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Six
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2025-01-17 17:00:00I’m standing in the bathroom, the harsh fluorescent light reflecting off the mirror as I examine my wounds. Angry red burns mark the places where the metal rods touched my skin, leaving painful blisters and scorched flesh. There is still the strong smell of rubbing alcohol from the so-called medic who was called in to tend to my wounds. I wince as I gently probe one of the wounds with my fingertips, feeling the raw, tender skin beneath. I don’t want to think of how I got myself into this unfortunate situation where I just made a deal with the devil who had his friends almost electrocute the skin off my bones.
I don’t know if looking for my father is even worth it at this point. I wish I could give up, but this is for my mother. I’ve already gotten myself this deep; I can’t give up now. I turn on the shower, watching the steam rise and fill the small space. The mere thought of the water hitting my burns makes my stomach roll, but I know I desperat
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The Don's Forbidden Muse Seven
When Alessandro said the place we were going to would be unsafe, I didn’t exactly picture a ghetto. It reeks of smoke and desperation, and we couldn’t find anywhere safe to park, so Alessandro had to leave the car somewhere a little safer. We left most of our belongings there because, sure, Alessandro obviously carries a gun and can offer some level of protection, but that isn’t a guarantee. I can see the way people are eyeing us, and I bet most of their stares are directed at him. In a world like this, he’s probably like a god to them.Jamie leads the way confidently, Miles close behind her. Alessandro and I follow, my stomach twisting in knots. I try to jump over a ditch filled with filthy water I’d rather not think about, but I miss a step. Alessandro is quick to steady me. His hand on mine feels electric, and I quickly pull away, swallowing hard.“You shouldn’t have worn those fancy shoes,” he says, glancing at my heeled ankle boots.“I didn’t have time to get a new pair,” I reply
The Don's Forbidden Muse Six
Coming here for drinks with Jamie was a mistake, probably because this is the first time in five years that Alessandro and I are actually in a room together. For what has it been now? Thirty? Forty-five minutes?It is awkward, to say the least.Jamie seems to be having a good time, grinning like a cat, clearly enjoying herself as she leans against the bar counter. She’s been at this for however long we’ve been here, teasing everyone—mostly Alessandro—about his brooding demeanor. I get that she’s trying to make this whole thing less awkward, but it’s kind of hard.See, Jamie and Alessandro had a past. Sure, I get it, it was purely contractual with no feelings involved, but that should make, if not me, her boyfriend uncomfortable. Now, Alessandro’s past with me is a well-known fact. And we came here to talk about my dead husband, who was Alessandro’s best friend, so yeah—it can only get more awkward.“Honestly, Renée,” Jamie says, swirling her drink, totally ignoring my warning look. “H
The Don's Forbidden Muse Five
I should have gotten in the car and driven away, but I didn’t. There’s a part of me that feels if I leave without getting the answers I came for from Jamie, it would feel like Alessandro has won. This isn’t about him—it’s about Luca. And if I have to sit in this car and cry my heart out while I wait for Jamie to show up, then so be it.I didn’t bother looking back to see where Alessandro went, but when I got in the car, I couldn’t see him where I had left him. I take a deep breath, trying to push away the storm of emotions he’s stirred up. My hands are still shaking as I fumble inside my bag for my handkerchief. My mind is a jumbled mess of anger, grief, and exhaustion. I don’t know why he thought saying all that to me was okay.I hear a tap on my window and sniffle as I quickly wipe my tears with the back of my hand, looking up.It’s him.I’m tempted to roll my eyes. I don’t have the energy to deal with him again.“What do you want, Alessandro?” I ask in a flat voice.He taps the win
The Don's Forbidden Muse Four
My mind is racing, spiraling out of control, and I can’t stop it. I can’t think. I can’t move.I can’t breathe.The gun is pointed straight at me, and my chest tightens painfully. I can’t see clearly; my vision is blurry, and I can feel the panic attack slowly taking over. My breathing speeds up, turning into gasps for air. It’s all too much. My legs feel weak beneath me, and I feel like they’re going to give out at any second.A gun. A goddamn gun.I’m gasping for air, each breath shallow and insufficient, until the sobs start—gut-wrenching, uncontrollable. My entire body is shaking as memories flood me, drowning me. I’m not here anymore. I’m back there, on that day, hearing the shot.The sound of it echoes in my mind, loud and clear, as if it just happened. I see Luca falling, his blood staining the ground. My heart feels like it’s being ripped apart all over again.I’m clawing at my chest now, desperate for air, desperate for something to ground me, but nothing works. Nothing. And
The Don's Forbidden Muse Three
I just stare at her as she walks toward me, too frozen to move even if I wanted to. Motherhood has done Maria good, no doubt. It’s a thought I can’t shake as she gets closer. She’s radiant, more stunning than I remember. Time has softened her, and, contrary to what anyone would expect, motherhood has only made her more beautiful. Her features are sharper but still delicate. Her skin glows, her hair falls in soft waves around her face, and even her casual outfit—a simple blouse and jeans—looks like it was made for her. I hate that I can notice even the tiniest details that make her this beautiful. How much more beauty can one person have?“Renée?” she says again, her brows furrowed in surprise, her lips curving into a half-smile. “I thought I saw someone who looked like you. What are you doing here?”I clear my throat, shrugging. “Nothing,” I reply, my voice clipped.She tilts her head, studying me. “Are you in therapy too?”I remain silent. It’s obvious. This building kind of hosts th
The Don's Forbidden Muse Two
I’m seated in an armchair across from Dr. Hensley; her office is as familiar to me as the scent of lavender she always diffuses. I’ve never been much of a fan of coming here, but when you go through a traumatizing and life-altering event like the one I did, you don’t get much of a choice. It’s been years since I last saw her, but she hasn’t changed much. Her warm smile and attentive eyes make me feel like I’ve stepped back in time.“It’s good to see you again, Renée,” she says in a calm, steady voice, just as I remember. “It’s been what, two years, two and a half years?”I nod, my hands twisting together in my lap. “Something like that.”“And what brings you back to me after all this time?”I shrug. “You’re the only therapist I have in the country,” I joke, and she smiles, nodding.“That’s good to hear. Have you been doing more sessions back at home?”I look away when she asks that. I haven’t been as committed as I was supposed to be. When the nightmares stopped, so did the sessions.
The Don's Forbidden Muse Chapter One
Two Years Later“Roses?” Luca asks in a soft, curious voice.I nod. “Yes,” I say, smiling up at him. “But not just any roses. Red roses.”He chuckles, his arm brushing mine as we walk side by side. “Red roses, huh? Not white, not pink?”I nod again. “I love roses.”“You know, I never thought you’d be a rose-loving kind of girl. Roses seem… too ordinary,” he says, and I shrug.“I’m just an ordinary girl, Luca.”He shakes his head. “Not even in the slightest,” he says. “So, red roses it is.”I laugh. “If I were ever to get married, it would have to be red roses. They’re passionate, bold… beautiful.”“Point taken.” He gives a playful, mock-serious nod, and I nudge him with my elbow.“It’s just a joke,” I tease, grinning. “The marriage part. You don’t have to take notes. I mean, marriage? Who does that anymore?”He stops, turning to face me, his expression suddenly solemn. “I do. With you.”My smile fades, replaced by something warmer, something deeper. “Luca…”“I’m serious,” he says, tak
The Don's Forbidden Muse Chasing After Her Ghost
PrologueTwo Years AgoMy phone is pressed to my ear, my hand shaking slightly as I pace around the room. My wedding dress brushes softly against the floor with every step I take, the delicate lace catching the light streaming through the tall windows.Saying I am nervous would be the understatement of the year.“I feel like I’m going to throw up,” I say in a shaky voice."Renée.” His voice is calm and warm, steadying me even through the phone. “Breathe, amore. Everything is going to be perfect,” he says, and I sigh, smiling.I stop and stare at my reflection in the floor-length mirror, taking in the nervous girl staring back at me. She is beautiful. I am beautiful. This dress is perfection, and it makes me feel beautiful, so I hate that I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach. “What if something goes wrong?” I whisper, voicing the fear that’s been eating me up all morning.It’s not like many people liked the idea of us getting married. Even getting here, we had to fight for it.
The Don's Forbidden Muse Epilogue
One year laterThe soft click of the camera is the only sound in the room as I lean in closer, adjusting the angle to capture the perfect shot. My client is seated on the velvet chaise, draped in delicate lace. Her confidence radiates through the lens, and she is beautiful. The natural light streaming through the tall windows bathes her in a warm glow, highlighting every curve and detail.“Beautiful,” I murmur in a steady voice as I guide her. “Tilt your chin slightly… yes, just like that. Perfect.”This is my world now. My studio, my work, my passion. It’s been over a year and a half since I found my footing in this country, and my boudoir photography has taken off in ways I never imagined. Had someone told me I would stay here and make it my home after all the tragedies that happened, I would have laughed in their face. But here I am. High-end clients, features in glossy magazines—it’s everything I dreamed of an
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