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The Bitter Victory
Last Updated:
2024-12-04 00:38:50
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All Because I Kissed a Stranger A Little Bit Of Honesty
CATHERINEI didn't remember the last time I slept so peacefully. A soft smile tugged at my lips as I turned around, eyes still closed. I drew a deep breath through my nose. Then another one…My eyes jerked open, and my heart began to pound. This wasn't my bed. This wasn't my bedroom! My mind turned on the highest speed, frantically piecing together everything that had happened yesterday. The realization hit me like a speeding truck.“Hunter,” I breathed out, hectically scanning the room. Because I was still in his bedroom, lying in HIS bed, and he… He wasn't here.I slowly rose to sit, combing my hair with my fingers. I remembered entering his room and sitting on the sofa… Fuck. I must have fallen asleep, but why did I suddenly end up sleeping in his bed? Had he carried me here?My heart tripped at that thought. I examined the other side of the bed and swallowed. The sheets were crumpled, and every inch was heavily soaked in his scent. If he'd been here and had enough strength to carr
Last Updated : 2024-12-04All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Scars
HUNTERI could feel Catherine's fingers brushing over the skin of my back. Her touch was soothing, easily making me forget about the pain. I could hear the tremor in her breath as she fought her nervousness. But despite how agitated she was, her moves were confident and precise.She kept surprising me. Every time I thought I had her figured out, she proved me wrong. A part of me was pissed that the report on her was incomplete. There was little detailed information about her childhood and the time she lived with her mother. Rowan had found it irrelevant, and I could agree with him… to some degree. But it was those little things that turned her into a mystery I craved to solve.“All done,” she said, gently pressing the edges of the patch on my back.“Such a gentle treatment,” I purred, shifting in my seat to face her. “Perhaps I should fire Lanaro and let you patch all my wounds the next time.”“Please don't,” she muttered, focused on collecting the rest of the medical supplies from th
Last Updated : 2024-12-05All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Price
“I sent a word to Barbieri and Rossi.” Rowan moved to stand next to me. “After tonight, Blandini's allies would surely look for some ways to retaliate. They would probably go for Rossi first.”I nodded, keeping my eyes on the tall fence surrounding Blandini's estate on the far outskirts of East Hills. Those fuckers found a perfect place to build their fortress. It was surrounded by a vast forest—a perfect spot to hide whatever ill businesses they had been doing. Now this fortress would become their mass grave. “We'll need to send our squad to Aurelio's home. They could use better protection.”“I took care of it already,” he muttered, scanning the area before us.“Good.” I pulled out my Glock and checked the extra clips hidden in my pants pockets. Our black combat clothes flawlessly blended with the darkness around us. We remained hidden just like the rest of our men spread into positions around the fence, waiting for our signal. Rowan and I were right by the first line of trees, less
Last Updated : 2024-12-06All Because I Kissed a Stranger Waiting
CATHERINEI had spent most of the day placing my clothes and things in Hunter's chambers. I was only moving my stuff through two corridors, yet it felt like moving to another city. Luckily, Gianna showed up at my side to help me with this task.Hunter hadn't lied about the space for the two of us. Gianna told me those chambers had belonged to old Mr. and Mrs. Cartelli and were initially designed for the couple. I hadn't noticed it before, but some parts were nearly empty, such as one side of the walk-in closet. It looked like it had been this way for a while as if waiting for the new Mrs. Thorne.Still, this new situation was overwhelming. This was his private space; it had been for years. How was I supposed to make it mine as well? A part of me was certain I would always feel like a slightly unwanted guest who would move out as soon as Hunter officially became Don Cartelli. But there was also a different part of me, a part that felt I belonged here…“Once again, I'm so sorry I haven'
Last Updated : 2024-12-07All Because I Kissed a Stranger Piece of Evidence
HUNTER“Blue balls it is,” I grunted as Rowan and I passed the prison corridor in the northern part of the estate.We rarely used prison cells; those we chose to eliminate were hardly ever valuable enough to be kept alive. Marcelo Blandini was an exception—or rather, was supposed to be an exception. Perhaps I shouldn't be pissed that he was dead; he would have died anyway. But I hadn't given this cunt permission to fucking die before I found out what I needed.Rowan dipped his head, leveling his eye with the scanner. Then he typed the code on the panel, and the doors finally opened. We walked inside, hurriedly passing several empty cells before stopping in front of the last one—Blandini's cell.Four guards stood in the corridor, their expressions grim, their jaws tense. I motioned my chin at one of them, and he opened the cell. I entered, and my hands curled into fists. That fucker had torn his shirt to form a makeshift rope. He'd used it to loop through the iron bars in the small win
Last Updated : 2024-12-08All Because I Kissed a Stranger Too Peaceful
CATHERINEI felt a gentle stroke on my cheek. “Wake up, firecracker.” Hunter's lips nearly brushed my ear.My thighs clenched in response. Smiling, I opened my eyes and lazily turned to face him. He was sitting on my side of the bed, already dressed in a charcoal three-piece suit. A faint disappointment wiped my smile away. “I overslept again, didn't I?” I said with a hoarse, sleepy voice.He breathed out a laugh and shook his head. “It's little after eight.”I glanced at his side of the bed and noticed the sheets were untouched. “Did you sleep at all?”He scratched the back of his neck. “Not really.”My brows knitted. “You need to rest.”All of the traces of his amusement faded, and his eyes fixed on me. “Something happened… I mean, we found a lead in Marcelo Blandini's documents.”I rose to sit, my eyes widening. “Is this about Connor's death? You found the one who gave him the drugs?”“Well, that too… sort of.” His lips twitched into a brief half-smile before his face turned grim a
Last Updated : 2024-12-08All Because I Kissed a Stranger Tricked
Sitting in the restaurant with my father felt strange. The last time we had sat together, just the two of us, we had been in his office when I had come begging him to help my mom. Now I was the one sitting comfortably while he seemed oddly tense. All the more I wondered what this was about.He stayed silent for a minute, observing me. He examined my black Versace blazer and pants and my delicate but carefully applied makeup. His lips pursed as he realized the obvious change, not the clothes or cosmetics, but confidence. I was no longer the scared girl he had used to repair his company's image. He must have known that before inviting me here. He experienced it first-hand at the wedding. It visibly made him feel uncomfortable, perhaps even triggered his irritation. Well, I surely wasn't going to make this conversation any easier for him.I leaned back in my seat and fixed my eyes on him. “Well?”He corrected the lapels of his dark gray suit jacket and cleared his throat. “How's your mot
Last Updated : 2024-12-09All Because I Kissed a Stranger Confrontation
“Here, drink this.” Fifi handed me a glass of… something. It had a light amber color and reeked of alcohol, but perhaps this was what I needed right now.I'd called Fifi as soon as I left the restaurant, and currently, I was sitting in her office, trying to piece together everything I had heard. I stared at the liquor for a moment before pouring it down my throat. I winced at the searing sensation. “What the hell did you give me?”She shrugged. “One of my uncles makes it. Strong, isn't it?”I coughed, hurriedly grabbing a glass of water and gulping it down. “This should come with some warning!”A small smile appeared. “At least you no longer resemble a ghost.”I sighed and slumped on the sofa. “Fifi… it's bad. What I heard from Father seriously messed me up. If it's true, then—”“You don't know if it's true,” she reminded me. “Right now, you know only your father's version, and it's based on the words of a psychopath.”I exhaled slowly and nodded. “You're right, but… what if it's true
Last Updated : 2024-12-10
Latest chapter
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Preparations
I had three days to prepare for the snob party called Carla Pucci's Annual Banquet. According to Marcello's explanation, this event had been organized by the Pucci family for decades. The guests were the wives and daughters of the most prestigious Italian families and sometimes the wives and daughters of their associates. Gianna learned that all the invitations had been sent more than a month ago, which meant that my name must have been Carla Pucci's last-minute choice.I told Gianna to learn whatever she could about the other participants while I decided to meet with my very own queen of gossip and entertainment—Fifi. She invited me for lunch in her hotel. I agreed as long as it wouldn't be the restaurant I'd met with Grasso and my father. She happily obliged.Fifi greeted me in the reception hall. Today was her day off, so instead of wearing her usual manager's uniform, she picked a simple yet sexy light blue A-shape dress with a cute little rounded collar. She looked almost like an
All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Unperfect
I watched Hunter putting on his three-piece suit as he stood in the middle of the walk-in closet. His already-packed suitcase waited by the door. The blissful moment we had was long gone. I could see it in Hunter's sharp gaze and clenched jaw. Of course, the anxieties within me blossomed in an instant.“Maybe I could come with you,” I suggested, leaning one arm against the doorframe. I was still in my nightgown. The black silk and lace clung to my body, and I was highly aware of how it emphasized every curve. Something changed within me, and that change had a lot to do with Hunter. He pulled out this new daringness to the surface. He made me want to be seen…His eyes slowly drifted down, as if memorizing every inch of my body. Then a sinful smirk curved his lips. “I would love nothing more than to take you with me.” He buttoned his jacket and sighed. “But I can't. If someone planted the drugs there, it's possible the guy with the snake tattoo and others like him will be close. I can't
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Pillow Talk
CATHERINESince Hunter had left, my restlessness became the bone-crushing corset around my ribcage. Falling asleep hadn't been an option, so I'd spent most of the night painting. The exhaustion struck when it was dawning, and I finally decided to wash off the drops of paint from my skin and crawl into the cold, empty bed.I closed my eyes, but despite how drained I was, the sleep didn't come. I wasn't sure how long I struggled to get some rest before I heard the door opening and closing. My heart tripped in response. “Hunter?” I murmured, turning around and trying to find him in the dimness of the room with closed curtains.“I didn't mean to wake you up,” he whispered.“You didn't wake me up,” I said. “I couldn't sleep anyway…”A soft chuckle sounded. “Were you waiting for me, firecracker?” The rustling sound followed. The bed dipped slightly, and a moment later, I was pulled against his bare chest. “Did you miss me?” he purred as his arms wrapped around me.“I was worried,” I muttere
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Signed By Blood
I sat by my desk, watching the sun slowly rising over Manhattan. My time was nearly up, and soon I was bound to make a decision. I shifted my gaze to the three-piece suite where a children-raping monster slept soundly on the sofa. I hated the sight of him in my office. I hated the fact he was still peacefully breathing while his latest victim was fighting for her life in Fabio Lanaro's clinic. But most of all, I hated the mere thought of dealing with this piece of shit and letting him walk out of here freely…I told myself I would make it right one day soon. Grasso would get exactly what he deserved. I couldn't be the one to serve the punishment, and it wouldn't happen today, but he would pay.Rowan's ID appeared on the phone screen, and I quickly took the call. “You figured out how to handle him once he wakes up?” he asked.“I'll have to tell him the truth… skipping the drugging part,” I muttered. “I'd appreciate some leverage, though. Did Enzo and Remo find anything in the data?”“N
All Because I Kissed a Stranger A Dangerous Game
Convincing Fabrizio Grasso to meet with me had turned out to be easier than I initially assumed. It was either sheer curiosity or simply greed that made him agree to come to Spine Dorate Tower. He would surely regret trusting me so easily once he figured out the reason behind this meeting. Unfortunately for him, by that time, it would be too late…The doors of my office opened, and Grasso strode inside, two bodyguards flanking him. I sat in the armchair, facing the doors. A hint of a smirk curved my lips as I locked my eyes on the fucker and slowly rose to my feet.Grasso looked around my office and put his hands into his pants pockets. “Nice place you have here. Perhaps I should visit your club one day.”I hated the sole idea of him tainting my place with his presence, but I kept my expression neutral as I pointed at the sofa. “Have a seat. We have a few things to discuss.”“Very well, Thorne.” He gave me a curt nod and walked to the three-piece suit, his guards following.I looked a
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Planning a Trap
Catherine and I watched Lazar enter his limo and leave the estate. Tension radiated from me in waves, and I knew that Catherine felt it too. As soon as Lazar's car disappeared from view, I turned around and walked inside the mansion. Catherine followed me.“Something happened, right? Did Lazar tell you anything?” she asked, trying to read the answer from my expression.I grabbed her hand and led her to my study, debating how much I should tell her as we walked. Then I closed the door behind us and sighed. “Lazar didn't know any of the men I showed him, but he gave us a lead about those two Italians.”Catherine's brows rose. “Really? So what now?”I scratched the back of my neck. “I'll have to drag the answers out of someone who's not my ally,” I said carefully.“An enemy?” She fixed her eyes on me. “Who is it?”My lips twisted into an uncomfortable grimace. “Grasso.”She stumbled back, her face turning pale. “Will you interrogate him?”“I wish I could beat the answers out of him, but
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Dinner
The doors of my office slid open, and I strode inside, my fists loosening and clenching on my sides. Enzo, Remo, and Rowan were sitting in our usual spot, with documents and photos splayed on the coffee table.I'd tried to silence my annoyance as I drove here, and I would have lied saying that regaining my composure had come easily. I understood the urgency, though; to prevent another attack, we needed to act. Fucking my wife senseless would have to wait. Again.“Tell me you found something useful,” I muttered, sitting in the armchair.Rowan grabbed several photos from the table and tossed them over to me. “As you know, we'd taken photos of the bodies before we got rid of them. Enzo ran each one of those fuckers through the face recognition program. We searched through all the databases and police records, and—”“Tell me we have the names,” I gritted out as I went through the photos he gave me. Most of them had tattoos on their bodies. Hopefully, that would help with the identificatio
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Healing
HUNTERIt had been a week since Catherine's kidnapping, and all her bruises finally seemed to fade. She was healing… at least physically. I had tried to crush the guilt coiling inside her, but I doubted I managed to destroy it entirely. She sometimes stared at her hands, as if she still saw blood covering her skin—Castillo's blood. Her nightmares were now gone, but she had that haunting look on her face telling me her thoughts kept swirling around some dark place.I'd spent most of my time in the estate recently. I didn't want to leave her for too long, and I didn't trust anyone enough to replace me. Instead of forcing her to move back into the main bedroom, I sort of moved to hers. Every night, I had lay beside her, watching her fall asleep wrapped in my arms, making sure she felt safe throughout the night.The old me would have found my behavior absurd, but I'd grown to enjoy this sort of intimacy between us. As cold as it might have sounded, it also served my plans. I had managed t
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Guilt
CATHERINEDry twigs snapped under my bare feet as I ran through the woods. The lines of densely growing trees seemed to have no end. I told myself I could distinguish shapes in the darkness of the night, but the truth was I was nearly running blind.“There's no point in running from us, princess!” Garrett's voice boomed through the forest. “We'll catch you sooner or later!” He chuckled. They all laughed as they chased after me, as if my attempts to survive were their best source of entertainment.Every muscle in my body hurt, and doubts started to fill my mind. Would it hurt less if I surrendered? Maybe death would come quickly, painlessly… No. The one who ordered my death wanted me to suffer. I knew that, and still, a part of me wanted to stop and face the inevitable.“He won't be able to save you forever, you know?” Castillo's snicker echoed among the trees. “You're his weakness! He'll get rid of you as soon as he inherits it all!”I ground my teeth and quickened my steps. I glanced
