Claimed By The Mafia Rogue King (Snow and Cupid) novel Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Chapter 165

Cupid

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She had seen everything. The laughter, the ease between Marlik and me, and the look in her eyes told me she remembered those distant times, those years when we were all still young and unbroken.

Mother swallowed hard from where she stood across the room and managed a gentle, encouraging smile.

The meal is ready. Come on now.”

Marlik and I exchanged a quick glance. I could feel him withdrawing, pulling back into himself. but I caught his arm firmly and guided him forward

“Let’s go.” I said. tugging him along. Mom nodded approvingly.

Her gaze shifted briefly to Desmond, who bowed slowly and respectfully, and I knew exactly what was coming next. Before she could extend an invitation for him to join us, I turned to him quickly.

“Wait for me here.”

He nodded without protest, and I headed toward the dining hall.

Father had permitted me to reconnect with my rogue family, but his approval came with strict boundaries.

Desmond was a Godlike through his mother, and through his father he is something more, and I wouldn’t drag him into anything Rogue-related without explicit permission.

I settled into a chair at the table. Marlik dragged himself into the seat beside me, quiet and reluctant.

W could sense it. He hadn’t found the courage to truly face Mother since returning from jail, but now he had no choice.

The food arrived soon after, and Marquez, the chef, lingered nearby in case assistance was needed.

Mother served the plates herself, and I watched the steam rise in fragrant curls. Somehow, that rich, delicious aroma pulled me straight down memory lane.

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Chapter 165

Mother was the finest cook I’d ever known, aside from being the most understanding, compassionate mother anyone could wish for.

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I sighed softly, settling in as she took her own seat and gestured for us to begin. That was when I noticed Yasmin’s absence. Before I could voice it, Mother murmured, as if reading my mind,

“She hardly ever leaves her bedroom. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I feel… uneasy about her.”

I paused, turning the words over carefully.

She was likely still drugged, that much seemed certain. It was standard for trafficked sex slaves to be kept high; the monsters who controlled them forced substances to ensure compliance and performance.

And worse, she’d probably been dosed with something to keep her aroused, wet, and ready. I’d witnessed my share of that cruelty in the Godlike Mafia Empire.

I slipped my phone from my pocket and texted Varian, my doctor friend. His reply came almost instantly:

‘I’ll be there tonight.’

I pocketed the phone again and swallowed.

“The doctor will come tonight,” I said softly. “He’ll examine her. Everything will be all right.”

Mother nodded, her eyes softening with gratitude before drifting to Marlik. He kept his head down, pretending to be utterly absorbed in the food to avoid her gaze.

Her eyes lingered on him anyway, full of love, affection, and lingering disbelief that he was truly here.

Gently, she reached out and placed a soothing hand on his arm. He clenched his jaw, eyes fixed downward. I lifted my glass for a drink, but it was only a pretense to give them space.

“I was never angry with you, Marlik,” she said, voice as tender as ever. “Not even once.”

He fought to hold himself together, but a shaky sigh escaped, and he shrugged slightly, trying to stay strong and hide the emotion building inside.

“I failed you, Mom. That’s the truth. I don’t even deserve to sit here.”

“That’s not true,” she countered immediately, shaking her head. “Neither of you ever failed me. Not you, and not Jahan. We were torn apart for too long, and it showed us how much we suffer when separated. Now that we’re together again, we can grow stronger and support one

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Chapter 165

another. Isn’t that right, Jahan?”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. Of course. Of course.

***

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About an hour and a half later, I was ready to leave. I stood outside Yasmin’s bedroom door, hand hovering over the knob, but I couldn’t bring myself to enter, not yet.

Setting my jaw, I turned away and descended the stairs. Mother waited in the living room, watching for me.

She searched my eyes, sensing my departure, and pulled me into a long, tight embrace. We lingered there before she drew back with a shaky sigh.

“When will you come back?”

“Soon,” I promised with a small smile. “Anytime you call, I’ll come running.”

Tenderly, I kissed her temple and stepped out onto the porch. Marlik was already there, waiting, but his attention was fixed on Desmond, who leaned casually against my car.

“He looks like one of those spoiled rich kids,” Marlik muttered, staring openly without pretense. I smiled and nodded.

“Born with the shiniest golden spoon you can imagine. You have no idea.”

Marlik studied Desmond again before asking quietly, “Who is he to you?”

“My cousin. Aunt’s only son.”

Marlik smiled faintly at that, glancing my way.

“It still sounds strange, hearing you talk about a full family. A real one. Father, siblings, relatives beyond the Rogues.”

I nodded, understanding completely. His gaze returned to Desmond. “But this human.”

guy…

he’s

I nodded again.

“His father’s human. Mother’s Godlike.”

“Oh.”

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Chapter 165

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Yes. In this world where humans and werewolves coexist, strict laws and biology govern inheritance. The child takes the father’s species. Werewolf father means werewolf offspring; human father means human.

“So he can’t hear us?” Marlik pressed, voice lowered further. I scoffed lightly.

“Not with werewolf ears, no, but he knows we’re talking about him, and I’m running late. I should head out.” I turned fully to Marlik with a sigh. “The doctor arrives tonight. He’s an old friend from school. He’ll check on Yasmin. He’s trustworthy, on our side.”

Marlik nodded.

“Yeah.”

We stood there a moment, unsure whether to embrace or settle for something less, when I caught the subtle shift, soft but unmistakable.

Our eyes locked, and a smirk tugged at his lips as he realized I’d spotted it.

Before he could fully slip the cigarette pack from my pocket, I seized his wrist. He burst out laughing.

“Sharp. Damn. My moves must be getting rusty.”

“Or I’m just too watchful,” I shot back, grinning as I handed the pack over willingly. “Finest cigarette you’d ever try.”

“Sounds incredible. I’ll give it a go.”

“Hmm.” I pulled away at last and approached Desmond. I turned for one final nod to Marlik before sliding into the car.

Desmond climbed in beside me, catching me off guard.

“Didn’t you

drive

your own car?”

“No,” he murmured quietly. I glanced at him again. I could tell he was unusually silent.

I sighed, reversed out smoothly, and merged into the busy road. I tried to hold onto the peace this place had given me, but the massive billboard ahead shattered. My face alongside Snow’s, larger than life.

The headline announced the charity event we were meant to co-coordinate, and the bombshell that the red carpet was tomorrow night.

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:

I froze, grip tightening dangerously on the wheel.

Yenda.

He’d rushed this deliberately just to torment me.

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