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Chapter 29
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2025-04-28 15:33:40I crawled beside him curling up into a ball as the image of the dead driver and Martin struggling for his life played in my head over and over again.
I had been so close to being kidnapped. Or even killed because that was the goal, I was supposed to be the pawn that gets used against Ace. I clamped my hands against my midsection, hugging myself. I came to Ace room because I wouldn't be able to sleep without another human's warmth. It's nothing big, just me seeking comfort. I told myself.I did not hear the sound of Ace ending the call until he slid next to me and replaced my hand with his, he drew me so that my back was against his chest and his warm breath on my ear. The continuous image of the blood gradually dissipated. I sighed as I leaned closer enjoying the feel of his heartbeat that my back detected. It was even, like a lullaby but I didn't sleep.No matter how hard I tried to sleep it was impossible, thoughts floated in my head like a chaos that
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Ace’s presence beside me was oddly comforting, despite the usual tension between us. His hand rested lightly on my thigh, a silent claim that I wasn’t sure I liked. But right now, I was too focused on the fact that someone had followed us.I stiffened. Ace noticed immediately.“What?” His voice was calm, but his grip on my thigh tightened.I swallowed and kept my gaze trained on the shadow disappearing behind the wall. “Someone’s watching us.”Ace followed my line of sight, then glanced at Fred. “Secure the entrance. Nobody gets in or out without my permission.”Fred nodded and walked off, issuing silent commands to the other guards. Ace pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear. “Who did you see?”I hesitated. “I—I’m not sure. Just a figure. It could be nothing.”Ace scoffed. “It’s never nothing.”He guided me into the hospital room where Martin lay, bandaged and asleep. Relief flooded me at the sight of his chest rising and falling steadily.“Martin,” I whispered, stepping closer.H
Last Updated : 2025-04-28The Substitute Bride of the Ruthless Mafia Boss Chapter 31
Ace’s presence beside me was oddly comforting, despite the usual tension between us. His hand rested lightly on my thigh, a silent claim that I wasn’t sure I liked. But right now, I was too focused on the fact that someone had followed us.I stiffened. Ace noticed immediately.“What?” His voice was calm, but his grip on my thigh tightened.I swallowed and kept my gaze trained on the shadow disappearing behind the wall. “Someone’s watching us.”Ace followed my line of sight, then glanced at Fred. “Secure the entrance. Nobody gets in or out without my permission.”Fred nodded and walked off, issuing silent commands to the other guards. Ace pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear. “Who did you see?”I hesitated. “I—I’m not sure. Just a figure. It could be nothing.”Ace scoffed. “It’s never nothing.”He guided me into the hospital room where Martin lay, bandaged and asleep. Relief flooded me at the sight of his ch
Last Updated : 2025-04-29The Substitute Bride of the Ruthless Mafia Boss Chapter 32: Brielle's POV
The drive back was silent. Ace sat beside me, fingers drumming idly against his knee, while Fred focused on the road ahead. The tension from earlier still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. I wanted to ask questions—so many questions—but I wasn’t sure if I wanted the answers.Ace had just threatened a man with a gun. Not surprising, given who he was. What unsettled me was how unaffected he had been, how natural it all seemed.I took a breath, forcing myself to speak. “So… Nightwind.”Ace didn’t look at me. “Yeah.”“Are you going to tell me what that means?”His fingers stilled, but he didn’t respond.I sighed. “Right. I forgot. You don’t do explanations.”Ace glanced at me then, his expression unreadable. “Nightwind is one of the five families under my rule. Or, at least, it used to be.”That got my attention. “Used to be?”“There was a shift in power a few years ago. I allowed Julia’s husband
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“Brielle Wallace, do you take Ace Reynolds to be your lawfully wedded husband?” The priest inquired gently, his gaze and every other gaze in the cathedral, including the cold one in front of me, settled on me, anticipating that I replied with a “yes”. Maybe they all expected I smiled along with my answer, which was so ridiculous considering no one thought I would be asked this silly question until a few minutes earlier. I was dressed to be the bridesmaid, not the bride. I wasn't supposed to be the bride, my sister was. This wasn't my fate, it was my sister’s. When I was very young, my mother always read this bedtime story to me. It was about a princess who got her fate swapped with a river goddess by merely standing by the riverside. I always thought it was a ridiculous story because I didn't believe such a crucial thing as one’s fate could be swapped in a split second. Now, I understand. Indeed, it was possible. It was feasible because it just happened to me. All
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He kissed and kissed. He didn't stop. When I thought he would stop, he didn't.His lips were soft on mine, hot, urgent, and hungry.Why would he kiss me in this manner? He seems to be enjoying it. Ace cupped my cheek, his thumb caressing it gently as he intensified his kiss.My legs turned to a piece of jelly, my trembling hands doing nothing but resting my hand on his hard rock chest in an attempt to pry him off. Why is he doing this? Why is he kissing me like he wants me? Why did he say what he said earlier? What did he mean?Finally, he breaks the kiss. He broke the kiss but his face was still dangerously close to mine. I try not to stare into his eyes and he takes my chin in his delicate fingers, shoves my face up, forcing me to look at him.And when I did, I melted underneath that gaze. It was the brightest shade of blue I had ever seen. Menacing yet, intoxicating.“Congrats on this new phase.”He whispered to me, planted one last kiss on my lips, and stepped back.I, on the ot
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But, why would he take Isobel? It made absolutely no sense. He probably was the one who asked her to marry him. Why would he do that and then proceed to abduct her on their wedding day?I instantly made it to the party, not bothering to ask questions I didn't have answers to. Scrambling through the crowd, I searched for mom or dad desperately.God help me. I see one of them before Ace finds me in the crowd.As soon as I saw mom in the crowd, sipping champagne and staring into space, I breathed a relieved sigh.I walked up to her with steps of desperation. Immediately mom noticed me, she frowned, settling her flute of champagne on the tray of a server who swept past her at that time.“Honey, where did you go again? Harper went to pay a visit to you and your husband but, you weren't—”“Mom please!” I cut in. “For the love of God, can you stop calling that man my husband? It's just a stand-in, remember?”Mom looked taken aback with the way I had snapped and I felt a pang of guilt. Abou
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I let the night breeze brush my pale skin as I peered out the window of the black SUV.The breeze was chilly against my skin but nothing could be more chilly than the thought of starting a home with Ace.Becoming his wife.Ace Reynolds took a different car. A Rolls-Royce Sweptail drove closely behind us.I supposed I should be relieved that we weren't sharing the same breathing space at the moment and I was but, whenever I peered back and caught a glimpse of the Rolls-Royce behind us, I felt my stomach twist in anxiety.It even felt worse.It felt like I was being watched. I was under the watch of the most ruthless man. He wasn’t with me in the car but his presence wasn't missed either. I felt it. Closely. Like he never left.Ace Reynolds had grabbed my wrist forcefully and pulled me out of the party before I had time to protest - which I wasn't even planning to do.However, when I saw my mother watch me as I got pulled out by Ace Reynolds, a proud smile on her lips, my heart bounced
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“Hey. What's the problem?”Luke asked, a tiny frown planted on his forehead.“Can you lend me your phone real quick, please?”My voice came out urgent and shaky.“Brielle, you don't look good. What's happening?”When Ace began to make it into the cafè, closer to me, searching every corner with his hard gaze, I grabbed Luke’s shoulder violently.He flinched at my sudden move but, I didn't care, I was on the brink of doom.“Just give me the damn phone!”Luke brought out his phone and handed it over to me. I grabbed it with trembling hands.“Brielle, if you need me to—”“I'm fine!”I snapped at Luke, scrambling to find a hiding place to call Valerie.A water dispenser stood at the rounding of a corner and I quickly went there to hide, moving away from Luke.I bit my finger as I waited for her response to the call. On the fourth ring, she picked.“God, Val! Where are you? I'm at your workplace!”“Brielle? I called in sick today. What's wrong?”Fucking hell!She started speaking again but
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The drive back was silent. Ace sat beside me, fingers drumming idly against his knee, while Fred focused on the road ahead. The tension from earlier still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating. I wanted to ask questions—so many questions—but I wasn’t sure if I wanted the answers.Ace had just threatened a man with a gun. Not surprising, given who he was. What unsettled me was how unaffected he had been, how natural it all seemed.I took a breath, forcing myself to speak. “So… Nightwind.”Ace didn’t look at me. “Yeah.”“Are you going to tell me what that means?”His fingers stilled, but he didn’t respond.I sighed. “Right. I forgot. You don’t do explanations.”Ace glanced at me then, his expression unreadable. “Nightwind is one of the five families under my rule. Or, at least, it used to be.”That got my attention. “Used to be?”“There was a shift in power a few years ago. I allowed Julia’s husband
The Substitute Bride of the Ruthless Mafia Boss Chapter 31
Ace’s presence beside me was oddly comforting, despite the usual tension between us. His hand rested lightly on my thigh, a silent claim that I wasn’t sure I liked. But right now, I was too focused on the fact that someone had followed us.I stiffened. Ace noticed immediately.“What?” His voice was calm, but his grip on my thigh tightened.I swallowed and kept my gaze trained on the shadow disappearing behind the wall. “Someone’s watching us.”Ace followed my line of sight, then glanced at Fred. “Secure the entrance. Nobody gets in or out without my permission.”Fred nodded and walked off, issuing silent commands to the other guards. Ace pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear. “Who did you see?”I hesitated. “I—I’m not sure. Just a figure. It could be nothing.”Ace scoffed. “It’s never nothing.”He guided me into the hospital room where Martin lay, bandaged and asleep. Relief flooded me at the sight of his ch
The Substitute Bride of the Ruthless Mafia Boss Chapter 31
Ace’s presence beside me was oddly comforting, despite the usual tension between us. His hand rested lightly on my thigh, a silent claim that I wasn’t sure I liked. But right now, I was too focused on the fact that someone had followed us.I stiffened. Ace noticed immediately.“What?” His voice was calm, but his grip on my thigh tightened.I swallowed and kept my gaze trained on the shadow disappearing behind the wall. “Someone’s watching us.”Ace followed my line of sight, then glanced at Fred. “Secure the entrance. Nobody gets in or out without my permission.”Fred nodded and walked off, issuing silent commands to the other guards. Ace pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear. “Who did you see?”I hesitated. “I—I’m not sure. Just a figure. It could be nothing.”Ace scoffed. “It’s never nothing.”He guided me into the hospital room where Martin lay, bandaged and asleep. Relief flooded me at the sight of his chest rising and falling steadily.“Martin,” I whispered, stepping closer.H
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I crawled beside him curling up into a ball as the image of the dead driver and Martin struggling for his life played in my head over and over again. I had been so close to being kidnapped. Or even killed because that was the goal, I was supposed to be the pawn that gets used against Ace. I clamped my hands against my midsection, hugging myself. I came to Ace room because I wouldn't be able to sleep without another human's warmth. It's nothing big, just me seeking comfort. I told myself. I did not hear the sound of Ace ending the call until he slid next to me and replaced my hand with his, he drew me so that my back was against his chest and his warm breath on my ear. The continuous image of the blood gradually dissipated. I sighed as I leaned closer enjoying the feel of his heartbeat that my back detected. It was even, like a lullaby but I didn't sleep. No matter how hard I tried to sleep it was impossible, thoughts floated in my head like a chaos that
The Substitute Bride of the Ruthless Mafia Boss Chapter 28
Each time Ace was in the same vicinity as me, I always felt it before I saw him. The distinct smell of his cologne was unmistakable and the way my body reacts to his presence. Goosebumps appear on my skin and I feel warmth travel up my spine.But I had never been so happy for my body's way of telling me he was around. Because it meant help, that I won't be kidnapped and used against Ace. The scar faced man had a hand on my back ready to push me in when we all heard a scream, we turned around simultaneously. The scene before me was... wholesome for a lack of better word. Ace stood in the middle of the alley, five dead men littered on the floor, one was in his arm and he had a knife lodged in his throat. Though Ace wasn't alone, he had come with only a man and together they brought five men down. He looked bloodied. Like the devil as his white shirt was splattered in blood and his face set in a furious frown. The darkness of the alley did nothing to allevi
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The car screeched to a halt as I shook Martin imploring him to wake up. He stirred and spluttered blood out of his mouth. Even in that state, he draped his body over mine trying to protect me. "Let me call for help...h-hang in there..." I encouraged him frantically searching for my phone. I was trying my best not to allow the panic to envelop me. I know that the key in such a situation is to stay calm even though we were being attacked and the attackers were probably coming for me. My hands shook as I struggled to reach for my purse where my phone was. Martin groaned again and I held him tighter trying to stop the bleeding with my tiny fingers but I knew it wasn't working so I just focused on getting my phone. I should have called the police but on second thought, Ace might be the best person to call. My bloody finger was still shivering while scrolling through the contact when the car door flung open. I froze and clung to Martin who tried to get up to
The Substitute Bride of the Ruthless Mafia Boss Chapter 26
I already knew that Ace would not be by my side when I woke up. I patted the empty space before sitting up. I had slept on the same bed with him twice and he made sure to disappear before I woke. I took a shower, forcing the event of the day out of my mind. Then I changed into a cloth, I slept with that bedsheet the entire time. Eva was waiting for me with multiple delicacies laid out on the table and to my surprise, it wasn't just Eva waiting for me. Ace too. He was sitting at dining with his legs crossed while his attention was on his phone, he appeared to be scrolling, his dish remained untouched. He looked up immediately when I came into the vicinity. I shivered when his eyes took me in from head to toe and then back again as if to make sure I really wasn't injured. I was safe. I cleared my throat as I smiled at Eva, thanking her for the meal. She looked at the verge of hugging me, she was happy that I was safe. "I thought you would never wake and I
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The water felt hotter beneath his gaze and even now that his jaw worked endlessly reminding me that he was upset about me calling Elijah. I remained in a frozen position choosing my next words carefully. "What are you doing with my phone?" I asked hoping that would buy me enough time. Ace raised that perfectly arched brow and smiled. It wasn't the kind of rare smiles he showed me, this was sardonic. He pocketed the phone, cast my body one last lust filled look. "Come out of that pool," Ace ordered as he walked out of the pool room. I sagged and sank deeper into the water. He looked positively enraged. With the little time I had spent with Ace, I knew he was the type who handled his anger with calmness. He was deceiving.I took my sweet time getting out of the water, drying myself and dressing up. I even walked slowly back to the sitting room pretending that I forgot my way. "Where's he?" I asked Eva. She was pacing around th
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I gave myself no time to think as I dialed Elijah's contact. Maybe this was heaven's way of telling me that there was no point staying because why else would I suddenly find his number just immediately after getting a phone call? "Hello," Elijah's voice flowed out of the phone. I froze. My fingers felt cold and there was a pounding in my heart. My mother's conspiracy with Ace played in My head and then there was Isobel's advice. Wasn't there a hidden agenda here? One that they were keeping me out of? This was my life but everyone seemed to have a say in it and it was insane how they thought my best life would be led with a killer. "Hello..."I pressed the hang up button and fell on the bed. I was conflicted. But one thing was certain to me, I wanted to find out everything. To answer every question in my head. Why did Isobel choose to remain hidden? Why was she telling me to stay put in the marriage? And why did Ace kill my father?It felt like my head was going to float out of m
