Selena sat by the window, staring out at the gray morning sky. Rain dripped steadily from the edges of the roof, creating small puddles on the cobblestone paths below. She wrapped her arms around her knees, feeling more trapped than ever. Viktor’s warning last night had shaken her, but it hadn’t made things any clearer. If anything, she felt even more confused. Dmitri was dangerous—that much she believed. But Adrian wasn’t safe either. His mood shifted so quickly, like a storm rolling in without warning. One moment, he seemed almost kind, the next, he was cold and controlling. How could she trust someone like that? Her mother’s sudden appearance had only added to the confusion. When she had appeared in Selena’s room the night before, Selena had been too stunned to speak at first. Her mother had been in hiding, waiting for the right moment to talk to her. “Adrian is dangerous,” her mother had said in a low voice, her eyes darting toward the door. “But Dmitri is worse. Whatever yo
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the Russo estate. Selena wandered through the gardens, her mind heavy with unanswered questions. Every step she took felt like a march deeper into a labyrinth of deceit and danger. Adrian had been distant all morning, but Selena knew better than to assume he wasn’t watching. He always was. His presence lingered like a ghost, impossible to ignore. "Selena." His voice came from behind her, deep and steady. She turned, her pulse quickening. Adrian stood a few feet away, his dark suit immaculate, his expression unreadable. "Walk with me." She hesitated, then nodded. They strolled silently for a while, the gravel crunching beneath their feet. Selena finally broke the silence. "What is this about, Adrian?" He stopped abruptly and turned to her, his gaze piercing. "I want to make sure you understand the stakes. This isn’t a game you can play half-heartedly." "I never said it was," she replied, her voice steady. Adrian ste
The air in Selena’s room was heavy, her thoughts spinning out of control as she paced back and forth. Dmitri’s threats had always loomed like storm clouds on the horizon, but now they were striking far too close. Alina had been taken, and her chest tightened every time she thought about what might be happening to her. Alina was just an innocent coworker and thoughts of her getting hurt because of her was....Selena stopped at the window, pressing her head against the cool glass. The estate grounds stretched before her, quiet and serene, a contrast to the thoughts in her mind. She couldn’t do this alone, and the thought of asking Adrian for help was unthinkable. Adrian. He was her last hope, but he was also the one person she wasn’t sure she could trust. His power was undeniable, his influence unmatched—but his motives? They were something she couldn't trust.The sharp knock on her door made her flinch. She turned, her heart pounding as the door swung open to reveal Adrian. He didn
Sunlight streamed through the curtains, and Selena stirred awake, blinking against the brightness. Her body ached from the tension of the past few days, but the faint hum of voices drew her out of bed. Rubbing her eyes, she slipped on a robe and padded down the hall. The sight in the dining room stopped her in her tracks. Alina sat at the breakfast table, her hair brushed neatly, though her face still bore faint signs of exhaustion. Across from her was Selena’s mother, quietly sipping tea as if this were a normal morning. “Alina?” Selena’s voice wavered, half-convinced she was dreaming. Alina turned, her tired eyes lighting up when she saw Selena. “Morning,” she said, her voice soft but steady. Selena hurried to her side, gripping her shoulders gently. “You’re okay. You’re really okay.” Alina nodded, her gaze dropping. “Thanks to you.” Selena sat across from her, her heart heavy with relief and guilt. “How did it happen? How did they take you?” Alina hesitated, her han
The evening air felt oppressive as Selena made her way to Adrian’s study. Her steps were heavy, but her determination was solid. She couldn’t keep living like this. Every moment spent in this house was another reminder of how far she had fallen under Adrian’s control, and it had to end. Tonight, she would tell him the truth—she was leaving. The door to the study was ajar, and she pushed it open without knocking. Adrian sat at his desk, leaning back in his chair with a glass of whiskey in hand. His dark eyes flicked up at her, cold and calculating, as though he had been expecting her. “Selena,” he drawled, his voice low and smooth. “To what do I owe this unannounced visit?” She swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. “I want to leave.” His hand stilled mid-air, the glass halfway to his lips. A beat of silence passed before he set it down and laughed—a deep, mocking sound that sent a chill down her spine. “Leave?” he repeated, standing from his chair. The amusement
Selena stood in front of the mirror, her lips pressed into a tight line as she reluctantly fastened the last strap of the red gown. The thin, revealing fabric clung to her body, leaving little to the imagination. She felt exposed, vulnerable, and furious. Adrian had taken control of so many aspects of her life, and now, even her clothing wasn’t safe. Her reflection glared back at her, defiant despite her discomfort. "Fine", she thought. "If he wants me to wear this, I’ll wear it. But I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me broken."When she stepped out of the room, the guard and maid exchanged glances but said nothing. She ignored them, lifting her chin as they escorted her down the hall and outside, where Adrian waited by the car. He was leaning casually against the sleek black vehicle, dressed in a tailored suit that hugged his frame perfectly. His dark hair was slicked back, and the faintest hint of stubble lined his jaw. Selena froze for a moment, caught off guard by ho
Selena’s heart pounded as Adrian led her to a private booth overlooking the bloodstained arena. The VIP section was luxurious in stark contrast to the brutality below. Plush seats, gold trim, and thick curtains made it look more like a throne room than a place to watch men fight to the death. Selena gripped the edge of the chair Adrian directed her to, her knuckles white as her eyes fixed on the scene below. Two men circled each other in the ring, their faces hardened with desperation. The crowd cheered wildly as one lunged, slamming his opponent to the ground. “Why are we here?” Selena whispered, her voice barely audible over the noise. Adrian leaned back in his seat, swirling the glass of dark liquor in his hand. “To teach you a lesson,” he replied smoothly. Her gaze snapped to his, confusion and anger swirling in her expression. “A lesson? What kind of lesson involves this barbarity?” He tilted his head, smirking faintly. “Patience, Selena. Watch.” She wanted to refuse,
Selena’s eyelids fluttered open to a dimly lit room. Her body felt heavy, her head pounding faintly as she tried to sit up. A sharp tug on her arm made her pause. Glancing down, she saw a thin tube connected to her wrist, leading to an IV drip beside the bed. “What…?” she murmured, confusion clouding her thoughts. Instinctively, her free hand reached for the needle. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” a deep, familiar voice rumbled from the shadows. Selena froze, her heart skipping a beat. She turned sharply toward the voice, her eyes widening when she saw Adrian seated in a chair near her bed, his arms crossed and his gaze piercing. “You—” she began, her voice trembling with surprise and anger. Adrian cut her off, his tone calm but firm. “Leave the drip alone. You need it.” Selena’s confusion turned to suspicion. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice hoarse. Before Adrian could respond, there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” he called, his voice commandin
The Gathering in the WarehouseParker stood in the center of the dimly lit warehouse, his sharp gaze scanning the masked figures surrounding him. Shadows danced along the cracked concrete walls, the single, flickering overhead bulb casting an eerie glow over the meeting. The air was thick with the scent of oil and dampness, the remnants of a forgotten storage facility now serving as the meeting ground for a faction that thrived in secrecy.Each figure stood cloaked in dark garments, their features concealed by masks of varying designs. Some bore symbols etched into the fabric,silent declarations of past allegiances or blood debts yet to be settled. Though their faces were hidden, Parker could feel their eyes on him, waiting, expecting."The Monadikos are moving," Parker announced, his voice steady, carrying the weight of the intelligence he had gathered. He took a step forward, his boots echoing slightly on the cold floor. "They already know Adrian has access to the weapon blueprint,t
A large wooden table sat at the center, surrounded by figures cloaked in darkness. The air was thick with tension, the weight of secrets pressing heavily against the silence.A man in a tailored suit leaned forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the aged surface. His eyes, sharp and calculating, flickered with something close to amusement. “So… it seems our dear Adrian has found what we have been looking for.”Across from him, a burly figure with a scar running down his left cheek exhaled sharply. “I told you we should have destroyed that underground years ago,” he growled. “Leaving it there was a mistake.”A woman with piercing blue eyes and an aura of authority spoke next. Her voice was calm, yet laced with venom. “The mistake was underestimating him. We assumed he would remain blind to what lay beneath his own empire, but Adrian is no fool.”But it is not the same underground. Our informant told us it was something no one could ever discover it was if not for their smal
Isabella held the phone to her ear, The silence that followed her selene's father’s words was deafening, ringing in her ears like an unspoken warning. Her heart pounded against her ribs, frustration and confusion clashing inside her like two raging storms.“I will tell you when it is time, but for now, give yourself a good rest,” he had said, his voice calm yet distant, before abruptly ending the call.Isabella stared at the dark screen, her lips parting as if to say something, but the words never came. A lump formed in her throat, thick with emotions she couldn't quite name. Anger? Worry? Fear? She clenched her jaw and inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the surge of questions threatening to drown her thoughts. What was he hiding? Why was he being so cryptic? She hated being kept in the dark, especially when it concerned something so obviously important.He should have just tell her right away. When he knew he won't tell her immediately, why did he call? She hissed in anger. With
The night air was biting cold, making Selene shiver slightly as she wrapped her arms around herself. Nathan noticed and turned to her. “You should go inside,” he said, his voice laced with concern.Selene nodded. “I will head to my room now.”Nathan fell into step beside her, escorting her through the dimly lit corridors. Just as they neared her room, footsteps echoed from the other side. Nathan looked up and immediately stiffened when he saw Adrian, Matteo, and Rosco approaching.The moment Selene saw Adrian, her face lit up. Without hesitation, she left Nathan’s side and rushed toward him. “Adrian,” she called softly, relief and affection clear in her voice.Nathan clenched his fists as he watched her throw her arms around Adrian, pressing herself against him as though he was the only thing that mattered. His stomach twisted in knots, but he forced himself to remain composed.Adrian responded immediately, holding her close as he kissed the top of her head. His grip on her was posse
Nathan’s footsteps echoed sharply as he stormed down the corridor, his jaw clenched so tight it ached. His hands balled into fists, his mind racing with everything that had just happened.Adrian was playing with them. Toying with them.He didn't need to say their names. His knowing looks, the smug amusement in his voice, it was clear. Adrian suspected them. No, he knew. And that meant they were walking on a thin line that could snap at any second.Behind him, Isabelle followed at a measured pace, her expression eerily composed.“Are you going to slow down,” she murmured, “or should I run to keep up?”Nathan exhaled sharply but didn’t stop. “He was testing us.” His voice was low, furious. “And you played right into it.”Isabelle chuckled, a soft, knowing sound. “Me?” She arched a brow. “I handled that beautifully.”Nathan spun to face her, his eyes flashing with barely restrained anger. “He doesn’t need proof, Isabelle. Not with the way you smirked through the entire thing. You might a
A slow, wicked smile curled her lips as she glanced back at the door they had just shut. Nina’s pained gasps still echoed faintly behind it, her weak body convulsing as the poison did its work. A fitting end for a loose end.Isabelle exhaled sharply, the thrill of control surging through her veins. She had done it. One less obstacle standing in her way.But Nathan wasn’t as composed.He walked beside her, his jaw clenched, his posture stiff. Something about the way he moved, the way his fingers twitched at his sides made it clear that something was on his mind.Isabelle noticed, but she didn’t comment. Not yet.They emerged from the labyrinth and stepped into the crisp night air. The guards they had drugged still lay motionless, their breathing slow and even. Everything had gone exactly as planned.No mistakes.No witnesses.Nathan ran a hand through his dark hair, his expression unreadable as he turned to her. “It’s done.” His voice was flat, but there was something underneath it.
The moment Isabelle returned to her room, she shut the door and pressed her back against it. Her chest heaved, her fingers trembled, but not with fear. No, it was something else.Disappointment.Power.Nathan’s words still echoed in her mind, cutting deeper than she wanted to. "You should be making peace with Victoria, not picking fights with her. That is the only way you stand a chance of winning Adrian back."Her lips curled in disgust.Make with peace with that brat that doesn't even like me at all, she scoffed. He thought she was weak.Adrian thought she was insignificant.Selene and Victoria had made a fool of her.The rage inside her boiled hotter, clawing at her insides, demanding release.She wouldn’t allow this.She refused to be discarded like trash.Her fingers curled into fists as she paced the room, her nails digging into her palm. Her entire body shook with fury, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.They want a war?A slow, cruel smirk tugged at her lips.They wil
Nathan’s villa was quiet, but the silence was shattered by a deep, thunderous voice.“ISABELLE!”Adrian’s furious roar echoed through the sitting room , his voice sharp enough to cut through the whole villa. His eyes blazed with rage, his presence commanding as he stood in the middle of the sitting room, his fists clenched.Isabelle sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers digging into the sheets as she bit her nails, her mind a whirlwind of frustration and anger. The events at the training grounds played over and over in her head, taunting her.She should have handled it better. She should have fought harder.Her pride was wounded, and the humiliation burned deep.“Damn it,” she hissed, her fingers gripping her hair as she rocked slightly, seething. How could she have let Victoria humiliate her like that? How could she have lost control in front of everyone?Her breath came out uneven, rage tightening her chest.Then. “ISABELLE!”The deep, thundering voice shattered the silence.Her
Adrian had planned to spend a quiet evening with Selene. He walked into her room with the simple idea of enjoying some calm time together. But as he opened the door, he found Victoria sitting there, chatting with Selene. The two women looked up, startled, as they saw him. Selene’s eyes widened in surprise because she had not expected Adrian so soon. It has been long he visited her room.Victoria was about to offer an excuse, a polite reason to leave them alone, when Adrian raised a hand. “Sit down,” he said calmly. With that, Selene moved toward him and gently rested her head on his lap. Adrian smiled softly and began to caress her hair, his touch both comforting and intimate.Once they settled, Adrian began to share news about recent events. He spoke about Nina’s latest activities, his tone low and serious. Then he mentioned Isabelle. The moment the name crossed his lips, Selene instantly sprang up from his lap, her face filled with worry.“How did she get back into the estate?” Sele