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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 45
LILIANA The knock at the door is soft but firm, and it startles me awake. My eyes snap towards the sound, but I don't respond. Why do I get the feeling that I might know who it is?A second later, the door cracks open and Rachel steps in with a tray of food. Speak of the devilShe inclines towards the tray. “Alice's orders,” she clips as she walks in uninvited. She places the tray on the small table beside me, the aroma wafting toward me, rich and savory. My stomach betrays me with an audible growl, and I hate how my body folds so easily under the simple spell of food.I hesitate, staring at the tray for a bit longer before averting my eyes. “I'm not hungry,” I lie, even as my mouth waters. Rachel scoffs, crosses her arms. “Punishing yourself by not eating isn't going to affect me. You're the one at stake here so if I were you, I'd get something in my stomach at least.”“Or I can just suit myself since it's none of your business, you traitor.” My tone is sharp and derisive.“Fine
Last Updated : 2024-12-02DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 46
LILIANA A few moments later, Rachel bursts in without knocking, her arrival as sudden as a slap, and my heart clenches in response.Her face is a mask of purpose, bright and unbothered, but I know better. I sit frozen on the edge of the bed, my thoughts still circling that single, searing truth: I'm going to be sold. Like livestock.‘How did I get here?’ The question is there in my mind, gnawing and accusing. My pulse drums louder in my ears. I swallow hard and my nails dig into my palms.“Take a shower,” she instructs briskly, tossing a bag onto the chair. “We're heading to the mall. We need to pick out some dresses for you.”A hollow laugh rises in my throat, bitter and jagged, but I choke it back. A dress. That's their solution? As if wrapping me up in silk and lace, and parading me around would lessen the blow of what's coming. Rachel catches my expression and misreads it—or maybe she just doesn't care.She leans closer to me as though this is some sort of bonding moment. “I'm
Last Updated : 2024-12-03DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 47
DAMIANThe light streams through the window, golden and lazy, settling on Zip's manicured fingers while she gestures wildly. Her voice lilts with that unmistakable blend of arrogance and charm.The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the room but I barely notice it over the chatter between Alice and Zip. Their voices flit back and forth like tweeting birds and despite myself, I can't help but pick up fragments of their conversation.“Monaco,” Zip resumes in a dramatic drawl, dragging the word like it's a fine wine she is savoring. “You've never seen anything like it. I mean, the yachts, Alice. My God. The wealth isn't just palpable; it's intoxicating.”Alice tosses an amused look at me. “She's been raving about Europe for months now,” her words laced with humor.Zip dramatically places a hand over her forehead in a swoon. “Oh, my darling Alice, you wouldn't understand. Not like I expect you to.” I shake my head. Typical Zip.Alice arches an eyebrow, leaning back against the co
Last Updated : 2024-12-04DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 48
DAMIANThe drive is short, too short for me to settle the burning fury in my chest. Every second that ticks by is slow torture. Fingers clench and unclench, itching to swipe the steering from the driver and rage all the way there.However, I need to bid my time. It makes the punishment worth it.After what seems like an eternity, we arrive at the place. It is a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of the city—a Bratva safehouse masquerading as an abandoned shipping company.The kind of place where secrets are buried under layers of sweat, blood and fear.I step into the building. The air inside is thick with rust and the musky stench of sweat. That's when I hear sounds–more like grunts and muffled cries, with the dull thud of fists against flesh–which leads me to where the action is happening.All the attention falls on me when I cross into the room. My men don't need instructions as they cave a path for me by parting like the Red Sea. Heads bow as I pass with murmured “Pakhan” sli
Last Updated : 2024-12-05DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 49
LILIANA I let out the breath I'd been holding the second the door clicks shut behind me. My pulse slows, climbing down the frantic rhythm it had been beating moments ago. His gaze. I still feel it lingering on my skin like a brand, heavy and heated. My body tingled in all the wrong places and betrayed me in ways I couldn't control. Get it together, I scold myself but it is no use. Thinking about Damian's eyes roaming over me has already turned me into a slippery, shaking mess. The quiet in my room should've brought me peace, but it doesn't. My chest feels tight, constricted as though his gaze is still pinning me in place. It had burned—hot and unrelenting—stripping me bare while I pretended not to notice. Pretended, but I did. I always do. Rachel enters the room quickly carrying the new clothes. Her hands moves with practiced ease as she steps into the walk-in closet to hang them up. There is no urgency to her work, no reason to rush. The afternoon sunlight spills into
Last Updated : 2024-12-07DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 50
LILIANAI release a sharp exhale of breath to shake off the remnants of Zip's hostility. I turn back to Rachel and ask, “Why is she like that?” For a moment, she hesitates. When I think she won't answer, she sighs. “She has always been like that. Fiercely protective of her brothers. Especially Damian after what happened with…” She shakes her head and picks up the shopping bags.There's something in her voice like an edge of something unspoken. I cling onto it. “There's something else, isn't it?”Her lips press into a thin line as the question lingers between us. She steps back with a tight hold on the bags. “I-I should go,” her tone becomes nervous. “I have things to do.”“You know why Rachel,” I accuse, watching with satisfaction as she falters slightly in her steps.”Why are you making it so hard for me?” I press, trying to keep my tone casual, though my curiosity barely allows me to.She pauses by the door with her hand on the knob. “Why does it matter to you?” She replies at last,
Last Updated : 2024-12-10DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 51
DAMIANLiliana. Her name sticks in my mind like a thorn. No matter how much I try to drown myself in work, she's there. Green-eyed, sharp-tongued and impossible to forget. She's the fire I don't want to touch but can't seem to step away from. I don't want to do this having just lost something precious to me, yet I want to be scorched by her. Is this also another craving of my twisted soul? When a servant had delivered her test results from the doctor, I felt a tightening in my chest that I refused to name. The thought of her being pregnant for her late husband shouldn't have mattered. But it did. Alice's observations had planted the idea and I'd convinced myself I didn't care either way. Then I saw the report. A mild flu. Not pregnant. Relief hit me harder than I wanted to admit, followed closely by something darker. Guilt?No, I shove it down. I'm not that man. I can't be. Whatever I feel for her is nothing more than irritation, and…and blinding lust for the soft curves of her b
Last Updated : 2024-12-10DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 52
LILIANA I sift through my closet in search for something that is halfway decent. Most of the clothes here are too extravagant or too casual for whatever Damian's plans might involve. Finally, I settle on a simple fitted, black dress and lay it on the bed. Instead of putting it on, I sit down with my hands in my thighs and stare at them. The thought of his sudden decision to have me sit on the table with them jingles like an ominous bell. Why am I even invited to dinner when I'm his hostage? The invite feels like another one of his power plays or another chance for him to humiliate me as always but for the life of me, I can't even figure out why. And then there's his warning—don’t be late or you'll regret it. The memory of his cold tone tightens something in my chest.I sigh as I rub my palms over my thighs. Should I just go downstairs and get it over with?Or would staying here prove I'm not playing his game? My thoughts spiral, arguments at war in my head until there's a brisk
Last Updated : 2024-12-11
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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 92
LILIANA“What do you think you’re doing?” Alice shouts in alarm when I step into the kitchen with my tray after my breakfast. She takes it out of my hands.“I need some fresh air, Alice. It’s too stifling in there especially with all of you treating me like some egg.” “I don’t care, duska. Damian gave strict instructions to oversee your welfare.” She gives what I think are instructions in Russian to a cook standing and watching us. “Now, come darling, let’s go back to your room.”“No. I’ll take one quick tour around the house and afterwards, I’ll head back inside. Promise.”She squints her eyes to tell me she doesn’t believe but shrugs. “One tour and that’s it.”I give her a grin in response and walk out of the kitchen. To my right is a door I’ve come to recognize too much due to my countless wandering. Slipping out the door, the first gust of wind blows against my face.It’s refreshing against my skin and reminds me of the beach. When was the last time I was even at a place like tha
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 91
DAMIANA week later, I call for a meeting between my closest men in my office.The place smells like cigar smoke and rich leather. The air also is thick with the low murmur of conversation. Zoran talks about his latest security expansions, high-end contracts of which most are surprisingly legal this time but he never turns down a favor for the right price. Andros leans back in his seat, nodding along but mostly listening. Sydney hangs around my left with his arms folded, occasionally offering a word or two when necessary.I take a sip of my whiskey, letting the amber liquid burn slowly down my throat. “The real estate projects in Bogota are progressing well. The columbian families are using the resorts exactly how we expected, you know, keeping their assets clean, moving money in and out without suspicion.”Andros smirks. “Bet they love the extra security too.”“They do,” I agree, setting my glass down. “And it benefits us. A win-win.”Sydney scoffs lightly. “Until the wrong person f
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 90
ANOTHER CHARACTER POV ALERT!SICILYThe garage smells of oil, metal and hardwork as is required of a car factory like mine. My men, the ones closest to me, move around like a well-oiled machine to check the compartments, tighten the bolts and seal the hidden spaces where the firearms rest. This is our craft. Our business and survival. My focus is soon interrupted by my phone ringing. When I pull it out of my pocket, the name that reflects makes me grin. I flip Oleg the bird when he starts to make noises like a monkey. “Hi, munchkins,” Zip drawls, dragging her nickname for me longer than necessary.“Hey, baby.”“You sound tired,” she says immediately. Trust her to be observant when it comes to me. “Long day?”“You could say that. How’s yours?”“Better now that I’m talking to you.” She teases with a light laugh. “I went shopping today. Got a few bags, an antique rug for my condo and oh, those whiskey glasses to replace the ones you kept complaining about.”I huff a laugh. “You mean t
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 89
LILIANAAlthough Zoran is smiling at his wife, he looks like he’s been through a tough time. The exhaustion lining his features says enough. “Liliana, how are you feeling?”“I’m alright,” I tell him honestly. “Just need a few more days and I’ll be back on my feet. Don’t worry about me.”Selena claps her hands together. “And then you two will work on coming together to make me an aunt. I need a little running around the house and going on a destructive spree.”Damian’s head snaps toward her so fast I can almost hear the crack. “Get out.”Zoran lets out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head like he can’t believe his wife. “Let’s just go home.”She snickers at him, sliding off the bed. “What? Too soon? Nobody says they have to start going at it like rabbits right away.”“Out. Go with your husband,” he orders, already pinching the bridge of his nose. Zoran barely holds in a laugh as he takes her hand, leading her towards the door. “Come on, troublemaker.”Her eyes meet me, rounding in di
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 88
LILIANAI feel a lot of things as Selena sits with me and sympathizes for the loss of my baby. If I were to be speaking in all honesty, I doubt I’d be able to give that child what they need.Hell, I barely have control of my life, which makes raising a child the least of things I want. “If I didn’t get a lot of love growing up, what makes you think I’ll be capable of showering them with motherly attention?” Selena lets my words stew before she gives a helpless shrug. “Am I going to be called an asshole for supporting your decisons?”I smile and give her fingers a little squeeze. “You’ll be one if you’re not in support. Kyle betrayed me and I don’t think it’s something I’ll forget in a long time.”Selena turns her head and I look in the direction she turned to see Damian strolling in with a neutral expression. Instantly, my heart rate speeds up and my fingers tremble slightly. He stops by the foot of the bed, his eyes gentle as he watches me. I don’t know what to make of that look.
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 87
DAMIANI gently lower the organs into the cooler after securing it into a zip lock with great care not to cause damage to them. Sicily and his men had found some people sniffing around the dock and brought them to me. To distract myself, I decided to do the dirty work myself, easing into the calmness it brings. Andros walks in without bothering to knock and I can tell from the haste in his steps that whatever has pushed him to forget rules is bigger than he can handle. “It’s the note found on the maid that died last night.” he passes the folded paper over the dead body on the slab.The letter begins with so much apology, thanking me for my good deeds—which is laughable because I don’t do anything unless it benefits me directly—and how it hurts to betray the Seemya this way. A bunch of other nonsense I lose interest in until my eyes catch Selena’s name. “WHAT?!” I bark out, enraged. “What is it?” Andros asks but I’m already on my feet. He grabs the discarded paper and his eyes go r
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 86
LILIANAThe next time I’m conscious, I hear the angry voice of a man threatening to raise hell on someone. I don’t know how long I’ve been out but I do know that I crave complete silence to clear this buzzing in my head.That is until fragments of the conversation floats over to my hearing. “...the hell is that even possible? How could you make such a costly mistake?”“I swear, it was an oversight, Pakhan. Nothing intentionally done.”“Quietly now,” someone hushes the person. It sounds like Alice. She steps up to my side and cradles one of my hands in her very warm ones. “She’s stirring awake.” The voices stop talking at once. That’s when I open my eyes to blinding lights and a pair of mismatched eyes staring down at me with deep concern etched between those brows. He looks like he’d spent the last few minutes getting upset over something. Looking over my head at someone, the anger is back in its place. “Tell her what you told me.”Imagine waking up to shit you have no idea about an
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 85
LILIANA"Liliana…"The voices are all distorted as my vision swims and all the blood rushes to my ears. A hand snakes around my waist to keep me on my feet and then it hits me…I'm going to die. Memories fly around in my head, each a reminder of that time when I was starving and mother refused to feed me because my father had been out for days. Then I ate the only thing I could find stacked amongst Lajla’s belongings: A small scoop from a jar of peanut butter. If it weren't for my sister's timely arrival, I probably might have not witnessed her bailing out on me when I needed her the most.My life's history starts to flash before me and I know without a doubt what it signifies. “Radi boga, don't just stand there. Do something!” Someone yells. Panicked feet resound from everywhere in the room all at once, the voice of Irina panicking as she shrieks, “What's wrong with her?!”The tingling in the back of my throat and the roof of my mouth starts to spread again, prickling my tongue
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 84
LILIANAIt's with tasteless buds that I wake up this morning. My head feels like someone had thrown a party in it throughout the night. My body for some reason won't obey to instructions. One nostril is blocked like traffic on a Monday morning, while the other is a smooth ride to fun town. I hate the day already. After what feels like hours of willing my eyes to open, they pop open of their own accord and I scan the bedroom. Irina is nowhere to be found. “How can such a little girl be up so early while I stay here and sloth away like a snail?” I murmur, rolling until I'm laying on my stomach with my face buried into the pillow. The door opens. “Very gently, Duska.” Alice says to someone in a gentle voice. I'm too tired to look but when I do, I'm immediately thrown off by the smell of the eggs. “Good morning, Alice.” I tell her groggily.“Oh my goodness!” She gasps horrified. “You look terrible. What happened to you?” “I don't know. A truck ran me over last night?” I reply wit
