MAEVE Okay, why did my heart do that funny, stupid flip? Maeve, this man seated beside you is a psychopath. How could you find him attractive? Every ounce of him is tattooed with evil. He's utterly irredeemable. Silence prevailed for a long minute with Maruska savoring his wine. He lifted it into the light, swirling it with great carefulness before he brought it back to his lips. "Had no idea it felt this good to have drinks under scented candlelight. I've been missing out." "You've never done this before?" He shook his head. "It's surprising. You have the luxury to do whatever you want, but you choose to do everything wrong. Like keeping me here for instance-" "You must believe people who have everything enjoy all the time," He turned to me. "What a myopic point of view. I'm surprised that someone such as you thinks this way ." "That's not what I meant, and you know that..." My voice faded off. "I'm teasing you," He laughed. "You're an intelligent
MARINA I paced from one end of the room to the other as I tried to fathom what the hell just happened. Maruska, somehow, had found out that bitch was going to get crushed? "Thonet!" I screamed. I rarely ever screamed. I was always calm and collected no matter the situation. It was rare to get a fucking reaction out of me, but right now, far from it. Fucking far from it. I found myself trying to keep tabs on my outburst but it was nearly impossible. A lifetime opportunity had slipped from my fingertips and I called that a lifetime opportunity because I was never going to get the chance to kill her again. Maruska was smart and this time around, he was going to keep her safer than he did. Probably in one of the mansions he owned that I had no idea about. I began to bite into my red gel nails, fighting the urge to keep fucking calm. The polish was starting to chip away from my constant biting and even that irked me, because I hated any sort of imperfection
MARINA Moans floated to the ceiling of my old room and I sat from across the bed, on a Chippendale seat, legs crossed as I watched my right-hand man and friend share erotic kisses. "Hmmm," Varvara's sigh came and she pressed her hand against Thonet's suit-clad chest. Pulling away, she grinned at him and stroked his chin. "You're a damn good kisser, Thonet. I knew there was more to you than just being a bodyguard." He smiled and glanced at me but all I did was watch in interest. This was just the beginning and I was yet to be stimulated enough to join them, if I was going to. He lifted her into his arms and grabbed the back of her head before bringing her lips back to his. This time, they kissed like they were about to devour each other. Thonet's palm cupped her full, supple breasts, kneading and teasing through the soft fabric of her dress. At the sight of her taut nipples outlining her dress, I found myself squirming slightly. She threw her head back and t
MARUSKA I found myself lingering by the door, longer than usual. Staring at her longer than I should have and worrying over her. It had come as a thing of disbelief to me when I was informed of her pregnancy and like it switched on a part of my brain that had been turned off a long time ago, I went after her. I wanted to guard her with everything I had and keep her safe from danger, which was Marina. It wasn't just the baby. It was also the woman carrying my baby. I was so much more aware of her than I used to be in the past. I took notice of her weight gain around her bosoms and hips. She was getting plump in the right place and by God, did that make her even sexier. Her hair had a different sheen to it. She had a brighter glow and her skin became even clearer. I snapped out of my thoughts and looked down at the file I was going through. I had to finish up so I could get back home to her. She'd be needing a lot of supplements and a very good diet
MAEVE My shoulders sagged in relief as soon as he left. I could barely read the lingering feeling in my chest. Was it relief or confusion? Surprise or curiosity? From Maruska draping his jacket on me to keep me from getting cold to his less cold returns, I still wasn't sure what was going on. Then he went ahead to tell me I had the freedom to leave anytime I wanted. What was I supposed to do with that information? Dance around the pool in joy? I was literally used to this place and the thought of leaving, though pleasant, made me feel like I was tearing out of a cocoon. I wanted to leave, and yet, I didn't want to. Who knew what dangers were lurking outside and waiting to pounce on me? I'd encountered Marina and her rage and she was far worse than Maruska. She wanted me dead and she put in the actual work to end my life. How sure was I that I would be safe if I got out of here? She was probably still waiting and lurking around to attack me.
MARINA Varvara lay sprawl naked on the bed as I slipped back into my dress. Sitting in front of my vanity table, I retouched my makeup, acting like something erotically intimate didn't just happen between me and Varvara. I had to admit I was surprised at her intensity and knowledge. She didn't strike me as a woman who knew what to do. I'd classified her as a pillow Princess but tonight, I'd been greatly impressed by her ability to make me orgasm several times. "Come back to bed, Marina," Varvara's voice came, smoothing over my skin like silk. "We aren't finished yet." "I need to be at the party. My father will definitely be searching for me." "Oh, please. You know he's not going to do that. He's more concerned about entertaining his guests to even notice you're gone." She propped an elbow and sat up on it. "Or is there something you're not telling me?" I snapped my head towards her and chuckled. "Something I am not telling you? Like what?" She shrugged.
MAEVE Sleep didn't come easy to me. I kept having nightmares. Harrowing ones. I'd woken up twice tonight, sweating profusely and hating the feeling of being alone. It did not even help that a thunder clapped after a strong lightning bolt lit up the skies. I felt like I was in a horror movie, Marina being the villain. I could sense her presence even if I knew fully well that she wasn't here. The thought of it drove me mad. I could feel myself running fucking mad. What she had done to me those past few days? No one deserved it. Not the innocent girls who thought they were coming here to get a better life, only to realize that they had fallen into a trafficking ring and couldn't get out because there was no way they'd be allowed to. In my dreams, their faces flashed, their eyes filled with bloody tears as they stretched out their hands for me to help them. Attaliah let out a blood-curdling scream as she got planted into the ground like a fucking crop. Her blo
MAEVE "It amazes me that you hold a glass containing alcohol at this hour of the morning." I was seated by the windowsill, watching as Maruska directed the moving of my belongings. It was a dare sight to watch as he was rarely ever speaking to anyone apart from Yuri, when it was needed. Lifting his gaze to me, the side of his lip curled into a crooked smile. "Don't worry, I'm just rehydrating." "Such a self-destructive habit." I ticked my tongue and looked back out of the window. It was a beautiful morning, a rarity I hadn't experienced in months and didn't believe I would be experiencing now. Birds chirped in trees, jumping happily from one branch to the other as they went. I watched in fascination, smiling when a bird lost its balance. It was rare also. As rare as this beautiful morning and I relish it. I didn't feel like I was in captivity, right now. Maruska already made it clear that I could leave and I noticed the new guards watching this house were le
MAEVE His entrance was slow at first. He held onto my head and began to thrust in and out of me like he had control over every part of me. "Yes, yes," He moaned. "I love how perfect your lips look around my cock. So so fucking perfect. I love fucking your pussy. Do you know how good you feel?" "We already did this, Maruska," I sighed, looking up at him. He nodded. "Just for a little bit. The first time was magical. Where did you learn how to do this?" I could barely respond. He kept going and pulled out suddenly before bringing me to my knees. This time, I had the advantage to bob my head forward and backward but he didn't let me finish. He lifted me off the floor with ease and tossed me into the bed before pulling me towards him. His entrance was unexpected and fast. The mix of his length stretching me plus the hint of mint and ice on my skin made it a slightly painful combination which I somehow liked. He took off the gag and grabbed me by the chin, pul
MAEVE "What are you doing, Maruska?" I asked as I turned to face him. My eyes widened when I saw the BDSM tools he had come along with. "Maruska," I whispered. "I've never done this." "There's always a first time." He replied and pulled me towards him. Picking the nipple clamp, he loosened it and began sucking my nipples till they were hard. He clamped it around my nipple and I cried out, nearly grabbing after him. But he stepped back and turned me behind to face him again. "I won't show you any mercy, Maeve. Don't think I'd stop either." I'd never imagined being tied up and restricted in this manner. Though my friends had talked about enjoying BDSM, it was new to me. It was new, exciting, and scary at the same time. Although I wasn't worried about my baby bump because Maruska was being extra careful with handling me. I had no idea how he was able to rough handle me softly but I enjoyed it. I fucking did. Maruska had tied me up, and he seemed to enjoy torturing m
Maruska Today had been a plethora of activities I didn't even want to think about. We were drawing close to getting Marina apprehended and even if Venovic hadn't given a response to the email I sent to him, I had high hopes that he was going to give a response soon enough. All I needed was patience. And yesterday, when I had gotten the strangest reply ever, I didn't know at first that it was from Venovic. He had sent a spy and made sure the spy was caught and when it dawned on me later that this was him saying yes to the deal, I was more than happy. Fucking happy. And also wary as Venovic had proven yet again how fucking smart he could be. Like c'mon, he'd send a spy who put himself in the position to be caught. I had to give him his fucking flowers. And after that had been dealt with, I felt like myself again. The tension subsided and I found myself stable enough to need Maeve. I'd been an asshole to her. I remembered the look of excitement on her face whe
MAEVE I was successful in slipping into my room without getting caught. Once I shut the door behind me, I leaned against it, wondering what I had just witnessed. Maruska was putting his hands on someone. I mean, it was quite obvious but for what reason? I could go on pretending not to be aware of what the hell was happening but right now, I wasn't sure I could do that. In fact, I wasn't sure I could do that anymore. I wanted to know what was happening because I'd been kept in the dark for too long and it wasn't fair in any fucking way. A knock on the door had me jolting out of my thoughts and making my way towards the door. I stood there and took a few deep breaths, knowing fully well that this was Maruska knocking on the door. I wondered what punishment he had for me, in case he had seen me. My fingers curled around the door knob and I pulled it open. "You're not asleep," He said and took a step into the room. I backed away from him, standing to
MAEVE Last night had been a mix of amusing and absolutely annoying because why the hell had he been a bit nice before he bit me with his words? He'd been acting strange since he returned last night and thankfully, I didn't think too much of it. I decided to believe he was having a really bad day. I was glad that he hadn't followed me to bed so I just watched a movie till I fell asleep. I woke up to my face on the screen of my phone and sunlight was pouring into my room. Squinting, I shielded my face and turned to the other side, yawning as I slipped out of my bed. I walked to the window with the intent of pulling the drapes close. I hated too much light. Alesya must have pulled the drapes open while I was out. But when I got to the window, I was stopped when I saw a familiar body moving through the pool. I squinted towards the pool, eyes widening when the swimmer stepped out of the pool. Maruska. It was illegal for anyone to look that hot and I wond
Maruska I felt her before I saw her and the urge to smell her rushed through me. I couldn't control myself. Immediately I saw her wearing that dress and looking sumptuous, all I wanted to do was touch her, inhale her heady scent. These past few days of running around and fishing for information from nearly every source ad been really shitty. Nothing seemed to please me right now and I was neck deep into work. And while I did these, I realized that somehow, I was starting to slowly obsess over her and it was scary. Fucking scary. I had immersed myself in work, hoping I would forget about her in a day or so. But it was impossible. At every waking moment, all I thought about was her; the smile, the twinkle in her eyes, and my child. I found myself wanting to know everything about her past. I thought the ones I knew were enough but it was only a scratch on the surface of the life she had experienced and I wanted to know more. I really wanted to. I was the least
MAEVE Well, today ended on a good note. Yuri drove us to the Italian restaurant and booked us a table. He had offered me just a seat, asking me to order whatever I wanted so he could leave the card with the cashier and wait in the car. It felt odd, to be honest. One, I didn't want to be alone in this exotic restaurant and two, it made no sense that he would stand outside and wait for me. Maruska wasn't here for him to do that and I wanted to have a conversation with someone. I knew Yuri wasn't the type that talked or regarded me more than Maruska's mistress, but still, I believed I could break through his ice. Well, I disagreed. I couldn't sit here alone. Not when it had a lot of people. Now that I thought about it properly, I had a little dose of social anxiety. Why couldn't I just sit without tapping my feet on the floors or playing with my fingers? I decided that I couldn't sit alone so I pushed back my seat and walked over to where Yuri stood before the coun
MARUSKA Yuri left minutes ago to be with Maeve. He was the only one whom I was sure she felt comfortable around and if I didn't want her having any suspicions, Yuri had to be there. I loved having him at meetings like these because he always had something insightful to chip in, but I could do without him for just one day, Thankfully, all members had arrived, including Cedric who was our secret informant. As soon as I walked in, they all rose to their feet and bowed in respect. Cedric left his seat and came to shake hands with me. Although I wasn't interested in the boastful display of familiarity, I still shook hands with him. There was no need for anything else as I was more interested in getting this meeting over with. I slipped my phone out of my pocket and quickly sent a text to Maeve, who I was sure would be worried about my whereabouts, not because she cared but because she was scared. She didn't reply to the text I sent to her. I didn't bother checking i
MARUSKA Things were finally coming together. Although I wasn't sure what it was going to be for Maeve and me, I was sure as hell that I wanted to bring Marina down. And I'd been threading carefully as I knew how dangerous it could be when it came to her. She was the daughter of a top politician in the country and messing with her was the last thing I wanted to do. So I was going to operate in the shadows. Yuri had sent spies after the stripper Marina employed. That night, she had successfully seduced three of my men. And it was three because she couldn't seem to get them to succumb to her temptation. Well, Omar fell for her whims but it was only because he knew what she was after. Maeve stirred beside me and I looked at her, a small smile spreading on my face. I hated that I had to move her around but it looked like she was having fun and she seemed rather relaxed. My eyes darted to her belly. It was starting to push out. A small pouch that had my-our chil