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Last Updated:
2024-12-21 05:33:52
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All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Banquet
I wasn't sure how I should use the fact I knew about Carla Pucci's debauchery. Mentioning it certainly wouldn't grant me her trust or friendliness. If anything, it could mark me as a threat to her and send my name to the list of her permanent enemies. Nonetheless, I knew this piece of knowledge was a weapon, one that should be used with extreme caution.I spent the next two days studying, analyzing, and memorizing every detail about the banquet guests and their families' businesses. After I'd called Hunter, Rowan prepared and sent me a thorough report concerning each participant, and Gianna completed that report with hot gossip.Now, only a few hours before the banquet, I was still going through the guests' social media, trying to find something I could use. I wasn't an idiot. I knew I wouldn't be pleasantly welcomed. This was the test for the new Mrs. Thorne, and I was determined to pass.Marcello was oddly kind and agitated even since the invitation had arrived. I had a feeling he t
Last Updated : 2024-12-21All Because I Kissed a Stranger Fighting Back
I remained on my feet as the two members of the cleaning crew wiped the remains of the wine and shattered bottle. No one aside from me seemed to pay attention to them or was bothered by what had just happened.I tried to refrain my body from shaking as I wanted until I could return to my seat. Someone had just tried to hurt me or perhaps kill me, and they were prepared to do it in a place like this, with more than thirty people to witness it.“I almost feel sorry for the girl who dropped the bottle,” Alessia Faro muttered, a wicked smirk dancing on her lips. “She must have been so scared to stand beside the great and lethal Mrs. Thorne.” She gave me a mocking bow, and a wave of quiet snickers spread through the hall.“Catherine, I think you should run after her and apologize,” Portia called out from the end of the table. “You may also stay by her side. I'm sure you'll feel more comfortable with the staff than with all the glamorous ladies at this banquet.”Another wave of laughs echoe
Last Updated : 2024-12-22All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Poison Within the Estate
HUNTERLess than an hour passed from the moment Rowan and I had landed in New York. Immediately, I'd been greeted with the news that had turned my blood into molten lava. A part of me assumed someone might have tried to attack Catherine at the banquet, but never had I thought she would be betrayed by one living in the estate.I stormed through the long corridor, my eyes on Ferro and Remo standing at the end of it. “Where is she? Where is my wife?!” I demanded.Remo stepped forward, his hands raised in an attempt to stop me or calm me down. Not that anything would have worked on me right now. “She's in Lanaro's clinic.”My hands curled into fists. “Is she all right?”“She didn't drink the poison,” Ferro interjected. “Only Gianna took a sip. I was the one who took Gianna and Mrs. Thorne to the clinic.”I nodded, whirling around and heading to the door. Remo and Ferro followed me. “We secured the room and the cup. Enzo is checking the surveillance in the entire mansion,” Remo reported as
Last Updated : 2024-12-23All Because I Kissed a Stranger Planning Revenge
CATHERINEI was sitting by Gianna's bed in Doctor Lanaro's clinic. She was still pale and motionless. I watched the drug in the IV drip slide down the tube, hoping that a few more drops would finally make her open her eyes.“Why isn't she waking up?” I asked softly as Doctor Lanaro entered the room.He scratched his head and sighed. “It turns out the poison she consumed was more complex. Our toxicologist is still trying to give us a full list of ingredients.” Then he stepped closer and gave me a faint smile. “But she's getting better. She might sleep a little longer, but that's it.”I nodded slowly and stroked Gianna's cold cheek. All kinds of extreme emotions fought for dominance inside me. I felt rage, fear, and suffocating anxiety. But what I felt the most was the need for revenge. Then I rose to my feet and turned to Lanaro. “I'll need to get back to the mansion. Please let me know—"“I will call you right away if anything changes.” He gave me a curt bow before stepping toward the
Last Updated : 2024-12-24All Because I Kissed a Stranger My Scheme
My plan was far from perfect. In fact, the more I thought about it, the more doubts surfaced in my mind. I wasn't even sure I could do my part well enough to make it count. Not to mention that I didn't know if Carla Pucci would want to meet me after everything that had happened at the banquet.I should have been crafting my scheme until it was perfect, but despite all my will for vengeance, my mind was occupied by Gianna's condition. I spent the rest of the day either sitting by her bed or waiting for Doctor Lanaro's call. Finally, she woke up…“Gianna,” I breathed out while tears streamed down my cheeks.She blinked a few times, adjusting her sight to the light in the room. “Where... am I?” she croaked.“In the clinic,” I muttered, wiping the tears away. “The tea you drank was poisoned. Doctor Lanaro saved you.”Standing by my side, the doctor smiled proudly before leaning over his patient. “I'll have to do a few tests. You're still weak, and you'll need to stay in my clinic for two
Last Updated : 2024-12-24All Because I Kissed a Stranger Showtime
HUNTERI had never allowed those from outside my inner circle to enter my study. Tonight, however, I made an exception. Only two of the guests I invited knew the true purpose of this meeting. Three other Dons were nothing but necessary witnesses, while the final one… Well… that one WAS the entire reason why we were currently sitting here, drinking whiskey, and discussing quite irrelevant business matters.Luca Barbieri and Aurelio Rossi turned out to be surprisingly helpful in that last matter, eagerly telling everyone about their latest investments. The rest were more focused on drinking whiskey than listening, but it didn't matter. Luca's and Aurelio's stories were nothing but a way to stall for time, something I currently needed. It was necessary to confirm that Carla Pucci had said something useful before I could play it to the gathered audience…“Thorne, I never say no to good whiskey, but I'd rather know what the fuck we're doing here.” Alberto Rizzo gave me a meaningful look as
Last Updated : 2024-12-25All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Unwanted Answers
I stared numbly at the door of Emilio Pucci's cell, two guards flanking me, waiting for my command. He'd agreed to tell us everything we wanted. The man who had sent his soldiers to die without hesitation now cried at the thought of physical pain. Utterly pathetic but not that uncommon. Many older heads had gotten used to comfort and safety while allowing others to risk lives in their names.This should have been a moment of triumph. Thanks to Messino, Rizzo, and Falco witnessing the confession, the news had already spread, and every family head now knew that the Pucci family's business would soon cease to exist. That also meant I had free rein deciding what to do with the fucker. I could cut him into pieces, and not even his sworn allies could interfere, and if anyone tried to retaliate, we would freely decide on their fates, too.The sound of footsteps came from the opposite side of the corridor. I turned around and saw Rowan and Catherine walking toward me. I tensed and glared at R
Last Updated : 2024-12-25All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Confirmation
CATHERINEI looked at Hunter and felt the tension rolling out from him in waves. I watched the muscles of his jaw go taut and his hands curl into tight fists. He looked at Emilio, and the man's face turned from pale to ghostly transparent.Ignoring Rowan, Hunter locked his eyes on Emilio and said coldly, “I'll be more precise this time… Did you or did you not hear Greco Waldorf say his boss's first name?”“I… I…” Emilio's eyes flickered to Rowan as if he somehow sought his help.Rowan slowly shook his head, warning him, “Think carefully before you say another word.”Emilio's gaze dropped to the floor, his body rattling. He remained this way for a few breaths before muttering, “I only heard Fedorov… I've never heard the first name.”Rowan's mouth opened, but Hunter spoke first. “I will not ask Lazar any questions without anything to prove his involvement in this.” He fixed his eyes on his friend, and Rowan finally nodded.“I get that it's vague, but at least it puts the snake tattoo gu
Last Updated : 2024-12-26
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
