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THIRTY-FIVE.
Last Updated:
2023-10-13 13:07:05
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Little Bird THIRTY-SIX.
As we enter Theos’ room, my breath leaves my lungs in one long sigh followed by an abrupt snort as my gaze drinks in my surroundings.“What’s so funny, Little Bird?” Ace asks me as he closes the door behind us and locks it.The faint click of the bolt sliding into place dances between us as I step further into the room. “The room is plain…” I state with little hesitation as I continue to look around it. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but I can guarantee you, it wasn’t this. I thought it would have been more… Lavish, like the architecture of the mansion.”Theo has all this room, and it’s almost empty; like the look in his eyes when he found out who I truly am.“Are you telling me that this is the first time you have been in Theodores’ room?” Ace asks me and I can sense the uneasiness with a large dose of doubt contaminating his words.Turning around, I scoff, meeting the only pair of green eyes that have managed to haunt me when I’m awake and asleep. The only pair of eyes that f
Last Updated : 2023-10-15Little Bird THIRTY-SEVEN.
ACE. My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket, as I pull it out, I allow my gaze to linger over Amelias’ face, wishing I could take away her pain. I spot the red marks around her neck like someone has dared to put their hands on her and tried to choke the fucking life out of her. Desperately, I want to ask her who it was and question her further as to why she ran away. But I will leave that for another time, concentrating on trying to make life less unbearable and preparing her for the truth that is going to hit like a freight truck. “What is it?” I mutter into the mouthpiece as I answer the call. “Eleni Drakos is standing outside the room demanding to speak with Ms. Black,” Holden replies with a snarl riding his words. “I’ll be there in a minute.” Ending the call, I run my fingers through my hair while exhaling heavily. “Is everything okay?” Amelia asks with a frown on her face. Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I cup the sides of her face and place a gentle kiss on her
Last Updated : 2023-10-18Little Bird THIRTY-EIGHT.
As the sound of footsteps drums across the marble floor in the en suite, I slightly sit up to turn around and make sure that they belong to Ace. The last thing I need right now is Theo entering the room while I’m naked and feeling vulnerable.“Your little friend Eleni Drakos has given you a departing gift.” Ace mumbles, holding up a black dress attached to a coat hanger. He turns it around to show me the back, “it’s backless.” He adds dryly.“Ele,” I correct him. “She doesn't like to be addressed by her full name.”I reply, feeling the agitation that enveloped my nerves dispel from my body and turn my head to the front, closing my eyes.“I seriously couldn't care less. I will continue to call her Eleni.”“How thoughtful of her. Is she doing okay?”“Better than you is all I can say.” He replies through gritted teeth, making it apparent he does not care for Ele. Changing the subject, “nice shirt, by the way,” I mumble.“Not another word, Little Bird,” he growls darkly, hanging the dre
Last Updated : 2023-10-20Little Bird THIRTY-NINE.
A moan slips out of my mouth as Ace reluctantly removes his fingers from inside me, leaving me feeling empty and cold inside. With half-lidded eyes, I watch him take two steps back with his gaze boring into mine as he lifts his hand and shoves his fingers between his lips. His eyes close, and a deep, husky growl rumbles from the back of his throat, he sucks his fingers dry – savouring the taste of my arousal on the tip of his tongue. A tang of disappointment slams into me. But what else should I have expected? Of course, he doesn’t want to fuck and mark me again after I have caused him so much trouble. While his eyes are still closed, and he looks like he is trying to tame his inner beast, I turn away from him and carefully slip on the dress Ele has kindly gifted me. My eyes drift away from Ace to the crimson-coloured water gently swaying in the deep tub. Just by glimpsing at it, I know my back is a mess and I have a lot of healing ahead of me. “I’m sorry, Little Bird, but we
Last Updated : 2023-10-22Little Bird FORTY.
“Leave us!” Ace orders one of Theos’ henchmen who is stationed outside Eles’ room.“Mr. Drakos gave me strict instructions not to leave my post, and he would have my head if he found out that I left my post because you demanded it.” Theos’ henchman responds, straightening his posture.A deep, throaty chuckle pours from Aces’ mouth, and he leans in close to the poor guy, who doesn't know he’s already a dead man in Aces’ eyes.“If you don’t move your fucking arse, you big for nothing imbecile, your mother and your sisters will be gift-wrapped and given to Dejan Kovac to traffic in Serbia.”His comment makes my insides turn to ice, and if I didn’t already know that Ace doesn’t like to harm women and children, I’d believe him undoubtedly.Theos’ henchman clenches his jaw as his shoulders sag with defeat. With his head bowed, he walks away, muttering under his breath in his mother tongue as he punches the air.“Your fifteen minutes start now, Little Bird.” Ace mumbles, opening the door for
Last Updated : 2023-10-23Little Bird FORTY-ONE.
ACE.With the SUV tearing through the imposing iron gates of the Taurine estate, worthy of royalty, the haunting vision of Jaxsons' lifeless form being mercilessly dragged by the very horse he handpicked and generously purchased echoes relentlessly in my mind. A wicked grin tugs at the edges of my lips, revelling in the sheer satisfaction.I would have derived immense pleasure from tormenting that wretched bastard severing each finger with precision before ruthlessly removing his hands at the wrists, and ultimately obliterating his forearms. But my time is crucial, and dying by horse has a nice ring to it as well.Amelia has not spoken a single word since we departed from the Drakos kingdom. Only occasional sighs and expressions of pain have passed between us, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere during our journey here.I’ve had to still my twitching hands from reaching out to her and pulling her into my embrace as I inhale her scent, allowing it to claw at my soul, knowing that af
Last Updated : 2023-10-24Little Bird FORTY-TWO.
I silently followed Kara out to the garden as Ace asked, drinking in my surroundings along the way and marvelling at the beauty that was being presented in front of me. I can tell the Taurine family take pride in their home, and Mrs. Taurine must spend a lot of time in the garden.As I gaze ahead, I see a woman on her hands and knees, diligently sifting through the soil with gloved hands. She wears a large hat that partially obscures her face. In my mind, I envision myself in her position, surrounded by a joyful scene of children frolicking in the yard, playfully chasing a dog.I can envision Ace standing by the fence, skilfully flipping large steaks on the grill while holding a beer in one hand. As he watches our children play, a proud and fatherly expression graces his handsome face.“Mrs. Taurine, this is Aces’… um, guest he brought along with him and asked me to bring her to you,” Kara says in a formal tone, but I can still hear a tinge of venom contaminating her voice.And jus
Last Updated : 2023-10-25Little Bird FORTY-THREE.
As we rush inside the mansion, the sound of bodies being slammed against the wall and things shattering resonates through the air.“What are you all doing just standing there!” Andrea cries out, pointing to their henchmen, who haven’t moved from their post.“Mr. Taurine has ordered us not to interfere.” One of them replies, refusing to meet Andreas’ gaze.“I don’t care what my husband has said! Go in there and break them apart before one of them ends up dead!” She screams, stomping her foot on the marble floor with her hands curling into tight balls of fury at her side. “NOW!”Suddenly, all the men who were standing guard in the entry lobby take off towards the commotion that sounds like it is getting closer towards us.“I don’t give a fuck that you didn’t know who she was, Ace! You deflowered her and that can’t be undone!” A voice like thunder rains down upon us all, sending an icy chill up the fine line of my spine.Andrea and I both share a look of apprehension between ourselves be
Last Updated : 2023-10-26
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
