Chapter 63ALESSIAThe plan was simple, but the task was not.I returned to the hall, still feeling giddy from Russel's kiss and the adrenaline pumping in my veins like I was a death row inmate. I took a seat on the special chair reserved for me and scanned the room, trying to figure out the nearest exits and counting the hardest, most dangerous faces.I took in the luxurious scenery of the hall and couldn't help but wonder how Russel managed to pull off such a feat in the blink of an eye. It took only a phone call; I had heard them plan the whole thing over the last two days. It goes to show just how much power and control Russel has in this world.After he left my room that night, he had gone back to his study to put some plans in place. I couldn't sleep, so I spent the remaining hours with Melissa, trying to get as much information on mafia parties as possible.I had to do it. Or he would kill me; he made it clear.And now here I am.I knew there was no avoiding the task, so I put m
Chapter 64RUSSEL“The fuck are they still talking about for so long?” I spoke into the earbuds. “She's trying to get him to try it,” Kegan responded. He was the only one listening on Allesia's conversation with Sergio, “But they'll be coming towards you in three… two… one.” I glanced up and found Sergio leading Allesia towards the VIP, “Bloody hell! This is not working.”“Act cool.” Kegan warned, “Don't let your jealousy spoil this for us.”I hissed through gritted teeth, “Knock yourself out. If he pisses me off too much, that nosy officer will have to pick the pieces of Sergio’s flesh from this floor.” “Russel–” I disconnected the earbud before Kegan could complete the warning, then I lit my cigar and watched them approach.Sergio's lecherous gaze lingered on Allesia, and I fought to keep my expression neutral as a wave of anger surged through me. But I couldn't afford to betray any hint of concern, not with his suspicious eyes scanning my face.Reaching me with a calculating gle
Chapter 65ALLESIAI slipped out of the crowded VIP area, dragging the suitcase with me. I needed to cough badly, the adrenaline coursing through my veins was almost suffocating. My emotions were high, a desperate mixture of relief and fear swirling in my chest.I had pulled off the impossible, but at what cost?My steps quickened as I made my way through the dimly lit corridors of the club, my heart pounding in my ears. I was afraid I would die of an overdose, if the coke doesn’t kill me, then the Ketamine certainly would.Perhaps it was better to die peacefully on a bed in Russel’s estate than to have an old man blow my brains out in a club? It was still a wonder to me that I was still walking, that I was able to sniff that much coke without dying.Every nerve in my body was on edge, the effects of the drugs I had ingested beginning to take hold. The world seemed to warp and shift around me as I hurried through the hall, lights flickering like distant stars in a hazy night sky.I stu
Chapter 66ALLESIAI woke up with a splitting headache, the dull ache pounding in my temples like a relentless drumbeat. Blinking against the harsh light filtering through the room, I realized I was lying in my room at Russel’s house. But something was off. The sterile smell, the dizziness, the faint beeping of machines nearby—it all felt too clinical, too hospital-like.I was still in this state of confusion when the door creaked open and someone peeked through the crack. I had to squint and blink several times before I could tell it was Melissa. Just when I struggled to form the words to ask her why she was peeping, she raced back out of the room.My tired head fell back on the bed, and I blinked my heavy eyelids closed once again since the darkness was better. My body felt like all the bones had been torn out of my flesh by a grim reaper.Fucking hell. Was I dead?Once again, the door opened and Melissa peeked in, “If you run out once more, I swear I’m going to kill you.”She chuckl
Chapter 67ALLESIABy evening of the same day, I had freshened up, eaten and regained a great deal of my strength. Dr. Ramola came back to check on me before I could leave the room, she left a pile of medications and advised I stay away from drugs and alcohol as much as I could, although she knew that being around Russel, the chances were very unlikely. I had to apologize to Melissa because I felt shitty about the way I spoke to her earlier. Being Melissa, she readily forgave me and even promised to give me a tour around the garden outside Russel's office window later that evening so I could get fresh air while the maids clean my room; a tour I was desperately looking forward to as I descended the stairs now. Since Russel was off working, I didn't see him again after he left my room and I wasn’t thinking he’ll be back until late in the night. So Melissa had left me sleep the rest of the day away. Right now, I was walking down the stairs to the main parlor, hoping to find Melissa th
Chapter 68RUSSEL“I'll fucking kill Melissa for this.” I hissed under my breath.“Yeah, because that's what you do.” Nikolai murmured, “Killing innocent girls who care about you.” I glanced at Kegan, “Did he say something?” Kegan shrugged, “I like to think he did.” He walked to the sit, came back with a bottle of Black Label, settled into a couch and crossed his legs, “As much as I hate to do this, I have no choice but to sit here and watch two grown ass men talk, so as to stop them from tearing the flesh off of each other’s asses.” he chugged down a considerable amount of the liquor and, then he added as a second thought, “Not like I wouldn't enjoy that, seeing as I feel pretty unwanted right now.” Nikolai mumbled a string of curses and strolled towards Kegan, “What are you on about?” Kegan's eyes met mine and I gave him a daring glare, warning him not to say a word, but he simply grimaced and huffed before facing Nikolai, who was staring at him with keen attention. “Apparently,
Chapter 69RUSSELNikolai opened his mouth and closed it again. “What– what did you say?”Kegan was staring at me with utter disbelief. “Are you making this all up?”“Why?” I asked with obvious nonchalance. “Because it’s so hard for you all to believe I actually had a reason to kill? Because you want to believe I was the bad guy?”“Jesus, Russel,” Nikolai exclaimed, his hand sliding over the nape of his neck. “That was my kid sis. She had a crush on you since she was five, she fell in love with you, she knew only you, you deflowered her, she was going to marry you!”“No disrespect to Selina or anything, but I was gone for three months. Anything could have happened to change her feelings. And I don’t fucking know what happened. All I know is that I came back that night after you broke my nose and bloodied my eyes concerning her, and I found them there, on the fucking couch in the sitting room.”“Did you think about the fact that maybe, just maybe he forced her? Your father was not exact
Chapter 70 ALLESIAThe garden was a perfectly groomed reflection of everything pure, everything you would most likely not expect in the dark, contrasting world of Russel Mancini. You could imagine my shock when Melissa disclosed that Russel actually planted every single flower here. As I stood there, surrounded by the vibrant blooms and lush greenery, the turmoil raging inside me did not go away and I couldn't shake the wave of conflicting emotions that swept over me. The very beauty of nature seemed to mock me, the colorful flowers a stark contrast to the darkness I felt inside.I traced the delicate petals with my fingertips, trying to distract myself from the curiosity gnawing inside me. Melissa left just as soon as she brought me into the garden, she said she wanted to make sure ‘the boys’ did not kill each other. I had so many questions, some of which I was actually hoping Melissa would answer, but again, part of the contract I signed explained in clear terms that I had no busi