All Chapters of The Mafia's Pawn: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

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

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

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

Cleo’s POVThe Paris morning was calm, a soft light spilling into the room, bathing everything in a warm glow that felt almost surreal after the stormy night. I stood at the window, trying to gather my thoughts, but they kept drifting back to Russo and the unexpected vulnerability I had seen in him. Last night, I’d seen a side of him that he kept hidden from the world, a side that reminded me he wasn’t just the ruthless mafia boss who had trapped me in this twisted marriage. He was also a man haunted by his past, much like me. As much as I wanted to keep my anger and distrust intact, the image of him lost in his nightmare, sweating and mumbling in fear, had cracked something inside me. It was easier to hate him when he was nothing more than a cold-hearted manipulator. But now? Now I wasn’t sure what to feel. And that scared me more than anything.Russo moved beside me, standing close enough that I could feel the heat of his presence but not touching me. I could sense his eyes on me,

Cleo's POV The announcement of the family trip had come out of nowhere, catching me completely off guard. Nonno had declared it over breakfast, his tone final and his gaze sweeping over everyone at the table. “We’ll all head to the private beach this weekend,” he’d said, his voice brokering no argument. “It’s been too long since the family spent time together. It’s time we remember what matters.”My heart had skipped a beat at the news. A beach trip meant wearing swimsuits, relaxing by the ocean, and being surrounded by Russo’s family, the very people I was still trying to convince of our perfect, loving marriage. But it wasn’t just the pressure to keep up the act that bothered me; it was the fact that I hadn’t come prepared for any of it. I had packed the basics when I was taken to Paris, but beachwear? Not a chance.After breakfast, Russo had caught me staring out at the city from the balcony, my mind racing with the logistics of this unexpected getaway. “You seem lost in thought,”