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Innocence; A Foreign Language
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Deal With The Devil Chest Heavy With Darkness
SiennaI walk back into the bedroom and close the door.I look around, take in the sophistication of the place and for all its beauty, it's sterile. Cold. Too clean and impersonal. Only the rumpled sheets and the smell of sex make it less clinical.I walk into the bathroom, glancing at the lights of the strip as I go. The bathroom is big and it's the only room without windows for walls. I lock the door behind me although I don't think I need to. He won't come in.It smells like his aftershave and I wonder if he ever has women here because everything is so masculine.Switching on the shower, I step beneath the flow. Even his soap, when I lather it, smells like him. Like he's in here with me."You're safe."For some reason, being here, in his shower, in his room, in his bed, I feel safe. Which just goes to tell you how screwy my radar is.It's not that he's not dangerous. He is. But not to me. At least not right now.Tonight, I don't have to double-check the locks. Test every window.Ci
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil A Kindness Of Crows
GiovanniShe's asleep when I wake in the early morning.It took her a long while to fall asleep but when she did, she slept heavy, not moving once as I held her. Her hair is still a little damp and I smell myself on her. My shampoo, the cologne still lingering on my T-shirt that she's wearing.Even after my shower and while I dress, she remains a still form beneath the covers of the bed.I leave instructions for her by the coffee machine. When she's ready, one of my men will drive her home. If she wants breakfast, she can go downstairs to the restaurant. They'll know to look after her.On the elevator, I type a text to my attorney.Find out what you can about the Williams family, Senator Sean Williams of Maine. I'm interested in the years Sienna Williams was fostered there. She was eleven years old so I'd guess twelve or thirteen years ago. Goes by alias Sienna Chase now. Photo to follow.I send both the text and a photo of her fake driver's license and it seems as soon as I hit send,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Dig Till There's No Gold Left
GiovanniI've known Jack for over a decade. Met him when I started to work for Lanigan.Murray Lanigan was about eighty when I met him in an alley where two idiots were trying to rob him. I say idiots because the fools didn't realize who they were fucking with.I knew. I knew from the minute I set foot on the strip.What the old man thought he was doing without his bodyguard I have no idea. To this day, I'm certain he suffered from some sort of dementia.The casino I own used to be his, but by the time I started working for him, he was old news. A legend, but old news.I beat up the two-bit thugs trying to rob him, and he hired me on the spot. I still think it's because he mistook me for one of his sons, long dead by the time I came on the scene. It was partly my accent, heavier then since I'd just gotten into the country about a month earlier.During one of his rare lucid moments, he changed his will, leaving the casino, hotel and the building itself to me. His children were pissed,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Hard Out Here
SiennaI blink my eyes open and wait for the room to come into focus. It's silent, a quiet I'm not used to, and bright with morning light.And the instant I remember where I am, my heart rate picks up.I roll onto my back, glance at the empty space beside me. I tug the comforter up, appreciating its weight. I wouldn't use one so thick at home. It's too hot in the summer, but it's cool in the penthouse. Giovanni's got better air-conditioning.The pillow still has its indent from where he slept, and I remember the feeling of his arms around me, his body like a solid wall at my back.I sit up to take in the room. The bathroom door is ajar, the light out. He's not here. I know. Not in the bedroom and not in the apartment.I get out of the bed. I'm still wearing his shirt and I catch the hint of aftershave clinging to it.Barefoot, I pad across the hardwood floor and open the door to step into the hallway, putting a hand to my hair to tamp it down. It seems to grow to three times its size
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Frigate-Birds & Soft-Shelled Dreams
Sienna"Miss, your car is ready.""My car?" I remember how rudely I was brought here."Giovanni—"That's right. Giovanni.I shake my head. "No, thank you." Best to get back into my world as soon as possible. "I'm fine. I don't need a ride.""But I was told—""I'm fine," I repeat and walk out of the casino and into the summer heat. I walk down the street for a moment, feeling like people I pass know what I did last night. My walk of shame.Around the corner, I have to sprint to make the bus. I only look back once at the building as we pull away from the stop. Only crane my neck to look at the penthouse level for a moment before I dig out my phone and call the shop. I leave a message for Deirdre to let her know that I'll be late today. I don't tell her why. I then read the text from Jim, my mechanic, telling me my car is ready.At least that's one thing going my way.From the bus stop, I walk three blocks to the garage, and when I get there, I see the old model VW Golf in the lot. I wal
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Skeletons Of The Past
Sienna Once I arrive, I park my car and head inside. I walk up to the reception desk and think maybe I should have called instead of showing up here."Can I help you?" the middle-aged woman behind reception asks.Too late now. "I'm looking for Ciara Williams's room?"She looks down at her computer screen, punches some keys. "You just missed her," she says, looking up at me. "Discharged. She's being moved to a private facility.""Oh. You said I just missed her?""Yes. Her brother signed her out not half an hour ago and the private—""Her brother?" I feel my face drain of color. Feel the weight of cement in the pit of my stomach.The woman's smile fades. "Are you all right, hun?""You said her brother?"She looks at her screen again. Nods. "Sean Williams. I recognize him from TV. Nice guy."No.No, there's nothing nice about that guy.I turn in a circle, look around the lobby half expecting him to be here lurking in a corner."Miss, are you all right?"I force my legs to move. Force my
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil A Stranger In My Bed
SiennaI busy myself tagging new items, the day passing in a blur, my thoughts a whirl with everything.In my mind, I'm weighing options. If I leave here, I'll need to get a new car. One that won't break down on the side of the road. The Golf is fine for short trips in town where Jim is available if I run into trouble. It won't make a long-distance trip.But what will happen to the shop?Deirdre could take it over. She'd like that, I think. Right? But there's her granddaughter to consider. This is just a part-time job for her.And I don't want to leave. I don't want to start again.I don't want to be afraid.I go back and forth all afternoon, deciding and changing my mind about everything again and again. All the while, thoughts of Giovanni last night, of how he was, how gentle he became. How almost careful with me.But I will never see him again. Best to get him out of my mind. He's not my prince charming and there won't be a fairy-tale ending. Not for me.As much as I want to close
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Sad, Little, Broken Wings
Sienna"Where are you going?" He breaks away and I can breathe again."What?""Half-packed bag upstairs."Shit. "You had no business going through my house.""I wanted to see where you live. And by the way, you're messy.""Why did you want to see where I live?"He shrugs his shoulder now. "Curious." He looks at my wrist, at the bracelet there.I cover it with my other hand."You didn't answer my question," he says."I was unpacking, actually," I lie.He studies me like he doesn't quite believe me but then he drops it."Do you have whiskey?" he asks, turning to walk into the small living room. I'm pretty sure this entire house fits inside one room of his penthouseI shake my head when he looks at me. "I have vodka.""That'll do."I exhale and walk into the kitchen to get the bottle of Absolut out of the freezer. I take out two water glasses, not wanting to feel embarrassed but feeling it anyway.I don't have a lot of nice things. No crystal tumblers. My furniture is second-hand. Most o
Last Updated : 2024-10-29
Latest chapter
The Deal With The Devil Epilogue
StefanSpring, One Year Later* * *She never did sign those annulment papers. My stubborn, beautiful wife.I stood drinking coffee at the kitchen window, watching Veronica talk to one of the workers. Charlie, full grown and weighing eighty pounds, never left her side.We'd come back to Tuscany a few days after the bank took possession of the house in Philadelphia. Robyn had come with us and would be starting her final year at a school in Florence geared toward gifted musicians.Thanks to their grandfather's greed, Veronica and Robyn had lost everything. Guardia Winery no longer existed, except as an example of corruption and destruction.Robyn never spoke about any of it. She rarely mentioned her grandfather at all. Veronica worried, but Italy was a good move for her. It got her away from everything, the past, the publicity, gave her anonymity again, and hopefully would give her a fresh start.I finished my coffee and set the mug in the sink before walking outside. Veronica waved whe
The Deal With The Devil 65
Veronica"Well, I wouldn't want to put you out. You've probably been busy tonight, putting someone else to bed." I didn't mean for it to come out angry like it did."Ah." He finished his drink and poured another. "The truth.""I never lie to you.""You did once.""When?""You lied to protect your sister."I felt heat flush my face. How had he known?"I haven't put anyone to bed but you since we've been together," he said, cockiness gone."Oh.""Did you really think otherwise?""I don't know what to think. You don't have to be married to me anymore. I'm really more of a liability now.""I think of you as a human being, not a liability.""But I'm not an asset either.""Human being. Don't feel sorry for yourself, Veronica. Shit happened to you. You survived it, and you will now move forward. Welcome to life.""Piss off."His face changed, hardening a little. "Be careful, sweetheart."Sweetheart. God, I loved when he called me Sweetheart. "I'm not feeling sorry for myself.""Then ask the
The Deal With The Devil 64
VeronicaThe house had never felt like home to me. I didn't want to stay here and wouldn't have if it weren't for Robyn. But she'd been closer to our grandfather than I ever had been. And she'd lived here for as long as she could remember.After the very public scandal, Grandfather took the plea deal he was offered, which meant a reduced prison sentence—they took into consideration his age—in exchange for full disclosure. He'd kept meticulous notes, so much like him. In addition to the notebook Robyn had found, there were three others. At least three that were uncovered. I wondered if there were more. If he'd ever tell us. The land in Italy was auctioned off, bought by Vincent Moriarty of all people. And what a deal he got. It was unfair, but it was also finished.I saw my grandfather during his sentencing. I watched from inside the courtroom. I didn't make physical contact with him. Seeing him like that, up there looking smaller, older, I wondered if there was something wrong with me
The Deal With The Devil 63
StefanShe finally quieted.Fuck. I hadn't come here to fuck her. I hadn't."You still want me to let you go?"She shook her head.I released her wrists and flipped her over onto her belly, then straddled her again, trapping her beneath me."I love you," I said, reaching over to grab the bottle of hand moisturizer she had on the nightstand. "But you're a pain in my ass." I drew her hips up, so she was on her knees. "Don't get up," I told her when she started to rise. I pushed her knees apart with mine and fisted a handful of her hair, pushing her face down into the bed. "Ass up, face down. Understand?""Stefan—"I slapped her hip—not hard, but enough to get her attention. She cried out and looked back at me from the corner of her eye."Understand?""Yes.""Good." I let go of her hair and twisted the lid off the lotion, squeezing about half the tube on her lower back. "Now like I said," I started, unzipping my jeans and pushing them and my briefs down, my cock like steel in anticipatio
The Deal With The Devil 62
VeronicaI felt stronger, like the effects of the wine were wearing off. Maybe it was the water or the coffee, but I had a feeling it was the anger inside me burning away the alcohol more than anything else.But then he said what he said."If you wanted me out of your life, you would have signed the annulment papers."And I knew it was true. He was right. If I wanted him out, I would have signed and put all this behind me."I've changed my mind, anyway. You're not going anywhere, Veronica.""Not until you have my signature, you mean? Did you bring a clean copy of the paperwork?""You're being stupid.""No, I think the word is naive. You used that once too, didn't you? You had my number all along. I was the fool to fall for it, for your tortured soul act. Get out. I mean it.""No.""Get the fuck out."He cocked his head to the side. "Fine. You want me out? Make me go."I narrowed my eyes and went toward him. With both my hands on his hard chest, I shoved him backward.Except he didn't
The Deal With The Devil 61
VeronicaI left by train from Siena to Venice that evening. Once I checked into a small hotel, I called the attorney who'd overheard my conversation with my grandfather and left him my address, telling him to forward any paperwork to me here. I called Robyn and told her I was in Venice, told her what had happened and what I'd done, and told her I needed to be off-line for a few days.I missed Charlie. I missed cuddling up with him on my lap, missed his unconditional love.The first twelve days I spent in bed, feeling sorry for myself.On the thirteenth day, someone knocked on the door. When I told whoever it was to go away, they answered that I had received a package.Reluctantly, I went to the door, cringing when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I opened it and took the large white envelope, assuming it was paperwork about Robyn's guardianship. I pushed the shutters and window open to let in some fresh air and sunshine. The room smelled stale, and it seemed my sadness had
The Deal With The Devil 60
StefanIt had taken all I had to turn my back on Veronica and walk out of that office. I knocked someone's shoulder on my way out but didn't look back, didn't apologize, couldn't stop. I went out the door and into the hallway and flew down the stairs and out the front doors where I stopped, gasping for breath, my hands on my knees, wanting to vomit.Lying to Veronica on the chapel floor, that had wounded me. But this? Today? Leaving her like that, signing that damned contract and walking out on her, it finished me. I'd promised her truth, and I'd kept my promise, finally. And it destroyed me.I straightened, wiping sweat off my forehead.I didn't remember walking through the city to the parking garage. Didn't remember driving home. As soon as I stepped out of the car, though, Charlie came running to me. I stopped and looked down at him. Watched him wait for the passenger side door to open, for Veronica to step out. He barked several times, ran back to me, tail wagging, then returned t
The Deal With The Devil 59
VeronicaAfter Stefan left the office, I stood in the room, staring after him. Staring at the space where he'd just been before falling back into my chair, my legs unable to support me.I wasn't sure what would be easier, thinking he didn't love me or knowing the truth. Although I guess I knew there was no easy. This would hurt. It would hurt for a very long time.My grandfather and the attorneys walked back into the room. No one seemed to take notice of me. Grandfather set the ring and pen aside and checked the signature on the contract."It's done," he said, handing it to one of the men who slipped it into his briefcase then clicked it closed. No one sat back down. "Gentlemen, thank you. I'll be in touch."They were shaking hands, almost at the door, when I spoke. "Why did you want the marriage consummated?"They all stopped. Someone cleared their throat. My grandfather turned to me, a coldness in his eyes that chilled me, then shifted his attention back to them."Forward official c
The Deal With The Devil 58
VeronicaStefan shifted his gaze from my grandfather to me, but his eyes revealed nothing. My hand rested in his. His thumb drew circles in my palm.The longer he took, the heavier the silence grew, the more tears welled in my eyes.This was it.Stefan and I were finished.My grandfather cleared his throat and rose from his seat. "Five minutes, or the offer expires, and you can take your chances on the payout." He buttoned his jacket. "I'll be outside."We didn't watch him go, and we didn't speak for an eternity after the door closed.Stefan stood and went to one of the two windows. "I thought you were dead," he said, his back to me."What?" I started, swallowing the lump in my throat.He faced me but remained where he was. "I have this nightmare—I've had it for six years now—where I keep seeing the fire at the house, keep running inside to save my mother, and keep finding her too late."A weight heavy as a pile of bricks settled in the room with us."Well, it changed over the last fe
