ANYA
The threat in his words echoed in my ears, sending shivers down my spine. Reluctantly, I nodded, swallowing my pride and suppressing the urge to fight back. My life depended on my ability to navigate this treacherous path with caution.
Dragged into a small room, I stumbled and fell to the floor as one of the men pushed me roughly. Pain shot through my legs, intensifying the agony that had already consumed me. Wincing, I cradled my limbs, attempting to alleviate the throbbing ache coursing through my body.
In that moment, my thoughts turned to Erik, my young brother. I had lost my phone during the fall, and the realization that he would be left vulnerable and I couldn't bear the idea of leaving him alone, vulnerable to the clutches of my treacherous uncle and aunt. The weight of that responsibility weighed heavily on my heart.
Tears welled in my eyes as the thought of never seeing Erik again threatened to shatter my resolve. I couldn'
ANYAI followed the stranger's lead, allowing him to guide me into a seat. As I finally took a moment to truly look at him, my breath caught in my throat, momentarily forgetting the perilous situation I found myself in.His face possessed a captivating symmetry, with an oval shape accentuated by a slightly pointed chin and a strong jawline. His piercing green eyes, set apart at just the right distance, gazed back at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. It was an arresting gaze that held both power and authority.But there was something else about him, something that defied the fear and danger that surrounded us. Despite the coldness in his voice, there was an undeniable allure in his features.His eyebrows, perfectly shaped and subtly arched, seemed to mirror the curve of his broad, crooked nose. And those lips, lush and inviting, curled into a smirk that hinted at a confidence I couldn't ignore.His hair, a rich
ANYAMy heart sank at his words. Pay for my father's crimes? How was I supposed to bear the burden of his misdeeds? Dread gripped me as I considered the possibilities. Would he kill me? Force me into a life of servitude or worse?"Why should I be the one to pay for my father's sins?" I questioned, desperately seeking some semblance of reason in this nightmare.He shrugged, an indifferent expression etched upon his face. "Beats me," he replied callously, as if my fate meant nothing to him.My body trembled with fear as I gathered the courage to ask the next crucial question. "So, how are you going to make me pay?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.A smirk played on his lips as he leaned closer, invading my personal space. "You are going to cook and work with my maids," he revealed, shoving his hands into his pockets casually."Cook?" I exclaimed, unable to hide my surprise. That's all? The thought of being reduced to a me
VINCENZOI watched as she finally looked up, her gaze meeting mine. The gasp that escaped her lips caused a flicker of amusement to cross my face. Despite her dishevelled appearance, there was no denying her beauty. Those captivating blue eyes held a certain depth, while her lips were full and enticing. But it was the dimples on her cheeks that truly caught my attention. She was undeniably stunning.Quickly regaining my composure, I cleared my throat and reminded myself not to be distracted. This woman was not here for admiration or pleasure. She was here as a means to an end, a pawn in the game I played. I needed to maintain control and not let her presence sway me."Are you done?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of coldness. The slight twitch at the corners of my mouth betrayed a trace of amusement, though I quickly masked it. I couldn't let her see any sign of vulnerability or attraction. I was the devil, after all, and emotions were weak
VINCENZOChirkov—the man who held a dark place in my past, the man responsible for my mother's death. The mere mention of his name ignited a fierce fire within me, fuelling my determination to bring him down. And now, fate had delivered his own daughter into my hands, a pawn ready to be played."You have Chirkov’s daughter in your hands and you know what that means," He said, his tone dripping with calculated intent."I have to take it slow," I explained, my mind already formulating a plan. "Bringing him down outright won't be enough. I need something that will strike at his very core, something that will tarnish his image before I make my final move. And his daughter, Anya, is the perfect instrument to extract that information."A cruel smirk danced across my lips as I contemplated the path ahead. Anya's escape from her father's clutches, her palpable resentment toward him—I sensed an opportunity to exploit her and unra
ANYAThis was the third week of my stay in the Cassano estate, and despite the luxurious surroundings and Cosima's motherly affection, I couldn't shake off the overwhelming sense of loneliness that engulfed me. Cosima, with her kind and nurturing nature, had become my beacon of light in this dark place. Her love and care filled a void in my heart that had been empty for far too long.As I sat in the kitchen, munching on some fries, I observed Cosima as she buzzed around, her energy seemingly boundless for a woman of sixty. She wiped her hands clean and settled down beside me, her warm presence comforting."So, bambina, how is your stay here?" she inquired, using the endearing nickname she had bestowed upon me shortly after my arrival.I pondered her question for a moment, unsure of how to put my feelings into words. It wasn't a terrible stay, nor was it particularly enjoyable. The truth lay somewhere in between."Not too good and n
ANYAPRESENT TIME“Are you going to keep standing there?” Carlo's piercing gaze lingered on me for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving me alone outside Vincenzo's door. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts and steeling myself for what lay beyond that closed door. With a hesitant hand, I raised it and gently knocked."Come in," Vincenzo's voice came through the door, devoid of any warmth or friendliness.Pushing the door open, I stepped into the room, my eyes immediately drawn to Vincenzo's figure behind the desk. He was engrossed in his work, his fingers dancing across the keyboard, commanding attention with each keystroke.I hesitated for a moment, taking in the surroundings. The room felt imposing, with its sleek and minimalistic design, giving off an air of power and authority that matched Vincenzo's demeanour.Summoning my courage, I took a few steps closer, making sure
ANYA"What the fuck!" Vincenzo's voice boomed, his exasperation slicing through the air like a sharp blade. The sudden outburst startled me, causing my heart to race even faster in my chest."Vince!!!" A voice screamed, breaking the tension-filled room. My eyes widened as a stunning blonde beauty sprinted into Vincenzo's waiting arms. I instinctively moved out of the way, a mix of surprise and astonishment flooding my senses. I watched in awe as they embraced, her lips smothering his face with joyful kisses.I stood there, gaping like a fish out of water, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me. Vincenzo, the formidable and ruthless Capo of the Italian famiglia, was transformed in that instant. The laughter that erupted from him shook his entire being, reaching deep into the depths of his soul. It was a sound I never thought I would hear—a sound that rendered him boyish and carefree, if only for a fleeting moment.
VINCENZO As I watched Alessia and Anya walk away, a mixture of emotions swirled within me. Alessia had always been a source of light in my life, my little sister who brought warmth and laughter into even the darkest corners of our world. And now, seeing her connect with Anya, it brought a sense of joy and relief, knowing that she had found a friend, someone who could understand her in ways others couldn't. But then, my thoughts shifted to Anya herself. The way she smiled, the way she carried herself with a quiet strength—it was maddening. She had gotten under my skin, infiltrating my thoughts and desires in ways I never thought possible. Her presence in my life was a constant reminder of the tangled web of loyalties and vengeance that bound us together. Her father had taken away my mother, a wound that ran deep within my soul. I was supposed to stay away from her, to distance myself from the daughter of the man who had caused