Hey, everyone, I hope you guys enjoy today's update! And everyone calling out Adriano needs to understand that he can't do anything because neither he nor Vincenzo are in power. Realistically, going against a mafia capo, especially a father, would likely come with severe repercussions. The mafia is known for its strict code of loyalty and discipline. Betraying or challenging a capo could lead to serious consequences, both for the son and the family. The son might face physical harm or death as punishment for betraying the code of silence and loyalty. This might involve a public display of violence, such as a severe beating or even an execution, intended to serve as a brutal warning to others. The son could become a symbol of the consequences for disloyalty, instilling fear within the organization. The retaliation could also involve the son's reputation being tarnished or erased from the family.
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅New York... New York embraced me with the familiar sense of home, a sanctuary where I could finally exhale. Adriano maneuvered the car while I observed the trees blur by from the passenger seat."Claire," he called."Hm?" I responded absentmindedly."Say something."I shut my eyes, inhaling deeply. "What do you want me to say?""Anything," he urged.My eyes stayed closed; the tears from last night had drained me. No matter how I struggled, there were no tears left – just a hollow numbness."Thank you for the ride," I murmured in a low voice."Goddamn it, Claire, I'm so fucking sorry."I nodded, opening my eyes and meeting his gaze. "I know, you've said it a hundred times since I sat in this car with you. I know you're sorry, Adriano, so am I...""You have nothing to be sorry for, Claire," he insisted. A bitter smile played on my lips. "I do. Vincenzo will never forgive me.""It wasn't your fault."I sighed, the weight of regret settling in. "If I had told him the
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Dead... That's what I felt from the inside. A chilling emptiness consumed me as I huddled on the cold floor within the shadows of my family's home. My brother had brought me here after they found me pathetically paralyzed in my apartment. I, Vincenzo Capone, got outsmarted by the woman I loved. Loved? Loved. It's insane how, in mere seconds, your perspective on someone can take a wild turn.One second you love them more than the whole world and the next, you hate them with every fiber of your being. Your whole being caught in this intense switch, like a tug of war between what felt great and what feels like a punch in the gut.Love and hate, surprisingly alike, are these crazy powerful feelings that have a knack for devouring you from within, like flames licking at the edges of your soul.In the end, both have the power to reshape you, leaving imprints that linger long after the flames have subsided.Claire Parker — She had me hooked from day one. I spotted
Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Hello?" Her saccharine sweet voice echoed from the other end.A tumult of emotions surged within me—aversion, heartache. "Claire..." A sharp intake of breath from the other side cut through the silence. "Don't hang up," I sneered, my words dripping with a mix of bitterness and desperation."Wasn't going to..."A heavy silence loomed between us, a perplexing void where words seemed to evaporate. "Why did you do it?""What are you talking about?" Her nonchalant response only fueled my rage.In a heartbeat, my temper exploded. "GODDAMN IT, CLAIRE! FUCKING TELL ME!" She let out a chilling laugh, "Is it so hard to believe that I never loved you? I never even said it back, not even once, no matter what you said or did. Just fucking leave me alone now!" Her words cut through the air like icy blades, leaving a bitter taste of betrayal.My jaw clenched, and my teeth gritted so hard that a sharp jolt of pain traveled through my jaw. "You're wrong if you think I'll leave y
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"Is that really your plan?" I exclaimed into the phone, my pacing echoing in the living room."It's the safest option. If I let you slip through Vincenzo's fingers, he'll either kill me or, worse, never forgive any of us," Adriano replied in a hushed tone on the other end of the call. "We discussed this, Adriano. The moment I marry him, he'll surely kill me. I know him well enough to understand how a simple comment can trigger his anger. After what your father orchestrated, do you really think he'll easily let this go? He's marrying me to torture me," I stated, sitting on the couch and pushing my hair back."Maybe, but consider this: it's the best for all of us involved. We'll disclose everything the moment he's in power, or maybe even before if you two can find a—"I interrupted, firmly, "No! Not before he becomes Capo, Adriano. I'm afraid he might do something reckless. And your father, no offense, is a first-class jerk. He isn't even afraid to get rid of his own
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅The next evening, I found myself in a clinic, nerves dancing beneath my skin. The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as I sat on the examination table, my thoughts racing.Dr. Harris, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, entered, offering a reassuring smile. "Are you ready, Claire?"I took a deep breath and nodded, attempting to quell the nerves that fluttered beneath my skin. The room felt colder as I shifted my gaze to the medical equipment, its metallic gleam contrasting with the pastel walls.As the procedure began, a mix of discomfort and anticipation coursed through me. The rhythmic beeping of medical equipment and Dr. Harris's voice created a steady backdrop to my inner thoughts.I focused on a distant point in the room, trying to distract myself from the unfamiliar sensations.The rhythmic beeping of the medical equipment acted as a metronome, measuring the passage of time. Moments later, Dr. Harris spoke, "There we go. You should start feeling better
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Vincenzo departed for Chicago five days ago, and I found myself without a wedding dress or a wedding band for him.His silence left me yearning for a sign. No calls, no cryptic messages from unknown numbers; just an unsettling radio silence that instilled both fear and a profound sense of sadness within me. Preparing for the wedding on my own was tougher than I expected, with his absence hanging over everything like a dark cloud.Despite Bianca and Allegra's repeated offers to join me shopping, I politely declined. Even when Scott offered to pay for everything, I turned him down too. Numbness enveloped me; the idea of shopping for my wedding felt like an insurmountable task. It wasn't just disinterest – it was a profound disconnect from everything. I lacked the will to live, let alone engage in the preparations for what should have been the happiest occasion of my life. Bianca labeled it as depression, but I'm not convinced. It feels like even depression would hesi
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I don't know where I was, it was an apartment, not as lavish as Vincenzo's other apartments but it was nice and cozy. On the top floor, the distant dots of people below only intensified the isolation, intensifying the nervous flutter in my chest.The quiet felt thick, every little sound in the room like the ticking of the clock echoing louder than it should. It was like the walls were holding secrets. Unease tingled through me. After Vincenzo shoved me into the car, he hopped into another one and took off, leaving me stuck with that repugnant Antonio. He couldn't resist stealing glances at me every two seconds through the rearview mirror, probably hoping I'd initiate some conversation. But I wasn't giving him the satisfaction – my lips stayed sealed.Stepping out of the car, I realized why he'd sent me here. The entrance screamed high security – strict protocols, no way out except through an elevator guarded by his thumb impression and his voice command. It was lik
Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I woke up in bed, though I had fallen asleep by the window in the early hours of the morning, observing the gradual illumination of the sky. Yet, inexplicably, I found myself tucked in bed with him standing by the bedroom window – shirtless, sipping his morning coffee.He glanced back at me and realized that I was awake. A look of complete indifference across his face before he returned his attention out the window. As I slowly sat up, I absentmindedly combed my fingers through my hair."I really thought that marrying you was going to be the happiest day of my life..." he voiced, gazing into the distance. I stared at the side of his face, I wanted to say how I had thought the same. The plan I had in mind for our wedding night, the things I wanted to tell him but couldn't. I had to wait. "Now it feels like I'm making the damn worst mistake of my life," he spat out, a bitter sneer contorting his face. "What the hell am I even doing? Marrying you after the shit you p
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