ANNAXavier took a deep, shuddering breath, and for the first time since I'd known him, tears streaked down his cheeks. His voice trembled as he pleaded, "Please, Mr. Williams, I'm begging you. Don't harm my mother. I'm sorry for getting myself involved in your affairs."Dante's tone grew colder, devoid of any sympathy. "No, you're not sorry, because if you were, you wouldn't still be lying to me. Anna has no cash at hand, except for the five hundred thousand dollars which she gave to Nat, and that was subsequently stolen back by you two for reasons unknown to me. So, I'll ask you once again, Xavier: Where is Anna? But I strongly advise you to think long and hard before you answer that question."Xavier's gaze locked with mine, and I responded with a subtle, reassuring nod. It was a nod laden with meaning, conveying my understanding of the difficult situation he found himself in. A part of me questioned whether Dante would pose a threat to me. After all, I hadn't stolen anything from
ANNASquirming ever so slightly in my seat, I grappled with the decision before me. "Anna is just fine," I finally replied, opting for simplicity."Okay, Miss Anna, how may I assist you?" Mr. Peterson inquired, his voice carrying a sense of sincere curiosity.Summoning my courage, I realized that this was the pivotal moment to reveal the purpose of my visit. Taking a deep breath, I spoke earnestly, "I am here today concerning my late father, Dr. Victor Graham Thompson."Mr. Peterson maintained his composure, showing no outward signs of surprise or alarm at my revelation. Instead, he continued to gaze at me, his eyes focused and discerning. "Miss Anna, over the course of my career, numerous women and young ladies have walked into my office, claiming to be Anna Thompson. They presented me with evidence, often fabricated, to support their claims. So, forgive me for being cautious when it comes to accepting someone who isn't even certain of her own name," he explained, his words measured
DANTEwaited patiently, surrounded by a small group of men that Matteo insisted I bring along. The atmosphere was tense, and as I glanced around, I noticed a little girl named Lily peacefully sleeping on her grandmother's lap. The sight of her innocent face stirred a bittersweet longing within me, making me wonder what my own child would have looked like had she not been taken from me by that deranged psychopath.If Xavier, the target of our plan, chose to resist or play hard to get, I had no intention of causing harm to the little girl. However, I harbored every intention of inflicting pain upon his mother. She deserved to suffer the consequences of her son's actions."Boss, he's here," one of my men reported.I turned my attention to the elderly woman sitting beside Lily. "Please, make sure she's comfortable in her room, and join us when you're finished," I instructed her gently. Turning to another member of my crew, I added, "Stand guard outside her room. Ensure she remains inside,
DANTEAs the realization washed over me, a newfound understanding emerged. It became clear that her fear wasn't directed towards me personally, but rather for Xavier and his family. She trembled at the thought of what I might do to them, which explained her cautious demeanor. "Don't concern yourself with the ambulance," I assured her, "I'll have David attend to Xavier. In return, would you be willing to join me in my suite? We can have an uninterrupted conversation." I considered adding the suggestion of making love to our agenda, but I decided to keep that desire concealed, fearing it might frighten her away. If circumstances played out favorably, perhaps she might share that intimacy with me. Suppressing the growing excitement that caused a bulge in my pants, I adjusted myself discreetly, ensuring it went unnoticed.Her gaze shifted between Xavier and me, and finally, she acquiesced, saying, "Fine, call David. Once he starts treatment, I'll accompany you."I signaled one of my men t
DANTEAs a little boy, my grandmother thought me how to prepare killer spaghetti. I decided to prepare my grandma's special recipe for Anna since she refused lunch. Just in case you are wondering how I ended up preparing lunch and dinner, that's pretty simple. I locked Anna and myself inside my suite with the promise of not opening it until we both resolved our issues. I gave her the chance to name anything she wants me to do, that am willing to do it as long as it pulls down this wall between us. A chance which is still very open. She did say something though, but what she asks of me is something that I am never going to do. Let her go? She got to be fucking kidding. I’m willing to let Xavier go but I am never letting Anna go. She is like my better half, the only redemption I have in my world of crimes. She is like the light at the end of every tunnel and for that reason, am never letting her go.With eager anticipation, I lifted the lid of the pot, revealing the masterpiece I had
DANTECaught off guard by Anna's attempt to salvage our last meal together, I found myself momentarily at a loss for words. Sensing her discomfort, I decided to spare her any further awkwardness by steering the conversation in a different direction."Thanks, but I think I'll just stick with coffee for now," I replied gently, trying to inject a note of reassurance into my voice. "You go ahead and eat, and take some time to freshen up. Meanwhile, I'll let Fabiano know to get the car ready."An uncomfortable smile played on Anna's lips, betraying a mix of emotions that lingered between us. Without further ado, she bent down to pick up the shattered fragments of glass from the floor. Concern washed over me as I realized the potential danger she was putting herself in."Please, don't bother with that," I implored, my voice tinged with worry. "You might end up injuring yourself. I'll have someone come up and handle the mess."However, my words fell on deaf ears as Anna persisted in her task
ANNAI stirred from my slumber, my senses tingling with the sound that reached my ears. Slowly, I opened my eyes, greeted by the sight of a breathtaking figure standing before me. How could fortune favor me so greatly, to have such a handsome and irresistibly attractive person beside me on this very bed? My fingertips longed to caress his tousled hair, but I refrained, fearing that my touch might awaken him. However, the persistent sound brought me back to reality, reminding me of the true reason I had awoken.Ah, there it was again—the unmistakable melody of my ringtone, emanating from the depths of Dante's jeans pocket. I endeavored to disentangle myself from him, aiming for a seamless departure without rousing him from his peaceful slumber. Yet, my efforts proved futile as his hand instinctively tightened around my waist, sensing my movement."Where do you think you're going?" Dante's sleep-laden voice rumbled, his eyes fluttering open.I planted a gentle peck on his lips, hoping t
ANNAA few hours had passed since I embarked on my journey to Xavier's place. As I stood in front of his door, I couldn't help but feel a wave of nervous anticipation wash over me. I desperately hoped that Mrs. Kathryn, Xavier's mother, would be in a forgiving mood and grant me entrance. With a silent prayer to whichever divine entity might be listening, I mustered the courage to knock.To my surprise, the door swung open, revealing a sight I hadn't expected. Instead of Mrs. Kathryn, I found myself face to face with a miniature version of Xavier. The resemblance was uncanny—same eyes, same smile, but in a smaller package."Hello," the little one greeted me with a small, innocent voice. "Who are you, and how may I help you?"A warm smile spread across my face as I introduced myself. "My name is Anna, and I'm a friend of your father's. Could you please let him know that I'm here at the door?"Before the little girl could respond, her voice was interrupted by Mrs. Kathryn's call from ins
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