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Secrets and Tension
Huling Na-update:
2025-02-20 20:19:30
Kaugnay na kabanata
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) When the Devil walks in
The club was much louder than I expected. Sitting by the bar, I drowned the last contents of my glass before putting it down on the counter. The music was loud and there were a lot of people around but I didn’t care. All I could think about was Taylor’s face when she told me about the news of her pregnancy. She looked smug as she rubbed her belly back at the antique shop. It was obvious that she was there to mock me but I didn’t believe her. “You’re pregnant? Impossible.” I said staring at her. I didn’t trust Taylor at all. She was scheming, and annoying, and would do anything to get what she wanted. “You think because you didn’t get pregnant, Sylas was the one at fault? No, Lauren. You’re just the barren woman. You lied thinking that you could keep Sylas but mine is real…I’m pregnant.” Taylor taunted. The memory made me reach for the bottle pouring it so that the glass brimmed with whiskey. My fingers tightened around it as I fought the surge of emotions creeping up my throat. B
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-20Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Submission
ENZO Domenico was already on his knees a few minutes later. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, staining his shirt but he was trying to act tough. He had the nerve to grin at me, even with my gun pointed at his head. I crouched in front of him, my grip steady on the pistol. The club was silent now. Only the bass from the music in the other room vibrated through the floor. My men had cleared everyone out. It was just us, and Lauren, standing a few feet away. It had been easy to deal with his men. They were amateurs. I wanted to get revenge on him but I waited. After seeing Lauren’s gaze earlier, I could tell she was having difficulty adjusting. I shouldn’t have let the motherf**ker breathe another second. “You think this is funny?” I asked, pressing my gun against his temple. Domenico was a young man in his mid-20s. He was desperate for power and wanted to uphold his father’s legacy so he created his own gang. I didn’t mind though. Bastard was a smart and creative motherf*
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-21Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Pain and Betrayal
LAURENThe first strike hurt like hell.My eyes instantly teared up as I battled the pain. I turned back to look at Enzo. His face was unreadable but the strikes didn't stop. Unfortunately, I wasn't dressed in a way that could save me from the sting of the leather. Enzo continued, each strike worse than the last.“ This is what will happen every time you put yourself in danger. No matter what upsets you, you should never leave without your protection. Do you understand?” Enzo asked as he hit me again.Snap.A sharp gasp tore from my lips as the belt cracked against my skin again. The fire spread through me, hot and unrelenting. I clenched my teeth, refusing to give him the reaction he wanted. But my body betrayed me. My hands trembled and my breath hitched. I knew he saw it all yet he didn't stop.“ Answer me when I talk, gurriera. I hate having to repeat myself.” Enzo said.Another lash. My fingers curled into fists.I wanted to take it bravely. Show him that his threats and beatings
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-22Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Web of Lies
“What? What are you talking about?” I asked stunned as I stared at Sylas's mother. For the first time, her eyes were different from before. The once warm and motherly gaze in her eyes was filled with disgust and hatred. My breath caught in my throat as she pointed at me. “After pushing me down the stairs, how dare you show your face here? Security! Security!” Tessa screamed making me stunned. The door opened and a nurse rushed in immediately stunned as she saw Tessa and I. Tessa was filled with rage as she yelled at me and I had no idea why she was doing this. “Tessa, I—I,” I said struggling as my voice cracked. “I didn't push you. I came out of my room and I saw you down the stairs, remember?” “ You liar! Get out! Get out!” Sylas's mother screamed at the top of her voice. The doors swung open again, and more nurses rushed in, trying to calm Tessa down. My eyes burned with tears as I watched her continue to scream at me calling me a murderer and insulting me. “Ms, you h
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-23Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound By Obsession
ENZO My eyes narrowed as I watched Lauren’s hand hovering over her phone. Seated in my car, I could see everything. The way she hesitated, the slight tremble in her fingers, the way Jake leaned in too close. And then he did it. His hand covered hers, a casual yet intimate gesture that made my grip tighten around the steering wheel. She should not be with him. Lauren was an expert at testing my patience. The way she had run out of the house and promised to take the men I had chosen to protect her yet she still ditched them, everything about her was tempting and frustrating at the same time. “Boss, he’s here,” Leonardo's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. My eyes flickered to the front of the hospital where Lauren had come out from. A red car pulled up in front and I watched as a man walked out from the hospital. He looked suspicious and was trying to hide his face as he walked out. “His name is Randall Cruz. He is the butler for the Riccardi family. He is also the one that we sus
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-24Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound by Obsession (2)
“We are here.” Pulling in towards the club, I could see the shining lights from the headlights. A crowd of people were standing in front waiting to be allowed into the club but that wasn't my problem. Glancing at Lauren, I couldn't tell what exactly she was thinking. She had been absent-minded throughout the entire ride and hadn't said much. Had I scared her too much? She needed to know about the codes in the mafia. My people were far more ruthless than I was. Betrayal and disloyalty were a normal occurrence in the mafia world. If she wanted to remain safe, she had to be smart. I killed the engine and turned to face her. The neon lights from the club reflected off her pale skin, making her look even more fragile than she already did. But I knew better. Lauren wasn’t weak. She had survived betrayal, deception, and the man who swore to love and protect her at the altar. “ What are you doing? Get down and help me, caretaker. Have you forgotten your job?” I asked staring at her. A fe
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-25Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) No Escape
LAURENA total psychopath. That was the only word to describe Enzo. My ears still echoed from the sound of the gunshot. I screamed and fell to the ground as I stared at the man's lifeless body but it didn't faze Enzo. I couldn’t move. My hands trembled violently as I looked down at my shirt. Blood. His blood. It stained the white fabric in dark red splatters, warm and wet against my skin.“Get up, Lauren.” Enzo said, his voice full of command as if he had not just shot someone in front of me. Staring around the room, I could see everyone was okay with it. Gasping in shock, I looked down at my body once more realizing it was not a dream. “ Oh my god….” I said breathlessly, my voice barely above a whisper. “You killed him.”Enzo turned to me fully this time, his expression unreadable. “And now you understand. In my world, hesitation gets you killed. That trust is a weakness. And that I—” his voice dropped lower, almost lethal, “—don’t share what’s mine.”A chill ran down my spine.T
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-25Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) His Game, My Rules
I didn’t hesitate. My foot slammed on the gas as I held Enzo's gaze and the engine roared to life. Clenching my hand around the wheel, I slammed my foot down on the gas and the car lunged forward. But just before I hit him, I jerked the wheel hard to the side. And Enzo? He hadn’t moved. Slowly, I turned my head, my heartbeat roaring in my ears while Enzo stood completely unfazed. A hint of a smirk played at his lips like he knew this would happen. Like he knew I couldn't hit him. Damn him. He was right. Shoving the door open, I stepped out and slammed it behind me. “You’re insane,” I spat, my voice shaking as I walked towards him. Enzo’s eyes darkened, amusement flickering in their depths. “You’re the one who almost ran me down, gurriera.” “ You're the one that pushed me into the arms of that man!” I shouted jabbing at his chest. Enzo caught my wrist in one swift move, his grip firm but not painful. His touch sent an unwanted shiver down my spine. For a moment none of us s
Huling Na-update : 2025-02-27
Pinakabagong kabanata
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) An Unexpected Betrayal
ENZO“Mr. Enzo Santoro. What a pleasure.” Rodion said extending his hand as he stood in front of us. Staring at him, I took a moment trying to see if I could read him. He didn't strike me as the type to put on fake pretenses and smile with the enemy. I nodded taking his hand. “ The pleasure is mine, Mr. Rodion Korashov. Of course I didn't come empty handed.” I said holding his gaze. Rodion’s lips curled into a smirk, his sharp blue eyes glinting with curiosity. “Ah, I expected no less from a man of your reputation.”I signaled to one of my men, who stepped forward with a sleek black case. As I unlatched it, the soft click echoed in the dimly lit room. Inside lay a collection of untraceable diamonds. Rodion took a step closer, inspecting them with a discerning eye. “A generous gift but we both know you didn’t come here just to impress me with expensive diamonds.” I gave a slow nod. “Consider it a show of good faith. I don’t make empty visits, and I don’t waste time. Since you're
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Locked in His Game
LAUREN I froze as the words hit me like a lightning bolt. Enzo was searching for Marcello’s daughters. My heart pounded so hard it drowned out everything else. Why? What had triggered this? Had Don Alonzo said something?Then I saw them. One of Enzo's men striding in with Barbara. A cold wave of panic crashed over me. I couldn’t be seen. I had to vanish.Keeping my voice barely above a whisper, I clutched the phone tighter, my eyes never leaving the door as I called Jake. “We have a problem, Jake. Enzo knows about Marcello’s daughters.”“Marcello's daughters? Has your identity been discovered yet?” Jake asked making me shake my head. “ No. Not yet but it won't be long. We have to do something. If he starts investigating, he can find out about me and Taylor.” I said desperate. “We need to move fast,” Jake murmured, his voice tense. “If Enzo digs too deep, it’s over.”I swallowed hard, my pulse racing. It felt like the walls were closing in. The possibility of Enzo discovering my id
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Wolf's Arrival
“ The first painting's clue was the dock. It's the dock that was used for our shippings in the past. Now the second clue is an Island. Nonno, do you know anything about the Island?” I asked staring at Don Alonzo. Don Alonzo leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the armrest in a slow, deliberate rhythm. His sharp eyes studied me, weighing my words as if deciding how much to reveal. I knew my grandfather. He wouldn't hide anything as long as it was for the family. “ An island?” He repeated tapping his cane on the ground. “There are so many islands in that area, Enzo.” “ You're right. That's why I was hoping you'd know something. After all, Marcello worked for you.” I said feeling frustrated. “ I might not know something but maybe Marcello's children might know something. They might know where their father kept the vault.” My grandfather said making my eyes narrow. “ Marcello's children? He had a family?”“Yes,” Don Alonzo confirmed, his gaze steady. “He kept them aw
Crowned 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
Crowned 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
Crowned 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
Crowned 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
Crowned 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
Crowned 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
