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DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 67
DAMIANI move to my stash of drinks, pulling out a blue bottle of vodka. After staring at it for a moment, I set it down and grab a bottle of water instead. The glass empties quickly and I pour another, then leave it on the table. Unable to resist the need for nicotine, I reach into my locker for cigarette and a lighter. Lighting it up, I sit on the sofa, staring at Liliana as the orange glow adds more light to the dim room. “Why did you come back?” Liliana ask, stepping closer than I need her to. “You could have left me there.”I ignore her, exhaling a plume of smoke as her words ring in my head. Left you there? Alice would have my head everyday until there's nothing left. “Damian!” She snaps.I raise my eyes to meet hers with a look of disinterest. The red end of the cigarette burns brighter when I take a long drag.The next thing, she marches right over to snatch it from my lips and stub it out in the glass of water. “You're going to die one way or another with the reckless dec
Last Updated : 2025-01-07DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 68
RACHELIt's been a week since I prepared Liliana for the casino opening. A week since I took leave from work, claiming it was for my health. In that time, I've seen Melanie more than I care to count. Not that I'm proud of spending so much time with her. But I have to. If I don't trail after her like some obedient dog, she'll expose my pregnancy and ruin everything. “What's with that look? You already had your way with Damian and got pregnant for him. So stop moping around,” she'd hissed once as her eyes narrowed like a snake's. I hadn't of course. Hell, I haven't even thought about the Pakhan that way. My life would be ruined if he caught wind of that. Not that it matters to Melanie. She doesn't believe a word I say. Her theory remains that I have been sleeping with him.And despite my father's pathetic attempts to shove me into Damian's path, trying to play matchmaker for the Pakhan himself, I couldn't do it. I won't do it.But now Melanie's amping the pressure. “Get rid of it,”
Last Updated : 2025-01-08DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 69
LILIANAI wake up with a lightness in my chest I haven't felt in weeks. There's no sign of lingering dread, no shadow of gloom, none of Genovese hanging over my day like a storm cloud. It's just…peace. Blissful peace, and for once, everything is quiet. Even Damian seems to be going through some kind of thawing out recently. For instance, he's distant but not cold. The kind of warmth that creeps in without permission, unexpected and fragile. Unbidden, I find myself clinging to whatever this is.Maybe from there, I can ask him to let me go back home to Theodore. Heaven knows if he's alright. I lean back and raise my eyes to meet Damian's. He's sitting opposite me in the courtyard now. Sunlight drips over his sharp features, making the dark ink of his rose tattoo stand out stark against his skin. He is waiting for me to start, arms resting casually on his thighs. Oh fuck me, who am I kidding? There's never been anything casual about this predator whose heated gaze is locked on me as
Last Updated : 2025-01-09DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 70
LILIANAI drop the brush in a small bowl of water with a sound of triumph. Another completed project. “So beautiful,” I coo. The air shifts and suddenly, every inch of me is is hyperaware of him. The heat radiating off his skin. The faint scent of cedar and smoke mixing together like an alluring elixir with his masculine scent. His voice drops low and dangerous. “Is that what you see when you look at me? Beauty?”My heart begins a wild pounding rhythm I can't control. “I see a lot of things,” I whisper, almost unable to get the words out.Wait, hold on! Why is my tongue so loose this morning?He's close now. So close I can feel his breath against my cheek. His fingers reach for my chin and ever so softly, he turns my face towards him. “Tell me.”“You—” He doesn't give me a chance to speak before the rest of my words are swallowed up by his lips descending on mine. As his lips crash into mine, it feels as though the air evaporates from my lungs and in that mind-numbing moment, the w
Last Updated : 2025-01-10DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 71
LILIANA“Fuck, yes. That's it,” he growls. “Show me how bad you want it.” And that's exactly what I do. My tongue traces the line under his cock, trailing it down to the base and back up again. By the time I repeat this a couple of time, he's panting so loud and my eyes blur with pain from my burning scalp. The ache in my jaw increases as I widen my mouth to take him in deeper. The only thing that rings in my head is to give him pleasure. His every pant and hoarse groans drench my panties in my wetness. Everything that should feel so wrong, feels so goddamn good.The way he whispers my name like a prayer, his fists tightening in my hair, the way he raises his hips to pump into my mouth—I should feel used, degraded. Instead, a thrill of excitement courses through me and my pussy is pulsing. Fast. I clamp my thighs tightly, pressing it against the pulsing in hopes to quench some of the fire down there but it doesn't give me the satisfaction. Not like his hands will. Or his cock. S
Last Updated : 2025-01-14DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 72
DAMIANAm I the asshole for trying to protect Liliana from the wrath of Melanie? No, I'm not. Am I the asshole for seeking pleasure the way I did? Definitely not. We're adults who can handle matters perfectly well. It was mutual anyway.Why do I feel this nagging guilt as I let Melanie lead me back in the house? No, I shouldn't be feeling that. We don't even have an exclusive relationship. And now, I'm letting myself be pulled in by sentiments. Again. If my brain isn't lagging when I'm around Liliana, it's shutting off completely. It's like my body now obeys a different command that's not issued by me. “Where have you been, little brother?” A voice booms from behind me.I spin around to find Zoran walking down hallway towards us and by his side is Selena. Relief unfurls within at the sight of them and giving him a hug is a perfect excuse to extricate myself from Melanie's death grip. Apart from that reason, I'm genuinely pleased to see them.“It's been ages.” Selena says, landing a
Last Updated : 2025-01-18DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 73
DAMIANWhen I go to the kitchen, it's like a big festival is about to take place because of all the food arranged on the table. I'd been so occupied with other thoughts that I forget what the occasion really is. The kitchen staff wheel several platters toward the living room, bowing when they see me. As I get close to the kitchen, there's laughter and some playful snickers but one voice grabs all of my attention. Like a charm, I'm enraptured by the soft chimes of her laughter as it rings louder than all the others. I double my steps, eager to capture her smiling mouth with my eyes. I cross the threshold and my gaze immediately rivets to her by the kitchen Island next to Selena and Alice. There's a lot of chopping, boiling and sizzling sounds but the gentle sound of her voice seizes the oxygen in my chest.“You want something?” Zoran dares to interrupt and she looks at him. Following his eyes, she turns her head in my direction but I'm quick to find something else of interest. Well
Last Updated : 2025-01-18DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES 74
LILIANAOne minute, everyone is cheering for Sicily and Zip, the next, I'm barrelling my way into a bathroom to throw up a meal I just consumed. I rinse my mouth and stare into the mirror, surprised to find nothing wrong with my face. Not pale. The last time something like this happened was over a month ago and it turned out to be flu. Is this another case of bad flu or is it something to start worrying about?When I come out to the dining, Zip is yelling to Zoran about how much inconsiderate and selfish Damian is. Trust me, it's something I can relate to a thousand times again. “I hate him so much. Whatever happened was a long time ago and I want to forget about it.” She cries into his embrace. “I want to love again.”My heart goes out to her. Pity quickly switches place with anger and it's aimed at Damian. How can he hurt the sister he claims to care so much about?Zoran and Selena tries to pacify her, but her sobs only grow. Alice and Sicily are nowhere in sight and Melanie is ju
Last Updated : 2025-01-18
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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
