ARTEMIS POVAidan was a tiny bit scary in the beginning but he never gave me this discomforting stalking feeling… ever.My heart raced as he took another step closer."This isn't right," I whispered, backing away even though there was barely any space to go to.Kane's gaze left my face, drifting to the towel pressed against my body and he let out a small sound. "You're beautiful, Artemis," he whispered, just loud enough that I could hear it even in the quietness of the room. I felt exposed, vulnerable and it was a feeling I detested. It had been so long since I had felt like this. Since my mom and dad…I blinked repeatedly to stop the tears that I knew would come and also erase the thought from my head. ‘Right now wasn't the ideal time.’"Kane, stop," I warned, fury plaguing my expression.But he took another step notwithstanding, his eyes locked on mine as if challenging me to dare him. "Stop what?" he asked, flashing me a bemused expression, his eyebrows were raised in feigned i
ARTEMIS POV“You don't know me?” she asked, her voice dropping seductively.Scrunching up my face impatiently, I snapped at her in response. “Was I meant to know you, maybe by reason of psychic abilities or something?”"Ha! You're feisty, I like that," the lady on the other end of the call said with a chuckle. "Let's just say... I know someone who knows you very well."Walking away from the door to the bed, I picked up the red gown I was going to wear and pressed it to my chest before sitting on the bed. I tried to place her voice, but it was unfamiliar."Who is this?" I demanded, frustration creeping into my tone."Someone who's been watching you," she replied, her voice taking an interesting edge.My skin crawled at this point. ‘Just who the F are you?’"From Aidan?" I spat, my anger rising.But instead, the lady burst out in laughter, at the same time sending shivers down my spine."Oh, Artemis, you're so quick to assume. But I'll give you a hint: Aidan and I... we have something
ARTEMIS POV“What the F...” I trailed off when it seemed like she was coming towards us.“What's the problem?” Kane asked, staring at me for a while then tracing my line of sight to the lady in particular. “Who is she?” He fired again in rapid succession, furrowing his brows a bit. "Who is she?" Kae asked once more when I didn't reply to him the first time, staring at the redhead.‘What do you want me to say, young man?’ I screamed in my head, throwing towards himRather than my initial tendency to be sarcastic, I shook my head slowly, my eyes fixed on her while I replied to Kane. "No idea."We both watched as the redhead sauntered up to us, a sly smile spreading across her face."Well, well, well," she said, her voice dripping with a distinct level of sass and amusement. "Look who's together now."Kane's expression remained neutral while I fought to school mine to mirror his expression but it was incredibly hard. ‘Despite my will to forget him and move on, seeing as he never love
ARTEMIS POVThe ride home seemed rather short, or maybe it was because I couldn't concentrate. Kane's hand remained on my thigh, sending waves of electricity through my whole body. I shut my eyes tightly when his hand inched higher, drawing in a sharp breath at the same time. ‘Is this the effect of drinking?’ I wondered, trying to distract myself by counting the number of signature cocktails and champagne I had drank. It felt like it was working at first but Kane just had to move his hand again. “Kane,” I gasped, holding his hand to stop him from moving it over my exposed thighs.‘Never ever ever wear such a short dress around Kane ever again,’ I concluded, making a mental note in my head. But Kane didn't stop despite my hold on his wrist. His touch was akin to a magnet, drawing my attention back to the present. His fingers were tracing gentle patterns on my skin and it made my heart skip a beat."Kane," I whispered again, my voice barely audible while I swallowed with extreme di
ARTEMIS POV“Calm down, I have no intention to hurt you,” Kane assured me, just when we were at the door to my room. ‘I don't know that,’ I screamed in my head.“I know that,” I replied to him, a frozen smile plastered on my face. “I'm actually sorry about what happened today.”That wasn't my fault but I needed to find a way to dismiss him because after what happened earlier that day, there was no way no way I was letting him into my room. “It's nothing but do tell me, who's she?” He asked, leaning against the wall just beside me. “I don't really know anything about her. That was the lady Aidan had been kissing you know when,” I replied, cocking my head a bit to the side.Kane didn't say anything, he seemed to be in thought and I took it as a cue to slip away. “Uhm, it's been a hell of a night, you know? I'm pretty tired now, why don't we continue this discussion in the morning?”“Okay then, have a great night's rest,” he replied mechanically. I didn't wait for him to leave before
Artemis POV “Fine, I respect whatever decision you make,” Kane said calmly, close to my ears. “ I will give you more time to love me,” he added. I could see the anger written all over Kane's face as he walked away; I was sure he wouldn't want me to notice that, but I did. ‘ I don't mean to hurt your feelings,” I whispered silently to myself as I watched you leave. I went back to my room without the glass of water I came to take downstairs. Rolling from one side of the bed to another, I couldn't get myself to sleep because the thought of what happened between myself and Kane flooded my head. A few hours later, I slept off. The next morning, I woke up to the sound of a bird chipping at my window. “What in the world is this damn bird doing at my window,” sleep still shivering all over my voice and my head banging like it was going to explode. I was feeling so weak and tired like I worked all through the night in my dreams. I summon the strength to pick up my phone on the side ta
Artemis POV “You look stunning and amazing,” Kane said as he grabbed my waist and moved me closer to himself. “Thank you,” I replied as I stylishly pushed him away. I grabbed my purse and we left for the car. Kane opened the passenger seat door for me to hop in as a gentleman would do. We drove to the party in silence, the tension between us was high. We got to the party a few minutes into driving, and Kane got down from the car and opened the other side of the car for me to get down. As soon as we entered the party, I saw Aiden at the other end of the room. He was sitting gently, sipping from the glass of wine he was holding. “ Care for a glass of wine?”Kane asked me. “Sure I do.” I quickly get myself together so Kane won't notice I am staring at Aiden. Kane got me a glass of wine and also got himself one. “Let's dance,” Kane said silently to my ear, pulling me closer to himself. I looked back at Aiden, who was now looking at me and Kane as we danced. Aiden continues loo
Artemis POV Before I knew what was going on, Aiden pulled me into a bathroom beside where we were. I wanted to compose and let him know he was not in the position to do what he was doing, but he covered my lips with a deep kiss which, deep down, I wanted so badly. I soon began to kiss him back. I was almost losing it when I remembered how he hurt me even at the party. I tried pushing him away, but his grip was so tight that I couldn't escape. “What in the world do you think you're doing right now?” I asked frowning and looking up at him to get a clearer picture of his face. Aiden didn't say a word, but instead, he wanted more of my lips, and he kissed me more. “Who did you think you are to think you can do anything you like to me whenever you want?” “I'm sorry, Artemis,” Aiden said out of his breath, his eyes looking all over my body like he was ready to devour me at any available chance he got. “ Did you just say you're sorry, Aiden?” I asked angrily with my eyes wide open. “
Artemis' POVThe days in the cabin blurred together, each one marked by a cycle of survival. These cycles never seemed to end, the time there was just static. Daymon and I fell into an unspoken rhythm, gathering firewood, rationing our limited supplies, and maintaining the routine of sleepless nights, for any signs of Kane's men. The forest felt so isolated. This isolation felt like both a blessing and a curse; it shielded us from immediate danger but also confined us to each other's company, which was not helping the unspoken tension between us.One evening, the sun was hitting on a different level , casting long shadows through the trees, I found myself sitting by the fireplace, the flickering flames offering the feeling of warmth and uncertain cozyness. Daymon was outside, ensuring our tracks remained concealed. The weight of our situation pressed heavily on my shoulders, and my thoughts drifted to Aiden. Guilt filled me like an empty vessel for doubting him, for allowing Kane to
Artemis & Daymon’s POVArtemis' POVThe darkness of the forest swallowed us whole as Daymon drove deeper into the unknown, the headlights barely cutting through the thick trees. My heart was still hammering in my chest, my breath uneven. Every nerve in my body remained on high alert, expecting gunshots to ring out at any moment, expecting Kane’s men to appear from the shadows and drag me back to that nightmare, shit hole!I stole a glance at Daymon. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his jaw locked in determination. The way he maneuvered the car, every calculated turn, every sharp swerve, spoke volumes about his skill. I must admit, at this point I was beyond impressed. He had always been Aiden’s most trusted bodyguard, and now, he was my only chance at survival.“You okay?” His voice was rough, edged with concern, but he didn’t take his eyes off the road.I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I don’t even know where we are.”Daymon pressed his foo
Artemis povAfter crying myself to sleep, I decided that I can't be living like this, from frying pan to fire , I can't be running round in circles and getting hurt. Kane is an animal, he is a wicked person. I thought I ran to safety and comfort ,not knowing I ran into my own early death. I wholeheartedly entered the lions darn.Now Jesus won't even think of saving my butt like he did with Daniel in the Bible. I am such a fool, and I can't reach Aiden, I need saving.Now all this event has occurred thanks toe, the guards are more on guard, silently and stylishly following me every where I go like I am in some sort of prison or something.If I run out , before I can even make it to the gate , I might get shot or I might be captured and this time around restricted to my room only, maybe with chain also. Kane made it clear ! If he can't have me, then no one can. It's either him or I die. I am cooked. I thought of all these so deeply and tears rolled down my cheeks, I am all alone again
Artemis and Kane’s povWhich centimeter on my hand I don't want my back to leave the study room only to stumble into Kane. Turns out he has been there all along. He saw me walking to the study room and said nothing, he saw me tPick the letter up he said nothing, he say me read them and said nothing. Who is this guy? Jesus fucking Christ I am with a lunatic.I was still trying to understand what is going on. I don't get why someone willake such disgusting decision he made. I started confronting him and blow all kinds of questions at him just to get some answers. Because I feel like a total idiot at this point.Kane why would you, why would you do such a thing to your brother? To me God . How would you fucking lie to me, I thought of you as a friend! I accepted everything about you despite ! everything Kane warned me about, I still believed you I. fought all odds just believe you. So all you wanted was to play me, just to get back Aiden . that's so stupid of you. I have never been
Artemis povEver since I noticed how Kane has been acting, how he has been replying to all my messages about Aiden in sarcasm, and how he has been avoiding and changing topics whenever I bring anything about Aiden. I just I grew more suspicious of him.The more days passed by the more suspicious I get, the more eager and curious I get the more scared of what Kane actually is. Everything was just becoming so suspicious . I went outside to get some fresh air since I can't stay for a minute without thinking of these or that.My biggest fear now is if Aiden was right about not doing anything and how cruel Kane can be at times. He warned me, he asked me not to leave. I hope I'm not playing myself, I just want everything to be right and crystal clear between I and Aiden.As I was going outside , I collected some sliced apples and a bottle of wine, and the glass to pour the liquor . I went to the relax chair outside and settled down there staring at the sky, how blank it is, no clouds.
Artemis povIt's another day in kane's house, everything seems good and off at the same time.I decided to stroll around the compound with my headphones on just to clear my head and exercise my muscles in my own way. But I can't help but notice how strange kane’s guard got. Any corner of the house are guards looking and starring at me like I was some criminal or something. I could tell that something was really off about them cause they weren't all over me like this. It felt like they were monitoring me or keeping a close eye on me or even spying on me . I got to admit, I always creeps the shit out of me but I decided to stay put and trust Kane just a little for now till something really happens.As much as they all seemed strange,I decided to just keep my head straight. I will not disturb myself is so much with thoughts. I focus on my personal growth away from Aiden. So I didn't think much about it, I just thought of myself.Until I saw the news. I noticed Aiden was one of the hea
Artemis povKane welcomed me back with warm hand as always. Willing to help and stand by me no matter what. This made me have hope but I can't help but notice how off it all felt, I tried shaking the feelings away but for some reasons it all still feels weird.We sat together outside getting some fresh air. I was clouded with so many horrible thoughts like what if Artemis has given up on us and also think the other night was a mistake, what if he loves the idea of me leaving his house, what if he was awake while I was trying to leave so desperately, what if he is out there with some slut shitting himself. A lot of questions just kept bothering and I couldn't help myself. I think Kane noticed it, my uneasyness, frequent sigh , he even called my name some couple of times and I didn't hear it . Till he called again. “Artemis”Yes, so sorry Kane , I was…He interrupted, I know you were lost. Talk to me , what's going on in that head. I am always here to help, and I can't help you if I d
Artemis pov Artemis what have you done? I said I said to myself with a lot of regrets with a lot of hatred a lot of anger a lot of confusion are used to wish I can disappear into the same here but because I can't I am in the Greeks mansion and I have to get out of here before I do something else different from what I have done before, at this point I don't know if I am doom or if doom just decided to locate me because it has all vine from bad to worse , it's never getting better, it doesn't seem like it ever will! Why do I keep making this kind of mistakes, before Aidan wakes up what should I do now? I cannot just forgive him just like that! I've come this far just to go back to what broke me into a million pieces . I think I should go back to Kane, a familiar hand that will draw me into comfort. It's true that with every instincts and nerve in my body I feel like this might not be the best decision to make but for now in the absence of any decision or any ideas yet , I have to lea
Artemis' POVI barely made it past the main hall when a hand gripped my wrist, firm and unyielding. Before I could protest, I was pulled into a dimly lit corridor, the deafening sounds of music and laughter fading behind thick walls. My breath hitched as I was backed against the cool marble, my body locked between it and an all-too-familiar presence.Aiden.His eyes burned with a dangerous mix of frustration and something else—something raw and unfiltered. His chest rose and fell sharply, his fingers still wrapped around my wrist like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go.“What the hell was that?” His voice was low, rough, barely restrained.I scoffed, yanking my wrist free. “That?” I let out a bitter laugh. “That was me moving on, Aiden. Or what else does it seem like? You should try it sometime.”His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking violently at the side. “You don’t believe that.”I glared at him, willing my heart to slow down, to stop reacting to the nearness of him. “I believe w