Jackson’s POV Julia began to scream like a psychopath, thrashing against the guard's grip, her desperate cries filling the room, making my stomach boil with rage. If she knew I only tried to control myself from breaking the door open, hoping to resolve this peacefully.She wouldn't be here saying trash. The only reason why I was being peaceful right now was because the doctor said the poison had a cure and only Julia was in control of it. She had everything calculated; during the early morning, she came to his quarter to take the last antidote so no one could harm Jade. Right now all I needed to do was to play smart and fast because Jade needed that antidote as soon as possible.“No, I understand that you hate me for punishing Jade, but you don't love her, Jackson; she jinxed you. You love me, remember that night at the dining, how you made sweet love to me.” She wailed, her voice cracking as she fought to free herself.I never imagined that this day would come. A maiden being obses
Jade’s POVI survived hell once again. The wind is blowing hard, and the atmosphere is cool; the perfect weather for a good sleep, but I can't seem to find sleep.Sleep was far from me. I lay on this bed, my body aching from my falling down the stairs. My room was bathed in warm red light, the perfect illumination I need right now. My head was pounding, and bright light would only intensify my pain. I swallowed hard, the stale air did nothing to help the nausea that was growing in my stomach. Was it because I had just survived death or was I simply hungry?Maybe it was the latter; I don't know. Every movement I made, even the slightest, a dull throb of pain erupted throughout my ribs, a reminder that I needed to get enough rest if I was ever going to surge the night.Maybe I should relax and allow my mind to wander. I initially hated that I easily trusted her; after all, she was the reason I was in this horrible condition. I loathed that I trusted anyone so readily. That was my flaw.
Eloise’s POV“We can't do this, Lorenzo!” I said, looking into his eyes, my fist clenched; I was angry and misunderstood. No matter how hard it is to prove myself, I'll never be taken seriously.Lorenzo stood in front of me, his presence condescending, but I didn't care. His arms crossed on his chest, his grey eyes flickered onto his mind with anger.We hadn't been on good terms these past few days, and the fault was mine. He wasn't what I needed; he was merely a distraction. Now, I was getting bored of this game, and I needed to act fast.“Are you speaking to me in that manner?” he asked in a harsh tone. “I'm sick of you trying to control my life! Leave the hell alone, Enzo.”“I'm not trying to control your life; I'm just...” He pauses, and then his voice drops to a low tone. “You know what, just do what you want, Eloise; you are always fond of walking away from things; that's what you do.”“Think whatever you want, Enzo; I'm done with this conversation,” I snarled, breathing a littl
Jackson’s POV I sat behind the musty old desk; the smoke from the fat tobacco wrapped in between my index finger and third finger filled the air. Life was good when you had the right people around you.And once again, I was grateful I didn't lose Jade; that would have shattered me, and I would have killed Julia because she had no reason to live to suffer the consequences of her actions.Having Jade by my side, within my reach, made me realise how much I loved her. I melted the cigarette on the ashtray and took a sip from the half-empty glass of whisky on the table.I didn't want to get drunk today; I needed to be sober so I could keep my eyes on the happenings of the family. It was my duty to do that now. I leaned my back against the plush leather chair. The air felt heavier than usual, like some unforeseen circumstances were hovering in the atmosphere, something dark. I crossed my arms on my chest as I slowly dragged the cigarette.When I heard a light knock on the door, Scar peeke
Jade’s POV“I want you to be my wife.”Those words sounded unreal; never have I ever imagined that one of the most powerful men in Rome would ask me to be his wife.I blinked at Jackson; my breath was shaky, his words still echoed in my mind, each syllable sounding too good to be true.Was it a good idea to marry him? For once I've never thought about the possibility of being his wife. Jackson was powerful, loving, and ruthless. His proposal—if I could even call it that—felt more like an order wrapped in a gift pack of velvet promise. The don always got what he wanted, so who was I to object?But then what I felt for him was complicated; I'm still a young girl trying to figure out a part for myself. I'm sorry, sir, she must have seen the unsure look in my eyes because he moved closer and leaned in.Pressing a soft kiss to my forehead like he always did, but this time it was intentional. It was different; it had more effect than his words, and I wanted to kiss him on the lips now.“I'
Jackson’s POVTonight, the ballroom buzzed with powerful men and women dressed in expensive clothes laughing behind designers' glasses as deals were sealed. On a low, the place wasn't loud, and most people spoke in hushed tones. The light from the chandeliers reflected on the room, casting a glow of many colours on their gloomy faces. I cannot comprehend the sadness experienced by every successful person; do they truly lack everything they ever desired?Or were they not satisfied with what they had? Of course, we humans were naturally insatiable, and when one need ends, another begins, so I wouldn't blame them for wanting more, but none of it mattered.Jade wasn't here yet; that scared me. I looked around before glancing down at my watch, and a frown plastered on my worried face. She was too long in there; something wasn't right. I could feel it in my bones. My instincts never failed me, the same instincts that had kept me alone in this world of hate and betrayal. I had learnt to r
Jade’s POVI rubbed my aching shoulders, rolling them subconsciously, trying to regulate the pain, but I couldn't massage it properly because my wrist was attached to a rope.The pain I felt at the back of my head was unbearable; it was like I was knocked out by someone so they could take me to this isolated underground prison.What did I do to these people? Why do they despise me so much? I felt it again, the sharp, throbbing pain pulsing at the back of my head. Had they used a hammer to knock me out? Was I bleeding because it seemed like it? I tried to yank out of the ropes binding me, but it appeared a little tighter than it looked.Whoever did this wanted me here; this was no mistake! Someone hated the fact that I was living. Was it my father or Stormy? He had seen me at the ballroom earlier, and the expression on his face was shocking. Like he had just seen a ghost or a zombie out of an apocalypse. I sneezed twice, the latter louder than the former. The air was dusty and damp.
Jackson’s POVJade was missing; they had taken her, and it was too late for me—I couldn’t save her. I had spent almost an hour searching every nook and cranny of the room, but there was no sight of her.I decided to step out of the ballroom, thinking that whoever took her must have transported her to another location for reasons only known to them.But the moment I walked out, I knew something was wrong. It was unusually quiet, and I could still hear the faint music from inside the ballroom, accompanied by rich laughter echoing off the walls. But none of it mattered to me. I needed to find Jade, and I won't rest until I do. Since Jade disappeared, it felt like a piece of me had left too. She was my better half, and now I know that I was foolish to let her out of my sight, especially after losing her. As I passed a certain route, people tried to stop me, shake hands with me.And I exchanged fake pleasantries pretending like they cared about anything that happened in my life when I wa
Lorenzo’s POVWhat was she doing here? For the first time in years of knowing Eloise but seeing her standing close to Jackson with a smile creeping behind her lips, I knew she was up to something sketchy and she was hiding something from me.I never doubted Eloise. Even when she gave me so many reasons to. Ever since I laid my eyes on her, she had always been speaking about Eduardo; then when Jackson became Don, he became her new topic.Saying she needed information on him so she could be free. I wanted her to be free, and we both desired the same outcome: the downfall of Jackson. But could she be lying? Was this all just a facade to make me believe that her obsession with Jackson was based on what she wanted from me, or was this truly the intent of the desires that were buried deep in her heart?So many times I’ve caught her lurking around, watching and saying more than she needed to the other maidens. But I kept quiet because she played her games by herself, and I didn't want to se
Jade’s POVI was awake, but my eyes were shut. I had managed to make myself numb and asleep, but then the pain was so much to bear. It was dull, but it ached all over my arms and legs. I was feeling so weak; my head felt like lead, and it was as though I was carrying a lot of baggage in it. It also pounded so hard, making my throat dry and sore.I blinked twice, my vision almost blurry, hard for me to see a thing, just the same dimly lit too, but something was weird. I wasn't sitting; I was lying on something soft. It felt like I was on a hospital bed or a slab used to butcher meat. Were they trying to murder me and send my remains to the Godfather?Is it a crime that I followed every command he gave me? But no matter what happened, I wouldn't stop fighting and trying to be free. The last thing I remembered was the piercing and burning pain I felt when Lexi injected me with that vial. The pain I felt was unexplainable; she was right when she said it felt like being in hell. It was
Jackson’s POVEvery morning is a fresh beginning, a new start for something good, or so I thought. But the first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the sound of my duvet shifting off my body slowly, almost like an invisible force was in my room.I blinked twice as the morning light penetrated through the curtains into my eyes. My body was still sluggish from sleep, and my vision was blurry, yet I was aware of a presence in my room.It was that of a female from the soft footsteps, feminine scent and the sound of the vacuum cleaner. I knew I was being watched too.That was strange. I rubbed my eyes with my hands and turned my head to see a strange woman—a maiden, dressed in a white garment, the one the maidens wore.But hers was too revealing, like she had purposefully made it short. It also showed a great deal of cleavage. I watched her carefully as she pretended to focus on the cleaning. No, her attention was locked on me; no, it wasn’t me; it was my hard-on beneath the duvet.
Lorenzo’s POVFuck me, daddy!Eloise had said the night before, as she rode me slowly, her hips moving, she was so damn wet and delicious down there I could stay there all day.Suddenly, I opened my eyes. My chest was heavy, and I looked underneath to see Eloise lying on top of me. She was the sweetest girl I've ever been with. For a moment I saw myself changing and trying to be a better person because of her. Yet I compromise and do things to please her. I guess that's what people in love do.I want her to be in my arms forever. I wanted to savour every second of these moments, but then I realised she was still a maiden, a slave to Jackson, and this moment wouldn't last.I sat upright, wiping the beads of sweat on my forehead with the back of my hand, and then I turned my head to see her still lying there, looking like a damsel in distress. I had pounded the living daylights out of her last night, which led to her exhaustion. Her hair spread across the pillow, her lips parted sligh
Jackson’s POVNow that Lexi is gone, I can think clearly. I stood on the balcony, watching the trees sway left and right in the rough wind, but I couldn't find peace knowing that Jade was gone.I had failed her once again; I knew that. Being with me had caused her nothing but pain and torment to her soul. From one attack to the other just because she loved me.I paced around the dimly lit house, my heart heavy with worry. I wondered how she was doing out there alone all by herself with no one to protect her from the evils of the night.Was she even alive by now? I had no information and hadn’t heard the news about her. For all I know, whoever was trying to get to me got to her instead.She had been taken by someone who wanted to hurt me. The trails I tried to follow all led to dead ends, and it was eating me alive. Whoever did this wanted me to suffer, and it was working.Scar coughed out loud to get my attention. I turn to see him leaning against a rusted table, his arms crossed over
Lorenzo’s POVI watched from the window below Lexi walking towards her black Lexus. She looked nervous and hurt. What was she doing here by this time of the night, it was almost midnight. What Exactly did she do here to do, I knew she loved Jackson but then I couldn't risk her blowing our cover. No, she knew better than to do that.She wouldn’t dare. She despised Jade intensely and would do anything to remove any obstacle preventing her from having Jackson all to herself.Still, I didn't trust her at all. I couldn't predict her sometimes, she is a rich spoilt brat who was only after things that benefitted her. A slow smile played on my lips as I saw her driving away. She didn't look like she came here to betray me; she might just be trying to insert herself since Jade was nowhere to be found. She had her motives and knew better than to expose me; she understood so much was at stake. That was why I ensured she acted like the boss. I had spent so many years planning this kidnapping o
Lexi’s POVI swallow hard as I stare at the empty syringe in between my fingers and then at Jade's limp body. She must be in so much pain.Her head slumped forward, and her brown hair fell over her face, her breathing almost unheard. No, she wasn't dead, at least not yet, but sooner or later I will surely make her disappear.“You know, you didn't have to put yourself through this just to defend a man who doesn't care about you, sweetheart,” I muttered under my breath, tucking a strand of hair from her pale face. “If you can hear me, next time just cooperate.” The basement was as dim as always, casting bizarre shadows across the damp walls. I shouldn't be in there. I should be having dinner in my mansion, drinking a glass of tequila, and eating roasted chicken. I should be with the love of my life, Jackson. But here I am, in this smelly room that reeks of blood and urine. I know I need to make this sacrifice for Jackson. After all, I’ve done worse things in the past. Two of my men,
Jade’s POV“Let me go!” I managed to say it, but the words barely escaped my lips. I didn't know how long I had been down here, but it seemed like decades.My cheek still throbbed with a fiery sting, a painful reminder of the punch I had received from those rascals. My nose was probably broken by now.They kept asking me to tell them things about Jackson, but I knew nothing. Even if I knew anything, I wouldn't betray Jackson; he has done nothing but be good to me.I ignored the gnawing hunger in my stomach; all I could think of was a way to escape this place. My wrists ached from the tightness of the drops and the way they dug into my delicate skin.And my head pounded from whatever they had used to knock me out earlier at the ballroom. The damp basement smelled of decay and rust, it was pitch black now, and the only light came from the tiny opening of the door. Shadows danced along the walls, indicating that I wasn't alone. These men weren't finished with me. This strange woman, who
Jackson’s POVJade was missing; they had taken her, and it was too late for me—I couldn’t save her. I had spent almost an hour searching every nook and cranny of the room, but there was no sight of her.I decided to step out of the ballroom, thinking that whoever took her must have transported her to another location for reasons only known to them.But the moment I walked out, I knew something was wrong. It was unusually quiet, and I could still hear the faint music from inside the ballroom, accompanied by rich laughter echoing off the walls. But none of it mattered to me. I needed to find Jade, and I won't rest until I do. Since Jade disappeared, it felt like a piece of me had left too. She was my better half, and now I know that I was foolish to let her out of my sight, especially after losing her. As I passed a certain route, people tried to stop me, shake hands with me.And I exchanged fake pleasantries pretending like they cared about anything that happened in my life when I wa