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Chapter 45
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Claiming His Queen Chapter 46
LILY'S POV I was back in front of the mirror, my fingers trailing on my lips, trying to make sense of my situation, ignoring the sudden jolt of shock coursing through me when I remembered the night before.So let me get this straight, he's offering me help and also obviously wants to have something to do with me. He stares at me when I least expect it. Cook me dinner, although he's terrible at it, and then kisses me.I felt a shiver run down my spine. Was this right?He was Don, an influential figure, not forgetting how much his father hated me and threatened to cut my face.The way he glared at me when he bumped into us in the kitchen, I wasn't ready to bear that icy sneer again.And that Adler had made it even worse by kissing my head in front of his father, had my situation worsened.Even when I had fled the kitchen back to the room, despite his last warning on me leaving the door fucking open, I couldn't. Throughout the night, the terror didn't let me sleep, so sitting on the bed
Claiming His Queen Chapter 47
[ADLER]He couldn't explain why the day had begun in darkness, eyes flashing open, and he felt it, breathed it in, the feeling of loss surrounding him, closing him in, intent on smashing him to pieces.It had to be because it was the beginning of a new week, the week his mother was stolen from him, right before his eyes, the bullet searing past his face and burying itself into her head.And that was why his bones suddenly felt heavy, why he was hallucinating so hard. He had seen her everywhere. Standing in front of the sink, he saw her in the mirror.He caught a glint of her making a turn in the manor, up the stairs. He thought he had seen her during the gun trade some hours ago, where he had inadvertently opened fire.The result of his frustration wasn't pretty, and he knew it wasn't all because of the double-crossing. It was because each time he caught sight of his mother, each time she turned and smiled at him, she faded away.All he could do was stay still, watching the storm take
Claiming His Queen Chapter 48
LILY'S POV."Would you like to do it with me?"It never occurred to me that I would be in the quietness of Adler's room before him and asking that question, offering him a deal. To help out.For his benefit, Help him sleep.Why not let him ask? Because he wouldn't, looking like that and acting all soft, I was beginning to think I wasn't about to do this just for him; I also wanted to trail my fingers down his tanned, muscled body.My thoughts had been raging wild from the moment he opened the door with only a towel wrapped around his waist, and the body I saw, the strength I stumbled upon, didn't fit with the personality in the kitchen.It didn't fit the way he kissed the top of my head, or the way he smiled at me, or even looked at me.And I wanted him to do more than just kiss me again, more than just touch me. I wanted to see what he was when he gave in to animalistic instincts.He stared at my frame, his eyes darkening as he took in my more petite figure, barefoot in his room, ni
Claiming His Queen Chapter 49
RUNES.That the first sensation he had woken up to was a bout of headache showed how much the invisible being that ruled the universe hated him.He meant, wasn't it enough making him easy to be picked on, a mouth that always got him knocked out, the drop-dead gorgeous face that ladies couldn't resist?What were the curses for? He didn't ask to be born.Paradise would be waking to a blow job while chained to a bedpost, but then it was too much for the universe to answer his fucking prayers.Apart from this location not resembling his room, which was the sole threshold to fulfilling his prayers, it was evident that such a scenario would never transpire. As he attempted to wipe his eyes using his right hand's thumb, the jingling of chains echoed alongside his every motion.His eyes flew open, a bad mistake. The ache found its way deep into his skull that, unable to take anymore, he fell back on the bed, cursing."Welcome back, Rune..."Despite Rune's curiosity hitting hard, he knew bett
Claiming His Queen Chapter 50
[SARA.]The sheets up to her chest, Sara's eyes stayed with him at the edge of the bed, his back stooped over a blade he was carefully running through an oiled cloth.The katana was his favorite possession, the pretty but deadly-looking sword that gave her shivers each time she stared at it.She sighed, curling farther into the bed, darting her eyes to the wall. He had been quiet and cranky recently; she wondered what he was thinking. He usually wasn't that outspoken, but lately, she found herself locked with him in the four corners of his apartment.No, she wasn't complaining. She wanted to be close, but— she shut her eyes, trying to catch some sleep. But maybe not like this. And it all began when he returned from Italy, demanding everyone vacate the club except her. Then he looked quite radiant, his palm cupping her face, kissing her hard before he jogged to have a shower.There were moments of intimacy that wouldn't be called that in a usual sense but for someone like Ruslan, that
Claiming His Queen Chapter 51
LILY'S POV.Going to Adler that night was a major mistake, probably the biggest blunder I'd ever made.And if you think it was my morals biting me, accusing me of what a horrible human I was, taking advantage of his situation, then you're wrong.Since that day, my whole body tingled and throbbed, and suddenly I was more sensitive than usual, not to talk of dreams, dirty, slimy, hot dreams that had me sweating although the window was wide open.Opening my books was much more challenging now, for in-between scenes, I found myself drifting, lips parted and nearly emitting moans.I wasn't about to make a habit of sneaking into his room, no damn way. Especially not in a time as serious as this one. But if he was to come to mine, would I turn him out? Did I have that much self-control?Of course, I did. I had self-control, but then sex had been a duty expected of me, and I did it without my soul in it. But with him, I mean, I did feel my soul leaving my body, forgetting about the manor and
Claiming His Queen Chapter 52
AUTHOR'S POV [SALVATORE]She hurried up the stairs, and he couldn't tear his eyes off her moving frame.He had seen the embarrassment on her face, and it became apparent she didn't even know it was there.Adler knew how to mark what he wanted—open for all to see and understand and vehemently back off.It was never a problem. Maybe because Adler had never done this to anyone before her, for he never let anyone stick around this long, and he and Rune didn't believe him when he kept repeating about the girl that saved his life.But now... What was wrong with him? Why was he acting all concerned if Adler wanted her so much that he was indirectly telling him to back off?Lily wasn't up for Adler, he knew. There was no way Domenico's son would suddenly be a saint after years of being something that couldn't be explained. How long was Adler going to pretend?But are you only concerned about her well-being? The low voice was back again. That quiet voice shunned him whenever he tried to asser
Claiming His Queen Chapter 53
LILY'S POV."...Please do not be pissed, but, uh, I have to be sure."I knew my voice held nervousness, sitting opposite her, across from the kitchen, seeing Kyra swipe jam over a piece of bread with her eyes still on me. Her expression was unreadable.At least she didn't look like she was about to stab me with that knife.Pulling my eyes off the knife, I returned it to Kyra's face, "Did you say Salvatore is still in the Manor?""Yeah," she faced the bread again, dropping it on a plate and picking another plain one, "Why haven't you seen him yet? Or is it that he's purposely avoiding you?"I resisted the urge to scowl at her for spitting out my belief without remorse. The desire heightened when she brought the sandwich to her lips and slowly chewed while still watching me.Stupid me, thinking because of her moment of self-reflection days ago, she'd become much nicer to me. At least she wasn't threatening me with a gun.Gazing down at my untouched breakfast on the table, I slowly pushe
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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
