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FIFTY-SEVEN.
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2023-11-04 12:22:06Related chapters
Little Bird FIFTY-EIGHT.
As Holden opens the back passenger door to the SUV, I step out of the vehicle, gathering my hair and I place it over my shoulder, inhaling deeply.“Are you sure this is the Salon, Ele is at?” I ask Holden as I remove my sunglasses and place them inside my tote bag.Closing the door, Holden turns his back towards the SUV and stares straight ahead, “yes, Ms. Taurine. Her hair appointment was sixty minutes ago, so she should be wrapping up as we speak.”I sigh, still trying to wrap my head around people addressing me as Ms. Taurine and, soon, Mrs. Ripley after being called Ms. Black for the last twenty years of my life.“And you are going to stay right here, right?” I slightly turn my head to the side to stare at him.Turning his head left, right, then left again, he nods his head. “Yes, I will remain outside the entire time unless Ms. Drakos’s men enter the salon.” He says flatly, rolling his shoulders back, and he clicks his neck as if he’s loosening the tension in his body before he r
Last Updated : 2023-11-05Little Bird FIFTY-NINE.
As we settle into our seats away from the large glass windows inside the café, I take a sip of my hot chocolate and place my tote bag down on the ground beside my feet.Even though, we sneaked out of the salon through the back door. I can’t help but feel like there are eyes on us; watching our every move.A sliver of awareness caresses the back of my nape, putting me on high alert to keep an eye out for anything that looks out of the ordinary.“So, what is it that you want to speak to me about?” Leaning back in her chair, nestling her cup in her hands, Ele asks me with her eyes heavily trained on mine. “If it’s about what happened back at mine with Jaxson… all I can say is that I am sorry. I’ve tried to find the right words to apologize, but nothing…”I place my hot chocolate on the small circular table and lean forward, resting my elbows on the tabletop. “I didn’t come here for an apology, Ele. As I’ve stated before, I don’t blame you for what happened.”“I’m sure your parents do,
Last Updated : 2023-11-06Little Bird SIXTY.
“Th… that was Andreis’ brother in the van…” she stammers with tears in her eyes that are filled to the brim with terror. “They are coming. They are here to get their revenge.”Eles’ body is trembling uncontrollably as her terror-filled eyes dart around the salon.“Andrei as in your ex-husband slash Bratva, Andrei?” I ask her as I rub my hands up and down the sides of her arms, which are now plagued with goosebumps.Unable to speak, she nods her head.“Fuck…” I mutter, looking out of the salon windows. “We need to get out of here, and you are coming with me. If they knew you were coming to the salon, that means they will most likely hit the mansion next.”Taking her by the hand, I pull her along behind me and as we exit the salon, Holden takes one look at us and pushes off the SUV. He flicks his cigarette and rushes towards us as he tears his shades from his face.“What happened?” He asks in a dark tone, drawing his gun from behind his back.“The Bratva…” Ele replies in a nonchalant t
Last Updated : 2023-11-07Little Bird SIXTY-ONE.
We all standstill, silent and shell shocked at what is unfolding before our very eyes. There is no denying that there is crazy chemistry between Wicked and Ele. All the thoughts of them not being compatible go out the window. A light moan filled with desire departs Eles’ opened lips as her tongue swipes across Wickeds’ lower lip right before she bites down on it She lifts her hands, and she shoves him away. Stumbling back three feet, caught off guard, Wicked snarls, touching his lower lip with a look of rage blazing in his green irises. “You fucking bitch!” Wicked growls, looking at his fingers that have a splash of blood tainting them. Ele violently wipes her hand across her mouth, then spits at Wickeds’ feet with disgust. “You will live to regret stealing a kiss that didn’t belong to you, Wicked Ripley.” She hisses as she straightens her spine. “My last set of words weren’t for you to prove me wrong.” A sinister chuckle vibrates from Wickeds’ chest as he combs his fingers t
Last Updated : 2023-11-08Little Bird SIXTY-TWO.
ACE.I follow Holden and Royce down to the wine cellar, standing back as they tie him down to the metal chair screwed into the middle of the room. Wicked tries to fight both Holden and Royce off, and he manages to land a few good punches before he slumps in his chair, giving up.Dipping his head with his chin touching his chest, Wicked glares up at me through his long lashes, snarling at me like a deranged animal.“Leave us,” I order once they have secured Wicked in the chair. “And close the door on your way out, then make your way to the front of the Club. Holden, you watch the front door and Royce, stand guard by my office door.”“Yes, Mr. Ripley,” they reply in unison, taking the stairs two at a time.“One day, I pray, I will understand why you have done this to me.” Wicked sneers, slashing through the tension in the room.“I didn’t deliberately do this to hurt you, Wicked.”“Bullshit.” Wicked hisses maliciously and stomps his foot against the ground, giving the impression that he
Last Updated : 2023-11-09Little Bird SIXTY-THREE.
Sitting on the edge of Aces’ desk with my arms folded across my chest, I stare at Ele slouching in her seat as she plays with the tips of her hair and refusing to meet my gaze.“I know you might not want to hear this, but it needs to be said. You aren’t safe at the mansion with Theo any more, and it’s apparent his henchmen aren’t going to protect you either.” I say in a stern tone, sighing at the end when I see her cringe.I can visibly witness the adrenaline leaving her body as she silently trembles before me.I can also sense how terrified she is of the Bratva and she has every reason to feel like her head is being held underwater as she struggles to grasp onto her escaping breath that is slowly sucking the life out of her fragile body.I find it difficult to comprehend her past and hesitate to delve deeper into it. I fear that uncovering something unsettling may forever haunt me, not only as her friend but also as a woman. I am aware that Andrei used to derive pleasure from physic
Last Updated : 2023-11-12Little Bird SIXTY-FOUR.
ACE. I slowly make my way out of the storage room that is filled with barrels of Delilah. Ismail wasn’t kidding when he said that he ordered a shitload. I just wish I was as confident in the drug as he is. Sure, Delilah has been circling the floors of my clubs for the past two nights now, and they are selling like hotcakes. True to his word, there is no comedown, and the high only lasts for a few hours before it slowly begins to wear off. The private rooms have been fully booked with multitudes of people coming and leaving after their sexcapades. I’ve had to keep my cleaning crews on all night, giving them pay rises with extra benefits they can’t turn down. It’s hard finding a prominent crew that takes pride in their work and executes their duties every time without fail. I swear the floors and walls have never looked so shiny that I can almost see my reflection in them. It’s just that niggling little feeling in the back of my conscience that won’t let me rest. Reminding me that
Last Updated : 2023-11-13Little Bird SIXTY-FIVE.
I can’t stop my body from trembling as I silently pray to the heavens that I don’t crash and kill us all. Stupid adrenaline rush. I don’t know why, but I felt like I was in a movie and I wanted to be the heroine. When Royce got shot, I jumped into action and now here I am, behind the wheel, driving like a street racer in the film: The Fast & Furious. Thank fuck backup is here and multiple vehicles move to box us in. I try to keep the Audi that now looks like a moving target at the same speed as the other vehicles. I try not to look in the rearview mirror to see what chaos is going on behind us. I can only imagine it looking like a scene from the movie, too. “You are doing so well, Little Bird. I am in fucking awe of you right now.” Ace says over the sound of gunshots being fired. “Just a little longer, then you can pull over.” I nod my head, unable to verbally respond as I fully concentrate on the road ahead of us. The sound of a car ploughing into a ditch and then bursting into
Last Updated : 2023-11-14
Latest chapter
Little Bird SEVENTY-EIGHT.
EPILOGUE.(Three years later…)While Kayla plays on the kitchen floor with her favourite doll that Holden had bought her for her third birthday just yesterday, I put the finishing touches on her birthday cake.My parents, Wicked and Ele have driven out here for the weekend with their kids. I’ve been looking forward to this day for months. Though living here in the middle of nowhere is nice, sometimes the silence can be just as deafening and lonely. For our safety, Knox and I rarely make the trip out to the city, and I’ve come to learn that I’m more of an introvert, and I’m fine with that. But the company of my mother and best friend is like nothing else. I suppose you could say that I like to live through them. I look forward to hearing their stories and seeing the kids. I know Kayla enjoys seeing the kids just as much as I do, and I can tell that she will make the perfect older sister when her sibling arrives. That’s right…I found out this morning that Knox and I are expectin
Little Bird SEVENTY-SEVEN.
I slowly stand up from the ground, wiping my hands down the front of my clothes, tucking the loose strands from my top knot behind my ears, and I finish placing the rest of my roses into the crystal vase.Every fibre in my body is screaming at me to ask Wicked where Ace is. But I also don’t want to take this moment away from Ele. She believed for many weeks that Wicked had forgotten about us; about her.She believed that she was an absolute menace, wreaking havoc wherever she went, leaving a trail of destruction in her wake. Lives were ruthlessly snuffed out, sacrificed in the trail of her existence. The toll of her actions was immeasurable, a dark cloud of tragedy hanging heavy over her every step.And now that Wicked is here, clearing the air between them and openly claiming Ele with his mouth, I would rather not ruin the moment for her.Hell… I’d be fucking furious if someone interrupted Ace staking his claim upon me.Ele needs this.She needs him, and I’m happy for her.I look u
Little Bird SEVENTY-SIX.
I tilt my head to the side and gaze at my reflection in the full-length mirror, affectionately caressing my belly.Today is a significant day for me as it marks my twenty-first birthday.Coincidentally, it is also the ninetieth day since Ele and I arrived at our second safe house. This safe house became our refuge after Holden failed to return to the cabin. However, we received the relieving news a week later that he was alive and well. The SUV he was driving swerved off the road and crashed into a tree after one of its back tyres popped.He claims that he just missed us and believed it would be safer to observe us from a distance instead. Our new safe house is a penthouse located in the heart of the city, which also happens to be within Ismails' territory.A contract was drafted between him and Ace, stipulating that if either of us needs protection within Ismails' territory, Ismail will receive ownership of Ace's clubs as compensation.We are slowly starting to see some normalcy r
Little Bird SEVENTY-FIVE.
“Theodore.” She groans as if she is physically in pain, choking on her words. “I know I said that I wanted him dead, but now that he is, I feel like a large chunk of my soul is missing. He was my twin, and I killed him to save Wicked. What have I done...”A gusty breath filled with relief leaves my body almost instantly, and I close my eyes, needing to take a second for myself as I regain control of my emotions once again. Upon opening my eyes, I sigh as my gaze falls on Ele.She looks so torn up about her actions that I can’t help but feel sorry for her. Yeah, I know she had plans to kill Theodore; to end her bloodline. But I guess she didn’t consider that it would emotionally hurt like a bitch for her too because they share a special connection that only twins have.“I’m so sorry, Ele. I can’t even begin to comprehend what you are going through.” I reply, finding it challenging to find the right words to comfort her without upsetting her further. “If you killed Theo to save Wicked
Little Bird SEVENTY-FOUR.
I held my breath, doing my best to try to pick up on any unusual sounds coming from the front of the cabin. My eyes dart around the closet in the dark, looking for any signs of shadows beneath the door and in between the double doors.I feel like I’m about to pass out. This is all too much and I just want it to be over with.Standing up, I slowly open the closet doors, being mindful of the slight squeaking sound it makes when it gets halfway. I turn to my side and slowly squeeze myself between the doors, then tiptoe down the hallway.The cabin is still. Not a sound penetrates the air, and I begin to panic even more, wondering if Holden has been shot or taken hostage by our intruder. As I get to the living room, I hesitantly peek my head around the corner and I am met with the front door being left ajar.I descend the three stairs and look around the living room, noticing that there aren’t any bullet holes in the walls or the kitchen. I lower my gaze to the floor in front of the door
Little Bird SEVENTY-THREE.
It’s been three days since my world turned upside down.Three days since I got married and watched my husband get stabbed shortly after.Three days that I was brought to this cabin that is in the middle of nowhere.After witnessing Theo stab Ace, I lost consciousness before Holden exited my parent’s mansion. Everything was spiralling out of control so quickly that I couldn’t quite process how much danger we were in until it was too late.I pace the small living room, biting my nails as I hold on to the fragile thread of hope dangling in front of me.There has been no contact or news about Ace, my parents or Wicked and Eleni.I don’t know if they are alive, injured, or dead. And it’s not like I can leave the cabin because I don’t know the pin to deactivate the security system from notifying Holden that the front door has opened without his knowledge.I feel like I am losing my mind.Seconds feel like minutes. Minutes feel like hours, and hours feel like days.“If you don’t stop pacing
Little Bird SEVENTY-TWO.
The rapid bang of gunshots sends people racing towards the mansion. A man falls dead on the grass and I have to jump over his still body. Or risk tripping over his limbs that are splayed out beside him, loose and bent where he lies in a puddle of his own blood. My father and Aces’ henchmen all dressed in black suits, yank their concealed guns from inside their jackets free and take aim at the gunmen who are dressed as servers. Someone did a shitty job screening everyone who entered the mansion only hours ago. And because of their delinquency, people are dying right, left and centre. More people plummet to the ground. Some of them are screaming in terror, anger, and pain and others just lay there motionless with blood pooling on their clothes. “Come on, Mrs. Ripley. We need to take cover.” Holden yells over the gunshots ringing in the air. I gulp, doing my best to keep up with him in my heels and the wedding gown that clings to me like a second layer of skin. Unable to mutte
Little Bird SEVENTY-ONE.
ACE. “By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest states in a quivering tone right before a bullet finds a gap in our human defence wall and drills into his skull – instantly killing him. It all seems to play out in slow motion in front of me, blood squirts through the air and I crush my lips against Amelias’, turning our bodies, so her back is facing the now-dead priest. The beat of my heart is drumming against my chest frantically, filling my ears with blood. I didn't think they would attack us this early into our wedding. I close my eyes, pouring my love and soul into our first kiss as husband and wife, praying that this won’t be the last one, either. A small moan departs her lips as a low growl leaves mine and clings to it, entwining our pleasure as one. “We have to move.” Holden bellows with a grunt. “We won’t be able to hold our position much longer, and whoever these cunts are, they have a sniper with them too.”
Little Bird SEVENTY.
My body is almost vibrating with anticipation as the whole morning has flown by in a haze. After I had asked my mother and Eleni to give me a moment alone, I looked at my reflection in the floor-length mirror.My fingers brush over the layers of lace and silk, toying with a few pearls that have been hand-stitched onto the bodice of the gown.I can’t prevent the girly smile from spreading across my face like wildfire as I admire the gown that Ace had chosen for me.Today’s the day that I start my new life and become Mrs. Ace Ripley, leaving my past behind like smoke drifting through my fingers – elusive, transparent. I turn around when the sound of the door softly creeks open again. This time, it’s my father who enters the room with a large grin adorning his handsome face. He places both of his hands over his mouth as his gaze lingers over my gown, then rises to my face.“You look… beautiful, baby girl.” He says in a strained voice like he is doing his best to hold back his unshed t
