DAMIANAlice statement throws me off guard and sets me right on the edge. It would be better not to introduce the topic of Irina because the circumstance around her discovery is not something to share yet. All everyone needs to know is that she is a part of the family now and there are no two ways about it.As for Liliana, what am I to do with her?That question lingers as I decide to freshen up for the day. Zoran would be here soon and I have businesses to take care of.By the time I'm settled in my office, Andros walks in. He inclines his head in greeting.“Pakhan.” I nod, eyeing the sling around his neck. “Don't you think you should be resting that arm?” “There's no time to rest when duty calls. Besides, it is just a gun wound. I've had plenty of them in the past. It won't stop now.”I'm impressed but my face remains impassive. I gesture to the couch. “Take a seat.”Sydney comes in. “Pakhan.”“You're late.” My eyes rivet to him from his colleague. “Do you know what I feel about
DAMIANAs planned, before midday, my schedule has been cleared and I have finished the tasks for the day. I updated Sicily's paycheck and he gifted me two cars which according to him is his means of appreciation. I don't ask that of him but he does them willingly. Not only are they cars, but they are limited editons as well, specially customized to my taste. I had Sydney and Andros take it home while I rounded things up at the port and greased some hands. Currently, I'm seated in the private VIP lounge in one of Zoran's pubs waiting for his arrival. I'm irritated that he stood me up when our meeting is supposed to be an hour ago. I take a sip from my glass, eyes studying my watch for the umpteenth time. Where is the man who instilled in me the discipline of being early?Speaking of the devil, I hear Zoran's voice. A while later, he peeks into the private room. His face brightens up when he sights me.What the fuck is he so happy about on a goddamn Monday afternoon?“Little brother
LILIANA My entire body thrums with bone deep weakness as I struggle to open my eyes. So far, I've only managed to pop an eyelid open while the other remains closed in laziness. I'm alone in the room. A different room actually and it's not the dungeon. Thank God. A sharp exhale then I try to raise myself up on my elbows. The warmth of the sunlight’s rays streaming through the balcony says its past noon. “You're awake.” I freeze at the sound of the voice. It's not Alice's, neither is it that big buffoon’s. Awfully familiar it sounds yet I cannot for the life of me, place a face to it. I turn my head in that direction, shivering lightly as my eyes come to rest on that creepy little girl. My eyes fly open and all the weariness vanishes. “What the — why are you looking at me like that?” She is seated at the bottom of the bed, her brown eyes trained on me, unblinking. “Alice said to keep an eye on you. I have two.” She says with a dead ass face. I push away a shudder
LILIANA “What the hell just happened?” I muse, still in wonder. I'm blinking at the door that has been left ajar. Gone is the heat of his rage and in its wake is the lingering scent of his cologne intertwined with his masculine scent. I admit to pushing him to anger in the past with words that would cause even the strongest of men to cower and crumble. It cannot be the words I said. No, I doubt they caused as much as a dent on him. As usual, he takes the crown for reckless display of savagery. “Laura?” A voice gasps in the doorway. Recognition strikes me as I take in the image of auburn hair and wide hazel eyes. “Rachel?” I'm dumbstruck at first, however when I recall their betrayal, a scowl takes over. “What are you doing here? Have you come to finish me off like your father did?” “I work here. What are you doing here?” “Shit Sherlock, I'm harvesting ripe grapes.” I grouse with my eyes rolled far back into my head so far I fear they'll drop into my stomach. “Tha
LILIANAI place my hands on his broad chest with intent to shove, and against my will, they remain planted to the spot.Why am I letting him kiss me? Better still, why…does it feel so dang good?His tongue invades my mouth with a savage intensity that leave me breathless and before long, I fist the front of his shirt as an anchor. “So…divine.” He whispers hotly against my lips.His hold on my neck pulses in tandem with the clench of my pussy pressed onto his strong thigh. I feel his erection resting against the outside of my other thigh while he drives me to the brink.What starts out as slow movements, graduates into a steady rhythm that picks up in every passing second.This is wrong… This is repulsive… Yet, I find myself responding to the urgent demands of his thigh by grinding feverishly against him like my very existence depends on it.His kisses hold me ransom and I'm paying back with one of mine, matching every hot lash of his tongue with one of mine.It is like a battle for d
LILIANAAlice rambles about so many things at once as we head out of my room, chirping excitedly about the clothes we could try on and how long it had been since she played dress up. She doesn't strike me as one who takes part in such frivolities.I, on the other hand, am too unbothered to listen and too distressed about my recent deed to ask her to stop. I hadn't noticed a smaller building, well technically small next to Damian's mansion. Although it looks quite garish, I can't shake off the feeling that there might be more to it. Made men don't invest or build without reason. Anyway, the place is bigger than my newly assigned bedroom with racks of clothes lining up every corner.If I wasn't in a precarious situation, I would swear the place is a woman's wet dream.Robotically, I let Alice toss me this way and that, using me to satisfy her childhood fantasies and to be honest, it doesn't bother me as much. Somehow, it takes my mind away from my worries.She pulls away from the r
LILIANAThe next few days pass by in a blur, the possibility of my escape becoming bleaker than a candle's flame in a hurricane force wind. Andros is stuck with me every passing day because of his shoulder injury, like a stubborn tick on the side of a shaggy dog. At least his presence is sufferable. He makes little jokes and is a little friendly. When Alice kept sending food to my room, he suggested she get a mini fridge for chocolates and the likes so I can help myself to it, and she doesn't have to come all the way up.It was surprising because we just barely finished speaking about it. I figured if I am to be held without explanation, then I deserve humane treatment at least. I'm not having anything less. Still, it won't cancel out the burning hatred I have for every soul in the house.Well…except for Alice and Andros. I can't help but indulge myself in their lovable personalities.“What are you looking at the door and thinking about?” A gruff voice cuts through my train of thou
LILIANA I'm leaning over the balcony feeling the warm breeze as it carries the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hint of water. The sun dips behind the clouds tinted with shades of coral which streaks across the sky like wispy brush strokes on a canvas but I'm too anxious to appreciate their beauty. Why does his absence bother me? I should be using my relationship with Alice and Andros as a leverage for an escape. Andros stepped out and it has been thirty minutes since. He usually doesn't stay out longer than this. I should make active moves to flee but I don't. Instead, I'm haunted by the memory of Damian's mismatched eyes, his smile, his presence and it's as if his absence has created a void within me that I'm desperate to fill. I scoff, “This isn't the plan, Liliana.” I grip the balcony railing tightly until my knuckles whiten with tension. The scenery is a perfect model that I want to bring to life through colors, however, I can't shake off the feeling
DAMIANHer eyes widen in caution as I approach her. Like she’s scared of me, or maybe scared I’d hurt her even when I’m certain she knows I can’t. She doesn’t really know the power she holds over me, does she?I should say I am disappointed but how can I when I can’t even tell her how I really feel about her? That’s just hypocrisy. Behind her is Stelleza’s wardrobe full of her things which I stowed away in her memory. “I couldn’t throw her things out, neither could I burn them.” I remember the exact angle where I kept the journal hidden. Since this is her blood sister we’re talking about, then perhaps she has a right to know what it entails and the truth about how she died.Reaching further into the back, my fingertips graze a hard leather. Bringing it out, I flip the leather-bound journal and hand it to her. She gazes down at the book, not taking it yet. “What is this?”“She wrote this,” I murmur, recalling the dark words that birthed my rage. “She wrote every word on every page b
LILIANAIt’s supposed to be Stelleza…but this woman bearing such a dazzling smile…My heart stutters but I can’t bring myself to drag my eyes away from the horrifying revelation staring back at me. It’s been thirteen years since the last time I saw her. Thirteen whole years of fumbling in the dark, left alone to navigate the maze that is life. She shielded it from me for so long until she couldn’t handle it anymore.“L–lajla…Lajla…” I whisper unable to believe the sight before me. She looks the same…except for her forest green eyes, now dulled from being immortalized in a photo frame. It’s an understatement to the real sparkle when you look at her in real life. And her smile, now frozen in time, is just like I remember it. But brighter. Better.“Forgive me, Lajla.” The first drops slide down my cheeks. “I failed you over and over.” I sniffle, trying my best to hold back the dam from bursting forth. “I did what you asked and went an extra mile pleasing the wrong people.”I crumble fr
hey guys. I promise I'm not slowing updates on purpose this time. We have gotten to critical points in this book and I'm not going to rush it. I'm doing my best to deliver as seamlessly as I can and carefully close plot holes. So please be patient with me 🥹. It's slowly but surely...no one likes an unsatisfactory ending. Please bear with me.
LILIANAThe words strike right in the middle of my chest like lightning hitting a spot twice. It just doubles the ache I’ve been feeling since I woke up. Could it be any worse?I’m certain I’ve heard this from the man himself. As though fate is playing a cruel joke on me, his words echo in my ears again.‘I killed her.’ ‘I pulled the trigger that killed her.’Is that why he wanted me to stay away from him? Oh, Liliana, how much of an idiot can you be? The signs have been staring at me naked. I ignored the way I did Kyle’s red flags until he landed me in worse trouble. Is this just the universe’s way of teaching people like me lessons?“You look pale. Maybe you should just go back and wait…?”“No. No, I’m fine.” I don’t know if I’m ready to hear more of what she has to say, yet I tell her– “Go on.”She nods, casts a nervous glance around and then looks at the door. “I don’t know what he hides in there that he’s refused to let anyone in. The only person who managed to see in here by m
LILIANARachel is waiting by the door by the time the car pulls up inside the fancy prison I familiarized myself with as home. Not anymore. Maybe soon, this nightmare would be over and I’ll get over him. “You’re back early?”I manage a fake smile that doesn’t quite reach my eyes. “Don’t tell me you miss me. I’ve barely been gone for a week.”She reaches to take my bags and I pull away before she can touch it. There’s no need to fool anyone with exaltations when we are both alike in more ways than we think. She’s a slave here even though she’s willing. I’m the captive. Still sounds the same to me. Yet, why do I need all of this special attention? It’s just bullshit around here.Speaking of captives, I stop and turn to Rachel. “Did Melanie stop by at the house today?”She pauses to think, then shakes her head. “That was last night. I told her you were on a trip and she made me spill the location. I don’t know why she needed that information anyway.” After another long pause, she gasps
Buckle up people, this is going to be a long ass read but I guess we've seen this coming.LILIANAMelanie?I look at Damian for help, wondering why in the hell she is standing on the property of his private island. Wait–how does she know where we are? Damian looks as shocked as I am as well. So we’re going to say he’s not aware of her arrival? I don’t believe whatever facade he’s wearing on his face now. It’s hard to believe he doesn’t know about this and something within me breaks. I’m not sure what that is.“Well, well, well,” she starts in a demeaning tone reeking of spite, “if it’s not the captive and her captor enjoying a week out of town so they can spend time alone. How romantic!”Damian looks like he’s fed up of her nonsense. “What are you doing here, Mel?”“That’s not such a nice thing to say to someone who you once called better suited for your cock. Now that’s not very nice, is it? I should be the one asking the questions here, not you baby boy. What are you doing here?” Sh
To my consistent readers who make writing worth it, i'll be making the next chapter a free one to make up for my inconsistencies. especially those two special readers whose comments I can't do without and make me roll in laughter on my bed and spin ideas...thank you. thank you for loving D & L even in their silliness and mistakes. thank you, wonderful readers for getting to this point. you're my most treasured on earth after God and chocolate. happy reading!
LILIANAThe water ripples as he sinks in behind me, large body settling under the surface with practised ease. His legs open and he guides me between them, pulling me back against his chest. His arms come around me.I melt right into him with a greedy inhale of him.We sit like that for a while with the water lapping around us and his fingers massaging my scalp. Then, they stop and disappear into the water. Before I get the chance to protest, his fingers lightly begin tracing patterns on my stomach. His chin rests on my shoulder, and for a moment, everything stills. Until his hands drift lower. And lower.“You’re insatiable,” I whisper, smiling. I already know how this is going to end.“And you,” he says as he grazes my ear with his mouth, “are impossible to resist.”He shifts me, wrapping his hands around my waist to turn me so I can straddle his lap. The second our eyes lock, the air becomes charged with sexual tension. His hands are hot on my thighs. I rest my hands on his should
LILIANAI wake up wrapped in the warmth of body heat and cedar. Damian.His arm is draped across my waist, his chest pressed firmly against my back and one leg tangled over mine like he’s scared I’ll disappear while he’s asleep. His breath is warm against my neck, blowing in steady and soft.For a man like him, sleep turns him into something else. He’s in a vulnerable calm.I need to move now, but I don’t want to. I just lie there, breathing his scent in and watching, enthralled by the way his fingers twitch slightly against my stomach like he’s still chasing me in whatever dream he’s in. what he doesn’t know is that I don’t need to be chased anymore. I’m his as much as he’s mine. His confessions and the way he loved me last night, deep and hard…it wasn’t perfect. He’s not perfect either. He’s just–him and I’m content with that.Eventually, I shift to face him. He’s still asleep. There’s still a faint crease between his brows. Even in rest, his mind doesn’t fully shut off. But it’s