Forbidden To The Mobster
img img Forbidden To The Mobster img Chapter 7 SEVEN
7
Chapter 8 EIGHT img
Chapter 9 NINE img
Chapter 10 TEN img
Chapter 11 ELEVEN img
Chapter 12 TWELVE img
Chapter 13 THIRTEEN img
Chapter 14 FOURTEEN img
Chapter 15 FIFTEEN img
Chapter 16 SIXTEEN img
Chapter 17 SEVENTEEN img
Chapter 18 EIGHTEEN img
Chapter 19 NINETEEN img
Chapter 20 TWENTY img
Chapter 21 TWENTY ONE img
Chapter 22 TWENTY-TWO img
Chapter 23 TWENTY THREE img
Chapter 24 TWENTY-FOUR img
Chapter 25 TWENTY-FIVE img
Chapter 26 TWENTY SIX img
Chapter 27 TWENTY SEVEN img
Chapter 28 TWENTY-EIGHT img
Chapter 29 TWENTY-NINE img
Chapter 30 THIRTY img
Chapter 31 THIRTY ONE img
Chapter 32 THIRTY-TWO img
Chapter 33 THIRTY THREE img
Chapter 34 THIRTY-FOUR img
Chapter 35 THIRTY-FIVE img
Chapter 36 THIRTY-SEVEN img
Chapter 37 THIRTY-EIGHT img
Chapter 38 THIRTY-NINE img
Chapter 39 FORTY img
Chapter 40 FORTY ONE img
Chapter 41 FORTY-TWO img
Chapter 42 FORTY-THREE img
Chapter 43 FORTY-FOUR img
Chapter 44 FORTY-FIVE img
Chapter 45 FORTY- SIX img
Chapter 46 FORTY- SEVEN img
Chapter 47 THIRTY SIX img
Chapter 48 FORTY EIGHT img
Chapter 49 FORTY NINE img
Chapter 50 FIFTY img
Chapter 51 FIFTY ONE img
Chapter 52 FIFTY TWO img
Chapter 53 FIFTY-THREE img
Chapter 54 I trust only you, Catarina. I won't allow anyone else to operate on me img
Chapter 55 The room plunged into semi-darkness img
Chapter 56 Dante, you've crossed every boundary. img
Chapter 57 Tell me, what weighs on your soul, Catarina img
Chapter 58 I could swear I heard... img
Chapter 59 Have you decided on something img
Chapter 60 Who cut off Adam's ear img
Chapter 61 What are you doing here img
Chapter 62 Do you love Adam more than you loved me img
Chapter 63 Cliché img
Chapter 64 Are you kidding me, Dante img
Chapter 65 The computer img
Chapter 66 I can't accept that, Dante. img
Chapter 67 Thought I was joking, Catarina img
Chapter 68 The impeccably white hallways img
Chapter 69 Stop it, Catarina img
Chapter 70 Dante, how did this happen img
Chapter 71 The train glided smoothly img
Chapter 72 Vince img
Chapter 73 How did you two meet img
Chapter 74 Dante and I were kissing img
Chapter 75 ADAM'S POV img
Chapter 76 It was supposed to be us img
Chapter 77 The village img
Chapter 78 secret door img
Chapter 79 Plan B img
Chapter 80 Who are you img
Chapter 81 Do you not remember me, Catarina img
Chapter 82 Limbo img
Chapter 83 Amnesia img
Chapter 84 Why do you want to know about Dante img
Chapter 85 Trust me img
Chapter 86 Russian roulette img
Chapter 87 Who are you to me img
Chapter 88 DANTE'S POV img
Chapter 89 DANTE'S POV img
Chapter 90 DANTE'S POV img
Chapter 91 DANTE'S POV img
Chapter 92 Well, things have changed img
Chapter 93 What's your name again img
Chapter 94 Good morning img
Chapter 95 Piromalli img
Chapter 96 Who is Adam Scott img
Chapter 97 I slipped back into my black nightgown img
Chapter 98 Do you not trust me img
Chapter 99 we're leaving the mansion img
Chapter 100 Why are we here, Michele img
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Chapter 7 SEVEN

The makeup and wardrobe team came to me, transforming me from an ordinary young woman into a vision of elegance and seduction for the masquerade ball. My blood-red dress was stunning, and the matching mask concealed part of my face, leaving only my eyes exposed. I had never felt as sexy and alluring as I did that night.

Federica, always there to support me, watched my transformation and smiled with approval. "You look absolutely stunning, Catarina. You're perfect."

I smiled back at her, grateful for her words of encouragement. "Thank you, Federica. Tonight is the night when I'll show everyone that I deserve a place in the family. Starting with the meeting with the Russians."

She nodded, understanding the significance of the night for me. "Be careful, Catarina, and don't forget who you are."

After Federica's approval, I left my room and headed to the mezzanine, where Don Salvatore was waiting for me. From there, he introduced me to over five hundred masked guests who filled the mansion. I watched people, trying to guess their identities behind the elaborate masks.

Don Salvatore smiled at the crowd and said loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the star of the night, the birthday girl, Catarina Piromalli."

A warmth spread through my face as all eyes turned to me. I smiled and waved to the crowd, grateful for everyone's presence on this special night.

Don Salvatore approached me as if he were going to kiss my cheek, but his lips brushed against my ear as he whispered surprising words: "You are out of the meeting with the Russians."

I stepped back slightly, confused by Don Salvatore's statement. "What do you mean, Don Salvatore? Why am I out of the meeting?"

He turned to face me, and his expression was serious. "You need to understand your place, Catarina. This is a decision we've made for the good of the family."

I looked him directly in the eyes, determined to understand his motivations. "But why? I've done everything you've asked, I've worked hard to prove my worth."

Don Salvatore sighed and then replied firmly, "This is a way for you to finally understand where your place is and who is in charge of the family. Don't question my decisions, Catarina."

I felt hurt and confused, but at that moment, in front of all the guests, I couldn't argue with him. I reluctantly nodded, feeling powerless in the face of Don Salvatore's will.

The party continued, and I tried to forget the disturbing conversation with the family's head while interacting with guests, dancing, and trying to enjoy the night. However, Don Salvatore's words echoed in my mind, reminding me that, even amid the celebration, I was far from achieving the recognition I desired in the Mancuso family.

***

After the discussion with Don Salvatore, something inside me simply broke. The determination and respect I had held for so long disappeared, replaced by a thirst for freedom and a desire to express myself in a way I had never experienced before.

I decided I was going to push the boundaries. I stormed through the party like a hurricane, exceeding all limits. Likewise, I grabbed champagne flutes, martinis, wine, and any drink that came my way, and I drank without hesitation. I threw myself onto the dance floor, where the glittering lights and loud music enveloped me. I didn't care about the judgmental glances watching me because that night, I was the star of my own story.

The girls, my closest friends, Fioreza, Antonella, Cinzia, Elma, Donatella, and Giulia, surrounded me, concerned about my state. Fioreza asked where Dante, the older adoptive brother whom they believed was the most handsome, was. I couldn't help the laughter that escaped my lips, even though the situation was not funny.

"Dante? I highly doubt he'll come to my party. He hates me, remember?"

The girls exchanged worried glances. Elma, realizing I was already a bit drunk, asked if I was okay. My response came with a carefree tone.

"I'm perfect, Elma. Just enjoy the night."

I walked away from the girls and returned to the dance floor, where the music pulsed in my ears. I danced as if there were no tomorrow, losing myself in the beat and the feeling of freedom that the alcohol and music provided.

However, the truth was, that I was not okay. I was drowning in the pain of Don Salvatore's rejection and the feeling that I would never be seen as a true part of the family. But at that moment, I didn't want to think about it. I wanted to forget the responsibilities, the commitments, and the expectations. I just wanted to be myself, even if it was just for one night.

Not only that, but I reached the bar and ordered another drink, feeling fearless and invincible. That night, I would show everyone, especially Don Salvatore, who Catarina Piromalli was. It was my way of proving that I couldn't be controlled or restrained, no matter how powerful the man trying to shape me was.

***

The party continued in full swing, and I was immersed in a state of drunkenness that made me feel invulnerable. I drank everything within my reach, trying to drown out the frustrations and the sense of rejection that had taken over me. As I maintained this defiant posture, I noticed the presence of a tall man dressed in a black suit and wearing an equally black mask. My first reaction was to deduce that he was another one of Don Salvatore's henchmen, assigned to monitor me and ensure I didn't do anything inappropriate.

With a martini glass in hand, I extended it to the man with a tipsy smile. "Want a sip?" I asked, imagining that he would refuse, since he was there to keep an eye on me.

The man remained silent for a moment and then let out a bewildering laugh. "I don't think it would fit two people," he replied with a hint of irony.

I downed the martini, took the last sip, and continued my unsteady journey through the party. As I walked, I bumped into one of the guests, and before I realized it, the man in the black suit grabbed my arm and pulled me into his muscular arms. I let out a laugh as I observed him up close and commented on his strength.

However, he didn't seem to be in the mood for playfulness. He gently pushed me away, but I wasn't ready to give up my night of rebellion. I turned to him and said with a teasing laugh, "Oh, you're one of those serious types, aren't you? I like that."

He remained silent, watching me with eyes that gleamed behind the mask. But I wasn't willing to be controlled by anyone else that night. With a dismissive gesture, I pushed him away and continued my stroll through the mansion's garden.

The night was starry and perfect, the ideal setting for my personal rebellion. I found a solitary wooden bench and sat down, allowing the nighttime breeze to clear some of the drunkenness that enveloped me. The man in the black suit, however, didn't leave me alone and sat down next to me.

I stared at him for a moment, my dulled senses trying to understand why he was there. A crazy idea popped into my mind, driven by the combination of alcohol and challenge. I leaned in his direction and, with a mischievous smile on my lips, asked provocatively, "Are you ugly? Because, you know, I really want to kiss you, but I don't want to regret it later."

I didn't wait for an answer. Instead, I leaned closer to the man's face, my audacity intensified by the alcohol in my veins, and took his lips in a fiery kiss. It was a kiss that was a mixture of challenge, rebellion, and a momentary need to feel something different, something that would take me out of my own head.

The kiss was like a bolt of electricity, a flame that ignited in an instant. The masked man's response was immediate, his lips responding to mine with unexpected passion. The world around us disappeared as we surrendered to that fleeting moment of desire and prohibition.

It was a kiss that burned and faded quickly, leaving both of us breathless.

"Thank you, ugly," I casually thanked him for the kiss, hoping the man wouldn't judge me for my impulsiveness. He responded with an enigmatic smile.

"You're welcome, Bambi."

My heart skipped a beat. Bambi. It was like an electric shock. I turned to look at the man beside me, the mask still covering his eyes.

"Dante?" I whispered, incredulous.

He removed the black mask, revealing the face I knew so well. It was Dante, the older adoptive brother, whom I believed hated me. The same person who had given me the nickname I despised.

He smiled ironically, as if he were enjoying my surprise. "Surprise, Bambi. It looks like the birthday party isn't so bad after all."

I didn't know what to say. My world had been turned upside down that night, and the last person I expected to kiss was Dante.

                         

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