****Continuation****
Rick stared after Drew, stunned, as a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth. The sterile white walls of the Kovas hallway seemed to close in around him. “He just punched me!” he sputtered, his voice a mix of shock and indignation.
Avanska, stood nearby with an amused glint in his eye. He tilted his head slightly, studying Rick's incredulous expression. "I have a feeling he's more pissed by you calling him an old man than by the comparison to your dead father," he remarked, his voice carrying a hint of dry humor.
Rick's mind raced, replaying the moment when his careless words had slipped out, and he had called Drew an old man. He barely had time to process Avanska's comment when a sharp, stinging pain in his jaw reminded him of the punch's brutal reality. "What the fuck..?" He muttered pissed.
The few Kovas guards and personnel in the hallway began to murmur, eyes darting between Rick and the direction Drew
***My mother's gaze bore into me, and I could sense the confusion swirling in her eyes. Yet, I hesitated to speak the truth. Despite knowing the mess it would cause, I couldn't bring myself to reveal the truth just yet."What's wrong, cat got your tongue?" she probed, breaking the silence."Are we really going to do this now?" I countered, my voice trembling. "I mean, Dad is still recovering, and…" I trailed off, unable to continue."That's all the more reason we need to talk about it," she retorted sharply. "You're not a child anymore. You're at that age where you can date, fall in love, go on dates, party, and whatever else," she continued, she was frustrated and I knew it but.."Mom, wait!" I interjected, urgency creeping into my tone. "Do you think he's asking for my hand?" I blurted out, unable to contain the rush of happiness that filled me. Despite the chaotic atmosphere, I needed to confirm if Alex had truly proposed."Your hand? Is that what you think he's asking for?" she r
**The Continuation**Ah! This woman..."I couldn't wrap my head around the sudden shift in her attitude. It was as if she had transformed into someone else entirely, someone accusatory and suspicious, rather than the loving and understanding mother I knew.But one thing that was diffinitly changing was the level of my anger and right now.... it wasn't in her favour."Wow..." I continued to stare blankly.Right now, I was at that point, where I couldn't care less who was speaking to me. I could feel the bolting sparks inside me rising to the surface. "You’re so fucking unbelievable, Emily Rust," I snapped, calling my mom by her full name—something I had never done before. It was coming. "For you to think Alex could be such a person, it's unforgivable." I stared coldly at her.Mom stared at me, speechless, shaking her head. "The Sophie I know and raised would never speak to her parents like that. Who are you, an
-~~~~~Alexander Kova's mind was a complete mess. He kept pacing his office, which was as big as a house itself, not knowing what to do.The brooding war wasn’t the only thing bothering him and keeping him awake; his next step with Sophie weighed heavily on his mind.He was not ashamed to admit his deep love for the girl, and he had decided to make her a Kova legally. However, after talking with her parents, he knew it would be harder to convince them than to win the war.“Or should I just kill them and make it seem like an accident?” Alex whispered aloud. “No … that would make Sophie hate me,” he added quickly."Dammit! Why is this so difficult? When I married my previous wives, nothing like this happened. I proposed, and they accepted. Even when their families objected, just one glance from me, and they'd bow down to my authority. They could never stop me from taking my bride home. But right now, for the first time in years, I’m clueless as to what to do next. Ah! This is getting on
---------Back in the mansion,Alexander paced his office like a caged beast. Every minute that ticked by felt like an eternity. His mind raced with thoughts of Sophie. Not only did the conversation with her parents not gone well, and now he was facing another delima.He thought as he stared at the annoying men standing before him. Although it pleased him that they came when his thoughts had skyrocketed, now he just wanted to blow their fucking heads off.Sighing, Alex turned from Avanska to Rick. “So, you’re saying the higher-ups made a move already?” he asked Rick.“Yes, Boss!”“And I’m just hearing about this now, why?” he demanded.“Well…” Rick stared at him confusedly, tilting his head. “Because I just heard about it now,” he replied.Sighing, Alex clenched his fists. “You said we had an informant inside the military base. How come he&rsqu
****Alex stood still, immobilized by the rage within him. He couldn’t move for close to thirty minutes, his mind a chaotic storm. His face was twisted into a mask of fury and pain, his nostrils flared, and a low growl rumbled from deep in his chest. It was a sound filled with vengeance, a warning that a storm was coming, and it would bring destruction.His fists opened and closed, almost crushing the device in his hand with his grip. Every part of him radiated lethal intent. He would stop at nothing to find those responsible and make them pay. Alex wasn’t just angry; he was a force of nature, ready to bring hell on earth.He threw the machine to the ground, screaming at the top of his voice, the sound too animalistic to be called human. Without warning, he turned and stormed towards the stairs.Avanska and Rick moved out of the way; even the guards couldn't stand still. No one said anything until he disappeared through the flight of stairs.Avanska exhaled in relief, turning to Rick.
---Emily Rust had always known about the higher-ups' experiments—things beyond this world. She had read about them as a protocol for joining the mission, but this was the first time she was witnessing it firsthand.Although the man responsible for Sophie’s abduction was part of their military, something about his uniform seemed strange. No, it didn’t just seem strange; it was... She suddenly turned and met Daniel's eyes. In a silent exchange, he immediately stepped forward.“What is it?” he asked her.“Do you know this man?” Emily asked her husband, placing the device in front of him.Daniel glanced at the screen for a second and gasped, “Captain Mock?”“You know him?” Avanska asked.“Yes,” Daniel replied, taking the device from his wife. “We were both stationed in Sector 17.”“Please, English,” Rick prompted, not understandin
~~The Military Base~~Sophie was taken to a secretive underground military experimental facility. Captain Mock had ensured everything was ready before their arrival. At the center of the research lab, a bloody restraint chair awaited, surrounded by an array of brain scanners and other complex devices for monitoring blood and bodily functions.The chair was cold and metallic, equipped with thick leather straps on the arms, legs, and chest. Its surface gleamed under the harsh fluorescent lights, the sterile white walls reflecting the cold, clinical environment.Above and around it, robotic arms held various scanning devices. One machine, positioned to hover just above her head, was designed for detailed brain activity analysis. Others were stationed to monitor her heart rate and blood composition in real-time, displaying their data on multiple screens around the room.As soon as they arrived, Captain Mock swiftly secured Sophie in the chair. The machines hummed to life, sensors clampin
~~Continuation~~The general kept staring at Jane as she continued her explanation."There is only so much information the blood test can give us. We have to confront her directly to get the answers we need,” she suggested."You want to question the MANA user? Do I need to remind you just…”“No, ma'am,” Jane cut in. “I know the danger of speaking with a MANA user based on their unstable personality. But no matter the tests we perform on her, they can’t tell us how the drugs were administered. Speaking to her would be better. If the procedure is what we missed during the MANA examinations, then we have to find out how they did it.”“That’s true,” Mock said thoughtfully, seconding the idea. “Besides, there’s nothing to worry about. I already have her strapped to a chair, and she can’t do anything.”"Huh!" Gen. Dert, who had remained silent until now, sta
~~Continuation~~The moment I heard the sounds of hurried footsteps approaching the cabin door, I opened my eyes and managed a small smile.It’s a bittersweet sight to see my father and Alex engaging in a frantic, almost playful competition to be the first to reach me.Ah, I’ve missed them all. My parents, Alex, Drew, Rick, and Avavska—everyone is here, surrounding me with their presence.“Darling, are you okay?” Dad’s voice is filled with both worry and relief. I smiled at him and nodded.I slowly turn to Alex, who is now kneeling beside me. “Hey!” I whisper softly, with exhaustion in my voice.“Hey,” he replies, gently pressing his lips to my hand. His voice trembles, and I can see the strain in his eyes. “I thought I lost you,” he murmurs, struggling to keep his emotions in check.“That’s never going to happen,” I reply firmly, though my
Inside the Plane***I wake slowly, the world around me cloaked in thick shadows and muted sounds.My head throbs with a relentless, pounding rhythm, each pulse sending a sharp wave of pain through my skull—a brutal reminder of the hell I’ve just been through.The surgery on my brain lasted four hours, but it feels like I’ve been lost in darkness for days. Ten hours—ten agonizing hours—I’ve been out cold, unaware, while everything around me kept moving, kept changing.How do I know that? Don’t ask me. My brain is a ticking time bomb right now, and I’m not sure it can handle the strain of thinking, of trying to make sense of what’s real and what’s not. Pondering over it feels like a dangerous game, one I’m not willing to play.The steady hum of the plane’s engines is gone, replaced by an eerie stillness. We must have landed.I force my eyes open, the cabin
There are two more chapters to go.Dear Reader,As I bring loving a Gangster to a close, I want to extend my deepest thanks to each of you for joining me on this thrilling, emotional ride.Writing this story was both challenging and rewarding, and I hope it resonated with you as much as it did with me. Through the highs and lows, the passion and the pain, I aimed to capture the complexity of love in a world where danger and desire collide.Your support has meant the world to me, and I hope this story stays with you, reminding you of the power of love to change even the most hardened hearts.With gratitude and affection,Clara J. Stari
Chapter 81 - Not yet the end“Sophie? Sophie?” Alex’s voice was frantic as Daniel laid her trembling body on the table.He turned to Drew, his tone urgent. “We need to operate now.”Drew didn’t hesitate, quickly setting out the operating tools. “Yes, right away.”“Operate on her? What are you talking about?” Alex suddenly demanded, confusion and anger rising in his voice, but no one answered him.Emily, who had already pieced together what was happening with her daughter, spoke up, her voice shaky. “We can’t do this here. We should wait until we land first.”“And risk losing the only chance to save her?” Drew shot back, his tone sharp.Still confused and growing more frustrated, Alex demanded, “Why does she need an operation to be saved?” His eyes darted from Avanska to Rick, then locked onto Drew. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”Avanska turned to Rick, whose nervous eyes were scanning the room as if searching for answers that weren’t there.“Answer me!” Alex’s voice thund
**Continuation**Meanwhile, on the far edge of the field.I gasped as blood dripped from my mouth. Killing this general was taking longer than I’d anticipated, and the first time bomb I’d planted when leaving the underground facility had already started going off.“We need to end this now,” I muttered, just as another bomb exploded in the distance.It felt like the universe was finally throwing me a bone—the general stumbled, losing his balance. I seized the moment, driving my dagger into his lower abdomen, pushing it deeper with all my strength.He groaned in agony and flung me off, but Alex and my mother were already on him, launching another attack from behind.I stood still for a moment, knowing if I waited for him to go down before making my next move, it would be too late.I scanned the area for someone reliable, but everyone was engaged in the battle—except for… Drew and my father.
****"Sorry, come again?" Daniel requested, with his eyes throwing a dagger at him.Drew’s face drained of color, his eyes widening with sudden fear as he realized he’d just betrayed himself.He stiffened, turning his head away, and cleared his throat awkwardly. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stammered, attempting to mask his panic.“Isn’t it a bit late for that?” Daniel pressed, his voice cold and unwavering. “The look on your face tells me you know more than you’re letting on. I just watched my daughter writhing in pain, clutching her head. So if you say—”“Wait!” Drew interrupted, his voice rising in alarm. “You found her already?”Daniel’s eyes narrowed as he stepped closer, his anger palpable. “Yes, to be precise, she found us. Now, tell me what’s going on before it’s too late.”Drew swallowed hard, his composure crumbling under the weight of Daniel’s intense gaze. “I… I don’t think you’re ready for the truth,” he said, his voice trembling.Daniel’s gaze
~~~~For my plan to succeed, he needed to lower his guard, even a little. My eyes locked onto the grenade launcher in his hands. Damn...Dert… He was the last of the three generals. I didn't know the full extent of his power, but I knew killing him wouldn’t be easy. Still, it was better to face him in combat than to let him toy with my family's lives.I’d rather gamble with my life, I thought, a devilish grin spreading across my face as he loaded his grenade launcher.“Seriously, is that the best you can do?” I questioned him, marching forward, trying to make him lose his guard. Another grenade flew past my shoulder, leaving burns. I groaned in pain. “This’s hardly a fair fight,” I yelled. “Even when I killed the other generals, it was a fair fight.”He ignored me and continued firing. I didn’t give up, continuing to taunt him. “And you call yourself a man—a general at that.” I halted. “What a waste of a title,” I spat out.At my last comment, he suddenly paused and gently pulled back
~~~"This isn't happening," I murmured faintly.The grenade was almost upon my mother, and time seemed to slow. I reached out, heart pounding, cold dread filling me as I realized I might not make it in time.“No…” I found myself screaming, despite the deadly headache and the sharp pains ringing inside my skull. Just then, the cause of my current situation decided to do me a favor—MANA.It was as if I was suddenly filled with a kind of supernatural strength unlike anything before. Instead of running, I saw myself flying. In that instant, I threw myself on her, and she fell to the ground with a loud gasp.The grenade barely missed her as it flew past us, leaving a small cut on my shoulder, while pushing me off my mother and landing on some military men, blowing them to pieces.The chaos around me blurred into a grim symphony of screams and explosions, but all I could focus on was the faint rise and fall of my mother’s breath beneath me. My breaths came in ragged gasps, the pain still pu
****“What the...?” Emily’s voice faltered, her expression twisting in shock and horror.Her eyes flicked from the headless body of General Storm to the blood-drenched figure standing over it. Sophie stood there, motionless, covered in blood from head to toe.Her eyes locked onto Emily’s with a fierce, unyielding glare.Emily couldn’t believe what she saw—Sophie, the daughter she thought she knew, standing over the bloody mess she had wrought.Her mind raced while her body remained frozen. The brutality of the scene left her paralyzed. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from her daughter, now a stranger, a deadly force she could barely recognize."Just what the hell, Sophie? How could you...?" She trailed off, words too heavy to utter.But Daniel saw things differently. He saw that his daughter—the one taken from them—had finally returned.Ignoring the mess, he pushed past his