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THE CONTRACT OF CONTROL
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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
The Mafia's Pawn UNDER HIS SPELL
Cleo’s POVRusso’s smirk lingered in the air, and I could feel his eyes burning into me even as I tried to ignore him. The tension in the room was thick, a heady mix of anger, confusion, and something I didn’t want to name. My heart was still racing from what I’d overheard earlier and the conclusion I came to, but here he was, half-naked and dripping wet, completely unfazed by the storm raging inside me.As I turned to leave, my foot slipped on a puddle of water, and I lost my balance. I stumbled forward, arms flailing in a desperate attempt to steady myself, but before I could hit the floor, strong hands caught me, pulling me upright. My heart leaped into my throat as I found myself pressed against Russo’s chest, his grip firm on my waist. His touch was electric, sending a shiver down my spine that I couldn’t suppress.I looked up, our faces just inches apart, close enough to feel his hot breath against my skin. His dark eyes held mine, and for a moment, the room seemed to tilt, the
The Mafia's Pawn UNVEILING VULNERABILITY
Cleo’s POVDinner had been a whirlwind of teasing and tension, each flirtatious comment from Russo slowly unraveling the anger that had built up inside me. As we made our way back upstairs, I was determined to maintain some distance, to remind myself that his charm was just another weapon in his arsenal. But as I reached the hallway that led to my room, I noticed that Russo was still right behind me, his steps echoing mine in the quiet corridor.I stopped, turning to face him with a confused expression. “Why are you following me, Russo?” I asked, my voice laced with suspicion. I was in no mood for more games tonight.Russo met my gaze with a casual shrug, his eyes betraying a hint of amusement. “I’m not following you,” he replied smoothly, stepping closer. “We’re going to the same place. We’re sharing a room, remember?”His words hit me like a bucket of ice-cold water. I hadn’t realized, or perhaps I had simply hoped that we would have separate rooms. The thought of being so close to
The Mafia's Pawn GHOSTS OF THE PAST
Russo’s POVThe darkness was thick, suffocating, pulling me under like quicksand. I was back there again trapped in that night I could never escape, no matter how many years passed or how much power I had gained. The flames roared around me, angry and unrelenting, their heat searing my skin as I stood frozen, watching the car engulfed in fire. I could see the car, twisted and broken, engulfed in the fire that raged like a beast with an insatiable appetite. The heat was unbearable, scorching my skin even from a distance, but I couldn’t move. I was rooted to the spot, helpless and terrified, watching the only people I’d ever loved disappear into the inferno.My parents were inside, trapped and unable to escape. I was only nineteen, too young to understand why this was happening but old enough to know that it was my fault. I was supposed to protect them, supposed to be strong, but all I had done was watch. The flames licked higher, and the car exploded in a burst of light and heat, thro
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