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Chapter 4

Author: Skye C
For three days, I ghosted Nico completely. I focused on pulling my family's money out.

But his men kept texting me. Updating me on that stupid challenger's pot. Trying to break me.

"Miss Isabella, the pot is at 300k."

"500k. The Boss is waiting for your apology."

I read the texts. Zero emotion. I blocked every single one.

On the third afternoon, I went to our shared penthouse. I needed to pack my art collection.

But I walked into my walk-in closet.

And there was Ruby. Wearing my silk robe. Her feet kicked up on my vanity.

Her cheap junk was everywhere. My clothes were thrown in the hallway.

This was my fortress in the sky. Nico built it for me.

Everyone in the family knew that. Nobody dared step foot in this room.

Ruby was basically spitting on my face.

I didn't waste my breath. I signaled my guards. They grabbed her.

"Ah! What are you doing?! Let me go!"

Ruby screamed in terror. She kicked her legs wildly in the air. The robe slipped open, flashing her thighs.

She tried to lie. "Miss Isabella! I was just helping the Boss..."

Bang!

The elevator doors kicked open.

Nico stormed in. Cold fury radiating off him.

"Let her go!" he roared. His face was murder.

Cue the tears. The second the guards dropped her, Ruby launched herself at Nico.

"Nico! I was so scared!"

She clung to his waist. Buried her face in his chest. Sobbing like a helpless victim.

"I just came to get your files! But Miss Isabella hates me! She called me a thief! My closet is full of the jewelry you bought me. Why would I want her outdated trash?!"

She looked up. Face stained with tears. Chest pushed hard against him.

"Just... just let her throw me in the ocean! I don't want to ruin your relationship!"

Nico's arms tightened around her. Protecting her.

He glared at me with absolute disgust.

"Are you insane, Isabella?" he barked. He sounded so deeply disappointed. "Throwing the De Luca name around. Bringing muscle to terrorize a defenseless woman. Have you no shame?"

I looked at his righteous anger. I fired right back.

"She's in my apartment. Wearing my clothes. Trashing my things. The fact she’s still breathing is a favor to the Rinaldi family."

I pointed at the door. "Take your whore and get out of my house."

Nico let out a dark laugh. He let go of Ruby and took a step toward me.

"Your house?"

He sneered.

"Isabella, you're confused. This penthouse belongs to the Rinaldis. This whole city belongs to me."

He wrapped an arm around Ruby's shoulder.

"If I want it, Ruby is the queen of this estate."

My heart shattered. Completely.

I took bullets to build our empire. I washed his dirty money. I secured his gun routes.

I gave him my youth and my absolute loyalty.

And to him? I was just a guest.

I wasn't mad. I didn't cry.

I just woke up. Every last drop of love I had for him died on the spot.

I stayed quiet. Nico thought I was scared. He thought I was giving in.

He delivered his final warning like a king.

"By the way. That challenger's pot? Thanks to some dumb gamblers and rival gangs, it's sitting at 999k."

He was certain I wouldn't risk our families' pact.

"Isabella. Keep this attitude up. I'll have someone buy in the last grand. I'll lock the cage. And Ruby will take your place."

Ruby leaned into his arm. She shot me a smug, victorious glare.

I looked at them both. It was just comical.

"Do whatever you want." I turned away. Ice cold. "Pack my art. Burn the rest of it."

I walked out. I slid into my bulletproof Cadillac.

I pulled out my phone and called my Consigliere.

"Wire a thousand dollars into that challenger's pot. From my personal account. Lock the cage."

——

Rinaldi Headquarters. The Boss's office.

The air was suffocating.

Nico's collar was ripped open. He paced fiercely behind his massive desk.

Three days.

Isabella hadn't called once.

No crying. No begging. Not even a single fight.

He was losing control.

The bounty buy-in was just a sick game. A way to humiliate her.

His fighter was undefeated. No one would dare challenge him.

No one would dare cross the Rinaldis to finish the pot. He just wanted to use the numbers to force her to her knees.

But now? The damn number was stuck at 999k. And she was a ghost!

Her silence was driving him insane. Making him panic.

"Fuck."

He ground his teeth. He snatched his phone from the desk. He was going to call her himself.

He needed to give her one last ultimatum. He needed to hear her tremble and beg.

Just as Nico was dialing my number, a soldier burst into the office. Screaming.

"Boss! Someone bought in! The pot... it's full! The cage is locked!"
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  • The Lipstick on My Don’s Cigar   Chapter 8

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  • The Lipstick on My Don’s Cigar   Chapter 6

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  • The Lipstick on My Don’s Cigar   Chapter 5

    Nico's POVMy soldier’s voice was shaking.“And... the champ lost.”I shot up. My chair crashed backwards.“Who placed the last grand?! The match was over!” I grabbed his collar. Rage exploded in my chest. “Who? Who the fuck ignored my warning and got in the ring?”No one touched that prize pool in this city. It was a trap I set for Isabella.“It was Miss Isabella’s man!” He was literally chattering his teeth.My brain buzzed.“What did you say?”“Her fighter wasn't even wearing gloves. Less than three minutes. Shattered our undefeated champ’s jaw. He’s in the ICU right now.”I let go. I stepped back, stunned.Impossible.Isabella never touched my underground fights. She hated the blood.“He left a message for Miss Isabella in front of everyone.” My man gulped. He couldn't even look me in the eye.“Speak!”“He said the million bucks is a gift for Miss Ruby taking power. He doesn't want it.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “He also said the De Luca family officially cut all ties with us

  • The Lipstick on My Don’s Cigar   Chapter 4

    For three days, I ghosted Nico completely. I focused on pulling my family's money out.But his men kept texting me. Updating me on that stupid challenger's pot. Trying to break me."Miss Isabella, the pot is at 300k.""500k. The Boss is waiting for your apology."I read the texts. Zero emotion. I blocked every single one.On the third afternoon, I went to our shared penthouse. I needed to pack my art collection.But I walked into my walk-in closet.And there was Ruby. Wearing my silk robe. Her feet kicked up on my vanity.Her cheap junk was everywhere. My clothes were thrown in the hallway.This was my fortress in the sky. Nico built it for me.Everyone in the family knew that. Nobody dared step foot in this room.Ruby was basically spitting on my face.I didn't waste my breath. I signaled my guards. They grabbed her."Ah! What are you doing?! Let me go!"Ruby screamed in terror. She kicked her legs wildly in the air. The robe slipped open, flashing her thighs.She tried to lie. "Miss

  • The Lipstick on My Don’s Cigar   Chapter 3

    Six months ago.Ruby was just a pole dancer at a Rinaldi nightclub.Nico broke the rules. Brought her into his inner circle. Called her his "personal secretary."She showed up at the office maybe once a week.The rest of the time? She was in his penthouse. His yacht. His sports cars.Meanwhile, Nico dumped all the real mob work on me. All the dirty, dangerous business. Like it was my job.The first red flag? My promise ring. It showed up on Ruby's finger.At first, Nico would explain. He would coax me. Tell me sweet lies.But soon, he just got annoyed.I stayed. I endured. I tried to please him. And it only made his favoritism for Ruby worse. Wilder. More brazen.She sat right beside him at family sit-downs.Openly rubbing her chest against his arm. Fixing his collar in front of the capos. Flirting.Nico didn't push her away. He pinched her chin. Teasing her right back.She'd sip a martini and hand him the rest.Nico wouldn't even change the straw.He'd place his mouth right over her r

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