Upon arriving at the mansion, Arla accompanied Liam to his private quarters. "This is your new home," he declared as he opened the ornate double doors, revealing a luxurious suite with an elegantly furnished living area adorned with antiques and opulent fabrics.
Liam entered the room, carelessly tossing his suit jacket onto a plush armchair. "You'll find everything you need here," he stated coldly. "My assistant will help you settle in. I have business to attend to." Before he could leave, Arla spoke up. "You know, for a Mafia leader, you're not as terrifying as I expected," she said, her tone bold and unwavering. Liam turned to face her, his gaze locking with hers. "Are you so eager to see the true depths of my darkness?" he questioned, his voice deep and captivating. Unfazed, Arla held his gaze. "Show me your worst," she dared, a mischievous smile playing across her lips. Liam's eyes darkened, and he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful what you wish for, my dear wife. You just might get it." With that warning, he left the room, leaving Arla alone with her thoughts and a growing sense of unease. Arla shook her head and muttered, "He's not fun." A smile spread across her face as she thought to herself, "I'm finally free from that old man's grasp." Wandering through the luxurious rooms, she marveled at her new surroundings. "Not bad," she murmured, trailing her fingers across the smooth surface of an elegant vanity. A soft knock interrupted her exploration. Turning, she found a young woman at the doorway, a warm smile on her face. "I'm Celine, Liam's personal assistant," the woman introduced herself. "I'm here to help you with anything you need." Arla studied Celine for a moment before responding. "So, you're my new spy then?" she asked, her lips curling into a half-smile. Celine's smile widened. "I can be whatever you need me to be," she replied. "Now, let's get you settled in. Dinner will be served in an hour." Arla rolled her eyes, growing irritated. "Are you an AI? Stop repeatedly reminding me," she snapped, dismissing the assistant before settling down on the couch to relax. That evening, Arla entered the dining room and noticed Laurette, the lady of the house, sitting at the head of the table. There was another lady seated to Laurette's left, while the seat to her right was unoccupied. In addition, five other ladies were seated around the table. Arla, still dressed in her white short gown, walked into the room confidently. Arla attempted to sit in the empty chair to Laurette's right, but a woman named Alice interrupted her, saying, "You can't sit there yet; you need to earn it." Arla paused for a moment, staring at Alice without uttering a word. Ignoring Alice's remark, Arla sat down in the chair anyway and declared, "I don't need to earn anything. This is my house, and I am the wife, so mind your business." As Arla began eating, the other women remained silent. Vivian, who was seated across from Arla, didn't say a word but observed the scene quietly. Laurette, known for being a woman of few words, gazed at Arla with a piercing look. Without a word, Laurette stood up from the table, prompting the other ladies to stand and follow her lead. None of them had touched their food, leaving Arla alone at the table. Unfazed by the women's actions, Arla continued enjoying her meal in solitude. Seemingly unaffected by the tense encounter with the other women, Arla finished her meal and returned to her room. She sat by the window, admiring the view, though her calm demeanor masked a vulnerability she preferred to keep hidden. To avoid appearing weak, she took a shower and changed into a red lace nightgown. As Arla entered the bedroom, she found Liam sitting on the couch, his attention focused on his phone. She couldn't help but admire his handsome features. Standing at the entrance of the bathroom, she stared at him. "Stop drooling," Liam teased without looking up. Surprised, Arla insisted, "I'm not drooling. Why would I drool?" She then approached Liam and inquired, "You seem to have a lot of sisters..." Liam chuckled and met her gaze, his eyes full of allure, causing Arla's heart to skip a beat. Swallowing hard, she managed to ask, "Cousins? Or aunts?" Liam suggested, "Why don't you ask them yourself?" before adding, "You need to get along with them." He then removed his shirt and walked past her into the bathroom. "How can I get along with people I don't even know their role?" Arla questioned, her confusion evident. Pausing, Liam locked eyes with her and revealed, "They're mistresses, just like you." Shocked by his statement, Arla stuttered, "What!?" Liam stepped into the shower, prompting her to follow. Before she could finish her question, she realized Liam was naked under the shower and quickly turned her back, preparing to leave. However, Liam pulled her into the shower, his voice a mixture of amusement and challenge. "Didn't you come here expecting something to happen?" he asked, his words hanging in the air between them as the water cascaded over their bodies. Arla's heart pounded as she found herself wrapped in Liam's arms, warm water flowing over them. His question lingered, and she knew he was right. The undeniable attraction between them needed to be confronted. She turned to face him, their eyes locked. "And if I say no, what will you do?" Arla whispered, her voice barely audible. Liam gently lifted her chin with his hand, water flowing over her face as she studied his handsome features. "What do you mean by mistresses?" Arla asked, trying to understand their situation. Liam leaned closer to her face and questioned, "What do you understand by mistresses?" The proximity of their faces made Arla swallow hard, feeling the intensity of the moment. Before she could respond, Liam pressed his lips against hers under the shower. His hands caressed her body as they deepened the kiss, the water drenching them and soaking Arla's once dry nightgown, exposing the outline of her body. Her curves and full breasts were now evident through the clinging fabric. Liam lifted her and placed her on the edge of the sink, closer to the shower, still kissing her passionately. His hands explored her body, igniting a fire within her. Suddenly, Liam tore her nightgown from the shoulder, breaking the kiss as they both gasped for breath. Arla stared at him, pulling him closer and whispering, "Quench this fire." With that, he ripped off her clothes and carried her to the bedroom, where a night of passion ensued. Arla's moans echoed throughout the corridor as they surrendered to their desires.As the morning light crept into the room, Arla reached out, finding the bed empty. Opening her eyes, she saw Zora, one of the mistresses from the previous day, standing in her room with her arms folded, staring at her. "What are you doing in my room?" Arla asked, irritated. "Didn't anyone teach you about privacy?" Zora replied coldly, "You've consummated your marriage. Don't expect Liam to return to your room. He belongs to Vivian now." Zora left the room before Arla could respond. Arla, annoyed and confused, sat up in bed, muttering to herself, "They're crazy. What do they mean he won't come to our room? Isn't this our bedroom?" She got up, showered, and went to the dining hall, only to find it deserted. Arla asked a maid for breakfast, but the maid informed her that breakfast time had passed. Annoyed, Arla retorted, "Do you want to lose your job? I said bring me breakfast!" The maid refused to budge. Just then, Vivian entered the dining hall, wearing an elegant pink gown,
As Vivian attempted to reignite their intimacy after Arla's departure, Liam pushed her away and quickly dressed, his movements sharp and efficient. Vivian drew the blanket over herself, her eyes fixed on Liam as he moved about the room. "Where are you going?" she inquired. Liam met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I have business to attend to," he stated coolly, his words carrying a finality that caught Vivian off-guard. As he strode out of the room, Vivian could only watch in stunned silence. This was a side of Liam she had never seen before, and she found herself grappling with the sudden shift in his demeanor. Clutching the bedding in a tight fist, she struggled to understand what could be so important that he would leave her in the middle of the night without explanation. The night air carried a chill as Liam's footsteps echoed in the hallway, Vivian was left alone in the bedroom, her mind racing as she attempted to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. The tension
Arla's eyes abruptly snapped open, her slumber disturbed by the restless night that left her hair tangled and disheveled. As she slowly sat up, her gaze swept across the room, adjusting to the warm, golden rays of sunlight that insistently attempted to pierce through the gaps in the curtains. The once vibrant and immaculate furnishings appeared still and hushed in the morning light, their cheerful colors in stark contrast to the heaviness that weighed upon her heart.Arla released a deep, melancholy sigh, her eyes darting back and forth as she grappled with the emptiness that consumed her. She had truly believed that marriage would provide an escape from the facade she had been forced to wear, a mask that hid her vulnerability from the world. Despite projecting an image of unwavering strength, Arla continued to battle the demons of her past—the trauma that had overwhelmed her after her mother's untimely death.As she struggled to come to terms with her new reality, Arla couldn't help
Laurette leaned forward, her eyes boring into Arla's, "You see, this house runs on a set of rules. I am the head of this household, and every woman here abides by my regulations. It would be wise for you to do the same."Arla raised her chin in defiance, "I am Liam's wife, and as such, I believe my primary concern should be his rules, not yours."The other women glanced at each other nervously, feeling the tension thickening in the air. Laurette's lips tightened into a thin line as she stood abruptly, causing her chair to scrape against the floor. "Very well then, we shall see how long you last here without my guidance." With a final disdainful look, Laurette turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her entourage following closely behind.Arla watched them leave, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She knew she had made an enemy of Laurette, but she refused to be intimidated. She would face whatever challenges came her way and prove that she wasn't one to be trifled with. A
Liam's fingers intertwined with Arla's hair, pulling her closer as he stared deeply into her eyes. Her breath quickened, and she gasped as his hands traced along her thighs, sending tingles through her body. Their faces were almost touching when he whispered, his breath hot against her lips, "It all depends on how you act."Despite her intense feelings, Arla couldn't ignore the unanswered question that weighed heavily on her mind. She took a deep breath and asked, "You still haven't answered my question." Liam's face suddenly grew cold, and he pulled away from her. "Get up," he ordered, his voice hard and commanding.Confused and startled by his sudden change, Arla stood up slowly visibly annoyed, and didn't leave. Instead, she defiantly asked, "Do you know what happened to me today? Those people locked me in a storeroom... Liam's face remained cold and unreadable as Arla continued, "And as I was trying to tell you..."But before she could finish, Liam abruptly grabbed her arm, causin
"Son of a bitch!" Arla spat, her irritation at Liam's actions evident in her voice. "Ugh! What the hell is this?" she screamed, yanking at the cuffs that bound her. The metal shackles banged against each other, bruising her hands in the process. "I'll never give you what you want!" she declared, glaring at the closed door with defiance in her eyes.Liam, having left Arla in the locked room, stepped back into his study to find Vivian waiting for him. He stood with his hands in his pockets, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe. Her hair was still wet from the water she'd doused on herself, and a towel hung around her shoulders. Liam remained silent, his eyes locked on her.Vivian, feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny, stood up and approached him. "Why are you staring at me that way?" she asked, her brow furrowed."What way?" Liam replied, evading her question.Vivian's gaze flickered towards the door Liam had just emerged from, then back to him. "Where is she?" she inquired,
Arla stared into Liam's lust-filled eyes, her voice filled with uncertainty. "What are you doing? You can't mean now? I'm hungry. I haven't eaten yet, and I'm exhausted," she protested.Liam moved closer, retrieving a neatly washed and cut apple from a freezer in the room. He approached her once more. "Open your mouth," he commanded."But this won't feed me. Why can't we do this tomorrow?" Arla questioned, her tone pleading.Liam's grip tightened on her face. "I warned you not to disobey or question me. It seems you enjoy being disobedient," he said, a hint of danger in his voice. "And you will be punished.""Wait," Arla said quickly. "I... I will be obedient." She opened her mouth reluctantly, allowing Liam to feed her the apple slices while she remained cuffed to the bars.Once she finished, Liam placed his hands on her neck and kissed her passionately. His kiss felt as if he was going to consume her. When he finally pulled away, Arla stared into his eyes. "Can I make a request?" sh
As the morning sun cast a warm glow through the window, Arla slowly opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. She realized she was in Liam's room, but he was nowhere to be found. Sitting up in bed, she ran her fingers through her hair and let out a deep sigh, leaning her back against the bed frame.Her mind drifted to the events of the previous day, an involuntary smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Arla emerged from Liam's bed, shedding the cozy covers and gently setting her feet on the cool marble floor. A sharp pain suddenly shot through her abdomen, causing her to wince and gasp softly. "He wasn't joking when he said I might have trouble walking," she mused, rubbing the tender spot as she recalled his passionate intensity from the night before.She wrapped her body in a plush robe, the soft fabric offering a comforting embrace as she stepped out of Liam's bedroom. Just as she entered the hallway, she collided with Vivian, who appeared to be heading in the direction of Lia
Arla's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Liam exit Donna's room, his expression unreadable. She tried to swallow the lump in her throat, but it refused to budge, just like the questions and doubts that swirled in her mind. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, Feigning nonchalance, Arla leaned against the staircase, her arms folded across her chest as she summoned the courage to confront him. "Is she alright?" she asked, her voice slightly trembling, betraying the storm of emotions within her.Liam hesitated, his eyes darting between Arla and the door to Donna's room. "She's just exhausted," he replied, his tone carefully measured. "It's been a long day for all of us."Arla's gaze bore into Liam's, her lips pressed into a thin line as she battled the urge to unleash her pent-up frustration. "Yes, it has," she agreed, her voice tinged with hurt and a hint of accusation. "But I don't understand why she's here... with us."Liam took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair
Liam's phone illuminated, prompting him to open his eyes and peruse the message he received from his primary supplier his most significant client. Immediately, Liam instructed the driver to halt the vehicle, which caused Arla to abruptly awaken, her hair tousled. She rubbed her eyes and gazed at Liam with a puzzled expression.Liam turned to address his driver, "Inform the others, we're heading to the warehouse. They took Donna," he revealed. Arla observed that the driver increased the vehicle's speed, nearly causing her head to collide with the interior, but Liam swiftly pulled her closer to him, shielding her. "I have an urgent matter to attend to; it's going to be a tough ride," he confessed.Arla lifted her gaze to meet Liam's eyes, and for a moment, they locked in an intense stare before she pulled away from him, declaring, "Stop exploiting every opportunity to touch me."Feigning composure despite her racing heart, she averted her gaze, focusing on the road ahead. Arla cursed h
Liam glanced back towards the shooters and realized they had stopped firing and weren't pursuing them. He turned to the driver, one of his loyal men, and said, "Is it just me or did that son of a bitch stop shooting?" The driver peered through the side glass and said, "Seems like they retreated, sir." Liam scoffed and leaned back against the leather seat of the moving car.He looked to his side and found Arla staring intently at him. "What?" he asked, meeting her gaze. He hadn't really had time to calmly study her face before.Arla had a medium-shade skin tone that was flawlessly smooth. She had a beauty mark close to her lips, and her black hair was so dark it was enchanting. Liam's eyes darted to her lips, plump with life and invitingly pink. She looked like a lost goddess. The depth of her brown eyes seemed to pull him in, and he absentmindedly tucked her hair behind her ears, smoothing it before meeting her gaze again.Arla didn't retract her gaze either and was just staring at hi
Amy, one of Henry's maids, stepped into his room to tidy up. She made her way to the bathroom, intending to collect the laundry. Suddenly, her eyes caught sight of Mia, lifeless on the floor. A scream pierced the air, echoing through the room and catching Jason's attention. As Henry's second-in-command, he rushed into the room, his eyes falling on Mia's beautiful body, as still as a statue.In an instant, Jason was at Mia's side, carefully scooping her up in his arms. He frantically checked for a pulse, relief washing over him as he felt the faint beating beneath his fingertips. Amy pointed him toward Mia's luxurious room, and he gently placed her on the bed."Get me warm water and a towel," Jason instructed Amy, his tone urgent. He dialed Henry's number, but the man was nowhere to be reached. With a worried glance at Mia's motionless form, Jason set about making her comfortable, wrapping her in warm blankets and gently cradling her head.He prepared a cup of herbal tea, holding it to
As Liam's eyes fluttered open, a sudden realization struck him, causing his heart to pound fiercely in his chest. "Arla!" he exclaimed, frantically looking around as he thought about the possibility that they might have left her behind. He quickly gathered himself and commanded his men to bring the bus carrying the residents of his home to a halt.Liam instructed his men to search the bus for Arla, but their efforts proved futile – she was nowhere to be found. Just as panic began to set in, Laurette stepped out of the bus, her eyes questioning. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.Glaring at her, Liam said, "I asked you to make sure everyone was on the bus." Just as he finished speaking, Vivian alighted from the bus and approached them. "What's happening?" she inquired, her gaze shifting between Liam and Laurette. Liam's voice was strained as he replied, "Arla's missing."Vivian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Oh, we couldn't bring her along because you locked
Henry stumbled into his home, drunk and disoriented. As he made his way through the dimly lit hallway, he caught a glimpse of Mia, but in his inebriated state, he saw Arla's face instead. A smirk played on his lips as he moved closer to her, his voice slurred, "Oh, what are you doing here?"Mia, shocked and frightened by Henry's strange behavior, instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. But Henry, still believing he was with Arla, closed the distance between them, pulling her into a tight embrace. He tenderly tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering on her brown eyes, which were now filled with fear and uncertainty.Suddenly, Henry twirled her in a dance-like motion, their bodies moving in an awkward harmony as he held her hands and pulled her into a silent dance. The room was quiet, save for the soft humming that escaped Henry's lips. Though terrified and longing for escape, Mia couldn't help but feel a familiar tenderness toward her husband. D
The night was calm and quiet, the stillness broken only by the sound of rapid footsteps approaching the estate. The guards, ever vigilant, snapped to attention, their hands reaching for their weapons as the shadows of men came into view. But these were not enemies, they were Liam's men, and they were in bad shape.Blood stained their clothes, their bodies hunched over in pain and exhaustion. Liam, who had been enjoying a quiet evening, rushed to meet them, his eyes wide with shock. "What happened?" he demanded, his voice heavy with concern."It was a trap," one of the men gasped, his breath coming in ragged bursts. "Henry's men knew we were coming. They ambushed us."The weight of the words hit Liam like a punch to the gut. He had sent his men on a mission, confident in their abilities and their loyalty. But now, as he looked at the wounded and weary survivors, he realized that he had sent them into a death trap."They were waiting for us," another man said, his voice thick with grief
Mia's fingers trembled as she dialed Arla's number, her heart racing in her chest. The phone rang, each tone echoing in the quiet of her room, but there was no answer. Mia felt a surge of desperation as the call went to voicemail. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves before leaving a message."Arla," Mia began, her voice cracking with emotion, "please pick up. I really need you." She paused, fighting back tears as she tried to find the words to express the turmoil she was experiencing. "I'm sorry for calling so late, but I didn't know who else to turn to."As she spoke, Mia paced the room, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpet. The shadows cast by the flickering candlelight danced across her features, illuminating the worry and fear etched on her face."I know you've got your own life and your own problems to deal with, but I'm really struggling right now," Mia continued, her voice wavering. "I need someone to talk to, someone who understands what I'm going through.
Henry's fists rained down on the trembling man, each blow more merciless than the last. His knuckles, bruised and bloodied, continued their assault as rage fueled his every action. The dimly lit warehouse echoed with the harrowing sound of flesh hitting flesh, a vicious symphony of violence.After what felt like an eternity, Henry finally relented, his chest heaving with exertion. He wiped the sweat from his brow, leaving a smudged streak of blood across his forehead. The man lay on the concrete floor, whimpering and broken.Turning away from the battered figure, Henry addressed his fellow gang members. Their faces, illuminated by the flickering fluorescent lights above, were stony and resolute. "So, our little rat got into the estate," Henry spat, venom dripping from his words. "And he's been diggin' up dirt on us, boys."The gang murmured amongst themselves, their anger and frustration palpable in the air. The man on the ground was a mole, an infiltrator who had wormed his way into