Shortly after dinner, we go back into the living room with less awkwardness. Brandon sits next to me, and Cassius remains standing by the fireplace, holding a glass of liquor.“We’re just starting over again, I guess,” I say.Arianna sighs in awe. “Wow. I’m happy you found your love, Laynie. I wonder when I will find mine.” Her eyes flicker as she looks at Cassius and grins.“You can’t really say that with me here, A,” Jason counters.“Why not?” Arianna pats his brother’s arm. “I haven’t been able to date because you are scaring the guys away!” She looks at me again. “Do you perhaps know someone you can introduce to me?” she whispers, but loud enough for everyone to hear.“Shut it, A,” Jason says.“Kill-joy.” She rolls her eyes. “Fine, but we should really do this again, Laynie. I’ve missed our bonding, watching late-night shows, eating to our heart’s content!” Arianna says dreamily. “But the holidays are coming. Ever thought of coming home?”“I thought of that, of course.” But I’m no
BRANDON“Care to tell me what’s going on?” I ask Jason as soon as we are in my library and I am behind my desk. Cassius occupies the chair across from me and looks at the Wolf.Jason lifts his palms in surrender, taking the seat to the right. “Whoa, whoa! Believe me, I had no idea until recently.”“Alayna said the same, but that’s it? It’s just a coincidence?” I ask suspiciously.“Exactly. Like a fluke.”“A damn twisted coincidence,” Cassius comments. “How did you find this out?”“From the twins,” I say. “They were looking further at her connection with Annette and found this instead. I spoke to them in the office, and I can’t fucking believe it.” I’m still having a hard time processing it all.Cassius seems stunned. “The twins are here?”“Yes, they’ll probably knock on your penthouse later, I guess, but they have somewhere else to go first.”He scowls. “You didn’t just offer up my house, did you?”I wave a hand in dismissal. “We have women here; who knows what Cary might do.”He tens
ALAYNAI sit back in the living room, thinking about how I should tell Cassius. How am I going to explain to him that I can no longer give him an answer? That I’m sorry for making him wait? I’m only going to sound like a total bitch if I do, and I can’t hurt him like that. He’s been through a lot, too.But when Cassius lifts his head, his expression is both firm and disappointed. “What happened?”I shrug. It takes me a moment to reply. “I’m sorry.”He simmers under this breath as his eyes begin to fill with tears, though he’s preventing himself from revealing too much emotion. My knees turn feeble at the sight of him like this. Guilt eats at me for leading him on. Nonetheless, he has every right to know.My throat burns. “Um... We spoke, and...”“You still believed in him.” His voice cracks with resentment, sending shivers down my spine. He doesn’t even have to say anything. His expression already says it all.“Yes.”“You love him.”I nod.“You see, I didn’t even have to ask, but I did
As he kisses my neck, he softly palms my swollen breasts, and his thumb circles their crown. I yank his hair and smell the scent of his woody, peppermint shampoo. His body feels feverish against me, like his tongue sucking my hardened nipples.Burning pleasure pulses through me. Through the hot vibration in my ears, Brandon whispers gruffly as his hand trails down to my cleft. “I want to taste you here.” His fingers yank the garter of my panties and peel them off me.I’m too sensitive—too swollen, but it is too late to protest; he covers my pussy with his mouth.“Brandon!”His tongue flutters on my clit, and my hunger rises. He skims my vibrating slit, taunting me with a promise of a glorious orgasm.I climax for the first time tonight, and my body is quivering wildly, but Brandon doesn’t stop. His mouth returns to my clit and sucks me softly... relentlessly... until I come again.Cunnilingus is supposed to be all the same, but each time Brandon devours my pussy, I turn into liquid. H
It is after dinner when our guests arrive at the mansion. Two guys who look exactly alike were introduced to me as Carmelo and Constantine Katrakis, Brandon’s cousins who are Oliver’s age. The only difference I see is Constantine wears a semi-casual navy-blue dress shirt and his brother a black T-shirt. Both are blond and pale-skinned like Cassius. Jason comes in after them, and I stop by the door while Brandon ushers his cousins inside.“So, did you even think of telling me?” I ask J in a whisper. “Brandon told me about it.”“Right.” He nods. “Of course I was going to tell you, but I felt yesterday wasn’t a good time. We were catching up.”“Fair enough.” I wouldn’t have wanted any tension in our reunion either. “But wait.” I catch his arm.“What?” He bends to my height.“Did you tell Brandon about him?” I’m talking about the devil.He pauses, and his forehead creases. “Of course not!”“But he knows!” I murmur in his ear. “How would he know that?He straightens his back and scoffs. “L
“It is, Miss Hart. Because we need to know everything about Lucia,” Constantine says.“But I already told you everything. I gave you her details and address. What else do you need?”“Except that you probably missed one,” the other twin says.“Alayna,” Brandon says in a soothing tone, “I heard Annette wasn’t living alone when she was in Venice.”“But she was. Although there’s a time when I—” I stop and look at him with wide eyes. “No.”I know what he is pointing out. I remember.“No, no, no. Let’s not go into that.”“So you understand what we’re talking about.”Yes, because they’re talking about Lucia’s family. There was a time when her husband and son stayed with us, but it isn’t my place to talk about that. Her family has nothing to do with any of this. Lucia might be their suspect, but her family should not be. I saw them and lived with them. They’re kind, and they were happy. What they have is a home. A real home. I know that myself because I have one. Their family was as happy and
BRANDONEleven years agoI smelled burning wood; it dried my throat.I was sure my eyes looked bloodshot. I might never see the blood, but I could feel it on my lids; the scent of the fresh wound was messing up my head. I felt fucking heavy-headed; the top of my skull was throbbing in inexpressible pain.And it hurt... everything fucking hurt so much that my limbs stopped functioning. I couldn’t move my body. I squeezed my eyes in my attempt to gather my wits, but to no avail. The excruciating ache in my chest drained the remaining strength from my body.What’s going on with me? Why can’t I move?Mom? Elga? Where are you?I cried inside, but as though I was paralyzed, even my voice was inaudible.Mom! Elga! I screamed mentally.Still nothing.Then there were blabbering voices that sounded unclear. I thought it was all in my head, but they got clearer as seconds passed. Men having conversations I could now hear plainly.“What should we do with the boy?” The voice was throaty and unfami
ALAYNASilence falls over the house when Jason and Brandon’s cousins leave. Brandon is extremely affectionate, even more so than usual, but quiet. He is spooning me from behind on his bed, but neither of us can fall asleep.I love how he keeps caressing my cheek and my hair.“Do you want to talk about it?” I finally speak because the stillness is deafening.“Were you okay back there?” he asks me instead.“Yes, especially after what I found out.”“I’m sorry if we had to force you to share. We didn’t want to place you in a compromising situation, but you had the missing piece. We kind of didn’t have much choice.”“But it’s a good thing you did. I wouldn’t have known he’s a murderer. Honestly, I felt disgusted that I even tried to protect their identity just because of the short time I’d known them.” I just wasn’t sure about Evan, her son. He seemed like a good guy, but I don’t know anymore. “But was my statement helpful?”“Very much,” he whispers. “I suppose I answered one of your milli
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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