All Chapters of Claiming The Devil’s Wife: Chapter 31 - Chapter 39

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: HARBORED RESENTMENTNICO————The next morning, I drive straight to Alessandro’s mansion.I’d left Luca behind at the hospital to watch over Sofia. She still hadn’t woken up, but the doctors reassured us again that everything went well. She’s stable and will regain consciousness soon. Then we’ll finally be allowed to see her.I hold onto that, and use the window it gives me.Because instead of sitting around trying to crack my brain and understand what the heck is really going on, I decide to confront Alessia, despite Luca’s warnings to tread carefully.If only he were in my shoes.And the truth is, I am being careful. Because if I wasn’t, Alessandro would be the one I’d be facing this morning. Not his wife.When I reach Alessia’s suite, I don’t knock. I just shove the door open and walk right in.She’s sitting by the window, a book in her hands, and a mug of what looks like coffee resting on the table beside her. The moment she sees me, she’s on her feet.She rus

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: THE GODFATHERALESSANDRO—————“Fucking losers!”The word rips out of me as I sweep my arm across the décor table with all my strength. Glass, metal, porcelain… everything crashes to the floor, shattering into useless pieces.I don’t fucking care.All I see is red. All I feel is rage. Their incompetence burns hotter than fire in my veins.Vladimir stands a few steps away with two other men beside him. Their heads are bowed, shoulders stiff in silent, useless apologies. “Give me one reason…” I growl, stalking toward them, my finger jabbing from one man to the next. “Just one fucking reason why I shouldn’t have your heads on spikes right now. Give me one bloody reason why I shouldn’t slit your throats and feed what’s left of you to my dogs!”No one speaks.Slowly, Vladimir lifts his head. “It’s my fault, boss. I should’ve sent someone more competent.”I let out a sharp, bitter scoff. My jaw tightens until it aches. My fists tremble at my sides.If Vladimir were an

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: MARIA’S DISCOVERYNICO————A few days later.“Careful. Watch your step.” I say, guiding Sofia into the living room of my apartment. One of her arms rests over my neck while my arm stays firm around her waist. Maria supports her from the other side.Sofia looks around as we move. “Why does your place look like a mental asylum?” she mutters. “What’s with all these white walls and an almost empty house?” She scrunches her nose, clearly unimpressed as her eyes sweep over the space.“It’s called a minimalist vibe, Sofia,” Maria says with a soft laugh as we head upstairs. “It’s an aesthetic. Most young people like it.”“Huh.” Sofia snorts. “Well, it’s boring as hell. A home should feel warm. Lived in. Not this cold.”I roll my eyes. “You know, it’s impressive how sharp your mouth still is, considering you’re recovering from a stab wound, Mom.”Maria laughs. Sofia only scoffs and keeps quiet, but I know she’s smiling inside.We reach the room I prepared for her. I push

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: THE MANCINIS IN LOVENICO————-The next morning, I’m halfway dressed, getting ready to head out for work.I’m standing in front of the mirror, sliding my arms into a crisp white shirt, when I sense movement behind me. Soft careful footsteps. I turn my head just in time to see Sofia stepping into the room, moving slowly, her body stiff with pain.“Mom,” I say immediately, abandoning the mirror and crossing the room in two quick strides. Worry tightens my face as I reach for her arm, steadying her. “Didn’t I tell you to call me whenever you want to move around?”She lets out a small laugh, brushing it off. “Oh, come on. You know how much I hate bothering you all the time. I’m not a potato, you know.”I don’t find it any funny.I guide her to the bed and help her sit, placing a pillow behind her back so she can rest comfortably. “You’re stubborn, and yes, I definitely inherited that from you. But you’re still healing. You can’t afford to be careless.”“Whatever.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: THE REAL HERNICO————It is true that the devil enjoys moments like this.He waits until you are already standing at the edge, already staring down at hell, already thinking about making the wrong decision. Then he pushes.Wrong decisions like wanting to kiss your boss’s wife. Like breaking the contract that you’re so certain you’d never break. Like craving more tastes of the lips that were never meant to be yours.And right now, the devil is smiling.I mean, Alessia’s lips are right there. So close I can feel her breath against mine. One move. Just one, and I could take what I’ve been fighting not to want. I could kiss her slow and deep until my name replaces Alessandro’s on her mouth. Until she forgets who she belongs to.But I don’t move.Because the second I cross that line, I’ll lose. I’ll lose the fight even before it begins. “You said you wanted to try something else,” I say instead, my voice hoarse from the urges I’m trying so hard to bury. I still don