*His eyes scanned my bruised face, searching for answers. A careful, gentle hand caressed my cheek, intensifying the turmoil in his gaze. "He did this to you." It wasn't a question; it was a statement. But I couldn't find my voice, trapped in frozen silence. Fear gnawed at my skin as I stood amidst cold-blooded killers, surrounded by chaos and lifeless bodies. And as he held the gun, I knew more bodies would soon drop.* *** To everyone else, she was a nobody. A vessel for their perverse desires, a desperate pawn willing to fulfill their every whim. A nearsighted girl, finding solace only within the pages of her books, a portal to escape reality. But what they failed to grasp was that behind those innocent blue eyes lurked a devil, dependent on her happiness, hiding in the shadows and watching over her. And that devil was prepared to sacrifice everything for her. The scariest part? She had no clue. *"Why do you act like you're in love with me?" "Jesus, Lily," he growled, "I TATTOOED YOUR NAME ON MY FUCKING CHEST!"*
Voir plusLily
"...I’ve always been his, and he’s always been mine."I shut the book I had been reading aloud to a couple of senior citizens, my relief and sadness of leaving another fictional world to face my harsh reality.Catching myself in time before I slipped into my daily dose of sadness, I looked at my listeners, all sitting on the same settee, attention still on me, and I knew they shared my sadness about it ending."Finn reminds me of my late husband," Clare, one of my patients under me, whispers as if she was telling me a dirty little secret.I chuckled, standing on my feet, knowing there was about to be trouble. Counting mentally, I was at three when another voice of a grey-haired woman grumbled, "Enough of your fictional husband." I saw Sarah rolling her eyes at Clare, her hand curling around her walking frame as she struggled to stand up.It didn't stop Clare from staring at her ring and smiling fondly at memories she had made up from my constant reading to them of my romance books, for Clare and Sarah had never been married.But they were friends for many years.I looked up at the clock, seeing it was four already; Shit! I cursed, hurrying up. I untied my apron, hanging it on the stand, before grabbing my bag."hmm, hmm," Sarah cleared her throat, watching me pack my brown hair into a ponytail, "Please tell us it's a date."Clare, leaning forward, whispered to her, "A date dressed like that, " she shook her head, disappointed, "Lily is not going to get her Finn being this careless with herself.""It's not a date," I laughed as I arranged my button-down shirt over blue jeans. If seeing a cousin you swore you didn't want anything to do with after a terrible incident was one, well, let's call it that. "And I'm not looking for a Finn" I shook my head."You're not getting any younger." We all said at the same time as I wore my hoodie."She got us good this time" Clare relaxed back on her wheelchair, "Next time, you won't."Waving them a quick goodbye, I ran out of the game room, and as I passed my boss's office, my heart tightened when I remembered I had collected an advance from him the week before.Hopefully, Greg had some positive feedback for me; I thought as I left my place of work into the chilly Calabria air; wrapping my arms around myself, I hurried to the side of the road, flagging down a taxi.Getting into the taxi, I called out to the driver, "Palazzo cremisi," and soon, the car was revving down the empty road.Covering my hair with my hoodie when we stopped at the two-storied glassed building, I dropped, paid, and began to walk through the door of the building, hoping I wasn't seized by the gatekeeper and kicked out.I spotted him, Greg Silvianno, in the VIP section; thankfully, he spotted me too, and when he pointed at me to a waitress, who nodded and came to collect me.The place smelled so much of Luxury, and I was battling with my inner demons of overthinking, praying I didn't fall flat on my face right here.Finally standing in front of Greg Silvianno, my finger gripping my bag, hoping to create enough distance between us, he briefly looked up at me before pointing to a seat opposite him, "Sit, Lily."And I did, drawing my chair back, holding my hands before me, watching him study the menu; his eyes squinted behind his golden-rimmed glasses Greg, my cousin, was dressed in a three-piece ash suit, his slicked-back ancestral brown hair we all inherited giving him the aura of a responsible businessman.But I knew it was very far from that, for the only reason I was here was because I was in dire need of help.And he knew it too."Anything you want me to order for you," Greg asks in his gravelly voice, eyes now on me, "You look malnourished."Although my stomach grumbled, I still shook my head, "I just had something to eat, don't worry about me,"He sized me with his eyes before looking at the menu and speaking to a waitress waiting to get his order.With that opportunity, I took my time studying the paradise I was in, a little water fountain right in the middle, with ceilings so high, and even with that, the atmosphere was cosy.We were few in the VIP section, three seats were occupied, and one occupied table was just behind Greg.My eyes accidentally locked with the occupant, and I felt my heartbeat skip; it was the pale green eyes, looking soulless, that caught my attention, and when he looked at me, it felt like he was staring into my soul.Then he gave me a lopsided grin, raised a brow, and his glass in a mock toast.I tore my eyes away from him immediately, my cheeks turning red, confusion enveloping me on what the hell had just happened.Greg arranged his tie and, placing his elbow on the table, began to speak, "I got your message Lily, but you should know a million euro is a lot to pay for a woman who abandoned her family years ago."I stared at him, my chest becoming heavy, "When we spoke on the phone, Greg, you told me you would help with the fees of my mother's heart surgery."He raised a bored brow at me, "Fine, I said that, and I'm here, right? Constance is my aunty, and as a family, I have to care even if I don't want to," he began to pull off his jacket, "But your mother is not worth a million Euro."It might be a figment of my imagination, but I thought I saw a smile appearing on his lips, and then I knew Greg had asked me to come so he could help me; he invited me to gloat at my dilemma.Despite the cosy space, I suddenly felt hot, swallowing my anger as I watched him stare into the waitress's shirt serving him his order.Unable to hold it in, I burst out, "If you don't help her, she's going to die in two weeks" I tried hard to blink back my tears; I couldn't let this monster see me break.He looked like I had just disturbed him, but in his eyes, I could see his pleasure from watching me at his mercy again, "And it would be your fault; I told you I'll get back at you, didn't I?"I knew this was coming.Seven years ago, When my mum and I still stayed under the roof of Claudio Silvianno, Greg's father, Greg had tried to take advantage of me; fighting him off was brave and stupid, but I did.But his father never believed me and sent me, My Sis, and my mum away, with nowhere to go, without caring that my father had died working under him.A year ago, Claudio Silvianno died, leaving everything he owned to his only child, Greg.I wondered how much he had yearned for this moment."You molested me, Greg," I whispered, a tear falling to the table; immediately, I brushed it off with the sleeve of my hoodie, "You know what," I began to stand up, "I don't even know why I'm here in the first place."As I reached to pick my bag from the ground, he suddenly took hold of my wrist, and I gasped, looking into his face, "What is this?"He yanked me back into the seat before taking his and announcing, "I got a proposal for you, spitfire."I massaged my wrist from his assault, looking up at him puzzled, ignoring the alarm in my head for me to flee; I asked, "What proposal."He crossed his legs, "Before you decide, listen, this proposal will get you the money you need for Aunt's surgery, and maybe if you are lucky, have a large chunk left to take care of the three of you."I was in dire need. I was ready to do anything, even if it meant getting on with the heartless monster; seeing he wasn't saying anything, I pleaded, "Please do tell."The sparkle in his eyes was supposed to be concerning, but I, for once, ignored it.And bringing up his phone, he scrolled through it and then pushed it towards me.I looked in to see a picture of a man walking confidently before a group of black-suited men with dark shades on, but somehow he stood out.There was this pride radiating from that face."You need money to treat Aunt Constance Lily, " he tapped the picture, "you have to get married to him."***Alright I know this is a new book and some of you will be mad at me for not completing the other. But this one has been written down and it's far ahead, so I promise it won't disturb the other.Hugs and kisses. And I deserve all of the curses, so sorry.ONE YEAR LATER**RUNE—KYRA**"...I'm just saying it's not fair Laron gets to spend the summer break with Luigi," Rune followed Kyra to Laron's wardrobe. "Luigi gets all of his weekends. What time do I get to have?"Kyra snatched Rune's equestrian leggings and walked back to the bed. "You're exaggerating again." She folded the leggings and tucked them into Laron's nearly overflowing box before turning to him. "You gave him the go-ahead, remember?""Yeah, but that was before I realized it was for a whole month. He's monopolizing all of Laron's free time," Rune sighed, flopping onto Laron's bed dramatically. "I just miss hanging out with my son, you know?"She stayed silent, and when he looked up, she was staring at him."Why?""Well," she zipped the bag close and walked up to him, "why does it seem like you haven't learned how to tell Laron no?"Rune frowned. "What are you saying? I tell him no all the time.""No, you don't." She straddled him, placing her hand flat on his chest. "Alri
ADLERWhen he reached the Villa, the memories came hurling in. The last time he had been here, under that open shed, Larissa and Dimitri were having the time of their lives.He could still remember the lively evening, how he heard the chatters as soon as he parked, looking around him at the goons on every turn.Presently there was no single soul on this premises, but Adler knew better.Parking Kyra's motorcycle right in the center of the compound, he observed the house, its windows, all dark, except one of them, on the ground floor, the orange glow giving it an eerie touch.The gun firm in his left hand, Adler moved through the shadows, the moonlight his aid as he advanced headfirst through the entrance.Maneuvering his way through doors, following the orange glow, he placed his finger readily on the trigger, listening for a sound.But nothing came, just the faint silence.He felt it was coming to this, watching his opponent spiral down a rabbit hole as he struggled with the obsession
ADLER**FOUR MONTHS AGO**He could hear the elevator go down and for the first time in his life since the afternoon his mother died, he wanted to drop to his knees and give it all up.It was over. The wet towel seemed to burn against his skin, the wet towel over his head was now hot lava, and the metal around his finger was rapidly heating up and cutting off his circulation.He couldn't make it, there was no use trying, for what he had done, this was well-deserved, two hells in one lifetime, he dared anyone to beat that?But Lily? His mind tugged. What about Lily? The thought that he was never going to see her again was too great a loss to take without trying.Adler rose.Then came the beam, whirling down and landing on where his lower legs were supposed to have been if he hadn't rolled over just in time, his palm flattened on the hot ground.Holy fuck! He snapped it back to himself and hastily yanked out the hot ring, hoping to save it but then kicked against the idea when the band s
SALVATORESalvatore stirred, his lids opening as he gradually regained consciousness, eyes meeting the bright lights of the chandeliers above him.His head felt like a shattered egg, memories mangled and hitting him piece by piece, as the familiar aura registered. He was still in the manor, he could tell, but where exactly?The wails of a baby had his eyes snapping fully open, and Salvatore was sitting up in a jolt. The pain that went through him was like torrents, his head felt heavy, and the world around him seemed to spin."Hey look, our main guest is awake," Victor's taunts clouded his ears. "Christ, don't go back to sleep again, we've been waiting."Salvatore struggled to his feet, the sight before him sending his heart thudding.Victor sat on a settee, crossed-legged, with Eva beside him, hair stuck to her wet face, and her red-rimmed eyes staring forward, the hopelessness in them so obvious.If Constance's cries came from the crib, next to a goon, then where was Lily? He turne
RUNERune could taste the blood that coated his mouth. Still, he gritted his teeth, refusing to let the cries out. With his hands held back, the old man pounded his fist into his abdomen unrelentingly.The pain was excruciating, each blow sending shockwaves through his body. Rune's vision blurred, but he forced himself to stay conscious, to keep thinking.There was no way out of this, he knew. They were behind closed doors, in a room that smelled like dust and cobwebs; no one could hear him here.Well, no one except Laron, whom he constantly ordered to shut his eyes. The boy stood before the second goon, eyes shut, yet tears still rolled down his face.Every sniffle he heard from Laron cut through like a knife, and he wished he could do something, be the super dad Laron believed in, but right now the only thing he could do was stare at the floor."Had enough?" the old man sneered, his knuckles smeared with Rune's blood. "I thought to make this easier on you, but..." He grabbed a handf
SALVATORE"...What did you use this time?" Salvatore asked, slamming the booth shut. "Will they live?"Rune blinked, staring wide-eyed at him. "You wanted them to live?"Kyra's head shot up from the driver's seat. "What did you do?"Rune chuckled, raising both hands in mock surrender. "I'm kidding. The soldiers are alive. They'll feel some type of way tomorrow, but that's just Ketamine for ya."Salvatore fought the urge to pull out a pistol and aim at the fucker's right leg. This wasn't the time to be stupid; tension was high, and it was D-day.Just like Rune had promised, the compound had few goons, and they also seemed to be in panic. It would be this way until they got out of this godforsaken place."The back gate is empty," Rune whispered as he walked up to Kyra, cupping her face with both hands and kissing her full on the lips. "See you on the other side in a few minutes, Princess."But she drew him back in. Urgh, Salvatore groaned and turned away. Those two behaved like they wer
SALVATORE"...There's been another attack." Victor inhaled the smoke from the lit end of his cigar. "It happened at the same time as the fire yesterday. Ruslan is finally convinced of my innocence."Salvatore shared a glance with Kyra and then back at Victor. Was he actually saying the fire he had started to disrupt the engagement and that had somehow gotten out of hand was connected with an attack?Quietly wincing as the cloth grazed his partially burnt arm, Salvatore returned his gaze to Victor, who was suddenly deep in thought."I'll be gone again," Victor waved away the smoke, "but this time for a few days. Again, Salvatore will stay behind. I wish it didn't have to be so, but I need someone I can trust to keep Eva safe."He resisted the urge to share another glance with his sister. Even though he couldn't read anything on her straight countenance, he knew she was still mad at him."Can you?" Victor asked. "I can easily put her under Kyra's care. Give my father's favorite princess
EVASince Victor came back, he had been so busy he barely found time to see her. The days seemed even more void, the future gloomy. Hiding away in the confines of this room, she listened to the sound of the chapter of her life closing.Now she climbed down the bed, went to her wardrobe, and crouching to her knees, pulled open a compartment and brought out a small wooden box. It had been months since she last looked at its contents, afraid it would bring back unwanted memories and reignite her obsession with him, but here she was.Eva looked behind her at the door, then back at the box. Taking a deep breath, she flipped open the cover, staring absently at the contents inside a little beaded necklace that held a crucifix. His crucifix.She had sunk so low as to steal a part of him while he slept. She doubted he ever searched for it. If he did, he’d know it was missing and no longer in the pretty house that smelled of him.She struggled, praying for the embarrassment to wash over her so
LILY"I was six when I discovered that the convent sisters who came once a week to take children from the orphanage were anything but angels," Ruslan said, rocking my daughter's cradle. "It became clear why the boys never came back, and the girls who did barely lived."Twenty minutes ago, I had laid my sleeping daughter in her crib and rushed into the bathroom for a quick soak, despite knowing she wouldn't stir.Two seconds ago, I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel around my chest and damp hair still dripping, only to see Ruslan standing over Constance's crib and staring at her.Even though he didn't touch her, my racing pulse refused to die down.But he paid no heed to my presence and continued, "They needed us in a coal mine in this little spot in Serbia." He paused, his gaze remote. "Our starved, wiry, agile bodies were the perfect fit for narrow spaces, running errands, and sometimes checking if the explosives had completed their work."My hawk-like eyes on Constance made it
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