All Chapters of All Because I Kissed a Stranger: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

CATHERINEThe little bell above my workshop door rang as Ferro entered my small gallery. Of course, the place was still closed and mostly covered with white sheets, just in case my paints spilled all over the walls and floor. It had actually happened once before, and after painting all the walls white again, I did NOT want to repeat that any time soon.The gallery part fluidly turned into my workshop. I was still trying to figure out how to separate the two, but I knew every idea I might come up with would surely require a budget—money I didn't have. It certainly was a good reason for me to sit and paint. I needed new works I could sell. Of course, the little devil inside my head whispered that I would soon become a billionaire's wife, but I also kept telling myself that this title had no true value, and I sure as hell would never ask for Hunter's money. He had paid for my mom's treatment. I already owed him more than I could earn selling most of my current paintings.I watched as my

A week had passed since I'd moved into Hunter's mansion, and I wanted to thank every higher power for Gianna as my ally. Due to some new evidence in Connor's death case, Hunter and Rowan had left New York. With them gone, Gianna and sometimes Ferro had become the only people I could talk to…I promised myself I would adapt to my new environment, but my surroundings turned out to be less than a little unwelcoming. Most of the servants working in the mansion avoided me like the plague, and if it weren't for Gianna, I was almost certain no one would bother to deliver food or fresh sheets to my room.“It's because Mr. Thorne had yet to officially announce your status as his fiancée,” Gianna explained, giving me a wry smile. “I know it's unfair, but most of the people working here used to serve the old Don Cartelli. At least half of them don't like Mr. Thorne as the new head, and with you not having an ounce of Italian blood…”“I know.” I sighed but then grinned. “The more I'm grateful you

My restlessness grew by the second. Just when I thought I had my nerves under control, Hunter led me to his black Aston Martin. Seeing him behind the wheel did strange things to me. I kept staring at his confident grip on the wheel and the way he swiftly maneuvered the car through the traffic. Certainly, he caught me staring. The last thing I wanted was to boost his overgrown ego, but I failed miserably at this task…“This is the place.” Hunter motioned his chin at the large, glass doors, the entrance of his new restaurant.He quickly pulled over and helped me out of the car. I thought he would release my hand right after that, but he kept holding it, intertwining our fingers as we walked inside. All the employees bowed as we passed them by, as if Hunter and I were some damn royalty deserving their utmost respect. I felt awkward each time I saw it happen. Hunter, however, was clearly used to this kind of treatment.We passed the long hall with wall-to-ceiling windows on each side. The

CATHERINE“So someone contacted you and bought all your recent works?” Fifi looked at me as if I had just told her that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were real.We were in my workshop, waiting for Ace to arrive with my dress. Of course, I filled that time telling her about every little thing that had happened after the whole Dante the Art Buyer disaster.“Yes. He wanted all my paintings and offered a price I could never even dream of.” A nervous laugh bubbled in my throat. I still couldn't believe it had truly happened. When I got a call two days ago, I was willing to bet this was another trick.Fifi inched closer, frowning. “And you're sure it's not Dante or any of his goons this time?”I shook my head. “It's not him. This was some anonymous buyer, but I precautiously called Rowan. He checked the case and told me I had nothing to worry about. I signed all documents, and Rowan and Ferro will help me with the shipment. The buyer already transferred half of the money to my account.”

HUNTERLeaving New York again was against everything I had planned those weeks ago. Chasing after a snake-tattooed guy had taken away the time I needed to prepare Catherine for what was about to happen. I knew she could talk back if she had to, but that wouldn't be enough to face those who had been schooled on how to become first-class assholes all their lives.I might have played it all wrong. Certainly, I needed her unconditional trust and devotion, but those treats would be useless if she got herself killed. A part of me hoped that the wedding would somehow go smoothly, but nothing in my life ever had. It was wiser to prepare for the worst.As most of my men had been working to secure the estate, Rowan and I had gone to find the fucker responsible for killing the kid. Rowan had received another hint, and we went to Pittsburgh to check if it could lead us anywhere. It hadn't led us anywhere, though. It was another dead end. We couldn't afford not to check that lead, but this call ha