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80 ◆ The Purebloods Of Umbria ◆
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2024-10-29 19:42:56◇ KEL ◇
He must be thinking it was a sick joke. An elaborate prank. Or perhaps he thought I was gradually going insane? And delusional. Making up ludicrous stories that had festered in my head.
Yet he didn't laugh at the things I'd said. Not even once. Enzo didn't even crack a grin.
The look on his face when I mentioned "vampirars" and "dhampiricas" only varied between a deep scowl and a skeptical squint. He sat still beside me as I recounted everything I witnessed in Umbria.
When I explained how I found out the Falcos supposedly became cursed with a genetic disease, he only stared at me, as if words were too difficult to muster up. "I know. I know how it sounds. But, it happened." I sighed. "And whenever I have questions, I call up Cloe. Or I ask Miles sometimes."
"They're all.
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• Copyright © 2020 by M.Z. Mauve • All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law. Scenes, characters, dialogues and events in this story are all invented. This story contains mature themes, profanity, violence, sexual and some triggering content (descriptions of SA) not intended for young readers. ◆ Author's Notes ◆ This is Book II of the Secret Heirs Series. The storyline in this book takes place after the last chapter of my first vampire/crime/romance story originally written in 3rd person and published on another platform. This book is a standalone but if you want more context behind the main characters, I suggest you read "The Heir's Secret Obsession" (THSO) [the non-paranormal version, a rewrite] on this same profile. • • • • PREVIEW •
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◇ KEL ◇ "Are you frickin' kidding me? Why didn't you just tell me you needed more money? I could've asked Dad." I plugged my earphones in and sighed to myself, minding my best friend's incredulous tone and apparent disappointment in my recent decisions. Although I knew that Gaia's family had some real estate properties under their name, I never tried to borrow money from her or her family for my tuition, student loans, and some of Daddy Jim's hospital bills. I just didn't want to inconvenience them in any way. For the past few years, Gaia had also been busy studying for the bar exams. Clearly she thought I should've just asked her for financial help, instead of borrowing a huge amount of money from Enzo, a guy I just met some months ago. Her point was valid. But, too late for reprimands. I had already paid for loans and hospital bills using Enzo's money. I definitely planned to pay him back as soon as I earned my first paychecks, though. It might take me another year and a
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◇ KEL ◇ [ A year later ] "Recombinant, mRNA, or viral vector?" "Viral vector. Or stick with recombinant subunit, but with a better adjuvant." "Sure. That works, too." Partly covered by a towel, Enzo walked out of the bathroom with a scrunched up nose and knitted brows. "But why not mRNA?" Why not go for the messenger-RNA type? If his CSO was doing his job, then the big boss should no longer ask me these questions weeks before their clinical efficacy trials. I sat beside the pillow and looked up from my phone, trying not to frown at the half-naked guy making the floor wet. The new mop I bought should be desert-dry by now. I'd left it near the pool. The weather had been friendly all morning. Like my hormones. And thank heavens for both. "If the board is now aiming for distribution on a global scale, your teams should opt for the one that's not gonna be a logistics nightmare." "Yeah. We should," he mumbled with a restrained sigh. "And they definitely want to scale up." "So go for
The Alpha's Dhampirica [Mafia Games XII] 80 ◆ The Purebloods Of Umbria ◆
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The Alpha's Dhampirica [Mafia Games XII] 76 ◆ Maximiliano, The Punisher ◆
◆ MILES ◆ He fell asleep on the couch. Again. The third time this week. His laptops sat on my mother's favorite coffee table, both left open and running, the cords and empty coffee cups scattered on the varnished oak. Plus some wrinkled candy wrappers. What a mess. Maybe he worked till sunrise. Besides tracking down my fugitive father, I wasn't sure what else Nicco had been working on. I left him out here past midnight after we had a few drinks. Mostly non-alcoholic for me. My new shrink might shove me back in that wretched facility if she heard I went on another bender. "Allora?"[What now?] I looked up from my phone. My left hand gripped a loaded handgun just waiting to feel useful. It was fairly new. Expensive. A nice birthday gift from someone whose neck I still wanted to slit open. Nicco yawned and lazily sat up on t
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◇ KEL ◇ Oh no. Crap. I didn't just say that out loud. My eyes and throat ached now. I even stuttered. My voice was starting to tremble, too. Shucks. Not now. I didn't want to cry in front of him. Especially not in public. Ugh. His bodyguards must be enjoying the show right now. Frowning again, Enzo stopped touching my face and backed off. He didn't get rid of his confused look, as if my words didn't make any lick of sense. Or was he surprised that I mentioned his ex again? "Because I can't keep hanging out with you without constantly reminding myself not to take you to bed and make you forget he exists." He looked away, shaking his head weakly. "But you think I'm still with Olivia? And what happened that night was nothing?" "Just take me back to the apartment." "No." I sighed when he held my arm before I could walk
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The Alpha's Dhampirica [Mafia Games XII] 73 ◆ Dreams Of Terror ◆
× WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW NOT INTENDED FOR YOUNG READERS AND MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME (DESCRIPTIONS OF S.A.) × ◇ KEL ◇ ... Tall. Dark. Raven-black hair. Muscular all over. A looming presence. My intakes of breaths wouldn't reach my lungs. I backed off. My hands and legs turned numb. Why? Why wouldn't he stop staring at me? Deliberately intimidating. Now he's towering over me with a full glass of wine and a crooked grin stretching his pale lips and dark beard. Leandro sipped his drink. "Thanks for helping my brother." "You're welcome. I was just trying to help." "You know he's got a thing for your type?" He chuckled. "Humor me. Why are you with him?" My type? "We're just friends, Signore." I faked a smile at his natural talent for giving shade. I'd rather walk out of here now, but it would be rude. "Really good friends." Leandro grinned when I fell silent. He stepped dangerously close to me that I could smell the alcohol on his tongue. Should I shove him? Run? Shit. W
