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Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅The casino night was a hit for Ethan. I sat there with Amy and Allegra while Ethan was hanging out with the Capones. He had been with them the whole night after Adriano Capone invited him to join them. Amy sipped her martini and looked at me with a sly grin. "So, when are you two getting married?"I blinked, slightly taken aback. "Ethan and me?"She playfully nudged my arm and grinned, her tone teasing, "Yup, unless you're into someone else we haven't heard of.""Marriage...?" I laughed, sipping on my own drink. "I don't know if we're there yet."She rolled her eyes, "Come on, Cindy, we've all seen the sparks. Don't tell me there's no fire."I shrugged, "Well, we...uh, haven't really discussed it."Her eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh, honey, you should. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next bride around here."I let out a nervous laugh, I never really saw myself getting married, always considered myself too damaged for it, "Well, we'll see what the future holds."A
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Claire Parker - Twenty-One-Years Old... As the countdown reached its climax, I snatched up the shot glass, ready to take the plunge. The entire room erupted in joyous screams."ONE!""TWO!""THREE!""HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"I raised the shot glass to my lips and, with a burst of excitement, downed it in one swift gulp. The cheers and applause from everyone filled the air. It was a moment to remember.Scott threw his arm around me, and we grinned together. Bianca aimed her camera at us, capturing us together as I wrapped both of my arms around his waist. "Everyone, this is Cindy's first legal shot," Scott announced, drawing laughs and cheers from the partygoers. The smile on my face couldn't have been bigger. You see, I had been sober for the past two years, and I was getting stronger each day. And it was all because of him. Scott Mancini was my first love. The party roared on, and the atmosphere became more electrifying as the night unfolded. Friends surrounded me, s
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Buzz...Buzz...Buzz... With a groan and a hazy mind, I reached for the buzzing phone on the nightstand. I managed to grasp it and, still half-asleep, I blindly answered the call."Hello?" I let out lazily, "Who is it?" I asked when no one replied, there was just silence on the other end. I shifted but a heavy weight had settled over me that restricted my movement. I felt so secure and protected being held like that. "Uh, who is this?" a manly voice asked. "Who are you?" I asked as I forced open my eyes. I was in such deep sleep that it felt like I was waking up from a coma. I looked down and saw a head full of thick black hair resting over my chest. Vincenzo... "It's, uh, Adriano, is Vincenzo with you right now?" he asked and I could hear a silent snicker as if he was trying hard to muffle his laughter. Why would Vincenzo's brother Adriano call me? How did he even know that his brother must be here? I pulled the phone away from my ear and saw that it wasn't
Ethan ⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I had met Vincenzo Capone on the island, and he had come across as a gentleman. He was respectful, levelheaded, and seemed like a genuinely decent guy. But nothing could have prepared me for the complete transformation I witnessed the moment we stepped onto his yacht.It was as if I had stepped into an entirely different world. The luxury cruise liner was a floating paradise on the sea, a world of superfluity and power. His armed men were everywhere. Vincenzo, with his impeccably tailored suit, moved through the crowd with confidence and authority. He was no longer the man I had met on the island; he was the real Vincenzo Capone, a man who commanded an empire with an air of ruthlessness as palpable as his wealth.As I looked around in awe, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of fascination and apprehension. The private islands, the skimpy dressed women, the stacks of cash changing hands like poker chips — it was a glimpse into a life I had never imagined. And it wa
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Red... The color was red, a vibrant, striking red. The dress she wore clung to her figure, highlighting her every contour. Her lips matched the dress, painted in that same captivating shade of crimson. Her hair was styled in a classic French bun, adding an air of elegance to the ensemble. As I looked at her, memories flooded my mind, taking me back just two nights prior when she was with me. I touched her, my fingers mapping every inch of her body, committing the experience to my memory. I had lost control, slipping deeper into the darkness of obsession with each passing day. It was as if I had become a different person, my thoughts and actions ruled by a single, overpowering need to make her mine. There was no escaping the chaos that had taken over my mind, and I had no intention of trying to break free.Every time I saw her, my heart raced, and I couldn't help but picture all the things I wanted to do to her. The way she looked, the way she moved, it was all
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"You are coming to the reception with me, I don't care. I don't know why you're acting this way, Ethan, but if it's Vincenzo Capone, then you have nothing to worry about," I snapped, forcing a forkful of pancakes into his mouth.He chewed on them as if I had fed him cockroaches, his face contorted with unease, "And what are you going to do about him if it's him?"I gave him an annoyed look, "First of all, I'm not afraid of him in the least. He's a killer, a murderer, a mob boss, so what? I've grown up with killers and mobsters. I have Scott Mancini in my corner; you may have only seen Scott's goofy side, but trust me, you don't want to see him when he loses his shit. That man turns into a hulk. I have Marco Costello, Alessandro Costello, Stefano Fabbri in my corner, and this is before I even start throwing around some more serious names."I noticed the smile that played on his lips, but it was quickly replaced by a sigh. "I don't know, Claire. I just feel like I don
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I casually slid a cigarette between my lips and then ignited it. Drawing in a long, slow breath, I released a dense cloud of smoke, savoring the moment as it unfurled around me.I'd chosen this shade just for her, knowing it would make her hair shine and it truly did. The color harmonized with her eyes and my tie. Watching her from across the room, I couldn't help but admire her beauty. Claire was radiant in that dress I had sent her, and I had to admit, it was my intention all along to make her stand out. The way her hair cascaded down, her eyes glistening under the lights, she was like a diamond in a sea of pebbles.My fingers absentmindedly traced the rim of the glass in my hand. Her eyes met mine briefly, and it was as if time slowed down. I could see it in her expression, a realization that I had been the one behind the dress. It annoyed her to no extent but she couldn't change it now. The party buzzed around us, but to me, it was just her and me in the roo
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"But if I win," I continued, "you still get to walk away, and I'll fulfill my promise to cover your mother's treatment. However, in return, I get your girlfriend and the pleasure of doing as I please with her." Ethan stated at me, his eyes wide. He opened his mouth to say something but then closed it as if he was in deep thought. I lit another cigarette and waited for his response, leaning back in my chair, and watching Ethan's internal battle play out before me. Smoke curled from the lit cigarette, creating a haze in the dimly lit room. He was trapped, caught between the fear of my proposition and the desire to escape his current life.His silence spoke volumes. He couldn't make a snap decision on this, and that worked in my favor. If I was him I wouldn't want Claire anywhere near the clutches of a man like me. I took a slow drag from my cigarette, savoring the moment. The mere thought of possessing Claire was everything to me. Time seemed to stretch as we sa
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