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Chapter 38
Last Updated:
2023-08-28 08:23:17Related chapters
ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 39
39Standing on the driveway, Ryder watched the black car pull into the sparse compound of the Packhouse. Dressed in a loose shirt, shorts, and black sneakers, with dark shades over his eyes, he was almost in sync with the other warlords standing next to him. They were dressed just like him but in different colors. The car stopped and they waited patiently for whoever was inside to step out. And he did. Only then did Ryder let go of his taut look and broke into a full-blown smirk. Giveon alighted the car, with a duffel bag in his hand. With a grin, he approached them, hugging Ryder. The other warlords, Fred and Jay, patted his back and they were all in random chortles."Good to have you back, man." Ryder was grinning from ear to ear. He had been so worried. Seeing Giveon had just given him a bit of chill."It's good to be home." Giveon broke off the hug, smiling at the warlords. Jay took his bag away from him, offering to carry it."How did it go?" Fred asked, impatiently. "Did you
Last Updated : 2023-08-28ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 40
40The deafening silence was interrupted by footstrides. Hara and Tiffany had just excitedly joined them on the patio but immediately recognized the cold silence."Giveon. Good to have you back." Hara smiled, giving him a warm pat. Then she stepped over to Ryder and her brows arched. "What's wrong?""Nothing—" He was gonna lie about it, but at the same time, he didn't have enough balls to. With how crazy it sounded, he needed as many calm heads as possible to make sense of it. "Tell me, Ryder. What's wrong?" Hara hugged him, hoping to melt away his resolve. She did. Seconds later, he was clearing his throat. "Giveon has some news for us. Uh—" He looked over to the guys, hoping one of them would bail him out and say the words instead. But they didn't seem like they wanted to. So he continued. "Okay. Uh — he met Jason and Ciara. And, uh — Jason could hear Ciara's thoughts." "What?" Hara was shaken. Just like the others. "What does that mean?""There's just one explanation for that, i
Last Updated : 2023-08-29ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 41
41"Guns, daggers, bullets. Would you be needing anything more?" Don Carianno asked, glancing up at one of his men."No, boss. We're good." The man replied with a bow. "Alright then. Get the others ready. You'll be leaving in ten minutes." Don Carianno waved them off and they left, each man holding a gun.With the room almost empty, Don Carianno puffed on his vape, articulately going over the night's mission tactics with Ghost. He rambled on and only paused when he realized Ghost hadn't said a word since the 'supposed' conversation started."Son?"Ghost was silent. More so, because he didn't hear him. Lost in thought with his legs on a chair next to him, and his head thrown back, he could barely notice whatever was going on around him."Son. Hey!" Don Carianno patted his shoulder, bringing him back to reality. "Fuck. Where the hell have your mind been?""I'm sorry." A bit distorted, Ghost took down his legs, adjusting on his chair. He sighed, rubbing his face. "I'm sorry, uh, what w
Last Updated : 2023-09-05ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 42
42"He's not okay. I could see it in his eyes. Something's wrong." Don Carianno sighed, pulling at his buttons and letting his coat fly. He was suffocated with worries and he didn't need more stress from his clothing adding to it. Ever since the meeting with Ghost ended, he's been fucking moody and worried. How could he not be? The guy had been completely absent in the conversation they had.He looked torn. Distorted. And Lord have mercy it better not be because of that damned girl. "You think it's because of Ciara?" Sergio asked, slumping on the couch. They were home. In one of the Carianno's mansions. "I'm not a hundred percent sure. But it could be. Ghost has always been Ghost. He only became a lesser and crazier version since she showed up. I just hope he heard everything I said about the mission. I'll be fucked up if we lose this shipment.""That's not gonna happen. Ghost might be an ass. But he's never lost on a mission. He's not about to start now." Sergio grabbed the Xbox.
Last Updated : 2023-09-06ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 43
43The laughter in the hallway caused Ghost to slow down on his steps. It was coming from his apartment. Fucking strange, who would be laughing in there, and at this late hour?He put in his combination and the door opened. Slowly, he walked in, hands on his gun, until he got into the sitting room. The laughter increased and he was a bit stunned by the sight.Scar, who was exquisitely dressed in clothing that very much belonged to Ghost, was on the couch, with Ciara. She looked different. But in a good way.Her hair was free and falling to her face and back. She wore a silver night dress which was almost transparent. And her face was glowing. She looked at home. Comfortable. Something she hadn't been with him.Ghost looked around. There were no other men in here. He'd met a few of them downstairs and in the hallway. But that was it. No one else was inside his apartment. Just Scar and Ciara.What the hell did they need the privacy for? The thought came with a ruthless knot in his chest
Last Updated : 2023-09-07ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 44
44"Jason!""Jason!!""Jason!!!"*Ghost woke up with a jerk, almost bolting out of the bed. He was hyperventilating and his whole body was covered in beads of sweat. His hands clenched the sheets, and he shut his eyes at the tremor that rushed through his spine. It took minutes before he could breathe properly.Another nightmare. Another were–wolfish nightmare. Another night of being subjected to the torture of their screams and howls. Another night of seeing a replica of him and being called the weird name, 'Jason.' How much longer does he have to put up with it? How much longer before these nightmares would leave him alone?With a heavy sigh, he got out of bed and went into the bathroom. He had a quick, cold, and long shower. He spent almost an hour there. The cold water was therapeutic and he needed it to wash off the trails of whatever panic he had a while ago. Finally, he came out and got dressed. Ready to head back to the hideout. He didn't wanna return there so soon. But he
Last Updated : 2023-09-08ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 45
45.Ghost arrived at the hideout drenched in thoughts. The men in the hallway were in silent chatters and were giving him weird stares. He fucking expected this after his mess last night. He walked into one of the rooms and was hit by the foul stench of blunts and booze.It was half a study and half a storeroom for guns and other weapons. But it was messy with shit littered in all directions. He could make out a few stubs between the mess.Don Carianno was standing at the window, puffing hard on the blunt between his fingers. He seemed to have noticed the extra presence but he didn't bother to turn around."Can we talk?" Ghost broke the silence. "Please?""I asked you to rest, son. What are you doing here?" Don Carianno was all shades of grumpy. "I wanna fix the mess I caused yesterday." Ghost said. He sounded desperate. Way too desperate. Don Carianno turned swiftly. "What's up with that voice? Don't tell me you're fucking depressed.""No. I'm not. I'm just sad about what happened
Last Updated : 2023-09-30ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 46
46Ciara heard the doorbell ring. She let out a gasp as the thought of Ghost's return invaded her mind. Quickly, she put back the glasses of wine and the bottle where she'd taken them from.Nervous as hell, she turned on the sink tap, letting the water run on her fingers. Like it would wash off the uneasiness she was feeling.She heard Scar hurry to the door and it only left her more fidgety. Just a few seconds ago, she was gonna drug his drink. Not to kill him but to keep him asleep for as long as it would take for her to escape. It was just the two of them here. The others had to go on some mission from their beastly boss. A perfect timing to carry out her long, calculated plan.Acting all nice and charming was the only way she could think of to escape this place. No one knew the game of pretense and manipulation better than she did. And when she saw Scar and realized that he wasn't exactly a monster at heart, she clung to him as her target.A few smiles and charming, doe eyes and
Last Updated : 2023-10-01
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ONCE A BETA, NOW A MAFIA 83
“Did she sanitize this?” Ranya asked, wearing a puzzled look as he stretched the empty paper towards Valerie. She took it and brought the blank sheet to her nose.She coughed slightly, perceiving a deeper scent than expected. “It’s sanitized, sir. The card is too,” she replied, handing the sheet back to him.He accepted the blank sheet, bewildered by why she would send it along with his keys.“Sir, are there any threats of any kind? Should I inform the police?" Valerie asked, watching her boss intently. She couldn’t help but wonder what business he had with the lady in shades.She did not say anything when she arrived because Mr. Windsor had already informed her that a lady would be returning his card, and she was to take it.“I thought I gave her a week?” he asked, walking into his office, scanning through the sheet in his hands to see if she left any hidden message. Valerie watched her boss walk away with surprise overly written on her face. She had never seen that look on him before
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“Mr. Ranya Windsor,” Damian said confidently as he walked towards Ranya, his face no longer masked with anger but replaced with a smile. Ranya looked up from the system as the well-dressed man in a blue suit approached his table.“You’re not kidding me, are you?” Ranya asked, gesturing towards the system on the table. “This is a cafe, not your office.”Ranya scoffed loudly, shaking Damian’s outstretched hand, and whispered, “The last time I checked, we were supposed to meet for work. I agreed to this cafe meeting because I know you brought him with you. I can only avoid unnecessary drama by choosing to meet in public.”Damian laughed and took a seat across from his friend. Damian Lillard was Ranya’s cousin, and he chose to work for him due to his political agenda. Being the Prime Minister’s personal assistant had many advantages for a politically minded person like Damian.“I see you’re avoiding questions about Vivian,” Damian remarked, staring intently at Ranya, whose expression turn
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The beeping sound of the elevator distracted her thoughts yet again.She vividly remembered the first time she had come here. The elevator had opened, and she had walked out, feeling repulsive with each step she took towards the apartment.After entering the passcode, the one he had asked her to choose three months into the contract, he had wanted her to have access, warning her always to wear a nose mask whenever she visited. Those rules she had adhered to diligently over the years.The door beeped, and it opened. She pushed it open and as she stepped in, the familiar smell of him hit her sense of reasoning, and for some minutes, she felt like breaking down.He had made it clear that it was a contract. A contract with no strings attached. It was so unfair she had to feel this way, and with determination, she decided she was not coming back to his apartment again.The living room was extremely spacious and lively. It used to be gloomy and depressing until she couldn’t bear its emptine
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“You’re not doing that, are you?” Emily asked, her voice a little high-pitched, as they were currently in one of the biggest lounges in Texas.She owned a lounge called ‘The Place.’When she decided to name it THE PLACE, Calista laughed out loud, wondering why she chose such a weird name for a bar. What she didn’t know was that her friend actually meant it; she wanted everything to stand out, including the name.Emily’s smartness caught her attention when she went to a friend’s party in college. She knew just how to attract the right person, and her friendly gestures towards everyone captured her attention.“How did your family take it?” Emily asked, nodding her head at the loud music. “I mean, it will be a lot, given the time frame.”“I didn’t give them enough time to process it, Emmy. We’re moving out the day after tomorrow, and that’s it.”“I kind of find you cruel,” Emily added, her voice sounding displeased. “You can’t snatch off a life because you’re afraid he might not come loo
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Echoes of the Past“Ranya,” Vivian called impatiently. “I’m sorry, but I can’t refuse. Yang proposed to me, and you expect me to turn him down?”“Vivian, please,” Ranya begged, holding her wrist pleadingly. “I promised I would be so good to you. I would take over Father’s company if that would make you stay. You can’t leave me.”“And to think you thought I was leaving you because you were still struggling is annoying. I’m telling you this because I don’t want you to see it in the news. I love Yang, and I’m marrying him!”Her voice echoed in his head, especially the last word. Now she’s back, and he’s still hopelessly in love with her. The reason he couldn’t move on or open his heart to another was because of her. She had returned, making many promises never to leave.A slight knock on his door interrupted his thoughts. He turned slightly towards his secretary, who silently walked in and dropped a file on the table.“The prime minister booked an appointment, sir,” she announced, steppi
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Bargaining with FateThree Years EarlierCalista stood before the imposing doors of the Windsor Law Firm, her hands trembling in the cold air of the waiting room. Her father’s future hung in the balance, and Ranya Windsor was her last hope. Lila, her father’s colleague, had assured her that he could help.The firm was one that loan sharks found quite intimidating. She desperately wanted to save her father from jail, not only because her family name and image would be tarnished but also because she couldn’t bear to watch them take him away. She knew he was not responsible for the allegations imposed on him by Lewiston Corporation.“Miss Calista MacQuoid, Mr. Windsor will see you now.” The receptionist’s voice jolted her back to the present. She took a deep breath and stepped inside, her eyes meeting the icy gaze of Ranya Windsor for the first time.“Don’t mind his cold demeanor when you meet him. He can help you.” Lila’s voice echoed in her head as she walked into the room, the recepti
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Fading Echoes of DesireThe weather was nice and fair, especially after the heavy downpour the previous day. There was nothing to worry about as she made her way to the massive building belonging to one of the wealthiest bachelors in Texas, Ranya Windsor.Three years ago was the first time she had visited this place. She was in distress, desperately seeking a way to prevent her father from going to jail. She was troubled and extremely poor. But today, she held her head high, feeling a sense of belonging as her heels made resounding steps toward the receptionist. Despite being a law firm, the building felt more like a suite for people of high status.“Good morning, miss,” the blonde receptionist greeted, smiling sweetly at her. The last time she was here, the receptionist had a curt expression, unlike the friendly one now.“Good morning,” Calista replied, giving her a smile that lit up her face. “I have an appointment with Mr. Windsor.”The receptionist nodded and checked her system fo
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EpilogueCiara crouched below and peered into those sad grey eyes. She pulled at his cheeks playfully, "Asher, don’t you just look dashing?"He tugged at his bow-tie and began to whine.Hara walked by carrying a huge cake that shielded her face, "See Asher, Aunt Ciara thinks you look handsome in that shirt. I agree with her."Ciara chuckled. It had been more than a year and a few months since she moved back to the pack, and it was more than she expected it to be. She had felt so much raw pain when Ghost was driven away in that car. She didn’t have a clue of what she was supposed to do. It was just like the first time she ran away from the pack, confused, exhausted. She had known the pack all her life, grown up here, made friends here. Suddenly she had to run from it, from her safe haven, from everyone she knew. Somehow she had managed to pick up the pieces of her life, find some sort of balance, and then Italy happened. She lost her freedom, lost the reins over her life, lost her happ
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In a heartbeat, Ghost swung his arm towards Sergio and pressed the trigger. Sergio didn’t have time to react, his face was frozen in shock as the bullet sliced through the air and into his forehead. Before his men could react, Ghost pulled out another gun from inside his shirt and fired at them.Scar was firing from two guns from behind. Ryder leaped into the air and transformed into a wolf, tearing through the remaining men, ripping them apart. His paws with sharp claws sliced through the air as he sunk his teeth into the neck of one of the men, snuffing the life out of him instantly.Three other men emerged from behind the shadows, dragging Ciara, Hara, and Blair.Hara and Ciara exchanged a look, and on Hara’s cue, they elbowed the men in the groin. Ghost fired instantly, and Ryder jumped on the man holding Blair, knocking him off. He tossed him to the side, and Blair ran towards him, pulling him into a hug. He wiped her tear-stained cheeks with his nuzzle. Hara joined in on the gro
