ANNA Why is the bed so cold and hard? I'll have to let Dante know that this bed is due for changing. I can't even sleep properly on it. With a pout on my lips, I felt Dante's side of the bed to check if he is awake but when I touched nothing but a cold hard surface, I realized that I wasn't the only one affected by the coldness and hardness of this mattress. I wonder what time it is.' I opened one of my eyes with the intention of peering at Dante but what I saw got me yelping. As I slowly regained consciousness, I realized that I was not in my room but rather in a cold and dingy cell. The hard and unforgiving surface beneath me turned out to be nothing but a cemented floor. It felt like I was experiencing déjà vu, as the cell resembled the one where Morello had previously held me captive. In an instant, my heart started to race, and I began to panic. I frantically looked around, trying to assess my surroundings and find a way out.I struggled to recall how I had ended up in this godf
ANNAOrlando is convinced that there's more to my feelings towards Dante than just hatred, but I know better - or so I thought. Despite my intense loathing towards him for what he did to my family and to me, I have no desire to seek revenge. It might sound foolish to some, but there's a small part of me that can't help but feel some kind of affection for him.As I adjust my position on the cold, hard floor to alleviate the numbness in my backside, I try to recall how long I've been trapped in this hellhole. At first, I tried to keep track of the days by marking the sunrises and sunsets from the small window in my cell, but it quickly became a futile exercise. It's been so long that I've lost count.Orlando has made it his personal mission to ensure that every moment of my captivity is filled with agony. But when I say agony, I'm not referring to physical pain - it's the psychological and emotional pain that's eating away at me. It's been over two months since my abduction, and Orlando
ANNANodding my head, I decided to ask a question I've been yearning to ask like forever. “How long have I been here?"As I sat there, my mind was reeling. Five months? How had I been here for that long without even realizing it? I tried to maintain my composure and not lash out at him, but the anger and frustration were almost too much to bear."Why did you keep me here for over five months?" I finally asked, unable to contain my curiosity and resentment.He gave me a stern look and said, "manners, young lady."I took a deep breath and tried to collect myself, but the anger was still simmering beneath the surface. How could he expect me to just accept being held captive for that long? My frustration must have been evident, as he continued to speak."I wanted you to realize that nobody gives a fuck if you are missing," he said coolly. "I noticed that tiny hope you had in you that someone was going to rescue you, so I let you see for yourself."The realization hit me like a ton of brick
DANTEAs the weight of the day pressed down on me, I trudged through the door of my apartment, determined to numb myself with a stiff drink. My weary eyes scanned the room, and I could already feel the familiar burn of alcohol coursing through my veins, soothing the stress and tension of the day. But before I could pour myself a drink, I needed to rinse off the grime of the day.Stepping into the shower, I reached for my usual shower gel, only to grab Anna's instead. My heart constricted at the thought of her, and the memories of our time together flooded my mind. I missed her so much, and I knew that some things were beyond my control. Her absence was one of those things.The scent of the shower gel filled my nostrils, and the tears started to well up in my eyes. It was a familiar scent that I associated with Anna, and it always brought me pain and longing. I knew that if, Matteo, were here to witness my moment of weakness, he would smack me upside the head, despite the fact that I wa
DANTEI beckoned Matteo into my office, my expression tense with irritation. He sauntered in, his face reflecting confusion and concern."Boss, is everything okay?" he asked.I glared at him. "Is that even a legitimate question?"He flinched at my harsh tone. "Sorry, boss.""Why wasn't I informed about the sketch?" I demanded, my voice rising with anger.Matteo averted his gaze from mine, and I could sense his apprehension. "I didn't want to give you false hope," he explained. "That's why I decided to withhold the information until we find out something concrete about them."My frustration reached its peak, and I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me. "You know very well that keeping me in the dark is unacceptable," I snapped.Without a second thought, I reached into my desk drawer and retrieved my revolver. I placed it on my desk, right in front of Matteo's eyes."How many times have I told you not to keep things from me?" I hissed, my voice low and dangerous.Matteo's gaze flick
ANNAI couldn't shake the troubling thoughts from my mind. It was hard to comprehend that someone could stoop so low as to take an innocent human and mold them into a weapon of destruction. Morello, Orlando, and Dante, they were all culpable, and it was hard for me to fathom how they could live with themselves. They needed to be held accountable for their actions, and the only suitable punishment was the death penalty. Where was their conscience? Did they even have one?Suddenly, Xavier's voice interrupted my thoughts. "You seem to be lost in your thoughts very often these days; you want to tell me why?"I looked up to see him leaning casually against the wall. I couldn't help but wonder if he was one of Orlando's potential recruits. Even though he was part of the group that had kept me captive, I had grown to care for him over time. It was a complicated feeling, one that I couldn't quite explain.Xavier's concerned expression prompted me to speak up. "I need to talk to you, Xavier," I
ANNAIt had been two days since my conversation with Xavier about VH14, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that he was avoiding me. I hoped that his absence wouldn't turn out like the bald man's disappearance, which had left us all worried and perplexed.But just as I was mulling over this, the door creaked open and Xavier walked in. However, he looked disheveled, with puffy eyes that hinted at recent tears or sleepless nights, and a two-day-old stubble on his jaw."You'll definitely live long, Xavier. I was just thinking about you," I said, trying to be friendly.His response was unexpected, and it caught me off guard. "Is that supposed to flatter me?" he retorted, sounding cranky.I was puzzled by his reaction. "What is supposed to flatter you? The fact that you'll live long?"He let out a deep sigh. "No, don't be silly. I already believe that I'm going to live long, that's why I'm here. I was referring to the part about you thinking about me."I couldn't help but burst out laughin
DANTEAs I stood there, staring out at the bustling city of New York, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. The city didn't stop functioning just because I was at the receiving end of a mishap. People walked around comfortably, without any worry of what might happen next. It was as if Anna's death hadn't even happened.Just like the court of justice believes that nobody is guilty until proven otherwise, I also believe that nobody is innocent until proven otherwise. In that case, one of these people walking around the city could be the reason behind Anna's death.Suddenly, the door to my office opened, and I knew immediately that it was Matteo. "Any news on Orlando?" I asked."No," he replied solemnly. "Nobody has seen or heard anything about his whereabouts."The infuriating comment I heard made my blood boil with rage. "No one has seen or heard of him" - the nerve of some people! I was so livid, I had half a mind to throw Badok off the rooftop.Badok tried to calm me down.
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