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Chapter 109
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Claiming His Queen Chapter 110
[ADLER]“...look into it, Don Adler; my offer benefits you even more than it does me.”Adler pulled a wedge from his golf bag: This was why he needed Salvatore, and if he hadn't pulled off that stunt, he wouldn't be here finding a middle ground with Guordiola’s son when all he wanted to do was see his brain spill on grass.Looking at the scores of bodyguards he came with, Adler knew the feeling was mutual; obviously, the competitive animosity had been passed down from father to child, for even though Guardiola, who was one of the influential tycoons, worked so closely together with Domenico, they each watched their backs.After Domenico stepped aside, Salvatore handled negotiations, and Adler focused on the field. However, caught between Rune's triumphant smile and teasing "I told you so" and his distaste for golf, he felt trapped.But not trapped enough to admit he was wrong; he wasn't, and he would stand by that, even if he kept making silly decisions that kept him isolated from eve
Claiming His Queen Chapter 111
LILY.Rune's plans were always over the extreme, one that should be supervised before letting fly, but when a matriarch like Nonna was involved, the result was me in between these men masquerading a bold front while inside, I was a freighting train."Is there anything to lose?" he had asked in Nonna's room. But right now, I could think of numerous things at risk.I sighed in relief when, out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Rune snatching Adler's gun; I flicked my hair back. He had begun this shit; it was just natural for me to play along.At least for me.Not to begin acting like it was all your idea, Lily.I shut down my inner voice."Lily, what do you do?" Luigi Guardiola began as he sized the ball with the club, "Apart from being beautiful?"He swung the club, sending the ball flying, momentarily capturing my attention. From his firm grip on the club to his swing, something about it seemed oddly familiar."I'm a caregiver," I replied when he began to walk up to me. It was how he wa
Claiming His Queen Chapter 112
RUNE…"If you fight half as aggressively as you do in bed, you'll have me on my back," he murmured, so only she heard.Kyra chuckled, flexing her fingers and rounded her fist, ready for her first strike.He understood why everyone in the training room appeared uninterested in their sparring matches, unlike their enthusiasm during Don and the consigliere's sessions.They all knew that he always ended up on the floor with this bodyguard.Kyra was strong and quick, with an incredibly lethal endurance; she was notoriously known among the other soldiers. Most avoided her like a plague; being one of her challengers and ending up beaten wasn't a flex.However, with him, it was one. He knew how to get under her skin, so she drew blood from him, and somehow, the harder she hit, the more significant his achievement.But lately, he was having none of that. Instead, there was a woman who had treated his wounds and even stayed the night when he wanted her to, in a way that went beyond the sex.Whi
Claiming His Queen Chapter 113
LILY.The shelves, rows, and columns were filled with books, and the smell of newly opened packages, ink, and flowers owned the room. I had never been in this space before, and staring at Rune's face, neither had he.Except for Adler.And there he was, obviously fidgeting and struggling to get his words out. That had to be the reason he didn't notice the huge bags under my eyes; he had all of his concentration on forming a simple sentence.In the last two days, there was the thought that he would never do it. Even after our encounter in the golf cart, I continued to be ignored, more like avoided, and yeah, I took it like a champ and sulked alone on my bed and in the dark.Seeing them now, I felt the darkness hovering around me disappear into thin air. It had been days of getting accustomed to the strangeness and struggling to get used to living without him."...can I text my apologies instead?"I scowled at him, and he sighed again. "Fuck me."Salvatore's smile was faint, but I caught
Claiming His Queen Chapter 114
EVAShe folded her apron and handed it to Antonio from over the counter. “That's it.""You were supposed to leave an hour ago, Eva," he said, taking it from her. "I understand the rules and regulations keep you safe, but being in this place at eleven doesn't cut it.""She never listens," Tamara said, appearing beside her, leaning against the counter. "Listen, sugar. I know you want to make enough money and help however you can, but your safety comes first."She would have rolled her eyes if it were anyone but them; instead, she found the warmth in her chest. It was how they had picked up interest in her right from the onset. It was the way they took her as one of their own.Or that was what it felt like.Maybe it was how they reminded her of her family, the strong bond between her parents, and the love they shared.Who cared if it was scolding, as long as it came from them and maybe the strange man who had pried her out of Victor's cage?"...except for that guy that would probably nee
Claiming His Queen Chapter 115
KYRAShe peeked through the slightly ajar door, sensing the stillness of the manor, smiled, and then slipped back into the room. Walking to the mirror, she untied the ribbon from her hair, letting it cascade down her back.Ruffling her shoulder-length hair to appear fuller, she frowned at her reflection in the mirror. Why did it look so strange? Was it the light brown nightie or the long tresses?It didn't feel right, but as Nonna always said, doing the 'right' thing doesn't always make you feel good.But what if it came with her changing herself because she felt she needed to? Finally becoming Nonna's idea of how she should be after years of resisting that projection, now here she was being it.Wasn't there another saying for that? Change was constant? She left her fingers trailing along the silk resting against her skin. Was it wrong if she did it for him to want her in a way she didn't believe he did?The Rune she knew wouldn't care if she came in a bin bowl with covers over her he
Claiming His Queen Chapter 116
LILY."...and don't forget your meals, Lily; put some skin on those bones."I smiled as I watched them load her bags into the car's trunk, feeling a mix of warmth and sadness.Warmth because, even with all of the explanations, that I probably ate more than anyone in the Manor, she still made it a goal to stuff me till I couldn't sit up.And sadness because I wouldn't be having that anylonger.There would be no one to ring me out of bed with an already filled table, no one to read to and listen to their surprised gasps as I drew out every word dramatically.Because she was leaving. I had stumbled out of Adler's room to find her bags already packed and waiting. When she saw me, she smiled and explained how she had planned to leave a couple of weeks ago but waited to make sure Adler and I sorted things out.She intended to sneak away before the manor was awake, but except for Adler, who had slithered out of bed before dawn, her plan was still valid."That's enough watery eyes," she ann
Claiming His Queen Chapter 117
Neck deep in the tub, gazing up at the ceiling, eyes roughened and tired from all the tears shed, enough to make the foamy water salty.How long have I been here—a couple of hours? All day? I didn't want to know; it was peaceful enough in this position, within the silence, floating out of my body to keep the memories at bay.But that also wasn't a success, so often, I wallowed in my guilt, the tasteless scenario that had occurred hours ago replaying in my head, her heated confession refusing to leave the more I pleaded for it too. “She died because of you, Lily; you have always been the reason people get destroyed; you are a curse.”The tears had returned as I stared ahead at the empty stairs, my strength leaving me. So weak that I stumbled and clutched the rail to keep myself from falling flat on my face, wanting to block out all of her words with my fingers in my ears, but I felt too rigid even to make a move.“Does it give you a clue why I'm angry? How about you understand that th
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Claiming His Queen Epilogue
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
Claiming His Queen Chapter 240
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
Claiming His Queen 239
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
Claiming His Queen Chapter 238
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
Claiming His Queen 237
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
Claiming His Queen Chapter 236
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
Claiming His Queen Chapter 235
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
Claiming His Queen Chapter 234
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
Claiming His Queen Chapter 233
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
