The Mafia's Secret Claim

**VANESSA’S POV**5 PMI sprinted through the dense bush, heart pounding like a drum in my chest. Branches snagged at my clothes, tearing at the fabric, and the sounds of shouting behind me sent adrenaline surging through my veins. They were gaining on me. " Stop her!” a voice shouted, echoing in the night, cold and relentless.I couldn’t let them catch me. I glanced back, catching a glimpse of Vincent, his eyes glinting with menace. All that mattered was getting away. The chill of the night air wrapped around me , and I pushed myself to run faster. The sounds of pursuit were close—too close." You can't hide forever, sweetheart !” Vincent taunted, his voice cutting through the darkness like a knife.I tripped over a branch and groaned in pain. Will I be able to escape?** Thirty minutes Earlier**The atmosphere at Gork Club was electric, a pulsating blend of laughter and music that wrapped around me like a warm embrace for my birthday I was laughing with Marcello, his boyish char

Vanessa's POV“Breathe,” came Dante’s calm voice, pulling me back from the brink of panic.I fell on the floor and took a quick glance at the food. My instincts told me it was filled with peanut which I was allergic to! He stood before me, his presence both commanding and unnerving. In his hand, he held an EpiPen, the sight of it making my heart race. “You’re going to need this.”“Please!” I begged, the words barely escaping my dry throat.“Your allergy medication,” he replied, his eyes narrowing. “You’re allergic to peanuts, aren’t you?”I stared at him, disbelief mingling with confusion. How did he know that? The truth was that I hadn’t shared anything about myself, let alone my vulnerabilities. “ Fucking help me! Does it matter if you ask the question?” I snapped, even as fear gripped me.“It matters because I don’t want you dead just yet,” he said, stepping closer. “You’ll have to earn your keep around here. Now, hold still.”“Why would I trust you?” I retorted but he ignored me

Vanessa's POVBella had dragged me in front of her mirror, yanking me from my chains and pulling me into her room. I didn’t know why I was here, but all I wanted was to get out.She tossed a dress in front of me, practically throwing it onto the bed. "That won’t do," she sneered. "You need something sexier to satisfy Dante. I don’t want to hear him complain about a maid failing him. I want you to be perfect." Her voice dripped with a wicked smirk I caught in the mirror.My throat went dry as I swallowed, blinking. Why is she pushing me at Dante? He hadn’t asked for anything. So why was she so eager?"I don’t think I—" I started, but she shut me down, pressing her finger to my lips. "Enough talk. More dressing."She spun me around to face her, and I couldn’t help but shiver at the strange thrill she seemed to get from this. Before I knew it, her hands were on me, tugging off my dress until I was down to just my bra and underwear. I stared at her, trying to figure out what the hell was

**Vanessa’s POV**"Woah!" I exclaimed as I fell into the arms of a strong man. Luckily, he was quick to catch me and steadied me. I turned around to face the man, who had a well-chiseled face, piercing blue eyes, and a strand of hair falling over his forehead.How did I know he was part of the mafia? Maybe it was the distinct tattoos and the rings he wore that gave it away."Hi..." I stammered.He replied, "Wow... you look sweaty. Did you walk here from another country?"I tried to wave off the question with a smile, but he only shook his head, waiting for an answer.I obliged, saying, "It's a long story.""Xavier Wood. Nice to meet you," he said, flashing me a warm smile that somehow felt a bit off. He was the first person to be nice to me since my birthday.A mafia guy, being this nice? I hope I haven't walked into a trap."Let’s head inside. I'll buy you a drink," he said, turning to lead the way.I closed my eyes, praying he was the silver lining in my cloud, but as soon as I ente

Vanessa's povI looked at my arm; it was grazed by a bullet, and blood was trickling down. “Oh my God!” I screamed, clutching it with my other hand.Instead of hearing concern or pity, all I heard were cheers and shouts of celebration that seemed to pierce through my ears.“Nice one, Bella!” Dante said to her with a warm smile.I watched as she gave him a bow over me being shot, while neither of them lifted a finger to help or stop my bleeding. That’s when I realized he wasn’t angry at Arabella for hurting me all this time; he was only angry that she’d taken me without his permission.I could be hurt, but not taken.“Ouch!” I winced in pain, trying to hold the blood in.But instead of helping me, Dante and Bella returned to their shooting practice, while Alessandro merely stared.I took off on my heels, running to find any maid who might help.---MAID PIPER'S ROOMI watched as Maid Piper dressed my wound. She was the first person to actually help me without wanting anything in return