Share

Imprisoned

Author: MadlainQ
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-22 19:59:55

CATHERINE

The pulsing, sharp pain in the side of my head drew me toward awareness. The pounding seemed to increase each time I tried to open my eyes. My heart thundered, its rate matching the vicious pain in my head. I swallowed shallow breaths as if I were inches above the water and struggled to remain on the surface.

Finally, my eyes jerked open, and I was blinded by the sudden brightness. I might have groaned, but I wasn't sure whether the sound left my throat or remained in my mind. My mouth was dry, and my tongue darted out, desperate to wet my lips.

“Thirsty, Kitty Cat?”

That voice sent chills down my spine. I blinked a few times, hoping my eyes would finally adapt to the light. I slowly turned my head to the source of the sound and saw Dante Cartelli's cold smile.

I gasped, trying to move away from him. Only then did I realize I was lying on the bed with one hand cuffed and chained to the metal rod hanging above the headboard. The light filling the room was coming from the larg
Locked Chapter
Continue Reading on GoodNovel
Scan code to download App
Comments (1)
goodnovel comment avatar
Bella Jersey
This can not be Catherine’s fate
VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Related chapters

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Desperate

    HUNTERTwenty-six hours passed since Catherine had been abducted, and we still couldn't locate where she was kept. Potentially, she could have been in one of over thirty estates owned by Aleks Lagunov. So far, we were trying to narrow that list down, but excluding each location took too much time…After more than a few hours of useless quarrels, Lazar and I had finally gathered all our allies under one roof—my roof. Certainly, this agreement hadn't eliminated the mutual hostility, which currently satiated the air in the meeting room so densely, breathing had become a struggle. Well, at least none of them had chosen to resort to violence… so far.We all sat at the large oval table with Lazar and me on the opposite sides. We exchanged meaningful looks, then Lazar cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. “My spies confirmed our previous suspicions… The Lagunov family's old estate was abandoned some time ago,” he said. “That means the renegades' main headquarters has to be elsewh

    Last Updated : 2025-02-23
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Truth or Dare

    CATHERINEI stared at the three giggling idiots in front of me and kept asking myself how in the world I ended up in this situation. I shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be sitting in this white-leather booth in the VIP zone of the wealthy-snob-only club. I shouldn't be drinking stuff that cost more than half of my usual paycheck. And I certainly shouldn't wear that stupid pink, glittering veil on my head, like a goddamn Barbie bride!“Your turn to spin, Portia!” Naomi gestured at my half-sister with her drink, spilling more than a few drops on the table.“God save me,” I murmured, taking a cautious sip from my glass.Devilishly grinning, Portia placed the bottle on the table and spun it. I exhaled slowly, leaning against the seat. I still couldn't believe that my father made me come here, made me pretend I was happy for her, and that I was grateful she picked me as one of her bridesmaids. As if the fact that she was going to marry my ex-boyfriend—the guy I'd once wanted to marry and have

    Last Updated : 2024-11-01
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Hot Stranger

    My reason evaporated. All the fears, shyness, and restraints were gone too. The only thing that remained was him, his tongue dancing along with mine, his hands running up and down my back, the warmth and firmness of his body...There was no logical explanation for why my hands slid up his broad shoulders and circled his neck. I didn't think I had ever been more daring, more reckless, more utterly insane. I was vaguely aware that we were in the club, that others were watching, but I couldn't make myself care. Not when his fingertips traced a line down my spine. Not when his tongue precisely stroked all the right nerves. Not when a powerful surge of heat made me realize no one had ever kissed me this way. I might have moaned softly against his lips. He might have responded with a breathy chuckle. My toes curled, despite the uncomfortable stilettos I wore. I didn't want this to end. I wanted more. I needed more—A wave of realization came like an icy wind, coating my skin. This had to s

    Last Updated : 2024-11-02
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   The Gut Feeling

    HUNTERMy eyes drifted to the empty booth in the right sector of my club, and my lips curved into a faint smirk. Women had always been a way to disarm the rising tension within me—a pleasant but momentary distraction. I rarely cared for their names. I had never bothered to remember who they were or even what they looked like… But not this firecracker. Her image had already imprinted in my mind.A delightful blend of fear and excitement—that was what I'd seen in her big emerald eyes. The taste of her was like the most powerful drug. Had I died from overdosing her, I would have died a happy man.“She left,” Rowan grunted as he caught me staring at the booth again. “She wouldn't if you didn't ignore that other one.”I turned to him and gave him a meaningful look. I had been around dumb sluts and gold-diggers for far too long not to recognize one even from a distance. That blonde in the pink dress easily met both categories.Rowan chuckled and ran his fingers through his blond hair. “You

    Last Updated : 2024-11-03
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   My Prison

    CATHERINEThe banging on the door forcefully dragged me out of my sweet unawareness. I opened my eyes and regretted it in an instant. My head throbbed like it was about to explode. Or maybe it had already exploded, but I had yet to acknowledge the fact I was dying. It certainly felt like I was about to die from that freaking headache. This was my price for trying to survive the night with Portia. Now someone decided to torture me even more, taking away my much-needed sleep.“Ms. Catherine! Master told us to wake you up immediately!” The maid's voice boomed through the door. “The reporters will be here in less than an hour. We won't go away unless we know you're up!”They had to be fucking kidding me! Cursing under my breath, I crawled out from under the warm duvet and swayed my way to the door. The banging on my door continued, perfectly matching the pounding inside my head. I wouldn't mind swallowing a ton of aspirin for breakfast.“I'm up,” I growled, opening the door and glaring da

    Last Updated : 2024-11-04
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   All Stays In the Family

    A hysterical laugh broke through my throat. “You're insane! You're going to marry my sister, for fuck's sake!”His brows rose, his lips curving into a cold smirk. “So? You know I don't care about Portia. She will be my wife in name, but nothing else. The one I want in my bed is you.”My mouth opened, but I struggled to come up with any response. I had already learned how cold and calculated he was, but this? Every word he said filled me with sheer disgust.“Think about it, Cat,” he went on. “This can be a perfect arrangement. We can still be together.”Fury heated the blood in my veins. “Together? What makes you think I could ever become your mistress?” I strained through my teeth. “You broke up with me. You humiliated me. Why do you think I would let you touch me again?”“I didn't have a choice back then!” he growled, and I stiffened, repressing a flinch. “You know how my mother is. I could have never married someone like you... It doesn't mean I didn't love you.” He took another ste

    Last Updated : 2024-11-05
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Too Many Questions

    My heart fluttered faster than a hummingbird's wings as I stared at the man in front of me. Giulio still groaned in pain, writhing on the ground. Hunter barely spared him a glance before locking his eyes on me.“Thank you,” I rasped, folding my arms over my waist. “If you didn't show up... That man… He—”“He had it coming,” Hunter said simply before snapping his fingers.A heartbeat passed, and two men in black suits materialized beside him. Hunter motioned his chin at Giulio, and the two men grabbed him and started dragging him further away from the main venue.A shudder rushed through me. “Where are they taking him?” I asked, my voice shaking.A cold smirk tugged at his lips. “Don't worry about it.” He slowly scanned me from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”I shook my head, suddenly feeling the cold ground beneath my bare feet. I noticed my stilettos a few feet away and quickly snatched them from the ground. He moved as if to help me put them on, but this whole situation rattled me enou

    Last Updated : 2024-11-06
  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Adjusting the Plan

    HUNTERI pushed through the broken doors, entering the Desiderio Club—MY fucking club. Steaming rage slowly filled my veins as I surveyed the damage, estimating the costs. The broken glass screeched under my shoes. It was hard to find the tiniest spot on the floor without it. I kept stepping between the blood puddles, marking the spots where three of ours had been stabbed and a few of those fuckers gutted. The security had been too tight for them to carry the guns, yet they'd skipped a few knives, and so the bloodshed had begun…I walked over to the bar, staring at the pile of broken bottles and spilled liquor. “I will fucking kill them,” I gritted out, grabbing a half-broken bottle and smashing it against the wall.“Someone's in the mood,” Rowan muttered, stopping beside me. “It's not the first time someone tried to ruin our club. So what pissed you off that much?”I blew out a breath and massaged my temples. “Maybe I'm just tired of renovating the clubs over and over again.”“Nah.”

    Last Updated : 2024-11-12

Latest chapter

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Desperate

    HUNTERTwenty-six hours passed since Catherine had been abducted, and we still couldn't locate where she was kept. Potentially, she could have been in one of over thirty estates owned by Aleks Lagunov. So far, we were trying to narrow that list down, but excluding each location took too much time…After more than a few hours of useless quarrels, Lazar and I had finally gathered all our allies under one roof—my roof. Certainly, this agreement hadn't eliminated the mutual hostility, which currently satiated the air in the meeting room so densely, breathing had become a struggle. Well, at least none of them had chosen to resort to violence… so far.We all sat at the large oval table with Lazar and me on the opposite sides. We exchanged meaningful looks, then Lazar cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. “My spies confirmed our previous suspicions… The Lagunov family's old estate was abandoned some time ago,” he said. “That means the renegades' main headquarters has to be elsewh

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Imprisoned

    CATHERINEThe pulsing, sharp pain in the side of my head drew me toward awareness. The pounding seemed to increase each time I tried to open my eyes. My heart thundered, its rate matching the vicious pain in my head. I swallowed shallow breaths as if I were inches above the water and struggled to remain on the surface.Finally, my eyes jerked open, and I was blinded by the sudden brightness. I might have groaned, but I wasn't sure whether the sound left my throat or remained in my mind. My mouth was dry, and my tongue darted out, desperate to wet my lips.“Thirsty, Kitty Cat?”That voice sent chills down my spine. I blinked a few times, hoping my eyes would finally adapt to the light. I slowly turned my head to the source of the sound and saw Dante Cartelli's cold smile.I gasped, trying to move away from him. Only then did I realize I was lying on the bed with one hand cuffed and chained to the metal rod hanging above the headboard. The light filling the room was coming from the larg

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Security Protocol

    The high-pitched tone kept ringing in my ears. My breath was labored, and my legs threatened to give up from under me. I failed her. I let them take her away. I should have done things differently. I should have assumed the worst and headed to that fucking lab faster. I shouldn't have hesitated. I should have just lunged at them and blown their fucking heads off.I forced another deep breath into my lungs, but my tightened ribcage refused to cooperate. I could barely focus on my surroundings. My mind kept replaying the moment the redhead had carried my unconscious firecracker into the van and then driven away…“They're all dead.” Rowan's voice dragged me out of my bewilderment. He walked over to me with a tight grimace twisting his lips. “A few we didn't kill committed suicide as soon as they figured out they lost. Others were killed by the drug.”“Fucking perfect.” I dragged my fingers through my hair. “Catherine is gone, and there's no one who could tell us where those fuckers took

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Emergency

    HUNTERCatherine. Hearing she might be in danger knocked the air out of my lungs. I barked out several commands, grabbed my combat clothes and guns, and a moment later, I was inside the van, heading to the location Catherine had sent in her text.It wasn't far from Scarsdale, but we still needed time to get there. What if we came too late? No. We would make it. I couldn't let myself think otherwise.I shoved those thoughts away. I needed to focus. We rode in the column—five vans with my best men inside them. Ferro was driving the one I was in. I could see his firm grip on the wheel and rage burning in his eyes. I had rarely seen him this infuriated, but this was about Catherine, and I knew that he—just like the others in my team—would annihilate everyone who tried to hurt her.I called Lazar. His first team had just arrived and began to check the area, quickly confirming our suspicions: the renegades had surrounded the entire complex.My blood turned into molten lava. “Who else knew a

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Betrayed

    My heart hammered against my chest. I looked around, but there was only him and me standing in that courtyard. I whirled around, trying to run, but then he grabbed my arm, violently pulling me to a halt.“Don't resist. It will hurt if you do.” His dark laugh sounded. He turned me toward him and pressed the gun to my temple. My breath hitched as I saw his finger slowly curling on the trigger. “He wanted you to live, but I could get away with killing you on the spot,” he purred.I believed him. He wanted me to give him a reason. Shit. I couldn't even risk calling out to Logan without provoking him. Not to mention that I would have been dead before Logan heard me…“I'll… behave,” I choked out.He huffed out a laugh. “Good girl.” He shifted his gun, pressing the barrel against my back as he pushed me toward a narrow passage. “Move,” he snarled.I was partially relieved he led me away from the lab, but that didn't exactly solve my problem. I started walking, cautiously glancing around. It

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   So Close

    CATHERINEI dropped the phone on the table and slumped down on the bed. My hands were shaking, and I could barely stop my hectic swirl of thoughts. The people I had laughed with a few days ago were slaughtered in their own house along with thirty members of the staff working for them.The renegades' attacks had become more frequent and more brutal than ever, and our new allies had grown impatient. My great-uncle told me to ignore them. He said he would handle them himself, but how could I let him when I caused it all?Vera or Nikolay had been coming to Lazar's office at least twice a day, asking for the Pink Opium. They kept pushing, demanding that Lazar tell them where our lab was. He wouldn't tell them anything, but I knew that their frequent visits had already been drawing too much attention. I would have lied had I said their reckless behavior hadn't made me anxious. I knew it was only a matter of time before the news about the complete Pink Opium formula reached the renegades' ea

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   Building the Front

    Exhaustion coated my feet like lead, turning each step into a struggle, but I couldn't allow myself to rest, not after what we had just found out. I rolled back my shoulders and walked into the salon where the rest of my Italian allies waited for the news.They occupied two leather sofas and two armchairs. Only Guido stood by the window, clearly avoiding my gaze as I entered. “Glad you're all here,” I said as my eyes swept through the room. Then I walked toward the seats, stopping in a place where I could see them all. “I bet you all want to know about the results of Arianna Pelligrini's interrogation.”I heard a quiet huff, and I didn't need to look to know it was Guido. He was the only one who already knew what Arianna had told us—he'd heard it all. Even now, a few hours after the interrogation had ended, I could feel the mix of rage and shame radiating from him.“Hope you learned something useful from your—as I believe—former fiancée.” Luca Barbieri gave me a meaningful look.I res

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   First Answers

    I walked over to Ferro, who leaned against the wall next to Arianna's cell. I jerked my chin at the door. “Did she behave?”A wicked smirk appeared. “She kept banging at the door and screaming for about an hour. Then she finally gave up and remained quiet ever since.”“I see.” I nodded before gesturing for him to open the door.He pulled out the key card but then halted and gave me a wry smile. “Boss… you don't have to do this. Remo and I can take care of the interrogation.”I almost laughed. “Your concern is unnecessary.” I clasped my hand on his shoulder. “Do you honestly believe I would feel sorry for someone who tried to kill me for my money?”“I see your point.” His lips formed a thin line. Then he nodded and opened the cell.The door creaked, revealing a dark cell. I pushed the door further, letting the dim light illuminate the small space. Then I noticed Arianna sitting on the floor with her legs curled up to her chest and hands wrapped around her knees. She was barefoot and dr

  • All Because I Kissed a Stranger   One Step Closer

    HUNTERI knew that showing up at this meeting was risky. Not to mention that my current allies had yet to find out about the changes they would be a part of. The mutual agreement would not come peacefully. They might have even more objections than the leaders at Lazar's table. But we had to start building this mutual front, and we had to do it now.I knew Catherine well enough to realize that something was off, and I knew I had to support her. It was crucial that none of the remaining Bratva leaders question her words. Fortunately, only Vera was overly curious about the drug and where it was produced. The new head of the Nikitin family helped shut her up. He seemed like a decent guy, and knowing the numbers of his family's soldiers, I wouldn't mind having him as my ally.The rest of the meeting had gone without incident. We all agreed we needed more information about Lagunov's army. A few shared the information they had on the renegades, but everyone was aware that this wasn't enough

Scan code to read on App
DMCA.com Protection Status