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The Games of the Heart
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In the dangerous world of organized crime, love is a luxury few can afford. But for Andrea Lopez, the daughter of a powerful mafia family, it's the one thing she craves most. Despite her kindness and resilience, past traumas have left her wary of opening her heart. When fate brings her face-to-face with Stefano Costanzo once again—her best friend's brother and the ruthless don she's always longed for—sparks fly, and old wounds reopen. Stefano, a cold and ruthless mafia don, lives a life devoid of emotional attachments, harboring a secret pain known to few. Yet, seeing Andrea again after so many years reignites emotions he thought long buried. As they navigate the treacherous waters of their shared past and uncertain future, they're drawn inexorably together despite their best efforts to resist. But their reunion is not without peril. Stefano's dangerous world threatens to consume them both, and Andrea must confront not only her own demons but also the demons of the man she loves. Can they find redemption in each other's arms, or will their love be their undoing? *** “Why the hell did you just do that?” I demand, my anger rising. “I’m trying to protect you,” he says, his eyes blazing. “Protect me from what? A good friend?” “He’s not who you think he is. I don’t trust him.” “You don’t trust him, or you’re fucking worried he’ll take me away from you?” I challenge. Stefano’s eyebrow arches. “You think I’m worried he’ll take you away from me?” He leans in close, his lips brushing my ear. “Oh, luce del sole, no one can take you from me. You’re fucking mine.”
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The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FIFTY
ANDREA Once we arrive at the club, Emily and I make a beeline for the bar, eager to kick off our night with a few shots. The alcohol burns pleasantly as it goes down, and I can already feel the welcome warmth spreading through my veins, loosening my limbs and quieting the ache in my chest. My mind flashes briefly to the devastating actions of my father earlier, his lack of remorse in his eyes as he crushed my feelings. But I forcefully push those thoughts aside, determined to lose myself in the pulsing beat of the music and the buzz of the liquor. Right now is about forgetting, about drowning my sorrows until the sharp edges of my heartbreak are blurred and numbed. “Do you want to dance?” Emily shouts, her voice barely carrying over the pulsing beat and raucous chatter of the packed club. Her eyes, though glassy from the tequila, still hold shadows of pain from her earlier conversation with Santiago.“Yes,” I yell back, tossing back one last shot for liquid courage before allowing h
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
STEFANOI adjust in my seat, securing my seatbelt as the plane prepares for takeoff. My heart flutters with anticipation at the thought of soon being reunited with Andrea. I was on my way to surprise her. I had missed her so deeply these past weeks, and I couldn’t bear to spend another minute apart from her warm embrace.The ache of missing her, of needing her, has become a physical thing - a hollow in my chest that only her presence can fill. I drum my fingers impatiently on the armrest, watching the flight attendant make her final rounds before takeoff.But something's wrong. The plane isn't moving, the minutes stretching on without the telltale lurch of acceleration. My brow furrows as the attendant hurries toward me, her face pinched with concern."What's the problem?" I ask, irritation clear in my tone. Every delay is a minute longer until I can hold Andrea in my arms again.The attendant's throat bobs as she swallows nervously. "Um, sir...your brother is blocking the terminal."I
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
A few days have passed since my lunch with Ivan. I’ve debated telling Stefano about it, but given his tendency to act rashly when it comes to Ivan, I decided to hold off until I was certain about how to approach the situation.Those thoughts fade to the background as the car comes to a halt. Tonight is my inauguration Gala as the new COO of Lopez Constructions. I still can’t quite believe it. Dad had no choice but to accept me as Santiago’s choice, given that I hadn’t made a single misstep with any of the projects under my care. But his threat to remove me at the first sign of failure still echoes in my mind. I’m determined not to give him that chance. If anything, I’ll make him see that Santiago’s decision was the best one possible.I step out of the car, smoothing down my gold tulle dress. The intricate embroidery and beads stream vertically down the fabric, catching the light with every movement. Fringy éclats adorn the waistline and sleeves, adding a touch of glamour and sophistica
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Days have gone by, and I’m almost done with the Hamilton project. The zoning permits that initially caused complications are finally falling into place, and I feel a sense of pride in how I’ve managed to navigate this complex deal. I’m in my office, wrapping up some final details before heading out to lunch with Ivan. He’s in town, and I’m surprised he still wants to see me after the way things went last time. Our relationship has been strained since I started dating Stefano, but I’m hoping we can salvage our friendship.As I’m about to log off my computer, I hear Santiago’s voice from the hallway, sounding shocked and confused. His tone immediately puts me on alert - Santiago rarely sounds this taken aback.My heart races. I hadn’t told Santiago about hiring Emily. I meant to, but something always came up. Since she started, by some stroke of luck, Santiago hasn’t run into her until now. I quickly make my way to the door, stepping into the hallway. The tension in the air is palpable a
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
My eyes flutter open, squinting against the bright sunlight slipping into my room through the open curtains I forgot to close last night. I stretch languidly, my body deliciously sore in all the right places. Rolling over, I reach for him, but my hand meets only empty sheets, the space beside me cold. A pang of disappointment tightens my chest as I realize he’s not here. I wonder where he is, but I push the thought aside for now. With a sigh, I climb out of bed, wincing slightly at the soreness between my thighs. Memories of last night flood my mind, bringing a blush to my cheeks as I make my way to the bathroom.The hot shower soothes my aching muscles but does little to ease the ache in my heart. After dressing, I head downstairs, my stomach grumbling. I’d missed breakfast, so I decide to make myself some grilled cheese - the only thing I know how to cook without burning the house down.Before starting, I stop by Aurora’s room to check on her, but she’s not there. I send her a quick
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
His gentle encouragement breaks down my last defenses. Taking a deep breath, I tell him everything – about my father’s impossible expectations, his constant criticism, and my desperate need to prove myself worthy of his company, of his approval.As I speak, I watch a furrow deepen between Stefano’s brows, his jaw clenching with barely contained anger. When I finish, he’s silent for a moment, his eyes blazing with a protective fury that takes my breath away.“Your father’s lucky I can’t touch him,” Stefano growls, his voice low and dangerous. “If not, I would fucking blown his brains out for thinking you’re anything less than perfect and worth so much more than working in his damn company.”My eyes widen in surprise, my heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and affection. In that moment, I realize just how deeply Stefano cares for me, and how fiercely he’s willing to defend me – even against my own family.I close the gap between us, placing a soft, tentative kiss on Stefano’s lips
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
It’s been an hour or two since we arrived at the club, and Aurora is now completely drunk, barely able to stand on her own two feet. We’re waiting outside for Stefano to pick us up, the cool night air a welcome respite from the stuffy, smoke-filled interior of the club. I had called him earlier, knowing that neither of us was in any condition to drive.Throughout the night, Aurora didn’t bring up the forced marriage again, and I found myself wondering if I should tell Stefano about it. I know he would try to handle it in his own way, but I couldn’t see the situation ending well, no matter what he did. At the same time, the thought of Aurora being forced to marry someone against her will made my stomach churn with unease.I’m snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of a car pulling up in front of us. Stefano steps out, his brow furrowed with concern as he takes in Aurora’s drunken state. “How much did she drink?” he asks, rushing over to her and wrapping an arm around her waist to keep
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
An hour later, Aurora and I make our way to the club, the pulsing bass of the music growing louder as we approach. Once inside, we weave through the crowded dance floor, finally finding a secluded table in a dimly lit corner. As we settle into our seats, I can’t help but notice the tension in Aurora’s shoulders, the way her eyes dart nervously around the room.A waitress approaches, and Aurora quickly orders our usual drinks - a vodka cranberry for her and a whiskey sour for me. Then, with a forced smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes, she adds, “And can we also get a round of tequila shots, please? Two each.”The waitress nods and heads off to fetch our order. I decide not to press Aurora just yet, allowing her the space to open up on her own terms.When the waitress returns with our drinks and the shots, Aurora takes a long sip of her vodka cranberry before breaking the silence. “What was Stefano doing in your room earlier?” she asks, her voice barely audible over the thumping mus
The Games of the Heart CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
It’s been a few days since Aurora’s birthday. I haven’t left Sicily, lost in thought, my heart torn about whether I should forgive Stefano. Getting that heartfelt apology and tender kiss from him was everything I had dreamt of for so long. But now, faced with the reality of it, I find myself utterly confused about how to respond. Is his gesture, his words, enough for me to finally forgive him and take a chance on building something real together? Honestly, I don’t have a clue.As I lie in bed, my mind swirling with conflicting emotions, a sudden knock at the door jolts me from my reverie. Climbing out of bed, I pad over and open it, my eyes widening in surprise to see Stefano standing there. I thought he had said he would give me time and space to process everything, so why is he here now? And is that... fur on his shoulder?“Can I...” he begins, but his words are abruptly cut off by a loud, explosive sneeze that makes me jump. That’s when my gaze falls to the pet carrier at his feet.
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