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Fleeing the Flames
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-11 23:48:48
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Crossed Lines
ENZO“Ms. Hills is here to see you.” Stefano's voice made me open my eyes the moment he said the surname. I watched him leave feeling anxious. Quickly, I ran my hand through my hair before glancing at the mirror in my study. By the time he came back, I thought it will be Lauren but it wasn't. It was Taylor. My eyes narrowed as she walked into my study wearing a very elegant short flower patterned dress. She looked almost exactly like Lauren with the way her hair cascaded down her shoulders. “Mr. Santoro.” Taylor said bringing me out of my thoughts. “ I believe I have something to tell you.” “ What might that be?” I asked staring at her cold as I reached for the things on my table. I pretended to start arranging them and didn't offer her a seat. I thought Taylor would take the initiative to leave but she was beyond stubborn. “ I want what you were offering Lauren. Protection.” Taylor said making me stare at her. “ I was offering Lauren more than just protection. I was offering he
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-13Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Crossed Lines (2)
LAUREN“Do you like the dress?” Dante asked as I stood in his arms dressed in a beautiful silver dress with shiny diamonds. I had managed to get away from Enzo. After running I had been kidnapped by the butler of the Riccardi family. I thought it was going to be Rafael but it was Dante. He offered me a deal I couldn't refuse. The same one Enzo had before in the past. Protection. I knew how to handle Dante. I knew what he wanted. I tilted my head, letting a small smile play on my lips. “It’s beautiful,” I whispered, my fingers brushing over the diamonds stitched into the soft fabric. The dress sparkled under the dim light, catching the gleam in Dante’s dark eyes.Dante's hand slid along my waist, pulling me closer, as if testing how real I was. “You wear it well,” he murmured, his voice low and smooth, like a silent warning wrapped in silk.I kept my expression calm, my heart steady. Dante wasn’t like Enzo. He didn’t need sharp words or raised voices. His danger lived in silence, i
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-14Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Deadly Obsessions
ENZOLauren thrashed against my chest trying to push me away. I wanted to remind her who she belonged to. Who was the only man she should be with. After minutes of wanting of kissing her, of claiming her, I finally let her go watching as she gasped for air. Her body had texted to mine as it always did. She could run but she couldn't hide from me. “ You f**king bastard!” Lauren cussed as she raised her hand slapping me hard across the face.Her slap didn't faze me at all. I knew she would react like this yet I still did it. Raising my hand up, I touched my jaw. My gurriera didn't just slap me, she had f**king bruised me. I turned my head back to her, slow and calm, watching the fire in her eyes burn through the tears she was fighting to hold back. Her chest heaved, hands balled into fists, and for a second, I swore I could feel her hate trying to cut through me.But hate was better than indifference. Hate meant I still owned space inside her.“You done?” I asked, my voice low, steady
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-17Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Devil's Errand
LAUREN“Its time to earn your keep, bella.” Dante said as he led me into his private lounge. Even after staying by his side for so long, Dante didn't trust me. He didn't trust anyone, not even himself. The lounge was dark as we walked in. I heard he liked to keep it that way so that important faces wouldn't be leaked. Following him closely behind, I pulled down the short red dress that he had forced me to wear before sitting down by his side. “What do you mean earn my keep? I've done everything you asked me to.” I answered trying to keep my eye on what was going past on around. A man walked in with a bag catching my attention. Dropping the bag on the table, the man nodded before disappearing. Dante leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as the dim light above flickered, casting sharp shadows across his face. He pulled the bag closer, unzipped it, and turned it slightly so I could see inside.Stacks of d**gs neatly arranged in the bag. It was wrapped in plastic and clear as
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-18Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Devil's Errand (2)
ENZO“ Lauren, what's in the bag?” I asked barely able to restrain my voice as Lauren and Rafael sat down in my car. I had just arrived at the club when I saw gunned men attacking the place. Dante's car was also outside which made me suspicious. The moment I saw Rafael rushing out with Lauren, I quickly drove up to them and made sure that they were safe first. Parked on the side of an empty road, I stared at Lauren watching as she grabbed the straps of the bag. I already knew what it was. Drugs. “You already a druggie now? You're Dante's drug mule?” I asked trying my best to control my temper. Lauren’s fingers tightened around the straps, her knuckles turning white. She lowered her head, avoiding my eyes, and the silence that followed only made the fire in my chest burn hotter.“Answer me,” I said, my voice dropping lower as my gaze became sharper. Shhook her head, barely a movement, but it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t in the mood for games. I reached over, snatching the bag from her
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-19Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Silent Warnings
“I don't think you and I have anything to discuss so late in the night, Rodion.” I said staring at him as he sat down in the living room. Rodion’s eyes darted to the bag that Lauren was carrying. It was obvious that he had found out about the bag and come for it. It was just drugs, wasn't it? Why was Rodion so tense?His expression was tight, jaw locked, eyes flicking between me and the bag like he was calculating something far beyond what sat in Lauren’s hands.“That bag,” Rodion finally said, voice low and steady, “ Don't tell me that you were planning on running away with goods I paid for?”I instinctively placed my hand over Lauren's. I could see how scared she was. She had never met Rodion before and Dante had not given her even a picture. Things would have gone bad if she had ran away with the bag. Rodion wasn't the type of person to forgive and Dante would never take responsibility. F**king bastard. “ The bag is right here. You can have it. Whatever deals you have with Dant
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-20Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Whispers in the Dark
LAURENIt had been two days since Enzo and I finally got back together. For the first time, I was able to meet his son, the one that Barbara had prematurely. Enzo claimed that Barbara was locked up getting the help she deserved. I really hoped she wouldn't show up at all. “ What are you thinking about?” Enzo asked as he wrapped his hand around me as I stood in the kitchen. I leaned my head back against his chest, letting his warmth surround me. Since I had decided to be with Enzo now, I needed to trust him instead of worrying. “Nothing important,” I whispered, though the lie tasted bitter on my tongue.Enzo’s hand slid slowly along my arm, his touch light, almost lazy and my body responded to him immediately. I tried hard not to give in. Not to close my eye and give into his torture. “You’ve been quiet all day,” Enzo murmured against my hair. “You and I both know that you are thinking of something. I lifted my eyes, meeting his. Of course, I couldn't lie to him. “Just thinking
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-21Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) You and I
“ Come with me.” Enzo said as he threw me on the bed making me gasp. He was furious, barely holding back himself and I could see it. Watching him run his hand through his hair, I moved back until my back hit the headboard. My chest tightened as he stood there, pacing like a storm trapped in a cage. His jaw clenched, and his eyes burned into me, sharp and wild, like he was fighting every dark thought rushing through his head. The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating, until he finally stopped, turning to face me. His fingers twitched at his sides, like he didn’t trust his own hands near me. “ What are you hiding from me now, Lauren. Don't say you are not because I know you're are.” Enzo said staring at me. My hands clenched at my sides. “ I'm not hiding anything.” I said stubbornly. “ You promised that you won't lie to me again.” His voice was low, but the weight of it crushed the air between us. I swallowed, my throat dry and tight, feeling his stare dig deeper, peeling a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-22
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Hidden Secrets (2)
ENZOI couldn't help but pace around in the warehouse. Leonardo had called me asking me to come and supervise over the productions of the weapons being made. My hands clenched by my side as I thought about what had happened at the hospital. Seeing the little girl who was obviously my daughter, I couldn't help but want to hold her once again. Even if it's just for a brief second. “ Boss? Enzo!” Leonardo called out bringing me out of my thoughts. “ What?” I asked staring at him. I glanced at the boxes where all the guns had been arranged. “Take them out for delivery.” I ordered. The rest of the men did exactly as I ordered carrying the boxes out while Leonardo stayed behind. I couldn't even describe what I was feeling. Anger, disappoinment and hurt. Not at Lauren but at myself. After I found out her identity as Marcello's daughter, I had felt betrayed and abadoned her. I didn't know she had been pregnant. “ Is something wrong? You have been absent minded since. Did something happen
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Hidden Secrets
“ Aurora, don't run around.” I said cautioning my daughter as we walked out of the hospital about to leave. Standing at the counter, I stared at the nurse handing her the prescription the doctor had given us. Aurora was asthmatic just like Giovanni. At first, she had not displayed any signs which made me happy however she started having shortness of breath last year. The doctor had said she should be careful and always have her inhaler on her. That was why I kept a watchful eye on her. She was my world. My baby. “ Aurora, make sure you don't lose your inhaler-” I started when I saw Aurora bump into someone. She stumbled back, but the man caught her before she could fall. His large hands gripped her shoulders gently, steadying her tiny frame. “Careful, principessa.” He said, his voice low. Familiar. Too familiar. My eyes lifted and my breath caught as I realized who it was. Enzo. He stood there in a dark coat, tailored and expensive, the collar turned up slightly against
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Queen Amongst Wolves
LAUREN “You want to take over the Italian Mafia? You?” Enzo asked in a mocking tone igniting the others to chuckle. I didn't care. I shrugged my shoulders walking past them to take my seat. Crossing my eyes, I held Enzo's gaze. “Why not? I have the money and the power. You can see what I've done with the place. My father was an Italian so that makes me half Italian. Is there another reason why I cannot be the leader of the Italian mafia?” I asked, my words silencing all of them in an instant. Their expressions told me everything. They'd rather support Enzo than me because I am a woman. These egotistical men couldn't handle being led by a woman and that was their problem. “ Just because you have picked a few tricks, doesn't mean that you can lead the Italian mafia, gurriera.” Enzo said making my hands clench by my side. “There are a lot of people far ruthless than you are.” I smiled staring at him. “Is that so?” I asked getting up to my feet. Signaling the bouncer at the door, I
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) The Other King
ENZO“Did you really have to behave like that? You humiliated me in front of her again!” Barbara’s voice rang through the hallway, sharp and loud, chasing after me like it always did.I didn’t answer. I kept walking.I needed to see my son.I pushed open Giovanni’s room door and stepped into the warm room. It smelled like lavender and old storybooks. Toys were scattered on the floor. Tiny cars, a red ball, a stuffed lion missing one eye.He sat cross-legged on the rug, building something with blocks. His dark curls fell across his forehead, and his little brow was furrowed in deep concentration. When he looked up and saw me, his face lit up.“Papa!”I knelt down, letting him crash into my arms. His small arms wrapped around my neck, and for a moment, everything felt still.“How was your day, Gio?” I asked softly, brushing his hair back.“I made a tower. Mama said it could reach the moon.” He grinned, showing me a crooked stack of blocks that swayed with every breath.I chuckled. “It j
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bids Of Fury
Slow music played on the background. Men and women moving around. I moved around the crowd with Miguel smiling as we talked and chatted. My hands clenched as I saw Enzo. I didn't want to alert Miguel so I stayed firm pretending not be okay. But my eyes kept drifting. I scanned the room searching for Enzo. To see if he has already come or if he was going to come soon. Although I was at the party, I didn't want to expose myself just yet. Now was not the time. “Lauren?” I heard someone call making me stiff. No one called me Lauren anymore. I turned to see Rafael behind me. He was dressed handsomely in his suit. Two years had gone by and I couldn't be more grateful enough. If he had not saved my life by coming to get me, I would have been dead. Enzo did not care. “Rafael,” I started as a small smile formed on my lips. “You're here too” “ Of course I am here,…..” Rafael said as he looked around before lowering his tone. “Why didn't you tell me you were back in the country, Lauren? You
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Velvet Blades
I swallowed feeling my throat tightening as I stared at Enzo. I quickly turned my gaze away not giving him enough time to see my face. “Sorry.” I muttered as I walked past him heading straight to my car. I put Aurora in her seat making sure she was secure before I got in. Starting the engine, I drove as fast as I could leaving before Barbara could show up. “Mommy, did I do something wrong?” Aurora’s small voice broke the silence in the car, soft and unsure.My grip tightened on the steering wheel. I forced my eyes to stay on the road, even though her question made my heart feel like it was cracking open. The image of Giovanni insulting my daughter and pushing her down made me mad. He was innocent. Two years ago, he had been nothing but a baby. “No, baby,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”She was quiet for a second, then I saw her fiddling with the hem of her dress in the driver’s mirror. “But you looked sad. And that man looked mad.”I blink
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Back For Revenge
LAUREN -Three years later Taylor. Her face appeared in my dreams for over a month. I couldn't get her out of my mind or out of my memory. For the last few months I had been having the same dream. The dream I thought I had forgotten. Sighing, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. It was already morning, the sun slipping through my windows. I went down to the living room after I was done to make breakfast. The house was quiet. I grabbed a pan and started cracking eggs into a bowl. The smell of butter and toast slowly filled the air. Then I heard it. The sound of little feet slapping against the floor. I tensed almost about to reach for the knife beside me when I heard her voice. “Mommy?” I turned around just as my daughter came into the kitchen, rubbing her sleepy eyes and holding her favorite stuffed bunny by one ear. Her curls were a mess and her cheeks still puffy from sleep. “Good morning, lovebug,” I said, crouching down. She shuffled into my arms and yawned agains
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Veins Of Treachery (2)
ENZOLauren’s scream still echoed through the room, her voice thick with grief and fury.“If you want me dead, just do it, you monster!” She said making my grandfather clock his gun. My eyes widened as I stood in front of both of them. Lauren had been crying for a while and had not stopped for a second. I didn't expect Don Alonzo to pull the trigger. I moved fast. Faster than I’d ever let myself in front of him. I stepped between them, my hand raised slightly toward Don Alonzo.“Enough,” I said, my voice low and controlled but barely.Lauren was behind me now, shaking, her sobs ragged. Taylor’s blood had already started to pool beside her feet but Lauren didn't care. Don Alonzo’s eyes narrowed. “Step aside, Enzo.”“She’s not your enemy.” I answered. “She’s a liar. And liars die.”“She’s mine,” I said, forcing the words out. “And that means she answers to me. No one else.”Don Alonzo’s jaw ticked. “She made you weak.”The tension between us skyrocketed as both of us stood. I knew wh
Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Veins Of Treachery
The drive was quiet.Too quiet.Enzo didn’t look at me once. His hands stayed tight on the wheel, his jaw locked, his eyes straight ahead. There was no music. No words. Just the low hum of the engine and the panic building in my chest.I sat beside him, trying to breathe normally. Trying to act like I didn’t feel the shift. Like I didn’t notice the way his eyes had gone cold ever since Leonardo had woken up.The meeting was been held in Don Alonzo's estate tucked behind heavy iron gates. Guards stood tall, guns in view. One of them opened my door. I stepped out, heart pounding.Enzo didn’t reach for my hand as he usually did. “ Enzo, I think we should go back home. I don't feel too well. Plus leaving Giovanni alone after he just recovered doesn't sit well with me.” I said trying to pull him back but Enzo dodged my touch. I thought he was going to leave but he suddenly Enzo walked back to the car before crouching down in front of me. He reached for my legs gently taking them out of th
