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Skeletons Of The Past
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The 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 : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Is It Love?
Giovanni"What?"She's staring up at me, eyes huge. There's something inside those yes. A child-like quality.A child's hope.A child's fear.I wonder if it's me she's afraid of or something else. Because I got a call from Jack about an hour after leaving his office and I'm going to bet it's that something else. Especially considering the half-packed duffel upstairs because I know for a fact she wasn't unpacking."One month. With me. Like last night.""I don't understand.""One million dollars."Her mouth falls open.I wait for her to process."One million...That's..." her voice trails off and she looks away like she's trying to count it.She gives a shake of her head and scoots under my arm. She walks into the living room and sits down on the couch to swallow the rest of her vodka. She sets her glass on the coffee table before returning her gaze to mine and when she does, it's steelier than I expect."I am not a prostitute. What I did last night, I did because I had to. Because of Ci
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Glowing Shards Of Light
SiennaI watch him from behind the curtains of the window.Is this even real? Did he just offer me a million dollars to sleep with him? To be his for one month?No. This makes no sense. Not after last night.I wonder if this is some sort of personal challenge. Maybe his ego can't take a woman not panting for him in his bed.The sedan disappears and I flip the single lock that still works on the front door. I go upstairs and look at my room, at the half-packed duffel, the clothes strewn here and there.He's right. I am messy. The opposite of him.I pick up the clothes and hang them up or put them away in the dresser drawers, all the while my mind working.Can I do it? Would I?I want to tell myself I wouldn't say yes just for the money. Although that's a lot of money.But there's something about Giovanni Adams. A thing that makes me want to be near him.Which is ridiculous because he is who he is.Everything set aside, though, there is one thing that will take this decision out of my h
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Terms & Conditions
Giovanni"I need to go." Because every minute I'm here, I'm in danger. I set the envelope of cash in the drawer of the nightstand by her bed."Can I call you at least?" she asks."That's not a good idea. I told you that the last time. I can't see you again, Ciara. It's too dangerous."I walk to the door."So that's it?"I stop. "I'm sorry, I—""You just walk away? Again?"I turn to face her. "Do you know Giovanni's men came to my house?" I ask, remembering how scared I'd been. Letting myself get angry. "Do you know they were waiting there for me when I got home? Do you know what I did for you last night?"This time, it's her to shift her one good eye away."I think we're even, Ciara."I walk out the door then, feelings of guilt and anger warring inside me. I believe her when she says he hurt her after I left, but the family adopted her months after I was gone. She's officially Sean's sister. And he won't hurt her now if only because it won't look good if he does. He's like his father,
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Kiss It Better
Sienna"I won't be a prisoner.""I don't want a prisoner.""Why do you need to know where I am all the time?""I don't need to. I just want to." I lean in toward her. I want to be sure she understands what I say next. "I won't put many restrictions on you. I'm a reasonable man. But if you say yes then we have an agreement, and these are my terms. Your acceptance means your compliance to said terms.""Your rules you mean?""Whatever language you're comfortable with.""I want to talk—""And know that there will be consequences if you break those rules.""What does that mean?"I relax back and give her a wide grin. "It means don't break them. Did you visit Ciara today?""No personal questions. Like your 'no personal effects' rule during the auction.""Touché."The food comes then, filet mignon with roasted potatoes and asparagus. She puts her wine down and picks up her knife and fork. I'm surprised at the zeal with which she eats. She's half-way through her steak before I take my first b
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Bad Kind Of Butterflies
SiennaHe opens the robe wider.I look down at the thick dark hair on top of his head as he takes in my newly waxed pussy, only the thinnest strip of hair remaining there now. I think about yesterday or the day before or the week before. I think about how my life had been normal then. Now, this, him...it's about as far from my normal as it can get. I'm not really even sure how I got here. Or how I said yes to this deal. Or why.Even given the situation with Ciara and Sean, wasn't there an alternative? One that made more sense?But then his fingers are on me again, touching the strip of hair and I can't think about Ciara or Sean or anything anymore. Especially not when he looks at me with his strange now darker eyes."Sit."I sit on the coffee table behind me."Lie back.""I'm not a dog.""Lie back, Sienna."I do as he says and immediately, I feel his knees between mine, nudging my legs apart. I startle when a moment later, cool liquid spills on me and when I look at its source, I find
Last Updated : 2024-10-29The Deal With The Devil Hell Is A Real Place
SiennaI consider switching out the lights and trying to sleep, but I won't be able to. I'm too wound up. I get up, grab my phone out of my tote, and check for messages. There aren't any.When I'm walking back to the bed, I notice a book lying open and face down on the dresser.I pick it up, read the title. I don't recognize it. I open it, meaning to flip through to read the first few pages when a photograph falls out.I bend to pick it up. It's a photo of an older man with his arm around a younger woman, and beside them stands a man who resembles Giovanni. He's got a baby in his arms, and the woman, I assume the baby's mother, has her face turned to the baby. A little hand has got a fistful of her hair, and she's trying to loosen it.I turn it over to look to see if it has a date, but there isn't one, and when I look at it again, I have to smile at the woman's expression.I'm so engrossed that I don't hear him come in."Are you going through my private things?"I'm so startled when h
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
