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Fear of the darkness
Last Updated:
2025-02-23 04:34:46
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THE MAFIA CHEF The ambush
"No. Why would I?" I fought to keep my voice steady. Gerrard’s dark eyes studied me carefully, his expression was unreadable. "I know you saw..." His words trailed off. He exhaled sharply, looking away. "You shouldn’t have seen that."I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Gerrard, I’d like to go home… Please." My voice barely rose above a whisper.He was silent for a long moment, then finally nodded. "Okay. I’ll call one of the drivers to take you home."-----Back at the house, I went straight to my room, I shut the door behind me without a word to anyone. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the memory. The gunshot. The blood. The way Gerrard had pulled the trigger so effortlessly, like it was nothing.I had thought Bruno was cruel. But Gerrard? This side of him was something else entirely.Bruno had once warned me: Don’t be fooled, Lily. He’s just as cruel, maybe even more.He had always been like this, but I had allowed my feelings to cloud my judgment. He was the leade
Last Updated : 2025-02-27THE MAFIA CHEF You're still here
Victor fired a fast shot, hitting the man who had shot at Gerrard. The other attackers jumped into their car and sped away, still shooting as they escaped. Victor and his men fired back, bullets flying in every direction. The loud gunshots made my ears ring, but I couldn’t focus on anything except Gerrard.He was on the ground, bleeding, his face was pale and lifeless. My heart pounded with fear. He looked really bad.Victor cursed and quickly knelt beside him. He ripped his shirt into strips and pressed them against the wound to stop the bleeding. Gerrard groaned in pain, his breathing weak.“Stay with me, man,” Victor said, his voice tight with worry.One of the men ran to the car and threw the door open. “We have to leave now!”Victor nodded and, with another man’s help, lifted Gerrard off the ground and they carried him to the car. My chest felt tight as I watched helplessly as they laid him on the backseat.“Drive!” Victor shouted.The tires screeched as we sped off into the nigh
Last Updated : 2025-02-27THE MAFIA CHEF Love and fear
The heat between us was impossible to ignore, I pulled closer to Gerrard as our lips moved together. His hands ran over my skin, sending warmth through my body. I melted into him, lost in the way he made me feel, until my hand accidentally touched his injured shoulder.He sucked in a sharp breath, as his body tensing under me.I froze. “Gerrard,” I whispered, guilt washing over me. “Did I hurt you?”He let out a slow breath and shook his head. “It’s fine.”But I knew it wasn’t. He was pretending to be okay, but I could see the truth.I swallowed hard. “I should go. You need to rest.”Before I could move, his fingers wrapped around my wrist, firm but gentle.“Stay,” he said quietly, his eyes locked on mine. “Sleep here tonight.”I hesitated for only a second. I couldn’t bring myself to walk away from him again.I nodded and slipped back under the covers, curling into him. My head rested on his chest, the steady beat of his heart calming me. He wrapped an arm around me, holding me close
Last Updated : 2025-02-28THE MAFIA CHEF You are mine
I paced the bedroom, my heart was pounding. Gerrard’s words kept playing in my head. "I’m going to destroy them all, Lily. No more comebacks. No more threats. This ends with me." I couldn’t let that happen. My hands shook as I scrolled through my contacts. I hesitated for a second. Then I pressed the call button. The phone rang twice before a familiar, warm voice answered. “Lily, dear? Is everything alright?” I swallowed hard. “Mama Rosa, I need your help. It’s about Gerrard.” --- That evening, Gerrard walked into the room. His sharp eyes landed on me. Before he could speak, I took a deep breath. “Someone wants to talk to you.” I held out my phone. His eyebrows pulled together in confusion, but when he saw the name on the screen, something in his face softened. “Mama Rosa,” he said. “My pumpkin,” she greeted, her voice warm. “How have you been?” “Can’t complain,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “How’s vacation?” She chuckled. “It’s going well,
Last Updated : 2025-03-04THE MAFIA CHEF Stirring up the storm
For the first time in a long while, things were calm. Peaceful. Gerrard and I had finally found our rhythm, lost in the fire of our romance, bound by an undeniable spark.I had never felt so loved before. Gerrard was everything I had ever wanted, passionate, intense, and utterly devoted. He knew how to love me, how to unravel me, how to make me crave him more. Every touch, every whispered promise left me yearning for more.But no matter how much I tried to surrender to the moment, a sense of unease coiled inside me like a serpent lying in wait. Magnus was still out there, lurking in the shadows, and the weight of my secret pressed heavier on my chest with each passing day.Still, I told myself to enjoy the moment while it lasted.The Calm Before the StormThat morning, fully recovered, Gerrard was preparing to return to work. I stood in the bedroom doorway, arms crossed, watching him button up his crisp white shirt. His movements were steady, efficient, like a man who was used to bein
Last Updated : 2025-03-14THE MAFIA CHEF Truce
Victor kept staring at me, his face hard to read."You have to let me talk to him," I begged. "If you don’t, he’ll just get hurt again."Victor hesitated, his jaw tight. He knew I was right.With a deep breath, he finally nodded. "Go."I didn’t wait. I ran straight to the warehouse under the casino, where Gerrard’s men were getting ready for war.-----The air inside was heavy with tension, filled with the smell of sweat and gunpowder. At the center of it all stood Gerrard, fastening a gun holster around his waist, his face serious.I stepped forward. "Gerrard, don’t do this."He didn’t stop what he was doing. "Magnus won’t stop unless I finish this.""Then capture him. Make him talk. But don’t kill him," I said firmly.Gerrard looked at me, frustration in his eyes. "And what if letting him live makes him come back stronger? What if he takes more from me?""Then let’s make sure he has no reason to come back."He clenched his jaw, thinking.Then, finally, he sighed. "Fine. I’ll take hi
Last Updated : 2025-03-14THE MAFIA CHEF The ride
After a week, life had settled back into its usual rhythm. We were back at the main house, and Gerrard’s business was running smoothly without a hitch. The war was over, we had made peace with Magnus, I had even gone to visit Jamie’s baby, bringing gifts and sharing in the joy of new life.Gerrard had been full of praise, telling me how impressed he was with the way I handled everything, the war, Magnus situation, the way I stayed composed under pressure, the way I supported him when it mattered most. His admiration made my heart swell, but I knew better than to bask in it for too long.Because while he was showering me with affection, he was also working quietly in the background, investigating.Who had planned the sniper attack? Who had sent him those warning messages?I had no idea what he had uncovered so far, but I could only pray that his search wouldn’t lead him back to me. I had buried my secrets deep, but I knew Gerrard. He was thorough. He wouldn’t stop until he had answers.
Last Updated : 2025-03-18THE MAFIA CHEF The date
The city streets soon faded, replaced by an open, empty road. The eerie silence of the night made it worse. Then I saw it. A long stretch of pavement, dimly lit. An airstrip. My breath hitched. The car slowed to a stop near a sleek, white private jet waiting under the floodlights. And then I saw him. Gerrard. Standing at the foot of the stairs, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Hands in his pockets, his sharp features softened by a knowing smirk. His dark eyes locked onto mine, full of amusement and something deeper. My chest tightened with overwhelming relief. The fear that had gripped me moments ago melted into something else entirely. I almost cried. The driver stepped out and opened my door, but I was frozen for a second, still catching my breath. Then, shaking my head at my own paranoia, I stepped out. I walked straight toward Gerrard, my heart still hammering, but this time for a different reason. He looked so effortlessly handsome, the glow from the
Last Updated : 2025-03-18
Latest chapter
THE MAFIA CHEF Unexpected Guest
The next morning was quiet. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful. I woke up still wrapped in Gerrard’s arms, warm and safe, like the storm from last night had never happened. We were still tangled under the sheets, not ready to move. I didn’t want to leave his warmth. Not yet. Maybe not ever.But my stomach had other plans.It growled, loud and clear.Gerrard chuckled and ran his hand slowly down my arm. “Well, someone’s alive and kicking,” he said gently. “Come on, let’s get up and find something to eat.”I didn’t move. The moment felt too good to end, but deep inside, I felt heavy again. The thoughts came rushing back, my father, his sickness, the cage he was stuck in, also, the lies, the pretense, it all pressed hard on my chest, like a weight I couldn’t lift.“I’m not really hungry,” I said softly.Gerrard pulled back just a little so he could look at me. He brushed some hair away from my face. “You haven’t eaten much since you got back. You need to eat, Lily.”I didn’t answer.He gave m
THE MAFIA CHEF Emotional Wreck
I stared at him, heart thundering. My mouth opened, but nothing came out at first. “I… I did go there,” I finally stammered. “To the town. To where I grew up. But it wasn’t what I remembered.” Gerrard didn’t respond, he just watched me with stormy eyes, waiting. “The place was different,” I continued, my voice shaking. “It was like… like time had erased everything. There was no trace of my home. There’s a new building there now. Some sleek modern thing; cold and empty.” I swallowed, pressing a hand to my chest. “No one recognized me. Not even the neighbors. But then again… I’m not the little girl who left that town. I’ve changed. I'm all grown now, with a change of identity and appearance. And I guess they’ve moved on too.” Then softly, he asked, “So why didn’t you just come home? I was here waiting for you” "I know, but I needed some kind of closure." I looked down, blinking back fresh tears. “So I went out of town to find someone, an old friend. The only person I though
THE MAFIA CHEF Suspicion
When I walked into the house, the staff greeted me warmly, Gilmore, Luke, even Brenda. Their faces showed surprise, but there was happiness and a bit of relief in their eyes.“Welcome back, Miss Lily,” one of the maids said with a kind smile.Luke stepped forward and gave me a small nod. “It’s good to see you. Finally, we can all catch a break."I stopped in my tracks. “What do you mean?” I asked, feeling my stomach tighten.Luke rubbed the back of his neck like he was unsure how much to say. “After Gerrard came back alone from your trip, the casino ran into some trouble. Police trouble... Don't worry, it’s all been taken care of now. The boss has powerful connections, you know.”I just nodded. I already knew Gerrard wasn’t the type to fall apart, even with Bruno stirring things up. Still, I felt a strange unease settle in my chest.Luke continued, his voice a little softer now. “But Gerrard hasn’t been himself, he was so worried about you when he couldn’t reach you. He was a mess, Li
THE MAFIA CHEF Unraveled
We were trapped. Thaddeus had given the order. The guards were moving in to grab me. My heart was racing, I couldn’t let them take me to Bruno. Not like this. Not without a fight. But then, Tim stepped forward. His voice was calm, but strong. "You might want to think twice before you do that." Thaddeus raised a brow, amused. "Is that so?" "I know what you did Thaddeus, I know the old man didn’t steal from Bruno. You did." I turned to look at Tim, shocked. What was he saying? Thaddeus’s smug smile didn’t fade. In fact, he chuckled and looked straight at me. “Wow. That’s what we’re doing now?” he said. “Throwing ridiculous accusations?” I could feel my blood boiling. Tim didn’t back down. “It’s not a lie. I have proof.” That made Thaddeus pause. Just for a second. His smile twitched. Tim pulled out a small recording device. “This was recorded a few months ago. When Thaddeus was supposed to be overseas on a mission. Melissa his girlfriend is my cousin, my uncle, h
THE MAFIA CHEF Back Home
The moment I stepped back into my hometown, memories hit me like a wave. Everything looked the same, the streets, the buildings, even the air smelled familiar. But something felt off. The place seemed empty, like a ghost town filled with moments I had tried so hard to forget. I kept my hood up, my face down, and stayed hidden during the day. Sir Bruno’s men were everywhere. If they knew I was back, I wouldn’t last long. My first stop was my father’s house. The moment I saw it, my chest tightened. It was abandoned, lifeless. The white paint had peeled away, leaving dark stains. Dust covered the windows, and the porch looked ready to collapse. My father. What had he been going through all this time? Tears filled my eyes. We didn’t have much before, but we were happy, until Bruno destroyed our lives in an instant. I cried for my father, for everything we had lost. But I couldn’t stay long. It wasn’t safe. As I opened the door to leave, I ran straight into someone. Tim
THE MAFIA CHEF Facing my fears
I forced a small smile, sitting up and pulling the sheets around me like they could protect me from the weight of his words. “Gerrard, I...” I hesitated, searching for the right words. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He frowned, his concern was clear. “Why not?” I looked away, suddenly more interested in the patterns on the duvet than in his piercing gaze. “I just… I have a lot of bad memories there,” I admitted in a quiet voice. “It’s not a place I want to go back to. Not yet.” I met his gaze. "I'm not ready." His fingers brushed against my arm in a gentle reassurance. “I understand,” he said softly, though I could hear a hint of sadness. “I won’t push. But if you ever change your mind… I’d love to see the place that made you who you are.”I held him hand. "Gerrard, It's been so long I went there. It's hard to face my past." He looked at me, his gaze deep and serious. “Lily, I know it’s hard, but you need to face your fears. You need to go back there and feel something other
THE MAFIA CHEF Bliss
I forced a smile. "Ah… Chef DuPont. Of course. Good to see you again. I’m a big fan of yours." Chef DuPont dipped his head politely, his voice smooth and unreadable. "Mademoiselle, it is a pleasure to be at your service this evening." Gerrard’s smirk deepened, clearly pleased with himself. "I figured having a familiar face here would make this night even more special for you." I let out a nervous laugh, subtly gripping the stem of my wine glass for support. "Oh, yes. Very special. What a… surprise." Chef DuPont’s eyes flickered again, just for a moment. Did he know? Did he suspect? But he simply inclined his head slightly and said, "I hope the meal has been to your satisfaction." I exhaled as discreetly as possible. He didn’t expose me. Or maybe he didn’t know. Or… he did, and he was choosing to say nothing. Either way, I was safe. For now. ---- As the night wore on, dinner had been wonderful, but it was getting late. Gerrard finally suggested we head back, gu
THE MAFIA CHEF The date
The city streets soon faded, replaced by an open, empty road. The eerie silence of the night made it worse. Then I saw it. A long stretch of pavement, dimly lit. An airstrip. My breath hitched. The car slowed to a stop near a sleek, white private jet waiting under the floodlights. And then I saw him. Gerrard. Standing at the foot of the stairs, dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Hands in his pockets, his sharp features softened by a knowing smirk. His dark eyes locked onto mine, full of amusement and something deeper. My chest tightened with overwhelming relief. The fear that had gripped me moments ago melted into something else entirely. I almost cried. The driver stepped out and opened my door, but I was frozen for a second, still catching my breath. Then, shaking my head at my own paranoia, I stepped out. I walked straight toward Gerrard, my heart still hammering, but this time for a different reason. He looked so effortlessly handsome, the glow from the
THE MAFIA CHEF The ride
After a week, life had settled back into its usual rhythm. We were back at the main house, and Gerrard’s business was running smoothly without a hitch. The war was over, we had made peace with Magnus, I had even gone to visit Jamie’s baby, bringing gifts and sharing in the joy of new life.Gerrard had been full of praise, telling me how impressed he was with the way I handled everything, the war, Magnus situation, the way I stayed composed under pressure, the way I supported him when it mattered most. His admiration made my heart swell, but I knew better than to bask in it for too long.Because while he was showering me with affection, he was also working quietly in the background, investigating.Who had planned the sniper attack? Who had sent him those warning messages?I had no idea what he had uncovered so far, but I could only pray that his search wouldn’t lead him back to me. I had buried my secrets deep, but I knew Gerrard. He was thorough. He wouldn’t stop until he had answers.
