LOGINShare
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Last Updated:
2025-02-05 03:38:59
MadlainQThank you for reading another chapter ❤️ To those who were wondering, the story will be completed by the end of the month, and I'll do my best to add chapters as frequently as possible 😊 I'm finally getting better after the surgery. Thank you for all your kind words and your patience 🥹 Hope you'll enjoy the rest of the story, and if you do, please leave comments, reviews, gems, gifts, and thumbs-up 🥰💎🎁
Related chapters
All Because I Kissed a Stranger What's Behind the Mask
HUNTERThis was a mistake, the last thing I wanted. The plan had been different. I'd wanted to take Arianna to Vincenzo's place where we could talk without witnesses. She'd surprised me by suggesting we should eat in one of the popular restaurants. I'd been reluctant but figured I should find a way to please her after I'd chased away her bodyguards. Somehow I'd fallen into my old habits and wanted to indulge her.I began to regret my decision as soon as we walked in front of the restaurant's entrance and heard people around us whispering. My irritation grew as we entered and instantly became the restaurant's main attraction. Arianna didn't seem to mind. She even smiled politely at some of the guests who stared at her in awe, as if she were a fucking saint blessing them with her presence.This was Guido's doing. I knew he would make sure everyone knew about my divorce and Arianna's return. What I failed to predict was that he would do it immediately and build a fucking legend around it
Last Updated : 2025-02-06All Because I Kissed a Stranger Fighting Jealousy
CATHERINE“I can barely stand looking at them,” Ace grumbled, shaking his head.Fifi snorted, snatching the wine bottle to refill our glasses. “Then you're in the minority. Most of the people here can't take their eyes off them.”Ace huffed, then hurriedly grabbed his glass and drank more than half of it. “She's not even that pretty.”“She is beautiful.” My lips formed a wry smile. “And whether we like it or not, they do look good together.”Ace rolled his eyes. “Bullshit. You and Hunter look perfect together. That brunette below us looks like one of those bitches who live their lives bullying others.”“You got that right,” Fifi muttered.“That's not how Hunter described her,” I argued. “He said she was kind and smart… That made him fall in love with her.” Mentioning his love for her suddenly brought a new wave of bitterness and jealousy. Had any of his feelings for her remained?I craned my neck, trying to get a better view of his face. He seemed relaxed—even happy. He smiled at Aria
Last Updated : 2025-02-07All Because I Kissed a Stranger The New Threat
Run. I needed to get out of there. I needed to do it now. Swallowing hard, I raised my eyes to the intimidating man, mumbled another thank you, and started walking in the opposite direction. I heard his cold chuckle behind my back, but I didn't dare look over my shoulder.My heart kept hammering as I recalled the picture Hunter had once shown me, the picture from his club's security footage. To think I might have just faced the man who had killed Connor…I sucked in a shaky breath and ran upstairs. Then I maneuvered between the tables at a hectic pace, half-expecting the snake-tattoo guy to follow me. Only when I slumped in my seat and assured myself he wasn't there did I sigh in relief.“What took you so long?” Fifi scanned me as she filled my glass with new wine. “You look pale… Is everything all right?”“No.” I shook my head, trying to draw a deep breath. “I've just seen one of the renegades—bumped into him. I heard him talking to a woman with an Italian accent…” I trailed off as m
Last Updated : 2025-02-07All Because I Kissed a Stranger What If...
HUNTER“So you're saying there's a chance Arianna works with the fucking renegades?” I was fuming when Rowan told me what he'd heard from Catherine. I might have needed to acknowledge that Arianna had joined our greatest enemies. That surely ignited the storming rage inside me. But what made my blood boil was Catherine's recklessness. She had gone down there to face one of the renegades, and she'd done so without a bodyguard to protect her!“Catherine said she's not sure, but it all fits.” Rowan's lips formed a thin line. “The renegades might have sent Arianna to you as if she were a fucking Trojan horse.”“That would explain why she insisted on moving into the estate,” I muttered, scratching my one-day stubble. I seriously needed a break. A shower. And a good night's sleep. Unfortunately, some matters required to be dealt with immediately.If Arianna had been sent here to spy, we had to find the proof as soon as possible. “We need to install one of those hard-to-detect bugs in Ariann
Last Updated : 2025-02-08All Because I Kissed a Stranger Official Introduction
CATHERINENow I fully understood why Lazar spared no expense to find Katerina and her descendants. He wanted a family since those closest to him were all gone. Lazar's wife and his three-year-old son had been assassinated—a bloody message from the Bugrov family. Lazar avenged them by annihilating all the Bugrovs and then every last one of their allies, but he had never remarried. Now, nearly three decades after those drastic events, he was more than willing to fill the part that was missing…Of course, the Fedorov family was more than Lazar and his paralyzed and unconscious half-brother. Lazar's father, Kirill, had two brothers and a sister, and now, their children—Lazar's cousins—were the true core of the family. I'd spent more than an hour memorizing all their names and then several more hours trying to do the same with all the most important Bratva families.Lazar had told me about the hierarchy. Luckily for me, the Fedorov family was on the top of the food chain, and Kirill's desc
Last Updated : 2025-02-09All Because I Kissed a Stranger A Sight to See
HUNTERI watched Catherine glide through the ballroom, the crowd spreading before her. All conversations stopped, giving way to a wave of gasps and murmurs filled with awe. It was a struggle not to smile at the view. She looked like a goddess, soaked in the soft glow of her shimmering dress.“Did you know about this?” Arianna's irritated tone tore me out of my daze.“I didn't know when I married her,” I said curtly.Her hand curled tightly around my arm. “What about later? When did you learn about this?”She was far more agitated than I'd thought she would be. I grabbed her wrist, freeing myself from her grip before turning toward her. “I only learned about it recently.”She nearly rattled with rage. I couldn't recall I'd ever seen this kind of anger radiating from her. “I asked you, when did you learn about it?” she hissed.“What is this? An interrogation?” My gaze dropped to her clenched fists. I leaned over her and whispered coldly, “I suggest you calm down. Don't act like an ill-t
Last Updated : 2025-02-10All Because I Kissed a Stranger Rising Anxiety
CATHERINEMy face hurt from smiling. I had to admit that nothing truly disturbing had happened at the party so far. Lazar's security had been taking care of even the least significant incidents. It certainly eased some of the lingering tension. Nonetheless, I tried not to lower my guard and keep my focus, although staying on this constant alert was dreadfully exhausting.“We have to meet for lunch soon.” Nina Sokolov, the daughter of one of Lazar's allies, squeezed my hand in both hers and grinned.“I'd love that.” I smiled back at her and nodded.“I heard your single… I know more than a few fine guys you could meet with, you know?” She snickered as she leaned closer. “Not all of them are husband material, but they have other… important traits.”A nervous chuckle slipped free. “Thank you, but… I'd rather stay single for a while.”“Tough breakup?” She smiled wryly, then motioned her chin, pointing at where Arianna stood. Hunter's fiancée smiled brightly as she talked with two other wom
Last Updated : 2025-02-11All Because I Kissed a Stranger A Sliver of Hope
A week had passed since Dante's call. I had spent a week wondering what his words had meant while fear devoured me from the inside. My restlessness had reached new boundaries and crossed them with ease until my fears began to give way to anger. Someone had to stop the renegades' terror. For now, we had been trying to defend ourselves. Perhaps it was time to attack…The spy Dante had mentioned had been found among Lazar's sentinels. The news, however, hadn't brought any relief. If anything, it had only proven how defenseless we were and triggered more frustration.“It's done.” I could have sworn Lazar's expression had become even grimmer since our meeting two days ago. “The spy is dead.”I closed his office door behind me and slowly walked to sit in front of his desk. “Did you order his execution?”Lazar shook his head. “I was willing to spare him, but he hung himself. Couldn't live with himself after everything that happened.”I studied the shades under his eyes. His exhaustion was mo
Last Updated : 2025-02-12
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
