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Bound by Blood (3)
Last Updated:
2025-03-23 23:16:35
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Siblings Tension
LAURENThe next morning, I woke up early to prepare something for Eleonora. Enzo was already on the edge after everything that happened and I wanted to help. Maybe it would also be good for us to get close to each other. I could find out more about the paintings.“ Eleonora?” I asked knocking softly on her room door before pushing it open. Eleonora sat by the window, her sharp eyes fixed on the view below . She looked as beautiful as as ever, wrapped in a silk robe, her hair falling down her shoulders. But there was something cold in her gaze as she sat. Something that made me hesitate a bit. I placed the tray on the small table near the bed “I made breakfast.”Eleonora didn’t respond immediately, her gaze flickering to the food before settling back on me.“I thought it might help.” I said staring at her. Eleonora exhaled softly, standing. She moved to the table, her steps measured. Taking the cup of tea, she lifted it to her lips, then lowered it without drinking.“ I can't belie
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Taylor's Accident
I couldn't believe I was in the hospital again. The details of Taylor's supposed accident wasn't clear and no one knew anything except the fact that she had been found out on the streets. Walking in the hallway, I ignored the smell of antiseptic creeping into my nostrils and searched for Taylor's room. Room 317.I pushed open the door and froze. Taylor lay motionless in the hospital bed, her skin pale against the white sheets. A thick bandage wrapped around her forehead, and the steady beep of the heart monitor filled the silence.“She looks terrible,” Eleonora muttered behind me. There was no mockery in her voice this time, just quiet observation. “God, I hate being in hospitals.” Ignoring her, I stepped closer. “Taylor?” My voice came out softer than I expected. No response.I glanced at her spotting the cuts on her face and her broken leg which was lifted up in the air. This didn't look like any small accident. This looked like someone had tried to kill her. Was it Don Alonzo? Hi
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Buried Secrets
ENZO “Lauren. Lauren, what's going on with you?” I called out trying to get her attention. For the past few hours, she had been zoning out, her eyes distant, her fingers tapping restlessly against her thigh. She was here with me but her mind was somewhere else.She blinked, her eyes full of confusion as if she just realized I was speaking. "What?""You've been quiet than usual. Did something happen? Did Eleonora say something when I was gone?” I asked getting off the couch. Lauren pressed her lips together, hesitating. Then, she sighed and leaned back against the couch. "Taylor’s in the hospital."I frowned. "What happened?""No one knows for sure. She was found on the streets, beaten, unconscious." Lauren’s voice was steady, but I caught the tension in her shoulders. "The doctor says she might wake up soon or she might not."I exhaled sharply feeling relief as I lowered myself back to the couch again. “ Was it not an accident?” “I have no idea. From what I heard, Taylor was follo
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) An Unpaid Debt
ELEONORA “I asked you a question!!” Enzo yelled waking up Lauren. He didn't glance back at her even once. He was super furious. I clenched my hand trying to stand tall but I couldn't. My heart was pounding in my chest and I wanted nothing more than to quickly rescue my son. The only man that mattered to me so much. “Dead.” I replied because it was true. My son's father was long dead to me. Enzo exhaled sharply, his patience wearing thin. However he didn't push more. He knew I would never tell him who it was. Without a single word, Enzo turned around leaving me alone in the living room. The moment he left, I quickly dashed towards the door without sparing Lauren even a single glance. “ Eleonora!” Lauren called out behind me but I was already fast on my heels heading towards the door. The cool night air tingled against my skin as I hurried away from the house. Walking over to my car parked next to Enzo's, I pressed the key opening it and slid in. The engine roared to life as I
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) An Unpaid Debt (2)
ENZOI stepped out of the car, the night cold hitting my skin immediately. Because of Vittorio, i had gathered a small group of men to go and Eleonora's son. Eleonora's son. The boy I had no idea existed. I couldn't help but feel like I had indeed failed Eleonora. Despite my attempts to keep an eye on her, she had somehow gotten pregnant and I was going to find out how. “ Boss, everything is in place.” Leonardo said smirking as he held his gun. “ Let Stefano know. He should destroy everything and kill everyone. Let this serve as a warning to the Riccardi family. No one messes with my family.” I said in a low dangerous tone as I stood in front of the private lounge that belonged to the Riccardi family. Glancing back at Leonardo, I nodded my head signaling him. Leonardo didn’t hesitate. He pressed a finger to his earpiece, murmuring the order to Stefano. Within seconds, we entered the private lounge. Gunshots erupted throughout the place. People screaming as they attempted to rush ou
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Second Clue
LAUREN I finally found something found clue on the second painting. The first painting should the location which was the docks. After searching all around, we had no idea what the clue about the docks meant until the second painting. The second clue made everything clear. The docks weren’t just a location, it was starting point. A map. A direction. I stared at the second painting, my fingers tracing the delicate brushstrokes as I stood in Enzo's study. Unlike the first, which depicted a quiet, moonlit dock, this one was stormy. Dark waves crashing against jagged rocks, a lighthouse barely visible in the distance. But it wasn’t the storm that caught my attention. It was the pattern in the water. At first glance, the waves seemed chaotic, but when I looked closer, I noticed something strange. The swirls of paint weren’t random. They formed something. A shape. Letters. “Oh my god,” I breathed unable to hide my happiness as I realized I had figured the second clue. Just while I
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Almost Taken
My hand tightened around my phone as I stared at Enzo. My heart pounding in my ears as he got closer. He didn't stop till he was in front of me making me tense. I controlled my emotions immediately. “ It was just Sam.” I said quickly calling her as I hid my phone behind my back. After a second, I hung up. “She was just filling me in on the details of some of the things going to the museum.” I said wiggling my phone in front of him. “ Sam?” Enzo repeated making me nod my head. “Okay. Stop whatever you're doing and come to bed. You and I need sleep.” Enzo said before leaning down to kiss me. My body reacted to his instantly making me wrap my hands around his neck. His lips were warm, firm, and commanding as he claimed my lips. My fingers tightened against the back of his neck, my body instinctively leaning into him, craving the comfort his touch always brought.Just then, Enzo lifted me off the floor easily. He carried me effortlessly, his grip careful as if I were something precious
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Steel and Fire
ENZO“What the hell do you mean that Lauren was almost taken?” I asked shouting as I stood in front of Leonardo. “What was she even doing at the hospital?” Leonardo shrugged his shoulders. “ I told her to leave but she is one stubborn hell of a woman. She wouldn't listen to me.” I exhaled sharply feeling the worst kind of feeling. I wanted to go to the Riccardi family and wipe them all out showing them that it was a f**king mistake to touch Lauren. “ No, boss. I know what you are thinking but you can't. If you charge in to have a confrontation with the Riccardi family, the other families will blame you.” Leonardo said making my eyes narrow. I didn't give a f**k about the other families. “Besides, most of our men are in the hospital recuperating. We all need time to heal boss.” Leonardo added. “ Stop telling me what to do and send more men to the hospital. Make sure the entire place is surrounded with our people.” I said walking past him. “ Yes, boss.” Stepping out into the ha
Last Updated : 2025-03-30
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
