DAMIANI stand rigid, leaning heavily against the toilet sink. My fingers grip the cool porcelain like it is my last lifeline. I don't dare to raise my eyes to the mirror because I am scared of the truth it would reveal: An unworthy accomplice. A man who deserves death in her stead.“Memories of you overwhelm me.” I croak through the emotions that gather thick in my chest. “Reliving your laughter, our careless whispers, and plans for the future…”Now forever silenced. My fingers tighten impossibly against the sink. Regret and remorse find their way along the lines of my hardened features. It crinkles the scar on my face. Slowly, I release the sink and raise my hands to my view. These same hands pulled the trigger which ended her life.Self loathing bubbles fast within me. I'd taken lives before. Without hesitation even and not once did I feel a sliver of sympathy for my actions. The people I killed were deserving of it. This… this was different in so many ways. She was my rede
LILIANAI don't know how long I've been running for but I force myself to push further despite the protests from my burning lungs.I propel my body forward with my toes as a spring. The fear of being caught and bound again keeps me going. Overhead, storm clouds start to form, black and thick with impending rain. My feet burn from exhaustion and my lungs have constricted so much that I fear I'm running on very little air. It won't be long before I pass out on the tarred walkway. What a convenient way to present myself before my captor. On a golden fucking platter!I stumble forward with a hollow gasp for air. My parched throat is burning. As if in respite for my plight, the floodgates of rain open and it begins to pour in torrents. I open my mouth heavenward to let in some of the cool liquid. The downpour soothes my sweaty skin and revives me, quenching my thirst.Just like that, my zeal for escape is renewed and I forge ahead.With each drop, the sweatshirt and pants meld itself t
LILIANA“I just managed to escape from a kidnapper.” I blurt out finally. His jaws go slack as a look of shock crosses his aged features. He leans on the table towards me. “A kidnapper?” He echoes.His question sounds almost skeptical. “I’m telling the truth!” I interject in a gripping desperation. “I was heading back home from the grocery store when these men suddenly accosted me and before I knew it, I blacked out. My car, my phone, everything is gone!”His eyebrows furrow down and his fingers lock in front of him in thought. “I believe you, duska. I'm just surprised. There has not been a report of such in this neighborhood for about ten years.”Silence falls between us as he looks to have burrowed into his head while I clench my fingers in my thighs, hoping that he believed me and would find a way out for me.After a full minute had passed, he asks, “Do you have any idea where you were taken to?”“I was drugged. I don't remember much except that I woke up in the basement of this l
DAMIANMy breath comes out in rasps as I come to a corner. I scan the entirety of the lonely street and to my dismay, she's gone.How can I be hot on her heels only to see that it's like she disappeared into thin air?She outran me. It's unbelievable. Almost laughable that a puny woman of such size could get out of my grasp. At first glance, she looked like those overpampered wives who have the luxury of getting their asses wiped at command. The little fucker is even more fit than I give her credit for.A dry, humorless laugh cracks out of my lips as the truth sets in. She did outrun me. Sydney pulls up next to me shortly after. The dead silence is broken by his boots skidding to a sharp halt on the pavement. “I don't believe it.” He comments as he scans the area with incredulity well carved into his face.My hand comes up and wipes down on my weary face. I'm filled with so much lethal rage inside, masked by a cool facade on the outside. His laughter dares to ring out, further gr
LILIANA The kitchen door opens and a lady walks in with a drenched raincoat around her shoulders. Her light auburn hair looks to be claw-clipped behind but the tendrils cling to her forehead like a wet rag. She looks to be about my age if not younger. “You said you would only take… Why, you sneaky man! You came in here for a cup of sbiten without telling me?” She slaps his arm lightly. The man turns a warm smile as he dodges her playful hits. “No, bebe. I had an impromptu visitor.” He motions to me with a gentle wave of his hand. She follows his gesture with her eyes till she stops at where I stand. My fingers clench in a fist by my sides at the awkwardness that takes over. Her eyes trace the bulky coat on my small frame and she looks back to the man with her hazel eyes narrowed down in skepticism. He shakes his head. “Ne delay etogo. YA nashel yeye na obochine, kogda vernulsya za bortovym zhurnalom.” His eyes meet mine for a fleeting moment before his voice drops lower. “Ona
LILIANA“Goodnight, ladies.” The man tells us the moment we step into the hallway with several doors. Before I can turn and bid him the same, he disappears into one of the rooms. Rachel shrugs as she clasps a hand on my shoulder. “He had a rough day at the diner. When he comes home beaten up, sleep is his therapy.”I nod in understanding. “Days like that.”“You're welcome to stay the night here. I'm afraid the room is a bit bare but we'll make do. We didn't expect the pleasure of your company.” Rachel says as she rummages through her purse for something. “It's fine. I'll manage.” I try to reassure her but she's occupied with struggling with her purse. She sports a comic frown.“Where's the stupid key?” She hisses. Her features brighten and she raises the key with a triumphant harrumph.The door clicks open to reveal a decent-looking bedroom. Honestly, it isn't so much but it is a feasible option than to spend the night on the streets. “You've done so much for me already. Thank you
LILIANAI pace through the empty halls of our grand estate, my sandals slapping against the polished marble floors. The silence is suffocating – a sharp contrast to the chimes of laughter and whispers Kyle and I shared two days ago.I can't help the feeling of despair as it rips through me, taunting me with the possibility of him still being around if I hadn't gone up the stairs that day.As I approach the steps to make my way back into the house, I catch the hushed whispers of the domestic staff and their topic of gossip is about the possible abduction of their boss. They cease their gossip the moment they spot me, making a show of religiously tending to their chores. But I'm no fool.I lift my chin, square my shoulders so as not to betray my emotions, and make my way into the living room. Once in, I slump against the wall as a shuddering breath leaves my lips. “Ma'am, you have a call from Mr. Mikhail.” I raise my eyes. It's the bodyguard assigned to me by Theodore, my husband's ass
DAMIANI'm hunched over the paperwork on my desk skimming over the letters on each page, drinking each information in and growing angrier by the minute.My fingers fly across the keyboard with burning urgency and in a few seconds, the screen displays the private profile of my previous target; Josie Davis. It includes information about him down to the last place he used his credit cards.Picking up a red pen lying on the side, I visualize being the Grim Reaper while I strike Josie's name off my list. When I lift my hand, the paper becomes branded with a brown stain on my palm. The fucker’s blood refused to come off after washing. I chuckle darkly as the memories of his pleas come to mind. Barely minutes after I began our session, he became a wobbly mess with bladder issues.A puny weakling with a big dick and loud mouth. Useless. The room brightens up with light from my phone. I look at it with a big frown which deepens further when I see my brother's name. The reason for his call mi