Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE MAFIA CHEF: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

The heat between us was impossible to ignore, I pulled closer to Gerrard as our lips moved together. His hands ran over my skin, sending warmth through my body. I melted into him, lost in the way he made me feel, until my hand accidentally touched his injured shoulder. He sucked in a sharp breath, as his body tensing under me. I froze. “Gerrard,” I whispered, guilt washing over me. “Did I hurt you?” He let out a slow breath and shook his head. “It’s fine.” But I knew it wasn’t. He was pretending to be okay, but I could see the truth. I swallowed hard. “I should go. You need to rest.” Before I could move, his fingers wrapped around my wrist, firm but gentle. “Stay,” he said quietly, his eyes locked on mine. “Sleep here tonight.” I hesitated for only a second. I couldn’t bring myself to walk away from him again. I nodded and slipped back under the covers, curling into him. My head rested on his chest, the steady beat of his heart calming me. He wrapped an arm around me,

For the first time in a long while, things were calm. Peaceful. Gerrard and I had finally found our rhythm, lost in the fire of our romance, bound by an undeniable spark. I had never felt so loved before. Gerrard was everything I had ever wanted, passionate, intense, and utterly devoted. He knew how to love me, how to unravel me, how to make me crave him more. Every touch, every whispered promise left me yearning for more. But no matter how much I tried to surrender to the moment, a sense of unease coiled inside me like a serpent lying in wait. Magnus was still out there, lurking in the shadows, and the weight of my secret pressed heavier on my chest with each passing day. Still, I told myself to enjoy the moment while it lasted. The Calm Before the Storm That morning, fully recovered, Gerrard was preparing to return to work. I stood in the bedroom doorway, arms crossed, watching him button up his crisp white shirt. His movements were steady, efficient, like a man who was use

After a week, life had settled back into its usual rhythm. We were back at the main house, and Gerrard’s business was running smoothly without a hitch. The war was over, we had made peace with Magnus, I had even gone to visit Jamie’s baby, bringing gifts and sharing in the joy of new life. Gerrard had been full of praise, telling me how impressed he was with the way I handled everything, the war, Magnus situation, the way I stayed composed under pressure, the way I supported him when it mattered most. His admiration made my heart swell, but I knew better than to bask in it for too long. Because while he was showering me with affection, he was also working quietly in the background, investigating. Who had planned the sniper attack? Who had sent him those warning messages? I had no idea what he had uncovered so far, but I could only pray that his search wouldn’t lead him back to me. I had buried my secrets deep, but I knew Gerrard. He was thorough. He wouldn’t stop until he had a

I forced a smile. "Ah… Chef DuPont. Of course. Good to see you again. I’m a big fan of yours." Chef DuPont dipped his head politely, his voice smooth and unreadable. "Mademoiselle, it is a pleasure to be at your service this evening." Gerrard’s smirk deepened, clearly pleased with himself. "I figured having a familiar face here would make this night even more special for you." I let out a nervous laugh, subtly gripping the stem of my wine glass for support. "Oh, yes. Very special. What a… surprise." Chef DuPont’s eyes flickered again, just for a moment. Did he know? Did he suspect? But he simply inclined his head slightly and said, "I hope the meal has been to your satisfaction." I exhaled as discreetly as possible. He didn’t expose me. Or maybe he didn’t know. Or… he did, and he was choosing to say nothing. Either way, I was safe. For now. ---- As the night wore on, dinner had been wonderful, but it was getting late. Gerrard finally suggested we head back, gui

The moment I stepped back into Milan, memories rushed over me. The streets, the buildings, even the smell in the air, it all looked the same. The city was busy, full of life, with trams moving and people rushing by. But something felt different. It wasn’t the city. It was me. Everything reminded me of the past I had tried to forget. I kept my hood up, my face down, and stayed hidden during the day. Sir Bruno’s men were everywhere. If they knew I was back, I wouldn’t last long. My first stop was my father’s house. The moment I saw it, my chest tightened. It was abandoned, lifeless. The white paint had peeled away, leaving dark stains. Dust covered the windows, and the porch looked ready to collapse. My father. What had he been going through all this time? Tears filled my eyes. We didn’t have much before, but we were happy, until Bruno destroyed our lives in an instant. I cried for my father, for everything we had lost. But I couldn’t stay long. It wasn’t safe. As I ope