All Chapters of The Mafia's Contract : Chapter 71 - Chapter 74

JOAN’S POVThe dining hall was filled with the sounds of voices and the clinking of silverware.Every sound seemed louder than usual to me. Maybe it was because Derrick was sitting right beside me or maybe it was because his hand raised up my skirt.I swallowed hard. What the hell was he doing?His touch was like fire against my skin. His touch alone made goosebumps rise on my skin.I could feel his warmth radiating through me. The feeling sent heat down to my core. It was ridiculous how easily my body reacted to him. One tiny movement from him and I went rigid, pretending to focus on my plate while my mind was somewhere else entirely.I was trying to look composed, passing plates, giving instructions to the maids quietly whenever needed. Emily and Sarah were helping me serve while Ms. Sullivan stood at the far end, making sure everything went smoothly.“Sarah,” I murmured softly, leaning close, “we need more dessert plates for the next course. Could you-”Sarah turned to me with that

JOAN’S POVI woke up that morning feeling like something inside me had shattered into a million pieces.My eyes opened slowly, and for a few seconds, I just stared at the ceiling. I turned my head to look at the clock on the nightstand. It was 7:23 AM. I had barely slept three hours.How could I sleep after what happened last night?My chest tightened as the memories came flooding back. I remembered everything - Derrick's office. His cold, commanding voice. The way he had touched me, controlled me, made me feel things I didn't want to feel. The way he had dismissed me afterward like I was nothing, like I meant nothing.I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled the blanket over my head, trying to block it all out. But it was useless. Every single detail was burned into my mind. I could still smell his cologne. I still remembered the feel of his hands on my skin, the sound of his breathing, the look in his eyes when he dismissed me. I felt my stomach twist with shame.I had stood there and