All Chapters of BOUND BY VENGEANCE 'CLAIMED BY THE MAFIA': Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The days blurred together in the aftermath of my decision to sever all ties with my past. Each moment felt both heavy and free as if I was walking in a dream, unsure of what was real and what was the echo of everything I had left behind. But one thing was certain: I was no longer a prisoner of my history.Ronan and I had settled into a rhythm of rebuilding, slowly but surely. We didn’t rush into anything; we let the pieces fall into place at their own pace. It wasn’t about erasing the past—it was about creating something new, something solid that would be ours, free from the weight of old ghosts.But I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that something was still unfinished. The world around me had shifted, and I had shifted with it, but there were still lingering scars I hadn’t yet addressed. I had spent years as a victim of my circumstances, and now that I was free, I found myself asking the question I had avoided for so long: Who was I?There were moments when I would sit alone, jus

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains as I sat at the edge of the bed, gazing out at the serene view beyond the window. The peacefulness of the moment was a stark contrast to the turmoil I had endured in the past. Yet, no matter how much distance I put between myself and the pain, the shadows of my past continued to linger, whispering doubts I wasn’t ready to silence.Ronan’s footsteps echoed softly across the wooden floor as he entered the room. His presence was as steadying as ever, a constant reminder that I wasn’t alone. He carried a tray with breakfast—two steaming mugs of coffee, fresh toast, and a small bowl of fruit.“I thought you could use this,” he said, setting the tray on the nightstand beside me.I smiled the gesture warming me from within. “You didn’t have to.”His gaze softened as he sat beside me. “I wanted to. Besides, you’ve been through enough. You deserve a little peace.”Peace. The word felt foreign, almost out of reach. I wrapped my fingers around t

The night was still, almost unnervingly so. Outside, the estate was bathed in moonlight, every tree and shrub casting long, eerie shadows. Despite Ronan’s assurances, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. My eyes scanned the room again, lingering on the locked windows and bolted doors. The security team’s presence was comforting, but my instincts were screaming at me that danger was near.Ronan had stepped out briefly to speak with his men, leaving me alone in the living room. The fire crackled softly, the only sound breaking the heavy silence. I sipped my tea, trying to ignore the unease creeping up my spine.But then, I heard it—a faint creak coming from the hallway. My heart jumped, and I froze, straining to listen. It could have been the house settling or one of Ronan’s men, but it felt... wrong.Setting my cup down, I rose slowly, my bare feet silent against the hardwood floor. Every step I took felt measured, and deliberate, as if the air itself was holding its br

The silence in the room was deafening after Ronan’s declaration. His vow to protect me should have been comforting, but instead, it left a gnawing ache in my chest. The idea that I was his weakness, the reason a man like Viktor could find a foothold in Ronan’s life, weighed heavily on me.“You don’t have to fight this alone,” I said softly, my hand resting on his arm.Ronan’s gaze softened as he looked at me, but his expression remained firm. “Ashley, this isn’t your fight.”“Of course it is,” I countered, stepping closer. “If Viktor is coming after me to get to you, then it’s as much my fight as it is yours. I won’t just sit on the sidelines while you put everything on the line for me.”His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might argue, but instead, he exhaled deeply and nodded. “You’re braver than I give you credit for,” he said. “But bravery doesn’t mean recklessness. If Viktor wants to use you, then the safest place for you is by my side, under my protection.”“Then te

The city’s skyline was a blur of lights as we neared the warehouse. My heart thudded in my chest, each beat echoing louder than the last. The anticipation in the air was almost unbearable. I could feel the weight of everything hanging on this moment, the decision I’d made to take control of my fate.Marco glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his eyes dark with concern but his voice calm. “Remember, stick to the plan. We move fast, stay quiet, and no heroics.”I nodded, gripping the edge of the seat, my mind swirling. My thoughts kept drifting to Ronan—his safety, his wellbeing, everything that was on the line. He couldn’t know how dangerous this would be. He would never want me involved. But I had to do this, for him, for us. I couldn’t sit back and wait to be rescued. I wasn’t that person anymore.The car came to a halt just outside the perimeter of the warehouse. The place loomed in front of us like a fortress. It was dark, the shadows of the building stretching across the street.