Hey... Here's another update! Do comment and let me know what you think! Vince's POV is next! XOXO! 💕
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I groaned, a low, guttural sound reverberating through my skull as I battled to pry my eyes open; they felt burdened, as if each lid had its own set of stubborn dumbbells.The room, shrouded in darkness, slowly came into focus. A memory flashed across my mind – Claire couldn't stand the idea of falling asleep in complete darkness. She needs light to fall asleep. Dragging myself up from the pillow, my head throbbed like a bass beat. The room spun, and I couldn't decide if it was my pounding headache or the remnants of a wild evening refusing to let go.Groping around the cluttered bedside table, I finally grabbed my phone. Squinting against the muted glow, I desperately scanned for the window blind control. After a couple of clumsy swipes, I found it. The soft glow crept in, revealing the room in slow motion, but that brightness? It didn't tiptoe in; it barged through my skull like an overenthusiastic party crasher, making me wince and regret every decision from
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I watched her through the mirror as she combed her hair. Her eyes stared mindlessly in the distance and her hands methodically worked over the same strand of hair as if she wasn't even in the room. Georgina, my secretary, had gotten a jumpsuit for her, something warm and modest that covered her entire body. It was pink, she knew it was my favorite color for Claire when she shopped for her earlier. "They are calling you out for breakfast..." I voiced and that startled her, she immediately looked down at her lap taking deep breaths in, and then out. "I'm not hungry..." her voice came out flat. I slid my hands into my pockets, and the urge to knock some sense into her was overwhelming, "Everyone insisted on your presence." Her eyes met mine through the mirror and they narrowed, there was a big bruise on her cheek and her cheekbone was swollen, that's how hard she had hit her face on the bed. But all that was nothing compared to the vacant look in her eyes. Taki
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Empty, like a room with no echoes...Numb, as if wrapped in an ice-cold blanket...And rage, a storm brewing inside burns like a wildfire, fueled by broken promises...Feeling all these things at once is like trying to hold onto sand slipping through your fingers—confusing, frustrating, and impossible to grasp. Being with him started to feel like that—like walking through a wreckage of feelings, where every step stirred up the dust of what was once a beautiful love. Feeling too much and too little at the same time. When we reached his home, I stayed in the car for a few moments, and for some reason, Vincenzo didn't step out either. There was an oppressing silence between us. It felt like the world outside was moving, yet we remained trapped in the suffocating place with no way out. Vincenzo's gaze, distant and lost, reflected the frustration etched in the lines of his face. He wanted to say something but didn't, I wanted to tell him everything but I didn't. Some
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Like a sheep walking into the lion's den..." he remarked, his tone dripping with amusement.I frantically looked behind him to see if Tony was there but he answered that question for me before I could say a word. "Tony isn't here. I wouldn't have a piece of shit like him wandering around the house at night. I care about my sister," he assured, but then added with a sinister twist, "But you know who else isn't at home right now? Vincenzo..." The mention of Vincenzo's absence sent a chill down my spine, and Salvatore's grin widened."What do you want?" I asked, keeping my face apathetic. His face contorted with disgust and hatred, "No matter what I do, you're like a persistent mosquito I can't swat away. All that work into getting you out of his life yet here you stand in my home, married to my son," he sneered, "Now thanks to you, the ties between the Cosa Nostra and the Outfit are stronger than ever." I glared at him, shaking my head, "You're not going to get y
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I stared at the mark on my face, the bruise had gotten darker after the assault from Salvatore last night, and the cut from his ring was going to leave a scar for sure.It dredged up memories of being fifteen, the last time I wore such bruises, courtesy of Tony.It's ironic how he reentered my life, and without physical contact, he still managed to imprint scars and bruises on me.I tilted my neck to the side and saw Vincenzo's bite mark, the one he left on our wedding night. The memory was a haze—I recalled being turned onto my stomach, his hand on the back of my head, and then everything faded.At that moment, I was somewhere far from there.I traced my fingers over the faint outline of Vincenzo's mark, a reminder of a night lost to oblivion.My heart leaped out of my chest when a presence materialized behind me, causing me to instinctively jump to the side.I placed a trembling hand over my heart, only to find Vincenzo watching me with a frown, a silent question
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I watched silently as Dad presided over the table, raging at how our capos were content with the truce. Adriano shifted his gaze to me every two seconds as if silently asking me to make sure Dad didn't completely lose it in front of everyone. He had been warning me about Dad's erratic behaviour but I didn't listen. Joey, as a Caporegime of the Outfit, has inherited his family's longstanding authority over the city of Rockford. They've been overseeing operations for years, faithfully serving the Outfit's interests. Dad trusted his word the most but right now I could see that he was pissing him off. "Capo, this truce has been golden for business. Our shipments are smooth as silk, and the heat's off our backs. It's like we got a free pass through their turf. We're printing money. Our guys and their guys, we're all counting the green. No unnecessary bloodshed, just business booming," he said with a content grin, "Less murders means less cops breathing down our neck
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Vincenzo came back into the room a while later while I freshened up for bed and changed into my nightwear. I was applying moisturizer onto my legs when he entered, looking a little distracted. His gaze locked onto me, causing my breath to hitch. Swiftly, I diverted my attention back to my legs, feeling the weight of his eyes on me. He slowly took off his jacket, his tie, and his cufflinks, and then he popped open a few buttons of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves with deliberate precision. I mustered up the courage to glance at him once more and found him still staring at me as if he were trying to decipher me. "What?" I asked. He finally looked elsewhere, grabbed all of his meticulously placed stuff, and walked into the closet. His room was an oasis of order, every item meticulously placed. Strangely, not a word escaped his lips regarding the chaos of my belongings strewn across the space. I finished moisturizing and made my way to our bed. I slid under th
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅We were escorted directly to the hospital where Allegra and Scott were. Stepping into the hallway, relief, and excitement flooded me as I saw Alessandro there. He likely accompanied Capo, but the timing couldn't have been more perfect.Approaching him, our eyes locked, and I couldn't restrain my eagerness. I swiftly moved past everyone and wrapped my arms around Alessandro, hugging him like he was the one I missed the most. I smiled, burying my face in his neck as a guise to discreetly whisper in his ear, "I need to talk to you urgently. Meet me in the ladies' room in an hour—I'll explain everything." Alessandro, though momentarily surprised, nodded gradually in acknowledgment. I pulled back with a wide smile, and Alessandro, still seemingly stunned, responded with a smile of his own. "I missed you too, Cindy," he finally said. Someone cleared their throat from behind me, and I instinctively knew who it was. Turning, I saw Luca shooting daggers at Alessandro, t
Hey there,Thanks a ton for sticking around till the end of this wild and long ride! It's been a blast crafting this romance and I hope you've had as much fun reading it as I did writing it.I've loved weaving together all the juicy bits of love, drama, and danger. It's been like piecing together a puzzle but with way more heart-pounding moments.I hope you've been rooting for our main couple through all the twists and turns. They've been through the wringer, but love always finds a way, right?As you close this book, just remember, their story doesn't end here. They'll keep living on in your imagination, popping up when you least expect it.And if this story had you on the edge of your seat, I'm begging you, please, take a quick sec to give it a solid FIVE-STAR RATING. It's not just for me, it's for all those readers out there who haven't stumbled upon this story yet.Seriously, your rating could make all the difference in getting this book noticed. Think of it as your way of spreadin
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅•The First Steps! ❤️"Oh my god, do you have the camera ready?!" I asked, excitement bubbling up inside me as we watched Aurelia tentatively attempt to take her first steps.She was already pulling herself up on the furniture, her chubby little hands gripping tightly as she teetered on unsteady legs. Her blue eyes sparkled with determination, her tiny mouth set in a determined line as she focused on the task at hand. She had gotten her blue eyes from my mama. Vincenzo and I had been eagerly awaiting this moment, always keeping our cameras close at hand in anticipation. Not just us, but the whole house. Salvatore, Alessia, and his brothers, they all celebrated everything she did. With bated breath, we watched as Aurelia took a wobbly step forward, her face lighting up with a mixture of surprise and delight. She stumbled slightly, her arms windmilling for balance before she regained her footing and took another hesitant step."Look at her go," Vincenzo murmured, hi
Note: This chapter takes place after Vincenzo has sent Claire back to New York once he learns the entire truth.Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅She was safe—safer than she had ever been in Chicago before.I had rented out the house across the street and stationed my men there to keep a watchful eye on her. They would keep their distance, she wouldn't even realize that they were there. I was furious with her, consumed by an intense anger that threatened to engulf me. But despite my rage, I couldn't bring myself to abandon her. She was too self-destructive, too chaotic to be left to her own devices.Part of me wanted to confront her, to unleash my fury and make her understand the gravity of her actions. But another part of me, a side that only belonged to her, couldn't bear to see her suffer alone.In the end, my love for her won out. No matter how angry I was, no matter how much she lied to me, I couldn't abandon her. She was a part of me, and I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even i
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I held Claire close, her body tense against mine, her face buried against my chest as I observed Tony's pitiful state. His once tough presence was reduced to nothingness, stripped of his limbs, his sight, and his dignity. He lay there like a discarded husk, a mere shell of his former self, awaiting the inevitable embrace of death. Claire refused to spare him even a glance, she had stopped coming here all altogether after she had ordered their eyes to be taken out, it was just too much for her. Tony's existence was a grotesque mockery of humanity, stripped of its most fundamental faculties. Devoid of limbs, senses, and any semblance of autonomy, he lay there, a pitiful shell of his former self. The ordeal of surviving without the ability to walk or see had surely taken its toll on his mind, leaving him trapped in a nightmarish existence."Please, Vincenzo, I can't stand to be here any longer," Claire pleaded, her voice quivering with a mix of desperation and di
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I stirred awake, feeling Vincenzo's solid frame enveloping me from behind. The unmistakable presence of his sizable cock pressed against me sent a jolt of excitement coursing through my body. I couldn't resist teasing him, rolling my hips ever so slightly against his length.A low, guttural groan escaped his lips, sending a delicious shiver down my spine. His response was so quintessentially Vincenzo that I couldn't help but smile, relishing in the sensation of his desire coursing through me even before I opened my eyes to greet the day.Last night fulfilled every dream I've ever had about becoming a mother and sharing intimate moments with the man I love. "Are you awake, Mia Cara?"I reached up, my fingers delicately tracing the contours of his forearm where it lay against my ribs, just below my breasts. "Mhmm," I murmured softly. He pulled me closer, his embrace tightening as he buried his face in the nape of my neck. I could sense the gentle caress of his lips
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Who's been managing things while you've been away?" I inquired, pulling my hair up into a ponytail."I was," he replied, his gaze fixed on me through the mirror. "I know how to run my organization even when I'm not physically there."We stood side by side, him adjusting his tie while I styled my hair. I had been discreet about our baby, wanting the right moment to reveal the news, I wanted it to be special. I wasn't sure if he had noticed my subtle changes, but he hadn't said a word about it.His phone rang, and he quickly grabbed it, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at the screen. Without answering, he slid it back into his pocket."Who was it?" I asked, curious.His smirk widened. "Scott Mancini." My eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my god, he must be so worried about me. You have to talk to him," I urged. Vincenzo's expression remained smug as ever, and he nonchalantly shrugged. "No," he replied, his tone dismissive."What do you mean, no?" I exclaimed,
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Perched on the edge of the bed, I curled into myself, knees drawn up to my chest, and my chin resting on top of my knees. His presence across from me was palpable, his hand possessively wrapped around my ankle, anchoring me to him. Slowly, deliberately, his touch traced a path along my leg, each caress sending shivers of conflicting emotions coursing through me. Despite the state of mind, I knew he was in, his touch was a paradox of gentleness, a stark contrast to the brutality I knew he was capable of. Yet, at this moment, his tenderness felt like a lifeline, a fragile thread connecting us. With each stroke, I could feel the electricity coursing through my body, pulling me closer to him. It was like we were speaking our own language, one filled with longing and love. "You were the anonymous buyer..." I stated. His intense gaze locked onto mine, momentarily stealing my breath. "It was your debut exhibition. I had to support my girl," he replied, his voice dark a
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅My eyelids felt heavy as if they were weighed down by tons of bricks, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't force them open. With a groan, I summoned all my strength and pushed my eyes open, only to be met with the blurry sight of an unfamiliar ceiling.As I blinked away the haze of unconsciousness, the events of the previous night flooded back to me in a rush. Panic surged through me as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings.The room was dimly lit, with heavy curtains drawn tightly shut, casting a shadowy gloom over everything. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back down onto the soft surface beneath me.Where was I? And more importantly, who brought me here, and why? Dread pooled in the pit of my stomach. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I took in the opulent surroundings of the bedroom. Rich fabrics adorned the furnishings, and ornate decorations adorned the walls. It was a stark contrast to the cold fear grip
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I was four months pregnant, and while the first trimester had been relatively easy, now I was starting to show a bit, and the nausea was hitting me hard, making each day a struggle to get through. I gently caressed my slightly swollen belly, finding comfort in the subtle changes my body was undergoing. Although it wasn't yet noticeable to others, I cherished this intimate connection with my growing baby, a bond that only I could feel.For the exhibition tonight, I opted for a dress that would discreetly conceal my growing bump. I slipped into a black burnout maxi dress with delicate spaghetti straps, its modest neckline offering just the right amount of coverage. As I admired my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a surge of confidence. No one on this earth can tear you down, Claire Parker, not even the man you love with all your heart. The sleek silhouette of the dress hugged my curves in all the right places, disguising my pregnancy with effortle