THE HIGH-RISE CAGEThe place smelled like polished wood, leather, and a hint of floral perfume. It was modern, pristine, and almost... sterile. Glass banisters lined the staircase, and the open kitchen boasted shiny stainless steel appliances with sleek black countertops. A massive black dining table divided the space between the kitchen and the living room. Everything screamed luxury, but it felt cold and impersonal.I could feel Lysander's eyes on me as I took it all in. His gaze made me hyper-aware of every move I made, like I was some kind of exotic animal in a zoo exhibit. I tried to act casual, but my stomach was doing somersaults."So... this is home sweet home, huh?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady.Lysander nodded, his expression unreadable. "It is now. For both of us."I wandered over to the floor-to-ceiling windows, drawn by the breathtaking view of the city below. But as I stood there, all I could think about was how trapped I felt. Sure, it was a beautiful setting
MY NEW ROLES AS A WIFE AND HOSTAGE As I sat there, lost in thought, I heard a knock at the bedroom door. I jumped, half-expecting to see Lysander, but instead, it was a woman I didn't recognize."Mrs. Vincenzo?" she said hesitantly. "I'm Samantha, the housekeeper. Mr. Vincenzo asked me to help you settle in."I stared at her for a moment, taking in her appearance. She was older than I expected, probably in her fifties, with graying hair pulled back in a neat bun. Her kind eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled at me."Oh, um, hi," I said, suddenly feeling awkward. "I'm Kylie. But I guess you already knew that."Samantha’s smile widened. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Vincenzo. Is there anything you need help with?"I shook my head, then paused. "Actually, could you show me around? This place is like a maze.""Of course," she said, gesturing for me to follow her. "Let's start with the essentials."For the next hour, Samantha gave me a tour of the apartment, showing me where everythi
AFTER DINNER I dabbed concealer under my eyes, trying to hide the redness. God, I've been crying again. With a sigh, I smoothed down my skirt and tugged at my sleeveless blouse. I was going for casual but put-together. As if I could hide the mess I felt inside with a cute outfit.The city buzzed outside my window, but here, it was so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat. I felt like I was waiting for a bomb to go off. In a way, I guess I was. Lysander was coming, and I never knew what version of him I'd get.When the door opened, I nearly jumped out of my skin. Lysander filled the doorway, big and intimidating as always. But something was off. His eyes, usually sharp enough to cut glass, looked tired. His shoulders, normally squared like he was ready for a fight, seemed to sag a bit.I watched his eyes scan the room, taking in every detail. When he spotted the family photo on the nightstand, I blurted out, "I wasn't sure which was your side. I can move it to the other nightstand if yo
THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE AND LONELINESSI woke up to an empty bed. The sheets beside me were cool but rumpled, a silent reminder that Lysander had already left. For a moment, I just lay there, listening to the thick silence of the room, broken only by the distant hum of traffic far below. It felt wrong, waking up alone in this strange place.With a frustrated flick, I pushed off the soft blankets. My bare feet touched the cold, polished hardwood floor, sending a shiver up my spine. I reached for my phone, hoping for... something. A text. A note. Anything. But the screen was empty, just like the space beside me.Light streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room. It should have been beautiful, but it only made me feel more alone. My pulse quickened as anger welled up inside me. Lysander knew I didn't know anyone in New York. How could he just leave me here like this?I was about to crawl back into bed and hide under the covers when a smell hit me – rich coffee mixed w
A LIFE UNDER WATCH The sound of my heels tapping against the pavement echoed in my ears, louder than it should have been. Each step felt faster, almost frantic, and I could sense Kim just a few feet behind me, his slow, deliberate strides a constant reminder that he was always there. Always watching. I didn’t bother turning around this time. I could feel his presence like a heavy shadow, looming behind me, making my skin crawl. It wasn’t that I was afraid of him — far from it — but the way he followed me, like I was some fragile thing that needed constant protection, grated on my nerves. I sucked in a breath of the crisp late afternoon air, trying to calm myself. The city was alive around me, a chaotic blend of car horns, murmuring voices, and the occasional clatter from nearby construction. Normally, I found comfort in the noise, the way it drowned out my thoughts. But today, it only made the tension in my chest worse.“Can you please walk beside me?” I finally snapped, throwing a
A DANCE OF FORBIDDEN PLEASURE "Yes... deeper, awhh" More moans could be heard as I peeped through.And there it was... the secret I craved to see.And sure it does hurt."Have it... ahhn, you want it.""Now beg!" Lysander said, panting as he gives the woman faint slaps on her ass from behind.The woman squeals in pleasure whilst sticking her tongues."Please... fuck... me.""Yes ah... ahh... umm!""Yes. There, yeah, there, deeper.""Go deeper!"The woman continues to moan loudly as her clutches on the bedsheets tightened... with her even bending over helplessly.Lysander went ahead and rubbed her clits as he gave her more reasons to moan out in pleasure.I watched it all happen in disappointment and disgust....he pulls out and had her turn with her back laying down in bed.Then goes ahead and gobble her up... sucking and flapping his tongue around and in her clitsThe woman's eyes roll in extreme bliss."G...od ...ahh... yh.. So good!" Her eyes were still white as she sticks her tong
THE SHADOWS OF INFIDELITY, AND FRACTURED VOWS BEYOND FORGIVENESS I slammed the door behind me, my chest heaving with anger and betrayal. The sound echoed through the apartment, but it wasn’t enough to drown out the whirlwind in my head. My heart pounded, not from fear, but from the sheer rage threatening to boil over.Kim’s eyes widened as he spotted me. His relief was almost palpable, but I didn’t care. The knot of fury in my chest only tightened.“Where’s Lysander?” I spat, my voice cold and biting. “Back with his whore?”Kim frowned, clearly uncomfortable, but he didn’t answer right away. His hand twitched toward his phone, probably ready to report to Lysander that I was home. Loyal to a fault, that one. Still, it grated on me — everyone was so damn loyal to Lysander, like he could do no wrong.I rolled my eyes at Kim’s silence and turned away, feeling the sting in my chest sharpening. Why was I even lashing out at him? He hadn’t done anything... But Lysander did. And that was eno
A MOMENT OF REFLECTION The room was dim, only a faint glow from a single lamp casting long shadows across the walls. The scent of leather and Lysander’s expensive cologne hung in the air, but none of it eased the tension sitting between them. Kylie sat stiffly, arms crossed, her jaw tight. She could feel Lysander's eyes on her, but she refused to meet his gaze. Lysander, leaning back in his chair, looked way too relaxed for her liking. His smirk was infuriating.“Other things?” He started, voice laced with amusement. “What kind of other things we talkin’ about, huh?” He cocked an eyebrow, the tease barely masking his smugness.Kylie rolled her eyes. “This is useless,” she snapped, turning her face away from him, trying to create some distance. Her fingers curled into tight fists, nails digging into her palms to keep herself from launching across the room and wiping that smirk off his face.“Useless, huh?” Lysander chuckled, the sound low and rough. “Nah, sweetheart. I’d say we’re ju
LOVE CONFESSIONS BETWEEN KYLIE AND LYSANDER “It’s not a matter of wanting, Lysander. I couldn’t just decide to stop loving you if I tried.”He nodded, a shadow of understanding flickering across his face. “And you hate that you love me. You’ve said that before.”“No.” I shook my head slowly, feeling the weight of each word. “Not anymore. I know exactly who you are. You’re not a good man — never have been. I knew that from the start, and I don’t care. I should care. I should lose sleep over it, feel guilty for being okay with my husband running one of the most dangerous and ruthless crime syndicates in the country. But I don’t. What does that make me?” I looked down at my hands, the very hands that had gripped a gun just days ago, fingers that had pulled a trigger without hesitation, without even a shiver of regret. “I killed a man, Lysander. And I don’t feel sorry. Not even a little. I’d do it all over again.” My gaze lifted, meeting his. “What does that make me, Lysander? I’m like yo
KYLIE'S TREATMENT I woke up in an unfamiliar bed, its soft sheets a surprising contrast to the deep ache that pulsed through every inch of me. My head felt thick, as if stuffed with cotton, and each breath seemed to move through a fog of lingering pain. Blinking through the haze, my gaze drifted to the side, and I found Ava lying there, curled up and fast asleep. Light was spilling into the room, hinting that several hours had passed since the chaos of last night.Ava had a dark bruise swelling across her forehead, a stark reminder of the violence we’d both endured. But I was sure I looked worse. Attempting to sit up, I was rewarded with a fierce, tearing pain in my shoulder, a reminder of the bullet that had torn into my flesh. Looking down, I saw my upper arm and shoulder neatly wrapped in layers of bandages, evidence of Lysander’s insistence that I be taken care of.A soft murmur from Ava broke the silence, her eyes fluttering open. Upon seeing me, a look of relief washed over her
THE CAPTIVE KYLIE “As in, Kylie Vincenzo?” the man sneered, his smile as sharp as a knife.I nodded, resisting the impulse to look away. There was no use denying who I was; they’d only use it against me. The man barked something in Russian, and the others erupted into coarse laughter, their eyes leering over me with an intensity that made my skin crawl.“Where are the others?” His gaze slid over me with a lazy malice. “Your shadow and the children?”It took me a second to grasp who he meant by 'shadow' - my protector, always near. I cleared my throat, keeping my voice even. “I don’t know,” I replied.His answer was a brutal kick to Ava, who lay crumpled on the floor nearby. She screamed, the sound shredding through the thick tension. Her wide, pleading eyes met mine, silently begging me not to give them anything. But how could I just watch as they hurt her?The muffled echo of voices and gunfire grew louder, filtering in from outside. The Russian leader grabbed me, yanking me close u
THE SYNDICATE BLOODY ATTACK Ava’s words cut deep. “I’m not like you, Kylie. You’re eager to please him, to do anything he says. I’m not like that. I won’t submit to anyone.”I flinched, her bitterness hitting me like a slap. Ava had never spoken to me this way, her usual warmth replaced by a steely, almost furious glare that sent chills down my spine. Before I could respond, she stood up abruptly, her movements sharp and agitated. I reached out, hoping to calm her, but she yanked her arm out of my grasp, her body tense with barely restrained anger."Just leave me alone, Kylie,” she hissed. “I can’t talk to you right now." With a final look that was equal parts hurt and fury, she turned on her heel and stormed off, her silhouette disappearing towards the beach. I stood frozen, torn between following her and giving her the space she clearly wanted. But as I weighed my options, Chaol appeared from the shadows, watching her leave.“No, let her go,” I said softly, raising a hand to stop h
PETER VINCENZO'S FUNERAL The sky over New York was cloaked in thick, somber clouds, dark and heavy, almost as if in mourning. Yet, no rain fell. It was as though the heavens themselves were holding back, leaving a stifling stillness hanging over the cemetery. This weather suited the occasion too perfectly, as if nature itself paid homage to Peter Vincenzo, whose influence had been both feared and revered in New York's underworld. Today, a silent gathering of the city's elite, powerful Mafia families, and high-ranking members from the Chicago Outfit filled the cemetery, all drawn here by tradition, respect, or perhaps simple obligation.A tension hung in the air, barely masked by the solemnity of the occasion. The perimeter of the cemetery had been secured, a tight ring of soldiers ensuring the Syndicate didn't dare encroach upon this delicate moment. Both New York and Chicago had made a calculated risk in allowing so many high-ranking members to attend the funeral, a meeting of vulne
COLD MOMENTS BETWEEN KYLIE AND LYSANDER As I lay in bed, staring into the shadows, sleep eluded me entirely. The emptiness of the space beside me felt almost tangible. For the past three days, Lysander and I had barely spoken, a thick tension hanging between us since that last, heated argument. Despite that, each night, without fail, we’d drifted into sleep side by side, gravitating toward each other in the dark. It was a silent truce, one we both respected in the quiet hours of the night, but as soon as morning broke, the distance between us returned like an unyielding tide. Tonight, though, that warmth was gone, and the cool sheets seemed to press into me, reminding me of his absence. I missed his touch, his breath, the steady beat of his heart lulling me to sleep. I missed him even in ways I hated to admit — to myself, or to him. I could almost feel the weight of his hand on my waist, guiding me into a deep slumber. Yet, here I was, alone, my body yearning in a way that I didn’t
AVA AND DORIAN IMMINENT UNION: KYLIE'S DISAPPROVAL The elevator doors opened, and Lysander stepped into the penthouse. His gaze shifted from Kim to me, his brow furrowing as he took in my expression.“He’s here. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I ended the call, my heart racing with a mixture of anger and heartbreak. I hadn’t thought I could feel hatred for Lysander again, but in that moment, I wanted to make him hurt the way I was hurting.I stormed inside, my fists clenched as I advanced toward him. Lysander’s calm gaze tracked my movements, but he didn’t flinch, didn’t move to stop me. The lack of reaction fueled my rage, and before I knew it, my fists were pounding against his chest.Lysander’s expression shifted, his body tensing in shock. Behind him, I saw Kim rise from the sofa, unsure of whether he should intervene. But Lysander didn’t need help with me; he was far stronger, and in a moment, he had both my wrists locked in one hand.“Kylie, what the hell—”I didn’t let him finish, je
KYLIE AND LYSANDER BROMANCE CONTINUES TO GROW STRONG...Just when I thought I couldn’t take any more, he drew back, leaving me breathless and trembling. With a gentle but insistent motion, he shifted me beneath him, his gaze softening as he whispered, “Let me take care of you.” He guided himself against me, pausing to meet my eyes as he began to move slowly, allowing me to adjust to the fullness. His touch was unhurried, each movement careful as he eased me into a steady rhythm, coaxing the tension from my body.He murmured softly, his words both soothing and deeply possessive. "I need you close, principessa. Your warmth, your touch — it’s everything."Gradually, he picked up the pace, sensing my growing comfort, and his hand moved to stroke me gently, sending shivers through my body. The mix of pleasure and intensity left me breathless, and soon, I felt myself tipping over the edge once again, my fingers gripping his shoulders as I let go.When he finally released, he stayed close, h
KYLIE'S FIRST NIGHT WITH LYSANDER As their eyes met, Kylie felt her breath catch. "Please," she whispered, her voice laced with a mix of apprehension and need.Lysander traced a finger down her bare skin, moving unhurriedly, savoring each soft gasp she made. "You really want this, Kylie?" His voice held a rough, unyielding edge, yet beneath it, something gentle shimmered."Yes," she managed, her voice barely more than a murmur.He didn’t give in immediately. Instead, he leaned in, his warm breath tickling her as his lips pressed against her inner thigh, coaxing a shudder from deep within her. His mouth brushed over her, tantalizing, each touch sending sparks racing through her veins until she felt like she couldn’t take another second of his restraint."Patience," he growled softly, easing a finger into her slowly. His thumb circled, teased, and built a rhythm that matched the increasingly frantic beat of her heart. His mouth followed, tongue tracing patterns that drove her closer to