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CHAPTER 12 — RE-NEGOTIATION

Author: Micci
last update Last Updated: 2025-05-06 01:54:14

I dialed the unknown number, my heart racing as a computerized voice answered on the other end. The stranger's instructions were clear on where to meet. At Kingwickes headquarters.

The following day, I made my way there, nervously waiting for my mysterious contact's next move.

The marble lobby felt different now, colder somehow, as if the building itself no longer recognized me.

"Well, look who it is," came a familiar voice that made my stomach drop.

I turned to find Sophia standing there, her perfect red lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Tyler stood beside her, his arm casually draped around her shoulder.

"Marianna," Tyler said, his voice dripping with mock surprise. "Didn't expect to see you here. Thought you'd be busy with your...what is it you do now?"

"I hear unemployment is quite the demanding career these days," Sophia added with a light laugh, examining her manicured nails. "Though I suppose that's what happens when you throw away opportunities."

I opened m
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    (VINCENZO'S POV) I tossed the file onto the desk and rubbed my bleary eyes. The clock on the nightstand read 1:42 AM. I stretched my arms overhead, feeling the strain in my shoulders from hours hunched over documents preparing for tomorrow's meeting.A muffled thud followed by quiet cursing filtered through the wall from Marianna's adjoining room. “Since the clerk announced a spare room next to this one, I have not found peace” I complainedPausing, head tilted toward the sound. The lamp in her room still cast a thin line of light beneath the door connecting our suites. She'd been awake for hours.I approached the door, hand raised to knock, but stopped as I recalled the verbal lashing she'd given me earlier that evening.My hand dropped to my side. Whatever was keeping her up wasn't my problem. I turned away from the door, switched off my lamp, and slid beneath the covers. The occasional sounds from her room continued as I drifted off to sleep.Morning arrived with merciless brigh

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 17 — CONFLICTED MISHAP

    (MARIANNA'S POV) I found myself staring at Vin's face as he grinned “You might bore a hole in my head with your stare” he grinned and helped me up to my feet. I stared in as I watched him walk back to his desk to work with his pen as it moved swiftly across documents. The sharp line of his jaw, the intensity in his dark eyes, the way his brow furrowed in concentration. He was undeniably handsome. In another life, if he weren't who he was, if this marriage weren't what it was...“Stop it,” I chided myself. If he weren't a mafia boss, a manipulator, a killer then what? I would have thanked whatever higher power existed for such a husband? The thought was absurd.I tried walking away, nearly toppling a chair in the process.A laugh escaped his lips, low and rich. "Am I too handsome for you to concentrate, Marianna? Is that why you're staring?"Heat rushed to my cheeks. "You're delusional.""Remember," he said, leaning forward, "you can do whatever you want with me. Part of our agree

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 16 — QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 15 — A FAILED SABOTAGE

    (SOPHIA'S POV) “That sly” I bit my lower lips “She has done it again” I watched as Vin excused himself out of the dinner hall with Marianna clamped to his side. He was supposed to be the one there. I turned to my grandfather who gave me a nasty glare, knowing that I must have been the one behind this “Why are you looking at me like that?” I whispered “I didn’t do it, grandpa” “We will discuss after this” and faced to talk with the guest seated beside himI gritted, my mother who was sitting right beside me patted my back, grabbing my attention. "Sophia, what's the matter with you? You look ill." Mother's voice grated on my already frayed nerves."Nothing. Leave me alone," I snapped, not caring how rude I sounded as I swat her hand away from my back.Across the table, Grandfather's piercing gaze found mine. His eyes narrowed with suspicion. I subtly shook my head, silently communicating my supposed innocence. The lie hung between us, unspoken but palpable.Back in my quarters, I

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 14 — INAUGURATION BANQUET

    (VINCENZO'S POV) I stood in the doorway, watching her. Marianna bent over the files I'd given her, brunette hair cascading forward like a curtain. She had changed since returning from the coast, harder walls I hadn't anticipated. “What are you up to?” I asked “Nothing” she replied, her eyes not leaving her tabletEven during our shopping trip, she'd been distant, eyes fixed on something I couldn't see while trying so hard not to show any weakness, even if it hurts herA smile touched my lips as I recalled how she pulled that gun on me in that washed art studio. Even with trembling hands, she maintained her stance. I want to break that defense down, that mental wall she had built. Even if it means breaking her too to get inI retreated silently to my desk and unlocked my tablet where I got a notification from the page she commented. The art page she frequented. Had to know what or who is grabbing all her attention. So I did a background check on him. “Jason Mercer, local artist

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 13 — EARLY REGRET

    (MARIANNA'S POV) I followed Vin through the sleek corridors of Lombardo headquarters, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor. Each step felt like I was walking deeper into a trap of my own making.Vin pushed open the door to his office, a sprawling space with floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the city. My eyes immediately fell on a small desk positioned right beside his larger one."That's your workspace," he said without looking at me, already settling into his leather chair."You can't be serious." I stood rooted to the spot. "I need my own office. Something with walls and a door."He finally looked up, one eyebrow raised. "You're my personal secretary, Marianna. The job requires proximity.""This is surveillance," I snapped.A slow smile spread across his face. "Call it what you like. The arrangement stands."Before I could argue further, Vin strode to my desk, dropping a stack of files that landed with a heavy thud."These need your attention.

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 12 — RE-NEGOTIATION

    I dialed the unknown number, my heart racing as a computerized voice answered on the other end. The stranger's instructions were clear on where to meet. At Kingwickes headquarters.The following day, I made my way there, nervously waiting for my mysterious contact's next move. The marble lobby felt different now, colder somehow, as if the building itself no longer recognized me."Well, look who it is," came a familiar voice that made my stomach drop.I turned to find Sophia standing there, her perfect red lips curved into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. Tyler stood beside her, his arm casually draped around her shoulder."Marianna," Tyler said, his voice dripping with mock surprise. "Didn't expect to see you here. Thought you'd be busy with your...what is it you do now?""I hear unemployment is quite the demanding career these days," Sophia added with a light laugh, examining her manicured nails. "Though I suppose that's what happens when you throw away opportunities."I opened m

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 11 — A CRIMINAL WITHOUT A CRIME

    (MARIANNA'S POV) "Niccolò," Vin whispered, keeping his weapon steady despite the fear flooding my system. "Let her go.""Why would I do that?" He pressed the gun harder against my temple. "When she would have been my ticket to finally becoming the dom"My mind raced through options of escaping. As though he knew what I was thinking, he shoved me to the wall, tightening his grip around my neck“Do I look like I'm here to play, brother?” his gun flipped my hair “What scheme are you hiding?” "I'm not hiding anything from you," Vin replied, taking a careful step forward. "You went missing so there was no other choice than to fix me in."He laughed, harsh and bitter. "Yes, that was the plan, wasn't it? Father's perfect scheme." His eyes darkened. "Did you care to look for me, Vin? Or were you too busy taking my place?""Yes I did," Vin went on, throat tight. "But knowing you, brother, you would have been laughing at me from a distance. You are really good at disappearing""If I knew it

  • BOUND TO LOVE MY ENEMY   CHAPTER 10 — SEARCH AND FIND

    (VINCENZO'S POV) I stared at the file Katarina had given me, relief washing over me that Niccolò hadn't managed to take it. My eyes widened as I scanned its contents. The information confirmed my worst suspicions about my father's dealings and revealed connections I hadn't anticipated."Impossible," I muttered, turning the page to examine the financial records.After several minutes, I glanced at my watch. Marianna should have returned by now. An uncomfortable feeling settled in my stomach.“Where did she go to by this time of the night?” I thought as I picked up my phone and dialed her number “No service?”Confusion covered my face. Why can't I reach her? Where is she? As much as I want to make sure she is alright, something feels rather off. I pressed the intercom. "Send up the driver. Now."Minutes later, Marco appeared at my office door, his cap clutched in trembling hands."Where is she?" I asked, my voice deceptively calm."Sir, I—" he swallowed hard. "On our way back from

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