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A Friend in Need
Last Updated:
2025-03-13 21:25:28
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Defiance in Front Of The Mafia King
“What? You want me to go and talk to the Riccardi family? Are you f**king with me?” Rafael asked as he stared at both of us. I gripped Sam’s hand tightly. “You're a lawyer. Surely there is something you can do.” Rafael glanced at Sam. They had never met before but I knew he would help her. “ I think we should inform Enzo first. The Ricciardi's are not just people that you can go and meet. They are ruthless. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain to Enzo.” Rafael said. Sam sobbed catching my attention. Folding my arms, I sighed, frustration building in my chest. “Rafael, please. Sam’s family doesn’t have time. If Enzo finds out, he'll handle this his way, and we both know what that means.”Rafael’s jaw tightened. He knew exactly what I meant. Enzo didn’t negotiate, he used force. The Ricciardi's and the Santoro's have been at war with each other. A confrontation right now would be problematic. Sam wiped her tears, looking between us. “Please you have to help me. I'
Last Updated : 2025-03-13Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lover and a Traitor
ENZO“I….I..” Lauren started as she stared at her hand. She was in utmost shock that she had dared to slap me. She was afraid. Walking towards her, I clenched my hand backing her until she fell on the couch. “ Did you just dare to slap me? Have I pampered you too much?” I asked. Lauren swallowed pressing her hand deep into the couch. Her silence irritated me. Leaning down over her, I used one hand to grip the couch while I fisted a bunch of her hair making her yell in pain. Her eyes held my gaze. I wanted to break that fiery gaze in her eyes. Seems like the soft approach was definitely not going to work anymore. “ Answer me!” Her breath hitched as I yanked her hair tighter, forcing her head back until her neck arched. A sharp gasp left her lips, her fingers digging into the couch.“ Next time you do this again, you won't like the outcome. Do you understand?” I asked staring into her eyes as if I was searching for something. Watching her nod, I let go of her hair turning my back
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lover and A Traitor (2)
I arrived at the venue Dante had chosen. I wasn't afraid to walk into the lion's den alone or even the valley of death. Entering inside the private lounge, I glanced around spotting other people around. Nothing seemed out of place but I couldn't be sure. Dante was a slithering snake and his family were a bunch of psychopaths. Good thing, I was the king of psychopaths. I spotted Dante sitting at the corner. The place was dark just how he liked it. Dante liked to mess with people's minds. Just as I was about to go and meet him, I got stopped by one of his bodyguards. “ Is this how you treat the King of the Italian Mafia, Dante? Where is your respect?” I asked staring at him. Dante opened his eyes staring at him. Getting up, he walked up to me without a word and brought out a gun. I didn't flinch or show any sign of reaction at all. Suddenly, he aimed it at the bodyguard stopping me and shot. My eyes darted down watching as th bodyguard fell to the ground. “ Sorry for thinconvenienc
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Claimed by the Devil
LAUREN“Just a cat,” Enzo said sounding frustrated as he closed the door. Seeing him act so infuriated, I chuckled lightly covering my mouth the moment he turned to look at me. Reaching for one of the plates, I pretended to be serving some food. “Let's eat,” I said avoiding his gaze as he walked back to the table. ““If that cat wasn’t so cute, I would’ve shot it,” Enzo muttered, loosening his tie as he sat down.I rolled my eyes, placing a plate in front of him. “You really have a one-track mind, don’t you? Always ready to kill something.”He smirked, picking up his fork. “It’s a habit.”I sat across from him, twirling my pasta as the silence stretched between us. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t exactly easy either. The weight of what had just happened. His kiss, the way I hadn’t pulled away, everything still lingered in the air. I wasn’t sure what it meant. Or if it meant anything at all.“You’re staring,” Enzo murmured, not looking up from his plate.I blinked, quickly ave
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Into the Lion's Den
“He said that? Enzo Santoro said that to you?” Jake asked before bursting out laughing. I nodded my head before reaching for my cup of coffee. I still had no idea where those paintings were and it was killing me. Enzo had not said anything either to me about what he found on the docks. He said he was in love with me but who knows if it was just a lie? “ What's wrong?” Jake asked noticing how quiet I had gotten. I sighed, staring into my coffee as if it held the answers I needed. “I just don’t know what to believe anymore,” I admitted. “He hasn’t said a word about what he found at the docks, and I still have no idea where those paintings are.”Jake’s amusement faded. “You think he’s lying?”I shrugged my shoulders leaning back. I had no idea what to believe anymore. My phone buzzed, and I reached for it, thinking it was Enzo. My eyes widened as I saw Don Alonzo's name at the bottom of the text. “ It's Don Alonzo. He says he wants to see me.” I said showing the message to Jake. “ D
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Test of Loyalty
“Ms. Hills.” Don Alonzo said as I walked up to him being led by the butler. He was sitting outside near the fountain, dressed in a grey cardigan that went well with the pale marble surrounding him. The sound of water trickling from the fountain and it's beautiful view did nothing to ease the tension building in my chest.“Please, sit.” Don Alonzo gestured to the chair across from him.Nodding my head, I did as I was told hesitating a bit before I sat down. My entire body was tense. Setting my bag beside me, I couldn't help but feel it was heavier than usual with the gun Enzo had given me. I really hoped it would not have to come to that. I really did. “ Ms. Hills, are you okay? You seem tense.” Don Alonzo said clicking his hand. A maid appeared holding a tray with a bottle of whiskey and some cups. As she set it down, I could hear my heart pounding. Enzo was just outside the gates. He could surely come if anything were to happen. “ Here. Have a drink.” Don Alonzo offered as they f
Last Updated : 2025-03-17Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Chains of the Past
ENZOBarbara sat down in front of me gently cutting through her food as if it was enough to seduce me. Meanwhile, my mother was silent doing the same. Sometimes I wondered if she even considered me as her child. How could she be so comfortable making my life a living hell? “ You better eat something rather than staring at your watch. Glancing at it isn't going to help you disappear.” My mother said without raising her eyes from her food. She could barely look me in the eyes. She never did. Sitting in my wheelchair, I found the entire setup boring. The only reason I had agreed ignoring Lauren's countless devices to keep me at home was because my own mother had threatened me. “I’ll eat when I feel like it,” I replied, my tone flat.Barbara smiled, cutting into her steak with an ease that irritated me. “You should listen to your mother, Enzo. It’s rude to ignore a home-cooked meal.”I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap at her. The only reason I was here was to keep my mother
Last Updated : 2025-03-18Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Blood and Deception
A burning slap hit me hard across my face. I could hear my mother's harsh breathing as she stared at me as well as the gasps in the room. I wasn't surprised she had hit me because of Rafael. I darted my gaze to her strong and bold. I didn't want her to see any signs of weakness or something she could use. I let the sting settle, my jaw tightening as I stared at my mother. Rafael looked stunned, his lips slightly parted as if he hadn’t expected her to react so violently.Eleonora let out a low, mocking laugh from where she stood, swaying slightly. “Well, that was dramatic.”My mother’s fingers twitched at her sides, but she ignored Eleonora, keeping her cold gaze on me. “You will not threaten this family, Enzo.”I scoffed. “This family? You mean Rafael?”Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t deny it. She never did.Rafael stepped forward as if to say something, but I cut him off with a sharp glare. I wasn’t in the mood for his false humility. I was done playing their games
Last Updated : 2025-03-18
Latest chapter
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Shadows Within Us
“Are you sure?” Enzo asked letting go of my hand as he walked up to Taylor. “Yes, Mr. Santoro.” Taylor replied smiling.Taylor nodded her head happily taking Enzo's hand as they walked out. My heart stopped. The location of the vault? I didn't know if Taylor had really figured it out or not. The door to the office shut behind them leaving me all alone. Enzo was not only obsessed about me, he was also obsessed about the paintings. I stood there, staring at the closed door like it might open again. But it didn’t. And neither of them came back. Heading out of the office, I walked out of the elevator heading to grab a car. Stopping one, I slid into it. The driver gave me a curious glance through the mirror, but I didn’t say a word. My fingers were tight around my phone, but I couldn’t bring myself to call him. What would I even say? That watching him walk out with her made my chest feel like it was caving in? That I wasn’t sure if I was more afraid of what Taylor found… or how easily
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Shadows at the Door
The tension in the room was suffocating. Sitting down beside Enzo, I stared at Enzo's mother looking at Enzo without a single word. None of them did. It was as if there was so much they were saying telepathically that seemed dangerous, cold. I squeezed Enzo's hand gently trying to urge him to say something but Enzo was like a block of ice. He didn't break his gaze from his mother. “ Boss,” Leonardo said calling him out. Enzo turned to Leonardo before realizing that he had been staring for a long time without saying anything. Enzo's jaw clenched. “ What are you doing here? I saved your life, told you never to return. Did you think it was just an empty threat?” Enzo asked, his voice betraying his bitterness. I knew things were not good between both of them but I never really knew the full story. At the party before, she had looked as if she really cared about Enzo when she thought he was a cripple. “ It's about Rafael.” She said making my heart skip a beat. Rafael? If it was Rafae
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Claimed in his Tower
LAUREN “Excuse me. Hello?” a man asked beside me, catching my attention. I had just arrived at the company with Enzo and was still trying to process how massive the building was. Glass windows stretched up into the sky, reflecting the clouds like a mirror. Everything looked expensive and polished. The man stepped closer, offering a polite smile. He was dressed in a sharp gray suit, hair slicked back like he’d stepped straight out of a magazine. “ I said who are you? This place isn't for begging. It's a company. If you want to beg for food or clothes, you can stay outside over there.” I scoffed stunned by the man's words. He didn't know me yet he was so arrogant. I turned around trying to search for Enzo but he was still at the car. Turning back to the man in front of me, I looked at his worker's ID. Manager “I… I came with someone,” I managed to say, my voice catching slightly in my throat. The man’s eyes scanned me again, slower this time, taking in my simple outfit like it
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) You and I (2)
ENZO How was I supposed to tell her? Sylas's death had been an accident. As much as I wanted the stupid cheating b**tard dead, he was the least of my problems and I didn't care if he was dead or alive. Until I witnessed him trying to kill Taylor, Lauren's sister. I saved her. Seeing Lauren sitting down across me crying, I cursed at myself for letting her cry. Why did I let my jealousy get the best of me? “ Sylas's death is not your fault. It was an accident. He was trying to harm Taylor and I happened to walk into that. I hit him and tried to save him but b***ard fell over the balcony.” I confessed staring at her. She didn’t look up.Her shoulders shook, soft whimpers slipping from her lips. I hated this. Seeing her like this, breaking down because of something I should’ve told her the moment it happened.“I thought you were keeping it from me because it was something worse,” she whispered, finally lifting her gaze. Her eyes were glassy, rimmed red. “I thought maybe… you killed hi
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) You and I
“ Come with me.” Enzo said as he threw me on the bed making me gasp. He was furious, barely holding back himself and I could see it. Watching him run his hand through his hair, I moved back until my back hit the headboard. My chest tightened as he stood there, pacing like a storm trapped in a cage. His jaw clenched, and his eyes burned into me, sharp and wild, like he was fighting every dark thought rushing through his head. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, until he finally stopped, turning to face me. His fingers twitched at his sides, like he didn’t trust his own hands near me. “ What are you hiding from me now, Lauren. Don't say you are not because I know you're are.” Enzo said staring at me. My hands clenched at my sides. “ I'm not hiding anything.” I said stubbornly. “ You promised that you won't lie to me again.” His voice was low, but the weight of it crushed the air between us. I swallowed, my throat dry and tight, feeling his stare dig deeper, peeling a
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Whispers in the Dark
LAURENIt had been two days since Enzo and I finally got back together. For the first time, I was able to meet his son, the one that Barbara had prematurely. Enzo claimed that Barbara was locked up getting the help she deserved. I really hoped she wouldn't show up at all. “ What are you thinking about?” Enzo asked as he wrapped his hand around me as I stood in the kitchen. I leaned my head back against his chest, letting his warmth surround me. Since I had decided to be with Enzo now, I needed to trust him instead of worrying. “Nothing important,” I whispered, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue.Enzo’s hand slid slowly along my arm, his touch light, almost lazy and my body responded to him immediately. I tried hard not to give in. Not to close my eye and give into his torture. “You’ve been quiet all day,” Enzo murmured against my hair. “You and I both know that you are thinking of something. I lifted my eyes, meeting his. Of course, I couldn't lie to him. “Just thinking
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Silent Warnings
“I don't think you and I have anything to discuss so late in the night, Rodion.” I said staring at him as he sat down in the living room. Rodion’s eyes darted to the bag that Lauren was carrying. It was obvious that he had found out about the bag and come for it. It was just drugs, wasn't it? Why was Rodion so tense?His expression was tight, jaw locked, eyes flicking between me and the bag like he was calculating something far beyond what sat in Lauren’s hands.“That bag,” Rodion finally said, voice low and steady, “ Don't tell me that you were planning on running away with goods I paid for?”I instinctively placed my hand over Lauren's. I could see how scared she was. She had never met Rodion before and Dante had not given her even a picture. Things would have gone bad if she had ran away with the bag. Rodion wasn't the type of person to forgive and Dante would never take responsibility. F**king bastard. “ The bag is right here. You can have it. Whatever deals you have with Dant
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Devil's Errand (2)
ENZO“ Lauren, what's in the bag?” I asked barely able to restrain my voice as Lauren and Rafael sat down in my car. I had just arrived at the club when I saw gunned men attacking the place. Dante's car was also outside which made me suspicious. The moment I saw Rafael rushing out with Lauren, I quickly drove up to them and made sure that they were safe first. Parked on the side of an empty road, I stared at Lauren watching as she grabbed the straps of the bag. I already knew what it was. Drugs. “You already a druggie now? You're Dante's drug mule?” I asked trying my best to control my temper. Lauren’s fingers tightened around the straps, her knuckles turning white. She lowered her head, avoiding my eyes, and the silence that followed only made the fire in my chest burn hotter.“Answer me,” I said, my voice dropping lower as my gaze became sharper. Shhook her head, barely a movement, but it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t in the mood for games. I reached over, snatching the bag from her
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Devil's Errand
LAUREN“Its time to earn your keep, bella.” Dante said as he led me into his private lounge. Even after staying by his side for so long, Dante didn't trust me. He didn't trust anyone, not even himself. The lounge was dark as we walked in. I heard he liked to keep it that way so that important faces wouldn't be leaked. Following him closely behind, I pulled down the short red dress that he had forced me to wear before sitting down by his side. “What do you mean earn my keep? I've done everything you asked me to.” I answered trying to keep my eye on what was going past on around. A man walked in with a bag catching my attention. Dropping the bag on the table, the man nodded before disappearing. Dante leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as the dim light above flickered, casting sharp shadows across his face. He pulled the bag closer, unzipped it, and turned it slightly so I could see inside.Stacks of d**gs neatly arranged in the bag. It was wrapped in plastic and clear as
