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THE TORTURE

Author: Uj Kay
last update publish date: 2026-03-16 23:57:56

The door slammed shut behind Alessia with a finality that punched straight through my chest.

For one frozen second, the room felt smaller, colder, like the walls had closed in the moment she was gone. I was still on my knees, wrists zip-tied so tight the plastic had sliced skin and warm blood was sliding down my forearms. My ribs burned from where Alexei’s crutches had hammered them, but that pain was nothing. Nothing compared to the black, roaring fury that flooded every vein the instant they
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  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   GHOST FROM THE PAST

    I nodded and spent the next several minutes telling her the full story. How we met in high school, how deeply I had cared for him, how he disappeared without explanation, and how running into him at the hotel had stirred up old feelings of confusion and pain. Betty listened attentively, occasionally nodding.When I finished, she leaned back. “There is something off about him. I cannot quite place it, but his energy feels… intense. Like he is not fully over you.”I sighed. “I agree. I felt it too.”The rest of our brunch continued more lightly. We talked about fashion, travel dreams, and even swapped funny stories about Ivan. By the time we left for shopping, the encounter with Elias felt like a distant cloud. We wandered through elegant boutiques, trying on dresses and laughing at ridiculous outfits. Betty bought a beautiful scarf, and I found a soft cashmere sweater that would grow with my pregnancy.As we walked back toward the car later that afternoon, arm in arm, I felt grateful f

  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   UNFINISHED BUSINESS

    The morning light filtered softly through the penthouse windows, casting a golden glow over the living room. After the emotional chaos of the previous night, waking up to Ivan’s laughter echoing from the kitchen felt like a gift. Betty had already joined him, and the two of them were making coffee while trading playful banter. I stood in the doorway watching them, my hand resting gently on my still small bump. The baby gave a tiny flutter, as if agreeing that today should be lighter.Dante had left early for a meeting with Liam to discuss the Krasnov threat, but not before kissing me deeply and promising to return soon. Ivan noticed me and grinned. “Alessia, perfect timing. Betty wants to explore the city. You should take her out. Show her the good spots before she flies back.”Betty’s eyes lit up. “Only if you’re free. I don’t want to impose.”I smiled warmly. “I would love that. Brunch first, then some shopping. Just us girls.”Ivan winked. “Good. Dante needs to stop hovering anyway

  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   THE SHADOW FROM ST. PETERSBURG

    The penthouse felt different tonight. Warmer. Safer. Ivan’s laughter still echoed in my ears as we stepped through the private elevator doors, Betty’s hand tucked in his. The relief of finding him safe had lifted a massive weight from all of us, but I could already sense the shift in Dante. His body was relaxed with family, yet his mind was clearly pulling back toward the war we had temporarily stepped away from.Ivan stretched dramatically as we entered the living room. “I still can’t believe you mobilized half the city for a weekend getaway. Dad looked ready to burn Moscow down.”Maxim had already been dropped off at his house, but his parting hug with Ivan had been emotional. Now it was just the four of us. Betty smiled shyly, clearly still adjusting to the intensity of the Moretti world.Dante kissed my temple. “Make yourselves comfortable. Rooms are ready for you both. We’ll talk more in the morning.”Ivan winked at me. “Don’t let him work too hard, Alessia. He’s got a baby on th

  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   UNEXPECTED REUNION

    The tension from the past few hours still lingered in the air. I picked at my pasta, savoring each bite while keeping one hand protectively over my belly. The baby had been active tonight, as if sensing the whirlwind of emotions surrounding us. Dante sat beside me, his thigh pressed firmly against mine, a silent reminder of his presence. Maxim kept glancing toward the entrance every few seconds, his worry refusing to fully fade despite the relief we had seen on the screens.Joe suddenly looked up from his laptop, eyes wide. “Don, he’s here. Ivan just entered the reception area with the woman.”Dante stood up immediately, pushing his chair back. “I’ll go bring him.”Maxim rose too, determination flashing across his face. “I’m coming with you.”I reached out and gently caught Maxim’s arm. “Please continue eating. Let Dante go. You’ve been so worried. Give yourself a moment to breathe.”Maxim hesitated, then slowly sat back down, though his eyes followed Dante as he strode out of the res

  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   JEALOUS AND THREATENED

    The car stopped in front of the Phoenix Hotel once more. We stepped out into the cool night air. Dante’s men formed a tight perimeter around us as we moved. Dante turned to Joe, who was already watching the live feed on his phone. “Anything yet?”Joe shook his head. “No site for them yet.”I looked at the grand entrance and the elegant restaurant visible through the glass. “We can’t just stand here. Let’s go to their restaurant and eat while we wait for them.”Maxim nodded quickly. “Oh, sorry Alessia. Let’s go get you and my grandchild fed.”Inside the restaurant, soft classical music played in the background. Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light over white tablecloths and fresh flowers. We settled at a quiet corner table. We placed our orders — light pasta and fresh juice for me, steak for Dante, grilled fish for Maxim. I gently urged Joe, who looked uncomfortable, to order something. He finally chose a simple burger, blushing when I smiled at him.While we waited for the food,

  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   ROOM 28BE.

    The multiple screens glowed with sharp blue light, casting shadows across all our faces. Maxim paced behind us, his footsteps heavy with worry, while Joe leaned forward, eyes narrowed in concentration. The air felt thick, charged with hope and dread in equal measure. My hand rested protectively over my belly, where our baby continued its gentle, secret flutters, a tiny heartbeat of life reminding me why every decision mattered so much right now.On the main screen, Ivan and the woman stood at the Phoenix Hotel reception desk. They looked relaxed, almost happy. Ivan smiled at her as he pulled out his card and handed it over. My breath caught when the receptionist slid a key card across the counter. They were checking in. Together.Dante leaned closer, his chest solid against my back. “Joe, zoom in on the key card. See if the room number is visible.”Joe’s fingers danced across the keys. The image enlarged, pixels sharpening until we could make out the faint engraving. Room 28BE.Maxim

  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   THE DETECTIVE

    I followed Dante into the dimly lit training room, the air heavy with the sharp tang of gun oil and the faint musk of sweat from men who lived on the edge. His soldiers hardened faces etched with scars and eyes that had seen too much, snapped to attention the moment he entered. He surveyed them slo

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-18
  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   THE LESSON CONTINUES

    The days bled into one another until I lost track of whether it was Tuesday or Sunday. Time no longer mattered; only the rhythm Dante set mattered. Wake at dawn, black coffee he brewed too strong, then down to the bunker-level three where the air tasted of lead and ozone. The underground range had

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   FIRST MISSION

    Alessia's body still hummed with the aftershocks of their passion, her limbs heavy and languid as if every muscle had been wrung out and remade in the fire of Dante's touch. Dante propped himself up on one elbow, his dark eyes tracing the curves of her body with a possessiveness that sent a fresh

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
  • THE MAFIA'S PRICE   THE LEDGER

    His words hung in the air, a promise and a threat, and his proximity was a furnace that threatened to melt the carefully constructed walls around my heart.But before I could respond, before I could lean into that intoxicating promise of a kingdom, a cold, sharp shard of memory pierced through the

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17
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