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Hesitation
Last Updated:
2024-10-12 06:01:23
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Indebted to the Mafia King Wedding Night
DanteJace is glaring at me sullenly from the other side of the room they’re keeping me in when the first gunshots ring out.“What the fuck?” he says.I grin. El’s here. Hopefully with the cavalry in tow. I scrape the stone in my ring over the plastic faster and faster. I’m almost through, and now, I have nothing to lose in Jace seeing me.“Wait, what the fuck are you doing?” He leaps to his feet.Out of time. Better hope I sawed enough. I tense my arms and yank.One of the cuffs snaps just as Jace throws himself at me, his baton raised for another strike. Idiot. I use the momentum of the cuffs breaking to swing my right fist forward, directly into his cheek. The blow knocks him off balance just enough that I can drive my elbow into the meat of his bicep—not impressive-looking, but it makes him whimper—and that exposes his right side. Where the fucking moron still has his service weapon holstered. I snatch it out and fire two shots point-blank into his chest.Before he even hits the f
Last Updated : 2024-10-13Indebted to the Mafia King Enough Time
EleniI close my eyes on the floor in Dante’s arms and open them again somewhere warm and tan and lonely. Distantly, I can hear voices. My stomach aches.My stomach! I shoot up, yank up the “I Heart NYC” shirt covering my abdomen for some reason, and probe the skin there. I was shot. Someone—Fyodor, judging by how much nicer his suit was—shot me in the stomach, like he knew exactly who I was. But there’s no gaping bullet hole, not even a careful line of black stitches.Because I wore the stupid bulletproof vest, I’ve got a welt, a bruise so dark it’s almost black, and a hell of a headache from the bullet knocking me on my ass, and nothing more.The voices raise slightly, and a door I hadn’t noticed yet opens. Dante steps in wearing a matching T-shirt with his arm in a sling. Behind him, Dr. Domino frowns.“You’re up,” Dante says breathlessly.Everything hits me at once. He’s here. I’m here. We’re both alive. And I don’t think he’d be looking at me with that sunrise light in his eyes i
Last Updated : 2024-10-14Indebted to the Mafia King 'Til Death Do Us Part
EleniDante surges up into my mouth, then grunts in pain. I pull back immediately.“And what if your husband just got the shit kicked out of him?” He smiles sheepishly and gestures to the sling on his arm.Even when he was shot, he didn’t ask for anything. He really is a different man now.“Doesn’t change a thing.” I climb slowly on top of him. My side aches, and my head spins a little. I brace my arms on either side of his head and lean down to kiss him again.His mouth slots perfectly into mine. I know the taste of his lips, the half-gasp that precedes his cock stiffening underneath me, the flutter of his fingers over my bruise. I’ve spent so much time thinking about how well Dante knows me that I never even realized how well I know him. My hips begin moving against him of their own accord in a slow, undulating rhythm.He groans against my lips.“Fuck these shirts.” I try to yank his shirt over his head, but the sleeve gets caught on his sling, and I begin laughing.“What?” He runs
Last Updated : 2024-10-15Indebted to the Mafia King Two and a Half Years Later
Eleni“Fuck you too!” I yell at a taxi driver leaning on his horn in the center of Athens, yanking my handlebars so I just barely avoid slamming into his hood.This is what I get for taking a class that gets out at two. But this is the only time Professor Vasiliatos offers his thesis review. Tasia’s going to be furious.Still, by the time I make it far enough out of the city center to smell the ocean breeze, a little of my irritation has burned off. The start of a new semester is always like this. I always decide I never should’ve taken these classes or this major or decided for the umpteenth time that the feeling of freedom on a bike is more important to me than the ease of a driver. And as soon as I get used to the routine, it’ll feel as easy as breathing.Just like wheeling my bike up to the whitewashed house with the cobalt shutters towering over the restaurant—Gregorio’s, for Baba. I chain it to the post out back and dart inside.Warm cooking smells overwhelm me, along with the c
Last Updated : 2024-10-16Indebted to the Mafia King Tony's Story
Tony“You’re supposed to stop the Q-Tip when you feel resistance, jackass,” I say into the phone. “When I say Tuesday, I mean fucking Tuesday, not next Thursday.”“Sorry, Mr. Bellini,” the importer on the other end of the line mutters. “I guess I heard you wrong. But I can’t—”“Can’t,” I repeat. “Last guy who used the word ‘can’t’ with me didn’t live long enough to regret it. So, my cars? On Tuesday?”“Tuesday, Mr. Bellini,” he says.I hang up and stretch. We gotta get a new space. I’ve been working on this basement underneath Lou’s Deli for the past two fucking years, and it still looks like a deli basement. Sure, the meat hooks give it a certain menacing energy, but the smell of cold cuts takes that right out. And I can hear Lou’s kid’s punk music through the part directly under their house sometimes, no matter how much soundproofing I put up. I shut my laptop.It’s seven, so I should be getting home. Federica—Freddie, she says—will be waiting for me to start dinner. Honest to God,
Last Updated : 2024-10-16Indebted to the Mafia King More Bad News
Beginning of Book 4TonyThe cold glass touches my lips as I sip from my whiskey, my eyes watching Estella over the rim. She’s dancing in front of a group of fucking loud guys who came here for a bachelor party. I’m in my usual booth at Aphrodite’s Lounge, and even though she’s a hell of a dancer, I can’t seem to keep my focus on her for more than a few seconds tonight.This is a clear sign that I’m losing interest in her, no matter how hot and good at sex she is. In all honesty, I’m getting bored of her. And it’s not like I should feel guilty about it since I know she only likes my money anyway—like all of them do. But as much as I like to have women keeping me company every once in a while–especially when I need to blow off some steam–Estella is not managing to entertain me any longer.I rub my temples, trying to make this fucking headache that’s been gwaning on me for the past three days go away. Estella’s gaze finds mine from across the club, and I fight the urge to look away. I
Last Updated : 2024-10-18Indebted to the Mafia King Coming Back
ChloeMemories of the past couple of years pass before my eyes as I stare into my now empty bedroom in our family home in Miami. When Dad decided to move out of New York and come here, I was upset to leave my old life behind, but the idea of starting anew, of getting away from all that craziness was somewhat exciting.Turns out so much has happened ever since that I still can’t decide if this was indeed a good idea or not. So much has changed. And now Dad is no longer here to protect us. To tell us what to do. To comfort me with words of wisdom and experience whenever I need to hear them.He’s gone. In a blink of an eye. One day he was here, and the next… pfft, gone.All that was left are the memories we created together.And some of them will remain behind as soon as we walk out the door and get back to New York."Chloe, sweetheart?" Mom’s sweet voice calls me from the door. I look over my shoulders, my eyes blurry with unshed tears. "Come on, baby. The car is waiting outside," sh
Last Updated : 2024-10-19Indebted to the Mafia King Funeral
TonyIt’s a very cloudy day in New York this morning, suitable for a funeral. It’s as if God knows people are mourning the loss of a beloved member of their family. I'm not particularly grieving, but I can't help but feel sad. I know the reason behind it, but I choose to think it has everything to do with the fact that Carlo was one of us–and not because of his daughter.I park my car in front of the church and brace myself for what's to come. It's been a few days since I heard about his death, so it’s understandable why there are so many people here. Everyone had enough time to fly over to New York–the ones who don't live here at least.The church is surrounded by a crowd in black, chattering and waiting for the service to start. I take a deep breath and step out of my SUV, heading inside the church. I blend into a sea of black suits and crying women, greeting everyone I know on my way. I'm not surprised to see Carlo had a lot of friends in his life. Dante told me once that his fath
Last Updated : 2024-10-20
Latest chapter
Indebted to the Mafia King An Irish Goodbye
CalThe Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral hums with excitement. Murmurs from the intimate crowd waiting in the pews whisper through the air, rising to the impressive ceilings as sunlight fans through the stained glass. I’m sweating balls in the tuxedo Tony insisted I wear. It fits like a glove–perfectly tailored–which Tony said was because his tailor is Italian, and they always know best. In fact, Tony’s wife, Chloe, and her mob wife minions put this wedding together for us down to the smallest detail. I don’t know half of the gathered crowd, but judging by the cheetah print and hair gel, most of these people are Saints in some way. The Irish Kings stand out, however, because they’re lining every exit–armed to the teeth. Tony stalks over to where I’m standing near the altar waiting for the ceremony to begin. He glances around, leaning in to say, “I’ve got guys outside.”“Thanks,” I grumble, tugging at my tie. He looks toward the crowd. I know he feels the same way I do abou
Indebted to the Mafia King Until the End of Time
*Heidi*Cal drives us through the city, but I don’t recognize the path he’s taking until he stops in front of the exact same store in Greenwich Village that I had my eyes on for weeks when I was searching for a place to rebuild Sullivan’s Bookstore. At first, I frown, wondering what we’re doing here. It’s a tease, honestly. My heart beats fast when I look at the front window and realize it is no longer for sale. I don’t want to assume anything, so I turn to look at Cal, who has the biggest grin on his face. “What is this?” I ask, just to make sure I’m not crazy.After Cal was shot, I kind of set the idea of having a new bookstore aside. I focused on helping him recover, then having my things moved to his apartment, and after all of that was settled, I turned my attention to learning his businesses instead of going back to my own profession. I was frustrated and disappointed at everything failing in that department, so I simply ignored it.Until now.Seeing this store brings back all t
Indebted to the Mafia King New Routine
*Heidi*Two months later…Cal’s recovery wasn’t fast, but he did heal faster than the doctor thought he would. A couple of days after he was shot, he was allowed to be moved back to his apartment, which made it easier for me to take care of him. His place is close to everything, and I could come and go to grab groceries and also visit my grandparents every once in a while.Eventually, I had to tell them about Cal and that we were not only in love, but getting married, and they made me promise I’d take Cal to visit them. But Cal offered something else instead, and we all ended up going on a small trip so they could get to know each other.Needless to say, Grandma and Grandpa love him. They couldn’t stop smiling and were elated that I finally had someone to share my life with. I guess this is what they wanted the most for me.Adjusting to Cal’s apartment was also a struggle at first. I had few things to take with me since I didn’t buy a lot after the fire, but he basically forced me to
Indebted to the Mafia King Irish Queen
*Cal*Hearing those words from Heidi makes me wonder if I have truly died. Maybe all of this is a figment of my imagination. Maybe God is allowing me to live one last happy moment before I get to suffer for eternity in Hell.But there’s no way this perfect woman in front of me is an illusion. She looks so real. Her eyes–her beautiful eyes that I love so much–are staring at me so intently and expectantly that I couldn’t look away even if I wanted to.And she loves me.She’s willing to turn her back on everything she believes in to be with me. This is much more than I deserve. So much more.I realize I don’t want a day to go by that I don’t get to hear those words come out of her mouth.I want to spend every day telling her how much I love her, too. I don’t deserve her, but it will become my life’s mission to make sure she doesn’t regret her choice, that I shower her with love and attention, and that she knows how much she means to me. I am far from perfect, but I’ll try my best to be f
Indebted to the Mafia King The Good and the Bad
*Cal*My ears pick up murmurs around me, but I can’t force myself to open my eyes. My entire body is sore, and the pain in my abdomen feels like someone is pressing and squeezing all of my organs together. It’s hard to breathe, but I force my lungs to receive as much air as I can inhale. My back hurts, so I try to adjust myself on what feels like a bed, or maybe a couch, but the smallest movement makes me grunt with pain.“Easy there, boss. You have a hole in your stomach,” someone warns, their voice distant but somewhat playful. I groan again, frustrated at not being able to move. My eyelids seem to weigh a ton, but I need to see what’s happening around me. I need to know where I am and why. Images of the confrontation in my bar come back to me in snippets. I don’t remember the details about what happened, especially how I got shot, but I do remember seeing Milo. I have no idea how much time has passed, and I also don’t know the outcome of the fight, so I need to make sure my men a
Indebted to the Mafia King The Call That Changes Everything
*Heidi*I step out of the shower and put on a set of comfortable sweats. The weather in New York City has been merciless lately, and even inside the apartment, I can still feel the cold wind blowing against the windows outside, seeping through cracks in the apartment I can’t see.I blow dry my hair in an attempt to warm myself, and that’s why I don’t hear my phone ringing the first two times. It’s only when I decide to order something to eat since I don’t feel like cooking anything that I notice I missed two calls.Before I grab the phone to check who it is that called me, I can’t stop myself from hoping it was Cal. But when I spot the unknown number, I roll my eyes. Of course he wouldn’t call me. I ended that. He made it pretty clear that he doesn’t intend to change his lifestyle, and since I’m not willing to give up on my principles either, I won’t hear from him again. I should make peace with that instead of keeping my hopes up.I’m about to put my phone down again, not really int
Indebted to the Mafia King Going Straight to Hell
*Cal*Leaving the basement and making sure at least one of my men stays behind to watch the cartel assholes we have tied inside, I rush upstairs with Tony, Sam, and Hunter with the rest of my men on my tail.Even though the noises upstairs are muffed by closed doors and thick walls, I don’t like what I hear as I approach the bar. Frantic screams and intermittent gunfire can never be a good thing.“Fuck,” I hiss to myself. “They seem to be heavily armed,” I inform my men over my shoulder. “Are you guys loaded?”“I have a couple of guns with me. Armando is outside with my men,” Tony informs me. I don’t want to think about the possible scenarios we’re about to encounter. The rest of my men are also upstairs, but if they were caught off guard–even though I had them keeping a close eye out for any strange movement–things might be ugly.“I’ll grab a shotgun from the safe,” Hunter tells me. “Do you need me to get you anything, Boss?”“No, I have my pistol on me,” I reply through gritted tee
Indebted to the Mafia King Forget About Him
*Heidi*Going after Cal was a mistake. I knew it would be, but I still did it anyway.What was I thinking? What was I even expecting to happen? That if I came and asked him to drop his entire life and career for me and he’d do it?Ha! What a joke.Even if I mean as much to him as he says I do, giving up something you’ve been building your whole life is hard. I should know better than that. I wouldn’t give up on my life and dreams either if he asked me to. So, why am I feeling so heartbroken? Why do I feel so sad, so left out?I storm out of his office with tears blurring my vision. His scent is all over me, and my lips are still tingling from our kisses. No matter how much I want to turn back and run into his arms, I know I can’t do it. This is it. This was the last straw, the confirmation I needed that we’re indeed over.For good.“Miss Heidi, is everything okay?” someone asked from behind me as I walked out of the bar. It was rude on my part to ignore whoever it was, but I couldn’
Indebted to the Mafia King Getting Answers
*Cal*Tony takes a little longer than I’d like with the cartel bastards the Saints captured. By the time his men haul in two guys who are, I’d say, unrecognizable, I’m basically digging a hole in the floor with all my anticipation and agitation, having spent the last hour pacing.The guy I cuffed in the basement looks up from his spot in the corner, and his eyes widen when he sees two more of his people have also been taken by us. He doesn’t have any strength in him to say anything, but he’s been pretty quiet anyway compared to some of the smart-mouthed assholes I’ve beaten the shit out before.“Hey,” Tony greets me, walking behind his guys who are now restraining the newly kidnapped men to chairs, away from the first one. “Brought you a little present.”I grunt. “After the day I just had, you have no idea how glad I am to see them,” I tell him, darting a deathly glance to the newcomers and cracking my knuckles.“I owe you already. I’m glad I could return the favor for once,” Tony say
