Silvio remained unusually silent during breakfast. His jaw was tensed and so were his eyes. He hadn’t talked to me since last night I fell asleep in his arms. I didn’t know what, but something was wrong. Dante seemed concerned too. I cleared my throat. “I’ll have to go to the clinic today.” That got his attention as he whisked his head at me. Eyes still losing the spark they held whenever he looked at me. Concern etched across my face as I noticed his unusual behaviour, a silent unease settling within me. The rhythmic pulse of worry mirrored in my eyes.His jaw ticked once again and his eyes narrowed. “You’re not leaving the house.” The breakfast table became suddenly silent. I understood his worry but I could leave Margaret and the twins with all the work. I also knew he’d force me to stay at home, so I was just going to go today so that I could pile up the files I left pending. If I could, I’d request him to let me go to the clinic once or twice a week. I hope he agrees. I shoo
“What the fuck did you just say?” I gripped the phone tighter, nearly crushing it as my disbelief morphed into burning rage. “What the fuck do you mean Silas is in Italy?”“I don’t know how we missed this, there has been something strange happening in Mrs Salvatore’s clinic. I just did the monthly security check and there are some new faces.” Micah’s voice was tense. “I am trying to get the information but their files are blank. I don’t think we hired those guards.” There was another long pause and then he said. “I believe that they work for Silas. Yet I am sure but I have some suspicions. I will check the clinic footage and report if I find something unusual.”My rage deepened with every sentence he spoke. “How did they fucking got in the clinic when I told you—” I took a deep breath. It was no use yelling at him. First I needed to make sure Sadie was safe. “Anyways, inform Dante about the situation.” “I did,” Micah mumbled. There was a little hesitancy in his voice. Something I had
Russia was as cold as I remembered—probably colder than my eyes as I looked at Nikolaev. The cold seeped through the thick layers of clothing and settled deep within my chest, making me feel as if I’d never felt the warmth again. I never liked Russia, and that was the reason why I avoided doing business with Nikolaev. I couldn’t stand the weather.But just like last time, here I was, and this time, with ulterior motives.The moment it was inveterate Sadie was kidnapped, I felt my body numbing, it was a kind of reaction that left Micah stunned too. I wasn’t screaming, I wasn’t yelling, yet a chill ran down my spine, for the first time in several years. Something I have never felt after my mother died—I swallowed. Not dead. She was still alive.It should have brought warmth to my chest, yet all it brought was coldness, the glacial embrace of the past and memories I thought I had forgotten.“Maybe you should reconsider your plan.” Nikolaev’s voice interrupted my thoughts. For a moment I
The blindfold tightened around my eyes, pushing me into dense darkness. Silas's firm grip on my arm dragged me forward, and the air grew colder with each step. I shivered, not just from the biting cold, but from the uncertainty that enveloped me. My senses heightened due to the lack of vision.Silas's possessive and commanding touch sent a shiver down my spine. I resisted the urge to pull away, my jaw clenched in frustration. It was infuriating how he had control as if I were nothing more than a pawn in his twisted revenge game. My steps stumbled as he dragged me to god know where. The air in the place felt damp, and the faint echoes of distant pained moans reached my ears.Dante and Seb were not far behind. The muffled sounds of their pained groans served as disturbing background noise, intensifying my unease. I strained to hear any other clues about our surroundings, but the cold silence of the place only added to the confusion. I hated ho
Silas stormed through the cemented hallways, his impatience radiating like a storm about to break loose. His finely tailored suit seemed incongruent with the turmoil churning within him. His piercing gaze quickly caught the guards standing at the end. His speed quickened as he stormed towards them.The guard looked up, his eyes widened at Silas. He could feel the anger radiating off him in waves. "Who brought him here?" Silas growled, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade. He grabbed the guard by the collar of his shirt, his grip firm and commanding. The guard was caught off guard by the sudden onslaught, trembled under his' grip."I-I... I don't know, Mr. Anderson," the guard stuttered, his words escaping in a nervous stammer. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he struggled to maintain composure under his penetrating gaze.Silas tightened his grip, frustration simmering beneath his composed exterior. Silvio couldn’t be here. It would ruin everything, every sin
As the door creaked open, I jumped startled, my eyes widening in both fear and confusion. Silas limped in, the dim light casting grotesque shadows on his battered face, his grin resembling that of a crazy predator. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Chained and vulnerable, I looked up, my breath catching.He was bleeding from his nose, and his cheeks and the side of his face were swollen. I didn’t want to think how he managed to get himself beaten up.I was battling within when a yelp left my lips.Silas stormed toward me, a manic gleam in his hazel eyes. In one swift, brutal motion, he seized my arm, yanking me up with a fierce force that made me thrash violently against his grip. My gaze filled with terror and confusion. A low cut on his lips, nose broken, blood seeping through his skin. I swallowed.“Let go!” I screamed as the chains around my wrists rattled.My breath caught as he cupped my jaw and squeezed it hard. Tears danced in my eyes as I glared at him."See, this is what you
“Don’t worry, I’ll change that.” He whispered, his lips pressing a chilling kiss against the back of my neck. Tremors ran through me, a foreboding sense of danger lingering.He moved away, wiping the blood from his nose, and a crazy glint danced in Silas's eyes. Panic gripped me, and I shot up. "Where are you going?" I pleaded, the chains rattling. He walked to the door, limping yet he held the power to twist the fate. Something terrible was going to happen.His eyes wild and crazed turned to me. "You said love can't be controlled, just trying to prove you wrong." His hand twisted the doorknob, and anxiety pulsed through me."Silas!" I screamed, thrashing against the stiff chains. What was he planning? And he looked over his shoulder at me and winked before shutting the door behind him.My heart stopped beating, the silence engulfed me. He wouldn’t harm anyone, would he? A few minutes passed in silence, and I waited.Footsteps echoed outside, accompanied by groans. The door burst open
The cold wind howled outside the small cabin, its wooden walls barely holding back the biting chill of the Russian winter. Alejandro and Mitchelle sat by a crackling fire, the flames casting eerie shadows across their faces as they sipped vodka, their breath misting in the frigid air. The guards were guarding the area, and some of them were stationed just outside the cabin.Mitcchelle’s dark eyes glinted with malice as he spoke, his voice low and menacing. "Your son, I do not trust him," he growled, his words punctuated by the crackling of the fire. "Keep him on a leash. I do not want any casualties. If it comes to that, I'll kill him."Alejandro’s lips curled into a cold smirk as he raised his glass. "Don't worry about him," he replied, his voice smooth and calculated. "He'll be fine. I know what strings to pull to control him. He won't be a problem; I can assure you of that.""But I am sceptical," Mitchelle countered, his gaze narrowing. Silas had been acting strange."Oh, for fuck'
I guess it hit me harder than I expected because I've been super busy all week. Silvio suggested I take a vacation, but I didn't listen because I'm stubborn. Between looking after Sandro, who's growing up fast, and my job at the clinic, I've been getting tired too quickly.And on top of that, this week was our marriage anniversary. Silvio warned me if I neglected my health one more time, he’d tie me up and lock me in our bedroom. My husband was over-protective ever since I gave birth to Sandro. My pregnancy was tough, in the sixth month, I started feeling nauseous and I was diagnosed with jaundice. My partial depression was the sole reason, I skipped meals, started remaining distant, and barely would talk. I didn’t know how but I was slowly rolling into the pit, not knowing how to deal with all that happened.But Silvio helped me get through all that. He was by my side, in my tough times, when I was riding the low tides. My husband wrapped me in his own darkness and everything else f
Nothing seemed right. The more I tried, the messier it became. Ever since the day Deliah had a panic attack, Silvio and her had been avoiding each other. As much as I wanted, all of this kept getting worse.Not to mention there was no one I could talk to either. Olivia and Dad flew back to the States yesterday. Dante and Micah seemed busier than ever. The security in the mansion was tighter and more cameras were installed. Today I had an appointment with Doctor Rachel. My baby was doing well, he was healthy and that relieved me. These past few days had been so painful and turning I was even scared to close my eyes.Alessandro’s dead eyes still haunted me, but I was learning to cope with all that. Silvio arranged therapy for me despite my refusal, he said my mental health would affect our child and I couldn’t argue.Even with lows, we had highs too. We were closer than ever. He was extra careful with me. We haven’t had sex ever since the plane and that was fine with me. He was giving m
Blood rushed through my veins violently and the need to destroy something- anything intensified. I knew her tactics; she was too transparent to even hide her thoughts. The moment my eyes met hers, I knew what she wanted.The adrenaline that rushed through my body a moment earlier was now slowly subduing, replacing with more volatile things. Emotions. So raw and gut-wrenching that I felt it hitting my heart with force that consumed me gradually.I averted my gaze off her face, focusing on anything or better, I should just leave. Before I destroy us, the things we had some time ago, many years back, many years ago before she let go of me.The room felt oppressively still, mingling with the tension.My back was turned to her, but I could sense her presence, the weight of her gaze bearing down on me. Every muscle in my body was taut, ready for flight or fight, yet her voice had a way of holding me in place.I could feel the emotions rising in my throat, tearing me apart."Your wife is a k
The scream that woke me up was like something out of a horror movie, I swear. It was full-on bloodcurdling, dripping with desperation and terror. It bounced off the walls, echoing through the whole darn house and sending a shockwave of adrenaline coursing through my veins.I shot up in bed, heart pounding like crazy in my chest. The darkness seemed thicker than ever, pressing in on me as I strained to figure out where the scream was coming from.My mind was racing a mile a minute, trying to make sense of it all. But one thing was for sure, whatever was going on, it wasn't good.I was on my feet and out of bed before I even had time to fully wake up. The scream had died down, but my heart was still racing like crazy. Fumbling in the darkness, I reached for the lamp and flicked it on, the sudden brightness momentarily blinding me.My eyes darted around the room, panic rising in my chest as I realized that Silvio wasn't there. The bed was empty, and that fuelled my fear tenfold. Where wa
The aroma of roasted chicken lingered in the air, but it seemed like even the savoury scent couldn't quite dismiss the tension hanging over the dining room. My husband sat across from me, his usual warmth replaced by a distant look in his eyes as he toyed with his fork, avoiding his mother's gaze.I could sense his inner conflict, the desire to bridge the gap with his mother battling against some unseen force keeping him at arm's length. It tugged at my heartstrings, seeing him like this.To break the awkward silence, I cleared my throat and spoke up, hoping to steer the conversation toward safer shores. "So, what names have you guys been tossing around?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.Relief washed over me as Olivia clapped her hands with enthusiasm. Her sudden burst of excitement seemed to jolt everyone, and I heard Papa chuckling. “Papa and I came up with some names. Do you want to hear?”"Absolutely!" I replied with a grin. “I'd love to." My eyes met Silvio’s for a brief mom
It was dark when we landed. I lead a sleepy Sadie off the plane, and we get in the car to drive home. Micah was her to pick us up. Home. It was strange thinking of this place as home again. It was my home when I was a child, and I hated it. I hated everything about it, from the humid heat to the walls that had us trapped. Where my father was buried and my brother- Sandro. Yet when I got older, I found myself drawn to places just like this—trapped, something that gave me power and control.It took Sadie’s presence here to make me realize I didn’t hate the mansion after all. This place was never the object of my hatred—it was always the person it belonged to.My father.My childhood was what people would trade their souls for, my father was the son of Italy’s most influential man- Lucius Salvatore. My grandfather was a nice man, wealthy and kind. He lost my grandmother when my father was born. And Antonio Salvatore became the reason why Lucius drifted into darkness. For him, my father
He let out a low groan as our lips met. Our tongues intertwined, burning a fire between us. His strong arm pulled me closer, drawing me into his hold, and I could sense the tension building in his powerful body.His breath quickened against my lips, matching the rapid beat of my own heart. And the kiss deepened, becoming almost primal as if he couldn't get enough of me. Each movement sent a shiver down my spine, my body responding eagerly to his touch.With every touch, every kiss, the desire just grew stronger, the hunger consuming us both. Nothing else mattered except the electric connection we shared, sending waves of pleasure coursing through my body."Hands on the table. Now." His voice carried a low, almost predatory edge, causing a shiver to run down my spine as he abruptly broke away from our kiss and rose to his feet. With a firm grip, he pulled me up from my seat, leaving me momentarily speechless.Before I could utter a word, his fingers closed around my wrist, harshly turn
The jet took off, and Dante checked the security once again. Silvio's mother was in the cabin in front, I offered to sit with her, but she refused. I had barely talked to her, but she seemed like a nice woman. For the next hour, I sat in silence, nibbling on my fruits and sipping my coffee. Silvio seemed engrossed in his emails, so I chose not to disturb him. Instead, I tried to lose myself in the scenery unfolding outside the window as we soared over the London countryside. But no matter how hard I tried to focus, my mind kept drifting, my thoughts wandering off with every blink.Sitting there felt surreal, almost out of place. It was as if we were in a bubble, untouched by the horrors we had just endured. It was hard to believe that mere moments ago, we had faced terror and torture, yet here we were, seemingly unscathed, flying above the peaceful landscape below. As if I hadn't ended a man's life in cold blood, the memory of his death haunting me with every passing moment. As if I
My hands shook. The more I tried to keep myself calm, the worse it was getting. I didn’t know how or when, but when I woke up, I found myself being held by two nurses as they injected me with Diazepam. There were blurry images in my head, so horrifying and disturbing I didn’t know if it was reality or just my imagination.“Do you want me to call your husband?” I shook my head. That would only make things worse. He would ask me questions and again, I wouldn’t be able to answer. How would I when I was clueless myself? I thought with time these nightmares would fade, but it was getting worse. This time I saw the mangled body of our unborn child, his eyes gauged out and blood spilling everywhere.The terror seeping through me was unwavering, I… I felt so scared.The fright crept through my veins like icy tendrils, freezing every ounce of courage within me. My heart raced, a frantic drumbeat echoing in my chest, while my breaths came in shallow gasps, barely enough to sustain me. The darkn