DANTEAs I lay on my bed that night, I couldn't shake off the events of the day. My heart ached as I thought about Anna Scott, the woman whose life was tragically cut short. Her death had left a void in my life, one that I knew would never be filled. It seemed that each passing day brought me no closer to finding her killer.Despite my overwhelming grief, I knew I had to do something to honor Anna's memory. And so, I resolved to start a charity foundation in her name. I would transfer all the money in her account to the charity, just as she would have wanted. She never cared for the extravagant gifts or the lavish lifestyle that I had provided her. Instead, she had always yearned for a simple life filled with love and laughter.Reflecting back on the time I spent with Anna, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. If only I had known how little time she had left on this earth, I would have done everything in my power to make every moment count. But my foolishness had cost her everyt
ANNAIt had been three agonizing days since Xavier had embarked on his journey to find Nat. I had spent countless hours worrying and wondering where he could be, hoping that he is safe. Yesterday, I had a moment of relief when Orlando didn't show up, but today, my gut told me he would come.The sound of the heavy door creaking open made me look up, my heart racing with anticipation. But instead of seeing Xavier, it was the man who brought me breakfast every morning. However, this time, he came empty-handed, with an unexpected message."The boss wants to have breakfast with you," he said bluntly.I was taken aback. "Your boss? Why?"He grabbed my arm forcefully and pulled me up. "Move it! I'm not in the mood for your damn questions."I followed him silently, his grip so tight that I knew it would leave a bruise. When we arrived at the room, I stumbled in, only to find a candlelit breakfast table set up.Orlando busied himself with opening the bottle of red wine, his hands moving with e
ANNAI could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to mask my fear. . "Torturing me isn't going to get us anywhere," I said, desperately hoping he would reconsider. "Just give my brain some time to come up with something."The man shook his head, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Like I said earlier, I don't have that kind of time," he sneered. "But don't worry, this method will definitely work. A little shock is all your brain needs."My eyes widened as he approached me with a knife, the sharp glint of its blade catching the light. "What are you going to do with that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper."What do you think we do with knives?" he taunted. "You were once Dante's lover, surely you know what he does with his knives. But for clarity's sake, I'm going to cut you open and stitch you up again. And we'll do it every day."I gasped as he plunged the knife into my lower abdomen, the pain radiating through my body like a wildfire. I could feel my blood pooling be
ANNADue to my current physical limitations caused by my wound, Xavier suggested that he brings Nat so we can conduct the transaction with his laptop in the comfort of our own room.However, as the day wore on, I found myself growing increasingly bored and restless. With nothing better to do, I decided to indulge my curiosity and see what Dante had been up to lately. I made my way slowly to where Xavier had plugged in his laptop to charge and without hesitation, I opened his browser and typed in Dante's name. As I clicked through the search results, a plethora of personal and business information appeared on the screen. I delved deeper, clicking on his personal information in hopes of finding something newsworthy.As I scrolled through his profile, I stumbled upon a few pictures of him and Lisa, but there was no mention of me anywhere. The son of a bitch isn't even proud enough to present me to the media. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment when I realized he hadn't m
DANTEThe world has a peculiar way of surprising us. Just when I thought I was the only one terrible at protecting those I cherish, someone proved me wrong. I couldn't help but fixate on the photograph of Orlando's daughter – a truly beautiful girl, tragically lost to us through suicide. The media labeled it as such, but they never disclosed the motive behind her desperate act.Orlando did an impressive job of concealing the truth behind his daughter's suicide, yet rumors persisted and spread through the streets. Whispers suggested that one of his associates had violated her. I'm perplexed as to how he managed the situation so covertly and still stayed hidden. Even though he's mourning the loss of his daughter, it won't dissuade me from seeking vengeance, from chopping his body parts bit by bit. The only thing that will save him is if he had no hand in Anna's death.As I continued to stare at the pictures, a knock interrupted my thoughts. I invited the person in, and Tom entered the
DANTEThe name Lisa Cameron echoed in my mind, but it seemed that Lisa Davenport was the same person. Confusion and anger brewed within me as I contemplated who the hell she had met up with in my own house last night. The steering wheel felt tight beneath my clenched knuckles, a physical manifestation of my inner turmoil. It was unfathomable that someone could deceive me in such a manner, and the realization didn't sit well with me at all.As the car continued down the road, my focus was divided between the swirling thoughts in my head and the task of maintaining control on the wheel. How I managed to navigate the streets without colliding with another vehicle remained a mystery, considering the turmoil that churned within me.In the midst of my mental chaos, Matteo's voice broke through the haze, jolting me back to the present moment. However, his words were lost on me, unable to penetrate the fog of my troubled mind. I turned to face him, my eyes searching for an explanation. "What
DANTE Surprised and angered by the audacity of someone hacking into an account connected to me, I demanded, "Have you identified the hacker?"Tom replied hesitantly, "The transaction was executed seamlessly."My frustration grew. "No one besides Anna and me has access to her account details. So if I didn't initiate the transaction, who did?"Tom's response was straightforward, "The only person who holds the answer to that question is Nathan Miverton."Running my finger over my lips, I contemplated the situation. "I'll investigate further. In the meantime, I want you to dig into Clifford Cameron."Curious, Tom inquired, "May I ask who he is?""He's the individual who prompted Lisa to seek a new gynecologist. Lisa happens to be married to him," I revealed. Turning to Matteo, I added, "I need Miverton's home address.""Yes, boss," they both acknowledged in unison before promptly leaving my office.I rose from my seat and poured myself a glass of Scotch, needing some respite as I contemp
ANNAEver since I informed Xavier about our plan to head to Palo Alto and meet with Mr. Rex Peterson, my father's lawyer, instead of languishing in a run-down motel, he hasn't uttered more than ten words to me. Xavier's silence has been deafening, and it adds to the mounting tension I feel.It's been three long days since Xavier started working on our passports, and today, we should finally have them in our hands. With any luck, we'll be en route to Palo Alto, California by tomorrow. However, there's something that has been eating away at me—Xavier's refusal to provide any updates on Nat. I'm left in the dark, unsure if Nat is alive or dead. Whenever I try to broach the subject, Xavier brushes me off, assuring me that he has everything under control and that I should concentrate on the immediate situation at hand.As I sat lost in my thoughts, the sudden sound of the front door opening jolted me back to reality. I turned my gaze towards Xavier, his handsome presence commanding attenti
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