67. Tied.>“Play with me.” Jessica tugs at my arm, her eyes wide with innocence. I give her a pointed look and shake my head. She is in her hitting phase and God damn. Where do kids get so much strength? “I will not play a hitting game with you.”Within 0.1 milliseconds, her eyes well up. If that was even possible. She holds her breath as her face turns red. Oh. Oh. A tantrum is on its way.“PLAY WITH ME!!!” she screams, her voice piercing the air, and I wince hard.Fucking Great. I lean to her eye level, my patience wearing thin. “We can play, but only if you promise to not hit me. You hit too hard, and I get hurt.” “Play.” She whines again and I raise a brow at her. She pouts for a moment before burying her head in my thighs. Despite my annoyance, my heart melts.Aww. Fuck it. She is too young to understand it anyway. “Fine. I give up. Let’s play!” I tell her. I am too tired to argue with her.She lets out a happy giggle, rubbing her face in my lap. I laugh with her
68. Share > I’m sitting cross-legged in bed with a laptop perched on my lap. The soft glow from the screen illuminates the dim room. Riley takes a turn moving a little closer to me. I shake my head, looking at the wide space across her. Why do women occupy so much bed space? I should have hauled her out of my room when I had the choice. Guest room would have worked fine. I am letting her in too much, and it’s not right. I don’t have enough resolve to stop myself. Why? My screen pings again and I let out a sigh. The unplanned meeting with Callum and Garrett today left me with a lot of work. Most disputes among us have been settled. Callum tried to raise Jessie’s custody issue. I told him it’s none of his fuckin business. Raylan took over figuring out what to do with my ex-traitor-secretary, while Patterson gave me a brief about Rose giving threats to go public about our past lifestyle. He warned me she could make up a false story. Or use her old photographs to sprea
A/N: I made some changes to the last two chapters. Please skim it if you would like. Especially the ending of the last one.69. Conflict>I step into the greenhouse, savoring the cool night air against my skin. It’s dark out here and that’s what I need at this moment. A moment of peace and quiet. To decipher what I am feeling right now. I lay down on the chaise lounge in the corner and light a cigarette. What the fuck does she know what’s good or bad for Jessie? Of course, in her perfect world, everything is fine. Her world isn’t perfect. I remind myself. But that doesn’t matter. I can be a jerk when I am agitated. I take a drag and watch smoke curl into the night. A striking contrast to the glimmering stars above me. I have kept my walls high when it comes to Jessie and Rose. No one dares to ask me questions about them. Perhaps that is the reason I am feeling this rage. One side of me is telling me Riley is naive and doesn’t know any better. But the evil part in me
70. Condoms>I hurry inside as a rush of cold air sends goosebumps across my naked skin. I am not wearing anything. He removed my clothes, teased the hell out of me, then ordered me to bring him a condom. So that’s what I am doing right now.The house is dark and silent. But I cannot stop grinning at the obscenity I am getting comfortable with. I enter his room, covering my breast. No one apart from us and Jessie is here. She is fast asleep. Still, I am a little conscious. I hurry towards the nightstand to open the drawer. Anticipation tightens my chest as my fingers fumble with the child lock. As I slide it open, instead of condoms, I see a freaking handgun inside.“What the fuck?” My breath catches in my throat as I gingerly pick up the firearm, confused. Why the hell would this thing be in a bedside drawer? It takes me a second to realize there is no magazine in it. Raylan has taught me that much. I tilt my head to see what else is here and yes, the ammunition is sto
71. Sweetwaters > As I stroll through corridors of my college, the scent of coffee from campus café makes my stomach growl. I was so embarrassed this morning I rushed out of Miko’s place without eating anything. My head is hung up on the fact that Patterson saw me. And the way he said he wasn’t surprised. I am so bothered. Does it mean he knew I would sleep with Miko? I didn’t want to face Philip either, so I took a cab. Although he knows exactly what’s happening between me and Miko. Ugh... Why do I feel ashamed about this? Highlight of the sunrise was when Jessie burst into our room. While taking my bath, I couldn’t help but wonder how we would make a cute little family. It was a stupid thought. But I liked it way too much. The morning was pleasant, but I dislike the increasing number of people who know about our fling. It is supposed to be a secret. Not public information! ……. “Hey you two! What did I miss?” I inquire, sinking into the seat beside girls as hum of
72. Upgrade>The professor’s voice drags on as I pretend to take notes. I cannot focus with all this simmering anxiety and the lecture is barely registering in my mind. Mikolaj hasn’t responded to any of my messages. Nor did he pick my calls. I could send him a message explaining everything. But I think I need to talk to him in person. I’m dying for college to be over, so I can meet him and share my side. I hope he will listen to me.My fingers hover over the keypad to send one more pleading text. But Ira pulls the cell away from me.“Don’t. It looks desperate.”I bite my lips and nod, barely holding tears in my eyes. “I wish I had listened to you. He was so disappointed.”“He will get over it. Don’t worry,” she whispers back to me. She puts my phone on the desk and holds my hand during the rest of the lecture. It’s the small comfort that keeps me grounded.….We are back to our room and I am meticulously arranging items in my handbag. Thankfully, I haven’t been sent an
73. Home>The bus cruises along the highway, each subtle sway mirroring the inner chaos of my thoughts. I had no desire to face anyone. So I took a bus home. Now when I think about it… It was a stupid decision. How will I explain to mum and dad why I came home empty-handed? I hope they believe me when I say I missed them a little too much. I numbly stare at the green fields passing by. Girls must be worried, waiting to hear from me. But I don’t want to talk to anyone yet. I haven’t even cried that much. So why do I feel physically tired? Why does it hurt this bad? I genuinely thought there was affection and care. My mind is swaying between the time we spent and the contract he threw in my face to sign. Such a contrast.I glance at my watch and release a heavy sigh. The familiar path to home feels longer today. After a while, I take out my compact mirror to fix my makeup. As expected, it’s a mess.“How am I going to explain this swollen face?” I mutter to myself, taking
74. Superficial>Blood thunders in my ears as my mind throws a million possibilities. His name. His name.. His name…Dad wouldn’t like it. There is no way I can tell him. Mom will eventually learn and she wouldn't be happy either. I don’t want to see her reaction when she figures it out. I cannot bear her subtle, judgemental eyes. Her ‘only if you had listened to me’ look. It would be a disaster.“Riley?” Dad says and I meet his gaze. “Are you okay?”His voice seems to come from far, far away. I am not sure if I can speak. My hands shiver and I clench my fists to numb the needles poking in my palms. This is not good. I need to go to my room. I take a deep inhale, to keep my voice steady and say, “I will figure it out, dad.”“God! Riley, let me help you.” His voice is a little agitated this time.This is a thing about mum and dad. They don’t trust me to deal with my mess. And no matter how supportive he is right now, he will freak out when he figures out that the so-ca
. - Riley - .“Lie down with me?”Mikolaj nods and pulls out his phone, typing a quick message. I watch him, feeling an odd tightness in my chest that I can’t quite understand. When he finally tucks his phone away and lies beside me, I turn onto my side to face him. It’s then I notice the slight hitch in his breathing, each breath rough and uneven, his face etched with lines of pain.“How bad are your injuries? Your liver?”“It’s fine. She was creating a fuss for no reason,” he says with an air of annoyance towards the stern lady. “My ribs are still a mystery. We will know more after x-ray.” His voice trails off, and I glance up at him, raising a brow.“And…?”“Nothing serious. I’m hoping it’s just a hairline fracture, not a full break…”“Sounds awful.”“Not that bad, trust me. I am just worried about how I will handle Jessie jumping around in bed.”I go quiet when I hear Jessie’s name. How things will be when I get back to my life. West could try to kidnap me again, or Maxim. Would I
. - Riley - .As they wheel through a dimly lit hallway, lethargy and dull pain wash over me like a heavy blanket. My back aches, my left arm throbs, and there’s something digging into my neck that’s becoming increasingly annoying.The stretcher carrying Miko pulls away from me and he protests, “Take us to the same room!”“No…” the medic who tended to us in the chopper says pointedly.“Oh, for fuck’s sake, it’s not a hospital!” Mikolaj snaps at her.“Our commitment to our work rivals that of an emergency room.” She claps back in a mockingly professional tone and I am wondering if I should laugh or be wary of her statement. “Plus, do you want to die of internal injuries?”“Yeah man… We need to make sure the person paying us doesn’t drop dead,” the guy with the dislocated shoulder croaks, eliciting a round of chuckles from the others. “I feel fine,” Miko mutters, sulking.“She needs some privacy, and you need an ultrasound.” With that, she rushes into a room with the man who has a bull
Ride. - Mikolaj - .“All clear.” The Merce ahead of me says after a quick sweep of the room. A brief glance behind tells me the man limping along with me is losing his strength. “Stay here and make sure no one comes from behind,” I tell him. We both know it’s unlikely—everyone in this building is either dead or incapacitated. Still, I would rather he conserve his energy than exhaust himself before the mission is over. We’re not safe until we’re out.“How is it going?” Raylan asks over my ear piece and I grunt.“Not sure if she is here,” I reply, keeping my focus on the bodies lying down. My urge to drill another bullet in each of their heads is strong, but there’s no point in disrespecting the dead, especially when it would invite more legal complications than we already have.“Fuck.”My heart hammers in my chest as I ask, “What?”“Yours is the only team having some action. Rest of the sites were… Not the one,” he says with a slight pause.Based on the analysis of the sunlight and
110. Rescue . - Riley - . My hands tremble as I grab the door handle and pull. It doesn’t budge. Did West come back, or is it just the seven of us under attack? A small part of me wonders if it's the police. I have no choice but to wait and watch my luck unfold. So I do that. I sink in a corner and flinch with each gunshot. Rapid sharp cracks make my heart jump as I realize someone is firing an automatic rifle. This can't be a rescue mission. Considering the chaos outside I will definitely die before the night ends. Chewing on my lips, I glance towards the bathroom and consider. I should try 911 again. My legs are weak beneath me as I tiptoe inside and lift the lid off the toilet tank. I reach in and feel the cold plastic of the phone. Next, I go to the mattress and lift the edge just enough to grab the folded piece of tissue that hides the unused pregnancy test. I shove the test into my pocket, promising myself If I survive this night, first thing I will do is take the test. My
. - Riley - .Thankfully, I am already on the move to put the toilet tank lid back on when Scarlett slams the door open.“What did you do?” she demands.“One of them grabbed me… I- I just reacted,” I say, reaching to flush, praying that the flimsy plastic bag somehow saves the phone.She nods, her expression unreadable as she turns on her heel. “Come with me.”Her silence makes my heart thump and I follow her down the hallway, my mind racing. “Scar?” I ask in a small voice.“You could have come to me!” she snaps. “Reed is trying to seal a deal with them, and the man you attacked is someone important.” She is quiet for a moment, breathing hard as she asks, “Seriously, tell me, are you seeking trouble for no reason?”“I am NOT!” I defend myself, my anger rising. How could she say that to me? “He was groping me. What am I supposed to do? Let him feel me?” “As long as he is not screwing you without payment, I don’t see a problem. Get down on your high horse and focus on keeping your head
. - Riley - .As West locks the door from outside, I turn and my eyes meet the stare of security camera, its red blinking light taunting me. Is Mikolaj really watching or is West just playing mind games? Doesn’t matter. I am pissed at both of them. West kidnapped me, but Mikolaj... He literally forced me to live with him so I would be miserable.“Does my misery make you delighted, Mr. Josef?” Slight shake of my head I add, “I fucking hate you… Hate that you used me to get your stupid revenge.” I know he cannot hear me, but if he could, would he even care? Turning on my heel, I stroll into the bathroom. As my hand grips the cold knob, the rage drains away, leaving the hollow ache. My emotions are a chaotic mess, bouncing between hurt and fury. I should blame the sex party West forced me to stay in. The atmosphere of lust and excess made my eyes bleed. Figuratively. Then he had the nerve to ask for a kiss. And the worst part… First thought that crossed my mind was how Mikolaj would re
Deal. - Mikolaj - .“They will try to squeeze you dry, Miko. This 10k stunt was just to put you at ease with the idea of spending money. I know you’re stressed, and this is why you need to consult others before spending any more money,” Raylan says as he pulls over in front of Camilla’s house. Apparently, paparazzi are still lingering around my house, hence Camilla brought her here.“I will also look for an expert who can advise us on negotiations. If they contact during the night—which we both know is highly unlikely—ask me or Camilla first. Don’t decide anything alone.”I’m too exhausted to show my annoyance. So I simply nod and grab my bag to walk inside. House is dark with a dim glow pouring from the laptop on dining table. Camilla is sitting there, clenching a tissue in her fist.“Camilla?” She closes the laptop and straightens her back.“Took you a while…” she asks in a strange voice.“Yea,” I reply, my eyes searching her face. She seems somewhere between upset and composed.“I
Ping. - . Mikolaj . - .Raylan kicks on the door, and with a loud thud it slams against the wall. I stroll inside and look around for the occupants. Then I see him. Victor glued to the couch, startled. “About time,” I say as he gets up and takes a run towards the door.Raylan blocks his way, pushing him back inside.“Wh- What do you want this time?” Victor asks as Raylan nudges him one more time as he stumbles onto the carpet.“Camilla told me about your polite comment a few hours ago,” I sneer at him. “We were curious what it meant.”After my meeting with Jacob and Natalie, I got an interesting call from Camilla and I took flight back here immediately. Since the website Jacob told me about is inaccessible, I am hoping to find some answers here. “I-I meant no offense.”The door knocks and Camilla’s voice comes through. “Are you guys in there?” Raylan lets her in and her eyes widen, seeing Victor. “Where the fuck are your clothes?” Then she frowns, her eyes searching for something. “
Party of sorts - 2. - . Riley . - .I had asked West last night if he had contacted anyone, but he didn’t spit out a word either.“Why are you here, Tank? Do you need something?” Scar says as before I can ask Tank anything.“A blow job,” he says with a twinkle in his eyes. I know he is talking to Scarlet, but his fixed gaze at me pisses me off beyond no explanation.“Try that and I will bite it off. Then maybe shove it in your mouth,” I grit through my teeth.His face contorts with anger as he strides towards me. Scarlett rushes between us, creating a barrier while my fingers twitch to grab the knife on the counter behind me.“West won’t be happy if you create a mess in here.”“He isn’t my fuckin boss.” He snarls.“Even others won’t be happy. This is an important meeting, Tank. Please… Calm down.”With a jerk, he grabs Scarlet’s hand and backs away. “Join us for the party or die in the kitchen, but you cannot leave this area until the party is over.”“I was looking forward to attend