BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV I walked into the house and stopped when I saw the people gathered around the picture of Celine that had been mounted at the center of the house, the scent of incense lingering in the air as the family's priest chanted loudly. "What the hell is going on here?" I roared, and they all turned to face me, the room going quiet. Father's features hardened as his gaze landed on me, his jaw ticking in anger."What does it look like Belshar, we are holding a funeral for Celine since you have refused to do it yourself and rather spend your whole day killing and wasting away in alcohol"I scoffed, then started towards him as I scratched my head with the gun that was in my hand. "And why will you do that, father? Who told you that Celine was dead?" I asked, tilting my head so my gaze could take in everyone in the room."You failed to protect your wife and she lost her life, stop being pathetic and do what is right," he said and I stared at him before I burst into a fit o
DELIA HERRERA POV There was something bright shining into my eyes, and I blinked my eyes, wincing when a flood of pain coursed through my skin. Was I dead? Was I in hell? There was a constant beeping sound, and that drove me to near insanity, but I could do nothing but lay still.Forcing my throat to work, I let out a groan and then heard my name, but even my ears weren't working right, and everything sounded muffled."Delia... Delia, are you awake" I tried harder to get my eyes to open, but it was like there were weights placed on them, and the pain that I had become aware of only got worse the harder I tried."Please wake up, Delia... I am so sorry about everything. If you wake up, I swear I am going to be a better husband to you, I am going to spend the rest of my life just making it up to you, I promise, so please open your eyes and look at me again Delia" I wanted to, and as his voice became much clearer, it became easier to move my eyeball beneath my lids, too.So I wasn't in
DELIA HERRERA POV The applause around made my heart stutter and as I shook hands with the board members, I couldn't help but grin widely. This was my dream come true and it was happening exactly how I'd envisioned it."We are so glad to have you on board, Mrs Stanton," one of the board members said, jerking my attention from my inner thoughts, and I glanced at him to see that he was offering me a handshake. I gladly took it and when that was done, I spent the next few minutes getting acquainted with everyone around the table.The atmosphere was jovial, and I basked in all the attention that was being showered, but I couldn't enjoy it because what I was really looking forward to was for everything to be over so I could go to the one place I'd been dying to go. Celine's office that would now be mine. Just the thought of it was making my skin tingle and I couldn't wait for the meeting to be over. "Hopefully, with you on board, we can finally get that deal with the Caruso corporation,"
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED "There's still no information, is there?" I asked, my gaze burning into Stone's as he stood in front of me, his hand clutched at his back, his expression wry and his eyes evasive. "So, what should I do" I asked as I picked up the gun from the table in front of me and aimed at him. "Should I just kill you and do everything myself?" I asked, then grinned when Stone just stood there rigidly, his eyes never showing fear even though he knew that I could decide to kill him at any time I chose."We have information that there have been some covert operations led by Xavier's clan members at Deluxe Bayou; I already sent our men to intercept them," he relayed, and I threw my head back in exasperation. "I know that already, Stone; who do you think tipped off your source?" I got out, drew my head up, and stared at him tiredly. "Those men will all be killed but they are of no importance to me, Stone. They are bloody pawns that Xavier wants to use in diverting our attention,"
BELLA POV I'd been impulsive again, and as Belshar shoved me away from him harshly, the whole scenario that led to this moment flashed through my head, and I wished that I could take it back, but I knew I couldn't.I stumbled back and fell to the ground, my gaze jerking up to see his angry ones looking down at me. I swallowed hard.Have I been too hasty? Should I have given it a little more time? But that was what I have been doing all this time, and what did that get me? Nothing, absolutely nothing.If Belshar had not realized by now that I had feelings for him even after all I had done and all the subtle hints I'd given him, he was never going to, and I was tired of waiting. No, I was not just tired; I was sick of it.I'd been patient from the very moment Selene died and he'd come to me because we shared the same sorrow. I offered him an ear when he needed someone to listen to him, and I shared his pain as best as I could, but what did I get for it? He shattered my heart with a fuc
DELIA HERRERA POV "So, she's a drug junkie huh. I knew there was something suspicious about her after I saw her putting that drug in Celine's drink." I got out as I stared at the pictures in my hand, then glanced up from them to smile at Kail. "This is something Kail, but it is not enough" Kail shrugged, his eyes looking tired. "That was only what I could find out about her. So what are you going to do now? What do you plan to do about Belshar? He has totally incapacitated the whole family, he has us under surveillance twenty-four-seven and monitors all the collection" "Does he now?" I grinned, and Kail rolled his eyes. "I know my way around the measures he'd put in place, that is why I can see you without anyone finding out about it. So what is your plan and are you going to give me all that cash I asked for"I dropped the pictures and documents he'd gotten on Bella, placed my hand under my chin, and held his gaze. "You haven't gotten what I really want, Kail, so why should I gi
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV There were dead men everywhere, and as I and Stone navigated the Black Serpent mafia house, I could tell that they had all been taken unawares. It looked like they had been having a celebration when the attack happened. But even before that, they were probably poisoned, and those who survived were shot in the head. So this was why there had been no response from them. Xavier had visited them and left no one alive, the bastard. Xavier had always been quiet, so the sudden massacre raised a lot of questions in my head. He was acting recklessly and making enemies; he'd also killed everyone and didn't take over the city, so what the hell was he plotting? "There is no survivors Don Belshar. We checked the whole area, and all the men are dead," he said, and I grimaced. It was another dead end and the rage I felt grew suffocating. For how long was he going to run? For how long did I have to chase after the fucking vermin!"That fucking rat. Let him run all he wants
DELIA HERRERA POV Kail had been quiet, too quiet and I couldn't help but worry. Why was he stalling after I gave him all that money? The only consolation I had was that before he completely went off the grid, he'd told me that our plan would have to be delayed since Belshar was still on the quest for his revenge. But that was three weeks ago. I could feel my knees jerking rapidly, but I couldn't help it; I was fucking restless and worried. I wish Xavier would just stop running so Belshar would kill him and I'll be able to have him all to myself.That bastard was ruining all of my plans and it was starting to get on my last nerve.Someone snapped their finger in my face, and I jumped, my gaze meeting those of Enoch's worried ones, and I let out a sharp gasp, my eyes widening.I'd totally forgotten that he was in my office. He said he came to check up on me and had probably been saying something when I zoned out on him as my thoughts took over. I sat straighter and slowly blew out a
KAIL NESSAR ABED POV "Victor stakov" the man gasped, blood spurting from his mouth. "It was Victor Stakov," he shouted, then screamed when I pressed the branding rod against his skin.The sizzling sound and the smell of burning flesh filled the room, everything mingling to create an atmosphere charged with an intensity that made my blood surge through my veins as if I were riding out a high God I missed this. How long had it been since I last tortured anyone? I'd made a lot of coffee and cakes to keep myself occupied but it was always so monotonous. It got boring too. This. This was exactly what I needed. Dropping the rod onto the burning coal, I raked my hand through my hair and stared down at the man on the table. His body was covered with my brand, his skin bruised and burnt.It was a work of art, really, but there were still some spaces that I hadn't marked, and my fingers itched to pick up the rod and fill it up."Please" he gasped, spitting out more blood. "Don't kill me. I
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV My heart was in my throat. Fuck! I slammed my hand on the steering wheel. I was speeding through the highway but I didn't care. I should have known that something like this was going to happen. "Argh" I roared, my hand clenching on the steering wheel. "I'm going to make you pay bastard"Just how was Celine feeling right now? My heart raced with every terrible scenario, Fear clawing at my chest, its icy grip suffocating me. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think, couldn't fucking wrap my mind around the fact that she had almost been hurt.I watched it all happen too.I veered off the road, my tires screeching as I turned a sharp corner. Kail's cafe loomed in the distance.When I arrived at the spot, I noticed that the car the hitmen had used was still parked out front. The windows were shattered and bullet holes riddled the door. My hands trembled, the rage in my chest suffocating. The guards were still standing around. Their greeting went unheard as the roaring
CELINE HERRERA POV Belshar still wasn't saying anything. Anytime I got a picture, I asked him about his day, hoping that he was going to tell me about the girl and why he was meeting up with her but each time I asked, he just told me how work went and how boring everything was while skipping out the most important thing I wanted to know about.There were six pictures so far, and I was starting to get angry. It all came with messages too. Messages that ruined my day every time I thought of them.Was it a reporter sending the images? Are they going to call soon to demand money or threaten to release the picture?They probably wouldn't, especially since the photos were not that incriminating.The most intimate one was the first picture I got and that was because the lady had been in a bathing suit.I dragged my finger through my hair and then sighed. "Should I just ask Belshar about it?" We had real enemies to worry about, so why was I allowing this to chip away at me? What was I so af
VICTOR STAKOV "I don't think our plan is going to work out, "Gabby got out as she strode toward my desk. "No, I know it is not going to," she said, stopping in front of me. She leaned toward me, her hands slamming down hard to get my attention. "Belshar is being very difficult"I glanced up from the laptop in front of me and then flipped it close when she arched a brow. Exhaling roughly, I inched close to her. "How many times are we going to go over this, Gabby""As many times I meet up with him and he ignores my very existence"I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Give it time, it's going to work. You're just too impatient for your own good""No, that's not the case this time. It's been two weeks. Two weeks of trying my damned best to get his attention. We've met a total of six times and I am still not close to getting his attention as at the start""You told me he spoke with you the last time you pretended to run into him at a conference""He also spoke to other women there," Gabby s
CELINE HERRERA POV "What's wrong. You look pale" Victoria noticed, her eyes flaring in concern.I shook my head and dropped my phone. "Nothing, I just got a message from Belshar that's all. I think he will be home late today""You don't have to look so sad just because he's staying out, I am here to keep you company am I not"I forced a smile. "Yeah, but you're not Belshar"She rolled her eyes. "I don't know what I do at this job of mine. I'm just getting paid for doing nothing""Isn't that the dream job?"She grinned. "It is, but sometimes I need to feel the adrenaline from working hard at something"I shook my head. "You are so weird," I said, then reached for the fruit and popped one into my mouth. It didn't taste good, not with the image I'd seen replaying in my head over and over again.Why had he gone to the beach? What was he doing with her?Did they know each other from before? He hadn't even looked at her at the restaurant. Was that all a facade?God, my brain hurts just thi
CELINE HERRERA POV "I think Kail is stalking me," Karen said and I glanced up at her. "What?""I don't know Celine... I feel like I've been running into him a lot lately""Define a lot""Like every day of this past week. He runs a cafe so how is that even possible? Just how much time does he have to be going around like that, and that too everywhere I go? We don't have the same bloody schedule." She turned to face me, her back resting against the railings. "Do you think I am being paranoid""No, I don't think so," I said since it was Kail we were talking about. Just because he turned a new leave and was acting like a saint now didn't mean that he hadn't once been the epitome of all things evil. Also, I'd noticed the way his gaze had been on Karen the last time we were at his cafe. He'd stared at her as if he was trying to see into her soul.Karen pushed away from the railing. "Should I be worried? I can't imagine what he could want from me""I think he likes you," Victoria chipped i
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV"Do you have anything to report?" I asked Christian. The words that Victor had said to me a week ago rang in my head, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. It had been a threat. Was he going to target my wife? My fist clenched. "There is nothing so far. All Victor does is work and attend conference meetings. He's been creating a network for his business that has started to work from how much progress he made this week, but rest assured, all eyes are on him"Was that what he was hoping for? For all of my attention to be on him while he worked in the shadows to strike those closest to me."I want you to plant a mole in his mansion. I need to know what goes on when he's alone in his house.""Already working on that. We'll have inside information soon.""Celine has been home for a while now, but she's going to get bored as time goes on, so assign more bodyguards to her whenever she gets the urge to go out""Yes boss"I let out a rough exhale, then glanced up at Chris
CELINE HERRERA POV I was out with Belshar, and the Sky looked so blue that I couldn't help but feel a little thrill as I gazed up at it."Nice weather, huh?" he asked as he took my hand in his.I nodded. "It's really nice""We just have to walk for a few minutes and we'll be at the restaurant. The doctor said you need to walk more than you already do""Do we have to do everything he says"He grinned. "We don't want to give that man a heart attack, so let's just follow his advice, okay? He worries over you more than I do"I chuckled. "True. Off we go then," I said, and we started to walk.The street was a lot quieter than usual, and all of a sudden, I couldn't help but think if a hitman was lurking in the shadow, waiting to get a perfect angle and take us out.It was all because of Victor Stakov. That was the name of the man who was threatening to destroy the peaceful happiness that I and Belshar currently shared. It was unfair. Belshar said he had eyes on him and that the man only s
CELINE HERRERA POV "You look exhausted," I said as I hugged Belshar. His scent was intoxicating, and I inhaled it greedily. His arms tightened around me."I missed you so much" he murmured against my hair, the sound of his voice resonating deep within me."Is that why you're back so early" I grinned. "I was sure you'd be another four hours""I couldn't breathe for that long without you," he said, his strong hands gliding down my back and sending delicious waves of pleasure through my skin."Oh yeah," I moaned, enjoying the feeling, but there was something off. I pulled back to examine his face.Belshar looked down at me and as I stared at him, he leaned close and tried to press his lips against mine. I moved my head back, evading his kiss as I noticed the worry in his eyes. He looked anxious too, as if there was something heavy weighing on his mind."What's wrong" I asked when he made no more move to kiss me. "Did something happen at work"He shook his head, then let go of me. "It wa