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Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) 59
Chapter 20SamanthaAfter I cried my heart out, I made myself a cup of coffee, which I’m sipping on while I sit next to my mystery man on the couch.He has his arm wrapped around my shoulder, and it makes me feel safe. “I had a bad day at the office,” I whisper over the rim of my cup.That’s the understatement of the century.“Want to talk about it?” he asks, his tone gentle and caring.Not wanting to put him in any danger by telling him about Mr. Vitale being a mafia boss, I shake my head. “I can’t.”I can’t tell anyone about what happened.It’s something I’ll have to stay quiet about until the day I die.Feeling exhausted and emotionally drained, I let out a miserable sigh and mutter, “I need to do something that will take my mind off what happened today.”My mystery man pulls his arm away from my shoulders and says, “I’ll be back in a few seconds.”He gets up and walks into the restroom.I rise to my feet and take the cup to the kitchen. Placing my hands on the side of the sink, I
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) One
Chapter 1 Tori Angelo Rizzo; 34. Vittoria – Tori Romano; 23. “Mark my words,” Giorgio says. “By the end of the year, I’ll be one of the bosses.” I almost let out a snort. Listening to my stepbrother go on and on about how important he is in the Cosa Nostra is ridiculous. He wishes. Giorgio is…well, he’s a narcissistic asshole. There’s no other way to put it. Everyone knows there are only five bosses in the Cosa Nostra – Rizzo, Torrisi, Vitale, La Rosa, and Falco. The five families run New York, and no one dares go against them. Giorgio is all talk, and one day, it will get him killed. A girl can hope. Instantly, I’m hit with a wave of guilt for wishing my stepbrother dead. Forgive me, Father. Since my father and stepmother died in a car accident seven years ago, Giorgio took over Papà’s place in the Cosa Nostra. It went straight to Giorgio’s head, and he’s become downright unbearable to live with. My aunt on Mamma’s side of the family asked Giorgio to let me live with the
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) Two
Chapter 2 Angelo As Vittoria is escorted out of the office, I walk to my desk and take a seat behind it. My eyes flick to Giorgio, who looks like he’s about to shit himself. He was only twenty-one when he took over from Tony, but during the past seven years, he hasn’t done half the work Tony used to do for me. He also has a gambling problem that’s starting to cost me money. “I hear you like spending time at Fallen Angels,” I mutter. The strip club was the first business I opened, so I have a soft spot for the establishment. The club has three sections. Heaven, where customers can only watch the girls dance, and Hell, where everything goes. The gambling room is in the third section, called Purgatory. Needless to say, the place brings in a fortune. “Yes, sir,” Giorgio says. When he aims for one of the chairs by my desk, Tiny places a hand against the man’s chest before shaking his head at him. No one sits in my presence. Well, unless your last name is Rizzo, La Rosa, Torrisi, F
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) Three
Chapter 3 Tori “You little fucking bitch!” Giorgio roars as I’m shoved into the house. My family home used to be filled with love and laughter before Papà and Cettina, Giorgio’s mother, died. Now, it’s filled with hopelessness and violence. Giorgio’s palm connects with the back of my head, and stumbling, I lose my balance. I sprawl over the wooden floor that takes hours to polish, intense pain shuddering through my brain. My handbag slides beneath a side table, and before I can push myself up, Giorgio’s foot connects with my right side. My teeth sink into my bottom lip to keep the cry of pain from escaping. The first time he hit me, I was left with a black eye. I couldn’t leave the house for two weeks. Everyone at the Parish asked where I was, and it upset Giorgio. Since then, he doesn’t touch my face. “Because of you, I only have a month to find a fuck-ton of money! I’ll have to take a chunk out of my stocks.” Another kick to my stomach makes the air explode from my lungs. M
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) Four
Chapter 4AngeloFor the past two weeks, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Vittoria. After Tiny found out everything he could about her, I had them bring inGiorgio. The fucker was quick to fill in the blanks where she was concerned. It’s clear the man has no loyalty to his family.But not willing to just believe every word coming out of Giorgio’s mouth, I needed to hear it straight from Vittoria. I know she’s too fucking terrified to dare lie to me.I drink in her beauty as the wind ruffles her curls. Even though her soft brown irises are trembling with fear, she doesn’t break eye contact.She has more guts than that shady stepbrother of hers, who offered her to me on a silver platter as payment for his debt.I told him I’d kill him with my bare hands if he mentioned a word to her while I considered his proposal.It aggravates the fuck out of me that Giorgio was so quick to offer Vittoria’s virginity to me as payment for his debt. She’s worth more than a measly three hundred
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) Five
Chapter 5ToriMy body aches as I walk into the quiet cathedral. I glance at the empty pews and adjust a couple of hymnals that were just shoved into the holders.I set down the dish of pasta alla Norma I brought for Father Parisi on one of the benches so my hands are free. Moving to the front, I remove the old flower arrangement from the stand next to the pulpit and carry the wilting bouquet to the kitchen.I place the wilting bouquet on a counter and quickly grab a trash bag where it’s kept beneath the sink.Letting out a sigh, I take everything apart so I can dispose of the flowers before making sure the kitchen is clean.It’s something I do every Tuesday, so Father Parisi doesn’t have to worry about it. Then again, he’d probably leave the flowers right where they are until Rosa brings a fresh arrangement.After throwing out the flowers, I return to the pews and pick up the pasta dish before heading to Father Parisi’s office.Gingerly, I rub over the tender spot on my hip where Gio
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) Six
Chapter 6AngeloThe tension coming off Vittoria makes the air tremble.It’s too fucking hot outside for her to be walking around in what can only be described as winter clothes.I have a million things to tend to before the poker game tonight, but knowing Vittoria would visit Father Parisi this morning, I ordered Big Ricky to drive past the cathedral.Having her schedule puts me in a position to watch her.But it wasn’t my intention to drive all over town like a fucking chauffeur.She’s my future wife, and I might as well get used to taking care of her.Once we’re married, she’ll have a driver and guard to take her wherever she needs to go.Unable to focus on the contract in my hand, I give up and glance at the trembling beauty beside me. I notice the flower that’s being crushed in her tight grip and mutter, “You’re killing it.”Vittoria’s eyes fly to my face as she gasps, “I’m what?” I gesture at her hands. “You’re killing the flower.”Her gaze flits to her lap, then she mutters. “S
Last Updated : 2024-10-29Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) Seven
Chapter 7ToriBy the time the SUV stops in front of my house, I feel faint with fear and confusion.I can’t even bring myself to look at Angelo as I say, “Thank you for everything.”Grabbing the plastic bag, I quickly climb out of the vehicle and shut the door before rushing up the path to the porch.Father, we need to talk.Why are you allowing this man to cross paths with me constantly?I unlock the front door, and as I step into the house, I let out a breath of relief when I hear the SUV drive away.Freaking finally.I shut the door and make sure to lock it again before walking to the kitchen.I can’t believe what happened today. Why did Angelo drive me around?What does he want?People like him don’t do anything without expecting something in return.I set the bag down on the counter and unpack the groceries.It’s only then I remember the dollar bills in my handbag, and digging the money out, I stare at it.Even though Angelo ordered me to keep the money, I’m definitely giving it
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
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Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) 59
Chapter 20SamanthaAfter I cried my heart out, I made myself a cup of coffee, which I’m sipping on while I sit next to my mystery man on the couch.He has his arm wrapped around my shoulder, and it makes me feel safe. “I had a bad day at the office,” I whisper over the rim of my cup.That’s the understatement of the century.“Want to talk about it?” he asks, his tone gentle and caring.Not wanting to put him in any danger by telling him about Mr. Vitale being a mafia boss, I shake my head. “I can’t.”I can’t tell anyone about what happened.It’s something I’ll have to stay quiet about until the day I die.Feeling exhausted and emotionally drained, I let out a miserable sigh and mutter, “I need to do something that will take my mind off what happened today.”My mystery man pulls his arm away from my shoulders and says, “I’ll be back in a few seconds.”He gets up and walks into the restroom.I rise to my feet and take the cup to the kitchen. Placing my hands on the side of the sink, I
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Chapter 19SamanthaWith a fresh wave of fear flooding my veins, I yank away from Mr. Vitale.Our eyes lock, and suddenly, I see his ruthless nature written all over his face.One of the five heads. The other men.Oh God. I was surrounded by the leaders of the Sicilian mafia.It feels like I’m having an out-of-body experience, and what has been a pretty mundane reality until today, warps into something unrecognizable.Spinning around, I rush out of the restroom and into the foyer. Spotting the front door, I make a beeline for it.Suddenly, Mr. Vitale darts in front of me, and obstructing my escape, he says, “You can’t leave until we’ve talked about everything.”“The hell I can’t,” I shriek, my voice shrill from all the shocks I’ve had. I move away from him, and feeling bewildered, I say, “I work for a mafia boss. Great.” My hands fly to my hair and grip fistfuls. “Oh God. I won’t survive going to prison.”“You’re not going to prison,” he snaps.Hearing his annoyed tone, I spin around
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Chapter 18FrancoIt’s been ten minutes since I pressed the panic button on my wristwatch.Renzo and the others have received my exact location and will be here soon.I grab hold of Samantha’s bicep and haul her to her feet before pulling her toward the stairs.I’m fucking worried about Milo and Lorenzo. With men getting past them so quickly, it means we’re being attacked by half an army.As we cautiously take the stairs up to the sixth floor, my phone starts to vibrate. I quickly dig the device out of my pocket, and seeing Milo’s name flashing on the screen, I answer, “Where are you?”“Third floor. You?”“In the stairwell. We’re heading to the sixth floor.” “I’m coming.”I end the call and put the phone back in my pocket, then glance at Samantha’s pale face.“How are you holding up?” I ask. She shakes her head. “I’m not.” “It will be over soon.”When we reach the door to the sixth floor, I gesture with my finger in front of my lips for her to keep quiet.Holding the submachine gun I
Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) 56
Chapter 17SamanthaGod, I can’t wait for next week. I need a vacation, even if it’s only a week.As I leave the subway and walk toward work, my phone starts to ring, and seeing it’s Mom, I smile as I answer, “Hey, Mom.”“Hi, sweetie. I can’t wait to pick you up at the airport on Saturday. I was thinking we could start your vacation with a spa day. What do you think?”My smile widens at the thought of getting a full body massage. “Yes!I’d love that.”“Great. I’ll make an appointment for us,” Mom says.“Thanks, Mom.” At the end of the block, I turn right and move closer to the buildings to avoid the other pedestrians before I admit, “I can’t wait to see you and Dad.”“We miss you too, sweetie. Unfortunately Matt won’t be here. He’s so busy with the new account he landed.”“Aww, that’s a pity,” I mutter. I haven’t seen my brother since Christmas and make a mental note to give him a call.When I reach the office, I say, “I have to go, Mom.” “Okay. Have a good day, sweetie.”“You too.”E
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Chapter 16FrancoAfter having dinner with Renzo and Dario, I stop at Paradiso to check on things.Once I’ve changed into my uniform, I take a moment to send Samantha a message.MMM: How are you?While I wait for her reply, my thoughts go back to the panic attack she had. It was fucking bad, and it’s clear our meetings haven’t helped as much as I thought.My phone vibrates in my hand, and I quickly read the message.Samantha: Honestly? MMM: Yes.Samantha: Not so good.MMM: Do you want me to come over?Needing to be there for her, I whisper, “Please say yes.”Samantha: Please. I’d really appreciate it.“Thank fuck.”MMM: I’m on my way. Open the window.I’m up and out of my office at the speed of light, and as I rush through the back entrance to the club, Milo and Lorenzo kill their cigarettes and give me a worried look.“What’s wrong?” Milo asks.“Nothing. I’m going to Samantha’s place,” I say as I open the back door of the G-Wagon.My men pile into the vehicle, and when we’re on our w
Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved) 54
Chapter 15SamanthaGod, I feel like death warmed over.Mr. Vitale has been relentless this morning. You’d swear he’s the one who didn’t get any sleep.Asshole.Just as the thought crosses my mind, an incoming call comes through from his office.Answering it, I try to sound upbeat as I say, “Yes, sir?” “My office. Now!”God, I hate him.“I’m coming.” He doesn’t hear my reply, because he’s already hung up.I let out a whining sound as I get up from my chair and have to resist the urge to stomp my feet like a two-year-old.Opening the door to the chamber of wrath, I go inside.“Cancel all my appointments for the next two days,” he barks. “And fix all the mistakes on this contract.”Papers fly across his desk, and I dart forward to catch them. Before I can stop myself, I snap, “Do you have to be such an asshole?”When he raises an eyebrow at me, my words register in my tired brain.I did not just say that to him!I start blinking at him, and then an apology falls over my lips, “Oh my God
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Chapter 14SamanthaSitting in my living room, instead of sleeping, I stare at my phone.This really could’ve waited until tomorrow, and he’ll return your call tomorrow. Go. To. Sleep!When a message comes through, I grab the device and quickly open it.You asked me to call. Is everything okay?“Shit,” I mutter.I type my reply and press send.I’m sorry for bothering you like this. We can talk tomorrow. I don’t want to keep you up.While I program the number under MMM, another text comes through.MMM: You’re not keeping me up. What’s wrong? Samantha: I just wanted to ask you something.MMM: What?I hesitate for a moment before I type out the question.Samantha: Do you do house calls? MMM: Why?Samantha: I’m worried the club is giving me a false sense of security, and while I think I’m getting better, I’m actually making no progress at all. I want to test the theory.Feeling like I’m asking too much, I quickly add another text.Samantha: Don’t feel obligated in any way. I’ll understand
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Chapter 13SamanthaWhen I climb into the passenger seat of the BMW, I feel a little apprehensive.I’m taking a huge risk by getting into a car with a man I barely know.Barely…ha! I don’t even know his freaking name.When my mystery man settles behind the steering wheel, I watch as he adjusts the seat.My eyebrow pops up. “Isn’t this your car?” “No, it’s a friend’s.”He starts the engine, and realizing he’s going to drive through Manhattan with a balaklava on, I let out a snort. “You look like a bank robber. The cops are going to pull us over.”“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen,” he mutters as he reverses the BMW out of the parking bay. “Where do you live?”Knowing he can find my address on my membership form, I don’t bother lying and tell him where to go.We drive in silence for a minute or so before my nerves get the better of me, and I blurt out, “This isn’t nerve-racking at all.”Turning left at a set of traffic lights, he says, “It’s the same as being in a room with me. Try not to
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Chapter 12FrancoTonight is a fuck-ton more difficult than I expected it would be.After spending time away from the office so I didn’t have to interact with Samantha, I knew tonight might be uncomfortable.But it’s not uncomfortable. It’s brutal.All I want to do is hold her. The fucking urge is driving me insane.I link my fingers again and rest my hands on my lap while I tell her about my parents.When Dad had the stroke, I had no choice but to take over as the leader of the Vitale family.Christ, I didn’t know whether I was coming or going. People looked to me to run the business even though I had no fucking idea what I was doing.“Were you close with your dad?” Samantha asks.“Not really. I was seventeen and at a stage in my life where I didn’t agree with anything my father said or did. Looking back now, I wish I had listened to him.”“Don’t we all,” she chuckles. “I argued with my mom about everything when I was a teenager.”Wanting to keep the conversation flowing, I ask, “Wha
