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58 • Fake Fiancée For Hire
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2023-09-28 00:24:12Related chapters
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 59 • The New Couple
Luxoria Royale Beach ResortVada, Livorno ◇ MYKAELA ◇ No new messages. It had been almost half an hour since Miles replied to my text. Fine. He could be busy, and I knew he had much better things to do. But where exactly was he? What the heck was he doing? Taking a bubble bath? I reclined and glanced around, sitting by myself in this black three-seater couch. The hotel lobby wasn't too cold or crowded, which I preferred. Behind the wide reception desk, Mrs. Falco stood with Miles' older cousin, Amara Falco, both looking serious and discussing something work-related with some of the hotel staff. They wore black uniforms with gold accents. Mrs. Falco and I just finished catching up. To my relief, she looked genuinely surprised and glad to see me, all smiles and lightly hugging me the whole time—until I told her Enzo and I flew in from New York to celebrate his birthday with the Valtieris in Rome. She invited us to stay the night, relax, and enjoy the beachfront views. But of cours
Last Updated : 2023-09-30The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 60 • I'm Jealous
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ I leaned back against my desk as the last minutes of my lunch break ticked away. It was Tuesday again. I was starting to hate it as much as my Mondays were torturously busy. "Better to be busy than have too much time on your hands," my father used to tell me. Most days I wished he got killed by one of the Tomassinis' hitmen. On some days, I would recall the things he taught me as I was learning the ropes in the family business. I sat back and stared outside the large windows, the sky gray and cloudy, a stark contrast to the weather back in Livorno. Spending my weekend on the beach with family, Adreana, and our colleagues wasn't a terrible idea. But it didn't really make me feel better about seeing Kel again. And because I was a petty bastard, I even tried to make her jealous. Twice. My first attempt was when I introduced Adreana. The second time, I snuck my arm around her waist, then murmured sweet nothings to her lips while they all watched. Good thing I conv
Last Updated : 2023-09-30The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 61 • Against All Odds
Rome, Italy ◆ LORENZIO ◆ "Boss, ETA's 15 minutes if we take the shortcut." Sitting behind the wheel and wearing a leather jacket, Lele glanced behind to regard me after switching gears. The road signs said we weren't too far from the airport. Olive trees and oleanders seemed to flourish in this part of the region. Lush greens and some old alders lined the roadsides. The drive had been smooth the past ten minutes. No road accidents or any other nuisances so far. We'd reach the airport earlier than Mykaela thought. "What shortcut?" I looked up before my fingers got busy on my phone again. "The new shortcut Marco was talking about." Lele drove the SUV past traffic, speeding up to avoid getting stuck with the rush hour crowd. We had to borrow Alissa's SUV, and she'd instructed two of their security staff to escort us after we bid goodbye to her and Rafa. With Mykaela's help, we made sure that Alissa's cosmetic surgeon friend would stay in the estate to strictly monitor Rafa's condit
Last Updated : 2023-10-03The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 62 • The Show Begins
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ Ten past five. Okay. I was still kinda on time. She hadn't called me yet. Meaning: Adreana could still be busy in her office finishing up backlogs. She wouldn't be upset if I turned up an hour late. Like the first time, she didn't want to go to the gynecologist by herself. I understood why. A simple visit to the doctor's office could trigger some bad memories and past traumas. Back when she was still living with Joachim, to be specific. That abusive bastard. It would be best if I accompanied her to Dr. Moretti's clinic today. I only had myself to blame if she dealt with another anxiety attack while alone in a public place. It could be traumatizing to her in more ways than I could imagine. My phone buzzed in my pocket as I headed toward the elevators with Alessio. I checked my phone and suppressed a scowl. Ricchar's name stayed on the screen. We just had lunch a few hours ago. The heck did he want now? "Yeah?" I pressed my phone to my ear. "Did she actually read
Last Updated : 2023-10-05The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 63 • We'll Take It Slow
◆ LORENZIO ◆ "Negative." "Yep." I sighed and glanced at Mykaela. The doctor we just saw confirmed it himself. Verified it twice with a blood test and a scan, just minutes after he asked us why we suspected I got her pregnant. Now we had real proof after he gave us all the information we needed. Of course that alarming test result last night yielded a false-positive. Mykaela and I had been careful all week. About two weeks now, actually. Back in Rome, I wouldn't even hug her or kiss her on the lips. Not just because other people were watching, my prying best friend included. I was merely trying my best to keep my hands off her. I had to practice caution. Sedate my urges. It would be a huge issue if we ended up having unprotected sex again. Like our first time. Bollocks. I could vividly recall that night, as though it happened just hours ago. That night was just...so...intense. Like nothing I expected. I didn't even ask for permission before I took her to my room. Then we kissed
Last Updated : 2023-10-06The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 64 • Baby Talk
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ She said give or take 15 minutes. Yet still no sign of her. Did we have to wait for another half an hour? I scrunched up my nose at the sterile scent around us, mostly the smell of rubbing alcohol. I sat with my left ankle on my right knee, feeling the nerves kicking in as Adreana and I waited in this small white-walled consultation room. After performing the transvaginal scan she suggested last time, Dr. Moretti assured us that Adreana's test results would be available in 15 minutes, then left the room with her clipboard. The doctor must be busy with another phone call. Her desk clock said it was almost seven in the evening. We'd probably be done with everything before eight. I glanced at my companion. Her fingers drummed nervously on her thigh. She'd been avoiding my eyes from the moment we walked into this room. Adreana scrolled through her news feed, pretending to be busy with her phone, which I understood. Nothing about these doctor visits were relaxing. I sa
Last Updated : 2023-10-07The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 65 • For You, I Will
Grand Luxoria HotelFlorence, Italy ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ The hotel room felt stuffy, the air heavy with unspoken words, the tension around us palpable. Adreana and I sat on opposite sides of the bed. The ceiling lights were off, but we switched on the bedside lamps from the moment we decided to have a quiet dinner alone in here. Tossing my tablet beside my thigh, I shifted uncomfortably against her pillow, unable to look her in the eye. We just had dinner. The room still faintly smelled of fried chicken and mashed potatoes. We barely spoke during our private meal, but I couldn't blame her for not wanting to talk to me. It was a relief that she even agreed to have dinner with me. "You okay?" I cleared my throat, my voice only a bit louder than a mumble. "I'm fine." Wearing an oversized shirt and black leggings, Adreana resumed typing something on her laptop, working on backlogs again. The faint noises of her fingertips hitting the keys and the clicks of her mouse filled the awkward sil
Last Updated : 2023-10-08The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 66 • I Need Space
◇ MYKAELA ◇ The night was still. The soft glow of the yellow bedside lamp cast a warm, inviting atmosphere all over Lorenzio's bedroom. I preferred to study in his guest room where I could spend hours and hours reading in total peace and quiet. But tonight, I would stay in here until he fell asleep. I wanted to keep an eye on him in case Rafa or Leandro called him again. I sat beside his desk, alone and surrounded by thick textbooks and my recent notes, consumed by the intricate details of my professor's chosen specialization this week. The rhythmic tick of the clock on the wall echoed in my ears as I stared at the paperbacks splayed before me. For about four hours now, I'd been trying my best to concentrate and check off some items on my to-do list. But the other side of my brain kept distracting me, constantly imagining the impending storm that could sweep through my life in the next few weeks. Or months. I wouldn't know for sure. As an adult, I only met Ilya once. I didn't know
Last Updated : 2023-10-10
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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
