All Chapters of HEART OF THE RUTHLESS - A Mafia First Love : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Edward Poletto, the notorious mafia king, sat in the dimly lit courtyard of his sprawling estate, a glass of aged wine in hand. The evening sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the vineyards that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was his haven, a place where he could momentarily forget the weight of his empire and lose himself in the intoxicating aroma of ripening grapes and the rich flavors of his wine.He took a slow sip, savoring the complex notes of the vintage. His thoughts were distant, entangled with the ruthless decisions that came with his power, yet tinged with a certain emptiness. Edward had everything a man could desire—wealth, power, influence—but love was a foreign concept to him, something he had never truly known or cared for.As he leaned back in his chair, his eyes lazily scanned the workers toiling in the fields, But then, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye.A young woman was moving through the rows of vines with a grace tha

It was a cold, Joshua decided to take the shortcut through the alleyway on his way home. The streets were quiet, the only sound the occasional hum of distant traffic. He walked with a light step, his mind on Cecilia and the plans they had made for the weekend. He couldn’t help but smile, thinking of her bright eyes and warm laugh, the way she made everything seem right in the world.But as he turned the corner, his smile faded. Standing in the middle of the alley were two men, both tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in dark suits that seemed out of place in this part of town. Something about their presence sent a chill down his spine, but Joshua pushed the feeling aside. He kept walking, his pace steady, his eyes focused straight ahead.The two men didn’t move, blocking his path. As Joshua approached, one of them stepped forward, his face partially obscured by the shadow of his hat. “Joshua Granger?” the man asked, his voice low and emotionless.Joshua frowned, a knot of unease tighte

Cecilia sat stiffly at the far end of the long mahogany table, her hands clasped tightly on her lap, her gaze fixed on the untouched plate of food before her. Across from her, Edward leaned back in his chair, the sharp angles of his face illuminated by the flickering firelight. His dark eyes glimmered with a mixture of arrogance and something deeper—something he fought fiercely to conceal.Edward swirled the deep red liquid in his crystal goblet, his lips curving into a smile that barely touched his eyes. His laughter, low and mocking, echoed in the vast room as he tilted his head back and took a leisurely sip. "Ah, Cecilia," he drawled, his voice dripping with derision. "You sit there so prim and proper, as if you're a guest here by choice. But let's not pretend. You’re here because I willed it." Cecilia’s jaw tightened, her nails digging into her palms, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. She loathed the man before her—his arrogance, his cruelty, his relentl

Edward stared at the deep red liquid in his glass, the reflection of the chandelier above rippling on its surface. His grip tightened slightly, and he muttered under his breath. "Why does she fight me at every turn?" he asked himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "I give her everything—comfort, safety, a life others can only dream of. But it’s never enough for her. Never." He leaned back, closing his eyes briefly as he swirled the wine in his glass again. "Maybe I’m going about this the wrong way," he admitted softly. "But what other way is there? I was never taught how to... care. Love. What does that even mean?" The silence in the room felt suffocating, his own thoughts louder than any conversation he’d had with Cecilia. He opened his eyes, staring into the wine as if it held the answers he sought. "She looks at me with so much hate," he murmured, his tone tinged with frustration. "But why? I’m not a monster. Am I?" He paused, then chuckled bitterly. "No, who am I kiddi

The night was cold, and the dim streetlights cast long shadows across the abandoned warehouse. Sean boss of the Sien clan, stood at the edge of the room. In his hand was a cigar, the smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling. He smiled sarcastically, his expression one of contemptuous amusement. The sound of approaching footsteps echoed through the cavernous space, breaking the stillness. Edward Poletto entered, his dark coat billowing slightly with his confident stride. His expression was unreadable, his piercing eyes scanning the room. There was a palpable tension in the air, the kind that precedes a storm. Sean’s grin widened as Edward came into view. “Finally, you came,” Sean drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. “It turns out you are very brave. I almost thought you’d send one of your errand boys instead.” Edward chuckled, a low, dangerous sound that sent a shiver through the room. He reached beneath his jacket, his hand brushing against the cool steel of the weapon conceale