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Boom! Another big loud noise made me jump. Bullets came flying through the walls, breaking them into little pieces. Kian’s men moved quickly to the windows and started shooting back.“Get down on the floor!” Marco shouted at me. He dropped to one knee and fired his gun.I laid flat on the dirty floor and covered my head with my shaky hands. Everything was crazy around me. The scary sounds of fighting - people screaming, guns booming, and bullets hitting metal - filled my ears until I thought I might throw up because I was so scared.Kian moved really fast and dangerous behind a table that was flipped over. He kept firing his gun towards the people attacking us from outside. His face looked tough and like he had been in lots of fights before. His eyes shined like a man who knows all about fighting.Suddenly, a bunch of really fast gunshots ripped across the room, blowing up the couch I was hiding behind. I screamed and scrambled backwards as the stuffing from inside it flew everywhere.
Kian’s grip on my arm was like a vise as he pulled me along the dimly lit hallway, his men flanking us with weapons at the ready. The air crackled with tension, the group moving with a sense of purpose and unspoken dread.“Keep moving and stay close,” Kian rumbled in a low, serious voice. “We’re getting out of this place right now.”I nodded mutely, too frightened to do anything but obey. The narrow corridor felt claustrophobic, the shadows pressing in as we hustled towards our unknown destination. The only sounds were the heavy footfalls of Kian’s men and the faint whir of the security cameras tracking our frantic retreat.Finally, we burst through a heavy metal door and into a cavernous parking garage, its dim lighting casting ominous shadows across the rows of parked vehicles. A pair of nondescript black vans idled near the exit, their engines rumbling impatiently.Marco, one of Kian’s lieutenants, hurried to the side door of the closest van and yanked it open. “Get in here,” he ba
The van rumbled to a stop in front of the remote cabin, and Kian’s men immediately began unloading their weapons and gear. I hesitated, uncertain if I was expected to get out as well. Kian fixed me with a hard, unforgiving glare. “Out,” he ordered gruffly, his tone brooking no argument. “All of you, move.” I swallowed heavily and quickly climbed out, not doubting for a second that Kian would make good on any threat. As intimidating as he usually was, the cold fury simmering in his eyes now told me he was done playing games. His massive hand clamped down on my arm the moment my feet hit the ground, his grip bruising. Kian jerked me forward, forcing me to stumble along behind him towards the rundown cabin. I could feel the tension rolling off him in waves, his entire body coiled like a spring about to snap. The interior wasn’t much better - just a couple of small, sparse rooms furnished with old cots and a rickety table. In one corner, Luca lay unconscious on a stained mattress as t
The tense silence that had filled the cramped bedroom was suffocating, heavy with Kian’s barely restrained fury. He stood there, regarding me with an unreadable expression, and I knew better than to break the silence. Keeping my gaze firmly fixed on the floor, I waited with bated breath, every muscle coiled tight. After what felt like an eternity, Kian finally moved, stalking over to a dilapidated armchair in the corner. He sank down into it, the ancient springs creaking in protest, his intense stare never leaving me. “Look at me,” he commanded, his deep voice low and flat. Swallowing hard, I slowly raised my eyes to meet his, steeling myself against the raw, primal anger I knew I would find there. The sheer intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine. “Do you have any idea,” he began, each word clipped and deliberate, “the absolute clusterfuck you’ve dragged us into?” I flinched at his harsh tone, but remained silent, knowing any attempt at an explanation or apology would
The drive through the winding country roads seemed to stretch on endlessly, the oppressive silence inside the van only broken by the occasional creak of the old springs. My heart pounded in my ears, nerves frayed as I waited with bated breath for our destination. Beside me, the nameless driver kept his gaze fixed ahead, his expression carved from stone. I couldn’t help but glance nervously towards the back, where I knew Kian sat, his intense stare burning into the back of my head. The tension was suffocating, the air thick with unspoken threats and the looming uncertainty of what awaited us. I had to resist the urge to squirm under the weight of Kian’s scrutiny, knowing any sign of weakness would only further embolden him. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the van rumbled to a stop in front of a sprawling, nondescript safehouse. Kian’s men sprang into action, efficiently unloading Luca’s unconscious form and hustling him inside. I hesitated, unsure if I was supposed to fo
The hushed silence that had settled over the study was deafening, the air thick with unspoken tension. Kian leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race.“Well, principessa?” His deep voice was deceptively soft, a subtle warning lacing each word. “Don’t you have something you’d like to say to me?”I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. Kian’s blatant challenge hung heavy in the air, and I found myself drawn to the raw power in his every movement. The memory of his earlier threats still weighed on my mind, but the thrilling pull of his unwavering attention was becoming increasingly hard to ignore.Steeling my nerves, I met his gaze steadily. “Why…?” My voice wavered slightly, and I paused to clear my throat. “Why did you bring me here, if you knew I would be so much trouble?”Kian’s expression remained un
As Kian continued detailing his plan, I found my focus wavering, my mind returning again and again to the intensity of his earlier confession. The raw, uncompromising possession in his voice had awakened something deep within me - a desperate yearning to be the sole object of his twisted obsession.I watched him intently, cataloguing every subtle shift in his expression, the way his brow furrowed when he grew frustrated, the way his jaw tightened when he brooked no argument. It was as if I couldn’t get enough of him, this dangerous, captivating man who had so completely ensnared me.Kian paused, pinning me with a piercing stare. “Isadora, are you even listening?” he demanded, a hint of annoyance in his tone.I blinked, realizing I had once again become lost in my own thoughts. “I’m sorry,” I murmured, forcing myself to focus on his words. “Please, continue.”He studied me for a long moment, his gaze searching. “If you can’t take this seriously, perhaps it would be better if you weren’
Later that evening, after Kian had finished explaining his plan, we returned to the home in relative silence. The air between us was thick with unspoken tension, the weight of his earlier possessiveness still lingering.As we stepped through the ornate double doors, I couldn’t help but look around, searching for any sign of the others. “Where’s Luca?” I asked, unable to keep the curiosity out of my voice.Kian’s lips curved into a small smile. “Resting, with Sabine.” He paused, his gaze burning into me. “I thought it best to leave them alone for now.”I swallowed hard, the mention of Sabine’s name stirring an unexpected feeling of… something within me. Jealousy, perhaps? I pushed the feeling aside, unwilling to think about it.“I see,” I murmured, my gaze drifting to the staircase that led up to the private rooms. “And what about us?”Kian’s eyes narrowed, a slight tilt of his head showing his curiosity. “What do you mean, principessa?”I felt a flush creep up my neck, suddenly self-c
Chapter 37: Walking the TightropeThe car ride back was tense. Kian kept his eyes on the road, his hands gripping the steering wheel a little too tightly. I could feel the weight of what we’d started pressing down on both of us. The streets blurred past, shadows stretching long in the dimming light of dusk. I wanted to say something to ease the tension, but I didn’t know what words could break through the worry etched on his face.“You did good back there,” Kian finally said, his voice low and controlled. “But you know it’s going to get harder now. Dmitri won’t just take your word for it. He’ll test you, try to see if you’re really on his side.”I nodded, staring out of the window at the passing buildings. “I know. I’m ready for it. I’ll play along, make him believe I’m unsure, that I might actually turn against you.”Kian glanced at me, his expression softening just a little. “You need to be careful, Isa. Dmitri’s smart. He’ll push you, make you question everything. You can’t let him
I never thought I’d find myself here — standing in the middle of a warehouse, playing a part in a game I barely understood. The weight of Kian’s plan pressed down on me like an invisible force. He needed me to pretend that I was still in love with Dmitri, to convince him that I could be turned against Kian. But as Dmitri’s eyes bore into mine, I felt a cold wave of fear. What if Dmitri saw through the act? What if he knew I was lying? “Isa,” Dmitri said softly, his voice a smooth, dangerous whisper that slithered through the space between us. “I know you’re confused. I know Kian has filled your head with lies about me.”I kept my face neutral, channeling every ounce of strength I had into maintaining the façade. I took a slow step toward him, allowing my shoulders to slump just slightly, as if I were weighed down by uncertainty.“Dmitri,” I began, my voice trembling in just the right way. “I… I don’t know what to believe anymore. Everything has happened so fast, and I feel like I’m c
I hardly slept that night. My thoughts kept spiraling around Dmitri’s sudden appearance and the terrifying showdown between him and Kian. I kept replaying every word, every look, every unspoken threat that had hung in the air like a dark cloud. Both men had come crashing into my life with claims of protection, but all I felt was caught between two forces threatening to tear me apart.Morning light streamed through the curtains, and I blinked against it, groggy and disoriented. The house was quiet, the calm before the storm. I knew Kian would come to check on me soon, just as he had promised, and I wasn’t sure how to face him.I needed to get my bearings, to find some semblance of control. I quickly dressed in jeans and a simple top, tying my hair back hastily, then headed downstairs, trying to make as little noise as possible.I needed fresh air. Maybe it would clear my head, give me a moment to think clearly. I slipped out a side door into the garden, inhaling the crisp morning air.
The room seemed to shrink around me, every noise amplified, every movement slowed. Kian and Dmitri were still locked in a deadly struggle, but I knew I couldn’t just stand there, paralyzed by fear and indecision. I had to act — now.Without thinking, I lunged forward and grabbed a vase from a side table. It was heavy and made of thick glass, and I swung it with all my strength at Dmitri’s arm just as his hand closed around the grip of the gun. The impact was jarring, sending a shockwave through my arm and the vase shattered into a thousand pieces. Dmitri yelped, more out of surprise than pain, and the gun clattered to the floor, sliding away from his reach.“What the hell, Isa?” Dmitri snapped, pain flashing across his features. His eyes darted to the gun on the ground, and for a split second, he hesitated. I saw something flicker in his gaze — disbelief, betrayal, maybe even hurt.But Kian didn’t give him a chance to recover. He moved with lethal precision, one hand shooting out to g
The tension in Kian’s study was palpable as I stared at the photograph of Blythe, my heart racing. I forced my expression to remain neutral, even as panic threatened to overwhelm me.“I’m sorry, Kian,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “But I’ve never seen this girl before in my life.”Kian’s dark eyes bored into mine, searching for something - truth, deception, I couldn’t be sure. The silence stretched between us, taut as a wire.Finally, he nodded slowly. “I see,” he said, his voice carefully neutral. “My apologies. I thought perhaps…”He trailed off, shaking his head. “Never mind. It was a long shot anyway.”Relief flooded through me, but it was quickly replaced by guilt. I hated lying to Kian, even as I knew it was necessary. The truth about Blythe - about who I really was - could never come to light.Kian took the journal back, his fingers lingering on the photograph for a moment before he closed it. “I suppose I was grasping at straws,” he said, more to himself than to me. “Hopin
I woke to the sound of hushed voices and the gentle clink of china. Blinking groggily, I found Kian seated at the small table by the window, engaged in what appeared to be a tense conversation with an elegantly dressed older woman. It took me a moment to recognize her as Octavia, Kian’s mother.Their voices were low, but I caught snatches of their exchange as I feigned sleep.“…cannot continue like this, Kian,” Octavia was saying, her tone sharp with disapproval. “That girl is a liability.”Kian’s response was too quiet for me to hear, but the set of his shoulders spoke volumes. I felt a pang in my chest, remembering the cruel words Octavia and Vincenzo had hurled at me months ago. Their disdain for me had been palpable, cutting deeper than I cared to admit.“She’s not strong enough for this world,” Octavia continued, echoing her past criticisms. “You need someone who can stand beside you, not a fragile little thing you constantly have to protect.”I bristled at her words, fighting th
When I woke hours later, sunlight was streaming through the windows. I blinked groggily, momentarily disoriented. Then the events of the past few days came rushing back and I stiffened.Kian was still beside me, his arm draped loosely over my waist. His face was relaxed in sleep, dark lashes fanned out against his cheeks. He looked younger like this, almost vulnerable. It was jarring to see him so unguarded.As if sensing my scrutiny, his eyes fluttered open. For a moment, we just stared at each other in silence. Then reality seemed to reassert itself and Kian’s expression shuttered.“How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice rough with sleep.I considered the question. Physically, I felt marginally better. The ache in my bones had dulled to a manageable throb and the worst of the bruising seemed to have faded slightly. Emotionally… that was a whole other story.“I’m fine,” I lied, pushing myself into a sitting position. “Look, about last night-”Kian held up a hand, cutting me off. “
I stood there, trembling with a volatile mix of rage and despair, my words hanging in the air between us like shards of broken glass. Kian’s face was an impenetrable mask, his dark eyes boring into mine with an intensity that both terrified and thrilled me. I hated myself for that small thrill, for the way my traitorous body still responded to his proximity despite everything.“You hate me?” he repeated, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. His grip on my chin tightened, fingers digging into my bruised skin. “Then why did you call me, Isadora? Why not run as far and fast as you could?”I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. “Because I had nowhere else to go,” I admitted, the words tasting like ash on my tongue. “But that doesn’t mean I want to be here. Let me go, Kian. Please.”For a moment, something flickered in his eyes - a hint of vulnerability, perhaps even regret. But it was gone so quickly I wondered if I’d imagined it.“No,” he said flatly. “You
The line crackled with static before her trembling voice filtered through. “Kian…it’s me. I’m alive, but in danger. Please help…”My blood chilled at her words. Isadora was alive, though from the sound of it, barely. After all the chaos with Alessandro’s takedown, I’d assumed the worst when she never resurfaced. Hearing her voice sent a surprising wave of relief through me.I immediately ran a trace on the call, pinpointing her location to a remote farmhouse on the outskirts of the city. So that’s where my feisty little hellcat had been laying low all this time.Wasting no time, I assembled a small team of my most trusted men and we sped through the night towards the coordinates. By the time we arrived in the dusty hamlet, the first light of dawn was bleeding over the horizon.The decrepit farmhouse stood alone amid fields of olive groves. My team fanned out, securing a perimeter while I approached the weathered front door alone. Taking a steadying breath, I raised my fist and pounded