I can hear them talking. There’s a window open somewhere, but I remain where I am, smoking my cigarette. “…joining us?” Zaia’s faint voice reaches me. “No,” Valerie’s voice comes. “Oh…” “Sorry,” Valerie’s quiet voice comes. “Don’t be. He has every right to do what feels best for him,” Hugh says
ZADE. It’s late at night, and Sebastian and Zaia’s older three kids have now gone up to bed and I’m relieved. For some reason, the Menace refused to stop looking at me all evening. The oldest, Zion, is pretty mature for his age, and he’s grown a lot from the last time I saw him. Sia, she’s decent
We fall silent, pondering on those words. “But we have to try, for their loved ones, for Adriana, for Atticus, for Linette and for Hugh,” Valerie says as Kaia now climbs onto my lap and stares up at me. Atticus looks up and nods slowly before he looks away, sighing heavily. “It’s rude to stare,” I
If I had any doubt before that something was bothering him, it’s gone. I can almost see the pain in his face, the music, and the way he’s pouring his soul into it. I wait, as his fingers fly over the piano keys, his heart thundering louder with every touch. Somehow the music feels nostalgic, remind
VALERIE. It’s the following day, and the tension is high, partially over what we are about to attempt with the healing and also something has gone down between Zade and Atticus. That was clear from the hostility at breakfast, with Zade simply taking his coffee and walking out when Atticus entered.
‘We won’t succeed, will we?’ I ask Zade, my eyes fixed on Zion. ‘We won’t know until we try. There’s always hope,’ he replies. Our eyes meet, and I nod. He’s right, I can’t give up before even trying. I look around the room, knowing that everyone must be feeling similar to how I am right now. The
VALERIE.It’s been nearly two weeks since we’ve returned. Since then, things have been extremely hectic. The tension has been rising, with Zade working on trying to break the code on the system that controlled the microchips.Another thing that brought great concern… considering the Arkan had access
Cassian chuckles and raises his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. I do apologise. I know things are hard Valerie… but know that I’m not against you or your people.” He reaches out placing a hand on my shoulder giving it a squeeze, my eyes flash and I grip his wrist, insta
I hear footsteps and wipe my eyes furiously and take a deep breath, refusing to let him see how I feel. He steps into the room, hands in pocket, carrying an arrogance as he looks me over.“I have questions.”“You kidnapped me!” I snarl.“You’re not a kid. Sit down.”“I don’t listen to-”The next thi
~ MILENA ~The bullet pierces through his chest and I gasp, my heart shattering as I watch the blood drip down his white shirt. It hurts, so fucking much. Not that I shot him, not that I know he could have dodged it if he had moved, but it’s the shock in those bright blue eyes when he realised I sho
Staring back at me in photo after photo is none other than the man I love, the man I have lived with for nearly a year. The man who killed my brother.One and the very same.“No… NO!” I scream, kicking the photos away from me. Is this a sick joke? I jump out of bed, rush to the bathroom and manage t
~ MILENA ~My eyes open, my vision blurry. I rub my eyes. I know I’m in a bed. It feels familiar, and for a moment I wonder if I’m back at my place but… my bed isn’t this large or comfortable.I sit up and look around, my heart hammering as realisation settles in. I know why it feels so… homely.Thi
“Excuse me, sir, she’ll be free to go tomorrow. But she will need to take some blood thinners and some pain relief tablets for the next two weeks.”I nod. I didn’t tell them I didn’t know her… after all, my questions are pending and she has the answers.This was not how I was expecting my night to e
~ ZION ~Not this time.I raise my gun, pressing it to her forehead roughly. She stumbles backwards trying to put space between us, but with her injured leg she’s not as slick and I almost reach out to steady her, then remind myself who she is.She is one of them.And she’s here for a reason.Do the
My heart skips a beat.He’s always been clever, but the conviction with how he said that one sentence… as if he was completely certain. But I’m not going to admit that.I chuckle humourlessly. “And why would you think I was the one who was behind that?”“You don’t wear a seatbelt, Milena. You were w
~ MILENA ~Irritation flashes through me as the car comes ever closer. As predicted it would.I’m waiting for the moment Zion’s car that he no longer has control over dangerously drives down this one-way road, and I’ll be here, waiting to pull out in front of him.I have to time it just right. If he
“Oh god, this is a generous treat…” she murmurs as she sticks her tongue out and flicks it across the tip in a slow and tantalising manner.Pleasure shoots through me and I grip the back of her head.“Not yet,” I mutter huskily, yanking her to her feet and turning her. I push her against the wall, u