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Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅My heart pounded in my chest as I paced back and forth in the dimly lit room. It was almost two in the morning and the minutes felt like hours, and I dreaded the moment when Vincenzo would show up. I didn't know what he wanted, but I had a feeling it wouldn't be pleasant.I glanced nervously at the door, my trembling fingers reaching out to turn the lock. With shaky hands, I pushed the bolt into place, the faint click of the lock echoing in the quiet room. I'm usually not the nervous, fidgety type, but the overdose and the medication have ramped up my anxiety, turning me into a jittery, twitching wreck.I needed something more to feel safe. My eyes darted around the room, searching for anything to barricade the door. My gaze landed on the heavy dresser pushed against the wall. It was the only piece of furniture that could possibly block the door.Summoning all my strength, I moved toward the dresser. It was difficult to maneuver on my own, but fear fueled my effort
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"You're not ready yet, Claire," he murmured, his eyes dark and focused on mine. "But when you are, you'll come to me willingly."I sat there, just watching him, feeling like a fish out of water, trying to grapple with the overwhelming mix of emotions churning inside me. Fear gripped me like a vise, coiling around my every thought and squeezing tight. All this time, I had been right. He's into me, plain and simple."You have feelings for me," I whispered."Feelings?" His eyes flickered with something more complex. "It's not that simple."I forcefully got off the couch, taking a few steps away from him. My thoughts were all over the place, a crazy mix of fear and confusion. My body felt like it was burning up, and I couldn't make sense of his words. I had never been in such a bizarre situation, and it left me completely disoriented.He got up as well, making me take a step back, "What if... What if I don't want to be with you," I stammered, as he casually slipped his
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Morning rituals – a symphony of punches echoing through my home gym. The home gym was lit just enough to give it that gritty, underground feel. Sunlight struggled through the blinds, casting long shadows on the equipment. I tossed my gloves on a bench, worn and cracked from too many showdowns, and started wrapping tape around my fingers.The punching bag hung there, like an old friend waiting to get pummeled.Bare-knuckled, fists taped, I unleashed fury on the punching bag. Each blow, a calculated dance of power and control. Muscles strained, body dripping sweat. Each punch sent it swinging, and the sound of knuckles meeting leather reverberated through the room. The air was thick with the musky scent of sweat and determination.No fancy workout gear – just me in black boxer shorts, throwing punches like I was settling a score. The morning light played off the sweat rolling down my face, and the whole place felt alive with the energy of a good, hard fight.The t
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅╭────────────────────╮Idiot: Keep drooling over Mancini, and I'll make sure he's a distant memory once I'm done with you. Don't test my patience, princess, unless, you want me to bend you other thistable...╰────────────────────╯While his entire family shared the breakfast table with us, that's the message he decided to shoot my way.Glancing at Vincenzo, I caught a glint in his eyes – a mix of arrogance and amusement. Is this a game to him? Testing my limits or merely a twisted form of flirting? Is that what he calls flirting? Is this his idea of charm?Well, someone needs to give him a crash course in flirting – it's like watching a dinosaur attempt salsa.It was odd how innocent he acted in front of his family. I'm sure he never shows his real face to his Aunt Alessia. After finishing up the breakfast, everyone dispersed. Vincenzo got a call and he left home almost immediately, he looked a little upset and my heartbeat quickened, I hope everything was
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅The room was hushed, with only the soft shuffling of cards breaking the silence. We sat opposite each other, our eyes meeting in a playful challenge. The table between us held an assortment of chips and a deck of cards. The initial cards were dealt, and I glimpsed at my hand—two eights, a decent beginning. Vincenzo, his eyes a mix of confidence and darkness, kept his cards close to his chest.The first community card unveiled itself, adding a nine to the mix. Vincenzo's nonchalant demeanor didn't give away much, but I sensed a subtle tension.The second community card, a seven, appeared, and his expression remained unreadable. I weighed the odds and decided to raise the stakes. As the final card, a six, completed the tableau, his eyes flickered with something akin to satisfaction. We revealed our hands—my pair of eights versus Vincenzo's straight. I looked at him and he stared back at me with an annoying, smug smile and darkness-riddled eyes, "Strip," he ordered.
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅His smoldering eyes looked into mine, as he gripped the back of my hair and forced my face closer to his, "The truce with the Cosa Nostra... it wasn't for Scott and Allegra, I did it for you," he revealed, making me stunned. At that heated moment, his confession lingered in the atmosphere, breaking down any assumptions I held. My eyes widened in disbelief, torn between the touch of his rough hands and the gravity of his words. The revelation that our truce wasn't just business but driven by his desire for me left me stunned. I shook my head gently, his fingers still entangled in my hair, "No, you didn't. We didn't even know each other back then. We met, like, once when you tried to shoot me."A wry smile played on his lips. "Well, not the most conventional start, I admit," he said, as he loosened his grip on my hair, allowing me to lean back slightly. His gaze lingered on my lips before meeting my eyes again. "But that moment... it sparked something, didn't it?" h
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Vincenzo Capone - Fifteen Years Old. "Come here," Mom said, pulling me in and showering my face with sweet kisses.I laughed, "Mom, stop it! You can't do that anymore. I'm fifteen, not your little boy. And with my initiation just around the corner, I'll officially be a man!" I told her, attempting to loosen her hold on me, but my effort wasn't too convincing.In response to my feeble attempt, she playfully ignored my resistance and continued to shower me with affectionate kisses, peppering them all over my face as if each one carried all of her love. "I don't care how old you get; you will always be my little boy. My baby Vincenzo, my first love... I will shower you with love like this every single day of the year, even when you're thirty or maybe fifty. You'll always be my baby boy, and I'll continue to pepper kisses all over this handsome face as much as I want! No one can stop me, not even you. I brought you into this world, and I get to love you forever."I
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Vincenzo!" I snapped, doing my best to wriggle out of his grasp.I didn't even get a chance to look around the unfamiliar space – I was too busy trying to squirm my way out. But, lo and behold, it felt like we walked through the frickin' Grand Canyon or something. We finally made it to his bed and he dropped me on it like he was tossing a bag of chips onto the couch.His footsteps faded away, and I tensed when the door clicked shut. I swung around to find him leaning against it, arms crossed. The white dress shirt clung to his biceps, soaked in blood and he looked like the damn prince of darkness.And then I realized that it's exactly what he was. A prince of darkness... Darkness was like his second nature... His eyes traced down, starting from my face, pulled down by some invisible force. They glided over every curve, from my lips to my neck, down to my chest where the thin fabric hinted at what lay beneath. My shirt had hitched up by his manhandling, revealin
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