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The Arduous Trip Homeward
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2024-04-01 01:48:01Related chapters
The Deal With The Devil No Brother's Keeper
SiennaGiovanni's hands are tight on the steering wheel. We bump along the road and after climbing one of the steepest hills, I see a lone structure in the distance. It's ten more minutes until we reach the long stone bridge that connects what appears to be an island, upon which the Adams house is situated, to the mainland.And I'm in awe."This is your...house?"He only nods once and when I glance at him, I see how his brows are knitted together.House.This house takes my breath away. It's not a house at all, but a fortress or castle, even. It must be hundreds of years old with stone walls that match the current color of the dark sky. And as we drive over the bridge, I wonder if we should, it's so old.I glance at Giovanni again and I see him differently. In Las Vegas, he's big. He's brutal. He's in command.Here, he's all of those things, but he's a Highlander first. Born and bred here. It's obvious now. Rough and rugged and fierce, but different.Less sophisticated, less polished.
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil The Curse Of The First-Born Son
GiovanniSienna is taking in every aspect of the house as I lead her through it. Her mouth is practically hanging open, but she doesn't realize she's seeing it at its worst.It's strange to come back to the house in this state. I knew what I was doing over the last several years, but to see it in person is more difficult than I realized it would be. It's run-down and old. Something that was once grand, reduced. Humbled.I guess that's what I was trying to do to them. To my father. My step-mother. Declan.I shove that pang of remorse down deep and lead Sienna up the stone steps to the second floor and to my father's rooms.Two maids are rushing in and out, carrying his things out.I push the heavy wooden door wide and gesture for Sienna to enter. She does, quickly scooting to the side to let another of the maids with an armful of clothing out.I don't recognize the things she's carrying but know they're my fathers from the colors alone. Our colors. Strange the things you never forget.
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil Battling Long Years Past
Giovanni"The Atlantic lies just beyond those cliffs. Climate's very different than Las Vegas," I clear my throat as I say."I've never seen anything like this," she says, turning to me, then scanning the room, the antique furniture that's been in my family for generations, the tattered rugs on the floor so necessary against the chill in these old stone estates.I walk into the second room, which should be a sitting room, but I see it's been converted into a huge closet stuffed to the gills with dresses and shoes and bags, all brand names I recognize. All wholly unnecessary and impractical for the Scottish Highlands. Many not even worn with tags still attached.This is Ann's work. Her pathetic legacy.I return to the main room, trying like hell to manage whatever the fuck is going on in my head and in my gut."There's a bathroom through here if you need it," I say, opening the door to find they had updated the bathroom with modern luxuries.Sienna walks toward me. "Are you okay?"I lo
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil Sweet Little Nephew
Giovanni"Nice of you to join us," Declan says.I ignore him.Benjamin is sitting behind my father's antique desk and a man I don't recognize is standing beside him pointing to something on a document. He's introduced as Michael Smith, one of the attorneys of the estate.Declan watches me from his place at the far wall. He's leaning against it and has the bottom of his right foot resting on it. His arms are crossed over his chest and he looks so different to how I remember him. Older than he is.I wonder how he sees me.Last time I saw him he was fifteen years old. Benjamin has sent photographs over they years, but I threw most away.When my father married his mother and he became my brother, I was excited about the idea. I liked Declan, we were close, even.But that was when I'd thought he was my stepbrother, not a half-brother. We were friends before that, too. When my mother was alive.But with my mother's death, everything changed.And being back here, it brings back all those old
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil Delicate, Quavering Ice
Giovanni"Who's that?" the little boy asks, pointing so his finger is inches from my face.Declan's face hardens when he turns his gaze to mine. "That is your Uncle Giovanni," he says, setting the boy down. "Meet your nephew, brother. James Declan Scott."James steps toward me and holds out his hand like a little gentleman."How do you do?" he asks. "I didn't think you were real."God. Can I feel like more of an asshole?I crouch down, take the boy's small hand in mine. "Nice to meet you, James. I can assure you I am very real.""You don't talk like us.""No, I don't.""Do you fly Giovanni's too?" he asks. "Like Grandpa? He said you did. He said you were good at it."He said that?My father was a falconer. I had just begun learning the sport when the shit hit the fan so many years ago."No, James. Not anymore," I say, straightening. I look at my grandfather. "I'm tired. Let's get this done.""Go find Alice, James. Help her with lunch," my brother says.James rolls his eyes. "Alice is
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil The Devil's Brother
SiennaAfter Giovanni left, I took a long, hot shower then decided to lie down and close my eyes for a few minutes. Now, as I open them in the almost pitch-black room, I realize I must have slept for hours.I glance to the other side of the bed, but it's not been slept in. I wonder what time it is but there's no clock in this room. Pushing the covers back, I get up. I'm barefoot and the cold of the stone beneath the old carpet chills me.I walk into the alcove thinking the walls must be three feet deep. I wonder if that's for insulation or protection in times past. I look out the window at the utter darkness outside. The almost complete stillness.The moon is full, the wind a whistle that urges the clouds across the sky, the light an ominous silvery ghost-like thing spilling over the water and the hills.I think if I look hard enough, I'll see ghosts out there.Finding the latch, I push one of the heavy windows open and lean out. It's a cool night and I inhale the clean, fresh air.I
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil Dangerous State Lines
SiennaHe stands there for a moment looking at me with surprise, but he recovers quickly and smiles, comes inside."You weren't introduced to me," he says, and I really have to pay attention to understand him because his accent is so heavy. "I'm Declan Adams, Giovanni's half-brother." He holds out his hand.I put my sandwich down, force myself to swallow the bite in my mouth and place my hand in his. "I'm Sienna.""Sienna. It's nice to meet you. You missed dinner.""I must have slept through it.""We didn't want to wake you. The maid said you were fast asleep.""Where's Giovanni?" I ask.He shrugs a shoulder and moves to the counter. "Who knows?" he asks, opening a cupboard and taking out an unmarked bottle of liquor. "You like whiskey?" he asks, turning to me.He seems different than Giovanni. Not as hardened."It's our own," he says, not waiting for my answer but taking two glasses and returning to the table to take a seat across from me. "Don't mind me. Eat," he says, pouring whisk
Last Updated : 2024-04-01The Deal With The Devil Good Man Not
SiennaGiovanni's angry gaze turns to me and when he steps into the room, I see his clothes are wet, muddy even. He's not wearing a coat, and in his hand, he's got a half bottle of whiskey.Declan stands, turns his gaze to me. "Glad to meet you, Sienna," he says. "Let me know if you want me to take you into town tomorrow. It'd be my pleasure."I can tell from the way he says it that it's for Giovanni's benefit. To irritate him. Taunt him.And it works because Giovanni stalks forward, sets the bottle on the table and lunges for his brother.But he's drunk and Declan isn't, and he sidesteps him. I let out a scream, jump to my feet."Not used to our whiskey anymore, brother?" Declan asks."I'm going to kill you."I grab Giovanni's arm when he lunges again but I don't even think he can feel it. Feel me holding him back.Declan's face hardens and he steps toward Giovanni. The two are like giants, nose-to-nose and raging."I'd like to see you try," Declan says."Stop it. Both of you," I yel
Last Updated : 2024-04-01
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
