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BRANDONI invite Cassius privately to the hotel’s executive suite. I had John, Oliver’s chauffeur, prepare a computer, and he is standing right next to it waiting for my arrival.“Master Lucien,” he says politely.“John. Are they ready?”“Yes, sir.”“John?” Cassius hesitates a little.“Good evening, Mr. Katrakis,” John says and turns on the computer.I pull the chair in front of the computer and invite Cassius to have a seat beside me. “Come, sit.”His eyebrow rises. “What’s going on?”“Just come.”He sighs deeply and takes the seat. “How is this supposed to find Oliver?” he asks again but doesn’t demand an answer as the video conference starts at last.“Good evening there, Brandon, Cassius.” My cousin Constantine’s cozy, accented voice reverberates from the speaker.Next to him is his twin brother, Carmelo. “You have not been careful again, Brandon,” he says, his tone accusing. “First Aunt Grethe and your sister Elga, Now, it’s Oliver. Who’s going to be their next target? How disgust
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ALAYNA I knock at the door next to mine in the hotel the next morning, and Brandon answers it immediately. His expression softens when he sees me. The cut on his lip from Cassius’s assault last night is still swollen and red.“Alayna.”“I heard you stayed.”“Yes, would you like to come in?”Either way, I came here to talk to him. “Yes, please.”He steps aside and holds the door open. I move into his suite.His room is just as spacious as his room in the mansion, but it is sunny inside. I slump on the couch in front of the fireplace, leaving ample distance between us.I watch Brandon walk to the kitchen, pour coffee in two cups, and stroll back toward me. “I already asked for room service. Have this for now.” He hands me the cup.“Thanks.”“You’re welcome.” He sits at the other side of the couch and takes a sip of his coffee.“I thought you’d left,” I say.“I couldn’t.” He looks at me sincerely. “You’re here.”I smile a little and sip my coffee. The warmth calms my senses. “What happen
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ALAYNAIt’s been more than twenty-four hours now since Oliver has gone missing. There’s still no sign of where we can find him or any news from his abductors. I feel genuine helplessness and anxiety because it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to be in his place. But instead, I’m here—staying in this luxurious suite with a nice bed and delicious hotel food while he’s out there. He probably hasn’t had anything to eat. I didn’t want to get kidnapped either. Who wants something like that? However, because of me... he’s...I shake my head. Blaming myself now won’t help us either.I go back to my room, thinking I should probably get myself prepared. Brandon said we’re leaving the hotel in a few minutes. I tap the keycard at my door and step inside. But to my astonishment, Cassius and Casey are inside.Cassius is on the couch, massaging his eyebrows while his elbows rest on his knees, and Casey is standing by the window, looking as restless as I am.“How did you guys get in here?” I ask
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BRANDONPauline shows me the text message from an unknown number, but I believe it’s Silvanus’s doing. The message is very precise and simple: "Give us Pauline and you will have your cousin."That’s all. No locations. No further contact information.I curse under my breath, knowing they didn’t want to make this easy. They want to torture me for it.Pauline is shedding tears nonstop, and her hands are quivering. Casey is impassive, and her eyes contemptuous whenever she looks at Pauline.“I knew it!” Casey barks, walking back and forth in my living room. “Who else would want this woman but him? Why don’t we just give her to them?”“Casey, it isn’t that simple,” I answer. “And for God’s sake, can you please sit down for one second. My head hurts watching you walk around.”She finally stops and throws a glare at me. “How can I be calm? They didn’t even give you the information. Nothing. Nada. And there’s only one possible way to get Ollie back, and that is if you give her to Silvanus.”“N
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ALAYNAI wake up the next morning with my head feeling slightly better. My room isn’t spinning anymore, but my body still feels shaky. I shift my head to the other side and find Brandon lying next to me. His eyes are shut and his face serene. My head is lying softly on his arm.Oh my!I cover my mouth in shock. How did we end up like this? Why is he in my bed? Did we sleep together?I touch my head, trying to remember if we did anything other than talk last night. I was picking up the glass, then he came to the kitchen. Damn. I probably passed out. I still have a fever; I can feel it, but my temperature is a bit lower. I let out a sigh of relief. Nothing happened. We only slept. But why did he stay here?I shake his shoulder and whisper. “Brandon? Brandon...”He groans, and his eyes open slowly. “Alayna.”“What are you doing here?” I ask, but I can’t seem to move my body. I may be shameless, but screw being shameless. I like being next to him. I didn’t ask him to sleep next to me eithe
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When he returns from the bathroom, he’s dressed in a black shirt and sweatpants. He looks even more mouth-watering now, and I smell my shampoo on him. He’s really provoking me. What is his game? He’s wiping his wet hair with my towel.“What are you doing, Brandon?”“That question again, and my answer is only going to be the same.”“You’re confusing me,” I admit. “Why are you still here?”He paces toward me and perches on the chair of the computer table. “I wouldn’t be using your bathroom if I don’t plan to stay, don’t you think?”I roll my eyes. “Yes, you probably need something from me. Just tell me what it is.”His face turns serious, but his eyes are soft. “Alayna, you’re still having nightmares.” It’s not a question. His statement takes me aback.I know I am, and it has become worse. Oliver witnessed plenty of those episodes, and Cassius said it could be a sign of a nocturnal panic attack. It only occurs when I’m asleep. I’m perfectly normal during the daytime, I think. I also don
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BRANDONFor the past decade, I learned to restrict myself. I trained myself to feel numb, so I would feel nothing. Nothing, because it’s easier than feeling any pain at all. I hated the sensation of any skin-to-skin contact. It would only remind me of the pain I’d been through at the hands of those filthy men who ruined me. It would crawl all over my body and pass through my blood, deep in my bones—to my soul. Then it would hurt so bad and linger in my chest like pounding thuds. I would bathe in my own sweat, my limbs would get numb, and then I would pass out. I knew my illness so well.I succeeded through the years, but it was always there. Back then, I didn’t call it living but surviving, at most. I had no other purpose but to get justice for my family’s demise—to get revenge. I shut myself off from the world, never letting anyone in except for Lennie, Oliver, and probably Cassius. Even after our childish rivalry, he’s still one of the people I chose to trust. And Casey, of course.
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A few hours earlier...An expected call lights up my phone, and Jason Valentine, “the Wolf,” appears on the screen. Oliver was the one who found him and met with his Wolves in the Underground.The Underground is the secret headquarters of the Wolves below the floors of the BCO Hotel I own in Williamsburg. They wanted discreet access to New York, and they needed my territory in Brooklyn, so I gave them what they asked for. Oliver had seen them in action, and I had been supporting their vision for a couple of years now in exchange for protection and aid whenever necessary.But I know the mob shouldn’t be taken lightly. They call themselves the Wolves, but they could also be referred to as the elite mob of New York City by the underground. They often say justice doesn’t happen in the city. They are on the side of the law but working outside the law. They clash against smugglers, drug dealers, corrupt politicians, the Triad, and gangs that don’t believe in their objectives. All the money
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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
