Evan wanted to argue on behalf of Nico, but looking at Kara’s stoic face made him change his mind.It did not help that he knew nothing about birthing mothers. He was clueless as to what to say. An awkward silence enveloped them, punctuated by Marmie’s frosty glares. His phone rang, and he had to answer it away from curious ears.  “I will just answer this outside.” He told Kara and went out hurriedly. “Hello?” He greeted his caller when he reached the corridor outside Kara’s room. The hallway was empty, and his voice echoed, prompting him to tone it down. “How is she?” Nico asked on the other line. “She is fine and recovering.” He told his boss, sounding clipped and sharp. “What about the baby? Have you seen her?”  Nico asked excitedly.  If he did notice his assistant's snarky attitude,

Marmie checked her wristwatch and wiped the sweat off her face using the back of her other hand. She is going to be late. Around them, she could hear the blaring of horns. There are other cars stuck in traffic with them. "Sir, can you go a little faster?" She requested the cab driver."There has been a collision, miss. There is nothing much we can do at the moment."  The driver also looked annoyed. To him, being stuck endlessly in traffic also meant a reduction in his daily income. Over time, nervousness showed on Marmie's face. She remembered Evan's threat, and knowing him, she was sure that he would make good on that promise given the opportunity. She blamed herself for this. If she is not so eager to return to her home to freshen up and change clothes, she would not end up in this situation. But she did not want Evan to see her bedraggled. When she confronts him, sh

Sicily. “Nico, wake up!” Nico hissed when he felt a numbing pain on his back as cold water splashed on his head. His partially opened eyes took on the surroundings around him. He did not know how much time had passed. All he knew was that he had to endure somehow. “What time is it?" He asked his tormentor, ignoring the pain in every part of his body. “It’s time for your punishment.” His tormentor stated before hitting him with a whip. “Ugh!” He grunted.One hundred lashes every day. That is what he has endured since returning to Sicily, but he does not regret everything. He gritted his teeth as he felt another pain hit him. Not long after, Don Leo came in. “Is he still at it?” He asked Nico’s tormentor, who nodded in assent. “He still wanted to leave.” Don Leo looked at Nico’s back. It was full of welts. New wounds were forming from the old ones. “Will you leave us, please?” He told the whipper. When he heard the sound of the door closing, Don Leo walked to the front

Kara looked at the Grecian white building in front of her. Her brows furrowed in confusion.“I thought you were going to bring me to Nico? What are we doing here? This looks like a military camp to me.” She told him with a frown. For the first time, Kara regretted her decision to come to Sicily with Marco, and her doubt showed on her face as she watched Marco ducked his head when two men emerged from the structure. The men looked like hired goons. “Lower your head, and do not let them see your face.” Marco hissed. Kara did as she was told.She pressed her body into the cramped space at the back of the delivery truck where Marco pulled her in earlier. Afraid that any act of disobedience would endanger them. By now, she has fully understood that this is a covert territory and no one from the outside is permitted to enter. They were trespassing on private property!Suddenly, she felt for their safety. And fear slowly crept in. What if they were discovered and unable to leave this

Don Leo’s men swarmed around them, leaving Kara’s body frozen in fear.Sweat and goosebumps fought for dominance in lining her smooth skin while being driven out of Nico's room. “Wait a minute. We are not doing anything wrong?” She blurted out when Frank and Marco underwent a body check. Marco was unarmed, but Frank had one tuck on the hidden holster on his jacket. The men confiscated the firearm before pushing them to walk the narrow hallway out of Nico's bedroom. Kara’s eyes darted from side to side, noting the unfamiliarity of the place. This was not the way out, she concluded to herself.“Where are you taking us?” She asked once more, thankful that her voice sounded strong, but deep inside, her heart beat fast - so fast that she nearly thought it would jump out of her ribcage. The men remained silent. They did not say a word. The only sound she could hear was the ringing in her ears. Frank, who was walking ahead of her, warned. “Stop talking and just walk.” Two men flank