جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 30

— THE DISOWNED HEIRESS & THE SCARRED FRENCH MONARCH —The big meeting room in the De Vitis top floor was very quiet. Strong smell of tobacco and thick coffee hung in the air under bright glass lights. Rain hit hard against the tall windows that looked out over New York City.Seven men sat around that table. They were the old leaders and rich business owners who made up the De Vitis Inner Council. Together they controlled ports, secret clubs, buildings and all trade that kept the family business running.Matteo De Vitis sat at one end. He was Lucian’s uncle, nearly sixty with neat gray hair and a fine suit. He turned his glass of dark drink slowly and wore a small, happy smile. He thought his plan worked perfectly. The northern docks were burned, the goods were gone, and Lucian was either lost or angry somewhere. He was ready to take the top seat."We cannot let this wild behavior go on," Matteo said smoothly with fake sad eyes. He put his glass down with a soft sound. "Lucian is a fig

— THE DISOWNED HEIRESS & THE SCARRED FRENCH MONARCH —Nikolai Volkov gave him a hard choice. He could get the man who killed his mother but he had to give Vivienne to his worst enemy.Vivienne pulled the sheet tight over her body. She watched his face and saw how tense he was. Slowly Lucian put the phone down on the table. When he looked at her the kind man from before was gone. His eyes were cold and hard. He hid his real fear behind his pride."A simple deal," Lucian said his voice low and rough. He stood up and put on his robe. "Nikolai is a businessman. He knows a good trade when he sees one."Vivienne narrowed her eyes. She did not back down. "A good trade, Don De Vitis? You sound like you already made up your mind."Lucian turned his back to her and tied his robe. "Let’s be real Vivienne. This is mafia business. It is not a love story. I paid to clear your family's debt. You are just an item I own."He walked to the door and looked at her with no feeling."Get your things ready,

— THE DISOWNED HEIRESS & THE SCARRED FRENCH MONARCH — Everything turned into bright white light and a very loud bang. The push from the blast hit them hard, but Vivienne barely felt the floor. All she felt was Lucian’s heavy solid body covering hers, keeping her safe from flying glass and broken pieces of wall. Lucian let out a low groan as a sharp piece of wood cut his shoulder, but his arms stayed tight around her like strong iron. He did not move. He did not pull away. He just held her down, his heart beating fast against her. "Lucian!" Vivienne gasped, her chest stinging from smoke and cold rain blowing through the broken wall. "Stay down, little one," he said roughly, his voice tight with pain. Through dust and smoke, the sound of boots walked across the floor. Red laser lights cut through the dark, looking for them. The men sent by the Elder Council broke into the place. They did not come to talk—they came to kill Lucian and anyone with him. A man with a gun stepped

— THE DISOWNED HEIRESS & THE SCARRED FRENCH MONARCH — VIVIENNE’S POV Walking through a crowded street market while holding hands with a six-foot-three mafia boss who was having a literal existential crisis over a grey hoodie was easily the funniest thing that had happened to me all week. "Lucian, relax your shoulders," I muttered, leaning closer to his side as a man pushing a cart of fish brushed past us. "You look like a robot about to punch a vendor. You’re supposed to be blending in." "I am blending in," he growled under his breath, his voice ridiculously deep under the brim of his black baseball cap. "I am wearing a garment made of cheap cotton blend, Vivienne. I feel naked. And these shoes have zero ankle support." I snorted, squeezing his hand. "They’re sneakers, Monarch. Millions of people wear them every day. Just keep walking." He didn't let go of my hand. In fact, every time someone came within two feet of me, his large fingers tightened around mine so hard it almost b

— THE DISOWNED HEIRESS & THE SCARRED FRENCH MONARCH —VIVIENNE’S POVThe doorknob slowly turned.Lucian didn’t hesitate. He pulled the trigger.BANG!The warning shot tore through the door panel splitting it open. A yelp cut through the morning air from the porch and the door was kicked inward."Boss! Chill out! It’s me! Don’t shoot your own captain!"Marco stood there hands raised soaked and caked in thick mud.I let out a long breath tension leaving my chest. Lucian lowered his gun slightly but stayed firmly between me and the door his eyes blazing."Marco" he growled low. "Three seconds to explain why you didn’t knock before I put a bullet in your head.""Tried to be quiet so I wouldn’t wake the lovebirds" Marco panted wiping rain from his face as he stepped inside. "But your reflexes are still psycho. Lock up we have a huge problem."Lucian locked the splintered door jaw tight. "What happened? You were meant to lead trackers north.""I did" Marco said his usual tone gone serious.