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Chapter Nine
Last Updated:
2024-12-18 14:24:33
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A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter ten
A TIME FOR MYSELF.~LAUREN’S POV~The first rays of morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, golden and warm, but my thoughts were far from serene. I stared at the ceiling, trying to shake off the leftovers of last night—the dinner, the drama, and Alexandro’s maddening smirk. His touch, his words, even the way he had looked at me—it was too much. I sat up, groaning into my hands. This trip was supposed to be my escape, a chance to recover from heartbreak and find some clearness. Instead, it had turned into a stage for mind games and jealousy-fueled power plays. I swung my legs off the bed and grabbed my notebook from the nightstand. I had jotted down my plans the night before, determined to reclaim at least one day for myself. “Breakfast by the beach.” check “Morning yoga.” check, i said with a smile spreading across my lips.“Explore the resort.” “Call Mom and Emma.”“Book a yacht ride.” That sum it all, I said taking a good look at the notebook again, before writ
Last Updated : 2024-12-19A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Eleven
MY ANCHOR.~LAUREN POV~The sea breeze tangled through my hair as I brushed a few strands away from my face, trying to focus on anything but the chaos around me. My gaze drifted toward Alexandro, who stood talking to the captain with his typical air of authority. But my attention snapped back to Rosette and Patrick. She was leaning into him, her lips dangerously close to his, the two of them putting on a show as if they were in some private moment rather than on the deck of a yacht. A sick feeling churned in my stomach. How had today twisted so quickly from promising to unbearable? I should’ve stayed in my room, I thought bitterly. Alone and away from this soap opera. “You two,” Lilac said, her voice dripping with mock irritation, “get a room.” She rolled her eyes dramatically, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. It was obvious what they were doing. They were trying to get under my skin, and worse, it was working. I clenched my jaw, refusing to give them the satisfact
Last Updated : 2024-12-19A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Twelve
HIS PRESENCE.~LAUREN’S POV~The rest of the ride was quiet and uncomfortable, broken only by Rosette’s angry looks and Fatimah’s occasional laughter. Lilac sat quietly, avoiding eye contact, but her presence still added to my stress.I turned my attention to the water, leaning forward against the railing. The sea stretched out endlessly before me, shimmering under the golden sunlight. Despite the day spiraling from bad to worse, the view was stunning. The salty breeze kissed my skin, and for a moment, the anxiety in my chest eased. “You should be careful.” A voice startled me, deep and close, pulling me out of my brief reprieve. I turned to find Alexandro standing behind me. His phone, the obvious source of his earlier distraction, was nowhere in sight. He looked at me with a casual, unreadable expression that I was beginning to hate. Right. Him. I’d almost forgotten he was here, which was saying something, considering how impossible it usually was to ignore him. I should h
Last Updated : 2024-12-20A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Thirteen
GIVING HIM A SHOW.~ALEXANDRO’S POV~As soon as the boat docked, Rosette tried to seize control, her voice cutting through the air like nails on a chalkboard. “We should all stick together while we explore the city,” she suggested, glancing around as if waiting for unanimous agreement. The others murmured in halfhearted approval, but I wasn’t about to let her dictate my plans. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” I said smoothly, drawing everyone’s attention. “Lauren and I already have plans.” Rosette froze, her lips parting slightly as if she couldn’t quite process my words. “What plans?” she demanded, her tone sharper than she intended. I smiled. “Dinner. Just the two of us.” For a moment, silence reigned. Fatimah raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, while Rosette’s cheeks flushed red. Patrick, however, was the most satisfying to watch. His frown deepened, his jaw tightening. The subtle clench of his fists at his sides didn’t escape my notice. Good. It was too easy
Last Updated : 2024-12-20A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter fourteen
SCARED OF FEELING ~LAUREN’S POV~I could practically hear my heartbeat as I forced my gaze to stay fixed on the plate of food sitting in front of me. The mashed potatoes sat untouched, a smudge of gravy trailing down the side, but the rest of the dish looked foreign. Some kind of meat—roast, maybe?—and vegetables I couldn’t quite place. Was this even what I ordered?My brow furrowed as I poked at the food with my fork, lifting my eyes just slightly to catch Alexandro staring at me. He didn’t bother looking away when I met his gaze. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, suddenly too aware of the low murmurs floating around the restaurant. The hushed whispers, the stolen glances—especially from the women seated nearby. I cleared my throat and lifted my glass of wine, pretending not to notice. “Seems like you’re pretty well-known around here,” I said, letting the words roll off casually. Alexandro leaned back in his chair, that ever-present smirk tugging at the corner of his li
Last Updated : 2024-12-21A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter fifteen
FLICK OF PAIN.~LAUREN’S POV~The night began with warm moments but soon turned into confusion and frustration. As we left the restaurant, Alexandro lightly placed his hand on my back.I could feel the heat of it through the thin fabric of my dress, and it was unnervingly distracting. When he leaned closer to whisper in my ear, his breath brushing against my skin, it sent shivers down my spine. “You’ll have to get used to my touch,” he murmured, his voice low and edged with amusement. “I can’t have you flinching every time I lay a hand on you.” “It’s cold,” I lied, hoping to cover up the growing embarrassment from how acutely aware I was of his presence. Alexandro only smirked, pulling off his blazer without a word and draping it over my shoulders. The unexpected gesture left me stunned, my protest caught in my throat. “You… you didn’t have to,” I finally managed, my fingers clutching the lapels of the blazer. He didn’t listen to me. Instead, he looked at the street, as if
Last Updated : 2024-12-23A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter sixteen
UNEXPECTED WARM.~ALEXANDRO’S POV~ Lauren pulled away from me the moment we boarded the boat. She didn’t say a word, just wrapped her arms around herself and found a seat near the edge. Her gaze fixed on the dark waters, avoiding me entirely. She was angry. “You’re angry,” I said, keeping my voice low so the others wouldn’t hear. “Well, congratulations for noticing that,” she shot back, her tone sharp, her eyes still refusing to meet mine. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. Her frustration amused me more than I cared to admit. She reminded me of a child whose candy had been taken away—adorable, despite her clear annoyance. Before I could say more, my phone buzzed in my pocket, dragging my attention away. I pulled it out and glanced at the name flashing on the screen. Antonio. This late? It had better be important. I walked to the other side of the boat, away from the others, and answered. “This better be important for you to call me at this hour.” My tone was cal
Last Updated : 2024-12-24A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter seventeen
A PUZZLE OF FEELINGS.~LAUREN’S POV~ The days at the resort passed in a blur, each one feeling more exhausting than the last. Alexandro made it his mission to drag me to every event and occasion requiring his presence, while all I wanted was to stay indoors and avoid everyone—especially him. After my last encounter with Rosette, her venomous words still stayed in my mind. I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that she might be right about some things. I was beginning to have expectations about this fake relationship, and I hated myself for it. The idea of Alexandro using me just to pass the time filled me with anger I couldn’t quite understand. And now, here I sat at yet another social gathering, glaring at the women surrounding Alexandro. “Get a grip, Lauren,” I muttered to myself, gripping the stem of my champagne glass tightly. “Remember, this isn’t real.” But no matter how much I told myself that, it felt like a lie. If I truly believed it, why couldn’t I look away from
Last Updated : 2024-12-26
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A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Eighty One
SONG PLAYED: “Do It For Me” by Rosenfeld.BLOOD ON MY HANDS ~ALEXANDRO’S POV~FLASHBACK: The Castello mansion smelled like fresh lilies and betrayal the night Leonardo came home. A whole month away for business, and no one thought to clue me in on what kind of business needed my stepfather to disappear like a ghost and reemerge with an even darker flash in his eye.I was sixteen. Old enough to know how to cock a gun, but still too young to be trusted with the real kind of power…the type that ruined men, that turned blood into currency and truth into collateral.Leonardo said I had ambition. Said I had ‘the makings’. Said I reminded him of himself. That should’ve been the first red flag.The house was too quiet when we came back from boarding school. The kind of quiet that clings to your skin and whispers that something’s wrong, even if you can’t name it yet.I was halfway down the hall, steps light, heart unbothered, until I saw him. Standing outside the master bedroom. Watchi
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Eighty
SONG PLAYED: “Who Do You Want” by Ex habit.THE MONSTER YOU MADE.~ALEXANDRO’S POV~I made my way to the bar like a man with all the time in the world and none of the patience.The crystal decanter waited, filled with the kind of aged scotch that bit like betrayal and soothed like a lover’s lie. My fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle. I poured two glasses like I had a goddamn degree in it.Behind me, Mario sank into the couch with the dramatic flair of a man who survived everything but therapy. Julio stood by the door like a statue carved from loyalty and nightmares.“Drink?” I offered, holding up the bottle.Mario flashed me a smirk that said fuck it and leaned back like he owned the room. “Pour away, Prince of Pain.”I chuckled under my breath. The bastard was insufferable. Still, I liked him better than most people I did not fantasize about strangling.I walked over with the glasses and handed him one. “Here, asshole.”He took it, eyes twinkling with mischief. A cigar al
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Nine
SONG PLAYED: “We Can’t Be Friends” by Ariana GrandeTHE GOSSIP WE TALK ABOUT ~LAUREN’S POV~The door swung open like she had been waiting behind it all night, which, let’s be honest…she probably had.Sophia stood there in a faded band tee and leopard print boxers, holding a glass of wine like it was a weapon and I had just interrupted her murder documentary binge.“You look like you just escaped a rich person’s breakdown,” she said, eyeing me from head to toe.“Technically, I did,” I muttered, stepping inside. “Also, this apartment still smells like coconut and emotionally unavailable men.”She shut the door with her hip. “Thanks. It’s the candle and my taste in exes.”We made it to the couch before I collapsed like my bones were optional. She handed me a fresh glass of wine and a stare that said talk or I will make you.“So…” she dragged the word like a slow, sexy murder. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”I choked on the Merlot. “Can we at least say hi first?”“Oh, hi. Now tell me a
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Eight
SONG PLAY: “28” by Ruthie B (Dawn Lewis)THIN ICE ~LAUREN’S POV~“Can we talk?”I didn’t look up right away. I knew that voice. I could pick it out in a room full of demons. Patrick.Slowly, I lifted my gaze from my laptop, arching one brow with all the grace of a woman who used to care, but now only keeps receipts.Vanessa paused mid-flirt on her call, eyes darting between us with that ‘what-the-hell-is-this’ look. I ignored her.Instead, I flicked my gaze to Luca.He was already moving, jaw set, posture rigid, like he was seconds away from turning Patrick into a lesson. I gave a quick shake of my head.Stand down.But the men Alexandro assigns to me? Yeah. They don’t exactly stand down. They loom. With guns. And bone-melting cheekbones.Patrick raised both hands, surrender style. “I just want to talk, Lauren. That’s it.”I stood up, straightening my skirt and pretending like I hadn’t just fantasized about drop-kicking him into next week.“I hope it’s something worth hearing,” I sna
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Seven
THE ART OF BREAKING ~LAUREN’S POV~A normal person would’ve walked away. Heard what I heard, packed up their pride, and got the hell out.But I’ve never been good at walking away. Especially not when the wolves were circling. Especially not when I knew my name was already sitting pretty on Rosette Goldberg’s revenge list, underlined in red, probably scented with Chanel No. 5 and malice.Now here I was, stuck in the middle of a meeting that felt more like a firing squad.“Earth to Lauren,” Maryjane’s voice sliced through my thoughts like a scalpel.My eyes lifted from the notepad I’d been scribbling nonsense on. Loops. Crosses. A sketch of Rosette with devil horns.All eyes were on me.Of course, they were.Rosette sat at the head of the table like a queen drunk on her poison, the look in her eyes one part disdain, two parts ‘try me.’“You spaced out,” Vanessa whispered next to me, her voice low. “You okay?”Lie. Lie through your teeth, Lauren.“Yeah, fine,” I murmured, faking normal
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Six
INTERVIEW GONE WRONG~LAUREN’S POV~I blinked, not once, but twice. This was a scandal okay, maybe the biggest.Julian Moretti Blackwood, another top dog in the business world and Castello's biggest rival. Alexandro would freak out if he ever found out.Julian stood behind Heather as if he belonged there, smirking, calm like he was enjoying whatever chaos was going on in my head.He was supposed to be trouble, at least that's what I was told and what I had read.The kind Alexandro did not talk about, except in threats or warnings….always followed by: “If you ever see him, you run”I never dare to ask why I should run, all I know is that I trust him.And now I was standing in a hotel hallway…and Julian was practically naked, wearing nothing but a low-hanging pair of sweatpants and danger-like second skin.My heart stuttered.Vanessa’s grip tightened around her notepad. “Nope,” she muttered under her breath. “Nope. We are not doing this.” Heather leaned her head back toward Julian, giv
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Five
SCANDALOUS MORNING ~LAUREN’S POV~My body still ached in the best way. Last night with Alexandro was... memorable.I’d been nervous, it was my first time with him. But God, it was everything. The way he touched me, the way he owned me... I still had flashes of it when I closed my eyes. My body reacted like it was happening all over again.I was so lost in thought, that I barely noticed the elevator doors ding open.Antonio wasn’t around today, but Luca stood close behind me, unusually quiet. He said Antonio had something important to handle.I prayed it wasn’t what I was thinking.“Good morning, beautiful.”That voice. I turned quickly, and there he was. Ethan. Alive. Standing. Smiling.“You’re here,” I breathed, shocked. I shot a glance at Luca, whose jaw tightened as he glared at Ethan like he wanted to put him through the nearest wall.Ethan’s smile didn’t waver. “Where else would I be?”The elevator slid open. He stepped inside first, cool and calm, his eyes lingering on me like
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Four
DEVOTION.~ALEXANDRO’S POV~Lauren kicked off her shoes, “I still can’t believe you didn’t shoot him,” she said, pulling her hair out of its clip. “Or at least punch him.”I turned to her slowly. “Don’t tempt me. I’m still considering both.”She laughed softly, then walked past me into the kitchen like she’d always belonged here. I followed her, watching how comfortably she moved, how she opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water like this was hers.Maybe it was. Maybe that’s what scared me the most. “I want to take a shower,” she said, glancing back at me.“Use mine,” I replied. “You know where it is.”She disappeared down the hall, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I poured myself a glass of whiskey and stared out the window, city lights twinkling like stars below.My mind was still racing. The stolen shipments. Ethan. Julian’s name stayed in the air like smoke I couldn’t shake off.Trouble was circling. And she, Lauren, was standing dead in the center of it
A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas Chapter Seventy Three
VULNERABLE ~ALEXANDRO POV~I was becoming weak.Too weak, because I couldn’t move. Every part of me wanted to pull the gun tucked under my seat and put a bullet straight through that motherfucker’s skull.I didn’t care that we were in public. The fact that he dared to put his lips on what was mine made him a threat.Antonio stood silently behind Lauren, who had frozen like she was waiting for an order. It was on the tip of my tongue, all I had to say was:“End him. In the most painful way possible.”But I didn’t. Mario was right. I was becoming soft. A fucking coward. And do I like it? No. No, I fucking hate it. It’s eating me alive.I signaled Antonio with a slight nod. ‘Follow him. Handle it.’ I knew the guy was in trouble the moment I spotted him inside Julian’s office.Anything connected to Julian always spelled danger. This one needed to be dealt with, fast.“Hey,” Lauren said, her voice nervous as she stepped in front of me.I frowned, looking down at her. “Get in,” I said co
