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2024-12-15 18:08:27
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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 57
NEW CHARACTER POV ALERT!RACHELThe patio smells like mint and cigarette smoke, ruining the afternoon breeze which is supposed to be spilling in. Zip leans back in her chair, legs stretched out like the billionaire woman that she is. She inspects her nails, her tone bored.“I told him if the car doesn't scream custom, don't even bother parking it outside my house. He threw a fit after hearing that and now I'm the one who's childish.”Melanie sits cross-legged, exhaling a long thin stream of smoke. She smirks. “And they still show up with stock rims and half-assed cologne. It's embarrassing.”“Embarrassing? Please. Try insulting.” Zip flicks her fingers like she's brushing off dust. “The last guy? Told me his ‘investment’ portfolio was NFTs. NFTs, Melanie. As if I want to deal with someone whose assets are digital clipart.”I roll my eyes from where I'm mixing Melanie's cocktail drink. Isn't she the one leeching off Damian by being his whore?Oh, for a chance of freedom let me send he
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-17DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 58
LILIANAI've made it my mission to avoid him at all costs. If I hear his voice echoing somewhere in the house, I stay locked in my room. When I do leave, I take routes I know he wouldn't. It's easier this way—less suffocating.I avoid Zip too. She's taken a sudden liking to Melanie, and the two of them seem to find joy in whispering and laughing just loud enough for me to overhear.“Isn't it pathetic?” I once caught Zip saying in the hallway. “Acting like a guest when she's just another debt. How long until he gets bored and tosses her out like the rest?” “Ouch!” Melanie exclaimed dramatically, a hand pressed to her chest. “That was too harsh.”“You know you're worth more to the family than worthless tramps like her.” Zip said in a bid to appease her.Their cruel laughter followed, and I've steered clear of them ever since. Lately, I've been feeling worse than usual. On most mornings, I don't even get out of bed until noon. My body feels heavy, weighed down my feverish spells that c
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-19DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 59
LILIANAEverything is a blur around me. The array of colorful dresses that Rachel spreads on the bed and her robotic response when I'm too numb to do anything but stare blankly at them.Alice comes to style my hair and when she's done, Rachel picks out a red number. I know that the dress is only going to make me more noticeable in the crowd. But hopelessness keeps me quiet.“We don't want to be late, the Pakhan is going to be angry.” Rachel says in a quiet voice. When I look at her face, she looks away from me.These days, she's been terribly distant and avoiding me generally. She barely steps foot in here except with Alice's prodding. I can tell she's burdened but I know she won't say what it is.Whatever it might be, I hope she deals with it. At least, she's lucky she's not about to be sold off to some brute whose existence she has no idea about. This will become my life in a few hours, oh Zot! {Oh God!}There's shuffling around me, Rachel flinching as she moves out of sight and A
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-23DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 60
DAMIANI gaze out the window watching the sunset with a glass of vodka, sipping through it gingerly and sloshing the hot liquid around in my mouth. Initially, I wanted a glass to steady me and now, I see myself downing the third. Pouring one more shot into the fourth, I pause with my hands hovering over the glass as Liliana's face forces itself into my mind. The sight of her pain when I showed her the document. Indeed, she had no idea and has been trying to prove her innocence. Hence, her rebellion. Stupid fucking idiot. How was I blind to her pleas? I admit to being a stubborn man with rough edges and a soul soiled black, but hurting women is what I don't partake in. I just…I couldn't…I always seem to lose my sense of reasoning whenever I'm within a meter radius of Liliana. “I see the way you look at her.” Alice said to me one day. “If you give her a chance to mourn, then approach her.”I'd scoffed so hard at those words. “Approach her? If I were to ever date anyone, it wouldn'
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-27DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 61
DAMIANSoon, Genovese and I are seated opposite each other. His smile is tight and his fingers drum an unsteady rhythm on the table.“You've got a nice place here, Damian,” he comments, voice oozing false charm. “Glad you think so,” I reply, shuffling the cards. In that moment, I can't wait for the day where I'd have to put a bullet through his skull. “I hear you've been struggling though. The debts your little billionaire boy left behind—messy.”His face twitches just for second but it's enough to know that I hit a nerve. I deal the cards and the game begins.The air thickens with tension,the pile of chips in the center growing. Genovese keeps glancing at Sergei like he's waiting for a signal. I don't let it distract me. By now, the hum around us has risen which means more people have joined the table to watch. Even better because I'd love to whip his ass back to his condo.The final hand comes. I lay down my cards—straight flush. His jaw tightens, but he forces a grin.“Seems you
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-27DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 62
LILIANAThe champagne flute trembles slightly in my grip, its stem icy against my fingertips. The fizz tickles ny nose before I take a sip. It's cold. Crisp. Completely useless at dulling the ache lodged in the center of my chest. I set the glass down and exhale slowly, watching the bubbles rise to the surface. Selena's voice is a distant hum in the background. When Melanie and Zip sauntered their way over to torment me, Selena stepped right in to pull me out of there. Although, I'm grateful for that, I'd need her to shut up. She's yapping excitedly about something I do not care about. I mean, why not? She's not the one getting traded off tonight. She's very married to one of the Kastorov brothers. Right now, she's saying something about the hors d'oeuvres or is it the chandeliers? Trying to befriend me probably but I don't care. She doesn't know that by the end of tonight, I'll be someone else's property. “You're impossible,” she mutters, taking a huge swig from her glass when
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-28DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 63
LILIANAHis voice cuts through the silence like a blade slicing through butter. There he stands at the edge of the room. His dark eyes lock onto me, stealing every trace of oxygen from my chest in that single look.I'd be damned if I say his presence isn't commanding. The man rises from his seat, his face flushed with rage.“She slapped me!” He sputters, pointing at me. “Your little pet doesn't know her place and trust me, I'll make sure she gets the training she lacks.”“Maybe you should keep your sticky fingers to yourself next time.” I reiterate in anger. Damian's gaze flicks to me then back to the man. “Genovese, as long as this party continues, she is mine.” His voice is calm. Dangerous even. “And I don't share.”The thrill that shoots up my spine is delicious. So delicious that the man's glare drilling holes into the side of my face is nothing compared to the heat in Damian's gaze.It pulls moisture to my core and settles there, growing into a small pool. Why do I love it so mu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-29DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 64
LILIANAThe moment I step out of the casino, it feels like my legs are moving without me. I'm like a doll being yanked around by invisible strings, having no say for herself. The air is sticky, the lights too bright and for a second, I wish I could blink and wake up somewhere else. Anywhere else. I crane my neck to look for a particular face. Damian's nowhere in sight and it's as if he's vanished into thin air. Minutes ago, I was kneeling before him in a forbidden prayer. I'd barely touched the zipper of his pants when a knock brought me back down to earth. It was Andros who requested his presence urgently. Putting himself back in order, he stepped out of the room without a glance at me. The shame that coursed through me can't be explained. I wanted the earth to give way and close over me in that moment.My stomach twists at the shameful memory. Used. That's how I feel. Like a coin passed around a table until it's too worn to be recognized. On the brighter side, I hadn't touched
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-29
Bab terbaru
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 128
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
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 128
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
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES A/N
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.
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 127
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
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 126
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
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 125
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
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES A/N
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!
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 124
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
DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 123
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
