Third POV“What the hell did you do to me?” Renata yelled as she struggled and made futile attempts to raise her right hand.“I only returned the favour you gave to Julian and consider yourself lucky that I’m not in the mood to spilling your blood yet.” Cassiel said smugly, opening a bottle of strong liquor placed on the table, drawing some of the content out with the needle and syringe in his hand.He moved closer to her struggling self to get back on her feet. Cassiel shook the content in the syringe together to blend properly before injecting the fluids into her system.She instantly became still, her heartbeat fell immediately. She was more like half dead.“If I were you, I'd consider this as a warning and tread carefully,” he said, dusting invisible dust off his pants before making his way out. He got to the door and opened it before looking back.“If you’re lucky enough to be taken to the hospital within three minutes, you will be rescued but if you aren't so lucky… well, your a
Julian’s POVThe air outside Cassiel Morelli’s estate was thick and stifling. Even with the cool night breeze brushing against my skin, I could feel the weight pressing down on my chest. The iron gates had locked behind me with a resounding clang, cutting off any chance of escape—not that I had anywhere else to go.I stood at the entrance, my fists clenched at my sides as the butler led me through towering double doors. The mansion swallowed me whole, drowning me in the feel of wealth that felt suffocating rather than impressive. Marble floors gleamed under dim chandeliers, casting ghostly reflections of me as I moved forward.I hadn’t been in a place like this in a long time. Not since my world had collapsed.Not since Cassiel Morelli had helped destroy it.The butler stopped at another set of doors, polished wood carved with intricate designs. He opened them with a slight bow, stepping aside.I squared my shoulders and walked in.Cassiel was waiting.He sat in a high-backed leather
Cassiel‘s POVI watched from the floor-to-ceiling window of my study, my gaze locked onto Julian’s retreating form.I had expected resistance but what I hadn’t expected was the hesitation.Julian was too proud to beg. Too stubborn to make desperate bargains—at least, that’s who he had been. But the man who had walked into my house tonight was different.I had seen it in his eyes. The exhaustion. The quiet, bone-deep fear.It had been… satisfying.A long time ago, he had tried to put me in handcuffs. Had stood in courtrooms and called me a criminal, a parasite feeding off society. And now, he was here, seeking me out like a lifeline.Poetic.I turned from the window as Enzo stepped into the study.“You let him leave?” He asked.I poured myself another drink. “He’ll be back.”Enzo crossed his arms. “You sure about that?”I took a sip, savoring the burn. “He doesn’t have another choice.”Enzo exhaled sharply. “And if he does?”I set my glass down, my expression turning cold.“Then I’ll
Cassiel’s POVThe underground club was a temple of excesses — soft candlelight flickered across dark velvet walls, and low music hummed beneath the murmur of the world’s wealthiest and most dangerous men. Here, the rules of the outside world didn’t exist. Deals were made with whispers, fortunes were lost with a glance, and power belonged to the one willing to pay the highest price.I sat in my usual place—an exclusive balcony overlooking the grand auction hall. From here, I could see everything, every desperate soul trying to sell themselves into favor, every predator waiting to devour them.But tonight, I wasn’t alone.The woman beside me was draped in an elegant black gown, her silver mask catching the dim light. She was poised, exuding an effortless grace that made others assume she was just another socialite on my arm. But those who knew better understood she was more than that.She swirled her wine, her voice smooth. “You’re quieter than usual. This place doesn’t entertain you an
Cassiel’s POVI watched Julian closely, my steel-gray eyes hidden behind the smooth mask. The younger man sat rigidly in the leather seat across from me, his jaw locked tight, his hazel eyes sharp with defiance. I could feel the energy radiating off him—anger, suspicion, exhaustion.And yet, he didn’t truly understand his situation. Not yet.The luxury car slid through the dark streets, heading toward an undisclosed location. I had made sure Julian wouldn’t remember the route. A touch of sedative in his drink was all it took. He had refused the whiskey he’d been offered earlier, but I had anticipated that. I had simply waited for the right moment, offering water instead.It took less than five minutes for his body to betray him. His grip on his thighs had loosened, his posture softening as his breaths slowed.The last thing he had managed was a sharp glare before his body gave out.Now, I sat across from him, my fingers tapping absently against his knee. The car’s headlights sliced th
Julian’s POVI stared at the masked man before me as I sat backstage after I had been bought by this stranger, a shiver running down my spine.I didn’t know who he was.But I knew — I might have just made the worst mistake of my life.My breath shuddered and my body tensed, heat rolled off me in waves.This stranger had won the bid for my freedom.And somehow, I felt I had never been more trapped than this moment. Regretting my decision wasn’t something I wanted to entertain since I had made up my mind not to stay with Cassiel but I had to admit that the feeling I kept pushing back was regret. ___________________The air in the room was thick with tension, the only sounds present was the crackling fire and the measured breaths we took. I watched as the stranger stood bare before me.The heat in the room had nothing to do with the fire.I watched as he tilted his head, gray eyes dark behind the mask. He reached forward, grazing his fingers along my shoulder. I didn’t fl
Cassiel’s POVJulian stood in front of my desk, his posture rigid, his sharp hazel eyes burning with defiance. The dim light from the chandelier above cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw as I could see it move. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, and I could see the faint tremor in them—anger, frustration, maybe even fear, though he’d rather die than admit it.The contract lay untouched on the mahogany surface between us. A silent war. A line he refused to cross.I leaned back in my chair, fingers interlocked. “I told you before, Julian,” I said, my voice calm, measured. “I don’t do charity. If you want my help finding your brother, you give me something in return.”His laugh was bitter. “Right. And what exactly am I giving you, Morelli? A warm body in your bed?”I exhaled through my nose, my patience razor-thin. “You think this is just about sex?” I reached for the glass of whiskey in front of me, swirling the amber liquid before taking a s
Julian’s POVThe drive back from the villa was suffocating.I sat stiffly in the passenger seat of Cassiel’s sleek black Aston Martin, the hum of the engine filling the silence between us. The events of the last twenty-four to forty-eight hours played on a loop in my head, each memory heavier than the last.Bash. The auction. The contract. Cassiel.My hands clenched on my lap as the city lights flickered past the tinted windows. We should have been heading straight to the penthouse — I had resigned myself to that much — but instead, Cassiel’s driver took an unexpected turn down a familiar street.My stomach twisted.It was my apartment.I hadn’t been back in days, but even now, the sight of the run-down building sent a wave of exhaustion crashing over me. The peeling paint, the rusted fire escape, the flickering hallway lights—it was barely livable. But it was mine.The car pulled into a spot effortlessly and the driver killed the engine.I turned to Cassiel, eyes narrowing. “Why are
Third POV“What the hell did you do to me?” Renata yelled as she struggled and made futile attempts to raise her right hand.“I only returned the favour you gave to Julian and consider yourself lucky that I’m not in the mood to spilling your blood yet.” Cassiel said smugly, opening a bottle of strong liquor placed on the table, drawing some of the content out with the needle and syringe in his hand.He moved closer to her struggling self to get back on her feet. Cassiel shook the content in the syringe together to blend properly before injecting the fluids into her system.She instantly became still, her heartbeat fell immediately. She was more like half dead.“If I were you, I'd consider this as a warning and tread carefully,” he said, dusting invisible dust off his pants before making his way out. He got to the door and opened it before looking back.“If you’re lucky enough to be taken to the hospital within three minutes, you will be rescued but if you aren't so lucky… well, your a
Third POV“You are not planning on killing me right?” Renata asked curiously, looking around for ways to escape but as it was at the moment, she had been cornered.“That would depend on your attitude.” Cassiel responded, his long finger trailing the soft, smooth skin of her jawline.“But I did nothing to warrant getting on your bad side,” she said, trying to find out how much information he had been able to get his hands on.Renata's voice was laced with a mixture of fear and curiosity, but she tried to keep her tone light and nonchalant. She didn't want to provoke Cassiel any further, not when she was trapped in this situation.Cassiel's finger continued to trail along her jawline, his touch sending shivers down her spine. Renata tried to remain still, but she couldn't help the slight tremble that ran through her body."Your attitude is what will determine your fate," Cassiel repeated, his eyes locked onto hers. "If you're cooperative and forthcoming, I might just let you live. But
Third POVCassiel pulled off at the exquisite club, bobbing with different vibes and life in it. He got down from his vehicle, mingling with the crowd. No one seemed to recognize him as they were so caught up in their own business.The club was a melting pot of people from all walks of life, each one lost in their own world of music and revelry. Cassiel blended in seamlessly, his tailored suit and confident stride allowing him to move through the crowds with ease.He navigated through the throngs of people, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of the person he was looking for. The music was pulsating, the beat infectious, and Cassiel found himself moving to the rhythm as he walked.The club was a labyrinth of dark corners and dimly lit areas, with flashes of bright lights illuminating the dance floor. Cassiel's eyes adjusted quickly, and he spotted a figure standing at the bar, sipping on a drink.He made his way over, his movements fluid and purposeful. As he approached, the figur
Third POV“So Renata and Marco aren't related?” Cassiel asked, the document in his hand slipped on to the table as he spoke.“I guess those men mistook their relationship as a sibling relationship.” Enzo said, passing some pictures to Cassiel which he brought out from his bag.“This means they are lovers,” Cassiel said, concluding as he passed the pictures back to Enzo who carefully placed them back in a brown envelope.“Should we set them both up?” Enzo asked curiously, a sly grin playing on his lips as he scribbled something down on the paper passing to Cassiel to see.“I still need to punish her,” Cassiel said.Soon enough, a maid knocked and announced through the door that their food had been served and said Miss Maria asked her to serve them tea if they were still busy.Enzo asked the lady to come in. A fragile, deathly pale looking lady entered, she looked so weak but something about her seemed different. She had a solid look on her face as she walked to the table, dropping the
Third POVEnzo pulled off at Cassiel's garage, rushing to the other side to help open the door for Cassiel and also help Julian out of the car.“Come carry this in,” Enzo called two of the standby guards, throwing the bag and the basket of fruits to them.“I will wait for you in your study while you attend to Julian.” Enzo said the moment they stepped into the house.“I am sure he can handle himself right?” Cassiel asled, directing the question to Julian who didn't look fazed.“A quiet time without you in it would really help me recover.” Julian said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he walked away from their presence, heading to the room.“Won't you go over and help him settled in?” Enzo asked as he made his way towards the study.“His grown enough to help himself out and look after himself too.” Cassiel responded, trailing behind Enzo who opened the door wide for Cassiel to come in.Enzo chuckled and shook his head, gesturing for Cassiel to take a seat. "I guess you're right," Enz
Third POVThe hospital Cassiel walked into the ward with a basket of fruits in his hand, dropping it beside Julian's bed. As Cassiel stepped closer, Jylina closed his eyes pretending to be asleep.“Are we doing this right now?” Cassiel asked frustratedly as he rubbed his temples slowly.Julian faced the other side of the room keeping mute, not saying a word to Cassiel.Cassiel sighed, setting the basket of fruits down on the bedside table. He knew Julian was upset, and he didn't blame him. He had been distant lately, and Cassiel knew he needed to make amends."Julian, look at me," Cassiel said softly, his voice gentle. "I know you're upset, and I'm sorry. I know I've been busy, but that doesn't excuse my behavior."Julian slowly turned to face Cassiel, his eyes narrowed slightly. "You're sorry?" he repeated, his voice laced with skepticism. "You're always sorry, Cassiel. But actions speak louder than words."Cassiel nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. He knew Julian was right. He had be
Third POV"Let's get one thing straight, Marco," Enzo said slowly. "I'll help you, but I need to know the truth. What's really going on?"Marco's expression faltered for a moment, and Enzo saw a flicker of something in his eyes. But then, Marco's face smoothed out, and he launched into a detailed explanation of his supposed ordeal.Enzo listened intently, his mind racing with questions and doubts. He was determined to get to the bottom of Marco's story, no matter what it took.Enzo exhaled a long sigh, his face facing the floor. He had enough proof that showed Marco was lying but he needed to tread carefully.“I will speak with Cassiel tomorrow once I get to him but for now, let's get you a place to stay.” Enzo said standing to his feet as he walked over to his car, Marco trailing behind him slowly.Marco offered to drive Enzo who politely refused asking him not to treat him like a boss and just be himself, acting like he had believed his story.Enzo drove to a nearby hotel, booked a
Third POVJulian nodded slightly, his eyes already drifting shut. Enzo watched over him, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He was just happy to see Julian. At least Cassiel would take his health seriously and he was more than happy to see him recovering.As Julian drifted off to sleep, Enzo sat beside him, holding his hand and watching over him. He knew he might have to cancel his meeting at the park, but he didn't care. Being here to support Cassiel and watch over Julian was all that mattered.The door creaked open, and a nurse entered the room, checking Julian's vital signs and adjusting his medication. Enzo watched her work, expressing his gratitude for her care and attention.After the nurse left, Enzo settled back into his chair, leaning forward to pick a bottle of water to help moisten his throat and watch over him. He sighted Cassel at the entrance of the ward. He let go of the bottle slowly, walking out of the ward.“Seems he places more trust in you than he does with me
Third POVEnzo dropped his phone on the couch, moving to his bedroom. Milo was giving him attitude because he didn't come home last night to feed him. He went to his bedroom to have a proper rest as there was little or nothing to do.As Enzo entered his bedroom, he was greeted by Milo's disapproving stare. The cat's tail was twitching, and its ears were folded back, clearly displeased about being neglected the night before. Enzo chuckled, feeling a mix of amusement and guilt."Sorry, buddy," Enzo said, scooping up Milo in his arms. "I know I didn't make it home last night, and I'm sorry about that."Milo meowed loudly, as if scolding Enzo for his absence. Enzo laughed, rubbing Milo's soft fur. "I know, I know. You're the real boss around here, and I should've been here to feed you on time."Enzo set Milo down on the bed and headed to the kitchen to feed him. As he poured the cat food into Milo's bowl, the cat followed him, rubbing against his legs. Enzo smiled, feeling a sense of comf