~MEANWHILE~The air was thick with tension and the metallic scent of freshly spilled blood in the Blackthorn ancestral manor.Grandma Eva sat rigid in her high-backed chair, her hands trembling with a fury that threatened to consume her.Her sharp and piercing eyes were fixed unwaveringly on the figure of her grandson, Zavian who stood before her with an imposing presence radiating cold indifference.His features betrayed no emotion as he casually stepped over the lifeless body of a stunningly beautiful chestnut-haired woman sprawled on the intricately patterned marble floor.The woman's hair fanned out around her head like a halo, contrasting to the growing pool of blood beneath her.Her once vibrant hazel eyes stared vacantly at the vaulted ceiling, all life extinguished from them.The sight was one of brutality and a reminder of the cold, heartless nature that ran deep in the Blackthorn bloodline.Grandma Eva had always known her grandson was a monster, a creature devoid of empathy
~FLASHBACK CONTINUES~Grandma Eva turned to her spy with a new resolve. "We make our move. Zavian will be at his most vulnerable now."The spy nodded, understanding the gravity of her words."I want every detail of his interactions with this woman. Leave nothing out.""Yes, my lady," the spy replied. "We've already gathered significant intelligence. Master Zavian was seen with her at the Bar. They appeared... intimate."Eva's lip curled in disgust. "And?""He took her aboard his yacht, the 'Night's Whisper'. They were alone for some time."Eva closed her eyes, fighting back a wave of nausea. When she opened them again, her gaze was steel. "And what of Yuna's people? I know that witch wouldn't miss an opportunity like this."That conniving snake Yuna was undoubtedly hatching some nefarious scheme, and she would be damned if she let that upstart witch get the upper hand.Her grandson might not care if Yuna found out about his new obsession but she wouldn’t let the damn woman have her wa
The air around Zavian was frosty as he strode toward the awaiting black Maybach whose rear door was held open by his right-hand man, Luca.The big guy had his head down in a deferential bow, not daring to make eye contact while his volatile boss got into the luxurious vehicle.Luca closed the door behind Zavian before hurrying around to get behind the wheel of the luxury sedan.An uneasy, suffocating silence descended on the car as Luca navigated it through the winding city streets and toward their destination.The bodyguard could feel all the hair on his body standing on end the entire time. The aura of menace radiating from Zavian in the back was like waves of Arctic cold.Luca didn't dare even breathe too loudly, let alone speak. His nerves were frayed to the breaking point.Zavian was truly in a murderous, psychopathic rage right now after the events at the manor, and one wrong move could potentially prove fatal.Luca regretted listening to Zavian that night when he dismissed all
Emmeline froze in the middle of the hallway.Her heart stuttered in shock when she lifted her head and saw none other than the devil who had been tormenting her sleep since their last encounter standing there in an impeccably tailored suit. What’s more, his expression was dark. Very dark and unsettling.Emmeline stared at him, momentarily unable to move or speak as she struggled to comprehend the situation."M-Mr. Blackthorn? What are you doing here?" she finally managed to stammer out.Zavian’s hungry gaze raked over every inch of her, lingering lecherously on the deep vee between her breasts and the teasing glimpses of thigh and leg exposed by the daring dress slit.He seemed to be devouring her with his eyes alone, no doubt able to make out every curve and swell through the sheer fabric."I'm the one who should be asking you that question!" his voice sounded low and extremely dangerous. Like he was barely holding himself back from descending on her like a ravage beast.It was only
One of Zavian’s hands slid up to splay possessively over Emmeline’s abdomen, holding her firmly in place as the other landed on the wall beside her head. "Let's just pretend we never had this...encounter on the corridor," he purred silkily against the feverish skin of her neck. "That you didn't get in my way and tempt me so deliciously with your sinful beauty. That I didn't see you at all."Emmeline flinched instinctively when his free hand moved, stiffening against the wall in fear even though all he did was brace it there beside her head, caging her in.Zavian’s jaw ticked. The reaction clearly angered him."Did you buy this little get-up specifically to seduce your husband?" he demanded in a low, dangerous tone.Before she could respond, he gripped her chin firmly, forcing her to meet his piercing stare. "Trying to please a good-for-nothing man who abuses you, Emmeline?" he bit out, his furious breaths fanning hotly over her lips.Shock and confusion flooded Emmeline’s features at
Emmeline instinctively tried to pull away, but Zavian tightened his grip on the nape of her neck and drew her closer still.She attempted to push him away by placing both hands against his broad chest but found herself weakening under his relentless assault.His grip around her waist was ironclad; she couldn't break free even if she wanted to."Stop fighting it and give me a damn kiss!" he commanded through clenched teeth when they finally broke apart for air.Emmeline looked up at him through half-lidded eyes, mirroring his own lust-filled gaze.The heat between them was palpable…it threatened to consume them both."You need to get your act together, Mr. Blackthorn," she admonished weakly, struggling against the magnetic pull that threatened to sweep away all reason and logic. "Your wife is under this very roof."Zavian responded by brushing his nose against her cheek. "Don't overthink this, babe. Just let yourself melt into my arms and savor the forbidden pleasure of my touch."Desp
"I don't have the right to think about you," Emmeline’s voice trembled as she spoke. "But I can't get you out of my mind. The corner you occupy is getting wider little by little, and I'm afraid you'll monopolize my thinking." She admitted.Zavian’s lips curled into a sly smile and a wicked glint danced in his eyes. "I will live in your memory forever," he promised drily, leaning in closer to leave a trail of kisses down her neck.Each touch sent a shiver through Emmeline’s body, and she felt herself melting under his attention, her resolve weakening with every passing second."I want you to think of me even when you're in his arms," he murmured. "I know I beat him the moment we met but remembering me when you're with him will make me feel better.”His fingers moved with practiced skill, exploring her with a touch that was both gentle and demanding.Emmeline's lean frame trembled and a soft, barely audible whimper slipped past her parted lips.Zavian silenced her with a fervent kiss th
Tears of frustration stung at the corners of Emmeline's eyes as she hurried away.She couldn't fathom how Zavian could so brazenly make licentious advances and suggestive remarks one moment, only to shut her out entirely the next with cold indifference. His mercurial shifts in behavior left her reeling, unmoored.Had she read the situation completely wrong? Misinterpreted the heated looks and the undeniable chemistry that seemed to crackle between them with every weighted glance? Or was there something deeper, darker at play - secrets he was harboring that prevented him from acting on his apparent desires?The sound of shattering glass from the direction of the bedroom made Emmeline jump.She couldn't discern if it was the product of Zavian's rage, or simply an accident. Part of her was tempted to turn back if only to ensure he hadn't hurt himself. But the larger part knew that retracing her steps could prove dangerous, like willingly stepping into the eye of the storm.So she pressed