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Chapter 3.42
Last Updated:
2024-12-11 14:34:08
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Claim by the Don Chapter 3.43
Melanie’s POV“Damn, I didn’t realize we’ve been here that long,” Aria said.“Yeah, me too. I’m sure, Ralph would be so mad at me right now,” I said."Ralph is a sweetheart and it's his job to wait on you," she replied.“Still, I’m sure he didn’t plan to stay out this late,” I countered.She shook her head at me and laughed as if I had told a joke. “You still don’t get it,” Aria said.“Is there something I’m supposed to get?”“Ralph doesn’t make plans. Your plans are his plans. I thought you would have realized that by now,” she said. “Plus, you’ve never heard him complain. He also had dinner and is currently nursing a bottle of coke.”I turned to where she was staring at and she was right. Ralph was seated at a table not too far away from us but far enough to ensure our privacy."He looks like he needs a stronger drink," I said and Aria laughed.“That might be true but he’s stil
Last Updated : 2024-12-12Claim by the Don Chapter 3.44
Melanie’s POVI would never admit this to him but I felt immensely relieved seeing, Adriano without a scratch on him.In fact, his shoulders were back to being as relaxed as it was before he went on his trip.“Hey, little nurse,” he said.“What… what…”“What am I doing here?” he said, moving aside so I could come inside.“I own this house, little nurse,” he answered, even though I asked the most foolish question.“Sorry, it came out wrong but I wasn’t expecting you,” I said.“I stayed longer than I intended to so I was ready to be done with that place,” he answered.“Well, welcome back,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant.“Did you miss me, little nurse?” he asked.“And why would you think that?”“Because even though you’re trying to hide it, it’s obvious you look happy as fuck to see me,” he replied."You must be seeing things, then," I lied. Of course
Last Updated : 2024-12-12Claim by the Don Chapter 3.45
Adriano’s POVI was so fucking tired by the time the jet landed and all I wanted to do was take a hot shower, eat, and sleep for as long as possible.Thankfully, I had done the first two but I had missed the fuck out of Melanie and didn’t want to go to bed without seeing her first.I knew she was with, Ari so I was prepared for her to be home late. In a way, I was glad she was getting along with my sister. I needed her to feel her comfortable with me and her new reality and had an inkling that the best way to make that happen was through, Ari.This past week had been a fucking nightmare. What with me speaking with my father and uncle daily?Though, Dad was retired and trusted me fully to run things, I still appreciated his guidance, especially with shit like this. As expected, he was on board with my decision to meet with Dante in Chicago. The Moretti family in Chicago and ours had respect for each other and we worked
Last Updated : 2024-12-13Claim by the Don Chapter 3.46
Melanie’s POVIt’s official.I was out of my mind.That was the only way I could explain what the hell I just blurted out of my mouth. This wasn’t me at all. I didn’t proposition men, talk less of the ones that basically forced me to live with them.Adriano looked shocked for a brief moment before his face morphed into a pleased smile.It wasn’t his fault. I basically led him on when I knew fully well that nothing was going to happen between us.Also, I was going to kill, Aria. She somehow convinced me to share a bottle of wine with her over dinner. One look at the wine and I knew it was expensive but it tasted amazing so I happily indulged.Yep, that was it. It was the freaking wine. I was never drinking with, Aria again.“I think I like the slightly drunk, Melanie,” Adriano said.If this was how I was when slightly drunk, I’d hate to see myself when shit-faced drunk.
Last Updated : 2024-12-13Claim by the Don Chapter 3.47
Melanie’s POVNot surprisingly, I woke up feeling grumpy in the morning.I had a slight headache which I took a some painkillers for but that was enough to set the tone of my day.Alice noticed something was up during breakfast but I waved her off, somehow convincing her that I was fine.The alcohol I'd consumed the previous day wasn't the only reason why I felt like this. There was a certain man who had been the object of my discomfort and I was not about to admit that to, Alice.However, I was almost done with my breakfast and still hadn’t seen or heard a peep from him all morning.“Is, Adriano not coming down for breakfast?” I asked, Alice.I figured since she was asleep by the time I got back yesterday, there's no way she knew what went down between Adriano and me. That's why I felt it was safe for me to ask her.“He left for work early,” she answered. “Said he had some important meetings.”
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Claim by the Don Chapter 3.48
Melanie’s POVThe last thing I wanted today was a confrontation from, Lydia. I was so over her shit and it looked like that’s exactly what she was spoiling for.“Please excuse me,” I said, deciding to opt for the polite approach but it seemed she was spoiling for a fight.“And if I don’t?” she asked. “What are you going to do?”“I don’t know why you have an issue with me and I don’t really care,” I replied and held up the boxes in my hands. “I have to get these gloves to the nurses’ station so please step aside.”Lydia glared daggers at me and I could see the anger radiating off her. If steam could come out her ears, best believe it would."That's exactly the problem I have with you," she gritted. "You're an ass-kisser pretending to be a sweet girl."I frowned. What the hell was she on about?“Like I said, Lydia, I don’t care how you feel about me as long as you stay out of my way,” I said.
Last Updated : 2024-12-14Claim by the Don Chapter 3.49
Melanie’s POVI pushed my confrontation with Lydia out of my mind and focused on getting through the rest of my shift which thankfully, went without any major incidents.I had just changed out of my scrubs and was on my out of the changing room when I got a call from, Phoebe.Phoebe was a sweet, old lady that lived on the same floor of my apartment. She also had a cat named, Orange and I usually helped her watch her cat.My stomach was dipped with nerves. It's been a while since she's seen or spoken to me so I knew why she was calling. What the hell was I going to tell her? It was obvious I hadn’t moved out but I’ve been MIA for weeks. I was surprised she hadn’t even called earlier. However, I was more annoyed with myself for forgetting about her.I had a mind to avoid, Phoebe’s call but I knew she was only going to keep calling so I accepted the call and put it to my ear.“Hi, Phoebe,” I greeted.
Last Updated : 2024-12-15Claim by the Don Chapter 3.50
Melanie’s POVI went about my usual routine when I got to the house. Took a shower and went downstairs to have dinner with, Alice.Alice, with her mother-hen nature, didn't fail to notice that something was off about me. I quickly learned that there was no hiding your feelings from her, at least I was sure of mine.She was just so attentive to details. It was the kind of trait that couldn’t be taught, but was a part of a person and, Alice was certainly one of those people that got the trait.“You know I’m only going to keep asking you what’s wrong, right?” Alice said. “Why can’t you just take my word for it and leave it at that?” I asked.“Because you’re acting a bit jittery. Like you’re about to jump off your skin,” she said. “Why? Are you scared of something or someone?”I shook my head. “No, it’s nothing of the sort,” I answered.“Then tell me what it is?”“It’s just that I might have gott
Last Updated : 2024-12-15
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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
