Katerina De Luca

'I missed you, la mia bellissima moglie' Arosio's hot breath fanned my ear as he held me close in his strong arms once he returned home and found me in our bedroom. (my beautiful wife)

"Oh really? Then why did you skip dinner? Little Eli kept asking for you, he missed you," I kept my tone hard as I pulled away from him, immediately regretting the action as all of his warmth left my body almost instantly.

But still, I kept a pout on my face and gave him the cold shoulder.

Arosio lifted up a perfectly arched brow before slowly unbuttoning his white dress shirt and taking one step towards me. My gaze narrowed at him as he smirked towards me devilishly, making me instantly take a couple steps back.

"Only our son missed me? What about you, tesoro?" Arosio stated huskily, his gaze darkening with lust and affection which made my cheeks flush red and my heart rate increase tenfold.

"Huh? Me...well...I...I mean..." my nervous rambling was cut short the moment Arosio crashed his warm lips onto mine. His arms snaked its way around my waist and I gasped when he pulled me flush against his hard chest, with something else hard poking into my thigh.

It was a short battle for dominance while he kissed me deeply for several moments, as if he hadn't seen me in days when in reality it had only been a few hours. Before I could even blink, my back hit the soft material of our bed and my eyes slowly opened to face a lovestruck Arosio who held himself above me and just stared down at me with such an intense look for a few moments in complete silence.

"Mia dolce moglie" Arosio whispered with a rare, breathtaking smile on his handsome face. I immediately reddened and couldn't help but turn away from him shyly. (My sweet wife)

"Do not hide from me, ever. Promise, cucciola?" with a firm but gentle grip under my chin, Arosio turned my face to look up at him with his smoldering gaze taking my whole being hostage.

The intensity in his dark gaze is something I have had to learn to get used to but it always manages to make my stomach erupt with thousands of butterflies.

"Promise," I whispered back before leaning up and stunning him by placing a quick kiss onto his lips. His eyes widened in slight shock and the biggest boyish grin overtook his face. He had always been the one to make the first move but it's been a few days since our wedding and I want to show my affection more.

"Again!" he demanded, his gaze darkened when I refused to and I almost laughed out at the small pout that made its way onto his face.

Seriously, the big bad Italian Mafia boss pouting... I wonder what his friends and brothers would say!

"Again or else, I'll have to steal it away from you," he continued in a threatening manner but I simply giggled at his childishness before wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him down.

"You can't steal what's already yours, Mr. Arosio De Luca," I replied, making him instantly smile again before our lips met in a heated kiss that led to another passionate night.

My body lurched forward as the coach bus I sat in came to a sudden halt, effectively tearing me out of my deep slumber. I don't know when I even fell asleep, all I know is that I had been sleep deprived since I had to keep myself wide awake throughout the train ride, in fear of Saverio D'Amore changing his mind and coming after me.

I still can't understand how that man could kill my father and sister without even blinking.

I know I didn't know them well and that they did horrible things to me, but I couldn't stop the tears once I realized that they were gone from this world forever. I'll never have a chance to fix our broken relationship.

And it's all my fault. If I hadn't married Arosio, none of this would have happened...

As soon as I reached the terminal of the train station and boarded this six-hour bus to Texas, I felt the fatigue instantly wash over me. My tired eyes trailed over to the reflection of myself in the window and I sighed at the heavy eye bags displayed on my face. I would say it's because of my pregnancy but in reality, the amount of fatigue I feel is due to the immense anxiety and fear attacking my body as each thought crossing my mind is consumed by Arosio.

Why can't I ever escape this man?

Even when I finally succeeded in running away from him, I still can't help but think of him. He's in every waking thought and even in my dreams.

Why? Why can't he just leave me alone?

"Welcome to Texas! It's currently 9 pm on this chilly night. All of y'all's luggage are kept underneath our bus, two of our team members will begin to unload them. Please make your way outside our bus and line up into two lines for y'all's luggage," my gaze snapped up to the bus hostess who sent everyone a beaming smile before I stared at the clock behind her with a wide smile.

It's almost been 24 hours since I escaped from Arosio and there's no sign of him. That's got to be a new record, considering the fact that he had found me so easily when I left to New York City the first time...

But that won't happen again. This time, he'll never find me. I won't make the same mistakes as before.

This time I left my cellphone back in Los Angeles and now I only have a burner phone in case of emergency. I also withdrew all of the cash from my personal savings account so that he can't track my transactions through my bank. But most importantly, I used a fake passport when I booked my train and bus ticket.

It wouldn't have been possible alone, but thankfully I had Ethan and Rylan who helped me plan all of this. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I had been too quiet around Arosio and he suspected that it was because of what I witnessed in the De Luca family mansion's basement.

He tried everything to get me back to the way I was with him but I wasn't responding well to him. That's when he decided to fly Ethan and Rylan into Los Angeles and gave them a guest bedroom in our home for a week so that they could help me 'recover'.

Arosio really thought that my two best friends would convince me to stay with a merciless murderer like him...

As soon as I told Ethan and Rylan what happened in that dark cellar, Ethan tried to drag me out of Arosio's house and bring me back to New York City with him and Rylan. Over the years, he had become like an overprotective brother to me and it took a lot of convincing from Rylan and I to calm him down and get him to think rationally. Once he was finally calm, the three of us began to plan this escape very carefully.

Caution was our only rule.

Each of us knew deep down that even the tiniest of mistake could cost us our life. I promised both of them that I would never dare reveal the truth to Arosio and I don't even want to think of what he'd do to my best friends if he ever found out the truth.

To ensure Ethan and Rylan's safety, I never told them my ultimate destination. We never addressed it but it was kind of silently acknowledged that talking about that would not be safe for any of us. They helped me get the fake passport and helped me to slowly withdraw bundles of cash every other week for the past two months. I owe them so much and I don't ever want to bring them any danger.

But I did promise that I would contact them after a few months when things were calm through my burner phone.

Promise... it seems like I started to make a lot of those after meeting Arosio...will I be able to at least keep this promise?

"Good evening, where to, Missy?" I was torn out of my internal battle with guilt when an elderly man appeared in front of me and tipped his hat down as a form of greeting.

My brows furrowed in confusion before I noticed the small yellow taxi behind him. With his grey hair peeking out of his big hat, the elderly man smiled at me warmly and looked at me expectantly.

"Good evening Sir, can you please bring me to 143 Pelton Street?" I kept my voice small and couldn't help but tug at the end of my light blue maternity dress that I had changed into after leaving the train station. I didn't want to risk Saverio sending his goons after me and recognizing me by the black hoodie and leggings I wore before.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to pick up my hat when it had fallen during the altercation with Saverio but I kept my hair in a tight bun while travelling and I will dye it after going to a store tomorrow morning.

"Sure thang! Come I'll take yer luggage, and no need to call me Sir, my names Earl," he sent me another one of his warm smiles and waited a moment for me to say my name but I could only manage to give him a small smile in return.

Earl didn't seem to mind my reluctance and instead opened the back door for me before making his way to the back of the car with my luggage. I sighed in relief and stared out of the window as the elderly man who reminded me of my grandpapa started up the car and drove into the dark night.

I miss grandpapa and grandmama...

After our wedding, grandpapa and grandmama returned to Canada to continue grandpapa's physical therapy. He had been using a wheelchair at our wedding and hadn't recovered fully yet. But Arosio had made sure that only the best physiotherapists would help grandpapa in Canada and had even flown in some experts from Italy. Grandmama called me almost every night to thank Arosio for taking such good care of grandpapa despite everything that happened between grandmama and I before.

Truly, in that moment...I felt so grateful to be loved by a man like Arosio.

But now...all I feel is...fear.

Fear that my life will become tainted by his dark world.

Fear that my baby will be forced into his dangerous world and have to run the mafia in the future.

Fear that his sins will fall upon my innocent baby and thoughts of his enemies coming after my baby for revenge because he has mercilessly hurt so many people.

"So what's a little missy like ya doing out here in the middle a-nowhere? Judging by that stunnin rock on ya finger, yer married right? And yer pregnant too, congratulations!" Earl's gentle voice broke me away from my thoughts as I wiped the stray tears away from my eyes and stared down at my wedding ring.

Why haven't I taken this off yet?

I don't know.

I really just...I don't know..

"Um, yes. My...husband and I have a vacation home here, he's flying in afterwards after he finishes up with his work..." the lies tasted like vinegar while coming out of my mouth as I folded my trembling hands over my bump and tightened my hold so that my nervousness wouldn't be visible.

Earl's crystal blue eyes met my steady gaze through his rearview mirror and I smiled at him, hoping he wouldn't ask any further questions. He seemed to get the hint as he smiled back and turned up the radio.

I released a small sigh of relief before sipping on my water bottle and leaned against the window as the sound of rain hitting the road reached my ears. I should have worn my black sweater but it was so hot on the bus so I kept it in my luggage.

The ride seemed to last forever but was only about an hour and a half. It's now nearing midnight and almost a full 24 hours since I escaped from Arosio.

A big smile spread across my face once we finally reached the gated property that belongs to Rylan's mother. During school, we would always fly down to Texas to this isolated property in the middle of nowhere for March Break. We would fly in Ethan's private jet and it was the only time grandpapa and grandmama would allow me to travel outside of the countryside. Some of the best memories of our youth were made here and it soon became our secret little hideout.

I don't know why but my heart yearned to visit here one last time. I'll stay here for a little bit since it is one of Rylan's mother's many cottage purchases and is rarely used by anyone. After a few days, I'll go house hunting for another secluded area like this one.

"Little missy, do ya know the passcode for the gates? Should I drive ya all the way inside?" Earl turned back around and asked but I shook my head and handed him the taxi fare with a tip.

"No, thank you, Earl. I really appreciate it but it's just a short walk after the gates so it's fine," I smiled at him before exiting the car and making my way towards the trunk. Frantic footsteps could be heard following after me as I looked to my side and released a giggle when Earl stood there frowning at me.

"Now what kind of gentleman would I be if I let a pregnant missy get her own luggage? And it's raining, ya ought to put on something warm!" Earl began to scold me as memories of grandpapa scolding me for being forgetful popped into my mind.

"Thank you, Earl. But I think I'll enjoy the rain for the short walk, it feels kind of refreshing," I smiled at him brightly and laughed when he shook his head before handing me my luggage and bidding farewell.

I took slow, hesitant steps towards the tall black gates of the cottage and almost jumped up and down excitedly when the gates opened after I put in the old passcode. This property itself was very modern and had gated security surrounding the property with high technology controlling most of the area instead of actual guards.

Rylan's mother is a technology fanatic and built this whole system and home with very advanced technology. Thankfully, Rylan is an only child and the passcode to the gates of this beautiful property is still Rylan's birthday.

By now the rain was falling even harder and I began to shiver a little as I could feel my hair that was in a tight bun atop my head becoming completely soaked by the rain as well as my light blue dress. I was beginning to regret not listening to Earl's advice before but after walking for a few minutes, I could finally see the outline of the wooden cottage.

However, my footsteps came to a sudden halt a few feet away from the entrance when I realized that all of the lights were on inside the house and there was a sleek black Audi parked in the driveway.

My hands began to tremble again as my heartbeat raced frantically and I looked around everywhere for any sign of Arosio.

This can't be happening, he couldn't have tracked me down here.

No, please no.

Wait...Arosio owns many luxurious cars but he doesn't drive an Audi...

"Who's out there! Show yourself!" my body completely froze in terror as a young man's familiar voice fell into my ears and I watched cautiously as his tall silhouette exited the cottage and flashed a big flashlight in my face.

My hands reached out to cover the lights from blinding me before I peaked through my fingers and tried to get a glimpse of the man. He looked to be in his mid twenties like me, with blonde hair and hazel eyes on his handsome face.

Something about him felt really familiar.

His eyebrows were full and his jaw was sharp with high cheek bones, and I couldn't help but take a step back when his lips suddenly curled up into a wide grin.

"Kat? Is that you? My kitty Kat!" he suddenly yelled in excitement before dropping the flashlight and engulfing me into a warm embrace. My mouth fell open as he held me close to his warm chest and although that helped with my shivering from the cold rain, it did nothing to solve my confusion.

Within seconds, I pushed him away from me and was about to yell at him but a young woman ran out of the front door holding a cooking pan and a butcher's knife while yelling bloody murderer. Without the flashlight pointed in my face, I could finally make out their faces and all of our eyes widened when we looked at each other, making my jaw practically hit the floor.

"Rosy! James!" I gasped in shock as two of my good friends stood in front of me, staring at me with the biggest smiles on their faces. I had met James in College and introduced him to Rosy. The two ended up dating throughout College and got married right after we graduated.

"Kitty Kat!" Rosy screamed with excitement before dropping the pan and butchers knife and pulling me into her arms.

"When did you get here? I didn't know you were coming! Oh my God, we haven't seen you since we graduated and moved down here for James' job," Rosy held my hands and kept jumping up and down in excitement as James chuckled at her and pulled her away from me.

I smiled guiltily since I had always wanted to visit them but I had to be careful when travelling because of the Dale family's warning to my grandparents about keeping me hidden from the public's eyes.

"Babe, maybe we should first get Kat inside before she gets a cold from this rain," James stated while grabbing my luggage and Rosy apologized, wrapping her arms around me and guiding me into the house.

I have no idea why my two good friends from college are suddenly here but one things for sure, I'll take their presence being the surprise over Arosio's presence being the surprise any day.

***

"No way, you're already 3 months pregnant? I didn't even know you got married! Rylan didn't tell us, that secretive bastard! We moved in here a few weeks ago because our estate on the other side of town is being renovated right now," Rosy explained as we all sat in the living room with a warm cup of coffee. Well, hot chocolate for me since I can't drink coffee while pregnant.

"I'm sorry, my wedding was a small, intimate ceremony..." I trailed off, not knowing what else to say as I successfully avoided talking about Arosio and pulled down the silk black night singlet I had borrowed from Rosy. It kept riding up over my protruding bump and each time I would huff in annoyance and pull it down, which made James release a deep chuckle and pinch my cheeks.

My luggage got completely soaked by the heavy rain, so I had changed into Rosy's pajamas. Unfortunately for me, her pajamas consisted of silky lace black short shorts and a silky black tank top.

"Alright we get it, no questions about your mysterious husband. I'm sure you've had a long night, I'll go prepare the guest bedroom for you. But please promise us you will tell us everything tomorrow morning, okay?" Rosy squeezed my shoulder as a lone tear escaped my eyes but I quickly wiped it away and nodded my head, not trusting my voice to speak up.

She smiled at me before disappearing upstairs and I leaned across the table for the towel but James beat me to it. He sent me a playful smirk and went behind my back to take the elastic out of my wet hair.

"It's okay, J. I can do it," I tried to get off the luxurious grey sofa but James lightly pushed my shoulder back down before gently drying my hair with the towel.

"Let me do it. I haven't seen you in so long, kitty Kat. You're like my little sister but you practically dropped off the face of this earth after we graduated," James' typical playful and joyful aura suddenly became sad and I couldn't help but cry again as guilt overcame me.

Back in College, almost everyone knew that I had developed feelings for Ethan but when I introduced him to Rylan and saw how perfect they were for each other, I was happy for them and also a little sad. James was the one who helped me get through it and come to terms with my first crush that ended before it could even start. If it wasn't for James helping me sort through my feelings, I don't know if I could have kept such a good relationship with Ethan and Rylan for all these years.

"I'm...I'm so sorry, J. After we graduated, grandpapa and grandmama were worried about my father's family and restricted me from leaving the countryside. I couldn't attend your wedding with Rosy nor your firstborn's birth, I'm really sorry," I whispered through tears as my shoulders trembled and hiccuped in between my sobs. Within seconds, I felt James wrap his arms around me from behind and hold me close.

"Don't apologize, we never once blamed you. And it's alright, you're here now. We'll introduce you to little Riella tomorrow morning and we'll create new memories together, okay? I don't know what's happened to you, but I promise Rosy and I will always be here for you," James stated in an earnest voice and leaned away from me when I nodded my head.

"Good girl," James laughed when I elbowed him in his gut for treating me like a little kid, something he's always done. He continued massaging the top of my head and drying it with the white towel as I released a content sigh and leaned back against him.

I haven't felt this safe and at peace in so long.

Maybe this is God's sign, showing me that it's finally time to start afresh.

"WHAT THE--" James yelled as suddenly the sound of a gun shot from outside the front door pierced through the silent room before several footsteps flooded into the living room.

My body remained completely frozen as my mouth fell open in shock when a familiar pair of dark eyes stood facing me, but this time the fury alighted in his eyes seemed even more intense than I had ever seen.

Arosio stood facing the sofa that I sat on with James right behind me and several of his guards were at the front door. My heart almost dropped to the pit of my stomach when I realized that Alejandro and Giovanni were not here to calm Arosio down, nor were Alanzo or Adriano.

He took slow, predatory like steps towards us before stopping right in front of me and staring down at me hard. I began to shiver uncontrollably out of fear and James instantly wrapped one of his arms around my shoulders and pulled me into his embrace.

Arosio's gaze darkened considerably as his jaw clenched in anger and I gasped in horror when he suddenly raised his gun and held it up against James' forehead.

"Ti ho trovata, Katerina. And who the fuck are you and why are you touching MY wife?" he questioned in an eerily calm voice that sent shivers up my spine. All the while, his chilling gaze remained on me before shifting to James with a murderous rage flashing across his dark orbs. (I found you, Katerina).

Arosio didn't seem to want to wait for an answer though because the next thing I heard was another gunshot and a body hitting the floor before I released a bloodcurdling scream and began to see black spots.

The last thing I felt were his familiar, monstrous claws wrapping around me as I fell back and everything went pitch black.

******

HELLO LOVELY READERS!

I'm so sorry for the long wait, I'm working on a project (for this book) and delays were caused. Anywhoo, I hope this chapter was worth the wait ;) Did anyone notice how Arosio called her 'Katerina' and not tesoro or cuciola? Someone's pissed off......... ahaaha

Also, I have a small request or rather like sentiment to get across to all of my readers. I truly appreciate every reader and your comments, it makes my day! I love writing and publishing on Wattpad is something I have enjoyed doing for a few years now.

However, please understand that every writer that publishes on Wattpad is taking a leap of faith and trusting you, as the readers, to not plagiarize their work. Recently, I came across this but it was handled, the reader was very understanding and took down their book because it was completely unintentional and I am so grateful for them taking it down but I just wanted to share this sentiment with you all. I am not mad with that reader or anything, they were simply carried away after reading my book and did not realize what they were doing.

My point is though, I truly put a lot of work into my books and I hope to one day publish them but for now, I am uploading them for free after writing around the clock while working part-time and schooling.

I hope that everyone understands the amount of effort writers put into their books and that you do not plagiarize. If you do see anything related to my books please dm me!

Thank you and please look forward to the next update, it'll be Arosio's POV and I know everyone's curious about his side too!

xoxo,

L.A