Took me two days to get this chapter to perfection. So, here it is. I hope you guys enjoy it. Also, thank you all for leaving 5-star reviews, it does help the story a lot to gain popularity. Love you all! XOXO! 💕
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Straddling him on a bench in a secluded garden, things took a turn I hadn't quite expected. Instead of the simple night out I had in mind, there we were, kissing like it was the most natural thing in the world. It wasn't part of the plan, but somehow, it felt right – it just came effortlessly like the air I breathe and the beat of my heart.I lied, you know... This was the best kiss of my whole life, no one had kissed me. This kiss, it wasn't like the usual build-up, not just part of some foreplay, he was kissing for the sake of kissing me. I relished every moment – his lips, his scent, the taste of him, and the way his touch lingered on my body. It felt like the first time I truly experienced a kiss, something beyond merely setting a mood. It was perfect, genuine, and more than I ever expected, it wasn't about leading to something else; it was the main event. He pulled me in closer with his big hand on my back, the light stubble on his face brushing against my sk
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I waited in the car, my impatience simmering as she took an eternity. Whatever she was up to, I couldn't imagine, but when she finally emerged, a scowl etched across her face, it was clear she had a knack for testing my patience.She swung open the car door and gracefully slipped into the passenger seat, her familiar scent enveloping the confined space.I maintained a stoic expression as I maneuvered the car out of our heavily secured residence. The security team efficiently unlocked each gate, and once we smoothly passed through the third one, hidden from the watchful eyes of my men, I seized her chin. In an instant, I leaned in for a kiss, craving her from the moment I had seen her in this dress but she blocked it with a hand firmly placed between our lips. What the fuck? I abruptly pulled back, my focus divided between the road and her. She swiped my hand away from her chin, crossing her arms defensively over her chest and shifting towards the car door, creat
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"When I'm pissed off, I fuck hard," his voice came out deep, husky, and almost as if it took everything in him to utter these words. I felt his fingers digging into my hipbone as he held me closer. I blinked up at him, wondering, what did Vincenzo Capone even see in me when he was surrounded by all these women? When he had an ex like Sarah Cromwell. Why me? His secretary Georgina was a beautiful, smart, and probably an upstanding woman—why did he never get attracted to her? Why me? I quivered as he squeezed me forcefully, his grip leaving searing imprints on my skin. My fingers desperately clung to his flexed forearms, as he tried to shove his hands under my dress. I wasn't afraid of his bruteness, I have had enough bruteness in my life that I had grown a very hard skin. It takes a lot to simply unnerve me but somehow he manages to do that simply just by being around me. "I'm fine with that..." I nodded slightly and managed to whisper. He made a deep sound tha
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Do orders sound like white noise to you, or is it just a selective hearing issue?" was the first thing he said to me when he entered the room. I stood by the window, staring out since I returned to the room. When I heard his voice, I turned, and let out a breath, "Well, you know, orders and I have this complicated relationship," I retorted. His eyes narrowed, there wasn't a trace of amusement on his face, he was pissed, "Complicated, huh? Maybe I need to simplify it for you."I just couldn't help but be bitchy, even when I knew I messed up. It was like my default setting or something. It's not like I planned to be all rebellious, but there was this itch to stand my ground, even when I was in the wrong."I don't need simplification. I simply reserve my obedience for those who earn it." "Is that so?" he inquired, a subtle challenge in his tone.He stalked towards me, eyes practically shooting daggers. The air around him felt charged, like an impending storm ready
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Vincenzo Capone - Fifteen years old. The air weighed on me as mourners came together at our estate, a testament to the fortune amassed by generations of Capones. Dressed in a meticulously tailored black suit, I stood stoically, alongside my father Salvatore Capone, I presented a façade of strength despite the grief that lingered beneath.We're Made Men. We don't show our emotions. We bury them. It's a code we live by. It's not about being heartless; it's survival in a world where showing weakness can be more dangerous than any adversary we might face.Within the mansion, decorated with black drapery, mourners navigated through halls to the grand room where the funeral service unfolded. Every corner showed off detailed floral arrangements, a display of wealth juxtaposed against the somber occasion. Lilies and roses perfumed the air, mingling with the heavy fragrance of incense.A polished dark wood casket, a classy piece, rested in the center of the room. Ne
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I paced angrily in my room, seething with frustration. He was hugging her, intimately, within the confines of his study. The audacity of their closeness on our supposed first day as a couple fueled the flames of annoyance within me.I could still feel a light sting between my thighs. My clit was swollen from being hit five times and it was worse than getting kicked in the balls. A gentle yet firm knock echoed through the room, prompting me to turn towards the door and freeze. There he was—I could sense it without a doubt. It had to be Vincenzo. "Claire..." his voice reached me from outside the door.In response, I stomped over to the bed, frustration bubbling within me, and sat down. Pulling my legs to my chest, I remained silent as his plea continued."Claire, open the door." Despite his words, I chose not to respond. Instead, I sat on the bed, fixating my gaze on the sheets, unwilling to let him see the conflict and emotions swirling within me. I wasn't jealo
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"It was not what it looked like," I stammered as Vincenzo, accompanied by Adriano and Silvio, left for work.Throughout this entire time, there had been this unspoken tension and nagging questions hanging over my head. I struggled with the peculiar glances Alessia and Allegra sent pointed glances my way every time Vincenzo so much as took a breath at the breakfast table. It felt like his every inhale and exhale somehow had everything to do with me. Alessia crossed her arms over her chest, her expression carrying a mix of curiosity and concern, "It looked like you and Vincenzo had something going on... romantically."I sighed, my shoulders slumping. "Fine, then it was exactly what it looked like."Alessia let out a laugh, a mixture of amusement and realization. "I knew it. I had a feeling when we flew back from the island that something was going on with Vincenzo and his unusual concern for you. I know him well enough to understand that he won't just get up and fix
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"What about you, Claire?" he asked, "Do you even know who I am?" I took a deep breath, smiling up at him, "You're a perfectionist... I admire the way everything in your life is meticulously organized and flawlessly clean. And how there's not a single speck of dust in your bedroom." A subtle smile played on his lips, and both of his eyebrows raised slightly, a silent acknowledgment of the compliment."You're kind of unexplainable," I glanced down at my toes and then back at him, "To someone who doesn't know you, they might think you're this ice-cold and emotionless person but only your family knows the truth – that you have the warmest smile, you make jokes sometimes, you're honest, and caring. Your love for the women in your family is gentle, and you express it mostly within the walls of your home."The smile slowly faded, and a confused and serious look flickered across his features as if he wasn't expecting me to know anything about him. "Your love language is.
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