Chapter 5

• Chapter 5
• The Forbidden Kiss
• Genna's POV
• In the garden, Marco had slipped a note into my hand. I knew I had to keep Marco's message hidden for now, so I didn't tell Leonardo about what Marco had said to me.
• I waited until I was alone in my room to unfold it.
• It read:
• "I have information about your family. If you're interested, I'll reach out to you soon." -M
• My heart skipped a beat.
• Could Marco truly know something?
• ********
• Days passed in a blur.
• Denise's birthday celebration swept the estate. I helped Denise get ready, and led her downstairs, to the main hall.
• Leonardo was beside Denise, beaming.
• The festivities engulfed them as they were busy opening gift boxes.
• I seized the opportunity. Slipping away, I made my way upstairs, to Leonardo's study.
• I felt drawn to the picture on his desk and needed to get a clearer look. Maybe it would help me regain my memory.
• Reaching the study, I closed the door behind me and approached the desk.
• I quickly spotted the picture on the desk and a wave of familiarity swept over me.
• The eyes in the picture stared back at me and the memories began to flood in. I held my head as it ached badly.
• Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.
• Attached to the photo was a note.
• "Clinton - Genna's brother has been murdered.”
• The words pierced me like a dagger.
• As I read it, the headache intensified and more memories flooded in.
• That rainy night, My aunt's betrayal, the men who dragged me away, how I struggled to survive.
• I tried to remember the name of the man whom my aunt sold me to. But it remained elusive.
• My gaze wandered around the room.
• Then, my eyes caught the name tag on Leonardo's desk.
• "Sorrento"
• That's it! She had mentioned “Mr. Sorrento.”
• Reality paved in.
• Leonardo Sorrento. So, he was the man who killed my brother, the man who sent those men after me, the man who bought me.
• My God.
• Now, he was being nice to me.
• I held the desk for support as I realized the truth. A mixture of rage and hurt exploded within me.
• Tears streamed down my face.
• I stumbled out of the study, blinded by tears.
• I reached my room, slamming the door shut. Collapsing onto the bed, I let out a sob.
• A knock on the door broke my despair.
• "Who is it?" I called out but there was no answer.
• Cautiously, I opened the door and a masked man stood outside.
• He handed me a note and walked away.
• I unfolded the paper.
• "Meet me at the back of the house." -M
• My mind raced. Why was Marco helping me?
• But what choice did I have?
• I crumpled the note and slipped out of my room, down the hallway, to the back of the house.
• The garden was deserted, except for Marco.
• He stood in the shadows.
• Marco stepped out of the shadows when he saw me, his eyes locked on mine. "Genna, I'm glad you came."
• "What do you want, Marco? How do you know me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
• "I want to help you," Marco said, his tone sincere. "You're in danger, Genna. Leonardo's not what he seems."
• "I know," I spat. "He killed my brother."
• Marco's expression turned grim. "That's not all, Genna. Leonardo was the one who murdered your parents."
• Words failed me. This can't be true. I was still struggling with the first morsel of information I got. I clench my fist, determined to kill Leonardo.
• But first, “How did you know about this?”
• "Don't probe, Genna," Marco warned. "Just know that Leonardo's capable of unimaginable cruelty. You need to get your revenge.”
• "How do I know I can trust you?" I managed to whisper.
• Marco's eyes flashed. "You don't have a choice. I'm your only hope. Leonardo will stop at nothing to keep you captive. Let's just say I have my reasons for helping you. Leonardo and I... we have unfinished business."
• I wanted to ask more, but Marco's expression silenced me.
• "Trust me, Genna," Marco whispered. "I'm your only chance at survival. I want to help you, protect you if only you will work with me."
• "What do you need me to do?" I asked.
• Marco's eyes gleamed. "I need you to stay here, spy on Leonardo. Feed me information on his every move."
• "A spy?" I repeated.
• "Yes," Marco said. "We'll use your closeness to our advantage. You'll be my eyes and ears inside the estate."
• I nodded, intrigued.
• "But there's more," Marco added. "I need you to make Leonardo fall for you."
• My eyes widened. "What?"
• Marco's smile was calculating. "Love is a weakness, Genna. And we'll use it against him. Make Leonardo believe you're his, and we'll have him right where we want him."
• "Revenge," I whispered.
• Marco's eyes locked onto mine. "Exactly. Now, swear to me, Genna. Swear you'll be loyal to me, and only me."
• "I swear," I vowed.
• Marco's gaze burned with intensity.
• "Remember, Genna. Our goal is to bring Leonardo down. Together."
• I smiled, a cold, calculated smile.
• "I'll make him fall for me," I promised. "And then... I'll kill him."
• Marco's lips curled into a matching smile.
• "Beautiful," he whispered. "Together, we'll destroy him."
• ********
• I was going to retrieve that picture. It is all I have left from Clinton.
• I reached Leonardo's study, relieved to find it empty. My hands trembled as I opened the drawer, but the picture was gone.
• Where could he have taken it to? And why is he hiding it from me?
• I decided to check Leonardo's room. Hopefully, he would still be downstairs with Denise.
• As I approached his door, I listened carefully. Silence.
• I slowly turned the handle and slipped inside.
• My eyes scanned the room, and my heart skipped a beat.
• Leonardo sat on his chair, his head resting on the desk, fast asleep.
• Oh, Damn it.
• I froze.
• He looked vulnerable and peaceful, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. His chiseled features softened and his lips curled into a subtle smile.
• I stood there, mesmerized by his attractiveness.
• But I snapped back to reality. This was Leonardo, my enemy. I can't admire him.
• Quietly, I approached the drawer.
• My fingers grasped the handle.
• But before I could open it, a strong hand gripped my wrist.
• Leonardo's eyes snapped open.
• He swiftly pushed me down. I felt the weight of his body pinning me. His big hand covered my mouth.
• "Who are you?" he growled.
• But as our eyes met, his eyes lit up as he recognized me.
• "You," he whispered, his voice was low and husky and I caught a whiff of alcohol on his breath.
• His grip on my mouth eased, but he remained on top of me, staring into my eyes.
• Leonardo's face drew closer to mine, and his piercing eyes remained steady on mine.
• His lips brushed against mine, soft and gentle. My lips parted, and Leonardo's kiss deepened.
• His lips claimed mine, possessive and protective and his arms wrapped around me, pulling me close.
• Leonardo's expression softened, his eyes filling with a depth I'd never seen before.
• “I want you, Genna. I want you to feel me inside of you.”