Alissia POV
We stare at the masterpiece in front of us, both marveling at its presentation. When we finally cut into the crispy shell, the savory aroma that wafts out is heavenly. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors—the smoky salami, the tender meatballs, the melted cheese, and the rich, buttery pastry crust. We eat slowly, savoring each bite, occasionally exchanging looks of awe.
“This is… amazing,” Jenni sighs, eyes closed in bliss.
“Demitri was right about this place,” I say, thoroughly enjoying the meal. After a moment, I take a deep breath, and Jenni notices the thoughtful look on my face.
“So,” she says, arching an eyebrow, “you look like there’s something else you want to share.”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “I told them I love them,” I say, watching her eyes light up.
“Wait, really? All three of them?”
I nod, feeling
Please note: This a dark romance story, it features dark content.Alissia POVI sit at my desk, staring blankly at the blinking cursor on my screen. It mocks me, as if it knows I have no idea where to start with my latest attempt. Dark romance. The genre I never thought I’d touch. But after bombing miserably in everything else—comedy, fantasy, sci-fi, even horror—I figured I’d give it a shot. How hard could it be to blend the raw, twisted emotions of a toxic relationship with an edge of danger? Apparently, harder than I thought.“Alissia, seriously?” Jenni’s voice cuts through my thoughts like a knife, sharp and teasing. “Dark romance now?”I swivel my chair to face her. She’s sprawled out on the couch in our tiny living room, legs draped over the armrest like she owns the place. Well, technically, we share the apartment, but she’s definitely made herself more comfortable. Her blonde hair is a mess of waves, and she’s wearing one of those oversized graphic tees with some sarcastic quo
Alissia POVHer smile fades, eyes narrowing as she studies me. “Yeah, sure you are.” She laughs again, but there’s a hint of unease in her tone. “Wait... I thought this was all a fucking joke! No, Alissia, no. And no. You can’t go meet these weird people you don’t know!”“I’ll be protected,” I say, trying to sound confident, although deep down, I have no idea how I’m going to protect myself.“How?” she snaps. “By telling them you’re giving them a pseudonym in your book? Sure, they won’t kill you then, will they?” She waves her arms around, exasperated. “Oh my God, I’m going to have to tell the police I gave you the idea when they find your mutilated body in the desert!”I roll my eyes. “You’re being dramatic. I’ll figure it out, Jen. For instance, I won’t use my real name—I’ll use the name that I publish under.”Jenni’s eyes widen. “This is crazy! Do you even know how to find these people? What are you going to do? Post on Facebook, ‘Recruiting a stalker, murderer, and Mafia Don for r
Alissia POVJake drops down onto the couch, his eyes narrowing at the piece of paper filled with lists. He picks it up, reading over it, and a small laugh escapes him. “What is all this?” He looks at me, shaking his head.“Oh, you know, just a list of random people who could kill us that Alissia wants to shadow for a week,” Jenni chimes in with a chuckle.Jake raises an eyebrow, turning his amused gaze back to me. “Right, okay. Sounds fun. Why am I here?”“For that reason, Jake. I need your help,” I say, my voice more serious than I intended. His eyes flicker with curiosity.“Help with what?” His expression turns cautious.“I need to find out how to get on the dark web and talk to people there,” I say, holding my breath, waiting for the laughter.And he doesn’t disappoint. He laughs so hard his head tilts back. But when he looks at me again and sees my expression hasn’t changed, his smile fades. “Shit, you’re being serious?”I nod. “Yeah, I am.”Jake stares at me like I’ve grown a sec
Alissia POVI sit back, staring at the screen, the cursor blinking at me, daring me to close the tab. I can’t move. What if someone actually replies? What if this post is the beginning of something that gets me hurt—or worse?My gut twists again, and I feel the weight of my reckless decision settling in. But despite the fear, there’s an undeniable thrill that rushes through me. This is exactly what I need to stand out, to write the story that could finally get me noticed.No turning back now.I watch the screen, my heart pounding in my chest as pings start echoing through the silence of the apartment. Ping. Ping. Ping. Notifications flood in, comments stacking up faster than I expected. My stomach twists, and a part of me is terrified to read them.Something tells me ninety-nine percent of these replies will be full of mockery, sarcasm, or worse—threats. Still, if I don’t read through them, how will I know if anyone serious is out there?Sighing, I click to open the post.The replies
This chapter contains dark contentDemitri’s POVI peer down at the mess that is scattered across the concrete floor. New guards are hard to find, ones who stick to the rules and live long enough are even harder to find. I consider it, sighing as I shake my head in disappointment. “Such a fucking waste. He was a good little guard,” I mutter, stepping over the mangled body parts, the smell in the air is like metal and rot. “Little guard?” Tony, my personal butcher, chuckles, wiping his blood-soaked hands on a rag that’s already stained. His usual smirk twists his face. “This guy had more meat on him than anyone you’ve ever brought me. You call that little?” He kicks part of the guard like it’s a slab of pork.I sigh again and nod, crouching down to pick up one of the hands. “True, but look at these hands.” I toss it to Tony, who catches it mid-air with a laugh. The fingers look like sausages, bloated and useless.“Fuck, could he even hold one of your guns with these sausages?” His wor
Demitri POVI pull out my burner phone, punch in her number from the file, and type a message.You want to shadow someone? Meet me tomorrow at 6 a.m. I’ll send the location. We’re practically neighbors, Alissia.I hit send, not entirely relaxing. This is going to be interesting.I send another message before she can respond.And delete that post before you end up in your own story.I lean back, waiting. A moment later, my phone vibrates.Who is this?I laugh under my breath. Bold.You don’t get to ask questions. Not until I know you’re not setting me up.Her reply comes almost instantly.So, I’m supposed to meet you without even knowing your name? You’re funny. It's fine, I know a hacker, I'm sure I can find out who you are.I smirk. She’s got some fire in her, I’ll give her that.Please go ahead, you can tell me all about how you failed when I see you tomorrow.Failed? Oh, you're sweet, you think I'm stupid, don't you?Didn’t your parents ever teach you it’s dangerous to talk to stra
This chapter contains dark content.Lucas POVSighing, I look down at him—Paul—watching the tears run down his swollen, bloodied face. He’s trying to beg, I think, though I can’t hear it anymore. Probably because I cut out his tongue a while ago. The sound is just a sickening gargle, thick with blood and desperation. He’s begging for his life, but it’s too late for that now.The thing is… I wasn’t planning to kill Paul. There was no meticulous plot, no months of stalking or calculating every move. Hell, I barely know him. We’ve spoken a few times, shared a few thoughts on the dark web. I sometimes get hired to kill, but usually, I pick my own victims—ones that spark something inside me.Unlucky for Paul, today he said the wrong thing. Mentioned the wrong name.Nova.And here we are.I sigh, patting his shoulder like we’re old friends. “I’m sorry, Paul. Maybe I overreacted slightly,” I whisper, my voice soft, almost apologetic. “But it doesn’t mean you can live, you understand? I’ve al
Blake’s POVThe dark web is my playground, a hunting ground where I find the darkest, deepest secrets of my obsessions. It’s a place where anonymity rules, and I can hire just about anyone to dig up whatever I need on my next victim. The thrill of knowing every intimate detail about someone before they even realize they’re being watched—that’s where the power lies.My victims are chosen with precision. There’s no randomness to it, no impulsive picks. Most of the time, I don’t even need to touch them. The true thrill comes from the psychological torment. Watching them unravel, seeing the fear in their eyes when they notice the small, seemingly innocent changes in their home. That coffee cup moved slightly. The window that wasn’t open yesterday, but now is. The sense of being watched without proof—it’s better than any physical violence.My method is meticulous. Every victim must follow a strict routine. They need to work a standard schedule, so I have time to infiltrate their space with
Alissia POVWe stare at the masterpiece in front of us, both marveling at its presentation. When we finally cut into the crispy shell, the savory aroma that wafts out is heavenly. Each bite is a delightful mix of textures and flavors—the smoky salami, the tender meatballs, the melted cheese, and the rich, buttery pastry crust. We eat slowly, savoring each bite, occasionally exchanging looks of awe.“This is… amazing,” Jenni sighs, eyes closed in bliss.“Demitri was right about this place,” I say, thoroughly enjoying the meal. After a moment, I take a deep breath, and Jenni notices the thoughtful look on my face.“So,” she says, arching an eyebrow, “you look like there’s something else you want to share.”A small smile tugs at my lips. “I told them I love them,” I say, watching her eyes light up.“Wait, really? All three of them?”I nod, feeling
Alissia POVAs I step into the room, all three of them turn to face me, eyes sharp and expectant.“Where do you think you’re going?” Demitri’s voice is calm but curious.“To grab something to eat,” I say, unable to hold back a grin. “Jenni and I are going to have some food, maybe a few drinks, just to relax.”Demitri raises an eyebrow. “Go to La Dolce.” Demitri looks at me.“We will, so is that a yes?” I ask.“Fine. Just promise me you’re not getting wasted.” Demitri laughs.I hold up my pinky finger, giving him my most innocent smile. “Pinky promise. I’ll keep it classy.”He nods, though his gaze is still assessing. “Alright. Axel will drive you both there and pick you up. You don’t leave that restaurant, understood? If you need anything, call.”“I won’t leave. I promise,” I ass
Alissia POVJenni relaxes a bit more, then looks over at my laptop. “So, how’s the story coming along?” she asks, a hint of curiosity brightening her eyes. “Did you get much done today?”I glance at the screen and let out a small laugh. “It’s coming along, I think. A lot of it is inspired by what’s happened recently—though I’m definitely taking some liberties.” I tap the keys absentmindedly, thinking of the fictional twists I’ve added, but there’s a thread of reality that I know she can pick up on.“Is it still about that reckless author who dives into the criminal world to experience it for her book?” she teases. “Trying to understand those three mysterious men?”I chuckle. “Absolutely. She just keeps digging herself in deeper and deeper. It’s more complicated now, though. She’s starting to realize that it’s not just her career on
Alissia POVAfter a long soak in the bath, I slip into something comfortable, letting the warmth linger as I step into the main room. Demitri and Axel are seated, heads close together, clearly engrossed in some business matter. I grab my laptop, determined to finally make progress on my story. Writing has been an uphill climb lately, but with a deep breath, I settle in, knowing I can’t put it off any longer.About ten minutes in, I feel restless, my fingers drumming against the keyboard. I close the laptop, needing a small break. “Coffee?” I offer, needing one myself, Demitri’s eyes lift, a soft smile forming.“Sure,” he replies, nodding. I move to the kitchen, pulling out the cups and setting up the coffeemaker. A moment later, strong arms slide around my waist, pulling me back against a familiar chest. My body instantly relaxes, a smile tugging at my lips as Demitri’s hand traces a slow path up the inside of my top, hi
Blake POVOdell leans back in his cell, putting on an exaggerated pout. “Aw, come on, Lucas. I was really looking forward to having a new toy in here. You can’t just dangle the possibility and take it away. Can’t you work a little magic and get the cutie locked up anyway?”Lucas chuckles, shaking his head. “Who knows, Odell. If he slips up again, he just might end up right where you want him.” With that, he ends the call, slipping his phone back into his pocket.Jake is staring at Lucas with a sickened expression, the reality of what just happened settling heavily on his face. Lucas smirks, a glint of dark amusement in his eyes. “All the best underground men have connections, Jake. Consider this a guarantee—if you go back on the deal, you’ll find yourself kept nice and warm every night by Odell. And he’ll be waiting.”Jake swallows, his face pale as he nods, finally underst
Blake POVI’ve been at this for well over an hour, digging through every piece of information on Jake with Lucas by my side. We’ve uncovered bits and pieces, small incriminating details here and there, but nothing substantial enough to send him running from Jenni for good. Every promising lead fizzles out, and frustration gnaws at me. Without the option to kill him—since Jenni would inevitably blame Alissia for any “mysterious disappearance”—we’re left with blackmail or some other way to scare him off.Lucas mutters under his breath, frustration clearly getting to him as well. Then, out of nowhere, he chuckles, the sound low and amused. I look up from my screen, curious.“You found something?” I ask, hopeful.“No, but I’d bet anything that, based on how long they’ve been quiet, she’s probably got Demitri under her thumb,” he smirks, eyes glinting with amusement.I g
Alissia POVWith a playful smirk, I slip off his lap, stepping back to let his anticipation build, and turn to the wall where the riding crop hangs. I take my time reaching for it, letting him see exactly what’s coming next, his eyes narrowing as I turn back to him with the crop in hand."Alissia," he growls. I smile, the leather handle feels warm and familiar in my grip, and I run it slowly up his thigh, watching the way his muscles tense with each inch it travels. He’s trying to hide his reaction, but the light in his eyes betrays him.I stroke the crop up his chest, tracing a path along his abs, letting it dance over his collarbone, teasing him as he breathes a little faster. Without warning, I flick my wrist, letting the crop tap his shoulder lightly. He stiffens, but there’s a spark in his gaze, his lips pressing into a tight line as he suppresses the smirk I know is fighting to surface.I climb back onto his lap, feeling the heat r
Alissia POVTurning to my closet, I run my fingers over the rows of carefully chosen outfits, my eyes settling on a pair of towering black heels. I slip them on, the extra height adding a confidence that makes me grin. I glance across the shelves lined with lingerie, eyeing the sets, each more daring than the last.If I’m going to break him tonight, I’ll need to make it worth his while. A lap dance, perhaps? Slowly stripping, just to watch him squirm in that perfect combination of lust and restraint? The thought makes me smirk, and I reach for a set of black lace that leaves little to the imagination, with thin straps and delicate material that hugs in all the right places.I study myself in the mirror for a second. The reflection staring back at me is both fierce and playful, fully aware of the power she holds tonight. I give my hair a slight tousle, running a finger along my lower lip as I consider my next move. Then, slipping on a
Alissia POVI make my way down the hall and slip into the hidden room that Demitri calls his “sanctuary,” but I’ve taken to calling it what it truly is—his personal dungeon. Dark, luxurious walls lined with velvet and leather greet me, along with the faint scent of musk and rich wood. It’s a place where he’s always been in control, where every inch of it has been arranged to cater to his dominance. But today, I want to turn that on its head. I know when he's in this room, Axel knows not to try contact him. It's where he hides from things even if he's not using it.I let my fingers trail over the variety of implements he’s neatly arranged on a sideboard. There’s an artistry to how he’s laid them out, like they’re his favorite tools. The leather cuffs, the ropes, the paddle, each placed with deliberate care. I pick up one of the silk scarves, running the soft material between my fingers as a small grin plays on