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24 • Two Steps Forward
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2023-07-15 01:58:44Related chapters
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 25 • Falling For A Stranger
• Florence, Italy • ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "Grand Luxoria," I mumbled the words to myself as my bodyguards led me inside the spacious, floral-scented lobby. Similar to the canopy design by the front entrance, the golden embossed letters above the front desk flaunted the name of our family's second biggest hotel. The mostly black and gold-accented lobby furniture and decor must be worth at least two hundred grand. Two years ago, our hotel chain was on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. But this one didn't seem to be running with only its skeletal workforce left on the payroll. The reception area looked polished and elegant, matching the marble columns and shiny floor. "Buonasera, Signore." [Good evening, Sir.] The uniformed staff on night shift looked smart and poised, welcoming us with big smiles. "Hi." I faked a smile for them when Alessio gave them a slight nod. "Maxim Falco. Here to see Ms. Sutcliffe." "Ah. Yes. Ms. Sutcliffe is in the Finance Office on the third floor, Signore."
Last Updated : 2023-07-18The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 26 • Miss Me?
◇ MYKAELA ◇ "Get cash. Buy some food. Go home." Standing beside my closet, I took off the bath towel and hung it by the hamper. My hair dripped on my shoulders and back as I put on underwear, a pair of white Brazilian briefs and a strappy sports bra. After staring at my meager wardrobe for too long, I chose an old cotton sundress that didn't cover my arms and half of my legs. It would have to do. Laundry day got postponed again due to some additional schoolwork and the in-training assessment. Just a few errands. Then I'd be back in here, alone and basking in my privacy while I cooked myself a simple dinner. The drive to the store and the late afternoon traffic shouldn't eat up three hours. Unless something came up. Something that would mess up my entire to-do list. Pretty sure Enzo wasn't coming over tonight. I'd been waiting all day for him to contact me. But my phone's recent logs showed no new calls from him. Without bothering to put on lipstick, I combed my damp hair, then gra
Last Updated : 2023-07-19The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 27 • I Need You Close To Me
• Florence, Italy • ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆"I want to live here. For good."Why? Why Italy? Did she feel unsafe in England? Or just unhappy? I stared into her eyes, my legs touching hers as her back leaned against the wall. Her laptop screen behind me looked dimmer now. "Here?" In Florence? "Why?" "I don't wanna go back to Rome," Adreana murmured, her fingers touching mine. "Or London. Bristol's out of the question.""Can I ask why?""Tsk. I don't want to talk about it," she mumbled, shaking her head lightly. She made a face and stopped touching me. "I'm sorry.""Okay. No need to apologize.""I just can't. It's...complicated.""How can I help?"Adreana squinted, her frown making her lips pout. "Help with what?""You moving here.""No. I... You don't have to. Your mum giving me a new job is more than enough help.""You really need this job?"Adreana looked away, her nods almost too faint."Why?" I stroked the side of her face and kept my voice hushed. Gentle. Calming. I wanted her to open u
Last Updated : 2023-07-20The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 28 • Why Can't We?
◆ LORENZIO ◆ We were just talking. Having a friendly chat. Just catching up. Enjoying our privacy back in her flat. Alone in her bedroom. I didn't expect we'd end up arguing once again or keep bickering an hour later—certainly not how I envisioned my evening as I hopped off of that midday flight straight from Florence to JFK airport. Perhaps because I offered my house, after I saw the safety and construction issues at her place. Or because I said that her family might prefer to see us get married first before she moved in with me. Whichever the case, it forced my brain to circle back to the toxic spiral of jealousy-fueled thoughts—images of her keeping in touch with Maximiliano, and him convincing her to not get into a serious relationship with me. Because it would make sense and explain a lot. Why else would the thought of moving into my house seem so ridiculous to her? And why else would she think I met up with Olivia in Florence? "Only till you find a new flat. Somewhe
Last Updated : 2023-07-22The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 29 • A Risky Infatuation
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "Need me to go now?" I stared at the half-naked woman lying on top of me. As I stroked her face, her breathing and movements turned lethargic. I should leave now. I'd already claimed much of her free time tonight, and we both had work to do first thing. Cheeks still flushed, Adreana weakly shook her head while parts of her body mildly shuddered. She nestled her face against my neck. The smooth skin of her naked back glistened under the dimmed lights. Another proof that we should call it a night. Contrary to what she likely thought of me, I'd never force her to sleep with me. Not my style. I could be an incredibly selfish asshole sometimes. But with her, I mostly felt capable of keeping that side of me on a tight leash. Especially now that she needed a real friend. A confidant. Someone mature and reliable. Someone she could fully trust with her secrets and problems. She might not admit it, but clearly she felt alone in this country. Perhaps even lonelier than me. "I'
Last Updated : 2023-07-27The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 30 • Real Love Is Patient
◆ LORENZIO ◆ The skies just dimmed above us. I didn't budge. I didn't want to blow a fuse in public or in front of her, so I acted like her words didn't affect me. The truth was: my entire head felt like it was swelling and flaming red. Her teary eyes and wavering voice already made me feel like I might combust. But I knew she'd rather hide in the car than cry in front of me. Next to the driver's side, we stood in silence until the discomfort ate up all of my resolve. Wait. So it's all my fault? It was my fault that she felt jealous of my ex? I frowned and stopped touching her small face. I took a step backwards, then another, until my back hit the driver's window. "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." Her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but only for a second or two. What really made her think I would sleep with her and then hook up with my ex the next day? Did she usua
Last Updated : 2023-07-29The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 31 • You're Like A Drug
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ My desperate mother was at it again. If my father hadn't pushed her into the world of corporate finance, matchmaking could've been her full-time job. Her first prospect two years ago was Kel. Obviously that didn't work out. Now it was Adreana caught in her crosshairs. Mamma was both subtle and overtly intrusive whenever she tried teasing us to reveal our "relationship status". And my date, being the textbook people-pleaser that she was, could only smile, laugh, and reluctantly agree to everything my mother threw into their discussion. I sat inches away from Adreana, my bare foot touching her shoes under the table. For the past two hours, I tried to actively participate in their conversations, but only when they needed me to answer a question or give an opinion on something Luxoria-related, and whenever Adreana would ask about my past life in Brichese. At some point, my brain refused to tolerate another round of chit-chats. So I excused myself ten minutes ago to do
Last Updated : 2023-08-03The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 32 • Love At Second Sight
◇ MYKAELA ◇ I couldn't say it back. Like a true coward, I practically froze after his confession. But I didn't run off. I stayed put beside him. Antsy. Waiting. Trying my best to look calm. Quietly reminding myself to stop fidgeting in his passenger seat like my butt was on fire. Still reeling from the shock, I kept my answers casual and clipped whenever Enzo asked me something. Merely looking him in the eye challenged my composure. I just couldn't pretend as though everything was back to normal. As if we didn't just argue, kiss and make up, and then bicker nonstop again. In public, too. It had only been an hour after our fight. Our very first fight? With the paper bag full of food heating up my lap, I slouched in the passenger seat as he drove us away from the Asian restaurant where he and Lele just bought takeout food. Our dinner. Thankfully he didn't insist on taking me to another fancy place. Enzo let me win this time. Tonight, we'd be having dinner alone in my own dining room
Last Updated : 2023-08-04
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The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] EPILOGUE • Life's Too Short For Grudges
The HamptonsNew York ◇ MYKAELA ◇ Wow. Just stunning. Every inch of this property was breathtaking, every view worth every penny. The photos my brother sent me last week couldn't compare to the real thing. This place was paradise on steroids. I should send him a big, pricey Thank-You gift for this much-needed vacation...in this private, safe, luxurious, and peaceful beachfront haven many could only dream about. The views looked like life-size wallpapers. "I could get used to this," I sighed, talking to myself while my hands got busy with the pan and spatula. If I didn't have a hospital job and if Enzo could work from home forever, I would pack up our stuff and move in here first thing. Too bad we weren't insanely rich like my brother. This was the newest multimillion-dollar property on his list of assets, and on my birthday, Magnus offered to lend this vacation house all weekend. Actually he said we could "use it whenever" we felt like going here. But of course I told him Enzo a
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 96 • You'll Always Be My Little Princess
◇ MYKAELA ◇ Before I could question him about the lawyer, one of Ilya's security staff entered the room and dropped a duffel bag on the floor. Right beside Enzo. I clamped my mouth shut, my chest and stomach clenching. The guard left the room without saying anything. I glanced at Lorenzio. I could see his scowl deepen despite his mask. Before I could unzip the small duffel, he crouched and swiftly inspected the contents. My breath hitched. I gawked at the wads of hundred dollar bills staring back at me, the shock pinning my feet on the spotless floor. Thin rubber bands bundled up the fresh bills. I'd never seen this much cash up-close, with my own eyes. If I had to guess, they probably amounted to at least a million bucks. Or more? Enzo flung me a look of annoyance, then stepped away from the duffel bag. "What's this for?" He glared at Ilya. I glanced at the piles of cash. A bitter taste settled in my tongue, my feet itching for the door. Obviously the money belonged to the m
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 95 • Welcome To The Family, Sofija
Velikov, Senjak ◇ MYKAELA ◇ This was definitely luxury real estate. A filthy rich mobster's final stronghold. I winced at the thought and the cool wind sweeping across the sprawling rows of shrubs, flowering trees, and freshly cut grass. I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach as the SUV drove away from the tall iron gates. I felt as if we're entering another world. This place almost looked like a compound. A luxurious safe haven that belonged to the man I didn't expect I'd be seeing again. The mansion right ahead looked like a modern palace by the lake. Wrapped in a knee-length coat, I stayed beside Enzo after we got out of the vehicle. The gusts sounded like they whispered more secrets about my family's mostly well-kept history. The ivy-covered fence and picturesque yard sprawled like living artwork. This was a stark contrast to our modest home in Schenectady, a place where Ilya's name was never spoken. Until Daddy Jim died. "He must be excited to see you." Magnus st
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 94 • Revenge Of The Mafia Boss
◇ MYKAELA ◇ The bulletproof SUV rumbled along the narrow, rain-soaked streets as heavy clouds cast a dreary atmosphere over us. We finally reached Senjak. The Internet said this was a residential part of Belgrade. This part of the city boasted affluent neighborhoods, some prime real estate, museums, and other landmarks of Serbian modern architecture. I thought Ilya would send a few of his security personnel to fetch us. But Magnus said this SUV would take us straight to the estate. I looked out the heavily tinted windows, the tiny raindrops running across the glass. The backseat and the rest of the interior looked high-end. Obviously this was an expensive armored vehicle. My brother didn't seem the type to disregard matters of security or take his for granted. Especially whenever he was in this country. I wouldn't be surprised if he was used to having at least five bodyguards escorting him and his wife. I could already imagine my other brothers and Ilya waiting for us in his man
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 93 • Love Is Like Cocaine
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ The turn my life had taken in the past couple of months was nothing short of mind-blowing. "Maxim, the windshield's bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason," Mamma would say. But part of me still couldn't believe the life I was living now. I just turned 30. Married now. With a kid on the way. And like Adreana's pregnancy, the outrageous numbers on my latest bank statement still wouldn't sink in. Maybe it was just unprocessed grief. Shock. Unresolved childhood traumas. Daddy issues. Or all of the above. Maybe it was just my conscience haunting me. Or Pappa. Did he hate me for killing him? For stealing his millions? For ruining his plans? Probably. Although he was a self-serving, greedy scumbag in every sense of the word, he shouldn't have died that way. He wouldn't have died that day if I didn't show up with a dangerously armed entourage. I shot him without even flinching. Murdered him in cold blood. I deserved this unending torment. ◆ I stared at my ph
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 92 • A Deal With The Cali Alpha
◇ MYKAELA ◇The party ended roughly two hours after dinner. My family and the last of our guests just left.Except Rafa. He'd be sleeping in the guest room tonight, and most likely for the next few days, until he was due to go back to Rome.Or Florence? I forgot to ask. I wasn't sure if Alodia was allowed to leave her ex's vacation house. Or if she still wanted to hang out with Raffaele from time to time.Enzo mentioned they were no longer an item.My breaths formed light mists in the crisp air as I tidied up his dimly lit backyard. The clatter of plates, clinking glasses, and the sounds of laughter lingered in my head. But the cold breeze only emphasized the emptiness I felt now.The heavy silence made room for darker thoughts. To keep distracting myself, I went back inside the house to fix the mess in Enzo's kitchen, scowling at the remnants of the party clinging to the countertops. I was used to this, though. Cleaning at the dead of night and being alone with my thoughts. I actuall
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 91 • The New Tomassini Heir
Florence, Italy ◆ LORENZIO ◆ Rain pelted on the windows as I sat next to my brother's loveseat in the middle of his spacious living room. Gray clouds hid the mid-afternoon sun, and the house, which once held memories of private and carefree moments, now felt like a comfortable prison. To me at least. This used to be my brother's favorite vacation house: a 4000-square meter countryside property with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an expensive fireplace, a huge yard, and a wide pool Leandro actually designed himself. Now that he was behind bars for violating his house arrest, he phoned and practically begged me to take his ex and their baby here. To keep them safe and away from unwanted media attention, he said. I supposed he just wanted to make sure that Rafa wouldn't be my nephew's stepdad anytime soon. The situation felt peculiar, to say the least. But I just couldn't say no to his request. An innocent child was involved. A clueless, helpless newborn. Leandro and Alodia's baby
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 90 • Impostor Syndrome
◇ MYKAELA ◇I felt like a fraud. An inadequate and incompetent failure. A liar, basically.Maybe some people I'd met actually thought I was an impostor. Nothing but a tryhard. Some days I just felt as if I were made to understand, but not to be understood. And lately I couldn't help but feel a myriad of emotions redirecting the course of my thoughts practically every minute.Nothing new, though. These past few years had been a constant battle with this mindset. This anxious brain. All this negativity.But I knew I should feel grateful. Lucky. I should be thankful for a lot of things. Especially for this flawless human being in front of me.Like me, he didn't look too dressed up or underdressed. Despite his schedule, Lorenzio took the time to arrange this romantic dinner after he wasted his entire day at our graduation ceremonies, looking adorable and proud as he cheered me on and took pictures of me and Mommy Tilda all over the place.I sat back as the evening sun dipped below the cit
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 89 • Wife Material
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆I left Mamma's office and made my way to the parking lot after enduring ten minutes of small talk with some coworkers.The chilly weather seemed less hostile at this hour, as if it had sensed the shift in my mood. Alessio drove off after I told him I gotta check up on my wife.Wife.I winced. Not because Adreana didn't fit the role I asked her to play. I wouldn't have wifed her up that fast if I thought she wasn't emotionally mature enough, or couldn't handle the most basic household duties.The problem was me. Of course I was the issue. Even months after that rushed courthouse wedding, my brain still couldn't fully deal with the fact that I was someone's husband now. I couldn't even handle my own shit. Let alone another human being.It was sheer luck I found someone as caring and understanding as her. "She doin' okay?""Adreana? Yeah." Alei stepped on the gas. "Better than last month.""You sure Joachim's still in the hospital?""Hundred percent comatose. Just the way
