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60. Fire and Pain
Last Updated:
2025-04-28 16:16:44
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His Hired Lover 61. Clarity
Rios walked beside his wife and felt like he was leading a queen into the throng of people beneath the stairs. Her delicate hand rested lightly on his arm, and the mask simmering under the ballroom lights hid the bruises on her pretty face. He had managed to convince her to come with him to this last event of the annual tribunal, and he was prouder than ever to call her his. The silk of her gown clung beautifully to her curves, and—God, her eyes—were the only thing in the room that kept him grounded. He had seen many beautiful women. He had watched them crawl through diamonds and power, but Sofia had that gaze that automatically pulled every eye in the room. Just like what was happening now. As they stepped into the masquerade, everyone turned. Even the big Mafia bosses nodded at every step they took. They were looking at her. He felt proud of his wife, but his fingers still tensed against her arm. Every fucking one of them seemed to be undressing her—and not even pretending they we
Last Updated : 2025-04-29His Hired Lover 01. He Was Trouble
SOFIA’s POVSince the restaurant opened this morning, I hadn’t had a second to breathe. I moved like an acrobat—pacing the room with both hands and balancing trays, my mind constantly reminding my feet to avoid slipping on the tiled floor.By the time the clock crept toward a quarter to twelve, the place had erupted into a war zone. Orders flew in, and customers endlessly waved for attention. Their hunger was seemingly commanding their brains to be impatient. My skin itched just by looking at their sulky lips and bored faces. Normally, every staff in Lorenzo’s Restaurant would be happy to receive so many costumers, but when you’re waiting tables to rude patrons, it would only make you wish for your shift to end already.The kitchen’s aromas had found their way onto my uniform. I scrunched my face upon realizing that. I spent an hour doing my hair, only to expose it to the greasy scent of garlic butter and grilled meat.But a 24-year-old woman like me, with no prospects, had to endure t
Last Updated : 2025-01-28His Hired Lover 02. An Envelope, A Dingy Apartment, and An Email
SOFIA’s POVEver since I started working for Mr. Lee as his escort, he had always made sure to book me as his favorite girl. The job was simple; he’d dress me up, pay me cash, then I would provide him company at social events and give his ego a little boost whenever I clung to his arm like some kind of trophy wife.Tonight, the company event we attended turned out to be one of the many splendid parties so far. And as we pulled up near my apartment, the gentle hum of Mr. Lee’s luxurious SUV faded into the background, his kind eyes lingered on me as we sat comfortably in the buttery-soft leather seats in the back of his car.“You… very beautiful tonight, Miss Sofia,” he said in his broken English, his Chinese accent curling around the words. He reached for my hand, planting a soft kiss on it before flashing his signature toothy smile.This 71-year-old Chinese man may have been short in stature, but his gentlemanly charm reached the rooftops.“Good company. I feel good… good…” he added, n
Last Updated : 2025-02-02His Hired Lover 03. Marriage Is Out of the Picture
Running an empire that straddled both the legal and illegal required precision, accountability, and a solid foundation to play the dangerous game. But Rios Estrada Alcaraz was a man of duality.To the public, he was a refined businessman. With his thriving media network called Star Channel Studios, he had been named the ultimate Kingpin of his generation. A media mogul whose name graced charity events, luxury hotels, and high-stakes investment portfolios. He moved in elite circles while shaking hands with politicians and rubbing shoulders with CEOs and dignitaries, all while keeping his true empire hidden beneath the surface.Behind closed doors, he was a chess master. His only goal was to win the long game of deception. He laundered his wealth through legitimate businesses, making it nearly impossible for authorities to pin anything on him. His hands, which were always impeccably clean in the eyes of the law, were stained with the blood of those who had dared to cross him. His reach e
Last Updated : 2025-02-03His Hired Lover 04. A Restaurant, A Maserati, but No Sofia
Rios checked his watch for the third time in a minute, but the sleek silver wrapped around his wrist only mocked him. Only five minutes had passed, yet it already felt like an hour. Exhaling slowly, he adjusted the cuff of his tailored blazer, the muscle in his neck constricting against the fabric.The luxurious restaurant hummed with quiet conversations. He had specifically told Sasha to make a reservation at this high-end place to impress Sofia Morales. Not that he wanted to prove anything to that woman. He was heir to both the empire of the Estrada and Alcaraz families. If he wanted to, he had all the resources to make her obey him. And yet, Rios wouldn’t do that to her. She seemed like a challenge. Nowadays, he felt he needed Sofia to stay that way.However, first impressions still mattered. If Sofia showed up, she should see him as a man in control. But this agonizing waiting left him with a little anxiety. He attempted to divert his attention by listening to the clinking of plate
Last Updated : 2025-02-16His Hired Lover 05. A Stranger, A Perv, and A Knight at the Bottom of the Stairs
SOFIA’s POVThe bell at the restaurant door jingled again. I barely looked up as I fumbled through my notepad, thinking it was just another hungry customer. Sliding my pencil behind my ear, I grabbed a menu and forced an excited smile. But as I approached the table, hesitation crept in. Something about him set me on edge.The new customer sat unnaturally still, fingers laced together on the table like he was waiting for someone. His all-black outfit, which consisted of a black shirt, black leather jacket, and black gloves, looked intriguing enough. Despite my unease, I relaxed and acted professionally.“Hi! What can I get you?”His lips curved slightly, but the smile never reached his eyes. “No need for the menu, Miss Morales.”I stiffened. My name tag only showed my first name. How the hell did he know my surname?“Have we met?” I asked, my fingers fumbling with the pencil still tucked behind my ear. He tilted his head but didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled out a phone, tapped a few ti
Last Updated : 2025-02-16His Hired Lover 06. Blood and Bargains
SOFIA’s POV“Hey! I-I know you. What are you doing in this poorer side of the city?”I could hear the quiver in my landlord’s voice as he watched Rios walking toward us.“I’m afraid you don’t look familiar,” Rios said coolly, one hand tucked in his pocket jeans, the other slinging a tailored coat over his shoulder.Even now, as his dead eyes stabbed like daggers at the already shaken Donato, the butterflies in my stomach refused to settle. Why on earth would he come here looking like a hot character from a steamy novel? In a snap, my curiosity about him only grew.“Ah, I know now!” my pervy landlord exclaimed as if trying to hold himself together and regain the upper hand. “You’re here for this slut!” he added, grabbing my arm roughly.“Fuck you!” I spat, yanking myself away from him. Instead, Donato pulled me closer, my backside pressing against the huge bulge under his jeans. Honestly, that size might’ve been impressive if only he understood basic hygiene.Rios stopped walking. “I sp
Last Updated : 2025-02-18His Hired Lover 07. Off to A Hotel
SOFIA’S POVWe drove around the city in silence as the low hum of the car’s engine filled the space between us.My hands still shook. The worn-off adrenaline left a dull throb in my fingers, and the strains in my legs made it hard to appreciate the car’s soft leather seat.Every so often, I could feel his piercing eyes checking on me. He was probably thinking I was a psychotic bitch. A violent little stray he picked up off the street. Good. Let him think that. After all, that was the least of my concerns right now.I had just beaten up my landlord. The weight of that realization pressed against my chest, but before I could even begin to process it, Rios’s voice cut through the silence.“I don’t mind you getting your hands dirty, but next time, let me handle it.”That only intensified my annoyance. “You saw me there, Rios. I don’t need a savior.”“You bet,” he said, smirking. “You almost killed him.”I rolled my eyes at him. I did not like how he inserted himself into my already chaotic
Last Updated : 2025-02-19
Latest chapter
His Hired Lover 61. Clarity
Rios walked beside his wife and felt like he was leading a queen into the throng of people beneath the stairs. Her delicate hand rested lightly on his arm, and the mask simmering under the ballroom lights hid the bruises on her pretty face. He had managed to convince her to come with him to this last event of the annual tribunal, and he was prouder than ever to call her his. The silk of her gown clung beautifully to her curves, and—God, her eyes—were the only thing in the room that kept him grounded. He had seen many beautiful women. He had watched them crawl through diamonds and power, but Sofia had that gaze that automatically pulled every eye in the room. Just like what was happening now. As they stepped into the masquerade, everyone turned. Even the big Mafia bosses nodded at every step they took. They were looking at her. He felt proud of his wife, but his fingers still tensed against her arm. Every fucking one of them seemed to be undressing her—and not even pretending they we
His Hired Lover 60. Fire and Pain
SOFIA’S POVThe sheets felt like velvet against my raw skin, but every movement sent sparks of pain shooting up my ribs.Violet bruises were still decorating my arms, and deep purple and sickly yellow could be seen in some areas of my thighs and face. These were souvenirs from Beatrice's goons before the duel. And when I fought with Beatrice, my lower lip was split and felt tender to the touch. One eye still refused to open fully. It still looked puffed and angry that I refused to look at the mirror. Other bruises had also started to bloom darkly over my ribs and arms, purpling my thighs, and feathering my jawline. I barely recognized myself.And I remembered.I remembered the girl who used to flinch from her own reflection. The girl with the crooked, ugly nose, and the girl whose cheek had been carved by a childhood accident. I left my hometown and found a guy who financed my whims, then I had surgeries later. Back then, before the surgical operation, I hated every inch of my face.
His Hired Lover 59. A Choice to Consider
A voice thundered from the head of the tribunal table. "You are given a choice. Become officially part of the Mafia or—"But before the threat could settle, Sofia’s voice cut through the thick, suffocating air. "No," she said sharply as her fists clenched at her sides. "I just did what I needed to do."Sasha looked over her shoulder, locking eyes with Aunt Rita as they listened to Sofia's voice filling the place. Sasha felt a knot forming in her stomach. Why would Sofia turn down an offer that would surely shield her against the Sandovals’ wrath? Just earlier, Sofia had survived the duel against that spoiled Mafia heiress, Beatrice. The bitch was finally dead—not by their hands, but it didn’t matter. Rios’s contract wife had done it for them. Relief flickered in Sasha’s chest, but it tangled with a gnawing worry. Surely, Beatrice’s death was bound to blow up the tension between the Sandovals and their family. Across the field, Rios was already leading Sofia out, cradling her like she
His Hired Lover 58. The Duel
SOFIA’s POVI woke up in a cell. Concrete walls, gray and sweating with cold, welcomed my vision. When I looked around, I only saw a single steel bed bolted to the floor. There was also one toilet in the corner. It was clean, but rust was forming around its edges. My wrists were chained to the wall, heavy and short enough that I couldn’t sit up straight. Also, my face throbbed. Each pulse sent a sharp and steady ache in my jaw and my cheekbones. I then remembered the two men in masks. Their knuckles cracked before they landed their blows. They made sure to knock the breath out of me, again and again, until all I could do was gasp and fade. Then I remembered the wooden box after that. I felt I was floating before fading out again.And now, I was in a cell.“Help!” I shouted. “Somebody… help me!” But only the echoes of my voice answered my call.Suddenly, the metal door creaked. I flinched and felt a slight relief upon seeing my husband.“Oh, babe,” he whispered as he stepped inside, c
His Hired Lover 57. In Session
Once everyone was seated, the room fell into silence as Rios stepped into the circle. Torchlight flickered off the walls, and only the rustle of papers and the waves outside could be heard. At the center of the round table, the thick and almost ancient Secret Ledger lay unopened. Rios placed his palm on the book, and one by one, the bosses rose from their high-backed chairs, their footsteps echoing as they moved to perform the ritual before formally going into session.Kenji Takahashi bowed stiffly before placing his hand on the cover. Rika followed quickly. Next to her was Vittorino Mancini, who muttered something in Italian under his breath and kissed two fingers before pressing them to the spine of the book. Luca Bellanti grunted and followed suit. Then Gabriel Fonseca approached slowly, crossed himself, and whispered a blessing that sounded more like a curse because of his language. Meanwhile, Catalina Cabrerra didn't speak.Beatrice Sandoval placed her hand on the Ledger next, s
His Hired Lover 56. The Coming of the Gods
Each major international Mafia Boss was required by the Ledger to bring one allied or subordinate family into the Tribunal. Each ally would serve as a witness and backup power. Rios recalled that there would be ten power seats from the active circle, which were the five global syndicate leaders and their invited family bosses.Not long after, the esteemed bosses were arriving one by one.“Firipin e okaerinasai,” greeted Rios as he and Kenji Takahashi bowed formally toward each other. The serious man, whose voice was soft but always made Rios nervous, had come all the way from Osaka, Japan. Takahashi was a former enforcer in the Yamaguchi-gumi syndicate, but had risen as the leader of his own splinter group. He didn’t talk much, but when it came to business, he was always eager to share how he grew his empire, which was through tech, crypto laundering, and, of course, his brutal efficiency. He was known as the kind of man who eliminated rivals before they even spoke. The Japanese man w
His Hired Lover 55. Cardinal Rules
Rios stood in front of the grand hall where his private meetings with the Mafia were often held. The sound of the waves outside the building called loudly, but the silence only drowned out the impending excitement.In about three hours, the Mafia Tribunal would be held on this private island in Batangas. His family called the venue Taal Island Fortress—a private ancestral estate on a volcanic island in the country. For years, the Alcaraz family had owned such an esteemed, secluded place that could only be reached by chopper or private boat. No wonder it had been one of the places the Sandoval family had been eyeing.Rios heaved a nervous sigh. The annual Tribunal required each Mafia Boss to bring at least one prominent Mafia family from their turf. In the Philippines, only the Alcarazes and the Sandovals controlled most of the regions. It automatically meant Rios had to bring the Sandovals with him. The invitations had been sent. Somewhere deep in his mind, he hoped and prayed none of
His Hired Lover 54. A Broken Plate, A Knife, and Kidnappers
SOFIA’s POVRios left before the sun came up, but not before giving me a look like he didn’t want to get in his car.“Hugo will take care of you,” he whispered, pulling me in for a lingering kiss before finally stepping inside.Jestoni, Valeria, and Kyle followed in the second car. He had to bring them since it was the annual event for all the prominent Mafia members in the country. Plus, he’d need backup, especially since the Alcaraz family was hosting. He didn’t tell me where it was, but Valeria slipped it to me yesterday. She said they would be heading to Taal Island Fortress, a volcanic island in Batangas. The Alcaraz family had owned the island for decades, making it a venue for the private affairs in their business.A few minutes after they left, the driver Rios had arranged showed up. I was hauled into the car with my three-day luggage. No matter how many times I said I was fine being left alone in the house, Rios wouldn’t listen.Hugo’s place was maybe twenty minutes from the
His Hired Lover 53. The Syndicate’s Whores
Madam Carrie walked towards the huge building located in a secluded place in Manila. It had been exactly a week since she received the memorandum from Rios Alcaraz that told her she would no longer be his personal advisor, but she had been upgraded to Head Mistress of his facility.She scoffed, her chest tightening with anger and frustration as she recalled the content of the memo. Some lawyer explained it to her, and the compensation was thrice as big as she earned in her own whorehouse. But it wasn’t the content that angered her. It was the fact that Rios hadn’t visited her since he came to her almost a month ago, complaining about some woman. She would’ve appreciated it if Rios had been the one to deliver the news. She would’ve appreciated it even more if she had been invited to his wedding. Some wedding—bah! Who would’ve believed the scum would marry? Still, she was genuinely happy for him, but felt sorry for the girl.“Madame, this way please.”A voice pulled her from her though
