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Chapter 7
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Claiming His Queen Chapter 8
LILY'S POV.I stirred to the feel of my hair caressing my face, the strangeness immediately hitting me out of nowhere; for the last I remembered, I wasn't supposed to be alive.And why was the ceiling a beautiful white design, or was it just my sight blurring from all the pain dancing in my skull?I winced, shutting my eyes, and when I opened them again, thankfully, my sight had cleared, and yeah, the ceiling wasn't mine. This was a very, very strange place.Although My brain felt void, I knew I was in a place I wasn't supposed to be.What had happened? I looked down at the light blue floral dress that stopped at the middle of my lap; I drew myself up in a sitting position, puzzlement nudging as I looked around.This place, the air, seemed too expensive.Where was I?The last I remembered was the shooting in the church, Enzo's blood seeping out of the crimson hole at the side of his head to the floor, I felt my body tremble as I slowly dropped my wobbly legs to the floor, my fingers
Claiming His Queen Chapter 9
AUTHOR'S POV (ADLER.)He knew she was recollecting, her face dawning in recognition as more minutes passed but still staring at him in unbelief.For a moment, he thought she couldn't remember that afternoon years ago because she was someone who would jump at any opportunity to offer help to just anyone.So maybe their case wasn't that special.But she did; she kept him in her memories just like he had kept her in his, but maybe not as much as he had held her, like seeing her in his dreams, having nightstands with girls that had her features.It never gave him that fill, that thrill he had gotten lying under the shed, his head resting against a pile of bags she had gathered, for him while she continued to try to pry the gun out of his hands."Stai per premere il grilletto su te stesso!" She'd chided. You're about to pull the trigger on yourself.And even as he lay there fighting for his life, he remembered the only reason he had refused to let the gun go was so she kept repeating that
Claiming His Queen Chapter 10
LILY'S POV.The fear I had felt waking up and seeing this place was gone, in its place, was a worry for Eva, but immediately I had spat out my concern; Adler and Rune left the room. Adler returned an hour later to tell me he had dispatched soldiers to the house, and Eva would be okay till I came to collect her.I didn't know which I thought was weirder, a man who seemed to hold all the hardness in the world, being this gentle with me, or that he had searched for me for seven years because of a one-day save.The day I lost my father, which was my fault, was a secret I was willing to keep with me until I died.Rune was gone, and Adler, after receiving a phone call, left too. I was left alone with Salvatore, whose relaxed demeanour was the opposite of my continuous fidgeting."You're in safe hands, Lily, wouldn't be the case if it was another human," a faint smile appeared on his lips, "But once it's you, Adler loses all of his psychos."I drew my knees under my chin, watching him speak
Claiming His Queen Chapter 11
Author's POV (SALVATORE.)***"Adler fucking had a spark in his eyes from just watching her" Rune took a swig straight from the bottle, his forehead still creased in confusion as it had been since he saw Lily in the church, "You think it's normal?"Priest placed his cup under the coffee maker, frowning inwardly, fighting the urge to tell Rune it was just too early to be swearing and getting himself drunk.This meant he had to be the one in charge of driving, for no matter what, it was his religious duty to care for a full-grown adult who decided there was no care in this world for him.He and Rune, it was a wonder they stayed this long as friends when all they did was hate each other's choices, like how Rune had forced on him the name 'Priest' when he had clamoured to go to the seminary at age fifteen.He had always felt there was life for him in the priesthood, but his father was having none of that, and his ways of having his son focus on replacing him as Consigliere wasn't a memory
Claiming His Queen Chapter 12
The smallest hall in Dimitri's residence had been transformed into a solemn mourning room. The only sounds that broke the silence were the hushed whispers of a few bodyguards near the doorway.Decorated with flowers, from windows to the roof, the pleasant scent didn't match the atmosphere.At the head of the room, with her hands resting flat on a black with golden rimmed closed coffin, was a middle-aged woman; this woman was Enzo's mother.Her eyes were reddened, her lush black hair was a brushed mess, and while her fingers trembled on the surface of the death bed, where her son's picture stood, the rest of her body was motionless.Clad in a flowing black dress, her countenance appeared devoid of tears, yet her face bore the anguish of her heart like an open book.With an audible creak, the large doors swung open behind her. In response, she raised her chin, straightened her posture, and spat out, "I made it clear that I wanted to be left alone."When there was no response, she looked
Claiming His Queen Chapter 13
(SALVATORE)Priest saw Domenico's forehead creased, and the unbelief in his dead cold eyes was opened for all to see.How could Adler even think that would work on his father? Since Adler's mother died, the two could never stay in the same room without a confrontation.Adler's immense disdain for his father was such that he adamantly refused to be associated with him, save for the shared trait of their green eyes. Apart from this singular similarity, they had nothing else in common and preferred to remain far apart.Adler did not doubt that the Boss deserved his respect, considering he was his father. However, they understood the importance of never crossing paths, avoiding prolonged eye contact, and refraining from sharing the same roof.Priest knew it was all about to change.Domenico drew closer, bringing his face within inches of Adler's, his fist tightly clenched by his side. However, Adler remained steadfast, resolute in his stance as a formidable barrier in his father's path.
Claiming His Queen Chapter 14
LILY'S POV.He turned in the knob, letting me walk in, my hands wrapped around my shoulders, still chilled from what I had just witnessed.How did they all stay calm at the sight of a near murder? That man had a gun pointed at his son's face, and his finger had rested on the trigger, his eyes dead, ready to put a hole in Adler's head.And Adler had done nothing. I could hear the grin in his voice as he urged his father to do his worst; my heart was in my mouth, and my breath cut off as I eavesdropped.When the Boss had asked I be brought to put an end to Adler's disobedience, at that moment, I saw my life flash before my eyes. It didn't help that I traced out the worry in Salvatore's too.After he entered, he shut the door, twisting the lock, before turning to look at me, already seated on the bed."You shouldn't have seen that." His back rested against the door as if he, seeing my fear, had understood that I needed the space. "Don't let it scare you," For a Don, he was sensitive, H
Claiming His Queen Chapter 15
(ADLER)What had he done?He raked his fingers through his hair, walking down the hallway, silently past doors, and on a long red rug leading towards the room at the far end.In the room with her, her question had struck him. She had asked who he was, asking if every damn thing he showed her during the last few days their paths had crossed was a fake.Adler would have answered if he knew. How was he to tell her he was a self-absorbed human who couldn't get his thoughts across without involving a gun?How could he tell her he spent the last few days staring at his bed, wishing she was in it, writhing, and screaming his name?How could he tell her he wanted her hands tied above her head while he felt her, kissed her, tasted her?Was this some witchery? He had always had a thing for her, wanting to find her, and now that he had, what next?Hopefully, she didn't decide one day to leave; else, it might just be a kidnap situation. For the first time in his life, he was afraid, afraid a da
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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
