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CHAPTER FORTY - SEVEN
Last Updated:
2025-04-19 18:52:30
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THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - EIGHT
The sun filtered through the dusty blinds of the safehouse, bathing the wooden floor in stripes of warm light. It was the kind of morning that promised peace, rare and fleeting in their world, but beautiful nonetheless. Mateo stirred in bed, the weight of Isabella’s head resting gently on his shoulder, her breath soft and even against his skin. For once, there were no gunshots, no sirens, no running.Just quiet.Mateo turned slightly to face her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She looked peaceful, her guard finally down. The constant tension that had lined her features in the past few weeks seemed to have melted away, if only temporarily. He kissed her forehead lightly, his chest tightening with an emotion he hadn’t dared name before.Love."You're staring," Isabella murmured without opening her eyes, her voice still thick with sleep.Mateo smiled. "How could I not? You're the only good thing in this madness."She opened her eyes slowly, a small smile spreading across h
Last Updated : 2025-04-21THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - NINE
The rain had started again, a slow drizzle that painted the world in shades of gray. Mateo stood at the edge of the clearing, eyes scanning the tree line as the scent of wet earth filled his lungs. Behind him, Isabella’s laughter rang softly through the cabin, a fading echo of the rare peace they had found.But peace never lasted.Elena burst through the door, her boots soaked, her face pale. “We have a problem.”Mateo turned instantly, his hand reaching for the gun on the counter. “What is it?”“Luca’s gone,” she said breathlessly. “He went to scout the east side of the ridge and hasn’t returned. It’s been hours.”Isabella stood, her face falling. “No… he wouldn’t just disappear.”Elena shook her head. “No signs of struggle. Nothing. But the tracks I found—they weren’t his alone. Someone else was out there.”Mateo’s jaw clenched. The storm had returned.“Gear up,” he ordered. “We go now.”The forest was darker than usual, shadows crawling like serpents through the underbrush. Isabell
Last Updated : 2025-04-23THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FIFTY
The cold air sliced through the trees like a whisper of danger as Mateo stepped forward, the silence around him too loud to be ignored. The forest that once offered sanctuary now felt like a trap, and it was no illusion. His father stood before him—sharp-suited, eyes like flint, and a cruel smile carving his face."I always knew you were stubborn," his father said, his voice calm. "But chasing after that boy... did you think I wouldn't notice?"Mateo’s hand tightened around the gun at his hip. Isabella was just behind him, eyes wide with disbelief, her breath shallow."Where's Luca?" Mateo demanded, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.A low chuckle from the shadows answered him first. Then Elena stepped out beside Mateo’s father.Isabella gasped. "You... you betrayed us again?"Elena didn’t flinch. Her eyes, once full of warmth, now glinted with icy detachment. "You were never supposed to get this far. But I’ll admit... I almost believed you could change things, Mateo. Almost."Ma
Last Updated : 2025-04-24THE 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 2025-02-01
Latest chapter
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FIFTY
The cold air sliced through the trees like a whisper of danger as Mateo stepped forward, the silence around him too loud to be ignored. The forest that once offered sanctuary now felt like a trap, and it was no illusion. His father stood before him—sharp-suited, eyes like flint, and a cruel smile carving his face."I always knew you were stubborn," his father said, his voice calm. "But chasing after that boy... did you think I wouldn't notice?"Mateo’s hand tightened around the gun at his hip. Isabella was just behind him, eyes wide with disbelief, her breath shallow."Where's Luca?" Mateo demanded, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.A low chuckle from the shadows answered him first. Then Elena stepped out beside Mateo’s father.Isabella gasped. "You... you betrayed us again?"Elena didn’t flinch. Her eyes, once full of warmth, now glinted with icy detachment. "You were never supposed to get this far. But I’ll admit... I almost believed you could change things, Mateo. Almost."Ma
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - NINE
The rain had started again, a slow drizzle that painted the world in shades of gray. Mateo stood at the edge of the clearing, eyes scanning the tree line as the scent of wet earth filled his lungs. Behind him, Isabella’s laughter rang softly through the cabin, a fading echo of the rare peace they had found.But peace never lasted.Elena burst through the door, her boots soaked, her face pale. “We have a problem.”Mateo turned instantly, his hand reaching for the gun on the counter. “What is it?”“Luca’s gone,” she said breathlessly. “He went to scout the east side of the ridge and hasn’t returned. It’s been hours.”Isabella stood, her face falling. “No… he wouldn’t just disappear.”Elena shook her head. “No signs of struggle. Nothing. But the tracks I found—they weren’t his alone. Someone else was out there.”Mateo’s jaw clenched. The storm had returned.“Gear up,” he ordered. “We go now.”The forest was darker than usual, shadows crawling like serpents through the underbrush. Isabell
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - EIGHT
The sun filtered through the dusty blinds of the safehouse, bathing the wooden floor in stripes of warm light. It was the kind of morning that promised peace, rare and fleeting in their world, but beautiful nonetheless. Mateo stirred in bed, the weight of Isabella’s head resting gently on his shoulder, her breath soft and even against his skin. For once, there were no gunshots, no sirens, no running.Just quiet.Mateo turned slightly to face her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She looked peaceful, her guard finally down. The constant tension that had lined her features in the past few weeks seemed to have melted away, if only temporarily. He kissed her forehead lightly, his chest tightening with an emotion he hadn’t dared name before.Love."You're staring," Isabella murmured without opening her eyes, her voice still thick with sleep.Mateo smiled. "How could I not? You're the only good thing in this madness."She opened her eyes slowly, a small smile spreading across h
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - SEVEN
The night had fallen softly over the secluded cabin, cradling it in shadows and silence. For once, there were no gunshots echoing in the distance, no tense footsteps crunching leaves outside. The world had taken a breath—and so had they.Inside, the fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting a warm glow over the rustic room. Mateo sat on the edge of the bed, his shirt open, revealing bruises fading into the tone of his skin. His fingers absentmindedly traced the old scar that ran along his ribs, a reminder of the battles they’d survived.Isabella stood by the window, her silhouette bathed in moonlight. The soft cotton of the oversized sweater she wore barely brushed her thighs. It had been his once. Now it looked better on her. She turned, eyes meeting his, and for a second, the world shrank to just the two of them."You’re thinking again," she said softly, moving toward him.Mateo smiled faintly, tired but present. "I’m always thinking. Especially when it’s quiet like this."She knelt
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - SIX
The forest had fallen quiet after the chaos of their near-capture. The moon hung low and full above them, casting a gentle silver light over the campsite Luca and Elena had managed to set up in a remote clearing. For the first time in days, there were no footsteps stalking them, no shadows whispering threats from the darkness. Just the soft rustling of the trees and the occasional crackle from the fire.Isabella sat by the fire, her knees drawn to her chest, eyes watching the flames dance. Her hair was tousled, her face tired, but there was a softness to her features tonight. The sharp edges of fear had dulled, replaced by a quiet, pensive calm.Mateo returned from the perimeter, his shoulders finally relaxed, the weight of constant vigilance momentarily eased. He saw her, silhouetted against the fire, and something inside him ached. They had both been holding on so tightly—too tightly. And now, in the lull, he felt the tremble of everything he’d held back.He sat beside her silently,
THE DEBT OF DESIRE CHAPTER FORTY - FIVE
The silence after his father’s voice was deafening. On the flickering screen, his father stood in a control room lined with monitors, his eyes sharp, unreadable.Mateo took a step forward, heart pounding. “You knew we were coming.”“Of course I did,” his father said calmly. “Everything you’ve done, every place you’ve run to, every person you’ve trusted—I’ve been watching. Waiting.”Elena slammed a fist against the control panel. “He’s bluffing.”But Mateo wasn’t so sure. His father had always been a step ahead. What if this entire escape, their rebellion, had played right into his hands?Isabella pulled Mateo back from the screen. “We don’t have time to let him play mind games.”Luca was already checking weapons, his shoulder wound hastily bandaged. “We need to move. Now. He knows we’re here.”Elena hesitated. “There’s a secondary tunnel, off the east wing. It leads to the old lab where they did the original trials.”Mateo looked at her. “Why would we go there?”Elena met his gaze, so
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 roa
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,
