Claimed By The Ruthless Mafia

Ryder’s POV.

We were gathered at Max’s bachelor party, the atmosphere charged with excitement and revelry. The club pulsated with energy as laughter and music filled the air. Strippers adorned the stage, captivating the attention of the men in attendance. One particularly seductive dancer caught the eye of Logan, who sat there, seemingly disinterested in the provocative display.

As the stripper approached Logan, swaying her hips with a sensual allure, she positioned herself on his lap, initiating a lap dance that teased and enticed. Her movements were mesmerizing as she ground her posterior against his bulge, eliciting a reaction from him. Unexpectedly, Logan reached out, gripping her hips and effortlessly lifting her away from his lap.

I couldn’t help but be intrigued by Logan’s actions. In my wildest dreams, I never anticipated that he would reject the advances of a stripper at a bachelor party. It left me wondering what his reasons were for abstaining from the indulgences of the evening. As the thought lingered, Logan spoke, breaking the silence.

“Call Alex and find out if he plans on joining us,” Logan requested, draining the remaining contents of his glass.

I had already reached out to Alex earlier, and he informed me that he was unable to attend. He claimed to be feeling unwell and lacking the strength to join the festivities. I relayed Alex’s message exactly as he had expressed it.

“He’s just making excuses, I’m telling you,” Logan responded, annoyance evident in his voice. “Ever since he got married, he’s changed.”

I offered a counterpoint, emphasizing the importance of supporting Alex in his newfound commitment. “It’s a positive thing, really. If he’s willing to embrace his marriage and invest in the relationship, we should stand by him as true friends,” I reasoned.

Logan pouted and sighed, voicing his nostalgia. “I miss my friend. Ever since Sarah entered his life, it feels like he’s forgotten about his friends.”

Understanding Logan’s sentiment, I replied, “I know it’s not easy to grasp someone else’s emotions fully, but I can relate to what he might be experiencing. I’ve been feeling the same lately.” A smile, unbidden, spread across my face as memories of Bella flooded my mind.

“What do you mean you understand? Are you in a relationship? With whom?” he asked, his tone laced with disbelief. I couldn’t blame him though, given our billionaire playboy reputation. No one would expect us to be involved in serious relationships.

“Um… as you know, I’m living with Bella…” I began explaining, but before I could finish, he interrupted impatiently.

“You told us she moved in because she couldn’t find a dorm room,” he inquired.

“I… I lied. She moved in with me,” I revealed the truth.

“Oh my god! Ryder? Since when did you start keeping things from me? Looks like my two best friends have turned into traitors all because of some girls,” he said, feigning a pained expression and wiping imaginary tears from his eyes.

“Cut it out, you jerk. You wouldn’t understand. You’ll only know when you meet a girl who completely captivates you,” I retorted, rolling my eyes at his dramatics.

He grinned and nervously rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually… I do understand,” he admitted.

“What do you mean?” I asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.

“I mean… I’ve also met a girl who has completely enchanted me,” he confessed shyly.

“A girl? Really? And who might this girl be?” I asked, raising both eyebrows in surprise.

“My new secretary, Mia. It turns out I met her at Alex’s bachelor party, and then I discovered she was going to be my new secretary,” he sighed, a hint of excitement in his voice.

I was taken aback by Logan’s revelation because he was known for his aversion to relationships and his playboy persona. The idea of him being smitten by a girl seemed completely out of character.

“I can’t believe you’ve found someone who has captured your heart. I never thought I’d see the day when you’d consider a serious relationship. Are you genuinely interested in pursuing something meaningful with her?” I inquired, seeking confirmation.

Logan hesitated, his fingers running through his hair as he struggled to articulate his feelings. “I don’t know, Ryder. But there’s something about her that feels different, unlike any other girl. I feel… possessive over her. It’s hard to explain, but I genuinely want her all to myself,” he stammered, a faint blush coloring his cheeks. This was a side of Logan Mancini that I had never witnessed before.

“Don’t worry, Logan. You’ll figure it out, just as Alex did. The key is to be honest with her and have an open conversation before it’s too late,” I advised, offering a supportive nod.

He nodded in agreement, absorbing my words.

Curiosity sparked in his eyes as he raised an eyebrow and asked, “What about you and Bella? She’s your best friend, right? What changed between you two when you began feeling this way?”

A surge of intensity rushed through me as I contemplated my own emotions. “She’s become a part of me, just like you said. I can’t explain it either, Logan. But I’ve become consumed by her presence. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep her by my side. I won’t let her slip away from me,” I confessed, revealing the depth of my feelings for Bella.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“So, we’re all screwed up. The three most eligible bachelors in the city are taken. Today’s news headlines, great,” Logan exclaimed, slumping down onto the chair.

I let out an awkward laugh in response. “And the problem is, Bella doesn’t want a committed relationship,” I sighed, feeling the weight of my frustration.

“There was a time when I didn’t believe in love or want to be in a committed relationship. Now that I’m ready, she’s not. I’m messed up, Logan,” I confessed, pinching the bridge of my nose and lowering my head in defeat.

Logan placed his hand reassuringly on my shoulder and said, “Everything will be alright. You need to have some patience and wait for the right time. There’s nothing more we can do.”

“So, what are we going to do at this party? We have no interest in strippers or ogling those scantily clad girls,” I smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

Logan shrugged his shoulders and replied, “Let’s just leave and go meet our respective girls.”

“Yeah, that’s probably the best idea,” I agreed, winking at him.

Our laughter filled the air as we threw our heads back in amusement. It was time to leave and seek out the women who held our hearts in that very moment.