YVONNE"Hey!" Jade yelled. "Where are you taking her?"My goodness! Why does she have to intervene? It's not like she could do anything against these men!For fuck's sake, we were in the same boat! Literally and figuratively! Does she want to get hurt too? I thought as they dragged me out the door struggling."Yvonne!" she screamed desperately.I kept thrashing, trying to get myself free from their grasp even though I knew it was futile. I was dragged across a narrow hallway until we stopped in front of a door. The other man knocked twice before pushing it open. They rashly threw me in. My legs fumbled, causing me to fall. I winced in pain but I made sure not to make any sound."Get up!" somebody grabbed my hair to pull me up. My teeth sank on my bottom lip in an attempt to stop myself from screaming.It was so painful! I thought my scalp would be peeled off from my head! Damn it!I looked up and saw a man standing in front of a bed. I gasped as my head started to run wild.My eyes w
WARNING. GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AHEAD.YVONNEHe raised his hand to cup one bosom inside it. I shut my lids tightly. I don't want to see what he's going to do to me. He gently cupped my breast, his thumb circling my nipple. I thrashed and tried to move away from him despite being restrained."Stop moving!" he snapped. His hold on my chest tightened."No! You stop this!" I growled. I am so mad. How dare he touch me like that? I want to kill him right now!My jaw clenched when he crouched down and buried his nose against my neck. I wanted to kick him away from me but I couldn't move my legs. Damn it."Aaah!" I screamed so loudly when I felt him moving down, trailing kisses on my skin."Stop!" I growled. He laughed as he took a step back away from me. I sighed in relief until I saw him grip his whip again.Oh no...I watched him raise his hand and snapped it in the air. The leather strap landed on my side, the tip curled and hit my back. I bit my lip to stop myself from making any sound that mi
VLADIMIR"Shit! You're bleeding!" Mike hissed when the crossfire finally ceased. "We have to take you to the hospital!""Do you think I have time for that?" I growled. "We need to find her!""Our men are already looking for them. We should at least try to stop the bleeding!" he insisted while glancing at my stomach.The middle part of my shirt is now soaked in blood."You won't find her in that state," he snapped. "You might die first."Fuck!"I can't let them get away!" I yelled. We can't let precious time pass. Who knows what they plan to do to her?! And Jade!"Fuck! Did they get Jade too?""It seems so," Mike answered. "They couldn't find her anywhere.""Fuck!" I kicked the sand in frustration. "Who else knows we're here?""What's happened here?" Smith came up to me."Shouldn't I be the one asking that?" I retorted."What are you insinuating?" he narrowed his eyes at me. "We have nothing to do with this!""You better make sure of that!" I spat while reloading my gun.My head is sp
VLADIMIRI clenched my teeth after talking to Jade. I wished I could have spoken to Yvonne as well, but Jade seemed frantic. I kept telling her to give the damned phone to my wife but she just kept crying for help!It's understandable. I know she's scared, but...Fuck."Yvonne thinks they were in a yacht," I told them. "Mike, call our techs. See if they could track her phone.""Got it, boss," he nodded."We have speedboats," Smith said. "We could use them.""It might be too late. They could have gotten far by now," I hissed through gritted teeth. "I need a chopper!""It's impossible to wait for our chopper, Boss," Mike said grimly.I know."We don't have one, but I know someone who does," Eric said."Then what are we waiting for?" I snapped. "Let's go! I can pay! I don't care how much it takes!""We should let the others use speedboats, though. The chopper could only carry a few people," he said."Fine," I huffed. "Mike, you know what to do."I wasn't in the right headspace to give or
VLADIMIRLife seemed to flash right in front of my eyes.I will fucking kill him!"Vlad," Yvonne called my name desperately.My heart was breaking as I heard her sob. The skin on her chest, stomach, and thighs was full of cut wounds that looked familiar to me. He whipped her.How dare he do this?!Fortunately, I don't see any major injuries or bleeding on her."Let her go," I was surprised by the calmness in my voice. It was in great contrast to how I truly felt. I wanted to lunge at him immediately and strangle him with my bare hands until his eyes popped out of his head.But I have to keep my cool to avoid rash decisions that might endanger Yvonne even more. My eyes zoned in on the sharp edge of the knife held against her kneck.Fuck. One wrong move and it could cost me her life."I'm the one you want, right?" I muttered tauntingly while staring at him.He chuckled while staring back at me but didn't say anything."Who are you?" I hissed. "What do you want from me?"He chuckled. I'm
YVONNEI grabbed onto him, not wanting to let him go. I want to be in his arms."No, please..." I begged him to stay.My whole body is aching for his touch. For the safety that his warm embrace offered, but this may not be the right time to be clingy. He still had to deal with that man. I should try to understand.I bit my lip when he turned his back on me. It pained me to watch him walk away.I held the sheet wrapped around me like it was my lifeline. I was still naked underneath, but it was thick enough to protect me against the cold.I was right, we were on a ship in the middle of the dark sea. I couldn't be more thankful that Vlad found me when he did. It could have been worse.But wait...My eyes roamed around to look for Jade but I couldn't see her anywhere. Oh my god. Did they torture her too?"Where's Jade?" I croaked, asking no one in particular. "She was there with me!" I panicked but the men around quickly calmed me down."Don't worry. They already found her," one of the me
VLADIMIRI gently tucked her in. I wanted to stay beside her but I had to make some calls. I need to get to the bottom of this. I called Blaze to tell him what to do."Make sure the hospital is heavily guarded. I want men stationed outside her hospital room and around the vicinity," I told him.I will drop her off at the hospital as soon as we land. At first, I thought of just sending our doctor to the penthouse. That would be safer, but she needs to be checked thoroughly. I want to be sure she's alright."Okay, I will make some arrangements," he replied.An ambulance was waiting for us at the airport when we landed."What's happening?" Yvonne confusedly asked when she saw paramedics approaching."You need to be checked," I told her."Why? I'm okay now," she frowned. "I just wanted to go home and rest.""I know," I sighed. "Trust me, that's what I want too. But we need to make sure you're okay. You don't need to stay here for long, after the tests, you can go home."I can still see def
YVONNE"We need to run some tests, as per Mr. Lewis' order. He wanted a general check-up to be done to make sure that you're okay. First, we need to get your blood sample...." the doctor explained while a nurse checked my vitals. Her voice sounded distant to my ears.A bitter taste filled my mouth as exhaustion started to defeat my whole body."I need to check your wounds," I heard her say, to which I only groaned in response.The nurse helped me take off my clothes. Cold seeped through my skin. I turned to look away, avoiding to see the pity in their eyes as my wounds came into view."Nurse..." I heard the doctor call, but I didn't bother to look at what they were doing.They made me sit on the bed as they simultaneously cleaned my wounds. I bit my lip to stop myself from whimpering in pain. Some of the cuts made by the thin leather whip were so deep that they needed to be stitched.After making sure that my back had no injuries, they made me lay down on the bed. A lone tear rolled f
YVONNE"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Vlad worriedly asked."Yes," I sighed exasperatedly. He'd been asking for the hundredth time already.I cupped his face with my hands, making him look at me."Vlad, I want to do this," I told him, smiling to reassure him that I would be okay."I want to close this chapter of my life before I truly open a new one. I don't want anything to come back and haunt me in the future. I want to get rid of all my demons and leave them together with the past," I told him honestly.He stared deep into my eyes for a while."Okay..." he finally sighed. "Do you want me to come with you?""What? No!" I exclaimed. "Just stay here and wait for me," I said."Damn it. Why does it sound like you're talking to a pet?" he snapped.I chuckled, looking at the annoyed expression on his face."Don't worry, I'll make it up to you when we get home," I winked."Fine," he snorted half-heartedly. I knew he wouldn't agree to this, but I feel like I really need this before moving
VLADIMIR"You killed them!" Jade cried, her voice dripping with bitterness and rage. "You killed my family! You should die, you monster!"I frowned. I gently grabbed Yvonne to push her behind me. She seemed reluctant, but I insisted."You know very well I wasn't the one behind your family's ambush," I told her in a low but commanding voice."But you were the reason why they were in that kind of business! You dragged them to hell when you let them join your illegal activities!" she yelled. "Leon told me everything!"I gritted my teeth. I thought she was one of the smartest women I knew. Now, I'm beginning to doubt it. Why would she believe a word that came out of that asshole's mouth?"Your father was bankrupt. He lost all your money and property to gambling!" I growled. "He kept begging me to let him join my underground business until I did! Even after that, he didn't stop his addiction. He owed people who went after them that night. I have nothing to do with it!""I don't believe you
YVONNEI ran outside. My heart beats faster the closer I get to the entrance."Yvonne!" I heard Selene scream my name despite the chaos around us. I turned to look at her. I sighed in relief after seeing that she was fine, just like Phil said."Are you okay?" she worriedly asked, her eyes surveying my body, looking for any injury."Yes," I nodded. "Stay here. I'll go out to see what's going on.""What?!" she exclaimed while following me. "Are you crazy?! It's safer here. Who knows whom the shooters were targeting? Stay here!"She grabbed my hand and held me tight."I know. But I should be responsible for this," I told her. Aside from that, I couldn't wait to see if Vlad was safe. I would die of anxiety if I didn't know his state as soon as possible."Yvonne!" she protested but kept following me."Go back there!" I hissed. "Vlad is outside. He'll never let anything happen to me.""What? Is he some kind of superhero now?" she snorted. I sighed defeatedly."Selene, please," I turned to l
YVONNE"Please be careful," I whispered. I tried to hold on to him, to stop him from leaving, but he still went after his men.I understand. He needs to help them. A lot of lives are at stake. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with much-needed air.He closed the door behind him. Somehow, I felt safe in the familiar confines of my office, but I couldn't completely shake the guilt away.How about the other guests? The employees? They're innocent. They shouldn't have been dragged into this mess. I don't know what I would do if any of them get hurt or worse..."This is all my fault," Riva cried beside me."No shit," I muttered without looking at her. I felt bad that she was hurt, but I still couldn't help the anger that was slowly filling me from inside out.I don't know everything, but I've heard enough to conclude that she knew Jade was planning this all along. However, she never told anything to Vlad. Just like what she did back then with her father."How could you claim you love
VLADIMIR"Vlad!" Yvonne cried as I hugged her. I only want her to be safe. I need to protect her no matter what.I closed my eyes as I waited for the pain to come, but instead of the sudden, intense burning pain of a bullet piercing my flesh, I felt a heavy weight collapsing on my back.At the same time, I heard Blaze and Mike coming to help us. Mike kept firing shots, covering us while Blaze helped me get up.I was confused when I realized it was Riva's weight that fell upon me. She was hit. Blaze pulled her up and dragged her inside while I ran with Yvonne. Other guests were also rushing inside the shelter, looking for a place to hide."What the hell?" I exclaimed when we finally got into safety."I-I'm sorry," Riva gasped while looking straight into my eyes.I frowned, getting more confused. How did she get shot? Isn't she the one behind this? Maybe because I tried to take the bullet that was supposed to be for Yvonne. My jaw clenched at the thought that she was the target of those
VLADIMIRRiva just started a fucking commotion. Reporters around swarmed like bees around her, making it hard for my men to drag her away!Fuck.What is she trying to do? Did she think she could win my favor if she ruined this event?"Vlad, please!" she screamed while trying to get away from the reporters who were shoving their mics and cameras in her face."Fuck it, do something," I hissed at Blaze who quickly moved."Vlad," Yvonne muttered beside me while holding onto my hand. Her palm was cold but sweaty and I couldn't blame her.She worked hard for this. And it's slowly falling apart right before her very eyes! Fuck.I should have known Riva wouldn't stop at anything. What else does she want from me?"Wait here," I whispered to her while signaling Matias to stay beside her.I don't want anything to do with her but this is the fastest way to get rid of her. I walked past the reporters who were asking questions nonstop. Cameras were flashing left and right! Blaze and my other men cl
YVONNEI stared at my reflection in the mirror. It's been a while since I last glammed up like this. The dress hugged my body in all the right places. The slit on one side showed just enough skin but still looked elegant and sophisticated.The strapless and structured bodice complemented me well. However, I couldn't help but think that something was amiss. I let out a harsh sigh."Is there something wrong?" Vlad asked when he suddenly appeared behind me. I was so preoccupied that I didn't notice when he came. He held me in his arms, his fingers gently caressing the curve of my waist.We were in the penthouse he had just acquired. I agreed to stay with him now that he's here but I'm still keeping my unit."Nothing," I forced a smile onto my lips. "I'm just a little anxious."I told him honestly. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight and I couldn't help but worry that something might go wrong."You don't need to worry," he pulled me onto him and gently placed a chaste kiss on my lip
VLADIMIR"I missed you," she groaned, making me harder than I already was!Fuck. She's making me lose it when I didn't even plan on taking her tonight! I wanted to take things slow, but she's a fucking temptation!I can't even remember how we ended up like this. I only wanted to surprise her with this new place. Her unit was fine, but I wanted the best for her. I knew she would probably refuse to accept it, so I already had it under her name.I growled when she suddenly bit my lip in the midst of our heated kiss. All thoughts that I had quickly dissipated into the air, leaving only her.I slid my fingers into her hair, pulled her face towards mine, and forcibly captured her exploring tongue with mine, thus deepening the kiss. Our mouths fused until we needed to come up for air. I didn't let her go. We tried to catch our breath against each other's lips."Vlad," she called my name like a prayer, breaking all the reigns I'd been trying so hard to keep."You have no idea how much I've l
YVONNE"What?!" I snapped at Selene who kept gawking at me as if I was a puzzle she couldn't quite solve."Are you high?" she asked, her voice dripping with genuine confusion.I frowned. Why the hell would she think that?"Something's different today. You look so..." she trailed off while staring at me. She's seriously starting to creep me out."Stop staring!" I groaned, but she only laughed at me."C'mon Yvonne, spill the beans!" she chuckled, making me roll my eyes."Does it have anything to do with Dr. Phil?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.She then glanced at Dr. Phil who was busy talking to his patients. I watched as the expression on her face slowly changed. When her eyes returned to me, she seemed more confused than earlier.An audible gasp came out of her lips when she must have realized something. Her eyes widened a fraction. It would have been funny watching her reactions if it hadn't changed to an accusing one."Don't tell me..." she didn't finish but I think we both knew