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BRANDONAthens, Greece“Okay, take a deep breath. This might irritate your skin a little, but it’s normal. You have to be very, very careful.” I looked at Cassius’s eyes as he started to remove my bandage.The procedure and the medication took four months. I had eleven operations and three plastic surgeries. Cassius said that my cheekbones were dislocated—the reason why the flesh wounds were always raw. It got infected because it wasn’t treated immediately. He said I was lucky it did not spread to the other part of my face. I still had more operations to go for my ribcage and the scars on my chest.“Are you ready?”I nodded. “More than ready...”Cassius started to carefully undo the bandage.“I was waiting for this moment, buddy—all my life. I waited for this,” he said.“I know, and I’ve been such a prick to you,” I admitted.“Heard something from Oliver? Did you talk to Alayna? Do they know about this day?”“No. I talked to Oliver, and they seemed fine.”He stopped. “Are you saying y
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ALAYNA“No, no! Please, no!”“Please come back.”“Don’t leave me again.”“Please come back to me.”“I’m okay with it. Just come back to me.”“No. No. I’m not a burden.”“You said you would come back.”“Don’t leave!”“Brandon, don’t leave.”“No!”“Alayna? I’m here. I’m here.”“No. You are not.”“Please don’t be like this, Alayna.”“Brandon, just tell me you won’t leave!”“Ahh!”“Alayna, wake up!”I open my eyes, and it isn’t Brandon but Cassius in front of me. His hands are cupping my cheeks, and his expression is one of concern.“Cassius? Why what happened?”“You had a nightmare... I guess.” He brushes my tears with his thumb. “So, this is what Oliver’s talking about. Alayna, how long has this been happening?”“He doesn’t want me anymore,” I answer instead, and I don’t know why I’m not getting tired of it. But it’s just too painful.“That’s not true. He’s just in bad shape right now. Here, drink this.” Cassius helps me sit, then hands me a glass of water and a capsule. Quickly, I take
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BRANDON Athens, Greece My grandfather tossed the glass of wine. Deep inside, I was grieving. I promised him that I would protect the family because he knew I could be trusted. But right now, I might’ve failed him. What I was doing wasn’t enough. “How?” he howled as if someone had died again. “How could you not tell me such information? Since when have you known about it?” I wouldn’t have wanted to believe it myself. “I was wrong for not telling you.” I clenched my fist. “But I thought we agreed that you would let me do these things my way. You got into my private files, Grandfather. Did you think I’m doing nothing?” I know that it will hurt him, finding out a family was killed by his own flesh and blood. “Helen lost her life because her son murdered her. He made her transfer everything to his name then killed her. I didn’t mean to get into your files. I trust you, my boy, but you should’ve told me about this. Oh, Helen, my sister,” he whimpered. “What did they do to you? Oh! Wh
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ALAYNAThree days later, I ask Cassius if I can go outside. He allows me but tells me he has to bring me back to the clinic. He’s also being extra careful, so he comes along.Honestly, I’m getting used to his company. Cassius is very accommodating and endlessly patient with me. After we shop for a few things at the mall, we stop at Starbucks.“Oliver’s on his way,” he says, then takes a sip of his Frappuccino.“I’ve been thinking.” I look at him. “I just thought of this last night.”“What is it?”“I want to leave tomorrow. I want to see my family.”“We already talked about this, and of course, you can, Alayna.” He grins. “It will help you unwind.”“But there’s still something else I want.”He puts the cup on the table. “Hmm. Go ahead.”“I still need to tell Brandon about this. I want to tell him formally because he’s my boss, and if you can take me there...”“What?”“You don’t need to stay with me,” I continue. “I just want someone to be with me while I travel. It’s too much, I know,
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BRANDONA few hours earlier“Cassius, I need a favor. We are still in front. Come here and take Alayna.”He and Oliver come in a flurry. I step out of the car and open the door on the passenger side.Cassius rushes to her and gently shakes her shoulder. “Alayna? Alayna, can you hear me?” He caresses her flushed cheeks with his thumb, but she doesn’t respond. “What happened to her?”I curse under my breath. The way he holds her is too familiar. I fucking want to tear his arms off, but I calm myself. “She fainted.”“What did you do?”“We never had a chance to talk. She was crying the whole time,” I say.“God, I think she needs to give this a rest. You just couldn’t wait until she’s ready,” he snarls and looks at his brother. “You both know it’s not good for her.”Oliver doesn’t answer, but he nods.“Alayna?” He touches her face. “Oh, God. Are you okay?”“Don’t wake her. She fell asleep.”“Don’t tell me what to do because you can’t take care of her!” Cassius snaps. “I’m taking her from h
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BRANDONI wake up with a throbbing head, the loud bell of my phone chiming. Lazily, I grope for the phone on the side table and force my eyes open. I’m hoping to see her name, but instead only see Oliver’s.I jump off my bed—no, not my bed but a plush king mattress in Vermont. I remember now. I pretty much drank half the bar in the club last night and passed out the moment I entered the suite. I gawk at my phone screen, thinking of excuses to give him. But if my memory serves me correctly, I was out of my goddamn mind last night.I answer the call after another ring.“Damn it, Brandon. Where are you?” he curses.“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you. Something came up.” I massage the back of my neck.“Oh, so something came up at the club last night, and then you just disappeared?” he mocks. “Tell me, did you go home with that woman?”I scowl. “What woman?”“The one with the blue hair... or violet, I can’t remember.”I squeeze my temples. “I’m all alone in this suite, Ollie. What kind of
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ALAYNAThree weeks of vacation in the place where I was born seemed like a short time, so naturally, I wished I could stay. I’ve missed my family terribly—my mother and my twelve siblings. If I go back to New York, I’m only going to remember the hell I’ve been through with Brandon, and it’s a reality I can’t avoid. Nonetheless, it’s impossible for me to move on. Brandon and I never really had a long time to get to know each other, but it still hurts so much that I’m afraid it’d take long to finally let go of my feelings for him. To heal.Cassius believes that this is for the best. I’ve tried hard to put the negativity away and give myself more time to adjust. He wants me to enjoy myself with my family, but it’s not that easy. I know everything is temporary.Mom thinks Cassius is my boyfriend—and my boss’s cousin. I told her we’re only friends, but she wouldn’t believe me. Who would? Every day he’s in our house, and he only returns to the hotel after dinner.I don’t give much thought t
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BRANDONAs promised, I take Pauline to my house. There’s no other safe place for her but here. Of course, everyone will think it isn’t smart, given my whole fucked-up situation. Alayna is in Kansas with Cassius, and there are still things I need to figure out about the death of my family. But I need Pauline’s help. Besides, she is partly my responsibility now. I can never let Silvanus hurt her again, knowing that she was hurt because of my poor decisions.If only there weren’t a goddamn family rule, she wouldn’t be hurting right now.“I’ve always wanted to see where you live,” Pauline says as she cautiously gets out of the car. Lennie is already at the front door with her two assistants.“Welcome to the mansion, Ms. Pauline.” Lennie greets her with a small smile. “Master Brandon.”“Good afternoon, Lennie,” she greets back. “It’s been a long time.”“Yes, you were just a child back then.”Pauline holds Lennie’s hand. “Just call me Pauline. I’ve missed you. You still look as young as eve
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BRANDON They said nothing lasts forever, but that phrase might not be entirely true. Yes, I’ve lived a wretched life in the past. I was driven by guilt, anger, and revenge for as long as I could remember. I couldn’t do anything because I thought I was weak. I thought it was how I was going to die. Hopeless and a failure. Until she came into my life and changed everything. Alayna turned my world upside down and showed me a different side of reality I hadn’t yet seen. She made me realize it wasn’t too late to hope or win—the exact opposite of what I had lived for all along. For when I was hopeless, she showed me hope. I felt despair; she granted me peace. I thought I had more guilt than anyone else in the world, but she gave me her love. With her, my journey truly begins. Our marriage. My forever. We should enjoy every second of it now in a summer townhouse resort in Varkiza, one of the estates we owned in Athens. I am now tangling my wife’s hair as she devours my shaft by the
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I walk them to the end of the venue, greeting the guests as we pass. Then I meet up with Cary and Stan by the garden’s exit. The twins step aside to introduce me to a man of nearly sixty—who did his best to appear formal with the suit I sent him. I immediately recognize the features of his face.The man opens his arms. “Brandon, my favorite boy…”I approach him immediately and briefly drape my arm around his shoulder. “Uncle Basil, you came.”“Of course. I won’t miss your special day.”“Um, hello?” Casey steps forward and joins in.“Ah, it must be you now. You’re Elysia,” Uncle Basil says. I step back, giving them space.Casey blushes. “I go with a different name now, um… but…”“No, you are Elysia. Elga’s younger sister. I held you as a baby.” He smiles in awe. “You look so much like your brother and your father—Oh!”Casey instantly embraces him. “Brandon said you look like him too.”Our uncle nods, stroking her back. “I’m sorry for what happened to you, child.”She snivels. “I alread
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BRANDON“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride…”My wife selected a garden house by the beach in East Hampton for our wedding. Her dream wedding. She looked exceptionally royal in her white long trail wedding dress today. Omar did a remarkable job, as usual. I honestly can’t wait for this celebration to end, so I can finally have my wife for myself.Alayna wanted an intimate celebration with our families, but some press always finds a way to invite themselves. At least a hundred people are present today to witness our most awaited union compared to the five hundred who attended our engagement party.My beautiful wife is now in my arms, having our first dance as a married couple.“Hello, husband. You look very handsome.” She traces the line of my suit with her fingertips, and the diamond wrap around her finger flickers.“You look like I’m ready to eat you.”She giggles, and I always love the sound of it. “Behave,” she says, but her smile says otherwise.I raise a
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ALAYNAOne week later“Senator Donovan Mallory is arrested for child trafficking, distributing child pornography, and the murder of Dr. Richard Hart, the former chair of Lifeline Foundation. The trial for his case will begin in two weeks…”The report switches the frame over to a desperate old man being hauled by the cops.“Let me go! This is not over yet! The mayor of Seattle is mentally sick! Do you hear me? I cannot accept this! He is lying!” he yells over the reporters surrounding him in front of the courthouse.“This is Luis Crawford from AAC News, reporting.”Cassius shuts off the news. We are now gathered in the living room, silently waiting for someone to speak.Last week, Cassius and Carmelo visited the senator to let him know Drake abducted me, but he only chased them away and denied his son. He told them he had no business in Drake’s escapades. However, during Drake’s interview, he disclosed everything he knew about his father and apologized to me in public.“Drake didn’t me
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Brandon returns with a bare torso, flaunting his delicious abs and toned muscles. He’s changed into gray sweatpants. I watch him turn off some lights, raise the thermostat, and turn the stereo on.“Get onto the bed and lie down,” he says while heading toward me.We now have pleasant room temperature, dim, romantic lights, and a mellow piece of music.Okay. I’m not getting dressed then.I slide my buttocks along the bed’s cushion and move over the middle. I swallow dryly.Brandon crawls on the bed. Gradually, he positions himself on top of me and snatches off my robe.“Let me just remind you…” he whispers. “You asked for this. You’re too persistent that I have to do something about it.” He pushes himself up then yanks down his pants and boxers without breaking eye contact. His erect shaft swells up.No matter how many times I see him in this state, I just can’t get enough. Everything about him is just too beautiful. At times, I find him hard to handle.He lowers himself again. “Spread
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ALAYNAMy body aches everywhere, but I stiffen. It hurts too much to move.I’m still alive.Right, yes. I remembered being saved, and I saw Oliver’s face. He told me Brandon came.Around me, I smell antiseptic and undertones of the artificial fragrance. Judging by the scent of my surroundings, I’m aware of where I am. Bit by bit, I blink my eyes and try to open them.My beautiful man’s face is the first thing I see.“Hi…”He kisses my knuckles and brings my palm to his face. “Hey.”I force a smile. “I love you.”His eyes redden and start to swell. “I love you too.”“Oh, don’t cry. I can still feel my limbs—no broken bones. No sign of permanent damage,” I manage a joke, chuckling.“Don’t,” he says gruffly. “You scared me back there.”I grunt, adjusting my back. “But you saved me. Like always. What is it about restrooms? Dangerous place.”“Very.” He frowns hard, remembering the past. “Back then, it was different. Next time, you don’t leave alone, okay?”I nod. “Next time.” I brush away
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BRANDONReporters disperse in front of the hospital when I arrive after a call from Oliver, but I’m more anxious about Alayna’s state. What did this son of a bitch do to her? I still have no idea what happened because Ollie and Stan don’t have time to explain everything.I break through the crowd that won’t let us pass. Some reporters ask about me, that fucker Drake, and his crime, but most are random; I can’t understand them. My mind is somewhere else to even try to fucking understand, so I couldn’t care less. I need to see my fiancée right away.“Just keep going. I’m right behind you,” Jason instructs, then he and some security block the reporters and let me through.“We are not answering questions for now, please. Give my family some privacy!” he yells, and his voice trails off as I go further.Oliver is impatiently treading back and forth in front of the emergency room while on the phone. Stan, on the other hand, is sitting quietly on the bench as if in deep thought.“Oliver. Stan
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ALAYNAI have fallen asleep on the couch. It’s already morning. I’m not in my bed, nor Brandon’s penthouse, but in an unfamiliar room somewhere in Wichita. It turns out I’m not dreaming. The devil who’s asleep on the bed right now really kidnapped me.He’s sleeping! Maybe I can get away…I cover my mouth from squealing at the possible opportunity to get away from Drake.I take light steps toward the bed to make sure he’s unconscious. Drake’s forehead is wrinkled, and exhaustion is marked on the lines of his face. He must be unsettled with all this bullshit he got himself into, but he’s clearly tired because no matter how difficult the nightmares are, he doesn’t wake. I know because I’ve seen him in this state in the past. Whenever he was anxious, he’d just sleep it out.I instantly think of making a call, so I need a phone. Brandon has to know where I am. So bravely, I sneak back to the living room and open Drake’s stuff. I dig inside his suitcase to look for his phone and money. I ne
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I knock on the door of an old townhouse, then a dark-blonde-haired woman appears at the door. She smiles when she sees us, but the bliss on her face quickly fades and turns into confusion.“Jason?” she says.Jason frowns. “Mariel?”“You know her?” I ask him.“Yes, she’s in the gang with me. I mean, was. Mariel Miller. What are you doing here?”The woman’s face turns red. “I don’t know why you’re here, but you need to leave.” She glances at me but then attempts to shut the door. However, Jason is swift. He shoves himself to the door and steps inside.“Mariel. I am asking you a question. Why are you here?” Jason questions as he steps further. I follow him.“She’s his sister. The twins found out in the family records,” I say. I see quite a resemblance.Jason nods, then shifts his attention back to the woman. “Where is Drake, Mariel?”She steps back. “He’s not here.”“But you’re expecting him.”She doesn’t answer.“You vanished, and now you’re here? You’re Drake’s sister?”She nods.Jason
