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Chapter 12
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2024-10-29 19:42:56[RUBY]
James finally broke the silence as we got into the car, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"What was that all about?" he asked, a grin spreading across his face.
"What?" I asked confusingly.
"You were using your charm on Luna."
I rolled my eyes, feeling a blush creeping up my cheeks. "I wasn't using my charm, I did that to shut her up," I turned my attention to the view outside the window.
"I think you made her like you more and I think you like her too," he tried to tease but I glared at him. He chuckled and shook his head.
"Just because she resembles Xanthe doesn't mean I'm interested," I retorted, averting my gaze. "She can come across as arrogant at times," I added.
"Ah, but that's the very thing that women find irresistible about her," he grinned.
"Didn't you tell me not to fall in love. So why are you pushing Luna on me?" I asked, crossing my arms defensively and arching an eyebrow.<
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[LUNA] I rode hard to the mansion, my heart racing in sync with the roar of my bike. I’d hoped to find Abbie at the museum, but as usual, she was as elusive as smoke. After parking, I stormed inside, my thoughts a tangled mess. V had just texted me: Ruby’s in the mansion, and B’s busy flirting with her. Normally, I wouldn’t give a damn about B's antics, but there was something about Ruby—something unnervingly familiar. She looked exactly like Abbie. The thought gnawed at me as I stepped into the room. There they were, Ruby and B, sitting way too close on the couch. My jaw tightened involuntarily at the sight. V spotted me first, waving me over. As Ruby and B turned their heads toward me, my eyes locked onto hers. Ruby’s smile was sweet, but I didn’t smile back. Instead, I strode over to where V and Kylie lounged. Kylie jumped up, pulling me into a hug that quickly turned into a kiss—a kiss I didn’t hesitate to return, especially when I saw J’s eyes burning with jealousy. A smirk tu
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[RUBY]The mansion hummed with the buzz of celebration, the air thick with anticipation and a hint of danger. I half-expected some grueling initiation ritual, something out of a college fraternity nightmare—paddles, pain, the works. But then again, being the niece of the Consigliere has its perks."Ruby, you grew up in the U.S., right?" Marco Salvatore, the Boss, asked, his voice as smooth as aged whiskey."Yes," I replied, my tone steady, rehearsed. "I studied literature there. After my parents passed, Uncle James took care of me."We had gone over this countless times. Every detail, every word, drilled into my brain. My new self had to be flawless."Literature, huh? I love literature," B chimed in from beside me. I gave him a polite smile, but it didn’t last long. V and Luna's laughter cut through the air like a knife."Since when did you ever pick up a book, B?" V sneered, his eyes dancing with mischief. Luna just shook her head, her gaze locking with mine for a moment that felt li
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[LUNA]As soon as Joy's email hit my inbox, I checked the address. Thirty minutes away, not bad. I grabbed my helmet, fired up my Harley, and hit the road. It was a quiet Sunday, the kind where most people laze around. But not me—I had a mission. I know Mia wouldn’t be working today, so there was a chance I’d catch her.I pulled up to the house—not a mansion, just a sleek, modern minimalist design with a lawn dotted by vibrant flowers. I parked, killing the engine, and strode up to the gate. One ring. Nothing. A minute passed, and I pressed the bell again, twice this time. Finally, the door opened, and out stepped Mia Gomez, looking like she’d seen a ghost."Uh, hi," I said, trying to smooth over the awkwardness with a smile.Mia didn’t say a word. Just stared. Eyes wide, mouth hanging open. Was she even breathing? I waved my hand in front of her face. “Are you Mia Gomez?" I asked, trying to shake her from whatever trance she was in. She blinked a few times before her voice caught up
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[RUBY]We arrived at the bar right on time, the neon lights casting a faint glow over the crowded space. Jacob leaned in close, his voice low as he reminded me of the plan. My heart raced, but I kept my cool. I knew I could pull this off. All I had to do was get the governor's attention; Jacob would handle the rest.As we stepped inside, scanning the room for our mark, my stomach twisted when I spotted B at the counter. Of all nights, why now? He slid beside me, his presence instantly putting Jacob on edge. Jacob’s brow furrowed as he glanced our way, probably wondering what B was doing here, and why he was getting cozy with me in the middle of our operation.B leaned in, his voice soft but teasing. "Hey.""Hey," I replied, forcing a smile, but my eyes were already darting around for the governor."So, Luna asked me to keep an eye on you tonight." His words caught me off guard. I stared at him, holding back a laugh. Luna? Babysitting me?"Really? Why?" I asked, my tone casual as I sip
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[LUNA] After Mia Gomez left, I floored the gas back to the mansion, gripping the throttle tighter with every passing thought of Abbie. Two months gone, and still no trace of her. The more I searched, the deeper my frustration ran. Why did it bother me so much? We barely exchanged words the last time we met, but here I was, feeling some inexplicable pull that I couldn’t shake off. It wasn't just about finding her—there was something else. Something I couldn’t name, and it annoyed the hell out of me. When I arrived, B and V were already lounging on the couch, beers in hand. They waved me over with lazy grins, as if the world wasn’t caving in around me. “Hey, Luna! Come join the party,” V smirked, tossing me a beer. I caught it mid-air, sighing as I plopped down beside them. “You’ve been tense lately,” V remarked, eyeing me. “Still no sign of Abbie Gomez, huh?” B chimed in, raising an eyebrow. “Two months is a long time.” “Her sister confirmed it. She’s missing,” I said, takin
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[KYLIE]These past few days, keeping track of Luna has been like chasing shadows. Not long ago, we were inseparable—close, intimate, like the universe revolved around us. But now? She’s consumed by her search for that Abbie girl. And don’t even get me started on Brandon and Vance. Those idiots keep teasing Luna about Abbie, and it’s driving me insane. It’s like they’re purposely trying to push me over the edge. Don’t they get it? Luna is mine. I don’t understand why they can’t respect that, why they keep trying to shove other girls into the picture.Scrolling through my phone, I find myself staring at photos of us. Luna—so striking, both beautiful and handsome. She’s mine, and nobody else is going to have her. Not Abbie. Not anyone.My phone buzzes, breaking me out of my thoughts. A new message from our group chat.V: Knock knock B: Who’s there?Of course, it’s the two clowns. Always up to something. I roll my eyes. At least Luna’s not infected by their idiocy.V: Ruby and Luna B: R
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[LUNA]I managed to drag Kylie out of my room, my shirt still hanging half-open, but I didn’t care. I shot a glare at B and V, who had been lingering by the door, clearly eavesdropping. They scrambled back, disappearing downstairs like startled bats."Let go of me!" Kylie’s voice rang out, sharp and desperate. I released her arm but swiftly shut the door behind me, locking Ruby inside. I couldn’t risk another attack.Kylie’s breath hitched as she stared at me, her eyes flicking to my exposed chest. I could see the confusion and hurt warring on her face."Why?" Her voice cracked, barely more than a whisper."Why what?" I asked, already dreading the answer, my brows furrowed."Why are you doing this to me?" Her words came out strangled, as if she was trying to hold back more than just tears.I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Kylie, it’s not like you didn’t know. You knew I was fucking other girls.""Yeah," she snapped, her voice trembling, "but in your room? The room you never let me into?"
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[LUNA]As soon as everyone was gone, I quickly texted Ruby. There’s something about her—some magnetic pull that keeps me craving more. It’s insane how much I already missed her, even though I knew it was just infatuation. It reminded me of the beginning with Kylie—back when we were just messing around. The difference? Ruby was a stranger. A stranger who happened to wear the same face as the girl I’d been searching for months. And Kylie... well, she’s my best friend—and my brother’s first love. The thrill of hurting J, though, is intoxicating.L: RubyR: Who’s this?Of course, she didn’t have my number. I got her number from B.L: It’s Luna.R: Oh hey, you.A smirk crept across my face as I stared at the underwear she’d left behind.L: You’re really naughty, aren’t you?R: No.L: What?R: You haven’t seen the bad side of me.Damn. She was testing me, and I hated how well it was working. She knew exactly how to play this game, and I could feel myself slipping into her trap.L: I’d love
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[LUNA]Here I am again, at the bar, trying to drown myself in liquor. But this isn't just any liquor—this one is different. A darker brew, gifted by the elder vampires themselves. I don’t know what’s in it, but it grips me, sends a shiver down my spine, makes the room spin just the way I want it to. Life as Luna Salvatore isn’t something you wish for. People think they want to be me, but they don’t carry the weight I do. They wouldn’t last a day in my skin. I don’t even know who my mother is—never had the chance to ask. Normal? That’s something I’ve never been. While other kids were playing with dolls, I was given weapons. A gun in one hand, a blade in the other. My father made sure of that. I was trained, forged in fire, taught to be self-reliant, never to trust in others' strength. Wisdom, leadership—those were my toys. I used to watch the other children from a distance, laughing and chasing one another, wondering what it felt like to belong to something as innocent as that. But I
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[LUNA] Maybe I should stop thinking about her. It’s the rational thing to do, after all. But the lump in my throat grows thick as I recall the way she averted her gaze, the silent rejection etched in her every movement. Every time she looks at me, she sees Xanthe. And that—it’s unbearable. The worst kind of torture. Foolish of me to fall into her web, only to find myself ensnared by a love that was never meant for me. Now, I’m trapped, struggling in vain to break free. My heightened senses, sharp as a blade, can perceive many things—but not her thoughts. Her heart, though, betrays her. It skips a beat every time I speak Xanthe’s name, a telltale sign of who truly owns her heart. It’s as though her very pulse is tethered to someone long gone. I press harder on the throttle, urging my bike to speed up, as if the rush of wind against my skin could numb the ache festering within. But it’s futile. This strange, suffocating feeling clings to me. I shouldn’t feel this way—I'm a vampire, a
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[RUBY] "Welcome to the Camorra, Mia Kaufmann," the Boss finally announced, lifting his glass of crimson wine. The room followed suit, the soft clink of glass punctuating the silence. Mia undergone the ritual, pricking her finger just as I had done before, her face unreadable as the dark liquid beaded on her skin. Of course, this was all for show—an elaborate dance to keep suspicion at bay, especially from Luna’s watchful eyes. Mia was not yet a part of the Camorra. Not until her mission was complete. As the meeting wound down, I leaned closer to her, dropping my voice. "I need to talk to Luna after this," I murmured. She shot me a knowing glance, the kind that said she was already one step ahead. I furrowed my brows. "Stop imagining things. I’m just giving her my painting," I added hastily, trying to keep my tone casual. "Alright. I wasn’t thinking of anything, Ab—" she caught herself, nearly slipping up. "Ruby," she corrected herself. "And for the record, you're the one overthin
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[LUNA]Frustration builds inside me as human emotions creep into me, weakening my senses. I need control—craving the strength that makes me who I am. The engine of my bike roars as I head toward the forest, where I trained with my father and hunted for food that truly sustains me. Human food is dull, a weak substitute for the raw power of blood. It's been months since I’ve tasted it, and that’s why I feel this way—vulnerable, almost human.As I reach the forest, I strip off my medallion, leaving it in the bike’s compartment. Instantly, my senses sharpen, flooding back with intensity. I hear everything: the heartbeat of every creature, the pulse of life, the emotions carried on the wind—fear, anger, joy. I am alive again, in control. Swiftly, I leap through the trees, my movements as seamless as the wind. I search for my target: deer, my favorite prey. Its blood will revive me.I spot it, the scent of its fear already filling my lungs. It flees, but I am faster. In a single motion, I d
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[ABBIE]As we drove home, my mind spun with confusion. Why would Mia, of all people, join the Camorra? A lawyer, fiercely dedicated to justice, diving into the very world of crime she’s sworn to fight against—it didn’t make sense. I glanced at James, hoping for answers, but he offered none. "It’s not my place to explain her reasons," he’d said. So I let it go, planning to ask Mia myself when I saw her. Lost in thought, I barely noticed when our car stopped at the gate. Another car had followed us in, trailing close behind. My gut churned with a mix of excitement and dread. Was it her? Mia? I hadn't seen my sister in so long, and the thought of her being part of the mafia made my heart pound. What could drive her to such a drastic choice? James, sensing my anxiety, gave me a knowing nod. I bolted out of the car, barely breathing as the door to the other car swung open. "Mia!" I cried, running toward her. She stepped out, and I was in her arms before I knew it, clinging to her like I
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[LUNA]I watched Abbie descend the stairs, unable to tear my gaze away even as I cradled Kylie on the couch. I tried to focus on our conversation, pretending I hadn’t noticed her, but the moment Abbie paused halfway down and looked our way, I got nervous. This shouldn’t happen in anyway. I have never felt nervous in my entire life. It must be the medallion’s doing. Her face was a mask of unreadable calm. Was she jealous? No, that was impossible. She’d only used me, played me like a pawn for her own agenda. The temptation to remove my medallion surged through me—just to glimpse her emotions, to know what she was hiding. My fingers brushed the cold metal, but I hesitated. If I lost control, if I went berserk, Kylie—and everyone else in the house—would be in danger. I sighed and let the thought slip away.I refused to hope. Hope was a dangerous thing, especially with Abbie. She’d blindsided me, twisted my emotions, and I hadn’t seen it coming. Or had I? Had I just ignored the signs? I pu
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[RUBY]“Have a seat,” Marco Salvatore gestured to the couch with a calm authority that sent a shiver down my spine. His office felt suffocatingly small, as though the walls themselves were pressing in on me. My hands had gone cold, clammy, and despite my best efforts, they trembled in my lap. His gaze, unreadable and unwavering, seemed to pierce right through me as he clasped his hands together in front of him.“Ruby… or should I say, Abbie.” His voice was like a blade, sharp and precise, slicing through the silence. My heart lurched, hammering violently against my ribs, and I felt the blood drain from my face. How did he know? What else did he know?“I’ve known about you long before James brought you to me,” Marco continued, his words deliberate, each one sinking in like a stone. “And I know about your father—once a member of the Camorra.”I swallowed hard and stole a glance at James. He offered me a reassuring smile, one that told me to keep calm and listen. But it was impossible to
