Hazel -The morning of my birthday, I didn't expect to wake up to a room filled with teddy bears in varying shapes and shades. Initially, a warm smile stretches on my face as I think of how endearing Rachael is for setting up this early morning birthday surprise.I leap out of bed and rush downstairs for a quick thank you before I could return to shower and pray. Once I arrive at the kitchen, I'm welcomed by the dulcet aromas of baked pastries."Good morning birthday girl!" Mrs. Agnelli greets candidly as she inserts into the oven, a tray of Red Velvet Nutella Stuffed Cookies. "Look at the early morning delight for your birthday.""Good morning Mrs. Agnelli!" I survey the kitchen islands in amazement and recognize a few of the dessert dishes set on them.There is Caramel Banana Cream Tiramisu, Funfetti Cake, Creamy Eggnog Bars, and Chocolate Éclair Squares."You didn't have to go through all of this trouble for me!" I marvel as I embrace her in a quick tight hug."You didn't have to g
"I can't believe we got out of security so easily !" I marvel as we clamber into a taxi."Told you they wouldn't recognize us!" Bev reminds, a satisfactory smile on her heavily make-up-caked face. "I didn't attend cinematic Makeup school for nothing!""She's a refined cosmetologist alright!" Katie agrees.The three of us were caked in specialized theatre makeup, I was the one with the lightest makeup actually. Both Bev and Katie wore black-haired wigs while I wore a blonde one over my hijab.Our clothes were entirely different from the ones we had entered the building with, albeit mine was still covering all necessary parts of my body.All three of us wore black shades over our eyes. I found it odd that no security guards displayed the slightest a mount of suspicion. Bev, a month earlier had rigged and sabotaged the security cameras on her apartments floor.She had managed to befriend some security personnel, and they had shown her around the surveillance camera room, after which she'
HAZEL -I awoke startled by a banging noise of some sort. My vision is blurry as I spot some figure slowly approaching me. Gradually my vision begins to clear and I stare in horror at the figure before me."Rise and shine bįtch," Ilona greets with evil merriment.I try sitting up, but realize my hands and legs are bound by duct tape and rope. Even my mouth is sealed by the tape. My eyes frantically flit about in search of Bev and Katie. Where were they?I find myself sitting on a bed in an empty room with the exception of Ilona. Sunlight pours in harshly from one of the ceiling-to-floor windows while the rest are concealed by drapes."You thought you'd get away with ruining everything I had with Vladimir?" Ilona questions in an eerie disquietude.I merely blink up at her in a mixture of confusion and fear. She begins to inch closer and I try shifting away."Three years I spent trying to make him love me back and it nearly happened until your filthy Muslim áss interfered!" She shouts
Vladimir's POV in third person"I'll tell you, I'll tell you!" A man howls in terrified agony. Sounds of bones splintering, ricochet throughout the walls of a drab room. "Please!!"Like a demon of perdition, looms over him a raven black-robed figure. His face was obscured by a silver mask, with the exception of analytical blue eyes assessing his prey below.The wounded man shrieks as another one of his fingers are fractured by the brutal force of black-gloved hands. "Please!!!!"Gradually the hooded-robed figure straightens and glides to a far corner. His victim wails over the lurid sight and sensation of his broken hands. Apprehensive seconds later, the robed figure returns to his prey. Under the flickering lights, a gleam of silver flashes in a black-gloved hand.His victim's eyes widen in horror when he notices the butcher's knife. Body rendered immobilized by ropes, the wounded man's attempts to scoot away on the putrid floor fail. "No! Please don't!! Please!"Seeps from under the
The ferocity of the wind whipped his face like a thousand needles, as he stared down through the open doorway of the jet. Down below, the city lights of Dubai sparkled like lost jewels amongst the desert.He rechecked his black parachute backpack, and then adjusted his silver face mask. Before he knew it, adrenaline pumped through his body at rapid speed as he leaped out into the sky.He loved every second of it, as the pressure of the wind unsuccessfully battered his strong body. He loved the feeling of abundant freedom in the skies. The first time he had done this was at the age of eighteen and sensed what it must feel like for a bird. After that day, he'd skydive for enjoyment and thrill often enough.He had become so good at it that he'd practice landing on painted targets and buildings. His uncle Dimitri was beyond impressed that he enlisted Vladimir as a tutor in this art for any of his other cousins to learn. Both Yigor and Serge were keen on the lessons and learned fast. Yet G
"You realize what you four have done!!" Dimitri Molotov growls as he slams his bejeweled fist against his desk. His eyes align with his beloved nephew, who now appeared not so beloved. "A renewal of conflict with Ulyanov Bratva!! As if Doucette wasn't enough! You fools! Did you find it so necessary to explode the building!?Both Yigor and Serge peek warily at their blonde cousin who stood proudly next to them. They were present in the private study room of Dimitri's sprawling manorial estate. "Father, I seriously doubt the Ulyanovs are aware it was us behind the deaths of their dignitaries," Grigori assures collectively without meeting his father's furious gaze. "Besides, not as if their direct family members were harmed.""You had the girl, why the fūck did you detonate explosives?!" Dimitri glowers as his patience wore thin. "You don't think word will get out that the girl is in your fūcking possession, meaning that you fools were behind the deaths of my allies and dignitaries!?""
Hazel's POV"Shhh, it's alright," A deep masculine voice as soft as velvet reassures, cool breath fanning over my forehead. "Just a dream...shhh.""S-Some dark..." I utter groggily to the comforting voice, unable to open my sleep-laden eyes. "Sh-Shadows are getting me,""I'm here now.." The low voice imbues with concern.I can only manage to hum a reply of relief. I snuggle in the direction of that velvety voice.My face buries against a hard yet steadily heaving chest. I inhale a scent, familiarly intoxicating.A soft and deep masculine chuckle emits from the crevice of this person's throat. Their chest vibrates from the sound.I can't help but find it pleasant. An irrepressible tingly sensation pools between my legs. Yet exhaustion overtook my body instead.I feel strong arms encircling my frame. I start drifting to a slumber deeper, more peaceful than I've ever felt. All the while, I feel fingers stroking gently at my face. In the recesses of my mind, thoughts sprinkle like a drizzl
My eyes distend when he appears out, with only a towel secured around his hips. His damp blonde hair looked brunette from the moisture. The abs of his body glistened with water droplets from the recent shower. His broad shoulders gleam from the sunlight pouring in through the window.I can't help but notice the overall impressive muscular definition of his towering ivory figure. He reminded me of the Vikings from the Northern European classic tales I'd read in my childhood."Like what you see?" He questions, lips quirking in a wicked smirk.I quickly regain my composure, arms crossing over my chest as I give a huff of irritation. He only but offers me a teasing wink before he saunters towards the wardrobe as he continues. "Be a good girl now, otherwise I shall dress you myself, and frankly," He pauses, looking me over his shoulder with lustful eyes as blue as the sunlit sky. "I'll be enjoying every moment of it."My cheeks are steaming red and glancing over at Galina, she is also blu