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The Enforcer’s Darling 19
Last Updated:
2025-01-31 19:42:54
J. TarrAnyone here reading my Willow Bridge series of books? If so, Dmitri's name and the Five Crowns should be familiar ;) and yep, the Dragonettis share the same world!
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The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 20
NadyaThe door slams open so hard it ricochets off the wall, and I jolt upright with a startled gasp. Markus strides in, his face a mask of fury, and my heart stumbles in my chest. His green eyes are dark and cold, devoid of the warmth I’d come to glimpse in rare moments, and a chill runs down my spine.He looks like death personified, and the sight of him steals the breath from my lungs.“Markus?” I manage, my voice trembling, but he doesn’t respond. I scramble to sit up fully, but before I can even process what’s happening, his hand wraps around my throat. Not squeezing—just holding, like a vice trapping me in place. He leans down, his face mere inches from mine, and I can feel his breath on my lips. A shiver runs down my spine, but not from fear alone. His touch burns, even through the haze of panic clouding my mind.“Nadya Mikhailova,” he growls, his voice lethal. The way he says my name sends ice shooting through my veins, but it’s what he says next that leaves me breathless. “
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 21
MarkusThe morning feels heavier than usual, the weight of betrayal sitting low in my stomach like a sickness I can’t shake. My hands flex at my sides as I walk down the hallway, my jaw locked so tight it aches. I’ve spent the night trying to push her out of my mind, to remind myself exactly who she is and what she’s done. But no matter how many times I replay it, the outcome is the same. I let her in. I trusted her. And she lied.The realization doesn’t just anger me—it fucking guts me. I’m not the kind of man who lets people close, not the kind of man who gives second chances. Trust is a luxury in our world, and I don’t give it easily. But with her, I let my guard slip. I was careful, I kept my distance at first, but it didn’t fucking matter. I still let her get under my skin. And now I get to deal with the aftermath.I push open her bedroom door without knocking. She’s already awake, perched on the edge of the bed, like she was waiting for me. Her hair is still damp from a shower
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 22
NadyaMarkus doesn’t say a word as he leads me back to my room. His grip on my wrist isn’t rough, but it’s firm, like he’s making sure I don’t slip away. Not that I have anywhere to go.I don’t bother trying to talk to him this time. I already know how that will go. Ever since Matteo dropped the truth on them—on him—Markus has barely looked at me. He’s withdrawn, colder than he’s ever been, and I don’t know if it’s just anger or something else entirely.The silence between us is suffocating, thick with all the things we’re not saying. I glance at him out of the corner of my eye as we walk. His face is unreadable, his jaw clenched tight, a muscle ticking as if he’s grinding his teeth. The Markus from a few days ago—the one who touched me like he wanted to own me, who whispered dark promises against my skin—is gone. Now, I’m just a problem he needs to deal with.When we reach my door, he pushes it open and gestures inside without a word. I step in, my stomach twisting. I don’t want to
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer's Darling 23
MarkusI stand in the warehouse, arms crossed, my back leaning against a metal support beam as I scan the dimly lit space. The scent of oil and dust lingers in the air, mixing with the faint bite of cold steel. The tension in the room is fucking suffocating, and every second that passes only makes it worse.Uncle Dante stands near the center of the room, unreadable as ever, his sharp gaze fixed on the warehouse doors. Matteo is beside him, his hands in his pockets, his stance deceptively relaxed, but I know him well enough to see the edge in his shoulders. He’s ready for this to go south. We all are.Lukas is to my left, leaning against the hood of one of the black SUVs parked inside, smirking like this whole situation is just a fucking game to him. But even he’s not running his mouth tonight.And then there’s my father.Domenico stands a few feet from Dante, his usual grim expression locked in place. He’s quiet, but his presence alone carries weight. He doesn’t often get involved in
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 24
NadyaThe door shuts behind us with a quiet click, and the weight of everything slams into me all at once. My legs buckle before I can stop them, my breath catching in my throat as the flood of emotions I’ve been holding back finally crashes through.I don’t make it to the bed.I sink down right there on the floor, my hands trembling as I grip the fabric of my hoodie, trying to hold myself together, trying to keep from breaking apart completely. But it’s useless. A choked sob rips from my chest before I can stop it, and I hate it—I hate it—but I can’t stop myself.I don’t know when Nikolai moves, but suddenly, he’s crouching in front of me. His hands are warm when they find my arms.“Sólnyshka,” he murmurs, voice low and rough, using the nickname he’s called me since we were kids. He says it so softly, so carefully, like I might shatter if he’s not careful. Maybe I will.His hands shift, guiding me toward him, and I don’t fight it. I collapse into his chest, gripping the front of his
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 25
MarkusMatteo’s pacing the length of his office like a caged animal, muttering curses under his breath, his hands in his pockets, shoulders tense. Every so often, he runs a hand through his hair like it might do something to ease the frustration radiating off him. It doesn’t.“That cocky little shit,” he mutters for the tenth time, shaking his head. “Of all the people Dmitri could’ve left here, he had to pick him.”Dante, sitting in his usual spot behind the desk, leans back in his chair, looking far too amused for the situation. He watches Matteo with the kind of patience that only comes with age, like he’s seen this all before, like he expected this exact reaction. He probably did.“You were exactly like him,” Dante drawls, reaching for his glass of whiskey.Matteo stops pacing long enough to glare at him. “The fuck I was.”Dante’s smirk widens. “No? You sure about that?” He takes a slow sip of his drink, unbothered. “Because I seem to remember a certain cocky little shit at his age,
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 26
MarkusThe moment I step into Nadya’s room and see it fucking empty, a slow, dangerous heat rolls through me.I don’t move right away. Just stand there, jaw clenched, scanning the space like she might be hiding in the goddamn closet or under the bed. But no. She’s gone.I exhale sharply, dragging a hand down my face before spinning on my heel and yanking open the door. One of the guards standing post outside stiffens immediately.“Where is she?” My voice is calm. Too calm.The guy doesn’t hesitate. “She’s in the garden, boss.”I don’t bother responding. Just turn and head that way, my boots hitting the floor with sharp, deliberate steps. My fingers flex at my sides, my blood running hotter with every step I take. I know exactly who the fuck she’s with, and the thought of it has my vision tinting red at the edges.When I reach the back entrance, the cool night air does nothing to temper my mood. The garden is lit by dim lanterns lining the stone pathways, casting long shadows against t
Last Updated : 2025-02-28The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 27
MarkusDante calls the meeting in his office, which means shit just got serious. When I step inside, Matteo’s already there, standing near the bar, swirling a glass of whiskey like it holds the answers to his problems. Lukas leans against the far wall, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else, but there’s a sharpness in his eyes that tells me he’s paying attention.And then there’s Nikolai.The little fucker is sitting in one of the chairs across from Dante’s desk, his usual smirk absent, his jaw tight. His hands rest on his thighs, fingers curled just enough to show he’s wound up. Not cocky, not amused—just tense. It’s the first time I’ve seen him like this, and as much as I hate to admit it, it means something.Dante sits behind his desk, calm as ever, but I know him too well to mistake that calm for indifference. He’s assessing, calculating, deciding what moves to make before anyone else even realizes we’re playing. He leans back in his chair, fingers steepled, waiting until I cl
Last Updated : 2025-02-28
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The Mafia King's Trophy The Mafia King’s Trophy - Final Epilogue
AmaraI wake up to the smell of Matteo.It’s warm linen and expensive cologne, but underneath all that, it’s just him. That familiar scent I’ve come to recognize even before I open my eyes—one that’s clung to me, comforted me, irritated me, consumed me for the past two years. It seeps into my skin the way his love does: all-encompassing, impossible to ignore, and addictive in a way that should probably be illegal.His arm is thrown over my waist, heavy and possessive, like I might slip away in the middle of the night if he doesn’t physically hold me down. Not much has changed there. Matteo Dragonetti is still Matteo—still insufferably bossy, still infuriatingly smug, still the most dangerous man in every room.But somehow, with me… he’s also this.Soft.I turn slightly, pressing my face into the crook of his neck. His bare chest rises and falls under my cheek, and the steady beat of his heart is enough to lull me back to sleep if I’m not careful.Instead, I close my eyes and smile. It’
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 44
NadyaThe sharp rip of fabric fills the room as Markus makes good on his promise. My dress gives way under his grip, the delicate material tearing apart like it’s nothing. A gasp escapes me as the cool air hits my bare skin, goosebumps rising in its wake.“You—” I start, my breath hitching as he yanks the remains of my dress off and tosses it to the floor.“I told you,” he murmurs, voice low and full of heat. “Gonna spread you out and claim every inch of you. Gonna make sure you never forget who you belong to.”I shudder, his words winding through me like a drug, settling deep in my gut where need burns hot. My nerves haven’t disappeared entirely—this is still new, still unfamiliar in ways that make my pulse skitter—but Markus doesn’t rush. He’s careful, even in his dominance, in the way his hands trace my skin like he’s mapping it out, memorizing every inch.He lifts me effortlessly, carrying me from the mirror to the bed like I weigh nothing. The mattress is cool against my heated s
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 43
NadyaThe car pulls up to the private jet, sleek and waiting under the soft glow of the tarmac lights. A few of Markus’s men are already there, loading the last of our luggage, making sure everything is in place. None of them look at me. They wouldn’t dare. They know who I belong to now.Markus steps out first, then turns to offer me his hand. I take it, letting him help me out of the SUV, and he doesn’t let go. He leads me toward the jet, and my pulse quickens when I step inside and he takes me to the private cabin, I see exactly what he’s done.The mirror is massive, taking up nearly the entire wall of the private cabin. It’s impossible to ignore. My reflection stares back at me, wide-eyed and breathless, my wedding dress still pristine, still perfect. For now.I don’t even get a chance to speak before Markus is behind me, his hands slipping around my waist, his lips pressing against the side of my neck.“Remember what I told you, baby?” he murmurs against my skin, his voice thick w
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 42
NadyaThe reception is in full swing, filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of crystal glasses, but my body still hums with leftover adrenaline. The shootout lingers in the back of my mind like an unshakable shadow, and no matter how many times I remind myself that we made it out unscathed, my heart refuses to slow completely. It’s not that I haven’t seen violence before—hell, I was raised in it—but something about today rattled me more than I expected. Maybe it’s because I finally had something to lose.I glance down at my wedding band, the cool weight of it resting against my skin like a silent promise. Markus is my husband now. That still feels surreal to even think. I expected this day to feel like a deal, an arrangement—something I had no real say in. But it doesn’t. Not anymore.I push the memories of the gunfire down as best I can and straighten my shoulders. This is my wedding day. I refuse to let bloodshed be what defines it.Markus hasn’t left my side, his hand rest
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 41
MarkusI stand at the altar, my hands clasped in front of me, trying to maintain some semblance of control. But the second the doors open and I see her—really see her—it’s fucking over for me.My heart slams against my ribs, my pulse roaring in my ears as Nadya steps into the aisle, bathed in the soft glow of candlelight. She looks like a dream, a vision wrapped in ivory silk and lace, her golden hair falling in soft waves around her face. I don’t take my eyes off her as she walks toward me, each step measured, her shoulders squared despite the nerves I can see in the slight tremble of her fingers. But her eyes—they don’t waver. Those blue depths lock onto mine, holding me there, grounding me in place. How did I ever believe this girl wouldn’t become everything? That she wouldn’t climb under my skin and settle there, wrapping herself around every thought until she’s all I fucking think about? From the moment I found her huddled in that room, scared and broken, to the woman standing
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 40
NadyaThe night air is cool against my skin as I step onto the small balcony of my bedroom, breathing in the crisp scent of the garden below. The estate is quiet, the sky a deep indigo scattered with stars, and for the first time in weeks, I feel a strange sense of peace settling inside me.Tomorrow, I will be Nadya Dragonetti.I never imagined feeling… calm about that. But here I am, standing on the edge of one life and stepping into another, and I don’t feel like I’m suffocating anymore. Things with Markus have improved, slowly but surely. He still gets frustrated too easily, still lets his temper flare before thinking things through. And I still hold back more than I should, scared of exposing too much of myself. But we’re trying. And that’s more than I thought we’d ever get to.A smile tugs at my lips as I wrap my arms around myself, the silk of my nightgown cool against my skin. A year ago, I wouldn’t have believed any of this.The soft creak of my bedroom door snapping shut mak
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 39
MarkusI stand there in front of her, my heart thundering like a beast trapped inside my chest. She looks fucking stunning in that dress—the kind of breathtaking that steals the air from my lungs. There’s no denying that seeing her like this, standing there bathed in the soft, flattering glow of the dressing room lights, has me questioning my own sanity for ever thinking I could deny myself this woman. She looks like a goddamn angel, and completely out of place standing next to a beast like me. And yet, this perfect creature is supposed to be mine. The thought sends a surge of all-consuming possessiveness tearing through me.Nadya meets my gaze cautiously, her blue eyes uncertain, the softness in them hitting me harder than any blow I’ve ever felt. I swallow tightly, my throat dry, knowing I need to make this right. She’s going to be mine—my wife—and I can’t let us go forward on shaky ground.“You look fucking breathtaking,” I say quietly, my voice rough with raw honesty. She blushes
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 38
NadyaI never thought dress fittings could be fun, yet here I am, standing in front of a floor-length mirror with the Dragonetti women fussing over me like I truly belong. There’s laughter, warmth, and teasing that I don’t always understand but appreciate anyway.For once, I’m not surrounded by cold stares, calculating eyes, or the hushed whispers of men who see me as nothing more than a bargaining chip. Instead, I hear soft murmurs about fabric choices, feel gentle hands smoothing the silk over my frame, and catch playful nudges about honeymoon plans.Serena and Amara take every opportunity to tease me, their easy smiles coaxing small, reluctant laughs from my lips.“I think lace,” Serena says, lifting a delicate ivory fabric and holding it up to my skin. “It brings out your eyes. And the way the silk moves when you walk? Markus will lose his mind.” She smirks, her voice filled with mischief.My face heats at the mention of his name, and I look away quickly, my throat suddenly dry.A
The Mafia King's Trophy The Enforcer’s Darling 37
NadyaThe mirror in front of me shows a version of myself I barely recognize. Pale skin, dark circles under wide, nervous eyes, and lips bitten raw with anxiety. Today is the dress fitting. Just the thought of it makes my chest feel heavy, tightening painfully with each breath I take. A bride, yet I have no mother here to fuss over my hair or smile proudly when I finally slip into white silk. I have no sisters to giggle with as we admire lace and chiffon. There are no friends here to hold my hand and tell me everything will be fine, or to reassure me that Markus might not hate me quite as much as I fear. No—I’m alone, surrounded only by men who speak in clipped, gruff voices, men who can’t possibly understand the hollow ache in my chest or the nerves twisting deep in my stomach. I close my eyes tightly for a moment, forcing myself to breathe slowly, to calm the anxiety building inside me like a storm. I don’t even know how this is supposed to feel, how other women feel when they’r
