MasukShare
Sixty Nine
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-02-14 17:00:00"Is this sudden decision to leave because I can’t define what this is between us?” Alessandro asks in a low yet sharp voice. I shake my head.
“No, I had already made up my mind way before this date,” I say, and he shakes his head in disbelief, clearly not believing me.
“You told me that you wanted me to take you out on this date so that you could make the decision. Is this what it was all about? You giving me an ultimatum?”
I scoff and shake my head. Why would he even think that? I didn’t give him any sort of ultimatum. I would never do that. Hell, I didn’t even say anything except that I’m leaving.
“No, that’s not true,” I say, watching as his lips curl into a knowing smirk, the kind that makes my blood boil.
“Don’t lie to me, Renée. I understand the answer you want from me—I do. But I can’t give you that.”
I blink, trying to keep my
Bab terkait
The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy
Do I know what I’m doing? No.Am I going to regret this? Probably, yeah.Do I care? No, not even one bit. I probably left my guilty conscience back at the restaurant, but who cares? I won’t be around in the next twenty-four hours to question or regret my decisions.It is so quiet in this elevator. I know both of us are probably questioning what the hell we think we are doing and whether it’s even the right thing to do. Worse, after we just had a fight about this whole situation. It feels hypocritical of us—me the most. One thing I know for sure right now is that the air around us is crackling with unspoken need.The moment the doors slide open to his penthouse, his lips are on mine again, more demanding this time. His hands are everywhere—my coat, my hair, my waist—and I’m losing track of what is happening. He takes off his coat and lets it fall to the floor, just an inch away from mine.His hand reaches fo
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-14The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy One
The bathroom tile feels cold under my feet as I sit perched on the toilet lid, phone pressed to my ear. I pull the bathrobe tighter to feel warm. I’m trying my best to keep my voice low because I don’t want Alessandro to hear this. I get that the bathroom is huge and the distance from where I am to where he is in the bed is big enough for me to talk freely, but still, I don’t want to. Tati’s voice, groggy but still unmistakably her, filters through the line.“What time is it where you are?” she asks.“Uhm… seven in the morning,” I whisper, glancing at the sleek clock mounted above the bathroom sink. I don’t understand why anyone would need a clock in the bathroom, but I don’t question rich people’s interior design choices. There is always something that feels out of place with them.“Seven?” She lets out a low groan. “Renée, it’s two in the morning here. Two.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-14The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy Two
This must be the longest shower I have ever had—well, the longest if it wasn’t one of those everything showers. The only reason is that I’m dreading going back to the room and having to face Alessandro. I know he won’t let this go until we’ve had that conversation, and I don’t even know if I can handle it.Because what am I even supposed to tell him? My body shut down because you’re married? That sounds absurd. It even feels absurd.There’s a fresh sweatsuit on the bathroom counter, along with some body care products. He must have placed them here while I was in the shower. I don’t even want to think about whose clothes they might belong to, but when I reach for them, I notice they still have tags on. They’re new. Does he always keep new clothes around for the women he brings home? His mistresses?See, this is why having this conversation feels like it might turn into a nightmare—because there&rsq
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy Three
I feel anxious.I don’t know if it’s in a good or bad way because part of me is happy that I’m going back home. I’ll get to see my friends again after so many months of being away, and I’ll finally just be at home. But at the same time, I’m not sure if I even like the idea of going back. Partly because I feel like Alessandro and I still have unresolved issues. It doesn’t matter that we’ve talked and I said I’d be back—I just feel like if I leave, there’s a chance I may never return. After everything that happened last night and the weird tension that followed, I just need to put some space between us. I have to—for my sanity. For the sake of my heart. And then, there’s the part of me that’s scared of going back to face the reality that it’ll just be Dad and me. Mom won’t be there anymore. I’ve spent almost my entire life with her in it, and it’s going to be hard.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy Four
I have never been arrested in my life, and all my life I have tried to live a good life and stay on the right side of the law so that a situation like this never happens. This is one of the scariest situations I have ever been in, and worse still, I don’t understand what we could have done to deserve this.My hands are trembling, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop them. They are sweaty, and the cuffs are digging into my wrists as I’m led through the cold, sterile hallway of the station. The air smells like bleach and something metallic, and the fluorescent light above hums in a way that grates on my nerves. I keep my head down, my heart racing so fast it feels like it’s trying to escape my chest. The last time I was at this station was to see Dell; I never thought the next time I’d be here, it would be in handcuffs.My dad was taken into another room as soon as we got here. They didn’t even let us talk. The last thing I saw w
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-15The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy Five
I stare at the phone for a moment, unable to move or even breathe. It’s burnt, probably from the fire Alessandro and his men set at the warehouse where Morales died, but it’s unmistakably the same phone. I don’t know what to make of it.How did they find it?Didn’t Alessandro get rid of it?Do they know something?Do they know Morales is missing—or dead, perhaps?Who am I kidding? They have his phone. They definitely know he’s missing.But Dell told me he handled it. He said he managed to steer their suspicions elsewhere, that he made them believe Morales left town for an assignment.Did he lie to me?No, he wouldn’t. Dell and I have had our differences, but he wouldn’t do something that would jeopardize both of us. If I go down for Morales’s death, it won’t be long before he goes down too.“I can tell from your silence that you know whose phone this is,” Agent Carter says. “And you might be considering our deal.”I look up at him, trying to maintain a poker face, but I don’t know how
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy Six
I can clearly tell from the look in Maria’s eyes when she saw Michael working with the FBI that it triggered something in her—fear, perhaps? Yes, she was shocked, but in a way that made it clear she was scared of what it meant. And if I’m being honest, so am I.Michael folds his arms, not taking his eyes off Maria, a smug and self-satisfied look on his face.“She can’t be released,” he says, his tone cold and final. My heart is still pounding. For a moment, I thought I might get out of here, but now I’m not so sure. “Renée was arrested on legitimate charges,” he adds.Maria raises a brow, her voice razor-sharp. I’m surprised at how quickly she regains her composure after looking so shaken moments ago. “What charges?” she asks.Michael shrugs. “Falsifying flight documents. As her lawyer, I thought you would already know that,” he says simply, as though it’s a s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17The Don's Forbidden Muse Seventy Seven
I can’t explain why, but my heart warms when I see him.He’s standing by the car, his broad shoulders and confident stance unmistakable. He looks effortlessly good in black jeans, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket. Maria strides toward him, her heels clicking sharply against the pavement.“What the hell are you doing here?” she demands, but Alessandro doesn’t even glance her way.His eyes find mine, and in a few swift strides, he’s standing in front of me. “Are you okay?” he asks, his voice low and filled with concern.Before I can answer, he catches me off guard by pulling me into his arms. I hesitate for a moment before wrapping my arms around him.For an instant, everything else disappears. It’s just us—the warmth of his embrace, the strength of his arms around me. It feels like home, like safety. I close my eyes and sink into the feeling. He’s warm, and he smells incredible. Honest
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17
Bab terbaru
The Don's Forbidden Muse Epilogue
One year laterThe soft click of the camera is the only sound in the room as I lean in closer, adjusting the angle to capture the perfect shot. My client is seated on the velvet chaise, draped in delicate lace. Her confidence radiates through the lens, and she is beautiful. The natural light streaming through the tall windows bathes her in a warm glow, highlighting every curve and detail.“Beautiful,” I murmur in a steady voice as I guide her. “Tilt your chin slightly… yes, just like that. Perfect.”This is my world now. My studio, my work, my passion. It’s been over a year and a half since I found my footing in this country, and my boudoir photography has taken off in ways I never imagined. Had someone told me I would stay here and make it my home after all the tragedies that happened, I would have laughed in their face. But here I am. High-end clients, features in glossy magazines—it’s everything I dreamed of an
The Don's Forbidden Muse Ninety Five
I open my eyes, and the splitting headache is a clear reminder of the hangover from last night. I think I might have had a little too much to drink. My body is tangled in soft linen sheets that aren’t mine. I quickly sit up, blinking against the brightness streaming through the curtains. For a moment, everything is hazy—the room, the night, and the nagging sense of regret clawing at the edges of my mind.I push myself up slowly, the cozy carpet beneath my feet unfamiliar. Panic starts to creep in as I take in the space. A strange home. My mind is slowly piecing everything together, and then it hits me—Luca. The bar. The bathroom. His bed.“Oh my god,” I whisper, my hands flying to my face.What the hell have I done?The events of last night quickly come crashing in. What we did didn’t just stop in that bar bathroom. Somehow, we ended up here, and we didn’t stop until... I shake my head, trying to will the memories
The Don's Forbidden Muse Ninety Four
The restaurant is quiet. Too quiet. I’m seated at the center of it, watching the soft shadows cast across the empty tables around me by the flickering candlelight. The dress delivered earlier fits like a glove, hugging my curves and making me feel beautiful, but I’m slowly starting to feel less and less beautiful as time keeps passing by. Sitting here alone in this massive restaurant feels uncomfortable.I swirl the wine in my glass, the rich red liquid catching the light. I sigh and take a sip. It’s my third—or is it my fourth? I’ve lost count. I don’t normally get drunk on wine, but if I keep taking one glass after another, I’ll be tipsy by the time this date even starts. I glance at my phone for the umpteenth time, the screen lighting up with the same message he sent over forty-five minutes ago:I’ll be late, but I’m on my way. Order something, love.That word love feels hollow now. I check the time again,
The Don's Forbidden Muse Ninety Three
Several months laterThis always feels like the first time. I’m straddling Alessandro in the warm, scented water of our bathtub, riding out the pleasure as water laps against my skin. His hands grip my waist tightly, and his head tips back as he groans my name. It’s moments like this when I forget the chaos around us. Here, it’s just him and me—no one else.I let out a soft moan as I finish, my body trembling as I collapse against him. He catches me, cradling me like I’m the most precious thing in the world, before pressing a kiss to my forehead, then to my lips, his breath warm and tender.“I love you,” he whispers softly, tucking my hair behind my ear.Those three words hit me like a wave every time he says them. I smile, kissing him back gently before leaning against his chest, slowly listening to the rhythm of our breathing. His hand brushes through my hair, untangling it with care.“What are you
The Don's Forbidden Muse Ninety Two
I am shaking as I stare at the pool of blood on the floor next to my father’s leg, which keeps growing larger with every passing second. His face is pale, and he is starting to get weaker. I’m trying to hold back my tears, wishing I could help him, but I can’t move. My body feels like it’s chained to this seat, my fists trembling in place on my lap.“Okay, I’ll ask again,” Emilia’s sharp voice cuts through the air, making my heart race even faster. “Who do you have resentment for in this room, Principessa?” she asks in a mocking voice.My throat is dry, my voice barely above a whisper as I stammer. “Maria.”I hear Maria scoff at the other end of the room. “Bitch,” she mutters under her breath, but it’s loud enough for everyone to hear.I swallow hard, trying not to look in her direction. Emilia leans forward, clearly intrigued. “Oh, now this is getting interest
The Don's Forbidden Muse Ninety One
I open my eyes, and my head is killing me. The first thing I feel is the cold, hard surface beneath me. I try to piece together where I am. Someone is calling my name, the voice faint but familiar, slicing through the fog clouding my mind.“Renée…”I force my eyes open, blinking against the light filtering into the massive room. It takes me a moment to figure out my surroundings, and then I see him—Alessandro. He’s seated on a chair a few feet away, his hands bound, his eyes filled with anger and despair.My heart jumps. He came for me.I try to sit up, and my body aches with every move, but I still manage to sit.“Alessandro,” I whisper, my voice cracking as I struggle to stand.He shakes his head, a silent warning, and that’s when I see it—a gun pressed against his temple. My breath catches in my throat as my heart starts to race.“Hey… hey… are you ok
The Don's Forbidden Muse Ninety
AlessandroAfter that phone call with Emilia, I’ve felt stuck ever since. I don’t know what to do. Before I took over the reign of the East mafiadome—just before I married Emilia—the queen was already on top of the food chain. There were rumors about how ruthless she was, how evil she was. The things she used to do. She was the lowest of the barrel when it came to cruelty. I didn’t think there was anything beyond her in terms of the evil she was capable of. She would kill without mercy, deal the worst drugs, and human and sex trafficking were part of her trade.So when I married Maria, I swore to change all that. I vowed to be ruthless, but not ruthless like her. I wanted to make things right—and I did.By doing so, I threatened her, and she fought back. There is nothing worse than fighting someone you don’t truly know.The thing is, before her, her father ruled. He supposedly only had sons—or so we thought.
The Don's Forbidden Muse Eighty Nine
“Hey! Hey! Let us out of here, you sons of bitches!” Mateo’s scream tears through the heavy silence in the room. He thrashes against the ropes binding him to the chair, his voice hoarse as he shouts.“Let us out of here! Do you hear me? You bastards! You’re going to pay for letting Marco die. I swear to God!” he screams again, his voice bouncing off the walls, but no one comes. The night is quiet except for the sounds of the crickets and my sobbing. I turn to look at my father and brother, and they have that same sad look on their faces.Mateo keeps screaming in rage at no one, yet still, no one seems to hear his cries.I remain seated on the floor, my hands still stained with the now-dried blood that belonged to Marco. Tears stream down my face, and my whole body shakes. He was alive not long ago. But now he is gone. He’s really gone. My chest feels tight, and I can barely breathe. If only Emilia had let me help him&hel
The Don's Forbidden Muse Eighty Eight
The two women exchange a knowing glance, a silent communication passing between them, before one of them stands up. She is slightly taller and more petite than me, though I suspect that’s due to the harsh conditions here. She deliberately walks toward me, the fear she initially displayed now replaced by feigned confidence. The second woman, much shorter with cropped hair, follows close behind, and my heart races with every step they take closer.“So, you’re the new one,” the first woman says, her voice sharp and biting. Even with the coldness in her tone, there’s a hint of curiosity in her eyes, as though she’s heard of me and wants to know more.I blink, confused by her words. “What do you mean?” I ask, though deep down, a part of me already knows.There can only be one reason we look so similar, and I desperately hope it isn’t true—because if it is, I’ll lose my mind.She tilts her head,
