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99. Shadows of the Past
Last Updated:
2025-01-25 23:53:14
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The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 100. Accusations
Sierra’s POVI wheeled my cart down the bright aisles of a shopping cart, the fluorescent lights buzzing faintly above me. The distant taste of air conditioning interrupted by the clatter of customers was in some way reassuring. This was also rare, but Luca went inside with me. Usually, he’d invent some excuse to wait in the car, absorbed in his phone or sketchpad.I looked back to find him lounging against the counter near the entrance, scrolling through whatever was on his phone. His appearance, while unusual, was comforting. It was difficult a few days ago, and any indication he was interested in staying close was a modest victory.“Stay where I can see you,” I said lightly, although I knew he wouldn’t wander far. As I walked down the aisles, I selected items with care, plucking fresh vegetables, a carton of milk, and a loaf of bread. I thought of dinner, there was a thick stew, maybe, something that would have enticed Jordan to the table, both physically and emotionally.As I r
Last Updated : 2025-01-26The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 101. What Smell Is that?
Sierra’s POVThe drive home was peaceful and the night wind was cooling as the sky darkened behind the trees. I hummed steadily to the cassette playing on the music player as I drove. The evening shadows stretched long and thin across the asphalt, playing their fleeting games on the pavement. Shades of amber and violet smeared the sky, the first few stars shining faintly like a baby trying a joke for the first time as the moon rose higher.I looked over at Luca in the passenger seat. Since leaving the shopping mart, he had been unusually silent, his face turned to the window. He frowned slightly, and I could tell he was lost in thought, but I didn’t know what he was thinking.“Everything okay, Luca? What’s up with you?” I asked gently, shattering the silence.Without turning his head, he shrugged. “Yeah, just tired.”I nodded, allowing him the space he seemed to require. Another silence lay between us, but it was not an awkward silence. Instead, it was quiet, as if the events of the
Last Updated : 2025-01-27The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 102. What Happened Here?
Sierra’s POVGroping in the dark, my fingers brushed against the cool and smooth surface of the kitchen wall as I looked for the light switch. I knew it should have been there, to the left side of the doorframe. With my fingertips gliding across empty air, the absence of the switch in its frame sent shivers through my spine, my heart began to race. It seemed as if it had been erased, uprooted from the place I had instinctively gone a hundred times before.The thick, acrid odour of smoke burned my nostrils, driving me to fumble more desperately. My fingers finally discovered the switch and with a click, the room was lit up.The kitchen snapped into focus, the tableau nothing like what I had expected. Slender grey wisps of smoke curled lazily from the toasting machine on the counter, where two blackened pieces of bread remained forgotten within. It was jarring the gleaming, polished countertop alongside the charred, ruined mess.I froze, my breath hitching in my throat as I struggled t
Last Updated : 2025-01-27The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 103. How Did He Get here?
Sierra’s POVI spun around and slammed into something solid, more like someone solid. Before I knew what was going on, I was in the strong, sturdy arms of Jordan in a bid too steady myself from the imminent fall.The realization coursed through me, a sudden and shockingly sweet sensation mixing surprise with something else, something softer, warmer. In instinct, my hands squeezed his forearms to steady myself, and my breath hitched in my chest as I held, for a brief moment, there. His scent surrounded me like a musky mix of woodsy cedarwood and something of Vinnie, masculine and intoxicating. It awakened something within me, a wish to remain in that moment a little longer.But reality elbowed me, and I straightened up fast, breaking the spell as I backed off and I locked eyes with him, my heart racing from the fire in his eyes.“Are you behind this?” I said, my voice firmer than I felt as I pointed to the dining table, the candles flickering in the corner of my vision.Jordan didn’t
Last Updated : 2025-01-27The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 104. The Surprise
Sierra’sJordan snatched the silver-domed plate cover, lifting it from the table with exaggeration to display a perfectly arranged plate of Coq au Vin. It was a French dish that constituted of the tender pieces of chicken rested in a dark, thick wine sauce, flecked with caramelized pearl onions, mushrooms and crispy lardons. The smell was heavenly, a warm symphony of savoury and earthy notes that had my stomach growling in anticipation.“Coq au Vin,” Jordan said, tinged with pride. “Classic French comfort food. I felt like you could use something to stick to it tonight.”I looked at the dish, half impressed and half sceptical. It looked restaurant-worthy, the sort of dish that takes hours of simmering to make just right. The chicken glistened in the soft light, the sauce having clung to it in such a way that it looked as if it would melt in my mouth.“I knew you’d be tired when you came home,” Jordan said, his tone softening. “And I wanted you to unwind and have a lovely meal without
Last Updated : 2025-01-27The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 105. Watching Closely
Author’s POV“Enough!” Moretti thundered to the guard who stood opposite him pouring the whiskey he had just brought into a thick layered glass cup which was specially made for whiskey.With a wave of his hands, he dismissed the guard and adjusted himself in the chair as he churned up all that Alessandro had said to him before he walked out of the room.Long after the door closed, Moretti still kept on his eyes on the door. He was not sure Alessandro had told him the whole story. Moretti’s unvoiced directive, with a tiny nod of his head to the two men standing silently by the wall, was to follow Alessandro and keep a watch on him. He needed to find out exactly what Alessandro was doing. He just may have something sinister up his sleeves. Who knows?The two men made their exit swiftly and without a sound. The pause was complete, broken only by the soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint crackle of Moretti’s cigar. He inhaled, the sharp scent of tobacco filling the air and slowl
Last Updated : 2025-01-27The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 107. The Nightmares!
Jordan’s POV“Leave me alone! I will not go with you to get the crystals! I do not wish to be a part of you. Leave me, leave me!”The scream sliced through the quiet of the night and jolted me awake. Immediately, I sat up in bed, heart pounding, confused and frightened. I turned to look at the clock on the nightstand. The shorthand indicated two, straight up and down, while the long hand lolled on three. It’s way too early for anyone to be awake, much less yelling like that.I turned to my side, and there was Sierra, snoring away, chest rising and falling in its peaceful way. She hadn’t moved an inch since the scream, not even when Luca’s voice echoed through the house.I hesitated for a moment. Should I wake her? The thought quickly fizzled out. I didn’t want to bother her unless I had to. After all, she worked hard all through yesterday and deserved a good rest. I leaned back onto the bed, hoping Luca’s shouting was just a fluke, the remains of a bad dream. Maybe.But it was barel
Last Updated : 2025-01-27The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 106. I am Here
Jordans POV A comfortable silence settled over the room as we started clearing the table. The soft clinking of plates and the humming of the refrigerator echoed through the room. My thoughts were anything but still amidst the calm in the room. A nagging question tugged at my heart as to why Sierra hadn’t called me to tell me what was happened at the supermarket. It wasn’t in her nature to hold such a thing in. I looked at her as she stacked the plates, her actions purposeful but far off like her brain occupied a different place. Her lips compressed into a thin line, the edge switching barely seeing through the effort she was exerting to hide her feelings. “Why didn’t you call me?” I asked gently, shattering the silence. She hesitated before smiling at me, surprised. “I didn’t want to worry you,” she said, her voice low. “It wasn’t a big deal after all. The manager cross-checked the webcams and tendered an apology,” she said, her shoulders shrugging casually. I frowned and
Last Updated : 2025-01-27
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The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 119. Room Service?
Sierra’s POVThe atmosphere around the room was beginning to slip into an almost comfortable quiet when Jordan’s phone buzzed noisily on the desk, the sound sharp and jarring in the silence. He stepped away from me slowly, peering up at the screen with furrowed brows."Who is it?" “What do they want and why can’t they wait till a better time?” I asked almost in one breath, noticing the tension that had twisted in his posture.Jordan’s lips pursed into a thin line as he read the message. He typed back a few words in reply, the fingers of his right hand moving nervously and swiftly."Jordan?" I pressed, stepping closer. "What’s going on?"“It’s nothing,” he said swiftly as he slid his phone face down on the desk. But the tension in his voice gave him away. My instincts went counter to that, as my head tilted. “That didn’t look like ‘nothing’” Is it about Dominic?"He paused for just a bit longer than necessary, proving my suspicion. “It’s not directly about him, hey! Calm down, Sierra,”
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 118. Save Haven
Sierra’s POVThe soft chime of the elevator announced my arrival on our floor, and the doors opened with a gentle whoosh. I walked out into the hall, my steps softened by the deep-piled carpet underneath. The serenity here compared with the riot of colour and chaos below was stark, even jarring.I lingered just a moment before opening the door to our room, fumbling the key card in my hand. There were two questions spinning in my head, and I felt a sense of dread in my heart. What were Jordan and Dominic saying to each other just now? How long would Jordan remain down there? And more importantly, what would he bring back with him. Would their conversation lead to a closure or more questions?At last, I swiped the card, hearing the soft click when the lock was released. When I opened the door, I was met with the calming glow of our suite. Soft light flooded into the room. I couldn’t help the nostalgic feeling that washed over me as the bouquet on the bedside table was tangibly oozing
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 117. Where had he Gone?
Sierra’s POV“I know,” I said softly, looking toward the corner where Elara and Dominic now stood with their heads bent. “But we can’t let them win. Let’s go back to our table.”Jordan paused, his eyes still on the duo, before finally giving a nod. “There you are,” he replied, a reluctant weight in his voice. “But this isn’t over.”I doubted nothing of the sort for a second. When the music faded a bit, and party guests transitioned from the high-energy auction to a more festive affair, I scanned the room, looking at each guest and chatting away. They were done with the auction, and just chilling listening to music, and having some drinks, before breaking for the night.Jordan and I pretended to resume our spot at our table, but I soon realized there was little else to be done. Returning to the sanctuary of our room was the obvious next step.I turned toward the elevator, assuming that Jordan was right behind me, but something felt... off. The familiar sense of his presence wasn’t the
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 116. She's Playing Games
Sierra’s POVI put on a smile and nodded, and he took me over to the dance floor. And yet, despite dancing to the music, part of me couldn’t shake the questions circling around in my head. Who exactly was Elara Pierre? And what was she actually doing here?It felt as though the music in the air faded away as my gaze found the man who Elara spoke of. His long beard, braided into a precise ponytail, set him apart. But it wasn’t only the beard that drew my eye, it was his face. It was unmistakable.“Jordan,” I whispered, trying to nudge him gently without creating a stir. My voice must have betrayed more tension than I intended, as he looked at me sharply. “Look over there,” I said, craning my neck slightly to indicate the back corner where Elara was standing with Dominic.Jordan’s jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he tracked where I was looking. “That’s Dom?” he muttered, his voice sinking into a low growl.“Yeah, I think so,” I answered, my voice shaking a little. “And that’s Elara
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 115. The Auction Party
Sierra’s POVThe short walk to the open-space event centre was imbued with an air of anticipation. The party was already in full swing and the energy was electric. The venue itself was absolutely spectacular. Long tables were set in a U-shape around a small platform, where a tangle of strings of fairy lights sparkled as if they were the stars. And in the background of very vivid disco music that was playing out loud, guests intermixed with each other, laughing and having a casual conversation. The warm night-air setting afforded the cool evening breeze to breathe the pasty fragrance of the ocean.Jordan and I were led to a table for two, decked out with plates and glasses trimmed in gold. There was a silk ribbon in rich hues, fitting the night’s theme draped across the back of each chair. There were cards wrapped in red ribbons neatly laid on the table, and when I untied mine, the content inside instantly struck my attention, it read: “Welcome to the Auction Party of Villa Marina!
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 114. The Unusual Event
Sierra’s POVWe walked out of the pool, water droplets trailing down our bodies as the warm breeze dried our wet skin. The sun was going down, spilling golden light all over the resort grounds. We grabbed our towels and dried ourselves off, joking briefly about who had stayed underwater for a longer period. Returning to the primary building, we passed a reception desk and the lively receptionist stopped us a few steps away.“Excuse me,” she said, beaming so brightly it rivalled the resort. She flashed a small, nicely designed card. “We’re having an event tonight, kind of a mini-auction party.” It’s quite the draw here at Villa Marina. Games, dancing, and an opportunity to bid on some rare items. You and he should absolutely see it.”I arched my right brow and looked at the card then took it from her. "An auction at a resort? And a party, too? That’s..... different,” I replied, my voice laced with curiosity.“It’s one of our signature events,” the receptionist said. “Entertainment, an
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 113. At the Beach
Sierra’s POVWe got out of our room and walked to the swimming pool area of the resort, where the afternoon sun bathed the landscaped gardens in gold. Blooming hibiscus flowers lined the path toward the pool, their greens and reds in stark contrast to the cerulean pool.As we moved close, my eyes fell on two couples relaxing at the poolside. Sprawled side-by-side on what appeared to be the highest-priced sunbed in the city, they looked completely at ease, partaking in what could only be termed as a sexified sunbath naked. I instinctively bit my lip, stifling the laughter bubbling in my chest, and elbowed Jordan gently. “This is… different,” I muttered with a filched grin.Jordan cocked an eyebrow, looking both amused and skeptical. “I guess they’re taking advantage of the ‘private’ part of the resort,” he said, shaking his head dryly. “Let’s just go find our own corner.”We chose a shady corner on the pool’s far side, far from the uninhibited couples. I tossed my towel over a lounge
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 112. Villa Marina
Sierra’s POVThe journey from Crystal Bay to Villa Marina Resorts had been blissfully uneventful, still and serene compared to the turmoil that had just consumed us. This short escape from our bland reality was all that Jordan and I had ever wanted. The resort, nestled on the outskirts of town, promised peace as well, with its lush tropical gardens, twinkling infinity pools and the hypnotic thrum of waves crashing on the far-off shore. Jordan had chosen this spot for its promise of peace, and I couldn’t have agreed with his choice more.The salty air washed over us, mixed with a whiff of blooming jasmine as we turned into the driveway. A glorious and effortless hypnosis in the form of the song of the birds and the faint sound of the waves. I got out of the car and closed my eyes for a moment and took it all in. The briny ocean air felt like a salve on my frazzled nerves, tousling the strands of my hair and caressing my skin with a featherweight that made me feel liberated.Jordan le
The Mafia's Kingpin's Arranged Bride 111. Priorities
Jordan’s POVI sat behind the heavy oak desk in my office, looking at Ethan standing in front of me, calm and collected. I knew deep down that entrusting Ethan into my right-hand man slot made sense, he was charming, well-liked by the workers, and steady under pressure. I wasn’t going to throw myself into the things I did with Andrew.This time, I had to be explicit. No burdening, no doubling up on duties. Ethan would only handle operations, making sure that the mines were functioning, and the workers were inspired. I craned back in my chair and looked into his steady gaze.“You will manage Crystal Bay's day-to-day affairs while I am away,” I replied, my voice steady but quiet. “But I want your attention only on the mines. Leave the expansion plan to me,” I warnedEthan nodded, his face implacable. “Understood, sir. I won’t let you down.”I believed him. Ethan wasn’t merely competent; he was reliable and yet a part of me couldn’t let go of that lingering doubt. Andrew had been reliab
