Claimed By The Ruthless Mafia

Ryder’s pov.

Underneath the calm facade, a whirlwind of emotions churned within us, but we both masked our true feelings, determined to preserve the cherished bond of our friendship.

The morning sun had breathed new life into us, and after indulging in a refreshing shower and a delightful breakfast, we settled on the plush couch, cuddled up together, engrossed in a movie playing on the grand 75-inch TV. Bella lay against my chest, finding comfort in our familiar closeness.

Breaking the tranquil silence, I softly spoke, my fingers tenderly caressing her hair, “Do you remember? We have a wedding to attend next weekend.”

Bella turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting mine, and replied with a soft smile, “Yeah, I remember.”

“Have you decided what to wear? I mean, have you thought about your outfit for the wedding?” I inquired, knowing Bella’s endearing simplicity and innocence, characteristics that set her apart from others and made me admire her all the more.

“Hmm, not yet,” Bella replied nonchalantly, her attention drawn back to the captivating movie on the screen.

“Alright then, get ready. We’ll go shopping, and afterward, I’ll take you out for lunch,” I declared, rising from the couch and gently urging Bella to do the same.

Her face lit up with excitement, and she hurried off to freshen up, still clad in the same clothes from the night before.

After around thirty minutes, Bella emerged from the hallway, and I was waiting for her with a warm smile. Taking her hand in mine, our fingers interlacing effortlessly, we stepped out of the house together, ready for a day of shared cherished moments. The sun smiled down upon us, and a sense of anticipation filled the air as we embarked on our little shopping spree, our laughter and conversations weaving a beautiful tapestry of companionship and understanding.

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Bella’s pov.

As we stepped into the mall, Ryder guided me towards the most extravagant store in the vicinity. My heart sank as I saw the opulent display of merchandise, well beyond what I could afford. I leaned in and whispered to Ryder, my voice tinged with worry, “Ryder, this place is too expensive. I can’t shop here. Let’s go somewhere more reasonable…” Resting my head on his shoulder, I stole glances at the luxurious items, knowing they were far out of my reach. However, Ryder was having none of it and firmly took my hand, leading me inside despite my protests.

“Don’t worry about the price. It’s all on me. Just choose whatever you want,” he declared nonchalantly, brushing aside my financial concerns.

Frustration bubbled within me as I realized Ryder was determined to treat me to this extravagant shopping spree. “You’re so stubborn, you know that,” I remarked, rolling my eyes playfully, my affection for him still shining through despite my exasperation.

Ryder chuckled, his laughter resonating deeply, and it was impossible not to be captivated by his charisma. He had a magnetic presence that always left me feeling weak in the knees.

A salesgirl approached Ryder with eagerness, and her face lit up with admiration as she ogled him shamelessly. I felt a twinge of jealousy and discomfort, as it was evident she was infatuated with him. After all, Ryder was wealthy and famous, one of the most sought-after bachelors.

“How can I assist you, sir?” the salesgirl addressed Ryder, her voice betraying her flattery.

Ryder gestured towards me with a nod of his head and said, “Show something to this lovely lady.”

It was then that the salesgirl finally acknowledged my presence, and I noticed a hint of displeasure in her expression as she scanned me from head to toe. Self-consciousness washed over me as I realized I was still wearing the clothes from the previous night. My hand instinctively ran through my hair, attempting to fix it in a hurry.

With a somewhat disapproving tone, the salesgirl motioned for us to follow her, leading us to a section adorned with breathtaking gowns. My eyes widened in awe at the sight before me, and I was momentarily speechless. The dresses exuded elegance and grace, each one seemingly more beautiful than the last.

“They must be really expensive!” I said, curiosity evident in my voice.

The salesgirl replied smugly, “Yes, their starting price is ten thousand dollars.”

I gasped at the price and gently ran my hand over the soft fabric of one of the gowns. It felt like feather-light silk. “Wow!”

I picked up two or three gowns and headed towards the changing room. As I tried on the first gown, a pink one-shoulder dress, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the changing room mirror. I couldn’t recognize myself.

Giggling, I stepped out of the room and approached Ryder, who was sitting on a sofa, sipping on an expensive wine.

“They serve wine to all their customers, or is Ryder a regular here?” I wondered silently.

“Ryder!” I called out, trying to grab his attention. His eyes snapped up to look at me, and for a moment, he seemed captivated, forgetting to blink. Was he mesmerized by the gown or something else?

“How does this look?” I asked, raising my eyebrows, seeking his opinion.

“Oh my god, Bella! You look like an angel,” Ryder spoke, his voice husky and low, as he gazed at me intensely.

I giggled, feeling flattered. “Okay, now I’ll show you another gown.”

“No need,” Ryder replied. “I think this one is perfect.”

“But I want to try on all the gowns,” I pouted, insisting on my desire.

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Ryder’s Pov.

I rolled my eyes at her childish act and gestured for her to go ahead. Bella returned to the changing room, and just as she was about to close the door, I intervened. My hand came down on the door, preventing it from shutting completely, and I pushed my bulky body inside, pushing her further back.

“What…” Bella started to protest, but I quickly placed my finger on her lips, silencing her.

“Shh, be quiet,” I whispered.

“What are you doing here? Go… I need to change,” she whispered back, her voice barely audible.

I leaned against the door, crossing my arms, and replied, “Go on, then.”

“What… No… You need to leave,” Bella protested, her voice filled with unease.

“I want to watch you as you change and try on these beautiful gowns,” I said, my eyes filled with desire. Bella bit her lip, contemplating the situation. She turned to face the wall, her back towards me, and reached behind to unzip the dress. I covered her hand with mine, guiding it down slowly.

The gown slipped down her body, pooling around her feet. She stood there, completely naked, and glanced over her shoulder to gauge my reaction. I was watching her intently, my dark gaze fixed upon her, as I bit my lower lip in anticipation.

Bella picked up another gown, a pale blue one with an off-shoulder design, and began to put it on. I stepped forward to help her, my hands brushing against her bare skin.

I zipped up the gown and trailed my finger over her bare shoulder, making her shiver under my touch. She shivered and a gasp left her mouth.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close, and ran my fingers through her flowing hair. Gripping the back of her head, I pressed my lips firmly against hers.

We surrendered ourselves to a passionate kiss, our lips melding perfectly, tongues battling for dominance, and teeth occasionally colliding with urgency. We nibbled, bit, and sucked on each other’s lips, lost in the intensity of the moment.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted our heated embrace. We reluctantly pulled apart, and Bella struggled to catch her breath.

“Yes?” she managed to ask, her voice breathless.

“Um… Do you need any assistance? You’re taking quite some time,” the salesgirl inquired.

“No… I’m fine… I’ll be there soon. Thank you,” Bella replied, her voice laced with guilt.

We heard the sound of footsteps fading away as the salesgirl left.

I took a step forward, but Bella stopped me by placing her hand on my chest. “Go… Please…” she pleaded, her eyes filled with a mix of longing and reluctance.

I smirked and slowly opened the door, peering out and checking for any potential threats before stepping out. Bella emerged a few minutes later, clutching the gowns in her hands.

Back on the sofa, I sat comfortably, sipping my wine. The salesgirl approached Bella and inquired, “So, which one have you decided to take?”

Without wasting a moment, I snatched all the gowns from Bella’s hand and handed them over to the salesgirl. “Pack them all. We’ll take everything,” I commanded.

“But Ryder…” Bella began to protest, but I silenced her by placing my finger gently on her lips.

I handed my black credit card to the salesgirl, who nodded in understanding and proceeded to the billing counter to generate the bill.

“Ryder, I can’t accept these. They’re so expensive,” Bella exclaimed, her eyes widening as she caught sight of the price tags. The gowns were worth a fortune.

“Nothing is more valuable than you, babygirl!” I declared, cupping her face in my hands and caressing her cheek with my thumb. As I did so, the salesgirl returned with our bags, ready for us to take.

I took hold of all the bags and grasped Bella’s hand firmly as we exited the store together.