The clock ticked past midnight, and I lay still fast asleep, unaware of the world around me. After a long and exhausting day, I craved the calmness of a peaceful rest at night. Suddenly, a heavy weight pressed down beside me on the bed, sinking my petite form deeper into the mattress. Panic surged through me, and I bolted upright, my eyes darting through the darkness of the room. Those intense, bright blue eyes pierced through the gloom, staring back at me with mixed emotions I knew all too well but still couldn’t quite understand. I didn’t need to turn on the light to know who it was. I knew it was him—his touch, his scent, his eyes, and the heat radiating from his body. “Why are you wearing panties?” he growled dangerously in my ear, sending a shiver of fear down my spine. “Did you forget that I told you not to wear them and to always be ready for me in our bed?” My heart raced. I didn’t want to provoke my husband, his rage was an unpleasant one. Alessandro Valentino, the Mafia l
A knock on the door jolted me awake the next morning, I opened my eyes, a wave of panic washed over me. Alessandro’s arm was wrapped tightly around me, pinning me against his hard chest. The warmth of his body was unmistakable, yet it confused me. Why was he holding me like this when he barely seemed to tolerate me? Did he get so drunk last night that he forgot his usual scorn?I shifted just slightly, careful not to wake him, and risked a glance at his face. My gaze traced the sharp angles of his jaw and those powerful shoulders I’d seen dominate so many rooms—and so many people. Despite the bitterness i felt in our marriage, I couldn’t deny how magnetic he looked, even in sleep. His muscular arms were wrapped around me like a cage, each tattooed line heightening his strength. His thick thighs tangled with mine, and the heat of his body pressed against me in a way that had my heart racing. I bit back a sigh, forcing my gaze away from his closed eyes, strong, and calm face. I felt t
I hurried to the kitchen, hoping to get breakfast on the table before Alessandro accuses me of delaying. The last thing I wanted was to give him another reason to be mad at me. But suddenly, i felt dizzy again, my vision blurred, I had to stop and grab the railing, breathing through the wave of nausea. The early stages of pregnancy were already taking its toll on me, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hide it.After a few moment of trying to steady myself, I pushed forward, managing to reach the kitchen and start cooking. We had servants, but they treated me just as poorly as he did, cold and indifferent because my own husband didn’t respect me. But I was enduring it all for one reason—my baby. This tiny life growing inside me gave me hope, dreams and a reason to keep going. Even if Alessandro didn’t love me, I’d always loved him, and I couldn’t help but believe that this miracle baby was a chance for us. Maybe once he held our child in his arms, he’d see me differently, maybe
Alessandro's voice sliced through the air, cold and sharp. “In your own words, wife,” he sneered, his smirk loaded with threat. My throat tightened, but I managed to stammer, “N-no!”His gaze drilled into mine, victorious. “Exactly. And that’s the only answer I expect from you,” he drawled, each word heavy with contempt. Just then, Maria, standing off to the side, let her words slip in a hateful mutter, “Then… whose child is it?” She feigned an innocent expression, quickly backtracking with, “I… I didn’t mean to say that.”Her words hit their mark, lighting a dangerous fire in Alessandro’s eyes. He seized my face, fingers digging painfully into my skin. I felt like he might snap me in two. Leaning in close, his voice dropped to a venomous whisper. “If I find out you’re carrying another man’s child…” he warned, his tone oozing danger, “I’ll kill you and that bastard baby.” My heart sank, but I knew better than to try to defend myself. No explanation would satisfy him; I could feel it.
Enzo PovI leaned against the bar, nursing a glass of scotch, watching the chaos unfold around me with Maria by my side. The moment Vanessa planted a kiss on Alessandro, the flash of cameras erupted, capturing the scene from every angle. Within seconds, it was everywhere—social media, news feeds, you name it. But no one bothered to catch what happened right after. Alessandro stepped back, pushing her away with a gentle but firm hand, his voice dropping low, cold, and clear."Don't do that again. I’m a married man," he warned.I doubt anyone heard her murmured apology, and it didn’t look like Alessandro was going to set the record straight either. That Casanova reputation? It was exactly the image he wanted, a perfect smokescreen to keep his wife safe. The last thing he needed was anyone thinking she mattered to him, making her an easy target for anyone wanting to get at him. He was known for bringing anyone but his wife to these parties, making sure people thought she was nothing to h
Aria sat quietly on the plane, the hum of the engines a relaxing backdrop to her racing thoughts. She stored one hand protectively over her belly, feeling the tiny flutter of lifestyles inside her. Her mind replayed the occasions of the past few days, a whirlwind of worry, betrayal, and heartbreak. But now, because the aircraft soared excessively above the clouds, she allowed herself a moment of desire. This turned into a new start for her and her infant.As the plane touched down in New York, Aria felt a mixture of excitement and tension. She had never been to the town before, and the bustling airport was overwhelming. She amassed her baggage and stepped outdoors, the cold December air hitting her cheeks and making her shiver. She hailed a cab and gave the motive force the address of a small apartment she had found online. It wasn't a whole lot, however, it would be a safe place to begin over.The rental became tiny, with peeling paint and a faint odor of mildew, but it was hers. Ari
Aria sat on the sofa, her fingers clenched tightly around the cell phone because the closing phrases of Alessandro echoed in her thoughts. "You'll remorse this, Aria." His voice has been so cold, so complete of anger and malice, that it sent a sit back through her entire frame. She attempted to push the concern away, to the consciousness of the warm temperature of Jack sitting next to her, however, the unease lingered.Jack glanced at her, sensing her anxiety. "Are you ok?" he asked softly, his hand gently squeezing hers. "We'll determine this out. You’re no longer on my own."But Aria could not shake the weight of the smartphone call. Her mind raced. Could Alessandro genuinely find her here? Would he come after Jack too? The idea of him hurting all of us she cared about made her stomach turn. But she couldn't pass back to him. She would not."Aria, I need you to listen to me," Jack continued, his voice cooperating but mild. "This is critical, but we’re now not helpless. You have me,
The sound of sirens wailing within the distance seemed to echo in Aria’s mind, a steady reminder of the danger that lingered simply out of her door. Jack had insisted that they stay hidden for some time, but the weight of the state of affairs changed beginning to sink in. Aria had in no way imagined her lifestyle might be like this—at the run, constantly searching over her shoulder. It felt just like the calm before a storm, and the uncertainty gnawed at her each second."Aria, you want to rest," Jack said, his voice smooth but insistent. He became usually searching out for her, but she knew he couldn’t guard her from the infinite worry that pulsed in her veins. His subject changed into clear inside the way he watched her, the manner in his hand would often brush in opposition to hers in comfort, however it wasn’t sufficient to quell the storm inside her."I can’t," Aria whispered, her gaze fixed on the window, watching the nighttime grow darker. "I keep considering what Alessandro mi
The air in the cavern was heavy, thick with the hum of ancient energy and the weight of countless secrets. Sophia’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the glowing runes etched into the chamber walls. Their pulsing rhythm seemed to match the beating of her own heart, as if the room itself was alive and watching her every move.Leo stood beside her, his jaw clenched as he surveyed their surroundings. “This place feels… wrong,” he muttered, his voice low but firm. “Like it’s testing us.”Sophia nodded, though her mind was elsewhere. The words of the hooded man from before still lingered in her mind: “You can’t escape what’s coming.” What did he mean? Was this what he was warning them about?On the other side of the cavern, Selene and Aric were inspecting a massive door. It was carved from black stone, its surface engraved with the same glowing symbols as the walls. Chains of pure light wrapped around it, sealing whatever lay beyond.“This door isn’t just locked,” Selene said, he
The moon hung high above the horizon, casting its pale light over the abandoned mansion. The silence was deafening, broken only by the occasional creak of the old floorboards. Selene stood at the grand entrance, her hand hovering just inches from the door handle. The weight of the decision pressing on her chest felt suffocating. What had she gotten herself into? What was lurking behind those walls?Leo stood beside her, his jaw clenched tightly. His presence, despite the calm exterior, was a storm of conflicting emotions. He had known this day would come, but to actually face it now, with everything at stake, was another matter entirely. They had both fought so hard to get here, but would it be enough? Would they find the truth, or would they lose themselves in the process?"I don't think we should go in," Selene murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes scanned the mansion, tracing the intricate details of the crumbling architecture. Every window seemed to be watching them
The battle raged on, and with every passing second, the world around them seemed to crumble further into chaos. Leo could feel the darkness closing in, the weight of it pressing down on him, threatening to swallow him whole. It wasn’t just a physical fight anymore; it was a battle for his very soul.His eyes flicked around the chasm, searching for a weakness, a way to break free from the endless tide of shadow that seemed to consume everything it touched. But there was nothing. The ancient being was everywhere, its presence suffocating and relentless.Selene's voice cut through the noise, sharp and full of fear. "Leo! Get back! It's too dangerous!"But he couldn’t stop. He couldn’t turn back. Not when they were so close. He had come too far to back down now. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the moment he had prepared for, and he would see it through, no matter the cost."I can't stop now," Leo muttered to himself, his grip tightening on his sword as he pushed forward, the
The world felt still, as if it held its breath in anticipation of what was to come. Every corner of the desolate wasteland they had traversed for weeks whispered promises of doom, while the air itself seemed thick with the weight of inevitability. The sky, once a brilliant blue, had faded into an eerie gray, casting a shadow over the land. The group of weary travelers stood at the edge of the Abyssal Chasm, staring down into its depths.Leo’s heart pounded in his chest as his eyes fixed on the swirling black mist that rose from the chasm below. He could feel the darkness. The ancient being that had haunted him every step for years, the force he had fought so hard to escape, was finally within reach. He had no choice but to confront it now.Selene stood beside him, her hand subtly brushing against his as if to offer some comfort. Her face, usually calm and resolute, was etched with fear. “Are you sure about this?” she asked softly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to hide i
Selene’s chest heaved as she staggered backward, narrowly dodging the Wraith’s claws that sliced through the air like a deadly blade. The cavern around her seemed to close in, the walls pulsating with a menacing rhythm as though the very ground was alive, feeding off the chaos that swirled in the air. Her breath came in short gasps, her heart hammering in her chest, but her eyes were locked on the creature in front of her, its glowing yellow eyes, its jagged, blackened form.She could feel the darkness wrapping itself around her, tightening, suffocating. Her mind raced for a plan, any kind of escape, but she knew that she couldn’t outrun the Wraith. Not like this. She had to stand her ground. The creature’s lips curled into a twisted grin, exposing rows of sharp teeth, and it took a step toward her, its form shifting, blurring with each movement as if it were made of shadows itself. The air seemed to crackle with dark energy as it slowly closed in, its movements like liquid smoke.“S
The forest seemed alive with whispers, each rustling leaf carrying secrets the group could not yet understand. As the moonlight filtered through the dense canopy above, the shadows appeared to shift and move, as if hiding something or someone. The group, now reunited after their narrow escape from the ambush, was once again on edge.Leo tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade, his eyes scanning the darkness. Sophia walked beside him, her mind racing with unanswered questions. “We’re being followed,” she muttered under her breath, her instincts screaming at her to run.Selene, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly stopped in her tracks. “Do you hear that?” she whispered, her voice trembling.The group froze, ears straining to catch the faintest sound. At first, there was nothing but the hum of the night, but then it came a low, rhythmic thumping, like footsteps but heavier.Before they could react, a figure emerged from the shadows ahead, illuminated briefly by a beam of moonlight
The atmosphere within the safehouse had shifted dramatically since the woman’s cryptic warning. Tension hung heavy in the air, and everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells. Sophia’s mind replayed the woman’s words over and over again: “If you don’t listen to me, you’ll never survive.”The safehouse, once their sanctuary, now felt like a prison of unanswered questions. Sophia couldn’t shake the feeling that the woman’s knowledge held the key to their survival, but finding her again seemed almost impossible.As she paced the main room, Selene appeared, holding a sheet of paper in her trembling hands.“Sophia,” Selene said, her voice tight. “You need to see this.The ground trembled beneath Selene’s feet, sending shards of stone tumbling from the walls. Her pulse quickened as the voice called to her again, this time clearer, more distinct."Selene... come to me."It was Leo’s voice, without a doubt. The same warmth, the same intensity. She had been searching for him for so long, enduri
The air felt thick, charged with something unfamiliar and unnatural. Selene’s footsteps echoed in the dimly lit corridor as she navigated the twisting passage, the shadows wrapping around her like a suffocating embrace. Her heart beat in her chest, quick and erratic, but she pushed the fear aside. It had no place here. Not while she was so close.With each step, she could feel the weight of the cavern pressing in on her, the walls narrowing as if the very earth itself sought to entrap her. The ominous growl of the beast from earlier still echoed in her ears, but the deeper she moved into the labyrinth, the more it seemed like the creature’s presence had faded. Instead, there was something else, something far more chilling.A low, melodic whisper floated on the wind. It was soft at first, almost like a lullaby, but it grew louder with every step she took. The words were indecipherable, like a language that had been forgotten by time itself."Leo," she whispered to herself, though she w
Selene gasped for air, the crushing weight of the abyss finally releasing its grip on her chest. She felt dizzy, disoriented, but there was no time to gather herself. The walls around her seemed to pulse, shifting as if the cavern itself were alive. She could hear the faint echoes of Leo’s voice, but it was distant, almost like a whisper carried on the wind."Leo!" she called out, her voice trembling with urgency, but the shadows swallowed her words.Her feet moved on their own accord, each step bringing her deeper into the maze-like passages of the cavern. Every time she thought she had found a way forward, another passageway appeared, leading her further into the darkness. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of unseen things moving in the shadows.She had to find Leo. She had to find Kieran and Elias. They couldn’t be far, could they?A soft, eerie laugh echoed through the cavern, and Selene froze. The sound seemed to come from all around her, bending an