His voice was soft but insistent as he asked, “Where did you learn to wield a gun like that?” He kept his tone gentle, his eyes warm and steady as they held hers, a silent reassurance that she was safe with him. He hoped, prayed, that his open expression would draw her out, that she’d finally trust him enough to let him in.The quiet intimacy between them stunned his younger siblings, who stood watching, wide-eyed. Nathalia had already glimpsed this side of her brother, the softness and vulnerability he reserved only for Eva, yet seeing it again still took her by surprise. Beside her, Edwin was speechless, his eyes narrowing in disbelief. He’d never thought his usually stoic, no-nonsense brother was capable of this kind of gentle devotion. Who would have guessed that beneath his brother’s composed, polished exterior was a man willing to give his whole heart to someone like Eva?“I-” Already knowing what was going to come out of her, his voice grew firmer as he cut her off, “Don’t tr
Across from her, Edwin leaned forward, anticipation lighting up his expression. He’d long been curious to know about this crazy lady. Ever since the warehouse incident, he was now incredibly wary of Eva due to her abilities. Most of her kills of the men were clean shots that resulted in instant deaths! Also given the mysterious influence she held over his brother. Hearing her story now, he felt a strange, nervous excitement, almost as if he were about to glimpse a secret hidden from everyone else.This type of woman would be suitable to be the future Madam of the Cross family. Even though they were not part of the underworld, the power the Cross family possessed was enough to have a strong-willed woman beside Damien. It has been a long time since he came across someone that seemed experienced to go on a ruthless rampage. However, seeing how possessive and overprotective his brother was of this woman, he doubted Damien would ever allow her to take even a single step towards any kind
“What?” Nathalia was shocked and surprised at the same time when she heard her best friend. She was not a country bumpkin to not know who the Black family was in california. “I never heard of the Black family having a direct granddaughter in their family except for the granddaughter from the extended family. So you’re telling me that Aunt Evelyn is the only daughter of the patriarch that died a few years ago. How come I wasn't able to figure this out.” “That's because you are a bit slow when it comes to using your head, little sister.” Edwin suddenly remarked with a taunting smile as he patted her on the head.“How dare you insult me like that, you brute!" Nathalia angrily smacked his hand away, making him chuckle at her.“After we finished highschool, I was sent here to live with my maternal family because of my father's selfish wish for me to become an heir. I'm sure It's no surprise for you guys that the Black family is involved in the underworld and they are one of the top fami
She remembered that night clearly, stepping into the same familiar black helicopter on the top floor of the building, carrying nothing but the clothes on her back, the cold seat pressing into her shoulders. “I wasn’t thinking straight. I didn’t care where I was going, didn’t care what I would do—I just needed to get away. I wanted to leave Miami behind and never look back.”Her hand clenched, nails digging into her palm as she remembered the desperation in her decision. One day, she had looked into a mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back—haunted eyes, thin and gaunt, an almost feral determination to chase after Mark. She was a shadow of herself, driven mad by heartbreak and despair.“Grandpa Smith noticed my condition,” she continued, her voice steadier now. “He arranged for me to disappear, to heal somewhere where I wouldn’t be found.” She looked at each of them, her eyes darkening as memories resurfaced. “For the next few months, I went back again and lived within the
Eva closed her eyes, as though gathering the strength to reveal the rest. When she spoke, her voice was barely audible, laced with a heaviness that seemed to age her.“Grandpa Smith needed me back. He called me one night and gave me an order, really, that I couldn’t refuse. He said he wanted me to work as a consultant.” She swallowed, her throat tightening. “But that wasn’t all. He knew what staying there was doing to me. He knew that if I stayed hidden away, wrapped up in missions and buried under orders, I’d lose myself completely.” Her gaze softened, though she kept her eyes closed, lost in the recollection. Really she was just trying to avoid any kind of eye contact. That wasn't the only reason why she came back, but it was the most important one.Unlike both Nathalia and Edwin who did not pick up on this as they were both preoccupied in putting the pieces together in their minds.Damien watched her, his brow furrowing slightly, understanding dawning in his eyes. He could tell th
Eva let out a small, humorless laugh, shaking her head. “It’s not as impressive as it sounds, trust me,” she said, voice bitter. “Some days, it feels more like a burden than anything else. I still carry those memories, the things I did, the person I became… even now, it’s hard to separate myself from all of that.”Just as she said that finish, she felt Damien squeeze her hand, his grip gentle but unwavering. “But you came back,” he murmured, his tone carrying a quiet intensity that drew her gaze back to him. “You didn’t stay in that darkness. You returned, you’re here, and that matters. Whatever happened in the past, whatever choices you made… you’re here now.”She searched his face, trying to find the catch, the hint of judgment or doubt that she expected, but there was none. His gaze was as steady as ever, holding her together when she felt she might fall apart.“You’re stronger than you think, Eva,” he continued, his voice low. “No one would go through what you did and come back as
Though he had known her since childhood, Edwin wasn’t entirely convinced that Eva was fit to stand alongside his brother, Damien as Madam Cross. He wanted to know what other benefits she could bring to the family, beyond simply being Lawerence Smith “favored granddaughter.” in Miami. Though he was now able to confirm that she is also the beloved granddaughter of the Black family.The tension barely had a chance to settle before Nathalia, always quick to protect her best friend, whacked her brother sharply on the shoulder. “Are you implying that my Eva needs ‘connections’ to be worthy of joining this family?” she snapped, her voice heated. “She’s amazing as she is!”Eva merely raised an eyebrow, unsurprised by Edwin’s question but quietly amused by Nathalia's fierce defense. Her response, however, was clipped, emotionless. “I did.”Edwin's face flickered with a brief smirk, the hint of admiration barely concealed. ‘So she’s not as helpless as I thought.’ he mused, leaning forward wit
“Well?” Edwin leaned forward again, seizing the moment. “Would you reconsider helping us out in the future? It’s only fair, given what we’ve done for you. We’re family, after all,” he added, his tone almost a challenge.Eva sighed, her eyes softening as she realized the depths of their unspoken expectations. She thought back to the contacts she’d made, the alliances she’d formed. “Though I made quite a few useful ones now, most of my connections in the military aren’t powerful… yet. They’re acquaintances with the sons and daughters of high-ranking officials. In time, some of them will inherit positions that could be helpful.”Damien listened intently, his eyes never leaving her face, but he didn’t show any sign of concern. He seemed calm, almost indifferent to the information, as if her inability to pull strings didn’t matter. And yet, she thought she caught a flicker of something in his gaze—an uncertainty that sent a pang through her.She hesitated, swallowing the nervousness rising
Damien’s patience was wearing thin. He had no time for groveling and lies.Sensing his boss’s growing irritation, Eric opened his mouth to speed up the conversation, but before he could, Oliver burst into the room.“Hey, Mr. Piggy, could you shut up?” Oliver snapped, his bright yellow hoodie and ripped jeans contrasting with the grim atmosphere. He twirled a sleek switchblade in his hand, his boyish face betraying a sinister grin.Rex’s brows furrowed at the newcomer. Was this some kind of joke? Who let this disrespectful kid into the room? Besides, wasn't this one way too young to even be here? He was dressed naively young, like a baby chick with that bright clothes.“Hey, human garbage,” Oliver growled, his playful demeanor shifting in an instant. His eyes turned wild, and his grin morphed into something feral. “Don’t look at me like that.” He hurled his knife with terrifying precision, the blade grazing Rex’s neck and leaving a shallow cut. Blood trickled down, making Rex stumble b
Damien didn't speak, instead, he pulled out a gun, turning it around and examining it, a crude expression on his face.His right-hand man, Eric, stepped forward. Unlike his boss, Eric is also active and very talkative in this kind of moment when it comes to cleaning up filth like this."Take a guess," Eric said coolly, his tone sharp enough to cut glass.Rex’s eyes darted to Damien, who was calmly examining a sleek, custom-made gun. A shiver ran down his spine. He recognized the weapon—a modified Smith & Wesson, known for its devastating effects. The bullets it fired didn’t just kill, they tortured, leaving behind excruciatingly slow, acid-induced agony. It was an acid that burned through everything until the pearly white bone was exposed. That pain alone would have people begging for death over mercy.Mr. Damien, I-I’m not sure of the purpose of your visit. V-velvet vipers hasn’t interfered with the Cross’s business—”“Blood fist.” Damien’s icy voice cut through the tense atmosphere,
Just as Rex reached for his expensive wine again, the door to the room burst open with a thunderous crash, silencing the revelry in an instant. Crimson laser dots swarmed the room, targeting every man, freezing them in place.Rex barely blinked when he saw the commotion. It was not something new to have enemies barge into the place he was having fun. Probably, it would end with another threat conversation before the other party leaves. Calmly, he sipped his drink and set it down. But just as his fingers released the glass, a bullet shattered it, spilling the expensive liquor onto his custom Dior shoes."Bold little bastards," Rex muttered, his patience wearing thin. Reaching into his waistband, he pulled out a pistol.Upon seeing the lethal weapon in his hand, the women beside scattered like frightened mice, their shrieks piercing the tension-filled air. They weren't women who worked for the clan, instead, they were just simple escorts and prostitutes called in to please these big-sho
After switching the light on, her eyes landed on a set of bags near the couch. The scent of familiar dishes wafted through the air, and her heart twisted painfully. He had brought her favorite foods, likely intending to eat with her.He had wanted to eat with her. Her chest prickled with guilt and for a moment, she hesitated.But then she glanced at the shattered vase she had thrown in anger, and the guilt was replaced by frustration. Gathering the bags, she marched to the door and opened it to find Damien’s bodyguards standing stiffly outside.“You must be hungry standing out here all day,” she said, shoving the bags into their hands. “Take these. I’m not in the mood to eat.”The men exchanged bewildered glances.“Lady Boss, are you sure—”“If you don’t want them, throw them away,” she said curtly, shutting the door before they could protest further.“We can't really toss this away, can't we? This is too expensive." One of the bodyguards said, glancing at the bag while the others nod
His scowl deepened, and for a moment, she thought he might explode. But instead, he bit back whatever retort had been on the tip of his tongue. He knew that pushing her further would only backfire.“I understand you hate hospitals,” he said after a long pause, his voice gentler. “But staying here and resting is for your own good. You’re too stubborn to take care of yourself, so I have to do it for you.”Did he view her as a child? Why was he so persistent in keeping her here? She could recuperate somewhere else with a personal doctor — anything was fine, as long as it wasn't this chemical-filled location brimming with painful memories.Eva’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I don’t need your intervention.”His eyes narrowed, his irritation simmering just beneath the surface. “Don’t be stubborn—”“You’re a hypocrite,” she shot back before she could stop herself. Well, to some extent, she was hypocritical."Ehm, ehm……you demand me to not be stubborn, but here you are again, also being st
Eva felt her heart ache at the tone of Damien's voice, so small and fragile, like that of a lost child. Her chest tightened with guilt for having pushed him to this point. Her logical mind chastised her for taking things too far, while her heart yearned to soothe and comfort him.“Will you do it again?” she asked softly, her fingers tracing gentle circles over his rough, calloused hands.Immediately, his hand shifted to clasp hers tightly, intertwining their fingers in a firm yet comforting grip. Her heart skipped a beat at the gesture, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of her lips.“I can’t promise you a definite no,” he admitted, his deep voice muffled as he rested his head on her shoulder. He breathed her in—the intoxicating, calming scent of jasmine filling his senses and clouding his mind. “But I will try my hardest to be lenient.”She paused, unsure how to respond. Sensing her silence, Damien tightened his hold on her fingers, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.“Are you sti
Eva’s heart pounded as she searched for a way to diffuse his anger. She knew that escalating this tension would only make things worse. Desperate, she decided to play a different card—a gamble.“Tell me, how would you like to handle the consequences? Perhaps I should start with—" He was interrupted when she abruptly stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight embrace. The suddenness of her action made him freeze in place.“What are you doing?" He blinked. "Damien," she murmured softly, her voice sweet and soothing. She pressed her face against his chest, rubbing her cheek against the silk of his shirt.His body stiffened, his clenched fists trembling at his sides. "This won't work," he said, though his voice had lost its sharp edge."I'm cold," she whispered, her words muffled against his chest."Eva," he warned, but his tone lacked conviction."Won’t you hug me?" She tilted her head up, gazing at him with wide, pleading eyes and a slight pout on her lips. Her heart ski
After bidding Belle goodbye and promising her one last time that she would return tomorrow, Eva walked down the hospital halls with a spring in her step. A soft hum escaped her lips, her arms filled with snacks Belle had insisted she take. The little girl had brightened her day and made her feel less alone in the dreariness of the hospital."You shout it out, but I can't hear a word you sayI'm talking loud, not saying muchI'm criticized, but all your bullets ricochetShoot me down, but I get up," Eva softly sang, her favorite song playing in her mind as she strolled back to her room. She smiled, wondering if her friend Nathalie would enjoy the snacks she was carrying.“I'm bulletproof, nothing to loseFire away, fire awayRicochet, you take your aimFire away, fire awayShe was in such a good mood that she even gently danced along the hallway to her. “You shoot me down, but I won't fallI am titanium………..”“You shoot me down, but I won't fallI am titanium” a low voice suddenly com
She paused, her mind flashing back to the countless fights, the shattered dishes, the cold silences that followed her every rebellion. "But I didn’t let their expectations control me. I chose my path, even when it meant walking away from them entirely." Eva let out a sigh, her gaze still focused outside the window. " I really loved it when I refused them, even though it would earn me being slapped senselessly. I always find pleasure somehow and I took pride in becoming the perfect, graceful black sheep of that damned family.” Belle hung on every word, her eyes wide with admiration and curiosity."But," She continued. “I only did it when I was a grown adult, legal enough to make my own choices. My plan wasn't perfect nor did it work in pleasing my family, but then again, why should I continue to please them when they were never family to me in the first place?" Eva gently moved her gaze back to Belle, leaning forward, "However, as someone who has gone through all that, you should k