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Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claiming What's Mine: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

50 Kabanata

Chapter 1: Roman

Present...I'm beginning to lose myself.I feel it happening more with the passing of each day, and it scares the shit out of me. During rare moments of self-reflection, doubt creeps in, and I question objectives that should be irrefutable.For a man like me, this is a precarious situation.Over the last three years, I've done everything in my power to keep her at a distance. I've been a bastard. I've been rude. I've tried ignoring her. I've withheld my friendship. Most days, I'm barely civil to her, because I know all hell will break loose once the floodgates open.None of my tactics douse the spark that flares to life when we're in the same room. I'm a moth dancing too close to the twisting flames.One of these days, I'm going to get burned.Or end up with a bullet in my head.A solitary image of her flickering through my brain is enough to make me grow unbearably hard.I've found myself on the verge of reaching out to slide my fingers through the glossy strands of her dark ha

Chapter 2: Sofia

Three years ago..."Well, hello there, handsome." My sister cranes her neck. "Who do we have here?"At twenty-five, Francesca is already married and living in Philadelphia with her husband. I don't get to spend as much time with her as I'd like. Since we're two years apart, and she's my only sister out of four siblings, we're thick as thieves. I'm always excited when she comes home for a visit.Our mother has arranged a shopping excursion on Michigan Avenue, along with two dinner parties with friends and family while Frankie's here. If there's time, we'll head up north to spend the weekend at our cottage in Door County, Wisconsin. Escaping the frenetic energy of the city is always a welcome change. I could spend days wandering around the quaint little towns dotting Lake Michigan's eastern shores. Like the family compound which lies north of Chicago, the cottage has been in our family for generations. I don't bother glancing in the direction where Frankie's eyes are focused.

Chapter 3: Sofia

Two years agoA hand settles on my shoulder. Startled, I spin around. As my gaze collides with Franco's, a big smile spreads across my face. A matching grin lights up his."Franco!""Long time, no see, Valentini!"Without hesitation, I wrap my arms around his thin, wiry body and squeeze tight. He does the same. It's been at least a year since we've seen each other. Franco and I grew up together, and we've been close friends ever since. He moved to New York after college. We rarely get the chance to spend time together due to our busy schedules. Finding him here is a wonderful surprise."What are you doing here?""I was heading back from California when Pops asked me to stop home." He jerks his head toward the wing of the house where my father's office is located, his jovial expression sobering. "He's meeting with Enzo.""And he brought you along for the ride, huh?" Trying to lighten the heaviness permeating the air, I joke, "Moving up in the world, I see."He rolls his moch

Chapter 4: Sofia

One year ago...I hiccup and clap a hand over my mouth.I rarely drink, but the champagne went down far too easily tonight. I need to lie down upstairs until my head clears. My parents are entertaining guests from out of town, so sneaking away shouldn't be a problem with about fifty people in the house.I grasp the railing to steady myself and climb the darkened staircase at the back of the house. During the early nineteen-hundreds, a large household staff employed by the Valentini family used this set of steps to move unobtrusively throughout the mansion. A shadow looms over me when I reach the second floor. Even though I can't make out his features, my body instinctively senses his presence.Regardless of my feelings for Roman Santori, I'm fully aware of him on a physical level. It's always been this way and nothing-not his contempt, chilled demeanor, or indifference-has changed it.My attraction to him feels pathological at times.I've spent a lot of time trying to figure out

Chapter 5: Sofia

Present..."Congratulations!" I pull Grace, my brother's fiancée, in for a hug. "I'm so happy for you two!" My older brother, Matteo, has been popular with the opposite sex since he turned fifteen. An endless string of socialites and models have clung to his arm over the years. I don't remember seeing him with the same woman more than twice. I think my mother gave up on him ever falling in love. It didn't seem to be in his DNA.But Grace changed that. I've never seen my brother so besotted. And it's easy to understand why. His new fiancée is kind and sweet. Her easy nature draws people in. I already love her like a sister.Grace's smile widens. "Thank you!" She glances around the tent, which is filled with a hundred and fifty close friends and family. "It was so thoughtful of your parents to throw this party for us."I pat her on the shoulder. "It's adorable the way you think you had a choice in the matter." Snorting, I shake my head. "My mother has so much more in t

Chapter 6: Sofia

My fingers rise of their own accord and feather across my lips as our gazes stay locked from across the distance separating us. I've replayed that kiss on the staircase landing more than a thousand times in my head.Over a year later, I still don't understand why he kissed me. No matter how much I secretly longed for a repeat performance, nothing has happened. If anything, Roman's become colder and more standoffish. I didn't think it was possible, but it is.I keep hoping I'll outgrow my infatuation with Roman, but it hasn't happened yet. I'm beginning to wonder if it ever will, which sucks. I don't want to be hung up on a guy who can't even be pleasant when our paths cross.When I meet new guys, I automatically compare them to Roman. The kiss we shared has ruined me for all other men. And it blew every other kiss I've experienced into oblivion.If Roman intended to teach me a lesson, his attempt backfired spectacularly. Instead of driving me away, it's deepened my attraction

Chapter 7: Sofia

I blow out a long, slow breath.I'm irritated with myself for not thinking about the ramifications of my actions and for following my instincts instead of using better judgment. I say a silent prayer of thanks that I didn't stumble across him. The muscles in my abdomen clench uncomfortably at the thought because he wouldn't have been happy to see me.More like angry and irritated. Any conversation that would have taken place between us wouldn't have been pleasant. I rub my temples in frustration. When am I going to get over this stupid infatuation and get on with my life? My feelings for him aren't healthy. I should rejoin the party and pretend this little lapse in judgment never happened."What are you doing in here?" a voice thunders.I jump and whirl around, finding Roman looming in the doorway. His jaw looks like it's been carved from stone. The muscles of his body are coiled tight, as if he's on the cusp of attack. All the thoughts circling madly around in my head flee.

Chapter 8: Sofia

"Sofia, what's wrong?" My mother sets down the large platter she's holding on the kitchen island and takes a closer look at me. "Have you been crying?"She's not aware of the feelings I have for Roman, nor do I want her to be. I feel like a fool after what happened in Papa's office. The last thing I want is her pity. It will make me feel worse.I also know that if I tell her what happened with Roman, she'll have him fired immediately. Or worse. Roman has become a valuable asset to the organization over the years. My father heavily depends on him. My brothers assist Papa when needed, but none of them are interested in taking over when he decides to step down because they have their own business ventures to run. Causing problems for Roman will cause problems for my father if the person he wants to pass the reins to is no longer an option.And I'm not interested in going there. Roman Santori isn't worth the effort, and part of me recognizes I'm somewhat at fault for what occurr

Chapter 9: Sofia

I smile at the student sitting across the desk from me.Ella Michaels is eighteen years old and will graduate in less than two months. She's worked hard over the last four years and should end with close to a four-point GPA. She tested well on both the ACT and SAT, which she took at the end of her junior year and had her choice of top-notch universities all over the country. Since she's a state champion swimmer who lettered freshman year and broke two school records in the four hundred breaststroke and freestyle, universities with D1 swim programs have vied for her attention since she was a sophomore. After visiting her top three schools last year and talking at length with the coaches, she settled on Florida State.Intelligent, athletic, and talented, Ella is one of those students who make everything look effortless. She appears to have it all. It would be easy to hate her, but she's sweet, genuine, and goes out of her way to be friendly with everyone.Two months ago, she came i

Chapter 10: Sofia

Her mouth trembles. "I know. My parents keep saying the same thing.""I'm glad to hear that. Your mom and dad have been so supportive through all this."She blows out a breath. "Yeah, my mom and dad have been the best. I thought they'd be angry after they found out about the baby. I imagined they'd kick me out of the house or..." she trails off. "I don't know, hate me or something." Ella shakes her head before continuing. "But that hasn't happened. They were just really disappointed that Collin and I weren't more careful about birth control."I can only imagine what her parents are going through. To have your daughter all set to swim at the D1 level with a partial scholarship to pay for college and then have it disappear in the blink of an eye must be tough to stomach. Thankfully her parents are focused on the positives and have been wonderful about helping Ella through this pregnancy. Because Ella has such a strong support system, she'll be able to achieve anything she se

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