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Chapter 44
Last Updated:
2025-02-24 23:09:14
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Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 45
Chapter 45RAYANA POVA daunting weight pulled on my muscles as we detrained from the car at the entrance of the industrial park. I was out in a heartbeat, my gaze transfixed on the big, tall, warehouse buildings spread all over the vast area. Alejandro came to stand beside me before draping a bullet vest on me. “Wear this.” He commanded as he already fastened it around me. I aided him by taking off the coat I was wearing and fastening it underneath, then belted my coat to hide the vest. James needed to think that we were unprepared. “What’s the plan?” I locked eyes with him, somehow the weight of the situation becoming less and less with every passing second. Because deep down in my heart, I knew that this man would move mountains and cross the damn rivers for me. And for my family. “We have men already inside the warehouse. I have their location…” He checked his watch before scrolling onto it and nodded to himself. “But they are not to move until we arrive in there. We cannot ri
Last Updated : 2025-02-25Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 46
Chapter 46RAYANA POVThe rain poured out the dark clouds that hung from the skies, as though the universe itself was mourning the loss of my brother. But I knew it in me that it wasn’t that. To me, it felt like I was mourning my humanity, my humility. The innocence I had clutched onto my whole entire life believing this world was a solid black and white. Everything that had happened in the past three months taught me that it wasn’t it. There was so much that we didn’t see with our naked eyes, and I can’t believe just how naive I had been this entire time. I had been there when my brother’s life was taken from him, and even as I sat in Alejandro’s fancy penthouse- curled on the lounger- I still couldn’t feel even a small tinge of remorse inside of me.James had signed his death contract the minute he killed our father. Me casting him out of the family tree was just a simple way of teaching him accountability for his actions; making sure he knew there were consequences to every littl
Last Updated : 2025-02-25Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 47
Chapter 47RAYANA POV“Please tell me we are wrapping this HAL thing. My mind can’t handle working in circles.” Charlotte burst into my office before walking straight to my desk and dumped a large folder containing undoubtedly, a bazillion files I was supposed to look into. “The money was deposited into their bank account, the ribbon cutting was a success, and the construction has already started, so I tell you, we are wrapping the HAL thing,” I responded with a smile as I watched her plop on the chair in front of me, leaning back. “How are you, baby sis,” I asked, taking her fully in with her movements. There was no denying it, something had changed inside of her that night, something that killed the innocence in her heart and opened her eyes to the ugly world we lived in. A pang of guilt stabbed my inside at how I failed to protect them. She and Charles did not deserve any of that. My fight was with James and they didn’t need to get involved. “Winter is almost over, I can’t wait
Last Updated : 2025-02-26Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 48
Chapter 48RAYANA POVAs It Was by Harry Styles poured out of the speakers of the Lexus SUV they picked us up with from the airport, and my hummings accompanied the tune while I continued bopping my head back and forth. Alejandro was clearly unfazed by my choice of music, and a snort of laughter bubbled out of me. He just shook his head and continued scrolling on his phone, not saying a word to me. The men who came to pick us up were more of the stuck-up Suitsthan Alejandro ever and nothing like Kaito, and I figured that it was a Russian thing. We drove for less than half an hour before we came to a heavily guarded black gate. The driver rolled down his window before leaning into the eye-detect security system. The green light flashed across his eye before a soft ping went by, and the gates whooshed open. I sat there, mouth hanging open while taking everything in. Not even the queen’s palace was THAT guarded. Heck, and the palace was known to be the most guarded place in the world
Last Updated : 2025-02-27Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 49
Chapter 49ALEJANDRO POV“Call me as soon as the conference ends, you hear me?” I growled out the window at Rayana who stood there looking feverish and so excited about this whole new thing. She looked like a kid on her first time trip to Disney Land. And the mere look at her calmed the storm inside of me. “Yes sir. Even when I want to let out a stinky fart, I will surely reach out to you.” She teased with a wink, then laughed at her own joke before peeking through the window and stealing a kiss on my lips, then rushed into the gates of the big guarded gates. Kaito chuckled at her joke as well. I realized I had one hell of a dry humor when that little joke didn’t faze me. “She is such a character.” Kaito commented with a shake of his head, and I couldn’t agree more. We waited until she was further inside before we pulled back to the road and drove away. I hated this place. Every nook of it reminded me of all the horrible things that are in this world. Yet slithering down the stre
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 50
Chapter 50 ALEJANDRO POVThe throb on my side was slowly making me lose my mind. The drive back to Odintsovo seemed to be longer than usual, and somewhere along the ride, I felt my vision giving out. I ground my teeth, hating how weak I suddenly felt. Fuck. The knife must have been poisoned. That’s how shady the Russians were. “Hang in there.” Kaito rattled as he shifted gears and literally threw the car into sport mode. The roar of the engine and the exhaust pipe filled the streets, tires screeched, and all the side-to-side swaying made me even more dizzy. “Fuck. I told you we should get out of here.” He banged the steering wheel. “I am fine. This is nothing a medical patch won’t fix.” I said through clenched teeth, my skin growing hotter and hotter with each passing second. I could feel bids of sweat dripping down my spine, and I knew that if this continued, I might not make it. And fuck. My Rayana!“The Russians are going to come knocking at our door. Hard.” He took a sharp
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 51
Chapter 51RAYANA POVThe conference was utterly unlike anything I have ever been to before. The topics were long dragged, the arguments never ended, people called out each other with horrible names and the shit hit the fan way sooner than one would expect. But at the end of the day, everything was brushed off in such a formal manner I failed to understand how these people functioned. It was during this conference I realized that my life had really pivoted. And I am talking real ass change. From drafting the budgets for the archduchy to representing the whole of the UK and the crown was something I never dared to even fathom in my entire life. And it looked like it was just the beginning. Just as Alejandro had said.I knew there were many more conferences like this one I would attend, and I wish my aunt, the queen was here for a quick hug. This was such an eye-opener. I smiled from where I sat, alone and assessing everything before my eyes. Ambassadors smiled and chatted about ho
Last Updated : 2025-02-28Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 52
Chapter 52RAYANA POVThe twenty-minute drive to Odintsovo seemed to be taking an eternity. The President and Melanie had tried convincing me to stay behind while the Mossad took care of the criminals, but I kicked the idea straight to hell. I was not going to stay tucked safely in the white house while Alejandro fought for his life. Like he did with me, I was going to stand in front of bullets and carry them with my back instead. The tension was thick and cloying in the truck as we neared the base. I barked directions to the driver, and he patiently listened to my ramblings while swerving the car expertly until we arrived at the gate. Somehow we managed not to get lost and made it to the base. My prayer knew no end as I asked god to keep him alive until backup arrived. Alejandro needed to live.My heart leaped into my throat when I realized the giant gate was torched to the ground. I covered my mouth to stifle the cry that followed. There was no hope. There really was no hope.
Last Updated : 2025-02-28
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Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 84
Chapter 84ALEJANDRO POVThe next stop was La Luna Rossa; but with what I had just discovered, all I wanted was to go back home and hug my woman to my chest while we dozed off to the sound of her calm breathing. My day was going so well, so well that I had not anticipated the idea of one of those measly cartels trying to deceive me. To think the Stridda thought I would not notice the difference between cocaine and white flour was insane, and I was here trying to think of the ways I could end them. We filed into the car and I tore out of the parking lot without looking back. Rayana’s hand landed on mine and she gave me a small squeeze. I looked at her face to find her plastered with that small smile that was full of promises and comfort all at the same time. I heaved out a loud sigh and brought her hands to my lips. “Talk to me.” I remained silent for a few minutes before spilling everything. “We have clients all over Europe. Clients that have a strict schedule on when they woul
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Chapter 83RAYANA POV The ride back to the base was filled with nothing but me caressing and assessing the two black stones that remained canoodled in their velvet cradle inside the big black box. My fingers continued tracing the sharp edges, careful not to slice myself with the preciousness and soil it with my blood. I mean, I was not in any way from a humble background. I had seen a fair share of luxury and knew it when I saw it. I owned an array of diamonds jewelry and other precious stones, but these… these were rather something else.They were warm under my touch, sparkling under the light around us. They felt like whole living, breathing aliens that could transform in an instant and swallow us into their never-ending obsidian and eternal darkness. And that only made me feel even more drawn to them.“They are warm,” I noted as the Pagani continued roaring and traveling down the Italian road at an unbelievable speed. “Black diamonds unlike others, swallow up the light. They don
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 82
Chapter 82 ALEJANDRO POVHeat spread through me like debris from the molten lava as I watched her shimmy into black suit pants and a white silk blouse. The pants were so long that they pooled around her feet and swept the floor when she walked into the closet, and I had to chuckle at her petite frame and height. Everything about my wife was so perfect! So mine!She left the closet a heartbeat later standing on heels which made her slightly taller so that the pants didn’t have to sweep on the floor. She had a small gold clutch in her left hand, and big, round earrings dawning her ears. Black sunglasses covered her eyes, and I had to pinch myself to see whether I was dreaming. And nope! I was very much awake and my wife was in front of me doing a small twirl to show me her outfit for the day, with the brightest smile plastered on her face. “Is this perfect?” “More than perfect.” I stood from where I was sitting and took lazy strides in her direction. I realized that she somehow manag
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 81
Chapter 81Hours bled into days, and with each passing day, I got lost in the beauty of Italy. This whole entire place was like something I had never seen. Yes, I used to come visit Rome with my dad on his diplomatic missions back in the days; but being cooped up inside heavily guarded hotels restricted me from exploring the space and falling in love with it. What we got back there was just the tip of the iceberg. Or maybe it was just Sicily that seemed to be carved out of a fairytale book, but I didn’t remember Rome being as any good! The intricate architectural designs, the culture, the damn food my sister and I stuffed our faces with… Everything was a die for. Our days were filled with exploring every nook and every corner of this place, and with every place we set foot on, I couldn’t help but balloon with pride at the idea of my man underhandedly ruling all of this!Heck! To think I was the Queen? HIS QUEEN?When he was out on business with the rest of the guys, he would leave
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 80
Chapter 80ALEJANDRO POVI was hard as fuck when I climbed into the back of a black Mercedes amg cls, Lorenzo on my side while Kaito took the passenger seat. One of the soldiers was on duty to drive us around the city as we took care of businesses, but all I could think of as we slipped out of the property was how I wanted to hold my woman in my arms as I fucked her so hard she’d shatter in pieces in my hold, then scream my name before kissing me with everything she had inside of her.“Block your cock a little, boss. We will be back in no time and you will have all the time to make love to your wife.” Viper called out on a soft snicker, probably fed up with my grunting like I was some type of a dog in heat. Maybe I was. Maybe this thing I was feeling was the exact thing any other normal man felt when he remembered they had a newly wedded wife waiting for them in the bedroom of their house; and that she would welcome him with a smile and a hug when he got off work after a long tiring
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 79
Chapter 79RAYANA POVFirst bits and pieces of awarenss found me laying on my back. A soft groan slipped past my lips as I stirred on the soft surface of the mattress, my body itching to turn to the side. I did just that, my right hand searching for something, for warmth and the entity I know should have been right there when I reached out. But all I touched was coldness and nothingness that sent panic unfurling in the core of my belly. My eyes flew open to take in the foreign surroundings, and slowly, memories from last night pieced together to form a clear picture in my brain. A smile formed on my lips as my eyes once again swept around the place. The whole setting was eye catching under the dim lights… But with sun streaking across the room? It was something I have never seen before. I peeled myself from the warmth of the blankets and the bed and padded across the place. Taking in every single detail of the room which was now going to be my cradle. The accents were a mixture o
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 78
Chapter 78RAYANA POVWhen Alejandro said ‘base’ I expected something along the lines of a big space literally in the middle of nowhere, probably in the woods. Some tents, camping tents, and a whole lot of camping material. A shooting arena of course, and some of the boxing stuff I saw back at the Vetro apartments. I sure as hell not prepared for a whole estate, with what one could simply regard the buildings as apartment buildings. There were a solid five of them, stretching about five floors from the ground. But the beauty of them all, the style, everything seemed to have come straight out of the history books with their caramel tones and everything. The minute we rolled through the black iron gates, I figured we were lost, probably took a detour, or stopped somewhere to ask Aunt Betty for a pack of her homemade cookies. I did not expect a whole neighborhood, a modern, suburban neighborhood to be a base. A small “wow” slipped out of my mouth when we came to the main house. I fi
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 77
Chapter 77ALEJANDRO POVMy ears clogged on ascending. Luckily I had a little good human to keep my mind occupied. Viper had made it a deal to call us into the small office at the back of the jet, between the lounge space and the bedroom space, to fill us in with the happenstances that had occurred in my absence. Some of the things he hinted was that maybe, just maybe, we have been hunting for the traitor from the wrong huddle. His words haunted me even an hour later as I lay in the lounger with Rayana’s body on top of mine, her head snuggled in the crook of my neck and her breaths coming out in small pants. Everything about her was just so perfect. So natural. Even the way she casually touched my cheek here and there while looking into the small device in my hand, all made me believe my little notion that she was indeed the rib of my ribs!“Check this out.” I drawled in a small raspy voice. Her attention flew to the tablet in my hand. I scrolled a few before clicking onto the link
Claiming The Archduchess Chapter 76
Chapter 76RAYANA POVI woke up curled into Alejandro’s side, his whole being wrapped around me like a warm comforter. I let my eyes take him in fully, let them wander on every single nook and crook of his face. I printed each detail to memory, and for the umpteenth time, I was awed by the beauty of this man. Long lashes, thick eyebrows that only models could get from terrible laser operations, lips so full and lush that the V dipped so down low. He had these beads of sweat on his forehead that I just wanted to lick with my tongue because that’s how much I loved him. When sleeping, he looked so beautiful. No angry grunts, no heavy sighs, no tiredness that weighed so heavily on him that it was all evident in his simple glance… Just peace. His scent was the soothing elixir I never knew I needed. I was never really a big fan of scents and personal odors, but Alejandro made me find out things about myself I never really knew I had in me. If it were a few months ago I would cringed at t
