We were okay the way we were. Just two people exploring each other in the best way possible without the responsibility of a baby.


    Maybe I should have protected myself more but that¡¯s what the pills were for.


    Reluctantly, I walked away from the door and headed into my home office.


    Since I couldn¡¯t sleep, the best thing to do was work.


    ~


    I woke up with bloodshot eyes in the morning and a sprained neck after sleeping with my head rested on my office table.


    After a brief shower, I headed downstairs to get coffee.


    Mira was at the table.


    "Good morning," she said to me.


    "Morning." I muttered in response, gesturing for the help to hand me my cup of coffee.


    "I made you something."


    "I¡¯m not hungry." I answered tersely.


    "But-"


    "I have to go now." I cut her short, not waiting for a response as I walked out of the house.


    I knew I had hurt her even more but the truth was, I wasn¡¯t ready to confront my emotions just yet by speaking to her. I needed time to myself to think and process everything.


    ~


    I found myself at the central warehouse that morning. Tomas was surprised to see mee in. I hadn¡¯t been here in weeks.


    "I need some coffee. Or no, make that some whiskey."


    "It¡¯s quite early," he remarked.


    I gave him a re.


    "Coming right up," he said, heading to the bar to pour me a ss.


    I took the liquid in one swig and it burned my throat. It was a bittersweet feeling.


    "Is there something wrong?" He looked concerned.


    "There¡¯s always something wrong, Tomas."


    "I¡¯m asking on a personal level don."


    I exhaled slowly as I leaned back in my swivel chair.


    "Mira¡¯s pregnant."


    "That¡¯s great news. Congrattions,"


    I shook my head. "It¡¯s not good news. Not at all,"


    Tomas frowned. "How do you mean? You still don¡¯t want kids?"


    "Not yet."


    "With all due respect, why did you have unprotected sex then?" He asked the question in such a way, I felt dumb.


    "She was on the pill."


    "From what I know, those things have side effects. Maybe she stopped them because it was messing with her." Hemented.


    "Well, she should have told me!"


    He gestured for me to calm down. "Easy now. Did you tell her why you don¡¯t want children?"


    <fn9f48> Chapters first released on Find~Novel</fn9f48>


    I let out a sigh, "Don¡¯t get me wrong Tomas, this is just not the right time. There¡¯s so much going on."


    "So what do you want to do?"


    "I don¡¯t know yet." I said, giving him a look he understood immediately.


    "Don,e on,"


    "It has to be done. It¡¯s the only way."


    "What about her?"


    "I¡¯ll make sure she¡¯s fine."


    "It¡¯s your life," he shrugged.


    He left shortly after that, leaving me alone with my thoughts.


    ~


    I stayed out for as long as possible, knowing Mira would want us to talk. She was morefortable with me now. The walls there were initially between us were copsing. Big mistake.


    I needed to build back those walls again. I had gotten too carried away and maybe she had too.


    I walked into my roomte at night and was stunned to see Mira seated there waiting for me.


    She got on her feet as soon as she saw me.


    "What are you doing in here?"


    "Jace we need to talk,"


    "It¡¯s Mr Romano to you."


    I saw the hurt sh through her eyes but I pretended to be unmoved by it.


    I watched her swallow and stupidly visualized all the times she...


    Shaking my head, I snapped out of it. This was not the time to think graphic thoughts.


    "I don¡¯t have all night, Mira." I told her, maintaining my cold tone.


    "I don¡¯t even know what to say to you right now. This was a bad idea,"


    She was fighting to keep her emotions at bay. I hated to see her struggling like this but she needed to know that everything was not okay between us.


    "I don¡¯t want the child." I went straight to the point.


    "Jac- Mr Romano," she corrected herself quickly. "The child is yours,"


    "I¡¯m fully aware it¡¯s mine but I¡¯m not ready for a child. Why did you stop taking your pills?"


    "How can you not be ready for a child? You have everything you need!"


    "That is not the point, Mira!"


    "Then what is?!" She yelled back, breathing heavily.


    "I do not owe you an exnation." I mumbled.


    "Yes you do! This is a child we¡¯re talking about. It¡¯s not one of the silly games you¡¯ve been ying with my life ever since I met you. This is different."


    I groaned in frustration, rubbing my hands over my hair furiously.


    "Mira, just go."


    "No!" She insisted, stomping her foot on the ground. "I¡¯m not going anywhere."


    "Fine. Stay here then." I stormed out instead, ignoring her cries behind me.


    This was fucked up.

 Chapter 81 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 81: 81 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was wailing by the time he walked out without looking back. I knew following him would be pointless. He could go ahead and hit me in the process. There was no telling what he would do.


    He had changed yet again. This man had proved how unpredictable he was.


    Not bothering howte it was, I practically ran to his mother¡¯s side of the house.


    Surprisingly she was awake and seated in her living room watching a show I did not care to know about.


    Donna sat up as soon as she saw me.


    "Why are you crying?"


    I choked on a sob as I tried to speak and she immediately rubbed my back.


    "Mira, stress isn¡¯t good for a pregnant woman. Breathe."


    I let out a breath as I nodded, trying to gather my words.


    "He doesn¡¯t want the baby,"


    She went quiet for a bit.


    "Did he say that to you?"


    "Yes. And he¡¯s being so mean to me," I said.


    Donna let out a sigh. She looked like she was pondering on what to do.


    "Just rx, I¡¯ll talk to him. He¡¯s probably just shocked."


    "It¡¯s been two days since I told him," I pointed out.


    "Give him time. He¡¯lle around."


    I wasn¡¯t sure about that but I nodded anyway.


    Then I went on to tell what had just transpired.


    "Dio mio, this boy!" She eximed.


    "I need you to go to bed okay? Stop crying. At least for the sake of the baby."


    "Okay." I said.


    She had a guard escort me to my room and as soon as I got in, I tucked myself in and slept.


    ~


    The next morning, I waited at the dining table for Jace toe down. He did not show up.


    I was on the verge of tears again when Donna Carm walked. Her eyes met mine.


    I shook my head in the negative, understanding the question in her gaze.


    I heard her tsk and sigh. Abruptly, she turned and headed towards the stairs.


    I took some time before following.


    I trudged up the stairs slowly until I heard voicesing from Jace¡¯s home office.


    I snuck to the door and stered myself to the wall beside it.


    "If you did not want a child. You should have opted for a vasectomy!"


    "She¡¯s supposed to be on the pill!" Jace retorted.


    "Why did you marry her if you don¡¯t want children? Answer me!"


    I held my breath, eavesdropping and anxiously waiting to hear his response.


    "Mom, this has nothing to do with you. I don¡¯t understand why you cannot mind your business and stay out of my marriage."


    "Jace, I did not raise you to be a beast."


    "You did not raise me at all. Dad did!" He yelled.


    "If your father behaved the way you¡¯re doing right now, you would not exist."


    "I wish I didn¡¯t!!"


    The silence was heavy after that.


    Then with a tone as cold as ice, Donna Carm said, "You should have died. Not Ro."


    I gasped, sping my palm over my mouth.


    "Of course you¡¯d say that. He was your favorite anyways,"


    "He listened to me. He saw women as humans and not objects. You have tortured that girl enough,"


    "She is not keeping that baby."


    I ced my palm over my belly. Was he suggesting an abortion?


    "She is keeping my grandchild."


    "This is a wrong time. We can have other babies!"


    "Yeah right. Can you even hear yourself?!"


    This was the first time I was hearing Donna yell on top of her lungs. She sounded frustrated by her son¡¯s behaviour. Who wouldn¡¯t be?


    Jace Romano was inconsiderate. He didn¡¯t think of anyone but himself. I couldn¡¯t believe I was beginning to feel something for him. I was so dumb to assume he had a soft side that would even be softer with the birth of a child. I was so wrong.


    And I was right to want to leave all along. I did not deserve this.


    <fne647> ?????? ???? Find[?]ovel</fne647>


    I had heard enough. My legs felt heavy as I walked back to my room.


    I found myself seated on the floor staring into space at the thought of what my life had be. It was a total mess. Too much of a mess no one would really understand.


    Roberto was right. I had let myself get too carried away ying wife. It hade back to bite me in the ass.


    We had not spoken since our altercation when I was in the Maldives.


    I picked up my phone and called him.


    "How nice of you to remember I exist." He said sarcastically, the moment he picked up.


    "You got me mad," I croaked out. My voice failed me. It held so many emotions.


    "Are you crying? Is there something wrong?" His tone changed to something of worry. It sounded like he would jump into his vehicle at that very instant.


    "No..."


    "Mira, talk to me. Did he hurt you?"


    I hesitated for a second.


    "Well, yes," I finally said, choking on a sob.


    Roberto red up immediately. "That bastard! He hit you?"


    "No no. He didn¡¯t hit me. The thing is..." I trailed off, not knowing how to exin.


    "Tell me what he did."


    "I¡¯m pregnant." I said with a wince.


    "Isn¡¯t that what you wanted?"


    "Yes, but..."


    "But?" He sounded impatient now.


    "He doesn¡¯t want the baby." I told him, shutting my eyes tightly as Jace¡¯s words reyed in my head.


    "I¡¯ll be with you shortly."


    "Roberto don¡¯t do anything-"


    He hung up before I could speak further.


    "Oh no,"


    I knew my brother well enough and he was a fireball once enraged. He had always been super protective of me. There was no telling what he would do when he got here.


    I tried calling him to stop him froming here but he wasn¡¯t picking up. I texted him and frantically sent voice notes pleading with him to not do anything stupid but he was not responding.


    I gripped my hair. "Oh God, no."

 Chapter 82 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 82: 82 ~ Mira</h4>


    It didn¡¯t take long. My brother got here and it all went downhill from there.


    I hoped Jace would have stepped out but he was still home.


    "Jace Romano!!!" I heard my brother yell on top of his voice.


    I ran downstairs to the living room and saw two guards restraining him from climbing up the stairs.


    "Roberto please don¡¯t make a scene." I said immediately our eyes met.


    "Where the fuck is he?!" He thundered, ignoring me.


    "You¡¯ll get yourself killed!"


    "I don¡¯t give a damn. Where is he?"


    "He¡¯s not home," I lied.


    "You¡¯re lying."


    "Robertoe on,"


    "She is lying,"


    Jace¡¯s voice boomed from the balcony as he looked down on all of us like we were his subjects.


    "I¡¯m right here, Roberto." He said, almost like he was daring him toe up for a fight.


    I shook my head vehemently, looking between both of them. I didn¡¯t need this right now.


    "You bastard!"


    I watched in horror as my brother broke out of the hold of the guards that were holding him back and he charged towards Jace.


    I ran after him as fast as I could and somehow managed to find myself standing between them. I put my hands out, trying to push them apart as much as possible.


    "You¡¯ve done enough to hurt my sister. She¡¯s leaving you today!"


    Jace chuckled. "Mira isn¡¯t going anywhere. Especially because she¡¯s carrying my child."


    I turned to Jace so fast, I thought I would have whish. All of a sudden he cared about the child I was carrying?


    "Why are you pretending to care all of a sudden? You did not give a shit before!" I rightly used him.


    He gave me a quick nce. "You¡¯re carrying my baby. Isn¡¯t it? You¡¯re not going anywhere"


    "You¡¯re just a jerk who thinks he¡¯s untouchable." Roberto spat out with so much venom in his tone.


    "Take him out of here." Jace said, gesturing at the guards who stood behind us all this time.


    "I¡¯m not leaving without my sister."


    He turned to me


    "Mira, pack your bags. My debt has been paid and there¡¯s no need for you to continue putting up with his bullshit."


    "She¡¯s the debt."


    "Two hundred thousand dors? She¡¯s worth more than that."


    "She¡¯s my wife regardless. And she belongs to me."


    "My sister is not your property."


    Their whole exchange was making me dizzy. I felt myself get weaker the more it went on.


    "Stop it, both of you," I managed to say before my eyes closed.


    ~


    I woke up in the hospital.


    There was no way for me to know how long I had been out. All I remembered was the fact that my brother and my supposed husband were arguing and I lost my bnce.


    I sat up slowly, looking around the room.


    I was surprised to see Donna Carm seated there.


    "Take it easy," she said softly.


    "Where...where¡¯s Jace? And my brother." I asked.


    "Jace isn¡¯t here." She answered solemnly.


    The words hit my chest. And that was when I remembered.


    "My baby," I gasped, cing my palm over my belly.


    "The doctor says the baby¡¯s fine. You just need to be on strict bed rest for now." She reassured me immediately.


    I nodded, heaving a sigh of relief. I was grateful that I did not lose my pregnancy due to all this stress.


    The nurse came in and checked my vitals, while the doctor told what I needed to avoid in the meantime. I listened with rapt attention.


    My first ultrasound was booked for the next day.


    Hours passed and there was still no sign of my husband.


    "He¡¯s noting Mira," Donna Carm said, noticing how my eyes kept going to the door, hoping for him toe in.


    "But why? Jace promised to protect me." I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn¡¯t want to cry.


    She sighed. "His ego isrger than whatever he feels for you. You really have to let him go. For your own good."


    "But I don¡¯t even..."


    Then and there I realized how stupid I was. I had fallen for a total stranger who saw me as nothing more than an object. I was such a fool for letting my emotions y me like this.


    "You have to leave Mira,"


    "Where do I go?" I asked her.


    "Don¡¯t worry about any of that. I¡¯ll handle it. For the sake of your life and this baby, you just have to go as far as possible."


    ~


    For the few days I stayed at the hospital, Jace came in to see me just once. Our interactions were awkward.


    But before he left, I asked to feel his face. He was confused but he obliged my request. This was thest time I would see him in for what I correctly assumed would be a long time. I took in every feature of his, hoping that this child I was carrying would at least look a little bit like him.


    I would see him again. I would give him his baby. But not anytime soon.


    When he left, I let myself cry, mourning what should have been. This was it for me.


    ~


    Donna arranged everything. On the day I was discharged, I stayed back in the hospital until midnight.


    She sent a bag containing a passport, money and the contact of someone safe that would get me at the airport in the new country I was heading to.


    With a hoodie and the small suitacase that came with me to the hospital, I exited the room, not without taking off the ne that Jace had given me. This was a reminder of him and I did not need it with me for this journey. I needed to forget him. And even when I knew that was basically impossible, with me carrying his child, I still went ahead and put the ne down in the middle of the bed.


    I took a cab to the airport and boarded my flight.


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    "Goodbye Jace," I said as the ne took off.

 Chapter 83 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 83: 83 ~ Jace</h4>


    The past few days had been hectic. I was battling one issue or the other with work (legal and otherwise). And Mira was in the hospital.


    How bad could it get?


    I was about to find out.


    I walked into her hospital room and found it empty.


    Blinking a couple of times, I wondered if my eyes were deceiving me.


    I looked into the bathroom situated in the room and she was nowhere to be found. None of her stuff was in the room. It was almost like she was never here.


    My heart beat faster immediately. What if she had been kidnapped?


    I was about to run out of the room when I spotted the ne I gave to her on top of the bed.


    This was the only way I could track her. I asked her to not take it off no matter what.


    I picked it up.


    "Where¡¯s my wife?" I asked the guard that was supposed to be watching her standing outside the room.


    "Boss."


    "Answer the damn question." I thundered.


    "We just came in this morning. She¡¯s supposed to be discharged today."


    "Then where the heck is she? And why are you justing in?"


    "Donna sent new guards yesterday."


    "My mother?" I was stunned by that piece of information.


    "Yes boss."


    "You¡¯re fired."


    He was ipetent. Why would he be standing out here without checking on whom he was supposed to protect.


    I found my way downstairs, boarded my vehicle and immediately sped out of the hospital.


    ~


    "Where¡¯s Mira?"


    That was the first thing I said as soon as I stepped into my mother¡¯s bedroom at her side of the house.


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    "Have you ever heard of knocking?"


    "Cut the bullshit mom, where is she?"


    "How am I supposed to know? Weren¡¯t you supposed to be with her at the hospital?"


    "Has she been kidnapped?" I asked, unable to hide my worry.


    But then there was the fact that she left her ne behind. Maybe she did not want to be found.


    I balled my fist, gritting my teeth as I said, "The moment I find her I¡¯m gonna-"


    "You won¡¯t." My mother cut me short.


    I paused. "What?"


    She went on. "And even if you do, you will not bring her back here. She needs her peace. You¡¯ve brought enough chaos to her life."


    "What the hell are you talking about?" I scowled.


    "Do whatever you want with this piece of information." She said and walked to her door, gesturing for me to leave.


    "You have a hand in her disappearance?"


    "Don¡¯t ask me silly questions Jacopo. Leave my room."


    "Mom."


    She looked even more upset. "You messed this up. I keep cleaning up your messes and I am sick and tired of it!"


    "She¡¯s carrying my child."


    "Oh now you care?" The sarcasm in her tone bit into me.


    ¡¯"Mom, just tell me where she is."


    "She is safe. Leave her alone."


    "What about my baby?"


    "They will be taken care of."


    "The Castillos will go after her. I need to be there to protect her." This was a desperate plea.


    "Like you did a very good job at that while she was here," she scoffed.


    Her words burned straight into my chest. For the first time I felt powerless.


    "Go,"


    I stormed out of the room in anger.


    Picking up my phone, I dialed the number of the of the one person that could get this sorted for me. Tomas.


    "Boss,"


    "I need you to help me find Mira," I said, straight to the point.


    "Your wife?"


    "Who else?!"


    "Where did she go?"


    "I don¡¯t know. But I know my mom has a hand in it. She won¡¯t tell me where she is. I can count on you for this right?"


    "Always. Just rx boss."


    ~


    Days rolled into weeks.


    There was no sign of Mira.


    I even had my mother followed just to see if she could lead me to her but there was no sign of her.


    Tomas assured me he was on it but there was barely any progress. I had tried calling her over and over but there was no response.


    I had asked my mother over and over for answers but knowing her, she could take such a secret to the grave.


    I picked up my phone and called Mira yet again. My calls went to voicemail. I could never find the right words to say so I just left it.


    I was such a coward.


    ~


    It was one of those nights when I couldn¡¯t get Mira out of my head. I decided that going to the club would help.


    Every time I went home, the house felt oddly empty without her there. The rooms were empty.


    I missed the taste of her meals and baked treats. I felt choked with her absence.


    It was an ache I could not fully exin. She wasn¡¯t supposed to leave me like this. We could have at least talked.


    Would you have listened to her though? I asked myself.


    In all honesty, maybe I wouldn¡¯t have. And now, I regretted it.


    The music was loud, Tomas was having a good time with a woman on his arm. For me, I didn¡¯t want anyone near me. The only person I wanted was Mira but now she was gone. Away in another country for sure and there was somehow no trace of her.


    What happened next was so fast, I was blindsided.


    The only thing I heard was shots and the next minute I was on the ground.


    It was chaos all around.


    I reached for my gun, ready to shoot back but I could barely even see the person who had shot at me because of all the chaos.


    I shut my eyes and groaned as the pain of the bullet seeped in.


    Why was it always my arm for fucks sake?!


    "Boss!"


    "Find the motherfucker who did this!" I yelled with all my might.


    This was going to make it to the news and it was bad for business.


    "Shit!"

 Chapter 84 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 84: 84 ~ Mira</h4>


    It had been a few months.


    Time had conveniently rolled by so fast.


    I had settled in just fine here in Greece. Donna sent me to the household of an old friend of hers and her family. They had been so hospitable and kind.


    Santorini was such a breath of fresh air. This ce was perfect.


    Too bad I could not fully enjoy it because I couldn¡¯t go to a lot of ces.


    I had heard that Jace was actively searching for me.


    And even though I was so mad at him for everything he put me through, a part of me wanted him to find me and take me back so we could live a normal life. But even I knew that was never going to be possible.


    ~


    I knock on my door that morning as Iy in bed jolted me out of my thoughts.


    I went to the huge mahogany door and pulled it open.


    "Mrs Ria?"


    She was standing dear with a concerned look on her face. She doted on me so much, it felt like she was my mother.


    "You slept in again?" She asked, searching my face for signs of stress.


    "I could barely sleepst night." I said with a rueful smile.


    Her own smile dropped. "What happened dear?"


    That night, I tossed and turned in bed. I just felt so much difort all of a sudden. I exined this to her.


    "That¡¯s odd."


    "I¡¯m fine now though." I assured her and she nodded before telling me that breakfast was ready.


    ~


    I spoke to my brother every once in a while. And today was one of those days that I called him.


    For safety reasons, he did not know exactly where I was. I made sure to always call from a private number as well. It¡¯s not that I couldn¡¯t trust him. I just didn¡¯t need any more drama in my condition.


    He picked up on the first ring fully aware it was me calling.


    "Hey Roberto," I said.


    "Hey sis, how are you doing?"


    "Why do you sound out of breath? Are you alright?" I questioned.


    "I was working out."


    "Oh okay. How are you?"


    "I¡¯m great. Are you good?"


    "I¡¯m perfectly fine."


    "You should be. Especially now that you¡¯re away from that jerk." He said in an angry mumble. What a way to switch moods.


    I sighed. There was no way both of them would ever get along.


    "He¡¯s still my husband and the father of my unborn child you know." I reminded him.


    "Yeah whatever, fuck him!"


    I snickered. "That¡¯s exactly how I got pregnant."


    "Mira! Eww!"


    Iughed so hard.


    "I did not need that description."


    Iughed even more at how irritated he sounded.


    "I heard Jace got shot two days ago." He said out of nowhere.


    My blood ran cold.


    "Shot? By whom?"


    "I have no idea. He was at the club, someone opened fire at him. Asides him and two others, there was no casualties. But the club was shut down for the night. And now the media is specting there¡¯s something shady about him because this is not the first time this is happening."


    I listened with rapt attention as Roberto doled out all the details. No wonder I felt the way I did. It was because of him.


    I ced my palm over my growing belly. This child was already connected to its father. Too bad its father didn¡¯t want him.


    "Roberto?"


    "Hmm,"


    "I want to ask for a favor."


    "If it¡¯s what I think it is, the answer is no."


    I shut my eyes and sighed. "Please."


    "I said no. I am not going anywhere."


    "I just need to be sure he¡¯s okay." I insisted. There was no way I could call him but I just needed to know if he was fine.


    "Are you in love with him or something?"


    His question silenced me.


    Roberto took my silence for an answer.


    "What the fuck, Mira? Was he that good in bed?" He exploded the next minute.


    "Roberto! Don¡¯t speak to me like that." I cautioned him.


    "I¡¯m being fucking for real. How can you be so attached to someone who forced you to marry him under a week? You need to speak to a therapist. You are not okay."


    He was so fucking judgemental.


    My voice went up a notch. "All this wouldn¡¯t have happened if you did not run off with his money in the first ce!"


    "Enough with the me game. At some point, it was you who wanted to stay with him. Every time I wanted to get you out of there, you insisted on staying. You went ahead and got pregnant. This is on you."


    Roberto¡¯s words were harsh. They sounded like the truth but that wasn¡¯t entirely it. But the tears stung my eyes as he spoke. Damn pregnancy hormones!


    I hung up, unable to say anything else.


    That was enough for today.


    ~


    I could barely concentrate after that. All I wanted to do was speak to him. I just wanted to know if he was fine.


    I knew I would probably be sabotaging my hidden location but I just wanted to be sure that he was okay.


    Ria asked me if I was okay because I was distracted during dinner.


    "I¡¯m fine." I assured her.


    When I got into bed that night, once again I could not sleep. So I did the most foolish thing even after my firm resolve to not contact him until after the baby is born.


    I sent him a text.


    ¡¯Hi Jace. I heard about what happened. I hope you¡¯re getting better. Please be careful out there.¡¯


    I shut my eyes pressed send before I could let myself change my mind.


    I managed to get some sleep afterwards.


    By the time I woke up in the morning, the message I¡¯d sent the previous night was long forgotten.


    I had a doctor¡¯s appointment so I got ready.


    One of Ria¡¯s helps, brought me a fruit sd since I said I wasn¡¯t so eager for a heavy breakfast. My gynaecologist had advised that fruits be a constant part of my diet so that was what I was doing.


    I was doing everything right so my child woulde out healthy with no defects. I wanted him/her to be a chunk of beautiful healthiness.


    I wrapped my head with a scarf and wore a pair of sunsses. This was how I dressed up whenever I stepped out these days. It was an odd way to live but it was for the best.


    I didn¡¯t want Jace showing up and bundling me back to New York. That would be chaotic.


    ~


    The cab I took stopped me in front of the hospital. I got out and walked straight to my gynaecologist¡¯s office.


    I said a quick hello to his front desk officer on the way. I knocked on the door and as soon as he asked me to, I went in.


    "Hello Miss Valente,"


    "Hi doctor."


    I stuck to my maiden name to avoid any problems. It was still quite risk as I knew whomever was searching for me would know this fact but it was toote to change it now. It would look suspicious in fact.


    Iid down and as the nurse came in and handled my ultrasound.


    "Everything looks great mama. Baby¡¯s heartbeat is strong."


    I grinned. "Wonderful. I can¡¯t wait to meet my baby,"


    "Five months to go I guess," She said with the same enthusiasm.


    One thing I loved about this ce was how kind the staff were. They had their patients¡¯ wellbeing at heart and would do anything to make sure they¡¯re alright.


    "Phew, that¡¯s a long time." I mentioned.


    "Time flies these days you know,"


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    "Indeed."


    They went ahead to check my vitals.


    "Your blood pressure is quite high."


    "It is?" My smile dropped.


    Pre-empsia was one of my greatest fears. It had imed several lives and more than anything, I wanted to avoid any possibleplications.


    "Have you been sleeping well?"


    "For the past few days, not really." I admitted.


    "We have to work on that."


    I nodded and listened as she doled out some instructions.


    I couldn¡¯t believe I was already in my second trimester. I was counting down the months with so much anticipation.


    Several times I had pictured what my child would look like. Maybe it would have my eyes, Jace¡¯s nose, his straight or my curly hair. I could only imagine.


    By the end of my doctor¡¯s visit, I had another cab waiting for me.


    But as I slipped into the back of the vehicle, I could not fight off the feeling of being watched.


    I turned back a few times and scanned my surroundings but there was nothing or anyone suspicious I could spot.


    Picking up my phone, I decided to distract myself by scrolling through social media.


    I decided I was overthinking it. I was simply just paranoid. Anyone in my shoes would be too right?


    Right...

 Chapter 85 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 85: 85 ~ Mira</h4>


    The nightmares were strange.


    They started off as a random day with me going to buy stuff in town and then all of a sudden, I start being followed.


    I run as fast as my legs can carry me and just when I think I¡¯ve totally escaped. I fall to the ground.


    My assants approach, I crawl to get away from them and just when I think they¡¯re about to hit me, they disappear. I¡¯m supposed to be relieved by that but when I look down I¡¯m in a pool of blood.


    I woke up screaming the first few times I had that nightmare.


    Thankfully the walls in this house were somewhat soundproof so I did not wake anyone up.


    But it was worrisome.


    Every night, these strange nightmares would repeat themselves and I would be left alone to deal with its horrors, forcing myself to go back to sleep every time.


    ~


    My phone rang that morning, waking me out of my sleep.


    It was a private number and I had be wary of them since I moved.


    A fleeting thought crossed my mind. What if Jace was trying to trace me and the moment I picked up he would know where I was?


    I couldn¡¯t risk it.


    I let the call ring until it stopped. Then I received a text that sent chills down my spine.


    ¡¯We¡¯reing for you,¡¯


    I shivered in shock at the sight of it.


    Panicking, I dialed Donna¡¯s number forgetting it was about 3.a.m in New York.


    I heard her groggy voice after three rings and immediately felt guilty.


    "Mira?"


    "Donna I¡¯m so sorry for disturbing you-" I breathed out.


    "Is there something wrong?"


    "I just received a very concerning text."


    "Okay?"


    I went ahead to tell her what had just transpired and the nightmares I recently started having.


    "Did you do anything different from your typical routine?" She questioned.


    "Um, no."


    "I need you to bepletely honest with me."


    I swallowed nervously.


    "Well, I..." I trailed off, not knowing how to form the words.


    "I called my brother through a private number some days back and he told me Jace was shot."


    "Go on..."


    "It confirmed my inability to sleep days before that because I felt something was wrong. And out of concern, I sent him a message." I shut my eye, waiting for her scolding.


    "What part of no contact do you not understand?" She indeed scolded him.


    "I love him," I whimpered softly.


    "Mira, you can¡¯t love him."


    "But I do. He¡¯s the father of my child." I insisted.


    "You¡¯re just attached. I need Ria to sign you up for therapy."


    Maybe she was right. I just didn¡¯t want to agree to it because I had never felt this way before.


    "Go shopping today, bake, have fun, clear your head. I¡¯lle visit you soon." She said. It was an order.


    "Okay Donna, thank you."


    She ended the call and I just sat there, staring into space, wondering the kind of life I had gotten myself into. This was not how I nned for my life to turn out but here we were.


    ~


    Shopping had be therapy. I picked up baby stuff every now and then in anticipation of my newborn even when my estimated due date seemed so far away. It was great pastime to imagine what my child would be like in my arms.


    All of a sudden I felt goosebumps, strange ones that ran all over my body. I felt watched.


    I looked around the store and found no odd person around. It was just a bunch of shoppers minding their own business, so I pushed my cart further into the store and went to check out some scented candles. The smell of these things were soforting, I was slowly building a collection.


    "Hello, Mira."


    I froze at the sound of the strange voice.


    "Don¡¯t turn around."


    Gulping, I stood still.


    This person was literally breathing down my neck.


    I whimpered as a cold metal touched my back through the light fabric I had on. A gun.


    Oh shit.


    "Shhhh," the strange man hushed me before I could yelp.


    "What do you want?" I managed to keep my voice steady.


    "Just do as I say. Smile and act like we know each other."


    A part of me wanted to scream and call for help but the aisle was empty. Besides, he had a gun and all it would take was one move and I would be dead meat.


    I had to think fast.


    "Move." He said, cutting through my thoughts.


    Stealthily, I took one step after the other.


    "Act natural or I shoot," he warned through gritted teeth.


    I managed to actposed as I kept pushing my cart until we got to the cashier.


    I thought of ways to give the person a signal so they could call security. But then I thought of the possible casualties if things went left. I would not be able to live with the guilt if innocent people died because of me.


    I paid for my stuff and kept it moving while my heartbeat thudded in my ears.


    "Walk to the ck van right ahead,"


    <fn0d19> Content originallyes from F?nd-Novel</fn0d19>


    He sounded calm and collected like he has done this severally. I¡¯m sure I was right.


    One wrong move and everything could go left so I kept moving towards the van. My phone was in my bag and it was practically unreachable. There was no way I could run because the weight of my growing pregnancy would slow me down.


    Before I could enter the van, I made an attempt by hitting him in the face with the shopping bag that contained the candles.


    With a groan, he held my neck and hissed in my ears as he mmed me against the van. "You just made your first mistake,"


    I screamed. The hit was on my lower abdomen.


    My yell attracted other onlookers.


    A security guard immediately swung into action. "Hey! What are you doing?"


    He was distracted and I took that as my cue to run.


    "Help!" I yelled as I took off, running as fast as my legs could carry me.


    There was no way I could go to the car I came with so I ran back into the mall, weaving through the crowd, causing a scene and putting a safe distance between me and my assant.


    I found myself in an empty storage room, trying to hide and catch my breath.


    The pain in my belly had not reduced, I was struggling to breathe, having a panic attack. Then I saw it, the trickls of blood down my thighs.


    "No, no, no," I said breathlessly, frantically picking up my phone to call for help.


    "Ria,"


    "Mira?" She called.


    "Help, my baby... mall.."


    That was I could say before slipping into unconsciousness.


    ~~


    "Why would you let her out on her own?"


    "I¡¯m so sorry she insisted she was fine. Besides, she has been doing this for months."


    "That is not an excuse!"


    I kept hearing voices. They seemed distant but at the same time, they seemed close.


    I stirred, trying to force my eyes to open. When I managed to open them, the brightness of the room stung and I shut them back.


    "Get the doctor."


    I stilled. I knew that voice anywhere.


    Slowly, I opened my eyes.


    "Donna?" I called out, trying to sit up.


    She rushed to my side.


    "I came as soon as I heard." She stated.


    Even though her face seemed in, I could tell there was a lot of worry in her tone.


    "Thank you," I managed to say. "How long have I been unconscious?"


    "Two days,"


    "Oh my goodness." I gasped.


    The doctor came in just then and checked on me.


    My throat so much, I could not speak very well. But then I managed to ask the question that gued my mind the moment I opened my eyes.


    "How¡¯s my baby?"


    They exchanged looks.


    I knew what that meant but I did not want to believe it.


    "Um, Mrs Romano,"


    "Miss Valente," I corrected strongly.


    "She-" The doctor tried to say but with a shake of Donna Carm¡¯s head, he stopped talking.


    "We tried our best to save your baby. But by the time you were discovered and brought here, you had bled out. A lot."


    "So what are you saying?" I asked impatiently.


    "I¡¯m really sorry, miss Valente."


    There was no way to exin how I felt.


    Time stilled. My mouth opened to speak but no words coulde out. I looked at Donna and my eyes went back to the doctor. There was this deep sense of betrayal gnawing at my insides even when I knew it was not their fault.


    I pressed a hand to my stomach. It felt empty.


    And worse still, it felt like something had been taken from me, not just my child but my hope of something beautiful.


    I wanted to cry. But I couldn¡¯t. The sobs rose inside my chest but they never came.


    I was numb.


    Something died in me that day.


    The old Mira was gone.

 Chapter 86 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 86: 86 ~ Jace</h4>


    Life had slowly lost its taste. I was slowly bing a shadow of myself for very obvious reasons.


    My wound was healing. It hurt every now and then and of course caused shootouts between my soldiers and the rival gang that tried to take me out. But as usual, we won. Nothing out of the ordinary.


    I was slowly recovering the money I had lost from my drowned shipments.


    I had tried my best to keep myself distracted from everything going on in my personal life. But when Mira texted me out of the blue while I was getting treatment at the hospital, I almost lost it.


    I had found out where she was. But I didn¡¯t exactly know how to face her.


    I sent Tomas to check out where she was and he came back with news that she was doing alright. I was relieved.


    She lived with an old friend of my mother¡¯s. I knew I would reward her and her family for their kindness after all this. It was the least I could do.


    When Tomas asked me if I was ready to see her, I was honest with him when I said I wasn¡¯t ready. He understood.


    "No pressure boss." He said.


    ~


    I miss her so much, my chest ached. When the lonely nights hit, I thought of all the time my cock was in her throbbing pussy and all the moans that filled my ears and made me feel like a man that knew what he was doing. It was the best feeling.


    On of those gloomy days, Iid in my bed and reminisced all the nasty things we got down to doing while we were in the Maldives. I had never seen her so loose and free. It was the sexiest thing ever.


    ~


    <i>"You belong to me, no one else. Got it?" I growled, wrapping her hair around my fist as I dropped love bites on her neck. </i>


    <i>She whimpered, nodding slightly.</i>


    <i>"Words, Mira."</i>


    <i>"Yes Mr Romano,"</i>


    <i>The way my name rolled off her tongue sent tingles running through me. She had no idea the kind of effect she had on me. </i>


    <i>And even as I reminisced, my cock stirred and strained against my briefs.</i>


    <i>Holding on to her throat, I rammed into her. She jerked back, shocked at the impact but took it all like a pro as her legs wrapped around waist.</i>


    <i>My fingers trailed down and massaged her clit. I watched with immense pleasure as her face contorted. Eyes closed, lips parted and skin flushed. She was gorgeous. Too beautiful for words.</i>


    <i>I let my tongue trail down to her nipples, eyes still stuck on her face as I teased them.</i>


    <i>"Jace..." she gasped.</i>


    <i>"Hmm," I intensified my thrusts, making her forget whatever it she wanted to say as I sucked on her boobs.</i>


    <i>When she was just about to cum, I pulled out, making her whine in protest. I chuckled darkly.</i>


    <i>"Jace..." There was a subtle warning in her tone. It was amusing. </i>


    <i>"Rx." I told her. </i>


    <i>I wanted top her juices with my tongue so I went down and ate her out her out like a piece of cake. She writhed so much I had to ce my hands around her knees to lock her down. </i>


    <i>Her moans bounced of the walls so loudly, I was sure my security heard and knew what was going on. This ce was not as soundproof as my mansion in New York. </i>


    <i>When she came not so long after, I drank in every of her juices. She tasted like sweet. I could do this over and over again.</i>


    <i>She pulled me up and kissed me so hard, I knew it was her way of saying thank you. </i>


    <i>~</i>


    "I need a cold shower," I said at the end of that memory.


    ~~~


    My mother stormed into my office at Navarro. I had yet another board meeting to attend. After the chaos at my nightclub, there have been more whisperings about my source of ie and it was beginning to affectpany stocks.


    Even with my injured hand, I was trying to salvage that. But on top of it, there were spections about my separation with my wife. It was also rumored that she was pregnant and had to be under the radar, which wasn¡¯t far from the truth. However I did nothing to debunk those ims. I was more concerned about getting my shit together.


    My mother looked like she was justing from the airport.


    She had gone to Greece to see Mira, I was aware. I knew she was aware that I had found out where she was.


    "Mom, what are you doing here?" I asked, getting on my feet.


    "She had a miscarriage." She furiously went straight to the point.


    I shut my eyes as the pain of the news hit my gut. It felt like I could barely breathe.


    "That¡¯s what you wanted wasn¡¯t it? Are you happy now?" She used me.


    "Mom, now is not the time-"


    "Oh shut up, Jace Romano."


    Understanding that this could go sideways at any moment, I let her express herself.


    "She¡¯s going through so much right now. All this wouldn¡¯t have happened if not for your stubborn ego. I know you know you know where she is currently but don¡¯t even try to go after her. You¡¯ve done enough damage." Her warning was clear.


    "Mom," I swallowed. This was the first time I was about to be vulnerable.


    "I love her," I confessed.


    She sighed tiredly. "You don¡¯t hurt who you love Jace. Leave her alone. That girl deserves to live without the shadow of your messed up life haunting her."


    She turned to walk away but paused. With her back to me, she said; "I sent her away. Don¡¯t try to look. You won¡¯t find her."


    I watched her leave immediately.


    And then I felt the weight of her words press down on me.


    ~


    Locking myself in my bedroom the moment I entered thefort of my abode, I let out a sigh of exhaustion.


    Comfort...


    The word sounded odd because home no longer felt like home in Mira¡¯s absence.


    And it was strange because she had been here for less than a year but now she had upied it more than anyone else here.


    I hated how I had to realize sote that I loved her. I didn¡¯t believe in love in its totality but there was something about this woman that was different. She pulled me in and made me do things I thought I was not capable of.


    I made a huge mistake and that had cost me both my wife and child.


    I should have epted the pregnancy. Maybe she would have been safe.


    Mentally, I felt drained. I felt like a piece of shit that only tainted everyone that came around. Mira was so innocent. She was the purest thing I had and I had let myself lose her. I was so fucking dumb.


    ~


    When I heard how exactly she miscarried, I was even more livid.


    <fn509f> Read full story at find¡¤novel</fn509f>


    "Find me the person who attacked my wife. I¡¯ll kill him myself." I had said to Tomas.


    It didn¡¯t take long and they indeed found the person.


    "My boss sent me, please don¡¯t kill me. I have a family," he pleaded like a fool.


    My eyes were bloodshot as I spoke to him calmly. "You hurt my family. I lost my unborn child because of you."


    "Should we shoot him boss?" One of my guards said,.


    "No," I shook my head slowly. "That¡¯s too easy."


    I had them cut off one of his arms with a chainsaw. Like the sick fuck I was, I sat there and watched as his blood sprayed my face and my clothes.


    I didn¡¯t listen to his pleas. I watched him weep in pain.


    He had taken something from me. And now I had returned the favour. Now he would live without his hand because I had to live without my wife and worse so without my child.


    Did I feel fulfilled after this? Maybe a bit. But the emptiness remained long after I left the basement of the warehouse that served as a torture room.


    ~


    Weeks had gone by and I was doing everything I could to find out where Mira was. I just wanted to know she was safe.


    Unlike me, I had been frantic and sent messages that never got delivered. Either she had blocked me or changed her number. Both options were valid.


    The realization slowly hit.


    I had ruined the one good thing I had.


    "We¡¯ve done everything possible to find her boss. It¡¯s almost like she disappeared into thin air."


    "Are you lying to me Tomas?" I asked him.


    "You know I would never do that. You trust me don¡¯t you? I would never lie to you."


    Tomas was my most trusted ally. There was no way I would be who I am without him. So I believed him and stopped the search for Mira.


    She woulde back to me someday. I knew it.

 Chapter 87 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 87: 87 ~ Mira</h4>


    ~ Two yearster ~


    The woman that stared at me through the mirror was different. Her hair was longer, and the light in her eyes had long disappeared and over time she had be a shadow of herself. She hated life and she hated love sometimes but still managed to show up and pretend she was fine.


    It was yet another work day.


    Two years ago, Donna Carm helped me start afresh in another country. I found myself in Lisbon, Portugal.


    She paid me off with a whooping sum as she promised.


    I took the money and built a baking empire for myself, while pretending to not be the owner.


    I acted like an employee at one of the outlets and continued to live a seemingly normal life. Only few people knew that I owned the business franchise that was scattered across different cities.


    Within what looked like a short span of time, my business had grown bigger than I expected and my recipes were continuously making waves.


    I even started a faceless channel where I posted some of my recipes and it generated some ie from me as well.


    But with all of this, there was still this gnawing feeling of emptiness settling in my chest.


    I stepped out of my t and headed to the parking lot where my small vehicle was. I got in and drove myself to the restaurant.


    I passed through the back, slid on my uniform and clocked in for the morning.


    ording to the roster, I was on counter duty so I was going to be taking orders today.


    A woman walked up to me with her toddler resting on her hip, I was almost carried away by the sight of her son who was fussy.


    This would have been me if my child decided to stay.


    Swallowing the lump in my throat, I snapped out of my emotional haze and focused on taking this woman¡¯s order, fighting the urge to want to hold her baby.


    ~


    The morning went by uneventfully, no troublesome customers so far.


    By midday, Massimo walked in. He was a multimillionaire that seemed very attracted to me and I had been putting off his advances ever since I moved here.


    He was a gangster. Like Jace...


    And despite the fact that he was quite the charmer and reasonably attractive, I didn¡¯t need any more drama in my life.


    When he came around, my ¡¯boss¡¯ was always happy because he made sure everything was sold out. Obviously he was trying to impress me. If only he knew...


    "Let me at least take you on a date," He said as I took down his orders.


    "A date to your bedroom?" I retorted.


    "That would be an added advantage," he flirted back, unmoved by my retorts.


    I chuckled as I shook my head. This man was persistent.


    "You used to live in America, yes?"


    I cleared my throat before answering. "Yes."


    "I¡¯m going away for a bit and I¡¯d like you to join me. Los Angeles."


    His addition made me believe he was already looking into my past.


    He knew something that I didn¡¯t want him to and now I was genuinely curious about his intentions.


    "How about that date?" I said.


    "I¡¯ll pick you up by seven. Text me your address."


    ~


    I had not dressed fancy in quite a while. And that was because all I did was go to work and if at all I stepped out, it was for casual outings.


    But tonight I wore a skintight navy blue dress that stopped a little above my knees. It had a halter neck and long sleeves and I paired it with a nice pair of red bottom heels as well as a matching clutch. My diamond teardrop earrings were my go to essories while I tied my hair up in a slick ponytail. I wasn¡¯t trying to show too much skin and I looked very well put together.


    There was no way I was going to let him know where I lived, which he possibly knew already but I was just going to pretend he didn¡¯t.


    I drove myself to his house.


    The way his security sprawled all over the ce brought back some very unsavory memories.


    Shutting my eyes, I let out a sigh as I pushed thoughts of my past to the back of my mind.


    Massimo was at the door waiting for me as I approached the entrance.


    Eager much? I thought as I approached him where he stood with the same charming smile he always showed me.


    "Wee to my humble abode Maya."


    Yes, Maya. That was the name I gave myself after being able to change my identity. Maya Avanti.


    "Thank you,"


    I took the hand he offered as he led me aside after the short exchange of pleasantries.


    Unsurprisingly, his home was a fancy space with several gold finishings. Men like him were too predictable with their decor.


    I sat opposite him on the dining table at his fancy mansion.


    He made sure there was a feast.


    I dug in and savored the meals,plimenting his chef in between as we made small talk.


    We were on our second course when he dropped a bombshell.


    "I know you were married to Don Romano."


    I froze in that instant.


    The silence that followed was heavy with a lot of questions from me.


    "How do you..."


    "I am no fool, Mirabel. I did my research. I found this out quite recently though." His thick ent made this sound even more serious.


    I maintained myposure even when I was taken aback by the fact that he knew my real name.


    "So, you know about my marriage to him. That means you are also aware of the fact that we are no longer together." I said calmly as I leaned back in my seat and scanned his face.


    Massimo nodded. "I know that. But I also know something that he hid from you."


    I scowled. Jace hid so many things from me. That was not a surprise. But Massimo sounded like I needed to know this exact one.


    "Finish up dinner first and I¡¯ll show you,"


    "Is this a ploy to get me into your bed?" I asked, ying coy as I sipped on a ss of wine.


    "I¡¯ll never have to force a woman to get in my bed Mira. If I want you, I¡¯ll get you."


    He was one cocky bastard for sure.


    Massimo led the way to his study after dinner. I could barely focus on the meal after what he said so I insisted that he showed me because I needed to sleep early due to work the next morning.


    I sat down on the plush leather couch and watched as he pulled out an envelope from a secret vault.


    I wondered what it was but I didn¡¯t have to wonder for too long as he handed it to me and asked me to open it.


    There were photographs and letters.


    I flipped through them and held in my shock. Over the years, I had learned to hide my emotions and this was what I was trying to do in front of him as the truth unveiled itself in front of me.


    "Is this what I think it is?" I managed to ask in a steady tone even when I felt my heart breaking.


    Massimo nodded, looking genuinely concerned


    "Do you need a moment?" He asked.


    <fnec0b> Original content can be found at f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fnec0b>


    "No," I forced a smile. "I¡¯m perfectly fine."


    "I know what this looks like-"


    "What do you want?" I cut to the chase. There was no need for him to y Mr Nice Guy. If he wanted to, he wouldn¡¯t show me these in the first ce or even dig into my past at all.


    "Huh?"


    I fought back an eye roll. "There has to be a reason you decided to show me these. What do you want?"


    "I have nothing against your husband."


    "Ex husband." I corrected sharply.


    He nodded. "Yes, my bad. But he is sitting on a deal of a lifetime for me."


    "So you want me to kill him for you because he may have a soft spot for me?"


    "That¡¯s extreme Mirabel," he chuckled.


    "Call me Maya." I corrected him sharply.


    He sighed. "Maya."


    "Good. Get straight to it."


    "I just need him to be distracted for bit so I can pull the rug. I heard he lost his hinges when you were around him and I believe you still have that effect on him. And you deserve your pound of flesh."


    "Hmm." I hummed, pondering on his words for a second.


    "So what do I get in return?" I finally asked.


    Massimo smirked. "Now we¡¯re talking."


    ~


    That night, as Iid on my bed and stared up at the ceiling, I remembered all the times I had asked him why he married me and was unable to answer me.


    I had thought of all the possible and even perverse reasons but nothing as gory as this.


    Massimo was obviously a psycho for bringing this to my knowledge only to milk it for his own selfish gain. He wasn¡¯t empathetic enough to realize how debilitating this was.


    But I would ride on that horse and blindside both of them.


    Fighting back my tears, I made up my mind to go back to America.


    I was going to have my revenge. The old Mira would have cried and let it go but this new Mira was not going to let it slide. I would make him pay for what his family had done to mine.

 Chapter 88 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 88: 88 ~ Mira</h4>


    It took a few days to gather my things. I believed it would be a temporary stay so I wasn¡¯t letting go of my apartment in Lisbon.


    I tried my best to go to work as usual, keeping a poker face like my mind was not spiraling with thousands of thoughts.


    The bell above the bakery door jingled, that same cheerful chime I¡¯d heard a hundred times before. Today, it felt wrong ¡ª too light for the heaviness sitting in my chest. I forced on the polite smile I¡¯d perfected over thest two years and greeted the couple walking in. They didn¡¯t know me. Not really. To them, I was just another cashier at Valente¡¯s. Not the owner. Not the woman who¡¯d built this ce from the ground up in a foreign city.


    Well, that was the point.


    While I adjusted the trays of pastel de nata, my phone buzzed in my apron pocket. One nce at the screen made my pulse trip.


    Massimo: Your flight¡¯s booked. Tomorrow.


    I gulped as I read it twice. Three times. As if the words might change if I stared long enough. They didn¡¯t. Tomorrow. That wasn¡¯t another one of his vague suggestions about us being an item or his usualforting statements of "when you¡¯re ready." This was final.


    The buttery scent of the pastries used to soothe me. Now it felt suffocating. Tomorrow meant no more pretending Lisbon was my safe little hideaway. No more lying to myself that I could live quietly while the past still owned me. It was going to be an entirely different ball game now.


    By the time my shift ended, my hands were shaking. I fumbled with the apartment keys like an amateur, and when I finally got inside, I ripped the apron off and tossed it on the couch.


    Massimo had asked to see me so in a few hours, I would meeting up with him. I decided to take a nap before then. It was my escape from my reality. Every little chance I got, I slept through it.


    ~Later, at a caf¨¦ near the river~


    Massimo was already there, lounging in the corner like he owned the ce. He didn¡¯t bother standing when I approached ¡ª just raised his ss in azy salute.


    "You look nervous, be," he said, sliding a sleek ck credit card across the table. "For expenses. New wardrobe, travel, whatever you need. My name¡¯s on it, but you¡¯ll have the PIN."


    I didn¡¯t take it right away. "And when I take this...?"


    "You take me," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Until this is done. Jace Romano will know what it¡¯s like to lose something precious. The same way you did."


    The words dug under my skin before I could stop them. I hated that they made sense.


    Massimo leaned forward, eyes locking on mine. "You¡¯ve been hiding, Mira. Baking pastries for tourists, ying cashier. But I see you. You were born into blood and fire. You just forgot for a while."


    I took the card. Not because I trusted him, but because I needed what he was offering.


    That night came around sooner than I wanted.


    <fn6279> Updates are released by find~novel</fn6279>


    Packing was harder than I expected. Not because I had too much stuff, but because everything I touched carried a memory of the life I¡¯d built here. Safe. Quiet. Simple.


    At the bottom of my drawer, I found it, the rings that Jace slid on my finger almost four years ago. I thought I¡¯d thrown it away. I hadn¡¯t.


    For a long moment, I stood by the window, the city lights flickering over the diamond as I dangled it in my fingers.


    Touching my neck I remembered the ne he gave to me just then. His voice echoed in my head, low andmanding: Never take it off.


    I left it as a goodbye but sometime I wished I took it with me when I left. Maybe he found it and kept it for me. Or maybe not. A hospital staff could have taken it for all I know.


    My fingers tightened around the ring as I realized I was getting carried away. "I¡¯m not going back for you," I whispered. "I¡¯m going back to end you."


    I shoved it deep into my bag.


    The next morning


    Lisbon¡¯s airport buzzed with noise, the smell of coffee and jet fuel hanging heavy in the air. My carry-on was light in my hand, sunsses shielding my eyes from anyone who might look too closely.


    I didn¡¯t look back.


    But as I walked toward the gate, I could feel it ¡ª someone watching me. Somewhere behind me, one of Massimo¡¯s men leaned against a pir, phone in hand.


    "She¡¯s on her way," he said to whoever was on the other end. I read his lips.


    And across the ocean, the first move in my revenge had already been made.


    ~


    "This is for me?" I asked over the phone as I marveled at the sight of the apartment


    Massimo¡¯s worker brought me here from the hotel. He had told me he had a mansion here in LA but I was surprised when they brought me to this fancy ce instead.


    "Yes. I want you to befortable. I know you wouldn¡¯t want to live with me until after we get married."


    I chuckled. "Who said anything about us getting married?"


    "You may fall in love with me soon you know?"


    "Right," I rolled my eyes.


    This man would always be cocky.


    It was funny how he assumed I would not be able to afford such an apartment. Apparently, he had not dug deep enough to know that about me. But I appreciated the kind gesture nheless despite how oblivious he was.


    He just saved me the cost of buying a fancy ce and to be fair, I liked this space. It was a good deal.


    I thanked him and ended the call.


    His workers made sure I was settled in before the left. I ordered some pizza, ate a few slices and slept off afterwards.


    ~


    Waking up in the middle of the night, the strangeness of the room startled me for a bit before I remembered where exactly I was.


    America.


    I stood by my floor to ceiling window that overlooked the busy city and sighed.


    I had mixed feelings about my return for obvious reasons.


    I didn¡¯t know what it would be like to face Jace.


    Would I want to punch him in the face as soon as I saw him or would I pretend to smile in front of him?


    Thankfully I had some time before I would have to meet him again but there was no telling what I would do at the sight of him.


    I wondered if he would look any different. I know I did.


    I still recalled the feel of his face on my fingers thest time I saw him. I wanted the outline of his face to stay etched in my memory. Maybe a part of me knew what was toe and that our separation would be longer than I anticipated.


    After I changed my contact details and even my entire identity, I knew it would be impossible to reach me even if he tried. That is if he ever tried. His giant ego would never let him apologize.


    I shut him out of my mind and my new life so I never kept tabs on him even if I wanted to. The few times I contacted my brother, I did well to not ask of him either. It was better off like that.


    I wondered if he had moved on and married someone else. Maybe he must have kidnapped some other woman and forced her to be his wife while keeping a deadly secret from her. Maybe it was why he moved to LA too.


    "Bastard." I cussed under my breath as the memories came flooding back.


    I was not going to rest until I gave him a taste of his own medicine.


    ~


    The next day, I went shopping. If I was going to make a spectacreback, I had to look the part. Massimo gave me his card but I really didn¡¯t need it. So I took mine and headed out of my new apartment.


    The driver and the vehicle provided for me were waiting downstairs. I slipped into the SUV with a smile on my face as I went on a shopping spree of a lifetime.


    My sunsses stayed on. I didn¡¯t know anyone in LA but I could not risk being recognized. I went into one luxury store after the other and my goodness it felt so good to be free.


    Thest time I was in the US, shopping like this came with armed guards following me everywhere but now I was doing this without attracting any attention to myself. It was liberating.


    After a quick snack at the food court, I rounded up everything by going into one of the salons and giving myself an altering makeover.

 Chapter 89 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 89: 89 ~ Jace</h4>


    The view from my penthouse was the kind of thing people wrote love letters about¡ªsun dipping low over the Los Angeles skyline, gold bleeding into the ocean, the whole city stretching like it belonged to me.


    It did.


    Two years in LA had given me everything I wanted and nothing I needed. The Romano empire had tripled its reach, alliances had been reforged, enemies erased. My name carried more weight now than it ever had back in Italy and even New York. But the cost was silence. And the kind of silence that follows you into the night has a way of gnawing at you.


    Especially when you remember what filled it before.


    I adjusted the cuff of my shirt, watching the ss reflection of myself in the window. I didn¡¯t look different¡ªsame tailored suits, same cold expression¡ªbut I was harder now. Colder. Less willing to gamble with things I couldn¡¯t control.


    That¡¯s when the inte buzzed.


    "Mr. Romano," my assistant¡¯s voice crackled through. "Miss Castillo is here to see you."


    My jaw tightened. "I didn¡¯t put her on my schedule."


    "She says it¡¯s urgent."


    Of course she does. I scoffed. They always do.


    "Send her up," I said, knowing full well I¡¯d regret it, but curious enough not to shut the door entirely.


    Minutester, the soft click of her heels echoed across my marble floor. Caterina walked in like she owned the ced in a tight ck dress that hugged her voluptuous curves, red lips, and that smile that had conned more than one man into underestimating her.


    "Jace," she greeted, all warmth and familiarity, as if she hadn¡¯t been part of a plot to have me shot and killed three years ago.


    I had barely seen her since then. Not that I wanted to anyways.


    "Caterina," I didn¡¯t stand. I didn¡¯t offer her a drink. I just let my gaze settle on her like a loaded gun.


    "What are you doing here?"


    "That¡¯s no way to talk to someone you once loved?"


    I let out a dark humorless chuckle.


    Love.


    The only woman I had ever loved...


    Never mind, I thought, shaking my head to erase the thought.


    "You know," she started, moving toward me, "I¡¯ve been able to get my father off your back."


    I leaned back in my chair. "Hasn¡¯t he found another alliance for you already? Why are you still bothering me?"


    Her smile faltered, but only slightly. "Jace, I¡¯m in love with you."


    A humorlessugh slipped out. "You were part of the ploy to have me assassinated a few years back."


    She shrugged it off with a hint of guilt. "That¡¯s in the past. Besides, I knew you¡¯d get out unscathed. You¡¯re invincible."


    I scoffed, studying her face like I was reading the fine print of a bad contract. "Was I supposed to take that as apliment? Or are you assuming I¡¯ve forgotten?"


    Maybe she thought she was talking to a kid.


    She tilted her head. "I¡¯m here because I still care about you."


    "No," I said tly, "you¡¯re here because you need something."


    Her silence confirmed it.


    I rose, walking past her to pour myself a drink. She turned to follow me with her eyes, probably calcting how to keep herself relevant in this conversation.


    "What is it this time?" I asked. "Money? A seat at the table? Or are you hoping to slip a knife between my ribs again?"


    "You think I¡¯m your enemy," she said softly, acting like my words sliced through her.


    <fn1830> Checktest chapters at FindN0vel</fn1830>


    She could save the drama for who could fall for it.


    "I know you¡¯re not my friend." I stated, unblinking.


    That shut her up for a beat. But Caterina was too practiced to stay down long. She shifted her weight, eyes narrowing in that way people do when they¡¯re about to bluff.


    "Your enemies are moving, Jace," she said finally. "You may be sitting pretty here in LA, but the game¡¯s not over."


    I took a sip, letting the burn settle in my chest before replying. "The game never ends. But you-," I turned, pinning her with a look¡ª"you¡¯re just another piece on the board. And I don¡¯t y with pieces I can¡¯t trust."


    Something flickered in her eyes then ¡ª frustration, maybe fear, but she masked it quickly. "Think about it," she said, turning toward the door.


    "I already have," I called after her.


    She stopped, ncing back. "And?"


    I let the corner of my mouth curve, but there was nothing warm in it. "If youe to me again without something I actually need... I¡¯ll make sure you don¡¯t leave."


    Her lips pressed together, and she walked out without another word.


    She should have known better than to try toe to me with her nonsense. I would not even consider whatever we had next time. She would be dealt with ordingly.


    I set my ss of whiskey down, leaning with both hands on the desk as I stared at the city below. Caterina wasn¡¯t wrong about one thing. My enemies were always moving. And maybe she was foolish enough to believe that dangling herself in front of me would be able to distract me.


    It could never be possible.


    But for a split second, before I shoved the thought away, I wondered if she¡¯d heard something about Mira.


    My breath hitched every time I thought of her and that had been every single day since she disappeared.


    I tried reopening the search for her but all my leads came to a cold trail. I missed her more than I¡¯d like to admit.


    And no matter how far I¡¯de in two years since her absence, no matter how many enemies I¡¯d buried... I hadn¡¯t buried her. And I wasn¡¯t sure I ever would.


    ~


    ~Few weekster...~


    There was an invitation on my office desk. An art auction. It had been a while since I attended of those and this was a good opportunity to socialize.


    I picked up my phone and dialed you know who.


    Tomas shuffled between LA and New York and was currently in NYC handling some dirty work.


    Dario was heading Navarro Constructions. He was more of the clean faced cousin so he faced less bacsh while I dealt with other business.


    "Boss." he answered.


    "I need a date."


    I could feel his grin from behind my screen.


    "Finally. I thought you¡¯d never ask."


    Every woman I had on my arm for the past year was due to his introductions. They were all casual flings, never anything serious.


    And even when some of them made it to my bed, it felt like there was still a void in me afterwards. They could never scratch the itch that had been seared into my skin for the past two years of my life.


    It¡¯s crazy how one person can make you yearn more than you ever think you¡¯re capable of.


    Every time I was with another woman, all I could think of was Mira. Ipared every look, every sound to what it was like when I had my fiery fireball by my side. This was torture.


    ~


    Arriving at the auction venue, it was something luxurious, just as I expected. There was a supermodel on my arm as I walked into the hall. Marbled floors, chandeliers dripping with gold, hushed conversations filled the air. The room was filled with rich snobs. I was one of them so who was I to judge?


    I scanned the room with my gaze, nursing my usual bored expression even when I had my eyes on a particr painting. I had be very interested in art over time and I collected art pieces for my growing collection every time I had the chance.


    I answered some greetings and nodded politely as I shook hands with some people present. I spotted a few of my business associates. But this was not an event for the men of the underworld so I was not on high alert. I had minimal security too. I could protect myself if need be.


    The main event was yet to properly begin so I busied myself with looking around. The art pieces are more intriguing than the woman on my arm so I let her go mingle even though a part of me actually wants to ditch her.


    All of a sudden, I hear a voice that sounds all too familiar. I believed my mind was ying tricks on me. But then I heard that softughter. It was so low but I had trained my ears to remember it.


    "People can have simr voices Jace. Keep it together." I muttered to myself, adjusting my cufflinks.


    I went to the drink section and grabbed a ss of champagne for myself as I was slightly parched.


    I picked up the drink and that was when my world stopped.


    The auction¡¯s host approached me with a grin and we shook hands while my eyes stayed glued to a particr person.


    "Mr Romano it¡¯s so nice to have you here. This is Ma-"


    "Mira Valente." Ipleted for him sounding like I was in a trance.

 Chapter 90 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 90: 90 ~ Mira</h4>


    ~Earlier on~


    Walking in, the auction hall glittered like a jeweled snare, all champagne smiles and careful conversations. Every inch of the ce smelled of old money and older secrets. I belonged here about as much as I belonged on the moon¡ªbut tonight, I wasn¡¯t Mira Valente, the baker from Lisbon. I was the delectable Maya Avanti.


    Tonight, I was someone untouchable.


    Shopping for some fancy dresses when I arrived in LA kfew weeks ago gave me so many dress options to pick from when the invite came days ago.


    After trying on a number of smoking hot attires, I settled a deep emerald dress that dipped low in the back, the kind of color that made men stare and women wonder if they could pull it off. The slight show of my cleavage was the icing on top.


    My brown bob hair rested beautifully on my shoulders, and my lips were painted the kind of red you only wore when you had something to prove.


    Around my neck, I donned a nice diamond ne, paired with matching earrings. I wore silver dorsays that shimmered as I walked, with a purse that was the exact same color.


    On my wrist was a tennis bracelet I ordered the previous day. It¡¯s safe to say that I looked the part.


    Beside me, Massimo yed the role of escort perfectly half amused, half predatory. He came in from Lisbon few days ago and tonight was the first time I saw him since he arrived.


    The man thrived in rooms like this, all charm and threat disguised as casual elegance. And I let him lead me through the crowd because it served my purpose. A man like him on my arm was the best kind of shield: visible, undeniable and guaranteed to get under certain people¡¯s skin.


    I sipped my champagne, ignoring the stares. Two years had taught me how to walk into a room like I owned it, even when my knees threatened to buckle underneath me. I had mastered the art of pretending. My poker face was unmatched.


    And if the right set of grey eyes happened to be here tonight, I wanted them to see me like this. Unshaken. Unreachable.


    Massimo left me for a second to go and socialize. There was a painting he wanted and I saw that he was going to check it out so I stood on my own, not letting my expression give anything away.


    Slowly, my eyes roved the room as I pretended to be uninterested with everything going around me.


    Then it happened like a hurricane passing through. One second, everything was steady, the next, my chest a mess of emotions.


    I heard him first. That voice that was deep, measured, lethal in the way it could curl around your name like a promise or a threat. I heard it cut through the hum of the crowd. My heart stuttered.


    No. It couldn¡¯t be.


    But then I saw him.


    Jace Romano.


    The man who changed me.


    Two years had sharpened him into something almost unrecognizable, and yet every part of him was the same. The tailored ck suit, the silver watch glinting at his wrist, the way he moved like he owned the floor and everyone on it. He looked... harder. Colder. But the danger in him? That was untouched.


    And of course, he wasn¡¯t alone.


    A tall, willowy brte clung to his arm, the kind of woman who looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine. My stomach tightened¡ªnot from jealousy, I told myself, but from the reminder of exactly what I¡¯d left behind. What he¡¯d reced me with.


    I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.


    I let my gaze slide past him as if he were any other man in this room, but my pulse betrayed me, thudding in my ears. I fought my eyes to not follow me.


    I could feel the weight of his attention before his eyes even found me.


    And when they did...


    It was like being set on fire.


    ~


    Massimo came around an introduced me to the host who was immediately fascinated by me and wanted to show me around. Reginald led me to the bar and there he was.


    I didn¡¯t expect that seeing him again would have such an effect on me.


    Our eyes stayed glued on each other for a long moment until Reginald cut in.


    "Surely you¡¯re mistaken Mr Romano, she is Maya Avanti." He insisted.


    I smiled. If only he knew.


    "It¡¯s fine, Regi." I said, palming his cheek softly.


    The old man practically blushing. I bit back augh.


    "It¡¯s nice to meet you, Mr Romano." I said, stretching my hand out for a handshake.


    Jace¡¯s eyes ravaged me. I saw how his pupils dted as he studied every inch of me his eyes couldy on.


    I felt a strange sensation between my thighs.


    Mira focus, I told myself.


    He went the extra mile after taking my palm in his and kissed my knuckles. There was a familiar jolt of electricity that coursed through me in that moment. I had not felt this way since thest time I saw him.


    "Nice to see you, Maya."


    I bit on my tongue to stop it from letting out an embarrassing sound.


    Reginald¡¯s attention was soon called by someone else. The event was about to begin.


    "I-" Jace was about to speak when Massimo came up from behind.


    <fn0bc3> The source of th?s content is findnovel</fn0bc3>


    "Maya, I¡¯ve been looking all over for you."¡¯


    "Oh-"


    "You¡¯re with him?"


    I don¡¯t know why but there was a look of betrayal in Jace¡¯s eyes as he asked that question. I tried to not let it bother me. He meant nothing to me.


    "Yes I am," I said coolly, jutting my chin up, daring him to question me.


    "Don Romano, it¡¯s nice to see you again." Massimo said with a sly grin, putting a possessive arm around me.


    I almost flinched as Jace¡¯s re hardened.


    "I wish I could say the same." He responded.


    "Still sour I see."


    The brte supermodel Jace came with showed up just then. I was somewhat relieved as I did not want the men to have a showdown in public. It was way too soon for that.


    "It¡¯s time for us to find our seats." She said, barely acknowledging Massimo and I.


    I swallowed. Whoever she was, she needed to go.


    Jace walked away with her after casting a lingering nce at me. I kept a neutral expression.


    "Seems like our n is in motion. He still has a soft spot for you."


    I forced a smile. "He does,"


    We went to find our seats after that and unfortunately, it wasn¡¯t so far from where Jace was seated. I felt his gaze on the side of my face.


    ~


    I should have seen iting.


    The painting - a dark, moody piece of a storm breaking over the Amalfi coast ¡ª wasn¡¯t just beautiful. It was defiant, almost violent in its chaos. The kind of art that made people feel something whether they wanted to or not. It was, for ack of better words - out of this world.


    Of course, it caught Massimo¡¯s attention.


    And of course, it caught Jace¡¯s.


    The auctioneer¡¯s voice rose above the murmured conversations.


    "We¡¯ll start the bidding at two hundred thousand."


    Massimo lifted his paddle without hesitation. "Two hundred," he said, his voice smooth and unbothered.


    From across the room, Jace didn¡¯t even blink. "Three."


    The numbernded like a p, drawing a bunch of nces from the crowd. My throat tightened. He had seen Massimo¡¯s bid. He had seen me too.


    Massimo leaned back slightly in his chair, looking almost amused. "Four,"


    The auctioneer¡¯s gaze flicked between them. "Four hundred thousand. Do I hear...?"


    "Six." Jace¡¯s voice was quiet but carried like a de sliding across ss. His eyes didn¡¯t leave Massimo¡¯s, and the air between them felt suddenly thinner.


    Massimo¡¯s smile was slow, deliberate. He raised his paddle again. "Eight."


    The auctioneer¡¯s eyebrows shot up. "Eight hundred thousand¡ª"


    "One point two."


    Jace didn¡¯t even raise the paddle this time. He just said the number, low and lethal, and the auctioneer snapped to attention like the word wasw. He always had that effect on people. Even me.


    Around us, whispers started. People craned their necks. This wasn¡¯t about art anymore. It was war in silk suits.


    Massimo studied Jace, and for a flicker of a moment, I saw it¡ªthe calction. He could push higher. He could fight for it. But he wouldn¡¯t win tonight, not on this battlefield.


    The paddle in his hand lowered. "It¡¯s all yours, Romano," he said, with the kind of smile that promised the fight wasn¡¯t over.


    It certainly wasn¡¯t.


    The auctioneer banged the gavel. "Sold. One point two million, Mr. Romano."


    Jace leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable, but his gaze that was dark and cutting found mine across the room. And in that look, I knew exactly what the painting had been about.


    It had never been the art.


    It had been me.

 Chapter 91 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 91: 91 ~ Mira</h4>


    It was shameful to admit that this man still had an effect on me after all this time. Two years was not a long a time but it was enough to hate him. So why did I start questioning my hatred for him so quickly?


    This was just the first time since I saw him. To make my ns work, I had to see him more often.


    There was no telling what I would do as the time went on.


    I had to get my head in the game.


    "Snap out of it Mira. Remember everything he put you through. Remember what his father did." I told myself as I sshed water on my face that night.


    Massimo and I left before the auction ended. There was nothing left to do there


    We had gotten what we wanted. Jace had seen me with him and realized I was back in town. Now we wait.


    When he eventually makes the first move, that¡¯s when I¡¯d have to y my cards right to get him eating right out of my palm.


    That night, sordid thoughts of Jace and I filled my mind as I tried to get myself to sleep.


    "Snap out of it, Mira!" I yelled at myself after the thoughts wouldn¡¯t let me sleep.


    I suddenly began to reconsider ifing here was a good idea.


    With my head in my hands, eyes shut, I whispered, "I can do this."


    I tossed and turned until I eventually found a way to get some sleep.


    When I woke up the next morning, I foolishly expected to see a text or call from him already.


    It was too soon.


    "It¡¯s not like he even has my number." I muttered to myself. But then this was Jace, he could find anyone within the blink of an eye if he wanted.


    Howe he didn¡¯t find you for two years? My inner self taunted me.


    Maybe he didn¡¯t care enough to look. Besides, Donna Carm ensured that he wouldn¡¯t find me. That woman was capable of anything.


    Now that I was back in America, I made a mental note to go and visit her. At least to show that I was no longer in hiding. Our rtionship had been cordial since I left. She left a few messages from me every now and then and it was all good.


    She was not the enemy. Her son was.


    My chef had made breakfast for me.


    I smelt the scent of toast, eggs and coffee. My stomach rumbled in response, and that was when I realized I skipped dinner.


    I took a bite of toast and sipped on my coffee as I scrolled through my phone absentmindedly.


    "Ma¡¯am, you have a package." The housekeeper said.


    I looked up and followed her gaze to the medium sized bouquet of white roses.


    My breath hitched softly.


    White roses.


    "Who are they from?"


    The answer was pretty obvious but I asked anyways.


    <fn5c18> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?</fn5c18>


    "There¡¯s a card," she said as she brought them to me. I sniffed the flowers and sighed as the memories came flooding back.


    I took out the card and read it;


    ¡¯It was nice seeing you again.


    ~J.R ¡¯


    I bit back a grin. Someone obviously couldn¡¯t get over the sight of me. Who would have thought he missed me this much?


    I guess my n was already in motion. I did not have to wait too long too.


    "Take it away please. Just find a random vase and put it in." I said.


    "Yes ma¡¯am."


    I went on with my day, not letting the gesture stay on my mind for too long.


    I hadn¡¯t heard from Massimo so I figured he was upied with other things.


    Since I was bored and didn¡¯t have the energy to go anywhere else, I decided to arrange my closet. It was a mess. It looked like a hurricane ran through it as I tried to prepare for the function the previous night.


    As I cleaned, I stumbled on a very interesting piece of jewelry that reminded me of the one I had gotten as a gift from Jace on one of those random days when he decided to be sweet.


    Before him, I didn¡¯t think I would ever experience a fancy or tasteful life and now years after, I had experienced more luxuries than I could ever imagine. But at what cost?


    It was bittersweet feeling.


    I tried on the earrings and stared at myself in the mirror. Then I stopped myself in my thoughts and continued organizing. That was when I stumbled on a red lingerie piece that looked simr to the one I wore while we were in the Maldives. When I shopped for it weeks back, I couldn¡¯t tell they were simr until now.


    ~<strong><i>shback</i></strong>~


    <i>My breath quickened as he tied my hands to the bed stand. I watched with bated breath as he took of his shirt. I wanted to run my hands over those abs but I couldn¡¯t.</i>


    <i>He spread my legs apart with his knees and when his thumb caressed my clit, I knew it wouldn¡¯t take long until I explode. </i>


    <i>Jace¡¯s lips trailed over my neck, he teased my lips with kisses, not deepening them until he heard me whine in protest. </i>


    <i>When he pumped his fingers into me, I shut my eyes and moaned. </i>


    <i>His tongue ran over my nipples through thece of my lingerie. </i>


    <i>I couldn¡¯t take it anymore.</i>


    <i>"Fuck me, please." I begged. I needed him to scratch my itch by filling me with his cock.</i>


    <i>"You want that?" He rasped out, spreading my thighs further apart as he hung my legs over his shoulder. </i>


    <i>"Yes." I breathed out in anticipation.</i>


    <i>He mmed into me.</i>


    ~<strong><i>shback over</i></strong>~


    My thighs clenched as my panties were soaked.


    "Fuck," I cussed under my breath.


    Why did I have to let my mind wander that far? I really needed to getid by someone so I could get him out of my system.


    ~


    By evening, there was a knock on my door, apanied by the ring of the doorbell.


    My staff had closed for the day so I wondered if they forgot anything.


    I got to the door and peeped through the keyhole.


    My heart skipped a beat.


    "How did you find me?" I asked as soon as I opened the door.


    He smirked slightly. "Seems like you¡¯ve forgotten who I am."


    I fought back an eye roll.


    "What do you want Jace?"


    "I want us to talk."


    "About?"


    He sighed. "A lot of things,"


    I scoffed. "Well, I do not want to talk to you. Leave."


    "Mira,"


    "It¡¯s Maya to you." I corrected him.


    "You know I¡¯m never calling you that," he said cockily.


    I let out an exasperated sigh.


    "You¡¯re not going to offer me a seat? You hate me that much?"


    "Take a wild guess," I retorted.


    "Mirabel," he tried to reach for my hand and I dodged his touch like it would burn.


    I saw a sh of hurt in his eyes but it was gone as soon as it appeared.


    Jace cleared his throat and shoved his hands into his pockets instead.


    Better. There was no telling the effect his touch could have on me.


    "I don¡¯t have all evening Jace," I mumbled audibly.


    "Neither do I. I just wanted to know how you¡¯re doing."


    "As you can see, I¡¯m doing great."


    "I see that," he swallowed and nodded, looking around my living room. "You¡¯re with Massimo now?"


    I knew that my answer would probably get to him but that was the point right?


    "Yes I am."


    "You do realize, we¡¯re still married right?"


    I scowled. I was too sentimental. I should have filed for the divorce a long time ago but I got carried away by other things especially because I wanted to remain in hiding.


    How could I forget this major detail?


    "Yes we¡¯re separated but not divorced." He said, seeing the expression on my face.


    I was defiant. "So? That¡¯s the more reason why we should get it done and over with. We¡¯ve been apart long enough."


    "No."


    I frowned. "No?"


    "You heard me."


    "I still want you."


    I was taken aback by his directness. The Jace I used to know would never express himself like this.


    "I¡¯m with someone else."


    "I don¡¯t believe that."


    "Well that¡¯s none of my business." I shrugged nonchntly even when my insides seemed to be churning.


    "Listen, Mira-"


    "Jace you need to leave. Massimo would be here any minute from now and I don¡¯t want him seeing you here."


    That was obviously a lie and I hoped he wouldn¡¯t see through it.


    "I don¡¯t care."


    "I¡¯m going to call security and you¡¯ll be stered on the news for harassment. Aren¡¯t you trying to salvage your public image?" I threatened him in a calm tone.


    He looked incredibly stunned.


    "You¡¯ve changed," he whispered.


    "d you finally get the memo." I responded sarcastically.


    Turning, I went and held the door open, gesturing for him to leave.


    He walked to the door and paused, staring intently at me before stepping outside.


    "Jace?" I called out to him as he started walking away.


    He paused and turned slowly.


    "Thanks for the flowers." I stated before mming the door in his face.


    I sighed as fulfillment coursed through my veins. That felt really good.

 Chapter 92 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 92: 92 ~ Jace</h4>


    She was different. Very different from the woman I knew her to be.


    And I didn¡¯t know if it was a good or bad thing.


    Seeing Mira again had altered my brain chemistry. I had dreamt of it for so long but nothing could prepare me for seeing her at the auction that night. I waspletely blindsided. Her looks were not the only thing about her that had changed. Her demeanor had too.


    It was bittersweet realization.


    On one hand, I loved seeing her exude so much confidence and carry herself like an untouchable queen. On the other hand, I was on the receiving end of her coldness, probably because I had caused whatever led to it.


    My fists tightened around my steering wheel at the thought of Massimo touching her.


    Taking onest look at the building she lived in, I sped out of there.


    But as Iid in bed that night I knew that I wasn¡¯t going to let her go without a fight. Mira belonged to me and no one else.


    ~


    "Boss," Tomas walked into my office looking all suave the next day. He was LA again. I knew it was tiring for him to go and back and forth sometimes.


    "Tomas." I said, acknowledging him.


    He took a seat opposite me.


    "Mira is back in town." I told him.


    He didn¡¯t seem surprised.


    "She¡¯s with Massimo Riardi." He finally said.


    I scowled deeply. The mention of that motherfucker¡¯s name irked me even more now.


    How was he even able to get Mira? It didn¡¯t make any sense.


    "How did you know?"


    Tomas chuckled, like I had asked him a silly question. "I have eyes and ears everywhere boss."


    I leaned back on my seat and watched him. "So, howe you couldn¡¯t find her all this time?"


    He swallowed and I saw a sh of guilt in his eyes.


    "What the fuck?!" I mmed my hands on my ss table. It didn¡¯t shatter but there was an obvious crack.


    He barely flinched but he got up on his feet and took a step back.


    "I thought I could trust you man." I was hurt and I let the hardness of my voice show it.


    "I can exin."


    "Get on with it!"


    "Donna asked me to not let you find her. And to be honest, her reasons were valid." He stated quickly.


    "What the hell?" My brows furrowed. "You betrayed my trust and you¡¯re telling me the reasons my mother gave you were valid?"


    "Jace, you and I know Mira needed to be away from you for her own good. The chaos was too much for her."


    "That¡¯s not for you and my mother to decide." I gritted out.


    "You wouldn¡¯t have let her go if we didn¡¯t do it this way."


    I swallowed hard.


    Yes, maybe they were right but it was not their decision to make. I felt betrayed nheless.


    "Just go," I said with my back turned to him. I couldn¡¯t deal with him right now.


    I heard the door shut as he left and that was when I sat and heaved deep breaths. No one understood how dark my mind had gotten after Mira¡¯s disappearance. And now that she was back, I¡¯d be damned before I let her go again.


    ~


    My phone rang while I was at the golf course. I was here for business talks but it was also a way to unwind.


    I saw the flirtatious stares from different women as I yed but all I gave in return was a stern scowl.


    It was my mother.


    I sighed. Ever since I moved out of New York, I saw her less. We only spoke when we needed to and now that she was calling, I could tell why she was doing it.


    "Hey mom," I said.


    Her calm and collected voice sifted through my ears. "How are you doing, Jace?"


    "I¡¯m alive. How are you?"


    "Very well."


    "Hmm," I hummed. There was a beat of silence before she spoke up again.


    "Mira called me today. I take it you¡¯ve seen her already."


    "Yes." I answered clippedly.


    "Don¡¯t do it."


    I frowned. "What are you talking about?"


    "Give her the divorce. I know for a fact that she doesn¡¯t want half of your properties."


    We didn¡¯t sign a prenuptial agreement so I could risk that happening. But that wasn¡¯t even something that bothered me. With several offshore ounts, no one could ever know how much I was truly worth.


    "I¡¯m not letting her go, whether she wants my properties or not." I told her inly.


    I heard her sigh in exasperation. "Here we go again, Jacopo. Can you stop being so stubborn? She¡¯s with another man now."


    My jaw ticked in annoyance. My wife would never belong to another man.


    "Mother, you need to stay out of my business."


    "Suit yourself then." She ended the call.


    I didn¡¯t let it get to me. It was obvious we would never be in good terms even if I wanted us to be. I was the messed up son and her favorite had been killed due to my father¡¯s recklessness. And somehow she med me for it.


    ~


    On some Friday nights, I stayed in my home and worked like an engine. But on this night, I wanted to unwind. I had been stressed.


    And as a plus I needed to getid.


    I missed out on the opportunity to do that when I saw Mira at that auction event. When my date tried to get cozy, I had my driver take her to a hotel and book her flight back to whatever country she flew in from (I didn¡¯t care to know) while I slept on my own thinking of one woman.


    I was seated in the VIP section of this club. It wasn¡¯t mine. Since thest incident that happened few years back, I purposely steered away from my businesses that involved members of the public. I didn¡¯t need any more media drama in my establishments.


    "Don Romano,"


    I knew that voice and every time I heard it, it brought trouble.


    I fought back a sigh. He didn¡¯t deserve a reaction from me.


    "Lorenzo Castillo. I see you¡¯re still in the habit of stalking me." I said smoothly.


    He scoffed, "Stalking? You tter yourself Romano."


    I observed with a bored expression before facing my drink.


    I had no time for a surly looking motherfucker. I came here to clear my head and not discuss any mafia rivalry.


    "My father wants to speak to you."


    "Your father?" I asked with brow raised.


    "Yes."


    "Why?"


    He shrugged. "How would I know? I guess you have to meet him to find out."


    "Alright."


    Lucky for him, he was smart enough to leave me be.


    The older Castillo had been trying to reach me for months now. I was avoiding him and pretending to be oblivious.


    First it was Caterina, now Lorenzo.


    What did this people want from me?


    Yes, we may not havee to a truce after all our back and forths but the attacks had reduced ever since.


    That meant they had either given up or were nning something bigger.


    I was somewhat curious to know what he wanted to say to me so bad.


    ~


    My flight to New York was scheduled for a few dayster.


    I hadn¡¯t been there in a while and it was about to be quite a trip.


    <fna> Find the newest release on f?ndnovel</fna>


    I had texted Mira a few times and she either did not respond or her responses were vague and unenthusiastic. I wasn¡¯t going to give up though. When I returned we would have a talk whether she liked it or not.


    ~


    Inded hourster and my driver was there to pick me up. I insisted on driving as I did want to be carsick.


    A wave of nostalgia hit me as I arrived at my mansion.


    It stopped being home after Mira left.


    When I moved to LA, I considered buying a mansion there but decided against it. A penthouse was more than enough space for my solitude.


    I heard the whisperings that I was a runaway Don. What these people didn¡¯t understand was that I had let the one thing I imed to despise into my being and hurt myself in the process.


    If that made me a weakling, then so be it.


    Mira made me realize how human I was and even when I wanted to keep up with the hardened exterior, a part of me still ached for her so badly.


    "Where¡¯s my mother?" I asked the staff who surprisingly seemed excited about my presence which was now a rarity.


    "She stepped out sir,"


    "Okay let me know when she returns." I said, climbing up the stairs that led to my bedroom.


    I walked through the hallway and eyed the art pieces. Everything looked the same. It just felt different.


    My gaze trailed the walls until theynded on the door to the room opposite mine where Mira used to be. Her stuff were still in there and I made sure the room was thoroughly maintained in my absence.


    I fought the urge to in there and went into my room instead.


    Instant shbacks of all the crazy things I we did in here, filled my mind.


    I immediately regretted getting in here.


    Impulsively, I took my phone out of my pocket and made a video.


    I thought of a nice caption for it and smirked as the idea came. I typed it in, and sent it before I could change my mind.

 Chapter 93 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 93: 93 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was in the middle of a Zoom meeting with a few of my managers when my phone beeped.


    I muted the my mic and checked the message.


    It was from Jace. I thought to ignore it but I saw that he had sent a video.


    Curiosity got the better part of me.


    I opened the video and saw that it was a recording of his bedroom in New York. I could never forget what it looked like.


    The soft gray walls I¡¯d once leaned against while he stalked toward me with that look in his eyes. The silk sheets we¡¯d tangled ourselves in until dawn. The city lights spilling through the massive windows, painting gold across his bare skin.


    I hadn¡¯t seen it in two years, but nothing had changed. And everything had.


    The caption had a gasp elude my lips.


    ¡¯Remember all the nasty things we used to do in here? Come home and I¡¯ll let you pick where I¡¯ll punish you first.¡¯


    I was supposed to be offended. If it was any other man I would have cussed him out but this was Jace and my panties were already soaked with my pussy juices.


    "Damn it," I said under my breath.


    I set the phone aside, not willing to reply yet.


    "Ma¡¯am?"


    I unmuted my mic, remembering that I was still in the middle of a meeting. "Sorry about that. Where were we?"¡¯


    I thought of the replies to give to Jace as the meeting went on.


    I typed out the words; Delete my number.


    But I couldn¡¯t bring myself to send it.


    It didn¡¯t matter that myptop screen was filled with smiling faces from my team ¡ª Chiara with her neat braid and spreadsheets, Paulo adjusting his sses before pitching another idea, Carolina chiming in from Lisbon HQ. I heard the notification and every muscle in me braced.


    I slid my phone toward me, pretending to reach for my coffee, and saw the name.


    Jace Romano.


    My lungs forgot what they were meant to do.


    I shouldn¡¯t still have his name saved. I should¡¯ve blocked him years ago. But there was a cruelfort in knowing exactly when the devil decided to w his way back into my life.


    I swiped up to unlock the screen again that was yet another video. The bathroom.


    Against my better judgment, I tapped it, muting myptop again, just in case. The image bloomed, and for a moment I forgot where I was.


    The tiled walls glimmered under the light and I remembered it was where we first...


    <fn7984> This text is hosted at f?ndnovel</fn7984>


    Never mind.


    Then I saw the caption.


    ¡¯Lots of cold showers here because of you. I miss your warmth.¡¯


    He added a wink emoji that insinuated something crazier.


    A pulse of heat shot straight to my face as I pictured it. It was not desire, not anymore, but the dangerous kind of heat thates from knowing exactly how easy it would be to slip.


    He was baiting me, dangling memory like a hook. And damn him, he knew which ones to choose.


    "Everything alright, Ms. Maya?"


    Chiara¡¯s voice snapped me back. I looked up at my webcam to find four pairs of eyes on me. My smile felt tight, like a poorly fitted mask.


    "Yes," I said lightly. "Everything¡¯s fine. Go on."


    I shoved the phone face down on the desk and tried to follow Carolina¡¯s report about the new pastry line, but Jace¡¯s texts sat there in the back of my mind like a ticking bomb.


    His timing wasn¡¯t random. He¡¯d seen me at the auction, sent me flowers, showed up at my door ¡ª and I¡¯d mmed it in his face. He didn¡¯t like being shut out. Jace Romano didn¡¯t just knock. He broke the door down.


    "¡ªMa¡¯am? Do you approve the marketing rollout for next quarter?"


    I realized everyone was waiting for me to answer. I forced myself upright, smoothed my blouse, and nodded. "Yes, go ahead. Send me the finalized mock-ups by Friday."


    We wrapped up the call and I ended the meeting with my usual pleasant goodbye, waiting until thest face blinked out before exhaling.


    The phone was still there. I picked it up, reread the messages. My thumb hovered over the delete button, but I didn¡¯t press it.


    Instead, I typed back:


    You¡¯re pathetic.


    Then I erased it. I wasn¡¯t going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he¡¯d gotten under my skin.


    I pushed my chair back and went to the window. Los Angeles sprawled beneath me . It was all sun and ss and movement. Somewhere in this city, he was watching me the way a predator watches a deer, calcting distance, wind direction, the moment to strike. He knew exactly how to get to me.


    I hated him for it.


    I hated myself more for noticing the old flutter in my stomach at the thought. I hated myself for craving his touch and having crazy shbacks of us in bed and on every surface that he fucked me at.


    The phone rang, and for a split second, I thought it might be him. But the caller ID read Massimo Riardi.


    I answered. "What?"


    "Your voice," he said smoothly. "Still sounds like you¡¯re holding a knife in one hand and a cappino in the other."


    "I¡¯m busy." I told him inly. I didn¡¯t like how he liked to act like he owned me. I was no man¡¯s property.


    "Too busy to hear that Romano flew into New York today?" He sounded like he was smirking.


    My grip on the phone tightened. "What¡¯s your point?"


    I already knew that. He didn¡¯t need to tell me.


    "My point, dolcezza, is that he¡¯s circling closer than you think. And you need to decide whether you¡¯re going to run... or use it."


    I looked back at myptop and at the paused frame of my old life, waiting in my inbox. "I told you. I¡¯m not running. I know what I¡¯m doing."


    That was a lie. I had no idea what I was doing.


    Yes, I was out for revenge but I had no solid n. And maybe I had gotten distracted so soon.


    "That¡¯s my girl." His voice was velvet with an edge of steel, cutting through my thoughts. "Dinner tonight?"


    "I¡¯ll let you know," I said, and hung up before he could charm me into anything I didn¡¯t want to do.


    I set the phone down, but my thoughts didn¡¯t quiet. The problem with men like Massimo and Jace was that they didn¡¯t just take up space in your life. They carved themselves into your bones. They never wanted to let go no matter what.


    I grabbed my purse. I needed air.


    The streets were still warm from the afternoon sun, the sky turning the kind of peach you only get in California. I walked until the noise of traffic drowned out my thoughts, until I could almost convince myself I was just another woman enjoying the city.


    But then I saw it. It was a florist¡¯s shop, its window filled with the same. white roses Jace had sent mest week.


    I froze. The memory of their scent, sharp, swept over me, filling my nostrils and my heart with a strange flutter. He¡¯d sent them with a note, but he didn¡¯t need one. The flowers were his signature: elegant, dangerous, impossible to ignore.


    I stepped inside, inhaled the heady perfume, and for a crazy second, considered buying a bouquet just to burn itter. I stared at the flowers with a dazed expression.


    The shop owner smiled at me. "Looking for something special?"


    "Yes," I said, my voice softer now. "Something... difficult to kill."


    Maybe she thought I was crazy after that but she didn¡¯t say anything. She only shook her head at me and I left.


    I continued my walk until I found this small fancy looking cafe. There, I had coffee, and tried my best to not think of my crappy life.


    I thought of calling my brother. We had not spoken in months but I just wasn¡¯t ready for a reunion yet. I knew he was fine. I just didn¡¯t want to be a big sister right now, or a wife or anyone¡¯s anything for that matter. I just wanted to be me.


    Back in my apartment, I kicked off my heels and poured myself a ss of wine. I curled into the corner of my couch, staring at the city lights beyond the balcony.


    I thought about deleting his message again. I thought about calling him and telling him exactly what I thought of his cheap mind games. I thought about ignoring himpletely.


    But instead, I opened the video one more time. Watched the slow sweep of his camera over the room where I¡¯d been both the happiest and most miserable version of myself.


    And I realized something that made my blood run cold.


    Jace wasn¡¯t just asking me toe home. He was warning me that, in his mind, I¡¯d never left.

 Chapter 94 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 94: 94 ~ Mira</h4>


    After sleeping off on the couch with a bottle of wine by my side, I woke up with body aches the next morning.


    So, for my own good, I pushed thoughts of Jace to the back of mind throughout the day or so I told myself. I archived his chat and willed myself to not look at any of his messages no matter how much I wanted to.


    The dinner with Massimo? I apparently took a rain check the previous night and scheduled it for this one.


    The scenery in this apartment was beautiful but on this fine sunny summer day, I insisted that I wanted let my hair down and just go out.


    That¡¯s exactly what I did. I wore a sundress, donned a sassy hat and sunsses as I drove myself to a coffee shop.


    Since I took myptop with me, I did the one thing I had been doing for the past couple of months as a means to escape my mind, I wrote.


    I wrote about my experiences. How life had dealt me with continuous blows and how I had to find a way to recover but before I could fully heal, I was dealt with another. It was a never sending cycle of pain and turmoil that hit my gut every single time.


    The hardest one had to be my miscarriage. It shattered me in more ways than I could understand. Every other thing that had happened to me seemed external but this one, felt like something was stolen from the inside of me and there was no way to recover it.


    How do you grieve someone you¡¯ve never even... met?


    I typed till my hands ached and my coffee went cold. I even made them reheat my croissant in the microwave just so I could put something warm in my stomach as I skipped breakfast that morning.


    When I finally decided to pause after a few hours, I looked up and saw someone very familiar walk in.


    It was a weird coincidence. But what are the odds that Caterina would walk into the same cafe I was seated out as I was just about to leave?


    She was gorgeous as always. In fact she looked more beautiful than thest time I saw her few years back. Even in her casual attire, she was still able to turn heads.


    Yes she was a mean bitch but there was no denying how good looking she was.


    I made sure she did not see my face. I didn¡¯t want any of her drama.


    A curious part of me wondered what she was doing in LA though. Did she move down here because of Jace?


    Then a slight pang of jealousy hit my chest at the thought of her and Jace still hooking up. I immediately shook it off. Why would I let myself feel anything but hate for the man who broke me?


    I was going to divorce him anyway so he could whatever he liked for all I cared.


    I just had to have my revenge first.


    ~


    I took my time getting ready for this dinner. I wasn¡¯t ready to face Massimo and his scheming self but he had insisted and I didn¡¯t want to turn him down especially because we had a deal no matter how I felt about him.


    So when his driver told me he was downstairs, I spent a good twenty minutes putting finishing touches on my outfit before stepping out of my apartment.


    A pastel green dress that was anything but revealing was what I wore with a ck pair of mole heels and a sling bag. I straightened out my hair and let it rest on my shoulders looking like a blunt cut.


    <fn2260> Original content can be found at find?novel</fn2260>


    The driver looked somewhat agitated when I got downstairs. Maybe his boss was already questioning him about my whereabouts. Too bad.


    My eyes stayed glued to the window for the most of the ride as the driver sped through traffic like a man on a mission. Well, he was on a mission to not get his head chopped off by his boss that¡¯s for sure.


    As expected, Massimo had an ultra modern mansion. I wasn¡¯t surprised by his grandioseness anymore.


    I got out of the car.


    My heels clicked the tiles as I was led inside the building.


    Like most homes of this nature, there was a clean minimalist aesthetic about the space. I merely nced around. I just wanted to get this visit over with.


    ~


    "Belissima," he drawled as soon as I entered the dining room where he was seated, waiting for me.


    "Massimo," I said without a smile.


    "Why the long face? You¡¯re not happy to see me?"


    "Thest thing I wanted to do today was step out of that apartment."


    "Yet you went out for some coffee."


    My brow raised. "So you¡¯re stalking me now?"


    He was unmoved by the sternness of my re. "I have to keep eyes on what¡¯s mine."


    "I¡¯m not yours."


    He wagged a finger as he tsked a number of times I couldn¡¯t count. "That¡¯s not what we agreed to."


    "I¡¯m sure you know I¡¯m still married to Jace."


    I didn¡¯t n on using the marriage card to ward him off but it was necessary. I did not belong to anyone.


    "Makes it even better. What better revenge than an angry wife to her oblivious husband." He grinned sickly.


    I fought back a grimace.


    Maybe I should not have thought of it but I missed the charming, flirtatious Massimo back in Lisbon. The same one who used to help my business boom better by buying out everything in stock just to impress me.


    If only I knew he had a much bigger n in mind, maybe I would have avoided his advances even more. But it was toote to cry over spilled milk.


    I barely ate anything on my te after what he said.


    "The documents I want are most likely in New York. I need you to get them and then our deal is over. You can do whatever you like afterwards." He spoked up after several seconds of silence.


    "What are those documents about?" I asked.


    His hands stilled mid air. "When you see them, you¡¯d surely know."


    "That¡¯s a very vague answer Massimo. I need to know what it¡¯s about."


    "Get to New York first."


    "Am I supposed to just show up at his house when I¡¯ve been shunning him for weeks?"


    "He sent you flowers and came to your apartment, you sent him away, big deal."


    I held in my surprise as he spoke. This man was watching my every move.


    He continued. "You¡¯re just ying hard to get. He hurt you and you have every right to be offended. But you can¡¯t deny you still love him."


    "I don¡¯t." I cut in quickly even though I felt my heart thump louder as he mentioned it.


    Massimo frowned. "I didn¡¯t say that you loved him."


    It was my turn to frown. "Then what-"


    "I was narrating the plot line. That¡¯s the script. Act it out well so you can get what we want. I hope you haven¡¯t forgotten what this means to you?"


    I squeezed my thigh under the table. "I haven¡¯t."


    "Good." He smiled. "Let¡¯s have dessert," he said to one of his staff.


    I didn¡¯t have the appetite but I forced myself to have the mango puree anyways.


    ~


    On my way back home, danger struck.


    All of a sudden the vehicle swerved to a curb.


    "What¡¯s going on?" I yelled at the driver who seemed terrified.


    Someone opened the door from the other side.


    "Get down."


    "Not again," I muttered with a roll of my eyes.


    "Do as I say! Now!"


    I got down and faced the masked bulky dude. He had a gun that was pointed at my face.


    "What do you want?" I asked as I handed my purse to him and he shoved it aside.


    "You¡¯reing with us."


    "No I¡¯m not."


    "I¡¯ll blow your brains out." He said gruffly.


    I figured that if he really wanted to kill me he would have done it by now.


    "Do it then."


    He seemed stunned and tried to manhandle me. I disarmed him in the blink of an eye and cocked the gun at him.


    "I¡¯m not afraid to use it." I warned him, my voice colder than the metal in my hands.


    Losing my child forced me into going for self defense sses.


    If only I had known how to defend myself sooner, maybe I would have been able to save my baby.


    I would have been a mother and life would have been so different from what it was at the moment.


    Pangs of guilt filled my chest. It distracted me.


    Someone came from behind me and put a chloroformed handkerchief over my nose and that was how I lost consciousness.


    ~


    My eyes opened and I found myself strapped into a cushioned leather chair.


    "Where am I?" I groaned.


    My hands weren¡¯t tied.. There was only a seat belt.


    "Oh hell no," I muttered as I looked around my surroundings.


    This was none other than a private jet.


    "Fuck you, Jace Romano."

 Chapter 95 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 95: 95 ~ Jace</h4>


    "Doesn¡¯t this get old?" She sounded upset but unsurprised nheless.


    I smiled. "Take it as a means to juggle your memory."


    "I don¡¯t want to remember anything horrible." She said through gritted teeth.


    I swallowed. I almost gestured for the blindfold to be taken off but I wanted to do it myself.


    I was in one of the warehouses when I was told the jet hadnded in New York. So, I drove as fast as I could to the house, waiting for her to be brought in.


    Kidnapping her wasn¡¯t exactly how I nned to win her back. Scratch that, there was actually no n in the first ce. I just wanted to remind her of what we once were despite how much of a risk I was taking.


    I knew she would hate me more now but I could make her forget it in a jiffy.


    "Leave us," I ordered, and the room emptied without hesitation. The door shut with a final click, sealing us in.


    The silence between us was deafening. Mira stood there, hands bound in front, blindfold still on, her chin tilted stubbornly upward as if daring me to make the next move.


    "Doesn¡¯t this get old, Jace?" she asked again, her voice tight and her words more enunciated. "Dragging me around like I¡¯m a pawn in one of your sick games?"


    "Call it whatever you like," I said evenly, stepping closer. "But don¡¯t forget, I¡¯m still your husband no matter what."


    Mira let out a short, bitterugh. "That¡¯s your favorite line, isn¡¯t it? You saved me the pain of killing my brother right before my eyes. You own me. You¡¯ll never let me forget it."


    I reached up, brushing my fingers against the edge of the blindfold. "You don¡¯t want to remember anything horrible. That¡¯s convenient. But what about me, Mira? What about what you left me with? All the memories you threw aside when you left, they haunt me everyday."


    "Take it off," she snapped.


    For a second, I didn¡¯t. I let the tension stretch, my fingers lingering at the knot, before I finally tugged the blindfold free.


    Her eyes blinked against the light, sharp and furious when they finally met mine.


    God, two years and she was still the most dangerous thing I¡¯d everid eyes on. Her eyes though filled with fury, gave me the kind of warmth I had craved for the longest time. My fiery fireball who had me wrapped around her finger without even realizing it.


    "You¡¯re insane," she whispered, shaking her head. "Dragging me across the country like this. What the hell is wrong with you?"


    Yes I was crazy. Crazy about her. She could call me whatever name she wanted. I did not mind.


    "I wasn¡¯t going to sit back and watch Riardi circle you like a vulture." My voice dropped, low and sharp. "You belong to me. Not him. Not anyone else."


    Her mouth parted in disbelief before she let out a humorlessugh. "Belong? To you? You lost that right when you killed our baby."


    The words mmed into me harder than any bullet ever had. For a split second, I couldn¡¯t breathe.


    I closed the distance between us, caging her in against the desk.


    "You think I¡¯ve forgotten?" My voice was harsh, ragged. "You think I don¡¯t see it every time I close my eyes? I live with it, Mira. Every goddamn day. I live with the guilt all the fucking time!"


    She shoved at my chest, but I didn¡¯t move. "Don¡¯t twist this into your tragedy, Jace. I was the one who woke up in that hospital bed with nothing. I was the one who had to bury dreams I never got to hold."


    Her voice cracked, and for a moment I almost faltered. Almost.


    Instead, I leaned closer, my words a growl against her ear. "And you think running halfway across the world, pretending to be someone else, erases that? You think hiding behind Riardi¡¯s name will keep me from you?"


    Her eyes shed, and she shoved harder this time. I let her push me back a step.


    "You don¡¯t get it," she spat. "I wasn¡¯t hiding from you. I was healing from you. There¡¯s a difference."


    My jaw tightened. Healing. As if anyone else could give her what I could. As if anyone else could know her the way I did.


    Maybe it sounded arrogant but what she needed was me. And what I needed most was her.


    "You don¡¯t get to decide when this ends," I said, my voice cutting through the space between us. "Divorce papers, Riardi, your businesses in Lisbon, I don¡¯t care. None of it matters. You are my wife, Mira. And until I say otherwise, that doesn¡¯t change."


    Her chest rose and fell sharply. "You are unbelievable."


    "No," I corrected softly with a cynical smile tugging at my lips. "I¡¯m inevitable."


    She froze at that, fury burning in her gaze, but beneath it, beneath the sharp edge, I caught it. That flicker. That tiny betrayal in her eyes that told me she wasn¡¯t as untouchable as she wanted me to believe.


    And it was enough to keep me from letting her go.


    She refused my hand as I tried to lead her to the room.


    "Don¡¯t touch me,"


    I raised my hands in surrender and watched her leave so she could freshen up after the flight. I made sure everything was ready for her so she didn¡¯t have to worry.


    She was still mad. But I believed she would cool off eventually.


    ~


    About an hourter, I heard a knock on my door.


    <fn05e6> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn05e6>


    "Come in,"


    It was my mother.


    "I just saw her."¡¯


    "Nice to see you too mom,"


    I had not seen her in months. We barely conversed over the phone and whenever we did, we were arguing.


    I got into New York nearly two days ago and she had either been avoiding me or just strangely unavable. Now the first thing she does is talk about my wife?


    She heaved a sigh and spread her arms for me. I got on my feet, walked to her, crouched down and pulled her into a warm embrace. She rubbed and patted on my hair softly.


    She stepped back and took a good look at my face. "You look well,"


    "You look even better." I returned with a slight grin.


    "LA is treating you nice yes?"


    "More recently, yes."


    "Words of a man in love," she teased me,


    I let out a chuckle as I shrugged.


    Just then my mother sighed. "Why did you have to kidnap her? She¡¯s not happy about it."


    "It¡¯s for the thrill of it."


    She shook her head in disbelief before catching herself. "Well you have to make up for it."


    I smirked. "I sure will."


    "Oh my goodness," she rolled her eyes. "I didn¡¯t mean it like that you perv."


    Weughed at the same time. But when theughter died down, she became serious.


    "Seriously Jace, if you really want to pursue her, do it right this time. Keep your ego aside and win her over."


    Solemnly, I nodded. "I promise."


    "Good," she tapped my face softly and left me to my thoughts.


    ~


    My phone rang. It was an unknown number but I took a wild guess to know who it was as I picked up.


    "You kidnapped my woman,"


    It was none other than Massimo and he went straight to the point.


    Bold of him but I wasn¡¯t surprised.


    "Your woman?" I asked with a brow raised.


    "Don¡¯t make me repeat myself cause I¡¯d do that with bullets instead."


    "Watch your mouth asshole. That is my wife. And you have no right to call her yours." I warned him.


    "She hates your guts. Give her the divorce so I can marry her already."


    My fists clenched automatically. I wished he was right in front of me so I could punch his nose till its broken.


    "She¡¯s not going anywhere. She will never be yours. Get that into your oblong head."


    "You¡¯ve got jokes for a don. Watch your back Romano."


    I ended the call. There was no reason for me to exchange words over empty threats. I would end his life in the snap of a second. I didn¡¯t have to try too hard.


    All he had to do was make the first move and I would have him gunned down.


    Mira came in just then looking supple in her nightdress.


    I held in a breath. God, I wanted to bend her over and remind her of all she had missed.


    "Hey beautiful,"


    She sneered at me.


    For some reason, I found it cute.


    "Don¡¯t try to be sweet to me, Romano. I can¡¯t find my phone."


    "What do you need it for?"


    She frowned. "What else are phones for?"


    "For next couple of days, I want it to be just you and me, no distractions."


    By distractions, I meant Massimo.


    "We¡¯re not on a vacation."


    "Let¡¯s make it one then."

 Chapter 96 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 96: 96 ~ Mira</h4>


    The walls of Jace¡¯s mansion hadn¡¯t changed. Same marble floors, same dim lighting, same air that smelled faintly of expensive whiskey and something darker - him. The familiarity of it all was suffocating, like being dragged back into a nightmare I thought I had wed my way out of.


    I hated everything it reminded me of.


    I had sworn I¡¯d never set foot in this ce again. Yet here I was, stripped of my freedom, bound by a man who refused to let me go.


    And the worst part? Some traitorous part of me wasn¡¯t just furious. It was trembling. Because being back here felt like standing on the edge of a cliff. It was dangerous, but familiar enough to make me remember what it was like to fall.


    I hated myself for that.


    "Don¡¯t try to be sweet to me, Romano. I can¡¯t find my phone," I snapped, arms crossed tightly over my chest. I hated how he was ogling my cleavage in this night dress. I wanted distance from him, but my body betrayed me by remembering what it felt like to have those hands all over me.


    He leaned casually against the edge of his desk, the picture of arrogance with his dashingly handsome features. "For the next couple of days, I want it to be just you and me. No distractions."


    His tone was smooth, but I knew what he really meant: No Massimo. No lifeline. No escape.


    Iughed. It was sharp and humorless. "We¡¯re not on vacation."


    "Let¡¯s make it one then," he said, as if it was that simple. As if he could just snap his fingers and rewrite thest two years of my life.


    I turned away from him, pacing the room like a caged animal. My pulse was erratic and justified anger buzzing in my veins. "Do you hear yourself, Jace? You don¡¯t get to just kidnap me, drag me to New York, and y house."


    "You think this is a game?" His voice sharpened.


    I whirled on him. "Everything with you is a game. Power, control, ownership. It¡¯s all you know how to do. And I¡¯m not your pawn anymore."


    His jaw flexed, his gaze darkening. "You¡¯ll always be mine, Mira."


    My chest tightened. That word - mine. Once upon a time it made me feel wanted, yearned for even. Now it felt like a curse.


    I stepped closer, meeting his re with every ounce of fire left in me. "No, Jace. I stopped being yours the moment you destroyed everything we could have had. The moment you decided control mattered more than the life we created together."


    He flinched almost imperceptibly, and for a second I saw the crack in his armor. The guilt. The man haunted by the same ghost that haunted me.


    But I didn¡¯t soften. I couldn¡¯t. I could never forgive him just like that,


    "I built something without you," I continued, with my voice low and trembling with anger. "I wed my way out of the wreck you left me in. Do you know what that felt like? To wake up every day with nothing but scars and memories you wish you could burn out of your brain?"


    He said nothing, just watched me with that unreadable stare, like I was both his salvation and his destruction.


    "Of course you don¡¯t," I spat bitterly. "Because all you ever do is take. You take and take until there¡¯s nothing left but ash."


    Silence hung heavy between us. My chest heaved, my throat raw from holding back tears I refused to let him see.


    Finally, he pushed off the desk, closing the distance between us in two strides. His hand lifted, hovering near my face like he wanted to touch me, but he stopped short. His voice was low and hoarse.


    "And yet, even in Lisbon, even with Riardi at your side, you still think of me."


    The audacity of him.


    I shoved him hard in the chest, and this time he let himself stumble back a step. "You don¡¯t get to decide what I think about. You don¡¯t get to decide anything for me anymore."


    "Then tell me you feel nothing," he challenged me, eyes burning into mine with so much intensity, I thought I would melt. "Look me in the eye, Mira, and swear you don¡¯t still feel me in your bones."


    My throat went dry. Damn him. Damn him for knowing me too well. For seeing through theyers of ice I had built around myself.


    I wanted to scream I hate you until my voice broke. I wanted to say the words that would cut him the way he¡¯d cut me. But the truth lodged in my chest, betraying me with silence.


    And he saw it.


    A dangerous smile curved his mouth, slow and triumphant. "That¡¯s what I thought."


    I pped him. The sound cracked through the room, my palm was stinging and my chest heaved repeatedly.


    "Don¡¯t you dare," I whispered, tears burning at the corners of my eyes. "Don¡¯t you dare think this is love. This is obsession. You don¡¯t love me, Jace. You just don¡¯t know how to lose."


    His expression hardened, the smile vanishing, reced by something far more dangerous.


    "You¡¯re wrong," he said. His voice low and absolute. "This is the only love I¡¯ve ever known. And I¡¯m not letting it go."


    I swallowed. I couldn¡¯t do this. Damn him, damn Massimo and damn whatever fucking n that had brought me back here.


    <fn78f9> Chapters first released on F?ndNovel</fn78f9>


    He held my arm, trying to pull me back as I was about to leave and I punched his face.


    He staggered a bit, eyes wide and shocked by my reaction.


    "Don¡¯t you ever put your hands on me. Ever." I warned him and walked away.


    Jace needed to realize that I was not the same girl from a few years ago. I was Mira Valente and this girl is not a weakling.


    And I would make sure to torture him for what his father did to mine.

 Chapter 97 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 97: 97 ~ Jace</h4>


    I was at the central warehouse the next morning with a stered nose.


    The first thing Tomas said when he walked in was, "What happened to your nose?"


    "Mira punched me." I answered gruffly.


    Tomasughed. A full, unrestrainedugh that echoed off the office walls. I shot him an intense re, but that only seemed to encourage him.


    "Jesus, Boss," he wheezed, clutching his stomach. "Two years away and the first thing your wife does is rearrange your face. Can¡¯t say you didn¡¯t deserve it."


    I pinched the bridge of my nose carefully. It still throbbed, and the faint sting reminded me of the fury in Mira¡¯s eyes when her fist connected with it. She hadn¡¯t hesitated, not for a second. My Mira. Still fire, still unpredictable. But I did not see thating.


    "You done?" I asked dryly.


    "Not even close," Tomas grinned, leaning back in the chair opposite my desk. "You¡¯re lucky she didn¡¯t break it. She¡¯s got good aim."


    I leaned back, exhaling slowly, letting my irritation simmer instead of boil over. If this had been anyone else, I¡¯d have already had them tossed into the Hudson with bricks tied to their ankles. But Tomas had earned his ce. He was more than an underboss. He was one of the few people I trusted enough to letugh at my expense.


    Still.


    "Say another word," I warned, "and I¡¯ll let Mira punch you next."


    He raised a brow. "Considering how hard she hits, I think I¡¯ll pass." He folded his arms, a smirk still tugging at his mouth. "But admit it. Seeing her again is doing a number on you."


    I went still. The truth was, Tomas wasn¡¯t wrong. Seeing Mira again had cracked something open inside me that I¡¯d tried to bury for two years. The way she looked at me, like she wanted to kill me and kiss me all at once was haunting. She hated me. I knew that. But the hate was alive, sharp, burning. And where there was hate, there was still a connection.


    It was better than indifference.


    "She¡¯s different," I muttered, more to myself than to him.


    Tomas tilted his head, studying me. "Different how?"


    I paused, searching for words. Mira had always been strong, but Lisbon had changed her. She wasn¡¯t just surviving anymore. She was thriving. Confident. Cold. Untouchable. And it infuriated me that Massimo Riardi had been close enough to witness it all.


    "She doesn¡¯t flinch anymore," I said finally. "She used to wear her heart on her sleeve, even when she tried not to. Now it¡¯s like she¡¯s wearing armor." My fists clenched unconsciously. "And I¡¯m going to break through it."


    Tomas¡¯s smirk faded, reced by something more serious. "Careful, Jace. You push too hard, you¡¯ll lose her for good."


    I met his eyes, my jaw tight. "She¡¯s already mine. She can hate me all she wants, but that doesn¡¯t change a damn thing."


    For a moment, silence stretched between us. Then Tomas let out a low whistle. "Obsession looks good on you."


    I ignored the jab and reached for the ss of scotch on my desk. The burn was grounding. Necessary.


    "She¡¯lle around," I said, more to myself than to him.


    Later that night, I found myself pacing the halls of the mansion. Mira had locked herself in her room. Though she didn¡¯t realize it, I¡¯d made sure it was kept exactly as she left it, every trace of her untouched.


    I stopped outside the door, my hand hovering just inches from the handle. I could hear faint movement inside. She was awake.


    I should¡¯ve walked away. Given her space. But patience had never been one of my virtues.


    I knocked once before opening the door anyway.


    She was seated by the window, arms folded, eyes sharp and defiant the moment theynded on me. "Ever heard of privacy?"


    "Ever heard of gratitude?" I countered smoothly, stepping inside.


    "For what? Kidnapping me?" She scoffed, rising to her feet. "Flying me across the country like some trophy you won¡¯t let go of?"


    I smirked, though inside, her words cut deeper than I let on. "If you were a trophy, Mira, I¡¯d have locked you in ss. But you¡¯re not. You¡¯re..." I trailed off, swallowing the word that burned on my tongue. Mine. Always mine.


    <fned2b> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on findnovel</fned2b>


    Her lips curled in disgust. "Save your poetry for someone who cares."


    I closed the distance between us, ignoring the fire in her eyes. "I¡¯m not here to write poetry. I¡¯m here to remind you what we had."


    "What we had died with our child," she snapped, her voice cracking on the word.


    The air left my lungs in a rush. No bullet, no de had ever hurt as much as that single sentence. And every time she repeated it, it burned even more.


    "Mira¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t." She held up a hand, trembling but steady in her defiance. "Don¡¯t twist this into some tragic love story where you¡¯re the hero. You¡¯re not the hero, Jace. You¡¯re the viin I had to escape from."


    I froze. Because deep down, I knew she was right.


    But viins didn¡¯t give up.


    I leaned in, my voice low, dangerous. "And yet, even now, you¡¯re still here. Even now, your eyes can¡¯t lie to me. You feel it. You hate it. But you feel it."


    Her jaw tightened. Her silence told me more than words ever could.


    I stepped back, letting the tension hang between us like a taut wire ready to snap. "Get some sleep, Mira. You¡¯ll need your strength."


    "For what?" she demanded.


    I gave her a slow, deliberate smile. "For remembering."


    And then I left, closing the door behind me, the sound of her ragged breathing following me down the hall.


    Back in my room, I poured another drink and sat in silence. I reyed the image of her standing there, fury zing in her eyes, and beneath it - the flicker of something she refused to admit.


    Hate or love, it didn¡¯t matter. Both kept her tied to me. And I¡¯d use either one until she remembered that no matter where she ran, she¡¯d never escape me.


    Not now. Not ever.

 Chapter 98 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 98: 98 ~ Mira</h4>


    "Hi Donna," I said as she walked into my supposed bedroom.


    I didn¡¯t expect her to be here.


    "Mira." She smiled slightly. I returned it with a nervous one.


    On my first day here, I made sure I went to find her. I didn¡¯t even care that I was wearing the dress that I had on from dinner with Massimo the previous night. I just needed to see her and tell her what her son had done.


    She disapproved of it of course and said that she was going to speak to him. But even I knew that was futile. Jace was as stubborn as a mule and the only way to get him to listen was to take drastic decisions just like we did two years ago.


    It had been two days since I got trapped here and he was still yet to let me go back. There was no way for me to escape because I was sure he left strict instructions to not let me out.


    "You look very different," she remarked.


    It was probably apliment but I did not know if I was to thank her for it.


    "I love what you did with your hair,"


    Instinctively, I touched my bob cut. "Thank you,"


    Then she went back to her serious stance.


    "My son is very stubborn," she started.


    "Too stubborn." I muttered in response.


    "And you have every right to be thoroughly upset with a man who is obsessed with you like this, especially because you don¡¯t want him."


    My breath slowed. I didn¡¯t want him anymore right? I asked myself.


    The obvious answer should be no but why was there a ¡¯maybe¡¯ in my thoughts?


    "But the truth is, I¡¯ve never seen him this way. Ever."


    I was quiet. She seemed lost in her own thoughts as she spoke.


    <fnc4d3> Original content can be found at Find1Novel</fnc4d3>


    "I gave birth to that young man so for sure, I would know. He¡¯s tough, rigid. Has gone through more bodily harm than the average man but nothing broke him like your absence."


    She blinked. "Every time, I asked him why he married you, he would never give me a reasonable answer. I hated him for how selfish he was. But then I got to understand the light you brought into his life even when he didn¡¯t see it for himself."


    She sat up and faced me fully.


    "He¡¯s not perfect, Mira. He probably doesn¡¯t even know how to go about things like this because he never learned from anyone else. All he has ever known is wars, bloodshed, survival. All he¡¯s ever believed in is authority,"


    I sighed, already getting a sense of where this was heading.


    "You¡¯re a grown adult Mira, I¡¯m never going topel and push you to make a decision. I just want to at least let you know that my son loves you. He just doesn¡¯t know how to do it right."


    I immediately felt goosebumps go on a rampage all over my body. I didn¡¯t believe Jace loved me. He was incapable of it.


    I wasn¡¯t here to rekindle any me. Whatever we had was lust and fiery passion. I wanted nothing to do with it.


    I nodded in spite of my thoughts and told her I would think about all she said. She promised to get my phone back to me and shortly after she left me to my thoughts.


    Leaning on the door as I shut it behind me, I stared into space.


    I was here to have my revenge on Jace for what his father did to my family. There was nothing more I wanted to do with him.


    The ship had sailed and sunk.


    ~


    Hourster...


    The walls of this room felt too familiar, too suffocating.


    The drapes were drawn, but I could still make out the faint glow of New York¡¯s night pressing against the windows. I hated it. I hated being back here.


    Jace thought bringing me here like I was still his possession was some kind of grand gesture. Like I would suddenly fall into his arms and forget everything he had taken from me.


    Iughed under my breath, bitter and sharp.


    The audacity.


    He had some nerve thinking that I was a fool.


    I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my own reflection. I barely recognized the woman looking back at me. My hair was different, my style sharper, my spirit harder. And yet, beneath it all, I still saw the girl who once believed I could be Jace Romano¡¯s salvation. But instead, he was her ruin.


    I shook my head vehemently. No. That girl was dead.


    She had died in that hospital bed along with the child she never got to hold.


    I pressed a hand against the edge of the vanity, grounding myself before the tears could fall. Jace didn¡¯t get to see me cry anymore. Not him. Not ever again.


    The door creaked open without a knock, and of course it was him.


    Jace filled the doorway like he owned it, like he owned everything. Tailored suit, cold eyes, lips tugged in that self satisfied smirk I once thought was irresistible.


    "Why are you here?" I asked tly, not turning around.


    He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "Checking on my wife."


    The word sliced into me. Wife.


    I turned on him, fire and rage shooting through my veins. "Stop calling me that!"


    His brows lifted. "That¡¯s what you are, Mira. No matter how much you hate me. No matter how far you run."


    I wanted to throw something at him. Instead, I folded my arms.


    This man was dumber than I could give him credit for.


    "Do you hear yourself? You dragged me here against my will. Do you think this is how you win me back? Kidnap me, lock me in your gilded cage, and call it love?"


    His jaw ticked, but his voice was calm. Too calm. "It¡¯s not love I¡¯m reminding you of. It¡¯s truth. And the truth is you¡¯ll never belong to Massimo Riardi or any other man. You are mine."


    Iughed. It was loud, sharp, ugly and I hoped the sound would pierce his ears.


    "Mine. Mine. Mine. That¡¯s all you know how to say. You don¡¯t see me as a person, Jace. Just something to brand with your name."


    He moved closer, his presence heavy and suffocating. "And what about you? You think I¡¯m blind to how you look at me? You think I don¡¯t see it? You still feel it, Mira. You¡¯re just fighting yourself right now."


    My heart stuttered, but I refused to let it show. "You¡¯re delusional."


    "Am I?" His voice dropped, dangerous and intimate. "Because every time I close my eyes, I see you. Every time I breathe, I taste you. You can¡¯t erase me from you any more than I can erase you from me."


    I shoved at his chest, hard.


    "I hate you so fucking much!"


    The words cracked from me like ss shattering. The ache ripped open again, raw and bleeding, no matter how many times I tried to stitch it shut.


    For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Pain. Regret. But then it was gone, buried beneath that iron control he wore like armor.


    His hands flexed at his sides. "You think I don¡¯t carry guilt with me over how I fucked things up. Every day? You think I don¡¯t fucking drown in it, Mira? But running away doesn¡¯t change it. Hating me doesn¡¯t change what happened. It¡¯s hard to admit but that¡¯s the truth."


    "It changes me," I spat. "It keeps me alive. It reminds me I¡¯m not yours anymore."


    We stood there, breathless, ring at each other like enemies on a battlefield. Maybe that¡¯s all we¡¯d ever been.


    Finally, I tore my gaze away, stepping back. "You don¡¯t get to decide my life. You don¡¯t get to rewrite my story just because your ego can¡¯t handle losing."


    His lips curved, but there was no warmth in it. "This isn¡¯t about ego. This is about me proving to you that I am unavoidable. It¡¯s inevitable."


    I froze. That damn word again. Inevitable. Like he was some storm I couldn¡¯t outrun.


    And maybe that was what terrified me the most because a part of me still remembered what it felt like to be consumed by him.


    I needed air. I needed space. For the first time that day, I knew I needed to step out of this room because his presence made it suffocating.


    I brushed past him, ignoring the way his hand twitched like he wanted to stop me but forced himself not to.


    Good thing he remembered the punch. The bruise on his nose was enough to let him know that he should know better than to touch me.


    I found my way down to the pool at the backyard.


    The moment I was alone again, sank to the floor by the pool, not ready to dip my legs into the water, pressing my forehead against my knees. My body trembled, anger and grief wing up my throat.


    But beneath it all, a different fire smoldered. Not love. Not anymore.


    Resolve.


    If Jace thought kidnapping me meant I¡¯d fold, he was wrong.


    If Massimo thought parading me around meant I was his, he was wrong too.


    I didn¡¯t belong to either of them.


    And I would prove it, even if it meant burning both empires to the ground.

 Chapter 99 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 99: 99 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was able to get my phone back due to Donna¡¯s help. I wasn¡¯t sure Jace knew about it yet.


    When I switched it on, I saw several texts from Massimo. The summary of it was that he was telling me to take my chance and find the document he needed me to get.


    I asked him what it looked like and he told me.


    But I was skeptical about the said document being in this house. If it was, and it was so important, Jace would definitely keep it in a ce that no one would be able to reach it.


    I found my way into Jace¡¯s office when no one was watching. I worried about the CCTV cameras but at the same time I didn¡¯t give a damn. No matter how brutal he was, Jace would never kill me for snooping around. The worst he could do was keep me in a dungeon which he was already doing by the way.


    I searched through different shelves and drawers and could not find the the document d in velvet suede material.


    Then I paused as I recalled a particr spot where I saw a letter Jace took from me years ago. I wondered if the letter was addressed to my family or vice versa. Knowing the truth now, I understood why he couldn¡¯t answer when I asked why he married me. But even with that, it did not fully make sense.


    I looked around the room. That shelf from few years ago was gone and arge painting was what reced it. I got closer to it, hoping something would be underneath as my eyes zoomed in on the piece of art.


    That was when the door opened.


    "Snooping around yet again?" He said.


    I paused. Unshaken and unsurprised by his entry or at least I was pretending to be so.


    "Yes." I said confidently as I turned around and faced him.


    There was a smile on his face. One I wanted to wipe off with another punch. But I could not help but admire his perfect dentition. The pearly whites stared back at me and when they closed up, my eyes zeroed in on his full lips.


    The taste of those lips haunted my mind every now and then.


    I didn¡¯t know when he reached me from the other side of the room. He was standing so close, I could feel his minty breath fanning my face.


    I drank in the scent of his cologne, it made me feel slightly dazed. A part of me just wanted to go into his arms and inhale the intoxicating scent. The other part wanted to knead him in his balls foring so close to me.


    My eyes locked with his steely gray ones but on the contrary all I saw was warmth. They softened whenever he looked at me.


    His gaze trailed to my lips beforeing back to my eyes as he softly held my chin.


    "Can I kiss you?"


    I swallowed. I was in a tight spot now. This was a first. He had never asked and I couldn¡¯t help but wonder...


    What changed?


    "Yes," I whispered before I could remember my supposed hate for him.


    Jace¡¯s lips captured mine. It was soft, gentle and with deep meaning. It was unlike anything we¡¯d ever shared. Maybe it was the fact that it had been so long.


    He pulled me closer, I wrapped my arms around his neck as our lips and tongues mangled in beautiful harmony.


    It wasn¡¯t until I felt his hardness against my thigh that I decided to pull back. There was no way I was letting him fuck me. At least not anytime soon if I was to give in to the temptation.


    "You got lucky this time." I said, panting as I wiped my lip gloss off his lip instead.


    He showed off a heart-stopping grin. "A win is a win."


    I bit back my smile as I brushed past him and walked out of his office. I ensured there was an extra sway in my hip because I knew he was watching.


    ~


    When I got into my room, I called Massimo.


    "I couldn¡¯t find it. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s here in New York."


    "Hmm." He hummed, sounding like he was in deep thought. "You have to search his ce in LA."


    "You¡¯re saying I should ask to visit him."


    "I¡¯m pretty sure he¡¯ll make you do that anyways."


    He was right. I hated to admit it but that was the case.


    "Yeah I guess so."


    I wasn¡¯t ready for any more small talk so I told him I needed to get some work done. That was how I ended the call.


    ~


    I was on myptop that evening, monitoring the progress of my restaurants in Lisbon and talking to a real estate agent about a property I nned on procuring when he walked in. I shut my system immediately.


    "Here you go," Jace said, handed me a shopping bag.


    "What¡¯s this for?"


    "I¡¯m taking you out on a date."


    "Oh," my mouth formed a circle. "What¡¯s the asion?"


    "Does there have to be one before I take my wife out?"


    I wanted to correct him about being his wife. But I figured it was a waste of time because despite our long separation, we were in fact still married.


    "Okay, when do you need me to get ready?" I asked.


    "Now."


    I raised a brow.


    "Please," he added.


    "Good. Excuse me." I gestured towards the door.


    He smirked instead. "You know I¡¯ve seen everything." .


    "Don¡¯t push your luck too far, Jace." I told him with a deadpan look.


    "Yes ma¡¯am." He gave me a mock salute and stepped out.


    Iughed after he was gone.


    The dress was a silk sleeveless pastel green one. It had a deep cut opening at the back. I was apparently about to show off what months had the gym had resulted to with this fit.


    Jace knocked on my door thirty minutester as I putting finishing touches on my makeup.


    I watched his movements slow down as his eyes devoured me in seconds. I managed to keep my expressions neutral.


    "You¡¯re a work of art," he said.


    "That¡¯s why you keep stealing me away?" I said, grabbing my clutch as I slowly got on my feet.


    "Maybe. I want you to be for my eyes only."


    He came closer, pulling me to him by my waist while his other hand palmed my butt cheek with slight force.


    "Jace," I gasped.


    He chuckled deeply. Then theughter died down and his eyes were fixated on my lips again.


    I gulped, feeling heat rise up my cheeks.


    "Don¡¯t even think about it. I just got my makeup done."


    He groaned. "Okay fine. Let¡¯s go."


    Taking my hand, he led us downstairs. The car¡¯s engine was running and waiting for us.


    Opening the door for me, he made sure I was seatedfortably before turning to the driver¡¯s side. There was a bouquet of white roses on the seat. I picked them up and smelled them.


    "You¡¯re driving?"


    "Yeah. I¡¯m sure you don¡¯t know this but I get really carsick when I¡¯m being driven."


    "Oh. I had no idea."


    Jace nodded. "I know."


    "You hide it well,"


    "A don is not allowed to show weakness." His jaw clenched slightly as he said that.


    "That¡¯s sad."


    "For someone like you who¡¯s big on emotions, maybe it is. But-"


    "- for someone like you, it¡¯s absolutely normal." Ipleted for him.


    He nced at me briefly. "Yeah."


    The ride continued infortable silence until we reached a fancy restaurant.


    It was a rooftop dinner. The romantic setting had me blushing besides myself.


    As usual, he had the ce emptied out for us and also finely decorated with candles and flowers.


    "This is beautiful Jace," I said to him with a small smile.


    "Anything for you, my queen." He kissed my knuckles.


    My heart fluttered a bit as he said that. Pulling out a seat for me, he made sure I wasfortable before sitting opposite me.


    "You¡¯re sure this isn¡¯t some media stunt to tell the world and Massimo that we are back together?" I teased him.


    His faced morphed into a frown but I was totally unfazed by it.


    <fn6472> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn6472>


    "I can assure you it¡¯s nothing like that. I just want to do it right this time,"


    By ¡¯it¡¯ he meant our marriage that he had forced me into.


    "Hmm," I took a sip of the sweet white wine our waiter poured into my ss as I stared him down.


    "I know you¡¯re not going to make it easy for me."


    "You¡¯re right." I said with a curt nod.


    His fingers brushed over the side of my mouth, removing a small piece of food that had stuck there but his hand lingered. He stared at me like I was the moon and stars. I almost felt mushy on the inside. Almost.


    Then out of nowhere he said, "Come live with me back in LA."


    "Never," I spat out with immediacy.


    "Mira what can I do to make you forgive me?"


    The sincerity in Jace¡¯s tone made me go quiet.


    The truth was, I did not have an answer for that.


    We could never go back in time to when he made me marry him to clear my brother¡¯s debt. Or the times he trapped me in his house like a prisoner and stripped me of all my freedom. We could never go back to the day I told him I was pregnant and he looked at me like I hadmitted a hate crime. And what¡¯s worse, he could never bring back the child we lost?


    There was no erasing the past. It stayed imprinted in my memory. And all the hurt and pain would never go away no matter what I told him to do.


    So I gave him an honest answer, barely above a whisper as I stared into his remorseful eyes.


    "I don¡¯t know, Jace."

 Chapter 100 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 100: 100 ~ Jace</h4>


    She didn¡¯t know it but Mira broke my heart as she said that.


    Her words echoed in my head long after she spoke them.


    "I don¡¯t know, Jace."


    Not yes. Not no. Just three little words that carved me open in ways bullets never could.


    I should¡¯ve been grateful because it wasn¡¯t an outright rejection. It wasn¡¯t her spitting venom or mming the door in my face. But it wasn¡¯t eptance either. It was worse. It was a maybe wrapped in thorns, dangling just out of reach.


    She was the most beautiful woman I had evere across. And it was not just about her looks.


    I watched her from across the table, the flicker of candlelight catching on her cheekbones, softening her but not softening the words that still stabbed at me.


    She didn¡¯t know.


    And that meant she was still holding on to her hate. She was punishing me with it. Still reminding me that everything I had done to her wasn¡¯t forgotten. Her reasons were understandable but it hurt nheless.


    "I understand." I said after several seconds of awkward silence.


    I lifted my ss of wine, letting the bitter liquid burn down my throat as I kept my expression calm. On the inside, I wanted to rip apart every wall between us until she had no choice but to see that she belonged with me.


    But outwardly, I gave her nothing. Not a hint of the storm twisting inside me.


    Because if there was one thing I had learned, it was that Mira hated being cornered. She would rather burn alive than admit she still felt something for me.


    When the dinner ended, I escorted her back to the car, holding the door for her. She slipped inside with a neutral face, but her silence screamed louder than any words she could¡¯ve said.


    The ride back was quiet. Too quiet. Every second stretched, heavy with everything left unsaid. By the time we reached the house, she went straight to her room without a nce back.


    And I stood in the hallway, watching her door close, feeling the familiar ache settle deep in my chest.


    Later that night, I found myself in my office, pacing. My phone buzzed with a reminder. Don Castillo.


    I pinched the bridge of my nose. The timing couldn¡¯t be worse. The old man was one of the few dons I actually respected despite all the bullshit games he had been ying at me for thest few years since I broke up with his daughter.


    My main reason foring to New York was meeting up with him after his son, Lorenzo told me about his request. Now he was calling directly. Maybe it was that important.


    But tonight my mind wasn¡¯t in the business. It was with Mira. Always with Mira.


    Still, business didn¡¯t wait for heartbreak.


    I picked up the call.


    "Don Castillo," I said.


    "Romano, I¡¯ve been trying to reach you." His gruff voice sounded calm.


    "I¡¯ve been busy. I¡¯m sure you understand."


    "I do. We need to talk."


    "When and where?"


    He told me. I agreed and ended the call.


    I shrugged on a ck suit jacket, smoothing it over my shirt, and grabbed my keys.


    I was going to be driving myself but I would have some of my soldiers apany me just in case he tried to pull a stunt.


    The meet was at a private club, all polished ss and velvet shadows. The kind of ce where secrets lived and deals were sealed in the dark.


    Don Castillo was already there when I arrived, seated in a corner booth with a cigar smoldering between his fingers. His eyes which were sharp and calcting lifted to mine the moment I approached.


    "Romano," he greeted, his voice carrying the weight of old power.


    "Castillo." I slid into the booth opposite him, my posture rxed even though every nerve in me was wired tight. I had to keep my guard up around someone like him.


    He studied me for a moment, the kind of study that stripped a man bare without a single word. Finally, he smirked. "I hear you¡¯ve been... distractedtely."


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    I arched a brow. "You shouldn¡¯t believe everything you hear."


    "Maybe," he said, tapping ash into the tray. "But in our world, perception is just as dangerous as truth. And perception says that Jace Romano is chasing after a woman instead of protecting his empire."


    I clenched my jaw, but kept my tone smooth. "A man can have both."


    Castillo chuckled, low and raspy. "That depends on the woman. Tell me, Romano, what makes her worth risking your enemies sniffing out weakness?"


    My eyes narrowed. I hated that he could see through me so easily. Hated that Mira had be both my strength and my weakness.


    "She¡¯s mine," I said simply. My voice was low, final. "And anyone who tries to use her against me will learn quickly what it means to bleed."


    Castillo¡¯s smile widened, but it wasn¡¯t one of amusement. It was approval. "Good. That¡¯s the answer I was looking for. I don¡¯t deal with men who hesitate."


    We spoke of other matters then. Territories, shipments, whispers of Riardi¡¯s movements. He was a small rival and I wasn¡¯t going to pay him much mind.


    One thing about our world was we didn¡¯t hold grudges for too long but still there was always a chance of betrayal. The Castillos had done a lot to me. But he proposed a truce a year before when our wars were making us lose money.


    If my father was alive he would be seething. The mafia world no longer seemed to be about bloodshed but about business now. Everyone wanted the bigger bag. Killings had reduced. It was better for me and my soldiers.


    But even as Castilloid out intel, even as I nodded and filed details away, part of me remained elsewhere.


    In that damn house.


    With her.


    "You have something that I want Romano."


    I scowled, very familiar treacherous tone. I knew what he was talking about. It was the same thing that made him want to form an alliance with me by getting me married to Caterina. I did not fall for it especially after finding out the strict instructions my father left for me before his passing.


    I found something too juicy to let go off after Caterina and I got engaged. That was why I called it off. He had gotten tired of trying to bully me into signing my own death warrant. Now he wanted to be outright.


    "Has stealing from one another be part of our culture now?" I said directly.


    "I¡¯m not asking for everything. Arge percentage is yours. Just don¡¯t keep the loot to yourself."


    "I have heirs to give it to."


    "Can¡¯t find them anywhere. Heard you caused the death of your unborn child." He chuckled.


    My fists clenched at my sides. I fought the urge to throttle him for such a low blow.


    "You¡¯ve be too emotional. Your father would be ashamed."


    Not caring anymore, I fisted his cor. His boys tried to get me. Their guns were cocked so were mine.


    "Don¡¯t push it Castillo." I warned him through gritted teeth. "Some things are off limit."


    He still had that smug smile I wanted to wipe off his wrinkly face. It was one of those days I regretted not having some poison with me so I could this old piece of shit once and for all.


    "You want to mock me for not having heirs? Wait till I get my hands on your daughter and fuck her right in front of you. She¡¯s going to have a baby that looks just like me and every day you will be haunted by the thought that your worst enemy fathers your first grandchild."


    It was an empty threat. I would never try to test the limits of my fragile rtionship with Mira to prove a point.


    But the way his eyes zed in annoyance was all the fulfillment I needed.


    "My daughter dodged a bullet with you."


    I let go of his cor and smirked.


    "That¡¯s not what she said months ago when she came by home in LA begging me to fuck her."


    He was shocked, probably embarrassed by Caterina¡¯s conduct. That was very satisfying to see.


    I stormed out of there without a second to spare. This was a waste of time.


    ~


    There was only one person on my mind as I sped out of the club¡¯s premises and drove home.


    When I got home at past midnight, the house was silent.


    I was sure she was fast asleep but I went straight to her door, pressing my hand lightly against the wood, tempted to knock, barge in and demand another answer.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    Instead, I whispered under my breath, so low no one but the walls could hear:


    "You don¡¯t know, Mira? Fine. Then I¡¯ll make you know. I¡¯ll remind you every day until your hate runs dry. Until all that¡¯s left is your love for me."


    And with that vow burning in my chest, I walked away.

 Chapter 101 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 101: 101 ~ Mira</h4>


    The next morning, I woke up with that familiar heaviness pressing against my chest.


    The city outside hummed faintly, but inside, silence wrapped the house like a chokehold. This house had never been home. Not two years ago, not now. And yet here I was again. I was trapped, cored by Jace Romano¡¯s obsession, pretending the walls weren¡¯t suffocating me every second they kept me in.


    Except this time, things were different. I wasn¡¯t that na?ve girl who let him bend me until I broke. I was stronger. Sharper. I had something to fight for beyond anger.


    Revenge.


    Massimo¡¯s texts burned on my phone, tucked neatly under a fake app only I knew how to hide. He wanted that document. He wanted me to y my part.


    And deep down, I wanted it too. Because if it was true that Jace¡¯s father was the reason I had no family, then the Romanos deserved to crumble.


    The faint knock on my door snapped me out of my thoughts.


    "Come in," I said, already knowing who it was.


    Of course it was him.


    Jace leaned against the doorframe, impossibly put together for this early in the morning. ck shirt, tailored cks, not a single hair out of ce. He looked like sin carved into a man, and it made me furious that I noticed.


    "Pack your things," he said simply.


    I frowned. "Excuse me?"


    His lips twitched like he enjoyed the look on my face. "We¡¯re going back to LA. Tonight."


    For a second, my breath stalled. LA. His new home ground. His kingdom. If New York was a cage, Los Angeles would be his fortress. If I hated being trapped here, what would it feel like there?


    Still, I schooled my face, keeping my voice cool. "Why? Didn¡¯t enjoy kidnapping me in this city enough?"


    "Don¡¯t tempt me to do it again," he said, stepping further inside. "New York was just the beginning. LA is where I want you. Where I can keep you close."


    I scoffed. "You mean where you can keep me under lock and key without witnesses."


    His gaze flicked to the half-open suitcase on the floor. Empty. Waiting. "Start packing, Mira. Or I¡¯ll do it for you."


    I didn¡¯t move. I didn¡¯t blink. I just folded my arms and tilted my chin high. "Go ahead. Fold my underwear too while you¡¯re at it. I¡¯d love to see you humbled."


    For the first time, his lips curved into something resembling real amusement. But it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. Those eyes stayed sharp, unreadable, the way they always did when he thought he¡¯d already won.


    Without another word, he turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind him.


    And just like that, the air felt heavier again.


    The flight waste that night.


    We were finally returning to LA. I was somewhat relieved. It had been such a long week of being cooped up in the same house as Jace.


    I was finally about to get my freedom again.


    He didn¡¯t give me a chance to resist even if it was forced. Of course he didn¡¯t. When you were Jace Romano, resistance wasn¡¯t a possibility. Men carried our luggage. Cars lined the driveway. His hand rested firmly at the small of my back as we walked to the jet, like he was both guiding me and branding me all over again.


    "Keep your hand to yourself," I hissed under my breath.


    "Toote," he said smoothly. "It¡¯s already iming what¡¯s mine."


    I ignored him, my heels clicking against the pavement as I climbed the steps to the jet.


    Inside, luxury wrapped around me. The cream leather seats, mahogany tables, soft golden light. I hated howfortable it all looked. Like he wanted to erase the idea of captivity by drowning it in wealth.


    I sat far from him, sliding into a seat near the window, but of course he followed, sitting directly across from me.


    The engines hummed to life. The jet lifted off, New York fading beneath us until it was just a sea of city lights swallowed by darkness.


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    I kept my eyes glued to the window. Anything to avoid looking at him.


    Minutes stretched. Silence draped the cabin thick enough to choke on. Finally, I spoke.


    "You can do what you like in LA, Jace, but it won¡¯t change anything."


    His voice came low, dangerous. "It changes everything. In LA, you¡¯re minepletely. I¡¯m not letting you go back to that apartment Massimo got you."


    I let out a humorlessugh. "You keep repeating that like it¡¯s supposed to hypnotize me. Newssh - it doesn¡¯t."


    His gaze pinned me, unflinching. "It doesn¡¯t have to hypnotize you. It¡¯s the truth. I¡¯ll say it over and over again until it sinks in."


    I turned back to the window, heart pounding despite my resolve.


    Truth. He spoke like he owned it, like he could shape it with his hands. But truth wasn¡¯t his to wield. Not anymore.


    Hourster, when the jet finally descended, LA sprawled beneath us like an endless kingdom of lights. My stomach tightened.


    The car waiting for us at the private hangar was sleek, ck, and intimidating. Very much like the man beside me.


    The ride into the city was quiet. Too quiet. I kept my face nk, but my mind spun. Massimo was right. If the document wasn¡¯t in New York, it had to be here. Jace¡¯s stronghold. This was his home now so it just had to be.


    Which meant if I yed my cards right, I¡¯d find it.


    But first, I had to survive being under his roof again which I didn¡¯t n to do permanently.


    But true to his word, Jace did not take me to my apartment.


    Thest thing I expected was for him to take me to a fancy penthouse apartment. I envisioned Jace as a man who would not live anywhere but a mansion but apparently I didn¡¯t know him that much.


    The car door opened, and Jace¡¯s hand extended. I stared at it like it was a snake.


    Then, with my head held high, I stepped out on my own.


    The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped into his world.


    The penthouse was everything I expected from Jace Romano and yet worse, because it was... beautiful. Not the kind of beauty you wanted to admire, but the kind that forced you to.


    Floor to ceiling windows stretched across the entire length of the living room, spilling LA¡¯s city lights into the space like diamonds scattered on velvet. At night, the skyline looked endless. It was cold, glittering and untouchable. Just like him.


    Marble floors gleamed under soft recessed lights, smooth and spotless, like no one actually lived here. Everything was sharp edges and luxury ck leather sofas positioned with military precision, ss tables with chrome bases, art pieces on the walls that probably cost more than my restaurantsbined. The kind of art that wasn¡¯t chosen for its meaning, but because it screamed money.


    The air smelled faintly of expensive cologne and aged whiskey. Masculine. Possessive. Jace.


    To the left, an open kitchen gleamed with stainless steel appliances that looked unused, like the only thing that had ever been prepared there was ice for his scotch. The counters were spotless, the bar stools lined perfectly like soldiers waiting for orders.


    A grand staircase, spiraling up to the second level, drew my eyes. Of course his bedroom would be up there, overlooking the city like a king surveying his empire.


    I hated that part of me admired it. Hated that my chest tightened at how untouchably perfect it all was.


    Because it wasn¡¯t a home. It was a fortress dressed as one. A penthouse designed not forfort, but control. Every detail said power. Every surface screamed ownership.


    And now, somehow, it was supposed to be mine too. Or at least that¡¯s what he thinks.


    I swallowed, refusing to let him see how much it struck me.


    "Nice cage," I muttered under my breath, letting my fingers trail briefly across the cold marble of the counter before pulling them back. "Almost makes you forget it¡¯s still a prison."


    I hated that it still felt familiar.


    "I¡¯ll have a room prepared," he said casually, shrugging off his jacket as if this were just another night.


    "Good. I need a lot of space" I said sharply. "Far from you."


    He nced over his shoulder, smirking. "Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ll still hear me."


    Heat rose in my cheeks, fury sparking in my veins. I marched past him, heading for the stairs, determined not to let him see that he could still get under my skin.


    But when I reached my supposed room I paused. My suitcase was already there, unpacked neatly. Dresses hung in the closet. Perfumes lined the vanity. Everythingid out like I belonged here.


    Like it was waiting for me.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, trembling with a mix of rage and disbelief.


    He thought he could trap me here again. Thought he could cage me with silk sheets and diamond chandeliers.


    But I wasn¡¯t the same Mira anymore.


    And I swore to myself, right there in that gilded room, that I would find what Massimo wanted. That I would burn down everything Jace thought was his truth.


    Even if it meant burning myself with it.


    That night, as Iy in bed staring at the ceiling, I heard footsteps outside. Slow. Heavy. Familiar.


    He didn¡¯te in. Not this time. But he lingered. Long enough that I knew he was standing just outside my door.


    And for the first time since the jetnded, a shiver ran through me.


    Because I knew one thing with terrifying certainty.


    Los Angeles was about to break me all over again.

 Chapter 102 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 102: 102 ~ Mira</h4>


    I stepped out the next morning, rolling out my suitcase.


    I didn¡¯t fight him the previous night because I was too jetgged and tired. But if Jace thought he was going to trap me here like he did thest time. He had another thinging.


    "Where¡¯s Jace?" I asked the chef setting up a full table for breakfast. I thought he¡¯d be at the table because when I knocked on the door to his bedroom there was no answer.


    "Good morning ma¡¯am." She said.


    "Good morning. Where is your boss?" I asked impatiently.


    She looked scared as she looked behind me.


    "He¡¯s right behind me isn¡¯t he?" I asked with a deadpan look. She nodded frantically.


    How he always snuck up on me like a panther, I would never understand I thought as I sighed and turned around to face him.


    His eyes went straight to my suitcase beforeing back to my face.


    "Where are you going?" He questioned.


    "To my apartment."


    "I thought we agreed you¡¯d live with me."


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    Why on earth did he look confused? Was he kidding me right now?


    I huffed. "No. You thought about it and once again brought me here against my will. I did not agree to it. And no, Jace, I am not doing any of this bullshit with you."


    "Mira-"


    I mped my fingers in a gesture that meant he should keep his mouth shut.


    Yes, my heart was thumping. I was telling a very dangerous man to keep quiet while I talked. Me of few years ago would have thought this was crazy but that girl was gone. Long gone.


    I continued. "You have no right to hold me against my will. And if you try to keep me here, I have the police on speed dial and even if you can evade them, I have journalist friends. You don¡¯t want a scandal of this magnitude do you?"


    I couldn¡¯t believe I was actually ckmailing, the Jace Romano. It seemed like I¡¯d lost my mind.


    But surprisingly, he seemed impressed. His brows arched and his eyes lit up in something that resembled pride and amusement all at once.


    I kept my neutral expression as he hovered around me, pping slowly.


    "I¡¯m so proud of your growth sweetheart. You are not the same woman I met few years ago." He drawled.


    "You finally get the memo." I retorted with a bored expression.


    "I always have. I just wanted to see how far you would go."


    He seemed amused and it irked me even more.


    I watched him fold his arms and lean back, devouring me with his eyes like I was one of the meals set on the table behind me.


    I wasn¡¯t even dressed up. My face was bare of makeup. I was dressed in a frumpy lounge wear that was in the suitcase he made them pack for me so there was nothing special about my outfit that made him look at me like that.


    I felt heat creep up my cheeks so I looked away. This was exactly why I needed to stay as far away from him as possible.


    "Okay Mira, let¡¯s make a deal."


    "Why would I want to make deals with the devil?" I asked with a sigh of exasperation. This man never knew when to stop.


    He chuckled darkly, leaning dangerously close. "Good thing you realize you¡¯re married to the devil."


    His whisper in my ear sent slight waves of sweet shock running through me.


    "Step back." I shoved him slightly, still ying defiant despite the fact that he was messing with my senses, not just with the scent of his cologne but with the warmth radiating from him as he stood so close to me.


    "Every time you get feisty like this, it makes me want to bend you over and spank you till my name is the only thing you can pronounce correctly."


    Jace didn¡¯t care that we were not the only people in the room. No matter how low his rumble was, I was sure his staff heard exactly what he said.


    I swallowed.


    "Do it then," I retorted casually.


    His eyes darkened.


    In one swift move, he lifted me over his shoulder. I yelped.


    "What the hell are you doing?" I screeched.


    "Exactly what you dared me to."


    There was no point struggling with someone with hulk like strength but I fought anyways as he walked towards the stairs.


    A gasp eluded my lips when he spanked me.


    "Stay put." He ordered in that deep no nonsense baritone thatmanded authority.


    Somehow it worked on me and I actually listened.


    He took me straight to his bedroom.


    Once he set me down on the floor, he clicked the locks behind him.


    "Don¡¯t even think about it." I warned him, trying to run out even when I knew it was impossible.


    "You know you¡¯re not going anywhere until we finish what we¡¯ve started." Jace said, eyeing like a snack.


    I scoffed unable to form a retort as I looked around his room. It was different. It didn¡¯t have that gloomy vibe his room in New York had.


    It had a brighter theme and was less dark than his usual style.


    "I made it look this way because I was tired of all the darkness." He said, aware that I was looking around.


    He continued. "You were the only light I had in my life Mira. And when you left, I couldn¡¯t handle the darkness on my own anymore."


    I immediately turned to him. Our eyes locked and I saw the sincerity in them.


    There was something his softened gaze did to my heart. It was one of those moments when Jace looked more human to me than all those times he posed as someone tough and rigid. Right now, he wasn¡¯t the Don Romano. He was just Jace. My Jace...


    I looked away again. The moment had be too intense.


    "I¡¯m sorry for everything Mira." He said barely above a whisper.


    I watched him swallow hard.


    This was a moment that could change everything.


    But I didn¡¯t know what to say. Here I was, plotting a revenge for a man that I still had a soft spot for. A man who seemed to love me and be genuinely sorry for all he had done to hurt me.


    What I was about to do would probably furtherplicate things but right now, I was throwing caution to the wind. I would worry about the restter if necessary.


    I closed the gap between us, stood on my toes and covered his lips with mine.


    I felt him rx as he held me close.


    Our tongues fought for dominance as our lips joined repeatedly.


    "I love you Mira," he said breathlessly as we pulled apart for air.


    It was on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to blurt it out that I loved him too. But I wasn¡¯t sure I was saying the truth at that moment because I was still so conflicted, so I said nothing back.


    "What¡¯s the deal you wanted us to make?" I asked instead.


    "I won¡¯t force you to live with me. You¡¯re an adult and I should not treat like a property."


    I grinned before I could stop myself. "Talk about character development." I teased him.


    "I¡¯m being serious baby,"


    My heart fluttered at the endearment.


    "Baby?"


    "You¡¯re my baby." He maintained as he nuzzled my face.


    I found myself giggling like a little girl.


    "Okay back to the deal."


    "There¡¯s more?" I arched my brow.


    "Yeah. I need you toe over. Often."


    "By often you mean every day huh?"


    "Not really but if possible, yes! I wanna see you every minute of the day."


    I grinned cheekily. "Don Romano, when did you get so cheesy?"


    "Only for you, beautiful." Jace kissed my knuckles.


    My stomach grumbled just then.


    "We should get breakfast. I¡¯m starving."


    "Now?"


    "Yes. Now."


    "I thought I had a promise to fulfill."


    My eyes trailed down to see his visible erection. I swallowed hard as heat crept up my neck. It had been so long. To be honest, I really wanted to unbuckle his belt and have him bang me until I forget my name but that would be too easy.


    I was supposed to make him work for it.


    "Baby steps, Romano." I said in a teasing whisper, cing my hand around his bulge, teasing him even further.


    He hissed. "Fuck, Mira."


    "Hmm," I bit on my lower lip, digging my hand into his joggers, rubbing it over his briefs.


    "Don¡¯t tempt me woman."


    "What if I want to?" I retorted, enjoying how his pupils dted and the wanton desire in his eyes sprung forth.


    I kissed him again and he hungrily swallowed my lips while I yed with his cock with one of my hands while the other held his face.


    "You¡¯ll be the death of me." He said when I pulled my hand away.


    I smirked. "I know."


    "Take a cold shower, Jace. You need it."


    I said as I unlocked the door and stepped out of the bedroom.


    I heard him cuss again and my smile widened as I walked away.


    Oh, I had him wrapped around my finger, alright.

 Chapter 103 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 103: 103 ~ Jace</h4>


    She knew she wrapped me around her finger. I could tell from the way she carried herself around me.


    Mira had finally realized how much power she had over me. I was a fool only for her.


    I stood under the shower and groaned. I wanted her. I knew she was ying hard to get but the only thing I could think of at this moment was how much I wanted to pin her to my bed and fuck her until she had consecutive toecurling orgasms.


    I wish I had just taken the chance when she was teasing my cock.


    But no, I needed to woo her slowly and gently so she would not be able to resist me when the timees.


    ~


    "You¡¯re leaving today?" I asked when I saw that her suitcase was still where we left it.


    "Yes. I¡¯ve seen your face a lot for the past week. It¡¯s more than enough."


    I bit back a smile. "Not enough to catch up for lost time."


    "Only you would say that Romano."


    "Well, it¡¯s the truth. I want to be around you all the time."


    "Marry me then." She joked.


    "I already did." I grinned.


    From the corner of my eye, I saw the shocked expression of my staff as she cleared the table.


    I was sure she was going to gossip with the chef about how she saw me smile for the first time.


    To everyone else I was the stoic, grumpy mafia boss but for Mira, I was a softer man in love even when I was not sure she had fully let me in. But were making progress. That¡¯s all that matters.


    "I¡¯ll have my driver drop you off then."


    "Of course," she said with a sigh as she rose to her feet.


    "A kiss before you go?"


    Her mouth lifted in as a slight grin. "Don¡¯t push it Don Romano,"


    "Alright. I¡¯ll let you off this time." I said, raising my hands in mock surrender.


    "You better," she retorted.


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    I gestured for one of my men to help her with her suitcase. Then I ced a kiss on her temple before she walked off.


    My eyes stayed on her until she was out of my sight when the elevator doors closed.


    I exhaled. Now I had to get back to work and distract myself from constantly thinking about her.


    ~


    Bang!


    The sound of the gunshot rang through the open area. Birds flew far away from the scene as the sound tampered with peace of the environment.


    I was currently at an old mansion on the outskirts of town. It was arge expanse ofnd with a solid mansion standing in the middle. I bought it for some of my activities like this one.


    The bastard stole from me. I let him off the first time with a warning and he did it again. Twice.


    I hated it when these boys tried to test me. I med it on the fact that I had be slightly lenient. But that didn¡¯t mean I was a weakling.


    Straight to the middle of his forehead that was where I hit him so he would not survive it.


    That would serve as a lesson for his cohorts he refused to snitch on.


    I was supposed to let my men handle something like this but I was bored. I needed the rejuvenating scent of blood to fill my nostrils. It made me feel alive again holding this gun and pulling the trigger.


    "Parcel the body and send it back to his family. Add a note from me." I said to one of my men who stood beside me.


    "Boss?"


    I red at him. "You heard me. Do well to tell your colleagues about this. I¡¯m not messing around this season."


    He visibly gulped.


    Changing my mind, I decided to call for an emergency meeting for all my men. Those in other cities would have to join the conference call as I spoke.


    I picked up my phone and called Tomas, telling him to get all of them ready.


    In few hours,


    I stood in front of them, the stink of gunpowder still hanging in the air from the man whose life I had just ended.


    Their faces told me everything. There fear, unease, the quiet scramble of rats who suddenly realize the walls are closing in. Good.


    I let the silence stretch, savoring it. Making them wait was part of the punishment. I was also trying to calm down. I had not been angry like this in a while.


    Finally, I spoke.


    "You all saw what just happened," I said evenly, my voice cutting through the thick silence. "And let me make it clear that it wasn¡¯t just a punishment. It was a reminder."


    My gaze swept over them, sharp and unforgiving. "This family doesn¡¯t tolerate betrayal. You think I don¡¯t notice when money goes missing? You think I don¡¯t see the hands skimming off the top? I see everything. And for those of you who think you¡¯re clever, remember this. He thought he was clever too. Now he¡¯s dead and about to be parceled in a body bag to be sent to his family."


    A murmur rippled through them. I didn¡¯t raise my voice. I didn¡¯t need to. I let them have their fill before I spoke up again.


    "You work for me, you eat because of me, you live because of me. But the moment you think you can steal from me, the moment you forget who put power in your hands, your life ends. Just. Like. That." I snapped my fingers, sharp as a bullet casing hitting concrete as I emphasized every word.


    I leaned forward slightly, my tone low and lethal. "This isn¡¯t a season for weakness. We are at war on more fronts than one. Riardi is circling. The feds are sniffing."


    I let out a ragged breath as the weight of the betrayal hit me. "And some of you have the audacity to test me from the inside? I don¡¯t have patience for traitors. I will cut the rot out before it spreads, even if it means I¡¯m standing alone at the end of it."


    I shifted my attention to the screen where the rest of my men were dialed in. My voice didn¡¯t waver, didn¡¯t soften. "This message is for every single one of you, no matter where you are. Step up. Stay loyal. Do your job. Or be ready to bleed."


    Silence. Then I allowed myself the faintest curl of a smile. "I¡¯m not asking for your loyalty. I¡¯m demanding it. And the price for disobedience... you¡¯ve already seen."


    I straightened, my eyes narrowing into steel. "Now get back to work. And pray I never have to give this speech again."


    They dispersed.


    I looked at the screen and met Tomas¡¯ eyes. There was a glint of approval on his eyes as he nodded at me.


    I nodded back. Our non-verbalmunication skills were always up to par.


    ~


    "Sir, Mrs Romano sent you a package."


    I looked up from the file I was reading through.


    Mrs Romano? Was it my mother or was it Mira? I thought.


    After the somewhat hectic day I had, I hadn¡¯t heard from Mira. I nned on calling or texting herter but work got in the way.


    "My mom?"


    "No sir, your wife."


    "Oh."


    I fought back the grin that was creeping up on my face.


    "What¡¯s in it?" I gestured towards the box.


    "It smells like baked good sir."


    My heart thumped harder. If not for the fact that it was not in my nature to show off too much excitement, I would have been jumping like a kid. But I smiled softly instead.


    "Leave it on the table."


    He dropped it and left.


    That was when my smile widened.


    Getting on my feet, I walked around the table and peered into the box with a transparent cover.


    I removed the cover and the scent of the freshly baked treats hit my nostril.


    There was a loaf of banana bread, some cookies, a chunky cake slice, doughnuts and what seemed like homemade orange juice.


    I couldn¡¯t stop the smile that spread all over my cheeks.


    "Mira Valente," I said aloud, picking up my phone to call her.


    "Hello beautiful,"


    "Mr Romano, how can I help you?"


    An earsplitting grin broke out on my face. This woman was really trying to act oblivious?


    "Oh I just wanted to hear from the angel that decided to put a smile on my face."


    "Oh? Your admirers must be working over time."


    "You admire me Mrs Romano?" I fake a surprised gasp.


    "Mrs Romano? That¡¯s what your staff said?" Sheughed.


    "Precisely."


    "You have very presumptuous workers."


    "Well, they¡¯re only saying the truth."


    "Here we go again..."


    I could tell she was rolling her eyes as she said that.


    "I can¡¯t eat these all by myself."


    My eyes trailed over to the treats again.


    "You can share with your men."


    "Some things are better shared with the one your heart beats for."


    I heard her breath hitch for a brief second.


    "You¡¯ve be so cheesy." She tried to water down the moment.


    "Only for you."


    "Hmm,"


    "I¡¯ll send a driver. See you soon."

 Chapter 104 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 104: 104 ~ Mira</h4>


    I don¡¯t know what exactly got into me but all I wanted to do was bake sweet treats for him.


    So before I could fight the thought to its death, I got into the kitchen and did just that.


    I caught myself smiling every now and then as I baked.


    I thought of writing a note when I sent him the box of treats but I figured it wasn¡¯t necessary. I told the dispatch to state that the package was from Mrs Romano.


    It was a tease and I knew it would do the trick.


    When his call came in, I knew he had gotten my package. I bit back my smile.


    When he told me his driver was on his way, I felt giddy on the inside.


    "Keep it together Mira," I cautioned myself as I stared in the mirror.


    I thought of just dressing casually and going with my handbag. I was going to return the same day anyways.


    "Maybe I should just pack an overnight bag," I thought aloud as I headed into the closet.


    I packed my perfumes and skincare products and a few undies. I wasn¡¯t sure I would like anything he had other women shop for me.


    When I got to the lingerie section, I considered picking up a few.


    "It¡¯s just an overnight bag Mira." I muttered, cautioning myself again.


    I left it.


    Thankfully I shaved the previous day. What a relief.


    Yes I was fully aware that the sexual tension between Jace and myself wouldn¡¯t sort itself out. We were going to do something about it.


    The driver came about thirty minutester and I was set to leave.


    I left instructions for my housekeeper in case Massimo came around while she was here.


    "Tell him I had to go somewhere."


    I saw the look of judgement that crossed her face. She probably thought I was some whore shuffling between different men.


    I didn¡¯t care to correct her impression. She could think whatever she wanted. It was none of my business.


    I went entered the elevator and spotted the clean Cadic Escde Jace sent.


    I entered and let myself rx as the drive went on.


    When I arrived at Jace¡¯s penthouse about half an hourter, the living room was empty.


    <fn642e> The source of th?s content is findnovel</fn642e>


    It seemed like he had stepped out for work so I went straight to the room I had slept in thest time and dropped my bag.


    After dropping the bag, I stepped back out of the room.


    I yelped as a strong hand pulled me.


    "Jace what the hell?!"


    He chuckled. "I thought you weren¡¯t afraid of anything anymore."


    I shoved him slightly. "I almost thought someone broke into your house and was trying to kill me with you."


    Heughed.


    I felt my breathing stop for a few seconds. The way his eyes squinted as heughed made him look so carefree.


    I loved this side of him. This was the side that made him look human, that didn¡¯t require walking on eggshells around him.


    ~


    Jace took my hand and led me to his office where the treats I sent him were untouched. He really waited for me.


    "You were serious about wanting to share." Imented, biting back the smile that was slowly creeping up my face.


    "I told you I would."


    "They¡¯re cold." I said.


    "Let¡¯s have them microwaved then."


    We went to the kitchen. There, I heated up everything that needed it.


    I sliced the banana cake into bits and poured sses of apple juice for us as we chewed in silence.


    "Why are you staring at me like that?"


    "You¡¯re just too beautiful to take my eyes off."


    "You¡¯re so corny." Iughed.


    He didn¡¯t. He had that look in his eyes. It was a mix of lust, love and desire.


    His lips covered mine in a soft move.


    When his arms wrapped around my waist as he pulled me close, it felt like I couldn¡¯t get close enough and he wanted me to enter his skin.


    "God, you smell so good."


    I heard the yearning his voice as he said that. He sucked in my scent, pinning his nose to my neck.


    "Someone could walk in Jace," I said managing to get my senses working again.


    "I don¡¯t care."


    "I do." I returned sharply.


    Yes I was horny as hell but there was no way I would let my butt cheeks be out in the open if someone walked in.


    We abandoned everything we were eating as he carried me in his arms like a baby all the way to his bedroom.


    There he ced me on the bed like I was the most fragile thing, so gently.


    He hovered over my lips yet again, cing soft kisses on it.


    I felt neediness pull up in my stomach. I was burning with desire, waiting for him to rip my clothes off and fuck my brains out.


    He slipped my pants off and teased my clit with his thumb.


    I bit on my lower lip to suppress the moan that was about to erupt from my throat due to the fact that he slipped a finger in to my pussy and finger fucked me.


    "Don¡¯t hold back baby," he said sultrily,ing up to kiss me as he pumped harder.


    I removed my shirt just then and held on to my boobs, teasing my own nipples as he worked me down there.


    "Fuck," I sighed as he ced his mouth over one of my nipples. He licked and sucked like the pro that he was.


    "I¡¯ve missed this sound." He said against my breasts.


    Our eyes locked just then.


    "I missed your hands." I admitted.


    Lifting his head up, he kissed me deeply yet again.


    This felt different. It felt like I was going in too deep. But I fought off every thought of me stopping him. I needed to getid after so long. That was it. Nothing more.


    After enough forey, he pulled his briefs down and tried to enter me.


    "Where¡¯s the condom?" I asked him.


    "Do we need that?"


    I gave him a look.


    He groaned and walked over to his drawer where there was a pack of condoms.


    Apparently he had been getting busy in my absence. I would think about thatter. Right now all I wanted was him inside me.


    He slid the condom on and in no time, he slipped into me.


    "Oh my god," I moaned.


    "You¡¯re so tight." He groaned pushing in. "You haven¡¯t been with anyone else have you?"


    "Says who?" I said with a smirk, trying to ying with his head.


    He wrapped his hand around my throat instantly. "Tell me you¡¯re joking. If not, I would hunt down the bastard who touched what¡¯s mine."


    I chuckled, loving the way I had him all riled up.


    "You¡¯d kill him?" I asked, wiggling my hips. He refused to move. He just stayed still as his eyes burned with fury.


    I sighed. "Rx Jace, I didn¡¯t fuck anyone else... yet."


    He snarled as he pulled back and mmed into me with full force. I gasped, not expecting that much impact.


    "This pussy," he tapped on my clit furiously as he thrust into me with more force. "belongs to me and no one else. Got it?"


    "Hmmm." I bit on my lips, feeling myself about cum.


    "Words Mira!"


    "Yes!" I cried out.


    He pulled out just as I was about cum. I cried in protest.


    "You cum when I want you to."


    "Jace," I was about to beg. But then I remembered I wasn¡¯t supposed to.


    "A vibrator would do the job." I said with a scoff.


    That got him pissed for sure.


    "Yeah right." He scoffed back. "Can a vibrator do this?"


    He flipped me over and spanked me.


    I screamed as shocks of pain and pleasure coursed through me. I was sure my butt cheek would be reddened if it didn¡¯t have the imprint of his palm.


    "Fuck!" I groaned into the pillow as he entered me from behind.


    The way his strokes hit made the bed shake.


    Jace wrapped my hair in his fist and pulled my head out of the pillow.


    "I want to hear you scream." He said, in between strokes.


    I moaned louder and louder as his thrusts hit my g-spot. His thick length felt like it would shift my uterus.


    I came again. Another earth shattering orgasm. He didn¡¯t stop. He simply changed positions,ying on his side as he fucked me. He squeezed my boobs repeatedly, kissing me every now and then in between thrusts.


    He went faster as his orgasm hit. He spilled everything into the condom and immediately discarded it.


    He slipped into me again and just stayed still. I clenched my walls around him and he groaned, kissing me roughly.


    "Round two?" He asked.


    "Yes." I said breathlessly.


    We went at it again.


    ~


    "So are we getting back together now finally now?" He asked, rubbing circles around my back.


    "I still want that divorce." I responded so smoothly, it sounded like we were just talking about the weather.


    "What?"


    "It¡¯s just sex Jace, nothing more."


    I smiled in fulfilment as I watched him crash out. Women in male dominated fields for real.


    "You have got to be kidding me."


    "Our marriage was just sex to you."


    "That¡¯s where you¡¯re wrong. I cared."


    "Okay?"


    His scowl deepened. "What do you mean by ¡¯okay¡¯? "


    "Am I supposed to be apuding you for the bare minimum?"


    Jace exhaled. I saw the exasperation in his eyes.


    I walked away and entered the bathroom to freshen up, leaving him to battle with his frustration.


    This was empowering.

 Chapter 105 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 105: 105 ~ Mira</h4>


    How the tables had turned seemed amusing to me.


    The Jace Romano was so close to throw a fit because of me.


    I chuckled as the drops of water from the shower pelted my skin.


    The shower door opened and he stepped in. There was a hard look in his gaze.


    "I don¡¯t get why you¡¯re so stubborn." He sighed, standing in front of me.


    The look in his eyes was unreadable. I just stared back, mirroring his stone cold expression.


    "I learned from the best, I guess." I shrugged


    Jace smirked slightly, leaning close.


    My lips parted. I thought he wanted to kiss me.


    "You¡¯re lucky I have somewhere to be right now." He said lowly as he stepped back.


    "When are you going to be back?" I asked, turning off the shower as I picked up his towel and wiped myself.


    "Missing me already?"


    "You¡¯re very presumptuous Romano."


    He chuckled. "I should be back in a few hours."


    "Alright then."


    I left him staring after me as I left the bathroom.


    ~


    I went to ¡¯my room¡¯ and waited for him to drive out. Once I was sure he was far gone, I stepped out, pretending to look around the living room. I needed the men on standby and his few staff present to not suspect anything.


    I touched the furniture, stood by the window and stared at the busy city. I had to admit, he had a better view than I did.


    After minutes of standing around the wide expanse of space that was his living room and dining area, I walked towards his home office. It was on the same floor.


    I got to the door and heaved a sigh. But just as I was about to open the door and get in, I heard a voice.


    "Ma¡¯am, the don doesn¡¯t let anyone in there."


    My hand paused on the door knob as I turned around and faced thenky dude who was one of Jace¡¯s men.


    "You know I¡¯m his wife right?"


    Yes I yed the wife card. It was necessary for this instance.


    "Of course ma¡¯am. But the boss left strict instructions."


    I forced a smile. "Of course. That¡¯s totally understandable."


    He nodded and gestured for me to move away from the door.


    "Wow," I sighed.


    It felt like a walk of shame as I moved away from the door and found my way back to the room.


    I took the stairs one at a time to maintain a calm demeanor.


    When I got into the room, I paced back and forth, thinking of ways to get in there and search for that document Massimo keeps asking me for.


    I thought about waiting till nightfall but that meant that Jace would have returned and he most probably wouldn¡¯t let me leave his side.


    I had to think fast.


    A light bulb lit in my head. I had a n but it was going to take some more time to execute.


    ~


    When Jace returned, I was just finishing a meeting with my managers. My absence from Lisbon was beginning to show and I was cautioning them to step up or they¡¯d all be fired.


    He stood by the doorway, watching with an impressed look in his eye.


    "Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked him, shutting myptop as the meeting ended.


    "Your growth is admirable, Mira."


    I paused briefly. That was unexpected.


    "Um, thanks?" I said after a few seconds of silence.


    "You¡¯re wee."


    "There¡¯s a wedding I have to attend. Would you like toe with me?"


    "You want me to be your date?"


    "Who else would it be?"


    "I dunno." I shrugged. "One of your supermodel girlfriends?"


    "Ahh..." he showed off a mischievous grin.


    "What¡¯s that smile for?" I asked with a frown.


    "I knew you were jealous."


    I scoffed. "In your dreams. Why would I be jealous?"


    "Because even if you deny it, you actually love me."


    I blew out a breath. "You¡¯re delusional."


    Jace didn¡¯t let it go. "You know I¡¯m not. You my love, just keep denying the truth."


    I rolled my eyes, ready to change the topic.


    "Are you hungry yet? Cause I¡¯m starving."


    Surely dinner must have been served.


    "You¡¯re avoiding the topic." It wasn¡¯t a question. It was a statement.


    I arched a brow. "And if I am?


    Jace smiled but it didn¡¯t reach his eyes.


    "Dinner must be served already. Let¡¯s go." He said, taking my hand as he led us down to the table.


    We didn¡¯t talk as we ate. There were few nces here and there but no words said.


    "So, are you joining me for the wedding or...?" He finally spoke up as we finished eating.


    I paused and thought about it for a minute.


    "When and where?"


    He leaned back on his seat as he answered. "It¡¯s this weekend."


    "Hmm." I hummed. "I guess I¡¯ll be free."


    "You¡¯re going to be here for the rest of the week right?"


    "Um,"


    "Come on, Mira," he tilted his head and stared at me.


    I could almost swear he was giving me puppy eyes.


    "Jace, I still have an apartment. I can¡¯t just abandon it."


    "I¡¯ll buy it off Massimo¡¯s hands and make it a rental property in your name." He offered so quickly I nearly jumped in my seat.


    "Whoa, whoa, billionaire. Hold your horses," I gestured for him to calm down.


    He raised a perfectly arched brow, genuinely looking confused. "What?"


    "I don¡¯t need you doing stuff for me. I can handle myself just fine." I told him inly.


    "I know you can. I just want to do it for you instead."


    My palm itched to be softly ced over his face but I held it back.


    "I don¡¯t need it. But thank you."


    "You¡¯re such a stubborn woman." He said with an exaggerated groan of frustration.


    "I know." I retorted cheekily.


    Ready to retire for the night, I ced a peck on his cheek - one that he turned into a deep kiss real quick.


    "Jace," I muttered against his lips.


    "Stay in my bed tonight." He said, pulling me closer.


    "I¡¯m not in the mood." I lied even when my pants were literally soaking wet due to his kiss.


    "I won¡¯t do anything. I just want you by my side for the first time in a long time."


    I was slightly disappointed he didn¡¯t have a naughty response for me this time. I guess he missed me that much.


    "Okay." I said.


    True to his word, Jace did not try to get down with me that night. He held me close - so close, I thought he believed I would disappear any second.


    <fnbf9e> Checktest chapters at find?novel</fnbf9e>


    I felt so safe in his arms, I slept like a baby.


    Tomorrow, I would worry about my revenge. For now, all I wanted to do was enjoy the moment.


    ~


    The next day, I was back to my apartment. Jace didn¡¯t fight for me to stay longer. I was going to be back by weekend anyways and that was just two days away.


    I had been cooped up in the apartment for a few hours when the doorbell rang.


    My housekeeper went and checked. My eyes followed her movements as she opened the door without telling me who it was.


    I sat up, setting down my mug of coffee as soon as he walked in.


    "How nice of you to finally be avable."


    "Hello to you too, Massimo." I said calmly.


    His jaw ticked. "We¡¯ve gone past the point of pleasantries, Mirabel."


    I swallowed and looked away from his searing gaze.


    "You¡¯ve been spending so much time with your lover you¡¯ve forgotten what you¡¯re supposed to do." He chuckled darkly.


    I didn¡¯t say anything in response.


    "Answer me!" He mmed his palm on the coffee table.


    I held myself back from flinching.


    "I don¡¯t owe you anything Massimo." I said calmly as his ragged breaths cut through the silence.


    "I brought you back here!" He yelled.


    I scoffed. "And you think I couldn¡¯t afford it? You underestimate me."


    I watched him struggle to keep calm but he was already too furious.


    "Mira you¡¯re getting carried away. Don¡¯t you want to bring down the man who caused you so much pain? His father killed yours!"


    I grimaced. "Thanks for the history lesson. You think I don¡¯t already know that?"


    "Do you love him?" He asked like it was something that was supposed to be a sacred secret.


    "Who said anything about love?"


    "Then why aren¡¯t you doing what you¡¯re supposed to?"


    "If I remember correctly, you asked me to seduce him and utilize the fact that he wouldn¡¯t give me a divorce so easily."


    "Is that why you¡¯re fucking him?"


    I red at him. "Thest time I checked, Jace is my husband." I said through gritted teeth.


    "I-"


    "Hey!" I raised my hand, cutting him off. "And even if he wasn¡¯t, it is none of your business who I sleep with. Got it?"


    Massimo let out another dark chuckle. "You¡¯re one confident woman. I see why he wouldn¡¯t let you go. You make the perfect donna."


    I scowled. Was he trying to tter me right now?


    Standing up straight, he stared me straight in the eye.


    "You wouldn¡¯t want him to find out that you¡¯re there to bring him down. Or at least not before you have found your way out of this country."


    "Are you trying to ckmail me?"


    He smirked. "Take what I said with a pinch of salt Mira."


    My eyes followed him as he walked out of the apartment, mming the door behind him.

 Chapter 106 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 106: 106 ~ Mira</h4>


    The wedding was for a the son of one of Jace¡¯s associates. At least that was what he told me.


    It was a ck tie event. So I wore a ck dress that red at the bottom with bows straps. Of course there had to be a bit of cleavage and my back was open too. I paired the dress with silver heels and a matching clutch.


    My hair was still not long enough for an updo so I folded the tips and made a very elegant bob look, while my full m face glowed in the light. My makeup artist did a good job. I even posed for a few pictures and videos. Satisfied with my look, I headed downstairs where Jace was waiting for me.


    I took the elevator down and when I walked out of the building into the parking lot, I was surprised to see him standing outside his vehicle waiting for me.


    He put his phone back in his pocket as I got to where he stood.


    "Hey,"


    <fna498> This text is hosted at Find?Novel</fna498>


    "Hey." He said. His eyes devoured me in that instant. "You¡¯re the most gorgeous woman I¡¯ve ever set my eyes on."


    My cheeks heated up.


    But I pped his arm slightly to lighten the intensity of the moment. "Don¡¯t tter me Romano. Let¡¯s go, we¡¯re going to bete."


    He chuckled and opened the door for me. I slipped into the passenger seat. He got in through the other side.


    The car glided smoothly through the streets, the hum of the engine filling thefortable silence between us. Comfortable for him, anyway. My stomach was tied in knots.


    I nced at Jace from the corner of my eye. He was impossibly calm, one hand on the steering wheel, the other restingzily against the gearshift. Dark suit, silk tie, and that sharp jawline angled toward the road. He looked like a man driving us to a business deal, not a wedding.


    "You know," I broke the silence, "most people ask their wives nicely before they drag them to social events."


    His lips quirked into something between a smirk and a smile. "I did ask nicely."


    "You said, ¡¯You¡¯reing with me to the wedding. Wear something stunning.¡¯ That¡¯s not a request, Romano. That¡¯s amand." I mimicked his gruff voice.


    I knew he asked nicely to a great extent, I just wanted to tease him about yesterday when I said I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted to go anywhere with him. Massimo¡¯s visit had gotten to me a little too much.


    "Semantics," he murmured, eyes still forward.


    I rolled my eyes and leaned back against the seat. "So whose wedding is this, anyway? Some distant cousin of yours? Another mafia tie?"


    His mouth curved into a slight smile. "Rx. It¡¯s a legitimate wedding. Old family friend. No business, no alliances. Just food, music, dancing... normal life for a few hours."


    Normal life. The phrase made my chest ache. I wasn¡¯t sure I remembered what that looked like anymore.


    The car slowed to a stop in front of the venue, a grand cathedral with stained-ss windows catching the afternoon sun. Guests streamed up the steps in elegant dresses and sharp suits,ughter filling the air.


    Jace came around to open my door, his hand extended. I hesitated but took it. His palm was warm, steady. For a moment, it felt almost...natural.


    Inside, the space was buzzing. Chandeliers glimmered overhead, and pews were already filled. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air. I spotted a group of women sneaking nces our way, whispering behind manicured hands.


    I leaned close to him and he bent down a bit as I whispered, "They¡¯re staring at you."


    "No," he said smoothly, guiding me forward with a hand on the small of my back. "They¡¯re staring at you."


    I huffed, ignoring the way my cheeks heated. I was thankful that the makeup covered my reddened cheeks.


    We slid into a pew near the front, side by side. The bride appeared minutester, and the crowd rose to their feet. She was stunning. Allce and soft curls, radiant in a way that made the whole church hold its breath.


    For a while, I forgot Jace was next to me. I felt my heart soar as I got swept up in the vows, the music, the look of absolute adoration on the groom¡¯s face. It was beautiful, simple. Pure.


    When apuse thundered at the kiss, I pped too, my heart unexpectedly tight.


    At the reception, the mood shifted into celebration. Fairy lights twinkled over long banquet tables, the smell of roasted meats and wine filling the air. A band yed upbeat Italian tunes, coaxing people onto the dance floor.


    I tried to slip away to the buffet table, but Jace caught my hand. "Dance with me."


    I raised a brow at him. "You don¡¯t dance."


    His lips tugged in challenge. "Who told you that?"


    "I know you." I retorted with an eye roll. Why would a don be found dancing?


    "Then you should know I don¡¯t like being doubted." He said, cutting through my thoughts.


    Before I could argue, he was already pulling me to the dance floor. The music was light, yful, and couples spun around us withughter. Jace¡¯s hand slid to my waist, steadying me, and suddenly I was very aware of just how close we were.


    "Rx," he murmured. "You¡¯re as stiff as a statue."


    "Because I¡¯m dancing with a control freak," I muttered.


    His chuckle vibrated through me, warm and low. "Say what you want. You¡¯re still here."


    I scowled up at him, but my feet betrayed me, falling into rhythm with his. He was smooth, irritatingly so. Every turn, every step, he led without hesitation, and I followed despite myself.


    I was stunned by how smooth he was with it to be honest. I made a mistake of admitting that aloud.


    "See?" His eyes gleamed. "You trust me."


    "That¡¯s pushing it," I said quickly, though a reluctant smile tugged at my lips.


    The song ended, and apuse filled the air. I tried to step back, but Jace leaned down, lips brushing the shell of my ear. "Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see that smile."


    I shoved his chest lightly, heat rushing to my face. "Shut up."


    He only grinned, the bastard.


    I bit the insides of my cheeks to hold back my smile. I failed at it though.


    Later, after too much champagne and too many toasts, we found ourselves sitting side by side at a table, tes half-forgotten in front of us. The bride and groom twirled under the fairy lights, lost in their own little world.


    "They look happy," I murmured.


    "They are," Jace agreed. He leaned back in his chair, gaze unreadable. "You ever think about that? A wedding without blood ties, without obligations? Just two people choosing each other?"


    His question caught me off guard. For a moment, I couldn¡¯t answer.


    "I used to," I admitted quietly.


    "And now?"


    I stared at the couple, at the way they couldn¡¯t take their eyes off each other. My throat felt tight. "Now... I don¡¯t know if I believe in it anymore."


    When I nced at Jace, his gaze was already on me. There was something in his eyes. It was something raw, unguarded. That made me look away too quickly.


    Moments between us had been getting very intensetely.


    He looked at me like I was his salvation and slowly I was beginning to get carried away. This was dangerous.


    The band shifted into a slower song, and couples streamed back onto the floor. Jace didn¡¯t ask this time. He just stood, offered his hand, and waited.


    I hesitated. But then, almost against my own will, I slid my hand into his.


    And for a few stolen minutes under the glow of fairy lights, I let myself forget. Forget the secrets, the betrayals, the blood on his hands.


    I let myself feel the warmth of his hand at my waist, the steady beat of his heart against mine, the way his gaze softened only when it was on me.


    I hated myself for it.


    But God help me, I didn¡¯t let go.


    ~


    It waste when we started going back to his penthouse apartment. I told him I wanted to go to my own ce but he of course didn¡¯t listen.


    He ced his palm on my thigh as he drove through the city. I leaned back in my seat acting like his touch wasn¡¯t doing things to me. Plus the fact that I had so much wine and it seemed like my dder was about to burst.


    I was so relieved when we made it to his apartment building. I was pressed.


    "You look like you¡¯re about to cause a storm." Jace teased me as I hurried towards the bathroom.


    I chuckled.


    Myughter ceased when my phone rang and I saw the caller ID. I picked up.


    "You¡¯re in America?"


    "Nice to hear from you again, baby brother."

 Chapter 107 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 107: 107 ~ Mira</h4>


    "You¡¯re in America?" He repeated again, like he wanted to climb out of the phone and fight me.


    The sound of Roberto¡¯s voice mmed into my chest harder than I expected. I froze at the edge of the bed, still in the dress I¡¯d worn for the wedding, my heels kicked off somewhere near the door. Every trace of wanting to use the bathroom conveniently disappeared.


    My phone was pressed to my ear, my hand suddenly mmy against the screen.


    "Hello to you too, Roberto." I said, forcing a wry smile he couldn¡¯t see.


    "Mira," his tone was sharp, usatory. "Do you have any idea what it¡¯s like to turn on the TV and see my sister... My own sister on the arm of Jace Romano at one of the most public weddings of the year? You didn¡¯t think to call me first?!"


    I exhaled, sinking onto the mattress. The room smelled faintly of Jace¡¯s cologne he¡¯d just stepped into the bathroom to take a shower, leaving me in the silence of this ce. Silence that wasn¡¯t silent anymore.


    "I wasn¡¯t exactly expecting it to be broadcasted," I murmured.


    "You weren¡¯t expecting¡ª" he cut himself off, then groaned. "Mira, do you know what that looks like? After everything you told me, after everything he put you through, you¡¯re just parading around with him like it never happened?"


    I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It¡¯s not like that."


    "Then what is it like?" Roberto demanded. "Because from where I¡¯m standing, it looks like Stockholm Syndrome."


    His words stung, though I knew they were meant to. My little brother always thought he could protect me, even when his decisions were the very reason I was in this mess to begin with.


    "You don¡¯t understand," I whispered, my voice tired.


    "Then make me understand, Mira!" His voice cracked through the speaker, raw with a whirlwind of emotions.


    "Two years you¡¯ve been ghosting me. Two years I¡¯ve been left wondering if he killed you, or if you¡ª" he broke off yet again, breathing heavy. "And now I see you in America, with him, on TV? Do you know how that feels?"


    A lump rose in my throat. "I wanted to call," I admitted softly. "But every time I thought about it... I didn¡¯t know what to say. How to exin where I was, what I was doing."


    Roberto was quiet for a beat, and in that silence, guilt twisted my stomach. It ate into me. How could I have abandoned my only family member like that?


    "Mira," he said finally, softer now. "I thought I lost you. Twice."


    Iid back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "You didn¡¯t lose me. I just... needed time."


    "Time for what? To forgive him?" His words came out bitter, sharp.


    "No. Time for me. To breathe. To exist without everyone else¡¯s mistakes drowning me."


    I was carrying so much, I needed to breathe. I needed to live. I needed to be away from all the tragic reminders of what my life had been in the past year before moving to Lisbon. I wasn¡¯t sure anyone would understand.


    There was another silence, broken only by the faint sound of water running in the bathroom. My eyes flicked toward the door, knowing Jace would walk back out any second.


    "You¡¯re with him right now, aren¡¯t you?" Roberto asked, suspicion dripping from every syble.


    I swallowed. "...Yes."


    "Jesus Christ, Mira." His disappointment was a weight on my chest.


    "It¡¯splicated," I whispered.


    "It always is with him." He retorted angrily.


    I bit my lip, fighting the urge to snap back. He wasn¡¯t wrong, but he also wasn¡¯t right.


    "You don¡¯t know him like I do," I said instead.


    This wasn¡¯t what he thought it was but I did not have the energy to exin to anyone. I was okay with being misunderstood.


    "And thank God for that," Roberto shot back. "Because if I did, I¡¯d be dead."


    I sat up, anger finally sparking in me. "Don¡¯t you dare y the victim card with me. You think I wanted this? You think I chose any of it? I was dragged into his world because of you, Roberto. Because of your debts. Because you couldn¡¯t stop gambling with lives that weren¡¯t yours to gamble."


    The silence on the other end was sharp, jagged.


    "I¡¯m sorry," he said quietly, the words thick with shame. "I never wanted this for you. I thought I could handle it. I thought I could protect you."


    My chest tightened, some of my anger bleeding out. "You can¡¯t protect me. Not from him. Not from any of this."


    He exhaled shakily. "Then what do I do? Sit here and watch you go back to him? Watch him break you again?"


    I leaned against the headboard, my heart torn in a thousand directions. "No. You trust me. You let me figure this out my way. Because whether you like it or not, Jace is in my life. He¡¯s not going anywhere. At least not anytime soon."


    Roberto¡¯s reply came sharp, cold. "And what about Massimo?"


    My breath hitched.


    "You think I don¡¯t know?" Roberto pressed. "You think I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s after¡ªor what he¡¯s using you for?"


    I sat frozen, my fingers tightening around the phone. "Roberto¡ª"


    How the hell did he find out? Was he keeping tabs on me all this time?


    I thought I had been discreet with my affairs. Was there a mole somewhere or did he have someone watching me? I had so many questions running through my mind all at once.


    He continued. "Don¡¯t lie to me. Not again. If you¡¯re ying both sides, Mira, you¡¯re going to get caught in the middle. And when that happens, I can¡¯t save you. Nobody can."


    My stomach churned. It felt like everything I ate was about toe back through my mouth.


    "Mira," he said, his voice breaking, "please don¡¯t let him destroy you again. Either of them."


    The bathroom door creaked open. Jace stepped out, towel slung low around his hips, steam curling around his frame. His gray eyes immediately locked on me, sharp and possessive.


    "Who¡¯s that?" he asked, his voice rough from the heat of the shower.


    Panic surged in my chest. I covered the mouthpiece and whispered, "No one."


    Roberto¡¯s voice red through the phone. "Is that him?!"


    I scrambled, forcing my tone calm. "I¡¯ll call youter," I rushed, and hung up before either man could push me further into a corner.


    My hand trembled as I set the phone on the nightstand.


    Jace¡¯s gaze lingered on me, suspicious, like he could smell the lie in the air. "Mira," he said slowly, "who were you talking to?"


    I met his eyes, my pulse thundering in my ears. "Nobody that matters."


    Maybe he already knew he it was but it didn¡¯t matter. I was not going to say anything more.


    His lips curved into that dangerous smirk I hated and craved all at once. "Everything that touches you matters to me."


    And just like that, I felt the noose tighten around my neck again¡ªcaught between the brother who wanted to save me, and the man who swore he¡¯d never let me go.


    I walked away before I could get lost in thought. I needed to get out of these clothes and shower.


    While in the shower, as the water soaked me from head to toe, all I could think of was how to get those documents and get this thing done and over with. I was going in too deep.


    After wiping every trace of water on my skin, I slid on one of Jace¡¯s shirts that was like a dress on my petite frame. It smelled just like him and for some reason, the scent left flutters in my stomach.


    I slipped under the covers, turning on my side to face away from him. "Goodnight, Jace."


    <fnac3e> Find the newest release on Find¡ïNovel</fnac3e>


    The mattress dipped as he slid in beside me, his warmth pressing close. His arm draped over my waist, anchoring me against him as though my very body was his lifeline.


    "Goodnight, amore mio," he murmured against my hair. He pressed kisses to my cheeks and forehead.


    I shifted slightly, trying to create distance between us, but Jace tightened his hold. His lips brushed the back of my neck, feather-light at first, then lingering.


    "Jace," I whispered, my voice a warning.


    He rolled me gently onto my back, his gray eyes burning into mine. "Just one thing I can¡¯t go another night without."


    Before I could ask what, his mouth was on mine.


    The kiss wasn¡¯t rushed. It was devastating. His lips moved against mine with a hunger that was slow, deliberate, like he was reiming every second of the years we¡¯d lost. My fingers betrayed me, curling into the sheets, then into the hard muscle of his shoulder.


    His hand cupped my jaw, tilting my face to deepen the kiss, his tongue brushing mine in a way that stole my breath and made my chest ache.


    For a moment, I let myself drown.


    When he finally tore his mouth from mine, his breathing was ragged, forehead pressed against mine. "That¡¯s enough for tonight," he murmured, his thumb still tracing the line of my cheek.


    I blinked up at him, dazed. "You¡¯re stopping?"


    A dark chuckle rumbled from his chest. "If I don¡¯t, I won¡¯t be able to."


    And just like that, he pulled me back against him, holding me as though the kiss hadn¡¯t just left my entire world unsteady.


    I could tell he was tired because he didn¡¯t do anything further.


    But long after his breathing slowed, Iy awakephone still buzzing with unread messages, my brother¡¯s warning echoing in my head.


    And all I could think was: maybe I wasn¡¯t healing. Maybe I was walking straight back into the fire.

 Chapter 108 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 108: 108 ~ Jace</h4>


    I woke up in the middle of the night.


    The room was too quiet.


    Too still.


    Only the faint sound of Mira¡¯s breathing filled the silence, soft and steady as she slept beside me.


    I should¡¯ve been sleeping too, but instead Iy awake on my side, staring at her in the dim glow of the city lights filtering through the blinds. Her hair¡ªshorter now, darker¡ªfell messily across her face. It framed her like some untouchable masterpiece, sharp edges softening in the stillness of the night.


    God, two years hadn¡¯t changed a damn thing. She was still the most dangerous thing I¡¯d everid eyes on. Not because of the fire in her words or the fury in her eyes, but because she could lie here, a breath away, and I felt stripped bare.


    She stirred, shifting slightly, the sheets sliding down just enough to expose the smooth line of her shoulder. I had to force myself not to reach out and trace it. Not to pull her closer and bury my face in her neck until all I could taste and breathe was her.


    But I didn¡¯t.


    Because I promised myself I wouldn¡¯t push. Not tonight.


    That kiss earlier had nearly undone me¡ªthe first real one in years. It had been soft, hesitant at first, then sharp with the familiar hunger that always lived between us. And when she pulled back, when she looked at me with flushed cheeks and parted lips... fuck. For a moment, I¡¯d thought she might actually stay.


    Instead, she turned away, and I let her.


    <fnbded> Chapters first released on FindN0vel</fnbded>


    Because if I forced it now, I¡¯d ruin what fragile thread of trust I was trying to build back.


    Still, it ate at me. The taste of her lips lingered, haunting me. The way her body had molded against mine so easily, like no time had passed. Like her heart hadn¡¯t hardened against me. Like she wasn¡¯t here plotting her revenge.


    I clenched my jaw and tore my eyes away from her, staring at the ceiling. My demons didn¡¯t allow me peace, not even here. Not even when she was right next to me.


    The baby.


    Our baby.


    I¡¯d destroyed something I couldn¡¯t ever bring back, and it was the one wound time would never close.


    I swallowed hard, guilt burning through me. She thought I couldn¡¯t love, that I didn¡¯t even know how. Maybe she was right. But she didn¡¯t understand that I carried that weight every single day. The blood on my hands didn¡¯t just belong to my enemies. It belonged to us too.


    A soft knock at the door dragged me out of my thoughts. Careful not to wake her, I slipped from the bed and crossed the room, pulling it open.


    Tomas stood there, his face grim.


    I was not surprised to see him but I didn¡¯t expect him toe be here as soon as hended in LA.


    "Boss, we need to talk."


    I stepped into the hallway, slowly shutting the door behind me so I wouldn¡¯t wake her.


    "This better be good." I said gruffly.


    "It¡¯s Roberto," Tomas said without hesitation.


    My chest tightened. "What about him?"


    "He¡¯s resurfaced. We traced activity¡ªcalls, movements. He¡¯s been in contact with Riardi. And he knows Mira¡¯s back in the States."


    I stilled, my fists clenching at my sides.


    Of course. Of fucking course. That phone call earlier wasn¡¯t innocent. It wasn¡¯t just a brother checking in on his sister. It was strategy. Riardi¡¯s fingerprints were all over it.


    No wonder she didn¡¯t want me to know who it was.


    "Where is he?" I asked, voice low.


    "New York,st I checked. But he¡¯s moving. We¡¯ll have eyes on him soon."


    I dragged a hand over my face, exhaling slowly. Mira had no idea she was walking on thin ice. Or maybe she did, and she just didn¡¯t care. That was the thing with her. She always trusted the wrong people. And the truth was, if Roberto thought using her would get him closer to Riardi¡¯s revenge, he¡¯d do it. Family or not.


    "I want constant surveince," I ordered. "If he so much as breathes in her direction, I want to know. And if he tries to touch her¡ª" I stopped, my voice hardening, "¡ªhe won¡¯t leave alive."


    Tomas hesitated. "And Mira? Do you want her told?"


    I shook my head sharply. "No. She doesn¡¯t need to know anything yet."


    Not when she was still bncing that line between hating me and falling back into my arms. Not when Riardi was probably whispering lies in her ear every chance he got.


    I wasn¡¯t about to hand her another reason to slip further from me.


    "She¡¯s staying under my roof for now," I said finally. "And if that means she resents me, fine. At least she¡¯s safe."


    Tomas nodded. "Understood."


    When he left, I leaned against the wall for a moment, forcing the rage to settle. My chest heaved with it, the thought of Riardi circling her, of Roberto being his pawn.


    They didn¡¯t get it.


    Mira didn¡¯t get it.


    She thought I caged her because I was selfish. Maybe I was. But it was more than that. Keeping her here, close, was the only way I could guarantee she wouldn¡¯t be used against me. Against us.


    I couldn¡¯t lose her again. Not to distance. Not to betrayal. Not to Riardi.


    Pushing off the wall, I returned to the bedroom. Mira was still curled in the sheets, her breathing steady, oblivious to the storm waiting for her.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, letting my eyes linger on her face. Peaceful now, though I knew the second she woke up, that fire would be back. Her words would be sharp, her walls higher than ever.


    But I¡¯d take it.


    I¡¯d take her anger, her hate, her resistance even if it meant she was here and not in Massimo Riardi¡¯s arms.


    Leaning closer, I brushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek.


    "You¡¯ll thank me one day," I whispered against the silence. "Even if you hate me now."


    Because the truth was, I wasn¡¯t giving her up.


    Not to Roberto. Not to Riardi.


    Not to anyone for that matter.


    She was mine.


    And until the day I breathed myst, that wasn¡¯t going to change.


    ~


    The morning light nted through the blinds when I found her in the living room, slipping her shoes on and her overnight bag was by her side. I had been in the office since dawn so I didn¡¯t know she was up and getting ready.


    I knew that look on her face. Determined. Defiant. The same look she wore the first time I ever tried to cage her in.


    "Where are you going?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, but I didn¡¯t take it back.


    She didn¡¯t even flinch, just straightened slowly and met my gaze. "Out. I told you already. Ie and go as I please."


    I stepped forward, cutting the space between us until she had to tilt her chin up at me. "That was before. Now it¡¯s different."


    Herugh was short. "Of course it is. Because in your world, every agreementes with fine print I didn¡¯t sign."


    My jaw clenched. "Mira, you¡¯re not walking out of here."


    She folded her arms, ring at me like I was the enemy instead of the man who would burn the world down to keep her safe. "Yes, I am. We agreed I wasn¡¯t a prisoner anymore, Jace. I meant it, and I¡¯m not backing down."


    I could feel the heat rising in me, that instinctive urge to put my foot down, not as her husband, not as a man, but as a Don. The authority in my bloodline demanded it. "I don¡¯t care what we agreed on. My word isw in this house. You¡¯re staying."


    Her eyes narrowed, stubborn fire zing. "You don¡¯t get to dictate my life anymore. Not after everything. Not after what you¡¯ve taken from me. I will not give you that control over me."


    I stepped closer, lowering my voice, letting the weight of my authority settle between us. "This isn¡¯t negotiable, Mira. You¡¯re staying because I said so."


    Her breath came faster, her hands curling into fists at her sides as she said through gritted teeth. "You don¡¯t own me."


    I didn¡¯t blink. "I own your safety. And that means you don¡¯t walk out that door without my say-so."


    Something snapped in her. Her eyes sharpened, her lips trembling, and before I could prepare for it, the words tore out of her mouth like a de:


    "Just like your father owned my father¡¯s death?"


    Silence.


    The floor dropped out from under me.


    I froze, my blood turning to ice as her voice echoed in my skull. I stared at her, trying to piece together if I¡¯d really heard her say it. I never would have seen thating.


    Her father¡¯s death. My father.


    She knew.


    She fucking knew.


    I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The words I always had at the ready, the threats, the control, the insistence... they all dismantled under the weight of what she had just thrown at me.


    And she knew it.


    Mira¡¯s lifted higher, her eyes shining not just with fury, but with something deeper. Something like Betrayal and hurt so raw it sliced through the air between us.


    "You can¡¯t control me anymore, Jace," she whispered, her voice shaking. "Not when I know the truth."


    Before I could move, before I could even catch my breath, she picked up her bag, turned and walked away.


    Her heels clicked across the marble, each step cutting into me sharper than any bullet ever had.


    I didn¡¯t stop her.


    I couldn¡¯t.


    For the first time in years, I, the man who prided himself on control, who bent entire cities and the underworld to his will, stood there utterly powerless.


    Because Mira had just ripped open a wound I didn¡¯t even know she could touch.


    And all I could do was watch her walk away.

 Chapter 109 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 109: 109 ~ Mira</h4>


    The moment the door of Jace¡¯s penthouse shut behind me, my lungs finally remembered how to work.


    I didn¡¯t care if I left in a storm. I didn¡¯t care if his men were staring, whispering about how I shoved the Don¡¯s words back in his face. I didn¡¯t even care about the car ride that brought me here, back to this temporary cage that wasn¡¯t really mine.


    What I cared about and what wouldn¡¯t stop thundering in my chest was what I had just said.


    Your father killed mine.


    The words had spilled from my mouth like venom, unnned, unrestrained. For so long, I¡¯d guarded that truth like it was myst weapon, something to wield when the time was right. But the way he tried to order me, cage me all over again, it cracked me open.


    And now... now Jace knew. He knew that I knew the truth and I didn¡¯t know how to go from there.


    I dropped my bag the second I stepped into the apartment Massimo had given me. It looked the same as always but right now it felt more helpful. His kind of generosity always came with invisible strings, but right now, it was the only safe ce I had. Or at least it was supposed to be.


    I pressed my back against the door, sliding down until I hit the floor, my knees curling to my chest.


    "Shit," I whispered into the empty space. "Shit, shit, shit."


    The chandelier light above threw shadows across the room, but I couldn¡¯t focus on anything except the memory of Jace¡¯s face when I said it. That split second where his entire body froze, his gray eyes widening, nt with rage, not with arrogance, but with something else. Something raw.


    Shock.


    Maybe guilt.


    Maybe... recognition.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, digging my nails into my palms.


    For years, I had carried the pieces of that night like jagged ss in my heart. My father¡¯s body, bloodied and broken. My mother¡¯s screams. And then, silence. Nothing but silence.


    I remembered clinging to my brother. His hand shaking as he pulled me away from it all. Two kids shoved into the world with no safety, no parents, nothing but fear gnawing at our bones. It was a very tough experience, one words cannot fully describe.


    And now I knew it hadn¡¯t just been some random act of mafia violence. It wasn¡¯t fate or bad luck. It was calcted. Ordered. Carried out.


    By Don Vittorio Romano.


    By Jace¡¯s father.


    I pressed a fist to my mouth, as if I could stop the bile rising in my throat. The man I¡¯d once called my husband (he unfortunately still was), the man whose touch could both burn me alive and break me apart was the son of my father¡¯s killer.


    And I had just told him I knew.


    The question wed at me now: what would he do with that information?


    Would he deny it? Try to bury it like his family had always buried the truth? Would hee after me harder, try to lock me down until I couldn¡¯t speak another word?


    Or would he... admit it?


    A part of me trembled at the thought of his silence. At the way he had looked at me, stunned into speechlessness. For a man like Jace, silence was never a good sign. Especially silence as eerie as the one I had just experienced from him.


    I pushed myself off the floor and paced across the apartment, bare feet hitting the cool tiles. My reflection caught in the ss window overlooking the city, and I hated the look on my face. It was haunted, conflicted, tired and everything you can think of.


    I should feel empowered. I should feel like I¡¯d justnded the first blow in a war that was long overdue. But instead, I felt... shaken. I was terrified.


    Because no matter how much I told myself otherwise, there was a part of me that still craved him. Still wanted him to reach for me and tell me none of it was true. Still wanted to believe that the man who made meugh over dinner, the man who kissed me with so much uncharacteristic gentleness just hours ago, wasn¡¯t the son of the monster who destroyed my family.


    But wanting and reality were two different things.


    I walked to the counter and poured myself a ss of water, but it did nothing to cool the fire in my chest.


    Massimo¡¯sst words to me echoed now: Find the document. Use what you know. Get your revenge.


    Revenge.


    That was why I was here. Why I¡¯d let myself dance this close to Jace again. Not because of love. Not because of lingering desire. But because I owed it to my parents.


    And yet, as much as I repeated that to myself, my body still remembered what it felt like to melt beneath his touch. My lips still tingled from the kiss we¡¯d shared earlier. A kiss that had been different....


    I pressed my forehead against the window, staring at the glittering sprawl of Los Angeles below.


    "What the hell is wrong with me?" I whispered.


    My phone buzzed on the counter.


    Massimo.


    I ignored it. I wasn¡¯t ready for his questions, for his pressure, for his calcting smirk. He didn¡¯t care about me. He cared only about the leverage I could bring him. If he knew I¡¯d already spilled my hand to Jace, he¡¯d see me as useless. Receable.


    But Jace... Jace was another problem entirely.


    If he came after me tonight, I¡¯d have to decide if I would double down, force the truth between us like a wedge, or did I run again?


    My chest tightened. I was so tired of running.


    Tired of being pulled between two powerful men who saw me as something to win, to use, to keep.


    Tired of hating and still aching.


    I went to the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed, burying my face in my hands.


    I should call my brother. He deserved to know that I was safe. That I was here. That I wasn¡¯t alone in this anymore. But how could I say the words out loud? How could I tell him I had just admitted the truth to the one man who had the power to shatter mepletely?


    I wasn¡¯t sure if he even knew the truth. If he did, that couldplicate my problems even more.


    The silence of the apartment pressed in on me, thick and suffocating. Iid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, reying every second of the confrontation. His voice, low andmanding: You¡¯re not leaving. My own, sharp and trembling: Your father killed mine.


    God.


    <fn6ff5> This text is hosted at </fn6ff5>


    There was no taking it back now.


    And maybe I didn¡¯t want to.


    Maybe this was the beginning. The first step in bringing everything into the open, no matter how messy, no matter how dangerous.


    I turned to my side, pulling the sheets up to my chin. The city lights painted the walls in silver streaks, but I couldn¡¯t close my eyes. Because I knew somewhere across this sprawling city, Jace Romano was still standing in that apartment, still reeling from my words.


    And when he recovered, because he always recovered, he woulde for me.


    He always did.


    The question wasn¡¯t if.


    The question was how.


    ~


    Hourster, after I forced myself into a nap, I woke up and saw that Jace had texted me.


    He sent me the unaware video he made of me when I was walking towards him as we met up on the day of the wedding. I had no idea he was recording me but it was so beautiful.


    For the first time in hours, I let myself smile.


    But my smile dropped when I realized I had no idea what this meant. He had been quiet. I wondered if he was processing the news or just trying to let me think.


    Him sending me a video of me was so random and out of the blue.


    I thought of a response as my thumb hovered over the screen but I couldn¡¯t think of anything.


    Suddenly, I felt goosebumps trail my skin.


    Something was wrong.


    Very wrong.


    Quickly, I opened myptop and saw that my security camera had been tampered with.


    "Shit," I cussed under my breath.


    Someone wasing to get me. But somehow I knew that it wasn¡¯t Jace¡¯s people.


    Quickly, I picked up my gun from my drawer for protection. But I knew escaping was the best option so I grabbed everything I needed to.


    I slipped into my closet. Massimo had a secret passage that he probably thought I didn¡¯t know about but I figured it out and pushed the button willing the doors to be quieter as the opened.


    I could hear footsteps. They were in the house already.


    I slipped into the passage and willed it to close up faster as I sped down the stairs. It was dark. I put my phone on airne mode so it couldn¡¯t be tracked but my shlight was on.


    I took one step after the other until I got to thest floor. When I opened the door, I found myself at the back of the building.


    There was a possibility that these men mounted their guards around the entire space.


    Just then I heard footsteps padding down the stairs. Purposely I pushed the back door open wider. That was when I heard their steps quicken.


    I slipped under the staircase, holding my breath and hoping they would not find me behind all this garbage.


    About three of them ran outside the door and looked around.


    I stayed until I heard their conversation about not finding me and that I escaped before they could find me to whoever sent them.


    They went up the stairs again in a hurry. That was when I could finally let myself breathe.


    But as they left, it dawned on me.


    If they found the passageway, it meant only one thing.


    Massimo sent them.

 Chapter 110 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 110: 110 ~ Mira</h4>


    I waited with bated breath for several minutes to be sure they had left and were not lurking around before I opened the back door and ran for it.


    I didn¡¯t stop running until my lungs burned.


    Every step echoed like gunfire in my ears, the thud of my heart louder than the footsteps I was so sure were still chasing me. By the time I stumbled into the shadows of the alley behind Massimo¡¯s building, sweat clung to my skin, and my hands shook so badly that I nearly dropped the gun.


    The night air was sharp, cold against the heat rolling off me, but it did nothing to steady me. I crouched low behind a dumpster, clutching the metal until it rattled. My breaths came shallow, frantic. I counted to three, forced myself to peek past the edge.


    Silence.


    No more footsteps. No more voices.


    They were gone. For now.


    I pressed a hand to my chest, as if I could cage my heart that was beating frantically.


    Massimo.


    The thought hit me harder than the chase. The men in my apartment hadn¡¯t been strangers, hadn¡¯t been random enemies who¡¯d somehow found me. No. They¡¯d been his. I recognized the cut of their suits, the way they moved like they were disciplined, trained and like soldiers drilled under one man.


    It was him. It had to be.


    The bile rose hot in my throat. I pressed my back to the wall and let out a tremblingugh, more disbelief than humor.


    Of course. Of course it had been him.


    Massimo Riardi. Smooth-talking. Sharp-dressed. Whispering promises of revenge in one breath and curling his fingers around invisible puppet strings in the next. I had been so careful, so sure I was ying him, letting him believe I was his leverage when in reality, I was just buying myself time.


    But I had been wrong. So wrong.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine what they would have done if they saw me. Was he nning to keep me hostage or was he going to silence me permanently?


    He wasn¡¯t the type of man you yed. He was the type of man who reminded you, brutally, that you were only moving across the board because he allowed it. And tonight he had reminded me of that fact.


    "Shit," I whispered again, pressing my palms into my eyes. I felt the tears prick my eyes.


    What did I expect? That he¡¯d actually care about me? That he wanted justice for what Don Vittorio had done? No. Massimo only cared about the document. About what I could take from Jace. To him, I wasn¡¯t Mira. I was a pawn on his chessboard. And pawns were disposable.


    I pushed myself up, legs shaking but determined. I couldn¡¯t stand here. I couldn¡¯t go back upstairs. The passage waspromised now. If they¡¯d found that, then they would definitely find every hiding ce in that apartment eventually.


    The apartment wasn¡¯t mine anymore. It never had been.


    I shoved the gun into my bag, zipped it tight, and pulled my jacket close around me as I slipped further into the night. Every corner I turned, I expected to see shadows break off and follow me, but no one came. Not yet.


    It was a temporary reprieve but I was anxious nheless.


    The city looked different tonight. Harsher. Like every glowing skyscraper was a warning sign, every blinking streetlight a watchful eye. Los Angeles was supposed to be Jace¡¯s yground, but now it felt like a trap closing in from every side.


    I made it three blocks before I had to stop again. My legs wobbled beneath me, and I leaned against the brick wall of a closed store, trying to breathe. Trying to think.


    Who could I call?


    Not Massimo. Never again.


    Not Jace. Not after what I¡¯d just said to him. He was probably still standing in that penthouse, reying my words like a curse: Your father killed mine. His silence had terrified me more than his rage ever could. And I wasn¡¯t ready to face what came after that silence.


    That left only one person.


    My brother.


    I slid down to the curb, pulling my phone from my bag with shaky hands. The screen lit up, and I stared at his number. My thumb hovered over it, trembling. For years, he had been the only person in the world I trusted, the only one who had seen what I had seen that night. He deserved to know. He deserved everything.


    But what would I even say?


    Hey, I¡¯m caught between two men who want to own me, and oh, by the way, I just blurted out the truth I¡¯m not sure you even know about because you were too young to fully understand?


    I pressed the phone to my forehead, exhaling hard. I couldn¡¯t. Not yet. Not when everything was still on fire around me. He¡¯d worry. He¡¯de charging in, and then what? He¡¯d paint a target on his own back, and I couldn¡¯t and wouldn¡¯t let myself lose him too.


    So I put the phone away, forcing my hands to stop shaking long enough to lock the screen.


    Instead, I sat there, staring at the street, until the world slowed. Until the tremors in my body began to ease, leaving only the ache.


    Because that was what it always came down to, didn¡¯t it? Ache. No matter where I went, no matter whose arms I tried to pretend I was safe in, the ache followed. The memories of blood. The weight of secrets. The sting of betrayal.


    Massimo had betrayed me.


    Jace¡¯s father had destroyed me.


    And Jace himself? He straddled the line between salvation and damnation so tightly that I didn¡¯t know whether to love him or hate him, kiss him or kill him.


    A bitterugh slipped out of me. God, what was wrong with me? Why did I keep letting myself get caught in the crossfire of men who saw me as nothing but a piece in their wars?


    I pushed myself to my feet again. My knees still wobbled, but my spine was straight. If there was one thing I knew now, it was this: I couldn¡¯t trust anyone. Not Massimo. Not Jace. Not even the safety of these glittering city streets.


    The only person I could rely on was myself.


    And if that meant burning both of their empires to the ground just to breathe free air again, then maybe that was exactly what I¡¯d do.


    I walked. One step after the other. Away from the building, away from the shadows of men who thought they could control me. My feet carried me with no real direction, but I didn¡¯t care. As long as it was forward, away, anywhere but back.


    Because the moment I stepped back into either of their worlds, I knew I would lose myself all over again.


    And tonight had reminded me I wasn¡¯t ready to be lost. Not yet.


    ~


    My phone rang as I was about to check into a hotel. I felt my heart stop in trepidation.


    A slight sigh of relief escaped my throat when I checked the caller ID. Anyone was a better choice than Massimo at this point.


    "Where are you?"


    Straight to the point as always.


    "What do you want, Jace?"


    He sighed exasperatedly. "Don¡¯t be difficult. Just tell me where you are."


    I stood there and contemted ifpromising my location was going to cost me.


    I weighed my options. Jace imed to love me. At least he wouldn¡¯t physically harm me.


    There was no telling what extent Massimo¡¯ would let his men go with me. But with Jace, though rough, he was a little bit softer.


    Maybe I was being sentimental but for now I had to choose the lesser evil.


    "Mira? Are you there?"


    <fn4d31> Fresh chapters posted on </fn4d31>


    I blinked rapidly as I snapped out of my thoughts.


    "Yeah."


    I looked at the receptionist who was waiting for me to decide if I wanted to make the payment.


    I gestured at her with my index finger as I mouthed. "One second."


    "I¡¯m checking into a hotel, why do you ask?"


    "Your security waspromised."


    I frowned. "How do you know that?"


    "That doesn¡¯t matter."


    I gasped. "You have someone watching me."


    It wasn¡¯t a question.


    "Force of habit."


    "What if I had gotten killed? Why didn¡¯t you send them in to save him?"


    "Trust me I almost killed him just now. He¡¯s fired." He growled angrily. "Juste out."


    I turned towards the entrance and looked outside and sure enough he was parked right in front of the hotel.


    "Oh my goodness this man is psychotic." I whispered before I could stop myself.


    "I heard that." He said, stepping out of the vehicle.


    I bit on my lower lip to hold back augh. I stood there and watched him for some seconds.


    It was night time yet he was d in a suit like he was going for a business meeting. Not a hair out of ce. And not a single crease too.


    In fact I was sure I would look like a scrawny hobo standing next to him.


    "Come on Mira," he gestured for me to step out.


    I went outside and walked down the steps to join him. He stared at me intently, unable to hide his worry in the way his eyes softened as he scanned me for any injuries.


    Pulling me into his arms, he hugged me tight.


    I stiffened but seconds in, I let myself feel safe in his arms.


    Maybe he was after all, my safe ce.

 Chapter 111 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 111: 111 ~ Jace</h4>


    "I don¡¯t know what I would have done if something happened to you." I breathed out.


    Maybe I was bing too soft and vulnerable but there was nothing else I could have done.


    When my spy informed me that men had broken into her apartment, I felt my heart drop.


    After losing my father and brother in a gruesome manner, I couldn¡¯t cope with the death of anyone close to me, especially not Mira.


    The relief that flooded my veins when I found out that she was safe cannot be exined.


    "I¡¯m fine," she groaned, trying to get away from my hold.


    I held her tighter.


    The moment she stiffened in my arms, I thought she would push me away. That would¡¯ve been typical Mira. She could be spiteful, stubborn, always ready to draw blood when she felt cornered. That was one of the many things I loved about her.


    But then, slowly, I felt her melt. Just a fraction. Just enough for me to know she wasn¡¯t running. Not tonight at least.


    And God, the weight that slid off my shoulders in that moment was something I hadn¡¯t felt in years.


    I buried my face in her hair, inhaling that familiar scent I¡¯d almost forgotten. Sweet, clean, like vaniced with gunpowder. Mine. She was still mine, no matter how much she tried to deny it.


    "I should kill him," I muttered before I even thought about it. The words vibrated against her temple.


    She stiffened again. "Kill who?"


    I pulled back, holding her by the shoulders, my thumbs brushing over her corbones as I stared her dead in the eye. "Massimo."


    <fn7717> This text is hosted at Find_Novel(.</fn7717>


    Her brows furrowed, lips parting like she wanted to argue, but I didn¡¯t let her. "He sent those men after you. Don¡¯t even try to tell me otherwise, Mira. I know his kind. I am his kind. And the only reason you¡¯re breathing right now is because you¡¯re mine."


    Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. She looked like she wanted to call me dramatic, but the fear in her eyes betrayed her.


    I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, softer than I meant to. "Don¡¯t ever scare me like that again."


    She scoffed, finally finding her backbone and sarcasm.


    "Scare you? I was the one being hunted in my own apartment, Jace. Forgive me for not prioritizing your feelings."


    I almost smiled at that. Almost. God, even when she was half broken, she still had that fire. That sharp tongue. And yet the sight of her, pale under the glow of the streetlights, her jacket slipping off one shoulder, made something in me ache.


    I shrugged out of my own suit jacket and draped it over her before she could protest. "Get in the car."


    "Don¡¯t tell me what to do."


    My jaw clenched. "Mira. Don¡¯t test me tonight."


    Her lips parted like she wanted to push back, but the fight drained from her. She looked exhausted. So she nodded once and slipped into the passenger seat.


    I circled around, slid behind the wheel, and mmed the door shut harder than necessary. My hands tightened on the leather, fighting the urge to turn this car around and drive straight to Riardi¡¯s doorstep so I could kill him with my bare hands for trying to harm my woman.


    But instead, I forced myself to drive slow, controlled, every ounce of rage coiling in my veins. Mira sat silent beside me, clutching my jacket tighter around herself like armor. She wouldn¡¯t look at me, but I kept stealing nces at her anyway.


    She was safe. That was all that mattered.


    For now.


    The silence stretched until it felt like it strangling me. I wasn¡¯t a man who begged for conversation, but with her, silence meant distance. And distance was dangerous especially with everything going on in ourplicated lives.


    "Why did you even go back to that apartment?" I finally asked.


    Her head turned sharply. "Excuse me?"


    "You heard me." My voice dropped lower, steadier. "I know that what that ce is. Massimo gave it to you, didn¡¯t he? But you should have just stayed with me when I told you to. It¡¯s safer."


    Her eyes flickered, just a fraction, and that was all the confirmation I needed.


    He was the one who told her the truth. I could see it now.


    I cursed under my breath, mming my palm against the wheel. "Of course he did all this on purpose. He¡¯s been circling you like a vulture ever since. Feeding you lies, making promises he¡¯ll never keep. You think he wants to avenge your parents? No, Mira. He wants to use you to get to me."


    "Maybe he¡¯s not the only one who uses me," she shot back, voice sharp.


    The words cut, but I didn¡¯t let it show. Instead, I slowed the car, pulling onto a quieter street, and turned to face her fully.


    "You really think he cares for you?" Myugh was humorless. "You saw what happened tonight. If he wanted you alive, those men wouldn¡¯t have stepped foot in your apartment. He was done with you the moment you stopped being useful. That¡¯s who Massimo is. That¡¯s who he¡¯ll always be."


    I didn¡¯t know what exactly he was using her for but he seemed impatient. Mira had let down her guard and he thought that the best way to get to me was harming her. The bastard.


    Her lips trembled, but she bit down hard to stop it. I knew her too well. I knew the truth hit harder than she wanted to admit.


    I leaned in, close enough that my breath fanned her cheek. "But me, Mira? I¡¯m not letting you go. Not to him. Not to anyone. I won¡¯t let any harme to you."


    Her eyes snapped to mine, zing. "You don¡¯t get to make that choice."


    "Yes, I do." My hand slid to her jaw, forcing her to look at me. "Because whether you like it or not, you¡¯re my wife. And I don¡¯t share what¡¯s mine. I protect the ones I love with everything in me."


    She tried to shake me off, but I held steady. For a heartbeat, our eyes locked, her fury shing with the desperation I couldn¡¯t hide anymore.


    Then she whispered the words that gutted me. "You¡¯ll never understand, Jace. You can chain me to your side, you can lock me in your penthouse, but you¡¯ll never undo what your father did to mine. Never."


    The words hung heavy between us. Poison and truth wrapped together.


    I felt my grip falter, my chest tighten. For once, I had nothing to say. Nothing to fight back with. Because she was right.


    And maybe that was why I pressed my forehead to hers instead, shutting my eyes against the storm in hers. My voice came out raw, almost pleading. "Then hate me if you have to. But stay alive. Stay where I can see you."


    She exhaled shakily, but she didn¡¯t answer. Not with words. Just silence.


    And for me, silence was enough. At least for now.


    We pulled up to my penthouse minutester, the city sprawling below us in glittering lights. I parked, cut the engine, and sat there with my hands on the wheel. Mira stared straight ahead, refusing to look at me.


    I finally broke the quiet. "I¡¯ll deal with Massimo."


    Her head snapped toward me. "And then what? You kill him, and the cycle keeps going? Someone else steps in? How long until it¡¯s me caught in the crossfire again?"


    I turned to her, my expression hardening. "I don¡¯t care about the cycle. I care about you."


    Sheughed bitterly. "You don¡¯t know how to do that."


    That stung more than I wanted to admit. But instead of arguing, I got out of the car, came around, and opened her door. She hesitated, then stepped out, brushing past me without a nce.


    I watched her walk toward the elevators, every sway of her hips equal parts defiance and exhaustion.


    And I swore to myself quietly, and violently that I¡¯d burn Massimo Riardi¡¯s empire to the ground before I let him touch her again.


    That night, when she finally slipped into the guest bedroom and shut the door, I stood alone by the window of my penthouse, staring down at the city. My reflection stared back, gray eyes sharp, jaw clenched, haunted.


    I had faced enemies who¡¯d tried to gut me, betrayals that should have broken me. But nothing... absolutely nothing felt as dangerous as the way Mira¡¯s voice had cracked when she spoke of her father. The way she looked at me like I was both the devil who ruined her life and the only man who could keep her safe.


    I didn¡¯t know which truth would kill me first.


    But I knew this much: I wasn¡¯t letting her slip through my fingers again.


    Not to Massimo. Not to anyone.


    Even if it meant burning myself alive to keep her close.

 Chapter 112 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 112: 112 ~ Mira</h4>


    The guest room door clicked shut behind me, and for the first time all night, I was alone.


    I leaned against the door, fingers still trembling as they clutched the knob. The echo of what had happened only hours ago reyed in my head on a vicious loop. The men in my apartment. Their footsteps chasing me down the secret passageway. The way I had to hold my breath under the staircase, convinced it would be myst moment if they so much as turned their heads.


    It took meying on the bed in Jace¡¯s guestroom for the realization to fully dawn on me. I almost lost my life hours prior.


    I held my head in my hands as the tears stung my eyeballs and roll down my cheeks.


    I could¡¯ve died.


    The thought lodged itself in my chest, raw and sharp. I reallu could¡¯ve died tonight.


    I got up again and dropped my bag on the armchair and pressed my palms to my face, willing the tears back, but they betrayed me anyway. They came hot and fast, streaming down my cheeks as my knees gave out. I sank onto the edge of the bed, curling forward, shaking with sobs that felt years overdue.


    My entire life, I had been running. From the memory of my parents¡¯ blood on the floor. From the nightmares. From Jace. From Massimo. Every step forward had been survival, nothing more. But tonight, survival had almost failed me.


    I dragged in a breath that hurt. My chest felt caged, like the air couldn¡¯t reach deep enough. My hands dug into the sheets until the silk bunched beneath my fists.


    What if I hadn¡¯t made it out?


    What if the secret passage hadn¡¯t opened fast enough? What if I hadn¡¯t thought to duck under the staircase? What if those men had dragged me back to Massimo before I even realized what was happening?


    The thoughts swirled tirelessly in my mind. So many possibilities.


    My stomach turned violently, bile threatening to rise again.


    So I was disposable?


    The word scraped against my mind, cruel and urate. To him, I was nothing but leverage. And the second leverage became a liability, it was cut loose.


    I pressed a hand over my mouth to stop another sob from breaking out.


    The room swam in the dark, faint light spilling in from the city outside the tall windows. Los Angeles glittered, loud and alive, but all I could feel was dread. For the first time, I realized how thin the thread of my life really was.


    One wrong step. One wrong choice. And I would¡¯ve been gone.


    My hands went instinctively to my stomach. Empty. Still empty after all these years. I thought of the baby I had lost, the one whose heartbeat had been stolen before I even got to hold them. A different kind of grief pierced through me, sharp and merciless.


    If I had died tonight, it wouldn¡¯t have just been me. It would¡¯ve been everythin. Thest traces of my parents, the child I¡¯d never hold, the girl I used to be before all of this. All of it erased, like I never existed.


    I curled onto my side, dragging Jace¡¯s oversized jacket tighter around me. I still smelled him on it and I hated that it gave me even a shred offort.


    Because I should hate him.


    I did hate him.


    But tonight, when his arms had wrapped around me outside the hotel, when his voice had cracked as he told me not to scare him like that again, a part of me had felt safe.


    And I didn¡¯t know if that made me weak or simply human.


    "Stop it," I whispered to myself, squeezing my eyes shut. "Don¡¯t be stupid, Mira."


    Safe wasn¡¯t the same thing as free.


    With Jace, I wasn¡¯t free. I never had been. He had dragged me back into his orbit like I was still his possession, like he could hold me here and the world would bow to hismand. His words in the car still echoed in my head.


    God, the audacity of that man.


    And yet, my traitorous body still remembered what it felt like to lean into him. To breathe him in. To believe, just for a flicker of a second, that I didn¡¯t have to carry this alone anymore.


    I rolled onto my back, staring up at the ceiling. My tears had dried, leaving my face stiff and my throat was aching.


    I hated him.


    But I also needed him. That was the cruelest part of all this.


    Because tonight, when it really mattered, when I could¡¯ve lost everything, it wasn¡¯t Massimo who came. It wasn¡¯t my brother. It wasn¡¯t anyone else.


    It was Jace.


    And even though I wanted to scream at him, w at him, shove him out of my life forever, the truth lingered like smoke in my lungs.


    Part of me felt safer in his penthouse than I had in that apartment Massimo gave me.


    And that realization scared me more than the men who had tried to kill me.


    I turned to my side again, pulling the sheets over my head, curling into the smallest version of myself I could manage.


    ~


    Hours passed and the room was too quiet.


    That was the problem.


    I kept expecting to hear the creak of footsteps outside the door, the muffled thud of boots storming in, the chaos of being dragged away again. But the silence stretched, unbroken, until it became a sound of its own.


    Sleep wouldn¡¯te. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw shadows moving in the corners, heard the echo of boots against concrete, felt the weight of terror in my lungs all over again.


    I sat up, dragging the sheet tighter around me. My body was exhausted, but my mind was a battlefield.


    The knock was so soft I almost thought I imagined it.


    My heart skipped. I nced at the door. Another knock followed, firmer this time, but still careful like whoever stood there didn¡¯t want to scare me.


    "Mira."


    I heard his voice. It was low and raspy.


    For a long moment, I stayed frozen. I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to scream at him or let myself drown in thefort of that voice. Finally, I slid out of bed and opened the door.


    Jace stood there in sweatpants and a ck T-shirt, looking disheveled in a way that made my chest ache. His hair was tousled, shadows carved beneath his gray eyes. He hadn¡¯t slept either.


    <fn9abc> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on Find[?]ovel</fn9abc>


    "You should be resting," he said quietly, though the weight behind his words was more for himself than me.


    "I can¡¯t," I whispered back.


    He studied me for a beat, his gaze softening as it lingered on my face. Then, without asking, he stepped inside.


    The room shrank around him instantly. He carried his presence like a storm. It was loud even in silence, impossible to ignore. He leaned against the dresser, crossing his arms, but his eyes never left me.


    "You were shaking earlier," he said, voice low. "When I held you outside the hotel. I didn¡¯t like it."


    I let out a bitterugh. "Sorry for making you ufortable."


    His jaw ticked, but he didn¡¯t rise to the bait. "I just need to know you¡¯re okay."


    I hugged my arms around myself, staring at the floor. "I could¡¯ve died tonight, Jace."


    The words slipped out before I could stop them, raw and heavy. My throat tightened as I said them aloud, like speaking them made the terror real all over again. "If I hadn¡¯t found that passage... if they had caught me¡ª"


    "Mira." His voice snapped sharp, but not unkind. He pushed off the dresser, closing the space between us until he was standing just a foot away. "Don¡¯t. Don¡¯t finish that sentence."


    I lifted my chin, meeting his eyes. "It¡¯s the truth."


    His expression cracked then, pain shing across his face. "Do you have any idea what that thought does to me? That I almost lost you?"


    Something inside me wavered. He looked wrecked, stripped of all the armor he wore so easily. For once, he wasn¡¯t the Don. He was just Jace. And the raw honesty in his voice made it harder to breathe.


    But then I remembered. His world had put me in danger in the first ce. His father had destroyed my family. And no amount ofte-night softness could erase that.


    "I don¡¯t want to talk about this," I muttered, turning away.


    But Jace reached out, his fingers brushing my arm. I froze. His touch wasn¡¯t demanding this time. It was hesitant, almost fragile.


    "I couldn¡¯t sleep either," he admitted, voice low. " Not after seeing you like that."


    I pulled my arm free and wrapped my arms tighter around myself. "You shouldn¡¯t be here."


    "Maybe not." His voice softened. "But I am."


    Silence stretched between us. It was heavy and charged.


    Finally, I whispered, "I don¡¯t feel safe anymore."


    The confession cracked something open inside me. My voice trembled, but the words spilled anyway.


    Jace¡¯s face hardened, his jaw clenching, his eyes burning with something fierce. "As long as I¡¯m breathing, Mira, nothing will happen to you. Not ever again."


    I almostughed, but the sound died in my throat. Because he wasn¡¯t lying. He meant it. He would burn down cities to keep me alive.


    But keeping me alive wasn¡¯t the same thing as giving me freedom.


    And I couldn¡¯t let myself forget that.


    I turned back toward the bed, too tired to argue anymore. "Go to sleep, Jace. We both need it."


    But when Iy down, I heard his footsteps linger. Felt his eyes on me, even through the dark.


    And then, quietly, I felt the mattress dip.


    He didn¡¯t touch me. Didn¡¯t cross the invisible line between us. But he sat there, close enough that I could feel the heat of him, steady and grounding.


    We stayed like that for a long time. Two insomniacs, haunted by shadows, bound by something neither of us wanted to name.


    Eventually, my eyelids grew heavy. Thest thing I heard was his voice, low and rough, barely a whisper.


    "I can¡¯t lose you, Mira. Not again."


    And for the first time that night, I let myself drift off.

 Chapter 113 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 113: 113 ~ Mira</h4>


    The smell of coffee was the first thing that coaxed me awake. It wafted into my nostrils so easily.


    For a moment, I thought I was back in Lisbon, in my little apartment above the bakery where mornings always smelled like roasted beans and fresh bread. But then my eyes cracked open, and reality crashed in.


    This wasn¡¯t Lisbon. It was Jace¡¯s penthouse that was absurdly perfect with floor-to-ceiling windows, marble floors, and a view of Los Angeles that reminded you just how small you really were.


    I groaned, dragging a pillow over my face. Maybe if I hid under it long enough, the world would forget I was here.


    "Mira."


    The pillow was pulled away, and I squinted against the light only to find Jace standing over me, looking infuriatinglyposed for this early hour. He had the nerve to look casual in a white shirt, sleeves rolled, cor undone. Like he hadn¡¯t just dragged me halfway across the city in the middle of the night and vowed to burn the world down in my name.


    I wouldn¡¯t lie, that was hot.


    "I made breakfast."


    I blinked at him. "You?"


    A slow smirk curved his mouth. "Yes, me. Is that so hard to believe?"


    I sat up, hair tumbling around my face, and gave him my best unimpressed look. "You don¡¯t strike me as the kind of man who knows where the kitchen is in his own house."


    He chuckled low in his chest. "Maybe I like surprising you."


    I muttered something under my breath about men who thought they were mysterious and dragged myself out of bed. The silk robe I¡¯d thrown onst night after I felt ufortable in my clothes and his jacket, slid over my skin as I walked barefoot after him.


    The kitchen was spotless. Not a single dish out of ce. Which meant either he¡¯d been meticulous or someone else had already cleaned up. Still, there was food on the table¡ªpancakes, eggs, fruit, and two mugs of steaming coffee.


    There was no way he could convince me that he made any of this.


    "Okay," I said slowly, sliding into a chair. "I¡¯ll admit, I wasn¡¯t expecting this."


    He set a te in front of me like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Eat."


    I arched a brow, ready to be mad at him. "You don¡¯t get to kidnap me, hover outside my hotel, and then act like you¡¯re my husband serving me breakfast."


    One corner of his mouth tugged upward. "I am your husband."


    I rolled my eyes and stabbed a piece of pancake with my fork. "Not for long."


    The smirk didn¡¯t leave his face, his eyes flickered. I ignored it, shoving the bite into my mouth. To my surprise, it was good. Really good.


    I froze mid-chew, ring at him. "Don¡¯t tell me you actually cooked this."


    He leaned back in his chair, sipping his coffee like some smug magazine model. "What do you think?"


    "I think you brought your chef in at six in the morning and took credit for it."


    Heughed, a deep, genuine sound that warmed ces inside me I didn¡¯t want warmed. "You wound me, Mira. Just eat."


    We fell into silence for a few minutes, the clink of cutlery filling the air. And for the first time in days, the world didn¡¯t feel like it was spinning out of control. It was normal. Almost painfully so.


    "You know," I said, cutting into my pancakes, "you¡¯re not nearly as terrifying when you¡¯re pouring syrup."


    Jace¡¯s lips curved again. "Don¡¯t spread that around. It¡¯ll ruin my reputation."


    I snorted into my coffee.


    For a moment, we were just two people at breakfast. Not a Don and his runaway wife. Not a woman caught between revenge and desire. Just Mira and Jace. And I hated how easy it was to slip into that, how natural it felt to sit here with him like this was our routine.


    When I set my fork down, I realized he was watching me. Not in his usual calcted, predatory way, but softer. Thoughtful.


    "What?" I asked, heat creeping up my neck.


    "Nothing," he said smoothly, though his gaze lingered. "It¡¯s just...you look like you belong here."


    I scoffed, standing and pushing my chair back a little too forcefully. "Don¡¯t start."


    But his smile didn¡¯t fade, and as I walked away with my coffee in hand, I hated that a small, treacherous part of me almost agreed.


    The silence after breakfast lingered in the air, soft and almost delicate, as though even the walls of the penthouse didn¡¯t want to disturb it. I had settled into the arm of the couch with my coffee, trying to pretend like this wasn¡¯t strange, that it was just another morning in another life where things hadn¡¯t gone so catastrophically wrong.


    Jace stood at the window, coffee mug in hand, his broad shoulders outlined against the sunlight pouring through the ss. For a moment, he didn¡¯t look like a Don or a man who terrified half of Los Angeles. He just looked... normal. Too normal. And maybe that was why my chest felt tight, because I couldn¡¯t decide if I hated him more when he was ruthless or when he was this calm, steady and dangerously human.


    When he turned back, his gaze found me instantly, like it always did, as though the room could be filled with hundreds of people and I would still be the only one he saw. He set his cup down on the coffee table and came closer, his steps unhurried, his expression unreadable.


    "I have something for you," he finally said quietly.


    I frowned. "What now? Another dress? Shoes? Diamonds to keep me quiet?"


    A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it wasn¡¯t smug. It wasn¡¯t mocking. It was almost nostalgic. Without answering, he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket. His fingers curled around something small before he brought it out and slowly opened his palm.


    My breath caught.


    The ne.


    A delicate chain with a small pink pendant that glittered faintly in the light. My ne. The one I had left behind in that hospital room all those years ago, when I walked away from him and didn¡¯t look back.


    I stared at it like it might burn me. My throat tightened, and I hated the sting in my eyes. "You kept it?"


    His jaw flexed, and he stepped closer until he was standing right in front of me. "Of course, I kept it. You think I¡¯d let go of the only piece of you I had left?"


    I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths. "Jace..."


    "Turn around," he murmured. His voice was low, gentle in a way I wasn¡¯t used to from him. It was the kind of voice that slipped past my defenses before I could stop it.


    I hesitated, every instinct telling me to push him away, to tell him I didn¡¯t want it, that the past should stay buried. But my body betrayed me, and I found myself slowly turning so my back was to him.


    His fingers brushed against my neck as he swept my hair aside, and I couldn¡¯t stop the shiver that ran down my spine. He sped the ne around me with a precision that spoke of practice, of memory. And when his hands lingered just a second longer against my skin, I felt the years between us copse into nothing.


    "This belonged here," he whispered, his breath warm against the shell of my ear. "Always did."


    I closed my eyes, fighting the war raging inside me. Memories surged in that moment. The way he used to trace this very chain while kissing me, the way it used to tangle in his fingers when he pulled me closer. It was unbearable, the way something so small could unravel me sopletely.


    When I turned back to face him, he was already too close. His gray eyes were locked on mine, unyielding but softened in a way that made me want to scream. His gaze dipped, settling on my mouth, and my heart lurched into my throat.


    The air between us grew heavy, charged with everything unsaid. His hand lifted, his knuckles grazing my jaw, tilting my face ever so slightly. My lips parted without permission, my body traitorous in anticipation.


    He leaned in, and for a split second, I let myself believe it. Believe in the possibility that we could kiss and it would erase the bitterness, the years, the bad blood between us.


    <fn0f2e> Newest update provided by F¦Énd£Îovel</fn0f2e>


    Just then, the sharp vibration of his phone shattered the moment.


    Jace froze, his forehead pressing against mine for a heartbeat before he pulled back with a muttered curse. His jaw tightened as he pulled the device from his pocket, the spell broken, reality snapping back into ce like a whip.


    I stepped away quickly, putting distance between us, clutching the pendant at my throat as if it might anchor me. My heart pounded, my lips tingled, and I hated myself for almost letting it happen. Again.


    He nced at the screen, his expression darkening. Whoever was on the other end wasn¡¯t just anyone. I could tell by the way his grip tightened around the phone.


    "Mira," he said, his voice taut, controlled. "We¡¯ll talkter."


    But my chest still heaved, my pulse still raced, and I wasn¡¯t sure ifter woulde without destroying us both.

 Chapter 114 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 114: 114 ~ Jace</h4>


    Walking into the cold office, bloodshed was the only thing on my mind.


    Murdering Massimo was one thing I¡¯d always wanted to do but him trying to touch my wife intensified that urge.


    The room was already filled with some of my men, Tomas leaning against the edge of the desk with his usual calm face, Dario flipping through a file. A few others stood at attention. All eyes turned to me when I entered, and silence nketed the room like smoke. They could feel the storm I was carrying inside.


    "He really tried to kill Mira?" Tomas asked in disbelief, breaking the tense silence that enveloped the room since I walked in.


    My lips fell into a grim line at the reminder. "The bastard did. And I¡¯m not going to let him get away with it."


    I¡¯d be damned before I let someone who tried to hurt Mira go scot free.


    "Updates," I barked, shrugging out of my jacket and tossing it across the chair.


    Tomas straightened. "Massimo hasn¡¯t been seen since the charity event. But his men have been active. There¡¯s chatter about shipments moving through Long Beach under his cover."


    I smirked coldly. "So the bastard thinks he can run business on my turf while eyeing what¡¯s mine?"


    <fn13b3> Readplete version only at find(?)ovel</fn13b3>


    Dario cleared his throat carefully. "You sure this isn¡¯t about Mira more than it¡¯s about Massimo¡¯s operations?"


    I turned my gaze on him, slow and dangerous. "Everything is about Mira. You think I¡¯d waste my time worrying about his petty businesses if it weren¡¯t for him putting his filthy hands near her?"


    He shut his mouth quickly.


    I leaned forward, palms t on the desk. "We¡¯re not just killing him. We¡¯re gutting his empire first. Every man loyal to him will learn what loyalty costs when you cross me."


    A ripple of unease moved across the room. Tomas was the only one who met my eyes. "We¡¯ll need to move carefully, boss. He¡¯ll expect you to strike first, and if you go in too hot, you risk¡ª"


    "Risk what?" I snapped. "Losing her again?" My voice rose, sharper than I intended. "I already lost her once, Tomas. I¡¯m not gambling with her safety again. If Massimo wants a war, I¡¯ll bring him hell."


    The silence after my words was heavy. Even Tomas had no smart response this time.


    I exhaled, pacing toward the window. The skyline glowed back at me, Los Angeles spread out like a kingdom I owned, but none of it mattered when I pictured Massimo¡¯s smug face anywhere near Mira.


    The image twisted something in my chest. For years, I¡¯d forced myself to believe I could live without her. That I could bury myself in power, in empire-building, in women whose names I never cared to remember. But seeing her again, hearing her voice, tasting her lips, it undid me. And the thought of anyone else touching her? That was enough to make me want to burn the whole city down.


    I turned back to them. "Find me his weak spots. His warehouses, his money men, his lieutenants. I want one brought here by the end of tonight."


    "Yes, boss," Tomas said, already pulling out his phone.


    "Everyone else, get out." My tone left no room for argument. They filed out quickly, leaving only Tomas. He gave me onest cautious look, like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it.


    When the door shut, I let myself fall into the chair, rubbing a hand over my face. Rage still pulsed in my veins, but beneath it was something darker. Fear.


    What if Mira chose him? What if all this time apart had hardened her against me so much that she saw Massimo as the safer option? The thought alone felt like a knife twisting in my chest.


    The door creaked open, and one of my guards shoved a man inside. Bloodied, wrists tied. One of Massimo¡¯s low-level soldiers. He hit the floor with a grunt, groaning in pain.


    "Boss, caught him sniffing around one of our warehouses."


    I dismissed the guard with a flick of my hand. My gaze fell on the man, trembling at my feet. He already knew his fate, but fear didn¡¯t buy mercy here.


    "Tell me something useful," I said, my was voice low and even, "and I¡¯ll make this quick."


    "I¡ªI don¡¯t know anything!" he stammered.


    Wrong answer.


    I dragged my chair forward and crouched in front of him, close enough for him to see the truth in my eyes. "Then you¡¯re useless. And you know what I do with useless men?"


    He whimpered. "Please-"


    I didn¡¯t give him the chance. A sharp twist of my hand, the crack of bone, and his scream filled the room. I shoved him back, watching the terror in his eyes.


    "Talk," I ordered, my voice cutting through his cries.


    Between sobs, he spilled fragments. A location. A name. Something about a deal happening in the desert outskirts. I absorbed every word, filing it away forter. When I was done, I stood and wiped my hands like he was dirt under my nails.


    "You did your part," I said, almost bored. "Now, so will I."


    The gunshot echoed in the empty office, and the silence that followed was heavier than before.


    I poured myself a drink, ignoring the corpse on the floor. My thoughts had already drifted back to Mira. To her stubborn eyes when she defied me, to the way her body fit against mine even when she swore she hated me.


    She had been in the guest roomst night, quiet, distant. But I knew her mind was running wild. She¡¯d never say it, but I could feel it that she was shaken. She almost lost her life because of this game between me and Massimo. And whether she admitted it or not, she came to me. She stayed. That was more than enough.


    I finished my drink in one gulp.


    Massimo Riardi wanted to y games? Fine. I¡¯d y. But I¡¯d end it on my terms, with his empire in ashes and his body in the ground.


    And maybe then Mira would finally see what I already knew.


    That she was mine whether she believed it or not.


    Forever.

 Chapter 115 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 115: 115 ~ Mira</h4>


    I felt trapped in this space but at least I was safe. That was how I consoled myself every time the thought of going outside crossed my mind.


    I had not seen Jace since he stepped out in the morning. The silence in the penthouse was suffocating. The only noise was that of the cars honking on outside and asionally the television in the living room when I felt like watching something. I couldn¡¯t concentrate so I always turned it off after a few minutes.


    My fingers curled tighter around the pendant of the ne he¡¯d sped around my neck at breakfast. I held it like a lifeline, as if the little charm could anchor me when my thoughts tried to scatter.


    The ne shouldn¡¯t mean anything. It was just a piece of jewelry, something I¡¯d abandoned years ago in a hospital bed when I ran from him and everything he was. But he had kept it. All these years, he had kept it, and when he ced it back around my neck, it had been like a shackle and a memory all at once.


    I hated that it made my heart race. Hated that it made my throat tighten.


    Because what kind of person holds onto something like this? A man who doesn¡¯t let go. A man who doesn¡¯t forgive. A man who ims, even without words, that what was once his will always be his.


    Or a man who loves... me.


    My breath hitched at the thought.


    I rose from the couch and wandered to the floor-to-ceiling windows. Los Angeles stretched endlessly before me, glittering and alive. It should have looked beautiful. It should have reminded me of freedom, of possibilities, of anything other than this gilded cage. But instead, all I saw were threats lurking in every shadow.


    Massimo¡¯s men. The betrayal. The way I had almost been caught, almost been dragged into God knows what fate if I hadn¡¯t escaped.


    My hand shook as I touched the ss.


    This was trauma.


    I hadn¡¯t heard from him yet but I was sure he was plotting something.


    It was easy to lie to myself here, wrapped in Jace¡¯s fortress, but the truth was clear. I could have died. The image reyed in my head every time I closed my eyes¡ªthe footsteps thundering after me, the door creaking, the suffocating terror that my next breath would be myst.


    I swallowed hard, pressing the pendant to my lips as though it could silence the memory.


    "Get it together," I whispered.


    But even whispering didn¡¯t steady me.


    I went to the kitchen, poured myself a ss of water, and sat at the counter, staring into nothing. Hours ticked by. Still no Jace. Still no footsteps, no shadow of him moving through the penthouse. And the longer he stayed away, the more I wondered what he was doing.


    Killing someone? Plotting Massimo¡¯s downfall? Making ns I didn¡¯t want to know about?


    Or maybe... maybe he was avoiding me.


    The thought left a bitter taste in my mouth. For all his insistence that I belonged here, to him, he had a way of disappearing when I needed him to face the wreckage between us. He was there when it suited him, gone when it didn¡¯t. That was Jace Romano¡ªDon, king, tyrant.


    <fn1558> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n Find¡ïNovel</fn1558>


    I sighed and set the ss down. My reflection caught in the marble surface, pale and strained, and I almost didn¡¯t recognize myself. I was bing someone I didn¡¯t like: cornered, dependent, constantly watching the door like a prisoner waiting for her captor.


    I hated that this was what safety looked like.


    The front door clicked open. My body stiffened instinctively, heart lurching into my throat. Then came the sound of footsteps¡ªmeasured, heavy, familiar.


    Jace.


    Relief crashed through me, unwee but undeniable.


    I stood as he came into view, his suit immacte as always, but there was something darker in the set of his jaw, something dangerous in his eyes. He looked like he¡¯d just walked out of a war zone and left bodies behind.


    Our gazes locked, and for a moment neither of us said a word.


    "You didn¡¯t eat," he said finally, eyes flicking to the untouched te on the dining table.


    The chef had made lunch for me and I told her I would eatter. But it was hours now.


    "I wasn¡¯t hungry." My voice was steady, though my grip on the pendant betrayed me.


    He studied me, his silence thicker than any usation. Then he crossed the room, each step deliberate, closing the distance until he stood in front of me. His hand lifted, brushing the ne between his fingers, and my breath caught.


    "You¡¯re still wearing it," he murmured. There was a tinge of excitement in his tone. It was very subtle but it was there.


    He probably expected me to take it off after he left.


    "It doesn¡¯t mean what you think it does," I shot back quickly, even though the words tasted like lies.


    They were lies.


    His lips curved in the faintest hint of a smirk, but there was no humor in it. "Doesn¡¯t it?"


    I looked away, forcing myself not to crumble under the weight of his stare. "You can¡¯t keep me here forever, Jace. I¡¯m going to have to leave at some point."


    He tilted his head like a predator studying prey. "Maybe not forever. But for now, you¡¯re safer here than anywhere else. You know it, Mira. You felt it the second they came for you."


    My throat tightened. He wasn¡¯t wrong, and that was the worst part. He wasn¡¯t wrong.


    "Safe doesn¡¯t mean free," I whispered.


    His smirk faded, his expression hardening. "And freedom doesn¡¯t mean alive."


    The truth of that hit me square in the chest, knocking the wind out of me. I wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong, but the memory of footsteps chasing me through the dark passage held my tongue.


    Instead, I turned away, breaking eye contact before I lost myself in those stormy gray eyes.


    Silence filled the space again, heavy, charged.


    And for the first time since stepping into his penthouse, I admitted to myself that maybe, just maybe, safety and freedom couldn¡¯t exist together. Not for me. Not here. Not with Jace Romano.

 Chapter 116 ~ Narrator’s voice

    <h4>Chapter 116: 116 ~ Narrator¡¯s voice</h4>


    ~Somewhere in Los Angeles.~


    When the news reached Massimo about the death of one of his men by the hand of Jace Romano, he was unfazed by it.


    Death was one of those things that came with the job description. But when he found out Jace had his men intercept his shipment at Long Beach, he was infuriated.


    All this over a woman? Massimo scoffed. It was shameful. But he hade to realize that Mira was Jace¡¯s weakness. He had wanted to exploit that leverage but the silly girl was no different from her husband - utterly smitten even when she did not want to admit it to herself. It was way too obvious.


    He didn¡¯t n on killing Mira. Well at least not immediately. He wanted her to locked up and tortured until Jace would give up the ownership of that document. If she died eventually, it would have been his cross to carry (Jace).


    Massimo had underestimated Mira¡¯s survival skills. He didn¡¯t expect her to escape his men so easily. However he realized how dumb they were when they returned to him emptyhanded. The audacity.


    He shoved the cigarette into the ash tray and left it there.


    "Any sight of her?" He asked yet again.


    "She¡¯s stuck in Don Romano¡¯s penthouse."


    His face dimmed. The security was as tight as the whitehouse. But then even the whitehouse could be infiltrated with the right means and a solid n. The only thing was he did not have the time.


    After a moment of pondering on his next move, he finally spoke up;


    "I need a list of his enemies. He needs to go down one way or the other,"


    And if that involved him asking for help, he would lower his pride and do just that.


    <fn2cae> Fresh chapters posted on find?novel</fn2cae>


    ~


    ~Romano estate, New York.~


    Donna Carm could not understand the sinking feeling in her chest.


    Her son was a grown man. She couldn¡¯t baby him or monitor his every move especially because he was as stubborn as a mule. However, she had heard whisperings of an impending war.


    She had been able to hold off the Castillos and things had died down but Mira¡¯s return stirred things up again. Why couldn¡¯t they just fix their issues and live in peace at least?


    Jace was out there fighting the world for her and fighting her for her affection. He needed a break.


    When was he ever going to rest?


    She walked towards therge framed photograph in her study. Don Vittorio.


    Vittorio, her love...


    It had been fifteen years since he passed. It felt so long ago but at the same time it felt like fifteen days.


    He wasn¡¯t what the younglings would think of as the ideal husband. He was rough, tough and immune to sentimentality but somehow that had attracted her to him even more when her parents had given her to him. Their marriage was arranged but over time, it bloomed into a union that could be broken by death.


    She missed his hands and how they used to handle her on the days he wanted her. No man had been able to replicate that. Not the younger man who piqued her interest and especially not the older one that smelled of garlic.


    Donna Carm chuckled at the thought of Jace finding out about her little escapades. Maybe he already knew but didn¡¯t want to say anything.


    Her smile disappeared when her eyes fell on another picture.


    When Ro, her second son died in a bloody shootout right next to his father, it broke her beyond what words could exin. But she had to pretend to be strong. No one wanted to see a weak Donna. How would she be able to raise a Don with her only surviving son if she showed weakness?


    When Jace stepped into the position, she was well aware he wasn¡¯t ready for it. Yes, he had been training for years. His father never let him catch a break. But nothing could have prepared either of them for the loss of both family members in one day.


    When he came home from the warehouse that fateful day, she saw it in his eyes that her son had be broken, probably beyond repair. There was no going back.


    She remembered scooping him up, away from the prying eyes of the sympathizers. Their scrutiny was obvious.


    They had written him off immediately. And all these yearster, he was still standing. His methods were...different from his father. But he got the job done and that was all that mattered.


    Besides, in thest fifteen years, he had tripled the worth of the Romano empire, retiring her quite early. That was no easy feat.


    Now all she needed was a grandchild and it would all feelplete.


    Well, at least to an extent.


    She knew exactly what to do about that.


    ~~~


    ~Rome, Italy.~


    Enzo and Ricardo weren¡¯t very good at epting defeat.


    Jace had been sessful with consistently thwarting their ns to overthrow him.


    The Romano bloodline had a curse. And the curse was that it devoured itself.


    Enzo knew it. Ricardo knew it. And Jacopo, arrogant bastard that he was, refused to believe it.


    The father and son sat in the dim backroom of a cigar lounge in downtown Rome, Italy. They were away from the glitz of the penthouse towers Jacopo loved to haunt. Italy was home and safe from the Don¡¯s eagle-like gaze in his American territory. Enzo leaned back in his chair, a ss of grappa in one hand, his sharp eyes fixed on the man across from him.


    Ricardo, older but not still not softer, toyed with the gold ring on his finger, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.


    "He thinks he¡¯s untouchable," Enzo muttered, blowing smoke toward the ceiling. "Expanding in LA like he hasn¡¯t made enemies on both coasts."


    Ricardo chuckled, low and bitter. "Our dear Don Jacopo. Always ying king. But even kings bleed."


    The truth was, they had tried. For months they had set fires under his empire, smuggling routes sabotaged, warehouses raided, men paid off. But every time, Jace had put the mes out before they could burn. He was efficient, ruthless and unpredictable. They underestimated him for sure.


    Ricardo set his drink down with a sharp clink. "We underestimated him. He¡¯s more like Vittorio than we care to admit."


    That name of the old Don, their brother and uncle respectively hung between them like a ghost. He was a ghost.


    Enzo¡¯s jaw tightened. "That¡¯s exactly why he has to fall. He¡¯s turning into the same monster. And we both know this family won¡¯t survive another reign like that."


    Silence followed. It was the kind that meant agreement without words.


    It was then Enzo¡¯s phone buzzed against the table. An international number. He frowned, picked it up, and read the name shing across the screen.


    Massimo Riardi.


    Ricardo arched a brow. "That vulture?"


    Enzo didn¡¯t answer at once. He epted the call and put it on speaker.


    "Gentlemen," Massimo¡¯s smooth, ented voice spilled into the room. Too smooth, too calm. "I hear you¡¯ve been trying to clip Romano¡¯s wings. How¡¯s that working out for you?"


    Ricardo chuckled humorlessly. "Better than you think, boy. But worse than we hoped."


    Massimoughed, a dark, amused sound. "You¡¯ve learned the same lesson I have. Jace Romano doesn¡¯t die easy. But he bleeds. I¡¯ve seen it myself. What you need, - what we all need - is to stop ying alone. A single knife won¡¯t kill him. But three?"


    Enzo¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Why now?"


    "Because he¡¯s distracted," Massimo said smoothly. "Because Mira is back. And because he¡¯s arrogant enough to think he can have it all - her, his empire, his peace. That arrogance will be his undoing. But only if we¡¯re smart enough to strike together."


    Enzo and Ricardo exchanged a look across the table. There was history in that look. It was resentment, ambition, blood all at once. They¡¯d hated Massimo¡¯s family for decades. But hate was different from strategy.


    "And what¡¯s in it for you?" Ricardo asked.


    "The same thing you want," Massimo answered without hesitation. "To watch him fall. To take what he loves most. To strip him of everything until he begs for death."


    The silence that followed wasn¡¯t rejection. It was calction.


    Finally, Enzo leaned forward, a slow smile curving his lips. "We¡¯ll hear you out, Riardi. But betray us, and you won¡¯t live long enough to regret it."


    Massimo chuckled again. "Then we understand each other perfectly."


    The line went dead, but the echo of his voice lingered.


    Enzo swirled the grappa in his ss, thoughtful. "Three knives, papa. Maybe this time, we¡¯ll make him bleed for good."


    ~


    And while all these went on behind his back, Jacey peacefully in the arms of the one woman that could make him lose every form ofposure and carefulness over years of training.


    He lived and breathed her.


    She consumed his entire being .


    And while she fought her own feelings, she knew that he was it for her.


    There was no one else that could make her burn and yearn like she had been doing ever since the first time they met.


    It wasplicated, messy and dangerous.


    But they would not have it any other way.

 Chapter 117 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 117: 117 ~ Mira</h4>


    Jace was in a mood.


    I walked into his room and found him just sitting there, staring into space.


    I hesitated for a bit before eventually asking him what was wrong.


    He showed me a stiff grin. "I¡¯m fine."


    "You don¡¯t look okay." I said, scanning his features.


    I cared too much about him but today I couldn¡¯t help it.


    "You¡¯d probably get mad if I tell you what it is." He said.


    "Well?" I insisted after several beats of silence.


    I watched him swallow, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing up and down.


    "It¡¯s been fifteen years since my father died."


    I felt my blood run cold.


    Don Vittorio. The man whose face I had struggled to remember every time I saw his photograph. Not until the secret was revealed to me by Massimo.


    It had been fifteen years since the man who murdered my father right before my eyes met his own death. How nice.


    I stared at Jace but I wasn¡¯t seeing him. All I could see was his father¡¯s face as the scenario reyed itself in my eyes.


    <i>~shback~</i>


    <i>My mother and father were arguing. It was so intense, my little mind struggled to understand what was going on. But they had been arguing often and it usually ended with my mother in tears and my father storming away. </i>


    <i>On this unfortunate night, I was crouched over the coffee table in our tiny living room next to my brother as we did some homework. The yelling began again but it was shrill this time.</i>


    <i>When my father came out, there was a bag hung over his shoulder. He was in a hurry. He was trying to escape. I saw the urgency in his movements.</i>


    <i>He came to my brother and I and gave us hugs. He ced kisses on our foreheads, then he told us he loved us.</i>


    <i>But just as he was about to leave, they stormed in. </i>


    <i>The screams started again. I saw my mother beg on her knees.</i>


    <i>My father stood like a soldier ready to ept his fate. </i>


    <i>There was something the man in front said. I couldn¡¯t fully understand it because it was Italian.</i>


    <i>Then he nced at me. I held my brother as he hid has face in my chest, shivering. </i>


    <i>I met his eyes.</i>


    <i>Maybe I was imagining it but there was a flicker of warmth in there. Like he almost reconsidered what he was there to do. He lowered his gun for a second.</i>


    <i>I was almost relieved. </i>


    <i>That was when the worst happened.</i>


    <i>My father, in a fit of rage or maybe in a bid to escapeunched towards him him and...</i>


    <i>Bang! Bang! Bang!</i>


    <i>Three shots straight to my father¡¯s chest. </i>


    <i>Blood sshes everywhere and a guttural scream from my mother who had gotten shot in the arm by one of the men by his side. </i>


    <i>They left almost immediately after. </i>


    <i>I stood there and watched my father take hisst breath, unable to move. </i>


    <i>It felt like an out of body experience. Like someone had just yed out a movie right in front of me.</i>


    <i>But this was no movie. It was my life.</i>


    <i>The life of a little girl that was ruined forever. </i>


    <i>~shback Over~</i>


    My breath hitched as I came back to reality.


    My brother was too young to understand but those memories had imprinted themselves in my mind. I only kept them buried.


    I hid them so well it was almost like I had forgotten what made me Mira. Mirabel bore too much aches so when I was taken to the orphanage home with my brother after our mother passed, for everyone that asked, I was Mira.


    Too bad Mirabel was already in my records.


    Snap out of it, Mira. I said in my thoughts.


    I sat there and fought back the tears that stung my eyes.


    "Come here," Jace¡¯s voice was heavy with emotion.


    Before I could stop it, I let myself be pulled into his arms as heforted me.


    He was the one who was supposed to be grieving. How did I make it about me all of a sudden?


    "I¡¯m sorry."


    I was quiet for a bit before speaking again. "What are you apologizing for, Jace?"


    He swallowed. I starednguidly at how his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down.


    "Everything."


    I forced a smile, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill out of my eyes.


    Then I nodded. I nodded like I understood what that one word meant. Did it make me feel better? Maybe not but I appreciated the slight numbness it seeped into the pain that clouded my chest.


    "Would you tell me why you married me now?"


    His thumb trailed circles on my bare back as he intertwined his fingers on the ropes that held my top together.


    "I need to show you something." He finally said.


    "What is it?"


    He moved away from me and I immediately missed his warmth.


    I watched as he opened a hidden drawer underneath his bed.


    He took out a finely embroidered box, opened it and brought something out of it.


    That envelope...


    It looked familiar. It was the exact one he took out of my hands when I snooped around his home office back in New York few years ago.


    "What is it?" I asked as he handed it to me.


    "A letter."


    "For me?"


    "For both of us, I guess."


    "From your father?" I asked.


    "Yes."


    "And you hid it from me?"


    He was silent for a bit before he exhaled.


    "Just open it, Mira."


    Slowly, I opened the brown piece of paper. The cursive handwriting was familiar.


    It read thus;


    ¡¯<i>Jacopo,</i>


    <i>I write this to you because I fear that death is upon me. </i>


    <i>I am a man who has known war, pain, bloodshed and death. But never guilt for my dealings. Worse still - regret. </i>


    <i>Except for one experience....</i>


    <i>It was April, 2006.</i>


    <i>Guiletta hade to me crying about a man who had broken her heart. He was married and had toyed with her. </i>


    <i>A true Romano never lets anyone hurt their own. I have taught you this.</i>


    <i>But I was a Don blinded by rage. So I took it up and had threats sent to him. He seemed unfazed by it.</i>


    <i>I wanted to let it go but Giuletta wanted blood.</i>


    <i>So I let her make me hunt him down. I monitored his every move. I knew he was about to escape and that was when I went to finish up what started months before.</i>


    <i>He was one courageous man. He had no fear. </i>


    <i>When I entered his home that night and saw the two young children there, I had a rethink.</i>


    <i>The innocent little girl that stared up at me with fire in her eyes but a plea nheless caught my attention. </i>


    <i>As a family man myself, I thought to let him off with a warning. I nned to tell my sister that I had finished him up. She would definitely have believed me.</i>


    <i>But just as I was thinking of leaving, he brought out a knife and lurched at me. I pulled the trigger before I could stop myself. It was as easy as drinking water. </i>


    <i>I watched him fall to the floor as the bullets hit his chest. It was toote. </i>


    <i>One of my men stupidly shot at his wife too. I killed him after we left. He was supposed to follow instructions.</i>


    <i>It was supposed to be an easy in and out. But for days after that, the guilt settled in my chest. It was unlike something I had ever felt. </i>


    <i>I kept a close eye on the family. My guilt intensified when I realized that his wife never recovered from the shock of losing her husband and died a yearter.</i>


    <i>I couldn¡¯t outrightly take the children under my wing so I took care of them anonymously.</i>


    <i>I write this to you because I have made a vow to myself that that little girl is going to be your wife-"</i>


    I crumpled the piece of paper just then. I didn¡¯t have it me to read any further.


    "Mira..."


    "Don¡¯t say anything." I managed to speak after several beats of silence.


    The tears I had been holding back all this time poured down my cheeks in their torrents.


    "It was all a lie?" I asked rhetorically. The answer was obvious.


    Everything I had known this marriage to be was one big fat lie. A facade used to cage me.


    So all this time that I thought the universe saw through my pain and sent random help from strangers after my parents passed, my brother and I were someone¡¯s redemption cause?


    "Mira-"


    "Don¡¯t." I said through gritted teeth. "Don¡¯t even think about touching me Jacopo."


    This was the first time I would call him that. It sounded strange even to my ears and tasted weird on my tongue.


    His jaw clenched.


    "Your father died fifteen years ago," I started off, swallowing the painful lump in my throat.


    He was quiet so I continued.


    "My father was killed three years before. So how long have you had this letter?"


    "It was given to me by my mother on the day my father was buried. It was supposed to be a gift for mying of age ceremony but he was gone before then."


    "So you¡¯ve known about this for so long and every time I asked you, you hid it from me?"


    I felt rage burn through my bones as I got on my feet and faced him squarely.


    "I didn¡¯t know how to tell you, Mira."


    "You¡¯re despicable!" I spat.


    He shut his eyes and exhaled.


    "Perdonami, amore mio," he said.(Forgive me, my love.)


    The shakiness in his voice did something to my chest I couldn¡¯t exin.


    The sobs that had been bubbling in my throat broke out and he scooped me up in his arms before I could fall to the ground.


    <fnf210> Follow current nov?ls on find?novel</fnf210>


    I stayed there and wept.


    When he joined his forehead to mine, I saw his own tears too. They cascaded down his face looking foreign to his stoic features that I had gotten used to over the years.


    Then and there, it registered more than ever that this man was human too. No matter what he tried to portray to the world out there, he let himself be vulnerable with me. And I didn¡¯t know what to do with it.

 Chapter 118 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 118: 118 ~ Mira</h4>


    There was an event in New York tomemorate his death. The death of the man who had murdered my father in cold blood, pushed my mother into near insanity until she tragically passed a yearter leaving me and my brother to fend for ourselves at such a young age.


    Yes I had just found out he helped us in different ways before he passed and even afterwards through his son but it didn¡¯t exactly erase the damage of his revtion.


    My father had an affair with Jace¡¯s aunt. I was still trying to wrap my head around that.


    I thought of calling my brother to tell him everything but some conversations were better had in person.


    I was going to tell him when I saw him. When would that be? I wasn¡¯t sure yet.


    "Ready?" Jace¡¯s voice cut through my thoughts.


    I nodded.


    "It¡¯s totally understandable if you don¡¯t want toe with me, Mira. You¡¯re safe here."


    I shook my head slowly. "No. I need the trip."


    I want to be with you, I almost said. But I could never bring myself to voice that aloud because we were on shaky ground. I didn¡¯t know where we stood anymore. At least for now.


    All I knew was that we were two broken people that found our way to each other in the most unlikely way.


    Bags packed, the helps rolled our suitcases out as we made it to the car downstairs that would take us to the hangar.


    The ride was filled with silence. Our minds were taken over by things words could not fully describe.


    When we boarded the flight and took off, we made small talk despite the fact that there was underlying tension between us.


    When I felt a bit cold as the air conditioner pressed through my lounge wear, he took off his jacket and put it around me.


    He made me sit beside him as he pulled me close. I sank into his warmth.


    Regardless of the deepcutting silence and tension between us, he still wanted to take care of me.


    I had realized he would always take care of me. No matter how mad I was, no matter how upset I made him, he would always...alwayse back to me.


    But now I had to realize that he was just doing what his father had told him to do.


    I still had so many unanswered questions. Maybe they would be found in the remaining part of the letter I hadn¡¯t let myself read. It was too much.


    Too much to take in, too much to fully grasp, too much to wrap my head around.


    I felt Jace¡¯s gaze burn into my scalp so I looked up at him. His gray eyes locked on mine for a brief second before they went to my lips.


    Unconsciously, I slightly parted them. He hesitated, looking into my eyes again like he was asking for permission.


    Now this was a different Jace altogether but I appreciated the change.


    I nodded.


    Slowly, he leaned in and captured my lips with his.


    I sighed into our kiss, realizing how much I had missed his lips on mine.


    Ever since the whole Massimo fiasco, he had been keeping a safe distance.


    But I yearned for his touch. I just couldn¡¯t bring myself to say anything.


    When we pulled apart to breathe, he pressed his forehead to mine.


    I saw it in his eyes that he wanted to say something but he decided against it.


    "You¡¯re the purest thing I have ever had." He finally rasped out.


    "I¡¯m not a thing, Romano." I bit back augh but my eyes danced with amusement.


    "I know, I know," He sighed. "I just don¡¯t know the right words to describe what I mean."


    "I understand."


    I really did.


    I cuddled up next to him. He held me tighter, pressing a hot kiss to my lips that made my pussy throb.


    Get it together Mira, this man is grieving!


    I cautioned myself.


    ~


    Wended in New York few hourster. It was pouring quite heavily. The flight attendant handed us umbres but Jace took just one, wanting me to be next to him.


    "You¡¯ll get soaked!" I eximed.


    "I don¡¯t mind."


    He meant it.


    Putting his palm on the small of my back as we trailed down the stairs, the rain soaked his white shirt before we could even make it halfway down.


    I slipped into the backseat of the vehicle as the door was held open by one of his men.


    He slipped in through the other side.


    "You¡¯re so stubborn. You¡¯re going to catch a cold." I said angrily.


    After taking off his jacket, I reached for his soaked shirt and tried to unbutton it.


    "We¡¯ll be home in no time, you don¡¯t have to worry." He said, gently putting my hands down.


    "Fine then. At least wear your jacket."


    I gave him a no nonsense look. And with a sigh of resignation, he took the jacket I stretched towards him and slipped it on.


    "Happy now?"


    "Yes,"


    He chuckled. I did too.


    We rode infortable silence for the next half hour until the Romano Estate gate came into view.


    It didn¡¯t hurt my chest as much to be back here this time. Maybe it was because I no longer hated him as much as I used to.


    I nced over at him and saw that his warmth had disappeared. He had that longing look in his eye that only someone who knew him long enough could detect.


    The heavy downpour had reduced to drizzles by the time the car was parked.


    He slipped out through his side and held the door open for me. I took his hand as he stretched it out and stepped out of the car.


    We went in and surprisingly Donna Carm was standing there waiting for us.


    "Wee, both of you." She said with her typical slight smile.


    I walked over and hugged her. She gave my arm a squeeze as we pulled apart.


    "Your hair is growing out again."


    Out of habit, I touched it. "I might need a haircut for tomorrow."


    "I¡¯ll send you a stylist."


    I smiled in appreciation.


    Just then, she turned to Jace.


    I stepped aside and let them have their moment as he crouched down and hugged her.


    She rubbed her hand over his hair. It was the perfect mother and son moment.


    It made me miss my own mom.


    I took out my phone and captured it before they could pull apart. He would thank me for thister.


    We went upstairs to freshen up. We woulde down for dinner afterwards.


    Donna Carm promised us a feast and I looked forward to it.


    <fn4bd6> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? f?ndnovel</fn4bd6>


    ~


    I took a sip of the strawberry milkshake Donna sent up for me after I came out of the bathroom.


    Jace was taking off his shirt. He was on a call so he was having a pretty hard time getting it off.


    I went there and helped him out.


    That immediately distracted him.


    "I¡¯ll call you back." He said to the person on the other end of the line. "What are you doing?"


    "Helping you out. What does it look like I¡¯m doing?" I tried to y innocent.


    Slowly I slipped the shirt off, my hands lingering on his shoulder and taut arms.


    His eyes darkened.


    "You¡¯re tempting me."


    "What?" I faked a gasp. "I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about."


    "Stay right here." He said and hurried off into the bathroom.


    He was out of the shower in five minutes. That was record time.


    "Come here," he pulled me off the couch where I was seated waiting in anticipation though I tried to hide it.


    "Dinner¡¯s waiting for us Jace," I said, pretending I wasn¡¯t already soaking wet at the sight of his bare chest and abs.


    "Fuck that. You¡¯re what I want to eat."


    I couldn¡¯t pretend anymore.


    I grabbed his face and kissed him. He carried me, wrapping my legs around his hips. His hard on poked me underneath my robe.


    "On the bed or couch?"


    "Anywhere." I said, panting heavily.


    Jae chuckled and much to my relief, ced me on his bed.


    He teased my nipples and clit for a bit underneath my robe before slipping it off.


    We were too horny to consider forey. So horny, I didn¡¯t mind when he slipped into me without a condom.


    His lips pressed mine as his soft strokes hit me. I moaned against his mouth, my nails pressed into his back.


    "Faster," I whispered.


    Holding my legs up, he pulled out almost totally and mmed into me with a force I was now used to.


    His thrusts hit with precision one after the other. I came in no time. Shortly another orgasm followed. My legs shook and my toes curled, and when I clenched around him, he spilled his seed into me before he could stop himself.


    We were panting heavily as he pulled out andid by my side. We both stared up at the high ceiling, trying to recover from our high when he blurted out of nowhere;


    "I love you, Mira. And I¡¯m sorry for everything you had to go through because of my father."


    I stayed quiet for a long moment.


    "Thank you, Jace."


    Reality had set in again.


    I went to the bathroom to clean up and get ready for dinner. He did same.


    Silence ensued again but as we went downstairs for dinner, he spoke up.


    "I ruined the moment, didn¡¯t I?"


    Taking a look at the nervous expression on his face, I couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter.


    He joined in a momentter.


    "Please don¡¯t do that again." I said amidughter.


    "Now you see why I don¡¯t talk a lot."


    "I do." I said, tenderly cing my palm on his face.


    I kissed him before I could stop myself.


    Then I said the words that made his eyes light up like fireworks on New Year¡¯s.


    "For the record, I kinda love you too."

 Chapter 119 ~ Mira & Jace

    <h4>Chapter 119: 119 ~ Mira & Jace</h4>


    I looked over my shoulder to see Jace adjusting his cufflinks.


    "You ready?" I asked him what he would typically ask me.


    He nodded. "Ready."


    Here goes nothing...


    There were guests waiting downstairs.


    Right at the doorway, there was a giant framed photograph of Don Vittorio with a book ced on the shelf underneath in between two flower vases. Ro, Jace¡¯s brother¡¯s picture was right next to his too.


    He was so handsome.


    I couldn¡¯t help but wonder why his pictures weren¡¯t hung everywhere like his father¡¯s.


    My heart ached for how young he was when he passed on.


    It was a solemn gathering filled with warm smiles that didn¡¯t exactly reach the eyes of everyone.


    I stood next to Jace all through as he spoke to the guests.


    His voice carried authority but softened with grief. If anyone else had been speaking, I would have called it rehearsed, but with Jace, I knew he meant every word. This wasn¡¯t just for appearances. He had loved his father in his ownplicated way, even if half of that love was weighed down by resentment and chaos.


    I stayed quiet, my hand brushing against the edge of my clutch, observing. My heart felt heavy, not because of Don Vittorio (I mean he had been the man who destroyed my family) but because of the man standing beside me. Jace was armored tonight, but I could feel the faint cracks in him.


    After his short speech, people mingled quietly, sses of wine in hand. Candles flickered, soft music yed, and the murmur of polite conversation filled the hall. I tried to breathe, to rx, to remind myself this wasn¡¯t about me.


    But the moment the double doors opened again, all that fragile calm shattered.


    Ricardo.


    Enzo.


    And behind them, a woman I thought I hadn¡¯t seen before... slender, elegant, dressed in ck silk, with a veil pulled just far enough to reveal the striking lines of her face. Giulietta.


    stic surgery sure looked good on her.


    The air in the room changed instantly. I felt Jace stiffen beside me, his fingers twitching as though resisting the urge to reach for a weapon instead of my hand.


    Whispers rippled through the crowd, subtle but undeniable.


    "They weren¡¯t invited," I whispered under my breath.


    "No," Jace muttered back, jaw tight. "They weren¡¯t."


    Every eye turned toward them as Ricardo strolled forward, a smirk ying on his lips, Enzo shadowing him like a wolf who had finally scented blood. Giulietta trailed them with an unsettling calm, as if she were the one orchestrating the whole disruption.


    The audacity of it all made my stomach twist.


    "Jace Romano," Ricardo¡¯s voice was deceptively warm as he raised his ss he picked up from a server as soon as he walked in. "What a beautiful way to honor my dear brother. Fifteen years. Time does fly."


    The tension in the room thickened. Nobody dared to speak. Nobody dared to move.


    And just like that, I knew this night was no longer about remembrance. It was about war waiting to break loose.


    <i><strong>~Jace~ </strong></i>


    I should have seen thising.


    Ricardo had a way of crawling out from shadows at the worst possible times. Enzo was predictable¡ªa spoiled brat with too much arrogance and too little skill. But Giulietta... her presence twisted something in my chest. Not because I cared for her, but because I knew what she represented: unfinished history, betrayal that reached farther back than even Mira realized.


    I kept my face unreadable, though inside I was seething.


    They dared show up here? In my city? On my father¡¯s remembrance?


    "Mira," I murmured without looking at her, "stay close."


    She nodded once, her chin tilting up in that stubborn way that almost made me smirk. Even here, even in danger ad animosity, she was fire.


    "Ricardo." My voice carried through the room, cold steel. "You weren¡¯t invited."


    His grin widened, mockingly polite. "Family doesn¡¯t need an invitation."


    "Family doesn¡¯t betray blood."


    The silence that followed was razor-sharp.


    Enzo chuckled under his breath, but one look from me silenced him. He wasn¡¯t a threat. He never was. He was just a pawn, a loud one at that. The real venom was in Ricardo¡¯s words and Giulietta¡¯s eyes, cool and calcting as they swept the hall.


    "I see you¡¯ve gotten your queen back," Giulietta finally spoke, her gaze settling on Mira with unsettling interest. "She¡¯s beautiful, Jace. Vittorio would have approved."


    I stepped forward, instinctively shielding Mira. "You don¡¯t get to speak his name in this house."


    "House?" Ricardo drawled. "Ah, but Jace, that¡¯s the thing about houses. They don¡¯t always stand the test of time. Sometimes the foundation cracks. Sometimes the roof caves in. And sometimes..." He sipped his wine, eyes glinting. "...sometimes, it burns."


    A murmur swept through the guests.


    I clenched my jaw, every muscle in my body screaming to drag them out and end this farce in blood. But not tonight. Not in front of witnesses. Not with Mira watching.


    <fn6642> Original content can be found at F?ndNovel</fn6642>


    "This is a night of remembrance," I said evenly, though my voice trembled with restrained fury. "If you came here to start a war, then you¡¯ve chosen the wrong battlefield."


    Ricardo smiled as if he¡¯d already won. Enzo smirked. Giulietta only tilted her head, studying me like she could peel away my armor with her eyes alone.


    And in that moment, I knew.


    This wasn¡¯t over.


    This was only the beginning.


    ~


    The night ended on a sour note for me. As the guests poured out, my mother made sure our unwanted guests werefortable in guestrooms.


    There was an evident scowl on my face.


    They could have stayed in their various homes to honor the dead if they really wanted to. But I knew them well enough they were only here to stir up havoc.


    I loosened my tie as I moved through the halls, staff bowing their heads carefully out of my way. Their eyes held that same nervous flicker, the one they always wore when danger was thick in the air. They felt it too.


    "Mira," I muttered under my breath, scanning the dispersing crowd until I found her across the room. She was in quiet conversation with my mother, her posture graceful, her smile polite, but her eyes... her eyes found mine instantly, reading me the way no one else could.


    She excused herself and came to me, sliding her hand against my arm. "You look like you¡¯re about to explode," she whispered.


    "That¡¯s because I am," I admitted, keeping my voice low. "Ricardo, Enzo... they didn¡¯te here to pay respects. They came here to watch me lose control."


    Her brow furrowed, a flicker of worry there, but she masked it with defiance. "Then don¡¯t give them what they want."


    Easier said than done. My blood was already boiling. "I won¡¯t. But I¡¯m not letting them roam my house like wolves in sheep¡¯s clothing either."


    Before Mira could answer, my mother appeared, calm as ever. "Jacopo." Her voice was firm but careful, the way it always was when she didn¡¯t want to ignite me further. "Let them stay tonight. It would only make things worse if you threw them out."


    I clenched my jaw. "Mother¡ª"


    "No." She cut me off with a rare sharpness. "Listen to me. You may be Don now, but you¡¯re still my son. Ricardo is dangerous, Enzo even more so. Giulietta..." she exhaled through her nose, her expression hardening, "Giulietta is poison wrapped in silk. Do not underestimate her. If you go charging into a fight tonight, you¡¯ll be walking straight into their trap."


    I hated that she was right. I absolutely hated it.


    My hand brushed over Mira¡¯s back, grounding myself with her presence. "They won¡¯t get away with this," I said, my tone clipped.


    "You¡¯re damn right they won¡¯t," my mother replied, eyes burning into mine. "But not tonight." With that, she left us standing there, her figure retreating into the shadows of the hallway.


    Mira sighed softly, her fingers curling tighter around my arm. "She¡¯s right, Jace. You can¡¯t let them bait you."


    I looked down at her. She was right, too. But that didn¡¯t change the storm raging inside me.


    Later, when the house had quieted and thest of the guest had left, I found myself in my study.


    I poured myself a ss of whiskey, staring at the framed photograph of him on the wall. Vittorio Romano. A tyrant. A king. A man who ruled with fear, who tore apart everything he touched.


    "Bastardi," I muttered, taking a sharp sip as the thoughts of my supposed family filled my mind.


    They thought they could break me. Ricardo with his fake piety, Enzo with his greed, Giulietta with her poison. They thought because I was my father¡¯s son, they could y the same games with me.


    But I wasn¡¯t Vittorio. I was worse.


    I set the ss down and braced my hands on the desk, my reflection ring back at me in the polished wood. "Come at me," I growled under my breath. "Come into my house, plot under my roof, breathe my air. I¡¯ll burn you all where you stand."


    A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. Mira. She stepped in quietly, her hair down, her robe loose around her shoulders, but her eyes sharp.


    "You¡¯re still awake," she said softly.


    "Couldn¡¯t sleep."


    She studied me for a long moment beforeing closer, cing her hand on my chest. "Promise me something, Jace."


    "What?"


    "Don¡¯t let them drag you into their chaos. I can see it in your eyes¡ªyou¡¯re nning something already. But for once, don¡¯t fight fire with fire. Not yet."


    Her touch steadied me, but only slightly. I covered her hand with mine, pulling her closer. "Mira, if I don¡¯t put them in the ground, they¡¯lle for me. And they¡¯lle for you."


    Her breath hitched, but she didn¡¯t back down. "Then outsmart them. Don¡¯t just fight them."


    For a moment, we stood there in silence, the weight of her words settling in.


    I pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering there. "You¡¯re right," I said finally. "But make no mistake. If they so much as look at you the wrong way, I won¡¯t hesitate."


    Because in the end, I could forgive a thousand things. But not anyone touching what¡¯s mine.

 Chapter 120 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 120: 120 ~ Jace</h4>


    Tomas was in my office the next morning.


    I barely slept a wink the previous night.


    "They do have some nerve. I have to hand it to them."


    I kept my back turned to him, facing the window that showed off the greenery the wide expanse ofnd behind my estate portrayed. It was something straight out of a Windows wallpaper.


    After several beats of silence, I finally spoke up.


    "My father used to say, when an empire copses, there¡¯s always an insider."


    He agreed. "It¡¯s been obvious that they¡¯re trying to bring you down."


    "They¡¯re working with Riardi." I cut to the chase.


    "Impossible."


    Sharply, I turned to him with a stern re.


    "I know what I¡¯m saying." I emphasized.


    He was quiet for a moment before speaking again.


    "So what do we do?"


    "It¡¯s about time we annihte them. Massimo needs to know I¡¯m not one to mess with. If I can end my family, then I have no problem ending him too."


    "That¡¯s a big move. It hasn¡¯t happened in so long."


    "It has to be done. It¡¯s the only way."


    I had been up all night thinking of a n and Iid it out to him. Tomas listened with rapt attention, pointing out loopholes where I had faltered and withing a few hours we had something substantial. Now I had to slowly execute.


    Mira walked in just then.


    I swear she knocked the breath out of my lungs every time I saw her. Her beauty was ethereal. Unlike something my limited romance vocabry could describe.


    Her eyes lit up as she smiled at Tomas in surprise. They hadn¡¯t seen each other in so long.


    My jaw clenched slightly as he got up and hugged her. I cleared my throat just then. It¡¯s a good thing he understood the message and stepped away quickly.


    She finally turned to me.


    "I didn¡¯t see you at breakfast, Don Romano."


    "My bad Mrs Romano, I was busy." I said with azy smile sying across my face.


    I pulled her towards me immediately and ced a kiss on her temple.


    "Okay love birds, I¡¯m right here." Tomas said with an exaggerated eye roll.


    "Well, you can leave."


    "Jace!" Mira eximed softly. "Don¡¯t be rude."


    "Oh, I¡¯m used to it now." Tomasughed.


    I chuckled slightly. He was the one of the few persons that was unfazed by my ¡¯attitude¡¯.


    He left shortly after, leaving my wife and I alone.


    "You need to eat." She said, adjusting the sleeves of my Tshirt.


    "Why would I want to eat anything else when I have a whole meal right in front of me?"


    Mira¡¯s cheeks turned as red as a tomato.


    "Jace, please," she tried to y it off by rolling her eyes.


    "I¡¯m serious,"


    Holding her face in my hands, I locked her lips in a deep searing kiss to buttress my point.


    She kissed back with same fervor.


    Lifting her I ced her on my desk, pushing the spaghetti sleeves on her dress down.


    Suddenly the door came open. In reflex, Mira ducked and ced herself under my table.


    I was flustered as my mom came in.


    She looked at me with a glint of suspicion in her eye.


    "Am I interrupting something?"


    I swallowed. "No, not at all."


    "Hmmm,"


    She took the chair opposite me.


    "I just saw Tomas leaving."


    I nodded. "Yes, he had some work to handle."


    "Where¡¯s Mira?"


    "She¡¯s-"


    Mira pinched me before I could respond. It took a lot to not look down at her.


    "She¡¯s somewhere in the house I guess."


    "Okay..." she trailed off, her eyes roaming the room. "I¡¯d like to discuss something with you."


    We sat opposite each other and I listened with rapt attention as we talked about work details, mafia and otherwise.


    My attention wavered when Mira reached out and rubbed my crotch area from under my desk.


    My cock stirred instantly. It definitely knew whom it belonged to.


    I cast her a warning re but she had a mischievous smirk on her face instead. This girl was trying to get me in trouble.


    "Jace, are you listening to me?"


    "Yes I am." I nodded.


    "You seem a little distracted."


    "It¡¯s probably because I haven¡¯t slept."


    "You do have bloodshot eyes."


    I nodded quickly and faked a yawn just in time for Mira to rub on my cock even more sensually.


    This woman would be the death of me. I was sure of it.


    "I guess we¡¯ll continue thister. When are you returning to LA?"


    I got serious for a moment. "As soon as I get the vermin out of here."


    She was well aware who I was referring to so she smiled slightly, getting on her feet.


    I couldn¡¯t stand up due to my massive boner.


    "Jace?"


    "Hmm?"


    "You two aren¡¯t slick. Take it easy on him, Mira."


    I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment.


    I stared down at Mira. She was mortified.


    "Yes donna." She finally squeaked from under the desk.


    My mom chuckled and left.


    I got up and made sure the door was locked to avoid any more interruptions.


    By the time I turned back, she was already sitting in her previous position on my desk.


    "Now, where were we?"


    I didn¡¯t let her speak before cing my lips back on hers.


    Our tongues fought for dominance. She eventually let me win.


    Her fingers slowly trailed down to my crotch yet again as I suckled on her neck, determined to give her a hickey.


    "You smell so good," I found myself whispering as I sniffed her neck.


    She dug into my pants and brought out my cock, fisting it gently while I yed with her nipples.


    I took one of them into my mouth and smiled as she moaned softly.


    That sound was like music to my ears.


    Her strokes on my cock became intense. I fought back a moan of my own while I squeezed on her luscious breasts.


    I was going to blow my load with how fast she was going and I wanted to do that inside her instead. So I lifted her off the table and made her straddle me instead. She was soaking wet, sliding in was not a hassle.


    Seated on the couch, my hands locked around her hips guiding her slowly, up and and down. She clenched around me and I groaned.


    "You¡¯re going to make me cum."


    "I want that," she said in between moans.


    "Not yet."


    I pped her ass and met her thrust halfway, making us go faster.


    In between thrusts, I put a nipple in my mouth and letting her cuss as she reached her high.


    In that moment, I just wanted to give her everything. The world, myself, anything I could possibly think of.


    <fn2561> For more chapters visit f?ndnovel</fn2561>


    "Oh my god, I love you!" She screamed as she came.


    The words did something me and I reached my high immediately.


    When the euphoria had faded, weid down panting heavily.


    I couldn¡¯t help it so I kissed her again and again.


    "I love you so much." I said.


    "I know."


    Her cheeky grin made me chuckle.


    She got on her feet just then, heading to the bathroom to clean up. I smacked her ass before she went too far.


    "Jace..."


    My mouth lifted in a smirk. "You know you like it."


    I went ahead and joined her in the bathroom few minutester. The shower was running, her hair was wet and her skin was glistening with pellets of water running down her body. I couldn¡¯t get enough of this woman.


    "When are we going back to LA?" She asked, snapping me out of my trance.


    Cupping her face with my hands, I stared into her eyes as she looked up at me.


    "I just need to sort out a few things and we¡¯d be out of here in a few days."


    "Okay."


    "Missing LA already?"


    "Not exactly. This house just brings back a lot of memories." She looked around to emphasize her point.


    I knew exactly what she meant by that.


    "Well since we¡¯re here for the next few days, maybe I can see my brother?"


    I frowned. "What are you seeing him for?"


    "He¡¯s my only family Jace."


    "I¡¯m your family too."


    "That doesn¡¯t count."


    "What?"


    Mira went quiet. It was that kind of quietness that was filled with a lot of meanings.


    My brows furrowed as I tried to understand what she was getting at. "Don¡¯t tell me you still see me as a stranger after all this."


    "Jace I know we¡¯re married and all, but -"


    "You are my wife and I am your husband!"


    My voice went up a few notches before I could stop myself and she flinched.


    "I¡¯m sorry." I sighed, reeling in my frustration. "Mira, we can¡¯t keepplicating what we have."


    "But then, this isplicated. There¡¯s no two ways about it."


    "Listen," I made her look me in the eye. "Every other thing in our lives may be upside down, but this is the only thing we have control over. Us."


    I watched her soften up.


    I continued. "I¡¯ve chosen you every day since the first time I set my eyes on you. And yes, my... methods weren¡¯t the best. But I know what I feel for you Mira and I know you feel it too."


    "That¡¯s the most I¡¯ve heard you say in a few seconds." She chuckled.


    I looked up and shut my eyes as I groaned. "Mira, don¡¯t ruin the moment."


    "Sorry." She giggled.


    "I love you okay? Every other thing can take the back seat."


    To my relief, she nodded in agreement.


    "I¡¯m still going to see my brother though."


    I groaned again.


    This fiercely stubborn woman was really going to be the death of me.

 Chapter 121 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 121: 121 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was basking in the euphoria of what Jace and I had going on. The way he continuously imed me as his and confessed his love for me in that bathroom had me grinning like a teenager. But my mood immediately changed when I got a text from Massimo.


    I felt my heart lurch in my chest as trepidation washed over me. He had not contacted me ever since he sent his men to harm me weeks ago.


    His message was a threat;


    ¡¯You have something I want. The velvet suede file. Don¡¯t keep me waiting Mira or your brother¡¯s blood is on your hands.¡¯


    My blood ran cold at the sight of my brother¡¯s photograph. This photo was taken somewhere in Manhattan.


    I squeezed my dress, trying to keep my trembling hands still.


    I had to warn him. But that meant I had to tell him the whole truth. I wasn¡¯t sure I was ready for that conversation. I had been keeping him in the dark for way too long. It was only to protect him but now it was beginning to look like more harm than good.


    I thought about the man who had put me in this mess in the first ce. The man who had stormy gray eyes that told a thousand stories but were locked somewhere I had stopped trying to reach so I could save myself instead.


    I shook my head, deciding against the thought that came to my mind.


    Jace had a lot going on so I couldn¡¯t tell him about this. It would only add to his problems.


    I could figure this out on my own.


    What I had to do was see my brother first.


    Jace didn¡¯t exactly want me to go anywhere but this was too big of an emergency to listen to any of his instructions.


    So I went to the one person who didn¡¯t fear him. His mother.


    "Donna," I said, nodding to acknowledge her.


    She was seated in her living room, staring at the nk television d in an outfit darker than I was used to seeing her in. Her face waspletely bare and she had a lost look in her eyes.


    Donna Carm was mourning in a way I had never witnessed. She portrayed herself as strong all the time so I never thought the day woulde when she looked this distraught.


    It felt like I was not supposed to see her like this but it was toote now.


    "Mira, sit." She said after a few seconds of heavy silence. "What has my son done to you this time?"


    I chuckled before I could stop myself as I sat next to her. "He hasn¡¯t done anything. Yet."


    She smiled. "Good answer."


    My own smile morphed into concern. "How are you, Donna?"


    There was another bout of silence before she spoke up again, staring straight at the nk television screen.


    "My heart is heavy. But I¡¯ll live." She said. Her tone was in but I could feel the pain hidden behind those words.


    Reaching out, I carefully ced my palm on hers.


    She returned the favor and smiled at me again. I saw the sheen of tears in her eyes but she blinked them back before they could drop.


    We sat there infortable silence.


    A woman like Donna didn¡¯t needforting words. She needed the silence so she could grieve in the way she knew how to.


    I had to hurry up and leave her alone.


    "I need to go somewhere but Jace wouldn¡¯t let me. Can you please help me? I¡¯m not going to take long I promise."


    "Is it a matter of life and death?"


    I bit on my lower lip before answering. "Sort of."


    "I¡¯ll arrange for a car and enough guards to go with you. That boy would kill me with his bare hands if anything happens to you on my ount."


    I grinned. "I¡¯ll be careful I promise."


    She told me she¡¯d have everything arranged, I just had to hurry up.


    As soon as I left her, I ced a call to my brother.


    "Roberto, meet me at Cafe Dmonte in thirty minutes."


    "You¡¯re in New York?!" He eximed in surprise.


    "No questions. Just get there soon. We have a lot to talk about."


    I ended the call and hurried towards the stairs when I bumped into someone.


    "If it isn¡¯t my favorite cousin inw."


    I frowned at the sight of Enzo and his charming smile that could make other women swoon. But for me he looked like a dummy head with a ridiculous smile.


    "What do you want?" I asked, my tone as cold as ice.


    "Be nice. I haven¡¯t seen you in a long time and this is how you treat me? That¡¯s not fair now is it?"


    He tried to touch my hair. I pped his hand away, my nose ring up.


    This dude was like that one bug that hovered no matter how much you tried to swat it away.


    "Don¡¯t ever try to touch me." I warned him sternly.


    "You¡¯re feistier than I remembered. Makes you even more attractive. I wouldn¡¯t mind taking on my cousin¡¯s widow."


    My heart plummeted at the implication of what he meant. This psycho really wanted to kill Jace. My Jace.


    I heaved a breath to steady myself so he wouldn¡¯t know how much his words got to me.


    Nothing was going to happen to my husband.


    "In your dreams." I spat.


    <fn45a7> Chapters first released on f?ndnovel</fn45a7>


    Speaking of Jace, I had to be out of here before he would return from wherever he went to. I had wasted enough time speaking to this jackass. His presence made my skin crawl with irritation.


    I tried walking past him and he pulled me back.


    "Guards!" I yelled.


    They sprung into action and pointed their guns at him. Apparently they had been waiting on my instruction.


    "I see you know how to exercise authority now. Impressive." Enzo smirked.


    "Let me go this instant or I¡¯ll have them blow your brains out." I gritted out.


    There was a glint of mischief in his eyes. "You wouldn¡¯t."


    "Dare me. I would save my husband the stress and as a good wife, I really want to." I showed him a sinister smile.


    I had never been more serious in my life as I stared into his eyes with sick determination.


    He noticed I wasn¡¯t ying around so he let me go.


    I stormed up the stairs, got dressed as fast as I could, making sure to wear sunsses and wrap my hair in a silk scarf. It was the best disguise I coulde up with. I had limited time.


    I jogged down the stairs and made my way outside to the car waiting for me.


    I urged the driver to move faster. I was already runningte because of that bastard, Enzo.


    "Motherfucker," I cussed aloud in annoyance.


    The driver looked at me nervously.


    "I wasn¡¯t referring to you, I promise." I shed him a smile.


    He smiled back. Nervously though.


    We soon arrived at the cafe.


    Roberto didn¡¯t notice when I walked in. He was facing the opposite direction.


    For the first time in nearly three years, I saw my brother. He looked more manly. His hair was longer, he now had a neatly trimmed beard and looked slightly buffed up from working out.


    I looked at him like a proud mother, watching on the side as he looked around anxiously, checking his watch at intervals. I was only ten minuteste. He didn¡¯t have to be so dramatic.


    I rolled my eyes underneath my sses as I stood there for a few more seconds before walking up to him.


    "Is this seat taken?"


    He looked up with a frown. And then the look of recognition crossed his eye.


    "Mira?" He sounded unsure.


    I smiled and nodded.


    Roberto pulled me into a tight hug. I was not expecting it but I hugged him back as tightly as I could. I could barely wrap my arms around him anymore. He wasn¡¯t asnky as I remembered.


    When we pulled apart, I took off my sses.


    "It¡¯s really you." He breathed out.


    "It is." I gave him a watery smile, trying to hold back my emotions. I was going to cry any minute and I was in public. It was uneptable. We were already causing a scene with how we hugged like a long lost couple who had finally found each other.


    "You look different."


    "So do you! My goodness what happened?" I eximed.


    "I stopped drinking, started working out, eating healthy. I got a pretty good job." He listed his achievements one after the other.


    "No more shady deals?" I asked quizzically.


    "None." He grinned like a proud kid.


    I couldn¡¯t help the tears that flowed.


    Now I felt like the bad guy because I was about to drag him back into the messy world he had intentionally left behind.


    "Why are you crying? Are you okay?" He looked very concerned.


    I nodded. "I am. I just missed you so much."


    cing a palm on his face, I stared at whom could be regarded as the male version of me.


    He wasn¡¯t ready for the truth. It would crush him and make him spiral.


    I had to find away to protect him without him knowing about everything going on.


    Then and there I decided in my heart that I would do whatever it takes to protect my brother.


    Even if it meant betraying Jace.

 Chapter 122 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 122: 122 ~ Mira</h4>


    I had barely slipped into the bedroom when his voice cut through the air.


    "Where were you?"


    I flinched at the sound of his voice.


    "You¡¯re back early."


    "That doesn¡¯t answer my question."


    I squeezed on the strap of my handbag.


    "I had an errand to run."


    "What errand?"


    "Um, it¡¯s nothing important."


    I swallowed as I watched him clench his fist.


    "Mirabel Valente, I¡¯m giving you one chance to tell the truth. You know I know where you were already."


    My chin jutted up in defiance immediately. Why was I cowering at his annoyance when I had taken my time to learn how to challenge him?


    "If you already know where I was, why are you asking silly questions?"


    For a brief moment, he seemed startled by my response.


    "Mira."


    There was a warning in his tone. It sent cold shivers down my spine but I chose to pretend to be unaffected.


    I tried to walk past him into the bathroom. He pulled me back and pinned me with his gaze.


    "Why are you so unnecessarily stubborn? I¡¯m only trying to protect you."


    "As you can see, I¡¯m perfectly fine! I had five guards with me. Five!!!"


    That was a crazy number of people for even a president at once. It was understandable why Donna went all out with it. But even that wasn¡¯t enough.


    "Maybe next time, I¡¯ll have the whole NYPD follow me around." I added sarcastically.


    "Don¡¯t test me with your smart mouth woman." He growled.


    "And if I do? What are you going to do about it?"


    I stood on my tippy toes and faced him. Our noses were almost touching. His breath was ragged.


    I fought back a grin of fulfillment. I absolutely loved it when I was able to rile him up like this.


    "You..." His fingers gently wrapped around my throat.


    I couldn¡¯t stop the smile that crept up my face.


    "You make me so mad," he rasped.


    Then his lips pressed on mine in a harsh kiss.


    I pulled away and tried to leave him even when I knew that his kiss was doing unmentionable things to my body.


    His grip tightened, not painful but unyielding. "You think you can just waltz in here after vanishing for hours and give me silence?"


    His voice was low, vibrating with a dangerous calm. "I¡¯m not some side piece you can dismiss when it suits you. I¡¯m your husband."


    The word burned like acid. "Husband?" I spat. "What kind of husband kidnaps his wife and locks her in a gilded cage? Tell me."


    I knew we were going round in circles but I couldn¡¯t let him find out what was really going on.


    "You¡¯d rather be in Riardi¡¯s?" His words cut sharp. "You¡¯d rather let that vulture touch you? Hurt you?"


    I yanked my wrist free, ring at him. "I don¡¯t belong to you, Jace. You need to stop thinking of me in that light."


    The silence that followed was so sharp it almost echoed. His jaw ticked, his chest heaving like he was holding himself back from exploding. Then, to my shock, he leaned in¡ªnot with rage, but with something softer. Something dangerous.


    "Say it again," he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. "Say you don¡¯t belong to me and mean it."


    I should have shoved him away. I should have screamed. Instead, I stood frozen, my heart traitorously mming against my ribs.


    "You¡¯re unbelievable," I whispered.


    "And yet," he breathed, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine, "you can¡¯t walk away."


    I hated him. God help me, I hated how right he was. My body betrayed me before my mind could stop it, leaning into the heat of him, craving the one man I swore I would never need again.


    His mouth crashed onto mine. It wasn¡¯t gentle this time. It was fire and fury and desperation tangled together. My fingers curled into his shirt, dragging him closer as if I needed more of his chaos just to breathe. His hands framed my face, possessive and demanding, like he wanted to brand me all over again.


    A soft moan slipped from my lips before I could choke it back. The sound tore something raw out of him, and he deepened the kiss, tongue sliding against mine, iming me in the way only Jace Romano ever could.


    I hated how much I melted into it. Hated how familiar it felt, how right.


    But just when I felt myself unraveling, I shoved him back, breaking the kiss with a gasp.


    <fn0721> Original content can be found at F?ndNovel</fn0721>


    "Stop." My voice was ragged. My lips burned from the taste of him. "We can¡¯t... not right now."


    He stared at me, eyes dark, chest rising and falling like he was barely holding himself together. "We can," he said hoarsely. "We always can."


    I shook my head violently. "No. We¡¯re getting too carried away again."


    God, I wanted him. I wanted him to fuck me like he always did but I was about to betray him and I could not be sleeping with the enemy.


    He took a step closer, but I held my ground.


    "Mira." His tone softened, almost pleading. "What are you hiding from me?"


    My heart stuttered. His eyes bored into mine, searching, peeling back everyyer I fought to keep in ce. He knew something was off. He always did.


    "I¡¯m not hiding anything," I lied.


    "Bullshit." He snarled the word, temper slipping again. "I see it in your eyes. The secrets. The walls. Do you think I won¡¯t find out? Do you think you can y me?"


    The dam inside me cracked. Anger red hot and reckless. "You don¡¯t get to use me of keeping secrets when your entire life is built on them!"


    I had to deflect.


    His brows furrowed, taken aback. "What the fuck does that mean?"


    "It means," I hissed, "that you don¡¯t get to stand there and act like I¡¯m the one ying games. You¡¯ve lied. You¡¯ve hidden things from me. Things that ruined my life."


    He stepped forward, towering, his voice a growl. "I¡¯ve protected you in spite of everything."


    "Protected me?" Myugh was sharp, bitter. "You think marrying me to pay off my brother¡¯s debt was protection? You think keeping me in the dark while your father destroyed my family was protection?"


    The words slipped out before I could stop them. My chest heaved as the truth tore itself from my lips.


    "Mira,"


    "Just stop. I¡¯m tired and I need to freshen up. I¡¯m starving too."


    I stormed away from him, blinking back the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes.


    I had to do this.


    I couldn¡¯t stand being in the same room with him so I slipped into the room across his.


    The guest room or what was my former room felt like a gilded cage. The new curtains, fresh sheets and a faint vani scent lingering in the air, none of it couldfort me. Not when my chest was splitting open from the inside.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, gripping the silk sheets like they were an anchor. My fight with Jace reyed in my head over and over, the way his voice sharpened when I ignored his questions, the frustration in his eyes when I refused to give him answers. He wanted control. He always wanted control. But this wasn¡¯t about him. It was about my brother.


    Roberto.


    My throat closed as I pictured his face back at the caf¨¦. He looked so different. He was healthy, steady and proud of himself. For the first time in forever, he wasn¡¯t the same reckless boy I used to shield from the world. He was trying. He was rebuilding. And now Massimo wanted to rip that away just to use me as his pawn.


    How could I live with myself if something happened to him?


    Tears blurred my vision, spilling hot down my cheeks before I could stop them. My heart twisted because I knew the ugly truth.


    There was no winning here. Saving Roberto might mean betraying Jace. And the thought of doing that and siding with Massimo, made my stomach turn. But the thought of losing my brother... that was unbearable.


    I curled into myself, pressing my forehead against my knees, my breathing out in shaky gasps. Jace¡¯s face flickered in my mind¡ªhis stormy gray eyes, the way his voice softened when he called me mine, the gentleness he didn¡¯t even know he was capable of. Damn him. Damn me. Why did my heart still beat for him when he was the very reason my world had crumbled years ago?


    If he ever found out about the text, about what I was considering... he¡¯d never forgive me. Maybe I wouldn¡¯t forgive myself either.


    My phone buzzed against the nightstand. The sound sliced through the silence like a de.


    With trembling fingers, I reached for it. My chest hollowed as soon as I saw his name. Massimo.


    I unlocked it, and there it was again. It was the reminder I didn¡¯t need, the one that twisted the knife deeper in my chest.


    ¡¯Tick-tock, Mira. Don¡¯t waste time. The velvet suede file, or your brother bleeds. And trust me, I never bluff.¡¯


    A sob wed its way out of me. It was heavy.


    My hand flew to my mouth to muffle the sound, but the tears kept streaming anyway.


    I sank back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling through blurred eyes. My chest ached so badly it hurt to breathe. I was being pulled in two directions¡ªby blood and by something dangerously close to love.


    And either way, I was going to shatter.

 Chapter 123 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 123: 123 ~ Jace</h4>


    There was something off with Mira.


    I could see it in her eyes.


    For thest couple of days, she had that lost look in her eye, like she was drowning under pressure. She was constantly cooped up in the room opposite mine. Every time I tried to bring her out, she said she just didn¡¯t want to run into any of my family members. No matter how much I insisted, she refused.


    Her exnation was valid but I knew it wasn¡¯t the whole truth.


    But I couldn¡¯t fully focus on her at the moment. I had other pressing matters at hand - my supposed family members.


    My n was already in motion.


    It took a lot for me to not go off and kill Enzo in a fit of rage once my guards reported that he had touched what¡¯s mine. How dare he put his hands on my most prized possession? My wife was off limits and he should have known better.


    I was impressed with how Mira handled herself around him. She was indeed my donna.


    But I would make him pay for it. He wasn¡¯t prepared for what wasing to him.


    ~


    I pedalled angrily as I drove for yet another meeting. Tomas was in my ear rambling about work details.


    He did say something that intrigued me.


    "They¡¯re leaving tomorrow. They¡¯ve met up with Riardi a few times." He said,


    I squeezed tightly on the steering wheel.


    The audacity they had to be staying under my roof and be plotting against me. They didn¡¯t even know how to clean up their tracks properly.


    Dumb motherfuckers.


    "Make sure all the cars are checked for hidden cameras. I also need a full security sweep on every part of my property."


    "On it, boss."


    The call ended and while I tried to focus on the road but the face of a certain brte shed before my eyes yet again.


    She was in the same house as me but I missed her. I really needed to find out what was going on in her head.


    I hated that she was pushing me away again even when I thought we were already making progress.


    The walls she had mounted over the years were hard to break through and even though her reasons were understandable. I just wanted her to see that I loved her and would do anything for her.


    I pushed thoughts of her to the back of my mind as I arrived at my destination.


    I hadn¡¯t been to the Casino in so long. I had been delegating duties since the ¡¯depressing episode¡¯ I had when Mira left. That was what my mother called it but she kept insisting it was for the best.


    It was a dark time for me. But it was the past now. I was just d to have her back.


    Walking in, the whiff of cigarettes hit my nostrils. That was when it dawned on me that I had not smoked in quite a while. I didn¡¯t even feel the need to anymore.


    I looked around the busy space searching for the man I was supposed to meet.


    My eyes fell on him. He was hard to miss in his signature gray jacket and sunsses even when a room was as dark as the inner walls of hell.


    "Nice to see you Romano." He got on his feet.


    "Pleasure¡¯s all mine Russo." I said, giving him a bro hug.


    "Our names still have a nice rhyme to it. Too bad you¡¯re taken now."


    His sister and I had a casual thing some years back and she didn¡¯t want to let me go. But I already knew who my wife was going to be so there was no point.


    "It¡¯s a good thing." My mouth lifted in a slight grin at the thought of Mira.


    Our rtionship was still rocky but I was still ted to at least have her by my side.


    "You are thoroughly smitten." He teased.


    "I know." I said, gesturing for one of the waiters to take my order.


    "So are you."


    I had heard all about how his parents had forced him to marry a small town girl to preserve their legacy and he was head over heels in love.


    He smiled as we took our seats.


    "You have it?" I asked seriously.


    The small talk was over.


    "I do."


    He put the briefcase on the table and unlocked it. I assessed it properly and nodded.


    "It¡¯s perfect. The wire transfer has been initiated." I informed him.


    He arched a brow. "And the document?"


    "Slipped it into your bag as we shook hands." I smirked.


    "Sneaky fox. You¡¯re a don not a conman."


    "A man can¡¯t have too many skills." I chuckled.


    "I¡¯ll keep it safe, I promise."


    "I trust you will. You know what¡¯s on the line if you don¡¯t."


    His eyes darkened a bit before heughed again.


    "It¡¯s all love brother. This is the world we were born in."


    I nodded. "Heard you¡¯re about to be a father. Congrats."


    "How on earth...?"


    It was my turn tough. "Come on, Russo, I know everything."


    "You and the missus should stop by when the baby¡¯s born." He said before taking a gulp of his drink,


    "I¡¯ll surely keep that in mind." I said, even when I wasn¡¯t sure Mira would want that considering the fact that she may be reminded of our loss.


    The guilt crept into my chest every now and then. This was one of those moments. But I didn¡¯t let it sit for long.


    Getting on my feet, I shook hands with him. Picked up the briefcase and we went our separate ways until the next time we would need to meet up again.


    We barely crossed paths but when we did it was for something of great importance.


    On the drive back, I decided to stop and get some flowers for Mira.


    White roses had be our signature. They reminded me of how pure she was. A contrast to me with my bloodstained hands. She was the angel and I was the devil who brought her to hell with me and never wanted to let go.


    "A note sir?" The florist asked me, drifting me out of my thoughts.


    "Yes."


    I told him what I wanted on the note and it was scribbled up in no time.


    I slipped back into my car, cing the bouquet on the passenger seat.


    The hairs on my back stood all of a sudden and I felt strange chills.


    I needed to get out of here fast. Something was off.


    Immediately, I ignited my engine, signalling the vehicle behind me to look around for threats.


    I considered the safety of everyone around and sped off disregarding the traffic rules.


    We were at a safe distance from the florist shop, speeding on the highway when I heard it.


    Boom!


    The car behind me burst into mes. I watched it with from my rearview mirror.


    "Fuck!!!!" I yelled, mming my fist into the steering wheel.


    Two of my men were in there.


    I don¡¯t know who was driving it but the person stepped on the brakes immediately until the car came to an unceremonious halt. The mes seemed to increase.


    I parked at a distance and jumped out of my car, trying to go back for them as I heard the sirens from afar.


    I couldn¡¯t see through the mes if they were still alive and could be saved.


    The ambnce arrived as well as the firefighters minutester. They extinguished the fire but it was toote. There was no saving them.


    I felt the heaviness that clogged my chest. It pressed on me like a weight I couldn¡¯t get rid of.


    That could have been me too, I thought. The realization dawned on me and I felt a slight chill in that moment.


    The police took me to their station to give a statement.


    I was driving behind them when my phone beeped.


    ¡¯It could have been you. Take this as a warning, Romano.¡¯


    It was a private number.


    I squeezed my phone so hard, I thought it was going to crack.


    I knew exactly who did this. I was going to drink his blood. It was a promise.


    I hid the message just in case the authorities decided to do a check or something. I didn¡¯t want to risk them digging into the case especially because I was about to take matters into my own hands.


    I heard a tap on my window. "Mr Romano?"


    I didn¡¯t even realize we had reached the station. I was so lost in thought, I was driving on autopilot without realizing it. I nced at the bouquet next to me. The officer did too.


    "For the Missus?"


    "Yes." I said like I was in a trance. "She¡¯d be worried sick."


    "You¡¯ll be out of here in no time sir."


    I went in and sat down answering the mundane questions they threw at me.


    "Do you have any idea who might have done this?"


    "No." I lied smoothly.


    "We¡¯ll keep in touch during the investigations Mr Romano."


    "I look forward to it." I said, getting on my feet. I shook hands with the officer and turned to leave.


    "Feel free to let us know if urrences like this repeat themselves."


    "Sure thing." I gave him a stiff smile.


    "I hope not." I mumbled under my breath as I stormed towards my car.


    Tomas was there with another car.


    "I¡¯ll drive you," he offered.


    I nodded. He knew just what I needed.


    "Send word to their families with condolence packages." I instructed.


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    "On it, boss."


    I squeezed the flowers on my thighs. I was filled with rage.


    The audacity it took to y such games with me. The nerve he had to threaten me like a mere civilian.


    Massimo had messed with the wrong one and I would drain everyst drop of his blood.


    That was a promise.

 Chapter 124 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 124: 124 ~ Mira</h4>


    It felt like it was my fault.


    I heard about what happened due to the chaos that ensued within the estate when the news reached. It was frantic.


    It was probably going to be on the news tomorrow. I watched the video sent to me anonymously in horror. It showed when the vehicle burst into mes.


    It had Massimo written all of it.


    The trepidation, fear and guilt that had been eating me up all week increased in that moment.


    I stood at the entrance waiting for Jace. I knew I had been pushing him away irrationally but this was the perfect time to be there for him.


    I had been out here in the cold for a few minutes, folding my arms around myself when his car pulled in.


    Everyone wore long faces. It was a dark night in the Romano estate.


    Jace stepped out of the car and my heart ached even more.


    His dim eyes lit up as soon as the fell on me.


    He picked up something from the vehicle. It was a flower bouquet.


    Climbing up the steps that led to the door, his eyes stayed on mine. Everyone else disappeared in that moment.


    I just wanted to melt like butter under the heat of his stare.


    "Hey," I whispered to him, emotion clogging my throat.


    Without a word, he swept me into his arms. I felt the weight of his annoyance as well as his relief to be back here in the arms of his love.


    I basked in his warmth, feeling his tense muscles rx just a bit.


    "These are for you." He said when we pulled apart, handing me the bouquet.


    "Thank you." I said, tenderly touching his face, scanning it for any injuries. He looked fine on the outside. But I could tell he was bruised on the inside.


    Jace may be a ruthless don but I knew he didn¡¯t like to lose his men. He saw them as more than his guards. They were family.


    "It¡¯s cold. Let¡¯s get you inside." He rasped out.


    He had just experienced something so traumatizing yet he was worried about me being cold. This man was something else.


    We went into the house in silence as I clutched the flowers to my chest.


    He was a few steps ahead of me as he walked to his room.


    I sat in the bedroom and waited for him as he showered. I was going to sleep in my designated room, I just wanted to care for him and be sure he was alright before going to sleep. It was the least I could do at this time.


    That was when I spotted the note tucked between the petals.


    ¡¯I don¡¯t know how to love right. But I do know how to love you. And I¡¯m not done yet¡¯ - J.


    I couldn¡¯t help the smile the crept up my face as I read it. My cheeks warmed up. Jace could be really sweet sometimes.


    Just then, he came out of the bathroom. I was unable to wipe the smile on my face before he saw it.


    "This is a really sweet note." I said before he could ask why I was smiling.


    "d you liked it." He said curtly.


    There was immediate tension that filled the space. He was brooding and most probably plotting a retaliation.


    "Massimo did this because of me," I blurted out before I could stop myself.


    He didn¡¯t act surprised.


    "Why? Because he wants to make you his?" He fumed.


    I swallowed nervously. "No. It¡¯s a lot more than that."


    The guilt showed on my face. I searched for that document yet again and it wasn¡¯t here. I was counting on us returning to LA soon so I could search for it there. I told Massimo when he sent yet another text but he obviously didn¡¯t care so he went ahead to do this to scare me. I was relieved he didn¡¯t follow through with hurting my brother but what would I have done if he hurt Jace?


    "No." Jace voice cut through my spiralling thoughts. I saw the realization in his eyes.


    My heart beat rapidly in my chest. This was not how I wanted this night to go.


    "Jace, I can exin." I said as tears stung at my eyes.


    He nodded slowly, as his eyes hardened. "I get it now. That was why you came back all of a sudden."


    "I-"


    He cut me off. "Isn¡¯t it?"


    "Yes but-"


    He raised an index finger, shutting me up with that simple gesture.


    "All this time I thought we were getting somewhere, you only came around so easily because he sent you here to betray my trust? To betray the love I have for you?"


    He paced the room in furious strides. His tone was usatory.


    "Tell me Mira, when you said he tried to kill you, was it part of your ploy so you could get closer and steal that document?" He pinned me with his hard gaze.


    My chest hurt.


    I shook my head immediately as I got up and tried to approach him. "No, I promise you it wasn¡¯t."


    "How am I supposed to believe that?!"


    I flinched as his voice thundered.


    "So every of those little moments we had were all lies? Every time I fucked you, you were faking the moans, the screams and orgasms? The divorce threat was all part of your n to reel me in huh?"


    His fingers curled around my throat and he lifted me off the ground. I tried to grab anything around me as I choked.


    "Jace please," I coughed. I missed his shoulders by my fingertips.


    His eyes darkened as he threw me on the bed. I tried to get away from him but he pinned me down.


    "Jace, please don¡¯t do anything you¡¯d regret."


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    "I have no regrets, Mira. The only thing I regret was thinking that you actually loved me but you were ying me all this time."


    "I promise, I wasn¡¯t! I love you!!!" I screamed frantically when he dragged my legs towards him.


    "Okay." He said in a dangerously calm tone.


    "Okay?" I whispered fearfully. This was worse than him yelling at me.


    I searched his eyes and gulped at how neutral they were. I was scared for my life at this point.


    "I believe you." He spoke after a long moment of silence.


    "You do?"


    I sat up as his face hovered over mine. He didn¡¯t say anything but kissed me roughly instead.


    This kiss felt different. It was hard, rough and angry. But because everything about him turned me on, I was soaking wet already.


    He pushed my underwear aside and slipped his fingers into me, pumping so fast I couldn¡¯t even let out moans. I was panting for air instead.


    Jace¡¯s face was set in a frown. It wasn¡¯t like he smiled whenever we fucked but there was cold rage emanating from him.


    "Jacs, I¡¯m sorry. Please forgive me." I begged him in between moans.


    He only grunted in response.


    I had really messed up.


    "Get on all fours."


    I did as I was told. I was barely prepared for how he rammed into me from behind.


    He put all his anger in every thrust. My face was soaked with tears as he fucked every part of me till I lost my voice from screaming.


    I shattered in no time but he didn¡¯t stop. It was one orgasm after the other until he finally released everything inside me.


    That was when I realized that he wasn¡¯t wearing a condom.


    Iid there, limp from so many orgasms.


    Jace didn¡¯t say anything. He simply got on his feet, entered the closet, dressed up and made to leave the room.


    "Jace?"


    "You can tell Massimo that document is no longer in my possession."


    I felt a chill run up my spine as he said that.


    "Good night, Mira." He stated coldly.


    "But, where are you-"


    The words hung in my throat when he mmed the door behind him before I could finish asking the question.


    I sat up as a fresh set of tears poured down my cheeks.


    ~


    Jace wasn¡¯t speaking to me. It didn¡¯t matter what I did to get through to him.


    He was always cooped up in his office. And when I did see his face, he always had a bored expression. He barely spoke to me.


    I thought of telling Donna Carm to help me speak to him. But how would I be able to exin that I wanted to betray her son? She would never take my side.


    I knew she noticed the tension between us at breakfast and dinner but chose to not speak about it. She probably thought it was one of the usual couple squabbles.


    It had been days and we were finally returning to LA.


    I was relieved but scared at the same time.


    I considered returning to Lisbon. Or even going to a different country entirely to be away from all this drama. But I was in too deep.


    It didn¡¯t seem like there was any turning back at this point.


    I stared at Jace as we rode to the airport. His jaw was clenched and he looked straight ahead, not sparing me a nce.


    I opened my mouth to speak to him but the words hung in my throat.


    The flight was no different. I took naps to distract myself from the tension.


    I guess this was our new normal.

 Chapter 125 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 125: 125 ~ Jace</h4>


    It killed me to not be speaking to her like I normally would.


    She was quiet.


    Too quiet. And it wasn¡¯t the kind of silence that soothed me. It was the kind that dug into your skin like broken ss, reminding you with every second that something had snapped between you.


    I stared out the jet¡¯s window, the world beneath us shifting into nothing but clouds. Mira sat across from me, curled slightly toward the aisle, her hands sped around her knees like she was afraid she might fall apart if she let go.


    I wanted to reach for her. I wanted to drag her against me, press my face into her neck, breathe her in until my lungs couldn¡¯t hold any more of her. But instead, I clenched my fists against the armrest and let the distance grow.


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    Because what the hell was I supposed to do? She¡¯d admitted enough for me to know Massimo had his ws in her. And still...she had begged me, moaned for me, said she loved me. A man could go insane trying to piece those contradictions together.


    My mind reyed the way she¡¯d cried out: I promise, I wasn¡¯t! I love you!


    I should have believed her. Every bone in my body wanted to. But betrayal was poison. It made you second-guess everything, even the woman who had the power to wreck you in a single breath.


    The silence between us wasn¡¯t punishment. It was survival. If I spoke, I¡¯d either say something I couldn¡¯t take back or confess how much she still owned me, even now. And I couldn¡¯t afford either.


    It hurt me to do so but it had to be done.


    When wended in LA, my men were already lined up to receive us. I gave them curt orders, barely sparing Mira a nce as we stepped into the convoy. She walked with her chin high, pretending I didn¡¯t exist too, and the sight of her pride both infuriated me and made me ache for her.


    It was yet another silent ride to my apartment. She faced the window and I just worked on my phone pretending to not notice her presence.


    Back at the penthouse, I locked myself after a brief shower and light meal, in my office. The ce was a fortress of ss and steel, my sanctuary, but tonight it felt like a cage. I poured myself a drink and stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the city stretch out below.


    She was here. In my space. And yet she was a thousand miles away from me.


    My phone buzzed. Tomas.


    There was news.


    "Boss," he said when I answered. "There was a fire at one of the warehouses. It was quenched quickly but, we traced the fire to Riardi¡¯s men. He¡¯s making moves faster than expected."


    I gripped the ss so hard it cracked. "He won¡¯t stop until I bury him. Make preparations. I want him cornered."


    "Yes, boss."


    I ended the call and tossed the shattered ss into the sink.


    Massimo thought he could use Mira as a pawn. Thought he could scare her, scare me, with threats and fire. But he didn¡¯t understand one thing: I had nothing left to lose¡ªexcept her. And if he touched her again, there would be no mercy.


    I sat at my desk, staring at the shadows, and for the first time in a long time, I admitted something to myself.


    I was terrified.


    Not of Massimo. Not of my enemies. But of Mira.


    Because if she ever decided that I wasn¡¯t worth the fight, if she chose to walk away for good... I didn¡¯t know if I could stop her this time.


    And I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to live in a world where she didn¡¯t belong to me.


    ~


    Hours dragged by before I finally left my office. The penthouse was dim, only the muted glow of the city spilling in through the ss walls. I found her in the guest room. The door wasn¡¯t shut all the way, and I saw the faint outline of her body curled beneath the sheets.


    For a moment, I just stood there, watching her chest rise and fall. She looked fragile, breakable. I hated it. Mira was supposed to be fire¡ªunbending, impossible to tame. And yet here she was, looking like all it would take was one wrong move from me to shatter her for good.


    I ran a hand down my face, frustration wing through me. I wanted to crawl in beside her, pull her into me until she forgot everything except my heartbeat. But my pride wouldn¡¯t let me.


    So I walked past the door and went to my own room.


    The bed was too big. Too cold. Too empty.


    I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her crying. Every time I breathed, I remembered her saying she loved me. It was torture, the kind that no bullet or knife couldpare to.


    By dawn, I¡¯d made a decision.


    If Mira wanted to test me, then fine. If Massimo thought he could break me through her, let him try. I¡¯d protect her whether she wanted me to or not. And if she thought she could walk away from me again, she had another thinging.


    I would chain her to me with love, with rage, with everything I had.


    Because I wasn¡¯t losing her a second time.


    ~


    The next morning, the penthouse smelled faintly of coffee and freshly baked bread. Normally, breakfast was a noisy affair. The chef and helps were moving in and out, guards exchanging updates, I was giving orders in that clipped, dangerous tone that made everyone jump.


    Mira sat at the long dining table, a cup of tea between her hands. She had barely touched it. The steam curled upward, disappearing into the silence that stretched between us.


    I took the seat at the head of the table, every muscle in my body wound tight. She nced at me, and I felt it. The weight of her eyes were tugging at me and begging me to look back.


    I didn¡¯t. I busied myself with the newspaper, flipping pages I didn¡¯t even read.


    "Good morning," she said softly, her voice careful, almost testing.


    I hummed in response, low, nomittal. My chest ached because all I wanted was to meet her halfway, to say something, anything that would erase the cold wall between us. But pride had its ws in me. Pride and anger.


    "You didn¡¯t sleep much, did you?" she asked after a moment, her tone gentle, searching.


    "No." My answer was clipped.


    Her fingers tightened around her cup. "Neither did I."


    I should have looked at her. I should have let my hand brush against hers on the table, just to show her I cared. Instead, I took a sip of coffee and set the cup down harder than I meant to. The sound echoed through the silence like a gunshot.


    She flinched. I noticed. And I hated myself for it.


    Mira reached across the table, tentative, her hand sliding just close enough that if I moved my own, our fingers would touch.


    For a second, I almost did. My hand twitched toward hers, aching to close the distance, aching to feel her skin on mine.


    But I pulled back.


    I picked up my fork instead and stabbed at the eggs on my te. "Eat something," I muttered.


    She froze, her lips parting slightly as if the words had cut her deeper than I intended.


    "I¡¯m not hungry," she whispered.


    "Then don¡¯t sit there looking like you¡¯re about to faint," I bit out, harsher than I meant.


    Her eyes watered, but she blinked quickly, hiding it behind a sip of her tea. The silence stretched again, unbearable, heavy.


    I wanted to m the table. I wanted to grab her chin, force her to look at me, demand she tell me everything so I wouldn¡¯t feel like I was drowning in her lies. But more than anything, I wanted to just...hold her.


    The ache in my chest was worse than any bullet wound I¡¯d ever taken.


    But instead, like the dumb motherfucker I was, I stayed stoic, every emotion locked behind the mask of a don.


    Mira exhaled softly, the sound almost a sigh of defeat. "You can keep punishing me if that¡¯s what you need, Jace. But it doesn¡¯t change the fact that I¡ª" She stopped herself, pressing her lips together as if swallowing back the words.


    I gripped my coffee cup tighter, knuckles white. I knew exactly what she¡¯d almost said. I love you. And God help me, I wanted to hear it. I wanted to hear it fall from her lips so I could feel those butterflies women constantly talked about.


    But I didn¡¯t let myself.


    Because if I gave in now, I wouldn¡¯t just take her hand across this table. I would drag her into myp, kiss her until she forgot the whole damn world, and then I¡¯d never let her go.


    And I wasn¡¯t ready to forgive her. Not yet.

 Chapter 126 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 126: 126 ~ Mira</h4>


    I hated how he was being unnecessarily mean to me. I came clean already. I could have easily gone behind his back and caused enough damage. In fact, I quite literally risked my brother¡¯s life by telling him the truth yet he was still sulking?


    I scoffed angry at him and even angrier at myself because of how he affected me.


    The worst part? I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the way he kissed me the other night. Rough, punishing, like he wanted to break me apart just to remind me he could. My lips still tingled from it, and my body still betrayed me every time he came too close.


    I pressed my palm against my stomach, trying to calm the dull ache that had nothing to do with my cramps and everything to do with Jace Romano. The man drove me insane.


    Only he could do that.


    I stormed into the balcony off my room, the night breeze whipping against my skin. L.A. glittered in the distance, city lights mocking me with their careless beauty. People out there were probably living normal lives. They were falling in love, eating takeout, going to sleep in peace. Meanwhile, I was trapped in a war I hadn¡¯t asked for with a man I couldn¡¯t stop wanting no matter how much I hated him. This push and pull was tiring.


    The door creaked, and I knew it was him before he spoke. His presence was that heavy.


    "You¡¯re making it too obvious," Jace said from behind me, his tone t, clipped, like every word was dragged out against his will.


    I didn¡¯t turn. "Obvious about what?"


    "That you¡¯re angry. That you¡¯re sulking."


    Iughed bitterly. "Funny, I thought you were the one sulking."


    Silence stretched between us. I felt him move closer, but he stopped just far enough to remind me he was holding back. Always holding back. My chest ached slightly at the thought of it. I wanted him to let go of this.


    "I don¡¯t sulk," he muttered.


    "Sure," I said dryly, folding my arms. "You just brood, scowl, and act like I don¡¯t exist when I try to talk to you. Totally not sulking."


    That earned me a sharp exhale, almost augh, but not quite. I nced over my shoulder and caught the faintest twitch at his jaw.


    "I trusted you, Mira," he said finally, voice low and edged with something raw. "And when I think of how close Massimo came to using you against me..." He trailed off, eyes dark and stormy when they caught mine. "I want to strangle him. But then I want to strangle you too."


    To say I was stunned by what he said was an understatement but then it was Jace. He was unpredictable.


    "Charming," I shot back, even though my chest tightened. "I told you the truth. I risked everything by telling you. If I wanted to betray you, I wouldn¡¯t have said a word."


    He stepped closer now, close enough that his cologne drifted around me, close enough that my body betrayed me with a shiver.


    "And yet you kept things from me," he rasped. "You thought you could handle it on your own. That¡¯s not trust, Mira. That¡¯s you ying God with both our lives. That¡¯s too dangerous for you and you know it."


    I swallowed hard, the fight in me battling with the sting of his words. "And what would you have done if I told you the second Massimo threatened me? Hmm? You would¡¯ve killed half of New York that night and painted a target on Roberto¡¯s back anyway. Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re the reasonable one here, Jace."


    My brother was my only family left and whether he liked it or not, it was my duty to protect him even though I wasn¡¯t doing a very good job at it.


    His eyes burned into me, and for a second, I thought he¡¯d explode. But instead, his hand shot out, cupping my jaw roughly, tilting my face up to his.


    "You drive me fucking insane," he growled.


    "Good," I whispered, breathless despite myself. "Now you know how it feels."


    The air snapped tight around us, his lips hovering a fraction from mine. My heart pounded in betrayal of my anger, my body leaning into his even though my mind screamed at me to pull away.


    But Jace didn¡¯t kiss me. Not this time.


    Instead, he let me go suddenly, stepping back with that stone expression that shredded me worse than any cruel words.


    "Get some rest," he said, his tone t again. "We have a long week ahead."


    And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing on the balcony, heart racing, knees weak, hating him for how badly I wanted him.


    I gripped the railing, blinking back tears. I told myself I was crying from anger, from frustration, from everything else but the truth.


    The truth was, no matter how much I hated him, no matter how much he pushed me away, I still loved him. And that was the cruelest punishment of all.


    I wiped at my face furiously, refusing to let a single tear fall, but the more I fought it, the hotter my eyes burned.


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    Damn him. Damn Jace Romano for knowing exactly how to undo me with nothing more than a look, a touch, a cruel word that cut sharper than a de.


    I stumbled back inside, mming the balcony door behind me. My reflection in the ss stopped me cold. I saw flushed cheeks, swollen lips, eyes rimmed red. I looked like a womaning undone, and I hated it.


    I hated him for making me this way.


    I hated myself more for letting him.


    The bed felt like ice when I crawled into it. I turned from side to side, tugged the sheets higher, pressed a pillow over my head, but nothing worked. Sleep stayed out of reach, held hostage by the memory of his voice.


    You drive me fucking insane.


    Those words reyed again and again, cutting me open, stitching me back together and then cutting me open all over again. It was too much.


    I pressed a hand to my stomach. There was that hollow ache that throbbed every time his name crossed my mind. I told myself it was anger. That I loathed him, that I despised every inch of his arrogant, cold-blooded and unforgiving self.


    But even as I whispered the lie into the dark, my chest ached with the truth.


    I loved him.


    And that was the wound I didn¡¯t know how to stop bleeding.


    When dawn finally broke, it wasn¡¯t relief that washed over me¡ªit was dread. Because the war between us wasn¡¯t anywhere near over.


    Not yet.


    ~


    The sunlight was cruel when it spilled across my face. I groaned, dragging the sheet over my head as if that could shield me from reality.


    For one blissful second, I forgot where I was. Then I rolled over, reaching instinctively toward the other side of the bed.


    Empty. Cold.


    My eyes snapped open. Jace wasn¡¯t there.


    We had not shared a bed for days now. Why on earth was I imagining him being next to me.


    I sat up too quickly, hair tumbling into my face as I scanned the room like an idiot, as if he might suddenly step out of the shadows.


    I washed my face and stepped out of the room to get breakfast. I thought I would catch a glimpse of him.


    But no. The space was silent, suffocating in its stillness.


    He¡¯d left without a word.


    The bastard.


    I ate in silence, fighting the urge to ask the helps where he had gone.


    I fought the urge to head into his room. I knew he wasn¡¯t there but I still wanted to go in there.


    But I went to my room instead.


    My chest squeezed tight, fury tangled with something softer that I refused to name.


    I flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.


    Hours passed and my mind started wandering.


    Should I call him? Should I even care? The battle in my head was ridiculous. Half of me screamed don¡¯t give him the satisfaction, the other half whispered what if something happened?


    Finally, with a growl of frustration, I snatched my phone off the nightstand and dialed his number.


    No answer.


    I red at the screen like it had personally offended me, my pulse hammering against my ears. Then, without thinking, the words slipped out in a hiss:


    "Stronzo arrogante... figlio di puttana." I let out some colorful words in Italian.


    My voice shook with rage and something I refused to call hurt. I tossed the phone onto the bed with more force than necessary, shoving both hands through my hair.


    Of course he wouldn¡¯t pick up. That was Jace Romano¡¯s specialty. All he did was leave me burning, dangling, begging for scraps while he held all the damn power.


    But two could y at that game.


    Or so I told myself, even as my chest ached in a way I couldn¡¯t shake.

 Chapter 127 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 127: 127 ~ Jace</h4>


    I left early.


    Typically I would have checked on Mira but I had a lot to do today.


    <fnc9e5> Follow current nov?ls on find{n}ovel</fnc9e5>


    The enemy was too many heads on one body, and I wasn¡¯t foolish enough to believe I could cut them all down at once. Nope.


    Charging head-on would¡¯ve been suicide, and suicide wasn¡¯t in my nature.


    Divide and iste. That was how you killed an empire. Not with bullets first, but with suspicion.


    I sat in my new LA office, the blinds were half drawn and the shadows cutting the room into stripes. The cigar burning low between my fingers wasn¡¯t for pleasure. I was smoking for the first time in a long while and it was for pacing my thoughts, for keeping my temper still while I reyed each name in my head.


    Enzo.


    Ricardo.


    Giulietta


    Massimo.


    Each one was a cancer feeding on my family¡¯s legacy. Each one requiring a different de.


    Enzo was the weakest link. Ambitious, arrogant, and reckless. The kind of man who believed fearlessness was strength, when in reality it was the fastest path to an early grave. Take him out, and Ricardo would stagger. Discredit Giulietta, and she¡¯d be stripped of every ounce of influence she had wed from my father¡¯s mistakes.


    As for Ricardo himself, the man was dangerousbut even the sharpest knife snapped when struck the right way. And Massimo? He wasst. Alwaysst. Because I wanted him to taste what it felt like to lose everything before I ended him.


    The sound of the door opening broke my thoughts. I didn¡¯t move until I smelled the faint whiff of gunpowder and leather. My man, Luca, slipping inside. He knew better than to announce himself.


    He was not Tomas. I had asked Tomas to handle New York and some other locations. He was human too and I believed he would be overwhelmed if I put the burden of this n on his shoulders too.


    "Boss," Lucas said quietly, dropping a folder on my desk. "It¡¯s done. The papers are clean - watermarks, signatures, the works. No one¡¯s going to question them."


    I tapped ash into the tray and pulled the folder toward me. Inside were forged contracts and ount statements that would make Enzo look like he¡¯d been funneling money into Massimo¡¯s hands behind Ricardo¡¯s back. Neat, damning numbers. A few names of shellpanies that looked just real enough to pass scrutiny.


    "Good," I said, flipping through. "But clean isn¡¯t enough. It needs dirt. Smudges. Imperfections that make it believable. Ricardo¡¯s too smart to buy perfect. He¡¯ll smell a lie if it shines too much."


    They were family so I knew them well enough.


    Luca gave a quick nod. "I¡¯ll have our guy rough them up, add the right creases."


    I nodded.


    "Do that. And when you hand them off, make sure it doesn¡¯t look like a handoff. I want Ricardo to find them. Make him think someone inside his circle was sloppy."


    "Yes, Boss."


    He started to leave, but I stopped him. "And the whisper?"


    Luca smirked faintly. "Already in motion. One of our nts in Ricardo¡¯s crew told him he overheard Enzo talking to Massimo¡¯s men. Casual, like he wasn¡¯t sure he should repeat it. Just enough to dig under the old man¡¯s skin."


    Perfect. Whispers were better than shouts. A man could argue against hard evidence, but he couldn¡¯t argue against the gnawing doubt that came from a rumor. Doubt spread like rot. And it ate through walls and foundations until everything copsed on its own.


    "Good," I said again, closing the folder. "You can leave."


    When he left, I leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The office was quiet, but my thoughts weren¡¯t.


    Mira¡¯s voice echoed, sharp as a de. Good. Now you know how it feels.


    I had walked away from herst night because if I hadn¡¯t, I would¡¯ve kissed her until one of us broke. She didn¡¯t and couldn¡¯t understand that the rage between us was the same fire I used to keep myself alive. I loved her to death but the sting of her betrayal still burnt in my chest.


    For the first time I was blindsided. The realization dawned on me that she could have easily taken me down. She had that much power.


    Still, she haunted me. The press of her lips. The way her eyes burned when she called me out. The way she whispered Italian curses when she thought I couldn¡¯t hear. She was already under my skin, tangled in my blood. And Massimo circling her like a vulture only sharpened my rage. He wanted to use her to unmake me. I¡¯d burn him to ash before I let him.


    Deciding to snap out of my thoughts, I face theputer in front of me and worked, distracting myself from the thoughts of the woman who owned my heart. I knew she must have been mad that I didn¡¯t take her call but she¡¯d be alright.


    The phone buzzed. I dragged it closer, thinking it was Mira again.


    Luca¡¯s voice came through instead. It was sharp and efficient. "Ricardo has the papers. Picked them up about an hour ago. And from what I hear, he¡¯s already asking questions."


    A thin smile cut across my face. Faster than I expected. Good.


    "Let him stew," I said. "Don¡¯t push. The more he thinks he uncovered it himself, the deeper he¡¯ll believe it."


    "Yes, Boss."


    I ended the call, closing my fist over the phone until the stic creaked. One move down. The first domino tipped. Soon enough, Enzo would be dangling like fresh meat, and Ricardo would be blind with grief and rage. That was when I¡¯d strike hardest.


    But I wasn¡¯t na?ve. Every move I made, Mira would feel the ripples. Unless I hid it from her. She hated my ruthlessness, hated that I made decisions in blood and steel.


    She had never watched me kill anyone. I kept her in the dark from this life. Now I wasn¡¯t sure she would be left out of all the chaos that was about to ensue. She needed to understand that violence, bloodshed and the likes were the onlynguage men like Ricardo and Massimo respected.


    I believed she would never try to stand in my way, no matter how stubborn she could get.


    I closed my eyes, forcing the thought away. She wouldn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t.


    Still, the weight pressed against my chest like a warning.


    Divide and iste. It worked on enemies. But what happened when the divide came between me and her? What if she gave in to Massimo and all this was just part of a bigger n? She had blindsided me before, what if she did it again?


    I shoved the thoughts down and stood, grinding out the cigar in the tray. There was no room for weakness. Not now.


    The empire was rotting, but by the time I was finished, everyone would know exactly who thest man standing was.


    ~


    By morning, the video of the confrontation between father and son had reached my phone.


    I watched with a smirk as they argued. It was so fulfilling to watch them argue.


    The seed of doubt had been sown and it was stirring up more than enough chaos.


    Now I needed to make the next move.


    The elevator doors opened into the living room of my penthouse. I had slept out of the house for obvious reasons. I was avoiding her.


    But standing right by the floor to ceiling window that overlooked the city was my wife.


    She turned as soon as my feet hit the ground.


    "Where the hell have you been, Romano?" She was fuming.


    "Out."


    "You didn¡¯t even take my calls."


    "You called once."


    She arched a brow. "Why didn¡¯t you return it?"


    "I was busy."


    "Jace, I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s going on with you." She sounded exasperated.


    "Look around Mira. We¡¯re in the middle of something bigger than us and I really do not have the time for any sentimental bullshit!" My voice thundered through the room.


    She flinched, eyes shining with unshed tears.


    It felt like everything went still and in that moment the guilt seeped into my heart and settled like a heavy weight.


    Mira stormed towards the stairs, obviously heading to her room to cry.


    In quick strides, I got there before her and held her hand.


    "Let me go!"


    I pulled her into a tight embrace even as she tried to break out of my hold.


    Letting my palm rub over her back, I soothed her gently until she stayed still. When her chest heaved, I knew she was crying so I just let her stay in my arms and let it out.


    To be honest, I was tired of being cold towards her. I couldn¡¯t keep up the act anymore.


    "I¡¯m sorry, mia cara." I whispered, nting a kiss in the middle of head and coincidentally sniffing the scent of her strawberry shampoo.


    "You hurt me." She whimpered, looking up at me.


    Seeing her bloodshot eyes and tearstained face did something to my heart.


    "I know. Forgive me."


    Raising her chin up, I leaned down and covered her soft lips with mine.

 Chapter 128 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 128: 128 ~ Mira</h4>


    Relief flooded my veins when his lipstched onto mine. I had missed him so much even when we were in the same space.


    Every time he turned away from me, every night we slept in separate rooms, I felt the cracks widening. But now, in his arms, the world stilled.


    My fingers clutched at his shirt like he was the only thing keeping me from drowning. The taste of smoke lingered on his lips, bitter and sharp, but underneath it was him... the man who burned through me in ways I couldn¡¯t deny.


    I kissed him harder, pouring every ache, every sleepless night into it. Maybe if I pressed close enough, I could melt the walls he kept putting between us.


    When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine. His breathing was ragged, his voice lower, vulnerable in a way he never showed anyone but me.


    "Mira..." he whispered, and the sound of my name was like he broken, almost pleading. It twisted something deep inside me.


    I wanted to tell him everything. That I hated when he disappeared, that I hated this cold war he fought from behind closed doors. That I was terrified of the shadows creeping closer, the whispers I caught when he thought I wasn¡¯t listening. But the words stuck in my throat, because if I pushed too hard, he would shut me out again.


    So I did the only thing I could. I smoothed my palms over his jaw, forcing him to meet my gaze. "Don¡¯t push me away again, Jace. I can¡¯t... I can¡¯t take it."


    His jaw clenched, as if he was fighting himself. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then his arms tightened around me, crushing, desperate.


    "I won¡¯t," he muttered against my hair. "Not tonight."


    It should¡¯ve been enough. It should¡¯ve calmed the storm inside me. But the truth was, it only fed my fear. Because I knew him. Jace Romano did not promise forever ¡ª only tonight.


    And I wanted more.


    He held my hand as we walked upstairs to his bedroom.


    When he finally let me go, he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving me standing in the middle of the bedroom with my pulse racing and my lips swollen from his kiss. I heard the rush of the shower, steady and relentless, almost mocking the silence between us.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, twisting my fingers together. My chest still carried the warmth of his embrace, but beneath it was an ache I couldn¡¯t shake. Something was wrong. Jace wasn¡¯t a man who hid easily. His temper, his arrogance, his need to control... those things were always loud, impossible to ignore. But this? This quiet distance, these shadows he cloaked himself in... they scared me more than his rage ever could.


    By the time he stepped out of the bathroom, steam curling around him and water dripping down his chest, I had already decided I couldn¡¯t stay quiet anymore. He dragged a towel over his hair, not even looking at me as he moved to the closet.


    "Jace," I said softly.


    He froze for a fraction of a second, then kept moving. "What is it, Mira?"


    "That¡¯s what I want to know," I whispered. "What is it? What¡¯s going on with you?"


    His back was to me, broad and tense. He didn¡¯t answer right away. He pulled on ck sweatpants, his movements were deliberate amd controlled. Only when he turned did I see the flicker in his eyes. It not anger, not indifference, but something heavier.


    "I told you already," he said. "I¡¯m busy. Handling things."


    "Handling things," I repeated, the words tasting like acid. "That¡¯s all you ever tell me. Do you realize how it feels? You leave, you don¡¯t take my calls, youe home reeking of smoke and shadows, and then you shut me out like I¡¯m some stranger who doesn¡¯t deserve to know what¡¯s going on in her own home."


    Home...


    Months ago I would have spat acid if he called us a married couple and now I was calling his house my home. It was crazy.


    His jaw tightened. "It¡¯s not like that."


    "Then tell me what it¡¯s like!" My voice cracked, but I couldn¡¯t stop. "Why won¡¯t you trust me, Jace? Why won¡¯t you let me in?"


    He exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his damp hair. For the first time, I saw him hesitate. Jace Romano, the man who faced down killers without blinking, looked... uncertain.


    "It¡¯s not about trust," he said finally, his voice low. "It¡¯s about protection. The less you know, the safer you are."


    <fn0d10> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? F¦ÉndNovel</fn0d10>


    I stared at him, my heart shattering with every beat. "Do you even hear yourself? Safer? Jace, I married you. I may not have chosen this life, this name, this danger but I¡¯m here now. You think keeping secrets is protection, but it¡¯s not. It¡¯s distance. And it¡¯s killing us."


    His eyes softened for a split second, but then the mask slid back into ce. "You don¡¯t understand¡ª"


    "You¡¯re right," I cut in, tears burning hot at the corners of my eyes. "I don¡¯t understand. Because you won¡¯t let me."


    The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. He looked at me as though he wanted to speak, as though the truth was wing its way up his throat. But then he swallowed it back, locking it away behind those walls I couldn¡¯t climb.


    That hurt more than any shouted argument, more than any cruel word. Because it meant he didn¡¯t trust me with his truth.


    I turned away, lying down on the bed with my back to him. My chest trembled as I tried to keep the tears quiet.


    For a moment, I thought he¡¯d leave me there in silence. But then the mattress dipped under his weight, and his hand slid tentatively across my waist, pulling me back into him. His warmth pressed against my spine, his breath heavy at the curve of my neck.


    "I don¡¯t want to lose you," he whispered into my hair.


    The words should have soothed me, but instead they hollowed me out. Because how could he lose me, when he wouldn¡¯t even let me be his?


    It was obvious he didn¡¯t trust me anymore after that stunt with Massimo. He could lie to me all he wanted but I hade to terms with the fact that my husband didn¡¯t love me.


    ~


    He was gone before I woke up the next morning. Again.


    I let out an exasperated breath as I found my way to the kitchen. Maybe baking would help me focus.


    I rummaged through the cabs until I found the flour and sugar. The tter of bowls against marble echoed louder than it should have in the empty house. I tied my hair back, determined not to let the ache in my chest win. If Jace could bury himself in his secrets, then I would bury myself in dough and buttercream.


    As I cracked the eggs into the bowl, the silence pressed down on me. Usually, silence with him wasn¡¯t unbearable. And sometimes it even felt like home. But this? This was abandonment wrapped in quiet. It was the kind of silence that said: You¡¯re not enough to stay for.


    I was sick an tired of it all. v


    My hands moved on their own, kneading, mixing, measuring, but my mind refused to still. It chased him. Where he went. Who he met. What danger he thought was too much to share with me.


    By the time I slid the tray of pastries into the oven, my throat was raw with words I hadn¡¯t spoken. I leaned on the counter, ring at the faint glow of the oven light.


    "The ding of my phone made me jump. My heart skipped, hoping it was him. But it wasn¡¯t. It was from Massimo. His message short and sharp as always: We need to talk. Meet me at the gallery.


    My stomach twisted. I read the words again and again, hoping I haf imagined them. But they stayed, bold and poisonous, glowing back at me.


    I knew it was stupid to even consider it. He was dangerous. He always had been. Jace would skin me alive if he even suspected Massimo was still reaching me. And yet my thumb hovered over the screen, as I considered it.


    What if I could pretend to be allies with Massimo so I could help Jace in the long run? It sounded like a good n.


    I stared at the message until my eyes blurred. Minutes slipped by, the pastries forgotten in the oven. My chest rose and fell like I was standing at the edge of a cliff and someone dared me to jump.


    Going to him wasn¡¯t safe. But not going left me with questions wing at my insides.


    I pressed the phone to my chest as I closed my eyes, torn between fear and curiosity. Between loyalty and the aching need to know what exactly was going on.


    This was a mess.

 Chapter 129 - 130 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 129: 130 ~ Mira</h4>


    I insisted we met at an open spot.


    And even though I didn¡¯t tell Jace I was going anywhere, I was sure his guards had reported back to him that I left the house. Two of them came with me but I just hoped he wouldn¡¯t find me here and cause a scene.


    Massimo looked like sin. I hadn¡¯t seen him for months. And he looked as handsome as he used to just a little more viinous. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder if he had always been like that and I just didn¡¯t notice.


    Nervously, I fiddled with my ne, the same one Jace ced around my neck from years ago. My casual white two piece gleamed against the brown themed restaurant that had a few people present.


    "You look great." Massimo said with a typical smirk.


    <fn591f> For original chapters go to find(?)ovel</fn591f>


    "Of course I do. Wish I could say the same for you." I retorted fearlessly.


    For some reason I had a lot more courage than I anticipated. I had not seen him for a long time and I was aware of all the chaos he was causing for my husband, still I wasn¡¯t afraid of him.


    He was grinning now, gesturing at the chair opposite him. "Have a seat."


    "I want this meeting to be over as soon as possible so there¡¯s no need for that."


    "You¡¯re stubborn. As always."


    "You sound like you know me so well," I rolled my eyes.


    "I know you like the back of my palm Mira," His tone was heavy with meaning.


    That was when the realization dawned on me that everything about our meeting was premeditated.


    "I¡¯m surprised it took you this long to catch on." He wasughing.


    The sound irritated me so much I was tempted to smack him. But the sight of those menacing men that stood behind him held me from doing so. This was a public space. A shootout would possibly end the lives of innocent people. I did not want that kind of blood on my hands.


    "What do you want Massimo?"


    His eyes darkened as he turned serious. "You know what I want."


    "I don¡¯t know where the document is."


    "And you expect me to believe that?"


    "Well, yes?" I scowled, my tone had a hint of ¡¯duh¡¯ in it.


    What was I supposed to do? Jace said it himself that the document was no longer in his possession. I had no idea where it was or whom he had given it to.


    "You had just one job, Mira. Take it, give it to me and leave. Yet you went ahead and flopped it."


    "You didn¡¯t even give me a proper description of what exactly I was looking for." I stated the obvious.


    "It was a suede velvet...." he trailed off, trying to reel in his anger as people started to stare.


    His eyes hardened as they stared at me. "You¡¯re ying games with your brother¡¯s life."


    The threat hit me straight in my chest. I didn¡¯t want anything to happen to Roberto. But this was out of my hands.


    I decided that frantically begging would only fuel his ego. And I didn¡¯t have it in me to tend to his giant one.


    I leaned over the desk and faced him squarely.


    "Massimo Riciardi, there is absolutely nothing I can do about this. You want something from my husband? Go ahead and face him. Stop trying to use me to get what you want. You¡¯re a powerful man, you should be able to figure it out."


    A wicked smile spread over his devilishly handsome face.


    "I see what you¡¯re trying to do."


    I faked an innocent look. "What are you talking about?"


    "This isn¡¯t over Mira. Prepare for what¡¯sing to you. All of you." He got on his feet.


    His warning got to me but I did well to not show it.


    "You should prepare too." I showed him an overly sweet smile - one that could cause diabetes.


    He was about to storm away when I spoke again.


    "And Massimo?"


    He paused.


    "Don¡¯t ever contact me again. Talk to my husband if you need to but leave me out of your wars."


    Jace didn¡¯t want me getting involved anyways so it was only fair I passed the warning.


    He let out a humorless chuckle. "Your husband? Months ago, you would have denied ever knowing him and now you¡¯re using the ¡¯husband¡¯ tag to taunt me?"


    I shrugged. "Well, things change."


    "I see." His eyes lit up and I knew he was about to say something stupid.


    "The dick is that good huh?"


    Yup I was right. He did say something stupid.


    "Better than yours would ever be." I returned evenly.


    "Why don¡¯t I fuck you so you can tell the difference?"


    "Bruised your ego huh?" Iughed, aggravating him even more.


    He walked towards me and the guard next to me stepped in front of me before he could reach.


    "Watch your back Mirabel,"


    "You should too."


    I was tempted to pull out my gun and shoot him at the back of his head. I almost reached for it but that was too easy.


    He would get what wasing to him soon. I believed Jace was already working on it.


    "Bastard," I muttered under my breath.


    I sat on the seat opposite the one he just left. That was when I realized I just confronted the enemy without any fear.


    Me of few years before would have been shaking. So much had changed in what seemed like a little time. I was no longer the soft and fragile Mira. I was an entirely different person now and it came with mixed feelings.


    Yes, I was proud of the fearless woman I had be but I was sad about how the innocent me had gone missing in the midst of the chaos that came to my life after Jace.


    Finding out that my entire life was a part of one man¡¯s big n to justify himself did not make it any better.


    This wasn¡¯t the life I chose. I wasn¡¯t sure I wanted it no matter how luxurious it seemed from the outside.


    Would I ever be courageous enough to make a change?


    I guess I¡¯d have to wait and find out.

 Chapter 130 - 131 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 130: 131 ~ Mira</h4>


    "You went to see him?"


    That was the first thing I heard when I stepped into the living room. Jace was standing right there with a scowl on his face.


    <fnea3d> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? F¦ÉndNovel</fnea3d>


    "I didn¡¯t know you were back." I said calmly.


    He let out an exasperated breath.


    "I asked you a question."


    "You already know the answer. What do you want me to do? Lie?" I arched my brows at him.


    "You¡¯re fraternizing with my enemy!"


    I turned to the guard who had heard everything that was discussed between Massimo and I.


    "You didn¡¯t give him the full report?" I asked him as he stood as still as a statue.


    He didn¡¯t answer.


    I fumed. "Answer me! If you¡¯re going to tell him everything I do, you shouldn¡¯t leave such important details out."


    "It¡¯s not his job to eavesdrop on conversations." Jace spoke up for him.


    "But it¡¯s his job to tell you everywhere I go and who I meet up with huh?"


    Jace signalled for the guard to leave and I faced him squarely.


    "Just so you know, I-"


    "You don¡¯t listen."


    I huffed. "Can you let me finish?"


    "You¡¯re not supposed to be seen with him for whatever reason. It is unsafe and that was a very unwise move."


    "Gee thanks for underestimating my wisdom."


    "Mira..."


    "I don¡¯t want to hear it Jace. You need to stop treating me like a child. I¡¯m perfectly capable of taking care of myself."


    "Yet he could he have killed you." He retorted with a nk expression.


    "He didn¡¯t. And," I pointed at myself. "I found my way out of there before you could swoop in and y the hero."


    His jaw ticked. "I¡¯m not trying to y the hero. I¡¯m not a hero."


    "What are you? A viin?"


    He walked away.


    "I thought so!" I called after him as he climbed the stairs.


    He could be so annoying for no actual reason.


    ~


    Jace didn¡¯t stay indoors for long before he left to God knows where again. I wondered when he¡¯d ever stay home.


    I didn¡¯t know how to say it but I missed him. I wished we could be like every other normal couple out there that lived without the chaos of the mafia world. I wanted a sense of normalcy. I needed it in fact.


    Impulsively, I picked up my phone and called him. He picked up this time.


    "Hey,"


    "Is there something wrong? I left not too long ago."


    I sighed. "I know. Everything¡¯s fine. I just... miss you."


    There was silence for a long moment. Then I heard him breathe out. I could tell his iciness was beginning to thaw.


    "I miss you too. I¡¯ll be home tonight."


    I grinned a little wider than I anticipated. "Be on time for dinner. I¡¯ll make your favorite."


    "Yes ma¡¯am. I love you."


    My heart fluttered as he said that. "I love you too."


    When the call ended, I giggled like a little girl, kicking my feet in the air.


    I couldn¡¯t wait to see him.


    I decided I was going to cook tonight so the chef had the evening off. I made a truffle risotto as well as a few of his favorite desserts. When I was done with setting up the table with candles and making sure there was a sweet scent permeating the air, I went up and showered. Then I changed into a nice lingerie and wrapped myself in the transparent robe.


    When dinner time came, I went downstairs and sat at the table.


    He waste.


    Ten minutes passed with no sight of him and I was beginning to get anxious.


    I picked up my phone to call him and that was when the elevator doors opened. I sighed in relief when I saw that it was him.


    Jace looked dashingly handsome in his jeans and casual shirt. It wasn¡¯t everyday I saw him dressed so simply. He was always in suits. But this made him seem moreid back and rxed. I loved it.


    "Smells heavenly in here," hemented.


    "Tastes even better." I grinned, getting on my feet.


    "Sorry I¡¯m l-" The words got stuck in his throat.


    I watched his Adam apple bob up and down as he swallowed. His pupils dted as his eyes devoured me in those few seconds.


    "You look ravishing mi amore," he whispered sultrily.


    I felt a trickle of liquid pool at my panties when he said that.


    Swiftly he took my lips in his and nearly swallowed up my face.


    "Jace the food¡¯s getting cold," I managed to pull away from him amidst giggles.


    "I¡¯m starving but I don¡¯t know what to eat first."


    The double entendre wasn¡¯t lost on me. But the growl of his stomach gave me more reasons to pretend I didn¡¯t understand.


    "As promised, I made your favorite." I gestured at the main course. "And a few other sweet treats."


    "Wow," he sighed, sitting down.


    "I know you don¡¯t have much of a sweet tooth so I toned down on the sugar."


    "How thoughtful of you. Thank you," he said, cing a kiss on my lips again.


    We ate infortable silence for the most part, making small talk here and there. But the searing tension in the room was all that I could think of.


    I had just finished with my dessert when he pulled me into hisp and ced a deep, demanding kiss on my lips.


    Our tongues battled for dominance.


    "Let¡¯s take this inside," I said, panting for air as we pulled apart.


    "I want to take you right here."


    "But-"


    He lifted me before I could finish, cing me on the table as he pushed the dishes to one side.


    Jace went on his knees, eyes locked on mine as he deeped a finger into my wet pussy and yed with my clit.


    I shut my eyes and bit on my lower lip. He pinched my nipple and I hissed.


    I threw my head back as he reced his finger with his tongue,pping up my juices like it was ice cream.


    My fingers gripped his hair while I moaned till I couldn¡¯t hear the profanities I spoke anymore.


    When I finally came, it was earth shattering.


    But the night had only just begun.

 Chapter 131 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 131: 131 ~ Jace</h4>


    I couldn¡¯t get enough of her. I wanted to melt into her skin and live there forever. That¡¯s how close I wanted to get.


    Watching her get an orgasm from me tongue fucking her made my cock strain my pants. Mira was too much of a beauty to behold. I wanted to sink into her until she would forget everything else and the only word she would be able to whisper was my name.


    I lifted her off the table, carrying her in my arms like a child.


    <fn9ac5> Original content can be found at Find_Novel(.</fn9ac5>


    "We need to clean this up," she said looking back the polished table that was slicked up by the evidence of her release.


    "Let¡¯s worry about thatter," I rasped out, even more turned on by the sight of her cum. I wanted to see her do that again and again.


    We were in my bedroom within a minute.


    Gently cing her on the bed, I let her unbuckle my pants as she locked her lips with mine again.


    "I need to return the favor," she said in a sultry whisper, kneeling on the bed as she took the full length of my cock in her mouth.


    I shut my eyes and threw my head back as the warmth of her mouth engulfed me.


    The way her mouth worked rewired my brain cells.


    "Fuck!" I groaned, fisting her hair as her head moved back and forth.


    When I blew my load, she swallowed every bit of it, turning me on even more.


    I slipped into her dripping wet pussy and almost came again due to how tight she was.


    Her moans were like music to my ears, and the sight of breasts bouncing as I fucked her was too much of a beauty to behold.


    Making sure her legs were securely wrapped around me, I dug deeper until she was screaming in pleasure.


    "What¡¯s my name?" I rasped before sucking on her nipples.


    "Daddy," She moaned. It was the sexiest thing I had ever heard.


    Her nails raked down my back, dragging fire through my skin. I pressed harder into her, every thrust shaking the headboard against the wall, but it still wasn¡¯t enough. It never was.


    I couldn¡¯t get deep enough. Couldn¡¯t get close enough.


    Mira¡¯s mouth opened on a gasp, her head tipping back, and I swallowed that sound like it belonged to me. Because it did. She did.


    Then and there I realized one thing;


    The rest of the world could burn ¡ª Ricardo, Massimo, Giulietta, the empire I was dismantling piece by bloody piece. But right here, in this bed, she was the only thing that mattered. The only thing I couldn¡¯t let go.


    Her body clenched around me, pulling me tighter, dragging me toward that edge, and the thought wed into my skull: If anything happens to her, I¡¯ll raze this city until the streets run red.


    I mmed into her harder, chasing the rhythm, until my name ripped from her throat like a prayer and a curse all at once. That sound broke me. I spilled into her with a guttural groan with forehead pressed to hers and my chest heaving.


    I stayed buried inside her, refusing to move. Because when I pulled out, the cold woulde. And I wasn¡¯t ready to let it.


    Not yet.


    We were supposed to be okay. In fact we were fine. If at all we had any problems, this was the perfect makeup sex but I didn¡¯t want to get my hopes knowing that she could just wake up one day and leave me.


    I had faced several terrifying situations in my life but this... It was one of my greatest fears and no matter how I tried to pretend it didn¡¯t exist I couldn¡¯t suppress it.


    "I love you," I said as I watched her doze off.


    "I love you." She whispered back, touching my face tenderly.


    The cold dide. It always did.


    By midnight, I was across town, suit pressed and my mask back in ce. My tucked under my jacket. Luca¡¯s message had been clear: Enzo took the bait. He¡¯s on his way.


    Perfect.


    The idiot flew into USA just hours prior without his father¡¯s knowledge. Too bad.


    I waited in the dim light of the warehouse, the stink of oil and rust was thick in the air.


    The false "contact" I¡¯d set up was nothing but shadows and silence. Enzo strutted in like he owned the ce. His leather shoes were clicking and the arrogance dripping off him in waves.


    "Where¡¯s my buyer?" he demanded, voice sharp.


    "Right here," I said, stepping out from behind a pir.


    The look on his face was a flicker of realization apanied by a twitch of fear before he masked it. I felt a sense of fulfillment wash over me. It was worth every second of nning.


    "Cousin Jacopo," he said smoothly, though I saw the nerves in the way his hand twitched at his side. "This is unexpected."


    "Not really." My voice was calm, t. "You¡¯ve been running your mouth, Enzo. Selling out your blood to Massimo. Even your own father. Did you think it wouldn¡¯t reach me?"


    Heughed, but it was hollow. "You¡¯re mistaken."


    I tossed the forged papers onto the table between us. His eyes darted down, recognition flickering. The silence stretched.


    "You bastard! My father would never believe you over me."


    I shrugged. "Maybe. Too bad he won¡¯t know the truth now."


    And then I shot him. Once between the eyes. It was quick, clean and merciless.


    His body hit the concrete with a dull thud, blood spreading like spilled wine.


    I holstered the gun, leaning down just long enough to whisper, "Betrayal always ends this way."


    By the time Ricardo heard, Enzo would already be cold. And grief was the best weapon to gut a man like him.


    I straightened my jacket, stepped over the body, and walked out without looking back.


    One down, few more to go.


    I didn¡¯t slow down as I stepped out of the warehouse. The night air hit my face. It was sharp and damp, carrying the faint stench of blood from the floor I¡¯d just left behind. My cousin¡¯s blood. My family¡¯s blood.


    It didn¡¯t matter.


    I swallowed as the thoughts weighed on my chest.


    Enzo had crossed a line, and when you do that in my world, there¡¯s no forgiveness. There¡¯s only consequence.


    I fished my phone from my jacket and dialed without hesitation. Luca picked up on the second ring. His voice was alert/


    "It¡¯s done," I said. No need for pleasantries. "Burn everything. No loose ends. And make sure Ricardo hears about it from the streets before I ever have to open my mouth."


    There was a pause, then his steady reply: "Capisco."


    I ended the call and slid the phone back into my pocket, as my chest rose with a deep, controlled breath.


    One problem erased. Another seed of war nted. That¡¯s how the game was yed.


    But as I walked to the car, my mind betrayed me, pulling me back to the image of Mira beneath me earlier. The picture of her nails raking down my back, her voice breaking on my name. She was fire and salvation, and I had taken her like a drowning man gasping for air.


    Now I had blood on my hands, and all I wanted was to touch her again.


    The driver¡¯s eyes flicked to me in the rearview mirror when I slid into the backseat. He didn¡¯t ask questions. He knew better. Then engine hummed to life, and the city blurred past, a smear of lights and shadows.


    I leaned my head back against the seat with my jaw tight. If Mira ever found out what I had done tonight, what I was capable of, would she recoil? Or would she already know? Maybe she saw through me more than I realized. Maybe she always had.


    I was a mafia don. Of course I had blood on my hands. She had never seen me kill anyone but she was well aware of what my job entailed.


    By the time we pulled into my building¡¯s parking lot, dawn was bleeding into the horizon. The guards on night duty nodded as I stepped in, but I barely acknowledged them. My feet carried me up the stairs on instinct, down the hall to my bedroom.


    The bedroom door creaked softly as I opened it.


    Mira was still asleep, her body curled on my side of the bed, as though she¡¯d been reaching for me in my absence. The sheet slipped down her shoulder, baring the curve of skin I¡¯d kissed hours before.


    I stood there for a long moment, silent, staring at her. The warmth she gave me and the coldness I carried inside me didn¡¯t belong in the same world. Yet here we were.


    I stripped off my jacket, the scent of smoke and iron still clinging to it, and slid beneath the sheets. She stirred faintly, a soft sound leaving her lips, but she didn¡¯t wake.


    I pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder, whispering against her skin, "Perdonami, amore."


    And for the first time that night, I closed my eyes and slept.

 Chapter 132 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 132: 132 ~ Mira</h4>


    Jace was deep in sleep when I woke up. I sat up and looked at him. Even in sleep, he was not fully at rest. It bothered me to see him like this.


    I thought thatst night would help him ease his stress but it seemed like it was only momentary.


    I sighed softly, running a finger over his slick dark hair that fell to his forehead. His forehead scrunched up a bit. I pulled back and let him sleep, fighting the urge to nt a kiss on his forehead.


    I got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom, there I took a warm bath and let my thoughts wander as I washed my hair.


    Where was my life going with Jace? Was this all there was? Was I going to be with a man whose life could be snuffed out anytime? Yes anyone could die at anytime but the chances of him dying in a gunfight were 99.9% more than the average person.


    It broke my heart to think of me losing him the way Donna Carm had lost Don Vittorio. I in fact, had not moved on from the fact that his father killed mine. It was all soplicated.


    The shower door came open just then and Jace walked in fully naked.


    "Good morning," he said groggily. His eyes were bloodshot red.


    "Are you alright?" I asked in concern.


    It was so obvious he hadn¡¯t slept. He disappeared in the middle of the night to god knows where and slipped back in this morning. I was too deep in my slumber to ask where he had been.


    "I¡¯m fine." He answered, reaching for the body wash as we stood under the shower.


    "Where were you?"


    "What are you talking about?"


    "I felt you leave."


    "I stepped out."


    His vague responses increased my suspicions.


    "What did you do?"


    Jace didn¡¯t say anything to me again. He quickly washed up and left the bathroom while I stood there staring after him.


    It was too early to fight. Besides, we just started getting along again and I didn¡¯t want to ruin it.


    So even when there was tense silence between us as we both dressed up for the day, I decided to not pursue the topic further.


    I had work meetings set up for the morning anyway so I missed breakfast.


    The year was slowly reaching its end and I was now focused on how the sales and profits of my businesses were doing.


    <fnbabd> This content belongs to find?novel</fnbabd>


    The managers stationed at every branch had been doing well enough but I required a lot more from them.


    I had the meeting in Jace¡¯s office.


    He was somewhere in the house, most likely in the gym.


    The meeting was an hour long and by the time I was done, I felt the pangs of hunger hit slowly while the aroma from the kitchen wafted into my nostrils.


    But as I looked around the wide office space, curiosity got the better part of me as I decided to once again snoop around.


    I pulled out one of the drawers on the desk in front of me.


    There was a file filled with lots of papers.


    Just when I was about to open it, the door of the office came open.


    "Breakfast is served. You really need to stop snooping around my stuff, mia cara." He said in a dry tone, like he was not surprised anymore by my curiosity.


    I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart.


    "You really need to stop being secretive."


    He shrugged. "Can¡¯t help it."


    Getting on my feet, I let out a huff and went towards him. He smelled fresh.


    "You took a shower again?"


    "I was sweaty after working out so yeah."¡¯


    "You smell nice," I said and sniffed him before I could stop myself.


    His chest rumbled with a chuckle as he pulled me to him.


    I stayed in his arms for a long moment just enjoying the feel of him. The silence wasn¡¯t awkward this time and it didn¡¯t bite into my flesh. This was the quiet that stilled my mind and did not let it spiral.


    "I¡¯m starving, let¡¯s go eat before the food gets cold." I said, catching myself before I would kiss him and forget about eating.


    "Yeah," he rasped, looking straight into my eyes.


    "Why are you staring at me like that?"


    "I¡¯m just wondering how I got so lucky."


    "What?" Iughed, trying to douse the seriousness in his tone.


    He shook his head and ced a kiss on my head before leading me towards the table.


    We ate infortable silence until his phone rang.


    His jaw clenched as he answered the call. And he barely said anything as the person on the other end talked.


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    I watched his expression closely as he stirred the coffee in his cup.


    "Enzo¡¯s body was found in a burning warehouse this morning."


    My eyes widened when I found out about the death of Enzo. Of course I hated his guts more than anything because he was a jackass but what I didn¡¯t expect was for him to be dead all of a sudden.


    "Did you do it?" I asked, staring straight into his eyes.


    "What do you think?" He asked back, stunning me to silence.


    "Was it Massimo?" I asked after a while.


    Jace shrugged. "Could be. He was involved in all sorts of shady things."


    I nodded. It made sense. And if Enzo had partnered with Massimo at any point, without enough results it was no surprise why he would have him killed. Massimo almost did the same to me anyway.


    "Ricardo must be having a hard time right now."


    His phone rang just then.


    "Speak of the devil," he smirked, putting the phone on loudspeaker as he picked up.


    "You killed my son!!!"


    I flinched slightly as Ricardo¡¯s voice thundered with fury over the phone.


    "If I¡¯d be careful with the usations."


    "Jacopo-"


    "Maybe you should ask one of your allies about what happened to me. I understand that you are a grieving man and your being emotional can be forgiven."


    The coolness of Jace¡¯s tone must have irked the old man even more because he immediately cussed him out in Italian.


    Jace hung up almost immediately.


    "I need to get back to work." He got on his feet again.


    "Jace?"


    "Yes?"


    "You¡¯re sure you didn¡¯t do it?" I asked, gesturing at his phone.


    "And I¡¯ll ask again, Mira, what do you think?"


    He walked away just then leaving me to wander in my thoughts.


    ~


    The next few days were quite chaotic. Jace was barely home, security had gotten tighter.


    I was constantly worrying that something was going wrong.


    Every time I asked, his answers were vague, clipped. He would touch my cheek, tell me not to worry, and then vanish again into the night. It left me pacing the halls with a restless ache, staring out of windows as though the shadows might whisper where he¡¯d gone.


    But beneath the worry for him, another unease had taken root in me.


    It started with exhaustion that wouldn¡¯t go away, no matter how long I stayed in bed. Then came the nausea. It was subtle at first, just a sour taste in the mornings, but growing until even the smell of certain foods turned my stomach. I brushed it off as stress, nerves and the constant tension in this house. But when I caught myself pressing a palm against my abdomen, lingering there as though searching for an answer, a quiet, dangerous thought slipped in.


    Could I be pregnant?


    The question hit me harder than I wanted to admit. My mind spun with possibilities, calctions of days and nights that blurred together. Every possibility carried weight of hope and terror, both pressing down on me.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my hands. If I was, what then? Would Jace want this? Or would he see it as aplication, another vulnerability in a world where weaknesses got people killed?


    I didn¡¯t want a repeat of the past.


    My chest tightened at the thought of his reaction. Part of me pictured his eyes softening, his hand covering mine, steady and sure. Another part saw the cold mask he wore when making ruthless decisions, the same one I had seen too often.


    I pressed my knees together, burying my face in my hands.


    The simple solution was obvious: take a test. A small box, a piece of stic and an answer in minutes. But the thought of knowing terrified me. Because knowing meant I would have to face Jace with the truth. And facing him meant risking whatever that truth might do to us.


    So I hesitated.


    Each time I passed the pharmacy in my mind, I imagined slipping in, buying the test, hiding it in my purse. And each time, I stopped myself. What if the result was positive? Could I bear the look in his eyes if he wasn¡¯t ready again? And if it was negative would that strange flutter of hope inside me die quietly, leaving me emptier than before?


    I leaned back on the pillows, wrapping the nket tighter around me, my hand unconsciously resting against my stomach again.


    For now, I told myself, I could wait. I had survived secrets before. One more wouldn¡¯t break me.


    But deep down, I knew waiting wouldn¡¯t change the truth.

 Chapter 133 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 133: 133 ~ Mira</h4>


    It was a fine morning. The beginning of a very beautiful day.


    I turned on my bed and was lucky to see Jace staring down at me with a smile.


    I sat up, furrowing my brows in confusion at his smile.


    "Why are you smiling like that?" My voice came out groggy but I didn¡¯t mind. Neither did he.


    He arched a brow. "You forgot?"


    "Forgot what?"


    He turned, opening the drawer by his side of the bed. He handed me something.


    It was a birthday card. That was when it clicked. It was my birthday. I had been so busy fighting different mental battles, I hadpletely forgotten about it.


    "Happy birthday mia cara," he pressed a kiss to my temple.


    I forced a smile as I thanked him. Then I read through the shimmery ck and gold card he gave me.


    "I¡¯m no poet, nor am I a man of many words.


    But on this day I want to wish you, my wife, a happy birthday. I promise to do my best to make this day so special you would be unable to forget it.


    - J"


    He leaned in to kiss me, I tried to dodge it due to my morning breath. He was well aware but pulled my face to his and kissed me regardless.


    When I got downstairs, I saw that he had the living room decorated for me.


    I grinned at him as sighted the boxes of designer stuff and therge bouquets of flowers.


    "This is way to much Jace,"


    "Nothing¡¯s too much for the woman I love."


    I smiled wider.


    "Also, these are also for every birthday I missed while you were aware."


    My smile dimmed slightly. The two years we were apart still surfaced in our conversations every now and then.


    "Thank you." I said, standing on tiptoes to kiss him. He deepened it .


    And it took the interruption of the chef to break us apart.


    There was a full spread for breakfast and a sumptuous looking birthday cake.


    This man would always go above and beyond for me. It was over the top but that was Jace. He would always be this way.


    ~


    I got ready for dinner that night. Jace had made reservations at this fancy rooftop dinner.


    I dressed up in the dress he got me. I did my makeup absentmindedly.


    Birthday blues were hitting hard and honestly, I didn¡¯t feel like going anywhere anymore.


    But then I realized how much effort my husband had put into this and I didn¡¯t want to ruin a seemingly happy evening.


    I met him downstairs and he stared at me like I was the moon and stars. It sent butterflies on a rampage in my belly.


    He held out his hand, I took it and sighed as he kissed my knuckles.


    "You take my breath away,"


    "I see that." I giggled.


    "I can¡¯t wait to get this dress off you tonight." He growled in my ear.


    I bit on my lower lip, fighting the urge to pull him by his tie and make him take me on the stairs.


    We entered the elevator and I stayed quiet as he took calls. We entered his vehicle parked right in front of our building.


    That was when I realized we had a ton of guards following us.


    Jace saw the question in my eyes.


    "Don¡¯t stress about it."


    I looked away and nodded even when it honestly bothered me that we needed to walk with such a crowd of armed men.


    As expected, Jace had the whole restaurant rented out for us. ording to him, we had a few guests joining us for my birthday dinner.


    I wondered who he would have invited. I didn¡¯t have any friends.


    But to my greatest surprise, his mother and my brother were right there as well as Tomas and Ariel.


    I ran into my brother¡¯s arms.


    "Oh my goodness, I really thought you forgot my birthday."


    He grinned. "I could never."


    Then he nodded at Jace who gave him a curt nod in return.


    These two were never going to be close but at least they could stand being in the same room for the first time in years.


    I honestly wondered how Jace was able to get him to be here. I would askter, I thought as I went over and gave Donna Carm a hug.


    "Happy birthday beautiful," she said and handed me a small gift bag.


    "Thank you donna," I smiled.


    I said hello to Tomas and went ahead to hug Ariel. I had not seen her in such a long time.


    My eyes darted between her and Tomas and the way his palm sat on the small of her back. There was definitely something going on between these two but it was not in my ce to ask.


    We soon settled down and had dinner. There was a cake brought to me and I blew out the candle as they yed a birthday song in the background. Obviously no one here could sing a proper line without going off.


    We talked andughed. And honestly, I felt much better than I did before.


    There was music so our guests did some dancing. I did too but sat back down to eat my piece of cake as the sadness came back again.


    Jace sat next to me as we watched everyone else have a little bit of fun.


    <fn1b3c> Checktest chapters at Find?Novel</fn1b3c>


    "What¡¯s wrong, Mira? Talk to me." His concern was palpable.


    Nervously, I dropped my cutlery while he watched me closely.


    Heaving a sigh, I decided it was now or never. "I think I might be pregnant." I bit out and shut my eyes, anticipating a crashout from him.


    When my ears were greeted by silence, I opened them, expecting quiet fury which would be worse in the case. But surprisingly, I saw Jace¡¯s stormy gray eyes light up like fireworks.


    "You¡¯re not mad." It was not a question but a statement of surprise.


    "Why would I be? This is fantastic news."


    I was immediately suspicious. "What? Are you sure?"


    Jace held my hands in his softly. "Mira, it¡¯s about time we have a child don¡¯t you think?"


    "Um, but with everything going on I thought-"


    He shook his head. "This would be bring so much joy into my life. I need that."


    "Wow," I sighed, not expecting the reaction at all. I waspletely blindsided.


    "Well, I haven¡¯t taken the test so I don¡¯t know for sure." I told him. "Let¡¯s not get our hopes up too much."


    "No matter the oue, I just want you to know that I¡¯m ready for us to have children of our own. You want that right?"


    I nodded slowly. I wanted to have kids of my own but I wasn¡¯t so sure I was ready for it at this point in my life. My miscarriage happened nearly three years ago and while it felt like a long time ago, the fear that came with that experience resurfaced at the thought of me possibly being pregnant.


    It was disturbing to say the least. But I had to carry on anyways.


    The night ended on a good note. It was a good birthday and I hoped that this time the next year, things would be so much better than they were.


    ~


    The next day, I finally garnered the courage to take the test.


    Jace had someone go to the pharmacy to get the test kit and bring it to me. He waited outside the bathroom as I took the test.


    My heart was beating. It was the longest fifteen minutes of my life as I waited for the for the lines to show.


    And when they did show, my heart sunk as I saw that it was...negative.


    A heavy feeling found its way to my chest. This was the disappointment I had been trying to avoid. It was the same feeling I tried to run away from and the same thing I wanted to stop myself from seeing in Jace¡¯s eyes. I should never have blurted it out at dinnerst night. I should have just kept it to myself and let it pass.


    "Mira, are you okay baby?"


    I swallowed, staring at my reflection. The tears I had been trying so hard to hold were about to spill.


    Jace didn¡¯t wait for my response, he burst into the bathroom.


    I looked at him. He stared back, immediately understanding what exactly was going on.


    Without a word, he scooped me into his arms and I let the tears flow.


    He just held me like if he let go I would break. And maybe that was true.


    "It¡¯s okay. We can always keep trying,"


    "What if I can¡¯t have a child after-"


    "Shhh," he hushed me. "Let¡¯s think positive thoughts only. We definitely can have a baby. This is only one negative test. We have time."


    He didn¡¯t understand what this reminded me of. Every time I saw a negative pregnancy test few years back, it chipped at different parts of me. He never saw that struggle. I bore it all on my own.


    When I finally got a positive result, I was so relieved. But my joy was shortlived. Even when I wanted to totally move on from it, a part of me still med him for it.


    "Look at me," he lifted my chin.


    My teary eyes stared into his.


    "It¡¯s not the end of the world. There¡¯s no pressure. We¡¯ll have our baby whenever we¡¯re ready. Okay?"


    I nodded.


    He hugged me again and I just stayed there basking in the warmth of his arms around me.


    No pressure I guess...

 Chapter 134 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 134: 134 ~ Jace</h4>


    I hated seeing her cry. It broke my heart into several pieces to see her hurt.


    A part of me was hopeful that we would be having a child soon but I did not let myself feel too much disappointment when the test came out negative. We would have a baby of our own eventually. I was sure of it.


    I was relieved when she finally stopped crying.


    "I never got to thank you for the surprise at dinner." She said, looking up at me.


    "I¡¯ll do anything for you my love." I said, kissing her lips softly.


    "How were you able to get Roberto toe?"


    "It was easy." I shrugged.


    Mira¡¯s brother and I would probably never get along. But he couldn¡¯t say no to something that had to do with his sister. I called him personally and he threatened to hang up until I mentioned her name and said I was nning a surprise for her. He was cold at first but he eventually came around. I exined it to her.


    "You¡¯re the sweetest." She grinned.


    More than anything I wanted to take her right there in the bathroom but I had work to handle.


    "I have to go baby,"


    "But I don¡¯t want you to go," she pouted. It was the cutest thing I had ever witnessed.


    "I have some work to take care of but I¡¯ll be home soon. I promise."


    "Okay." She sighed, pulling my face to hers as she kissed me deeply.


    "Be a good girl while I¡¯m away," I winked.


    "I¡¯m always a good girl."


    I smirked. "Sure you are." I said, spanking her ass.


    <fnb927> The rightful source is find?novel</fnb927>


    My phone was already buzzing in my back pocket.


    When I left the room, I picked it up. It was Tomas.


    "We have a situation boss."


    That was code for a major problem.


    I groaned. "What did Massimo do this time?"


    "It¡¯s not Massimo."


    "Then who did it?"


    "It¡¯s an inside job."


    "Ricardo?"


    "Most likely."


    "I¡¯ll be there in no time."


    I jumped into my car and drove to the warehouse.


    What I got there was a surprise instead.


    "Whose crazy idea was it to put balloons and confetti in a warehouse with guns and arms?" I said gruffly as I walked through the pile.


    Lucas and Tomas were having a goodugh at my difort.


    "Can someone tell me what¡¯s going on?" I asked.


    "We secured the Abadi deal."


    "What?" I was genuinely shocked. With everything going on in my arms business had been facing some obstacle.


    "How???"


    "Lucas pulled some strings." Tomas patted him on the back.


    I was impressed. "Good job. This calls for a celebration."


    I ordered for a bonus to be added to everyone else¡¯s sry for the month. It was weed by celebratory shouts and gunshots.


    Finally some good news and some good money too. It felt nice to be relieved of all the tension.


    I left them to celebrate with drinks as I entered my office. I still had a Divide & Conquer n to execute.


    I pulled out the sh I had paid heavily to get and plugged it into my system.


    The grainy photos spilled across my screen for a moment. I watched them with a clenched jaw. Pretentious homewrecking bitch.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine that she yed the victim to my father and he believed her.


    I didn¡¯t want to know the full details of the affair with Mira¡¯s father. But she had no reason to have him killed because they were no longer together. He was a man married with kids and she didn¡¯t even consider the fact that his children would be without a father. She had fiance for goodness sake!


    She deserved to be killed too if it was okay to be killed for infidelity. I sighed. I couldn¡¯t turn back the hands of time but I could undo a little bit of the damage.


    I printed out the photographs after making several digital copies and spread them across my different devices.


    Putting gloves on, I parceled the photos myself and gave it to my dispatch. They knew where to take them.


    Now all I had to do was sit back and watch the world burn, bit by bit.


    There was no rush in things like these.


    ~


    Going back to Mira was my favorite part of every day. The way she settled into domestic life and made me my favorite meals every now and then. And it warmed my heart.


    I was stupid to take this for granted the first time. Now I was sure I would never do it again.


    I got into the living room and the aroma of something good reached my nostrils.


    As expected, she was in the kitchen sweaty and baking different pastries.


    I stood by the door and watched her with a smile. She was oblivious of my presence. I loved watching her in her element. One could see her love for this and I hated myself for trying to take her away from it.


    She looked up all of a sudden.


    I shut my eyes as she screamed and dodged the spat she threw in my direction.


    "Jace you really need to stop doing that. You scared me."


    Iughed but her re stopped me halfway.


    "Sorry about that." I said, going around the corner to hug. I ced a kiss on her temple.


    "You¡¯re back early,"


    "I missed you." I admitted with as sigh.


    "Of course you did."


    I arched a brow as a small smile made its way to my face. "Cocky much?"


    She giggled in response.


    "What are you making?"


    "I¡¯m just trying a new recipe. It¡¯ll probably be used at the restaurants if it works again."


    "Hmm," I hummed as a thought came to my mind.


    "How about we go on a vacation?"


    "A vacation? Why?" She frowned a little. Maybe she was suspecting I was trying to get away from something or someone. That wasn¡¯t the case.


    I shrugged. "It¡¯s long overdue, don¡¯t you think?"


    "Hmm. Where do you want go then?"


    "Don¡¯t you miss Lisbon?"


    "I did want to go and check how things are going. Online checkins aren¡¯t enough." She said.


    "Exactly. Let¡¯s go a tour around Europe."


    Her eyes lit up. "How long are we talking?"


    "A month?"


    She gasped. Then she hopped like a kid, amusing me even further.


    "I¡¯ll take that as yes." I said with a chuckle.


    "Yes!!!" She squealed.


    "How about we celebrate that?" I sultrily whispered in her ear.


    Before she could answer, I hooked her waist and lifted her. She gave a breathlessugh, her legs instinctively wrapping around me as I pressed her against the counter. Her hands fisted in my shirt, tugging me down, and I kissed her hard enough to erase every doubt that had been eating her these past days. Every fear of us not having kids of our own washed down.


    She tasted like wine and salt, a mix I could drown in. My hands slid under her blouse, rough palms over soft skin, and she shivered against me. Her body molded perfectly to mine, like it had been made for this...for me...


    "Jace..." she gasped when I ground my hips into hers. The counter was digging into her lower back. Her breathy plea only spurred me on.


    I broke the kiss long enough to rip her blouse open, buttons scattering across the tiled floor. Her bra followed, torn down in one impatient tug. My mouth found her corbone, then lower, iming every inch of skin until she arched into me, panting. I put my tongue around her taut nipples, gently licking and sucking like my life depended on it.


    "Fuck, Mira," I muttered against her chest, my voice rough. "You drive me insane."


    Her manicured nails raked down my back as I shoved her skirt up, sliding between her thighs. I pumped my fingers into her while teasing her clit with my thumb.


    My lips didn¡¯t leave hers as she moaned into my mouth repeatedly. My cock strained against my pants. I needed to be inside her.


    Almost like she read my thoughts, she unzipped my pants and dipped her hand into my shorts, fondling with it until she brought it out.


    The sound she made when I filled her. It was a broken cry muffled against my shoulder and it nearly undid me.


    I set a brutal rhythm, mming into her while her back bowed and her fingers clutched at my hair. Each thrust was punctuated by the sharp p of skin, the hiss of her breathing, the low growl building in my chest. She clung to me, whispering my name like it was both a prayer and a curse.


    The counter rattled beneath us, but I didn¡¯t care if it broke or not. All I cared about was the way her walls clenched around me, pulling me deeper, tethering me to her in ways neither of us could escape.


    Her body trembled, and when she came undone around me, crying out loud enough to shake the silence of the penthouse, I followed hard, burying myself to the hilt, holding her as if letting go meant losing her forever.


    I pressed my forehead to hers, still breathing hard, still inside her. "Everything else can wait," I whispered hoarsely. "I¡¯d take this over Paris or anywhere any day."

 Chapter 135 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 135: 135 ~ Mira</h4>


    Prepping for a trip could be exciting and exhausting at the same time.


    But I was over the moon that I was going on a vacation with Jace.


    By the next morning, the penthouse was already buzzing with motion. I had barely gotten out of bed when a suitcase rolled into the bedroom. It was sleek ck leather with golden zippers that glimmered in the sunlight.


    Jace didn¡¯t ask me to pack. He basicallymanded me to do it.


    "Essentials only, mia cara" he said, adjusting his cufflinks in front of the mirror. "I don¡¯t want us weighed down with too much luggage. I¡¯ll have whatever else you need bought when wend."


    That was his way of saying: trust me.


    I liked it. In fact, I loved it.


    I sat on the edge of the bed, watching him. The man could strip kingdoms down to ash with the snap of his fingers, and yet he worried about whether I carried too many dresses. It was ridiculous, but it warmed something inside me. He looked so put together so early in the morning, I wanted to pull him to the bed and tousle him up a bit.


    The whiff of his perfume filled the room. I so badly wanted to sniff him.


    I got out of bed and packed slowly. A few blouses, skirts, and dresses. Mostof them soft fabrics that wouldn¡¯t crease easily. Jace had already ced a box on the bed earlier: a passport holder embossed with my initials, M.R. It felt surreal sliding my passport inside, like I had suddenly be the kind of woman who traveled the world with a powerful man at her side.


    <fn1e45> The source of th?s content is ?ovelFind</fn1e45>


    Five years ago, this would have never happened in my wildest dream. I couldn¡¯t even imagine it.


    Still, nerves hummed beneath my skin. Leaving the city, leaving behind the chaos of Ricardo and Enzo and Massimo...


    I didn¡¯t know if it meant safety or danger. Jace said he wanted us gone for a while, but I had learned that nothing he did was ever just for pleasure. He most likely had a reason for us going away.


    "Where are we going first?" I asked as I folded a silk slip into the suitcase.


    He came up behind me, hands sliding around my waist, lips grazing the back of my neck. "Italy first. Mn."


    My heart jumped. His country. His roots. "Is that wise?" I whispered.


    His chuckle was low and dangerous. "Wise has never been my favorite word, Mira. Besides..." he turned me in his arms, making me look up into his eyes.


    "I want to show you where Ie from. Not the blood, not the guns. The beauty. The life that existed before all of this."


    And just like that, my doubts melted. I let his lips settle on mine.


    By evening, the bags were ready. A sleek ck SUV carried us straight onto the private runway, where Jace¡¯s jet gleamed like something out of a movie.


    I had seen nes before, but this one... it was another world. This was a different jet from the one I was used to.


    "You got a new one?"


    He smirked and shrugged. "I wanted a new toy so I got one."


    This wasn¡¯t rich. It wealthy in capital letters.


    I almost gasped at the interiors. Cream leather seats, a long polished table, bottles of champagne chilling in silver buckets. The flight attendant smiled politely as she took my bag, but my eyes were only on Jace.


    "You fly this often?" I asked as we climbed aboard.


    "Too often." He loosened his tie, throwing it carelessly onto the nearest seat. "But never for something like this."


    The engines roared to life, and as we lifted off, I felt the press of his hand against mine. He didn¡¯t speak, just squeezed gently as the city lights shrank below us. I realized then that this wasn¡¯t only about me. This was his escape too. It was a temporary reprieve from the wars waiting outside.


    At thirty thousand feet, we sat across from each other, a te of truffle risotto between us. I teased him, saying he¡¯d picked the meal just to show off his roots, but he only smirked.


    "Wait until Mn," he said. "You¡¯ll taste the real thing there."


    The flight felt shorter than it was. Between whispered conversations, stolen kisses, and the ss of wine that left me warm and drowsy, time blurred. By the time the wheels touched down, I was half asleep against Jace¡¯s shoulder.


    "Wake up, mia cara," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "We¡¯re here."


    The air in Italy was different. It greeted me with a softness that carried warmth, olives, and espresso all at once. The terminal was small and private, guarded by men who nodded at Jace with respect.


    It was peacefulpared to the hustle and bustle of LA. It felt more homely. It wasn¡¯t home per se because I¡¯d never lived here even though I was originally Italian.


    We slipped into another SUV, and the drive itself felt like a dream. Rolling hills stretched out on either side, dotted with vineyards and vis that looked like paintingse to life. I pressed my forehead to the ss, unable to take it all in.


    Jace watched me more than the scenery. "You like it?" he asked.


    "I love it," I breathed.


    He smiled faintly, as though my joy mattered more than the view itself.


    Our first stop wasn¡¯t a hotel. It was a vi on the outskirts of Mn, the kind of ce that didn¡¯t exist in reality, only in fantasies. White stone walls climbed with ivy, terracotta roofs gleaming under the sun, and a fountain in the courtyard that sang softly as water spilled into its basin.


    Inside, the vi was furnished in clean lines and warm wood, but the windows stole my attention. Each one of them opened to views of sprawling gardens and distant mountains.


    "This is temporary," Jace said, setting his gun holster down on a table like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Just a base for us while we move around."


    I turned to him, incredulous. "Temporary? Jace, this ce is... it¡¯s paradise."


    His lips curved in a dangerous beautiful smile that mad my heart beat faster.


    "Then I¡¯ve done well," he remarked.


    He didn¡¯t kiss me immediately even when I so badly wanted him to. Instead, he walked me through the vi and showed me the master bedroom where we would be sleeping, the balcony overlooking olive trees, the kitchen stocked with imported ingredients. Each detail carried his mark. He had thought of everything, down to the way the sunlight would pour into our room in the morning.


    How was he able to pull this off in one day? I wondered. Then I shrugged, realizing that money made the world go round.


    When he finally pulled me against him in the middle of that sprawling vi, I realized something: this was more than a trip. This was his way of giving me a piece of the life he wished he could give me always.


    Over the next few hours, I unpacked while he took calls in another room. The sound of his voice drifted through the walls. It was low, firm andmanding. I didn¡¯t need to know thenguage to know it was about business, about the n he refused to tell me in detail.


    Still, I tried to focus on my own little world. I tucked my dresses into drawers, lined my shoes neatly in the closet, and ced the strawberry shampoo on the marble bathroom shelf. It was strange how ordinary tasks could feel extraordinary in a foreign ce.


    It felt like something straight out of a movie. Thest time Jace and I went on a vacations It was nothing like this. I liked how it felt.


    Later, he came to me with a hand at the small of my back. "Tomorrow," he said, "I¡¯ll take you into the city. You¡¯ll see Mn the way it¡¯s meant to be seen."


    "Will it be safe?" I asked quietly.


    His jaw tightened. "With me, you¡¯re always safe."


    I wanted to believe that. I wanted to believe that this trip was a promise, not a distraction from the shadows looming behind us. But as Iy in bed that night, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling above me, a question nagged at my chest.


    Why did I feel like this was only the calm before another storm?


    The next morning, sunlight poured in golden and soft. Jace was already dressed, leaning against the balcony rail with a cup of coffee in hand, his shirt sleeves rolled up. He looked... almost human. Almost free. I loved seeing him at ease with himself like this. He seemed so carefree.


    And for the first time in a long time, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this trip wasn¡¯t only about survival. Maybe it was just about us.

 Chapter 136 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 136: 136 ~ Mira</h4>


    Mn looked like a dream draped in sunlight. The word, ¡¯Beautiful¡¯, didn¡¯t fully describe how it looked.


    From the moment we stepped out of the ck car that had whisked us from the airport the previous day, I was wide-eyed, caught somewhere between disbelief and awe. The city seemed alive with elegance. There were tall, centuries-old buildings with ornate balconies, cobblestone streets where sleek cars whirred past fashionably dressed pedestrians, and shop windows gleaming with clothes I knew cost more than my entire closet back home or maybe not because my husband was a billionaire and only got the best for me anyways.


    Jace had one hand wrapped securely around mine as if he expected me to vanish into the crowd at any second. His other hand was tucked in his pocket, that usual casual dominance radiating off him even here, halfway across the world from his empire.


    He looked around the ce, staring like a hawk despite the fact that we had security closeby. I removed my gaze from him and my breath hitched.


    "Quit staring, cara," he murmured, leaning close enough for his breath to tickle my ear. "You¡¯ll trip over your own feet."


    I scoffed and tugged at his arm. "I¡¯m sorry, am I supposed to not stare when the Duomo is right there?"


    The cathedral rose ahead of us, white marble catching the sun like something heavenly. Its spires pierced the sky, and for a moment I forgot how to breathe.


    "God, it¡¯s beautiful," I whispered. It quite literally took my breath away.


    His eyes weren¡¯t on the cathedral. They were on me.


    "Yeah," he said simply, and when I nced at him, his expression was unreadable, softened only by the smallest curve at the corner of his mouth. Even with such a small gesture, he was easily the most handsome man I could see.


    Heat prickled my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, pretending to admire the pigeons scattering across the square. Anything to distract myself from the hotness building in the pit of my stomach.


    We soon went into the building.


    Inside the Duomo, everything was hushed and reverent. Stained ss bathed the interior in jeweled colors, and my footsteps echoed lightly as we walked between towering columns. I tilted my head back, taking in the vaulting ceiling, marveling at how small I felt in this wide space.


    Jace walked beside me silently, his broad frame somehow fitting right into the grandeur. He wasn¡¯t the kind of man who bowed his head in prayer, but even he paused for a moment, staring up at the endless stretch of painted sky on the ceiling.


    I slipped my hand into his,cing our fingers together. He squeezed back. That one silent gesture told me more than words ever could.


    I really did love this man. I had always known it but now it felt different. It felt new and so freeing to be with him by my side. It was an inexplicable feeling to have someone I could count on. Someone who I could turn off my brain around. I didn¡¯t have to worry too much when he was near.


    Byte morning we left the cathedral and he led me down narrow streets that smelled like fresh espresso and butter. I had barely recovered from the awe of the cathedral when he steered us into a caf¨¦ tucked between two boutiques. It was small, crowded, and perfect. The people were chatting in Italian, their cups clinking, the hiss of the espresso machine filling the air.


    It filled me with a strange kind of warmth.


    We sat at a little table by the window. The waitress brought us cappinos dusted with cocoa, and Jace ordered something in Italian that rolled smoothly off his tongue.


    Of course he was Italian by origin but he had stayed in America for most part of his life and that was one of the reasons why Ricardo and the rest of his family members did not approve of him being the don. They thought of him as whitewashed. I had heard speak Italian in a few sentences but I had no idea he was so fluent.


    I arched a brow. "I didn¡¯t know you spoke Italian that well."


    His lips twitched. "There¡¯s a lot you don¡¯t know about me, mia cara."


    "That sounds like a threat," I teased, stirring my coffee before bringing it to my lips, hiding my smile.


    "It¡¯s a promise." His gaze pinned me across the table, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe again.


    It was crazy and even embarrassing that all it took from him was a look and my panties would pool beneath me. I wondered if he had that effect on me alone or a bunch of other women too.


    The food arrived, distracting me from my wanton thoughts. There were delicate pastries filled with cream, ky croissants that melted in my mouth. I groaned softly around the first bite, closing my eyes.


    "This is unreal," I said, my voice muffled. This was too good.


    When I opened my eyes, Jace was staring at me again, his cup untouched.


    "What?" I asked, raising my brows.


    "Nothing," he muttered, finally lifting his coffee. But the glimmer in his eyes betrayed him.


    Our eyes met again. We were definitely thinking in the same direction.


    Why were we acting like two shy horny teenagers on the streets of Mn for goodness sake?


    In the afternoon, he took me shopping. I protested, of course. I said I didn¡¯t need anything, that my suitcase was already heavy enough. But Jace didn¡¯t listen. He never listened when he set his mind on something.


    The boutiques along Via Montenapoleone were intimidating, all gleaming marble floors and racks of clothes that looked like they belonged on runways. I felt like an imposter the moment I stepped in, but Jace¡¯s hand at the small of my back kept me steady.


    "Pick something," he said. More likemanded.


    "Jace..." I whispered. "These dresses probably cost more than my college tuition."


    Maybe I had fully gotten the hang of being financially free. Cause why exactly was I looking at the price tag when I had a billionaire as my husband and I was a multimillionaire myself?


    He smirked. "Then it¡¯s a good thing you¡¯re not paying."


    I wanted to argue, but the saleswoman was already smiling at me, ushering me toward a rack of dresses. Hours seemed to blur as I tried on one after another, stepping out to see Jace lounging in the velvet chair like he owned the whole damn store. His eyes followed every curve of me, slow and deliberate, and it made my skin flush hotter than any dress I tried on.


    In the end, he chose for me. It was a sleek, emerald-green gown that hugged my figure and made me feel like I¡¯d stepped out of one of those glossy magazines.


    "You look like sin," he murmured when I twirled uncertainly in front of him. His hand brushed my waist, possessive and proud. "This one."


    I didn¡¯t argue. Not when his voice was that low and sultry.


    By evening, we ended up on the rooftop of our vi. The city stretched endlessly below us, lights twinkling like fallen stars. Dinner was a blur of risotto, wine, andughter. It was the real kind, the kind that surprised me every time it came out of Jace¡¯s mouth.


    When the staff cleared the tes, Jace poured me another ss of wine and leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on me.


    "You¡¯re enjoying yourself," he said.


    I nodded, smiling despite the ache in my cheeks from smiling all day. "I am."


    He studied me for a long moment, then leaned forward, his hand covering mine on the table.


    "Good," he said quietly. "That¡¯s all I wanted."


    The words struck me like a lightning bolt. It was simple, yet heavy with meaning. He wanted me to have this, to breathe without looking over my shoulder, to exist in a space untouched by blood and vengeance.


    And in that moment, with Mn glittering below and Jace¡¯s hand warm over mine, I believed maybe, just maybe, we could hold on to it.


    Later, back in our room, I stood by the window in the green dress he¡¯d chosen for me, gazing at the city still alive with lights. Jace came up behind me, sliding his arms around my waist, his lips brushing the curve of my shoulder.


    "Tired?" he asked.


    "A little," I admitted, leaning back against him.


    "Tomorrow, I¡¯ll take you to Lake Como," he murmured. "It¡¯s quieter there. You¡¯ll love it."


    <fnaef8> This text is hosted at find¡¤novel</fnaef8>


    I smiled, resting my hands over his. For once, there was no tension gnawing at my chest, no fear lurking in the corners of my mind. Just us, here, in this city that felt like it had been waiting centuries for me to see it.


    For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to believe in peace.


    It was a wonderful feeling.

 Chapter 137 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 137: 137 ~ Mira</h4>


    I was beyond ecstatic about our little trip to Lake Como. I had dreamt of going there for a pretty long time and it felt surreal that Jace was going through the trouble of taking me there.


    It had only been a few days but I knew this trip was expensive as hell.


    "Ready?" He asked me as I hopped like a bunny.


    Jace smiled as I spun around, showing off the y of my sundress.


    "What do you think?"


    "I think you look ravishing and you¡¯re tempting me to pin you down here."


    I bit back a moan as his eyes darkened. I don¡¯t know how we hadn¡¯t had sex since we touched down. We had been too busy exploring the city to actually explore our bodies.


    But this short trip promised a good time and I was down for it.


    The drive from Mn to Lake Como felt like something out of a dream. I felt like a child as I hummed with anticipation and giddiness. Jace watched me with a smile.


    The farther we went, the city¡¯s noise and sharp edges gave way to winding roads that curved around hillsides, every turn revealing glimpses of sapphire-blue water shimmering under the afternoon sun. Vis clung to the mountainsides as if painted they were painted there. Their gardens were spilling with bougainvillea and olive trees. I pressed my forehead lightly to the ss, unable to look away.


    "It¡¯s beautiful," I whispered, more to myself than to Jace.


    I had said these words so many times since the trip began. I was sure he was tired. But my limited vocabry could not find anything else to express what the sight in front of me actually was.


    "Wait until you see it up close." His voice was calm, low, but I caught the hint of satisfaction there as though bringing me here was a victory of its own.


    The car slowed when we reached the vi. Not just any vi, but a sprawling cream-colored mansion with green shutters, its balconies facing directly toward theke. Cypress trees lined the path, their shadows long in the evening light. A housekeeper greeted us, but Jace barely acknowledged her; his focus was on me, watching the way I tried to take everything in at once.


    Inside, the ce smelled faintly of lemon and polished wood. A staircase swept upward in elegant curves, but Jace led me straight out the back doors onto the terrace. Theke stretched before us like molten ss, rippling gently, mountains embracing it on all sides.


    I stood there, breathless, until his hand slid around my waist.


    "You like it?"


    I turned my face to him, smiling despite the little flutter of nerves in my stomach. "Like it? Jace, it looks like a painting. Are we... actually staying here?"


    He didn¡¯t answer right away. His eyes were on me, sharp and unreadable, before softening just enough to send a tremor through me. "For as long as we want. I rented it out just for you."


    For as long as we want. The words echoed, filling spaces inside me I hadn¡¯t realized were empty.


    Like I said, this trip was expensive as hell. We literally just left one vi and he rented out another one?


    I let him hear my thoughts and he shrugged like I was just talking about the weather.


    "Nothing is too much for my wife." He pressed a kiss to my knuckles right where my wedding band was.


    I saw a familiar glint in his eye as he stared at the diamond.


    "Don¡¯t even think about it," I warned him.


    Heughed. "Mira, I didn¡¯t even say anything."


    I red at him. "Don¡¯t."


    "Okay, okay," he raised his hands in surrender and I continued looking around.


    Later, after we¡¯d settled and had brunch, Jace suggested a boat ride. The wooden vessel waiting at the dock wasn¡¯t ostentatious. It was not like his cars or his suits but sleek and quietly expensive. It was exquisite to say the least.


    He helped me aboard with a steady hand, his touch lingering just long enough to make my skin tingle.


    The boat cut smoothly across the water, scattering silver trails behind it as we moved. I sat near the edge, my fingers skimming the surface, cool and clean. Jace watched me more than the view, and though he said little, the weight of his attention was as tangible as the mountains rising around us.


    "Do you ever rx?" I asked him finally, leaning back on the cushioned seat.


    His mouth quirked, the shadow of a smirk while he gave me anguid stare.


    "I¡¯m rxed now."


    I raised a brow. "This is you rxed?"


    "This is me," he said simply, as if that exined everything.


    Maybe it did.


    The silence that followed wasn¡¯t ufortable. It was... new. Gentle. I wasn¡¯t used to quiet moments with him that didn¡¯t end in tension or fire. The breeze lifted strands of my hair, and before I could tuck them away, Jace leaned forward, brushing them back with deliberate care. His knuckles grazed my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.


    "Mira." He said my name like it belonged only to him.


    I didn¡¯t wait for him to kiss me. I ced my lips on his, not minding if we had anyone else on the boat with us.


    It took everything to break that kiss. But I had to focus on the ride. We couldn¡¯t waste the money spent on this experience.


    The views took my breath away but it was even better because I was wrapped in the arms of the man that I love.


    That night, the vi was hushed. The staff had retreated, leaving us alone with the sound of crickets outside and the asionalp of water against the shore. I found myself barefoot on the terrace, leaning against the railing, staring at the moon¡¯s reflection on theke.


    I didn¡¯t hear him approach, but I felt him. Always. His presence pressed against me before his hands did, settling lightly at my waist. He had gone to take yet another work call. So much for a vacation...


    "You keep staring at the water," he murmured against my hair, as he kissed my temple.


    "It¡¯s peaceful," I admitted. "Like... nothing bad can touch me here."


    His grip tightened almost imperceptibly. "Nothing will touch you anywhere. Not while I¡¯m here."


    I swallowed, closing my eyes. I wanted to believe him.


    When I turned, he was so close the world behind him blurred. For once, there was no hardness in his gaze, nomand ready on his tongue. Just Jace, stripped of the weight he always carried.


    He kissed me then. Slowly. Deliberately.


    And for the first time, I felt him give me the reins.


    We ended up in the bedroom, though I barely remembered how. The sheets smelled ofvender, the windows thrown open to the night air. Jace¡¯s hands were everywhere, but not rushed, not demanding. He touched me as though memorizing, tracing lines over my skin as though every detail mattered.


    When he finally lowered me onto the bed, I expected the urgency, the raw hunger that usually came with him. Instead, he paused, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip.


    "You don¡¯t know what you do to me," he said, his voice hoarse.


    "Then show me," I whispered.


    What followed was unlike anything we¡¯d shared before. It wasn¡¯t about power or control or iming. It was about connection. His mouth moved against mine with devastating gentleness, his body aligning with mine in a rhythm that felt almost reverent.


    Every movement asked instead of demanded, and every answer I gave him was yes.


    <fndb25> Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n FindN0vel</fndb25>


    Yes, I wanted this. Yes, I wanted him. Yes, even if it terrified me.


    This was different, just like the first time we had sex in the Maldives few years ago. Maybe him on vacation was just softer and more rxed. No tension from work and life in the US.


    The world narrowed to the warmth of his breath on my neck, the steady weight of him above me, the quiet sound he made when I pulled him closer. When I came, it wasn¡¯t just pleasure it was something breaking open inside me, something that left me trembling in ways I couldn¡¯t name.


    Jace buried his face in my shoulder, his arms locked around me like he never meant to let go. For a long time, neither of us spoke. Theke swished outside the windows, and my heartbeat slowly steadied under the press of his chest.


    When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were unreadable again, but softer. Softer in a way that left me undone.


    "Don¡¯t look at me like that," I murmured, brushing his cheek.


    "Like what?" He chuckled.


    "Like you¡¯re not the man who terrifies half the world."


    He gave me a wry smile. "Maybe I¡¯m not. Not with you."


    And just like that my heart warmed up even more.


    The next morning, sunlight spilled through the open windows, golden and unrelenting. I woke to find him already awake beside me, propped on one elbow, watching me with the kind of intensity that made me squirm.


    "What?" I asked, my voice rough with sleep and my eyes half-closed.


    "Nothing," he said. "Just making sure you¡¯re real."


    Iughed softly, burying my face in the pillow to hide how much those words shook me. But deep down, I understood. Because I¡¯d been wondering the same thing.


    This was real. This was us and maybe I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.

 Chapter 138 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 138: 138 ~ Jace</h4>


    The air at Lake Como was crisp, cleaner than anything I¡¯d tasted in years, but it still carried that faint salt-and-green scent of water and pines. It should have been enough to calm the storm in my chest, to erase the weight of empire and blood that never seemed to leave my shoulders.


    But some storms don¡¯t go away.


    I stood on the balcony of our vi, watching Mira with a winess in her hand, thete sun turning her hair into a sheet of fire. She wasughing at something a vendor had said down by the dock earlier, still reying the memory for herself, and the sight hit me harder than any bullet could. Thatugh...it anchored me. It reminded me that there was something in this world untouched by deceit and death, something pure I¡¯d fought tooth and w to keep.


    And she was mine. She would always be.


    For days now, it had been just us. Stolen mornings in the vi kitchen where she insisted on making espresso and nearly burned her fingers. It was also where she baked sweet treats along with our assigned cook. In the afternoons, we were walking along cobbled streets, her arm hooked through mine and her voice spilling questions about every church, every sculpture, every damned fountain we passed. Our nights were us tangled in bedsheets, her whispers soaking into my skin like absolution as I imed her with every thrust.


    It was dangerous how much I craved her. Dangerous how easy it was to forget everything else when she looked at me like I was her only world. It was such a relief to finally look in her eyes and see nothing but love for me. She didn¡¯t resent me anymore and I was more than thrilled about it,


    But forgetting wasn¡¯t an option.


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    Behind everyugh, every kiss, every gentle touch, there was the reminder of what waited across the ocean. Ricardo. Giulietta. Massimo. Parasites gnawing at what was mine. They thought their whispers and plots could corner me. They had no idea they were dancing to a rhythm I had alreadyposed and they were waiting to fall into my trap one after the other.


    Mira turned from the railing and caught me watching her. "You¡¯re brooding again, Romano."


    "Am I?" My lips curved, but the weight didn¡¯t shift.


    "Yes," she said firmly, crossing the balcony to poke my chest. "That face is the one you wear when you¡¯re five seconds away from disappearing inside your own head."


    I caught her hand before she could pull it back, pressed a kiss against her knuckles. "Can you me me? Look at where we are. Look at you."


    Her cheeks warmed, but she still narrowed her eyes. "ttery won¡¯t work. Talk to me."


    She always wanted to strip me bare, peel away the armor I¡¯d built since I was old enough to hold a gun. And God help me, she was the only one who could.


    Before I could answer, my phone vibrated against the table. Tomas.


    Mira frowned. "Business?"


    I didn¡¯t answer, just squeezed her hand once before letting go and stepping inside. She didn¡¯t follow. She knew better when I wore that expression.


    I shut the balcony doors and answered. "Tomas."


    "Boss." His voice was steady, efficient. "It¡¯s working. Ricardo and Giulietta are at each other¡¯s throats. Our guy inside says she confronted him with usations about Enzo , and he threw it back in her face with her past sins. They¡¯re bleeding each other dry in words. But..."


    "But?" My jaw tightened.


    "They still meet Massimo. Whatever their differences, they agree on one thing¡ªyou¡¯re the threat. They¡¯re pointing everything toward your downfall." He said solemnly.


    My reflection in the ss stared back at me, sharp and cold. I¡¯d expected no less.


    "Let them," I said finally, my tone a razor. "That¡¯s the beauty of it, Tomas. They think they¡¯re hunting me. But the longer they circle, the deeper the noose tightens around their necks. Keep feeding them just enough. Make sure the suspicion doesn¡¯t die out. They need to stay busy tearing at each other while I prepare the strike."


    "Yes, Boss."


    "Good." I hesitated. "How¡¯s New York?"


    "Quiet, for now. But quiet means dangerous." He remarked.


    A humorless smile twisted my mouth. "Exactly. Keep the men sharp. Call me the moment anything shifts."


    "Yes, Boss."


    The call ended, leaving me staring at my own reflection until the ss blurred. I could almost see my father¡¯s face in mine. He was the ruthless shadow I swore I would surpass.


    I squeezed on my phone as the thoughts swarmed through my mind again.


    Divide and iste. The n was in motion. One piece already broken with Enzo¡¯s death, the others unraveling under their own greed. Soon, it would be time to draw blood again.


    But as I slid the phone into my pocket, Mira¡¯s silhouette appeared in the doorway.


    "Jace."


    Her voice was softer this time, hesitant, and it pierced me deeper than Tomas¡¯s news.


    She stepped closer, barefoot on the hardwood, her brows furrowed. "Was it bad?"


    I shook my head. "Nothing I can¡¯t handle."


    Her lips pressed tight. She didn¡¯t believe me. She never did when I answered like that. But she didn¡¯t push. Instead, she came closer, looping her arms around my waist, pressing her cheek against my chest.


    For a moment, the storm receded. Her heartbeat against me was steady, grounding.


    "You¡¯re here with me," she murmured. "Don¡¯t let them steal that from us, not even in your head."


    I kissed the top of her hair, inhaling the strawberry scent that had branded itself into me. "I¡¯m here," I promised. And in that moment, I meant it.


    Later, when the sun dipped and theke glittered with a thousand golden shards, I took her hand and led her down to the dock. A boatman was waiting, just as I had arranged. We slipped into the water, the oars steady, the silence around us thick except for Mira¡¯sughter when the spray caught her skin.


    It was ourst day in Lake Como before moving to France. I missed this view already. I was sure she missed it even more.


    She leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder. "This is paradise," she whispered.


    And for her, I wanted to believe it.


    For me, paradise was temporary. A reprieve before the bloodshed resumed. But sitting there with Mira in my arms, theke reflecting the stars, I let myself breathe.


    Because soon enough, I would drown the empire in fire. But for now, I was hers, and she was mine and that was all that mattered.

 Chapter 139 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 139: 139 ~ Mira</h4>


    The hum of the jet engines had barely faded from my ears when Paris unfolded before me in a sweep of glittering lights.


    It was a short flight. Jace and I had been infortable silence all through. Whatever it was that was bothering him was deep. I really wanted him to let go and just have fun here.


    From the car window, the city shimmered like a dream. There were golden streetmps stretching in neat rows,. The sight of the famous Eiffel tower made me grin. It was real!


    I had seen Paris in movies, on postcards, in picture books I used to flip through as a little girl. But sitting in the backseat of Jace¡¯s sleek car, my hand resting in his, it felt surreal. Like the city had been waiting for me.


    "Stop staring like that," Jace murmured, his lips brushing my ear as he leaned close.


    "I can¡¯t help it," I whispered back, my smile tugging wide despite myself. "It¡¯s Paris."


    That earned me the faintest smirk, one of those rare moments when his stone-carved expression cracked and something softer shone through. His thumb swept over my knuckles once, slow and deliberate. A small gesture, but it left me trembling inside. I wanted him.


    My husband seemed even more attractive to me now and I wanted to hump him at every chance I got. I was almost tempted to straddle every time we took a car ride.


    Our driver pulled into a cobblestone street lined with tall Parisian buildings, wrought-iron balconies climbing their fa?ades. At the end of the block, a hotel glowed with golden lights. Not just a hotel. It was the hotel. Jace hadn¡¯t chosen simple or modest. Of course he hadn¡¯t. He was the Jace Romano after all.


    Inside, crystal chandeliers dripped light over marble floors. Staff bowed as we passed, wheeling our luggage into the private elevator. Jace had reserved the penthouse, naturally. The moment the doors opened, I was struck breathless.


    Floor-to-ceiling windows opened onto a terrace overlooking the Seine, and in the distance, the Eiffel Tower glittered, its lights blinking like stars falling from the sky.


    "Jace..." My voice faltered. I pressed a hand to the ss as if touching it might make it more real.


    His arm slid around my waist, pulling me against him from behind. "I told you," he said, with his voice low and steady against my skin. "I wanted to show you the world."


    I turned in his arms, meeting his gaze. For a moment, there was nothing dangerous about him¡ªjust the man who had fought for me, imed me, broken me, and somehow still held me together.


    "God, I want you to fuck me right now." I said before I could stop myself.


    Heughed while my cheeks turned red. Then he reached down and teased my clit with thumb. My mouth opened as a moan tried to escape it.


    "Let¡¯s enjoy the city a bit and I¡¯ll give you what you want." He whispered in my ear. Now that was a promise.


    We spent the evening walking along the Seine. Couples strolled hand in hand, boats glided under stone bridges lit withnterns, musicians yed violins that echoed in the cool night air. Jace didn¡¯t talk much as usual.


    When we returned, dinner had already been arranged on the terrace¡ªa table set with white roses, silver cutlery, and champagne chilling in a bucket of ice. We ate overlooking the tower, the city sprawled below us like a painting.


    "You nned this so well," I gushed softly, my fork hovering.


    His smirk curved again. "I know,"


    "You¡¯re impossible," I whispered, but my chest ached in that way it only did around him, like my heart was too full for my body.


    When dessert came, I couldn¡¯t even taste it. My mind was already spinning with the weight of his gaze on me, the way his hand had slipped to my thigh beneath the table.


    By the time we made it back inside, the tension between us was a living thing.


    I leaned against the window, watching the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour. My reflection showed Jace behind me, his jacket already gone, shirt sleeves rolled. He looked dangerous, hungry and utterly mine.


    I swallowed. And even though I just ate, I was hungry for his touch.


    He closed the distance with deliberate steps. "You love it here?"


    "Yes," I breathed, my pulse racing.


    "Good," he said, caging me against the ss with his arms. "Then let me give you something to remember it by."


    His mouth imed mine before I could answer, fierce and consuming, a kiss that stole the breath from my lungs. My fingers wed at his shirt, desperate for him, while the hard ss pressed cold at my back.


    He lifted me effortlessly, my legs wrapping around his waist, his grip strong at my thighs. "How about we celebrate that?" he rasped against my lips, echoing the words he¡¯d said back in L.A.


    Heat surged through me, blinding. "We should."


    He carried me to the bedroom, dropping me onto the silk sheets. His gaze swept over me, possessive, reverent, like I was both prey and queen.


    The rest blurred into sensation. My clothes were stripped in haste, kisses trailing fire down my neck, his hands were everywhere. He took me with an intensity that left no room for doubt. Each thrust, each growl against my skin was a reminder: I was his, utterly and irrevocably.


    Jace pounded into me with so much might, I felt I would copse after each orgasm. How the hell did he have so much stamina?


    <fn1ca8> For more chapters visit find?novel</fn1ca8>


    The city of love framed us outside the window, but inside, it was something darker, fiercer. This wasn¡¯t soft, tentative love. This was Paris in mes. Jace was iming, owning, marking me as his with every movement.


    My body arched, broke, remade itself under him. And when his release finally tore through, his forehead pressed to mine, he let out a guttural whisper. "


    "Mia cara,"


    With that, I shattered all over again.


    Afterward, wey tangled together, sheets damp, skin slick. My chest rose and fell against his, my heart pounding like a trapped bird.


    I should have felt tired. Instead, I felt alive.


    "Jace..." I murmured, half-asleep already. "Thank you."


    "For what?" His voice was low, rough.


    "For this. For all of it."


    His hand tracedzy circles at my hip. "Don¡¯t thank me. You¡¯re my wife and I would do anything for you."


    I smiled softly and soon drifted off against him. For the first time in a long time, I believed in the possibility of forever.


    But even in my sleep, I felt the weight of him being awake. The way his chest stayed tense, the way his breathing never slowed.


    And I knew.


    Even in Paris, with the worldid at our feet, the war waiting back home still followed us.


    Something was off. I could feel it.

 Chapter 140 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 140: 140 ~ Mira</h4>


    I woke up to see Jace with a hardened expression, holding his phone in his hand with such tightness, I thought he would crush it.


    I felt my heart drop just then. My intuition did not fail me this time. Something was terribly wrong.


    "Is everything okay?" I asked in concern, even when I knew it obviously wasn¡¯t.


    Jace didn¡¯t answer. He just kept staring out the window overlooking the city below us like it had offended him. If he stared any harder, maybe the ss would have melted.


    I slipped out of the bed and slid into my silk robe.


    "Babe what¡¯s going on?"


    His jaw ticked for a second before he turned to me. His hard gaze softened a bit when he stared at my face but then the softness disappeared as soon as it came.


    "We have to cut our trip short, Mira. I¡¯m sorry."


    I nodded in understanding.


    "But can you tell me what happened?" I asked.


    "My mother was shot."


    My hands flew to my mouth as a gasp escaped. Donna was shot? How? Why? By whom? The questions spiralled in my mind.


    "Is she alright?"


    That was a euphemism for if she was still alive. He understood that.


    "She¡¯s alive. But in critical condition."


    "Oh my goodness. We need to pack."


    I scrambled towards the closet. Jace caught my hand before I could move further away.


    "That¡¯s settled already. Just take a shower and prepare for our flight."


    "If my stuff was already packed. Why didn¡¯t you wake me up?" I asked him with a slight frown.


    "I love watching you sleep, mia cara. You always look so peaceful. I wouldn¡¯t want to disrupt that." He rasped softly, gently palming my face.


    My cheeks burned. It warmed my heart that even in the midst of what could possibly cause a meltdown for him, he still thought of me.


    "Are you saying I¡¯m not peaceful when I¡¯m awake?" I used, trying to make himugh.


    It worked.


    "Mira,e on, you know what I meant."


    "You¡¯re getting into my bad books." I warned him with a wag of my finger as I walked towards the bathroom.


    Heughed behind me. The sound warmed my insides.


    I had thirty minutes to prepare. Jace hadid out my outfit for traveling by the time I came out of the shower. He evenid out the perfumes I loved. He knew my tastes so well.


    I stepped out of the bedroom, into the living room of the suite when I was done.


    "All set?" He asked, rising on his feet.


    "Yes." I sighed, walking up to him as I stared into his stormy gray orbs. "Are you okay?"


    "Yes." He sounded off. But I decided to not push so he wouldn¡¯t close up even more.


    Hand in hand, we got into the elevator.


    It was silent all the way down even after we got into the vehicle taking us to the airstrip where the jet was waiting for us.


    Jace soon started getting calls. Even as the flight went on, we barely spoke, because he was either on his phone orptop.


    For the first time since we started these trips, I did not enjoy the long flights. I checked on him every once in a while and he always smiled and told me he was fine but I could feel that there was a lot going through his mind.


    The flight was nearly eight hours. We touched down by midday in LA.


    Jace swiftly stepped out of the jet. I tried to keep up.


    The air was different. He was different too. I worried that now we were back in New York, to our reality, all the progress we made in our rtionship while we were away would revert back to square one.


    Then, I saw that I was being led to a different vehicle from him.


    "Jace?" I called out to him.


    He paused and turned to me.


    "I¡¯m heading to the hospital. I¡¯ll meet you at home." He informed me.


    I frowned. This was a new development. Why didn¡¯t he mention it earlier?


    "But I want to go with you."


    "Mira, not now please." He groaned.


    I nodded and took a step back even when he tried to reach for me.


    I slipped into the back of the Cadic escde and rolled up the windows so he couldn¡¯t see me. But I saw the guilty expression on his face.


    I was hurt. I understood he was overwhelmed but why wouldn¡¯t he let me be there for him?


    He had given some of the best moments in my life and I wanted to return the favor by standing by him through thick and thin and all he did was push me away. I hated that about him.


    Jace imed to love me but he shut me out at every slight provocation.


    I swallowed, fighting the hurt that hit my chest. I was supposed to be riding the high of our sweet vacation even though it had been cut short.


    The drive to the Romano estate went by in a blur.


    When the gates opened, I watched and felt the gloom that permeated the environment. The guards typically wore rigid expressions but there was something about the way they looked.


    I really hoped nothing would happen to Donna.


    I wondered how it even happened in the first ce. Who would dare to touch the queen of the Italian Mafia?


    If I knew anything about Jace, he was willing to burn down anything and anyone for the ones he loved. Whoever did this would never go scot free but for now we had to be sure she was safe.


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    I really wanted to go to the hospital and see for myself. But Jace was already on edge. I didn¡¯t want him to snap at me because he was stressed.


    Stepping out of the vehicle, I felt a wave of trepidation hit me. This was home. But I didn¡¯t feel safe here without Jace or Donna being closeby.


    My hands immediately trembled as I reached for my gun.


    "Ma¡¯am, are you ready to go in?" The guard standing at the door way said to me.


    I held myself from flinching at the sudden voice.


    I looked at him in suspicion.


    "Yes, I just forgot something in the car."


    I slid back into the vehicle and locked the door.


    The driver looked confused. I brought out my gun and cocked it.


    "Get me out of here before I blow your brains out." I said through gritted teeth.


    The strange guard was already approaching the vehicle.


    "But ma¡¯am-"


    "Drive!!!" I yelled.


    He stepped on the pedal immediately. I jerked forward but managed to keep my bnce.


    The guard I correctly suspected tried running after the car. He soon took out his gun and started shooting at us. I docked slightly.


    He had some nerve slipping into the Romano estate with a ton of guards who were careless by the way. They had better do their jobs right or I¡¯d make Jace fire all of them.


    We reached the gate and the security opened with a confused look on his face.


    I wind down the window with a furious press of my finger.


    "There¡¯s an intruder. Eliminate each and every one!" I yelled so loud, I could barely hear myself.


    The driver thought I was distracted and tried to overpower me.


    I pulled the trigger before I could stop myself.


    My eyes went as wide as saucers and cold sweat broke out on my skin.


    Behind me, there was a string of gunshots and right here I had just shot someone.


    He sat there, lifeless...


    I looked back and saw that the shootout was not stopping anytime soon. Jace didn¡¯t need me dead. I had to live for us if not anything else.


    So I reached over, opened the driver¡¯s door and pushed the body out. He fell to the ground with a thud.


    "Oh lord have mercy," I muttered, sliding into the seat as I took the wheels.


    I stepped on the gas and zoomed out of there, leaving them to kill each other.


    Once I was at a safe distance from the house, I picked up my phone and called Jace.


    "Where are you?" I panted.


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Just tell me where you are!"


    He called out the hospital¡¯s address.


    "I¡¯m on my way." I stated and hung up before he could ask further questions.


    As I drove, I kept trying to steady myself. I just escaped death. I couldn¡¯t let myself drive into it.


    The bloodstains on the plush seats were so disturbing but I couldn¡¯t reach into my bag to wipe them. I would do itter.


    "It was self defense." I told myself as I shivered yet again at the reminder of what I had just done.


    The New York traffic didn¡¯t help my frustration. I wanted to be out of this car as soon as possible.


    It took over forty five minutes to get to the hospital. Jace had called so many times in between. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to pick up even though I knew he was probably losing his mind, not hearing from me. Maybe he thought something had happened.


    I decided to send him a text to tell him I was close.


    When I got to the hospital, he was outside waiting for me.


    I had barely parked when he ran towards the vehicle and practically carried me out.


    I hugged him tightly as the tears flowed just then. I was so terrified but with him I felt safe again.


    "Tell me what happened."


    "I-" I sputtered, unable to form the words.


    He held my face in his hands and made me look at him. "Breathe baby,"


    I heaved deep breaths.


    "I just killed someone." I finally told him.

 Chapter 141 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 141: 141 ~ Jace</h4>


    Of all the things, I did not expect her to say that.


    I listened with rapt attention as she exined everything to me. My jaw clenched at the realization that she possibly could have died if not for her quick thinking.


    My heart swelled with pride but at the same time, I was disappointed in myself for failing at my duty to keep my wife safe.


    At the end of her narration, she broke down in tears and I scooped her into my arms.


    "It¡¯s okay." I rubbed the back of her head gently as her body wracked with sobs.


    I tried to soothe her in the best way possible. She was shivering in my arms.


    Bloodshed wasn¡¯t for someone like Mira. She was sweet, pure and innocent. An untainted rose even if she yed tough most of the time. But the truth of the matter is, I was the dirty one. Now I felt like I had failed her so much she had to do my job for me.


    Her tears soaked my short but I didn¡¯t know.


    "You¡¯re okay now, mia cara."


    "I know but what if I had just hit him in the head instead? I shouldn¡¯t have pulled the trigger. He had a family!"


    I caressed her tearstained face and made her look at me.


    "This is how our world works baby. It¡¯s either you kill or get killed."


    Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "But, what if I don¡¯t want to?"


    "Like you rightly said, this was self defense. You didn¡¯t kill him out of spite."


    "Okay."


    Once she had calmed down, I made sure to book a private room for her in the hospital even though she insisted she was fine. I just wanted to make sure she was okay.


    <fn0e53> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? </fn0e53>


    It was after she was asleep that everything she had said mmed into me.


    Massimo had gotten men to infiltrate my own home??


    That bastard had no fear and I was going to have to remind him of what it was to cross me like that.


    We had rules in this world and he crossed a line by having my own mother, the donna of the entire Italian Mafia, shot. And now trying to harm my most precious jewel by nting imposters in my home?


    There was nothing more uneptable than these two things. He could do whatever he wanted to me. Hell, he could kill me with an array of bullets and I wouldn¡¯t mind. But touching the people I loved had signed him up for a very painful demise.


    I picked up my phone and called Tomas.


    "Boss, we¡¯re on it." He said, understanding me before I could even speak.


    "Don¡¯t spare anyone of his." I cracked my knuckles as annoyance and indignation soared in my blood.


    "Got it."


    "Clean up the mess at the estate too. It¡¯s going to be closed down for a while."


    "Alright."


    Massimo had messed with the wrong one.


    I went back into the hospital room to check on Mira. She was tossing and turning in her sleep unlike the peaceful angel I had always been. I could tell that she was troubled from the expression on her face. She was having a nightmare.


    Fuck! I hated seeing her like this.


    I walked over and gently rubbed my thumb over her forehead until the creases reduced.


    Then I softly rubbed on her smooth dark hair until I heard her sigh and rx. I was hoping she wouldn¡¯t open her eyes so she wouldn¡¯t see how much I worried for her.


    ~


    The next morning after a quick shower, change of clothes and a very sleepless night on my part, I walked hand in hand with Mira to the intensive care unit where my mother was.


    She had been ina for thest few days. The doctors said it was a miracle she was able to survive the shots to her mid region.


    I clenched my fist every time I remember how I was told it happened.


    She was on her way back from a luncheon when her vehicle was ambushed. When they discovered the cars were bulletproof, they made sure they opened the car and shot her twice.


    My men killed them off but the damage had been done.


    Why on earth were they cking so much?! I was paying them well enough to avoid such incidents yet they had flopped at their one job.


    My father would have eliminated every cker but I wasn¡¯t like him. I was simply going to fire them.


    That was when it hit me.


    There was no way a random face would have entered my premises and not raised suspicions. Massimo had tracked the men I fired and used them against me.


    I hated that my father¡¯s methods did not look so brutal anymore.


    "That bastard!" I cussed under my breath but loud enough for Mira to hear.


    "Jace?" Mira called out giving me a bewildered.


    We had been silent ever since we entered and saw my mother¡¯s unconscious body and asides from the beeping of the monitors, and the hum of the air conditioner, there was no sound.


    "I¡¯m sorry, I just thought of something."


    "Okay," she said cautiously and then looked away.


    She squeezed my hand in hers. "Everything¡¯s going to be just fine."


    "Well, I hope so."


    "It will." She reassured me.


    And for some strange reason, it made me feel a bit offort on the inside.


    We left the hospital soon after and headed to a hotel suite my assistant helped us book.


    Mira¡¯s headid on my shoulder all through the ride.


    "You didn¡¯t sleep well." It was a statement not a question.


    The dark circles under my eyes were evidence.


    "I didn¡¯t sleep at all." I told her.


    "Okay we¡¯ll sleep immediately after breakfast."


    "Not sure I have an appetite. I also have lots of work to do."


    "Mr Romano, you¡¯re going to eat and take a nap. No questions asked." She ordered.


    My mouth lifted in a smile for the first time in twenty four hours.


    "Yes ma¡¯am."


    "Good." She grinned.


    When we reached the hotel and checked into the suite, that was exactly what we did. We ate and slid into bed with my arms around her.


    I slept peacefully like I always did when she was next to me.


    I don¡¯t know how long I napped for but I felt so refreshed when I woke up.


    But when I woke up, Mira was nowhere to be found. I immediately panicked.


    Jumping out of bed, I headed into the suite¡¯s living room.


    "Mira?!" My voice came out louder than usual.


    "Jace? Why are you yelling? Is everything okay?"


    I was relieved to see her sitting in front of the TV, snacking on chips.


    "I thought you were kidnapped or something." I admitted my fear before I could stop myself.


    "No one would even dare to try to take me from under your nose. You would rip them apart with your bare hands." She grinned.


    "You¡¯re hyping me up." I said in amusement.


    "I¡¯m saying the truth." She said, getting on her feet. "You¡¯re my superman and I know you would do anything to protect me."


    "But I failed you yesterday."


    I felt a twinge of guilt and fear every time I thought about the possibility of losing her.


    She sighed. "At least I proved that I can take care of myself."


    I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You sure can."


    I leaned back against the couch, the city skyline gleaming beyond the ss wall. For once, the chaos was muted. There were no calls, no gunfire, no shadows breathing down my neck. Just Mira curled against me, her hair spilling across my chest like silk, her hand tracing idle circles against my skin.


    It should have been perfect. A rare moment of peace.


    But peace was fragile. Peace neversted in my world.


    "Stop thinking," she murmured without opening her eyes. Her voice was drowsy and sweet like honey.


    "I can feel it," she added.


    I smirked faintly, brushing my lips over her temple. "You can feel everything, huh?"


    "Hmm." She hummed, nuzzling closer. "Especially when you¡¯re trying too hard to act like nothing¡¯s wrong."


    I didn¡¯t answer. I couldn¡¯t even do that because she was right. My head was still back at the hospital, seeing my mother pale and fragile, a woman I had always thought unbreakable. It unsettled me more than I wanted to admit.


    Mira tilted her face up to look at me. Her eyes searched mine in a soft, insistent, demanding the truth I wasn¡¯t ready to say.


    "I¡¯m not going anywhere, Jace," she whispered. "No matter what happens, we¡¯re always going to be together."


    And that nearly undid me.


    I crushed her against me, breathing her in, holding her like maybe if I did, the world couldn¡¯t take her too. She had no idea how much I wanted to believe that promise. That reassurance was everything.


    My phone buzzed on the table, cutting through the moment. The sound was sharp and urgent. It reeked of something ominous.


    Mira stiffened slightly, but I reached for it.


    The name on the screen twisted something low in my gut.


    Massimo.


    For a second, I just stared at it, my thumb hovering. Every instinct screamed that whatever waited on the other end of the line would stir up chaos. But what else was new?


    Mira¡¯s fingers brushed my arm. "Who is it?" she asked softly.


    My jaw tightened as I locked eyes with her.


    "Trouble," I said atst, and swiped to answer.

 Chapter 142 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 142: 142 ~ Jace</h4>


    The line didn¡¯t ring long. It connected on the first buzz.


    Silence stretched, heavy and deliberate, before that smooth, venomced voice filled my ear.


    "Don Romano," Massimo drawled, drawing out the sybles like he had all the time in the world. "I hear possible congrattions are in order. A wife... and a weakness."


    My grip tightened around the phone until my knuckles ached. I hated his voice. Too calm, too smug, like a man who thought he¡¯d already won.


    "What the fuck do you want?" I rasped, forcing each word through gritted teeth.


    A low chuckle slid through the receiver. It was the kind ofugh that made men itch to spill blood. "Always impatient. Always sharp around the edges. But I¡¯m calling because you and I...we have unfinished business."


    I stepped toward the ss wall of the suite, the city glittering far below. My reflection stared back at me, jaw locked, eyes dark, the weight of the world pressing down. Behind me, Mira shifted slightly on the couch, oblivious.


    "Get to the point," I snapped.


    Massimo¡¯s voice lowered, turning darker. "The game has changed. You¡¯ve grown soft, Romano. Marriage? Domestic bliss? It¡¯s almost sweet. But sweetness is rot in our world. It makes men weak."


    A muscle twitched in my cheek. "Careful."


    "You can¡¯t protect her every second," he went on smoothly, ignoring my warning. "The moment you slip, and you will - I¡¯ll be there. I¡¯ll be watching. I¡¯ll put a bullet where you¡¯ll feel it most."


    Rage red with me. It hot and blinding. I wanted to reach through the phone, crush his throat with my bare hands. Instead, I forced the words out like steel. "Say her name again, and I¡¯ll feed you to the dogs while you¡¯re still breathing."


    Hisugh returned, colder this time. "So protective. So predictable. You see, that¡¯s your weakness, Don. Love makes men predictable. And predictable men... are easy to kill. That document, those diamonds are going to belong to me."


    The line went dead before I could respond.


    I stared at the screen, my reflection distorted in the ck ss. My chest heaved with uneven breaths, fury wing at my insides. He wanted me rattled. He wanted me reckless. But all he¡¯d done was ignite something far more dangerous.


    I turned, and Mira was standing at the doorway, her eyes wide and uncertain. "Jace?" she whispered, voice soft, hesitant.


    I shoved the phone into my pocket, locking the fury down tight. She couldn¡¯t see it. She couldn¡¯t know how close she was to being used as bait in a war she never asked for.


    "I¡¯m fine," I lied.


    Her gaze searched mine, not buying it for a second. She came closer, bare feet padding across the rug, her nightgown brushing her knees. "You¡¯re not fine. Something happened. Was that Massimo?"


    My throat tightened. She was too intuitive, too perceptive. It was both her gift and my curse.


    I reached for her before I could stop myself, wrapping my arms around her waist, pressing her flush against me. I buried my face in her hair, inhaling her scent like it could drown out the poison Massimo had poured into my ear.


    She gasped softly but didn¡¯t pull away. Instead, she whispered against my chest, "What did he say? What does he want? Was he behind the attack on your mother?"


    Mira asked so many questions at once, I didn¡¯t even know what to say.


    But I couldn¡¯t tell her anything. Not yet. Not until I had figured it out. Harming my mom and trying to kill her yet again was something I didn¡¯t anticipate. I thought of the possibility but I stupidly believed he knew better. He obviously didn¡¯t.


    <fn4d68> Checktest chapters at f?ndnovel</fn4d68>


    "It¡¯s nothing you need to worry about," I muttered, pressing a kiss into her hair. My voice was rough, unconvincing even to my own ears.


    She leaned back to look at me, her hands resting against my chest. "Don¡¯t shut me out, Jace. If we¡¯re in this together, then we¡¯re in it together. No secrets."


    Her words cut through me sharper than Massimo¡¯s threats. I wanted to tell her everything. How he¡¯d promised to use her against me, how he¡¯d made her the centerpiece of his war but the thought of seeing fear cloud her eyes was unbearable.


    Instead, I kissed her. It was hard, desperate, possessive. My lips crashed against hers, swallowing the tremble in her breath. She clung to me like she felt the storm raging inside me.


    But even as her warmth soothed me, my mind burned with Massimo¡¯s voice. You can¡¯t protect her every second.


    Fuck him. I¡¯d prove him wrong.


    The rest of the day went by in a blur. I worked from the suite because I did not want to leave Mira¡¯s side even once. Massimo was proving to be more of a problem than I anticipated. He knew my wife was my weakness and if anything happened to her, I wouldpletely lose my mind.


    Mira tried to distract me. I forced smiles and grins at her but in my mind there was a storm that was not going to settle anytime soon.


    ~


    The next morning, the world didn¡¯t feel lighter. If anything, the air was thicker.


    I hadn¡¯t slept. Not really. Mira had curled into me, peaceful as always. Her head rested on my chest, but my eyes had stayed open, staring into the dark. My arm had been around her the entire night, as if loosening it would somehow invite danger.


    When dawn broke, I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake her. I stood at the window, watching the city stir to life, phone clutched in my hand.


    Tomas¡¯s name lit the screen before I even called him.


    "Boss," he greeted. His tone was clipped, urgent. "You were right. Ricardo and Giulietta¡ªthey¡¯re at each other¡¯s throar. But..." He hesitated. "Massimo is circling. Word on the street is that he bought theirpliance with some heavy cheques."


    My jaw clenched. So Massimo thought he could build his empire on my ruins? Over my dead body.


    Ricardo proved to be a swine. He had just lost his son and he had to be bought to take revenge. It was disgraceful.


    "Keep feeding the fire between Ricardo and Giulietta," I ordered. "Make sure neither of them trusts the other long enough to look at me."


    Tomas exhaled sharply. "Understood."


    I ended the call and turned back to the bed. Mira had shifted in her sleep, her face half-buried in the pillow, her arm stretched across the empty space where I¡¯d been. She looked fragile in that moment, too fragile for the life I¡¯d dragged her into.


    Massimo¡¯s threat echoed again. The moment you slip, and you will - I¡¯ll be there.


    No. I wouldn¡¯t slip. Not with her life hanging in the bnce.


    I walked back to her, brushing a strand of hair off her cheek. She stirred faintly, her lips parting. Even in sleep, she whispered my name.


    My chest tightened.


    She was my greatest weakness. But she was also my greatest reason to survive.


    And God help Massimo because if he touched her, there wouldn¡¯t be enough left of him to bury.


    Just as I was about to tuck my phone away, it buzzed again. This time, it wasn¡¯t Tomas.


    The caller ID made my chest seize. It was the hospital.


    I swiped instantly. "Romano."


    "¡¯Sir," the doctor¡¯s voice came through, rushed but steady. "Your mother, she¡¯s awake. She regained consciousness twenty minutes ago. We¡¯ve stabilized her condition."


    For a moment, I didn¡¯t breathe. My hand clenched around the phone, and a hundred emotions surged all at once. There was relief, disbelief, rage at whoever had dared put her in that bed in the first ce.


    "She spoke?" I demanded.


    "Yes. Weak, but coherent. She¡¯s asking for you."


    My throat tightened. I dragged a hand over my jaw, trying to process it. I had been preparing myself for the worst every single day since the attack. It had only been a few days but the possibility of losing her had been a shadow I couldn¡¯t shake. And now, against every odd, she had wed her way back.


    "Keep her under guard. No one. And I mean no one gets near her without my say-so," I said firmly.


    "Yes, sir."


    When I ended the call, I turned and found Mira awake, blinking up at me sleepily from the bed. "What is it?" she whispered.


    I exhaled slowly, the weight pressing on me shifting just enough for my chest to expand. "My mother. She¡¯s awake."


    Mira¡¯s eyes widened, tears springing instantly. She scrambled upright, clutching the sheets to her chest. "Oh my God, Jace that¡¯s incredible!"


    I nodded, jaw tight. "It is. But it changes everything."


    Because now I needed answers. Her perspective wold be different from anyone else. Massimo didn¡¯t send his men, that I knew. He must have partnered with someone else. My mother would have names.


    And when she gave them to me, the bloodbath that followed would be biblical.

 Chapter 143 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 143: 143 ~ Mira</h4>


    I wanted to stay back in the suite but Jace insisted that I followed him to the hospital even though I wanted to give him some alone time with his mother.


    He was paranoid. I could see it in the way his eyes strayed to me at almost every moment and how he didn¡¯t want to let my hand go even while we were seated in the back of the vehicle that was taking us to the hospital.


    It would have been sweet on a normal day but today it only spiked the anxiety building in my chest. I heaved and sighed a couple of times and threw him a smile when his brow arched as he stared at me.


    I took a closer look at his face. Within the past few days, he had grown a small stubble that made him look older than his thirty five years of age.


    Using my left thumb, I reached for his forehead and ironed out the creases that lined it.


    "You need to rx," I whispered.


    "I¡¯m trying, I promise."


    His eyes softened as a smile covered the frown that had been the permanent fixture of his face for as long as I¡¯d known him.


    <fn1970> Checktest chapters at ?ovelFind</fn1970>


    I smiled back and nuzzled him, falling into his arms for a hug thatsted for several seconds.


    "I love you," I reminded him just in case he had forgotten.


    "I know," he smirked.


    yfully, I pulled back and smacked his arm. "Wrong answer, Romano."


    "Just kidding. I love you more." He kissed me briefly.


    I didn¡¯t want it to end but we were already approaching our destination.


    We reached the hospital after a few minutes. He stepped out of the car first and held the door open for me, stretching his palm for me to once again ce mine in his.


    Getting to the hospital room, a strange chill found its way to me as I saw Donnaying there. The color was slowly returning to her face. But seeing her look to so fragile with all those machines connected to her was a far cry from whom I knew her to be.


    Just like I did with Jace, I thought she was invincible. I used to believe nothing and no one could harm her.


    But today I got to realize that no matter how powerful a person seemed, sickness and death could always humble them. No one could escape it.


    I held in a breath as I fought back the saddening thoughts. I couldn¡¯t think about death right now. She wasn¡¯t going to die and Jace would not be without a mother.


    I stepped back as she stood over her, cing a palm on her forehead as she stirred and came awake.


    Donna squinted for a bit before her eyes focused on him.


    "Jacopo," her voice came out hoarse and raspy. Not the the usually authoritative sound we were used to.


    Jace and I locked eyes in that second. We were both thinking the same thing.


    "Mom,"


    "Why do you two look like somebody died?" Her voice came out sharper this time as her eyes darted between both of us.


    "Don¡¯t say anything about dying." There was a crack in Jace¡¯s voice that I had never heard before.


    I didn¡¯t think I could handle seeing a man like him cry so I looked away and focused on Donna.


    "How are you feeling today, Donna?"


    Her mouth lifted up in a slight grin. I almost missed it.


    "I¡¯m alive. That¡¯s what matters."


    I nodded, not knowing what else to say.


    "You have to tell me who did this." Jace spoke with annoyance clogging his words.


    She gestured for him to bring his face lower. When he did, she tugged at his ear.


    "Ow!" Jace eximed.


    "What are you a don for if you haven¡¯t already figured out who tried to kill your only mother?"


    "Am I supposed to have two?"


    I palmed my face as Jace blurted out something so foolish.


    Donna turned to me. "Mirabel, how do you cope with him?"


    "I should be asking you. You gave birth to him." I shrugged.


    Jace shot me an usatory re. I simply chuckled.


    "I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m the best son a mother can wish for."


    I snorted. "More like the most hardheaded one."


    "Agreed." Donna concurred.


    Jace scowled even deeper, making it more hrious. "Okay this is not the time to gang up on me. We have pressing matters at hand."


    "Right, sorry." I cleared my throat, biting on my tongue so I wouldn¡¯t let augh slip out there.


    "I have some names. You have a number of rivals and I can¡¯t understand how you ended up with a New York gang tailing me and almost ending my life."


    Jace¡¯s gaze darkened. "A New York gang?"


    "Yes. I just said that Jacopo. Pay attention."


    I held in augh. How was she able to be so sarcastic when talking about something this serious? It was hrious.


    "Massimo," Jace clenched his fist.


    The mention of his name sent chills down my spine.


    "That boy has be a pain in the ass. What¡¯s your n?" Donna tilted her head and stared at him.


    "I had a solid n but now that he isn¡¯t working alone, it makes it even more difficult."


    "You have to strike at the center then."


    "I wanted a slow death for him."


    "Look at the situation of things. Now is not the time."


    "You¡¯re saying I should be rash and reckless? Wasn¡¯t that what you warned me against?"


    Donna Carm went quiet for a couple of seconds.


    "You can alwayse to apromise and shake hands over a cup of tea."


    I couldn¡¯t hold back myughter at that one.


    Jace scowled. "Are you sure you were shot or you nned this to get my attention?"


    "Is it working?"


    I grinned as her sardonic responses grated on Jace¡¯s nerves. He was worrying for her life and she was being such a pain for him. This was one for the books. That was when I realized, this was the first time I had seen them interact like a real mother and son. They weren¡¯t arguing. And even if Jace seemed upset by how lightly she was taking the situation. He was relieved that she was alive and well on her way to recovery.


    It was endearing to see.


    "Mom,"


    "Take a wild guess. Would your mother like to wear a cheap hospital gown andy in bed all day?"


    "I guess not." He shrugged.


    "Exactly."


    I soon zoned out of their conversation as I sat on the couch, scrolling through my phone. Jace pulled a seat and sat next to her as they plotted in low tones.


    "Mira, you¡¯re glowing."


    My head snapped up and I saw Donna Carm scanning me with her eyes.


    "Um, thank you?"


    Jace turned to me as well, his eyes ravaged me like we hadn¡¯t been together all day and he was seeing me for the first time. I felt my cheeks heat up then.


    "How was your vacation?"


    I smiled widely before I could stop myself. Thoughts of the vacation still had that effect despite the fact that it was cut short due to obvious reasons.


    "It wasamazing,"


    "Seems like you came back with a souvenir."


    "We got a few things-"


    "That¡¯s not the kind of souvenir I¡¯m talking about." She cut me off.


    My brows furrowed in confusion.


    What was she talking about?


    I immediately shook it off. Her medication may have been messing with her head a bit. Maybe that was why she was free spirited and speaking a lot more than she usually would.


    Her conversation with Jace continued after that.


    A few hours rolled by and we were still in there. When she drifted into sleep, Jace got on his phone and made a number of phone calls.


    The nurse came in and did a few checks on Donna. Jace watched her like a hawk, making the poor girl so nervous, her hands shook as she did her job. There was something about his domineering presence that could overwhelm anyone. It took a hard re from me to get him to tone down his scrutiny.


    When I yawned, he ordered for lunch to be brought to us from a restaurant close by.


    We ate infortable silence. And while I wanted to ask him when we were going back to the suite, I didn¡¯t want to seem insensitive.


    The man had almost lost his mother. She was probably the only family member of his that didn¡¯t entirely hate his guts.


    "What are you thinking about?" He asked me.


    "Oh nothing." I said, waving my hand dismissively.


    "You¡¯re tired." It was statement. Not a question.


    "Yeah. Hospitals can be quite triggering for me."


    "Because of your mom?"


    "Yeah." I let out a soft sigh.


    My mother never recovered from the loss of my father and it told on her until herst breath. We visited the hospital more times than we were out of it. And when she passed, even though I was deeply hurt, I was somewhat relieved that her pain had finallye to and end.


    "I¡¯m sorry." Jace squeezed my hand and ced a kiss on the back of my palm.


    "It¡¯s fine."


    He leaned in to kiss me and just as our lips were about to touch, a knock on the door interrupted.


    We turned instinctively and saw a young man who looked about Jace¡¯s age standing there with a bouquet of flowers.


    Jace got on his feet and approached him.


    "You¡¯re in the wrong room."


    "I¡¯m afraid this is the right one. I¡¯m here to see Carm."


    I sat and watched their interaction.


    "Who are you to my mother?"


    "You must be Jace. I¡¯m Alejandro." The man stretched his palm to Jace for a handshake.


    Of course, he left it hanging.


    "Answer the question." His tone was as cold as ice.


    "Your mother and I..."


    "We¡¯re in love." Donna¡¯s voice cut in.


    Uh oh.

 Chapter 144 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 144: 144 ~ Mira</h4>


    The tension after Donna¡¯s deration was so thick it could be cut with a knife.


    I could feel the anger and shock radiating from Jace¡¯s body in waves. His broad shoulders stiffened, his jaw locked tight, his hands balled into fists at his sides. It wasn¡¯t often I saw him so openly rattled.


    No one said anything. Donna reclined against the pillows, looking far tooposed for someone who had nearly died only days ago. She stared at her son with sharp, unflinching eyes, unmoved by his re. If it had been anyone else under the weight of that look, they would have crumbled, melted into the floor just to escape the intensity. But not her.


    Even I felt ufortable, like I was standing on dangerous ground I didn¡¯t belong on.


    I nced at Jace. His chest rose and fell with measured breaths, like he was seconds away from exploding but was forcing himself to hold back. His eyes were storm clouds. They were cold and unforgiving.


    Alejandro, the man Donna had just introduced as her lover, stood at the foot of the bed. His bouquet of flowers looked ridiculous now, limp and out of ce. He cleared his throat nervously, shifting his weight from one leg to another. I wondered if he realized just how badly he had stepped into the lion¡¯s den.


    Jace finally spoke, his voice sharp enough to slice through the silence. "What did you just say?"


    Donna didn¡¯t flinch. If anything, her lips curved ever so slightly. "You heard me, Jacopo. Don¡¯t make me repeat myself."


    My heart pounded. I wanted to say something, anything, to diffuse the situation, but my throat was dry. There was no safe ce for me in this conversation. Whatever was happening between mother and son was a war older than me, deeper than me, and I had no power to control it.


    "You allow this man into her room?" Jace snapped, finally turning his rage on the guards stationed at the door. His voice cracked like a whip. "How the fuck did you let this happen?!"


    The men exchanged nervous nces, but Donna cut in smoothly. "They let him in because I gave the order. Or do you think I¡¯ve lost all authority just because I was shot?"


    Jace¡¯s nostrils red, and for a moment, I thought he might shout back. But instead he ground his teeth, staring at her like he couldn¡¯t recognize his own mother. His silence was louder than his words.


    I stepped closer to him and gently slipped my hand into his, hoping to anchor him before he spiraled. His hand was ice cold, but he didn¡¯t push me away. That alone was a good sight. I guess...


    "Mom," he finally growled, "he¡¯s young enough to be your¡ª"


    "Don¡¯t you dare say it." Donna¡¯s voice cracked like thunder. There was so much strength in her voice, you wouldn¡¯t believe she just escaped a near death experience.


    "Do not insult me in my own bed. I¡¯ve survived bullets and betrayal. I don¡¯t need your judgment added to the list."


    Alejandro shifted again. He hadn¡¯t said a word since Donna¡¯s bold announcement. His dark eyes flicked nervously to me, then back to Jace, like he was calcting whether or not he would leave this hospital alive.


    I didn¡¯t envy him.


    Jace let out a harshugh, but there was no humor in it. "You think this is a fucking joke? That you can parade some boy in here and call it love?"


    The word love dripped from his lips like poison. I had not heard him sound like that in a long time.


    Donna lifted her chin, unbothered. "At least he makes me feel alive. Which is more than I can say for youtely."


    That onended. I saw it in the way Jace¡¯s eyes darkened and in the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.


    The air was suffocating, pressing down on me until I could barely breathe. This was no ordinary family disagreement. This was something deeper, messier, and I was stuck right in the middle of it.


    "Jace," I whispered, squeezing his hand, "let¡¯s not¡ª"


    He shook me off and turned back to his mother. His voice dropped low, dangerously calm. "This conversation is over."


    "No, son. It¡¯s just beginning." Donna leaned back against her pillows, her expression smug, as if she¡¯d just checkmated him in a game I didn¡¯t even know they were ying.


    Jace¡¯s body went rigid, then without a word, he spun on his heel and stormed out of the room.


    I jumped, startled by the suddenness of it, then scrambled after him. My heels clicked loudly against the linoleum floor as I tried to keep up with his long strides. He didn¡¯t slow down, didn¡¯t even look back.


    All I could think as I hurried behind him was that something had cracked between them. Maybe it was something fragile and irreparable and I didn¡¯t know how we were supposed to fix it.


    We got into the car, and the silence was deafening. The air felt heavy, thick with words left unsaid. I swallowed hard, trying to gather the courage to speak, but Jace cut me off before I could.


    "Don¡¯t say anything."


    <fn2774> Checktest chapters at f¦É?dn¦Ïvel</fn2774>


    "I wasn¡¯t even-"


    "He¡¯s old enough to be her son." His voice was t, like he was stating a fact he couldn¡¯t process.


    I chewed my lip. "It¡¯s probably not the most ideal kind of rtionship, but... if they¡¯re happy¡ª"


    "Fuck happiness!" His voice thundered through the car, making me flinch. The driver¡¯s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror nervously, but one re from Jace sent them right back to the road.


    I stared at him, my chest tight. His anger wasn¡¯t just about Donna¡¯s deration. It was about control slipping through his fingers, about the cracks forming in the empire he was trying so desperately to hold together.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say, so I stayed quiet. But inside, I couldn¡¯t shake the fear that whatever was unraveling in his world was only just beginning and we were both going to pay the price for it.

 Chapter 145 ~ Jace

    <h4>Chapter 145: 145 ~ Jace</h4>


    The car ride was silent except for the sound of Mira¡¯s soft breathing beside me. My knuckles ached from how tightly I was gripping the armrest, but I couldn¡¯t release it. If I did, I wasn¡¯t sure what else I would break.


    Donna Carm. My own mother. The one person I thought would never disappoint me. And yet, she managed to shatter me in a way no enemy ever could.


    I had stood at her bedside, heart in my throat, relieved beyond words that she had survived. And what did she give me in return? A deration that she was in love with a man young enough to be her son. A man I didn¡¯t know, couldn¡¯t vet, couldn¡¯t control.


    Alejandro. I memorized the name the moment it left his mouth. His face, his posture, the way he had the audacity to stretch his hand to me for a handshake. He was no more than a boy in my eyes, yet he stood there acting like he belonged in her life. Acting like he had the right to breathe the same air as my mother.


    It burned.


    "Fuck happiness," I repeated under my breath, my voice low and sharp. Mira shifted beside me but didn¡¯t say anything this time. She had learned. Or maybe she was just scared. I didn¡¯t me her.


    The problem wasn¡¯t just my mother¡¯s choice. It was what it symbolized.


    Control.


    My mother... she had defied me in front of witnesses, made me look weak in my own territory. She had given a man a stranger ess to her room, to her life, without consulting me. If my own mother could make choices that undermined me, what message did that send to the rest of the families watching? That Jace Romano could be defied? That I wasn¡¯t in control of my own house?


    Uneptable.


    I wonder how long this had been going on under my nose. It was not befitting of someone of her status to y such childish games.


    My phone buzzed against my thigh. I pulled it out, already knowing who it would be. I had texted him as soon as I stormed out of the hospital room.


    "Tomas," I said tly.


    "Boss, we ran a quick background check on Alejandro. He¡¯s clean, Don. No affiliations, no priors. On paper, he¡¯s nobody."


    On paper. I hated that phrase. It always meant there was something missing.


    My jaw ticked before I spoke again. "Dig deeper. I want to know where he was born, where he¡¯s lived, who he¡¯s spoken to, who he¡¯s fucked, and where he takes a piss every morning. Understand?"


    "Yes, Don."


    I hung up before he could respond further.


    Mira nced at me from the corner of her eye, her lips pressed together like she wanted to speak but thought better of it. Smart. My temper was too close to the edge, and the wrong word would send me over.


    Massimo¡¯s name wed its way into my thoughts again, and my stomach tightened. That motherfucker.


    My mother had mentioned a New York gang. I knew his fingerprints were all over it. He wasn¡¯t just testing me anymore. He was trying to dismantle everything. Piece by piece.


    And now this Alejandro... was he part of it? A pawn Massimo had slipped into my house while I was distracted? Or was it worse had my own mother invited the enemy into our family with open arms? Suspicion filled my veins as well as paranoia. Everything and everyone made me anxious these days.


    I raked a hand through my hair, gripping the strands until it hurt.


    I couldn¡¯t afford to think like a son anymore. I had to think like a Don.


    "We¡¯re in love," my mother¡¯s voice still echoed in my thoughts. Never in my life had I ever been so blindsided. I would never have seen thising in a million years.


    I couldn¡¯t tell if she was just trying to mess me. I wished that was the case because even though my father had been dead for a really long time, I could not fathom the thought of my mother being with anyone else.


    I shifted in my seat, finally ncing at Mira. Her face was turned to the window, her expression unreadable in the dim streetlights passing by. For a second, guilt twisted in my gut. She hadn¡¯t asked for any of this. She was just dragged into a world where every shadow was a threat.


    Instinctively, I pulled her close. She was rigid for a couple of seconds before softening in my arms.


    "I didn¡¯t mean to yell at you like that."


    She was quiet. So I tried again.


    "I¡¯m sorry."


    Mira nodded but her eye were still looking in the other direction.


    I almost shook my head in disbelief. Just a few moments ago, I was a raging mafia don, ready to set turn everything upside down because my mother had suddenly introduced me to her lover and now I was here pleading with my wife to forgive me for transferring my aggression.


    "I don¡¯t like it when you yell Jace," she said softly.


    The guilt that was a small dot in my chest grew into a gaping hole.


    "I know," I nted a kiss in the middle of her hair.


    "I won¡¯t yell at you again."


    "You promise?"


    "I promise."


    Mira intertwined her pinky finger with mine. I had to hide my amusement because she seemed absolutely serious.


    "And if you yell at me again?"


    "I¡¯ll book you a vacation to any ce of your choice."


    <fn7b09> Th?s chapter is updated by find?novel</fn7b09>


    Her grin was so wide it felt like the sun showering its rays.


    "That sounds like a n. I look forward to it." She stretched her hand forth for a handshake. But I captured her lips with mine instead savoring the taste of the raspberry juice from lunch on her tongue.


    Things may not have been the smoothest between Mira and I... but she was mine. And if Massimo thought he could use my mother, my wife, or anyone else as leverage against me, he was about to learn the kind of man he was truly dealing with.


    War wasing.


    And I was ready to set the world on fire.

 Chapter 146 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 146: 146 ~ Mira</h4>


    "Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s about time we return to the house?" I asked Jace as we stepped into the suite.


    He paused and stared at me, concern clouding his features.


    "You don¡¯t like it here?"


    I hesitated. "It¡¯s not that. I just think it would be safer to go back now."


    "No. It¡¯s not safe."


    "You¡¯re sure?"


    He gave a curt nod. "A hundred percent."


    "What about me seeing my brother?" I asked softly.


    "I haven¡¯t seen or spoken to him since my birthday. I need to see him."


    "Mira, now¡¯s not the time for this. We¡¯re walking on eggshells right now."


    "Okay." I said softly.


    For some reason, I felt a sting of tears which was unusual but I blinked it back before they could drop.


    Jace stayed in the living room and worked while I went into the bedroom toy down, feeling tired after I barely did anything all day.


    All this was tiring. I wondered how long I would have to live like a fugitive. Always on the run from one thing or the other.


    Every time I thought about Jace and whatever we had been through, I felt a nervous pit in my stomach because it seemed like it would never end.


    First it was the Castillos, now it was Massimo who was constantly on our necks. I couldn¡¯t enjoy anything without the feeling of trepidation because I knew something big wasing.


    I wanted to believe Jace had it under control but on days like these, it didn¡¯t seem like anything was going ording to n.


    And no matter how much I asked, he wouldn¡¯t let me in on his thoughts.


    I tossed and turned on the bed.


    What if he didn¡¯t trust me anymore?


    My eyes went as wide as tennis balls as I sat up. The thought had taken root and now I couldn¡¯t sleep anymore.


    I immediately got out of bed and stormed the living room where Jace was bent over hisptop.


    "Jacopo."


    I watched him freeze. It seemed like his breathing slowed. Then he turned to me and searched my face.


    "Mia cara, is something wrong?"


    "Do you trust me?"


    I folded my arms and red at him as he swallowed.


    "Of course I do. Why would you ask that?"


    "Well because you¡¯re hiding stuff from me."


    "I¡¯m just trying to keep you safe princess."


    "I don¡¯t want that. I want you to let me know what exactly is going on."


    He rubbed his face and groaned. "Mira-"


    I stopped him with the raise of my palm "No."


    "Jace, this document Massimo has been fighting for, what is in it? I¡¯ve been kept in the dark for so long and I¡¯m sick of it!"


    My voice went up a notch before I could stop it.


    Jace stared at me for a long moment and stared back, breathing heavily.


    "Sit." he said with a sigh, gesturing at the couch.


    I broke eye contact as my gaze trailed to the piece of furniture.


    Doing as he said, I took my position at one end of the couch while he joined me after pouring himself a drink. Maybe he needed all the courage he could get.


    He swirled the amber liquid in his ss before taking a sip. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. The silence stretched so long, I thought he wasn¡¯t going to answer me.


    Then his voice came, low and heavy. "The document you¡¯re asking about... it¡¯s called The Sanctuary Dossier."


    I frowned. "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?"


    "It¡¯s not just a document, Mira. It¡¯s a vault of every dirty secret that built the foundation of our world. Every deal. Every betrayal. Every death that was covered up to protect the families."


    My brows knitted tighter. "The families? You mean the mafia families?"


    He gave a single nod. "Yes. The Romanos. The Castillos. Even Massimo¡¯s father. My father... he made sure everyone¡¯s sins were written down somewhere. Names, ounts, recordings, financial trails¡ªeverything. If the dossier ever sees daylight, it¡¯ll burn down the entire underworld."


    A chill crept down my spine as he said that. "So Massimo wants it so he can destroy everyone?"


    "No." His jaw flexed. "He wants to rule them. Whoever owns the dossier controls every Don in Italy and beyond. Fear is power, mia cara. That¡¯s the legacy my father left behind."


    I swallowed, trying to make sense of it. "And you have it?"


    His gaze dropped to the floor, then found me again. "I had it. I moved it months ago. It¡¯s not in my possession anymore."


    "You lost it?" My voice wavered slightly.


    "I didn¡¯t lose it," he said sharply. "I gave it to someone I trust more than I trust myself. A man outside this life, someone who doesn¡¯t owe loyalty to anyone but me. It¡¯s the only way to keep it out of Massimo¡¯s hands."


    I blinked at him, still processing. "But if it¡¯s that dangerous, why not destroy it?"


    His silence was deafening.


    "Jace?" I pressed softly, hoping I wasn¡¯t pushing too much.


    He exhaled slowly and leaned back against the couch. "Because it¡¯s the only thing keeping us alive."


    My heart lurched. "What do you mean?"


    "Massimo can¡¯t touch me as long as he doesn¡¯t know where it is. If he kills me, the information will be leaked automatically. That¡¯s the failsafe. My father was paranoid. He built protection into every n he made. Even death couldn¡¯t stop his reach."


    I sat there, stunned, watching him drain the rest of his drink like it was the only thing holding him together.


    "Does your mother know about this?" I asked.


    "She helped him build it," he admitted with a nod. "Back then, she was the brains behind most of his operations. When I took over, I swore I¡¯d never use it. But Massimo... he wants to resurrect everything my father stood for. He thinks fear makes a leader untouchable."


    "And you think love does?" I questioned.


    His head turned sharply toward me. I hadn¡¯t even realized the words had slipped out. The corner of his mouth lifted, but it wasn¡¯t amusement... it was exhaustion.


    <fn5f95> Read full story at find?novel</fn5f95>


    "Love makes you human," he said quietly. "But it also makes you vulnerable, Mira."


    Something about the way he said it made my chest ache. I scooted closer, cing my hand over his. "You think you¡¯re protecting me by keeping things from me. But you¡¯re wrong, Jace. You¡¯re just isting yourself. I¡¯m your wife, I need to be aware of these things."


    Jace¡¯s grip tightened around my fingers. "If anything happens to me, Mira, you¡¯ll call Tomas. He knows what to do."


    "No," I said fiercely. "You¡¯re not doing that thing where you talk like you¡¯re preparing for your death. I¡¯m not losing you."


    His eyes softened, the gray of them was stormy but alive. "Then trust me to end this."


    I didn¡¯t know if I wanted to p him or kiss him. Maybe both. But when I saw the weight in his eyes , the quiet torment, I just sighed and leaned into him.


    He set his drink down and wrapped an arm around me. "You weren¡¯t supposed to be part of this life," he murmured into my hair. "I don¡¯t know why my father insisted I marry you despite your innocence."


    I swallowed the lump in my throat, remembering that letter I was yet to finish.


    Jace continued, "But now that you are, you need to understand that every move I make, every lie I tell, it¡¯s all to keep you breathing."


    I closed my eyes, fighting the sting behind them. "Then stop shutting me out."


    He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. "You really want to know everything?"


    "Yes."


    "Then be ready, mia cara, because once you do... you can never unknow it."


    My heart pounded at the warning in his tone, but I nodded anyway. "Tell me everything."


    And he did, slowly, painfully, like each word peeled open an old wound. About how his father collected evidence on every family. How he once found his mother crying over the files, begging Vittorio to burn them. How the day his father died, half the men who swore loyalty to him disappeared, taking their share of the secrets.


    By the time he finished, the room was quiet except for the hum of the air conditioner and my uneven breathing.


    He looked at me, his voice low. "This is the war Massimo is fighting. Not for territory. Not for money. But for control of every person who¡¯s ever made a deal with the devil."


    "And you¡¯re the only one standing in his way," I said quietly.


    He nodded once. "And I¡¯ll stay that way. Even if it kills me."


    I shook my head, pressing my forehead against his chest. "No, Jace. Not if it kills you. We¡¯re going to win this together."


    His lips brushed the top of my head. "You really think you can stand in the fire with me?"


    "I already am," I whispered.


    And for the first time in a long while, he smiled. A small, tired smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes but it was enough to make me believe him when he said,


    "I¡¯d burn the world before I let it touch you."

 Chapter 147 ~ Mira

    <h4>Chapter 147: 147 ~ Mira</h4>


    The past week had been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. And while I tried to act normal and pretend everything was right, I was worried for Jace.


    On one of those mornings with me cooped in the suite, he stepped out and returned with a neutral expression telling me that it was time for us to return to the mansion. Donna Carm had been discharged too.


    I took the news with mixed feelings. On one hand, I was thrilled we were finally returning to the mansion after days of being cooped up in a hotel suite (despite howfortable it was). On the other hand, memories of what had transpired when we returned haunted my mind. I tried to shut it out but the thoughts of the man I had killed still gued my mind in the most unkind manner.


    I got out of bed and helped us pack for our short trip back.


    Jace came around and ced a kiss on my temple. I was d he did that. He didn¡¯t realize how much I needed it.


    ~


    We were back.


    The drive to the mansion was painfully quiet, but at least the air didn¡¯t feel as heavy as it did thest time we left it. Maybe I was just trying to convince myself. I wanted to believe the worst was behind us, that the smoke had cleared and the monsters were finally gone. But when the car stopped in front of the familiar gates, a part of me knew better.


    The mansion loomed like an old ghost . it majestic, sprawling, but almost too still. I stared out the tinted ss as the guards stepped forward, scanning every inch of the vehicle before letting us through. The new security system was obvious. There familiar men stationed by the gates, snipers positioned on the roof, and ck SUVs lining the driveway like silent sentinels.


    Jace¡¯s world was tightening its defenses, and so was mine. What happened before was not allowed to repeat itself again.


    When I stepped out, the faint scent of roses and gun oil mixed in the air. It was strange how beauty and danger coexisted so easily here. It felt like a metaphor of what Jace and I were side by side.


    <fna057> Original content can be found at find~novel</fna057>


    Jace ced his hand on the small of my back. That was his silent signal that it was safe to move.


    "They¡¯ll take care of the bags," he said to me, eyes sweeping across the grounds like a hawk. His tone was calm, but I could tell he was on edge.


    "I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d miss this ce," I murmured, gazing up at the tall windows. "But I kind of did."


    He nced at me and smirked faintly. "That¡¯s because you haven¡¯t been yelled at by my mother yet."


    I smiled, though my chest tightened at the mention of Donna Carm. "She¡¯s recovering well, isn¡¯t she?"


    "She¡¯s strong," he replied. "Nothing can keep her down for long."


    Inside, the air felt colder than I remembered. The marble floors gleamed, and the walls were spotless, but something about the space had changed. The silence wasn¡¯t peaceful anymore. It was watchful. Even the maids bowed with a different kind of stiffness when we passed, like they were afraid to breathe wrong.


    I noticed Jace¡¯s gaze lingering on the guards stationed at every corner. "New faces?" I asked quietly.


    He gave a slight nod. "Tomas recruited men from outside the region. They don¡¯t talk much, and they don¡¯t ask questions. That¡¯s the kind of loyalty I need right now."


    Something about that made my stomach twist. Loyalty bought with fear neversts long. But I didn¡¯t say it aloud. Not when he already looked like he was carrying the weight of a thousand unspoken worries. I just had to go with the flow and trust his judgement. He knew better than me in this case.


    We stopped at the foot of the grand staircase where Donna Carm sat in her wheelchair, probably waiting for us. Her presence, even in recovery,manded the entire space. She wore a soft cream shawl and her hair was tied back neatly. There was color in her cheeks again, and for the first time in days I felt genuine relief. This was a breath of fresh air.


    I couldn¡¯t imagine how broken Jace would have been if we lost her.


    "Wee home," she said simply.


    "Good to see you up, Mom," Jace greeted her, bending over to kiss her cheek.


    "Mirabel," she said, turning to me. Her tone softened. "You look thinner."


    "I¡¯ve missed your cooking I guess," I said with a shy smile. Donna Carm knew how to cook really well, though she barely did. But on the few asions I had tasted her cooking, they always left my tastebuds tingling and wanting more.


    She chuckled slightly. "ttery will get you everywhere. Lunch is waiting in the sunroom."


    Her usual wit was back, and it warmed me more than the sunlight streaming through the stained-ss windows. But underneath it, I could sense something else . There was tension. It felt like a string pulled too tight.


    Lunch was quiet. Jace barely ate. His mother, ever observant, tried to fill the silence with light conversation, but even she could tell his mind was elsewhere as she at her soup slowly. The doctors had said she was not ready for solids yes.


    When the meal ended, Donna asked me to join her in the sitting room while Jace stepped out to take a call.


    The sitting room smelled faintly ofvender and smoke. She motioned for me to sit on the couch next to her.


    "How are you holding up, child?"


    I hesitated. "I¡¯m trying. Some days are easier than others."


    She hummed knowingly. "In this family, peace is borrowed. It¡¯s never given."


    That line stuck with me. It was always from one chaos to another. We could never catch a break. I had began to wonder if I would ever truly enjoy my marriage to Jace or we would continuously live on the edge.


    Her eyes softened, but I caught a flicker of something else. Maybe it was concern. "Jace tells me you¡¯ve been asking questions. About the document."


    My heart skipped. "He told you?"


    "Of course he did. He doesn¡¯t hide things from me. Well at least not all the time.


    I swallowed. "I wasn¡¯t trying to pry. I just wanted to understand what we¡¯re fighting for."


    "And did he tell you?"


    "Yes. Enough to know it¡¯s dangerous."


    Donna¡¯s gaze held mine for a long moment before she spoke again. "Then you should also know that power isn¡¯t the only danger. The people it tempts are far worse."


    Before I could ask what she meant, she reached out and squeezed my hand. Her grip was firm ¡ª not the touch of a weak woman. "Be careful who you trust, Mirabel. In this world, not every friendly face is loyal."


    Her warning hit deeper than I expected.


    Later that evening, as the sun dipped and shadows bled across the hallways, I began to understand what she meant.


    I was on my way to our room when I heard hushed voices near the study. I paused, staying behind the wall.


    "...He still doesn¡¯t know, does he?" one voice whispered. It was low and extremely cautious.


    A pause. Then another voice, quieter but steady. "No. But he will soon. It¡¯s only a matter of time."


    I couldn¡¯t see who they were, but one of them sounded eerily familiar like one of Jace¡¯s guards. My chest tightened. The same guard who¡¯d opened my door earlier that afternoon, the one who had looked at me a second too long.


    Was I being paranoid or just cautious? Anything could happen. Life was so unpredictable and even more so with these walls.


    I waited until their footsteps faded before I moved again, forcing myself to breathe normally.


    When I entered our room, Jace was by the balcony, his shirt sleeves rolled up and his phone pressed to his ear. His voice was low, intense. He was giving orders. And despite how stressed he was, he still looked like the most gorgeous man I had evere across


    Even in our darkest moments, I still found something attractive about him.


    "Make sure it¡¯s secured. No one goes near the vault without my permission. Not even Tomas." He said.


    My pulse quickened. Not even Tomas?


    He hung up when he saw me and gave me a tired smile. "Everything okay?"


    I nodded, walking toward him. "Just tired."


    He reached for me, drawing me against his chest. "You can rest now. You¡¯re home."


    His heartbeat thudded under my ear . It strong, steady, reassuring. But even as I closed my eyes and breathed him in, Donna¡¯s words echoed at the back of my mind.


    Be careful who you trust.


    And for the first time since I met Jace Romano, I wasn¡¯t sure who she meant.


    Was it the world outside these walls... or the people inside it?


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