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CHAPTER FORTY - ONE
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-07 17:49:04
Bab terkait
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - TWO
Silence hung heavy in the air as Mateo's words echoed off the cavern walls. "It’s him. My father."Elena's breath caught in her throat. Luca gripped the hilt of his blade tightly, his knuckles white. Isabella stepped back, her eyes wide with disbelief, flicking between Mateo and the shadowed figure that had haunted them from the very beginning.Mateo's father emerged from the shadows, a cruel smirk curling his lips. His eyes, dark and cold, scanned the group with a familiarity that made Isabella's skin crawl."I always wondered how long it would take you to figure it out, son," he sneered, his voice a venomous blend of mockery and pride. "You’ve grown, but not enough to outsmart me."Mateo’s jaw clenched. His heart pounded like war drums in his chest, every beat roaring in his ears. Memories flooded him—memories of a father who had once held his hand and taught him to fight, only to vanish without a trace, leaving behind a hollow ache that never healed."You were dead," Mateo growled,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-07THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - THREE
The forest held its breath.Mateo’s father stood before them, a cruel twist of a smile carved into his face, as if he’d been waiting years for this very moment. Shadows from the gnarled trees clung to his figure like loyal sentries. Around them, his men emerged from the thicket, weapons raised, closing off every possible escape route. The cold bite of inevitability pressed against Luca’s chest, but he refused to let panic settle."Nowhere left to run," Mateo’s father sneered, his voice like gravel over broken glass.Mateo’s jaw tightened, his body a coil of restrained fury. "You never gave me a choice," he growled, stepping in front of Isabella instinctively. His father’s eyes flicked to the movement, cold amusement dancing in their depths."No, son," he replied darkly. "You just never understood the choices that mattered."Elena’s gaze swept the clearing, calculating. She stepped slightly to the left, eyes catching Luca’s. A silent exchange passed between them, a spark of unspoken str
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-11THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY- FOUR
The storm rolled in like a wild beast, winds snapping through the forest canopy as lightning clawed at the sky. Rain fell in slanting sheets, cold and relentless, masking their movements as they pushed deeper into enemy territory.They didn’t speak much. Words felt too heavy now, too fragile against the weight of what was coming. But every glance between them — every brief touch of reassurance — built something stronger than fear: resolve.Mateo led the way, soaked to the bone, face cut and bruised, but his eyes were alive with a fire that refused to die. Isabella stayed close at his side, their fingers brushing from time to time, grounding each other in the storm of their fate. Elena, still a shadow of mystery and grit, navigated the forest with uncanny precision, her knife always at the ready. Luca covered their backs, eyes sharp and unwavering, pain radiating from his wounded shoulder, but ignored.They were running toward danger, not away from it.“Elena,” Mateo called over the ro
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-11THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER ONE
The crisp night air hit Matteo DiCarlo’s face as he stepped out of his car, the tires of his black SUV screeching as it came to a halt on the gravel driveway. The mansion before him was an ostentatious display of wealth—an image that now seemed tainted by the stench of desperation.He adjusted his tailored black suit, his piercing eyes scanning the surroundings as he walked toward the front door. A sense of impatience gnawed at him. He didn’t like waiting, and he certainly didn’t like dealing with people who couldn’t pay their debts.Richard Thornton, the businessman whose debt he was here to collect, had failed to keep up with the payments. Now, it was time to make sure he understood the consequences of crossing the wrong people.Matteo knocked once—hard—on the large wooden door.A moment later, it opened. Thornton stood in front of him, his once-immaculate appearance now disheveled. He looked like a man who hadn’t slept in days, eyes bloodshot, his expensive suit rumpled. He was swe
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER TWO
Matteo stood in the hallway, his body tense, his mind working furiously to push away the strange stirrings her proximity caused. This was a transaction, nothing more. The sooner he reminded himself of that, the sooner he could finish his business here and leave without further complication.But Isabella Thornton wasn’t making it easy. The way her soft voice lingered in the air, the way her eyes challenged him in ways no one else ever dared—she was getting under his skin.He glanced at her father, still standing awkwardly by the door, a silent plea written all over his face."I’ll take care of it," Matteo said sharply, dismissing the man with a wave. He had no time for Richard Thornton’s cowardice. The deal had been struck, and now Matteo needed to make it clear that there would be no further attempts to bargain.Richard nodded weakly and disappeared down the hall, leaving the two of them alone. Matteo’s gaze shifted back to Isabella, who hadn’t moved from the door. She stood there, he
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER THREE
The silence in the room was deafening as Matteo’s heavy footsteps echoed down the hallway. Isabella remained frozen in place, the lingering warmth of his touch still making her skin tingle. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her body humming with a mix of desire and confusion.She couldn’t understand it. She had known men, seen men in power, but none had affected her like Matteo DiCarlo had. He was different, dangerous even. And yet, there was something about him that drew her in, something that made her pulse race even when he seemed to discard her with such cold indifference.But she wasn’t about to show weakness. She wasn’t like the other women who would fall at his feet. She wasn’t weak.Isabella turned toward the window, gazing out at the sprawling estate beyond the glass. The world outside was still, almost too still, and her reflection stared back at her—lost, uncertain. She wasn’t sure what she was becoming, but she knew one thing for certain. She wanted more. She wasn’t going
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FOUR
The moonlight slanted through the tall windows of the Thornton mansion, casting long, eerie shadows on the polished floors. Inside, Isabella stood near the grand fireplace, her back rigid with tension. Her hands twisted nervously, the delicate lace of her sleeves pulling at her fingertips as her mind raced. Matteo’s words echoed in her ears, and though her body was still trembling from the proximity of his touch, her thoughts couldn’t seem to focus on anything but him.He’s right. She could almost feel it, deep in her chest. She was drawn to him, no matter how much she hated herself for it.But she was weak. She had always been weak. Weak in the eyes of her father, weak in the eyes of her peers. And now, weak in front of him. She had no choice but to admit it. Matteo DiCarlo wasn’t just a mafia lord; he was a force that had come to claim what was his—and whether she liked it or not, she was part of that claim.She pulled her eyes from the flickering fire and stared at the door. For a m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FIVE
The tension in the room was suffocating, thick with the weight of unspoken words and unacknowledged desires. Matteo’s presence loomed over Isabella like a shadow, his dark gaze never leaving her face. The way he stood before her, unyielding and powerful, made her feel small and insignificant, yet she couldn’t bring herself to turn away. Every breath she took seemed to draw her deeper into his orbit, and despite herself, she was starting to wonder if she even wanted to break free.He moved closer, each step measured, deliberate. His eyes were locked on hers, an unspoken promise of something dangerous, something tempting. Isabella’s pulse quickened, her body betraying her even though her mind screamed for her to resist.“Don’t pretend you don’t feel it,” Matteo’s voice was low, almost a growl, sending a shiver down her spine. “You want me just as much as I want you.”Isabella swallowed hard, her throat dry. She wanted to deny it, wanted to push him away, but the words caught in her ches
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-01
Bab terbaru
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY- FOUR
The storm rolled in like a wild beast, winds snapping through the forest canopy as lightning clawed at the sky. Rain fell in slanting sheets, cold and relentless, masking their movements as they pushed deeper into enemy territory.They didn’t speak much. Words felt too heavy now, too fragile against the weight of what was coming. But every glance between them — every brief touch of reassurance — built something stronger than fear: resolve.Mateo led the way, soaked to the bone, face cut and bruised, but his eyes were alive with a fire that refused to die. Isabella stayed close at his side, their fingers brushing from time to time, grounding each other in the storm of their fate. Elena, still a shadow of mystery and grit, navigated the forest with uncanny precision, her knife always at the ready. Luca covered their backs, eyes sharp and unwavering, pain radiating from his wounded shoulder, but ignored.They were running toward danger, not away from it.“Elena,” Mateo called over the ro
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - THREE
The forest held its breath.Mateo’s father stood before them, a cruel twist of a smile carved into his face, as if he’d been waiting years for this very moment. Shadows from the gnarled trees clung to his figure like loyal sentries. Around them, his men emerged from the thicket, weapons raised, closing off every possible escape route. The cold bite of inevitability pressed against Luca’s chest, but he refused to let panic settle."Nowhere left to run," Mateo’s father sneered, his voice like gravel over broken glass.Mateo’s jaw tightened, his body a coil of restrained fury. "You never gave me a choice," he growled, stepping in front of Isabella instinctively. His father’s eyes flicked to the movement, cold amusement dancing in their depths."No, son," he replied darkly. "You just never understood the choices that mattered."Elena’s gaze swept the clearing, calculating. She stepped slightly to the left, eyes catching Luca’s. A silent exchange passed between them, a spark of unspoken str
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - TWO
Silence hung heavy in the air as Mateo's words echoed off the cavern walls. "It’s him. My father."Elena's breath caught in her throat. Luca gripped the hilt of his blade tightly, his knuckles white. Isabella stepped back, her eyes wide with disbelief, flicking between Mateo and the shadowed figure that had haunted them from the very beginning.Mateo's father emerged from the shadows, a cruel smirk curling his lips. His eyes, dark and cold, scanned the group with a familiarity that made Isabella's skin crawl."I always wondered how long it would take you to figure it out, son," he sneered, his voice a venomous blend of mockery and pride. "You’ve grown, but not enough to outsmart me."Mateo’s jaw clenched. His heart pounded like war drums in his chest, every beat roaring in his ears. Memories flooded him—memories of a father who had once held his hand and taught him to fight, only to vanish without a trace, leaving behind a hollow ache that never healed."You were dead," Mateo growled,
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - ONE
The forest was alive with the pulse of danger.Mateo’s breath came fast, sweat beading on his brow as he tightened his grip on Isabella’s hand and pulled her through the tangled underbrush. Behind them, shadows darted between the trees—too many to count. Too close.“Elena!” Mateo barked over his shoulder, his voice sharp with urgency.“I’m here!” she replied, sprinting to their side, her blade flashing in the moonlight.The three of them moved as one unit, but doubt gnawed at Mateo’s mind like a vulture picking at a carcass. Elena. The woman who had fought beside them, bled beside them, and saved Isabella more than once. But who was she?And why had their enemies been able to breach their defenses so easily?“Something’s wrong,” Isabella panted, her eyes wide with fear but sharp with instinct. “They’re not chasing us like they should.”Mateo’s chest tightened. She was right. It felt off—like they were being herded.They burst into a small clearing, breathless, surrounded by ancient sto
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY
The rain battered the helicopter as it cut through the clouds, a roaring tempest that seemed to echo the chaos still raging in Isabella's chest. She kept her eyes on Matteo, his breathing shallow but steady, as if willing her strength into him. But even through the storm, her mind could not be quiet. Not until she had answers.Her gaze slid to Elena, sitting across from her, a streak of blood darkening her cheek. She was calm, too calm for someone who had just fought their way out of an ambush. And for the first time, Isabella let herself look at the woman who had been at their side, a shadow moving fluidly among them, fighting fiercely as though she had always belonged."Who are you?" Isabella's voice cut through the noise, sharp as a blade.Elena's eyes flicked to hers, steady and unflinching. There was no surprise in them, only inevitability."You deserve the truth," Elena said, her voice low and measured. She shifted slightly, glancing at Luca, who watched her like a wolf ready to
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER THIRTY - NINE
The night was far from silent. Even in their hidden sanctuary, echoes of past battles seemed to haunt the air. Shadows flickered against the candlelit walls, a reminder of the darkness still hunting them.Matteo stirred, his breath uneven. Isabella was instantly at his side, her fingers brushing away damp strands of hair clinging to his forehead. His skin was warm beneath her touch, too warm. Fever still gripped him, a cruel reminder of the injuries he had endured.“Stay with me, Matteo,” she whispered, her voice a fragile thread of hope. “We’ve come too far to lose you now.”His eyes cracked open, glazed with pain but alive. “Isabella…” His voice was hoarse, barely a breath. “Don’t let go.”“I won’t,” she promised, tightening her grip on his hand.Outside the room, Luca paced like a caged animal, his mind racing through every possible scenario. Reinforcements could arrive at any moment, or worse, another ambush. He wasn’t naive enough to believe their enemies would let them slip away
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER THIRTY- EIGHT
The rain hammered down like bullets as Isabella froze, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. Lia’s eyes gleamed with malice, her finger teasing the trigger of the gun aimed squarely at Isabella’s chest."You thought you could be rid of me so easily?" Lia sneered, her voice cold as steel. Water dripped from her hair, streaking her face, but her aim never wavered. "You underestimate me, Isabella."Matteo stepped forward, instinctively shielding Isabella. His jaw was tight, his body tense despite the apparent strain of his injuries. "Lia," he growled, "don’t do this.""Oh, Matteo," Lia replied, almost mockingly sweet. "Still the hero, even when you're bleeding and broken. How touching. But it’s too late for heroics. You took everything from me. Now I’ll return the favor."Her eyes flicked briefly to Luca, who had edged closer, his weapon at the ready. She caught the movement and fired a warning shot at his feet, forcing him back. "Ah, ah," she chided. "Don’t even think about it. I d
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER THIRTY - SEVEN
The safe house was too quiet. Too still.Isabella paced the length of the dimly lit room, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Shadows danced on the walls, flickering in the candlelight, while the storm outside rattled the old windows. Matteo lay on the bed, his chest rising and falling steadily now, color slowly returning to his face.But her heart still thundered with fear.“Any word from Luca?” she asked, her voice hoarse from worry.“No,” Matteo rasped, his eyes barely open, but glinting with determination. “But we can’t wait for him forever.”Before Isabella could respond, thunder cracked, and the power flickered. For a moment, total darkness swallowed the room.Her breath caught in her throat.Then, a spark of light returned from the candle, casting Matteo’s face in soft, golden hues. He looked pale but alive—alive.Relief mixed with a rush of something else, something hotter and heavier, curling low in her belly. Maybe it was the adrenaline still coursing through her veins,
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER THIRTY - SIX
The tension in the air was suffocating. Matteo's gun lay discarded on the ground, a silent declaration of his choice. But Isabella saw the fire in his eyes. This wasn’t defeat—it was calculation.Riccardo’s smirk widened, pressing the barrel harder against Isabella’s temple. “Good boy,” he sneered. “Now, on your knees.”Matteo’s jaw tightened, his muscles flexing with the restraint it took to comply. He moved slowly, his gaze never leaving Isabella’s face. She could see it—the promise, the unspoken vow that this wasn’t the end. He would not let this stand.But Riccardo was no fool. He knew Matteo too well. “Luca, drop your gun, too.”Luca hesitated, his fingers tightening on the grip, but Matteo gave him a look. Reluctantly, he tossed his weapon aside, his teeth clenched in fury.Riccardo exhaled dramatically. “See how much easier things are when you listen?”Isabella could feel his breath against her neck, his grip possessive, as if he owned her. The thought made bile rise in her thr
