They say nuns are off-limits. I call that a challenge. They say obsession is a sin. I stopped counting sins when blood became my business. She says I’m a sinner. She’s not wrong. But when I have her whispering confessions against my skin that would make Lucifer himself blush, what does that make her? A firecracker wrapped in a habit. All rosaries and rebellion, thinking she can drive me away with Scripture and that ice-cold stare. Amusing. Her holy water won't wash away what I do to those round tits. She's not a bride of Christ yet. And the harder she prays for salvation, the more determined I am to show her what real worship feels like. They say God answers all prayers. But in my city, prayers come to me first. Her vows or my empire. Heaven or my hell. The choice was never really hers to make. God may forgive me, but she won’t.
View MorePROLOGUE
NIKOLAI ⟿❂⟾ New York, 7 Years Ago ⟿❂⟾ “Kill him.” Matteo fucking Gianni, my father, didn’t believe in wasting words, and I didn’t believe in saying them either. He slid the manila folder across like it held nothing more interesting than the lunch menu at his favorite restaurant. Dino Donatello. Mid-40s. Ran weapons and girls out of Staten Island, made deals with anyone who waved a dollar in his face, and skimmed more than his share off our shipments. He’d successfully worked his way into my father’s bad books, and now he’d have to be burned with those books. It was a simple job. Walk in, handle it, walk out. A routine. “Don’t think,” my father added, not even looking at me as he poured himself a glass of scotch. “Just get it done.” I’d learned not to argue with him by the time I turned 15. At 22, I wasn’t stupid enough to start now. So I nodded, took the file, and headed out without another word. The Donatello house was a two-story dump at the edge of a rundown neighborhood. In places like this, screaming didn’t raise eyebrows and police sirens were just background noise, which made tonight perfect. I parked a block away and walked the rest of the distance. Tonight, I was slipping into this guy’s life to wreck it like I’d done to others a thousand times before. I heard the commotion before I even reached the house. “You can’t do this, please!” The sound of a palm cracking against skin cut off that whimpering voice, replaced by a shrill cry. The muffled thud of something heavy hitting a wall, followed by the sharp sound of a girl’s voice desperately trying to reason with whoever was onto her. I paused at the back door, hand on my gun. There wasn’t supposed to be anyone else here tonight. Dino Donatello was supposed to be alone, drunk, and oblivious, a quick, easy job. But judging by the shouting coming from the kitchen, someone had decided to complicate things. “How dare you tell me when I can have you?” Dino’s voice, slurred and venomous, echoed through the small house. “You’re nothing! Just like your mother was nothing!” I leaned against the wall just outside the kitchen, peering through the doorway. Dino was towering over a girl, dark-haired, maybe 17 or 18, who looked like she was one shove away from breaking. “Please, don’t talk about her!” She whimpered regardless. Her face was streaked with tears, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. Her hands were up, palms out, like she could ward him off with sheer desperation. “You ungrateful brat!” Dino snarled, slamming his hand down on the rickety kitchen table. It cracked under the force, which made the girl flinch. “You think you’re too good for me now? You’re nothing without me. You’d be dead in the gutter without me!” She wiped her face with the back of her hand, her breath hitched as she tried to speak. “I’m not like her. I won’t be like her.” He lunged, grabbed her by the throat, and slammed her into the fridge. The old appliance groaned under the force, magnets and a faded photo falling to the floor. “Ah, she thinks she has a choice!” Dino roared, spittle flying as his hand squeezed her neck. “You’ll do whatever the fuck I tell you to do. I own you!” I pulled out my phone and hit record. Family drama, episode one. She clawed at his hand, her eyes wide and watering as he tightened his grip. “You’re… choking me,” she gasped. “I can make you enjoy it,” Dino hissed. He pulled her away from the fridge and threw her onto the floor like she weighed nothing. She hit the ground hard, a pained cry escaping her lips. Dino stalked over to her, kicking her in the ribs. “Get up,” he sneered, delivering another kick. “Get up, you little bitch.” The sound of his boot meeting her side so hard she curled in on herself, shielding her head with her arms, but he didn’t stop. Blood smeared the floor beneath her, dark and shiny in the fluorescent light. Behind her, a small boy peeked out from behind a chair. Wide eyes, trembling lips, clutching a stuffed bear so tight its seams were splitting. He was maybe five or six, and every time Dino’s boot connected with the girl, the kid flinched. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” I muttered under my breath, zooming in on the kid with my phone. “Who brings a kid to a beating?” The girl must’ve noticed the kid because she twisted her body to shield him as best as she could. “Please, Dino,” she rasped, blood dripping from her mouth. “Not in front of him. He’s just a kid.” Dino grabbed her by the hair and yanked her head back so hard she cried out. “Shut up!” He started fighting with his belt. That’s when the kid made a sound—a little whimper, barely audible, but it stopped Dino in his tracks. He turned, his bloodshot eyes narrowing. “Get the fuck out of here,” he barked at the boy. The kid didn’t move. “I said go!” Dino roared, taking a step toward him. The girl scrambled to her knees, throwing herself between them. “No! Please, Dino, leave him alone!” This is better than cable. I was already pissed and so disgusted, but I kept recording. Dino turned his rage back on the girl, punching her across the face so hard she crumpled. Blood sprayed the wall behind her, and she hit the floor with a dull thud. “Get up,” He growled, nudging her with his foot. “I’m not done with you.” She didn’t move. The kid let out a sob, and Dino rounded on him again. Shit. Time to give this fucker a free pass to hell. But just as I was about to do that, the girl, who I feared was dead a few minutes ago, made a swift move. It would’ve been funny if it wasn’t so pathetic. The kid had no chance. Dino was twice her size, and drunk or not, he had the advantage. I should’ve ended it right there. One clean shot. Instead, I stayed put, lowering my gun slightly. Watching. Somehow, I found it… entertaining. She grabbed the first thing within reach, a cast-iron skillet, and swung it at his head. The impact sent him stumbling back, swearing and clutching his temple. “Not bad,” I murmured, holding my phone for a better view. The girl pressed her advantage and crashed out, she screamed at him, calling him every name under the sun. Dino shook his head, dazed, and then lunged at her again. This time, he grabbed her by the arm and shoved her into the counter. “You little bitch!” he snarled, his face inches from hers. That’s when she saw the knife. It was lying on the counter, gleaming under the flickering fluorescent light. Her hand darted out, and before Dino could react, she stabbed him. The first stab hit his shoulder. He roared in pain, releasing her. The second plunged into his stomach. By the third, Dino was on his knees, clutching the handle still embedded in his chest, choking on his own blood. The girl staggered back, her hands trembling. The knife slipped from her fingers and clattered to the ground. She stared at her bloodied hands, then at Dino, and then at nothing, then she was staring at the door where the kid had been standing earlier. She shook her repeatedly and started mumbling. “No, no, no…” I clicked my tongue. “Beginner’s guilt,” I thought, smirking behind my mask. “You’ll get over it.” She turned suddenly and bolted upstairs, her bare feet pounding against the wooden steps. This was my cue. I stepped into the kitchen, gun drawn. Dino was alive. Barely. His blood was almost drained, his breathing labored, but he wasn’t dead. My father wouldn’t be too happy about that. When his eyes met mine, they widened. “Gianni… please…” he gasped. I crouched beside him, inspecting his wounds like I was a chef checking the doneness of a steak. “Oof, that’s bad,” I said, pointing at the knife sticking out of his chest. “You really should’ve gone to a doctor for that.” Dino gurgled something incoherent. I leaned over him. “So aside from being a thief, you’re also an abuser.” I shook my head in disgust, “You’re lucky she got creative, though. If it were me, I’d have just shot you.” He made a choking sound, and I straightened, pulling out my knife for effect. “I’ll be back in five minutes. If you’re still breathing by then, I’ll consider it a personal insult.” I turned my attention to the stairs. The girl had run up there. Part of me wanted to leave it alone, but my father’s order was simple. Don’t think. Just get it done. That didn’t mean leaving loose ends. Holstering my gun, I stepped lightly, avoiding the blood trail as I followed her path. She was in a small bedroom at the end of the hall, crouched protectively in front of the kid who clung to her, burying his face in her side, they were both crying. When she heard my footsteps, her arms spread even wider to shield the boy. Her eyes locked on the gun in my hand, and her face crumpled. “Please,” she whispered in a broken voice. “Don’t hurt him.” I raised a brow even if she could not see it, she added hastily. “I didn’t mean to kill him, please!” She wasn’t begging for herself. She was begging for the kid. I didn’t respond. I stepped closer, keeping the gun steady on her forehead. Her head was bowed, so her jet black hair made it impossible to see her face properly. I reached out and grabbed the cheap necklace dangling around her neck. She flinched, raising her hands to shield her face. “It’s all I have left of her,” she said in a trembling voice. I yanked the necklace free, ignoring her words, and tucked it into my pocket. She didn’t move, didn’t fight, just stood there shaking as the kid whimpered behind her. I stepped back, then lowered my gun slightly. My eyes flicked between her and the little boy. For a moment, I considered finishing it. The job was already messy, and leaving witnesses wasn’t exactly my style. But the kid… and something about the way she fought that idiot downstairs. This could be the only chance to freedom she’d be getting in her pathetic life. If the guilt of killing a man doesn’t kill her later on, I’ll come back and do it if she ever becomes a problem. I turned without a word, and headed back to the kitchen. By the time I got there, Dino was gone. “Shit,” I muttered, scanning the blood trail that led out the back door. I stepped outside, following the trail into the narrow alley behind the house. The bastard was still alive, and he was bleeding out somewhere in the darkness. “Fucking dick,” I muttered, pulling out my phone to check the recording. At least I had proof. wouldn’t make it far in his condition, and even if he did, I could track him down and finish the job. Tucking my phone away, I adjusted my gloves and started back where I’d come when I heard a soft sound. “Take us with you.” I stopped, turned and frowned. “Uh?” “He’ll come back and kill us,” She said quietly. “Please take us with you.”Chapter 152⟿❂⟾Sylvia⟿❂⟾My life in the past twelve hours felt like a dream I was afraid to wake from.Oliver sat beside me in the car, quiet and withdrawn, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings like he was expecting danger to materialize at any moment. Seven years of conditioning didn’t disappear overnight, and I could see the way his muscles remained tense, ready to spring into action even in the safety of Luigi’s car.Luigi winced as he shifted gears, his injured shoulder clearly bothering him despite his attempts to hide it. “We’re almost there,” he said softly, glancing at us through the rearview mirror.Agnes and Maria sat in the third row, both lost in their own thoughts. Agnes looked tired and ashamed. Maria seemed fragile, like a porcelain doll that might shatter at the slightest touch.As we pulled into the driveway of Nikolai’s house, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety wash over me. Relief that we were safe, that Oliver was finally here with me. Anxiety about ho
Chapter 151 ⟿❂⟾ Nikolai ⟿❂⟾ When the door closed, I turned to face Kaine and Giancarlo. “Well,” I said, loosening my tie. “Now we can have some real fun.” Manuel stepped forward. “What do you need?” “Help me move them to the basement. I had some preparations made earlier, and I think it’s time we made use of them.” When I’d planned this operation, I’d known it might come to this. The basement of the building had been converted into something special. Nothing fancy, just the basics for keeping someone alive longer than they might prefer. Two metal chairs sat in the center of the room, fitted with restraints. Beside them, a table held various tools, some medical, some… less so. “Strip them,” I told Manuel as we secured Kaine and Giancarlo to the chairs. “Everything off.” “What the hell—” Kaine started. “Shut up,” I said pleasantly. “You’ll have plenty of time to scream later.” When they were naked and secured, I pulled up a third chair and sat down in front of them. “Do you
Chapter 150 ⟿❂⟾ Nikolai ⟿❂⟾ I watched Sylvia hold her brother. After everything—the memory loss, the manipulation, the lies—she had found Oliver. But more importantly, she had taken control. She had faced down Kaine with a gun in her hand and forced him to sign those divorce papers. That’s my girl. Now, with Oliver in her arms and those divorce papers signed, she had what she needed. Now it was my turn. “Manuel,” I said quietly, “take Giancarlo and secure the basement. We need those backup files Oliver mentioned.” “On it, boss.” “Luigi, how’s your shoulder?” “I’ll live,” he grunted, applying pressure to the wound. “Just need to stop the bleeding.” I turned my attention to Kaine, who was still standing there with the signed divorce papers clutched in his hand like they might disappear. The worst part of this night had been having to pretend to be civil with Kaine and Giancarlo, because I didn’t want Sylvia to witness what I had in mind for them. Now that she had Oliver
Chapter 149 ⟿❂⟾ Sylvia ⟿❂⟾ “Hello there,” He said. His voice was deeper than I remembered, rougher. “Long time no see.” “You recognize her?” Giancarlo asked, sounding surprised. “Her?” Oliver laughed, but there was no humor in it. “She’s my sister. The one who abandoned me.” “That’s right!” Giancarlo snarled. “The one who abandoned you! And now she’s here with her criminal boyfriend to kill me—the only man who ever gave you life. Hope. Dreams. A future.” He laughed. “Can you believe that? Well, there’ll be no need for that. Go ahead and shoot them!” Abandoned. The words made my heart shatter completely. Abandoned? I’d been looking for him ever since I learnt of his existence, had never stopped searching, had come here tonight specifically to find him. “Oliver, I didn’t abandon you,” I said, taking a step toward him. “I’ve been looking for you. I never stopped looking.” “Stay back!” he snapped, and I froze. “You left me. You left me with him.” Him. Our father.
Chapter 148 ⟿❂⟾ Sylvia ⟿❂⟾ I watched as panic began to ripple through the room like wildfire. These wealthy monsters who had been so comfortable discussing human trafficking moments before were now looking toward the exits, calculating their chances of escape. But Nikolai stood perfectly still, his hand firm on my waist, radiating a calm that was more terrifying than any rage I’d ever witnessed. He was in complete control, and everyone in the room knew it. “You have about three minutes,” he said conversationally to the room, “before my men surround this building. I suggest you use that time wisely.” Some of the guests began moving toward the doors, but Nikolai’s voice cut through their panic like a blade. “Where do you think you’re going?” They froze. “You see, everyone in this room has participated in something that offends me deeply. You’ve all sat here, eating fine food, drinking expensive wine, and casually discussing the buying and selling of human beings. That makes y
Chapter 147 ⟿❂⟾ Nikolai ⟿❂⟾ That was it. Sylvia’s carefully constructed mask shattered like glass. She made a sound that was part gasp, part whimper, and suddenly she was that terrified girl again, the one who had been broken and brutalized and left to die. “No,” she breathed, backing away from him. “No, I didn’t. You can’t—” “Oh, but I can,” Kaine said, following her retreat. “And you have no idea how long I’ve been looking for you. How much trouble you’ve caused me. How much I’ve missed our little sessions together.” I moved then, stepping between them with fluid grace. “That’s enough.” “Is it?” Kaine’s eyes glittered with malevolent delight. “Tell me, Mr. Kozlov, how much did you pay for her? Because I have to say, you got quite a bargain. She’s been very ill trained.” The words must have taken the air right out of Sylvia’s lungs. I could hear her breathing becoming ragged, could feel her slipping into panic behind me. “Stay away from her,” I said, my voice dr
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