Marco's POV Beautiful. Cozy. Peaceful. My morning could be summarized in those words. And for a fact, I had never felt that much relief in ages. The steady rise and fall of Elara's chest on mine, her warm breath that stroked my hairy body, and occasional soft sighs, made me watch her like a guardian. She was nestled in my arms, and on my broad chest, covering barely half of my build. Her eyes were closed, and fine eyelashes adorned her pretty face. The sun rays filtered in through the raised blinds and settled on her face. Oops. I reached for the remote and adjusted it, and on me, Elara simply pressed her eyes shut and didn't even try to look away. My gaze narrowed and I studied her in keen silence. “You don't have to be so dramatic to trap me in bed.”A light chuckle erupted from her. Skilled player, she groaned as if she was still sleeping. “Do you still need me here?” My calloused palm lay on the small of her bare back, and I stroked upward, caressing her spine. “No mo
Elara's POV Evelyn is calling?!With so much skeleton in my cupboard, I grabbed the phone from the top drawer, and instantly pulled away from Marco. I was only a few feet away from him. As expected, he turned to face me but didn't move. His eyes roamed along my body and did all the movements his body didn't. Finally, they rested on my hand. “Is there something I should know?”His bass echoed in the room. His tone was deeper than it was a while ago. I rolled my eyes at him, not giving any response. “You, of all people, should know,” I replied vaguely. It was hell silly if he set the flames and pretended to care. He killed Matthew, and we're still searching for the killer. I didn't want him to know we'd gone to the station, just like I also didn't want Evelyn to know that Marco was the killer. Grabbing the robe by the bed stand, I threw it on me, covering my body. “Excuse me.” I started for the door, eager to pick up the call, but it ended. “Know we've already cleaned the me
Elara’s POV “What the heck?!”I sprang to my feet at my mother’s revelation. The words were hard to digest and for the hundredth time, I hoped it was a stunt. “Get ready, we’re hosting your betrothed for breakfast, tomorrow.” Sitting graciously in her seat with her legs crossed at the knee, there were no signs of remorse or anything I expected. Beside her, my father just looked at me with what seemed like pity. He folded the newspaper he was reading and tried poor damage control. “Look, honey,” he muffled. “It's for the best…”“I'm not even ready.” I angrily cut him off. “And even if I were, it would never be to a stranger.” “Young lady,” my mother snapped. “I can tolerate your cussing, but what I won't take is you disobeying your father.” This wasn't a joke after all. “He's not a stranger. Plus, he's a good guy.” I held back a series of sobs about to rip out. All my life, I had taken orders from them and lived under their umbrella like the decent daughter of a clergyman sho
Elara’s POV “No. No. No…” My heart sank as I stared hard at the pregnancy strip. It's been four weeks since the reckless affair. Suddenly feeling strange and missing my period, I had to get the test kit after much reluctance. “Please, god.” I mumbled, my fingers shook terribly. This felt like the longest one minute of my lifetime. Two marks?!My heart dropped deep into my stomach, with my guts twisting hard on themselves. It felt like I would pass out. Thick beads of sweat broke out of my pores and drenched me in ruin. First, I was engaged to a man I barely knew, gave my virginity to a freaking stranger who was reckless enough to bang me without protection, and now… “Argh!” I fell flat on my butt and cried. The sting from the fall wasn't as brutal as my broken heart, blocking the painful sensation as a result. My whole life was in shambles!!!“No. This can't be happening.” I groaned in severe pain and scoffed in disbelief. Unexpectedly, I heard my room door burst open and t
Elara’s POV ‘Let this be our little dirty secret.’ My mother’s words continued to replay in my head. Tonight, over dinner, I’d decide if to get rid of the baby, or pin it on Nathaniel. Or, let Marco in…Standing on the subway, I looked at the grand building that had ruined my life. Quite shaky, I was not ready to face the devil twice. Perhaps if he was warm, it would only be to get in between my thighs twice. A man like him dreaded commitment, talk more of with a loose stranger like myself. Tears stung my eyes. I was about to experience a meltdown in public. I couldn't fathom getting rid of an innocent child. ‘Not now, Elara.’I cautioned myself and shut my eyes for a while, so I could get myself together. Sin. Filth. Darkness. They were the only thing Marco reeked of. Even if he accepted responsibility, he wasn't a man I could take to my parents, or show to the world, or even be around my baby. ‘What have I done?!’ Oddly, the strong wave of his cologne, coupled with the fee
MARCO’S POV “Your father’s killer is on the run.” Kaid informed me, his voice as cold as ice as he yapped. We were on the terrace of my 80-foot tall mansion and holding my glass of brandy and my cigar, I dragged and gulped, the strong mix of alcohol and mint-flavored cigar hit me hard in my guts…Just as fucking hard as Elara! I scoffed and bit my lower lip, weird emotions consumed me, spreading smoothly like poison. She was young and naive. That night, I had groomed her to be mine, only to meet her absence. Somehow, her actions bruised my ego in an irredeemable way, and it made me detest and crave her at the same time. Her smooth skin was like white chocolate beneath my hard brown one, sweet-smelling fragrance, and provocative innocence! Never has a lady crossed my bed twice, but with Elara, it was my freaking mind! I had caught her sight when she stood afar as if trying to call for me. So, I stalked her and found out who she truly was. The daughter of an arch-enemy! After
Elara’s POV Three Years Later.“... Your daughter just fell off the stairs and she is in a bad state.” Numb. Dumb. My mouth fell a gap but no words formed. With my mind going blank for a minute, I stuttered in utter confusion. My heart pounded as if it would explode.“Come to the hospital right away, Miss Lilian.” The cold tone of Violet’s teacher echoed in my head. The call dropped. My cute three-year-old was supposed to be in school and I was going to pick her up in about an hour… Not this crap! ‘Paediatrics Emergency Ward. Mardi Clinic.’My phone chimed with the message. I shot up and bolted for the door, not caring about how shabby I looked. I hissed the address once I flagged down the first taxi. Mumbling strings of prayers, my eyes shut to hold back tears. My legs quivered and I was this close to tossing the driver out of the window and driving myself there, that's if I wouldn't be long dead from the crazy speed. On arrival, I paid him and jumped down without waiting fo
Marco’s POV Shocked. Terrified…Watching Elara’s pretty face turn paper white as she was drenched in horror, I read off her reactions, unable to place the last emotions that lingered. Guilt?...“Are you- are you stalking me?” Sweet and seductive, just as I remembered, her voice trembling voice betrayed the last straw of her confidence. With each step I took towards her, she pulled backward, and the rough click of her heels scrapped the tarred road. She gasped when kissing her back and kissed the high wall of an already closed mall. Her small fingers laced in anxiety and her eyes widened as I approached her. I leaned forward, towering my huge frame over her petite ones. My outstretched hand pressed to the wall, above her head. “Is that one of your fetish?” This time, I half-crashed against her, my mouth lingering around her small face. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she pressed her eyes shut. My hand itched beside me, in need to clutch around her white fragile neck and slip
Elara's POV Evelyn is calling?!With so much skeleton in my cupboard, I grabbed the phone from the top drawer, and instantly pulled away from Marco. I was only a few feet away from him. As expected, he turned to face me but didn't move. His eyes roamed along my body and did all the movements his body didn't. Finally, they rested on my hand. “Is there something I should know?”His bass echoed in the room. His tone was deeper than it was a while ago. I rolled my eyes at him, not giving any response. “You, of all people, should know,” I replied vaguely. It was hell silly if he set the flames and pretended to care. He killed Matthew, and we're still searching for the killer. I didn't want him to know we'd gone to the station, just like I also didn't want Evelyn to know that Marco was the killer. Grabbing the robe by the bed stand, I threw it on me, covering my body. “Excuse me.” I started for the door, eager to pick up the call, but it ended. “Know we've already cleaned the me
Marco's POV Beautiful. Cozy. Peaceful. My morning could be summarized in those words. And for a fact, I had never felt that much relief in ages. The steady rise and fall of Elara's chest on mine, her warm breath that stroked my hairy body, and occasional soft sighs, made me watch her like a guardian. She was nestled in my arms, and on my broad chest, covering barely half of my build. Her eyes were closed, and fine eyelashes adorned her pretty face. The sun rays filtered in through the raised blinds and settled on her face. Oops. I reached for the remote and adjusted it, and on me, Elara simply pressed her eyes shut and didn't even try to look away. My gaze narrowed and I studied her in keen silence. “You don't have to be so dramatic to trap me in bed.”A light chuckle erupted from her. Skilled player, she groaned as if she was still sleeping. “Do you still need me here?” My calloused palm lay on the small of her bare back, and I stroked upward, caressing her spine. “No mo
Marco's POV Her. My mind suddenly shifted entirely from my troubles and remained on the wild thoughts she stirred within my dark soul. Once drowning in grief, I now had a warm smile on my lips, as radiant as the moon. I didn't need a lone time, or alcohol, or them bitches… the missing ‘peace’ was all her. Like a bolt, I crushed the flames on my cigar, abandoned the items on the balcony, and rushed back into my room. I was already dried from the cold breeze. I only needed to throw on a random shirt and pants. Once done, I headed out like a crazed doll in a horror show. I got into the SUV from earlier and drove out with one thing on my mind: Elara. Thankfully, there was no traffic to beat or road officers to please. I got home in barely thirty minutes and threw my keys for the valet to carefully park the car in the garage. The sexy petite figure upstairs caught my attention. Elara was on the terrace, watching me like a pet dog. I subconsciously flashed her a warm smile, not
Marco's POV Give to Ceasar what belongs to Ceasars…In dirty, shallow graves, hidden in a remote field downtown, only notorious for the cannibals desperate for human flesh, the remnants of Cent and Lorenzo were buried. The capos assembled behind me, watching in silence, suddenly losing their tongues. I stumped on Cent's grave and dragged my heavy boots down to Lorenzo's. With a nasty smirk, I pulled down my zipper and peed on his grave, letting the amber liquid soak into the dirty black soil. “Wish you a terrible life in hell.” I spat. The thick white foamy saliva mixed with my urine, desecreting his grave. Dangling my flaccid cock and pumping the last drop, I zipped up and turned around. Still wearing the ugly smirk, I looked at each of the older men in irritated anger. “Let this be a warning to you.” I pointed randomly. “You. You. All of you.” Their heads remained bowed. “If anyone fucking dares cross the thin line, your end will be so much worse… I'd so drag your family i
Marco's POV Acid in a Pyrex glass. A loaded gun tucked in my pants. A leather wallet of spiked daggers.Good to go, I carried them to the private chambers where we would be meeting and set the glass beside my seat. The gun remained with me, and so did the set of blades. Hard jaws, and strong facade, but bleeding internally, I walked to the room. I spent the whole night in the study, crying my eyes out. “Marco?” She turned once the door opened. By the dresser, she sat, wrapped in just a bath towel. Her hair was neatly bound in another towel, baring her flawless skin, slender neck, and back. The towel dipped, forming a deep V-shape that sharply cut in, almost revealing her bum cheeks. Not expecting her reaction, she secured the towel around her chest and rushed towards me. She threw herself on me, wrapping me in a suffocating hug. She smelled of lavender and milk, and something so sweet. Elara…I held back a sob, refusing to break down on the day I'd drink their blood in return
Marco's POV The next bastard just rode in, right into my fucking trap. From my smart watch, I monitored the outside of my home. Once bitten, I wasn't trusting any fucker. Still ignorant of my findings, he fully parked in the garage, and casually strolled in, maintaining his gentleman steps. Soon, he'd ring me to inform me of his presence. “I'll be back soon, cioccolato bianco.”Leaning in, I pressed a light kiss on Elara's forehead. She was nestled in my arms, in total surrender, and sleeping as peacefully as a child with their guardian angel. This was the same lady who almost ripped me in shreds. Elara. A small smile crept along my lips. Gently, I admired her pretty features, big eyeballs, with long eyelashes that swept her face, full pouty lips, long ass…The more I looked, I found how perfect she was, not the other way around. I tried to free myself from her, as she was on my chest, and my arm was beneath her tender body. She whimpered sleepily and sighed in discomfort.
Marco's POV “Elara, drop the knife…”“Stay away from me.” She thrust the sharp blade forward. “I'm serious.”Her voice was shaky. Just like her hands. Fear, anxiety, pain… I fed off them, but this ripped my heart, pulled the soft muscles, and pricked my skin. “Listen to me…”“Marco.” She warned, breathing labored each second. “I'm warning you.”Eyes not on the weapon, but on her, holding her gaze carefully, silently whispering words to her. Now, I was at the base of the stairs, a few inches away from her. She staggered backward, clutching the weapon in both hands. “Let's not do this, Elara.” I muffled, replacing her steps with mine. “God.” She groaned, hitting the edge of a couch. That was it, she didn't move again. Now, I was more careful. “Put down the weapon.” I gently ordered. “Elara…”I reached for her hand, but she shoved the knife forward, plunging the tip into my palm. I groaned but didn't pull away. Instead, I let the blade sear deep into my palm, tearing down my s
Marco's POV ‘Time's up, bitches!’ “You. You. You.”I pointed at Ramson's staff, one at a time, my eyes as red as a wounded bull, fingers almost sticking in their faces, and my voice deep with a thick slice of poison. “No more going through his galleries. Stick to his call logs.”They gulped dryly in fear and nodded, eyes pinned to my fierce statue. “And if any fucking photo leaks…” I let out a dark chuckle. “There'd be no pieces of your body left to bury. Not even your loved ones will be spared.”Again, they nodded firmly, too terrified to say a word in argument or defense. With that, I turned to leave, nurturing the darkest thoughts for Kaid. I'd peel his sacs like onions and dice his testicle. The fuck he was playing with?! “Mr. Conti.” Ramson rushed behind me. When I stopped, he almost bumped into me. My stern face was all that he needed to speak. I barely had any time left to mess around. “Uh…” He pushed his lens back to his eyes. “I think that it's a bad idea to go now.
Elara's POV ‘For Marco to be away from you… Hate you… Break off the deal - Isn't that what you've always wanted, Elara?’The tiny voice in my head questioned its tone was a mix of mockery and reality. Without denial, that was exactly what I hoped for, wished for, and prayed for. I wanted to be away from him for my peace of mind, for Violet. Except now, it only felt wrong. It felt like I had been charged with life imprisonment like I was trapping myself in a box and shutting it out of the world. Marco, the supposedly black demon, was my light, the brightest after Violet. He'd shown me what true love and obsession meant, what it felt like to be loved by a king of his kind. Maybe quite psychopathic, but genuine… or too dominant, but what if I wouldn't want to be loved any other way? “Damn it.”I sighed and fell flat on the bed, tired of the dozens of thoughts going through my mind at a go. The few days he'd recoiled to his shell, treated me like nothing other than an object for