Mirabella’s Pov "Tell me something about you; something I don't already know." Matteo questions in a soft voice as he wraps the cuff of the sphygmomanometer around my upper arm. I blink a few times from the unexpectedness of his question. He raises an eyebrow nudging me to answer as he continues taking my blood pressure and I scoff. "Bold of you to think you know even a thing about me." "You have no idea, Annabella. . ." His voice is laced with mischief. I narrow my eyes at him. Something in my gut telling me that Matteo knows something about me; something that might jeopardize me. My identity perhaps. "So, what's your story, you know with the consistent nightmares." Matteo calls back my attention and I bite down on my bottom lip. "I don't know, Matteo, you tell me. After all you're the one who has dedicated your time to making sure you traumatize me with your horrific punishments," I answer in one breath making sure my sarcasm doesn't go unnoticed. "So? I'm responsible

Mirabella’s Pov I'm home alone, I might as well put a call across to my associate and handle my own business. Exactly three days ago, about two hours after my very thoughtful husband violated me with his eyes and walked out of the room, I decided to go to the kitchen and help myself with something to calm my nerves. While I made my way down the hall, my ears picked up on some inaudible chatter and being a curious personality that I am, I decided to listen in. The closer I got to where the sound was coming from, the clearer I could hear what was being talked about. Matteo and his father seemed to have been in a heated argument about me? "Father, I already told you many times before that I do not trust her father. This marriage is just an illusion; he's playing a game with us and we don't even know it." Well, I didn't think I'd ever say this but my husband is a smart man. "She's your wife regardless," Matteo's father had voiced. "Only on paper!" Matteo snapped and silence ensued

Mirabella's PovFor a moment there, I was beginning to think that Matteo felt any sort of attraction towards me but all of it; that night was a lie.I wonder why I allowed myself get carried away.Exactly one week since he walked into my room and touched me in ways that lit a certain kind of fire in my soul, Matteo has put in extra effort in making certain we don't cross path.Such an asshole.He instructed that my personal guard makes certain I remain on my own side of the mansion at all times. Went as far as instructing my maid to make sure every meal of the day is served to me in my room.All this effort and rules just so he's unable to see my face.First, he leaves me high and dry, and now he's making sure to rub his rejection of me all over my face.I hate my fucking self.Today has been exceptionally quiet and peaceful around the estate. Peace and quiet that gets me thinking about the possibility of Matteo not being present.I smile at the thought of it. Finally, I can move arou

Matteo's Pov That feeling of dread. The knowing that things are about to change drastically and there's no way out of it except embracing that change even if it would cost your life. That's what I feel as I board the yacht with the boys. The crew members welcome us on board and lead us straight to the cabin where we'd meet with the Colombians to talk business. The smoke from their burning cigarette sticks fills the room as we walk in, naked girls walking around and taking whatever disgusting treatment those fuckers dish them. Strippers sliding up and down the strip poles and a good number of the men and women drugging themselves up to a point of unconsciousness. What the fuck. I clench my jaw and manage to remain as polite as I can be as I greet their Capo. "I hope this isn't the reason I was invited out for this meeting; getting drugged up and cruising around the Mediterranean." Irresponsible fuckers. If I wasn't so taken by my wife's body, I'd be more than happy to have some

Mirabella's PovThe last few minutes was me getting ready to commence surgery. I scrubbed, put on my gloves, sterilized the surgical tools I’ll be needing, checked Matteo’s blood pressure and Airway to be certain that I’m on the green side.Pretty decent, and it’s time to go big or go home.I clean Matteo up and disinfect the areas around his wound. “Hey,” I lean down and speak in a hushed tone and he grunts in response. “You’ve held your ground so far but I need you to do this with me. In no time, we’ll get that little shit out of you, okay? Just breathe and stay awake; you stay in control of the pace at which you breathe, hmm? You can do that, can you not?” I ask and he slightly nods his head and muffles a ‘yes’.Good.“I need O Negative blood available; we need to commence blood transfusion. He’s obviously lost a lot,” I say to no one in particular but Pablo speedily leaves the room to go grab as many blood bags as he can.“Matteo, make sure to stay awake, talk to me if you have to