I jolt awake at the sound of a gun discharging at the side of my head. A ringing sound hums in my ear as the smell of pungent Nitroglycerin fills my nostrils. It's never a good feeling when you wake up with your heart threatening to tear through the layers of flesh in your chest. When the light in the room suddenly comes on, I look around, taking in the view that surrounds me, and I'm made aware that I am still being held against my will. The hope that it was all a nightmare crumbles into fine dust when my gaze finds Konstatins'. My breath hitches. He brings the gun's barrel to his mouth and licks it while his eyes are fixed on mine. I shut my eyes, covering them with my hands. “I'm still trapped in my nightmare,” I whisper in a trembling voice that sends shards of awareness up my spine. Wrapping my arms around my knees, I try to block him out as I start to rock back and forth. “I was going to let you suffer a little longer in your dreams, but my curiosity got the better of
The second my skull hits the table-top with a sickening thud, pain surges across my head and my vision slightly blurs. As I raise my head again, specks of blood smear across the table, I cry out as Konstatin brutally enters me with a gratified grunt. I open my mouth as wide as possible, letting loose a silent scream from the pit of my core, and throw my head towards the table again. But before my head touches the table, Konstatin fists my hair, and he yanks my head back, preventing me from trying to knock myself out; escaping from his monstrousness. He slowly pulls out of me and slams his hips forward. His body goes dead still upon entering me, and then he slowly rotates his hips in a brutal yet possessive way, like he is marking his territory. “No... Please... Stop...” I whimper in a muffled tone. His weight crushes me against the table, his fingers on my waist bite into my skin, and then my body starts to move up and down the frigid table-top with each savage thrust he exec
Konstatins' sinister laughter fills the room, resonating off the gloomy concrete walls, and I can almost feel it slamming into me.Attempting to claim the last shred of dignity that dangles precariously in front of me.“What's wrong, Leo? Are you mad that I got to her before you did?” “You sick fuck!” Leo roars while making a fist with his hand. He aims for the bridge of Konstatins' nose and drives his fist forward. The sickening sound of Leos' knuckles striking Konstatins' face penetrates my ear canals. “She's your sister!” Smack...“There are rules about raping women that the Elite Family stated in the bible!”Smack...“She is already weak, barely surviving to live another day, and you do this to her?!”Konstatin makes a small effort to sit up, but Leo pins him back down on the tabletop with his left hand and jerks his right-hand back, behind his ear. Smack...Konstatin lets out a small grunt laced with pain and irritation. If I had coughed, I would have missed it.Lowering my ha
My heart ceases, along with my lungs. Craning my neck, I try to look past the table as I see Leo fall to the ground. “You should really learn when to choose your battles, Leo.” Konstatin sighs in a vexing tone. “Let this be your first warning because I will aim to kill you the next time I shoot you.” The bitterness in his voice is enough to make me shudder with fear as I glare at the back of his head. Tucking his gun away, he slightly turns his head to the side, his gaze doesn't meet mine over his shoulder. “Play nice with your new roommate, but not too nice, if you get my drift, little sister.” He chuckles with amusement, but I can hear the warning that's clear as day in his voice. As he steps over Leos' body, who is cradling his leg and doing his best to suppress his cries of outrage and agony. Konstatin pauses as he reaches the threshold, with his hand on the door handle. “I will be watching you...” He hums as he points to the camera in the room.After a second or two, he pulls
Dmitris' Point Of View...A hard hand slams into my cheek and blinding pain splinters across my face as I open my eyes. “Vstavy, ty ni na chto ne goden, pridurok! [Get up, you good for nothing, dipshit!]” Ivans' irritating voice slams into me in a harsh snarl as he slaps me again.I growl a curse, brushing a hand over my face as I sit up in the motel bed, Amanis' friend fixed me up with, a day ago. Raising my gaze, I look over Ivans' shoulder to see Amani standing behind him with a grim look on his face. Instantly, my pulse spikes and I know he's fucked up because Zee is nowhere to be seen!“Where is she?” I snarl at him, clenching my hands into fists. “That piece of shit has taken her!” Ivan answers me instead. “Where?” I demand, getting out of bed and ripping my shirt off, throwing it to the ground as I snatch the pile of clothes Ivan is holding in his hand. “Russia,” Amani says, finally learning how to use his voice. “Russia?!” I roar at him as my body shakes with fury. “What
I've recently realised I have inhibited a bad habit of looking toward the large steel door now and then, holding my breath, hoping and praying that someone will come crashing through it to save me.I don't understand why I do it to myself, holding on to the last bit of hope that flickers within me, knowing that if someone was coming to rescue me, they would have done it by now. Pulling my legs up to my chest. I wrap my arms around them and sigh with misery. I don't know how much longer I can fight. The will to survive is the hardest thing I have ever had to accomplish. I'm a mess. Mentally, Emotionally and Physically. How am I meant to spring back from this?Who will want me once the truth comes out?I am damaged goods, and I won't hold it against Dmitri if he, too, doesn't want a piece of me. The chill in my bones is burning, the chatter in my teeth is relentless, and my breathing gets shallower by the hour. During the night, the temperature in the room drops drastically. This isn
Water spills from my lips as I am hauled upright. Coughing as I gasp for air, a familiar voice fills my ear canals. “Rise and shine, Volkov. If we are going to escape, now is the time.” I pull back the curtains to my bloodshot eyes, my gaze instantly falls upon a set of brown irises staring back at me with pity and urgency. “Leo...” I whisper his name like it's a beautiful prayer, inhaling deeply through my mouth. “Si, Konstatin left the door wide open as you magically held his attention.” He says with astonishment, holding his hand out for me to take. I brush my hand over my face, clutching my chest as the pressure starts to fade. Looking down at the ground, I see Konstatin passed out on the rug, with a plank of wood resting next to his head. A small trail of blood flows behind his ear, and I look back at Leo with wide eyes. “Is he-” “No, unfortunately, he is still alive. I don't have the strength or fire within me to take his life.” He utters, breaking eye contact with me
As we make it to the bottom of the staircase, we come to a screeching halt as two of Konstatins' guards are waiting for us by the front door. “Going somewhere?” One of them asks with a sinister smirk curling on one corner of his mouth. “Surely, not before we get to sample the sweet Volkov printsessa first!” The other guard states as he licks his lips with his eyes slowly devouring me from across the entry lobby. I gasp, taking a step back as I shake my head. “Are all of you bastards rapists?” I hiss as my body shivers with fear and disgust. Both of the guards look at each other for a split second before they return their gazes to us and start to laugh psychotically. “Da!” They answer in unison with a shrug of their shoulder. As sore and as badly beaten as Leo is, he pushes me behind him, widening his stance as a low and murderous snarl departs his lips. I hook my fingers inside his belt, wherever he moves, I will move with him. It has become abundantly clear that he is the only
The world is very good at inflicting pain on me.An agony that is so intense that there is nothing else.Darkness engulfs me, blinding me.I’m dying. I just know it.I’ve fought a good fight in my life, and everything I have been subjected to; forced to endure is nothing like this. Only death can feel like this.No matter how much I will myself to keep on fighting, there just isn’t anything left in me to keep going.I ache all over. Every muscle in my body has been robbed of its strength, and I can feel myself sinking deeper into the endless sea of darkness.Dmitris’ face flickers before me.His voice fills my ear canals, stroking my feverish flesh like velvet.Then I think of Leo, how he did right by me, and how my heart slowly began to open up and let him in. He loves me fiercely, and I know if I give up, he will have Wolf by his side.Wolf, looks like Amani. He has a gentle soul and the day Ivan brought him home, he has thrived beyond our wildest dreams. Proving himself to everyon
FORTY-EIGHT HOURS LATER: Lifting my hand with my heart hammering in my chest and butterflies fluttering in the pit of my stomach, I knock on Leos’ office door. I wait a few breaths before the door is pulled open by one of his men. As his gaze falls on me, he steps to the side to allow me to enter, and when Leo sees me, he rises to his feet from behind his desk, buttoning the front of his charcoal suit jacket. He clears his throat, “Leave us.” Without any hesitations or questionable expressions marring their features, all fifteen of his men exit the room in utter silence. “Bella, what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” He smiles as he walks around his desk, cupping my face in his hands, and places a gentle kiss on the top of my head. Since we have been married, Leo has not made any attempt to pressure me into filling my duties as his wife or so much as tried to kiss me on the lips. He has been very patient with me, giving me all the space I need, as well as sleeping in the room
TWO MONTHS LATER:Three weeks have passed since I arrived in Sicily, accompanied by Leo, my husband. It has been four weeks since we exchanged our vows and became one. Fortunately, Leo had kept his promise and ensured that our wedding was a small and intimate affair, just as I had requested.The sole attendees of our union consisted exclusively of the distinguished members of the Elite Family's leadership. The only witnesses and approvers of our holy matrimony were the ones we deemed necessary; those of the inner circle that influenced a wider spectrum. As we sat across the table, I knew that our reputation was on the line. Our coming together was questioned.The rumours of a feud between Leo and myself had spread like wildfire, threatening to tarnish our image as a united front. But I was determined to set the record straight. With a confident smile, I spoke of our shared vision and unwavering commitment to success. As I looked over at Leo, I knew that we were more than just a co
As I continue to helplessly stare after Dmitris’ fading figure, I collapse to my knees-my right knee hitting the wet concrete ground first, then, my left. Pain disperses across the hard balls of my kneecaps, but the foreboding pain of heartbreak that continues to seep into the roots of my heart outweighs any other pain my body is slowly trying to register.He left me.In the rain.Crying.Heartbroken.Alone.I hate him!I fucking hate him with everything I have and I hope he crashes on his stupid bike that makes him look smoking hot!Covering my face with my hands, I burst into tears.I don’t hate him.I could never hate him.I love him so fucking much that I would die for him.I’d kill for him.Why does loving someone hurt so much?Is this what men mean when they say that love is the greatest weakness one can possess?It can be one’s downfall until there is no return.“Time will heal your broken heart, cara mia. But first, you need to push through the pain and accept Dmitris’ decisi
My heart feels like it is shattering into a million pieces for the last and final time as I intently gaze at Dmitri. The look of unwavering disbelief tainting his features makes my stomach churn. Gods, I feel sick. I’m so torn between doing what is right and disregarding everything just to be with the one person who makes my heart whole. Both Dmitri and Leo have one thing in common. They never let anyone get close enough to see the real them. No one aside from me anyway. I jolt the second he takes one step toward me, his eyes blazing with rage. “If he is forcing you to make this oath with him, decline it now, and we will get the hell out of here.” He whispers roughly as he turns his head to the side to mask his words from Leo. Sighing, I shake my head, trying to rein in my runaway heartbeat. “He isn't D. When he presented me with the proposal, at first, I laughed, then I became enraged, and finally, I realised where he was coming from. Marrying Leo ensures our safety. Marrying Leo
Leo slicks back his hair, still damp from the shower, and squares his shoulders as he locks eyes with Dmitri. The air in the dimly lit room is heavy with tension as the two men stand face to face, their eyes locked in a deadly stare-down. The atmosphere is charged with danger as they wait for the other to show weakness and submit to their dominance. I know for certain that Dmitri will not lower his gaze first, especially since he is slowly removing his jacket. I also know that Leo won't back down either, and I find that incredibly alluring. I underestimated him right from the start, but now I see the fire in his eyes and the power he holds. I won't be making that mistake ever again. “If this clown shoots Dmitri, the deal is off,” I state firmly, reminding them both that I am still present. “D, you can put your jacket back on, this isn’t a pissing contest.” Church keeps his gun raised, paying no attention to me as he clears his throat and moves closer to Dmitri. I step out
I stand outside on the balcony of my hotel room, which overlooks the small city with bright lights illuminating the sidewalks. The cool early morning breeze gently sweeps across my face, cooling my flushed cheeks and my boiling blood thrumming through my veins.Dipping my head, I look down at my hands which are no longer covered in Giovanni's blood. Flashes of me slitting his throat wash over me, making me dizzy, fuelled by sin. Sucking in a razor-sharp breath, I focus on the sky's blanket of beauty that is staring me right in the face. There is no point in me wasting what little energy I consume, bemoaning crimes I've committed, or wasting precious time by expressing regret. It is done.It's over.The streets run red with the blood of our enemies and vengeance has been achieved.I’m safe.No one is coming to hurt me any time soon.I can finally breathe and not feel like I’m choking on my anxiety. My fingers grip the steel fence, turning my knuckles a ghastly shade of white, as
LEO'S POINT OF VIEW: As my father gives me the order to shoot Zeynep in the kneecaps, I watch the look of defiance and unwavering courage burn in her irises. She is truly spectacular, a little bud that has blossomed into something beautiful since I met her. She has created an unexpected throb in my heart and messed up the rhythm of its beat. I hate my father with a passion, and I have been waiting for this opportunity for as long as I can remember. From the moment I learned the truth about my mother’s demise, I have lived and thrived on deception and deceit. Manipulating the game is a thrill of mine, and I never let anyone get close enough to discover my hidden truths. Zeynep is a prized gem, something to be cherished. We are rivals. Sworn enemies yet, she is the only woman who can put out the fire in our bloodlines. “What are you waiting for, Leo? A fucking invitation? Shoot her knees!” My father orders. I cock the gun, waiting for Zeyneps’ jaded-coloured irises to meet mine, an
My heart aches as a dull pain splinters across my chest while Leo continues to meet my gaze.Never in my brightest days did I imagine that I would see Leo standing by his father's side, and now that I do, the thought of trusting him makes me sick.“Are you going to kill me?” I courageously ask, suppressing my fear back into the darkness where it belongs.Drip. Drip. Fucking Drip…Leo’s brows furrow for a second and an unreadable expression masks his features, but it disappears just as quickly as it appeared.“Kill you?” He grounds out, straightening with a cruel hiss departing between his lips.His arm is still in a sling and his face still looks like a messy canvas with different coloured bruising splattered along his jawline.“Yeah… Are you going to kill me?”Slowly shaking his head, Leo sighs roughly and combs his fingers through his hair. “We aren’t going to kill you, Zeynep.” His voice is smooth and gentle. “You are aware that my father wishes to marry you to completely corrupt