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Chapter 9: The battlefield
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2024-11-27 03:10:56Related chapters
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 10: The cracks begin to show
The morning after the attack felt heavier than it should have. While the mansion was safe, the cost of that security lingered in the air. Ronan had left early to handle the fallout, leaving me in the care of Matteo and the other men.The silence in the house wasn’t peaceful—it was charged. Every creak, every distant murmur reminded me of how much my life had changed.I sat in the kitchen, cradling a cup of tea in my hands. My thoughts swirled a tangle of questions I couldn’t yet answer. How long could I live like this? How long could I expose my unborn child to this world of shadows and blood?---Matteo entered the room, breaking my train of thought. “You look like you didn’t sleep a wink.”I managed a weak smile. “That obvious?”He pulled up a chair, his usual smirk replaced by a rare moment of sincerity. “This isn’t easy, I know. But you’re stronger than you think.”“I’m not sure strength is enough,” I admitted. “This world—it’s nothing like the one I grew up in. I feel like I’m co
Last Updated : 2024-11-27BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 11: Shadows of the past
The cold morning air bit at my skin as I stepped onto the balcony, a steaming cup of coffee in my hands. The world beyond Ronan’s estate stretched out endlessly, a deceptive calm that belied the chaos simmering beneath.I leaned against the railing, staring into the distance as my thoughts turned to David. It had been weeks since I’d last seen him, yet his betrayal still haunted me. His cruel words, the way he’d clung to Kate as if she were his salvation—it was a wound that refused to heal.“Ashley.”I turned to find Matteo standing in the doorway. His usual smirk was absent, replaced by a seriousness that put me on edge.“What is it?” I asked, my voice steady despite the unease curling in my stomach.“There’s someone here to see you,” he said, stepping aside to reveal a young woman I didn’t recognize.She was petite, with wide brown eyes and dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail. She looked out of place amidst the grandeur of Ronan’s estate, her hands twisting nervously in front of
Last Updated : 2024-11-28BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 12: David's desperation
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the driveway as I watched Ronan’s car disappear beyond the gates. He had left to handle a meeting with his associates, and though I trusted him implicitly, I couldn’t shake the unease that had been building since Clara’s visit.I had spent the last few days pouring over the documents she’d given me, uncovering layers of corruption and deceit that painted David in an even darker light than I’d imagined. The man I had once believed I loved wasn’t just cruel—he was dangerous.The thought sent a chill down my spine.---“Ma’am?”I turned to find Matteo standing behind me. He had a wary expression, his arms crossed over his broad chest.“What is it?” I asked, stepping back into the house.“We have a situation,” he said, his voice low. “There’s someone at the gate asking for you.”“Who?”Matteo hesitated before answering. “David Scott.”The name hit me like a punch to the gut. My immediate instinct was to tell Matteo to send him away, but curi
Last Updated : 2024-11-28BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 13: Shadows of the past
The morning dawned gray and overcast, fitting the heaviness in my chest. Despite Ronan’s reassurances and the heightened security, I couldn’t shake the feeling that David’s visit was just the beginning. His desperation and veiled warnings hinted at something darker lurking beneath the surface.I spent the early hours pacing the estate, my thoughts a whirlwind. Ronan had left for a meeting with his advisors, and while I trusted him to handle things, I couldn’t help feeling exposed. Every shadow seemed more menacing, every sound sharper than it should have been.---“Ma’am?” Matteo’s voice broke through my thoughts as I stood by the living room window, staring at the rain-soaked grounds.“Yes?” I turned to him, my fingers gripping the edge of the curtain.“We’ve traced the breach from last night,” he said, his expression unreadable.My heart skipped a beat. “And?”“It was deliberate,” he said grimly. “Whoever it was, they knew exactly where to look. They avoided the cameras and stayed i
Last Updated : 2024-11-29BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 14: Confronting the past
The moment I stepped into the main hall, my eyes locked on David. He was being held firmly by two of Ronan’s men, his face a mix of defiance and desperation. His once-pristine appearance was disheveled, his suit wrinkled, and his eyes bloodshot.“Ashley,” he said, his voice carrying a desperate edge. “This isn’t what it looks like!”My stomach churned at his audacity. “You’ve been stalking me, David. What exactly is it supposed to look like?”Ronan stood nearby, his presence commanding the room. He didn’t say a word, but the deadly glint in his eyes spoke volumes.“Let me explain,” David pleaded, struggling against the men holding him. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to talk.”“Talk?” I repeated, my voice rising. “You’ve had plenty of chances to talk, David. Instead, you chose to lie, manipulate, and betray me at every turn.”“You don’t understand!” David shouted, his frustration boiling over. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Kate—she’s not who you think she is.”I froz
Last Updated : 2024-11-29BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 15: Shadows of deception
I woke with a start, the remnants of a vivid nightmare clinging to me like a second skin. The cold sweat dripping down my spine reminded me of the ice cellar where Kate and David had condemned me to die in my past life. Despite the warm safety of Ronan’s bed, the memories were as suffocating as ever.Ronan stirred beside me, his arm tightening around my waist. His presence was my anchor—a steady force reminding me that I wasn’t alone anymore.“Another bad dream?” he murmured, his voice low and gravelly from sleep.I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. “It was about them again. About what they did to me.”His hand brushed my cheek, tilting my face toward his. “They can’t hurt you anymore, Ashley. Not as long as I’m here.”His words were a balm to my frayed nerves, but I knew better than to let my guard down. Kate’s machinations were far from over, and David’s desperate warnings still lingered in my mind.---After breakfast, I found myself pacing the estate’s sunlit study. Ronan had left
Last Updated : 2024-12-01BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 16: The reckoning
The warehouse smelled of damp concrete and rusted metal, a fitting stage for the confrontation that had been brewing for years. Kate stood across from me, her smile sharp and mocking, as though she already believed she had won. The men flanking her were seasoned criminals, their hands resting on the weapons at their sides.Ronan moved beside me, his presence a solid wall of support. Matteo stood at his other side, his hand casually brushing the holster at his hip. The quiet hum of tension filled the space, a suffocating blanket that wrapped around us all.Kate was the first to speak, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “So, little sister, you’ve brought your mafia prince to fight your battles now?” She tilted her head, her mockery thinly veiled. “How predictable.”I stepped forward before Ronan could reply, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “This isn’t about him, Kate. This is about you and the lies you’ve built your entire life on. It ends today.”He
Last Updated : 2024-12-01BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 17: Shadows of the past
The sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting an amber glow over the sprawling gardens of Ronan’s estate. I stood by the window in our bedroom, one hand resting on my belly as I watched the world wake up. It should have felt peaceful, but unease had taken root deep within me, its tendrils wrapping tighter with each passing second.Last night’s victory over Kate felt fragile. Her venomous words echoed in my mind: “You’ll regret this, Ashley.”“Can’t sleep?” Ronan’s voice rumbled behind me, low and soothing.I turned to find him leaning against the doorway, shirtless, with a mug of coffee in his hand. His dark eyes scanned my face, concern flickering in their depths. Even in moments like this, he exuded power and control, a man who could bend the world to his will if desired.“I’m fine,” I lied, offering a weak smile.He crossed the room in a few strides, setting the mug down before cupping my face with his warm hands. “You’re a terrible liar,” he murmured, kissing my forehead.---“I
Last Updated : 2024-12-02
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BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 30: A New Dawn
The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I stirred in bed, the warmth of the blankets cocooning me as I slowly woke up. The house was quiet and peaceful, and for the first time in a long time, I felt content. The storm from the night before had passed, leaving behind a calm that felt like a promise.Ronan was still asleep beside me, his steady breathing a comforting rhythm. I watched him for a moment, the lines of his face softened in slumber. The man who had helped me heal, who had stood by me when I had nothing left—he was here, with me, and for the first time in a long time, I allowed myself to fully appreciate that.There was a time when I would have woken up in fear, wondering what the day would bring, bracing for the next wave of pain or betrayal. But now, I woke up with a sense of peace. The world outside my window felt like a new beginning, full of opportunities. It was no longer about surviving—it was about living.I carefully slip
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 29: The Rebirth
The days blurred together in the aftermath of my decision to sever all ties with my past. Each moment felt both heavy and free as if I was walking in a dream, unsure of what was real and what was the echo of everything I had left behind. But one thing was certain: I was no longer a prisoner of my history.Ronan and I had settled into a rhythm of rebuilding, slowly but surely. We didn’t rush into anything; we let the pieces fall into place at their own pace. It wasn’t about erasing the past—it was about creating something new, something solid that would be ours, free from the weight of old ghosts.But I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something was still unfinished. The world around me had shifted, and I had shifted with it, but there were still lingering scars I hadn’t yet addressed. I had spent years as a victim of my circumstances, and now that I was free, I found myself asking the question I had avoided for so long: Who was I?There were moments when I would sit alone, jus
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 28: The Path Forward
The days following my confrontation with my parents and Kate felt like a blur. It was as though I had stepped into a new world, one where the rules were different and I held the power to shape my destiny. There was no more manipulation, no more lies, no more living in the shadow of people who only saw me as a tool for their gain. I was finally free, but freedom came with its own set of challenges.As the sun rose each morning, I found myself standing at the edge of a new life, wondering where it would take me. The past still lingered, the wounds still raw, but I refused to let it define me any longer. I had spent too many years as a victim, too many years allowing others to control my fate. It was time to take control, to carve out a future that was mine, and mine alone.I had Ronan by my side, and that brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t known in years. He was my anchor in the storm, my constant reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. His unwavering support, his belief in me—it gave m
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 27: Reclaiming My Power
I stood there, my body still buzzing with the aftermath of everything that had just happened. The room was quiet now, save for the slow, steady breaths I took to steady myself. Kate had been escorted out, her attempts at defiance crumbling under Ronan’s unwavering presence. My parents... they still stood frozen, caught between guilt and the bitter realization that they had lost the control they had once held over me.I felt a rush of emotions, too many to sort through at once. There was relief, yes, a sense of freedom that I hadn’t known I was capable of feeling. But there was also anger, an unrelenting fury that still simmered within me. For too long, I had been their puppet, their victim. And while the battle might have been won, the war was far from over. The scars of my past would take time to heal, but I had no intention of allowing them to haunt me any longer."Are you alright?" Ronan’s voice broke through my thoughts, his hand gently resting on my arm. His touch grounded me, re
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 26: Breaking the Chains
The weight of the moment hung in the air, thick and suffocating. As I stood before my parents, Kate, and David, I felt a fire within me burn brighter than ever before. I had been their pawn and victim for years, but no more. Today, I would no longer allow them to control me, to dictate the course of my life.The room was tense, everyone waiting for someone else to speak and make the next move. My parents’ eyes flickered between Ronan and me, their faces a mixture of guilt and defiance. They knew what was coming. Kate stood beside them, her arms crossed, a mocking smile still on her lips as if nothing could faze her.David... I could barely bring myself to look at him. The man who had once been my husband, the man who had sworn to love and protect me, had thrown it all away in pursuit of greed, power, and a life with Kate. He had betrayed me in the worst way possible, and no apology would ever be enough."You don’t deserve my forgiveness," I said, my voice steady and cold, cutting thro
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 25: The Reckoning
The morning air was crisp, and the city felt strangely quiet as I stood by the window, looking out over the skyline. The penthouse was still and calm, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me. The plan was set into motion, and I could feel the tension in every inch of my being. Today would change everything. I knew that with every fiber of my body.Ronan had been preparing for this moment for weeks, and now it was time to act. The details were all in place: the meeting with my parents, with Kate, with David. It would all come to a head today. The moment I had dreamed of and feared in equal measure.I wasn’t the same person I had been when I was forced to live through the hell of my past life. I had been broken, crushed under the weight of their betrayal. But now? I was stronger. I had fought too hard and survived too much to let them destroy me again.A knock at the door broke me from my thoughts, and I turned, my heart beating a little faster. "Come in," I called.The door open
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 24: Breaking the Chains
The days seemed to blur together as I settled into my new life with Ronan. The world outside remained as chaotic as ever, but here, within the walls of the penthouse, I felt a strange sense of peace. It was as if I were cocooned in a world where time moved at a different pace, where the ghosts of my past couldn’t reach me.Yet, no matter how much I tried to push them away, the memories of my former life still lingered, haunting the edges of my mind. David’s betrayal, my parents’ rejection, Kate’s cold smirk—they all seemed to hover just beyond my grasp. But with each passing day, I could feel the weight of those memories begin to loosen as if they were no longer as suffocating as they once had been.I stood in front of the large mirror in my room, brushing my hair absently. The reflection staring back at me was different—stronger, more confident. My once-fragile self had been replaced by a woman who had learned to survive in the darkest of circumstances. A woman who had the power to s
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 24: Breaking the Chains
The days seemed to blur together as I settled into my new life with Ronan. The world outside remained as chaotic as ever, but here, within the walls of the penthouse, I felt a strange sense of peace. It was as if I were cocooned in a world where time moved at a different pace, where the ghosts of my past couldn’t reach me.Yet, no matter how much I tried to push them away, the memories of my former life still lingered, haunting the edges of my mind. David’s betrayal, my parents’ rejection, Kate’s cold smirk—they all seemed to hover just beyond my grasp. But with each passing day, I could feel the weight of those memories begin to loosen as if they were no longer as suffocating as they once had been.I stood in front of the large mirror in my room, brushing my hair absently. The reflection staring back at me was different—stronger, more confident. My once-fragile self had been replaced by a woman who had learned to survive in the darkest of circumstances. A woman who had the power to s
BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA' Chapter 23: A Glimpse of Hope
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the room with a warm glow. I stirred awake, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. The luxurious bed and the serene quiet were a far cry from the chaos that had once defined my mornings. For the first time in years, there was no shouting, no cold sneers, no oppressive weight of expectations.Stretching slightly, I let the thought sink in. I was free—or at least, I was on the path to freedom. My past still lingered in the corners of my mind, but here, in Ronan’s penthouse, it felt distant, almost like a bad dream.A soft knock on the door startled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called, my voice still hoarse from sleep.The door opened to reveal a housekeeper carrying a tray. "Good morning, Ms. Brown," she said politely, setting the tray on the table by the window. "Mr. Darkwood asked me to bring you breakfast. He’s out attending to some matters but wanted to ensure you were comfortabl
