Continuation
******
On the other hand, no! Isn't the ground supposed to be hard and cold? My subconscious mind pondered.
However, the ground I fell onto was strong, warm, and very much alive, as it wrapped its hand around me. I wish I could open my eyes to see what it was. Just as I was still brooding, I heard a familiar voice.
"There, there, you are fine now. Good job," it whispered and kissed me softly on the head.
Alex?
Then a loud gunshot, and after that, a loud bang followed by the screams enveloping the air.
'Sorry, mom, dad, I guess this is it.' I sighed and lost consciousness, completely.
**The Kova’s Mansion**
"Doc, how are they doing?" Alexander Kova asked, holding Sophie’s hand."Well, for starters, sir, your daughter is fine, just a few bruises and maybe shock, so the sedative I gave her will help relax her mind and body in no time
****Alexander sighed softly as he gazed at Sophie's pale complexion from the doorway. How he longed to see her radiant smile once more, even if it was accompanied by anger. He walked over and settled by Sophie's bedside, gently holding her hand. Her once-lively expression now appeared fragile and wan. Guilt consumed him, and he blamed himself for involving Sophie in this dangerous world of his. His heart ached as he thought of her bravery when she protected Natalie, even in her dire state.Alex didn't realize how deeply he was falling for her until the moment he saw her bleeding from the massive wound in her stomach and head. For a brief second, his heart raced with worry, and he couldn't even focus on his own daughter, who was being shot at. Instead, he found himself caring more for this stranger. Even now, when he should be looking after his own, he was here, yearning for her eyes to open.Gently, he touched her lips and grazed his finger along her pale cheek, sighing once more. "
Four long months had passed, and Sophie remained in a deep slumber, showing no signs of waking from the so-called coma. To escape the heavy reality of her unresponsive state, Alex threw himself into work, immersing his thoughts in tasks and responsibilities. The room that once held the light of the vibrant girl now seemed haunting, forcing him to stay away to avoid confronting the sight of her lifeless figure on his bed. The weight of her absence lingered in every corner, pushing him to find peace in the busyness of his daily routine, as if trying to drown out the silent echoes of hope that had begun to fade away. For the sake of Natalie, Alex was trying to hold on, but he doesn't know how much longer he can endure. His gaze was icy, so cold that hell itself would freeze as he glared down at the syndicate responsible for the turmoil in his heart. "How does it feel to have something this large pierces your body?" he questioned the man, his voice filled with a chilling resolve. As he
"Papa!" Michael exclaimed, pouncing on Alex the moment he entered the room. "Where have you been?" the little boy inquired with an innocent expression. "Oh, I went on a business trip, little man," Alex replied, weaving a clean lie. "I heard you were looking for me?" he added, settling down with Michael by his side. Nat sat close to him. "Do you want me to prepare something for you?" she questioned after observing her father's expression for a while. Forcing out a fake smile, Alex replied, "No, I'm not hungry." Nat sighed, reading him very well. "I miss her too, Dad," she suddenly confessed. "I mean, she is my only friend, and worse, she ended up like that because of me. Don't you think I'll feel more miserable than you?" she questioned. With a shocked expression, he asked Nat with a poker face, "What are you talking about?" Just as she opened her mouth to explain, Rick rushed into the sitting room at full speed, panting as he stopped right in front of Alex. "Boss?" Rick called o
Later on, the doctor came in to check Sophie's conditions, but because she was tired, she slept in between the check-ups, and this made Alex fret a little. "What is this? I thought she was fully awake. Why is she going into a coma state again?" he questioned her in panic, his concern for her well-being clear in his voice. Sighing, the doctor reassured, “No need to panic, Alex. She is just sleeping.” Regaining his cold expression, Alex retorted, “Who says I was panicking?” he replied, glaring at him. Sensing the directed glare, “Right,” was all the doctor could come up with. “Anyway, looks like Miss Rust's condition has stabilized. Her system is getting used to the new blood, so all we have to do now is wait for her to fully recover,” he explained to him. “For that to help, once in a while, please take her out for a walk, and she needs to eat good food to keep the blood pumping,” he added. “She is safe now, right?” Alex inquired, his concern lingering in his words. Doc Drew turne
*** Instead of leaving, Natalie just stood there and kept on staring at me, “You were hitting the pillow,” she pointed out. Crap! “Your point?” I retorted, and she laughed. “Well, you looked too pissed to be killing some rat,” she said, “I mean, if there was one, you would not have missed it.” I turned to her, “How long were you standing there?” I asked, sensing she knew more than she was letting on. “Well, long enough to hear Something about desiring him and having your first kiss stolen,” she stated, and I cursed under my breath, “Are you going to tell me who that is?” she questioned. "Of course, why not… It's your father, idiot." Signing, “I think you heard wrong,” I lied. I was too much in pain to start arguing with anyone simply because I kissed a man, yeah, my best friend's father. Touchy. “No, I think I heard right,” she argued. “Seriously Nat, I’m the one that died and went to the afterlife and back. I should be the one spouting nonsense and not you.” I lied again, “Be
**** I observe Avanska with confusion. "What do you mean, 'a call from my parents'?" I inquire, "Why?" "What do you mean, why?" Rick responded instead: "Do you need a reason to receive a call from your own parents?" he asks, and I shoot him a sharp look. "Why don't you shut up and let the commander reply to me?" I snap at him. Shocked, he exclaimed, "You see what I'm saying, Avanska? She is..." "Enough, Rick," he yells at him, "Why are you whining like a dog?" he questions, clearly irritated. "What?" Sighing, Avanska turns toward me, "Sorry, actually, when you were still in a coma, the boss tried to reach your family," he explains. Frowning, I inquire, "Why?" "Because with your condition, no one expected you to survive, so the boss decided to contact your family and have them..." "Come for my corpse?" I questioned cutting him off. "What? No, that's not it at all. The boss would never..." "Okay, sure, whatever you say," I reply with a wide grin, cutting him off again, "Can
**** "Do you understand what I'm saying, Miss Rust?" Drew asked the little girl, who suddenly turned pale. "No, I don't," she snapped at him, "You're saying the blood that was supposed to save me destroyed my life?" she questioned him. Sighing, he replied, "Destroyed? Come on, Miss Rust, that's a little too harsh to say," he said, trying to calm the atmosphere. "Compared to other patients I have treated, you seem to be doing great and alive for that matter," he stated. "How is this great?" she asked him. "It's great because most of that patient died at the contact of the drugs, while others became murderers and are serving time in jail. Some were just killed on the spot," he explained with a smile. "When you started going in and out of consciousness, I knew something was wrong, but I didn't think of the drug then. I thought your body was finding it difficult to adjust to the new strong blood, not knowing that the drug finding its way into your nervous system was the issue," he sai
As Sophie slipped into unconsciousness, Alexander Kova crumpled to the ground, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "Jesus," he breathed out, visibly shaken by the close call,Drew, wiping the blood from his nose, commented nonchalantly, "That was close."Infuriated, Alex shot back, "You think so?" He questioned Drew with a rage burning in his eyes as he rose to his feet. "What do you imagine would've happened if she had pulled the trigger?" he demanded, gently laying Sophie on the bed. "Did that thought even cross your mind?" he asked again, this time facing Drew directly."Relax, nothing happened, did it?" Drew asked casually, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "And besides, I didn't know you cared that much for me, Boss. I'm flattered," he added, his voice taking on a flirtatious note."Go fuck yourself, Drew. I don't give a damn about what happened to that lousy brain of yours, but rather what harm it would have done to her if she pulled the trigger," Alex snapped. He turned away from
~~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