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Chapter 107
Last Updated:
2025-01-19 13:20:13
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Claim by the Don Chapter 108
Melanie’s POVI clocked out and ran to change out of my scrubs, ignoring the numerous eyes that were on me. Some were staring at me with approval but most of them had looks of jealousy and envy, like I somehow stole what belonged to them.Well, that was none of my business. The fact was, Adriano is my man and they can look all they want but can't have him. So that was one way to look at it. Besides, I wasn't a stranger to being stared at.I changed out of my regular clothes and when I got out. She was glaring at daggers at me but there was no mistaking the envy in her eyes when she saw, Adriano earlier.I smiled at her. Take that you petty, conniving, bitch. Yes, you can think you're all that and try to take away surgeries from me but you'll never have my man.I got to the nurses’ station, half expecting to meet, Hayley alone but to my surprise, she was engrossed in a conversation with, Adriano and they were laughing.
Last Updated : 2025-01-19Claim by the Don Chapter 109
Melanie’s POVAdriano led me into the restaurant and we were led towards a private booth. The servers were very polite and a little too eager to server but it was to be expected.The man booked the whole restaurant to take his girlfriend on a date. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he was influential.The food was amazing!I had a hard time deciding between two dishes but I ended up going for the chicken cacciatore while, Adriano ordered the second dish I was considering for himself.I tried not to swoon at how attentive he was to me because I know for a fact that he ordered that dish because of me but I didn’t want to draw attention to it.And as I suspected, when our food arrived and we began eating, he asked me if I wanted to try a bite of his food and somehow, half of his parmesan ended up on my plate.Thank God he ordered enough servings.The conversation also flowed freely all
Last Updated : 2025-01-20Claim by the Don Chapter 110
Adriano’s POVThe soft light of the living room barely cut through the weight of the night as I watched her. I blinked thinking I might have imagined the words I heard earlier.Melanie stood a few feet away, still in her jeans and that worn leather jacket she seemed to love so much. I noticed because ever since the cold rolled in, she had been wearing more of that jacket. She looked like trouble and comfort rolled into one, the kind of combination that could destroy a man if he wasn’t careful and I’ve never really been careful around my girl. In fact, I was fast losing the patience I thought I was holding on to and if she was messing with me, I would be pissed.Now, though, something had shifted. Her eyes met mine, and I knew we were past the point of trying to avoid the sexual tension that existed in perpetuity between us.“Kiss me,” she said softly, but there was nothing timid in her tone. It wasn’t a question or even a
Last Updated : 2025-01-20Claim by the Don Chapter 111
Melanie’s POVAdriano’s lips were on mine, warm and commanding, and every time they moved, I felt like I was unraveling piece by piece. His hand slid up my back, strong and steady, pulling me closer until there was no space between us. The soft leather of the couch pressed against my skin, cool and grounding, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me.I opened my eyes for a moment, catching a glimpse of him. His sharp jawline, the dark stubble brushing against my skin, and the intensity in his gaze always made me feel like I was the only thing in his world.I could barely breathe, but I didn’t care. Every kiss was like a promise, dark, intense, and utterly consuming. His fingers tangled in my hair, tugging gently as he tilted my head back, exposing my neck to him. He trailed kisses along my jawline, slow and deliberate, his breath hot against my skin. I arched into him, my fingers clutching at his shoulders as his lips trailed
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Claim by the Don Chapter 112
Melanie’s POVI woke up tangled up in Adriano’s arms, feeling deliciously sore.Last night was hands down, the best night of my life. It turned out that, Adriano was an insatiable beast in the sheets judging by the number of times we had sex. At some point, I even stopped counting my orgasms.I wasn’t a virgin, but being with the way, Adriano handled me, I might as well have been one.I felt a kiss on my head.“Good morning, little nurse,” he said in his hoarse morning voice.“Good morning,” I replied. “I’m going to need a lot of coffee to get through this day.”“Why?” he asked.“Because a certain young man couldn’t get his hands off me long enough for me to get a decent amount of sleep,” I said.“I’m not going to apologize for that, little nurse, because you enjoyed every single moment of it,” he said.That’s right. I did.“Do you want to call in sick from work today?”
Last Updated : 2025-01-21Claim by the Don Chapter 113
Adriano’s POVTo say I was in a good mood would be an understatement. I was over the fucking moon.Even the thought of what I had to do today did nothing to dim my mood. It turned out that my good mood was plastered on my face for everyone to see.“I can see that your relationship is on the right track,” Nik teased.“Not that you’ll understand since you have no one,” I retorted.“Oh, don’t worry, boss. I have enough fun to keep me happy and I don’t need anyone,” he replied.He was the only fucker that seemed happy at the prospect of torturing someone. That’s why I keep him around. That and the fact he’s good at other things as well.“You also need to stop killing our possible, business associates,” I told him.Nik was in charge of negotiating possible business deals with other groups. We were currently in the middle of negotiating a new arms deal and this morning, I learned that the meeting, Nik was s
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Claim by the Don Chapter 114
Melanie’s POVHayley was eyeing me with a smirk on her face when I got to work the next day.Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one. I was getting multiple stares from different people as I walked in.“Girl!!! You’re like a hospital celebrity with the way people have been talking about you and your man since you both traipsed out of here yesterday,” she said.“I don’t care, they can stare all they want,” I said.Hayley regarded me with a strange expression. “That’s a first for you,” she said.“What do you mean?” I asked.“The Melanie I know would be looking bothered and trying not to look in people’s eyes because of how embarrassed she is,” Hayley explained."Well, let's just say that I'm no longer that girl," I replied.“Oh, you definitely aren’t and I’m sure I have Adriano to thank for that,” she said. “Plus, you have that freshly fucked glow about you which means it’s going to be hard
Last Updated : 2025-01-22Claim by the Don Chapter 115
Melanie’s POVIt took a while before I left the hospital, my shift ended almost an hour ago which meant I was now working overtime.It also meant I didn't have much time to prepare for tonight's outing but I was definitely going to try.I sent, Adriano a text when I was on my way home telling him I was running a little behind, and then I wondered if he was even home yet.He usually got home later than I did so there was a chance he was still at his office. I could use that to my advantage and blame him for our lateness, I thought with a smile on my face.However, Adriano was already at home when I walked in. He was sitting on one of the couches in the living room, reading something from a tablet in his hand.He raised his head when he saw me though and he smiled.“You’re late, little nurse,” he said and I glared at him.“I am? Maybe that’s because I was busy tending to burn victims all day,” I rep
Last Updated : 2025-01-23
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Claim by the Don Chapter 147
Adriano’s POVSix months later…“Now that we’re done with the ceremony, can we go on a proper tour of New York like I was promised?” Danny asked.Roselyn hit him upside the head and said, “Don’t be insensitive. Today is your sister’s day.”“Ouch, Mom! That hurt,” he complained.“And you deserve it,” Melanie’s voice cut into the conversation.“There’s my favorite nurse!” Sam yelled.“Dad, tone it down,” she said.“Nonsense. I would shout it at the top of my lungs if I had to so you can know how proud I am of you,” he replied.She smiled at her father and went to hug him then she did the same with her mom and brother who all congratulated her before she stopped in front of me.“I always knew you were something else, little nurse,” I told her. “From the first day I set my eyes on you, I knew you were better than the rest of us.”“Stop it you’re going to make me cry,” she said.I opened my arms and she stepped into me for a hug.My girl was finally a registered nurse and today was her gra
Claim by the Don Chapter 146
Melanie’s POVThe ride back to the house was very quiet.Throughout the ride home, I couldn’t help but think that none of this would have happened if I just had a conversation with Adriano.He was the man I fell in love with and even though I left him, he didn’t hesitate before coming for me.I know he was very relieved in the heat of the moment but I couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen once the adrenaline wore off and he could think a bit more clearly.One thing I knew was that I was going to spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him.Adriano was more honorable than people knew. I never thought I would be one of those women who would be pleased because her man killed people for her but as it turned out, I was one of those women.He pulled up to the house, which seemed to have more security guards on duty than normal and I knew it was all because of me.A few hours away, we were celebrating Christmas in bliss but I just had to go and ruin everything for every
Claim by the Don Chapter 145
Adriano’s POVThe warehouse was a hive of chaos, but I didn’t hear the shouting or the echoing footsteps behind me. All I saw was Melanie. She sat bound to a chair, her face pale, and her lip split, a streak of blood trailing down her chin. Alex Pushkin had a gun pressed to her temple. My blood ran cold. I raised my weapon, keeping my voice steady. “Let her go.” Behind me, my men spread out, weapons aimed and ready. They waited for my signal, but I couldn’t give it—not yet. One wrong move, one miscalculation, and Melanie could die. Pushkin laughed, a guttural sound that grated on my nerves. “You think you scare me? I’ve killed better men than you.” His hand twitched, and I saw the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. Good. He was scared, even if he didn’t want to admit it. Fear made people sloppy. I needed to buy time, distract him long enough for my men to position themselves. “Erica,” I said, shifting my focus to the woman who stood off to the side, smug and self-satisfie
Claim by the Don Chapter 144
Melanie’s POVI woke up to the biting chill of a dark, unfamiliar room, my head pounding as if it had been split in two. My wrists ached from the tight ropes binding them, and my ankles felt just as constricted."You’re awake," Erica drawled, her tone laced with mock concern. She folded her arms and leaned against the rusted frame of the door, watching me like a predator eyeing its prey. "How are you feeling, darling?" I didn't respond. My throat was dry, and my words caught somewhere between anger and fear. God, how could I have been foolish enough to let, Erica manipulate me? I should have known that she was up to no good when Alice told me that Adriano left her at the altar.I guess now I was paying the price for my foolishness."Cat, got your tongue?" she asked, smirking. "Or maybe it’s the shock of realizing you’ve been so incredibly stupid." Her words stung more than I cared to admit. I should have known better. Adriano had always been honest with me in his own way, even w
Claim by the Don Chapter 143
Adriano’s POVSomething was off.I didn’t know what but the moment I ended the call with Nik and sat down to work, something in my head kept nagging at me.At first, I thought it was the unusual silence in the house but I figured that was because everyone was probably asleep.I had expected Melanie to come find and chastize me for taking too long but since she didn’t, that meant that the day finally got to her and she succumbed to sleep.My girl was a rockstar tonight, and like I expected, she had my entire family eating from the palm of her hands throughout the dinner. I was sure they saw exactly what I did from the moment I set my eyes on her.By now Nik should be mobilizing the guys to infiltrate the last warehouse. He got intel that Pushkin finally moved all the girls to one place and he just got the location. I trusted Nik could handle this without me, after all, he had just singlehandedly negotiated a new deal with the Irish.Tonight I was going to end it sleeping next to the wo
Claim by the Don Chapter 142
Melanie’s POVThe cool night air felt like needles against my skin as I hurried down the street, my duffel bag slung over my shoulder. My legs felt like lead, but I pushed forward, every step putting more distance between me and the house that was once my prison but later became my home. The streets were quiet, the kind of silence that normally would have scared me, but tonight I welcomed it. I avoided the well-lit areas, sticking to the shadows, hoping none of Adriano's guards would see me. My pulse raced with every second, and my breath was uneven.I had no idea where I was going, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting away and I was lucky enough to have been able to avoid the guards. I guess the weeks of walking the grounds and studying their routine paid off.Luckily, a cab finally came into view at the corner of the street, its headlights a beacon of hope. I flagged it down, my arm trembling as I waved. The driver, an older man with kind eyes, rolled down the window.
Claim by the Don Chapter 141
Melanie’s POVThe first image made my heart stop.It was of a young girl who was barely a teenager. She was sitting on a dingy mattress in what looked like a warehouse, her eyes hollow, her body too thin. Behind her, a shadowy figure loomed a man I didn't recognize but I could bet my life on it that it was her oppressor.My throat tightened as I flipped to the next photograph and the next. Each one was worse than the last. Girls, so young they could barely be called women, trapped in squalor, their faces etched with fear.I couldn't breathe.At first, I thought, no, and hoped that this was evidence Adriano had gathered to shut down a trafficking ring. It had to be. He couldn't possibly be involved in this. He could kill a man but there was no way he was responsible for harming innocent girls.But then I saw it, rather I saw him. And there was no mistaking the fact that he was the one because I recognized Nik beside him.They were both holding onto girls and leading them to God knows w
Claim by the Don Chapter 140
Melanie’s POVWe rode home in comfortable silence. I was too full and happy from the good food and great company to say anything further.Plus, I couldn’t take my hands off the bracelet. It was just too beautiful. I’ve never owned anything as expensive as this and I was so scared to ask him how much it cost.We already exchanged gifts in the morning so I wasn’t expecting anything more from him.In a not-so-surprising turn of events, Alice was still awake by the time we got home.“For a moment I thought you both were going to spend the night there,” Alice said when we got into the living room."It's really late, Alice, and I'm sure you've had a long day. You should be sleeping," Adriano said.“I couldn’t sleep when I knew how important today was to Melanie. I was too anxious to know how it went,” she replied.“Well, you can rest easy now because it went very well,” I told her.Her face lit up with a smile and she gave me a quick hug, making me laugh.“I told you, you had nothing to wor
Claim by the Don Chapter 139
Melanie’s POVThe soft glow of candlelight and the twinkle of garlands wrapped around the staircase banister made the dining room feel almost magical. The air was thick with the aromas of roasted meats, spiced wine, and fresh-baked rolls, making my stomach grumble in anticipation. Platters of steaming food filled every inch of space. Roast beef surrounded by caramelized vegetables, golden potatoes dusted with rosemary, bowls of vibrant salads, and an assortment of bread rolls that looked fresh out of the oven. When we heard no movement on the steps, Zoey gave a sharp clap of her hands and called out to the men, her voice cutting through the hum of conversation. “Dinner is ready! Boys, come join us!” she said.I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs as Adriano and the rest of the men made their way over. Adriano entered first, his presence commanding as always, but his warm smile was reserved for me alone. My heart gave a tiny flutter, and I smoothed my dress nervously. As
