Share

Chapter 36

Penulis: Feesa
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-15 14:01:38

ISADORA

The next morning, I barely slept. My chest was still tight, that image of Alicia and Luca burned into my mind like a scar. But I had a final paper to write, and I wasn’t about to let my heartache ruin my degree.

I showed up on campus with Rafael like always, his eyes flicking to me every few minutes like he knew something was off. I kept my head down. Gave him short answers. Pretended I was fine.

I wasn’t.

Laura caught me in the hallway before I went in for the paper. Her gaze swept over me, eyes narrowing. “You good?”

I forced a smile that even I knew was trash. “Yeah, just tired. Finals, you know?”

She didn’t buy it.

“You wanna talk later?”

“Maybe… I just need some space right now.”

She gave me that look—you know, the best friend look, the one that says I know you’re lying, but I’ll let you get away with it for now.

“Okay,” she said, but her voice was soft, worried.

I nodded and slipped into the exam hall.

But afterward… I couldn’t go back.

Not to Rafael. Not to the house. N
Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi
Bab Terkunci

Bab terkait

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 37

    ISADORAI sat there by the river until the sky bled into night. The sun dipped below the skyline, and the city lights flickered on, glowing against the dark water. My chest felt heavy, my thoughts tangled—Luca, Alicia, the way he looked at me… like I was the only thing keeping him breathing.And yet, I saw him with her.Why did it hurt this much? Why did I care this deeply?I hated it. Hated that I felt like this—like I’d handed him every part of me, and he could crush it with one glance. I was stronger than this. I was supposed to be.I laughed under my breath, shaking my head.All this over a man. Me? Really?Pathetic.I leaned back against the bench, staring at the sky. What happened to the girl who swore she’d never let anyone own her heart? Who said she’d never let a man be the reason her chest felt like it was caving in?But here I was. A fool.And the worst part? I still wanted him.By the time the air cooled and the streetlights buzzed brighter, I knew I had to go back. I coul

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 38

    LUCA “You don’t get it, Luca,” she murmured, voice cracking just slightly. “I saw you with her, and it—it messed with my head. It hurt.”That last word was so soft, but it landed heavy—straight to my chest.I cupped her face, my thumbs brushing over her cheeks, slow. “I get it more than you think. But you need to understand something—I don’t want Alicia. I haven’t wanted her since the day I met you.”Her eyes flicked up to mine—uncertain, but searching. “When… did you meet me?”I exhaled through my nose, a small, knowing smile pulling at my lips. “You really don’t remember?”She shook her head.I leaned in, letting the weight of it all sit between us. “Four years ago. Charity gala. You were twenty—wearing red. You stood out like a flame in a room full of suits. Vibrant. Defiant. Untouchable. I was done for the second I saw you.”Her breath caught, her lips parting just slightly.“I couldn’t do anything about it,” I continued, voice low, rough. “I was marrying Alicia. Her father’s a p

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-16
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 39

    ALICIAI paced the length of my room, the dim lighting casting sharp shadows along the walls. My fingers gripped the phone so tight my knuckles turned white. The laughter filtering through from downstairs made my teeth grind together. Her laugh. Soft, breathless—like she belonged here. Like she belonged with him.Isadora. Alive. Breathing. And worse—getting close to Luca.I thought she was supposed to be rotting in a ditch somewhere. That was the deal. That was the plan. But now she was here, under the same roof as me—like nothing had ever happened. Like she hadn’t cheated death.I snapped out of my thoughts when the voice on the other end of the call spoke again. The irritation in his tone matched mine.“We had eyes on her,” the man said, his voice low and firm. “But Rafael was there. We couldn’t make a move.”Rafael. Of course. The ever-watchful shadow. Luca’s enforcer, his blade in the dark. The man was a goddamn nightmare—loyal to a fault and damn near untouchable.I pressed my fi

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 40

    ISADORAMy phone vibrated on the nightstand.Unknown number.I stared at it for a second, heart sinking. I already knew.Luca was in the shower, water running, masking the sound as I picked it up.I pressed it to my ear. “Hello?”A beat of silence, then his voice—slick with fake concern. “Isadora, sweetheart. It’s your father.”My chest tightened. That voice—the same one that had sold me lies my whole life. The same one that had nearly sold me for real.“What do you want?” I bit out, keeping my voice low.He sighed, like he was the victim here. “I need help… Financial help. I hit a rough patch, and I—”I cut him off, voice sharper than I intended. “Gambling again?”Silence. Guilt.I laughed, but it was cold. “Of course. You haven’t changed.”“Isadora, I—”“No,” I snapped, gripping the phone tighter. “Cut the crap. I know, Dad. I know you tried to sell me. Traffickers, right? How much was I worth to you? Enough to cover a few bad nights at the casino?”He went quiet—like he didn’t expe

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 41

    LUCAThe office was low-lit, the warm glow of the desk lamp casting shadows across the dark wood. The faint hum of jazz filled the silence. Rafael leaned back in his chair across from me, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp.I poured myself a glass of whiskey, the ice clinking softly. “Did you finish setting up the cameras and the audio in the house?”Rafael nodded, face unreadable. “Every room, including hers.”“Good. Pull up the feed.”He grabbed the tablet from the desk, fingers moving swiftly over the screen. Within seconds, the live footage flickered on. We both leaned in as Alicia’s room came into view—but she wasn’t there.“Kitchen,” Rafael muttered, switching views.There she was, sitting across from Isadora. My jaw tightened the second I saw my girl, coffee cup in hand, trying to mask the unease in her eyes.Alicia was talking, her expression soft, almost vulnerable. But I knew better. I turned up the volume.“I guess what I’m trying to say is… I hope you’re prepared. Because lovin

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 42

    ALICIA My fingers trembled slightly as I scrolled through my contacts, carefully selecting a number I knew by heart but dared not save. The message was brief, to the point:"She'll be out tomorrow. Handle it."I stared at the words for a moment, my heart thudding in my chest. Then, with a deep breath, I hit send. The confirmation appeared instantly. No reply, no questions. They knew what needed to be done.I set my phone down, feeling a rush of satisfaction. This was necessary. She was in the way. Once she was gone, everything would fall into place. No guilt. Just relief. Soon, it would all be over.______________ISADORA The next day felt like a breath of fresh air. Meeting up with Laura brought a sense of normalcy I hadn't felt in weeks. When we hugged, I clung to her a little longer than usual, needing that comfort. The sun was warm, and the city bustled around us. For a brief moment, I felt free.Our shopping trip was lighthearted, filled with laughter and playful arguments over

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 43

    LUCAThe SUV sliced through the city streets, tinted windows shielding us from curious eyes. My jaw was tight, my fists clenched so hard the leather of my gloves creaked. The adrenaline still coursed through my veins, but beneath it was something sharper—rage.Another attempt. The third in less than two months.And this time, they had come too close.Too close to Isadora.I shifted my gaze to her. She sat rigid beside Laura, her face pale, eyes wide but sharp. She was scared, but she was holding it together. That strength of hers was one of the reasons I had fallen so goddamn hard.But it didn’t mean she wasn’t vulnerable.I had nearly lost her today.The thought made my stomach twist, my grip tightening involuntarily. If that bastard’s aim had been just a little sharper…No. I wouldn’t let my mind go there.I had known something was coming. I had seen Alicia's text through the hidden camera we installed in her room. Her phone screen had lit up, and the message was clear: "She'll be o

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 44

    LUCA I stood at the edge of the estate grounds, the cool night air doing little to temper the fire raging inside me. I lit a cigarette with a steady hand, taking a long drag before dialing Rafael."Find them," I said, voice low and lethal. "Every single one of those bastards. I want names, locations. They don’t sleep until I say so."Rafael’s response was immediate. “Understood. I’ve got the men moving. We’ll hunt them down.”I ended the call and turned toward the basement. I descended the steps slowly, the echo of my footsteps bouncing off the cold concrete walls. Alicia was tied to a chair in the center of the room, wrists bound, mouth gagged. Her eyes snapped up at my entrance—defiant, but there was fear beneath it.I ripped the gag from her mouth. She coughed, lips curling into a smirk. “What now? Going to scare me into talking? You don’t have it in you to hit a woman, Luca. That’s not your style.”I tilted my head, gaze cold. “You’re right. I won’t lay a hand on you.”I stepped

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-20

Bab terbaru

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 72

    ‎LUCA‎‎I set the letter down, my grip tightening. My instincts screamed that this wasn’t just about Costa or the shipment.‎‎This was about me.‎‎Someone was watching. Waiting. Calculating every move I made.‎‎And I was done playing their game.‎‎I looked up at Rafael. “I want every single person in our circle checked. No one is above suspicion.”‎‎His jaw tightened. “Even our own men?”‎‎“Especially our own men.” I leaned forward, voice low and firm. “Someone tipped them off. I want to know who.”‎‎Rafael nodded, understanding the weight of what I was asking. It wasn’t just about loyalty—it was about survival.‎‎I exhaled sharply, my mind already racing ahead. “Send men to the docks. If they stole from us, they have to move it. I want eyes on every deal going down in the city. The Scorpions are selling to someone, and I want to know who.”‎‎Rafael didn’t hesitate. “I’ll handle it.”‎‎I pushed back from the table, my fingers curling into fists. “And Rafael?”‎‎He stopped

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 71

    LUCAI didn't let go of Isadora's hand as we walked out of the clinic.Not when we reached the car. Not when I opened the door for her.Not even when we were halfway back to the house, silence stretching between us, thick with something unspoken.She shifted slightly in her seat, the movement drawing my attention. I glanced at her, catching the way her free hand rested on her stomach.Something in my chest tightened.The image from the ultrasound still burned in my mind. The rhythmic sound of our baby’s heartbeat. The small, undeniable proof of life.Mine.Ours.I had known, logically, that Isadora was pregnant. Had accepted it. But seeing it? Hearing it?It did something to me.Changed something.I wasn’t a man who loved easily. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I knew how. But the possessive, protective instinct thrumming beneath my skin at that moment?It was the closest thing to love I had ever known.Isadora turned to me, her gaze soft but unreadable. “You haven’t said anything.”I kep

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 70

    LUCACosta slumped forward in the chair, breathing ragged. Blood soaked the ropes around his wrists, dripping onto the concrete floor beneath him.Rafael stood by the table, shaking out his bruised knuckles. “He’s tougher than he looks,” he muttered.Costa let out a weak chuckle. “You’re just not as scary as you think.”I pulled up a chair in front of him, leaning in. “That so?”He gave me a lazy smirk, swollen lip splitting further. “I’ve met worse.”I hummed, tilting my head. “Have you?”Then, before he could blink, I drove my knife into his thigh.Costa screamed, body jerking violently against the chair.Rafael barely reacted.I twisted the blade, watching him writhe. “You’re going to tell me what I want to know.”Costa gasped, chest heaving. “I— I already did.”I yanked the knife out, blood pooling at his feet. “Not everything.”His good eye twitched.“I know Alicia gave the order,” I said, wiping the blade on his shirt. “I know she wanted Isadora dead.” My fingers flexed around t

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 69

    ISADORALuca was getting stronger.Every day, I watched the color return to his face, the sharpness settle back into his gaze. His movements were steadier, his pain more manageable. He still hated being confined, but for once, he wasn’t fighting me on it.Not out loud, anyway.But as his body healed, mine stayed wound tight. Because while Luca was focused on his recovery, my phone wouldn’t stop ringing.My father.Every call, every voicemail, every text—all ignored.But that didn’t stop them from coming.At first, it was just desperate pleas."Isadora, I need your help.""Please, Isa. I’m in trouble.""You’re my daughter. Don’t you have any loyalty?"Then, the threats started."You think you can ignore me forever?""You owe me, Isadora. After everything I’ve done for you.""You think your little boyfriend can protect you?"My stomach curled in disgust every time his name flashed across the screen.He didn’t deserve my help.Not after what he had done.Not after the way he had betrayed

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 68

    ISADORALuca’s reluctant surrender lasted all of ten minutes.The moment Rafael left the room, he shifted like he was testing the limits of his pain, his jaw clenched in quiet determination. I knew that look. It was the same one he wore before making a reckless decision.I exhaled sharply. “Luca—”“I need to see Costa myself.”I clenched my fists. “No, you need to heal.”His eyes, sharp despite the lingering haze of painkillers, locked onto mine. “I won’t sit here while someone else handles my problem.”I swallowed my frustration, trying to remain calm, but it was impossible. The past few days had been nothing but fear, watching him teeter between life and death, praying for just one more moment. And now, barely awake, he was ready to throw himself into the fire again.My hands curled into the sheets. “Do you even hear yourself? You almost died, Luca. Do you think that means nothing?”His jaw flexed, but he didn’t look away. “I think it means I have unfinished business.”Something sna

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 67

    ISADORA The room was quiet except for the steady beep of Luca’s heart monitor and the low hum of Rafael’s breathing.I lay there for a while, watching Luca, tracing the shape of his fingers with my eyes, memorizing the slight movement of his chest. Every breath he took felt like borrowed time, a reminder that he was still here. That I hadn’t lost him.But sleep didn’t come easily.Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him—bleeding, gasping, slipping away. The metallic scent of blood clung to my memory, sharp and suffocating. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the images away, but they always lurked just beneath the surface.A rustling sound broke the silence.I turned my head slightly, expecting to see Rafael adjusting in his chair, but he was still, his arms crossed, eyes closed.The noise came again—this time from the bed.My breath caught.I pushed up onto my elbows, heart pounding as I focused on Luca. His fingers twitched slightly against the blanket, a small but unmistakable movemen

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 66

    ISADORA “Come on. Let’s get you upstairs.”I hesitated, my gaze flickering back to Luca. He was still, but not in the way that had terrified me earlier. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythms, his pulse strong beneath my fingertips.Bianca reached for my arm. “Rafael’s staying here. He’ll call you the second anything changes.”The logic was there. But logic didn’t matter.What mattered was that Luca had almost died tonight. And I wasn’t sure I’d survive seeing it happen again.But I wasn’t given much of a choice. Bianca tugged gently, pulling me up from the chair. My legs protested the sudden movement, pins and needles prickling up my calves from standing for so long without rest.The walk to the grand staircase felt longer than it should have. The house was eerily quiet, the usual hum of distant voices absent. The only sound was the muffled press of our footsteps against the marble floor.Halfway up the stairs, a wave of dizziness hit me.I swayed, the edges of my vision tilting

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 65

    ISADORA The clinic ward was eerily silent now, save for the steady beeping of monitors and the occasional murmur of the doctor’s assistant. But the stillness did nothing to calm me.Luca was too pale. His breathing, though steady, was still too shallow. I gripped his hand tightly, my fingers trembling against his skin. He was warm—too warm, fever still clinging to him. My stomach twisted.I hadn’t moved from his side.Not when the doctor finished tending to him. Not when Rafael tried to speak to me. Not even when my body screamed in protest, exhaustion weighing me down like lead.I wasn’t leaving.Rafael sighed from where he stood near the doorway, arms crossed. His sharp eyes, always unreadable, softened just slightly as he watched me.“Isadora,” he murmured, stepping closer. “You need to rest.”I shook my head, my grip on Luca tightening. “I’m not leaving him.”Rafael exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “You’re pregnant.”The words hit like a quiet reminder, one I had

  • Bound To The Mafia   Chapter 64

    ISADORAI didn't even know there was a fucking clinic ward in this house.Rafael barreled through the halls, shouting orders, his grip on Luca unrelenting as he and another man hauled him toward a hidden wing of the estate. Blood trailed behind them, soaking into the expensive floors, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.Luca's weight sagged between them, his head lolling to the side, his breaths shallow. Too shallow.Panic choked me."Move!" Rafael barked, shoving through a set of double doors.The clinic was pristine, cold, too white. It smelled of antiseptic and something metallic—Luca’s blood. My stomach twisted as they laid him onto a surgical bed, hands working fast to strip away his blood-soaked shirt.I hovered, frozen, my heartbeat a frantic, unbearable rhythm in my ears.Luca was too pale. His eyes fluttered, unfocused, lips parted as though he was fighting to stay conscious.A doctor—where the hell did he even come from?—rushed in, a bag slung over his shoulder. "Get out of

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status