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STORM OF BETRAYAL
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The Mafia's Pawn THE HUNTER AWAKES
Russo's POVI woke with a throbbing headache, the kind that pulsed behind my eyes and made every sound feel like a knife slicing through my skull. For a moment, I just lay there, blinking up at the ceiling as I tried to piece together why I felt like I’d been run over by a truck. The room was dim, the curtains drawn tightly shut, but the light that seeped through was enough to send a sharp jolt of pain through my temples.With a groan, I pushed myself up, rubbing my eyes and trying to shake off the fog that clung stubbornly to my mind. Something was wrong. I could feel it, an unsettling hum just beneath my skin. I glanced around, my gaze falling on the empty dishes on the table, the faint smell of something bitter lingering in the air. The memory of last night came rushing back, Cleo’s guarded compliance, her soft smiles, the meal she had insisted on preparing.I reached for the plate, sniffing the rim, and the realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Drugged. She’d drugged me. And
The Mafia's Pawn THE PRICE OF REBELLION
Cleo's POVI stirred awake, my head throbbing like a drumbeat, the dull ache radiating through my skull. I tried to move, but my body wouldn’t respond. I blinked, my vision hazy and blurred as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. My breath hitched when I finally took on where I was, a dark grimy room, the air thick with smoke that rose lazily from a fire burning inside a rusty old drum.The heat from the fire flickered across the walls, casting long, ominous shadows that seemed to dance mockingly around me. I strained against the ropes biting into my skin, my heart racing as the reality of my situation settled in. I wasn’t free. I hadn’t escaped. I had been caught.Panic flared in my chest, but before I could react, a figure stepped into my line of sight, his movements slow and deliberate. I squinted, my eyes watering from the smoke, and my heart sank when the figure resolved into someone all too familiar.Russo sat casually on a stool in front of me, his posture relaxed but
The Mafia's Pawn THE CONTRACT OF CONTROL
Russo's POV“Here’s everything you asked for, Boss,” Viktor said, handing me a brown envelope. I nodded, opening it and examining the contents. Social Security IDs, driver’s licenses, and other official documents, all bearing Cleo’s face, her name, and her new identity. I thumbed through the IDs, each one more damning than the last. It was all there, carefully crafted and meticulously detailed. This wasn’t just paperwork; it was Cleo’s new reality, one that I had carefully constructed for her.“She thinks she’s still in control,” I muttered, my voice low as I flipped through the documents. “But this time, she’ll play by my rules.”“Untie her,” I ordered, my voice calm but firm, a hint of command that brooked no argument. My men moved quickly, untying the ropes that had bound her to the chair. Cleo’s expression remained gutsy, but I could see the uncertainty flickering behind her eyes. She was waiting for my next move, trying to predict my intentions. But she wouldn’t see this coming.
The Mafia's Pawn SEALED FATE
Cleo's POVMy legs felt heavy as I followed Viktor back to my room, every step echoing with the weight of what had just happened. The papers and IDs Russo had handed me earlier were clutched tightly against my chest, their crisp edges digging into my skin like a thousand tiny needles. Each document felt like a piece of my freedom stripped away, a reminder that every aspect of my life was no longer mine but controlled by the man who had made himself my captor.When Viktor opened the door to my room, I stepped inside, feeling the cold, indifferent space close in around me. He didn’t say a word as he shut the door behind me, the soft click of the lock echoing in the silence. I was alone again, but it didn’t feel like solitude, it was more like isolation, the kind that eats away at you from the inside out.I let out a shaky breath and walked over to the bed, dropping the stack of documents onto the covers. The white sheets of the contract lay on top, staring up at me like a taunt. Russo’s
The Mafia's Pawn DRESSED IN DECEPTION
Cleo's POV The drive was tense, filled with a silence that felt louder than any words could have been. Russo sat beside me in the backseat, his presence commanding even without speaking. I kept my eyes focused on the window, watching the world blur past, each street a reminder of the freedom just out of reach. Viktor drove, his eyes occasionally flicking up to the rearview mirror, ever the watchful guard dog. As we pulled up to an upscale boutique, Russo’s hand rested lightly on my knee, an unsettling gesture that made my skin crawl. “As we go in now, you’ll pick whatever you want,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with the underlying threat that always lingered. “You need to look the part. Our story has to be convincing.”I nodded, forcing my expression to remain neutral, even as anger simmered beneath the surface. To him, this was just another power play, another opportunity to mold me into his perfect puppet. I followed him into the boutique, my steps robotic, every movement
The Mafia's Pawn UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES
Cleo's POV “I brought her, as you requested” Russo continued, his tone steady, though I could sense the slight edge of impatience. “The woman I've chosen.”Nonno’s eyes flicked over me, appraising, searching for any sign of weakness. I forced myself to meet his gaze, offering a polite smile that I hoped conveyed more confidence than I felt. I was playing the part Russo had forced on me, the obedient fiancée, and I had no choice but to see it through.“Ah, Cleopatra,” Nonno said, his voice gravelly but sharp. “Enzo has told me much about you. It is good to finally meet the woman who has captured my grandson’s heart.”He had told you so much about me? Did he also tell you how he took advantage of my father's huge debt to force me into marrying him? I doubt he did tell you everything then. I nearly choked at the absurdity of the statement but managed to keep my composure. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir,” I replied, my voice steady. I could feel Russo’s eyes on me, watching my every mo
The Mafia's Pawn THE PAWN'S AWAKENING
Cleo's povI stood in the dim hallway, trying to steady my breathing as Russo’s command echoed in my mind. “You are not to see any man without my consent.” He hadn’t yelled, but his voice had carried the kind of weight that could crush a person, and I was already buried under enough pressure. He had turned and left me there without waiting for a response, as if my compliance was as natural as breathing. I gripped the smooth banister, my nails digging into the polished wood as I tried to keep my anger and fear at bay.I heaved a deep sigh and took a right turn but it was a dead end. It was my first time in the mansion and every hallway looked the same, cold, lavish and utterly unfamiliar. I tried retracing my steps but each turn seemed to lead me deeper into a maze of rooms that felt like they were closing in on me.I took a last turn, and there he was, leaning against the wall near the entrance. He looked up, his brows knitting together when he saw me, surprise flickering across his f
The Mafia's Pawn BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Cleo's POVRusso’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing toward the doorway. “Did you hear that?” His voice was tense, suspicious.I panicked, adrenaline surging through me as I looked around for somewhere to hide. My heart pounded as I ducked behind the heavy curtains just beside the window, pressing my back against the cold wall. I held my breath, trying to still the tremble in my hands. From my spot, I could just make out the edge of the doorway, Russo’s shadow stretching ominously as he moved closer to investigate.Viktor spoke up, trying to dismiss the noise. “Probably just the wind knocking something over. The windows are always slightly ajar in this old place.”Russo hesitated, and I could feel the weight of his scrutiny, the way his eyes swept the room and lingered on every darkened corner. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying he wouldn’t look too closely, praying I’d blend into the shadows.“Maybe,” Russo muttered, though I could hear the doubt in his voice. “But I don’t like surpr
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The Mafia's Pawn THE SET UP
The Mafia's Pawn A DANGEROUS DEAL
The Mafia's Pawn INTO THE UNDERWORLD
The Mafia's Pawn SHADOWS OF THE PAST
The Mafia's Pawn A GROWING BOND
The Mafia's Pawn THE MORNING AFTER
The Mafia's Pawn CROSSING THE LINE
The Mafia's Pawn THE SPARK OF SOMETHING NEW
The Mafia's Pawn SURPRISE AT THE BEACH
