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| 60 | Eyes Wide Shut
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 61 | It's My Life, My Choice
[ S E R A P H I N E ] This doesn't feel real. Or spontaneous. Nope. Not at all. One of my nightmares is becoming my reality. I'm being stalked. I'm being targeted. Why? Bad blood? Is this guy here to show off how better his life has gotten since we broke up? How the heck did he find me? Did he pay Alina? Maybe he convinced another one of my former co-workers. Something tells me his reason -- or reasons? -- for being here is not something I can freely discuss with my "husband". “Met your friend the other day.” Pierre's unwavering gaze travels up and down, assessing my appearance like it's necessary. “She didn't say?” “She told me.” I stare back at him and do my best to keep my voice steady. I wanna look and sound unbothered. Emotionless. I don't want him to think I've been waiting so long for this moment. Three and a half years, to be more specific. “Been trying to find you. Tsk. You don't make it easy, love.” “Why?” Oh dear. If his mother wasn't British, his pet
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 62 | You're The Cure
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “You sure you're okay?” “I'm fine.” I nod and give Paolo a quick smile, keeping up a calm voice. “I'm just gonna take a shower. Rest for a bit.” “No one followed us,” he mutters with a straight face. With his handgun tucked under his leather belt, he grips his phone and stands on the black doormat. The concern in his eyes is directed at me and me only. “I just called the guards at the entrance. They double-checked the logs, and the CCTV.” Crap. Now I'm causing a fuss in this neighborhood, though I don't even own an inch of this property. “Okay. Thanks.” “Don't worry about it. I'll be outside in case your friend shows up.” “He's not my friend anymore,” is what I should say. Instead, I just give Paolo another weak nod while my fingers curl around the cold doorknob. I don't think Pierre knows where I live. Not yet, anyway. Then again I can't know for sure unless I ask him myself. I still have his number. I just don't wanna call him. If I encourage him
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 63 | A Confession To Make
[ D O M I N I C O ] “What? No. I-I didn't mean it like that.” Stuttering. Minimal eye contact. Hands fidgeting. The topic's making her uncomfortable. Or me being unusually candid is the reason she's feeling uneasy. “But you did think I was making it all up. For a second at least.” “I-I just didn't expect it.” Sephie blushes, then glances down at my crotch area, her voice even fainter than usual. “What you said about your, um...” “Performance issues,” I say before she could think about changing the subject. I grin when she covers her mouth. I sit closer to her, trying not to crack a smile, but I already feel my poker face slipping off. Not because I find her reaction hilarious. I'm on the verge of cracking up because sex talk still makes both of us uncomfortable. Like we're two clueless, horny teenagers dancing around the issue just to not seem desperate. Like she forgot that we already have an actual priest's blessing and permission to live as husband and wife. Or I'm ju
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 64 | You're Mine
[ S E R A P H I N E ] I'm a liar. Maybe the biggest hypocrite he's met. But I have to lie. If lying to Dominico's face is the only way to keep Pierre out of trouble, so be it. We may be estranged, but I can't put him in danger. I don't need another reason to feel shitty. Another reason to hate myself. If Pierre gets seriously hurt because of my involvement with Dominico and his family, I'll be carrying the burden of guilt for the rest of my life. “What did he say exactly?” Dominico eyes me with a scowl, his tone making me even more nervous. “What does he know about me?” Tension hangs thick in the air. I sit cross-legged on his covers, my fingers distractedly tracing patterns on the smooth fabric. “I don't know. I kept telling him to get lost. I was scared Paolo or Fico would see him and...” “It's just their job.” Yeah. They know a threat when they see one, but I still don't think Pierre would hurt me like that. “Why didn't you just tell me?” Dominico turns away from m
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 65 | I'm Your Way Out, Love
[ S E R A P H I N E ] That first time didn't suffice. Now he's cornering me in this small and smelly convenience store restroom like it's the only way for us to have another conversation. A more serious and private one, at that. Does he want to kidnap me or something? Detain me somewhere far from Dominico and the bodyguards just so he can get all the answers he wants out of me? “What the heck are you doing?” Pierre locks the doorknob behind him and steps forward, his plain short-sleeved shirt a stark contrast to his dark slacks. “What does it look like I'm doing?” he mutters with fairly wrinkled brows. Without taking his eyes off me, he gets even closer and glances down at my dress. I avert my gaze and hold back a sigh. My heart is already banging against my ribs, but I can keep it together. For longer than a few minutes, I hope. Shucks. I want to hit my forehead for not locking the door the moment I stepped inside this restroom. But, too late. In my defense, I was on my phone
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 66 | A Father's Love
[ D O M I N I C O ] Another familiar street. Another unpleasant family dinner. Another awkward confrontation to sit through. Or hostile. Depending on my father's mood. I focus on the busy road. This place has given me more bad memories than good ones. I've probably made more enemies than friends here in Genoa. But I don't mind the long drive. I'm alone tonight. For personal and safety reasons. Sephie will be safer at home with Paolo and Fico keeping an eye on the house. Also, she doesn't want or need to catch up with my parents. Seeing Pappa in person will only traumatize her again. As the sky dims, I step on the gas and grip the steering wheel. A tense knot grows in my stomach the more streets I pass by. Half an hour later, I'm pulling up to my father's mansion. The garage isn't empty. The front yard looks more crowded than usual. Mostly security staff. The guards stare and greet me with faint nods and smiles. I massage my neck and prolong a stoic expression. I get out o
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 67 | Secret Deal
[ D O M I N I C O ] This won't take an hour. It shouldn't take that long. This late "business meeting" isn't even on my calendar. No one else knows about this. Not even my secretary. For now, that is. I close the spreadsheet on my screen and steal another glance at the 40-something blonde sitting in front of my desk. Don't know if she's actually in her 40s, but her demeanor and the lines around her pale mouth and on her forehead tell me so. Her thick sweater looks the same shade of white as her collared shirt. They don't hide all of what looks to be years-old freckles. Naomi flips to another page. I don't wanna call her by her first name. But she's been trying to build rapport, for a number of obvious reasons. And she insists on me not calling her "Officer Roux" all the time. Her ID says she's a Criminal Intelligence Officer, although something tells me it's not her only title. She's here on behalf of Mathis, the lead investigator from Lyon. We're in my new office. Bigg
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 68 | You're My Only Confidant
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Where is he?” “Nasa kusina pa din.” [Still in the kitchen.] I sit up and stare at my mother's name on my phone until the black letters blur. I'm alone here in the living room, lounging on the sofa with my new textbook, waiting for the drilling noises to stop. They're not helping this stupid headache in any way, but I can't really complain. After all, not one room in this house belongs to me. I'm just the cook and part-time maid. Gardener, too, sometimes. “Making dinner?” my mom asks on the other end, sounding genuinely curious about Dominico's pastimes. “He cooks, too?” “Tapos na 'ko magluto. Wala na naman sa mood. Ayaw makipag-usap.” [I already cooked. He's not in a chatty mood again.] “Bakit?” [Why?] “I dunno,” is all I say, not bothering to feign a pleasant tone. Dominico and I haven't really talked last night. And the other night. I'm still not sure why he came home so late. My first guess is: he's been working on some backlogs. But my gu
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Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | Epilogue | Birds Of A Feather
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “One last sheet. One last,” I sigh to myself, stretching my aching back as I recline. Looks like I'm still alone out here. I'm sitting by the pool, enjoying the gorgeous pink-orange sunset while waiting for Dominico to finish working. I stare at my laptop screen. I'm almost done with my work for the day, but my focus is split, already dwindling. Some mornings, I don't even feel like checking my emails. But I can't just quit now. I don't wanna feel like a freeloader or look for another job. Dominico can take care of me and provide our baby's needs. I know. But I don't want him to think I'm getting too comfortable. He's still upstairs, probably not done with their virtual meeting. “Emergency board meeting,” he told me an hour ago. Dom's been working from home all week. The new virus is still wreaking havoc all over the country. It's starting to scare me and Mamma, actually. Dominico agreed to stay home because he doesn't want to risk it. Our health and our b
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 137 | The Animal Is Caged
[ D O M I N I C O ] “Look, Freja. It's my own money. And this isn't a loan. You don't have to pay me back. Okay?” Do I sound like an arrogant douche? I hope not. I sit back and buckle up, dying to get home. Freja’s tear-streaked face stays on the edge of the screen. The gray skies outside her window match the somber look in her eyes. She dabs at her pinkish cheeks, trying to put the waterworks on pause. It's not that she's been blindsided by her ex-husband's death. The sudden loss and grief. She knew what she was getting into the moment she agreed to be his wife. But it's not really her fault that she can't give her child a better life right now. I can't undo any of my father's actions or rewrite the past. But I could at least make sure that she and her kid won't struggle for another couple of years. “I just wired you the money.” “Thank you,” she murmurs with weak nods. I glance at the damp road. “Should cover tuition and some bills. If you need more, just call or text
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 136 | Love Wins
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “We were gonna tell you. I-I just…” Just what? Forgot that I exist? That I have feelings, too? That I'm her best friend and they should've told me they're... Sheesh! I don't even wanna imagine what they've been up to. “Just what? It just slipped your mind?” Pierre glances at me, still can't look me in the eye. Like he knows how hurt I am. He should. This is like... It's betrayal. Right? I'm their best friend! I have the right to feel this way. “You just conveniently forgot?” My voice wavers. The odd numbness in my core spreads down my legs. Shucks. Breathing feels like a chore now. “Was it that hard to send me a text? Pick up the phone and just give me a call?”I probably sound hysterical. Overdramatic. I really don't care. I glare at Pierre, trying to dismiss the shock and hide the barely repressed anger. But I'm sure it looks like I'm failing miserably at it. Pierre sighs briefly, his hands on his hips. He's staring at the ground. Like he can't be bother
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 135 | Her Secret Lover
[ S E R A P H I N E ] “Hey. Alfeo looks more buff. Like, he looks bigger than you now.” Must be because Alfeo isn't taller and often wears clothes that flaunt his broad shoulders. I sit up on the bed, ogling my hot baby daddy as he walks out of the bathroom. “Is he taking anything? Steroids, or...” Dom snickers, glancing at me while he dries his hair with a black towel. After locking the door, he grabs a few clothes from his closet. “Why? Couldn't ask him yourself?” I scratch the back of my head. I don't know what his best friend's been up to lately. I haven't seen Alfeo in months. But I'm glad that he's not too busy to hang out with us. Maybe he's bulking up to impress a girl. Or girls? Not that it bothers me. He's always gonna be welcome here. Dominico still trusts him with his life. And no matter what his family thinks, Alfeo is still his most loyal friend. “Is he dating someone?” Dom scoffs and scrunches up his nose. It's straight, but the tip is a little bulbous, not too f
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 134 | Backdoor Parole
[ D O M I N I C O ] Are they downsizing? Or my dad's running out of payola? What even is this room? This is much smaller than the well-guarded room they let us use before. Smells like dried piss and sweat, too. Unlike the last time I was here, the prison guard stands behind the door. Just one. No weapon in sight, but I bet my left kidney he's carrying at least two. I sit down in front of the divider, surprised that the only prisoner I'm visiting agreed to see me today. I know he's still pissed that I didn't come by much sooner. That I didn't show up the last time he told me to be here. He wanted me to deliver more hush money, and of course more cash for his protection. And he's probably more pissed that I didn't help Ricchar Falco find his missing uncle. Stefano. The disgraced shipping mogul. The big-time swindler who ran off with the redhead. Daddy Dearest's former number one whore. Only because the bitch impressed him in and out of the sack. Glancing at the tall, dusty walls,
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 133 | Prayers Help
[ S E R A P H I N E ]What if Leandro found out about everything we did, all the sleuthing I tried, and the heap of evidence we contributed to the investigation, and then he got furious enough that he...Any way you look at it, my theory isn't farfetched. The guy's got motive. I don't wanna be the one to dwell on these negative thoughts. But we should consider the possibility. My privacy, my career, and my family's safety might be compromised.I'm pretty sure he's not here in Florence. Yet the feeling that he's somewhere near won't leave my head. Even now. Here in Dominico's house, a well-guarded private property in a gated neighborhood. I feel exposed. A little vulnerable. Even though I'm so much safer here with Dominico and Mamma keeping an eye on me. Plus the security staff guarding the property 24/7."Okay. I'll talk to Enzo again," Dom mumbles before reaching for my hand, giving it a light squeeze before he lets out a breath. Regrets and some frustration replace the pent-up anger
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 132 | You're Not Going Anywhere
[ S E R A P H I N E ] I step out of the bathroom, my skin still warm from the shower. I took a quick one just to help me relax. To help me fall back to sleep. I'm not sure if it will. The rain outside taps lightly against his windows, an almost soothing rhythm that contrasts the weight of my thoughts. Although I'm wearing a robe, I feel the chill in the air as I walk towards his bed, my footsteps quiet. Dom's still wide awake like I guessed. He's sitting on the wrinkled covers, his attention fixed on his phone. As I approach him, he sets his phone down, and his heavy-lidded gaze shifts to my face. I sit close to him and try to ignore the tension in the air. It's not the same awkwardness I felt right after I tried to kiss him for the first time. It's something else. Can't quite put my finger on it. But it's nothing we can't address. I'm sure. “Hey.” “Feel better?” “A little.” I put on a smile. I hold onto his forearm when he goes back to reading some emails. ”Babe, that ema
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 131 | Dissociate
[ D O M I N I C O ] Shit. I almost tore the label off. Cracked and nearly broke the cap into pieces, too. It's not clumsiness, though. I'm too distracted. Tired. Impatient. Frustrated. With caution, I press down a strip of tape over the torn label, running my thumb across it to smooth out the small creases. I can't just look up the right dosage on the internet. This label is practically the only thing helping me keep track of the proper dosage. I reach for the roll of tape again. I tear about an inch off the roll. Right after I put the bottle away, soft shuffling noises behind me interrupt me before I can get rid of the clutter on the counter. I look up and stare at my reflection in the mirror. Seraphine is standing at the bathroom door, just a couple of steps away, her eyes wide and unfocused. She's wearing the blue shirt I gave her before she went to sleep. There's some tension in her posture. Why is she out of bed? I turn to face her and put down the roll of tape near
Mafia Heir's Contract Wife [Mafia Games V] | 130 | Unfortunate Circumstances
[ D O M I N I C O ] “Cara, dico solo che...” [Dear, I’m just saying...] “Sì?” [Yes?] I tilt my wine glass, sitting back and interrupting my stepmother again. I don't have to keep my mouth shut. I already know how uncomfortable Seraphine feels. Trying to sit still beside me, she takes a small bite of bread and stares at Mamma, who's seated across from us and not really minding the food on her plate. Rain still patters on the windows. But it shouldn't turn into something worse. This should be a calm, quick, easy dinner. Unless Mamma brings up what happened last night. If that happens, Seraphine will probably... “Sephie, è più prudente se tu rimani qui ora.” [It's safer if you stay here for now.] My stepmother is talking a bit slower now, dragging her vowels. She drops her delicate smile, then sets down her fork with a soft clink. “Non preoccuparti, Mamma. Porto sempre una mascherina extra nel caso mi dimenticassi di indossarne una,” Seraphine replies with a polite smile, her vo
