MasukShare
Secrets and Desire
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-09 18:57:07
Bab terkait
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Secrets and Desire (2)
ENZOJake had to be the most f**king dumbest officer to sign Lauren as a secret agent against me. I wanted to chuckle the moment I saw my clothes disarranged along with hers. It was obvious that she was searching for her second phone. She was so cute, my gurriera. Lauren forced a yawn, stretching her arms lazily. “Sleeping.”I snorted. “Sure you are.” Grabbing a fresh shirt from my bag, I slipped it over my head. “You look guilty as hell.”“You’re paranoid.” She countered. Any other f**king person, I won't go through the trouble of hide and seek. One bullet through their knee or some torture would get me all the answers I needed but hell, where was the fun in that? I smirked, running a towel through my hair. “And you’re a terrible liar, gurriera.”I watched as her gaze turned into something unreadable. I was curious. What exactly was she thinking? Suddenly, she turned to her side backing me. “Whatever. I need to rest.”The sound of my phone buzzing caught my attention. I grabbed
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-09Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) College Reunion
LAUREN(Two Weeks Later)“ Are you done?” I called out as I stood outside of Enzo's bedroom. No one answered making me push the door lightly to peek. It had been two weeks since we came back and I had searched the entire place for the other paintings. Walking into the room, my breath hitched making me stop. Enzo stood in front of the mirror, dressed in his office suit. He was adjusting his cufflinks, the sharp lines of his grey vest showing his muscles. His white shirt was crisp, the top button undone, revealing a hint of the ink etched against his skin.“ If you keep staring at me like that, gurriera, I might not go to work and it'll be your fault.” Enzo said smiling as he reached for his tie. “I….I” I started but couldn't the words as I walked towards him. Enzo smirked as if he knew the power he held. I see him in suits everyday but this was just different. This wasn't just giving mafia king vibes but handsome dangerous CEO. Walking up to him, I reached out grabbing the tie just
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) College Reunion (2)
The place was classy but not too fancy. One of my old classmates owned the hall, making it a great spot for our reunion. Warm lighting, soft music, and the hum of conversation filling the air. Waiters moved through the crowd with trays of champagne, and laughter echoed from different corners of the room.I stepped inside, adjusting the beautiful silver dress Enzo had sent me. It fit almost too perfectly, like he knew my body better than I did. The moment I entered, I could see all eyes on me. Familiar faces caught my attention as I walked over to an empty table. I didn't like social events like this but I wasn't about to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me hide. “ Lauren!” A voice called out making me stop just as I was about to walk past them. My gaze flickered to the man dressed in red suit. “Come sit with us.”I forced a polite smile staring at him even though my instincts told me to keep on walking . The man in the red suit, Aaron, if I remembered correctly was the son to
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-10Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Revealed Identity
ENZO “ Lauren,” Jake called out making Lauren turn to him. Annoying b**tard. I tried to keep my gaze neutral as the chatter around us went on but it was impossible to miss the way Jake was practically begging for Lauren's attention. I stared at Sylas instead. His wounds seemed to have healed. I would have loved to do more than scare him like I did last time but he had gone underground like a coward. “ Lauren, what's going on? Don't tell me that both men are here because of you. Isn't this your CEO boyfriend?” Taylor asked. Sylas's face betrayed his thoughts. He was jealous. I could see the way he was clenching his hand slightly. He still had no idea that I was Enzo Santoro. “ I have no idea what you're talking but so what if they are? You should be more concerned about yourself.” Lauren shot back. I glanced slightly at her. She had been about to leave when she bumped into me. Was it because of Taylor? I knew that she would have a difficult time but she had still assured m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The First Clue
The night air was crisp against my skin as I stepped out of the wheelchair, phone pressed to my ear. Lauren stood a few feet away, watching me with a mix of curiosity and concern. I should be wary of her but right now, all I could focus on was Leonardo’s voice.“The encryption was cracked?” I repeated, keeping my tone even, though my pulse quickened.“Yes,” Leonardo confirmed. “It wasn’t easy, but we found something.”I gripped the phone tighter. “Explain.”“There was a set of numbers hidden in the painting,” Leonardo said. “At first, we thought they were nothing, but they match old nautical coordinates.”“Coordinates to where?” I asked.“A location tied to a smuggling route from decades ago. It was used by the Italian family in the 1900’s. Probably back when your grandfather was still active. The route was super safe until when the government discovered it.” A smuggling route. My jaw tightened. What could it mean? “ Have you sent people to take a look at it?” I asked running my han
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Lazy Afternoon
LAUREN “Just kidding.” Enzo said playfully grabbing my hand. “Let's go back home.” A few days later, we stayed indoors while Enzo worked. He didn't leave the house for even a second and I could hear him whispering on the phone all day. Sometimes, he was frustrated while sometimes, he was just quiet. Sitting down in the living room, I could tell something was up. I just didn't know how to approach him. The first painting's encryption had been creaked. Soon, all the others would be creaked as well. By then, what happens? “ What are you thinking about?” Enzo appeared dressed in casual joggers and an old t-shirt. He was suspecting me, I knew. “ Just sorting all these taxes. Sam was supposed to do them but she is currently busy with her father’s birthday party and I don't understand a single thing. I just did the art.” I smiled. Enzo studied me for a moment, his sharp gaze unreadable. Then, he walked over and sat beside me on the couch, resting his forearms on his knees. “Let me see,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-12Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) A Friend in Need
Grabbing my coat, I slipped out of the house without telling Enzo. If he knew I was going out alone, he’d probably stop me, and I didn’t have the energy to argue. Walking out into the living room, I glanced around checking for Enzo. He was nowhere in sight. Heading to the glass table, I reached out grabbing one of the car keys and sliding it into my pocket. I arrived at the shop and switched off the engine. The shop was just in sight so I could walk down and quickly grab Sam's gift. Getting out of the car, I quickened my pace about you open the shop when a strong arm wrapped around my waist, pressing me against a solid chest. The scent of cologne was familiar, disgusting. “Lauren,” a voice rasped against my ear.My blood turned to ice as I heard the voice. Sylas.“Miss me, darling?” Sylas asked, his grip tightening around my hand. Panic surged through me immediately. I fought trying to free myself from his grip but he was stronger. A cold blade pressed against my ribs making me fr
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13Crowned 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'
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-13
Bab terbaru
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Doubts
The cup shattered against the floor, hot coffee splashing across my feet, but I barely felt it. My heart was pounding too loud, too fast.I stared at the message again, my hands trembling.Miguel.The message he had sent me was too sudden. No. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t dare.Would he?I stood frozen in the middle of the living room, the weight of that name pressing down on my chest. If Enzo found out about Marcello,everything would unravel. The vault. The paintings. Me.I crouched down and picked up the pieces of the broken cup with shaky hands. A sharp edge sliced my finger, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.I was already bleeding in too many ways.I dropped the shards in the trash and grabbed my coat. I stepped out the door, the message still open on my phone. The address was just a few blocks away. Without a second thought, I walked out and closed the door behind me before I headed to meet Miguel. ************************The venue was an outdoor restaurant near the coffee shop I usu
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
