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Chapter 45

last update Last Updated: 2025-04-11 12:59:07

Riccardo

The house was still, except for the occasional creak of the aging walls. After the chaos of the last few days, the quiet was a relief, but sleep still eluded me. The sharp pain in my ribs from the bullet wound was nothing compared to the frustration swirling in my mind.

I wandered into the kitchen, shirtless and clutching a glass of whiskey. The cool air brushed against my skin as I leaned against the counter, watching the amber liquid swirl. I should have been concentrating on the Sterlings, the mole we had to deal with, anything but her.

But Ava kept invading my thoughts.

I took another sip, my jaw tightening in irritation. She drove me crazy—her stubbornness, her defiance, her reckless tendency to put herself in harm's way. And then there was that kiss. Just thinking about her lips on mine sent a rush of emotions I couldn’t quite identify.

The sound of soft footsteps pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Ava standing in the kitchen doorway.

She wore a silk nigh
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    Ava Judas strolled over to Anrico and Massimo, then shot Riccardo a wicked grin. "De Lucca, meet Anrico and Massimo." He yanked Massimo by his hair, pulling him closer to the screen. "Looks just like you, huh?” I wanted to mess this guy up real bad, but honestly, it wouldn't do much for me. He let go of Massimo and grabbed a handful of Anrico's hair. She whimpered while Massimo growled, and I struggled against the ropes binding my hands. "This little girl looks just like her hot mom, but in a kid's body; I wouldn't mind it though." He licked her face and said, "This girl is just a bonus; I love me some young girls." "Let her go, asshole!" I yelled. This was not how I wanted my kids to meet their dad, but if we survive this, I'm going to make Judas pay. No, I’ll torture him first, then kill him. "What’s it going to be, De Lucca?" "What do you want?" Riccardo growled. "I want Bento De Lucca. That bastard killed my little brother, and now I'm going to kill your little brother," Jud

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    Ava Judas just picked me up like I was a feather. I mean, I had lost some weight, but he really threw me against the wall with all his strength. I screamed as the chair collapsed beneath me, my arms twisting in ways they shouldn't. I fought hard to keep my limbs safe; I needed them to escape and survive. Damn it, I glanced over at my kids and saw my daughter Anrico crying, snot running down her face and smearing her lips. My sweet girl, Anrico. Then I looked at my son Massimo, who was on the verge of tears but holding them back, trying to be strong for me and his sister. My eyes darted to the screen where Riccardo was watching me, completely emotionless, showing no interest. I knew for sure that we were in this situation because of him. "This is a waste of my time; I'm done here," Riccardo growled, checking his watch like he had better things to do. What an asshole. "We're far from done," Judas chuckled, waving his hand, and Brown Head yanked my kids by their hair, dragging them

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 81

    Ava 6 YEARS LATER I can't believe this is happening. My only friend, Judas, who I thought would be there for me during my toughest times, turned out to be the very monster I always feared. He actually put a gun in my face right in front of my kids and forced us into a van. I'm overwhelmed with so many emotions right now that I can't even pick one. I'm scared out of my mind, but I have to stay strong for my kids. I glance back at them from the front seat and see my little girl and boy terrified, clinging to each other, sometimes shutting their eyes tight when fear hits them. It makes me so angry and breaks my heart to see them like this; they shouldn't have to feel scared. Their big eyes are filled with tears, and their little cheeks are marked with tear tracks, just waiting for me to comfort them. Six years ago, I found out I was pregnant and hoped Riccardo would come back, but he never did. I waited two weeks before asking my brother to send him the divorce papers, and then I lef

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 80

    Ava I made my way to our shared bedroom, my steps purposeful, almost robotic. My hands shook as I opened the closet and without a second thought, I started yanking clothes off the hangers, tossing them into a suitcase. Jeans, shirts, dresses—everything I could cram in, everything that reminded me of my life before this chaos. I didn't bother folding anything; I just stuffed it in, fueled by anger and frustration that made each action feel sharp and almost aggressive. I had no idea where I was headed, but I didn't care. I just needed to leave. I kept thinking about Riccardo. How indifferent he was. He probably wouldn't even realize I was gone until it was too late. He was too lost in his own turmoil, too wrapped up in his grief and anger. Even if he did notice, I knew he wouldn't try to stop me. He didn't want me. That realization stung more than I wanted to admit, but it was the truth. I was just another burden to him, a part of his life he couldn't be bothered to hold onto. He had

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 78

    AvaThe funeral felt like a haze of black and white—everyone in dark suits and surrounded by white flowers, with faces that showed no emotion. People moved in and out of the church like they were part of a ritual they had to get through. The air was heavy with the smell of roses and incense, but all I could taste was a bitterness I couldn't quite place. Riccardo stood at the front, stiff and silent, like a stone statue. His jaw was so tight it looked like it might break. His dark eyes were cold and distant—completely detached. The man I had known just weeks before was gone. He had turned into someone else. A shadow. A ghost. Bento was next to him, staring at the coffin, his lips pressed together and his face pale. He hadn’t said a word since we got there. He was just a shell of the easygoing guy I used to know. His shoulders were slumped, and the usual spark in him was gone, buried under the heaviness of the day.Then there was Steph... she was a whole different story. She couldn’t ev

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 77

    Riccardo I poured myself another glass of whiskey, my hand steady even though a storm raged inside me. The burn slid down my throat, but it didn’t reach the numbness I was seeking. The bottle was nearly empty, sitting on the edge of my desk. Good. I’d need another soon. The house was quiet now. Bento, Steph, Ava—I couldn’t be there. Not for them, not for anyone. Because if I stayed, I’d shatter. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. My mother’s face flashed in my mind—her gentle smile, the way she’d squeeze my hand as a child, assuring me everything would be alright. She was the only softness in my life before I met my wife. I could still picture it vividly—the moment I found her. It was etched in my memory like an indelible scar.She was sprawled on the floor, her body lifeless and awkward, her skin as white as the marble in the hallway. It was baffling. I had never seen her like this before. She wasn't merely asleep, despite how I had tried to convince myself at first.

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 76

    AvaThe morning was pretty chill; I was in the kitchen with Virginia, chopping veggies and kneading dough while she kept an eye on me. She was humming softly, moving with such precision. “Signora Ava, you're improving,” she said with a warm smile as I fumbled to shape the dough into a ball. I chuckled a bit. “If by improving you mean 'not a total disaster,’ then sure, I'll take it.” Virginia laughed and shook her head. “You're doing great.” Meanwhile Lucifer was wandering around the kitchen, occasionally bumping my leg with his nose. The whole scene felt almost too perfect, but I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that had been hanging over me since the family dinner a few days back. Just as I was putting a pot on the stove, I heard Riccardo's footsteps. He walked in, phone in hand, looking serious. I was about to say hi, but he just walked past me, totally focused on the call he was making. “What is it?” he snapped as soon as the other person picked up. His tone made me freeze,

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 75

    Ava The De Lucca estate was buzzing the next evening as the staff got ready for the family dinner. The grand dining room, usually so formal, felt cozy tonight, like everyone had decided to let their guards down for a bit. It had been weeks since we had a full family dinner, and tonight felt like a step back towards normalcy. We aimed for a peaceful evening, trying to bring the family together, even with the unspoken tension lingering in the air. The fine china was set for a meal that was supposed to be filled with chatter, laughter, and a sense of normal life. But there was a noticeable heaviness tonight, something we all felt but couldn’t quite put into words. I was the only one who seemed to notice it, a thick, suffocating presence. Everyone else was chatting and laughing, but my eyes kept drifting back to Riccardo. He sat at the head of the table, hardly touching his food, lost in thought. Yet his gaze was locked on me, tracking my every move, like a predator watching its prey.

  • Substitute Bride for the Mafia Don   Chapter 74

    RiccardoI reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer. “Take it off,” I commanded, my tone firm and non-negotiable. She paused, narrowing her eyes as if weighing her options—whether to comply or resist. But I could see the flicker of something deeper in her gaze. It was a game, a challenge. Fear was gone; she was... thrilled. With a slow, teasing motion, she reached for the zipper on her dress. Her hands shook just a bit as she pulled the fabric down, revealing her smooth skin bit by bit. I couldn't take my eyes off her, feeling a primal urge rise within me. Her hesitation only fueled my desire. This wasn’t about submission for her. No, this was her taking control. She was undressing for me, but on her own terms, stretching out the moment, turning it into a tease rather than a surrender. When her dress pooled at her feet, leaving her in just lace, I let out a slow, appreciative breath. She was stunning, every curve an invitation, every inch a weapon. Standing tall, her ey

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