All Chapters of The Art of Obedience: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Julian DeLuca had barely caught up with me before he was already itching to whisk me away to a hotel room.He was the hotshot of Italvia, with a family that was a force to reckon with.I paused, unsure."Isn't this moving a little too fast?"However, he was full of urgency and eagerness. "Too fast? My dear, how could it be? Don't you love me?"He pouted, and his eyes suddenly looked misty, like a puppy left out in the rain.I almost caved right then and there.He had that look of an innocent golden retriever, but a part of me was still holding on to some sense."Julian, if we're going to do this, can we at least do it my way? I don't want you to get hurt..."He barely listened to my concerns, nodding eagerly."Absolutely, my dear. Whatever makes you comfortable!"I gave in, just a bit.He turned away, smug, and started showing off in the mafia group chat.[She's easy pickings. A little charm and she's all mine!][Stay tuned for the photo!]I expected a round of applause

Chapter 2

Julian's brow furrowed, his voice tinged with annoyance at the interruption."What was that noise?""Ah... It's just the dog acting up. Give me a second."Ignoring his attempts to keep me there, I rose swiftly and made my way to the coatroom.When I opened the closet, I was met with a face flushed with suppressed rage.It was Ethan Marino, the youngest son of a mafia Underboss in Italvia.His attire was still in order, except his hands were tied behind his back.A black leather gag filled his mouth, silencing him.The closet was a mess, thanks to his struggles.One of my delicate garments had slipped between his legs, nearly drenched. His eyes burned with unspoken desires, the edges reddened.However, in that moment, they also conveyed a sense of hurt and accusation.I crouched down, speaking with a hint of regret, "Ethan, you see, I've got a boyfriend now, so this has to stop. I take my relationships seriously, you know."His face registered shock, and he shook his head wi

Chapter 3

I could not be bothered to make a fuss.I pressed a soothing kiss to his cheek, my whisper brushing his ear. "Be good for me, will you?"His intense stare did not faze me as I pulled away.In the shadowy room, I reclaimed my seat on Julian's lap. Moonlight spilled through the window.Ethan could do nothing but watch, silent and seething, as I slipped out of my clothes.He left the room without a word, his frustration audible only in the sharp thud of the door closing behind him.Julian, ever vigilant, looked up and asked, "Who's there?""Just a stray dog I found. He was too greedy with his food, so I sent him packing," I replied.The eye mask was flimsy, and I worried he might catch a glimpse of too much. I cupped his face, guiding it back to me, and playfully tapped his nose."Ruining the surprise would spoil the game," I mused."Do dogs know how to close doors?" he questioned, a hint of doubt in his voice.To keep his mind from wandering, I grabbed his hand and placed it

Chapter 4

The sender was Vincent Romano, the scion of Italvia's second most formidable mafia family and my former regular fling.The first time I saw him at the club, he stood out in his tailored black sweater and gold-rimmed glasses, sleeves rolled up in casual elegance. He had the looks of a gentleman but the wild streak of a rogue.We clicked instantly. He was adventurous and always game.I had not looked for anyone else in a long while, until that one time.After the commotion had settled, he slipped into the kitchen to whip up some late-night eats for me.His phone buzzed on the nightstand."Vincent, your phone's going off!""Can you check it for me?"He gave me the green light, so I grabbed the phone without a second thought.That was when I stumbled upon Lucia's bombshell texts in their group chat.[Bed picture…][Ruin her reputation…]The chat was ablaze with everyone but Vincent chiming in.The words stung my eyes, and I scrolled up to find more.There it was, a sneaky sna

Chapter 5

Turf war drama was not my scene. I ducked into my room to escape the noise.Vincent and Julian locked eyes.One barely covered in a towel, his hair still wet, his cheeks flushed and not yet cooled. It was clear as day what had just gone down.One guy, all dressed up in a suit jacket, but with a lacy bra peeking out from underneath.Around his neck was a collar emblazoned with bold, gold letters that read 'Sofia's very own pet'. His desire for something more to happen could not have been more blatant.Julian was still in shock when Vincent's fist came flying at him.Gritting his teeth, he spat, "You bastard! What are you even doing here? I get it, you're here to snap some secret shots of Sofia's intimate moments, aren't you?!"Julian quickly glanced at the bedroom, making sure I had not appeared.Then, he turned back to lock eyes with Vincent, both fuming."Zip it! Don't spew garbage! I'm her boyfriend! What secret shots? If she gets the wrong idea about me, you're toast!"Vin

Chapter 6

I gave Julian a minute.He stayed silent.Losing my patience, I tossed the phone at his feet. "That's it, we're through."Julian finally looked up and pleaded, "No, sweetheart, just hear me out! I wouldn't snap bedroom pictures of you. We've only been together for a day. You can't kick me out!"His voice was laced with panic, teetering on the edge of tears.However, if there was one thing I could not stand, it was a man crying outside the bedroom.I pulled my shirt free from his desperate grip, my voice sharp with irritation. "Get out!"Vincent stepped in quickly, blocking Julian who was lunging toward me.I glanced over at Vincent. A soft pink blush spread across his milky skin, barely hidden beneath the sheer lace of his bra.Interesting.I pointed at Vincent, feeling generous. "Since you're here, don't just stand around. Get him out, clean up, and then come find me in my room."Vincent's face lit up with relief and excitement. "Sure thing!"With that, I spun around and h

Chapter 7

I woke up with the sun high in the sky.The scent of a home-cooked meal filled the air from the kitchen.Stretching with a yawn, I settled in for the breakfast Vincent had made.Say what anyone would, but the mafia heir had a surprising knack for cooking.It was one of the reasons we had kept the arrangement going for so long.Vincent watched me eat, a nervous energy about him.Feeling his unease, I set down my fork and met his gaze. "Spit it out."He hesitated, fidgeting before he finally voiced his question. "What are we now?"His question caught me off guard. "Just friends with benefits," I replied.His face fell, a mix of disappointment and reluctance. With a hint of challenge in his voice, he asked, "Then, why can Julian be your boyfriend? Why am I not good enough?"I could not help but chuckle."Julian had his own agenda, but he wooed me relentlessly before all that."Good morning texts, surprise gifts, dinner dates, rides to and from work, and showering me with the w

Chapter 8

I raised an eyebrow. "That's quite a rumor you got there. You know him?"Ethan denied with a head shake, the bell's tinkle cutting through the silence of the office,"Nope. I had someone tail him."He looked up for approval, but I just laughed and nudged him back with my heel."Then, your spy must've missed the part about someone else walking through my door this morning."Jealousy sparked in his eyes. "I'm aware, but it doesn't bother me."His hands, warm and gentle, found my ankle as he knelt and edged closer. "Is he younger? Better looking? Loaded? Can he even compare to me?"I cocked my head, mulling it over. That was not an easy call.Ethan, though, could not wait, clasping my ankle and planting a fervent kiss. It tickled, and I gave him a playful kick. He toppled back, and there it was, the full works, plus a little extra. Ethan had locked himself up in a chastity cage.My eyes drifted down, and he did not shy away. Instead, he boldly parted his legs, giving me an unob

Chapter 9

However, Ethan quickly recovered, tilting his face to show off the lipstick.'Here we go again,' I thought.I leaned on the car, pulling out my phone to play some games.Ethan chuckled with a taunt, "So, you're the one who snuck into Sofia's bed this morning. Totally shameless! She's dumped you, and you're still fawning over her like a lost puppy!""Who said she dumped me?"Vincent's jaw was set, his teeth grinding.Ethan replied with a smug certainty, "Sofia's made it clear that she's single."His voice dripped with sarcasm, sparing no chance to mock. "So, what's it gonna be, Mr. High-and-Mighty? Are you ready to come clean as her secret lover, or are you just slumming it with me, the love child, for a quick fling?"Vincent's hands balled into fists.Meanwhile, I was nearly gagging on the overpowering scent of flowers and sneezed.Vincent turned to me with concern."Sofia, are the flowers too much? I'm sorry, I didn't think it through."I waved it off, signaling that I was f

Chapter 10

Ethan's booming voice made sure everyone in the car got an earful. Vincent shot me a nervous look.I was silent the whole ride.It was not until we got home and I was about to step out that he gently tugged at my sleeve, saying carefully, "I never saw you as just a fling. I'm serious about us."I turned around and gave Vincent a nonchalant shrug. "It doesn't bother me. You're a pretty good catch yourself, as far as flings go."Ignoring the wounded look in his eyes, I slammed the car door shut and headed upstairs.However, as I reached my door, the scene that greeted me was just....Wow.My birth parents, the Don, David Esposito and the Donna, Rosa Santoro, were camped out at my doorstep.Their eyes red, they swarmed me, gripping my hands."My girl, you've been through so much! We're your real parents! We're here to take you back home!"Just then, Lucia burst out of the fire escape stairway and yelled, "Dad! Mom! You're here for my sister, but what about me? Are you going to l

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