EmmaBirds fly through the sky together, a swarm of black dots high above the tall wall surrounding the property as they dance a unique pattern in the sky. I swallow lightly; the cooled water warmed as I held it in my mouth.And though I feel freer here than I have over the last six years, that small part of me wants to fly up there as free as any bird as I wished for so many years.I've trained all day, only taking a break when Niko demanded I eat and drink at just after two pm for fear I would fall to the ground due to low blood sugar or dehydration on his watch. The honesty of the matter is that I needed a distraction, and sparring with Luca's men was the distraction of a century. Only because I'm better than them, and that brings me a thrill like no other. I'm sure if they started putting me on my arse, then I wouldn't crave to show them up any second I could.He's been there all day, too, standing at the French doors that lead into the garden. The patio beneath his bare feet, t
I shiver into his chest, clinging to his naked skin as he walks me into the house, taking me through to his office, kicking the door shut behind him with a few choice swear words. I'm staring blankly as he opens another door inside his office—a bedroom I hadn't known about coming into full view.It's sparsely decorated, with a large bed covered in blue silk bedding, two bedside tables to either side and one dresser with a TV on the wall opposite the bed.Niko places me down on my feet, his hand immediately coming up to my cheek; he holds me there before him, his eyes never leaving my own as his thumb strokes along my wet cheek."I'm sorry, bambina. I shouldn't have left my post," he whispers, his thumb stroking away a stray tear falling down my cheek. His thumb catches it, and he brings it to his mouth to lick as I watch with parted lips, and my breath hitched in my throat.Something transpires between us, but my mind is so frayed I can't explain exactly what it is that I'm feeling
LucaThey say there's a fine line between love and hate: you cannot live with one without the other. You can only walk one line with the other mimicking parallel.In some instances, you have to make those who love you hate you. And vice versa, those who hate you love you, and I wholly believe that.But there's a fine line between rage and freight that interconnects with the love and hate you feel for someone. The rage that comes from the anguish of actions made by others toward a person of interest is one of the most potent emotions to arise from loving or hating someone. That's how I feel sitting in the SUV.We've just landed; it's not much after midnight, and I should be happy to be back in England, yet I'm so livid that my vision is pulsating with red. The haze threatens to take me under its spell as I plan the demise of every man left within my compound.I can't blame the team I took with me, but the two who arrived in the SUVs to take us home were in the compound when the event
Emma's lying in his bed, surrounded by his bedding, the room smelling just like him; I press my nose to her ear, sniffing her face, which, if I'm not mistaken, has his smell along with cigarette smoke.He touched her, and that realisation has me reeling.Reeling because the anger doesn't come as I thought it might. I moan aloud at the confusion. I hate that she's here, but I also love that she's surrounded by my number two, my best friend.The sudden urge to share her with him takes me for six, knocking me over figuratively because I never thought of doing that with her. But now that my mind is made up, I know the endless possibilities of fun we could have between business deals.Fuck..."I'm sorry, bambina," I whisper before straightening up. What am I going to do?Well, I'll deal with Aldo. And then I'll plan her derailment the second I have her on our wedding night. She doesn't know what's coming, but I won't alarm her. I'll keep my desires a secret; that's the best way forward.
Emma "Luca," I whisper as he leans over me; there's that weird smell of something I do not wish to recall, the past calling me down memory lane, but I push it aside, sighing as I open my eyes into the unfamiliar room that knocks me sideways as the memories of last night come crashing through my mind like a freight train.I breathe, smelling as I note Niko's manly aftershave surrounding me as if it's enveloping me like a second skin."I'm so sorry, bambina... have you rested enough?" Luca asks, his palm cupping my cheek tenderly as if he thinks I might suddenly break before him.Maybe I will, but I won't allow him to see that, especially not because of the way he's looking at me.I nod, my throat raw and sore; it's then I know I've been crying in my sleep, my cheeks suddenly feeling wet and sticky. Strands of hair clutch to the moisture as if they've lived in the Sahara and require the water my eyes have expelled."I need you to get up, bambina; I don't think I can hold on to my anger
Aldo's eyes rise to mine, an evil smirk plastered on his face as he holds me captive. My insides crawl, and the memories of my ordeal flood my mind as I start to hyperventilate.It's too soon. I shouldn't be in his presence this soon, but I know that Luca feels like he needs to do this."Aldo is a traitor, and traitors always have accomplishes," Luca looks to his men.I ride my gaze away from Aldo, staring out among the men who now frown. I hadn't expected this turn of events; I hadn't expected that more than just Aldo had planned my rape.I'm shaking now, my body trembling out of control, and all I want to do is climb into bed and hide beneath the duvet to sleep away the terror of yesterday, but that's not what happens.Niko steps beside me, his arm circling my waist as he holds me captive to him, and Luca starts calling names as if off a list.Three other men step forward, their gazes reaching mine. But only one of them mouths 'I'm sorry' in an attempt to correct his wrongdoing.I w
LucaAs I watched Emma and Niko work together to take down the man who dared to touch her, I felt a surge of conflicting emotions. On the one hand, I was grateful for his help and support towards her, but on the other, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that it was he who was man enough to stand behind her. After all, shouldn't it have been me by her side, lending my strength and heat to protect her?To make matters worse, I couldn't shake my anger towards Aldo for going against me and trying to take what was mine. It was a betrayal I couldn't forgive, and I knew I had to act accordingly.As I stood in the basement, listening to Aldo boast that he touched 'my pretty little liar', I knew I couldn't stand by and let Aldo live. It wasn't just about protecting my asset—it was about safeguarding the woman I loved, and I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if I hated her because of her choice to leave me before. Loyalty is everything in the game of being part of the m
As I watched my men, I knew I had to find a way to restore the trust and love that had once bound us together whilst remaining as their leader.But where to start? The task ahead of me seemed insurmountable, but I knew I had to try. After all, we were more than just a group of people living together—we were a family."I won't tolerate any form of misconduct towards her. Anyone who dares to touch her or even thinks about her in that inappropriate manner will be met with these severe consequences," I say with a firm tone, glancing sideways to the dead men littered on the floor. "She is our queen—my queen, and as such, she deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and dignity. Let's not forget who she is and what she represents for our future." My words carry a hint of pride and equal amounts of frustration and disappointment, as I can't help but feel that some fail to see the gravity of their brother's actions, so I endeavour to keep my eyes on them.As I turn around and leave, I
Continued:My previous thoughts of not forcing this on her and making her happy in our forced marriage chose this exact time to crop up, my teeth grinding in annoyance as I looked at her thoughtfully."Niko," she breathes my name, making me move to sit up further. Our chests come together as I reach to kiss her neck.I reach around her waist and pluck the bottoms bows just as she had the tops so they float off in the water as the bubbling swirl that's them under their wings."You're beautiful," I murmur against the skin of her neck."Please," she begs. Fuck the beg is almost my undoing; in fact, my cock pulsates at that one word, and yet I find myself exercising complete control to elongate this as far as I can.Instead, I kiss along her collarbone before moving down her breast, sucking her nipple into my mouth to pebble it. I rhythmically lavish it with attention before I release it with a pop so I can move on to its twin."Bianca." I grin when I pop the second one from my mouth. Her
NikoThe morning unfolds with unexpected tranquillity, the sun streaming through the windows and casting warm golden rays across the room that was yesterday shrouded in intense darkness. This ease, however, only amplifies my thoughts, drawing me into a spiral of self-doubt and guilt, haunted by the reality that Bianca faced danger because of my actions.As evening descends, the sky blushes with hues of pink and orange, and we find ourselves ensconced in the soothing embrace of the hot tub. The gentle warmth of the water contrasts with the cool air, wrapping us in a cocoon of serenity while Sven eagerly busies himself, constructing a makeshift bedroom for his stay. The humid air carries the faint scent of cedar and the distant sounds of nature, creating a false sense of security.Our trio had engaged in deep discussions about Sven's plans as we ate breakfast, each idea shared like a lifeline, reinforcing the belief that having another person around would heighten our chances of safety.
Contained: "Sure," Niko nods, touching his mug on the counter with a soft clink. "We'll try," I agree, though the truth looms heavily in my mind: a bond can only deepen with time, and it feels like we've had too little of it. I keep this to myself, reluctant to acknowledge that a part of me senses a wedge still exists between us. However, once we're back home with Luca and Emma, I'm confident we won't get close enough to others for them to attempt to pull us apart anytime soon. "I'll walk you out," Niko offers, trailing after Lucia as she strides towards the front door. The moment she reaches it, her men snap to attention, bowing their heads in unison—an unspoken testament to the respect she commands. Stepping outside onto the already warm, sun-kissed sand, I cast my gaze toward the water and see her boats bobbing gently in the surf. A few small vessels equipped with retractable engines lurk close to shore, while a larger yacht lies further out, seemingly calling for Lucia to ret
Bianca The house stands unchanged, familiarly quiet amidst the dawn's soft golden light. However, outside, a group of men now loom on the beach, pacing restlessly in the early morning glow, moving as if under some unseen directive. Sven strides into the kitchen, getting straight to work, giving Lucia exactly what she suggested down at the safe house. The scent of brewing tea mingles with the salty air wafting in from the open window. He carefully prepares the steaming pot of tea, then digs out a tin of biscuits from a shadowy cupboard that looks empty and unused. Their sweet aroma tempts me as he delicately places them before Lucia. I watch him amused. He's so attentive to her needs, and it's obvious they are very familiar with one another. They share a delightful smile before she speaks. "Thank you, Sven," she replies, her smile radiating warmth that brightens the dim room and my otherwise dark mind. "I'll head out and keep an eye on things with the others," he says, nodding tow
Continued:"Do you want to go home?" I inquire, curiosity mingling with concern. I don't want that, not yet. It's too soon.She nods reflexively, a flicker of hope in her eyes, only to falter and lie by saying, "No.""A honeymoon should surely extend beyond just a few fleeting days," Lucia interjects."The moment they depart, they'll never see each other again," Alexandra adds bitterly, her words sharp and laden with an underlying want."My word, you truly are remarkable, Alex. I wanted to resist believing Dimitri—nor anyone else—but you've really slid down the slope, haven't you?" Lucia's tone mingles exasperation with disbelief."I," she stutters. "I just want to belong," Alexandra insists, her voice trembling with raw vulnerability as if she's revealing a secret she's hidden for too long."Don't we all?" Sven chimes in, his Russian accent thicker than usual, his eyes glinting dangerously. "That doesn't mean we'd stoop so low as to sell out those close to you," he adds, integrating
NikoLucia holds Bianca close; her evident need to protect Bianca radiates from her every gesture. I can see the depth of her concern that she holds, and it tugs at my heart to know Bianca has someone who cares beyond me. It's comforting, in a way, for if anything happens to me, at least I know there's someone else to be Bianca's pillar. Still, I can't shake the longing to rudely intervene and take Bianca aside, not to diminish Lucia's care but to provide her with a different comfort in a more private manner, where she might feel free to express herself without restraint just as she has done in the days before this evening. Most importantly, I need to assess her emotional turmoil.Instead, I refrain from intervening. I watch silently as Lucia gently guides Bianca toward the sofa. They settle down together, the cushions moulding around them, creating a cosy nook where their conversation can unfold."And at last, she shatters," Alexandra cackles, her voice slicing through the air like a
Continued: "You killed Mama. You stabbed Emma; that wasn't part of our plans, Papa," I cry. "I piani cambiano," plans change, he tells me as if I should have expected this. "È ora di decidere, Bianca. Permetterai che Emma soffra e la guarderemo morire lentamente. O la metterai fine alla sua miseria?" It's time to decide, Bianca. Will you let Emma suffer and we watch her die slowly. Or will you put an end to her misery? I step forward on autopilot, watching my sister struggle for breath. "Decisioni, Bianca," my father whispers iin my ear as he steps up beside me. "You're better than this, Bee. Think about your choices. About our future," Emma calls to me desperately. "Tick-tock," my father clicks his tongue with a snarl on his face. I shuffle closer to the chaos. "I've always stood behind you. You've always taken the things I wanted," I scream at her in an attempt to rid my jealousy, desperate to blink out of the red it causes me to see through. "I never expected t
Continued: She shakes back and forth again, her frustration palpable as she convulses in her own whirlwind of anger. Just then, three sharp knocks reverberate through the space around us, stirring a wave of dread within me. I remain frozen behind the door, fear lancing at the thought that her father might be here for me. The sheer anxiety of that possibility grips me, rendering me motionless, and I can't help but think that this stillness might very well be my undoing. I tremble as the door swings open with that familiar whoosh, the accompanying sound of the metal scraping. This time, it's Sven who steps inside, his presence imposing as it always is, and right behind him is a dishevelled-looking Lucia, her hair tousled and windswept and a look of distress etched across her face. Sven's eyes dart to mine, wide with alarm, and I feel a matching surge of concern as he instinctively positions himself protectively in front of Lucia as if I were the danger he was paid to shield her from
Bianca The wait for Niko to return is driving me to the brink, my skin crawling with anxiety as hives break out across my body. Every nerve endings buzz with an unsettling itch I can't scratch enough, and I can't seem to find a moment's peace. I pace back and forth like a caged animal, my footsteps echoing in the tense silence while Alexandra writhes against her bindings, her frustration evident in the sharpness of her breaths as she struggles to free herself. Her movements have indeed loosened the restraints a bit, and I find myself unable to tear my gaze away from her. Each subtle movement she makes sends a rush of anxiety through me as I worry she might devise a way to slip free and make her way toward me. The air feels tense, and I'm acutely aware of every flicker of her expression as she darts her attention around the room before circling back to myself, as she might manifest into freedom at any moment. I imagine her dropping the restraints and moving towards me in an attem