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TWENTY-NINE.
Last Updated:
2023-10-07 11:46:55Related chapters
Little Bird THIRTY.
“ACE!”I jolt awake, covered in sweat, feeling like the weight of the world is pressing down on my shoulders, causing the air in the room to thin out; making it difficult for me to catch my next breath.Sitting upright in the bed, I close my eyes as I try to focus on my breathing and not the miserable life I’ve been handed. Rubbing my palm over my aching chest, I slowly swing my legs over the edge of the bed and pull myself up.The sound of the SUV rolling and the gunshot that claimed Volkovs’ life still rings loudly in my ears. Every time I close my eyes, the images of Volkov, Alana and the other henchmen lost in the crash burn my eyes and when I open them… The images begin to fade, but they don’t fade quickly enough to allow me to forget about them.My throat still feels raw and after the friendly chat I had with Ele and Theodore, I purposefully slept through dinner, doing my best to avoid them both. It’s like, no matter where I go, I always find myself trapped in someone else's
Last Updated : 2023-10-08Little Bird THIRTY-ONE.
“If you can, I’d like you to sit up straight and take a deep breath for me.” Doctor Raymond says softly, pressing the cold stethoscope between my shoulder blades.Straightening my posture as I sit on the edge of the bed, I draw in a deep breath, pausing for a split second when a sharp pain spreads across my chest.“Good, now exhale.”I exhale, sighing with relief, completing the task without any pain.“Okay, that’s very good, Ms. Montgomery. One more time, please.” Doctor Raymond requests as he moves to stand in front of me, pressing the stethoscope against my chest.Silently, I obey, even though I think this is a waste of time and I wish Ele would have listened to me when I told her that I was fine and didn’t need a doctor to check me over. The fewer people I am around, the better.“Superb. I can hear you wincing when asked to inhale. I can’t hear any fluid in your lungs, which is good, but I do believe they are bruised from the force of impact and wearing your seatbelt.” Doctor Raym
Last Updated : 2023-10-09Little Bird THIRTY-TWO.
With my father forcefully fastening the belt around my mouth, imprisoning the apple covered in hay, I fiercely try to wrench it free.My desperate pleas for help are stifled, while my weary body is overwhelmed by excruciating pain, rendering me unable to mount a formidable resistance.The surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins dissipates, leaving me vulnerable as my father forcefully tightens the belt. My head is abruptly jerked backwards, ensnared in his unyielding gaze.“I should have done this a long time ago. I should have punished you every time you showed us an inkling of defiance. But your mother was too afraid that if they found you, beaten and broken, we would be executed.” My father snarls with his top lip curling upward. “Your mother is weak and if she didn’t come from old money, I would have gotten rid of her many years ago. She couldn’t birth me a son and her twat is as loose as her fucking lips.”Tears burn my eyes, leaving a trail of heartache down my cheeks as
Last Updated : 2023-10-10Little Bird THIRTY-THREE.
ACE.The SUV comes to a standstill at the top of Peak Mountain.Stepping out of the vehicle, I take one final drag of my cigarette and then toss it onto the ground, tilting my head back. Exhaling through my nostrils, I take a minute to admire the cloudless sky and allow the warmth of the sun to caress my face.It’s the only sensation that doesn’t seem to piss me off and while I can, I’m going to indulge in it every chance I get until my Little Bird is returned and back safely in my arms.Clenching my jaw, I lower my head, straightening my suit jacket, and buttoning it up as I walk towards Holden and Bryce who remain standing next to Bryce’s 1990 Corvette.As my gaze wanders over the Corvette with the light of the sun casting off it, my heart skips a beat. Such a fucking beauty she is, and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve tried to buy it off him.“One day you will be mine…” I quietly murmur to myself as a mischievous smirk delicately graces my face.As I reach Holden and Bryce,
Last Updated : 2023-10-11Little Bird THIRTY-FOUR.
As Ele carefully removes the wet towel from my back, I hiss when a burning sensation feverishly licks my wounds. “You are going to have some pretty scars when they heal,” Ele whispers, inspecting my back as she tosses the towel on the ground. “Don’t be afraid to show them off, Val. Wear them with pride and show the world that you survived today’s assault.” Slightly turning my neck to look at her, “is that what you do?” I whisper with my eyes trailing over her bare arms. She snorts, nodding her head, “there was a point in my life where I used to hide my scars. They made me feel dirty, reminding me of the abuse and trauma that comes with them. Now, when I think about it, I kick myself for wasting so much time hiding my battle scars like they were a dirty secret. I’m seriously contemplating getting them tattooed and flaunting them every chance I get.” As she speaks her truth, her eyes sparkle with determination and survival instinct, forcing me to believe everything she says in awe.
Last Updated : 2023-10-12Little Bird THIRTY-FIVE.
“Now, tell me, Little Bird. I can see the pain in your eyes, haunting your soul and squeezing the life out of you. Who hurt you?” Aces’ eyes narrow into thin slits as his voice comes out strained. "Please, put me down." Gently lowering me, my front slides down his body until the soles of my bare feet touch the marble floor. His eyes grow wide as they travel over my body, and he realises I’m half naked with Theos’ jacket covering me. “Shield us!” His voice reverberates off the glass windows. As the words leave his lips, his henchmen standing behind him quickly enter the mansion, forming a circle around us with their backs facing us. Standing side by side, they simultaneously flip open their suit jackets to cover any open spots their bodies fail to conceal. Ace begins to peel his suit jacket off, followed by his tie and long sleeve dress shirt, “remove his fucking jacket from your body, Little Bird.” He demands possessively with his hands shaking with fury. Removing Theos' jac
Last Updated : 2023-10-13Little 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 : 2023-10-18
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
