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Test of Loyalty
Last Updated:
2025-03-17 22:34:08
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Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Chains of the Past
ENZOBarbara sat down in front of me gently cutting through her food as if it was enough to seduce me. Meanwhile, my mother was silent doing the same. Sometimes I wondered if she even considered me as her child. How could she be so comfortable making my life a living hell? “ You better eat something rather than staring at your watch. Glancing at it isn't going to help you disappear.” My mother said without raising her eyes from her food. She could barely look me in the eyes. She never did. Sitting in my wheelchair, I found the entire setup boring. The only reason I had agreed ignoring Lauren's countless devices to keep me at home was because my own mother had threatened me. “I’ll eat when I feel like it,” I replied, my tone flat.Barbara smiled, cutting into her steak with an ease that irritated me. “You should listen to your mother, Enzo. It’s rude to ignore a home-cooked meal.”I clenched my jaw, resisting the urge to snap at her. The only reason I was here was to keep my mother
Last Updated : 2025-03-18Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Blood and Deception
A burning slap hit me hard across my face. I could hear my mother's harsh breathing as she stared at me as well as the gasps in the room. I wasn't surprised she had hit me because of Rafael. I darted my gaze to her strong and bold. I didn't want her to see any signs of weakness or something she could use. I let the sting settle, my jaw tightening as I stared at my mother. Rafael looked stunned, his lips slightly parted as if he hadn’t expected her to react so violently.Eleonora let out a low, mocking laugh from where she stood, swaying slightly. “Well, that was dramatic.”My mother’s fingers twitched at her sides, but she ignored Eleonora, keeping her cold gaze on me. “You will not threaten this family, Enzo.”I scoffed. “This family? You mean Rafael?”Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t deny it. She never did.Rafael stepped forward as if to say something, but I cut him off with a sharp glare. I wasn’t in the mood for his false humility. I was done playing their games
Last Updated : 2025-03-18Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Hunting Shadows
The city blurred past me as I gripped the wheel, pushing the car faster. My pulse was a steady drum in my ears, my breathing controlled, but the fire burning inside me was anything but calm.Lauren wasn’t answering her phone.I dialed again, pressing it to my ear. Ring. Ring. Ring. Voicemail.I clenched my jaw, shoving the phone onto the seat beside me. The moment Eleonora said Lauren had been taken, something inside me snapped. I should have seen this coming. I should have known my mother wouldn’t stop at threats.My fingers tightened on the wheel as I took a sharp turn, tires screeching against the asphalt. One of my contacts had given me a lead. An abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. If Angelo took her there, he wouldn’t keep her long. He was a cleaner. A ghost. He moved fast, left nothing behind. If I didn’t get there in time…I shut down that thought.Not an option.“ Enzo, calm down please.” Eleonora said but I ignored her stepping on the gas. By the time we reached
Last Updated : 2025-03-19Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Nowhere to Run
LAUREN“Ouch. Ouch!” I said unable to sit still as Jake treated my injuries. My entire body was drowning in pain from my broken arm to my ribs. I was shocked I was still alive and Enzo, it had been hours and I couldn't get him. “ This is a sign, Lauren. Right now Enzo doesn't have a single clue about where you are. Even if he does know you escaped, he won't find you easily. How about you leave while you still can? It's the best thing for everyone.” Jake said trying to convince me. He was right. I could give up on the paintings and finally leave. I would try to hide from Enzo and Don Alonzo. However would I truly be safe? I swallowed the lump in my throat, wincing as Jake tightened the bandage around my ribs. Every breath felt like a blade slicing through me. I should be grateful I was alive. Barely, but alive.I opened my mouth but didn't say anything. Enzo wasn't the only one deep in this but I was too. I wanted to be able to know the truth about my father. Jake exhaled sharply,
Last Updated : 2025-03-19Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Key To Freedom
“I told I would give you the world if you're wanted. Why didn't you ask for my help instead? What? Are you in love with Jake?” Enzo whispered in my ears making me tense. No! I wanted to shout the answer so bad but I knew better than to answer him. Enzo liked mind games. He didn't mean his words. Using my free hand, I pushed him away trying to stand up but Enzo didn't let me. “ What do you want? It's been several days and you have locked me up here. I need to breathe, I'm not a prisoner.” I said holding his gaze. “ I'm not keeping you prisoner. You promised to help me with the paintings. Isn't that right, Lauren?” Enzo asked as he gently caressed my hair. I stiffened under his touch, my body betraying me as a shiver ran down my spine. His voice was calm and seductive but I wasn’t fooled. There was an edge beneath it, sharp and unforgiving. Enzo wasn't the type to forgive and I was just waiting. Waiting for what he will do. “You’re keeping me here against my will,” I shot back, ti
Last Updated : 2025-03-20Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Blood Ties and Broken Loyalties
ENZODon Alonzo sat down staring at my mother. Just as I expected, she didn't dare to lift her head up. She was afraid, I knew it. After what she dared to do to Lauren, I had meticulously done my best to see her downfall. Of course, it had not been easy but my mother had a lot of skeletons in her closet. She was never a good mother or a good wife. “ Take a look at these documents.” My grandfather said, his voice low and controlled but I could sense he was angry. “I said take a good look!” My mother jerked back at the tone of my grandfather's voice. “ How dare you think you can take over my company? My company!” My grandfather screamed slamming his cane against the floor, his voice echoing through the grand hall. My mother flinched, her hands trembling as she reached for the documents. I watched, my arms crossed, my expression cold. This was the moment I had been waiting for. The moment she would finally face the consequences of her greed.Her fingers tightened around the pages, he
Last Updated : 2025-03-21Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound by Blood
(Present Day)“Enzo. Enzo, are you drunk?” My eyes flickered open as I heard Lauren's voice. Glancing around, I felt like my entire world was spinning. I could hold my liquor very well normally. It was the first thing I learned from my grandfather. However somehow the alcohol took over and won today. Staring at Lauren, I reached out cupping her face to make sure it wasn't a dream. “ Lauren.” I whispered slowly caressing her face. She placed her hands over mine, steady but firm. “Enzo, what happened?”I wanted to tell her everything. Things that my mother did were something I had never told anyone. I made Eleonora promise to forget them. I should too. “Nothing.” I said chuckling as I tried to sit up. “Nothing, gurriera.” Lauren didn't seem convinced however she didn't push for answers either. Instead, she carried me to bed making sure I was okay before she left. By the time I woke up, my eyes flickered around the dark room. I hadn't slept for as long as I would have loved to. Gro
Last Updated : 2025-03-21Crowned In Betrayal (The Santoro Family 1) Bound by Blood (2)
I stepped on the gas, driving as fast as I could, but it wasn’t enough. The traffic was super long, cars stretching endlessly ahead like a blockade standing between me and the inevitable. My fingers gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as I tried to maneuver through. I tried calling Rafael once more. It rang but he didn't pick. The drive to the safehouse was minutes away, but every second felt like an eternity. My heart pounded as I weaved through the traffic, desperate to get there before it was too late. Before Don Alonzo killed my mother. I slammed my hand against the wheel. “Pick up, damn it,” I muttered, dialing Rafael again. Still nothing.When I finally arrived at the long quiet road leading to the house, my stomach twisted. Black SUVs lined the driveway. Armed men stood outside, their expressions unreadable.Was I too late?Stepping on the break, I parked the car before grabbing my gun. These men were my grandfather's personal men and they were good at fightin
Last Updated : 2025-03-23
Latest chapter
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
