Ashley kissed Chris's swollen right hand, breathing heavily, pleased that she had managed to get him out of police custody by claiming that they didn't have enough evidence to detain him. She was squatting on the floor next to his hospital bed, he was unconscious; his head was bandaged, and there were plasters all over his body and even on his nose. Dave stood close to the door behind them, watching Ashley treat her bodyguard as if he were family. "Chris, you don’t have to suffer anymore; please just wake up." She said she didn’t know when she started pressing his swollen hand, waiting for him to wake up. "Ow! Ow!" he shouted in pain, pulling his hand out of her grip as he sat up on the bed, revealing his left hand that was tied to his neck. "I am so sorry, Chris. I got carried away." Ashley apologized and sat on the edge of the bed, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead. "Thank you for standing by me, I will surely increase your salary when you get out of here." She said. "What do
The moon took its place in the sky, covering the city with a ray of light. Ashley examined herself in the full-length mirror in her room, her hair was packed in an elegant updo that left a few bangs on her face, and there was a veil on the back of her head, she was wearing a sexy white dress that was slim at the waist region but had a puff at the end that was almost reaching the ground but was prevented from touching the ground by her heels and height. The dark red lipstick she was wearing outlined her beauty, making her look extremely beautiful. She took a deep breath before grabbing a lily and rose bouquet that was on her makeup desk. She heard a knock on the door and turned to look at the door. Dave and Jake were standing at the door dressed in stylish black tuxedos. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Dave inquired entering the room. "Yes, I want to do it, and I have to do it. If not, my father will be gone before Noah gets married to me." She replied. "I think it’s a good thing
Ashley took a deep breath and turned to face Noah, who was standing at the altar with the priest by his side, wearing a milk-coloured tuxedo and a smile on his face as he noticed her. Dave quickly covered her head with the veil. She looked at him and wrapped her hand around his right hand. She had never dreamed of this day in her life, but she knew her father was supposed to be the one to accompany her. But now that she was only getting married for her father’s sake, she didn’t think too much about it. Dave took the lead, slowly walking with her into the hall. The place was beautifully decorated with flowers, and the chairs on which the guests were sitting were divided into two rows, one on each side. Ashley started walking down the aisle with a clenched jaw as the music played in the background. "Here comes the bride" was being played, thinking of all the nasty things she would do to Noah after the marriage. "How did you get an influential woman like her to marry you?" The priest a
The whole place darkened with the guests still seated, watching Ashley and Noah’s every move. Noah stood in the middle of the hall with Ashley. "Music," he said, and a romantic song started to be played in the background. I can’t dance in this dress." Ashley said to him as he carried her hand and placed it on his shoulder. "I know, but I can do a little adjustment to your dress." He squatted in front of her, pulling a small pair of scissors from his back pocket and resting his hand on her dress's puff. "You are full of surprises." She muttered and watched as he made a small cut on her knee region with the scissor and ripped off the puff of her wedding dress, making it easy for her to move freely. He rose to his feet, kicking away the pieces of clothing, and started dancing with Ashley, who was glaring at him throughout the dance. He spun her around, smiling, as she was dancing aggressively with him, stepping on his feet, but he was enjoying the pain. The staff of the hall started
"What’s wrong? How do you know I am with Noah?" Ashley asked him. "I know today is your engagement." He replied. "What is all this about?" She asked. "Just give him the damn phone!" The butler snapped. Ashley removed the phone from her ear and extended it to Noah, narrowing her eyes at him. "Who is that?" Noah asked. "Just take it." She replied coldly. He swiftly took the phone from her. "Hello," Noah muttered. "Your father is with us, if you don’t come to us now, you might not get the chance to see him alive again." The butler said to Noah and hung up on him. "Hey! Hey! Hello! Hello!" Noah screamed, running his hand through his hair as he attempted to dial the number again, but Ashley snatched her phone from him. "So, do you want to stop playing these games? And give me the antidote?" She inquired. His body tensed up as he glared at her. "You need to take me to that man that was on the phone now!" He screamed, staring at her with his eyes shaking. "What’s wrong?" Ashley inqui
Ashley smirked as she saw that her father was still as cunny as she knew him to be, and she was feeling good that he gave Noah a taste of his own medicine. "Are you threatening me right now?" Noah asked with his mouth slightly open. "I am not threatening you, your father is in my custody, you have to think of him," Lugard said. Noah’s face contorted in anger. He angrily pushed his hand into his pocket and took out the antidote, handing it to the butler, who took it from him and handed it to Ashley, who opened it and gave it to her father. "Now where is my father?" Noah questioned. "Calm down, boy, let’s see if the antidote works." The butler replied. Noah gnashed his teeth, staring at Lugard as he poured every last drop of the antidote into his mouth. Lugard finished drinking it and tossed the bottle to the floor. He sighed and laid back on the bed. "Dad, do you feel better now?" Ashley asked curiously. "No, I still feel pain all over my body." He replied, closing his eyes, and s
*****Ashley***** My father’s body felt lifeless as I pulled him away from me, he slipped from my grip and fell on the bed. To my greatest surprise, there was foam in his mouth and his nose was bleeding; an electric current flew through my body. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, so I started shaking him on the bed and tugging on his clothes. "Dad! Can you hear me wake up!" I yelled. Just then the butler and the others burst into the room, staring at me. "What’s going on?" the butler asked me. "I don’t know. I was just hugging him and suddenly he…he.." I couldn’t bring myself to explain what happened. He nudged me aside and placed his hand on my father’s forehead and also placed his hand on his nose. He grabbed my father’s hand, feeling his pulse with a trembling hand. "What’s wrong? Is he going to be alright?" I inquired my voice hoarse. The butler removed his cap, tossed it to the ground with a sad expression, and turned his face toward me, shaking his head continuously. "What
Noah’s bodyguard took the butler from Noah and started beating him with no remorse, punching him continuously in the face as the old butler was crying and screaming in his arms, but he couldn’t fight the muscular bodyguard. "Let go of him! You can’t treat an old man that way." I declared, but Noah’s bodyguard yanked the butler’s hair and dragged him toward the wall, where he started hitting his head on the wall. "Arghhh!" the butler screamed as blood started oozing out of his head while the bodyguard was hitting his head. "Let go of me," I said to Dave and Xander. "I said let go of me," I said through clenched teeth as I pushed the bodyguard away from the butler and supported him, preventing him from falling. I looked over my shoulder at the bodyguard, who wanted to attack me too, but Noah asked him to stand back. "Do you know where his father is?" I asked in a calm tone, not like I wanted to give Noah his father back. "N-No, I don't, I swear on my life!" The butler said. I coul
Dear beloved readers,As I sit down to write this author's note, tears of gratitude and joy fill my eyes. I cannot express how much happiness it brings me to know that you have embarked on this incredible journey with me, deep into the world of the mafia queen and her enthralling story. Your support and dedication have meant the world to me, and I am forever grateful for each and every one of you.With a bittersweet feeling in my heart, I must inform you that the journey of Book One has come to a close. The captivating tale of the mafia queen has reached its end, but fear not, my dear readers, for this is only the beginning. Book Two is right around the corner, waiting to sweep you off your feet once again.I have poured my heart and soul into crafting this novel for you, and I am overjoyed to hear that it has touched your hearts and minds. Your enthusiasm and encouragement have inspired me every step of the way, and for that, I am eternally grateful.Now, I have a little secret to sh
The following day dawned, casting an eerie light upon the grim gathering. Old man Carl stood resolutely on the shore of the sea, his face devoid of any trace of a smile. His stern expression and commanding voice cut through the air as he explained the rules of the game to Ashley and her group, who faced the submarines assigned to each of them.An intense tension settled upon the shore, amplified by Xander's frequent glances in Ashley's direction. She stood a mere inches away from him, next to Jake, while Carl loomed behind them all."Each of you knows exactly why you're here, you bunch of assholes," Carl began, his voice carrying across the water. He gestured toward the six sleek submarines bobbing in the water behind him. "Today, someone will meet their end, and this game will determine who. You will race in these submarines. The first five to cross the finish line shall be spared. The person who crosses last will pay with their life."With a sinister smile, he pulled out a handgun f
Mason stood outside his car in the dimly lit alley, stubbornly refusing to get inside while Melody persistently tapped on the window behind him. He retrieved a matchbox and a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it up and taking a long drag."Sorry to keep you waiting. You know that queen is a handful," Carl said, spreading his hands as he approached Mason from the other side of the alley."What was all that? Why did you make me look like a fool, you old hag?" Mason growled, exhaling a plume of smoke. Carl stood before him, a smirk playing on his lips."Perhaps you still consider her your queen?" Mason questioned."Hell no. She's nobody's queen. Just a naive little girl claiming to rule Miami when she's nothing without her dead father," Carl remarked. Mason extinguished his cigarette on Carl's shirt, leaving a stain behind. "If I find out the punishment you plan for her is a joke, I'll come for both of you. Mark my words, old hag." Mason's words carried the weight of a promise. He grab
Ashley anxiously bit her lip, her mind racing as she desperately searched for a solution. "I don't have access to my money at the moment," she admitted, her voice filled with determination. "But I promise I'll find a way to get it to you. Please, help me put Mason in his place."Carl shrugged, his indifferent expression unchanged. "Fine, I'll do it for you," he conceded before turning on his heel and heading towards the door.Just as Carl left, Xander emerged from the bathroom, a towel in hand, patting his damp hair dry. A furrow formed on his brow as he observed the scene before him, sensing that something was amiss. Concern etched his features as he approached Ashley. "What's going on?" he asked, his eyes fixed on her with genuine worry.Turning to face him, Ashley's eyes brimmed with determination. "I have to eliminate Mason once and for all," she declared firmly.Xander's brow furrowed deeper as he raised an important point. "Are you sure that's the real reason you're going? Or is
The sound of Mason’s ringing phone pierced through the silence of the room, waking him up from his sleep. He let out a groan as he reached for the phone on his nightstand, his hand brushing his hair back."Carl, do you have any idea what time it is?" Mason scolded as he answered the call.But his scolding was cut short as he heard Ashley’s voice on the other end of the line. His heart skipped a beat at the mention of her name, but he quickly composed himself."What do you want, Ashley?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady."You have been asleep all day," she said, her voice dripping with disdain. "I’m coming to take my mother, and you better be ready to hand her over. Meet me at the location I will send you, or you will regret it."Mason felt a surge of anger course through his veins. How dare she threaten him like that?"No, Ashley," Mason replied firmly. "I’m not playing your games. This game is mine to play. You come to me if you want your mother back, I will send you the loc
Mason dragged Mary to the pool area, her screams echoing through the empty halls. The afternoon sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow on the cold water of the pool. He threw her into the shallow end of the pool, and she splashed around frantically, trying to keep her head above water."Please, Mason, please," Mary pleaded as he repeatedly shoved her head under the water, "Get this on camera." Mason ordered his henchmen, "I want Ashley to see what happens to those who cross me." Mary struggled to breathe as her head remained underwater for too long, but just as Mason was about to let her drown, he pulled her head out to prevent her from dying.Melody had followed them to the pool area, horrified by what she saw. "Please, Mason, stop this," Melody pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "You're hurting her. You're hurting everyone. Please, I'm begging you." But Mason just sneered at her, his eyes cold and unfeeling. "You don't understand, Melody," he said. "Ashley needs to see that I
"Are you okay?" Xander asked, moving closer to Ashley.Ashley took a deep breath and looked at Xander. "No, I'm not okay," she said, her voice low. "I don't love my mother, but I feel like I have to save her. I don't want to be an orphan." Xander looked at her, concern etched on his face. He put his arm around her, trying to offer some comfort. Ashley appreciated the gesture but couldn't shake the feeling that she was in a dangerous situation. Carl was standing right next to them, observing their interaction with a disapproving look on his face. Ashley couldn't help but feel like she was being watched all the time.Xander understood the gravity of the situation, and he knew that this must be hard for her. "I'm here for you. We'll get through this together," he said, pulling her into a warm embrace.To everyone's surprise, Ashley gave Xander a crushing hug, as if she needed it more than anything else in the world. Carl, being the old man he was, remarked, "Ashley finally has a boyfrien
Mary's heart beat wildly as she strode past the imposing entrance of Ashley's mansion, brushing past the stoic goons who guarded the perimeter. Her eyes darted around the spacious living room, searching for Ashley. "Ashley! Ashley! Come out, we need to talk!" Her voice echoed through the room.Mason heard the commotion and burst out of his room, gun in hand. He descended the stairs at a breakneck pace, his heart pounding in his chest. When he reached the bottom, he was surprised to see a middle-aged woman standing in the living room, impeccably dressed in a fashionable outfit."Who the hell are you?" Mason growled, pointing his gun at Mary.Mary didn't flinch. "Chris, where's Ashley? I need to speak with her," she demanded, her eyes blazing.Mason chuckled darkly. "My name's not Chris, lady. And who the hell are you to be demanding to see Ashley?"Mary felt a chill run down her spine when she saw the cold, hard look in Mason's eyes. She knew she was in trouble. "Please, I need to see
Ashley was in a steamy bath with Xander, their bodies intertwined as they kissed passionately. She could feel his hands on her waist as he trailed kisses down her neck, sending shivers down her spine. They were happy, acting like a couple, and for a moment, Ashley forgot that she was a mafia queen.Suddenly, Ashley gasped as she woke up from the dream. She was confused and unsettled, feeling as though she had just crossed a line she shouldn't have. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she looked around the dark living room. Everyone else was still sleeping, but Xander and Jake were nowhere to be seen.She slipped on her flip-flops and made her way outside, following the sounds of voices to the farm. When she arrived, she was shocked to see Jake and Xander in the middle of a heated argument, with apples scattered all over the floor."What's going on here?" Ashley demanded, stepping between the two men."Stay out of this, Ashley," Jake snapped. "Xander needs to leave. He's not welcome arou