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64. The Monster In My Head
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2025-01-02 23:59:08Related chapters
The Don's Runaway Bride 65. The Revelation
Dressed in a simple sundress, myself, Celia and a couple of the friends she'd made overtime were seated at a table for six. Still not completely ready to be seen, I'd settled for the barest minimum; a simple black tweed dress and black flats. I had no jewelry or makeup on, and my hair was pulled in a not-so-complimentary ponytail. I wanted to be invisible. It was the first time I’d actually been out to socialize with people since I escaped Steve and Pietro... Almost an hour later, we were working our way through desert while listening to cool music. I had started relaxing when I suddenly felt a strange prickle of danger. I scanned the room, looking for Pietro, Giancarlo, Steve, or any figure that could suggest danger. I didn't see any. The host came over to greet us and my chocolate cake got stuck somewhere in my throat. It was the guy that followed me from the grocery store a couple of days ago. The very one that couldn't just let me be. He flashed a sweet smile my way. "Hi, st
Last Updated : 2025-01-03The Don's Runaway Bride 66. Leaving
I almost drowned, almost!But Max held me up and let out a silly crackle of laughter that I was forced to join him while scanning my eyes around, trying not to look too obvious. I saw nothing; no one seemed out of place. I guess I didn't have the capacity to decipher these sorts of things.After a while, I asked, "Did Pietro send you?" He smiled, so sweet, so calm like we were two innocent kids with absolutely nothing to worry about. "Angelo sent me." He replied."What?" I mouthed. "That's crazy." He nodded in agreement. "But why? How? I mean..." I paused. "All of this seems like a coincidence. You own a grocery store, and you just opened a lovely restaurant on Bristen.""Your friend, we've been keeping an eye on her." That was all he said."Why?" I repeated."My family just struck a business deal with Pietro Eppolito." He replied, directing me on how to stabilize my floating technique. "It's a long story and time's short. I'm going to call out a number for you and you have to do wel
Last Updated : 2025-01-04The Don's Runaway Bride 67. Time To Come Home
The night was close to the worse ones I always had in that shitty cell in Pietro's home. I barely slept all through. I kept waking up, checking the windows and the doors for any sign of a break-in.Finally, it was morning and I barely slept up to an hour. Once Celia left to check her new space and made me promise to go with her to see the space tomorrow, I pulled on bootcut jeans and a knitted top. And pushed Pietro's ring into my finger to help scare away randy men. I'd removed it when I got to the airport in Queensland. Then I tucked my taser and pepper spray in my purse, and managed to fit in three pocket knives: one in my purse, the second inside my boot, and the third was clutched together with my purse since it was customized to look like a cute key holder.With shaking hands, I scribbled a note for Celia and dropped about ten thousand dollars for her beside the note. I told her how grateful I was for everything she’d done for me and promised that I'd be back soon and I was onl
Last Updated : 2025-01-04The Don's Runaway Bride 68. Airborne
I shook my head. "No. I can’t live like this, Pietro. You need to let me out of this car, now. You need to let me live my life."I grabbed at the door handle, but of course, it was locked. "I can’t. It’s not safe out there for you. I lost a couple of my men when Steve attacked our home. The backup that came fast enough were killed too. I'm trying to build up enough defense to shield us for the time being, until we track Steve down.""Kidnapping me again isn't the solution." I reasoned."I'm not kidnapping you, Amore. I let you go because I knew you needed that time away. Both of us do. Now I've realized my mistakes and I'm going to right all my wrongs. It's a promise."A wave of ice crashed over me. "So, you're not letting me go? We can't end this sham of a marriage?""Not if I'm still alive, Amore.""Then I'll kill you.""That sounds refreshing. But baby I promise you, I'm going to change. I'll work hard to earn your love and trust again. But I can't let you let you go." He grabbed m
Last Updated : 2025-01-05The Don's Runaway Bride 69. Stockholm Syndrome
He was expecting me to just hand my phone to him. I was aware of what would happen to me if I refused to give him the phone. But as shameful as it may sound, I wanted that. I’ve been craving it ever since Steve took me away from him. To put my want in motion, I shot out of my seat, my purse firmly clutched in my hand, I started heading toward the restrooms in the back. He chased after me and caught me halfway down. My purse fell to the ground, and I let out a false cry. He captured my wrists in one hand and easily tied them together with his necktie. Then he took out my cell phone and dropped it on the floor, squashing it several times and shattering it in the process. "You idiot. I bought that phone barely three weeks ago." I howled. "Oh so sad," He faked out. "Do you want to cry now?" Goddammit, I was wet for this man. Even his cruel words turned me on so fucking much. I'm damaged!Suddenly, he bent my arms painfully and steered me down to a co
Last Updated : 2025-01-06The Don's Runaway Bride Prologue
Today is the worst day of my life!Maybe I should rephrase that. Today is one of the worst days of my life. Because I’m very certain that with my present predicament, there will be days worse than this.As the Mayor’s smart-ass daughter and the youngest professor in De-Queens College, I was popular among my peers and well-celebrated. When I got the opportunity to share my thoughts about the struggles our dear town was facing in a four-page journal, I poured out my heart, focusing my writing on the ‘one man’ I shouldn’t have talked about.The journal got flagged down, of course, and its publication halted indefinitely. But the damage had been done, and unknown to me, the man I wrote about was worse than I thought and he neither forgives, nor does he forget.Pietro Eppolito is the devil that has tormented our city for the longest. He is a beast, a demon, even. Ruthless, merciless, bloody, monstrous. He kills for a living and he has turned our city into his den and my father, the Mayor o
Last Updated : 2024-11-18The Don's Runaway Bride 2. Wedding Day
ARIA’S POV (Present Day) .I walked into the gigantic home of Pietro Eppolito. The guards were obviously alarmed when they saw me, but they didn't say a word. Seeing Pietro's supposed bride in her wedding dress waltzing into the house as if she owns it. Well, I might own it if the wedding pulls through.The man who was once introduced to me as Giancarlo was the first to see me when I pushed open the entrance door. He frowned briefly. But I didn't give a hoot. It's actually my wedding day today. Everything is set. Our families are waiting, and I'm dressed for the so-called union.But I decided to speak to Pietro one more time to see if he could change his fucking mind. It was either that or I'll go ahead with the carefully orchestrated plan I already set in motion. "This is not a good time, Aria," Giancarlo called with such familiarity that you'd think we were friends, but we weren't."I need to see Pietro," I replied instead. "Tell him I need just a few minutes of his time. I won't
Last Updated : 2024-11-18The Don's Runaway Bride 3. Underestimating Her
PIETRO’S POV.I’ve been tagged a lot of things; Beast, Reaper, Dark Prince, Killer, Monster, Psychopath, Murderer, Mad Prince, and several others. Personally, I think the term “Mad Prince” suits me best. Because only a madman can do the things I’ve done. But I’m a King now. “Mad King.”.There are groups of humans that see themselves as god. They always find a way to inflict pain on others just to feel powerful. In their attempt to coexist, they find a way to categorize themselves within a small cult; godfathers, consigleres, dons, capos, soldiers, and every stupid name and rank they could think of.The quest for power can be intoxicating. From an early age, I learned a few things about life; the world is a hunting ground. You either be the hunter or the prey. Devour or get devoured.A lot of evil has happened to me. I watched my brothers; half brothers, stepbrothers, adopted brothers, less worthy brothers, fall one by one until it was just me and Edoardo. We’ve been tortured emotio
Last Updated : 2024-11-18
Latest chapter
The Don's Runaway Bride 69. Stockholm Syndrome
He was expecting me to just hand my phone to him. I was aware of what would happen to me if I refused to give him the phone. But as shameful as it may sound, I wanted that. I’ve been craving it ever since Steve took me away from him. To put my want in motion, I shot out of my seat, my purse firmly clutched in my hand, I started heading toward the restrooms in the back. He chased after me and caught me halfway down. My purse fell to the ground, and I let out a false cry. He captured my wrists in one hand and easily tied them together with his necktie. Then he took out my cell phone and dropped it on the floor, squashing it several times and shattering it in the process. "You idiot. I bought that phone barely three weeks ago." I howled. "Oh so sad," He faked out. "Do you want to cry now?" Goddammit, I was wet for this man. Even his cruel words turned me on so fucking much. I'm damaged!Suddenly, he bent my arms painfully and steered me down to a co
The Don's Runaway Bride 68. Airborne
I shook my head. "No. I can’t live like this, Pietro. You need to let me out of this car, now. You need to let me live my life."I grabbed at the door handle, but of course, it was locked. "I can’t. It’s not safe out there for you. I lost a couple of my men when Steve attacked our home. The backup that came fast enough were killed too. I'm trying to build up enough defense to shield us for the time being, until we track Steve down.""Kidnapping me again isn't the solution." I reasoned."I'm not kidnapping you, Amore. I let you go because I knew you needed that time away. Both of us do. Now I've realized my mistakes and I'm going to right all my wrongs. It's a promise."A wave of ice crashed over me. "So, you're not letting me go? We can't end this sham of a marriage?""Not if I'm still alive, Amore.""Then I'll kill you.""That sounds refreshing. But baby I promise you, I'm going to change. I'll work hard to earn your love and trust again. But I can't let you let you go." He grabbed m
The Don's Runaway Bride 67. Time To Come Home
The night was close to the worse ones I always had in that shitty cell in Pietro's home. I barely slept all through. I kept waking up, checking the windows and the doors for any sign of a break-in.Finally, it was morning and I barely slept up to an hour. Once Celia left to check her new space and made me promise to go with her to see the space tomorrow, I pulled on bootcut jeans and a knitted top. And pushed Pietro's ring into my finger to help scare away randy men. I'd removed it when I got to the airport in Queensland. Then I tucked my taser and pepper spray in my purse, and managed to fit in three pocket knives: one in my purse, the second inside my boot, and the third was clutched together with my purse since it was customized to look like a cute key holder.With shaking hands, I scribbled a note for Celia and dropped about ten thousand dollars for her beside the note. I told her how grateful I was for everything she’d done for me and promised that I'd be back soon and I was onl
The Don's Runaway Bride 66. Leaving
I almost drowned, almost!But Max held me up and let out a silly crackle of laughter that I was forced to join him while scanning my eyes around, trying not to look too obvious. I saw nothing; no one seemed out of place. I guess I didn't have the capacity to decipher these sorts of things.After a while, I asked, "Did Pietro send you?" He smiled, so sweet, so calm like we were two innocent kids with absolutely nothing to worry about. "Angelo sent me." He replied."What?" I mouthed. "That's crazy." He nodded in agreement. "But why? How? I mean..." I paused. "All of this seems like a coincidence. You own a grocery store, and you just opened a lovely restaurant on Bristen.""Your friend, we've been keeping an eye on her." That was all he said."Why?" I repeated."My family just struck a business deal with Pietro Eppolito." He replied, directing me on how to stabilize my floating technique. "It's a long story and time's short. I'm going to call out a number for you and you have to do wel
The Don's Runaway Bride 65. The Revelation
Dressed in a simple sundress, myself, Celia and a couple of the friends she'd made overtime were seated at a table for six. Still not completely ready to be seen, I'd settled for the barest minimum; a simple black tweed dress and black flats. I had no jewelry or makeup on, and my hair was pulled in a not-so-complimentary ponytail. I wanted to be invisible. It was the first time I’d actually been out to socialize with people since I escaped Steve and Pietro... Almost an hour later, we were working our way through desert while listening to cool music. I had started relaxing when I suddenly felt a strange prickle of danger. I scanned the room, looking for Pietro, Giancarlo, Steve, or any figure that could suggest danger. I didn't see any. The host came over to greet us and my chocolate cake got stuck somewhere in my throat. It was the guy that followed me from the grocery store a couple of days ago. The very one that couldn't just let me be. He flashed a sweet smile my way. "Hi, st
The Don's Runaway Bride 64. The Monster In My Head
ARIA'S POV . Over the next couple of days, I found myself moving in a sort of haze. Celia was making inquiries about the area and the possibility of starting up a small beauty brand. The plan was to start up small and save the rest of the money for rainy days. Each time I tried to offer her a large chunk of the cash I had on me, she would blatantly reject it. So, I went ahead to stock up the house with groceries and got a new phone since I discarded the burner phone Pietro gave me. The phone didn't leave the airport with me. I flushed it down one of the toilets at the airport. My life over the past couple of days was to wake up, bathe, eat, and browse the internet for notable schools and some of their openings that would allow me to study online and still bag a good certificate. My body used the opportunity to heal a little more every day. I even put some weight back on. I watched TV, exercised, and read books every single day. On days when she's not meeting up with a business
The Don's Runaway Bride 63. A peaceful retirement
PIETRO'S POV . "You let her leave, why?" Edoardo asked me. I shrugged, "I'm trying to be better. I can't keep her against her will. However, I'm keeping an eye on her. She's safe." I replied. "You're sure that's the right thing to do?" He asked, giving me that quizzical stare that got me instantly pissed. "Are you going to keep asking about my wife or would you at least ask why I sent for you?" I shot at him. "Goddammit, Pietro. What's eating you up?" I hissed and looked at the window, seeking to direct my gaze anywhere else but at him. "Where the fuck is Carlo?" I asked him. "He's making sure the last of the hostages we released from Steve Amati's warehouse get to their homes in one piece. Why did you send for me though? I've made no progress with Amati's whereabouts if that's your reason for sending for me." I shook my head. "That's not all," I told him. "Roberto Kostas..." I paused. Snagging an almost empty glass of martini on my home office table, I gulped it do
The Don's Runaway Bride 62. Creating Memories
ARIA'S POV.When I arrived with my luggage, Celia was waiting for me at the airport premises. It had been almost four months since I set my eyes on her, and she looked way thinner but still very much pretty.As she drove us into a small brick apartment, I blinked at the simplicity and comfort of the neighborhood. "I can't believe you'll ever choose to live in a country home," I told her.She smiled. "Desperate times, Aria."We stepped down from the car and I pulled out my box from the back seat. "But you said Zachary signed the papers and he didn't make a fuss. So why leave Zurich?""To start a new life." She replied. "I'd always planned to move to another City or county after the divorce. Also, I ran into someone that made my move, quicker"She said, but paused, "I ran into someone from my past.""Who?""Giuseppe. You remember him, don't you?""The mystery guy you used to talk about all the time. You said you guys broke up." I repl
The Don's Runaway Bride 61. Letting her go
In response, I stroked her arm, my fingers trailing soft lines over her skin. "I was out of my fucking mind when I thought you were going to die. I just knew I wouldn't be able to function without you." I told her and she slumped into my arms, all the fight gone out of her. Her head rested on my shoulder, and she sobbed until my shirt became damp with her tears. "My God, I'm a complete mess. And it's all because of you." She sobbed. "What have you done to me? I can’t stop thinking about you. I hate it. You’ve invaded my mind, and I can’t get rid of you." Beautiful warmth spread through me. I'd been praying so hard that she still felt something for me. Something, anything at all. And hearing her say the words had me riling with excitement. "You’ll come home with me, Amore. We’ll make this work, together." She sat up and moved away from me, but I held onto her arm. "I'm not going back to that house with you. No." Her voice was hoarse. "I'm going on my ow
