Chapter 77: Arianna's POVA banging ache on the side of my head stirred me awake. My eyes shut back as the bright light flashes into them.Where was I?I squinted and opened my eyes slowly. I was staring at the open skies."What the—" I snapped my eyes to the side and saw water!I made to get to my feet but blinding dizziness came to me and I sat back down at once. I was weak. I had to conserve my energy. How did I get here?I started searching through my brain but the continuous movement of the platform below me made it impossible.That was when it dawned on me —I was on a ship.I sat up, gently this time. My eyes roamed around me and I confirmed my thoughts. I was indeed on a ship in the middle of nowhere.There were about four guards on the platform with me but they were far enough for me not to be able to see their faces.The first, thing that came to my mind, was an escape —I had to leave. I had to escape from here.As I stared around me trying to make a mental calculation of my
Chapter 78: Gabriele's POV"Fuck this!" I hissed out as I placed around the table.This had to be Gianni. No one would play a game this well with me. I was too late. He had Arianna somewhere else!"Did the message say where she is?" Agostino asked me. Usually, he would be the calmer one, but right now, he was as riled up as I was."No, it didn't. But you are right, she isn't here." I ran my fingers through my hair for the hundredth time that day.I didn't have to tell them what I thought. We all knew it was Gianni. He was the only rival we had that could think of a plan like this and come through with it.Basilio's phone ran out and he picked it up immediately. We all turned to him, hoping he would give us good news or something close to that.But his face contorted into a thin line and he grumbled intelligent words before he ended the call and turned to me."It was your father.""What does he want right now?!" I growled. "Look Basilio, my father can go fuck himself if he wants to. I
Chapter 79: Gabriele's POVThat night no one could sleep. My energy was back to a hundred percent as we all waited for the first rays of the daylight to stream in so that the mission would commence."Strike team, don't forget, be quiet, be quiet and be merciless!" My father roared and the men clanked their vested chests in anticipation.My fingers were sizzling with adrenaline and I couldn't wait to start burying my bullets into the enemies' brains. They picked the wrong lord to mess with.As we all moved out, my godfather came up to me and said. "Whatever happens, I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to make sure that Arianna lives, do you understand?"I nodded at his declaration and he hugged me. When he pulled apart, we got into the truck waiting for us and the journey began."There is something Arianna mentioned last night about the person who orchestrated all of these," I said as the vehicle silently moved over the beach sand and small shrubs."Who is he?" My
Chapter 80: Arianna's POVThe beeping sound of the machine around me was the first thing my subconscious acknowledged as my eyes flutter open.I was in a hospital. A real one this time.My eyes went to the white light above me and a memory flash of what happened came propelling into my head.I was in the shack waiting patiently for Gabriele and his men to show up as he had promised. I heard the first attack and I braced myself just like Agostino thought me. But then Brett came in gasping like a lunatic.I fought him off for as long as I could, but the pain in my abdomen made it impossible for me to focus, the last thing I remembered before blacking out was the pricking pain of the needle.Where did he take me— the thoughts died down in my head as my eyes settled on the one person my heart valued the most."Gabriele?" I called in a weak voice.He snapped his eyes open. Then in slow motion, I watched how his face exploded into relief. He held my hands and peppered kisses all over them.
Arianna's POV.Walking out of the lobby in the airport, I ran a hand through my dirty blond hair as I smiled. Finally, I was back. Italy for me had this feeling I loved. It held something I craved, and wanted desperately, my parents.I couldn't wait to see them. Maybe they had changed. I knew that my Nonna would be worried if I didn't tell her I was safe, so I drafted a quick text telling her that I had arrived and I would call her later. Then I stuffed my phone into my purse.My gown fluttered in the breeze, and I pulled my sunglasses away from my greyish blue eyes, and onto the top of my head as I looked around looking for the driver my dad asked to pick me up. At that moment, I saw a guy waving at me, and jogging in my direction. Well, well. It was Marcus the driver.He grinned as he stood in front of me. "Welcome to Italy Miss. I hope you had a great flight."I smiled back at him, unable to not be affected by his enthusiasm. " Thank you, Marcus. It was pretty good." He smil
Arianna's POV. "Wake up." I heard a voice call out, and I twitched uncomfortably. Hoping that whoever it was wouldn't notice that small movement of mine. Just when I thought the person would give up, I heard the low rumble of laughter, and an annoying voice I wouldn't forget. "We know you're awake princessa. It's no use trying to play dead." I decided to play the part I'd chosen to the very end. I slowly opened my eyes and watched the two men standing in front of me guardedly. I recognized the very good-looking one to be one of the kidnappers, Carlos. The other one I'd never seen before, but if he was connected to that Carlos guy, he was nothing good either. I averted my eyes from the two and looked around the place that kept me hostage. It was dark and dreary as expected, and I noticed that I wasn't the only one in here. There were other cages apart from mine which held women inside too. I came to a shocking realisation. I wasn't kidnapped for Ransom. I was probab
Gabriele's POV. "I look forward to a pleasant cooperation Mr. Stephano," I said as I stood up, extending my hand for a handshake. "So do I, Mr. Andino." He replied, and extended his hand to shake mine. We shook hands, and I adjusted my jacket and glanced at Basilio who was not too far away from me. He nodded discreetly and walked outside the restaurant. We walked out of the restaurant after that, and as we walked we talked about trivial issues. Just as we were about to reach our respective cars, I turned to him."I'll get my assistant Basilio to give you the information you need." He nodded and smiled. "I don't know if I should say this or not Mr. Andino."I stopped in my tracks and frowned in slight irritation. I didn't think he noticed because he continued. "In honour of our successful cooperation, I would like to invite you to come to an auction with me. Who knows you might find something you like." I nodded solemnly, as it would be impolite to refuse
Chapter four.Gabriele's POV. I walked over to the bed where she lay and stood there stiff. She must have been knocked out by someone as she was sleeping a little too soundly. She groaned a little and moved to her side. Her hair shifted and I saw bruises on her skin. I frowned subconsciously and reached out to touch them. I discovered that there was a sizable amount of bruises around her neck area, and on her hands as well. She was tied up in ropes and I removed them from her. I was not a good man, true, but I still frowned seeing the bruises. She shivered lightly when I touched her skin, and I stopped my movement. I could tell that she was waking up. I quickly schooled my face into a mask of indifference, one I was most familiar with. I reached out to fetch a cigarette from my bedside drawer and lit it with a lighter. Then, I walked over to the window, stared at the sky, and waited for her to wake up.Arianna's POV. Awful was the first thing I felt as m