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34 : Face Time
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In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 35 : Intro to Théo 2.0
•"Where are your parents from?"Théo smiled at the older woman awaiting his answer. He sat opposite her while Anastasia sat next to him, quietly swirling her creamy pasta. The head of the family, Ana's father, sat at the end of the table and seemed more focused on his daughter at the moment."My mother is Canadian, my father Parisian. They're both living in France," Théo replied."And you have siblings as well?" Alissa Valtieri took a sip of her water and maintained a modest smile. Her questions for the past ten minutes had been focused on his background more than anything else.Hugo Valtieri, on the other hand, was busy trying to coax some straight answers out of his daughter. Apparently, Anastasia didn't make a habit of updating her parents about her itinerary for the past few weeks. The two spoke in fluent Italian, almost conversing in hushed tones.Théo pretended not to eavesdrop. Acting like he didn't understand the language was easy enough. But then again, maybe they were only a
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 36 : Enigma
•Veronica unlocked the passenger door and put on a smile while she waited for her ex's best friend to get in her car.Tomek stepped inside the vehicle the next second. Wearing a plain gray shirt and dark pants, he gave her a quick hug and smiled timidly while she drove away from the sidewalk."Want something to go? Coffee?" She focused on the busy road and stepped on the gas. It was barely nine in the morning and the band's schedule was a bit crazy this week. But when Tomek called to inform her he wanted to meet up to talk about something, she couldn't decline. Based on his tentative tone over the phone last night, she knew it was something pretty urgent and important.Tomek never was the one to call to meet up, much less meet up with her alone. It was either Théo who would call him to hang out with them, or one of their close friends."Yeah. Coffee's great." Tomek cleared his throat and buckled up in the passenger seat. "No shows or shoots today?" Veronica glanced at his profile w
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 37 : Damper
•"What'd he say?" "About what?" Tomek didn't bother to glance at her and kept his gaze focused on his phone screen."I never told him I need money," Veronica replied in a rather hushed voice. Her brain was still busy figuring out why her ex, who was probably busy canoodling with his new girlfriend somewhere in Rome, just gave her a lot of money she didn't even ask for.Did he think it was a good enough apology? What the heck was wrong with him?It wasn't merely jealousy, though. It was the fact that he didn't even tell her anything about it, and now she couldn't even call him to ask about the money because he had already blocked her number. "She's with him, huh?" She scoffed at the thought. At her assumption, Tomek finally put his phone away and made an effort to smile. It looked awfully fake. "Don't know for sure.""They went to Rome together.""What'd he tell you?""Lying piece of shit." She shook her head, recalling bits and pieces of her last argument with her ex. "Didn't even
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 38 : Pleased To Meet You
•The art auction was a success.A total of 175,000 euros worth of art sales and donations in check had been raised by the event.The funds would go into the Valtieris' new foundation dedicated to helping and rescuing refugees from war-torn nations such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.Hugo and Alissa Valtieri seemed to be earnest in achieving their philanthropic goals as much as they were proud of their contributions to society.The Valtieris, along with another well-known, well-connected Italian family, the Falcos, pledged to help the young migrants and refugees receive early education, as well as build supplemental housing and feeding centers for the refugees here in Italy.Or at least that's what they said in their meticulously prepared speeches before the host and hostesses got busy selling overprice
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 39 : Suck It Up
16 days left• Folic acid.Vitamin D.Iron supplement.Proper diet, rest, and enough sleep daily.Less stress.Well, the first three, she already got them covered. Easy. Just pop a pill every day, and done. No hiccups.The last two...not so much. Her appetite had been sporadic, sometimes nonexistent, while avoiding stress and getting more than six hours of sleep every day had been a bit challenging.Especially since the band was already running behind schedule on some tasks and professional commitments they had scheduled for this season.It didn't help that Kyle, the band's main guitarist and her co-songwriter, was still in the hospital, not even halfway through his full recovery.If she could just undo the past few months, or reverse time in some way, she would. In a heartbeat. But real life didn't care about undoing mistakes, or best laid plans. That much she knew now.An unexpected pregnancy at this crucial time in her career and adult life just didn't sit well with what she ha
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 40 : Excess Baggage
15 days left• Rome, Italy •"Where's she now?""Bre and J's apartment.""How long's she staying?" Théo played with his lighter and stood still while he waited for his best friend to answer the question.If he recalled correctly, Tomek just arrived back in Paris two days ago after weeks of working in New York. He had also found out five minutes ago from Tomek that his ever-busy ex-girlfriend was in Paris, too.According to Tomek, Veronica was in the city for her cousin's wedding preparations and to take care of some work commitments as well. The band must have finished recording their fifth record already."Till the weekend. She's taking a few days off. Not feeling well." Tomek yawned on the other line."Why not?" Théo pulled a face. At times, he hated that Veronica was such a workaholic, like him. Also on
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 41 : Work, Work, Work
• Lyons Stadium, Paris • Veronica looked up from her phone after she read another text message from their manager. They had to check on the guys now.Veronica pocketed her phone as her eyes squinted at the glare of the late-afternoon sun. She grabbed her sunglasses that hung from the collar of her plain shirt, which she matched with a pair of dark jeans after she breezed through the last interview. An hour later, she left the hotel with the band's tour manager and drove to the concert's venue.She was stuck at the hotel all day. She needed to get a whiff of the familiar Paris air and the nice sights. The guys, to the contrary, had left her and their manager back at the hotel this morning to head on to the venue and get on with the prepping. Veronica kept up her slack gait in the direction of the wide-spanning platform.The stage was currently being tacked together by a flock of men dressed in jeans and T-shirts. Most of them were scuttling on what looked like a huge mare's nest.At t
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 42 : BFFs
13 days left• Piazza di Valtieri, Roma •Théo slouched beside a lamppost as he pressed on the metal grinders of his lighter. He lit his second cancer stick for the hour, dismissing the guilt-inducing thought that his ex would be disappointed that he still hadn't quit smoking.He would someday, but the stress and the increasing pressure were getting on his nerve again. The good thing was: this would be his last job under the agency."Last one. Then you're good to go. You and Via can stay in America, and live your life as you please," was Gillaume's rather convincing speech last week. It convinced him, alright.After this last assignment, he wouldn't owe the agency anymore, and he would get the freedom and the security he wanted for him and his family. Freedom to start afresh, do so
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In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] Bonus : Book II [Sneak Peek Pt. 2]
° ° ° ° °She was an impostor.Out of all the things he’d imagined she was capable of…Faking someone else’s identity just wasn't on his Top 10. It just sounded so absurd. And pointless.Although, now that he had given it some time to stew ― give or take five hours ― the haze just cleared up in his head.Now he knew why she’d always seemed guarded, mostly reticent whenever he would ask about her family. She’d only given him bits and pieces over the six months they’d dated, and he thought it was rather suspicious, but it hadn’t occurred to him she was actually capable of a crime. She just didn’t strike him as the type.She had told him of her being a programmer and having worked for a telecoms company. He thought it was obvious and true, since she knew a lot about computers and technical stuff. Now that he’d come to think of it, he should’ve questioned her why sh
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] Bonus : Book II [Sneak Peek]
•••••••••Author's Note:Hi, friends and dear readers! ❤️☺️First off, thank you for checking out my books and for supporting the hardworking authors on this platform. Without you guys, we wouldn't be able to keep doing what we love doing.I hope you enjoyed reading about T and V's complicated lives, their personal struggles, family drama, their growth, and their rocky journey through adulthood together...Hopefully this story (it started out as a little fanfic btw) also made you believe in their undying 😂 love for each other through the years.(Sup, fiction lovers! SAY NO to insta-love! 😆🤭)Anyhoo! Hope you are all well and doing your best to stay healthy, happy, and keep living your best life! 😏👍Much love,M°[ Below is a snippet of the sequel I'm planning to write in the near future. Enjo
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 114 : We'll Make Our Own Future
•"Sorry." Théo held her hand on his thigh. A comfortable silence lingered in the room. His calmer demeanor now seemed genuine and he kept staring into her eyes.Perhaps he was done trying to provoke another argument just for the sake of it. The mumbled apology was giving her the distinct impression that he really wanted to work over their issues now.The thought, although comforting enough, still didn't get rid of her doubts. Veronica kept still on the bed. "For?"Théo averted his eyes. He let go of her hand and gave her the flimsiest of shrugs. "I was being a dick.""And?" She hid a grin using her bangs."I just...rushed to judgment.""Okay.""How's your mom?"A little surprised by the question, she leaned closer to his lap and smiled at him, content with his short but earnest apology. &n
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 113 : Setting Things Straight
• Despite some misgivings, Veronica didn't push him aside or leave his bedroom. She didn't want to leave him yet. She came back here to do radio interviews and promo shoots, but Théo was the main reason she decided to hop on a flight to Paris. She hadn't seen him in months. More importantly, they had a lot to hash out: 1) Anastasia Valtieri 2) Everything that happened in Rome 3) The real reasons he went to Tuscany The list went on and on... But she didn't plan to stay the night here in the loft. They didn't have much privacy; Théo was still living with his best friends. The rest of the two-storey house seemed quiet, though. Where did Tomek and the guys go? "Why didn't you tell me you're gonna be here?" Théo leaned against the closed door with his arms crossed, eyeing her with a curious squin
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 112 : Nice Seeing You Again
• Paris, France • "How many times a month d'you gotta see your shrink?" "What?" "Like every week?" "As often as necessary." Théo glanced up from his phone after his best friend's question sank in, distracting him from composing a new message for his ex. Veronica just texted him an hour ago. After weeks of radio silence. It wasn't unexpected behavior from her, considering the circumstances the last time they saw each other in person. Why did she decide to reach out to him again? Just because his grandmother died? Or because it was almost his birthday? Perhaps both convinced Veronica that it was time to rekindle their friendship again. "You're paying for everything? Every session?" Tomek sat beside him and pouted, his pale hand clutching a can of root beer. "Or your insurance covers half at least?" Théo scoffed and almost laughed. "I wish." The a
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 111 : You've Done Enough, Sport
• Disobeying a direct order. Obstruction of an investigation. Impeding the course of justice. Whichever was most applicable to his case, he had no choice but to face the music. His luck just kept running out lately. Saying he "meant well" wouldn't be enough for any of the big bosses, but at least his mother had his back this time. Well, somewhat. A judge might be more sympathetic, actually. Théo shifted on the hospital bed as he watched his mother wrap up another phone call. Perhaps her 20th for the day. Just part of her job. Like cleaning up after his mess. "Not like it's the first time," she would say. He most probably embarrassed her after what happened, but at least she showed up today. It must be just another debriefing. Or she only came over to reprimand him for disobedience and his defiant actions that almost ended in a vendetta.
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 110 : Job Well Done
•Nobody died. Two men from Leandro's group got shot in the arm and shoulder after some guy hiding in the old building pulled the trigger, but no one got killed.No horrendously violent shootout to report on the news. No casualties to count, investigate, autopsy, or bury. Hopefully no media coverage to worry about on the Internet, either.Théo's mother would take care of that issue. Most likely. Claudia seemed like she only needed to make a few phone calls to pull some necessary strings. Trying to find comfort in the thought, Veronica sat still behind the speechless driver. Her self-soothing attempts since they left the scene of the crime eventually got trumped by the sound of Alodia mewling in Raffaele's arms.Alodia sat in the backseat with him, sobbing uncontrollably for the past few minutes. The heart-wrenching noise filled the vehicle as they drove back towards
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 109 : Back In His Arms
• "Aya! Don't even... Argh! Cazzo!" "No, Aya!" Veronica could only stand and watch as Raffaele ran after his pregnant girlfriend. He rushed out of the SUV the second Alodia started running for the tall gates. They were wide open, almost too tempting to ignore, which eventually convinced Alodia to step into the property amid the ongoing standoff. "Please don't shoot! Don't shoot!" Alodia kept screaming as her tears ran down her pale cheeks. "He's... He's not himself! Please! I'm begging you. Don't shoot him!" She was all eyes on Leandro while begging for the authorities to spare the guy's life. Before she could even reach the parking lot surrounded by Italian cops and their heavily armed tactical team, two taller guys clasped her arms, effortlessly holding her back, keeping her stuck and sobbing beside a police car. Raffaele didn't get that far. Three cops blocked his way before h
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 108 : A Defensive Stand
•About half an hour of begging and tears eventually granted her wish. Raffaele obviously hated to say yes to her request, but he gave in when she didn't stop pleading for him to take her to Castiglione.Such an impulsive decision on her part—a choice that might put her life in serious danger, but she just couldn't stay behind. Wait. Do nothing. No thanks. She had to be there. See Théo with her own eyes.This would be the last time she would be risking her own safety for him. Seriously. The last time. Her mother didn't even know she was back here in Italy, begging for help from strangers just to find her ex. Raffaele didn't treat her like a stranger, though. For the past 24 hours, he had been indulging her, consoling her, helping her to the best of his ability as though they were old friends.Did it mean he already forgave Théo? F
