MATTEOIt was the La Festa dell'Ombra, also known as the festival of shadows. This annual gathering was a secret known only to the most influential and mysterious figures of the underworld. It featured masked revelers, enigmatic performances, and secret ceremonies held in the heart of the cruise ship's hidden chambers.Maybe I shouldn't have brought Deirdre here. I heard the warning in Jackson's voice earlier. Perhaps he had known that Javier, the troublemaker, would be here.Javier was from a rival gang, and he should have known better than to approach Deirdre when she was with me. But he didn't even look apologetic. It was as if he was deliberately taunting me.And why was the ship filled with enemies on all sides?!My eyes narrowed when I spotted three more, each flanking the side where Deirdre was seated.To Deirdre's right, three seats away from her, Enzo Romano sat. He looked at me with intrigue in his granite grey eyes. He was also known as "Silencer" due to his few words but i
DEIRDRE"Are you one of Matteo's friends?" I asked the man who escorted me out of the room. His salt-and-pepper hair was impeccably styled, a dimpled smile on one cheek, and his dark eyes twinkled as he looked down at me.He was tall and muscular, and next to him, I felt very small, like a dwarf. I couldn't help but notice he seemed much closer to Matteo than Javier, even though they didn't seem like friends, much like Lucia had seemed with him."I'm Vittorio De Luca," the man introduced himself. "I can't exactly say we're friends, but we're not foes either."I sighed, shaking my head. "So, he entrusted me to you? What if you do something horrible to me? I mean, you could toss me into the water just for the fun of it.""Why do you think that, darling?" he asked, raising his brows."It's Deirdre," I corrected him, slightly uncomfortable with how both men I'd spoken to tonight had referred to me endearingly.Even though I knew it meant nothing and wasn't a big deal, I didn't enjoy it. I
DEIRDREI jolted as another shot rang out.Now, it was evident to me that it was not a Roman candle definitely going off.It sounded more like a gunshot. I stood by my door with Vittorio beside me. He hadn't left, and he was taking his promise to Matteo seriously. I didn't mind him being with me, especially since whatever was happening outside frightened me.Yet, it seemed like I was the only one afraid. People were still partying. I could hear the music blasting from the old jukebox, but the gunfire was louder, and no one seemed to notice.Suddenly, there was silence. The music was gone, and I didn't hear any screams of people running for safety. Frowning, I turned to Vittorio, my brows raised. "What's happening?""Can you stay here by yourself? Will you promise me not to leave the room?" he asked."I can't make that promise without knowing what's going on. And as for staying in the room, I can't say. Matteo is out there and...""Your husband is fine," Vittorio grunted.I hadn't told
MATTEOWhy didn't the alarm go off yet?I couldn't tell. My eyes narrowed as I watched the engineer working to mitigate potential damage to the ship. Vittorio had described it as minor, but the frantic activity in the engine room suggested otherwise.Stepping away from the engine room, I headed to the wheelhouse. "Where are we? I need our exact location," I asked the captain, sweat coating his face despite the air conditioning."That's the problem. For an hour now, we've been in the middle of nowhere, and...""An hour?" I snapped. And yet, no one had mentioned anything."Yes. We might be at risk of the ship sinking due to the storm. I predict a cyclone is on its way. We can only hope for the best," the captain said."Where's the nearest island from here?" I pressed. I didn't suppose the ship sinking had anything to do with the storm, and I doubted a cyclone was on the way."I wouldn't know," he admitted.Striding towards him, I grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him into the door. "
DEIRDREI doubted it had been a minute since Matteo finished speaking when the heavens opened, unleashing their fury.The once gentle rain now poured heavily, and I could feel the ship's timbre groan in protest.Never did I think this would happen. Today, of all days, seemed like the end for me.I was barely in my prime, with a daughter waiting for me at home, yet here I was in the middle of nowhere – no, stuck on a ship in the midst of a storm.I was going to die; it was evident. I was on the verge of meeting my demise in this unforgiving storm.Throughout my life, I thought I would live fruitful years and die at a ripe age. Perhaps I shouldn't have harbored such thoughts and wishes.Biting my lower lip as it quivered, I turned to Matteo, feeling the grip of his hand on my shoulder."Are you alright?" he asked."You caused this, Matteo," I muttered, my eyes welling with tears."You brought me here against my wishes, and now I'm going to die. I'm leaving Kendall in this cruel world!"
DEIRDRE POVI awoke to the sounds of birds chirping and flies buzzing, accompanied by a hand groping my shoulder."Wake up, Deirdre," Vittorio's unmistakable voice said, and I opened my eyes slowly.Grimacing as they felt glued together, I rubbed at them, regretting it immediately as they throbbed.Yet, I tried again."Vittorio," I murmured as soon as I could see clearly.I frowned, staring at my surroundings. I was still in the lifeboat, but it was now on a sandy beach.No, it didn't look like any ordinary beach; it resembled a remote island. I saw nothing in sight—no humans, just sand, water, and tall trees.The last thing I remembered before dozing off was us entering new territory. The storm that sank the ship seemed confined to that area, as the other side of our journey was much smoother with the storm that had occurred.Standing up, I groaned as my limbs ached from being cramped in the small space. Even though it was just the two of us, Vittorio's supplies had nearly filled the
DEIRDREDAY TWOI woke up to commotion. I didn't know who was arguing, and I didn't care about the details, but all I wanted was to ask them to be quiet.My head pounded, and it wasn't because I had anything to drink the day before. I guessed it was the stress from the wreck and being on the island that was now taking a toll on me.Sleeping had been slightly difficult the night before. I tossed and turned, thinking about the dangers on the island and the possibility of an attack. Despite Vittorio's assurances and vigilance, I had little trust. Now, just as I was about to get some good rest, someone decided it was time to disrupt it."Vittorio," I murmured, wincing as I sat up from my awkward position. My entire body ached.Blinking as I adjusted my eyes to the sun's brightness, I stood up, dusting my palms on Matteo's shirt that still clung to me. The people causing the commotion were Vittorio and another man. I had thought we were the only survivors on this desolate island. Seeing so
MATTEO POVDeirdre was alive; that was all that mattered. Growing up, I vowed to keep my family away from my business and all that I did. Despite joining the gang because of them, shielding them was my responsibility.I took a liking to Deirdre not just for a child because it was never part of the agreement but for her connection to the Giussepe clan.Promising to ruin them for generations, a child between us, didn't change my feelings; I still aimed to destroy the clan through her.While instilling the same thoughts in Kendall seemed harsh, I could endure it until the last of them were down.Besides, what I had said on the ship was out of desperation; I thought I'd die, freeing her being the least I could do.Plus, I believed that the bastard that had caused the damage to the ship wasn't dead as well.After engaging in a scuffle with Javier, he caught me off guard by mentioning Kendall's name and how he planned to rip her from limb to limb.He fucking escaped from my grip, and that w