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Olivia Extends a Lifeline
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Taken by the Mafia King Andre's New Dame
FredI wanted no part of any of this fucking mess. I’d done my time, paid my dues, and somehow gotten out of the mafia unscathed. Most men in my position, my age, would’ve been six feet under two decades ago, or have their bones resting at the bottom of the Atlantic by now.But not me. I knew for fucking certain it wasn’t luck. This was God’s spite, I was sure of it. Letting me live a long life while I watched men like Andre Bianchi continue to thrive.I’d bought my way out of the mess I’d made as a young, idealistic man. I’d groveled at Andre’s father’s feet and climbed the ranks to Caporegime while Andre was still licking the toes of strippers and swinging his gun around. He was the Bianchi prince at one time, capable of nothing, wanting for nothing, and somehow getting everything while the rest of us died or went to prison with RICO charges.Then he’d become my boss, and I spent the rest of my miserable existence doing his bidding in the name of the family.Andre wasn’t the kind of
Taken by the Mafia King Sera's Request
KillianHow many drinks had I had? Three? Four? It didn’t matter. All that mattered right now was burying Giuseppe.I was deep down the rabbit hole of imagining just how I’d kill him when someone burst into my office, the door slamming into the bookshelves behind it and sending everything upon it rattling and dancing precariously. I turned lazily in my chair to face them, perhaps a bit slowed by the effects of the drink. But when my eyes locked onto Sera’s, my mind cleared.“How the hell do you keep getting out of your room?” Either she was Houdini, or someone in this house was fucking with me. “Your crew is made up of inbred heathens incapable of doing anything correctly, that’s how,” she hissed, closing the door behind her. “I need something from you.”I arched an eyebrow. Cute that she thought she could march in here making demands of me.Me.Sweet little Sera. She still had no clue. Why did that get me hard?“I don’t have time to fuck you right now.” I moved from my desk chair to
Taken by the Mafia King Tommaso in the Theater Room
SeraI didn’t hear anyone thundering after me when I left Killian’s office, so I decided to use my likely fleeting freedom to explore the house a little bit. I hadn’t spent much time in any room but my own, save for visiting Tommaso in his room. I assumed the second level was where most of the formal bedrooms were kept, but the mansion was built in an ancient style that made it impossible to figure out which hallways held bedrooms and which hallways held offices, or sitting rooms, or whatever else someone with money like Killian did with their space.I tried a few doorknobs, finding most of them locked as I crept through the eastern side of the house. But then I rounded a corner and found myself in a wide open space that overlooked the backyard. Couches and chairs were situated in a semi-circle in front of a massive fireplace, and bookshelves lined the walls, stretching to the ceiling.It was, in all regards, a library.I pursed my lips as I slowly fanned through the books, but I didn
Taken by the Mafia King Putting Emma in Danger
SeraMy hands shook as I closed myself into a bathroom on the second floor, locking it shut. Red wallpaper suffocated me as I turned on the fan and the water to drown out my voice in the event Tommaso lingered nearby. He’d asked if I knew how to get back upstairs to my room, and I did. I’d watched him walk away, but I knew I only had minutes to accomplish this before he realized his phone was missing and came looking for it.I just needed to know everyone was okay. That was it.No harm. No foul. Right?I doubted Tommaso would see it that way.I quickly dialed my old number and pressed the phone to my ear while looking at my reflection in the mirror. I hardly recognized myself. My face wasn’t as full as it used to be. I had no color in my cheeks, either. My eyes were puffy and red, most likely from all the crying I’d done these past weeks. I hoped it wasn’t permanent. Was that possible?The skin beneath my eyes was sunken and purple, and my skin lacked its usual elasticity from the wei
Taken by the Mafia King Fred's Offer
Killian“Her name is Roxy Longo,” Fred said as he paced along the terrace, his hands tucked into his old leather jacket. “No affiliations to any families that I know of.”“Five million dollars is a lot for one dame,” I said dryly, leaning against one of the stone pillars supporting the arch over my front door. A moth fluttered around the light a few feet above my head. My eyes tracked back and forth, following Fred as he continued to pace, occasionally stopping to kick at a leaf or piece of gravel. I sighed. “Was she sold at an auction?”“No, it was a private exchange, from what I understand, but Riccardo Marino did handle the logistics.”“Why should I be interested in this, Fred? Andre’s new toy has nothing to do with me.”“I think it has to do with Sera’s situation.” He came to a stop a few feet away from me, the chill in the air causing his cheeks to flush. “I went to him a few days ago to plead her case. He didn’t even give me the opportunity to ask why he wasn’t coming after you
Taken by the Mafia King Poking The Bear
Sera“I don’t want to go back to my room.” Tommaso’s words about Emma had frightened me, but I didn’t want to go back there. Not now. I stared down Tommaso, who was red in the face and practically foaming at the mouth in fury.“I’m not fucking around right now, Sera.”I stood up straighter. “Neither am I. We’re even now, okay? I saved your life. Letting me use your phone was the least you could do.”“Are you serious?” He narrowed his eyes at me.“I am.” I took a step toward him, placing my hand on his chest in a friendly way.He winced and brushed my hand away.I hadn’t meant to hurt him. “I don’t want to go back in there and be kept like a prisoner or a child. I’m sorry I broke your trust, but I wasn’t trying to hurt anyone. Can you please just let me go for a bit? I want to go outside, to be able to breathe.” I searched his eyes, hoping he’d understand.“Well, none of that is up to me.”“But you’re more than alright with it, aren’t you?”He glared at me but said nothing.“I scraped
Taken by the Mafia King The Truth Comes Out
SeraMy ears rang as I looked back and forth between Fred and Killian. Fred, a man I trusted and loved like a father or uncle, and Killian, a man I hated but needed like I needed oxygen. Both of my worlds were colliding right in front of my face, but all I could think about was my father.Possibly the only man I hated more than Killian. And loved. And feared.“Is he dead?” I asked. My voice sounded hollow and competed with the ringing in my ears. What was that God awful sound? I reached out and steadied myself with a hand on Fred’s arm.“You didn’t tell her?” Fred closed his hand over mine and glared at Killian. “She’s been here this whole time, and you didn’t tell her?”Killian stood motionless a few feet away, looking more like a painting than a living, breathing man. Finally, he shifted his weight, and spoke. “This isn’t the time.”“No,” I said sharply. “Don’t do this to me. Please. I can’t stand not knowing anymore. Is he dead? Did you kill him?”Killian looked like I’d just slapp
Taken by the Mafia King Sera's Dead
SeraMy world had shattered. Any hope of seeing the light of day again slipped through my fingers and turned to ash at my feet. Looking into Killian’s eyes, the lack of sympathy behind them sparked something in me, but it wasn’t warmth. It wasn’t that strange, misplaced longing of him I’d been fighting either.Anger. Wrath. Desperation. That was all that was left of the innocent girl I used to be—someone I would never be again. Going back to my old life was no longer an option. I would never see my students again. I would never walk the halls of my school or sit at the corner deli eating pastrami sandwiches with Emma. I would never be free. Not from Killian. Not from this world or this life, if I could even call it that.My father had been right about one thing. Anyone who is born into this life will die in it. Nothing exists outside of the confines of the family for those unlucky enough to be born within its reaching, gnarled branches.I might as well already be dead. But then, being
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Taken by the Mafia King Epilogue
PaigeI stood in the vestibule outside of the chapel, clutching my flowers, my heart hammering in my chest. Organ music belted through the doors, and I was just waiting for my cue.We all were. My two bridesmaids, in simple maroon dresses, stood ahead of me. Like she could feel my eyes, Lauren turned back and winked. I smiled. The dress looked spectacular on her, and I’d promised up and down that Tom would invite enough handsome men for her to go home with a date. This, of course, had been complicated by Tom choosing Killian and Stan as his two groomsmen. While I liked the older man, and he kept Lauren laughing, I didn’t exactly see the two of them as a couple.Mom stepped up next to me with a smile. Her mother-of-the-bride dress, a deep burgundy gown with gold accents, caught the light and sent it dancing. “Are you excited?”I inhaled sharply. “I kind of can’t stop thinking about the seating chart for the reception. Who have I become?”She laughed. “Your father.”Tears beaded in my e
Taken by the Mafia King Old Time's Sake
KillianI sat behind my desk and looked out over my men. Tommaso took his usual seat. Adrian hovered in the corner like he wasn’t quite sure what to do with himself yet, just like he had at the beginning. Patrick was still laughing about spilling his wine. Just like old times. I stood and started pouring everyone drinks.“So,” I said, “do you have an update on the warehouses, Adrian?”He started toward my desk, then paused. An odd moment passed. It wasn’t really my desk anymore. I’d left the hunk of wood behind because I had no need for it on the island, and he’d loaded it down with computers in my absence. Despite that, I’d never seen anyone sit behind it but my father besides me.I offered Adrian a drink. “Sit.”He nodded. “Didn’t want to step on your toes. The situation is pretty simple, all told, but I can tell there’s a certain amount of grace I’m supposed to be handling this foreman with, and I don’t—”Tommaso joined me at the bar to pour. “Do you remember that foreman in the so
Taken by the Mafia King Big News
PaigeI tucked my arm through Tom’s and straightened my long, floral romper. He kissed me on the cheek, then knocked on the door. Joyce swung it open.“Hello!” She welcomed us both in with hugs. “Mr. and Mrs. Ricci are in the drawing room. Please, come in.”We let ourselves be bustled through the door, the wine we’d brought carried off to the kitchen, and our coats taken to some closet somewhere in the mansion. Adrian used it as a base of operations when Killian and Sera weren’t home, so I’d been here a few times since the wedding, but I’d never felt comfortable here. Finally, we were led to the closed doors of the drawing room, and Tom opened them with a smile.Inside, we found not only “Mr. and Mrs. Ricci,” but also Olivia and Patrick, Adrian and Penny—who still wouldn’t even talk about their dance at the wedding—and Sera’s mother and brother, as well as Lauren. Sera leapt up to greet us, and Killian followed a few paces behind. I threw myself into the hug just as much as Sera did—I
Taken by the Mafia King Checking Up
SeraI folded a T-shirt and put it into Killian’s suitcase. “Are you sure we need to leave so soon?”He chuckled and took the T-shirt back out, then replaced it with a suit shirt. “Very, unfortunately. Adrian is in the middle of a difficult situation with one of the warehouses, and he needs a steady hand to guide him through.”My stomach churned at the thought of leaving the villa. We’d only been here for a couple of months, and we’d promised everyone we’d return, but dammit, I wasn’t ready yet. Lazing around the villa and having sex whenever the mood took us was way too fun to stop after only a few months.“But we’ll be back soon, right?” I asked like I didn’t already know.“Cara mia.” Killian took my hands. “What is happening in that head of yours?”I sighed. “I don’t know. The thought of leaving just make me kind of sick. We just got away from all that. I don’t want to be scared again.”He studied me for a long moment. “You do look a little pale. How sick is this making you exactly
Taken by the Mafia King Humdrum Excitement
PaigeI squeezed Tom’s hand in the car on the way to the airport.“Sad to be leaving?” he asked.I smiled. “Always. It’s so magical here.”He laughed. “Not just saying that because we’ve spent most of the vacation in bed?”I ran my free hand up his leg. “No, we have weekends for that at home.”“Fair enough.” He kissed the back of my hand. “I do like going on these little vacations, though. It’s a nice escape for a few days.”I nodded. I really was going to miss Paris, but I wouldn’t have wanted to stay much longer anyway. Lauren had been texting me updates about the shelter, especially the new one as women settled in. I kept thinking about how much I was missing, how much they needed me there. And I knew Tom was feeling the same. Apparently, Lyle had his sights set on someone new, and Tom was itching to pull the trigger. Anybody else would probably think we were freaks, desperate to leave a luxury vacation to get back to our grueling jobs. But those people didn’t realize just how much
Taken by the Mafia King Perfect Fit
TommasoWhen I told Paige I’d set everything up for another two days in Paris, she’d immediately insisted we spend a day shopping. I put up a cursory front of complaints, but in truth, I was perfectly happy following her from store to store and carrying her bags. Even better, she loved it when I made jokes about some of the worst, frilliest, most French things we came across. She laughed and joined in. For years, I’d heard men complaining about shopping with their girlfriends—fiancées—saying it was the most boring thing in the world, but even if we weren’t laughing up a storm as we paid our way through the most expensive boutiques in Paris, I still would’ve been having a ball. The sun was shining, she kept looking at the ring I’d put on her finger with a soft wonderment I’d never seen in her eyes anymore, and my face hurt from smiling. Paige and I could’ve made a hell of an afternoon out of reading the phone book.“Stop!” she said.I froze, my free hand twitching toward the gun I’d hi
Taken by the Mafia King Beginning of Forever
PaigeI didn’t know how long Tom and I lay there, listening to the fireworks and seeing the very top of their arcs through the sliver of windows accessible from the floor. I pillowed my head on his chest and enjoyed the steady beat of his heart. Engaged. The last time I was here, I’d been on the cusp of recovery, just starting to make strides toward the person I was today. Now, I wasn’t done—I didn’t know if there was a done for traumatized people or people in general—but I was so much better, stronger, happier than I had been.The last time Tom and I were in Paris, I’d thrown myself at him and chickened out. As much as I could stay at a private view of the Eiffel Tower, I wanted to show him just how much had changed. Just how much I meant the “yes” that had fallen so easily from my lips. I rolled on top of him.“What do you say we take this back to that hotel room you picked out?”Tom grinned and pulled me down for a kiss. I pressed myself against him, feeling every line of his body.
Taken by the Mafia King The Only Ones
PaigeI sat across from Tom in an empty, stunning restaurant in the middle of the Eiffel Tower with my head spinning like the three sips of wine I’d had with the appetizer were enough to make me drunk. He’d really rented out the Eiffel Tower. And not one floor, the whole thing. We’d ridden an empty elevator, the two-Michelin-star chef kept coming out to tell us why he’d selected particular dishes based on the information Tom had given him about our preferences, and I couldn’t hear anything but the soft classical music over the speakers. It felt like a dream.Tom took my hand. “So?”“So what?” I asked.“Was the surprise worth it?” He grinned.I looked over his suit, a forest green that brought out his eyes, worn without a tie. His dark curls tumbled into his face. I’d never seen him look so perfectly put together and so casual. He looked…well, he looked exactly like the man I’d fallen in love with. Nothing like the one who’d scared me so badly all those months ago in Cairo.“I get the
Taken by the Mafia King Peace Time
TommasoDespite how much I wanted Paige to keep that little black dress on, we had a few hours before the Tower officially emptied out for our use. I talked her into putting on something a little more walkable and keeping the lingerie on. As if to punish me for my restraint, she picked a pair of tiny, wide-legged shorts that showed the tops of the garters attached to her stockings every time she moved and a fitted blouse. I changed and somehow convinced myself to leave the hotel room instead of stripping everything off her and spending the hours in bed.She took my hand as we stepped into the lobby. “I should’ve known. When you plan a surprise, it’s never just one thing. Where are we off to first?”“So nosy.” I smiled.“You’re right, I’ll stop asking.” She slid the room key out of her pocket and fiddled with it for a second, then dropped it. With a small smile, she bent at the waist to pick it up, exposing those garter straps again.I grabbed her waist and hurried her the final few st
