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Author: Josemary
last update publish date: 2026-09-11 06:51:17

The little clothing store was one of the oldest in Willow Creek. The brass bell above the door jingled cheerfully as I pushed it open, the sound bright against the quiet afternoon. Rows of neatly folded shirts, jackets, trousers, and boots lined the wooden shelves, carrying the comforting scent of fresh fabric, cedar wood, and a hint of lavender from the sachets Mrs. Maggie tucked between the stacks.

The elderly shopkeeper looked up from behind the counter and smiled warmly.

“Ava.”

I returned
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  • Saved a Stranger, Now The Bride of the Mafia Devil    I chose you

    The city lights blurred past the window, tall buildings stretching higher than anything I'd ever seen in Willow Creek. I pressed closer to the glass, watching the streets fill with people who moved like they had somewhere urgent to be, even this late at night."You've never been to a city before," Dante said. It wasn't quite a question."Not one like this." I turned to look at him. "The biggest town I've been to had one traffic light."Something flickered across his face —amusement, maybe, softened by the exhaustion still etched around his eyes. "It'll take some time getting used to."The car slowed and turned into a private drive, and I sat up straighter as a hotel came into view, the kind with a doorman in white gloves and a lobby that looked like it belonged in a magazine, all marble floors and gold light fixtures."Dan, this is…" I didn't even know the word for what this was."It's secure," he said simply, like that explained the chandeliers. "Marco arranged it."The car stopped

  • Saved a Stranger, Now The Bride of the Mafia Devil    The city

    Ava POVThe man standing in front of us raised his rifle, and every part of my body went cold. Rain streamed down my face, mixing with the tears I could no longer hold back. My injured ankle throbbed painfully beneath me, but the pain suddenly felt insignificant compared to the weapon pointed directly at us.Dante stood in front of me and even surrounded by armed men, he looked frighteningly calm.I clutched the back of his shirt with both hands, pressing myself as close to him as I could.“Drop the gun,” the man ordered but Dante didn't move.My heart slammed against my ribs. I wanted to scream at him to give them whatever they wanted and that his life was worth more to me than anything else. I didn't care about the farmhouse, the money, the animals, or even what happened to me. I just didn't want to lose him. Not after finally finding someone I loved and not after finally allowing myself to believe that I wouldn't have to face the rest of my life alone.“Dan…” I whispered.He didn't

  • Saved a Stranger, Now The Bride of the Mafia Devil    End of line

    Dante POV BANG!The kitchen window exploded inward as a bullet tore through the room, showering them with shattered glass. I dropped my voice into a tone I hadn’t used in months.“Stay down.”Ava stared at me, heart pounding so hard I could almost hear it. She stammered a question—what was happening—but I didn’t answer because there was no time. I crouched low and moved toward the old wooden drawer beneath the kitchen counter where I had hidden the pistol weeks ago.Then, another shot exploded and wood splintered from the wall above the sink, sharp fragments flying. Ava gasped and curled into a tight ball on the floor, arms over her head, whispering my name. I reached the drawer, pulled it open, and grabbed the pistol. The motions came back smooth and practiced as the calm of the battlefield settled over me like an old coat. I racked the slide, then crawled back to her.She looked up at me and I immediately knew what she saw—the warm husband who had teased her in the clothing store,

  • Saved a Stranger, Now The Bride of the Mafia Devil    Show off

    The little clothing store was one of the oldest in Willow Creek. The brass bell above the door jingled cheerfully as I pushed it open, the sound bright against the quiet afternoon. Rows of neatly folded shirts, jackets, trousers, and boots lined the wooden shelves, carrying the comforting scent of fresh fabric, cedar wood, and a hint of lavender from the sachets Mrs. Maggie tucked between the stacks.The elderly shopkeeper looked up from behind the counter and smiled warmly. “Ava.”I returned the smile. “Mrs. Maggie.”She walked around the counter and gently squeezed my hands. “I’m so sorry about your father, dear. Thomas was a good man.”My smile softened with gratitude. “Thank you. He really was.”Only then did Mrs. Maggie notice the tall man standing quietly behind me, carrying every basket I had handed him without complaint. Her curious eyes traveled over Dante, taking in his broad shoulders and calm presence. “Oh? And who is this handsome young man?”My cheeks turned a soft pin

  • Saved a Stranger, Now The Bride of the Mafia Devil    Stay-at-home husband

    Golden light slipped through the thin curtains, spreading soft patterns across the bedroom floor as morning slowly settled over the farmhouse. I stirred beneath the blanket and remained still for a few moments, reluctant to leave the warmth of the bed. Then I turned my head toward the man sleeping beside me.I couldn't remember ever seeing him look this peaceful.During the day, there was always something guarded about him. Even when he was relaxed, some part of him seemed to remain alert, as though he was constantly listening for danger but sleep had taken all of that away. His features were softer, his breathing slow and even, and a few strands of dark hair had fallen across his forehead.I smiled without realizing it and it still felt strange to look at him and think of him as my husband.Months ago, he had been nothing more than an injured stranger who had somehow found his way into our barn. I had never imagined that the man I had found bleeding and barely conscious would eventua

  • Saved a Stranger, Now The Bride of the Mafia Devil    My Dan

    I’m sure. I want this. I want you.”Those were the words that left my mouth.I felt the weight of his gaze on my face as he pulled back just far enough to search my eyes, needing to see the truth there before he let himself believe it. Whatever he found settled something deep in him, and the tension in his shoulders eased. I inhaled softly, my hands resting instinctively against the solid warmth of his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms.For a long moment we stayed like that, looking at each other, breathing the same air, feeling everything we still weren’t saying. The silence was thicker, more intimate than any touch had been so far. His hand tightened at my waist while his thumb brushed lightly over the fabric of my sweater, then both hands settled on my hips, grounding me.“Ava… are you absolutely sure?” His voice was low and serious. “We don’t have to rush. I don’t want you to feel like this is something you have to do. This is a big step. I need to hear

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