ProserpinaWhen she came awake, the sound of her husband growling in a low voice over the phone was what she heard. Reaching out a hand, she found the space beside her was empty but the warmth signified that he had just risen.Slowly, groggily, she lowered her feet to the ground, her hand going to her rounded stomach protectively. She should really stop depending on Beatrice and her strange concoctions that helped her to de-stress. Surely it must be armful for the baby, she thought restively.She could make out Lucien’s back. He was standing , his back to her, staring out at the wintry sunlight in the garden outside. As he was dressed, she guessed that he had been up and awake for a while now.She only had a vague memory of his getting to bed beside her, holding her to his large body, his face in her hair . When had he returned? She had no idea. But he had refrained from disturbing her. Soundlessly, she tiptoed to the bathroom.When she returned after showering, he was still in the sa
RiaThe pretty young blonde stared at the back of the head of the man sitting before her in the large Hummer.The Capo.He had been roped in to get her to bring her stuff back from her University and Ria was glaring daggers at him. She wanted to continue her studies at the University and she most certainly did not agree with her Pappa who had stonewalled all her protests.Unfortunately, all her tears and pleas had been in vain. Now that Paddy was safe at home and Claude was still recuperating from his assorted wounds. Lucien had decided she was returning home and that was it; end of discussion. There was no point in trying to get Mumma to support her; Proserpina Delano knew where her authority ended.Okay, so she was being a trifle obstinate as Piers had pointed out. He had agreed to give up a semester, maybe even take a gap year as he wanted to learn the ropes of the business as their father wanted him to. But Ria chaffed at the bit; she enjoyed the easy camaraderie with friends alth
Ria had put her foot down and got Philippe to take her to the University to bid goodbye to the Professor who had been her favourite. As she walked down the halls of the antiquated building, for the elderly Professor Wilkins had his rooms in the old building, she felt the Capo’s blistering gaze on her. But she ignored him.As they rounded a corner and began to make their way back to the waiting car, someone called her name and she turned. Philippe’s hand went to his gun at his waist automatically as he spun around to look at the newcomer.The young man who was approaching them, was Professor Wilkins’ associate, the much younger Professor Martin.Nick Martin had the reputation of being a flirt who helped young female students with their assignments. And was often rewarded with physical favours by his grateful students, said the grapevine gossips but no one had come forward with accusations so the handsome young man was still very much a part of the academic team.*Ria had steered clear
HilaShe sat in the half-empty room, the bottle of rum before her, drained with just a few drops remaining.Running a hand through her short black hair, she swore as the tears welled up in her eyes. Drink always made her weak, causing the memories she had stifled with a strong hand, to rise to the surface and plague her.She sniffled and stood up, swaying slightly as she made her way to the cupboard and took out another bottle. Her secret stash, to be used in emergencies, she had told herself, lips twisting contemptuously. Who was she kidding anyway?With unsteady hands, Hila poured herself another large drink.Alcohol was supposed to make you forget things, wasn’t it? Then why did she remember everything with such clarity when she had only been trying to forget those terrible incidents?Staggering to her feet again, she swore loudly as she looked around the near-bare room, void of anything that could trace her. This was what her life had become; that of a ghost, a shadow, living out
PiersThe weather forecast had predicted a mild snowfall and the snowflakes were falling outside in the garden as Piers entered the warm study where his sat mother working. It was evening and the aroma of food wafted in through the open door. Mumma had just come in after getting dinner started, he perceived fondly.She looked so beautiful, he thought with a smile, the dark head bent over her work and then, as she sensed his presence, she raised her head and smiled at him, a smile that revealed how much she loved him.Carefully, he lowered himself into a leather armchair facing her. His Mumma was working on her thesis; she smiled tiredly at him, rubbing her eyes as she took off her glasses, the ones she wore when she was reading. Proserpina looked into the eyes of her eldest born with love and said softly,“What is it, Piers?’He stood up again and paced the room restlessly.Then he turned to her abruptly as he blurted out the words,‘Mumma, I want to join Pappa.’Proserpina’s face bet
ProserpinaThat night, as I sat before the mirror after a bath, brushing out my hair, I caught Lucien’s eye as he emerged, towelling his body. He had resumed going to the gym and I strongly suspected that he was also going to the boxing arena to fight. But I did not ask because it would invariably become a sore point between us and I was tired, thoroughly sick of the discontent around us.There were wars that I could win if I carefully sidestepped the smaller battles.He came and stood behind me and I watched his reflection, the powerful muscles rippling as he moved, thinking with the now familiar weakness growing in my belly, reminding me that I was already longing to have him claim me, inspite of being well into my pregnancy now.‘How much I loved this man…’He looked up and met my eyes in the mirror, a glint of something in his eyes. Then with a sudden movement; he bent down and nipped my shoulder, pulling my robe off my shoulder, his hot mouth moving to my neck, grazing the skin l
RiaPhilippe brought the huge vehicle to a halt. They were on a side street, a tree-lined street and Ria turned to look out of the window, alarmed. Why had he stopped?The snow was coming down heavily now and she could barely make out the shapes of the houses ahead of them. It was also dark and she turned to look at Philippe in desperation, in fear.He was watching her, his face hard and impassive as he prepared to get out of the vehicle.“Wait,' she cried in alarm, clutching his arm to prevent him from leaving the Hummer," where are you going?’Her panic did not make him soften. His dark eyes were cold as he replied,“There is no way we are going to reach the big house before nightfall,’ he growled coolly, “ So we are halting here for the night.’Here? thought Ria in apprehension. Where was HERE?She panicked, looking around wildly although the only thing she could make out was the curtain of white as the snow came down with force now. Outside the windows of the vehicle, there was a
RiaThe Capo had come around to her side of the vehicle and lifted her down easily although she made a show of trying to get down on her own. But then she gave up; landing face first on the snow was not an enticing prospect.His touch was impersonal; he could have been hoisting a sack of potatoes to the ground for all the emotion he showed, she thought crossly as he slammed the door behind her and checked to see if the door had slammed shut. Satisfied that the Hummer was locked, he turned to her, eyes hidden behind his hand crafted Matsuda winter sunglasses. She knew that they were made and assembled in Japan, hand crafted, a skill passed down from generations. She knew all this because she had once gone shopping for winter sunglasses with her twin and they had picked up a pair for Pappa. Of course, his had been super cool, super expensive but the twins had cheerfully bought it for the man who ran the Mob with an iron hand. Those glasses had been a serious power statement, while Piers