Theo was not foolish to attribute the qualified truth to the worst, and he chose not to know anything. Except this time George Keneddy's involvement seemed to reopen the case that Theo had deliberately suppressed.
The murder and the tattoos Rose had mentioned. Especially the scalp tattoo that Theo had never seen. He began to think the two were connected. "So you sought me out to take the life of your parents' murderer?" Sharp and hissing, that was the kind of thing that made Rose have to hold her breath. For the sake of her sanity Rose couldn't stay silent, letting things get more complicated."I want to meet George. Find out who the leader is and yes, you have to kill them for me." Rose's consistency was still the same. Slightly fiery said that wish while clutching the shirt tightly to her husband's chest. "What price will you offer?" She began to dare to negotiate. In front of Rose, Theo's eyebrows were raised high. "How much will I offer? Can I make i"Why are you taking me back to your mansion?" Along the way Rose had been plagued with confusion. Her question was only asked when the car was parked in the grounds of a large, towering building. "He's inside." Briefly. Theo opened the car door taking Rose with him. Instead of entering the main gate, they went to the right wing where a door opened that led them into a dark hallway. "Where are we going, Theo?" asked Rose, squeezing tightly the fingers that were joined and clasped between her knuckles. "The basement." It came as a surprise to Rose, as she had never known such a room existed while living with her husband. "How come George is here?" "I commissioned Lion to get him while you were unconscious." So .... Rose wanted to speak up again, but in front of her was the helplessness of George Keneddy who had been completely paralyzed. Rose glanced at Theo as the man knelt beside George Keneddy. The gag forcibly pulled aw
"You're just going to waste your time here. There's no point. Now we'd better go." So worthless in Theo's eyes. He didn't know that Rose had spent most of her life searching. Just because of one man's point of view in an instant all Rose's struggles were gone. Theo had destroyed all the hard work that had been fruitless until this moment. Without George Keneddy where should Rose start again. Rose's position is no longer what it was before she knew Theo. Just as Canada and Italy contained different stories. "What are you waiting for, Sugar. Let's go." Rose brushed away the fingers that almost touched her arm. She looked down deeply followed by lips that thinned uneasily. She did her best not to spit out the water that was racing down her memory lane, making her eyes glaze over. "You have no idea what kind of effort I've put in just for this one person. Sacrificing everything. My time and thoughts, even my pride." Rose's tone was
"Castrate him now." Theo's absolute command drew the attention of those under one leadership. Some stared in disbelief, others looked down in resignation. Theo didn't care what they thought. Focused on reducing the anger and sharpening the helpless man on the bed. After dealing with Rose's rage in the basement, Theo proceeded with the rest of the decision by hiding George Keneddy in an unnoticed warehouse, in the dirtiest of positions. He was still sane enough to take the life of Verassco's trusted man, knowing exactly where to weaken the enemy's consciousness the most. Theo was deliberate, thus Rose believed in the hope of the forcefully murdered. Meanwhile, he did everything in her own slick, untouchable way. The common thread had unraveled. Discovering the fact that George Keneddy was his wife's former client was worse than Rose's fiery rant. Theo thought the punishment he had mentioned would be an appropriate deterrent to Verasco's right-hand man
The piercing gaze that proved Rose's disappointment was still lingering. She brushed away Theo's fingers that touched the big jailen's fur, saying nothing more than asking Theo to step aside. Rose stepped aside to find her own way out. Out of Theo's reach while hugging her big bear tightly. "I'm talking to you, Sugar."Not once did Rose care. Nor did she care how Theo stayed where the man loomed. A step or two and Rose was already widening the distance away from her husband. Going straight, then veering off to the left. Beatrace's bedroom was Rose's main destination. Tonight, or perhaps until later, she didn't want to be in bed with Theo. As the door swung open the middle-aged woman was startled by the presence of Rose with a damp, droopy face. "What are you doing here, miss?" Beatrace's tone was entirely concerned. Rose shook her head vaguely to calm her down. "You don't mind me sleeping with you, in your room, Beatrace?" she hesitated. Rose thought a
"We're not going inside, sir?" During the car stop in front of the old connotation building, it was rather worn and dark looking. There was nothing Theo was doing, except watching intently at the one open door where some people were going back and forth, not greeting each other. The rest were probably talking for some mere interest. Theo's sharp gray eyes took into account all that was thought. The ripples on his face were both unreadable and calm as coral. Theo would not rashly do something openly. For him, a form of secrecy must be resolved in the same way. In terms of possible outcomes, perhaps not rushing is the right choice. Theo's breath came out roughly as he turned to meet Lion's eyes in the windshield. "Go to the other store." Which in a sense... Theo's goal was simply to see if the building that had been erected decades ago was finished. He was tempted to add another tattoo to his body. In a more private place. *** "Slow down, Miss. You'll ch
Rose's breath hitched, then she inched back toward the headboard. "I'm going to bed. If he asks again, tell him I don't want to be disturbed by anyone." Rose pulled the thick blanket over her body. As hard as it was Rose forced herself to close her eyes. It wasn't long before the touch of Beatrice's fingers on her arm woke her tightly closed lids. "Are you asleep, Miss?" Rose shook her head almost imperceptibly. Turning half of her body simply looked at the shady face of the woman who had positioned herself better. "There's something I'd like to ask you. Do you mind?" Rose's eyebrows raised high. Curious and clueless at the attitude Beatrace was displaying. "If I may know when was the last time you had your period, Miss?" When .... Rose couldn't quite remember. But if she had to confirm further, perhaps the eight days of Theo's departure while they were on the private island was the exact answer Rose could give to Beatrace. "Why
Rose's mesmerizing face never escaped the deep gray gaze. Theo's silence was only followed by the movement of fingers rubbing the top of the woman's head which offered a puzzle for Theo to solve on his own. He thought of many things .... About the crossed skull tattoos and various other secrets. An opportunity where Theo could find out through the cyber world, which was the only way by hacking into the security system that Theo had perfected a few years ago at the request of Verasco who paid him handsomely. Foolishly, at a young age Theo had vowed to his mother, Eleanor, to never be interested in the ins and outs of Verasco's organization. Plus Theo never cared what Verasco did outside of his involvement or when he had to be involved as the heir to the organization before Sean's appearance. It's possible that Verasco's decision will shift, if and when Sean is willing to replace the middle-aged man. Or not necessarily, given that Verasco has a great deal to consider betw
"Elsesa, are you done? Why haven't you come out yet?" Mr. Alejandro pushed aside the body of the woman in front of the tightly closed frame, a woman about the age of his daughter, Alexa, whom Mr. Alejandro had hired to accompany Elsa on a daily basis. It's true that lately, the culprit of Elsa's chaotic behavior has been Mr. Alejandro's monthly. Now it was evident that Alexa was calling her name loudly and fearfully, occasionally knocking on Elsa's bathroom door before Mr. Alejandro's arrival. The two were still waiting to see when Elsa would appear after saying nothing to Alexa. What she was doing in there was the big question. Mr. Alejandro gave Alexa a sharp look. "How long has Elsesa been locked up and why isn't she answering me?" The coldness of Mr. Alejandro's question pierced Alexa's mind. The woman looked down even more frightened."I don't know why Miss Elsesa is reluctant to answer, sir. But Miss Elsesa has been there for half an hour." Alexa spoke numbly. F
Zever's sudden departure made quite an impression on Rose. At that moment she and Travis silently watched the backs of two people who were moving away. Rose didn't dare say anything as she herself realized Travis was leaving her behind—Travis looked down and Rose hoped he was okay, then followed with careful steps carrying her triplet into the mansion building. Two hours after the incident in the back garden, and after putting the children to bed, Rose soon caught up with Zever's whereabouts. Through the messages given to Lion, Rose certainly monitored whatever was happening outside. This included asking how Travis was doing. The man was behaving as before, but there was one problem. Zever in the living room with a ripple face so cold and gray eyes that stared half-empty arranged miniature joints on the table. Rose repeatedly took a breath just to steady herself sitting next to her husband. "Zever," Rose called out, wanting to make sure he would respond or not. Z
"I'm done, Theo. Now it's your turn—" Rose thought, after stepping out of the bathroom and changing there. She would find Theo keeping all three of their babies in their proper positions, but that big body—in his sideways sleep—seemed to be deeper than the three babies who were snoozing peacefully. Exhausted. That's how Rose interpreted it, because these days Theo was often busy in the middle of the night—looking after their babies, while Rose was forced to rest. Rose smiled slightly as she rubbed the top of Theo's head. It was only for a moment that she turned to her triplets to transfer them to the trolley. Rose would take them for a walk in the back garden. Finished with the transfer she returned to Theo simply covering her husband's body with a thick blanket. "We're leaving first." Rose briefly kissed the corner of Theo's face. She pushed the trolley carefully towards the elevator. Rose already knew where the elevator was, it was quite hidden—and Theo had no
"I got a lot of grandchildren." O'Douglas laughed like a pirate captain who had just discovered a historic treasure. Each of the middle-aged man's arms flanked two tiny babies, while the other was in the arms of Verasco, who continued to hold them, occasionally bringing them closer with a lighthearted joke. There was no telling what Rose would say as she watched her children being swarmed as soon as Verasco and O'Douglas walked into the ward. She had just finished breastfeeding, so the satiated babies would just sleep through the day, and not trouble their two grandfathers. "You never stopped looking at me," Rose said quietly. Most of the time Theo had a glare on his face, but right now the gray bead was shining something different. It was so loving and some of it Rose couldn't interpret correctly. How could Rose stand being shot at so closely. Theo had to, just once, look away from her. "Thank you, Sugar." A gentle touch on the skin of Rose's face made her
Rose didn't expect Theo to take her to the island of Ortogia, the historical center of the Sicilian city of Sirakusa, to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The scents by the sea were soothingly beautiful. Rose had not forgotten that Theo had not once let go of her body on the man's broad shoulders after walking along the old buildings on the islands of Ortogia. "Whose house is this?" asked Rose looking at a sturdy building that looked like it was meant for two people to live in. "Our house." There wasn't much Rose could say, except to bury her face deep in the hollow of Theo's neck. The masculine scent was still very much present, even after they had spent the whole day entertaining the guests, as if the perfume was very much at home on Theo's clay skin. "Want to go straight to bed or shower first, Sugar?" In front of a door Theo stopped and let Rose get on the floor. Between hesitation and the need for something fresh she finally looked up at Theo.
"Ready?" Rose nodded as Theo spoke over the top of her head. She was indeed standing with her back to Theo, holding the handle of a long cookie-cutter knife, while Theo's large fingers grasped each of her knuckles warmly. The multi-tiered cake, or not much different from a fragile tower, was being split open. The blade slowly descended downward to symbolize sharpness. Rose smiled almost melting into laughter when Theo whispered something funny to her, funny but Rose wouldn't tell anyone. Let her keep it to herself and make it an important fun moment. After the first slice of cake Rose and Theo should have been feeding each other. Instead Theo scooped out the cream and immediately applied it to Rose's lower lip. Rose's face was a mess, but that was exactly what Theo wanted. He took Rose's lips like he was taking a delicious cake. The sweetness of the sugar and butter mixture seemed to make Theo insatiable. He licks Rose so intimately—there's no end to it—that Rose
"It's enough. I'm full." Again Rose had to restrain herself as Theo's big fingers tried to push away the bowl of white porridge in her hand. "Just a little more, Theo. You have to finish your porridge." "Come on." Rose brought another spoonful of porridge closer, but that face refused. "Don't make me eat bad porridge, Sugar. It's tasteless." "That's why if you eat while looking at me, you'll get some flavor." "One more bite. I promise after this is over." "I don't believe it. You said that earlier, don't you remember?" Rose's wide grin completely fooled Theo. The man was exactly a child who had lost his appetite. It was very difficult to persuade him to open his mouth. "This time I'm serious about the last one. Ahk... open wide." Rose thought Theo would immediately accept her bribe. Instead, the man moved the elbow of Rose's hand, moving the bow of the spoon to Rose's own lips. "You should eat too." "I ate earlier," Ro
One day after Theo regained consciousness, Rose finally decided to return to her home, the place where she once lived alone next to her small restaurant. At the moment there wasn't much for Rose to do other than prepare to meet Theo at the hospital. Rose immediately drove her father's borrowed car. On the back passenger seat she placed a medium-sized box with several holes in it that was wrapped very beautifully. While beside her sat a cute little dog with curly hair and white color like cotton. Yesterday Rose had just bought the poodle breed at the pet shop. Intrigued. That was all that drew Rose's desire to bring home the poodle named Cocomelo. "We've arrived." Rose prepared a special backpack to carry Cocomelo on her shoulders, so that when she first entered the infirmary Theo would not immediately meet her Cocomelo but Rose would show him. And in her hand, she carried the medium-sized box and walked into the hospital. Not just daring, but Rose had already ob
Coming back from the bathroom, Rose thought she would be faced with the same situation. She had warned against it by waiting longer in the humid room until some of the noises from outside faded away. But everything Rose had expected was not true. The blood seepage on the floor when she opened the door was gone. Verasco's subordinates... even Verasco himself was nowhere to be seen, in his husband's infirmary. All that was left was Lion waiting very quietly, arms folded across his chest as he watched Theo silently. "Are you still here, Lion? Where are the others?" asked Rose as her steps brushed the side of the blanket. "Mr. Verasco asked me to wait here, Miss." Lion's attention was finally diverted. Rose suspected that he had just returned from the police station and helped Verasco and Elijah to execute George. As for George's betrayal, perhaps it was a wake-up call for Verasco to be more intolerant of hidden intentions and whatever else might happen. "Where is my
"On the way home. Their story has a happy ending. Finished." Rose closed the 400 pages book and placed it on the nightstand. Reading sweet stories had become her routine in the past few days. Rose smiled slightly at her husband's face who was lying so quietly. This morning the breathing apparatus had just been removed indicating Theo's condition was getting better after the bloody spear incident. Luckily, they immediately brought Theo to get the right treatment. Theo had to undergo surgery three times. He had lost a lot of blood and needed transfusions as soon as possible. Rose remembered that some arguments happened between them regarding Theo who had very step blood, even Verasco was helpless about it. Just a Wench .... That's what Verasco said at that time with a trembling tone of voice. Like he was so regretful. Really regretful, until finally Travis suggested the few people who were still left in Italy to bring some bags of Theo's blood that were taken two