KYRA.His appearance was a shock, and her chest tightened at the sight. Salvatore had truly inflicted damage. Despite the evident pain, she knew he'd likely reject any help with a defiant middle finger.It had only been two days, and he looked frail. Observing how everyone avoided discussing him, it was evident that he would remain here for a while before Adler figured out what to do with him.She tossed the bandage into his lap, "If you truly cared for Lily as much as you claim, you wouldn't lie to her."Rune snorted, massaging his broken nose. "You're the last person to speak about caring for anyone," he said, raising the bandage and waving it at her, "but thanks for the bandage. Would do for a cool nose cover; this place smells like shit.""Did you do it?" she asked."It's none of your business.""You told Lily you didn't.""What do you think?""Rune, the key was found with you," she approached him. "Every piece of evidence points to you; a sample of the bullet used in your second
KYRAWater trailed down her chin as she snatched the face towel from the hook, pressing it to her face. Inhaling deeply, she cursed as the unexpected rush of Rune's words flooded her thoughts.In a relentless struggle spanning hours, she fought to banish his echoing voice—words that had deeply wounded her. Regret seeped in as she wished for the satisfaction of his blood staining her knuckles in the midst of it all._"...how hard you want to please him."_First of all, fuck Rune; he knew nothing about her; talk more about who she wanted to please. If he thought she had more grace than them because she was the godfather's 'princess,' then he fucking had to rethink.She slammed the towel to the sink, pressing her palms to hold her weight as she sized her reflection in the mirror. She was here all thanks to her ability, and she'd like to see them prove otherwise.The quiet rap on the door snapped her back to the present. Straightening up and raking her hair back, she stepped out of this b
Adler's ascent was a struggle, his head pounding, his vision blurred, and a sharp pain cutting through his skull.But the feeling of emptiness superseded them all—the perception that he had lost something important, a massive part of him, and was about to find out what. Heavy and crippling, it came with a fear that he wouldn't like what he'd find when he fully awakened.The clouds left his eyes, and he found himself staring at a glass cup on the drawer surface next to the bed he laid on. Yeah, that was familiar; what wasn't normal was waking up to sunlight. Something was wrong."I love you, Adler…."He jolted out of bed, ignoring the pounding ache in his head, swallowing hard as he stared at the empty bed. His heart sank, and reluctantly, he turned to the cup again. The white film on its surface and the weariness of his bones were enough to put it all together."I love you, Adler….don't look for me."Her voice echoed in his mind, the words giving meaning to the prevailing silence. It
I ran so much that I forgot I could never outpace him. I believed I had learned not to betray him again, ensuring I was ahead of him whenever he required my presence.But with Adler, I had felt so secure that it was like my past never happened, but here I was before my nightmare, waiting for him to take revenge, or, as he would call it, repercussions."Where's Eva?" I murmured, and despite my slight, shaky tone, Antonio turned his head away in disapproval. "Where is my sister?"Legs crossed and enjoying my show, he scrutinized me with mock amusement, "Eva is alive and well and would remain so if you behave yourself.""I just want to see her," I whispered. "Do you have her?"He strolled towards me, holding up an object in his right hand. "Here, is this enough?"It was the gold mold we had gotten from Pa's pendant. Eva had carried it along with her, sometimes wrapping it around her wrist or, at others, around her neck.That he held it, meant...He dropped his hands down. "I would never
LILYI applied gloss to my lips, then returned it to the drawer. Studying my reflection in the mirror, the corner of my lips curled in disdain.My brown strands, now a lustrous red, were pretty; the charming copper color turned me into another person, someone I hated being. It was this part of me that he had wounded—the glamorous and fiery part of me.Stomped down until it was quenched just the way he liked. I repaired the thin sleeve of my white evening dress. This was the aesthetic he wanted, and he turned me into it. The redhead without her fire—wasn't it just comfortable?I ran my fingers along my sides covered by the silk gown, then jerked around to a faint rap on the door. I waited, peeking at the clock overhead the door, even when I knew what I was being called for. I swallowed and walked over to the door.Slowly drawing it open with shaky fingers, I was met with a girl's frame, probably the same age as Eva; she genuflected and announced, "Master Vito calls you."I nodded; of c
The gasp escaping my lips was loud and clear, catching their attention. In unison, I had four pairs of eyes in my direction. At that moment, I knew looking up was risky, for if I did, they might spell the truth in my disturbed pupils that the man whom they spoke about… well…“What's wrong?” Vito asked, and he raised my chin again. “You look flushed.”Knowing that opening my lips when his face was this close to mine would result in me stammering the words out, I said nothing, only holding his gaze and ensuring my pupils kept still. The mission wasn't possible.“Adler Domenico could be called a household name in the crime world, Vito,” Antonio broke the awkward silence, "a name heard but seen by few, and when you listen to the tales of his escapades, it's enough to make anyone gasp. I understand, Lily.”He used a lot of stumbling words to show he was solidly behind me, but that still wouldn't do if I didn't find a way to preserve myself, for in just two days of being here, I had gone of
“Something wrong with the food? " I raised my face to meet Vito, sitting opposite me, spoon in hand and swallowing a mouth full. His attention was on his plate, and his hands still moved even when he glanced at me.I shook my head, grabbed my fork, and plunged it into my plate. "No," I uttered, then attempted a slight smile. "It's wonderful." Next, I took a slice of apple from my salad bowl and quickly popped it into my mouth to stave off further conversation.However, as soon as my lash dropped to my plate, I felt his gaze set on me again.This prolonged situation made me anxious. His intense gaze was fixed on me, and to compound my misery, he remained silent.We were alone outdoors eating dinner, the first we had together since I was brought to him, and something told me tonight had a reason. Besides, why were we outdoors? He cleared his throat, throwing me out of my trance and scrambling for my plate again."If you don't like the food, you can say that." He picked up a glass of w
Kyra picked. That was what happened."...There was no need to storm off on me, Lily. All you had to do was say you wanted to leave, not ditch everyone,"She sounded calmer than the usual Kyra. I mean, the Kyra that I knew would swear into the phone and lay out a proper description of what she would do to my body, not sound too understanding, as if we were talking about the weather.Vito resumed his position across from me, his hawk-like eyes scrutinizing me as if his life hinged on it; I was aware that a mere stumble on my part could lead him to bring back Eva and put a bullet through her skull.We were alone, the table cleared, and the only voice apart from a cricket chirping nearby was my quiet one.Vito gestured for me to continue."Kyra, I need to speak to Adler.""You mean the same one that hasn't stepped foot in the Manor since you left?" She sounded flat, "Don't you watch the news where you are?""News?""Adler brought Lucid's down. You know what? Save yourself the trauma, and