KYRA.If history had taught her a thing, it was that anything that had to do with Rune always ended in a disaster.And by history, she meant all her life, right from the day the scrawny boy had stepped out of the godfather's ride, mouth dropping in awe as he took in the manor, unsure if to make a move or continue to trail mud on the floor.Even then, he was severely in need of a haircut and a bath, which had been the beginning of their lifelong conflict, for she had made the mistake of pinching her nose when he walked past her.Okay, to be truthful, she did not only pinch her nose."Hola senorita, estaba esperando…" He wasn't done speaking when a seven-year-old her had pinched her nose and hollered, "What's that smell?"In her defense, she was a young, spoiled brat who still felt the world revolved around her.Rune had taken it personally. One thing led to another, and they became die-hard enemies whose only interaction was because of their line of expertise.But unlike this Rune, he
As he left the house, he veered down the narrow street, and there it was: Lily's apartment. It seemed like just yesterday that he had climbed those stairs to fetch her sister.He could bet she thought that day marked her happy ever after. He had felt it, too.But after walking up the stairs into her friend's room to check if it was safe, he knew it was everything but a Disney ending. She was in such grave danger that if it weren't solved, the manor would become her lifetime prison.Luciano appeared behind him, dragging his luggage box as he walked past Salvatore and down the stairs toward the parked car. After a few hours of managing Luciano's presence, Salvatore had concluded that he and Adler judged him too quickly.Luciano had acted in what he believed was Lily's best interest, even if it didn't meet their expectations. He chose not to caution him about Adler or express how fortunate he was to have taken him home.Reaching the man, who stretched his hands for a handshake, Salvator
ADLER"You..." The confusion was etched on her brow when she gawked at him. “You want to give me a job?”He didn't need to ask to understand that she hadn't enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep the previous night. It was evident in the dark circles under her eyes, the lackluster look in her pupils, and her cautious steps when she walked into his office and found him unsealing an envelope.He couldn't discern what troubled her as she scrutinized his desk, her eyes wandering over documents and cards.He feared it would happen when he returned her cell phone; he was sure the threat calls were back. Would it be an invasion of privacy if he were to spy on her conversations? Her trust in him would be ruined, but on the upside, her problems would be solvable.But first things first, “Isobel needs a caretaker, and since we have one in the manor,” he gestured to her, "I figured there would be less use in hanging out a wanted placard.”Why this? Well, there were reasons“You sound like in the next
LILY'S POVIt was at seven that day that I was finally tucking Isobel in bed after hours of reading to her from Sarah and Clare's favorite novel.Her energy was one of a kind, although she used all of it to poke at my relationship with her grandson.Each time I confirmed per her request that there wasn't a relationship, she added, ‘Yet’ then went further to complain about how young people only wanted to sleep around and avoid responsibilities. Besides, wasn't her grandson good-looking enough for me? And the kids will be so beautiful.When her nurse came to administer her medicines, I knew Adler had played a trick on me; this wasn't a job; this was equivalent to getting paid for having fun. For all of the primary jobs, it had many different people administering them.And I was left to keep Isobel company; we would walk the gardens, then back to her room, where she told me about every piece of jewelry she possessed. There was always a story behind each one of them.Birthdays, anniversar
LILYI have never been good at going effortlessly freaky, but with him, it came pouring down. His face when I teased him was so deliciously funny that I wanted to kiss him and affirm that he didn't need to reply.Straddling him, I fisted his still-erect cock, as if preparing it for entry, but as I lowered down, watching his eyes widen with expectation, I instead laid it down and slid along its length.The betrayal on his face had me leaning down and kissing him full on the lips, "Hush, don't ruin the moment."It warmed my chest to know that even though he was impatient and frustrated, he let me take the lead because he knew it was what I wanted, but I knew that if I took this any farther, I would be lying on my back.Reaching up, he pulled the bra's knotted ropes until they came undone, causing my boobs to protrude and point at his face.Giving him this much freedom, in seconds, I'll be powerless against him taking control, so holding the wrist of his hand reaching up for a feel, I dr
"...and right here," Kyra gestured toward the driveway, "she had a mental breakdown," she remarked, noticing his chin tighten in annoyance. "Both of them shared quite a bit.""Really?" he gazed up at her opened window and grimaced. At least her room seemed dark; didn't that show she was becoming immune to threats as long as she was in the manor?Trying her best to maneuver through her situation while barely grasping her sanity; then came her sister, who decided the rules didn't apply to her.He wished Lily could turn off her emotions for the little attention crave. If she thought getting a job in the exact franchise her sister had almost died in, then who were they to say no to her death wish?One less tantrum for the world to deal with."Lily claimed she's finished with her, but I doubt that will ever come to pass," Kyra remarked as they approached the entrance. "The likelihood of monsters under beds being real is higher than this."Adler grinned. "Or you not having more news when yo
"You have her spare key, you duck, and not only that, your crucifix was lying casually in her room; what did you want him to think?!" "That she was sleeping with me? Really, Kyra?""Salvatore, you were sneaking into her room.""I wouldn't call it that" He filled the magazine and stuck it into the butt of the gun before aiming at the wall with an eye shut. "Besides, if he thinks she's sleeping with me, then maybe he shouldn't have her?"His sister appeared before the gun, placing her hand on it and pushing it down until it faced the floor. "It doesn't answer why you go to her room.""I can't tell you.""Isn't that also a sin?" she raised a brow. "I am asking for the truth, and you can't tell me.""Lying is the sin, not telling you to mind your business," he said, turning away from her. "Besides, I don't care about that anymore," "Adler is furious, and he won't even meet with her. You can't simply expect everyone to stay out of it when you're the one who stirred up all this commotion
LILY'S POV."Actually, Lily, now's not the time; Adler was on some serious shit last night," Kyra had said as she walked out the door, "Hopefully, nothing takes you to the training ground."Needless to say, something did.I could hear the howling and cheers of the men as I neared the door, Adler was furious; I had seen it in his eyes when he looked at Salvatore the night before. It wouldn't have mattered if it had been just the crucifix, but that his consigliere, for some reason, any reason, held my spare key; I could see where he was coming from.I hated that I couldn't explain with the truth, hated that if I'd ever wanted to clear the air, it would be with something so vague it couldn't stand.But if I were to talk with him, explain deeply that it wasn't what he thought, maybe sprinkle a little fallacy… ugh, I hated my life right now—I never thought a day would come when I'd have to lie to him.Even though I hadn't found that particular lie, It still hurt. Why couldn't every day b