Vanessa Nataliya finally goes to the highest bidder, an older, smug-looking man in an expensive suit. The auctioneer's gravel bangs down, sealing her fate. The room erupts in applause, the men congratulating the man as if he's won the lottery. Bile rises in my throat, but I swallow it back down. It's almost over. It's almost over, I chant to myself, trying to calm my racing heart. Viktor sits down beside Diego. "Senator Joe Thomas bought her for ten mil. I get to kill the bastard once all of this is over, right?" he murmurs, his voice low and filled with restrained fury. "A deal is a deal," Diego responds, his tone cold and calculated. His hand remains over mine, reminding me to be patient. Within three months, we'll have the answers we need. Once the auction is over, the men gather in small groups, the building filled with loud talking and laughing. The man who won Nataliya, approaches us, her following behind him, still naked with a diamond collar and leash around her n
Vanessa "Vanessa, how have you been doing?" Camila asks cheerfully as she sifts through racks of expensive clothing. Today I agreed to go shopping with Diego's sister, a welcome distraction from everything else. I've picked up a several new dresses for myself, along with a few pairs of heels. I know it pleases Diego that I'm actually getting out of the house, and I have more than enough protection. Danny stands guard at the door of the boutique, while the rest of his team sit outside in vans, waiting to spring into action as needed. It's been two weeks since I started therapy, and things are gradually starting to get better. I'm finally confronting the grief of losing Alicia and one day, I may even be ready to talk about Nathan. My therapist, Dr. Drake, is well-acquainted with the mafia. I'm sure Diego wouldn't have chosen her otherwise. I have too much blood on my hands to confess my sins to a regular therapist. Despite the progress I've made, a gnawing worry still cli
Diego As I drive Vanessa to the airport, my hand rests on her knee, feeling grounded by the rare contact. I should be grateful she wants to get out of the estate and go to New York with Camila, but I can't shake the feeling that something could happen to her again. The idea of her being away from me fills me with unease. I won't be able to protect her from here, and that means I have to place all my trust in Danny to keep her safe. "I don't see why we had to take a separate car. You know, carpooling is better for the planet," Vanessa mutters, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. She's wearing a hoodie and sweatpants, looking both comfortable and breathtaking. She seems nervous, and I can't figure out why. I thought therapy was supposed to make things better between us, and in some ways it has, but it still feels like she's keeping herself at arm's length. "Am I not allowed to escort my beautiful wife to the airport?" I ask, keeping my tone calm despite the conflicti
Diego "It's nice to see you again, Celeste," I say, my voice low and threatening. I tilt my head slightly as I twirl the sharp blade between my fingers, fury and vengeance thrumming through my veins like a live wire. Before me, in my dimly lit basement, sits my stepmother, bound tightly to a chair. After months in hiding, Celeste finally slipped up, withdrawing money from one of the accounts we've been monitoring. We found her in Southern California, hiding in plain sight, confident that she would never be found. While I waited for them to deliver her, I went to the club and had a drink or two, preparing to face her again after she nearly killed my wife. She's obviously had some type of plastic surgery. She looks at least a decade younger, with short, blonde hair and bangs that make her look fucking ridiculous. Her lips, stained with blood, curl into a twisted smile as she locks eyes with me. "Diego," she spits out venomously. "How's that whore of a wife of yours?" My gr
Vanessa As soon as we arrive at the hotel and get settled in, Danny leaves the room to take a phone call. Camila and I will be sharing a room while Danny sleeps in the adjacent one connected to ours. This hotel is fancy, but I expected nothing less from Camila Reyes, my famous fashion designer sister-in-law. Maybe one day, I could even join her in Paris for one of her shows. "Thanks so much for doing this, Camila," I tell her with a faint smile, feeling a mixture of gratitude and anxiety. She flashes me a reassuring smile as she throws on a silk robe. "No problem at all, Vanessa. I'm happy you came to me for help." I can't believe how quickly she put everything together, from lying to her brother to arranging the fashion show tomorrow. And after that, I'll have an appointment with her gynecologist for the abortion. "How are you feeling right now?" she asks, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "Fine. Just tired, that's all," I murmur, climbing into my bed. It's onl
Vanessa "Where's Diego?" I grit out, rage boiling in my veins. "I want to speak with him." "Busy at the moment, but he said he'll call once we're back on the jet." Which means he's likely torturing her. "Well, like Camila said, it's nearly midnight. We can leave tomorrow," I argue, defiance lacing in my tone. Danny fixes me with a pointed look. "Do you really want to argue with him about that?" I have to. Time is slipping away. I'm more afraid of continuing this pregnancy than I am of Celeste and whatever sinister plans she's concocted. I tap my right arm where the microchip is embedded. "I have a tracking device in my arm and more security than the goddamn president. I'll be fine. Just tell him we'll leave tomorrow, and you'll be sure to keep us extra safe." He scowls, clearly torn. "I'm not promising him that." "I know you heard what I said, that I have something important to take care of here tomorrow. Can you please come up with an excuse to buy me more time?"
DiegoBANG! BANG! BANG!Bullets fly from my gun, ricocheting through the chest of the bastard who betrayed me. "What a fucking waste," I sigh, watching blood pool onto the floor. I shove the gun back into my waistband holster, inhaling the addictive scent of gun powder and revenge.Turning to my second-in-command, Leonardo stands near the door, gazing down at the body with a stoic expression. "Leo, get somebody to clean this up!" I bark.With a curt nod, he's on the phone with the "cleaning" crew. They'll have this piece of shit in a body bag within the hour, ensuring there's no trace of him left behind.I storm back into the club, where loud music fills the building, drowning out the sounds of sex. I head straight to the bar and order a shot of tequila. Axel places it in front of me, worry etched on his countenance. "Is it done, Jefe (Boss)?" he asks, his voice tight with emotion.This has deeply affected each of my men, whether they admit it or not. We're supposed to be a familia,
Diego Ripping the tape from her mouth, she winces. "It looks like you want to say something, Mama. What is it?" I ask, abandoning my native tongue, as I doubt they speak Spanish. She spits in my face, and I chuckle as I wipe it away. "A feisty one, I like that. What's your name?""Fuck you!" she seethes, "where is my father? What did you do to him, you monster!"A dark chuckle escapes my lips. "He's maggot food, and you and the rest of your family are going to join him shortly."I'm actually considering another idea, but I say that just to see her reaction. Is she truly as tough as she presents herself, or is she just another weak, sheltered princess crying for her daddy?Her eyes widen, but she doesn't dissolve into tears like her mother, whose wailing has become obnoxiously louder. I grit my teeth, the sound grating against my skull. "Shut the fuck up before I send you to hell with your husband!" I growl. She sobs even harder, and I'm two seconds from actually considering putting a