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CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Author: Rena_bliss
last update Last Updated: 2025-09-30 14:17:53

TESSA

I shifted my gaze immediately, making it seem like I was preoccupied with whatever I was doing.

Smooth right? Well it wasn't. My heart raced, my cheeks burning in embarrassment.

He had just caught me shamelessly checking him out!

I screamed in my head but had to keep my cool.

He came around, taking a seat by the island.

I dished two plates, and placed the bigger portion in front of him.

He stared at the plate, probably contemplating if it was safe to eat.

“I wouldn’t go through the stress of poisoning you, you know? You look really heavy. I’d break my back trying to drag your body out of here.,” I tried to joke.

“Comforting,” he said flatly, not looking up.

I rolled my eyes at him. “That was supposed to be a joke.”

He lifted his gaze. “You're terrible at jokes,” he said, clearly unamused.

“Or maybe you're just terrible at laughing,” I muttered under my breath, low enough to avoid him hearing.

I carefully lowered myself on the other seat. The air around us was awkward. I twirled
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  • Claimed by the Italian Mafia King   CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

    TESSAI didn't answer, not because I didn't want to stay, but because I was scared. Because anything I said right now could break either of us. But the look on his face as he thought I was repulsed by him was even more heart wrenching.“No,” I said quickly, squatting in front of him. “No, I don't find you despicable. Not even one bit,” I confessed.His eyes searched mine as if looking for an atom of truth in them. “I frighten you,” His voice dropped, his face scrunched as if those words left a bitter taste in his mouth. I shook my head slowly, not finding my voice. “I can see it in your eyes. You're scared.”He was wrong. I wasn't scared of him. I wasn't scared that he could hurt me. I was terrified about what my acceptance would mean. “I'm not,” I whispered, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ears. I reached for his hand, holding them in mine. “I'm not scared of you, Leonardo… This–this is all too much for me. With the–the whole contract and everything—”“To hell with the c

  • Claimed by the Italian Mafia King   CHAPTER FIFTY

    TESSA“Is–is that blood on your shirt?” Panic rose in my chest as I stared at him. Red stains splattered across his shirt.I raised my eyes to meet his. They were dark, void of any emotion. I desperately prayed for it not to be what I was thinking but a deeper part of me knew exactly what it was.My eyes stung as they blurred. “Leonardo…,” I whispered, taking a step closer while holding back the tears that threatened to spill.When I stepped into his room and didn't find him anywhere, I feared for the worse. But now seeing him here, it all made sense to me and right now, I didn't know if I truly wanted him to tell me where he had been. I didn't want him to confirm the obvious. I wished it was just my overthinking making things up but I knew better.He was who he was and not even a wheelchair could make him any less ruthless.I just hoped that maybe… perhaps he could be a little less lethal. But that would be impossible.I took a deep breath, my legs moving on their own accord towards

  • Claimed by the Italian Mafia King   CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

    LEONARDO Fuck this pain! I hated feeling this useless and helpless. I fucking hated the pity looks. It agitated me more than it calmed me. I hated that a mere fucking accident was able to put me down. “Fuck!” I yelled, slamming my fist against the edge of the bed. Pain shot through my knuckles but it was nothing compared to the anguish and frustration I felt within. Those bastards were getting fucking bold. A straight up attack on my life? That's very foolish of them because I'll make sure to wipe every last surviving bastard in their bloodline off the face of the earth. I hissed in pain as I tried to reach for the wheelchair from the bed. I groaned as a searing pain shot up my spine. “Oh my God, Leonardo. You should have called for help,” the door opened and closed, Tessa rushing to my side. ‘Help?’ I mentally chuckled. If I heard that damn word one more time... What was I? A weakling? I pushed her hands away, hating the fact that she saw me this vulnerable. “I can do it

  • Claimed by the Italian Mafia King   CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

    TESSA“Why can't I feel my legs?”My chest tightened as those words left his lips and then my heart skipped a bit, my blood ran cold.He looked at me, confusion etched on his face.“Mr. Vitale, take it easy,” the doctor cautioned when Leonardo strained to move his legs but failed once more.“Why the fuck can't I feel my legs?!” His voice was louder now, fueled with anger.“Mr. Vitale, calm down—”“Don't fucking tell me what to do!” he thundered, knocking over the tray of medical equipment by his side. I flinched as the tray fell to the ground with a clanking sound, its contents rolling away.“Leonardo…” I gasped, my voice lower than a breath.“Fuck!” Leonardo slammed his fist into the mattress, breathing hard, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might crack. “I’m not staying in this bed. I’m not—” His voice broke for the first time, barely audible. “I’m not going out like this.”My heart twisted painfully in my chest.“Mr. Vitale, you shouldn't force—” the doctor shut up mi

  • Claimed by the Italian Mafia King   CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

    TESSA I hummed softly, stirring as fingers brushed through my hair. My eyes blinked open, adjusting to the light. A dull ache shot through my neck from sleeping in such an awkward position, and I winced as I tried to lift my head. “Watching you sleep just became my favorite thing to do,” a deep, familiar voice murmured. I lifted my gaze to meet his. His eyes, those deep green eyes I thought I might never see open again, stared back at me. In that moment, every fear I’d carried for days washed out of my chest like someone had finally let me breathe again. “You’re awake…” I whispered, my voice catching as I wiped a tiny line of drool from the corner of my mouth. Heat rushed to my cheeks. “How—how are you feeling?” He tried to push himself up and immediately hissed in pain. “Easy,” I said quickly, placing my hand gently on his chest to stop him. “Don’t try to move yet.” Leonardo let out a low groan. “Hurts like hell,” he exhaled roughly. “How long…have I been out?” His brows kni

  • Claimed by the Italian Mafia King   CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

    TESSA“Tessa…” his voice was gravelly, like it hurt him to speak. His fingers curled weakly around mine as his eyes fluttered close. His chest rose in a shallow breath. I bit my lower lip to stop the sobs that came out. “I thought…” I exhaled through my lips in an attempt to calm myself down. “I thought I lost you,” I said with a broken laugh, even as tears streamed down my face.He groaned painfully. “Mi dispiace,” he said in a strained voice. (I'm sorry)“No. No,” I shook my head. “You don't have to say sorry. You came back,” I said, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand. “You came back to me and that's all that matters.”“But I made—” he began, his voice was strained, like it hurt him just to speak.“Shh,” I said, brushing the strands of hair sticking to his forehead. “Don't try to speak. Just breathe.”He nodded, exhaling faintly as his eyes flickered. “Don't go.” He whispered, fragile and afraid in a way that I had never heard from him.My heart broke all over again.“I won

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