AMANITHREE HOURS LATER…My wedding is set to hold in the next two hours and I’m an emotional wreck.I stare at my swollen eyes in the mirror, willing my mind to forget everything that happened in that room three hours ago.“Girl, we don’t have time for this. The makeup artist has been waiting for you for almost two hours. You haven’t even tried out your wedding dress. I’m not sure you’ve even taken a bath!” Zuri half-yells, pacing the room nervously.“At this pace, we’ll never be ready on time. Not that I want you to marry that sonofabitch, but grandpa will be upset…”I keep staring at the mirror, trying to figure out the hollow-eyed woman who stares back at me.Anger, bitterness and shame swirls in my guts when I remember the smugness in Bhyron’s eyes after he successfully fooled me. The bastard tricked me. Once again, he proved that I can never trust him.“…and you won't even tell me what happened! Where were you this morning? What happened to you?” Zuri babbles non stop, pacing r
AMANIJay flinches at my harsh tone but stands his ground. “Miss Amani, I assure you that the boss does not consider you a whore. These are just wedding presents and he’d be pleased if you accept them.”I tilt my head to the side, struggling to rein in my temper. That’s the thing — I never, ever want to partake in any activity that pleases Bhyron Macaulay. I still regret my little mistake from a few hours ago.I wanted to please him and it backfired right in my face.I look up and my eyes coincidentally lands on the CCTV camera positioned high up on the west wall. My fingers twitch with annoyance as a devious thought suddenly crawls into my mind.“Your boss is watching us right now, isn’t he?” I ask Jay, not bothering to take my eyes off the camera.Jay follows my line of vision and lets out a small curse when he realizes I’ve seen the camera. His tone suddenly changes, becoming defensive;“Miss Amani, I…”I shoot him a look filled with annoyance and he clamps his mouth shut.“There’
BHYRONAmani left with grandpa a few minutes ago but I’m still seated behind my desk, staring at the CCTV footage on my computer and watching the bags I bought go up in smoke.My intention was to apologize to her. I guess that failed, woefully.I don’t give a shit about the amount of money I spent. I can make that back in seconds. What matters is the look of pure hatred I saw in Amani’s eyes. That will haunt me forever.I bury my face in my palms and take a deep breath. Amani looked angry. Enraged. How she knew I was watching her through the CCTV, I’d never know. But for a moment, it felt like she was looking straight into my eyes, like she knew I was there. I get to my feet and pace the room. My wedding is set to happen in the next thirty minutes. I’m already dressed up and waiting to be notified to come downstairs for the ceremony. My long term goal of marrying the one woman who has the power to set me ablaze with just one look is finally about to be fulfilled, but I’m restless.Dr
AMAYAEvery bride is always excited to see her groom on their wedding day. But the only emotion that flows through my veins right now is nervousness.Instead of staring at my groom with love in my eyes, I keep my gaze firmly trained on the guests as I walk down the semi-long aisle with grandpa by my side.While some of the men look back at me with genuine happiness and awe, I can’t say the same about the ladies. Most of them are young, about my age. The only people I recognize in the sea of faces are Sharon, her sister and Brielle. The rest are strangers. The ladies do not bother hiding their smirks and tiny frowns of jealousy and displeasure as I walk past. They’re all upset that New York City’s most gorgeous bachelor is going off the market… and I’m the reason for that.If only they knew the battle of confusion that currently brews in my heart. I would gladly exchange myself with any of these women in a heartbeat.“Remember, Amani,” grandpa whispers gruffly, snapping me to the pres
“Have you perhaps forgotten the terms of our deal?” I ask through gritted teeth exactly ten minutes later as Bhyron expertly spins me on the dance floor.He looks down at me, his eyes gleaming with disinterest as he asks; “what deal?”I’m a second away from bashing his head in, God help me.“This marriage is only supposed to last two years. It’s in the contract. You can’t go around saying stuff you don’t mean to grandma. It’ll be even harder for us to separate if you get her hopes up like this. The song suddenly changes and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” slowly filters through the speakers, making the entire atmosphere appear even more romantic.My heart tightens as Bhyron presses me harder against his chest, giving me the full impact of those bright blue orbs. He leans closer and I stiffen in awareness as his hot lips brush my ears. When he speaks, his warm breath flows down my neck and I tremble in his grasp.“You should know by now, Little Caramel, that I’m a man of my word.” His voice is
AMANI I hear someone scream in the distance, a high pitched, bloodcurdling scream that has my toes curling with horror. It takes me three seconds to realize that the scream comes from me. “B-Bhyron…” I stutter, trying to draw his attention to the dead woman. “Bhyron, look…” My eyes are frozen on her beautiful, lifeless face. I cannot even bring myself to cry. “Are you okay…?” Bhyron turns around. The moment he stiffens above me, I know he’s seen her. The violent switch in his expression from worried to fearful is absolutely traumatizing to watch. “Grandma? Grandma!!” Bullets are still flying but he tries to crawl off me towards grandma Alice. Without thinking, I wrap my arms around him and hold him tight. “Let go! I need to check on grandma. Let go of me!” The pure, raw pain in his voice breaks the dam that holds my tears and they come flooding down my cheeks in torrents. I shake my head and hold on tighter, even when my arms and legs start to hurt from his viole
AMANI“…can you hold me…?”I take one look at those dark, vulnerable eyes and open my arms to him without hesitation. Bhyron’s entire expression lights up with relief as he steps forward. He wraps his arms around my waist and crushes my body against his, lifting me off my feet and backing me into the car. I wrap my legs around his waist and let him manhandle me without complaint.Once inside the car, Bhyron gently places me on the seat, then he stretches out and buries his head in my breasts. “Are you comfortable?” His soft baritone stirs something in my chest that has my throat clogging with tears.I clear my throat and blink back the stupid tears. “Um, yes. I am.”I don’t notice that the door is still open until Jay steps out and gently closes it. All that matters to me at the moment is Bhyron and the wonderful feeling of his weight pressed against me.We’re wrapped in our own little cocoon. For a moment, the world fades away and all that matters is the two of us.Without thinking
AMANI“…the doctors say he’s in a coma and might not make it…”I’m stunned to silence, Bhyron’s intending kiss momentarily forgotten. I lean back and hold his gaze as dread settles like boulders on my shoulders.My lips are already trembling. I can barely get a word out; “Wh-what did you say?”Bhyron’s eyes are dark and emotionless as he trails a fingertip over my cheek, saying nothing. I’m shaking now. I’m not sure, but I think my teeth are chattering.I’m yet to process that Grandma Alice was killed. Now, this? I can’t take it. My heart can’t take this anymore.Deep down, I’m wondering how Bhyron manages to look so composed. He lost a grandparent and has one on the verge of death in just one night, but aside from the look of devastation in his eyes, he still gives off his signature dark lord vibe — cool and unaffected — while I’m on the verge of having a fully blown panic attack.“He was rushed to the hospital the second I discovered he was shot. My mother and siblings are with him.
BHYRONAmani is deliberately trying to get on my last nerve and it takes all my willpower to force myself to remain in the bedroom when all I want to do is pay a visit to the wet bar and drink myself to sleep.I promised to be gentle with her. I promised not to hurt her, but right now, I’m feeling particularly violent. Her words are meant to hurt and they do. I hate that she’s trying so hard to push me away when all I want to do is comfort her.I despise the hatred that burns in her eyes for me. I used to find the stubborn tilt of her chin adorable as hell but now, I know it comes from a place of real hurt and hatred. And I hate it. So instead of leaving like every single fucking cell in my body tells me to do, I stalk in her direction and don’t stop until I’m hovering over her. This close, I can see the orange flames that burn in the depth of her chocolate eyes.She frowns and my heart twists painfully in response. This woman has zero idea that she holds my life in her hands. She d
AMANIA sliver of hurt flashes across Bhyron’s expression. For the next three seconds, my bitter words hang between us, fueling the explosive electricity that lingers in the air.My heart twists with a hint of guilt but I harden my jaw and hold his gaze. I want to hurt him. I want him to feel even the tiniest percent of the pain that’s currently festering in my heart.I can’t beat him up, so I’ll just use my words.“What are you waiting for?” I taunt, thrusting my hips against his. “Move! Hurry up! Fuck me and leave.”His eyes are currently the darkest I’ve ever seen, filled with anger and something else. Something even more disturbing.I fully expect him to climb off of me and leave in a fit of rage. However, Bhyron’s cock grows even harder and he pins me against the bed with ruthlessness in his eyes.Icy fear crawls up my throat as he leans over me, dragging his tongue and teeth across my chest.“Is this what you want?” He growls, slipping one of my nipples into his mouth and suckin
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