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45 : Mother's Touch
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 46 : I Lie, I Cheat, I Feel
10 days left• Piazza di Valtieri, Roma •The study.It was the only important room in the mansion he couldn't sneak into no matter how many times he tried for the past week. The room was always locked. First floor. Almost always empty.It was also Hugo's office and the door was always closed, especially since Hugo had been out of town and absent in the estate for days now.Out of desperation, Théo hatched a new plan. He had less than two weeks left, so time for Plan B. He couldn't exactly climb into one of the windows come nighttime.The estate's security staff were on shifts all day, all night. Too risky. If he got caught by one of the security detail, he might get shot dead. On the spot. So he had to be smart about this one.The property had CCTV cameras installed in every corner and floor as we
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 47 : Maternal Instincts
• Piazza di Valtieri, Roma •Making sure the listening device he just installed under Hugo's desk was working and a hundred percent functioning took him another five minutes or so. Théo double-checked if the device had successfully linked to his phone.He accessed the audio feed after entering a two-factor authentication code sent by the agency's server. Cloaked by a VPN of course. Or a few. Never hurt to be extra sure.To avoid detection, he then deleted the messages with the authentication codes sent to his phone and accessed the secure app that let him browse through and listen to the audio feeds. It was disguised as a puzzle game on his apps list. The agency's tech guys had been pretty imaginative lately.Opting to move along his task list with caution, he had only installed two listening devices in the mansion: one in the living room and one in Hugo's office slash study room.
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 48 : Lasting Impressions
• Philadelphia, PA •"Enchanté. Enfin.""C'est si bon de te voir, Madame." After exchanging cheek-to-cheek greetings, Veronica pulled away to let the older woman inside the house. She opened the door wider. Although kind of shell-shocked, she had to be polite and welcoming.Théo didn't even know her mother's address here in Philadelphia but it seemed his mother had her means. Veronica tried not to look blown out of the water. Biggest surprise of her week so far."Call me Claudia." Théo's mother smiled at her again and thanked her for taking her coat. Her accent sounded posh. Not a tinge of French. Very English, as she expected.How exactly did Claudia Reynaud know this address? Google Maps? Unlikely. Her mother's clinic address could easily be searched on the internet, but not this residential address."How
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 49 : More Than Meets The Eye
9 days left• Rome, Italy •It was another pleasant weekday morning. The sun was up, the sky was clear, traffic wasn't bad, and the ambiance in the small restaurant wasn't much worse than the inviting weather outside.Théo would prefer to stay in the Valtieri estate all day to do more spying but since Anastasia wasn't at all comfortable being cooped up in her parents' mansion for days on end, he suggested they get breakfast alone outside to ease her recent anxieties somewhat.He didn't know exactly what were her triggers but he had a few ideas. Being stuck indoors with her own family didn't provide her enough relaxation and security. He had noticed it after the first few days he was invited and allowed to live with the Valtieris.Although, most days, it was only her mother who stayed in their mansion most of the time becaus
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 50 : All Or Nothing
• New York City •So he was doing better now.Apparently, he had moved on to better things, was happier with his new girlfriend now, and he no longer gave a crap about the break-up. Such a big, bitter pill to swallow.It hurt her, of course. But his own mother confirmed it. So it must be the whole truth. Why would Claudia Reynaud lie to her, anyway? It wouldn't make any sense.Veronica tried to sleep it all off after a good cry last night, and after hours of contemplating what to do next."If he doesn't acknowledge it or denies it's his baby, then sue him," was her mother's pragmatic advice last time they were in Philadelphia."He won't. Come on, Mom...he's not that stupid," was her brother Mick's only reaction to the issue that night.Although Veronica feared another blatant rejection from Théo, neverthele
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 51 : Precauzione
9 days left• Piazza di Valtieri, Roma •Time to get to the bottom of the issue.Théo proceeded to the bathroom with his phone in his pants pocket, eager to find out more about the Valtieris. He would have checked the recorded audio feeds an hour ago the same time when he and Anastasia arrived back here in the estate, but he had to act like the dutiful boyfriend and listen to her rants about her parents for a good half hour or so.Nothing new, but, this time, Anastasia seemed profoundly indignant she practically burst into tears. He had to console her, of course, until she'd fallen asleep on her bed five minutes ago after all the crying.Now that he was alone in the bathroom again, Théo locked the d
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 52 : Amber Alert
• Milan, Italy •"I'm gonna end up pregnant again just by being around all this testosterone all day."Tomek chuckled while he stirred his hot coffee, his gaze centered on the woman to his left.Behind her sat a group of rowdy 20-something guys who were enthused by their phones and watching a basketball match while enjoying coffee, pancakes, and cigarettes."You want another table? They're all smoking." Tomek shook his head faintly, worried she might get nauseous again from the smell. Plus, she was two months pregnant.The drab look on her pale face after glancing at the group of hot-blooded males just tickled his funny bone. "Please." Veronica sighed as they got up from their chairs.Tomek carried her handbag for her. They moved to the corner table for two to avoid the cigarette smoke.He drove her to the city from the airport in Milan an ho
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 53 : Stalker Alert
• Rome, Italy •
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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
