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Chapter 44
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-23 23:53:06
Bab terkait
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 45
RafaelFor the first time since the night of the stabbing, Enzo shows up and actually looks surprised to see me out and about, acting as if nothing had happened.I can feel it though. Every passing minute is nothing short of torture, and it's getting progressively worse. “Look who finally decided ta show up,” Paulie says and shoots a nasty glance Enzo’s way.I haven’t spoken to Salvatore yet. I wanted to wait a few more days until I could formulate my thoughts better Right now, all my decisions are driven by pain and rage - and when you feel like that, it's not a good time to make life or death decisions.“Yeah,” Enzo says and holds the present in his hands out to me. “Sorry I’m late, Boss. I had some business.”I glare at my lieutenant, and completely ignore his apology. “You can put your gift on the table over there,” I say and point to a table that’s piled high with colourfully wrapped presents.Enzo looks taken aback at first, but then he nods and heads over to the table.“That p
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-24Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 1
Madeleine“Mommy, are you a hooker?” Betsy suddenly asks.The brush falls from my hand and lands on the cluttered vanity with a loud thump. The question stops me cold. Her voice is soft, so innocent, but she’s red in the face, and her little lips are pressed firmly together when she crosses her arms over her chest.“Whu- uh- where did you hear that nonsense? Of course not!”“School. Riana says hookers go to hell, and will burn in the magical fires.”Betsy jumps up with her toy dog in her arms, and starts to bounce on the bed. “Hell, hell, hell, hell-hell-hell,” she sings. “Mommy’s going to burn in the fire.”A wave of rage crashes over me. Blood roars through my veins, making me dizzy and short of breath. “Stop it!” I scream, much louder than I want to.“No!” She throws her dog at my head and jumps off the bed. She plants her fist in her hips and stomps her foot to the tune of, “I hate you! I hate you! No one likes me because of you. Riana says that’s why I don’t have a daddy. ”I l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 2
MadeleineThe VIP room is comfortably cool, but sweat drips from my brow and soaks into my uniform. I pull at the tight skirt, aware of the many eyes on me.Afterall, I’m not supposed to be here.If the Sisters saw me now, dressed in this skimpy outfit, mixing with the worst sinners this world has to offer, they'd probably faint.Goodness knows, they nearly had a collective heart attack when they found me talking to Dom alone in the garden. “You are tainting your own soul”, the sisters shouted, horrified. Dom apologised profusely, almost clumsily, as he stuttered the words out. He swore to them that we had done nothing inappropriate - he respected me too much to do anything that would harm me or my reputation. Oh, how he blushed. I’d never seen any other man as genuine and kind as him. And there will be no other. The people surrounding Rafael have their eyes on us. Our every move is being scrutinised, every word they speak is calculated. The low hum of voices is the only sound filli
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 3
MadeleineI wake up in a strange room. The air is fresh, quiet, and bright.I’m alive?The bed beneath me is softer than anything I’ve slept on in years, and the faint smell of cedar and leather clings to the air.My body feels heavy. My limbs ache as though I’ve been run over by a bus. My throat is dry, and it feels as if someone stuffed my head full of cotton.The first thing I hear are muffled voices right outside the door, droning in the background like a distant thunderstorm.“I can’t tell you what the long term consequences will be,” someone says in a cool, clinical voice. “ It is likely that there might be lasting damage to her nervous system.”“Is there anything you can do?” Rafael’s voice is low, soft, but no less commanding. “No. The dosage was extremely high. Frankly, Sir, I’m surprised she is still alive.” “Do everything you can for her.”The world swims in and out of focus, nausea pushes up in my throat, and I think I pass out. When I manage to drag my eyelids apart agai
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 4
Madeleine“Betsy!” I scream as I run from the apartment, my voice echoing down the hallway.The sunlight outside is blinding, but I barely notice. My heart pounds like a drum, and my breath comes in sharp, shallow bursts as I dash out into the shared courtyard, frantically scanning the dilapidated lawn and rusty play area.She’s not here!My mind spins. How could I let this happen? I should have been home two hours ago, in time to get Betsy up and ready for school.Where did she go? What if someone took her?“Betsy!” I call again, my voice cracking.A flicker of movement catches my eye. I spin around and relief floods through me. Clarissa, my neighbour, is walking toward me, holding Betsy’s hand.Betsy skips along at her side, her tiny yellow backpack bouncing with each step. My daughter did what she does every day. She got up, she dressed herself for school, and then she waited for me.Her eyes are bloodshot from all the crying, her little face swollen, and I can see faint bruises on
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 5
MadeleineI run as fast as my legs can carry me, not stopping until the school comes into view.I line up with the other parents who are here to pick up their children. I can’t wait to get Betsy out of here. I found a school for her. A good school. With other children who are like her. A place where they will understand and help her.I keep my head down, aware of the whispers behind my back. The parents cluster in small groups, chittering about me. “I wonder what she did this time?” Riana’s mother gossips. “Probably one of her johns,” another mother says. “I hear some men like that kind of thing."“Tsk, tsk, tsk. It’s no wonder that little bastard of hers is so… stunted. Poor kid has no mother to teach her any better. She should have dropped that baby on the church’s steps.”I shove my hands in my coat and curl my fingers into fists.“She’s a mess,” another woman mutters, her voice low but loud enough for me to hear.“Did you see her neck?” another says. “We should really phone the s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 6
RafaelI grip Madeleine’s chin, turning her face in every direction, tallying her injuries. She winces lightly and tries to pull away, but I clamp down harder, forcing her to go in my direction, not hers.She is in terrible shape. Her face is black and blue, blood drips from her nose and split lip. A split lip, bruised cheek, bleeding nose, a ring of bruises around her neck. Their handiwork stands out like fresh tattoos on her porcelain skin. She reaches up and grabs my wrist, her eyes pleading with me to let her go. I pay no attention to her. She’s mine, and she will do as I command.She’s broken. Her whole life has been shattered in less than twenty-four hours. She trusted the people around her to be as good as she is. A fatal mistake in this world. There is no honour among thieves.Anger coils in my chest like a living, breathing snake. They dared to touch my Sister Francis. Marred her perfect skin. Destroyed her innocent soul.They are dead men walking. I will strike when the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-02Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 7
RafaelI lead Madeleine from the oppressive, disgusting interrogation room. Delilah, Bruce’s wife, gives me a look of death. “You are going to let her go?” she screeches, her voice threatening to burst my eardrums. “The bitch attacked one of your best employees.”God, I hate that woman. Like Bruce, she thinks she’s special because I put her husband in a position of power. They will learn the hard way that none of them are above me, and all of them are worse than Madeleine.I hand Madeleine over to Enzo, and she rushes to Betsy, who is sitting on a plastic chair, her little feet, dressed in white bobby socks and black shoes, swings back and forth while she devours a doughnut. The kid is fucking adorable.With a word, I turn on Delilah, sparing Lola only a passing glance. She’ll get her turn, but for now I have to wait - she’s pregnant and I have standards.“Stay with Betsy,” I order Madeleine, sure that she won’t, can’t, make a run for it. And even if she does, my men will catch up wi
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-03
Bab terbaru
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 45
RafaelFor the first time since the night of the stabbing, Enzo shows up and actually looks surprised to see me out and about, acting as if nothing had happened.I can feel it though. Every passing minute is nothing short of torture, and it's getting progressively worse. “Look who finally decided ta show up,” Paulie says and shoots a nasty glance Enzo’s way.I haven’t spoken to Salvatore yet. I wanted to wait a few more days until I could formulate my thoughts better Right now, all my decisions are driven by pain and rage - and when you feel like that, it's not a good time to make life or death decisions.“Yeah,” Enzo says and holds the present in his hands out to me. “Sorry I’m late, Boss. I had some business.”I glare at my lieutenant, and completely ignore his apology. “You can put your gift on the table over there,” I say and point to a table that’s piled high with colourfully wrapped presents.Enzo looks taken aback at first, but then he nods and heads over to the table.“That p
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 44
MadeleineThe men and women split into two groups. The guys congregate around the grill or the coolerboxes filled with beer. The women gather at their tables, in the kitchen to make salads, butter rolls, or to pour ice tea into pitchers.Rafael has a whole staff in the house, but none of them are here today, and I think it's some kind of traditional thing for the women to hang out in the kitchen. The places is crowded, the women are loud, and all of them are complaining about their husbands or children. I find it strange and endearing at the same time.“You’re quiet,” Angelica says as she dumps a container of mayonnaise over some potatoes.“I’m listening,” I answer her.“Oh honey,” one of the women, I think it’s Clara, snort-laughs at me. “You cain’t afford to be quiet. You’re Rafael's wife.”“Fiancèe,” I correct her.“Potato, poe-tah-toe,” she replies. “It’s the same difference to us. You live together as man and wife, you are man and wife.”I blush at the thinly veiled insinuation,
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 43
MadeleineThe woman with the big hair throws herself in Rafael’s embrace. I let him go and stand back, watching on as he awkwardly hugs her with one arm. “Raffie,” she exclaims and stands back, then grabs his face between her hands. “Let me look at you. Are you eating enough? Sleeping. You look sick.”Rafael sighs and rolls his eyes, but he doesn't push her away. "I'm fine," he answers and gently pulls her hands from his face.She looks like the grown up version of the girl in the portrait - only with bigger hair and a lot more make-up. I just assume she’s his sister.Out of nowhere, she punches Rafael in the arm. “You don’t call, you don’t write. I should strangle you.”“I'm sorry Angelica,” Rafael says, almost indulgently, and rubs his arm, shutting her out at the same time. “I've been a little busy." He looks around the lawn at the people milling about. "Where is David this time?”“Oh, who knows?” she answers, completely unbothered.“And the kids?”“With Uncle Frankie. You know how
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 42
RafaelMadeleine keeps the nightmares away. Her presence alone is enough. She doesn’t need to hold me, or whisper comforts in my ear. Just knowing that she’s next to me helps.I drift off to sleep and don't wake again until the sun lights up the room, and the sound of chirping birds pierces the through my dreams.For the first time in weeks, I feel rested. Refreshed. Still in pain, but I am almost my old self again. I should be able to make it through the cookout okay. I will not be drinking and laughing along with the rest of them, but I will be able to grin and bear it.Frankie can take the children out on the boat. It’s usually my job, something I always enjoy, but I have a feeling my stomach won’t thank me if I take it out on the choppy lake today.“Morning,” Madeleine chirps and comes walking out of the bathroom with wet hair and only a towel wrapped around herself.My heart jumps into my throat, and my body reacts in a surprisingly violent way. If I could move at my regular sp
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 41
RafaelI feel a lot better after the transfusion. Ethel was right, I definitely needed it. And so was Madeleine when she told me I had to get proper medical care.But neither of them will ever hear the truth from my lips.The pain is still ever-present. Betsy's kick to my gut did more damage than I thought was possilbe - a little girl like her shouldn't be able to put a grown man out of commission. Part of it is my own, stupid fucking fault. I shouldn’t have picked her up mid-tantrum. Not in my current state anyway.At some point, as I drift in and out of consciousness, Madeleine gest up and leaves the room with Ethel. It’s just me and my thoughts. I try to conjure the image of Sister Francis. The quiet, pretty, understanding girl with her gentle eyes, but she’s gone. Everytime I try to recall her, I see a blank face surrounded by the grey habit of their order.Or Sister Francis melts away, and is replaced by Madeleine.I feel as if I went through a wormhole to an alternate reality
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 40
RafaelI am pain. It’s become one with my being. It’s a part of me. At least for now.Walking down the hallway, leaning heavily on Madeleine, is like trekking through an obstacle course filled with broken glass and razor blades tearing at my flesh.God. Even my feet hurt.I didn’t know a person could be in this much pain, bleed as much as I have, and still live to tell the tale.With a sigh and a grunt, I fall on Madeleine’s bed, and just lie there with my feet dangling on the floor. Ethel is close behind, fussing over me like she’s my mother as she lifts my legs up and pulls the comforter over me.She always did like me. Even when we were children. She’d follow me around like a mama hen, making sure I didn’t fall in the water or run off to the guard house. Whenever she was around, she made it her personal mission to keep me away from the wiseguys.She was pissed when I came back. After my father’s funeral, while everyone sat around in the parlour remembering the old man, she pulled
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 39
MadeleineBetsy destroyed her room. I knew she would. Thank goodness Rafael removed everything of value from the room - including that expensive looking ballerina figurine.The pretty room, fit for a little princess as she wanted it to be, is now a dump. She destroyed the dollhouse. Her dolls have no heads or legs. The potted plant with the little pink flowers has been overturned and the dirt scattered.She shredded her bedding and tore her pillows open, scattering stuffing all over the room. The pink curtains are in tatters. On the floor, next to the room, is the pair of scissors she used to do it.I’ve never seen this level of destruction from her.Rafael is going to lose his damn mind.I’m going to lose my mind.The anger that washes over me is something I’ve never experienced before. For the first time since I’ve had to take her into my care, I want to put her over my knee and spank her.Betsy is sitting in the middle of the room, covered in dirt, stuffing stuck in her hair like l
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 38
MadeleineI watch on in horror as Rafael sinks to the ground, clutching his middle. His shirt is soaked in blood. Ethel rushes over to his side and lifts his shirt, while Marco just stands there like a statue, pale and shocked.I turn on my guard and say the first thing that pops into my head, “Tell no one about this."The young man may be too soft for this line of work, but I know he’s loyal. He sits outside my door, day in and day out, all in an effort to get Rafael’s approval.“Are you sure? Maybe-”“I’m sure,” I interrupt him. “He told me no one can know.”I glare at Ethel who looks up and just nods. “Patient confidentiality. I understand. What do you want to do?”The door rattles as Betsy screams and throws herself against it. It jars my nerves and eats away at my sanity one little bite at a time.All my senses are in overdrive. I don’t know what to do or where to turn. Betsy in one room losing her everloving mind, or Rafael who is bleeding out on the floor.I’m in desperate need
Innocence Interrupted - A Mafia Story Chapter 37
RafaelMadeleine stands next to the bed, eyeing me suspiciously. “I promised,” I try to encourage her. “I may be a shitty person, but I am a man of my word.”She nods and gingerly gets on the bed, curling in on herself like a concertina. I don’t say anything. I expected her reaction. As much as she doesn’t want to be a nun anymore, she still acts like one. Thinks like one.I sit down and lie back, slowly lifting my legs onto the mattress. The pain is unbelievable, but I can just about bear it now. In truth, I'm quietly grateful Madeleine didn’t get the dental floss and needles out again. “You never talk about yourself,” I say in an effort to break the uncomfortable silence between us. “Your childhood. I know nothing about you.”“There is a room upstairs that tells a different story.”I laugh softly. The room is a shrine - built from the little pieces of her memories she chose to share with me. Before she moved in, I’d go to that room and sit there, pretending that Sister Francis was
