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73 • Separate Ways
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2023-10-18 00:20:24Related chapters
The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 74 • I Only Want You
Brichese, Brescia ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ The chilly morning sun peeked through the gray curtains as I reluctantly swung my legs off the bed. I groaned, rubbing my eye with the heel of my hand. I had high hopes for this morning, but something just felt off. Adreana had been distant and reserved since we left The Palazzo. She barely spoke during the drive here, and I knew it was kind of my fault. I just couldn't pinpoint the exact cause of the sudden change in her behavior. I headed to the guest room, imagining her snug under the covers, quietly breathing and catching up on much-needed sleep. I entered the room. The bed was empty. All tidied up. I frowned, recalling Dr. Moretti's reminder: Adreana needed proper rest due to her hormonal issues. I froze beside the bathroom door when I found her naked in the shower with her back to me. I slowly knocked on the door, which she'd left ajar. Adreana glanced behind, her jet-black hair and flawless skin all wet. She gave me a blank look and nothi
Last Updated : 2023-10-18The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 75 • We're Done Pretending
× WARNING! GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW INTENDED FOR MATURE READERS ONLY! READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION × ◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ Three to four hours. Just a few more hours of uninterrupted sleep and I'd be back to my normal, emotionally detached self. I'd barely slept the past couple of nights, which was probably why my mind was all over the place, incapable of reining in my temper. I closed my eyes and rested on my back, desperately trying to shut off my brain, my arm growing heavy on my eyelids. For about half an hour now, I'd been trying to calm my thoughts and relax enough to drift off. But it wasn't really working. My senses remained alert, every part of me just anticipating the noises her feet would make as she crossed the hallway to reach my room. I didn't hear Adreana use the stairs after I left her alone. But I couldn't hear any noises coming from the guest room, either. Shit. I might be going insane. This fake-marriage-for-money arrangement was fucking with my head in more ways than I
Last Updated : 2023-10-18The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 76 • Risk Management
New York ◆ LORENZIO ◆ “This might sting a little, Mr. Tomassini.” “It’s fine. Doesn’t hurt.” I glanced at the phlebotomist as she extracted a vial of blood, the red liquid almost too bright under these blinding lights. “Okay. We’re done. Thanks for sitting perfectly still.” Upon finishing her task, she stood up and stepped away from me and the bed, her eyes curved as if she just gave me a smile. Her masks covered up half of her small face, but it was obvious she was one of the younger medical staff. “Thank you.” “Anything else I can help you with?” “Could you turn off that bloody light? Please.” I squinted and pointed to the fluorescent light by the door, sighing at the incessant throbbing in the back of my skull. “Hurts my eyes, and my head.” “Of course.” The blonde woman turned off the light before grabbing her sample collection tray. “Thanks.” I gave her a quick smile. “Give us a beep if you need anything.” “Will do,” I replied.She turned around and left the room, shutti
Last Updated : 2023-10-19The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 77 • Just Stay Here With Me
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "The jet's in New York. Did he say he's gonna fly out and bring her to Leandro's house?" I stared at Niccolo's alias on my phone, sighing loudly as his question threatened to guilt-trip me for yielding to Lorenzio's request. "No. I dunno what he's up to. Just find her. She's probably in Rome." "Lorenzio's a hundred percent sure it's his brother's kid?" Niccolo sounded more than curious now. "Yeah. He said it can't be Raffaele's. Guy's not exactly the 'family man' type." Niccolo scoffed on the other line. "And you think Leandro is?" "Fuck. I dunno. Just find her. Hack the cams in their estate." I hung up on him and shut the fridge door with my elbow. I stifled a yawn and massaged the sore knots in my neck. I didn't get the few hours of sleep I thought I needed after Adreana and I dozed off. But for now, an hour was enough. I still had shit to do. So did Adreana. This week wasn't a work-free honeymoon for either of us, despite my family knowing we just tied the k
Last Updated : 2023-10-20The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 78 • Scars From The Past
◆ LORENZIO ◆ Hospital. Confined. Fifth day. I still had more than a week left, and until then, I was stuck here in this cold, small, boring private room. I coughed and rubbed my eyes using the base of my palms. "Nine more days." I repeated the phrase in my head, blinking the grogginess away. When the stabs of pain in my forehead and chest subsided, I got back on my feet. I stretched my arms, back, and legs. My muscles still felt weak. Heavy. Practically my entire body ached. I had limited mobility the past couple of days. Only a few hours after taking pain pills would I feel just a wee bit strained, and only then was I able to do some work on my phone and computer. I hoped Mykaela wasn't too busy for a quick call. She most likely was. The statistics I'd seen on the local news were nothing short of alarming. I should check up on her. I felt like I hadn't seen and heard her voice in weeks. Bollocks. I couldn't wait to go home and hug her tight. Stay beside her all night. Keep her tr
Last Updated : 2023-10-23The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 79 • You're Safe Now
◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆ "Did you call him?" I pressed my phone on my ear, waiting for Niccolo to confirm my suspicion. I sat beside Adreana, the soft glow of the nightstand lamp casting a warm ambiance across the room. The sheets crumpled beneath us, and her legs rested on mine, our bare skin cooling as I inhaled her mild scent. "Enzo? No. Why?" Niccolo replied, his voice on the other end sounding hoarse. "Should I?" "I dunno." "You want me to?" he mumbled after a moment of silence. I cocked my head to my right and pinched the skin between my brows. "Your call." "Okay." "Tried calling him a couple times but he's not answering." I glanced outside the windows, the dark curtains partly blocking my view of the fading sunset. I had no idea why Alodia chose to hide in one of our hotels in Rome. Or if she even knew my family owned it. But, pretty sure Raffaele knew. I bet he'd been lying to his best friend all this time. Just to protect her from Leandro. Shit. Another clusterfuck
Last Updated : 2023-10-24The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 80 • The Russian Mobster's Daughter
New York ◇ MYKAELA ◇ "He's one of the Božićs' hitmen." "A soulless killer..." "He tried to kill Lorenzio and Cloe Falco." "Stay away from him." The words echoed in my head as I sat next to the labeled shelves stacked with medical supplies. A bunch of sterile masks, surgical gloves, gauze pads, and other boxed supplies. The floor reeked of disinfectant, and I didn't know why I chose this old, small, and dimly lit supply room. But it provided a moment of peace and solitude amid the chaos outside. I leaned against the metal shelf with my legs crossed, my right hand clutching my phone, days-old anxiety gnawing at my insides. The chilly night seemed to seep through the cracks in the door. But it was the mounting uncertainty that made me shiver, almost paralyzing me with a slew of dark thoughts. Lorenzio wasn't answering my texts and calls, probably still stuck in his private room in Eastside Regional, imprisoned by the relentless disease that had gripped the city. He was g
Last Updated : 2023-10-25The Mafia Heir & The Secret Heiress [Mafia Games XIII] 81 • A Hunting Game
Valle Astra, Italy◆ MAXIMILIANO ◆It was almost sunrise. The first faint light of dawn crept into the room and cast long, eerie shadows across my mother's oak table, reminding me of the hours I wasted in bed just tossing and turning. I was back in Mamma's house. Not entirely by choice. Right now, it was more of a necessity. Dark thoughts wanted to consume me, their unforgiving grip chipping away at my peace of mind. I grabbed the cold steel of my handgun. It glistened under the dim lights. Clean. Polished. Ready. Just waiting to be used.I needed a distraction, so I took it apart. I cleaned every part meticulously, every disassembly and reassembly a ritual of focus and precision. It kept me preoccupied while I tried not to dwell on the anxious thoughts swirling in my sleepless mind.The pistol lay half-assembled before me, a good reminder of my former life. Adreana was scared of what I might do with it, but I couldn't get rid of it. Not right now.The barrel gleamed in
Last Updated : 2023-10-26
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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
