AnnaDouble fuck. He’s definitely going to call the doctor. I nervously looked at Dante, my mind racing as I searched for a way to avoid the inevitable. With a sigh, I slowly stood up from my squatted position, and took my toothbrush and toothpaste. I deliberately took my time in brushing my teeth, hoping that it would distract him from asking me any questions.As I scrubbed my teeth vigorously, I could feel Dante's intense gaze on the back of my head. His eyes were like lasers, boring into me with a fiery intensity. "Hey, didn't anyone ever tell you that it's rude to stare?" I snapped, trying to break the tension.Dante glared at me through the mirror, his eyes dark with anger. "Cut the bullshit, Anna," he growled. "Taking forever to brush your teeth isn't going to stop you from answering my question."I felt a lump form in my throat as I turned to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. "I just told you Dante, I have the flu.”Rubbing his hands over his face, Dante grabbed my shoul
DanteI collapsed onto my bed, replaying my conversation with Anna over and over in my head. My mind was racing with thoughts, and I couldn't make sense of it all. I didn't know what to think or how to feel about the situation I found myself in.I had reached out to Matteo for help over half an hour ago, and he was nowhere to be seen. The anger and frustration inside me grew with each passing second. As if he hadn't a care in the world, Matteo strolled into my room without even bothering to knock. Normally, I wouldn't have cared, but with my head spinning with thoughts and emotions, every little thing seemed to irk me."You know I fixed that door for a reason, right?" I snapped, my tone laced with annoyance.Matteo just chuckled, completely unfazed by my obvious irritation. "What crawled up your ass, dude?"I let out a heavy sigh, trying to steady myself before speaking. "Just shut the fucking door, Matteo."He complied, taking a seat next to me on the bed and gently plucking the glas
Dante.As I arrived at Anna's abode, I was met with the sight of Clifford emerging from the building's main entrance. Matteo, who stood beside me, emitted a disapproving hiss at the mere presence of this man. It was evident that he held a grudge against Clifford, who, as far as I knew, had always been gunning for a promotion. I couldn't fathom the underlying motive behind his constant efforts to bring us down."What in the world is this despicable person doing here?" Matteo spat through gritted teeth.I raised my shoulders in a nonchalant manner. "It appears he is on the prowl for any evidence that can incriminate us."Matteo's nostrils flared with anger. "Just let me at him. I'll toss his wretched carcass into the ocean."I side-eyed him. "Once all of this is over, I may even have the pleasure of throwing him in myself."Matteo's lips curled into a small grin. "And here I thought I was the only one who abhorred his existence."Eager to get this ordeal behind me, I briskly opened my do
AnnaThe experience of awakening in an unfamiliar place can be quite terrifying. For me, it was a filthy and malodorous room. As I looked around, I noted the old mattress on which I lay. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain in my head caused me to halt my motion. Reaching for my head, I discovered a small bump. Grimacing with pain, I endeavored to recollect what had happened to me.As I struggled to summon my memories, the door to my cell swung open, and a rugged-looking man entered. "At last, Sleeping Beauty has awoken," he quipped.I glared at him, my gaze slowly drifting towards the door. I wondered how many guards were stationed outside and how far I could go if I managed to flee.The scruffy man, seemingly able to read my thoughts, countered, "You had best dismiss such notions if you hope to survive. There are roughly twenty guards stationed outside who have been instructed to shoot on sight if you attempt to leave this room."In order to increase my odds of survival or escape, it
DANTEMy mind is consumed with worry and fear. It has been three long days since Anna went missing, and I am on the brink of madness. Although Tasha and her son are still in my grasp, I would never hurt them. However, I cannot release them until I find Anna. I know that Valentine and Orlando are not responsible for her disappearance, but I refuse to let them go. With Valentine under my thumb, he has no choice but to help me find Anna.Playing fair is not in my nature, and I am willing to use any tactic necessary to get what I want. Two days ago, I called Valentine to my side and demanded answers. I needed to know what his deal with Orlando was and why Anna was targeted. Despite his promises of innocence and ignorance, I did not believe him. In exchange for information, I held his mistress and son hostage, knowing full well he would do anything to save them.Valentine believed I would agree to his demands, but I had my own terms. The only way he could see his loved ones again was if he
DANTEMy mind is consumed with worry and fear. It has been three long days since Anna went missing, and I am on the brink of madness. Although Tasha and her son are still in my grasp, I would never hurt them. However, I cannot release them until I find Anna. I know that Valentine and Orlando are not responsible for her disappearance, but I refuse to let them go. With Valentine under my thumb, he has no choice but to help me find Anna.Playing fair is not in my nature, and I am willing to use any tactic necessary to get what I want. Two days ago, I called Valentine to my side and demanded answers. I needed to know what his deal with Orlando was and why Anna was targeted. Despite his promises of innocence and ignorance, I did not believe him. In exchange for information, I held his mistress and son hostage, knowing full well he would do anything to save them.Valentine believed I would agree to his demands, but I had my own terms. The only way he could see his loved ones again was if he
DANTELuca was a man whose life I once saved from a brutal and certain death. He was a solitary tracker, wandering the wilderness alone, but three years ago, he was captured by a group of unsavory characters. It was a stroke of luck that the one who had taken him happened to be on my list of people to eliminate. When I ultimately put a bullet in that bastard's head, I set Luca free. He had promised to repay me for my kindness, but at the time, I didn't take his vow too seriously.Yet, as the years passed, Luca kept in touch with me through the occasional greeting card, always marking the seasons. When I reached out to him this morning, he quickly promised to be at my apartment before dinner. While I'm not entirely sure if he remembers his promise to repay me, I don't care. I'm just glad to have him on my side.However, I have other problems to deal with at the moment. I've been preparing for the payback scheme from Valentine. I kidnapped his mistress and son and also burnt his goods.W
ANNAAs I looked at the gaping hole in my hand, I couldn't help but feel a wave of anger and betrayal wash over me. How could I have been so blind to Debbie's true nature? I inspected the makeshift bandage that was wrapped tightly around my wound, realizing that it was nothing more than a dirty old rag. With the throbbing pain in my hand growing more intense, I feared that the wound may have already become infected.Exhausted from dealing with this whole ordeal, I closed my eyes and attempted to will the physical and emotional pain away. But before I could fully escape into my thoughts, the door to my cell creaked open and Debbie sauntered in, followed by Jasper carrying a small purse."Hello, love. How are you doing?" Debbie's saccharine tone grated on my nerves.Staring daggers at her, I thought of a thousand ways to take revenge on her. "I'll be fine without having to see your face," I spat out.A sly smile spread across Debbie's lips as she took the purse from Jasper and opened it.
ANNA More than a month had passed since that harrowing incident, yet its memories remained as vivid as if it had occurred just yesterday. The echoes of gunshots still reverberated in the depths of my mind, and the fear of losing Dante clung to me like an unwelcome shadow. He had risked everything for me, shielding me with his own body, taking a bullet for me and in that moment, I made a solemn vow to love him endlessly if he fought his way out of the coma that consumed him. The mere thought of losing him sent waves of anguish through my soul. Dante... my brave, selfless Dante.But it wasn't just the anguish of losing him that consumed me; it was the seething rage that burned within me, directed at the one responsible for this tragedy. That vile woman had sent Dante, the great Dante Williams, into a coma. If I could resurrect her just to take her life once more, I would do it without hesitation.Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, Xavier, a man who had been a constant presence in my lif
ANNAOur journey back to New York unfolded smoothly, with laughter and camaraderie filling the helicopter cabin. The guys cracked jokes, Dante engrossed in his phone, and I found solace in immersing myself in a romance novel on Booknet. It was a rare moment of tranquility amidst the chaos we had faced.As we approached our destination, Xavier expressed his need to be dropped off so he could catch a flight back to California. We obliged, landing on the rooftop of a hotel where he bid us farewell. With a final wave, he disappeared into the building, leaving Dante and me to continue our journey.Once we landed and stepped out of the helicopter, I suddenly found myself enveloped in a tight hug. Startled, I looked up to see Mateo wearing a broad smile on his face."So happy to have you back, Anna," Mateo exclaimed, his eyes scanning my face before embracing me once more.Returning his hug, I couldn't help but be touched by his warmth and genuine joy. "I'm happy to be back," I replied, my v
ANNAAs I sat on the rock, catching my breath and allowing my weary muscles to relax, a glimmer of curiosity caught my eye. Not too far from where I stood, nestled amidst the foliage, was a cave entrance. Its dark recesses beckoned to me, despite the inherent dangers that caves often held. Yet, an irresistible pull urged me forward, compelling me to explore its mysterious depths. How could we have missed this during John and his crew's cleanup? Were they as oblivious to its presence as I had been?I couldn't resist the temptation any longer. With a mix of trepidation and intrigue, I rose from the rock and cautiously made my way towards the cave. Each step carried a hint of apprehension, my mind flooded with thoughts of hidden treasures or a fantastical encounter awaiting me within. Absurd as it may seem, a part of me half-expected a whimsical figure resembling the Wizard of Oz to materialize before my eyes.Shaking off the whimsical notion, I pressed on, my heart pounding in anticipat
ANNAThe past week with Dante had been nothing short of a blissful honeymoon stage, as he lavished me with his attention, pampering me and worshipping every inch of my being. However, amidst the intoxicating whirlwind of love and desire, there was a nagging thought that persistently gnawed at the corners of my mind—the elusive file. I yearned for its resolution, unable to attain complete peace of mind while it still lingered in the shadows.Today, with a newfound determination, I resolved to bring up the subject once more. I couldn't suppress my curiosity any longer; the file's existence cast a faint but palpable shadow over our idyllic paradise.Finding Dante on the island wasn't a particularly challenging task. I spotted him reclining under the warm sun, basking in its golden embrace. Drawing closer, I handed him the bottle of sun screen, a subtle request for him to apply it onto my exposed back. His eyes darted toward the security personnel stationed nearby, prompting the vigilant
ANNADante's reassurances did little to ease my growing unease. Deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something, something potentially dangerous. Attempting to reach him, I dialed his number several times, only to be sent straight to voicemail each time. Frustrated, I turned to Xavier as my next point of contact, but my calls to him also led to his voicemail. It seemed like everyone I reached out to was suddenly unreachable.In a desperate attempt to gather some information, I turned to the intimidating figures Dante had assigned as my security. However, they remained tight-lipped, refusing to provide any insight or even acknowledge my presence. Their indifference to my greetings only fueled my suspicion further.Seeking solace, I stepped out from behind the protective shield made of bamboo and scanned the surroundings. That's when I noticed Lily, completely engrossed in her own world, diligently etching something on the sandy ground. Intrigued, I approached her,
DANTESilently, I eased the door open and peered into the room, spotting one of Orlando's men meticulously arranging the space. It appeared he had been reduced to a servant, a mere houseboy in Orlando's empire. Taking aim at his heart, I squeezed the trigger, the sound of the gunshot punctuating the air. The man crumpled onto the bed, his lifeblood staining the pristine white sheets. One adversary eliminated, leaving six more to confront. Stepping further into the room, Matteo, Tom, and John followed closely behind me, ready for the imminent confrontation. With a subtle nod from me, they dispersed, each armed with the determination to eradicate those despicable men.Time seemed to blur as the next few moments unfolded. Swiftly and efficiently, we took down four more of Orlando's men, their existence extinguished with ruthless precision. John's skill and proficiency in combat proved invaluable, reinforcing my confidence in our team's ability. Now, we stood on the threshold of the cabin
DANTELast night, as the moon hung high in the star-studded sky, I found myself unable to surrender to the soothing embrace of sleep. Instead, I remained wide awake, vigilant and alert, my eyes refusing to succumb even for the briefest of moments. In my hand, I cradled Orlando's exquisite scotch, which I had discovered at the deserted bar earlier. Its amber glow danced in the dim light, offering me solace and temporary respite from the anticipation that gripped me.The plan was simple yet delicate. Xavier had assured us that he would inform us the moment they departed from the house. Until then, I found myself imprisoned in the confines of a dreary room, awaiting Xavier's crucial call. Aware of the delicate nature of our mission, I made sure Xavier swore an oath of secrecy, binding him not to utter a single word about our clandestine endeavor to Anna. His compliance was not optional; I had made it abundantly clear that any breach of trust would result in dire consequences—I vowed to
DANTE As Xavier and I discussed the plan, his optimism was palpable. He readily agreed to take care of the individuals responsible for inspecting the jet. I didn't bother asking him for specifics because if he had managed to eliminate the guards around Anna's cell, I had faith that he would handle this task as well. Xavier instructed us to be prepared tonight since Orlando's departure was scheduled for the morning. He emphasized the importance of our presence at the designated location, ready to execute our mission. A portion of my team had already departed for California to ensure the safety of Anna and Xavier's family, while the remaining members would confront Orlando's men at the airport.Lost in my thoughts, I was interrupted by a knock at the door. Granting permission for entry, I saw Tom poking his head in."Do you have a moment, boss? I'd like to talk to you," he asked."I can spare a few minutes. Come in," I replied, gesturing for him to take a seat.Tom entered and settled
DANTEI let out a relieved sigh as I reminisced about Lisa's wild escapades from the previous day. Ah, what a weight off my shoulders! Finally, I could shed the charade of playing the affectionate lover, sparing myself from the obligation to shower her with kisses just to keep her satisfied. The thought of indulging in such acts, which would undoubtedly displease Anna, made me cringe inwardly. Damn I sound pussy whipped.Just as I was lost in my musings, my ringing phone jolted me back to reality. With a mischievous grin spreading across my face, I nonchalantly propped my legs up on the table as I reached for the call button. I knew exactly who it was before even glancing at the caller display. "Hey love, is everything alright?" I greeted her, a hint of curiosity lacing my voice.In the background, I could hear Anna shuffling around before finally responding, her tone laced with a touch of annoyance. "Well, aside from the fact that your ever-vigilant security detail shadows my every