All Chapters of Running From The Mafia CEO: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

115 Chapters

Congratulations…or Congradolences?

Antonio leaves without waiting for a response.The door closes, and silence rushes in to fill the space he leaves behind. I look at my father when I hear him sigh softly. He’s almost bones, worse than the last time I saw him. I wasn’t paying attention when I walked in—and met Antonio by his ear, but now… “You should have been harsher,” he says. I frown. Harsher? How? He clearly took my brother’s side. “That would not have helped,” I reply. “You let him provoke you,” he says roughly. “That is weakness.” What? I shake my head slowly, lost and perplexed. What game is he playing at? He never took my side, not even when my brothers left the country…or when I was arrested in Barcelona, and I refused to get the Feds what they were desperate to get their hands on. I say nothing.He reaches for the oxygen mask, pressing it more firmly to his face. His hand trembles slightly. “Don’t let your personal complications interfere with the family.”“They won’t.” It’s what he wants to hear. “They

Ashes, Ashes, They All Fall Down

MayaWalking into Lorenzo Black’s office feels different at night.The building is quieter, stripped of its daytime polish, the hum of activity replaced by a heavy stillness that makes every footstep echo louder than it should. The top-floor hallway is dimly lit, the glass walls reflecting my unease at me as I approach his door.I hesitate for half a second before knocking.“Come in,” his voice carries through the door. I remain outside for a moment longer, glancing over my shoulder as if searching for a sign. When nothing comes, I step inside.He’s already there, seated behind his desk, his posture composed, his hands clasped together like he’s been waiting for me far longer than the few minutes it took me to get upstairs. He looks up when I enter, his gaze steady as it settles on my face. I take a deep breath, stopping a few feet from the desk. My shoulders are stiff, and my guard is firmly in place.I’m not sure why I’m here, but I’ll be damned if I let him ruin my night. I’ve a

They All Fall Down Too

“It’s me, Maya.” “Lucien.”For a moment, I don’t understand what he has said. My mind remains disconnected, my mouth parted and my brain filled with static. Why would he be Lucien, when I know Lucien Moretti is behind bars? Is this some kind of psychological game? Reverse psychology? Is he trying to find out something from my reaction? I stare at him blankly, waiting for him to say something else. But the longer I stare, the more it dawns on me that there’s nothing coming. No, “gotcha” moment where he tells me that he lied because Antonio might try to get into my head too. I blink forcefully, my eyes stinging from staring hard. I open them again and the image flashes before my eyes, sucking the air from my lungs. Not brown eyes, no. But green ones—intense and unnerving. The scar is no longer there, either. It’s not Lorenzo Black, but Lucien Moretti. I stand so abruptly that the chair scrapes loudly against the floor before tipping backward and crashing down behind me. The sound e

They all Fall Down.

To be Maya Serrano again. The offer lands like a sudden intake of air after being underwater too long.For a brief, dangerous moment, I can almost feel it. The sharp clarity. The version of myself that did not flinch, did not hide, and did not constantly look over her shoulder. The woman who trusted her instincts and moved through the world with certainty.It is tempting. More than I want to admit.But temptation has always been Lucien’s sharpest weapon.I straighten, forcing the haze from my thoughts. Nothing ever comes free from him. Not power, truth, or desire. I’m still paying for one night of recklessness and sin. If I accept this, the cost will be steep, and he’ll collect it whenever it suits him.And even if I were foolish enough to consider it, there is something else. The message I got days ago. Someone else knows about that night, about the truth I have been trying to outrun.I study Lucien’s face carefully, searching for any sign, but there is nothing there that suggests h

Playing Pretend

LucienThe room is already full when I arrive.Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over polished marble floors, their reflections catching on silk dresses and tailored suits. The busy hum of conversation rises and falls in controlled waves, punctuated by soft laughter and the clink of glasses. I snag a glass as I walk away from the crowd, finding a corner to drink. My nose recoils at the first sip, my taste buds shrinking in protest. I lift the glass, glaring at the bubbles that dance through the amber liquid. Champagne. Not sure why I didn’t realize before reaching for it. I enjoy a glass of champagne every now and then, but not when I’m trying to quell the distaste clinging to my chest. The urge to slip away before anyone notices I’ve arrived. But I can’t. Not because my father needs me here, shaking hands and smiling with people he plans on using later, or the real reason for the party…to show people that the Moretti and Virelli families are capable of putting aside a decades-o

Playing Pretend II

Maya stands near the edge of the room, partially obscured by a column, her posture stiff. Her eyes…are fixed on me. Her face reveals nothing as we stare at each other, but her mouth twitches faintly, exposing the strain in her eyes for a second. Then she tilts her chin, clasping her hands firmly in front of her. I know it immediately. She saw the kiss—she saw Giuliana lean in and press her lips to mine. What else did she see? My chest tightens uneasily as I stand, not taking my eyes off her for a second. I wait. For her to do something. But she remains in place, unblinking. My fingers flatten against my leg, itching to touch her. My throat works uselessly, helpless against the strained, rough exhales that slip past my lips. My gaze drops at the slight movement of her hand to her chest, picking off a lint. I grit my teeth slowly as heat wounds quickly through me, spreading to places that have no business feeling anything in public. It does, because it’s her. The warm red on

Playing for Real

Maya My eyes sweep for my target as I walk away from Lucien’s gaze. Antonio, Lucien’s brother. I’m being forward, I know. I already crossed him by showing up two hours late and now I’m making moves, all on my own. It’s a petty move too, maybe. But I did just see him kissing some woman. A stunning blonde who looked like she fit perfectly by his side. I shove my annoyance aside, scanning the crowd. I find him after a few seconds: tall, dark-haired, desperation practically dripping from him as he flirts with two brunettes. My stomach twists in anticipation—not from making contact, but defying Lucien. I bet he doesn’t see this often. I approach him slowly, letting my movements seem casual and effortless. I lift my hand in greeting, letting my voice rise high enough to interrupt his one-sided, painful pick-up lines and their forced, airy smiles. No doubt spurred on by the fact that he screams easy prey. “Hi. I’m Jenna Carr. It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Moretti.”The eff

My name isn’t Maya

Two minutes. A hundred and twenty seconds. That’s how long it takes for me to regret my decision—heading out of the main party area with Lucien’s brother. Antonio leads me to the dimmest corner of the property. I hesitate when I see how far he wants us to go, but he mistakes it for tiredness…exhaustion and offers help. “Do you want me to take the weight off your legs?” He glances down at my shoes, like it’s a gentlemanly offer, until his head rises again and I can see the excitement lurking in his eyes. Fuck. “No,” I shake my head, as politely as possible, with a smile that doesn’t feel anywhere close to genuine or grateful. “I can manage.”“Don’t knock it until you try it,” he presses with a grin, bending his forearm to flex his bicep. “I keep fit, you know. Not like my brother. He sits behind the desk all day, acting like he’s all that—” his tone turns to snide as he shoots a look over his shoulder, “—as if it takes a genius to run a company.”Well…I hate Lucien. I do. But

Warning: Line Breached!

Lucien I’ve heard her say it, more times than I’d like, how much she hates the night that happened between us. I’ve used her regret to trap her in my company…because I need her more than I can put into words. It’s not just being selfish or wanting to punish her, as I told myself at first. There’s something else. It has everything to do with the persistent push in the back of my throat when I saw Antonio’s smile and the recklessness that drove me to place a hand on her back, my fingers skimming lower with a pull I couldn’t resist. I wanted a reason to pull her away from my brother, and she knew it. She didn’t want me around, even though it was obvious that my brother’s intentions were far from noble. That he wouldn’t waste any time or opportunity letting them be known. That’s why I didn’t go after them, even when I caught his hand hovering over her ass, pretending to grab it with every step she took. At least that’s what I told myself between glasses of more horrible champagne

Inconveniences

MayaI hate myself for falling asleep. My head is throbbing by the time I wake up. I wasn't supposed to fall asleep. I should have found my way home the second I wake up.As I try to sit up, I notice that Lucien's hand is sprawled against my stomach, keeping me in place. Running away is my specialty though.I gently push his hand away as I slip out of the bed, picking up my lace panties, my bra, and my dress. I take a look at myself in the mirror, taking in the blush that covers my cheeks. My pussy is still pulsing, just as he said it would. My hair is wild, and I quickly brush it with my fingers, fixing as much as I can.Shame covers me as I am finally dressed, watching the rise and fall of Lucien's chest, scared that he is going to wake up any second. A part of me wants to lean down and kiss his plump lips that are slightly parted. Or run my hands through his lashes that are casting a shadow on his face. Or lean down to kiss his scar. I play a part in him getting that scar. I feel a

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