E L L EI was watching Mikhail swim, his shirtless body glistening as the sunlight hit him.God, he looked gorgeous.I was sitting by the pool, and my eyes were glued to him, as he swam laps. I was wearing a sexy two piece bikini and Mikhail couldn't keep his eyes off of me. I knew exactly how to distract him.Ever since we had that talk last night, I could sense the difference in his behavior. He was more open and affectionate, which was good, but the fact that Lana had already tried to call him twice today, meant she wouldn't give up.He blocked her number right after though, and I suggested he came out for swimming to help him take his mind off of things since it was one of his favorite things to do. But, every time he went underwater, he would lift my legs and touch them.He swam closer to me, pulling my legs up so he could stand between them, and I wrapped them around him. His hands wrapped around my ass and he squeezed, causing a soft moan to escape my lips."Mm. You drive me c
E L L EThe day I wasn't looking forward to finally arrived. The end of our mini vacation.Mikhail and I were in his car as we drove out of the mini heaven and back into the city.He looked calm, but I knew he wasn't looking forward to this any more than I was.My new car has been moved to my house the previous day, I would rather sit in the car with Mikhail than drive behind him. At least, I get to enjoy passenger princess benefits.Mikhail had one arm resting on the steering wheel and his other hand was holding mine, our fingers intertwined.As much as I hated to leave the house, the mini vacation had given me and Mikhail the space and time we needed. I didn't think it was possible for our bond to become even more stronger, but it did. Everyday with him feels like the first, of not just falling in love with him, but also discovering new things about him.Who would've imagined that the man who couldn't get his eyes off of me and I the same at the gala was mine and now, I get to live
E L L EI heard a beeping noise and a faint sound of footsteps. It felt like I was floating, and the beeping was getting louder and louder.My body felt numb, and my eyes were heavy. It was cold, and the sheets were rough.I didn't know where I was.The beeping was too loud, and the footsteps were getting closer and closer. My eyes fluttered open and I winced at the bright lights, before closing them again.My head was pounding and throbbing painfully, as if it was about to explode. My mouth was dry, and my lips were chapped. I could taste the blood in my mouth and it made me nauseous.The footsteps stopped, and the voices were clearer."Is she going to be okay?""What's wrong with her?""When is she going to wake up?"I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the bright lights and looked around. I was in a hospital room. The beeping sound was coming from the machines and the footsteps were doctors and nurses.I could see people standing near the door, their voices low.I tried to speak, b
E L L ETwo Weeks LaterThe nightmares hadn't stopped.It had been two weeks since the incident, and the bruises and cuts were healing, but the memories were still there.The feeling of helplessness and the fear were still haunting me. Anytime I close my eyes, the scene flashes in front of my eyes, making me wake up in the middle of the night, panting and sweating.My therapist had prescribed a few sleeping pills to help me cope, but they were no use.I had a lot of restless nights.The man in the black suit was always there.Waiting for me.I was scared, but I knew the pills were supposed to help. So, I continued taking them.I was staying at my parents' house as my house was currently being renovated and repaired.The security was also beefed up.I was lucky to have survived that.The moment my mom saw the condition I was in from the hospital, she had broken down when she was told what happened. She became even more overprotective and she and my dad with Variant decided that I was g
E L L EMikhail and I sat side by side on the dining table. My parents and brother were across from us.It was awkward, and no one spoke for the first couple of minutes.My dad cleared his throat."So, how long have you been seeing my daughter, Mikhail?"Mikhail finished chewing his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Six months now, sir.""And, what do you plan to do with my daughter in the future?""Dad!" I scolded."What? Am I not allowed to ask these questions? You're my daughter.""I know, but, Dad.""Mr. Marino, with all due respect, I plan on marrying her. I love your daughter so much, sir. I would do anything for her. Anything. And, if she'll have me, I would be the happiest man in the world."My heart skipped a beat and my stupid brother wriggled his eyebrow, giving me a smirk."Are you sure about that?" My dad asked."Positive. I would like to have your blessing, sir. I know I'm not good enough for her. I know I can never deserve someone like her. But, I promise that I'l
E M O R YONE MONTH EARLIER My stiletto heels clicked as I walked majestically towards the restaurant. I was putting on a shimmery red dress and silver heels, feeling superior and on top of the world.My make up was well done and my body was banging in this dress. Childbirth has been the worst thing to happen to me, but all thanks to my doctor who prescribed a pack of ozempic for me, and now, I'm finally back to the way I used to be.I'm the queen, and everyone is going to kneel before me.My C-section scar has healed perfectly, leaving just a faint mark. I'll be able to get it removed once I get enough money.I took multiple drugs to stop my boobs from producing more milk, to stop my hormones from going crazy and I finally feel normal again.The only downside is that my hair has started falling.My hair was a beautiful, luscious, silky mane and it's one of the reasons why people loved me. But, my hair is no longer healthy.I blame that damn baby for sucking the life out of me and mak
L A N AI sat in front of the three men I trusted so much and paid a hefty sum for their services. I knew they were the right men for the job, and they were willing to do whatever it took.Emory has been waiting for her chance to take down her arch nemesis, Elle, and now she finally had her chance.But these men just had to ruin it for me.They bowed their heads in shame, looking like a bunch of pathetic fools. My anger was beyond controllable. I could barely keep my shit together.I've had a perfect plan, but the damn men ruined it."What happened?" I asked calmly, though it was more like a threatening question."We’re sorry, mistress. She escaped before we could get a hold of her.”I stood to my feet, walking towards them and glaring into their eyes."How did she escape? I gave you guys all the necessary information and resources. How did she manage to escape? You're supposed to be the best, but you failed. You failed me.""Mistress, please forgive us. It wasn't our fault.""Not you
E L L EMikhail left early the next morning, promising to check on me soon. My father was at the office, since I wasn't mentally in the right state of mind to handle the company for now.My mom was out to catch up with some old friends, so it was just Varian, myself and the heap of securities my father and Mikhail had hired to watch over me.Seriously, but hiring up to twenty people just to guard me is a bit over the top. But after experiencing what happened two weeks ago, I understood their concerns and why they took so many measures. And to be honest, I felt protected knowing that there were people that would fight for me if need be. My phone dinged, signaling a text message. Varian was busy playing video games and the living room was on the other side of the house, so no one would disturb me.I smiled, seeing a text from Mikhail.Mikhail: I miss you.Elle: I miss you too.Mikhail: What are you doing?Elle: Nothing. Just laying on my bed.Mikhail: Should I order you and your broth
E L L EBlood drained from my face as an excruciating pain hit the bottom of my belly, and blood rolled down my legs.My heart jumped in my chest as Mikhail flew to my side, and helped me off the bed."What's happening? I think something is wrong with the baby, Mikhail. I- I aah!" I screamed as the pain intensified, and I bent over, feeling lightheaded.Mikhail was talking to someone on the phone, and he was yelling, his voice panicked."Elle, love. Listen to me, okay. We have to go.""Where are we going?""To the hospital, love. We have to get you there. It's going to be okay.""O-o-k-kay," I managed to choke out.He picked me up, and carried me out of the house, and straight into the car.He strapped me in, and closed the door, getting in on the other side. He started the engine, and drove down the road."Is- is- the- the baby gonna be okay?" I said, watching the blood spread, and the pain increased."Yes, love. The baby is gonna be fine. Just hang in there, baby."I nodded, and clo
M I K H A I LAs the weeks flew by, we were getting closer and closer to Elle's due date. In two weeks time, she'd be entering the very last month of her pregnancy.And I've been angsty, Michael hasn't got much information on Emory, and we still have no idea where the threats were coming from, and what we were dealing with.Everything had been quiet, and there were no news. It was as if we had entered a state of limbo.A weird, calm, limbo.I wanted to be hopeful, but my gut was telling me that she was up to something, and whatever it was, wasn't good.And, I was right.Elle was at home, and safe, and I had decided to spend the day with her. She was in the kitchen, which I had frowned upon but she had insisted that she was craving 'Her' own food. She was making cookies, and I was watching her, and making sure she wasn't overdoing it.Her bump had gotten bigger, and she was looking more and more like a balloon.She was wearing a grey, oversized t-shirt, and black sweatpants, and her ha
G I O V A N N ASebastian left a couple of minutes ago, to go get ready for our flight tonight. I placed back and forth, tugging my hair in frustration.I should have known that allowing Laura go to Italy all on her own was a bad idea. But for some reason, she has insisted on nobody coming with her, which was quite suspicious, because everyone knows how much Laura hayes bring in Italy, because of the horrid memories it holds for her.Something was off, and I had no idea what it was.I could have insisted more on her to let Sebastian come with her, or maybe me. Or even, one of my trusted security men.But, she had refused, saying it was important that she was alone, and now, look what had happened.She was gone.With no trace of who had abducted her, and no single lead.I was losing my mind.I was worried sick, and had been calling non-stop, asking for updates, and I had none. Avery came up to me, stopping my movements. "Relax. You will find her."I groaned. "This is so frustrating. Th
S E B A S T I A NIt's been exactly twenty four hours of calling Laura's number non-stop, and no response.Something was wrong.Really, fucking, wrong.Laura had never missed a call from me, and especially since she had promised to keep communication open. I have dropped more than 300 missed calls, and several texts, yet no response.Where was she?The last text she had sent me was twenty six hours , telling me that the funeral was ongoing and she would facetime me when she gets back home. But, she didn't. Something was definitely wrong.My heart was pounding in my chest, and anxiety was slowly taking over. Where was she?I was having a really bad feeling about her, and I didn't know if I was worrying for nothing or my worries were indeed valid. Laura wouldn't intentionally ignore my calls, knowing I'm sick with worry.What if something happened to her?What if she was attacked?What if her father's funeral had taken a turn for the worse? What if someone was holding her captive?Or, w
L A U R AThe shot rang in my ears, and I watched in horror as blood spurted from Marco's mouth and his body slumped to the floor."What did you do?!" Bile rose in my throat as I watched the horrific sight in front of me, a cold shiver and a feeling of deja vu running through my body.I have seen Viktor take people's life like it was nothing too many times. He kills humans faster than he kills a mosquito. He has no compassion, no emotions, no remorse. He's a monster.If you think my father was horrible, Viktor is ten times worse than him. He's the devil incarnate."Why? Why did you do that? He was innocent.""What he deserved. No one, and I mean, no one, will ever defy me. If he can't do his job, he is useless. There's no use keeping a man who's a coward. I'll have to get another one who is not a pussy like Marco to get the job done, sí?"My mind ran fast, and I had to think of a way to convince him against this. "What's the point of allowing another man to touch what is yours? It's o
L A U R AI felt a pinch on my arm, and I snapped my head to the side, to watch Viktor piercing a needle in my arm."What the fuck are you doing?""This is going to help you relax. You're tense, and nervous, and I don't want you to make a scene. Not now. Not when we're so close to finally being together again. So, stop struggling, and enjoy the ride. You will get there, eventually."He injected the contents into my blood stream, and I watched him, and the man driving, as the world around me started spinning.And, the last thing I saw was Viktor's smiling face.A face that had haunted me every single day, and a face that was the last thing I had ever wanted to see again.It was a nightmare.I slumped on the seat, and blacked out."Wakey, wakey, sleeping beauty. Wake the fuck up. I've waited too long for this."I heard Viktor's voice, and I struggled to open my eyes. I blinked a few times, and the room came into focus.I was in a room, sitting in a chair, with my hands tied behind me, an
L A U R AToday is my father's funeral.I woke up, feeling a dar, gloomy cloud over my head. It was screaming danger. Something was about to happen. Something big. I could feel it.But, I didn't let my fear get the best of me. I got out of bed, walking into my bathroom to take a shower. As the warm water cascaded down my skin, I couldn't help but remember the first time Viktor took me, and he made me bleed."Viktor, please..." I cried, trying to pull my wrists free. He was holding them down, hovering over me, and spreading my legs with his own as he smiled sadistically. No single remorse in his eyes."No."He took me forcefully, my frail sixteen year old body unable to withstand the strength and power of a thirty two year old man.It felt like he was splitting me open. My eyes filled with tears, and I begged him to stop. And when I saw that I didn't have a choice, I begged him to go slowly that he was hurting me, I screamed for help, but he slapped a hand over my mouth, and shoved hi
L A U R AMy phone rang, as Sebastian's name appeared on the screen."Hey, baby." I smiled, and walked out onto the balcony, and sat on the chair."How are you doing, Laura? Are you holding up okay?""Yeah. I'm fine." I lied, and he sighed."I know you're not okay, baby. Please, tell me the truth."I knew i had to keep lying to him. For his own sake. He didn't deserve to be dragged into my Mafia world, full of hatred, chaos, violence, and danger. He was an innocent, and his only mistake was loving me."It's just the stress from the funeral arrangements. We're having a wake for my father, and then a burial in the family cemetery. And, there are a lot of preparations that need to be made. The board, and the family members have to attend, and we have to make sure everything is perfect.""Do you want me to come? I can take some time off work, and stay for a few days, and help you. Then we'd come back to America together. How does that sound?""It's alright, Seb. You don't have to come. I'
L A U R AThe next day, I was forced to go see my father's body at the morgue. Not really forced, but it's kind of like a family tradition where a child has to see and pray on the father's body, to send him off for an eternal rest in heaven.If only they knew that even my prayers wouldn't stop God's plans for that man. He was going to make him suffer and rot in hell with the devil, exactly where he belongs. He's a devil, and the devil's family.The coroner pulled the body out of the freezer, and I had to keep myself from retching, and rolling my eyes. He was so pale, and his skin was almost blue. He was wearing an oversized shirt, and his arms were folded on top of his stomach.Fabian held my arm, and I took a deep breath, and watched as the coroner pulled the cloth off his face.He was covered in scars, and stitches, and looked like a corpse.And, the moment I saw his face, I felt nothing.Nothing at all.My heart didn't sink, and tears didn't roll down my cheeks, and no regrets or r