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ALAYNA“Arianna!” I squeeze my sister into an embrace as soon as I see her cross the door. It is midnight, but those left in the house are unable to sleep, anxiously waiting for everyone’s arrival. Heck, I couldn’t even help but think of the worst things that might happen to them since we haven’t even received any update. We are in the living room now with Cassius, Casey, and Pauline.“I’m fine, Laynie. Really, really fine.” She hugs me back. Behind her are Brandon and his cousins, who seem unharmed too; only, I don’t see Jason.“Where’s J?” I ask.“Right here,” my brother comes through the door.“Thank God you’re all okay.” I sigh, purging the anxiety from my chest. “Brandon—”I’m abruptly cut off when Pauline appears at my side and jumps on Brandon. She wraps her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. She probably thinks she’s some kind of a spider; no, a hairy tarantula. My skin crawls at the sight.Get the hell off him!She sobs. “You’re okay! I was so worried about y
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Casey finally comes back with a tray of clubhouse sandwiches, chips, and cups of coffee. The delightful scent of each awakens my almost sleepy senses.“What did I miss?” she asks.“Take a seat, Case. We were talking about the plan for rescuing Oliver,” Cassius answers and his sister takes the seat on my other side.“Do we have a lead?” she wonders. “Something much better than before?”“We do,” Cassius replies. “We’re close, Case.”She sighs in relief. “Then thank God.”Everyone takes a cup, then Brandon hands me the one with a latte and a piece of sandwich. I smile at the sweet gesture. “Thank you.” I sniff at the coffee.He sneaks a kiss to my temple and bites his food. I can almost hear him sigh. My poor man must be starving.“Arianna, aren’t you supposed to enlighten us about something?” Brandon says.“Oh.” My sister sips her coffee and nods. “Yeah, I suppose I will.” She places her cup down, then picks up a chip. “So, I tried to make him open up, I asked him about his other busine
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“Guys, wake up! It’s him. Silvanus is calling now; he’s calling,” Pauline says, and I snap out of my dreamless sleep. I roll onto my stomach and find that my head is still resting on Brandon’s lap.I push myself up and realize everyone is gathered in the living room. Jason, Arianna, and the twins are wide awake.“Damn, Pauline.” Casey rubs her eyes and sits up on the sofa. Cassius is next to her.The twins automatically move to her side and stare at the phone she’s holding. It’s as though I can feel everyone’s tension, and my heartbeat accelerates too.“What are you waiting for?” Constantine asks.“Answer him!” Carmelo says.Brandon and I briefly share the same astounded look.“Put it on speaker,” Brandon instructs.“Isn’t he supposed to talk to Arianna first?” Pauline asks anxiously.“Just answer him!” the twins shout simultaneously.“No, no. It’s fine. She’s right,” Arianna says. “He should hear from me first. We don’t want him dropping the call.”Pauline blows out a sharp breath an
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BRANDONI find Cassius holding a glass of bourbon in the dimness of the dining room. He knows that I needed him sober, but the whole plan must’ve gotten into him.Silvanus’s text came in the afternoon, leaving us only the time and a location, a detail favorable for both parties—which was good so Jason and his Wolves can follow their strategy.I guess my cousin will not be very pleased to hear the sudden change Jason has planned.I lean on the wall, slipping my hands into my pocket. “What are you doing?”Cassius frowns. “Don’t worry. This is just to calm my nerves. What’s up?”“Alayna still doesn’t know about Jason’s whole plan yet. I don’t want to surprise her at the sudden change because this involves her family.”He scowls. “What changed?”“This includes you, actually, and I think I need a shot.”He gulps the remaining liquid in his glass and pours another shot, throws in two cubes of ice and hands it to me. “What about me and Alayna’s family?”“Suspicious men are lurking around Ala
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BRANDONOne o’clock. Josephine Shaw Memorial Fountain, Bryant Park.From the inside of the food truck facing Bryant Park in Sixth Avenue, Cary and I monitor the satellite covering the front of the memorial fountain. In about three minutes, we should be in contact with Oliver. My left ear gives me the line for Stan, Pauline, and the Wolf; they’re only a few miles behind Pauline as she is getting ready. My right ear offers me Silvanus’s line.In every corner of the streets, people are on standby: walking civilians, a man making out with his girlfriend by a bench, a lady feeding the pigeons, and a man selling hotdogs in a food cart. All of them are Jason’s Wolves in disguise.I tap my earpiece and speak, “Stan, what’s on your view down there?”“We’re still waiting,” he answers. “Oliver should be here in three minutes. I’m looking at Pauline.”I tap another button on my ear to connect with Pauline. “Pauline, do you copy?”“Copy,” she says.“Good. Harry? Can you find Oliver?” I shift my at
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A Wolf named Pen unlocks the door, and I finally catch sight of Stan and Oliver. The lower right side of Ollie’s body is covered with blood, and the three men carrying him are sprinting toward us. I rub my face in frustration and fear of losing him again.The Wolves immediately take Oliver inside and lay him out on the stretcher in the middle. Stan gets in after the others and closes the door. Automatically, the Wolves clear the space.I immediately move to Ollie’s side and hold his hand. But my heart clenches at the sight of his face. He has dark bruises and fresh wounds. His left eye is swollen, and his mouth is chapped and bloody. Apart from that, he has lost too much weight, and he is too pale.It’s like what they did to me. The weight of fury oppresses me.“Ollie, can you hear me?” I ask.He responds to my grip and forces his eyes open.“Master Lucien, we’ll take care of him.” Folk, one of the medics, takes charge. “Sven?” He looks at his colleague, who’s already across from him.
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ALAYNABrandon’s side of the bed is empty when I wake up. I wanted to think that he’d only gone to his office, but I know today is their operation. I am now sitting with Casey in the living room, watching her brother drag a suitcase in our direction.“Cassius, can you tell us what’s going on now?” Casey asks warily. “Are you going somewhere?”“Not me, we. Pack whatever you can take with you. Clothes, money, passport...” Cassius instructs, and we watch him as he opens his suitcase and shoves some folders into it.“What?!” Casey springs up, shocked. “What’s going on? Where are we going?”“Just do as I say,” he orders.“But can you at least tell us what is going on?” I ask. My heartbeat is accelerating in anticipation. I can’t help but think that this has something to do with Brandon.“Not now. Just do as I say.” He holds up a hand. “We are leaving in an hour.” He speaks to one of the security men and storms out of the house. Cassius is never the kind to rush things, but I can tell that
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ALAYNAI wake to a soft voice whispering in my ear. I’m not aware of the time, but I’m guessing it’s already late in the evening. I fell asleep on the couch with my head resting on Brandon’s lap. I gaze up and find Brandon’s beautiful face staring at me. He strokes my hair and kisses my forehead.“Alayna, let’s get you to the hotel,” he says. “You can come back tomorrow. Casey and Cassius will stay with Ollie until tomorrow morning.”I scan the room and find Cassius sitting next to Oliver with his eyes closed. Casey is asleep on the sofa by the door.“Okay.” I cling to Brandon’s waist and try to get up. Enveloping my arms around his neck, I press myself against him for a few more moments. “You should get some sleep too,” I breathe on his neck.He tenderly rubs my back and kisses my jaw. “I will. Come on.”I slip on my shoes, brush my fingers through my hair, and smooth the creases of my shirt. Brandon takes his scarf off his shoulders and wraps it around me. “It’s freezing outside.”I
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The Billionaire's Mask (A Dark Steamy Romance) 172
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
