LOGINShare
53 : Stalker Alert
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56• Rome, Italy •
Related chapters
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 54 : Olive Branches
• Rome, Italy •Shit's about to go down.It was all his flustered brain could reiterate while he sat in complete silence in the hotel lobby. Every now and then, Théo glimpsed the glass doors to check the entrance and make sure the security guards were still there, and that he wasn't going to be shot dead by some hitman in such a public place.Not that he would prefer to be killed in another location. He just wasn't ready to die today. Not with so many things going on in his life, and so little room for mistakes.The agency would definitely prefer a more discreet death when it came to their informants, though. That way, less media exposure and less chances of the general public figuring out that he was not simply a Paris-born fashion model by profession.While his distracted brain tried to come up with a sensible plan, Théo couldn't stop his fist from clenching on t
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 55 : Warned
• Rome, Italy •Théo looked up from his phone when loud laughter from the other side of the dining area distracted his frenetic thoughts.A group of teenagers, just as he'd guessed. They sat by the tall glass windows near the restaurant's entrance. Two of the guys wore the same varsity jacket. A tanned brunette and a cute blonde with a squeak toy voice—both in their cheerleader uniforms—were enjoying their lunch with their boyfriends, from what he could make out.Théo pulled a face at the scene. Was he ever that young?For the past decade, he had been working nonstop, traveling all over the world, photo shoots every season, runway shows in major cities, and so on. He began modeling before he could even apply for college.Sometimes, he wondered how his life could've turned out if he didn't pursue a career i
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 55 Pt 2 : The Hurts
•"You have somewhere to be tomorrow?""Yeah." Veronica almost flinched when she felt his warm breath on her cheek. They stood side by side in the elevator now, but she didn't expect he would stand so close to her or even touch her.Tomek had to leave for Milan and walked out of the hotel roughly five minutes ago, leaving her alone with Théo in the hotel lobby. As she expected, Théo had already booked a room for them.Was it a single-bed room? He didn't say. In fact, he didn't say much to her over dinner, and even after Tomek bid them goodbye. But now it seemed Théo wanted to start a conversation with her. Maybe he was still trying to figure out why she met up with him."Where? Where's the venue?" Théo sighed and crossed his arms below his chest.Was he bored already? Veronica wanted to scowl. She hadn't seen him
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 56 : Feelings
•"Via.""What?" She sighed out loud, her hand already on the doorknob and impatiently figuring out the lock mechanism. It wasn't the usual type of doorknob.Did she have to use the stupid key card? She was so ready to walk out on him; he didn't even run after her."Stay here. Get back in bed.""Why should I? You don't even want me here." Veronica twisted the doorknob again, but the lock still wouldn't budge.Was it stuck? Jeez... Her luck just kept running out it wasn't even funny anymore."What?""Open this door. I'm not stayin' here.""Can we please just go back to bed?""Unlock the door, so I can go.""No." Théo grunted in frustration. He was sitting on the bed now, and he sounded like he wanted to just tape her mouth shut and lo
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 57 : Green With Envy
•"I'm moving in next week. Going straight home tomorrow after the show. Gotta take Kyle to his doctor's appointment."Théo stopped kissing her neck and froze on the bed. His stare immediately swung back to her face while his hands gripped her hips. "What?"At his reaction, she failed to suppress a sigh.His reply sounded like a complaint more than anything else.And here she thought a pleasant, appreciative smile and supportive words of encouragement would be his initial reaction..."Just have to check on him every now and then," she reasoned in a hushed tone. "Make sure he's on schedule, and coming in for tests and check-ups." Veronica tried to stare at him, but her nerves were acting up again.Théo sat in front of her as they rested on the crumpled covers. His darkened eyes pored into her soul, and now her cheeks fe
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 58 : A Matter Of Time
•"Where are you?""At a hotel. Just met up with Tomek." Théo put his phone on speaker mode after he grabbed the duffel bag out of the trunk. He knew Anastasia didn't believe his alibi entirely, but he might just be able to convince her he was doing nothing fishy behind her back."Where you guys headed?" Ana asked in a quieter tone, her words almost mumbled. She was sniveling.It made him suspect she'd been crying or doing cocaine again. Or it could just be allergies? "What's up? You in bed now?" Théo frowned as he sat in the dark, alone in the backseat of her car. He took the handguns out of the bag to reinspect the ammo and weapons.The guns both looked fairly new. Although Geri wouldn't sell him faulty products, he had to be completely sure they worked fine and that he had enough bullets. Just in case."Yeah. Are you on your
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 59 : Ticking Time Bomb
•"Goodnight. Love you...""Love you and the little bean..."The words ruthlessly echoed in his head as he stood still against the door, speechless, and dumbfounded. Théo pulled a face. His brain once again recalled the last part of the conversation he just overheard.Little bean?What the heck was the guy talking about?Was it Kyle's term of endearment for her?Puzzled, stressed, and sleep-deprived, Théo watched his ex get into bed without even sparing him a single glance, or a small smile of acknowledgement.He didn't know whether he should be pissed, jealous or both.It was definitely Kyle she was talking to on the phone, because he recognized Kyle's voice on loudspeaker before Veronica hung up and ended the phone call, at the same time Théo got
In Wounded Rhymes [Mafia Games X] 59 Pt 2 : The Dilemma
•The second she saw him take out the gun and put it in the nightstand drawer, the shock and fear just froze her on the bed. Veronica almost felt her heart jump to her throat.But she wasn't really afraid of him or the gun. What she feared was the real reason he thought he needed a weapon. Why even get a gun? Did he think he needed it for his safety? And hers?When did he even start carrying a handgun? Why on Earth would he need one?If her mother was here, her mom would definitely tell her to run away from Théo. Forget about him and keep out of his life for good. But Veronica didn't want to. She knew her feelings for him biased her judgment on their situation now, but she just couldn't force herself to walk out the door and leave him. Not tonight.She needed answers first. "What's that for?" she asked while Théo sat quietly beside her
Latest chapter
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
