Claim Me – East Coast Mafia Read Online Marian Tee

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Mafia Tags Authors: Marian Tee Advertisement

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Beyond lies what appears to be the main level of the residence—sleek, modern architecture now transformed by emergency lighting and water damage from the sprinkler system. The smoke is thicker here, suggesting the fire Gabriele mentioned as distraction is primarily focused on this level rather than the containment area below.

I move carefully through rooms that show signs of hasty abandonment—monitors still active, doors left open, personal items scattered as if security personnel had deployed rapidly in response to the emergency. No immediate sign of Valentina or higher-level associates, suggesting they've either evacuated or relocated to a more secure area of the property.

Navigation is challenging in the semi-darkness, with smoke creating additional visual obstruction, but I continue forward, seeking exits, seeking Gabriele, seeking any advantage over the forces arrayed against me.

A hallway leads toward what appears to be the main entrance, now visible through periodic flashes of emergency lighting. I move toward it, hope rising with each step closer to potential freedom.

Then a figure steps into my path, elegant even in crisis, expression cold despite the chaos surrounding us.

Valentina.

I consider my options. Calculate escape routes against the likelihood of success like Gabriele taught me to. The other woman holds no visible weapon, but her confidence suggests one is present, suggests she believes herself fully in control despite the evident breach of her security.

"It's over, Valentina." I need to keep her from doing something. Or get her to talk. "Gabriele is here. Your security is compromised. Whatever you planned for me ends now."

A smile touches her lips, cold and certain. "It seems you're too stupid to understand what's really going on. Gabriele might well be here, yes. But you're still with me. And that means I have leverage."

I slowly shake my head. "You're the one who doesn't understand. You've already lost Valentina."

And despite the flash of outrage in her eyes, my words are no exaggeration.

Because the man I trusted to save me is standing right behind her.

GABRIELE

I've been tracking her through the smoke-filled corridors, moving silently as Toole's distraction fire does its work.

Valentina, as expected, was unable to resist the temptation to make another attempt to eliminate my wife. And now she's about to pay the price for daring to harm the woman I love.

The sprinklers have created chaos, disorienting Valentina's security team, providing the perfect cover for my advance. I watched with pride as Kleah escaped her escort using the exact moves I'd taught her—precise, efficient, beautiful in their execution.

Now I stand behind Valentina Biancardi, gun pressed against the base of her skull, watching my wife's face transform with relief.

"It's over, Valentina," I say, voice steady despite the rage coursing through me. "Tell your people to stand down."

Her body stiffens, but she doesn't turn. Smart—a woman who's survived this long knows better than to make sudden movements with a gun against her head.

"Gabriele," she says, voice admirably controlled. "How predictable that you'd come for her personally. Always so hands-on with your... attachments."

"Radio," I say, ignoring her attempt at provocation. "Now. Tell them to stand down."

She reaches slowly for the radio at her belt. "This is Biancardi," she says into it. "Stand down. Repeat, stand down."

Static crackles, then confirmation from multiple security positions.

"Kleah, come to me," I say, never taking my eyes off Valentina. "Stay behind me."

Kleah moves carefully, positioning herself safely out of potential harm's way. She's pale but composed, displaying the quiet strength that first drew me to her beyond obligation or duty.

We stand in tense silence, water still dripping from the ceiling, smoke thinning around us.

"One last chance, Valentina," I say. "Walk away. Permanently. Disappear from our lives, and I allow you—-"

Her movement is sudden, practiced, almost too fast to track—body twisting, hand reaching inside her jacket, emerging with a small pistol.

Almost too fast.

I fire once. The bullet enters her forehead just above the right eye, a clean kill that drops her instantly, weapon unfired.

Silence follows, the only sound the dripping water and distant shouts of confused security personnel.

I'm already stepping toward Kleah, shielding her from the sight with my body, tucking her against me as I assess for additional threats.

My wife buries her face against my chest, arms around my waist, body trembling slightly with delayed reaction, with the emotional aftermath of captivity and escape.

I hold her tightly, one hand cradling her head, keeping her close.

"It's over," I tell her, voice rough with emotion I no longer attempt to suppress. "Truly over. She can't reach you now, can't threaten what's ours."

Hazel eyes made blurry with tears meet mine, and no words are needed.

I love you.

I love you.

And when she touches my cheek with a trembling hand, I hear her just as fine.

Take me home, Gabriele.

I sweep her up in my arms even as my heart continues to pound against my chest.

I could've lost her.

So easily.

A thousand things could've gone wrong.

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