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Last Updated:
2025-02-08 04:18:23
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All 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 : 2025-02-12All Because I Kissed a Stranger More Suspicions
HUNTER“We need to at least set the date, Hunter.” I could hear the irritation in Guido's voice loud and clear. He was trying to drill a hole in my head with his fucking stare, but I refused to take my eyes off the laptop screen.“Do you seriously believe marrying your daughter is more important now than the war?” I strained through my teeth, scrolling through the recent data.“We've made a deal. Besides, you're running out of time. Are you going to risk the Cartelli's wealth out of sheer stubbornness?”I barely resisted rolling my eyes. He probably cared about that money more than I did. A dark smile spread across my face as I finally raised my gaze to his. “I already have men willing to follow me and more than enough assets to live comfortably for the rest of my life. There's no rush.”He ground his teeth. “You're bluffing. You want that key to Cartelli's vault, and you need the title for others to follow you.”I studied him. “Or perhaps you're hoping to get some of that money?”He
Last Updated : 2025-02-12All Because I Kissed a Stranger Professor Shen
CATHERINEI strode through a long hall leading to Professor Shen's office. Students filled most of the space, either leaning against the walls, gathering in small groups, or sitting on the floor, too busy reading to care about those passing by. I maneuvered through the crowd with Logan on my heels. He refused to let me come here alone, even if the probability of someone trying to assassinate me or kidnap me on the campus was highly unlikely.We turned around the corner, and I almost sighed in relief when I realized this part of the hall was nearly empty. Logan hurriedly lined up with me, his pointed stare burning half of my face. “How do you know this professor will even meet with you?”“I have an appointment,” I said.He frowned. “How did you manage to get an appointment? Did you call him and tell him who you are?”“No. I lied I was a reporter who wanted to write an article about his recent works.” I shrugged.He grabbed my arm, pulling me to a halt. “So he doesn't even know why you
Last Updated : 2025-02-13All Because I Kissed a Stranger Setting a Trap
HUNTERI held a plastic bag with a half-empty vial in one hand and the sheet with test results in the other. A stream of curses tore through my clenched teeth. Then I raised my gaze to Rowan and Enzo sitting on the sofa in front of me. “So… it's a truth serum…”Enzo nodded. “I'd call it a fucking strong one.”“It might not be a bad thing—not completely.” Rowan locked his eyes on me. “It might be the proof we needed. We can officially mark Arianna as a spy.”I leaned back in my seat and blew out a breath. “I wish I could agree with you, but that's not enough. It might be obvious to any of us, but the truth is that everyone can question how that vial got into my room.”“We can still check the fingerprints,” Enzo suggested.“Go ahead,” Rowan said dryly. “I dare you to go to Arianna's room and ask for her fingerprints without causing a scene.”“The fingerprints won't be needed, but I'll need someone to search her room,” I said. “If the vial is truly hers, I doubt she had only one.”Rowan
Last Updated : 2025-02-14All Because I Kissed a Stranger Exposed
I pressed my hand to my chest, feeling my heart thunder. My insides burned, and I clenched my teeth, trying to suppress the pain. There was a raging war inside me, and I felt like it was tearing me apart.Groaning, I bent down, nearly resting my head on the table. My hands fisted as if preparing to fight the invisible opponent. Guess the anti-serum had more than a few side effects…“Honey, are you all right?” Arianna purred, her voice laced with a chuckle. Letting out a dramatic sigh, she rose from her seat and sauntered to my cabinet. She pulled out a bottle, then she poured herself a fresh—untainted—glass of wine.I glanced at the bookshelves, focusing on the barely noticeable red dot. At least the others could see this, and my men were close, ready to react in case things escalated. Arianna returned to our table, slowly sipping from her new glass as my body fought the poisoning.“They didn't tell me the serum is that strong,” she murmured, surveying my tensed muscles and the sweat
Last Updated : 2025-02-15
Latest chapter
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Mr. and Mrs. Thorne
CATHERINEI had a dream. I was running through a dark tunnel. Shouts and rough grunts echoed behind me. I couldn't understand them. I only knew that if I stopped, I would die. So I kept running, even though my lungs burned and my muscles turned into stone. I was cold. I was hopeless. I was alone…‘You can stop now, Catherine,’ someone's voice coaxed. ‘You can go back.’The voice sounded familiar, although it was etheric and breathy. It didn't seem to come from one place. It vibrated around me. It pierced through me. I wasn't even sure if it came from the tunnel or I heard it in my mind.‘Catherine, stop.’ The sound was gentle, pleasant, and yet filled with strength and confidence.I slowed my pace, then dug my heels into the cold ground. “Mom?” I whispered, looking around as if the voice could somehow materialize.‘Go back,’ she said. ‘He's waiting for you.’Hot tears gathered in my eyes. “He?” I croaked.‘It's over, Catherine.’ A warm smile filled every note. ‘Go there. Celebrate your
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Waiting
A hand on my shoulder jerked me awake. Wincing in discomfort, I straightened up in my seat and blinked, adjusting my vision. The sympathetic smile on Lazar's face told me I must have looked like shit. His eyes drifted to the side of the bed where I held Catherine's hand.“No changes, I see,” he muttered.I looked at his sleeping great-niece and shook my head. Then I turned to him and cleared my throat. “The doctors say this might take a while before she wakes up.”The night she had gotten shot, I'd nearly lost my mind. Luckily, Lazar's doctors had taken care of her immediately. Ironically, the shot might have been the thing that saved her. The massive blood loss had lessened the Pink Opium's effect, and after the blood transfusion, the poisonous drug had left her body.Lazar fixed his eyes on me. “But… she will wake up.” I wasn't sure whether it was a statement or a question, but I still nodded. A sliver of relief relaxed his features, but then he clenched his fists. “I should have pr
All Because I Kissed a Stranger To Death
My finger turned heavier, curling on the trigger as I imagined his brain splattered all over this fucking corridor. But I wasn't the only one feeling bloodthirst. Dante wanted to kill me just as badly; I saw it in his rage-burning eyes. He tried to mask it with cold amusement, but I could nearly taste the fury radiating from him.“Is she inside?” he purred, jerking his chin at the ajar-open door to the storage. “Such a stubborn little thing, isn't she? She's dying because of that stubbornness.”Every fiber within me filled with lethal calm. “You did this to her? You gave her the Pink Opium?”The fucker smiled, triggering a new urge. No. He wouldn't die from a single bullet. He deserved to be skinned alive and torn to fucking little pieces.He lifted his gun, aiming at my head. “She will die within an hour. The latest booster works that way. Although, I have to admit she used it well. Did she tell you she killed five of ours until the initial effect wore off?” Cold laughter slipped free
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Anything For Her
HUNTER“Explain to me again, why do we trust this guy?” Rowan grunted as we marched through the tunnel.“We don't trust him,” I corrected. “We're taking a necessary risk.”Rowan glanced at Remo and Ferro as if hoping they would back him up. Luckily for them, they kept their mouth shut. Rowan, however, chose otherwise. “This looks like a trap. Why would this guy, who's apparently Lagunov's general, help us get into their fortress through some backdoor? It doesn't make sense!”I gave him a wry smile but didn't slow my pace. “I don't get it either. Then again, he had a chance to kill me twice. He didn't even try. Maybe he actually wants to switch sides.”Rowan gave me a look. “He killed Arianna without remorse.”“Perhaps he can't work around every order Lagunov gives him,” I reasoned. “Or maybe he simply hated Arianna.”“That I can imagine,” Remo commented dryly.Rowan lined up with me. “Basically, you dragged us into those tunnels because he wrote something about the documents signed by
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Survive
Twenty-four hours had passed without Dante showing up in my prison cell, but that hadn't made me relax even for a second. I had been on constant alert, listening to every sound coming from the corridor. My muscles tensed every time I heard someone approaching my door, but I knew that I finally had to get some sleep…I'd used Maxim's trick to block the handle, but even then I allowed myself to rest for merely three hours. Drifting into a deep sleep wasn't an option, although I realized my body would soon run on fumes.My anxieties threatened to devour me, but each time I was close to panic, Maxim's words appeared in my mind. “They're coming, Catherine,” I mumbled to myself. “Just hold on a little longer.”A few more hours had passed, and I was slowly losing the fight to keep my eyes open. I was on the verge of falling into unawareness when the sound of heavy footsteps made me jerk up to my feet. Barefoot, I rushed to unblock the door. A second later, the door slammed open, and three me
All Because I Kissed a Stranger Breaking the Leash
My whole body began to rattle, and a high-pitched tone rang in my ears. It was a struggle not to fall apart as I silently prayed Hunter was alive. But if they had attacked the estate in Scarsdale, how many people had they killed? What about Gianna, Ferro, Enzo, Remo, or Rowan?“Thank you, Maxim.” Aleks Lagunov's icy laugh tore me out of my frantic thoughts. “That's great news,” he crooned as his eyes shifted to me. “Not so great news for you, I'm afraid. You see, Catherine, I can assure you that no one will come for you. Tomorrow, we will attack the Fedorov's estate and crush Lazar's little army. We know more than a little about your plans…” He pointed at one of the Italians sitting by the table. “Mr. Messino was kind enough to share more than a few details.”My hands fisted into tight balls. “Fucking traitor,” I strained through my teeth.Messino glared at me, but Lagunov laughed. “Such feistiness… Just like Katerina.” Then he locked his eyes on me, a grim smile stretching his lips.
All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Predators and the Prey
CATHERINEI couldn't sleep. Drifting into unawareness in this place was more terrifying than Dante's presence in my room. I was exhausted, but my adrenaline levels were high enough to keep me constantly awake.Nearly every sound coming from the corridor made me flinch. The heavy steps brought chills down my spine, and the deep, cold laughter caused my stomach to roil. Dante hadn't visited me again so far, but I knew he would come and demand my answer. As if he had given me a choice…Three times a day someone walked into my room, bringing me food—mostly a slice of bread and water, sometimes an apple. Those servants never looked at me or spoke except for barking out a few commands. They had uncuffed my hand twice. Only for a minute, and only so I could take care of my physiological needs. Then I was cuffed again.I began to think I might lose my mind should I stay in this room and in this bed another day. My whole body began to ache, and I spent hours trying to shift the chain to make m
All Because I Kissed a Stranger The Siege
“Where are the fucking darts?!” Remo shouted through the communicator. “I've literally stuffed those fuckers with bullets, and they're still attacking the gates!”“Get a grip. You're not the only one pissed off by those zombie cunts,” Rowan hissed as he released another empty clip.All my men had been trying to fend off the attack at our gates for over an hour now. So far, the defenses we had installed around the estate turned out to be unbreachable, but those drug-fueled soldiers were relentless in their attempts to bring our fences down.“Enzo said the darts are on the way,” I said, aiming my gun at one of the bloodshot-eyed fuckers charging at the western gate. “In the meantime, aim for the heads.”Most of my suit was coated with blood. I hadn't had the time to change, and those renegades didn't die easily. Blood formed a red mist around our borders, and countless bodies lined the ground. Their losses were far greater than ours, but they kept coming, kept attacking…“Guys, I'm runn
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
