/-Skylar-/I barely had time to breathe before the next set of guards stormed in. Taylor didn’t even flinch as they surrounded me, his expression bored, like he already knew the outcome.I could still taste the metallic tang of blood in my mouth from the last fight, but I squared my shoulders. If he thought I was going to roll over and play victim, he had another thing coming."Think carefully before you make your next move, Skylar," Taylor said smoothly, adjusting the cuffs of his suit like this was just another day at the office. "You're outnumbered, and I’d hate for you to break too soon.""Funny," I shot back, rolling my shoulders. "I was just thinking the same thing about your guys."Taylor chuckled. "Cocky. I like that. It will be fun to watch you eat your words.."I didn’t wait for them to strike first. The moment one of them stepped forward, I lunged.I caught him off guard, slamming my palm into his nose with a sickening crunch. Blood spurted as he staggered back, cursing. An
/-Skylar-/The moment of advantage was fleeting. My body was running on pure adrenaline, my limbs screaming in protest, but I couldn't stop. Wouldn't stop.I yanked against the chains, trying to use the slack to my advantage. The guard with the broken nose staggered back, cursing, but another was already lunging toward me.I twisted at the last second, bringing my bound hands up like a weapon. The heavy links caught him across the face with a sharp crack, sending him sprawling onto the concrete.A deep, angry growl echoed through the basement. "Enough."Taylor.I sucked in a ragged breath, my pulse still pounding as I turned to face him. He stood just beyond the dim pool of light, his expression unreadable, but the tension in his jaw told me everything I needed to know.He hadn't expected me to fight back this hard.Good.Taylor took a slow step forward, his expensive shoes clicking against the floor. "You really don’t know when to quit, do you?"I wiped the blood from my mouth with t
/-Skylar-/“Are you blind?” I blurted before even realizing it. I was pissed and tired and bleeding from every possible part of my skin and all the bastard could do was complain about how much money I made him lose?Kai's expression harden. “I will advise you watch your fucking tone when talking to me!”“You are pissed about my tone? Did you hear yourself speak to me? What kind of psycho are you? Someone walks, bleeding and all you can do is whine about your little illegal business?” I seethed. “I'll be inside!”I made to move but his words stopped me. “Don't you dare take another step forward!” He growled. The guards were alert now, caught up in the little drama. “I'd like to see you stop me!” I hissed and walked right inside. Surprisingly, the jerk didn't come after me. I headed to my room and locked the door. As much as I would love to go anywhere but here, I didn't exactly have anywhere else to go. Nowhere that Taylor wouldn't find me at least. “Taylor Macaulay,” I spat the na
/-Gwendolyn-/My fingernails clinked idly against the cup as I sat there thinking about the woman I saw Kai with. Was she the one he was looking for? The reason he wouldn't give me a chance? But she introduced herself as his assistant and…“Don't be stupid, Gwen! What kind of assistant wears that kind of dress? They were most likely coming from somewhere and I was sure as hell that he bought her that dress. Even if she wasn't the one, he was definitely fucking her. And I hated it. Cheap gold-diggers trying to take away my man from me.I lifted the glass to my lips and took a long sip. He wouldn't take me back just because I was sleeping around and signed that he should be taken off life support. Anyone would have done the same. I was just trying to save money. For all I know, he could have died. What difference does it make? I would have raised the kids alone like I am doing now. The door suddenly opened, interrupting my train of thoughts. “Ma'am, you sent for me,” Mario bowed.
/-Skylar-/I groaned, burying my head in the pillow. I knew he had no control but couldn't he at least use a soundproof room, especially since he was bringing screamers. Three long hours of torture and my ears finally got a break. Just when I thought I could get some sleep for myself, a knock came to my door and I groaned inwardly. What now?I marched to the door with annoyance. It was one of the bodyguards. “The boss said you should clean up,” he informed me. “Are we going somewhere?” I asked him. He looked at me as if I was the dumbest person to ever exist. “Not that. He wants you to send the girls away,” he said and I wanted to scream. “He could make them scream down and entire building but he can't send them off himself?” I huffed. The guard's expression remained stoic. “Should I tell him that?” I shot him a glare. “No.” I walked out of them room, slamming the door shut behind me with annoyance. I marched to his room to three girls, passed out on the floor. He was by the
/-Skylar-/She sat there looking all bossy and authoritative, her legs crossed. The arrogance in her stance made me want to turn and walk right out of the door. “Ma'am, she's here,” the guard bowed. I glanced at him, wondering why I even agreed to get into the car with him in the first place. Maybe I should have questioned him properly but I desperately needed information on that artist and now, I was being forced to face a woman who believes I am sleeping with her husband. Ex-husband, to be precised. “Good job, Mario,” she nodded in approval then to me, she signalled to have a seat. I sat down just as she asked. “I assume you know who I am,” she said with an air of arrogance like she was royalty. Now I wish I hadn't met her earlier, I would have gladly told her no, just to see her reaction. “I know that you are owing my husband a huge sum of money which is why you are forced to stay by his side,” Gwendolyn went on while I stared with a blank face. “What if I told you that I wil
/-Skylar-/I didn't know what to expect now.The artist being a woman was a whole game-changer. Now, I couldn't possibly guess who she was and I knew there was no way Declan would be reborn in a woman's body, right?But then again, I couldn't just jump to conclusions. “Can you take me to her?” I asked him. “I told you it was about a year ago. There is no guarantee that Sally will still be there,” he groaned.“Mario please…” I tried begging. “I have already told you who she is but I am not obligated to take you to her. You know her name, find her yourself,” he said. Wow! I guess we're doing this the hard way then. “Fine! Since you won't tell me, I better just head home and tell your boss that I went somewhere interesting today,” I shrugged and his expression immediately changed. “Are you threatening me?” He frowned. “Why should I? It's called accountability. I'm just going to go back home and tell Kai all about where I've been and who the tour guide was unless, of course, you ar
/-Skylar-/Ten seconds passed and I was still staring at the girl that used to be in utter shock. I looked at her in confusion and then at Mario, who didn't understand seem to understand what was going on. “How… how did you get this?” I asked her. A small smile played on her lips. “I'm guessing it finally found it's owner, huh? Selling close to a division house does have it's advantages. That would be $7.20 please.” I was even more confused. “I'm not talking about the price. How do you know her? Who are you?” I asked, taking a step closer to her. Her smile immediately vanished as she slowly stepped back. She seemed frightened like I was threatening her or something. “What are you doing, Skylar? You're scaring her,” Mario held me back but I shrugged his hand off. “I asked a question,” I said icily. “Fine! You're right. It's just my imagination. I have a very creative mind and…”“Bullshit!” I cut her short. “The details are way too accurate for it to be some imagination. Who th
/-Skylar-/Ava's death was still fresh in my heart. Most nights I couldn't sleep. I had countless nightmares about that day every time I shut my eyes. Crying myself to sleep was now a routine. I didn't even realise how much I loved her until I lost her. To think it was all my fault. Four days. That was all I had before I saw that murderer again. Before I o my ever viewed her as a victim of circumstances. But now, now I hated her guts. Especially since she killed an innocent girl unprovoked. A girl that was naive enough to threaten her with the police. She was going to pay for this. She had to pay or I would never be able to forgive myself. “Raven…” Kai called and I blinked away the furious thoughts. “Breakfast?” He already had a tray in his hand but I didn't have the appetite for food now. “I… I'm not really hungry,” I told him and his face dropped. I hated that look in his eyes but I just had to reject it. If I threw up right after eating it, it would be a lot more painful tha
/-Skylar-/I hit the ground running and hurried to Ava's side."No, no, no!" I gasped, catching her before she collapsed completely. Her body was trembling, her wide eyes filled with shock and pain as blood seeped from the wound in her chest. My hands were shaking as I pressed them against the injury, desperate to stop the bleeding. "Ava, stay with me! Please!"She coughed, her lips parting as if she wanted to speak, but only a weak wheeze came out. Tears burned my eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. She had nothing to do with this. Diane had no right—I snapped my head up, fury roaring through my veins. "You bitch!" My voice shook with rage as I glared at the woman responsible for this. "I’ll kill you!"Diane merely tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Anger won’t bring her back, Raven."I snarled, gripping my blade. She thought this was a game. She thought I wouldn't make her pay. But before I could lunge, Ava weakly grasped my wrist. "Sky… don’t…"My heart clenched. Even
/-Skylar-/I decided to pay Ava a visit. I was so caught up in my own life that I forgot that Skylar had a freaking best friend. Kai was out with Anders so I decided to visit her alone. Even though he told me to tell the driver to take me wherever I wanted to go, I was more comfortable using a cab. I had this strange feeling that I was being watched. I took a glance around but I couldn't find anyone suspicious. Then almost on insist, I entered the cab just a few seconds before the bullet sped past me, hitting the side mirror of the car behind. What the fuck?What is this now?The cab driver was frightened of course and drove off without a second thought. It was a good thing, even though it was somewhat annoying. It didn't take long for me to spot the bastards who shot at me. I wasn't even in the mood to have a conversation with them, to know who sent them or anything. I just wanted to return the favour and go see my friend. I took out my trusty blades. Yup, still wasn't a gun pe
/-Taylor-/“We need to find that girl.” I looked at them in disbelief. They just woke up and all they can think about is causing more trouble? After everything that happened?“She must not get away with what she did to us. She has to pay!”I didn't say a word as I watched them discuss amongst themselves. They didn't even notice the scars on their hands. They were busy obsessing over the girl that put them in the hospital. “We won't go easy on her this time. That good-for-nothing had the audacity to lay her jands on us. By the time we are done with her, she will regret being born.” “Are you two done?” I cut them short and their attention turned to me. “Brother…” They pouted simultaneously. “Can you even listen to yourselves? You just woke up and all you are bothered about is the girl that put you here. Did you even notice the marks on your hands?” I huffed and they looked down at the same time. Their eyes widened with horror as they screamed.“What is this?” “Who did this?’ “Wa
/-Amelia-/Lisa just wouldn't do. Her methods were way too slow. We could end up waiting an entire year or more for Diane to show up. Or worse, she might not even show up at all. I couldn't bear the thought of spending another year in this hell hole. So I decided to take matters into my own hands. If she wouldn't come to me then I would simply go to her. I was already dressed and ready to leave when Taylor suddenly showed up. I groaned inwardly but tried not to let it show. “Mother, they are awake!” He announced. I assumed he was talking about his sisters whose names I forgot every single time. “My! That is good news,” I feigned a smile. “I will make sure to see them when I am back.” His smile immediately dropped. “Seriously?” “What?” I retorted almost impatiently. I had an appointment I needed to catch up with and all this small talk was only slowing me down. “I said I will see them when I get back.” “Your daughters just woke up from a terrifying coma and all you can do is bru
/-Kai-/Everything made sense all of a sudden. Of course, my mother would be here. What even made me think she would just die and I would just live. I headed to the room to see Raven. I didn't understand why she didn't tell me about this earlier. It didn't even sound like something she should hide from me. She has no reason to.Skylar sprang to her feet the minute she saw me. “Is she gone?” She asked.“Why didn't you tell me?” I asked her instead. “Tell you what?” Her brows knitted in confusion. Now was definitely not a good time for her to pretend as if she didn't know what I was talking about. I was trying my best to stay calm right now. “Are you seriously asking me that?” I growled. “Fine, I'll tell you so you won't have any excuse. I am talking about my mother and Amelia being here. You didn't think I had the right to know that?” On hearing that, her shoulders slouched and I immediately knew Lisa was telling the truth. “Why? Why did you keep it away from me knowing the harm
/-Sally-/“Do you want to come with me or should we leave?” He asked when he returned. I just had this feeling that there was something different about him although I couldn't exactly tell what was so different about him. The mystic did warn that the love charm was going to wear off soon now that I was going for a different goal. I was supposed to stab her while Declan was still under the spell, otherwise it would become difficult to actually get her. This spell was supposed to be a trick to get Raven to fight me so I could stab her, now that I failed, I wasn't sure what to do. “I… I think I'll just go,” I told him and he frowned. “Why? You just got here,” he said. “Yeah but your little worker just ruined my mood. You couldn't even defend me against her,” I huffed.“She hit me in the balls, what was I supposed to do?” He asked and I gave him a look. What was he supposed to do? What happened to defending your woman even when your life is on the line?I was certain he was only doin
/-Skylar-/The release was instant and I was able to move before she buried that knife inside me. Sally staggered forward, almost falling from the miss. I stood aside watching them both with annoyance. I understood Kai was not himself but it was just so fucking frustrating at this point. Why couldn't he just be immune to whatever it was they used on him or better still, avoid it? Sally glared at me. “Are you just going to stand there and watch her do this to me?”She was referring to Kai but he was more concerned about his sore balls. She hissed and grabbed the knife again. “Can I know the reason for this pointless fight? You came in here with Kai and I didn't even bother you. I let you have him and all you could think about was trying to attack me? Are you retarded?” I asked her. Sally paused for a second and I really hoped she was reasoning my words because I would not hesitate to kill her this time if she dares launch another attack on me. She suddenly chuckled. “Right! I was
/-Skylar-/Why wasn't he home yet? It was almost 3am. He told Anders to inform me that he was on his way back. I even made dinner for him. If he changed his mind, he would have called Anders, right? I paced the room, unable to sleep. I was so worried about him. A few minutes later, a car drove in and I hurried downstairs. It was him. It had to be him.However, what I didn't expect was for him to show up with Sally. What the hell was she doing here and why was he looking at her like that?“What's going on here?” I asked. What the hell was Declan doing with her?“Hello, Skylar,” Sally said with a sickening smile. “I didn't realize I was intruding. Declan insisted I come home with him.” My eyes darkened. I turned to Kai but I could barely recognize the look in his eyes. There was something different about him, I could tell. What the hell has this cunning woman done again?“Skylar, who I bring to my house is none of your business. You should learn your place!” Kai said harshly to me.