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Annalisa 16
16ADRIANThe crumpled note felt like a live grenade in my hand. It had arrived anonymously, tucked discreetly beneath the windshield wiper of my car. The stark message, scrawled in spidery handwriting, sent a jolt of ice through me: “The Dubois case. They framed the wrong one. Look deeper.”Annalisa’s tear-stained face flashed before my eyes, the raw vulnerability she’d shown me that night. The framed murder charges hanging over her like a Damocles sword felt like a personal affront now. Someone, it seemed, wanted justice for her, even if the official channels had failed her.The weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders. This wasn’t just about soothing Annalisa’s anxieties anymore. This was about uncovering the truth, no matter how deep the rabbit hole went.The first tendril of suspicion led me to Caleb, a childhood friend with a nose for sniffing out secrets. He ran a small but well-regarded investigative firm, his cynicism a perfect counterpoint to my relentless optimism.
Annalisa 17
ANNALISAThe shrill ring of the phone pierced the comfortable silence of my apartment. I glanced at Adrian, who was sprawled on the couch, a half-eaten brownie precariously balanced on his chest.“Probably wrong number,” he mumbled, his eyes drooping closed.But the insistent ringing continued, a nagging itch I couldn’t ignore. With a sigh, I picked up the receiver.“Hello?”A clipped, irritated voice filled my ear. “Annalisa? It’s your father.”My stomach lurched. I hadn’t spoken to the Duke since the whole nightmare with the dream and Adrian. The silence between us had been thick, a tense standoff fueled by unspoken disapproval.“Father,” I said, my voice carefully neutral. “What a surprise.”“Surprise, indeed,” he huffed. “The news travels fast in these circles, Annalisa. And let me tell you, the whispers about you and that… commoner… are not doing your reputation any favors.”My blood ran cold. “News? What news?”“Don’t play coy with me,” he snapped. “Everyone’s talking about you
Annalisa 18
18ADRIANWho is the mysterious stranger?The rain hammered on the fire escape, each drop exploding in a miniature geyser against the rusted metal. It mirrored the turmoil churning in my gut. Across the slick alleyway, a figure emerged from the shadows, materializing from the thin sheen of rain like a phantom conjured by the storm itself. Tall and cloaked in midnight blue, they moved with an almost predatory grace that sent a tremor down my spine.This was it. The culmination of weeks of whispered conversations in back alleys and cryptic messages exchanged under the cloak of darkness. My lifeline in this suffocating game of power.“Adrian,” a voice rasped, sandpaper rough against my raw nerves. It held an unsettling allure, both dangerous and strangely comforting, like the purr of a well-fed panther before it pounced.I took a tentative step forward, the ornately carved invitation in my hand threatening to disintegrate into a soggy mess. “You Krom?” My voice cracked, a pathetic squeak
Annalisa 19
19ANNEThe clinking of crystal wine glasses and Annalise’s infectious laughter filled the opulent dining room. Seated across from them, Adrian, the so-called “charming artist,” leaned in conspiratorially, his hand brushing suggestively against Annalise’s. Bingo. My carefully crafted plan was unfolding perfectly.A mischievous glint flickered in my eyes. All evening, I’d been dropping not-so-subtle hints about a secluded balcony overlooking the city. Now, with Annalise’s guard down, a few well-timed words were all it took.“Isn’t the view from the balcony simply breathtaking, Annalise?” I purred, batting my eyelashes at her. “Perhaps some fresh air after all that delicious food?”A dreamy smile played on Annalise’s lips. “Oh, Anne, you’re right! The city lights always look magical from there.” She reached for Adrian’s hand, their fingers intertwining. “Care to join us, Adrian?”He flashed a winning smile, his eyes locking with mine for a fleeting moment. A silent exchange passed betwe
Annalisa 20
20ADRIANThe air in the grand courtroom hung heavy with tension, thick enough to choke on. Annalise, my heart, sat rigidly in the defendant’s chair, her back ramrod straight despite the fear flickering in her eyes. We were facing the Duke, her imposing father, his face a mask of thunderous fury. Anne, that conniving viper, sat beside him, a smug smirk plastered on her face.The Duke slammed his fist on the ornately carved table, sending a tremor through the room. “Trial by ordeal!” he roared, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall. “Annalise shall prove her innocence by walking through the flames!”My stomach lurched. Trial by ordeal? This was barbaric! I stole a glance at Annalise, her face pale but resolute. She wouldn’t back down without a fight. But walking through flames? It was a death sentence disguised as justice.“Your Grace, with all due respect,” I began, my voice surprisingly steady despite the pounding in my chest. “Trial by ordeal is a rather… antiquated practice.”The
Annalisa 21
21ANNALISEI couldn’t believe it, Adrian had finally confessed his love for me. We were lying in bed, our bodies entwined, as we shared our deepest feelings for each other. I had always known that there was something special between us, but I never thought that it would develop into something so profound.As we talked, our hands began to explore each other’s bodies. We had always had a strong physical connection, but now that we had acknowledged our love, everything felt even more intense. I ran my fingers through Adrian’s hair as he kissed my neck, sending shivers down my spine.“I want you, Annalise,” he whispered in my ear. “I want to make love to you.”I didn’t need any more convincing. I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer to me. We kissed deeply, our tongues intertwined, as we let ourselves get lost in the moment.As we made love, I couldn’t help but let out a few moans of pleasure. “Yes, Adrian, just like that,” I gasped, as he hit all the right spots.After we had
Annalisa 22
22AdrianI walked into the kitchen, ready to grab a quick snack before heading out for the night. But there she was, my beautiful Annalise, bent over the counter, her perfect ass on display. She was cooking, humming to herself, completely oblivious to the effect she was having on me.“Hey there, gorgeous,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual. She looked up, a smile lighting up her face.“Hey, Adrian. I was just making us some dinner. I hope you’re hungry.”I stepped closer, running my hand over her ass. She jumped, letting out a little gasp.“I’m starving,” I growled, nibbling on her earlobe. She shivered, pushing back against me.“Adrian, what are you doing?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.“I’m going to have you right here, on this counter,” I replied, my hands roaming over her body. She moaned, her head falling back against my shoulder.“But what if someone sees us?” she asked, even as she spread her legs wider, inviting me in.“Let them watch,” I said, slipping my
Annalisa 23
23ANNALISEThe tremor in Caleb’s voice echoed in my mind long after he finished. Spencer? My Spencer? Working with the very officials who were trying to silence Adrian? It felt like the world had been spun on a potter’s wheel, leaving me disoriented and off-center. The man who held my hand at moonlight picnics, who swore his undying love under a sky dusted with stars – a collaborator with corrupt officials? The cognitive dissonance made my head spin.“Annalise?” Janet, my ever-reliable confidante, squeezed my hand reassuringly. Her concerned gaze held a glimmer of understanding that sent a wave of gratitude washing over me. In the whirlwind of emotions, her steady presence was a lighthouse in a storm.“I… I don’t understand,” I stammered, my voice barely a whisper. “Spencer? Working with those corrupt officials? It doesn’t make sense.”Janet, ever the pragmatist, didn’t indulge in idle speculation. “We need a plan, Annalise. Sitting here wondering won’t solve anything.”She was right
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