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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Divorced and Rekindled (Once Divorced, Twice Loved): Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

59 Kabanata

One

Chapter 1 Tori Angelo Rizzo; 34. Vittoria – Tori Romano; 23. “Mark my words,” Giorgio says. “By the end of the year, I’ll be one of the bosses.” I almost let out a snort. Listening to my stepbrother go on and on about how important he is in the Cosa Nostra is ridiculous. He wishes. Giorgio is…well, he’s a narcissistic asshole. There’s no other way to put it. Everyone knows there are only five bosses in the Cosa Nostra – Rizzo, Torrisi, Vitale, La Rosa, and Falco. The five families run New York, and no one dares go against them. Giorgio is all talk, and one day, it will get him killed. A girl can hope. Instantly, I’m hit with a wave of guilt for wishing my stepbrother dead. Forgive me, Father. Since my father and stepmother died in a car accident seven years ago, Giorgio took over Papà’s place in the Cosa Nostra. It went straight to Giorgio’s head, and he’s become downright unbearable to live with. My aunt on Mamma’s side of the family asked Giorgio to let me live with the

Two

Chapter 2 Angelo As Vittoria is escorted out of the office, I walk to my desk and take a seat behind it. My eyes flick to Giorgio, who looks like he’s about to shit himself. He was only twenty-one when he took over from Tony, but during the past seven years, he hasn’t done half the work Tony used to do for me. He also has a gambling problem that’s starting to cost me money. “I hear you like spending time at Fallen Angels,” I mutter. The strip club was the first business I opened, so I have a soft spot for the establishment. The club has three sections. Heaven, where customers can only watch the girls dance, and Hell, where everything goes. The gambling room is in the third section, called Purgatory. Needless to say, the place brings in a fortune. “Yes, sir,” Giorgio says. When he aims for one of the chairs by my desk, Tiny places a hand against the man’s chest before shaking his head at him. No one sits in my presence. Well, unless your last name is Rizzo, La Rosa, Torrisi, F

Three

Chapter 3 Tori “You little fucking bitch!” Giorgio roars as I’m shoved into the house. My family home used to be filled with love and laughter before Papà and Cettina, Giorgio’s mother, died. Now, it’s filled with hopelessness and violence. Giorgio’s palm connects with the back of my head, and stumbling, I lose my balance. I sprawl over the wooden floor that takes hours to polish, intense pain shuddering through my brain. My handbag slides beneath a side table, and before I can push myself up, Giorgio’s foot connects with my right side. My teeth sink into my bottom lip to keep the cry of pain from escaping. The first time he hit me, I was left with a black eye. I couldn’t leave the house for two weeks. Everyone at the Parish asked where I was, and it upset Giorgio. Since then, he doesn’t touch my face. “Because of you, I only have a month to find a fuck-ton of money! I’ll have to take a chunk out of my stocks.” Another kick to my stomach makes the air explode from my lungs. M

Four

Chapter 4AngeloFor the past two weeks, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Vittoria. After Tiny found out everything he could about her, I had them bring inGiorgio. The fucker was quick to fill in the blanks where she was concerned. It’s clear the man has no loyalty to his family.But not willing to just believe every word coming out of Giorgio’s mouth, I needed to hear it straight from Vittoria. I know she’s too fucking terrified to dare lie to me.I drink in her beauty as the wind ruffles her curls. Even though her soft brown irises are trembling with fear, she doesn’t break eye contact.She has more guts than that shady stepbrother of hers, who offered her to me on a silver platter as payment for his debt.I told him I’d kill him with my bare hands if he mentioned a word to her while I considered his proposal.It aggravates the fuck out of me that Giorgio was so quick to offer Vittoria’s virginity to me as payment for his debt. She’s worth more than a measly three hundred

Five

Chapter 5ToriMy body aches as I walk into the quiet cathedral. I glance at the empty pews and adjust a couple of hymnals that were just shoved into the holders.I set down the dish of pasta alla Norma I brought for Father Parisi on one of the benches so my hands are free. Moving to the front, I remove the old flower arrangement from the stand next to the pulpit and carry the wilting bouquet to the kitchen.I place the wilting bouquet on a counter and quickly grab a trash bag where it’s kept beneath the sink.Letting out a sigh, I take everything apart so I can dispose of the flowers before making sure the kitchen is clean.It’s something I do every Tuesday, so Father Parisi doesn’t have to worry about it. Then again, he’d probably leave the flowers right where they are until Rosa brings a fresh arrangement.After throwing out the flowers, I return to the pews and pick up the pasta dish before heading to Father Parisi’s office.Gingerly, I rub over the tender spot on my hip where Gio

Six

Chapter 6AngeloThe tension coming off Vittoria makes the air tremble.It’s too fucking hot outside for her to be walking around in what can only be described as winter clothes.I have a million things to tend to before the poker game tonight, but knowing Vittoria would visit Father Parisi this morning, I ordered Big Ricky to drive past the cathedral.Having her schedule puts me in a position to watch her.But it wasn’t my intention to drive all over town like a fucking chauffeur.She’s my future wife, and I might as well get used to taking care of her.Once we’re married, she’ll have a driver and guard to take her wherever she needs to go.Unable to focus on the contract in my hand, I give up and glance at the trembling beauty beside me. I notice the flower that’s being crushed in her tight grip and mutter, “You’re killing it.”Vittoria’s eyes fly to my face as she gasps, “I’m what?” I gesture at her hands. “You’re killing the flower.”Her gaze flits to her lap, then she mutters. “S

Seven

Chapter 7ToriBy the time the SUV stops in front of my house, I feel faint with fear and confusion.I can’t even bring myself to look at Angelo as I say, “Thank you for everything.”Grabbing the plastic bag, I quickly climb out of the vehicle and shut the door before rushing up the path to the porch.Father, we need to talk.Why are you allowing this man to cross paths with me constantly?I unlock the front door, and as I step into the house, I let out a breath of relief when I hear the SUV drive away.Freaking finally.I shut the door and make sure to lock it again before walking to the kitchen.I can’t believe what happened today. Why did Angelo drive me around?What does he want?People like him don’t do anything without expecting something in return.I set the bag down on the counter and unpack the groceries.It’s only then I remember the dollar bills in my handbag, and digging the money out, I stare at it.Even though Angelo ordered me to keep the money, I’m definitely giving it

Eight

Chapter 8AngeloI throw down a Jack of Hearts and mutter, “One card.”Carlo, one of Damiano’s men, slides a card my way, and when he sees me frown at the Jack of Spades, he gives me an apologetic look.Tonight’s game is being hosted at Damiano’s house. We each take turns to host a game, and I had mine the last time we got together.“You have zero poker face,” Dario says with a mischievous grin while he slides another chip into the growing pile. “I raise you all another hundred thousand.”“Fuck off,” I grumble.I’m on a losing streak, and they’re all getting a kick out of it.Damiano’s also frowning, and when Renzo and Franco throw down their hands to bow out, Dario lets out a chuckle.Damiano narrows his eyes at Dario. “If I catch you cheating, you’re going to bleed.”“I never cheat.”“Right,” I mumble. Knowing I have a shit hand, I fold. “I need a drink.”Carlo moves to the bar and pours a round of bourbon while Damiano matches Dario’s bet.The two men stare at each other for a whil

Nine

Chapter 9AngeloWalking into the cathedral, I head down the aisle, barely taking notice of the empty pews.Father Parisi comes out of the confession booth, and the instant his eyes land on me, he hurries toward me. “Mr. Rizzo. This is unexpected.”I’m not a man of religion, and the walls of this building rarely see me, so I can understand why he’s surprised that I’m here.Wanting to get out of the cathedral as quickly as possible, I mutter, “Where can we talk in private?”“Are you here for confession?”I let out a chuckle, and shaking my head, I say, “I’m comfortable with the idea of going to hell.”Big Ricky stifles his laughter behind me with a fake cough.Father Parisi looks visibly disappointed with my comment. He gestures toward a door. “We can talk in my office.”I follow the holy man to the back of the cathedral and into his office. It’s so fucking stuffy in here it makes my skin itch.Glancing at Big Ricky, I order, “Wait outside.” “Yes, boss.”I shut the door before turning

Ten

Chapter 10ToriWe’re taken through a set of glass doors at the back of the mansion, and stepping onto a veranda, my gaze keeps flitting over all the beauty, which I can’t help but notice.The backyard is very big, and the lawn looks freshly cut. There are lounge chairs situated on either side of a rectangular pool, and the water looks as blue as the sky.Potted flowers add color to the garden, and there are four large ones at every corner of the pool.I see Father Parisi standing by Tiny, but there are no other guests.Are we early?Without saying a word, Angelo continues to walk to the side of the house until he stops beneath the tree I saw when I was in the living room.Everyone follows him, and when he turns to face me, a shiver creeps down my spine.I’m not going to lie, I feel super uncomfortable being the only woman here.Two of Angelo’s men come to stand on either side of Giorgio, and a hollowness settles in my stomach.For a moment, the thought that they’re going to kill us f

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