Vincenzo⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I found it hard to concentrate, especially after the way she left earlier this morning. My eyes shifted to the ring gracefully placed on my desk. It baffled me why this one held more value for her than our wedding ring. I hadn't seen her treating our symbol of marriage with the same degree of attention as she did with this particular one.Antonio strode into my office, a subtle nod acknowledging my presence. In his hands, he held a bundle of documents, meticulously bound together with leather straps.He carefully placed the documents on my desk, meeting my gaze with a respectful nod. "Boss, we've compiled the latest financial reports, specifics on the upcoming shipments this week, and an update on the territories you've had your eye on... Indianapolis."Indianapolis stood as a reminder of the territories my father and grandfather lost in the war against Luciano Costello. Reclaiming it held personal significance for me, part of a larger strategy to expand our influ

Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅"I need to go see him!" Alessia yelled for what felt like the hundredth time as Adriano drove us back home.I sat in the car disbelief, words trapped in my throat. A deathmatch? The Cosa Nostra might've placed bets on underground cage fights, but they never directly immersed themselves in it.I didn't know that Vincenzo was into cage fighting. He has never said a word about it. The gritty world of illegal cage fighting seemed a far cry from the polished veneer of Vincenzo. I struggled to reconcile the two, wondering if there was an even darker side of him I had yet to uncover.It suddenly dawned on me how gently he'd trained me for combat before our mission to confront Santino, realizing he'd held back, perhaps to shield me from some aspects of his life. Adriano stepped into the foyer and Alessia marched behind him while I numbly followed the two, "He specifically instructed me to make sure that you two were safe at home." "I don't care what he said, Adriano! if y

Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Bruto let out a guttural roar, the sound reverberating through the air, and brought the mallet down with brutal force aimed at Vincenzo. I couldn't bear to watch; so I shut my eyes.A hot tear rolled down my cheek...Then, his roar abruptly stopped, replaced by a harsh, gasping noise followed by strained wheezing.The sudden shouts and cheers of the crowd made me snap my eyes back open. The scene before me had completely shifted, Vincenzo was now standing before Bruto, his knife buried deep in his throat. It was the same blade he had used to cut me out of my wedding dress on our wedding night. The mallet slipped from his grasp and thudded to the mat, echoing through the space. Bruto's hands futilely struggled with the blade. He was gasping and choking on his own blood, staggered, his legs giving way beneath him. I don't think I'll ever forget this sight.Vincenzo's eyes blazed with a savagery beyond words as he mercilessly twisted the knife, I winced and struggle

Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅I finished buttoning up the last two buttons, then turned to find him standing there, only in his pants. He had this extra suit we both agreed to share. I wore the shirt, and he took on the pants.The toll of the recent fight was evident – he had numerous bruises, cuts, and wounds that cried out for medical attention.I observed him methodically arranging various knives of all sizes on his person and securing the gun in its holster. The same perfectly organized and choreographed routine. We hadn't talked afterward, he practically showered me before taking his turn. I was too weak and disoriented from what had just happened to process much of anything.One thought nagged at the back of my mind consistently. Did I enjoy sex like this? My whole life had been spent looking over my shoulder, making sure no one got this close, not even Scott but Vincenzo, I couldn't push him away even if I wanted to. "And I love you... I love you, Claire Parker, I love you so much." T

Claire⋅•⋅⊰∙∘∘∙⊱⋅•⋅Adriano shook his head and sighed, "We were just talking, Dad."Salvatore mocked, "Why? What could you possibly have to talk about with a whore?" His disdainful tone emphasized the contempt he held. "Dad, come on..." Adriano said through clenched teeth.Salvatore chuckled, "You know what this means? Vincenzo will find out about this, and when he does, he'll take care of the whore personally."Adriano added with a grave tone, "And me, he won't spare me either." Salvatore nodded with a sinister glint in his eyes. "He wouldn't but you're his brother, you both share the same blood. I'm sure he'll find it in him to let you go. If he doesn't, then I'm still the Capo."Adriano took a step closer to his father, his gaze firm. "You're not going to tell him anything."Salvatore made a mocking face, his tone dripping with arrogance, "And why wouldn't I?"Adriano smiled slightly, but there was a steely edge in his words, "Because, Dad, if you tell him about this, I'll tell hi