THE DEBT OF DESIRE
Don Matteo DiCarlo is a ruthless mafia lord, feared across the city for his power and cold heart. When a wealthy businessman, Richard Thornton, defaults on a large loan, Matteo is dispatched to collect the debt. Upon arriving at Thornton’s mansion, Matteo is met with the grim realization that the once-wealthy tycoon is now nothing more than a broke fool, living far beyond his means by borrowing money from the wrong people.
Desperate to save face, Richard offers his most precious asset—his daughter, Isabella—as payment. Matteo is initially repulsed by the idea. Isabella is soft, delicate, and far too weak for someone like him. She's the very picture of vulnerability, and Matteo has no patience for weakness.
However, as the days pass and Matteo spends more time in her presence, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. Isabella, though fragile in appearance, hides a fierce resilience beneath her gentle exterior. The more Matteo tries to keep his distance, the more he’s tempted by the soft touch of her skin, the innocence in her eyes, and the way she challenges his cold exterior without even trying.
As their relationship heats up, Matteo must battle his growing attraction to the woman he initially deemed unworthy. But Isabella has her own secrets and desires, and the line between debt and desire begins to blur as their chemistry intensifies, testing both their limits.
In a world of power, corruption, and deceit, will Matteo be able to claim what is his without losing himself in the process? Or will Isabella be the one to change the Don’s heart forever?
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Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTYThe cold air sliced through the trees like a whisper of danger as Mateo stepped forward, the silence around him too loud to be ignored. The forest that once offered sanctuary now felt like a trap, and it was no illusion. His father stood before him—sharp-suited, eyes like flint, and a cruel smile carving his face."I always knew you were stubborn," his father said, his voice calm. "But chasing after that boy... did you think I wouldn't notice?"Mateo’s hand tightened around the gun at his hip. Isabella was just behind him, eyes wide with disbelief, her breath shallow."Where's Luca?" Mateo demanded, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.A low chuckle from the shadows answered him first. Then Elena stepped out beside Mateo’s father.Isabella gasped. "You... you betrayed us again?"Elena didn’t flinch. Her eyes, once full of warmth, now glinted with icy detachment. "You were never supposed to get this far. But I’ll admit... I almost believed you could change things, Mateo. Almost."Ma
Last Updated: 2025-04-24
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY - NINEThe rain had started again, a slow drizzle that painted the world in shades of gray. Mateo stood at the edge of the clearing, eyes scanning the tree line as the scent of wet earth filled his lungs. Behind him, Isabella’s laughter rang softly through the cabin, a fading echo of the rare peace they had found.But peace never lasted.Elena burst through the door, her boots soaked, her face pale. “We have a problem.”Mateo turned instantly, his hand reaching for the gun on the counter. “What is it?”“Luca’s gone,” she said breathlessly. “He went to scout the east side of the ridge and hasn’t returned. It’s been hours.”Isabella stood, her face falling. “No… he wouldn’t just disappear.”Elena shook her head. “No signs of struggle. Nothing. But the tracks I found—they weren’t his alone. Someone else was out there.”Mateo’s jaw clenched. The storm had returned.“Gear up,” he ordered. “We go now.”The forest was darker than usual, shadows crawling like serpents through the underbrush. Isabell
Last Updated: 2025-04-23
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY - EIGHTThe sun filtered through the dusty blinds of the safehouse, bathing the wooden floor in stripes of warm light. It was the kind of morning that promised peace, rare and fleeting in their world, but beautiful nonetheless. Mateo stirred in bed, the weight of Isabella’s head resting gently on his shoulder, her breath soft and even against his skin. For once, there were no gunshots, no sirens, no running.Just quiet.Mateo turned slightly to face her, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She looked peaceful, her guard finally down. The constant tension that had lined her features in the past few weeks seemed to have melted away, if only temporarily. He kissed her forehead lightly, his chest tightening with an emotion he hadn’t dared name before.Love."You're staring," Isabella murmured without opening her eyes, her voice still thick with sleep.Mateo smiled. "How could I not? You're the only good thing in this madness."She opened her eyes slowly, a small smile spreading across he
Last Updated: 2025-04-21
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY - SEVENThe night had fallen softly over the secluded cabin, cradling it in shadows and silence. For once, there were no gunshots echoing in the distance, no tense footsteps crunching leaves outside. The world had taken a breath—and so had they.Inside, the fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting a warm glow over the rustic room. Mateo sat on the edge of the bed, his shirt open, revealing bruises fading into the tone of his skin. His fingers absentmindedly traced the old scar that ran along his ribs, a reminder of the battles they’d survived.Isabella stood by the window, her silhouette bathed in moonlight. The soft cotton of the oversized sweater she wore barely brushed her thighs. It had been his once. Now it looked better on her. She turned, eyes meeting his, and for a second, the world shrank to just the two of them."You’re thinking again," she said softly, moving toward him.Mateo smiled faintly, tired but present. "I’m always thinking. Especially when it’s quiet like this."She knelt
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY - SIXThe forest had fallen quiet after the chaos of their near-capture. The moon hung low and full above them, casting a gentle silver light over the campsite Luca and Elena had managed to set up in a remote clearing. For the first time in days, there were no footsteps stalking them, no shadows whispering threats from the darkness. Just the soft rustling of the trees and the occasional crackle from the fire.Isabella sat by the fire, her knees drawn to her chest, eyes watching the flames dance. Her hair was tousled, her face tired, but there was a softness to her features tonight. The sharp edges of fear had dulled, replaced by a quiet, pensive calm.Mateo returned from the perimeter, his shoulders finally relaxed, the weight of constant vigilance momentarily eased. He saw her, silhouetted against the fire, and something inside him ached. They had both been holding on so tightly—too tightly. And now, in the lull, he felt the tremble of everything he’d held back.He sat beside her silently,
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY - FIVE The silence after his father’s voice was deafening. On the flickering screen, his father stood in a control room lined with monitors, his eyes sharp, unreadable.Mateo took a step forward, heart pounding. “You knew we were coming.”“Of course I did,” his father said calmly. “Everything you’ve done, every place you’ve run to, every person you’ve trusted—I’ve been watching. Waiting.”Elena slammed a fist against the control panel. “He’s bluffing.”But Mateo wasn’t so sure. His father had always been a step ahead. What if this entire escape, their rebellion, had played right into his hands?Isabella pulled Mateo back from the screen. “We don’t have time to let him play mind games.”Luca was already checking weapons, his shoulder wound hastily bandaged. “We need to move. Now. He knows we’re here.”Elena hesitated. “There’s a secondary tunnel, off the east wing. It leads to the old lab where they did the original trials.”Mateo looked at her. “Why would we go there?”Elena met his gaze, so
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
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