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Face to Face

last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-08-06 10:03:43

Eleni

I struggle to tamp down my libido as Dante pulls me out of the sculpture gallery. Cal Duncan? Here? With all the champagne, I forgot the day started with his name. For all my research, I haven’t been able to find a picture of the guy, so I have no idea who to look for in the crowd of well-dressed partygoers.

“Mr. Cattaneo.” A man with deep red hair and a lilting Irish accent steps into our path. “And Ms. Calimeris. What a pleasant surprise.”

Before I can reply, he takes my hand and kisses my knuckles. I blink, fighting for coherency. Instead, I notice the fine sprinkling of freckles on Cal’s sharp cheekbones and the amusement in his light brown eyes. The charming man in front of me doesn’t match any of the horrifying stories I heard about him.

“Mr. Duncan.” Dante’s voice sounds strained as he sticks out his hand to shake. “I was so hoping to see you tonight.”

“Is that so?” Cal releases my hand and shakes Dante’s. “I heard you’d been absent from the circuit for a while. It seems
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  • Indebted to the Mafia King   How High

    DanteI study Eleni in the reflection of the chrome elevator doors, nearly salivating. Her breasts are about to burst out of that dress of hers, one tug of a ribbon away from total exposure. And I know she’s not wearing anything under the skirt. I nearly took her in the museum, and again on the street. It would be so easy. But after the past two weeks of everything spinning out of my control, I want to see just how good she’ll be for me and only me.The elevator doors open, and she starts to step out.“Where are you going, pet?” I ask, low and dangerous.She freezes. “The room?”“Did I tell you to move?” I sweep my gaze over her body.She shakes her head. “Sorry, sir.”I wait three heartbeats. “Let’s go.”The hunger that burns through me when she follows a step behind me the whole way down the hall threatens to burn me to ash. I’m already half hard in these fucking suit pants. Tonight is going to be incredible.I slide the keycard into the door and say, “From now on, you’re not allowe

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   One of the Girls

    EleniA few days after our night in the hotel, I roll over in bed to find the sheets empty. Instead of getting frustrated, I flip the other way and grab my phone. As expected, a text from Dante sits at the top of my notifications.Piacere all day today. Probably won’t be back until late. Dinner?I type out a quick affirmative and smile. Since I agreed to stay—and agreed to go to Tandon, though there was no way I was going to live on campus—he’s obviously been trying. He tells me where he’s going, or at least as much as he knows, and offers new plans every time work pulls him away. Butterflies riot in my stomach. I flop onto my back and stare at the ceiling.Christos made Dante kill him because he got so focused on the prize, he couldn’t see anything in his way. That sounded like my brother. As much as I loved—love him, Christos could be a bulldozer. So maybe, just maybe, letting Dante back into my heart isn’t a total betrayal of my family.I get out of bed and ignore the fact I haven’

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Branching Out

    DanteEarlier than expected, I walk in the front door of my house. Piacere actually ran smoothly for once, and I have high hopes they won’t even need me there for another day or two. El and I haven’t spent a ton of time together since our day of errands, and I miss her despite falling asleep next to her every night. Sometimes, I think it might be better if she was involved in high-level operations again, but that might just be a side effect of wanting to see her more often.No, some of the capos still look around for her when I give an order. I know a handful of them text her nearly everything. They’ll answer to me—especially because I suspect she told them to—but she’s won their loyalty forever. I can’t say I don’t understand.I wander through the house until I find Eleni in the living room at the back of the house, sprawled out on the leather couch with a laptop on her chest and a mostly empty pitcher next to her.“Hey—”Pitcher. With a little bit of something yellow at the bottom.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Something Blue

    Eleni“What’s wrong with this?” I ask as I step out of the dressing room in the fourth outfit since I sent Gianna a few pictures of the clothes I was looking at and she dragged me out for actual shopping.She sighs. “Real answer?”I nod. “Clearly, I’m not getting this. It doesn’t make any goddamn sense. Why isn’t this something one of the wives can wear?”Gianna stands and walks over to me. “Well, first, you’re not one of the wives.”I snort. “Tell them that.”“Trust me, they know.” Gianna turns me to the mirror. “But the boss’ girlfriend ranks above any actual wife. If you were a mistress… Well, that’d be different. We wouldn’t be out in public shopping with Dante’s credit card, that’s for sure.”I roll my eyes to the ceiling and groan. “How did I go from boss to boss’ girlfriend in a week?” “Dante woke up.” Gianna shrugs. “It’s not fair, but that’s how everyone assumes it works. If you want something different, you’re going to have to talk to him, and he’s gonna have to convince a

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Peacetime

    EleniTwo hours later, bags fill the back of my car, my deep blue manicure is just dry enough that I’m able to drive myself home, and my hair feels so light that I keep shaking my head back and forth just to feel the curls bounce. Gianna’s hairdresser only took off a few inches, enough that it hits my shoulders instead of my mid back, but he added layers that “frame my face,” whatever that means, and I feel like a million bucks. I pull into the driveway wearing the first outfit Gianna picked out for me with just a few minutes before dinner at seven.I race inside and start hunting for Dante. Not in the kitchen. Not in his office. Eventually, the sounds of TV lure me to the living room, where he sits sprawled on the couch, looking bored.“Hi,” I say.He glances up, then sits fully upright. “Holy shit.”I flush. “Do you like it?”“Like it?” He leans over the back of the couch. “I think I’ve had wet dreams about it already.”I laugh. “What did you do while I was gone?”He groans. “Nothin

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Regrets

    EleniBy the time I finally topple off Dante, sated, the sun is nowhere to be seen, and dinner is long forgotten. My skin clings to the sheets with sweat, and I spend a long time just catching my breath.After that long time passes, I look over at Dante. Tonight wasn’t our most intense session, but usually by this point, he’s up reminding me aftercare is an important part of the process and I’ll get a UTI if I don’t go to the bathroom. Instead, he just lays on the pillow, breathing heavily and staring at the ceiling with his gaze distant. Judging by the wrinkle between his eyebrows, business has him worried, not me.Maybe this is where I fit into the Saints now. Not boss in name, but boss in bed. The place he comes to unload the problems he can’t figure out on his own, and I help him unsnarl them. At least for now.“Thought for a thought?” I graze my fingers down the middle of his chest, avoiding the few remaining staples he says Dr. Domino is going to take out in a couple days. The s

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Friends Close

    DanteA few days later, I lean on my horn as the car in front of me completely ignores the green light overhead. “What the fuck do you mean, am I sure we have to do this?”Tony rolls his eyes. “Exactly what I goddamn said. I know ignoring Cal Duncan isn’t smart, but just because he called the meeting doesn’t mean we have to do it in his home fucking base.”“You’d prefer neutral territory.” I speed forward as the car finally moves and dodge around them to reach the open road ahead. “Like Chinatown?’“You’re in a rare mood,” he grumbles. “Thought I was supposed to be the fucking funny one.”“I thought so too.” I grin at my old friend. “And I’m just trying not to walk into an out-of-the-blue meeting with Cal Duncan looking like we’re crying over spilled milk. Didn’t you say he was minding his Ps and Qs?”“Technically.” Tony shakes his head. “As technically as a motherfucker could. He’s dancing right on the edge of our territory, just barely not starting something.”I pull up in front of

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06
  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Enemies Closer

    EleniI stare at the scene around me in something between surprise and horror. This is Dante’s backyard. I look up and see his house looming over the party. But instead of the yard being filled with gunfire or hushed conversation, classic rock blares from a pair of speakers. Dante himself stands at the grill, flipping burgers and nursing a light beer I’ve never seen him drink before. Tony and a couple other capos hold court by the grill. A few East Asian men Dante warned me when they walked in were representatives of the triads chat with some Saints soldiers. Cal Duncan stands alone by the pool, holding a bottle of dark beer he brought and surveying the scene. I turn away, toward the platter of watermelon salad—whatever the fuck that is—before his gaze can alight on me. Still, it looks like something out of a coming-of-age movie, not a tense meeting between some of the most dangerous men in New York City.The only concession to normalcy is the color palette of Dante’s outfit. Sure,

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-08-06

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  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Disagreements

    AngeloI pull myself from the bed and get dressed, still feeling the rush from my quick encounter with Tatiana. As much as I want to spend more time with her, I know I can't afford to linger. Work’s been piling up, and I’ve been slacking lately—ever since things started getting heated between us. The Saints need me, and I can’t ignore them.Keeping an eye on Tatiana, as per Tony’s orders, has also taken a lot of my focus. I haven’t had a chance to personally discuss with him yet what Tatiana shared with me about her past and her involvement with the Rominas, but I know that Sal and Dice have already filled him in. I just hope Tony doesn’t see her as a liability or a potential threat, but instead, as an ally."Can I ask you something?" Tatiana’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. She’s lying there, looking up at me, her lashes fluttering in that way I know always gets me."Sure," I reply, trying to sound casual. I walk back toward her but keep my distance so we don’t end up going for ro

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Making Up

    TatianaThe morning sun warms my skin, stirring me gently from sleep. I stretch my arms above my head, muscles loosening as a sense of peace settles over me. It’s strange how a good night’s sleep can reset everything—my mood, my resolve, even my sense of purpose. Today, I feel new. Whole.Turning to my side, I gaze at Angelo. He’s still asleep, facing me, his features relaxed and soft in the quiet light. I take him in—the curve of his lips, the strong line of his jaw, those unruly dark curls that slip over closed eyes, guarded by lashes so long they could make any woman jealous.He looks like a different man when he’s asleep—unbothered, weightless. Awake, he carries the world like it’s chained to his back.A part of me wants to believe I’m the reason for that peace. That I’m helping him, in the way he’s helped me—just by being here, by seeing him, really seeing him, the way that no one else has. Just as he’s able to see me differently.My heart pounds as flashes of the past two weeks

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Nostalgia

    *Tatiana*Getting to finally meet two other members of the Saints feels somewhat… exciting. I was shocked to see the one I had cut while running away from the wedding was part of their gang. This whole time, I’d just assumed that he had been working for Oleg. At least he doesn’t seem to be holding a grudge against me, which is a relief.The other one, though—Dice—was harder to convince that he can trust me, but in the end, I think they both believed me and my story. I still don’t know the plans they have for me, and I assume they need to tell their boss what I’ve disclosed first, but surprisingly, I’m not that worried about my future anymore. I know Angelo won’t leave me on the street by myself. He’ll find a way to keep me protected, even if his boss tells him I’m of no use to them anymore.Maybe I can return to Russia and start again somehow. The mere thought of leaving Angelo behind hurts my heart, but if that’s what it comes to in the end, I’ll have to find a way. It’s a bit alar

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Bonding Over Breakfast

    AngeloTatiana and I spend the rest of the day in her room, only leaving for dinner, and we’re back in bed before midnight. The house is empty because the rest of the team had to go to a meeting with Tony and left me here watching her—since, in their words, I already know how to deal with her.I wanted to punch the smirks off their faces, but they weren’t wrong.I also don’t want them near Tatiana while they’re still so suspicious of her. That would only scare her. And now that she’s shared everything with me, I’m more convinced than ever that I was right all along—she was never a threat.There’s no way she could be such a good actor and lie about her past. I saw the pain in her eyes, the hatred, and the guilt she carries. It’s the exact same look I see in the mirror when I stare at myself.I told her I didn’t think I could hate Oleg any more than I already did, but now that I know what he put her through… God, rage boils inside me to the point I can barely control it.Luca, Tatiana’s

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Sharing Secrets

    *Tatiana*I lie against Angelo’s chest, staring blankly at the wall, his thumb circling gentle caresses on my back. The sun is setting outside, and I have lost track of how long we’ve been here. For all I care, we could just stay here forever. I wouldn’t mind.I wonder where the other guys are or if they know what we’re doing in here, but I don’t bother to ask ngelo about it. Not that I’m embarrassed about what we did, but we’re supposed to be enemies, kidnapper and kidnapped. This isn’t how things were supposed to evolve between us.I bet they hate me for not giving them what they want, for wasting their time, and for fucking Angelo–something they’re all probably aware of by now.But what can I do? It’s not like I forced him to sleep with me. I didn’t even try that hard to seduce him.“What are you thinking about?” he whispers against my head, placing a soft kiss on my temple.“Not much,” I reply with a shrug.“I doubt that,” he says, continuing his featherlight strokes on my skin.H

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Make Me Regret

    *Tatiana*“Then what is the problem?” I stare into Angelo’s eyes, waiting for him to explain why he’s suddenly being so cold to me.His body language is fuckng confusing as hell. I see desire in his eyes, but he’s keeping his distance from me. I wish he would stop playing games and just be upfront with me. I don’t have time for bullshit right now.“Listen, you already know the situation we’re in. I don’t want to lie to you or pretend everything is okay because it is not,” he begins. The weight of this presses down on him enough that his shoulders slump a little.“I know,” I state firmly. “I’m not a child. I understand the situation we’re in right now. Trust me, you don’t have to worry about that.” If he only knew the things I’ve seen…. I take another bite of my steak, but I’m no longer hungry. I force myself to eat anyway since I don’t know when I’ll have another chance to.. If this conversation goes south, this might be my last meal of the day, so I’d better force it down.Angelo sig

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   A Different Kind of Training

    *Tatiana*At first, I’m shocked by what’s going on, barely reacting to Angelo’s lips on mine. But it lasts less than a couple of seconds before I groan against him and grant his tongue the access he so desperately wants.Angelo pulls my body against his, his hands wrapped around my waist, keeping me trapped against him. His kiss is so delicious, so enticing, so… sexy. He knows exactly what he’s doing, his tongue dancing inside my mouth as if it wants to commit this moment to memory.When he sucks my bottom lip, I forget all the reasons why this is completely wrong. I shouldn’t let this happen, but right now, I can’t find any answer within me as to why not.A moan escapes my throat when I feel his hands moving from my hip, down to my ass. He grabs and squeezes before pulling me tightly against him.He’s already hard for me, and that’s the only sign I need to know he wants the same thing I do. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down and deepening the kiss even more. Angelo doesn

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Combat Training

    *Tatiana*I wake up in a strange room, my entire body sore, my head pounding, my leg muscles weak from all the running yesterday, and to make it all worse, nightmares kept me up all night, so I’m also groggy–and irritable.Visions of my parents being murdered flashed before my eyes all night long. The blood dripping down their faces, Oleg’s vicious grin, a silent scream stuck on my lips. I’d wake up in a cold sweat, only to fall back asleep and start the cycle all over again.Each time I screamed, I woke up my babysitter. It wasn’t fair to him, and at one point, I considered staging away. But I couldn’t do that. I was too exhausted to keep my eyes open.Still in bed, I look over to find that the armchair Angelo stayed in all night is empty with no sign of him ever being there, other than the fact that it is closer to the bed than it originally was. My screaming must’ve alarmed him enough so that he moved it closer.Was he concerned about my well-being or annoyed that he had to keep cr

  • Indebted to the Mafia King   Guard Dog

    *Angelo*Tatiana falls asleep as soon as she gets into bed, despite being suspicious of me watching her. I didn’t really think she’d try to escape through the window, not only because it’d be a hell of a fall if she tried, but also because I have men outside, guarding every inch of the safe house.But for some reason, I don’t want to leave her alone. Despite her tough exterior, there is a sadness in her eyes that just makes me want to be here for her, in case she needs something.She probably doesn’t trust me yet. I’m not entirely convinced I can trust her either, but still… it’s nice to think we might be able to get along and help one another out. Her hatred for Oleg seems genuine. I can see the same pain I feel reflected in her eyes whenever she mentions him. What are the chances she’s just an extremely good actress? Not likely.I watch the blankets move up and down slightly, her breathing even. I answer some texts and emails, trying to keep myself busy and kill two birds with one

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