ANNAThe sound of a persistent beep invaded my dreams, causing me to stir in my sleep. It was strange because Dante wasn't the type to set alarms, and I definitely hadn't set one. As I tried to sit up, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen, stopping me in my tracks.As I forced my eyes open, the beeping became more insistent. It took me a moment to realize that I was in a hospital room, hooked up to various machines that were beeping and whirring around me. I scanned the room, trying to get my bearings, and spotted Dante sitting uncomfortably in a white plastic chair beside me.His eyes met mine, and he offered a small smile. "Good morning," he said softly. Despite his attempt to sound upbeat, I could sense that something was off."Morning," I replied, trying to ignore the gnawing feeling of anxiety in my gut. "What's going on?"Dante rose from his chair and sat down on the edge of my bed, taking my hand in his. "Are you in pain? Do you need me to call a doctor?"As Dante held my hand,
DANTEAnna's request for me to stay away had been nagging at me but I couldn't ignore her any longer. I knew that my absence would give her the space she needed, but it also gave her time to build up resentment towards me. Despite my reservations, I decided to enter her room. As I stepped closer to her door, I heard her discussing something with Matteo.My heart sank as I listened to their conversation, hoping that Matteo wouldn't spill the beans about Anna's mother's death. Anna was already going through so much pain after the loss of our baby. Adding her mother's death to the mix would only make things worse. I stood back and paid closer attention to what they were saying.Suddenly, something Anna said caught my attention. She mentioned that they things she had learnt about her life would hinder her from feeling shocked about anything. My curiosity was piqued, but I couldn't help but wonder what Morello had told her. Morello had a reputation for being talkative, and I couldn't help b
DANTEEver since Anna walked me out of her ward, her words and behavior have been consuming me. The mere thought of Anna considering taking someone's life makes me want to crawl out of my own skin. I feel like a complete failure, knowing that I couldn't protect my child and Anna from the darkness that surrounds me. Unable to contain my emotions any longer, I lashed out and punched the wall next to me. A crack formed, and my knuckles throbbed with pain."You need to calm down, boss," Matteo said calmly. "Seeing Anna with bruises isn't going to help anyone."I stared at him, fighting the urge to lash out. In the past, whenever I was angry, I would take it out on Matteo in the ring, probably because he was the only one who could defend himself. "That's the problem, Matt," I said, my voice trembling with rage. "Anna doesn't want to see me. You should have seen the way she looked at me. Her eyes were filled with pure hatred and disgust."I couldn't help but feel like I had failed Anna, fail
ANNAThat two faced goblin slipper like bastard had the audacity to have Matteo bring me home from the hospital. He is hiding away like the bastard he is. In all honesty, I do not wish to stay in his house but for the sake of my real parents and information on VH14, I am willing to stay a little longer.Matteo appeared in the doorway as I fiddled with a slice of bacon on my plate. "You've been playing with that bacon for quite some time now," he remarked.I glanced up, surprised. "I didn't know I was being monitored," I retorted.He frowned at my response and approached me. "There's no need to be a bitch. I'm just concerned about you," he said.His comment had completely ruined my appetite, and I had no interest in continuing our conversation. "Where's Dante?" I asked curtly."He should be here soon. He had something urgent that needed his attention," Matteo replied.The realization that Dante had something more important to do than bring me home stung, more than I cared to admit. Desp
DANTEShit! I can't believe I let that slip out without filtering my words. Anna must really have a unique effect on me, bringing out parts of my personality that I never knew existed.As I sat there, observing Anna's sharp and cunning demeanor, I couldn't help but admire how much she had grown intellectually. Not that I ever thought she was unintelligent, but she had a tendency to act impulsively without considering the consequences of her actions. However, it seemed that she had developed a shrewdness that I had never witnessed before.Despite her newfound intelligence, I knew that I was still the master of mind games. "I'm not foolish, Anna," I retorted calmly. "You just got out of the hospital and only a select few people were allowed in your room - the doctors, Matteo, and myself. Matteo doesn't know much about VH14 and has no reason to bring it up, so unless the doctors discussed it with you, which is highly unlikely, the only other person you could have learned about it from is
DANTEAnna listened intently as I relayed what little information I knew about VH14. It wasn't much, but it was a start."I don't know much about it, but what I do know is that VH14 is a drug that was likely produced about fifteen years ago," I said. "There was an outbreak of a deadly virus, and the government granted scientists aid to research the virus and find an antidote. But during the process of creating the antidote, something more powerful was created. It was proven that the new substance produced was even deadlier than the virus if mismanaged."I paused, taking a deep breath. "The government requested that the scientists hand over the new discovery, but the scientist who produced it refused. He was reported dead a few months later, but the information on VH14 was never found."With a sly expression, Anna peered at me through a narrow opening between her eyelids, her focus unwavering. "Do you know the name of the scientist who discovered the drug?" she asked, her voice tinged w
ANNAAlthough it may seem selfish to some, I have not yet brought my mother home or asked Dante about her. Truth be told, I have a deep connection with my mother's love that I have carried with me throughout my life. However, I have not felt that connection for several months now. Perhaps I am a coward for avoiding my fears and not accepting the truth, but after killing Debbie just a few hours ago, I experienced a certain peace and closure. If I want the same peace and closure regarding my mother, I need to request her body from Dante, as he owes me that much.As I stepped out of the shower, water dripping from my body, I found Dante lounging on my bed, his long legs stretched out. It was a shock to see him there, and I couldn't help but yelp in surprise. Glancing at the door, then back at him, I stammered, "I thought I locked that door? How did you get in?"With a brazen grin, Dante eyed me up and down, licking his lips. "This is my house, sweetheart. Did you really think you could ke
DANTEAs I moved closer to Anna, I could feel the tension in the air. Her trembling hands and legs were a clear indication that she had been standing there for a while, perhaps listening to our conversation. The tear stains on her face and the fear in her eyes told me that she had heard more than she bargained for.I approached her cautiously, not wanting to startle her any further. "Anna? Baby? How long have you been standing there?" I asked, my voice soft and gentle.She wiped her tears and tried to compose herself, running her hand through her hair in an attempt to regain some semblance of control. "I just got here," she stammered, her voice shaking with nervousness. "Why do you ask?"I looked over at Matteo and saw the disbelief in his eyes. I shared his doubts - there was something about Anna's demeanor that didn't add up. It was clear to me that she had overheard our conversation, and that she was afraid of me because of it.I knew that Anna's fear was a result of my own actions,
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