[Sierra POV]Adrian led me to one of the rooms, helping me sit on the bed.Dominic was here. Why? My mind raced, spiraling with questions. Shouldn’t he be back in the city? The entire reason I agreed to this trip was to escape his reach, but now he was here too.And yet, I couldn’t shake the nagging thought—if Dominic recognized me, I should already be dead. Did he not know who I was, or was he playing some twisted game?“What are you thinking?” Adrian’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. His eyes scanned the passage behind him before narrowing on me, dark and sharp.“What was that downstairs? Didn’t I tell you not to try anything?” he said, his tone dripping with frustration.“What do you mean? Is it my fault I stumbled?” I snapped, watching him scoff. "And why were you trembling anyway? It must be new for you, right? Well, you better get used to it and fast also 'cause now it seems we are going to be stuck here for a while." He said, standing up as he turned to leave."This wasn't pa
[Dominic POV]"Release!" I uttered as the bird flew out of the cage, flying up into the sky. I reloaded my shotgun, aiming with my right eye. "And dead," I pulled the trigger; the loud sound echoed as the bird fell down. I retreated the gun.I've always found hunting quite fun and a way to train my aim even more. Since I needed some air anyway, I decided to head out to the courtyard, nestled at the edge of the forest, just beyond the mansion's backyard."I see you still haven't given up on your typical hunting," a voice caught my attention. My eyes landed on Uncle Gavin."Well, it's just an old habit I find quite enjoyable," I said, gesturing as Uncle Gavin approached me, taking up one of the guns laid there. "Why don't I give it a shot also?"He uttered, as another bird was released. He aimed at it, pulled the trigger, and scraped through the air, missing the bird. "Seems my old age is getting to me," he said, retracting the gun and dropping it back on the ground."I'm sure you still
I returned to the mansion with Uncle Gavin by my side. My eyes immediately caught sight of Uncle Marc seated at the dining table. His eyes landed on me instantly."Good, you're here," he uttered."You called for me, Uncle Marc?" I said, giving a half bow."Yeah, you must be hungry." He questioned as I raised my gaze, thinking it was something important, but it was just about the food being ready.My gaze shifted to Adrian, who was already seated. I watched his presumed wife come out with some of the maids, bringing some food."Wait, she cooked?" I thought, my mind trying to make sense of what was taking place."Come, sit, Dominic. I had your brother's wife prepare lunch," Uncle Marc uttered.
[Sierra's POV]Taking the dishes into the kitchen, I laid them down and leaned against the wall for a moment. I let out a sigh, thinking about what had occurred back at the dining table with Marc and Adrain. Really, was staying here such a good idea? These people stood by their names, their eyes and actions sending shivers down my spine. Even though the blow wasn't meant for me, I couldn't deny the fear that coursed through me with his footsteps growing nearer. And I had also bumped into Dominic. What if he had recognized me? I was really in a death trap, never expecting to be trapped with no way out like this. All I wanted was justice for my mother and to make them pay, not to be bound and trapped in another lie.I couldn't run away, nor could I say anything. It seemed I just had to act up, not showing much attention, at least until he was gone. Then I would plot my way and destroy him to the very inch. But for now, I just had to keep low and hidden, even though he was here too. All
My eyes sprung open, and I gently rose from the bed, welcoming the morning rays that seemed to glow through the room. They served as a reminder of last night with Dominic's questioning.Even though he seemed not to recognize me, I couldn't deny the suspicion he harbored toward me. I just had to stay low and try not to attract any attention; only then could I assure my safety and prevent him from recognizing me.I made my way into the bathroom, splashing some water on my face before walking out, only to be hit with the realization that Adrian wasn't around last night. I was happy that I didn't have to share the room with him, but I couldn't help but question where he could be and what he was planning. He was slapped last night; I was sure he must still be quite furious, but I couldn't understand why. Why was he slapped by Marc instead? I just couldn't understand each and every one of them. Well, I shouldn't even be trying; I'm not part of their family in the first place, so why bother?
[Adrian's POV]I stepped out of the mansion, my eyes landing on Damien, who was still trying to aim a shot at the target. It seemed he also loved hunting, just like Dominic. However, I found the real hunt and fun game when I was dealing with my enemies or traitors; anything else just seemed boring.My mind still lingered on Uncle Marc's last words—the entire De Santos family. Why was he making everything more complicated than it already was? All I wanted was my dad's property, so I saw no other choice in this contract. Yet, it seemed things just got more complicated for me.I don't know what Uncle Marc sees in Dominic that he doesn't see in me. Staying in my mansion, tarnishing the family name? Why doesn't he understand that I also make my moves? Even though I was more interested in the business side of things than becoming an underworld lord, I never had those dreams. If it was power I needed, I don't need the title to instill fear in my enemies.I have achieved great heights in the b
[Sierra's POV]The clashes of music and dance went on as I found myself in the middle of everything. I couldn't believe it was happening. Well, I could do this; I just had to stay out of sight, even though the celebration might be organized for me.The last thing I wanted was to grab too much attention or raise questions.I felt a hand on my waist, causing my gaze to shift as it landed on Adrian. "What took you so long to get ready?" he questioned.I could see his eyes scanning the place as though he felt compelled to play an act, which I found weird for him. Well, if he didn't want the party either, why didn't he raise a protest? We both knew we didn't want this event to take place since the marriage stuff was just a charade."Don't try anything; just act like my ideal wife. Don't speak when not asked to and don't roam around," he said, his gaze landing on me with those darkening eyes, replaced by a forced smile."Now, let's go act as a couple, dear wife," he said, leading me through
Honestly, I knew he didn't recognize me yet, but I wondered why? It hit me with his words back then in the room. He thinks I am some kind of enemy or threat to his brother, judging from his words. Well, I ain't a threat to his brother, but I am surely a threat to him."Why, can't I drink now?" I questioned, watching him gulp a glass of wine as his gaze returned, landing on me."Just saying, I never knew my brother's wife also drinks. I mean, wow," he said, scoffing.I left no response, after downing a glass, I poured another. I know he was playing a game, even though I'm sure he didn't recognize me, I couldn't let my guard down. The last thing I want is for him to suspect me or stalk my every move, but it seems that isn't avoidable for now, so I just had to keep this act up for the meantime.And I think this moment with him here could surely be of help, at least to understand his tactics better. He was known for his cruel, vicious acts back in Vegas; no one was that close to finding a
[Sierra's POV]After some days staying in the hospital, I was discharged. I made my way out of the hospital supported by some men hired for my security, as I entered the back seat of the car with the driver starting the car engine. My gaze glanced through the dark street; it was late at night.It felt as though everything was complete—Uncle was in jail, and Nate was dead. Yet, why did I feel like I had nothing else to look up to?The people I most cherished were gone. The only one I saw next to me was Aunt Malisa. "I have to keep going for her sake..." I thought.The driver arrived at the mansion, and I stepped out, managing some footings. I made my way into the mansion but paused, noting the dark presence the mansion left."What happened to the lights..." I wondered. I wasn't able to tell anything—my heart raced as I took little steps. Was I maybe wrong to think everything was over?In a blink, the light came, causing me to shut my eyes suddenly from the reaction. "Welcome back, mam.
[Adrian's POV]"Uncle Gavin! I did it, Uncle Gavin!" Why was I seeing this memory now? I guess it's because of what occurred so far. The same man I saw as a father figure, the one I trusted so much, turned out to be the enemy.He trained me to be who I am today, but in the end... "Why, Uncle Gavin? Just why did you have to be the enemy?"I woke up, feeling the intense pain in my head. I tried sitting up, only to find Dominic sitting next to my side."You're awake, Adrian..." he said. Yet, I found only my gaze downcast."What happened? So it's over..." I questioned as Dominic replied, "Yes.""He died?" Should I be happy, knowing he was gone, or sad? A side of me claimed this was a victory, knowing all he had done, the fact that he was behind Mom's death from the very start. But why does my heart say something different? Those little tears that never ceased from falling down splattered on my hand."I know this is all hard to take in, Adrian. I also can't seem to understand everything th
All this while, I had thought it was Dominic. I wanted to make him pay so much, but, in the end, I teamed up with my mother's true murderer."Okay, that's enough now, Nate. Let her take it all in slowly. What more of a death would be greater than having them regret the whole life they have lived?" Damien said."Mom... I'm sorry, mom..." I whispered, those tears not ceasing. I felt something on my head. It was Nate aiming a pistol at my head. "Now, why don't I do you a favor and take you to that old hag?" he said, and my eyes shut in those moments as I heard a loud gunshot, causing my eyes to open back up."Do you think you can take down the De Santos that easily?" I heard Dominic, with a smirk playing on his lips. "I knew you would make a move, so I had a tracker inserted in my skin, and now you took the bait, dear Uncle Gavin," he said as more guns echoed through the area. They were coming from outside the room."We have to kill them fast, Father. We need to leave now," Damien said.
[Sierra's POV]"Sierra, wake up, Sierra!" I heard a voice as my eyes sprung open. I found myself tied to a chair, as Adrian and Dominic were also tied to chairs beside me."What are you doing here, Sierra?" Adrian asked, but shouldn't I be asking the same question? I had heard that he and Dominic went to attend the burial of one of the De Santos, but now I found the two of them here."That bastard; he must have spiked the wine," Dominic's voice cut in. He was also awake.But wait, does this mean they were both kidnapped and brought here from the burial? Who honestly was this enemy?I noticed another man tied to a chair, but his face was blindfolded with a sack mask, so I wasn't able to tell who he was.Just as I hoped to let a word out to Adrian, the door creaked, and I watched some men make their way inside."Who the hell do you think you all are to have Adrian De Santos here?" Adrian questioned, but was he expecting his name to help out here? I mean, these were people who had been h
[Adrian's POV]It had already been four months, and yet I found myself still unable to figure out who this enemy was. My mind still echoed the words I heard from Raglan after I paid him a visit. He mentioned that there was a third man; he was the one who seemed like the boss. But none of them had ever seen his face anywhere.After hearing that, I tried looking for any information, something that could tell me more about this third man, even visiting the experiment building again, yet I found nothing.The only thought I found myself guessing was that this third man was possibly the enemy, or he was working with the enemy, and the experiment seemed to be carried on.I had hired more men to help me figure out and fix this puzzle, conducting research and gathering information they could find."We have to go now, Adrian..." Dominic said. But why should we go? I wasn't even in full support of his death in the first place. One of the De Santos members had been killed again, and he wants us t
(Four Months Later)"Aunt Sierra! Aunt Sierra!" Zara's voice echoed in my mind. The last moment I heard her voice.I woke up as it was already morning, stepping down from the bed. I made my way to the bathroom and washed up.It had been four months already, and the bloodshed never seemed to have ceased. Many of the De Santos members were already gone, each dying in a cruel way.I wore my cloth, intending to step outside my room, only to find Aunt Marisa waiting."You should rest; you're not yet feeling well, Sierra." she said.I had a high fever last night, so it was expected of her to be this worried. After we met back at the party, I allowed her to live with us in the mansion."I have some things to attend to, Aunt Marisa. I will rest once I am back..." I said."Don't tell me you're going out to find the enemy, Sierra. I know it's not about work." she said. But I should expect her figuring things out. I had my father's company closed temporarily a month ago due to everything that oc
[Sierra's POV]I made my way up the stairs, entering my room, as I sat down on the bed, processing what had occurred today. "So he had killed another De Santos..." I thought.I never expected the plan to fail, and I was almost killed. If I hadn't reacted by pulling the gun trigger at that moment."Mam, are you there..." I heard Colt's voice, followed by a knock on the door. "Come in," I replied. Colt made an entry as he approached my side."Mam, I don't think it's safe for you to step out again. I'm sure you saw what had happened and how you were almost killed that day..." Colt said, but I understood he was making sure I was safe at all costs, but hiding, I doubt, would be of any good."I can't stay in hiding, Colt. That's what this enemy would want..." I explained."But Mam..." he wanted to say."I have a plan, Colt. I want to learn how to protect myself better..." I cut in, standing up from the bed. "I will have things taken care of again so that at least Zara will be able to go to
I sat down in my office, checking my phone as I read what was portrayed by the news regarding Laxton's death, and it seemed like another twisted story turned to see us as the main issue at hand."I must say, nice game, whoever you are..." I said, taking a glass of wine as I heaved a sigh.I received a call from one of the men I had hired to investigate this case regarding the experiment. It took a lot, deciding to hire one, knowing I couldn't trust any of them, but instead, I only requested him to obtain some information regarding the experiment. Could there have been a successful experiment that brought the outcome father wanted so much?I picked up the call, placing it against my ear."Speak," I said."Boss, I have just finished doing my research on all that you told me about..." he started."So, what's the update?""Among the prisoners, there seemed to be one man; he was the only one I could tell who managed to flee from the building. It was hard getting the footage and records bac
The incident back at the conference meeting with Sierra didn't seem like it was going to die down anytime soon.As the news just seemed to be spurring the little fire that the coward had lit up."You asked to see me, Adrian..." Dominic said, standing before me. I wondered if I was making the right choice by telling him all this. I mean, why should I even bother telling him?But if there was a chance that maybe this was connected in some way, I needed more answers."Are you there, Adrian?" Dominic's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I responded, "Yes."I scanned the area before my gaze returned to Dominic. "I'm sure you don't mind doing a little walk to my office, dear brother..." I said as I noticed those eyes seeking the reason behind my words and behavior.We both walked through the hall as we arrived at a corner, and my legs paused for a moment. I checked our backs."What's going on, Adrian? Why did you call me?" Dominic questioned, seemingly eager, more than expected."Why