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CHAPTER SIXTEEN — WHEN PROTECTION BECOMES A CAGE

Penulis: Ese Akpan
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-12-14 02:50:20

The mansion no longer slept.

That was the first thing Amara noticed when they returned.

Lights blazed across the estate like a fortress preparing for siege. Guards doubled—then tripled—at every entrance. Men spoke into earpieces, weapons no longer hidden beneath jackets but worn openly, deliberately.

War posture.

Leonardo didn’t let go of her wrist until they were inside his private wing.

Only then did he release her.

“Sit,” he ordered, pointing to the leather couch in his office.

Amara obeyed, her body still trembling from adrenaline. The echo of gunfire hadn’t left her ears. Every time she blinked, she saw sparks off metal, felt Leonardo’s body shielding hers.

He paced the room like a caged predator.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen tonight,” he muttered.

“You used me as bait,” Amara said quietly.

Leonardo stopped.

He turned slowly, silver eyes sharp. “I used the situation. Not you.”

“That’s a lie,” she snapped, her fear finally breaking into anger. “You knew they’d come.”

“I suspect
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  • THE MAFIA KING’S UNWANTED BRIDE   CHAPTER SEVENTEEN — LESSONS IN POWER

    Amara woke before dawn to the sound of footsteps outside her door.Not hurried.Not loud.Measured.She sat up instantly, heart pounding. The west wing was different—closer, quieter, heavier. She could feel Leonardo’s presence here even when he wasn’t in the room, like the walls themselves answered to him.A knock came. Sharp. Precise.“Up,” a male voice said from the other side. “Training starts now.”Training.So he hadn’t been bluffing.Amara swung her legs off the bed and opened the door. Dante stood there dressed in black combat gear, his expression unreadable.“You’ll follow me,” he said.She didn’t argue. She already understood something crucial about Leonardo’s world: resistance wasted energy. Strategy did not.They moved through the mansion’s lower levels until the air changed—cooler, metallic. Dante stopped before a reinforced door and pressed his palm to a scanner.Inside was a training hall.Weapons lined one wall. Mats covered the floor. Surveillance cameras blinked softl

  • THE MAFIA KING’S UNWANTED BRIDE   CHAPTER SIXTEEN — WHEN PROTECTION BECOMES A CAGE

    The mansion no longer slept.That was the first thing Amara noticed when they returned.Lights blazed across the estate like a fortress preparing for siege. Guards doubled—then tripled—at every entrance. Men spoke into earpieces, weapons no longer hidden beneath jackets but worn openly, deliberately.War posture.Leonardo didn’t let go of her wrist until they were inside his private wing.Only then did he release her.“Sit,” he ordered, pointing to the leather couch in his office.Amara obeyed, her body still trembling from adrenaline. The echo of gunfire hadn’t left her ears. Every time she blinked, she saw sparks off metal, felt Leonardo’s body shielding hers.He paced the room like a caged predator.“This wasn’t supposed to happen tonight,” he muttered.“You used me as bait,” Amara said quietly.Leonardo stopped.He turned slowly, silver eyes sharp. “I used the situation. Not you.”“That’s a lie,” she snapped, her fear finally breaking into anger. “You knew they’d come.”“I suspect

  • THE MAFIA KING’S UNWANTED BRIDE   CHAPTER FIFTEEN — THE NIGHT OUT

    The necklace was heavier than it looked.Amara felt its cold weight settle against her collarbone as Sofia fastened the clasp behind her neck. The silver tag disappeared beneath the fabric of her dress, but the knowledge of it remained—constant, intrusive.A reminder.Leonardo De Luca always knew where she was.“You don’t have to go,” Sofia said quietly, smoothing invisible creases from Amara’s dark emerald dress. “He may say you do, but… you still have a choice.”Amara met her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t look like a prisoner tonight. Her hair was pinned loosely at the nape of her neck, her face calm, her posture steady.That frightened her more than the tracker ever could.“If I stay,” Amara said, “I’ll rot in that room wondering what he’s hiding from me. I’d rather face the danger.”Sofia hesitated. “Just… stay close to him.”Amara gave a humorless smile. “I don’t think that’ll be hard.”The estate buzzed with quiet activity as night settled in. Black cars lined the drive,

  • THE MAFIA KING’S UNWANTED BRIDE   CHAPTER FOURTEEN — THE GHOST OF ISABELLA

    Morning sunlight filtered weakly through the tall windows of the east wing. Amara lay awake long before dawn again—sleep avoided her like it feared touching this house. Her mind was still reeling from last night’s meeting.The hostility.The looks.The accusations.The way Leonardo had stood behind her chair like a silent storm waiting for the right moment to strike.And the worst part?The way he said he’d see it if she lied.It made something cold settle in her stomach.Was he right?Did he really see through people that easily?Or did he just think he did?Amara pushed the thoughts aside and slipped out of bed. Her room, though luxurious, felt like a cage made prettier just to make the prisoner forget the bars.A knock sounded at her door again—gentle, measured.She opened it.Sofia stood there with a neatly folded outfit in her arms.“Good morning,” she said softly. “Mr. De Luca asked that you be dressed and downstairs in an hour.”Amara frowned. “Why?”Sofia hesitated. “He didn’t

  • THE MAFIA KING’S UNWANTED BRIDE   CHAPTER THIRTEEN — THE INNER CIRCLE

    Sofia led Amara through a series of hallways, each wider and more intimidating than the last. Amara’s palms were sweating, but she forced her shoulders back, fighting the urge to shrink into herself.If Leonardo wanted her to play the role of his wife, she wasn’t going to walk in looking broken.Sofia had dressed her in a simple, elegant black dress—long sleeves, high neckline, something that screamed power without being overly revealing. Her hair was brushed back, and she wore no jewelry.“You look perfect,” Sofia said softly. “But… be cautious. They are very loyal to Leonardo. And they are not gentle.”Amara swallowed hard.“What are their names?”“There are three you need to worry about,” Sofia whispered. “Marcello—his right hand. Dante—head of security. And Rocco—his cousin.”Sofia hesitated at the last one. “Rocco… is the most unpredictable.”Terrifying. Great.They reached a large double door. Sofia nodded once, encouragingly.Then she knocked.“Enter,” a deep voice commanded.S

  • THE MAFIA KING’S UNWANTED BRIDE   CHAPTER TWELVE — THE SUMMONING

    AMARAMorning came too quickly.Amara lay awake long before sunrise, curled beneath unfamiliar silk sheets. She hadn’t slept—her body was exhausted, but her mind refused to rest. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the auction room… Leonardo’s cold stare… the lock clicking on the outside of her door.She pushed herself up slowly.The room looked different in daylight. Softer. Almost welcoming.Almost.Her gaze drifted again to the door. Still locked.A reminder.She was a possession here. An object purchased. A woman trapped in a gilded cage.Amara inhaled shakily and climbed out of bed. Her bare feet touched the warm carpet. She walked to the balcony and pushed the door open.Cool morning air rushed over her skin.The estate stretched outward—acres of forest, guards patrolling silently, cameras perched like watchful eyes. Even the birds seemed cautious.Amara placed both hands on the railing.“You’ll do exactly as you’re told,” he had said.She clenched her jaw.Not if I can help

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