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Author: Chignature
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-15 23:53:47

LILIANA

Damian still has the painting cradled in his hands as we sit on the bench in the courtyard and talk about my leaving.

I've been holed up here for close to two months and judging by the proof of my innocence, I should be a free woman.

I'm still as a rock as I wait for his final verdict. Something says he won't grant me my wishes.

He sets the canvas down finally, making sure to prop it by the leg of the bench before leaning back and stretching out his legs.

“What you ask is very risky, Milaya. I'm afraid I cannot grant you your request.” His voice is gentle, almost belittling, like he's regarding a little child who is asking for a fifth round of cotton candy.

My irritation spikes and I try to keep it on a low since clashing with him has never done either of us any good.

“I don't think anything is risky about what I'm asking. It's pretty simple; let me go home. You can have your men drive me and I promise, one word won't go out.”

“Sentiments has never done the Bratva a favor i
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  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   83

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  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   84

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  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   86

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  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   87

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  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   88

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  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   89

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Latest chapter

  • DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES   130

    LILIANAThe journal feels heavy as it sits in my palms. Not because it is thick or leather-bound or anything grand. It’s just heavy…filled with my sister’s wordings–Well, I don’t know that for sure until I open it and that’s what I’m scared of. I stare at it intently and it’s almost like I can hear it whispering at me to open it and face what I’ve been running away since I returned to this cursed house.Rachel watches me from the corner of her eye, not saying a word until I sigh. “You should come with me. I don’t think you want to be in here as much as I do.” Her eyes are filled with untold tales. “Let’s go to your room. You don’t want to be seen like tis in the hallway.”I nod, then rise to follow her stiffly, following her down the corridor like a ghost. My limbs are moving, but my mind’s reeling. Even my heart isn’t beating right. Once we’re inside my quarters, I drop the journal on the bed and start grabbing my things. “Liliana.” Rachel approaches me gently. “What did he tell

  • 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

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