AMANI“How did you find out about this?”Duke scoffs;“I’m insulted that you would ask me that. Anyways, I received inside information from Sky Valley bank that twenty million dollars left Zuri’s company account. According to them, the money is on its way to a private account.The entire situation seemed suspicious as hell, so I contacted my inside person in Zuri’s accounts department. Luckily for me, my contact had facilitated the transaction himself. According to him, the money was sent to a private account. On further investigations, I found out that the account is owned by one Ophelia Thorn, and the title of the transaction was: ‘debt payment.’How much is Amani owing you again?”Anger swirls in my throat, hot and venomous. But I can’t ignore the pride beneath that anger.Little Caramel really thought she could escape my trap so easily. I did not wait for her so patiently for six years only to be defeated just like that.“I can hear your devious mind scheming. What’s your plan?”I
AMANI“Did you say ‘Bride?’”Zuri sniffs. “Yes. A mysterious blog called Bride published the news early this morning. Now it’s trending everywhere.”I get to my feet once again and pace the room, trying hard not to jump into conclusions. “Have your tech guys investigated this blog?”“They did… at least they tried. Whoever is behind it must be some kind of tech. genius. The IP address is blocked and their firewall is too complex to be broken into. It just seems so strange. Why would someone create an indestructible, untraceable blog just to spill lies about me?”I’m about to say something in response when Rihanna’s “Desperado” pierces the air. It’s Zuri’s phone. “It’s Joanne.” She whispers as she answers the call and puts it on speakerphone. Joanne is her personal assistant.“Miss Bentham, things are getting worse. We really need to stop this persons before he ruins all your hard work.” She sounds panicked as hell.All this bad news is not good for my blood pressure. My stomach tigh
AMANII’m playing with fire and I know it. But I will never be able to live with myself if something bad happens to Zuri’s hard earned business because of me.I cross my legs and my short skirt rides upwards in the process, revealing my soft, smooth thighs to the men close by. Within five minutes, I can guarantee that thirty percent of those men are too busy salivating over the sight of a woman’s naked thighs instead of focusing on the numbers on Bhyron’s screen.Yes, my actions may be shameless, but this is the only way I can get Bhyron’s attention. Subtle violence.At the same time, how on earth will my plan work when the man I’m trying so hard to annoy pays me zero attention?Despite all my tactics, Bhyron completely ignores me. It’s almost like I’m invisible.I’m brainstorming new ways to grab his attention when suddenly, the doors slam open revealing a group of six men garbed in all black suits and armed with dangerous weapons. The men are led by Bhyron’s secretary. Her expressi
AMANIThis man better be joking.I’m stunned. No, that’s a gross understatement. I’m flabbergasted. I’m appalled.I take a step backwards, almost stumbling into the table behind me. In the last second, Bhyron grabs my wrist and pulls me against his chest.I try to escape but he clamps an arm around my waist, holding me captive. The darkness in his eyes sets my teeth on edge. “Did I say something surprising?” His voice is soft, but there’s no denying the darkness underneath.“I’m confused…”“Don’t be.” He releases me. “The twenty million dollars you owe me has never been a problem. I can afford five times that amount and even more. You’re what I want, Amani. Not the money. You. And Zuri’s offer is standing in the way of what I want.”My shock expands with every word that leaves Bhyron’s mouth.“You can’t do this. I’ll report you to the police.”He smirks.“You’re very much welcome to try. Please report me. No problem. But where’s your evidence? No one will believe you. The officers wi
AMANI “You did what?!!” I’m currently standing before Zuri and Aunt Ophelia, my heart racing like a wild horse on the Fourth of July. I lower my head and whisper; “Look on the bright side. The blog has tendered a full and unreserved apology to Zuri. Her angry fans have apologized for their actions, the brands that canceled their contracts with her company are back and even asking to double the price of their investments and she’s now twenty million dollars richer. That’s a good thing, right?” Zuri climbs off her perch on the settee, her eyes glowing with rage as she stalks in my direction. “But at what cost, Amani? Yes, I’ve gotten my reputation back, but at what cost? How could you sign two years of your life over to that devil like it’s nothing? After what he did to you, you should know better.” My eyes sting with tears that I hurriedly blink away. “But you got hurt because of me. Your business was targeted because of me. I couldn’t bear to stand back and watch you l
AMANII’m walking through the entrance of Imperial Couture some thirty minutes later because Sharon has refused to answer my calls and I’m not about to play these games with her.“Ma’am, do you have an appointment?”“No, I don’t.” I repeat for the umpteenth time. “I’m telling you that your boss transferred forty million dollars into my bank account thirty minutes ago. I’ve shown you the evidence. I need explanations.”Sharon’s receptionist has been wasting my time for ten minutes now. “Okay, ma’am. Hold on while I confirm from the accountant.”That does it.The moment she turns away, I slip past her and hurry into the elevator as fast as my legs can carry me.“Hey, ma’am! I never said you could go in!” She yells, just as the doors slide shut.I’m becoming quite skilled at this hide and seek game. Good for me.By the time I arrive at Sharon’s office, I’m almost out of breath. I did not have the time to pay attention to my outfit today, so I’m dressed in a flannel shirt, joggers and s
AMANIDid Sharon apologize to me? Yes, she did.Was I shocked to my bone marrow? Yes, I was.Did Bhyron refund her money? Yes, he had his accountant transfer eighty million dollars to Sharon’s bank account right in front of me.I know she only apologized to get herself into Bhyron’s good books after the horrible statement she made, but an apology is an apology. I’ll take it.Even after he announced our marriage, it’s obvious that Sharon still believes she has a chance with Bhyron. If her harsh glare did not confirm my suspicions, the manner in which she persistently clung to him while I was still seated right there, pretty much did.Right now, I’m seated in the backseat of Bhyron’s Roll Royce, staring straight out the window and trying to forget there’s a dark god seated next to me while being driven home.“We need to talk about your choice of clothing.” His dark tone suddenly shatters the calm atmosphere.Surprised, I turn to find him staring at me. He was working on his iPad just a
AMANITHAT EVENING…Zuri and I are in Aunt Ophelia’s townhouse and I’m contemplating if I should paint her toenails red or blue when my phone suddenly rings.I pick it up and glance at the caller ID.“Who is it?” Zuri groans, ever in my business.“A strange number.”“Well, answer it.” She says impatiently.I roll my eyes at her and answer the phone, putting it on speaker phone to satisfy my best friend’s ever increasing curiosity.“Hello?”“Miss Amani. This is Jay.”Zuri and I exchange frowns.“Jay? As in Bhyron Macaulay’s bodyguard, Jay?”“Yes, ma’am. I’ve been directed by the boss to inform you to get ready to travel to New Jersey. You’re expected to leave with the boss this evening.”Zuri and I exchange glances once again. This time, we’re blinking in shock.“What did you say? Where’s your boss? I want to speak with him.”“Mr. Macaulay is currently in a meeting. He expects you to be ready by seven PM. He’ll come over to Mrs. Ophelia’s residence to pick you up personally.”My blood
AMANIFear is the only emotion that clouds my senses when Bhyron snags me against his chest. Fear and the irrational need to escape.I don’t pause. I don’t let myself think. I just fight.I kick and buck and struggle against Bhyron’s fierce grip, desperate for freedom.“Let go of me! Let gooo!!”I aim for his shin but he’s bigger and faster. Bhyron swings me into his arms, bridal style, and lifts me towards the bed like I weigh nothing. The same bed he threw my best friend like she was nothing but a sack of potatoes.Unlike what he did with Zuri, he lays me gently against the pillows. Thinking I have a chance to escape, I try to roll off but a startled squeak escapes me when Bhyron climbs in, laying his entire body’s weight on top of me.I freeze, trying to scream but unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Horrifying images of being strangled or suffocated to death with a pillow has my veins thrumming with fear.Is this it? Has he finally decided to kill me and take his revenge?
BHYRON“…your presence irritates me…” Those fiercely muttered words burn through my heart like acid. For a moment, I freeze up and just stare at her, hoping she’d tell me that this is all a joke.But the only emotions in Amani’s eyes are anger and annoyance. She really meant what she said. The realization is like a blow to my stomach.I shut my eyes for a second, temporarily at war with myself. Should I just get up and leave or should I keep trying to reason with her?But even as I ask myself that question, I already know the answer. I’m not leaving. Amani can call me names from the pits of hell and try as hard as she can to push me away, but it’s not happening. I won’t go away. Not anymore.So I grit my teeth and steel my heart against the influx of hurtful words I know she still has in store for me.“What are you still doing here?! I asked you to leave.”I grit my teeth and lift a hand to grab her flailing arm. Maybe she’ll return to her senses if I touch her. Maybe she’ll recogniz
BHYRONOne of my sex workers at La Marièe almost got assaulted by a client tonight. She raised an alarm and the entire situation spiralled out of control within seconds. The news somehow travelled to the guests downstairs and the cops got involved.I spent the past four hours trying to stop La Marièe from getting closed down because of an issue that could’ve been handled with better care. Now I’m exhausted and all I want is to hold Amani and go to sleep.After taking a quick shower, I don boxers and climb into the huge bed, pulling Amani into my arms and cuddling her against my chest. She lets out a soft mewling sound that tugs at my heartstrings but settles down quickly, wrapping her arms around my middle.I’m enveloped in her scent, swathed in the softness of her skin and there’s nowhere else on this goddamn earth that I’d rather be.I’d love nothing but to shut my eyes and let sleep take me, but deep down, I know I cannot afford such luxury. I know the darkness will come… and so wi
BHYRONRamiel looks exactly like he does in the few pictures I’ve seen — angelic. Glowing.He’s dressed all in white just like I expected. A pure white African Kaftan covers his broad shoulders, flowing all the way to his ankles. His shiny blonde hair is perfectly styled and bounces on his shoulders as he walks towards us.When he gets within talking distance, I rise from my seat and Duke follows suit. Besides my grandfather, I never rise to greet anyone whether they come to meet me or I go to meet them. The thought of my old man sends a sliver of choking pain through my guts.But there’s something about Ramiel Castello. Maybe it’s those piercing blue eyes or the invisible glowing ring above his head, but I feel like I’m in the presence of royalty. “I never thought a day would come when the Bhyron Macaulay would ask to see me.” He says graciously, motioning for us to take our seats.Not one to mince words or waste time, I decide to go straight to the point.“Well, I’m sure you alread
BHYRONFinally, after twenty-five gruelling minutes, we arrive at the luxurious five-star hotel. The moment my driver opens the door and I climb off the car, my nerves twist violently as a strange sensation fleets through my heart.Silently, I turn to Duke and find him surveying our surroundings, forehead knotted in a frown.“You feel it, too?” I ask when he comes to stand by my side.“Yes. There’s something very wrong about this place. It gives me the ick.”The Crystal City Hotel is one of the most successful hotel chains in New York. Owned by a renowned Mexican businessman, the towering high rise boasts of modern, world-class amenities that are hard to find in any other hotels in the city, including expertly programmed robots instead of human attendants and complimentary self-driving cars for high-paying clients.To the ordinary eye, everything seems perfect. But to Duke and I, something is wrong.Wait…“Bhyron, take a look at the cars. Notice anything strange?”There are five iden
Starting now, I’m going to try to make this story as fast paced as possible so buckle up, readers!A lot of secrets will be revealed, characters will die, characters will be betrayed and in the end, the truth will finally be revealed.***BHYRONMy shoulders are already stiff and thrumming with tension when I arrive at the sitting room. I feel a presence behind me and turn to find Duncan a few feet away, hands tightly clasped at his back.“Return to the room and keep watch. I need you to pay special attention to Zuri. Make sure the door is open at all times and she doesn’t say or do anything fishy to my wife.”He bows. “Yes, boss.”He’s just about to leave when I stop him.“Can I trust you this time, Duncan? Will you fail me again?”He lifts his head and holds my gaze. There’s no iota of fear in his eyes. Just confidence and respect.“Last night was a stupid mistake, boss. I assure you that it will never happen again.”Three seconds tick by, heavy with mistrust, then I nod and step ba
AMANIMy eyes are firmly shut as I thrash around on the bed in search of my anchor, in search of my source of strength. But he’s not here. He’s gone. I know he is. When he was here, the piercing pain in my heart had reduced to a dull throb. The dirty, contaminated feeling that tainted my soul stayed far away, too scared of his darkness to come close. The heavy feeling in my limbs had disappeared, too. When he was here, he protected me. He shielded me from Antonio’s grubby hands. But now that he’s gone, I’m being bombarded with everything at once. The excruciating discomfort is back. My demons have returned to attack me and he’s not here to fight them off.I can hear voices in the distance and even though I’m clutched in the throes of a horrible nightmare, I still call out for him. I need him. I listen carefully, hoping I hear his voice, hoping he comes back for me.When the pain becomes unbearable, I curl into myself and hot tears slip past my tightly shut eyelids. My soul takes a
BHYRONI hear Amani’s screams from down the hall and it tears through my soul like a fiery blade. I run blindly and don’t stop until I’m storming into the master bedroom. The sight that greets me shatters my nonexistent heart to pieces.Amani is writhing and shaking in bed. The once perfectly laid sheets pool around her legs and arms, evidence of her distraught.Without uttering a word and driven by an urgency that makes my blood boil, I take off my shoes and climb into the bed with her, pulling her trembling body flush against my chest. Her eyes are firmly shut but the second I touch her, tears still manage to leak through.The sight of her wet cheeks unravels an animalistic intensity inside of me, but I have to tame it and take care of my baby. Amani is my only priority. She’s more important than even my darkness. “Bhyron…” she whimpers, clinging onto me like a baby monkey. “It hurts. It hurts so much. I can’t take it anymore. Please, make it stop.”I hug her fiercely and kiss her
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DELICATE TOPICS LIKE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SELF HARM. PLEASE REFRAIN IF YOU’RE TRIGGERED BY SUCH TOPICS.***AMANII’m hallucinating. I’m sure of it. I’ve been hallucinating for the past hour.One moment I was lying on the grimy floors of the phone booth, thinking I’d never get to see Zuri again and the next, an Angel appeared right in front of me.I looked up at him dazed and confused, blinded by the sheer beauty of his bright, golden air and pure white shirt. Even now, I can still remember the unique colour of his eyes — silver and narrowed, while his head shook with pity as he looked down on me.“Are you Angel?” I ask, my voice weak and barely audible.“Yes, I am. What would you like me to do for you?”A real Angel?! What a treat. Or maybe I was hallucinating.“Take me home, please.” I begged, wrapping my arms tightly around my middle. “I’m so cold. I think I’m freezing.”“Your wish is my command, princess.”Without uttering another word, the Angel swept