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Alexander Vivian's words settled heavily over the room, and I found myself studying her more carefully, aware that whatever history she carried with Rafael clearly extended beyond simple professional acquaintance. "What exactly happened between them?" I asked. "You said the falling out nearly cost him his life. What role did you play in that?" Vivian was quiet for a moment, gathering herself before responding. "I was young when I first encountered Salvatore's world," she said. "Rafael was already established within it, someone Salvatore trusted implicitly at the time. When their falling out happened, I was caught in the middle of circumstances I've never fully discussed with anyone since." "Vivian, we need more than vague references right now," Elara said gently. "If we're considering trusting this man based on your history with him, we need to understand exactly what that history involves." "I know," Vivian said. "But some of it isn't only my story to share. Rafael risked every

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Elara The tension in the restaurant sharpened instantly as the three men moved further inside, their approach deliberate and unmistakably hostile despite the public setting around us. "Elara Thorne," the lead man said, stopping a few feet from our booth, his voice carrying a familiarity that told me he had encountered our family before, likely during the chaos surrounding Vincenzo's downfall. "I've been waiting a long time for an opportunity like this." "I don't believe we've met," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline already building through my system. "We haven't formally," he said. "But I served Vincenzo for over a decade. Watching you and your husband destroy everything he built, everything my colleagues and I dedicated our lives to, that's not something easily forgiven." "This isn't the appropriate venue for settling old grievances," I said, my eyes tracking the two men flanking him, both positioned to block the most obvious exit routes. "I disagree comple

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Alexander Elara brought the phone to me despite my injury, putting it on speaker so I could hear Rafael's frightened voice directly, understanding the gravity of what he was describing required both our attention. "Rafael," I said, my voice steady despite the pain still radiating through my shoulder. "Tell us exactly what happened. How did Salvatore find out about the letter?" "I don't know for certain," Rafael said, his breathing unsteady through the phone. "I was careful, I promise you I was careful. But somehow he knew within hours of sending it to you. He came to my house personally, something he hasn't done in years, and he made it very clear what would happen if I continued trying to help you." "What exactly did he threaten?" Elara asked. "My wife," Rafael said, his voice breaking slightly. "My children. He described details about their daily routines that terrified me, proof he's been watching them closely enough to know their schedules, their vulnerabilities. He said if I

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Elara The drive to Michael's school felt endless, every red light stretching into an eternity, as Alexander gripped the steering wheel with white-knuckled determination, despite his injured shoulder; both of us were consumed by the same terrifying possibilities. "What if Salvatore actually did something to him?" I said, my voice tight with fear I couldn't fully suppress. "What if his threat during that Commission meeting wasn't simply words meant to intimidate?" "Elara, we don't know anything yet," Alexander said, though his own voice carried the same barely controlled panic I felt myself. "Let's get there before we assume the worst." We arrived at the school within minutes, practically running toward the main office where Principal Davidson waited for us, her expression carrying a seriousness that did nothing to calm the dread building in my chest. "Where's Michael?" I demanded immediately, scanning the office for any sign of my son. "Is he hurt?" "He's completely unharmed," Pr

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Alexander I walked into the kitchen just as Michael asked his question, and I saw Elara's expression shift immediately, the weight of his words clearly landing hard against everything she had already been carrying since the incident at school. "Michael," she said, kneeling down to meet his eyes directly. "None of this is your fault. Not any of it." "But why does he keep watching me?" Michael asked, his voice small and confused. "What did I do to make him notice me?" I crossed the kitchen and knelt beside Elara, wanting Michael to see both of us present for this conversation, united in reassuring him despite the frightening reality we couldn't fully explain. "Michael, this has nothing to do with anything you did," I said gently. "This man is dangerous, and unfortunately, he's chosen to threaten our family because of things happening in the adult world, things related to work your mom and I are involved in. None of it connects to anything about you specifically as a person." "Then

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Elara Alexander showed me the message the moment it arrived, and I felt my stomach drop as I read Marco's words, the fear he had managed to keep controlled throughout the entire evening finally breaking through in his tone. "Try calling him," I said immediately, watching Alexander's hands move quickly across his phone. "I already am," he said, holding the phone to his ear, his expression growing increasingly tense as the seconds stretched without any response. "Nothing?" I asked, though the answer was already evident in his expression. "Straight to voicemail," he said, ending the call and immediately trying again. "Elara, this isn't good. Marco always responds, even during dangerous operations. This kind of silence isn't like him." I paced the length of the study, my mind racing through the limited options available to us, every scenario I considered carrying its own significant risk. "We need to send someone in," I said. "We can't simply wait here while Marco might be in immed

All Chapters of Contracted to My Fiance’s Mafia Don: Chapter 161 - Chapter 166

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