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The Devil She Knows 25
Camille"Since the crest is real, I've been thinking I could be right about the rest of the dream." I sigh. "The parts where the shadow monsters kill me. Of course, I'm not dead and I know the monsters weren't monsters, but if I had a bad experience, I want to know what happened."Worry washes over her face. "Do you think you should? I mean maybe that's why your parents didn't want to talk about it when you brought it up."I nod slowly, feeling a little defeated. "I guess, but I just wanted to know.""Camille, I think you need to take each day as it comes and one problem at a time." She reaches out and covers my hands with hers. "Things are already intense enough with Alessio. You've been thrust into this new life where you're not with Richard and you can't speak to your father. Don't take on anything that's going to add to that stress.""You're right." Playing Nancy Drew is not what I should be doing now with everything else going on."At the same time, I'm not saying you shouldn't d
Last Updated : 2024-06-09The Devil She Knows 26
Alessio"This is the last thing to do." Leif beams with a radiant smile, tapping the company ownership documents on my desk. The lawyer just dropped them off. "Everything officially belongs to you now. All you have to do is sign the documents.""Thank you, Uncle." I shake his outstretched hand, savoring the surge of victory. My new reality became real for me the moment I stepped inside Scarfoni Inc. earlier this morning.We're in my new office, on the fifteenth floor at the very top of the building.It used to belong to Leif. He felt I'd be more comfortable here than in my father's office. He was right.At the moment, my father's office is closed. No one is using it out of respect. Everyone knows he's not expected to make a return to the world of the living, but they won't do anything with it until after he's gone.I'm only honoring that because I want to make a good impression and I've already caused enough upheaval.All eyes were on me when I arrived earlier, and as Leif gave me the
Last Updated : 2024-06-09The Devil She Knows 27
Alessio"Enjoying your new position?" Richard's tone is infused with sarcasm."Yes, thank you for asking."He shakes his head at me. "You're loving this, aren't you?""What do you want?" I don't have time for this shit. I have things to do and he's the last person I want to speak to."I want to talk to you about Camille.""Why?" A spark of annoyance pulls at my insides but I tamp it down."Really?" His eyes blaze. "Are you serious? It's obvious I'd ask about her.""What do you want to know?" I don't give a fuck how riled up he is, or about his attempt to point out the obvious. He can't do shit, so if he wants an answer from me, he needs to answer the fucking question I'm asking him."I want my girl back."His girl.Hearing him call her that shouldn't create any response in me other than the pleasure I already feel for cutting him down. But something akin to rage stirs in me."Keeping her is ridiculous, and so is marrying her," he sneers. "You have Scarfoni Inc. and I'm sure you can fi
Last Updated : 2024-06-09The Devil She Knows 28
Camille"Do you need anything else, dear?" Ehlga asks, closing the wardrobe doors.She has that heartfelt expression again, a sign she still feels bad about today.Not just for the horrid encounter with Gytha, but also for the barbaric experience at the clinic."No, I'm just going to turn in for the night." It's a lie. There's no way I'm going to sleep. My head is a damn mess."Okay. I'm going to do the same. It's been a long day."She forgot to say it was fucked up too, but I don't think Ehlga uses words like fuck."Any news on when Alessio will be back?" It's just after ten. If he's coming back tonight, I want to be prepared."No. But I'm sure he'll be here in the morning if you need to speak to him.""Alright." I do need to speak to him, but maybe it's best I don't tonight. I'm too worked up and I'll only get myself in trouble."See you in the morning.""Good night."As soon as she leaves, I sulk down onto the bed, resting my head in my hands. I allow all the tension to drain from
Last Updated : 2024-06-10The Devil She Knows 29
CamilleThe overhead lights come on as we walk into Alessio's office.I take in the antique-looking furniture made of black walnut wood and the glass-paned bookcase to the left that takes up the entire wall.The desk in the center commands most of the space, and rows of shelves filled with books line the wall behind the padded leather chair.This office doesn't seem to suit Alessio. It would be more fitting to someone older. Like Leif. Or Jules Verne, judging from the volumes of classic literature on the shelf about adventures to the center of the earth, the moon, and the sea. There's also an ancient-looking pair of golden binoculars sitting on a tripod by the window.It's all interesting, but I can see that I would have been quite disappointed if I'd succeeded in breaking in.Alessio places his hand to the small of my back. The contact twists my stomach into more knots, and I wonder what the hell I'm going to do.This is bad. Very bad. I don't know what to expect or what more to say
Last Updated : 2024-06-10The Devil She Knows 30
Camille"Doesn't quite seem like you to keep quiet, baby girl."Baby girl and Valkyrie. I just realized something. He seems to call me baby girl when he thinks I'm weak and Valkyrie when I show some defiance.Both endearments feel like he's mocking me because I don't want to be anything to him."You don't know me.""I know you were trying to get in here to find something." The lightheartedness fades from his expression and it's like he slips on the evil mask again. "Now, enough talk about Gytha and your lame attempts to change the subject. Tell me what you were looking for."Damn it. We're back to that again, and I never got to really bitch at him about the doctor. The whole Gytha thing didn't bother me nearly as much as the doctor did.Now what should I say?What excuse can I find for breaking in?I think for a moment while he stares at me for what feels like eons.Maybe the truth is the only option. All I'm asking about is a crest."When Ehlga was showing me around, I saw a crest on
Last Updated : 2024-06-10The Devil She Knows 31
CamilleI can't hide my disappointment when I see there's nothing in here that does anything for me."Am I right?" he prods.I look around once more, just to be sure, but nothing comes. "What else do you have stored?""Furniture.""Do you know if they had any other homes or business places?""People like them would have had lots of places all over the world. I've only been to a handful and they all had giant crests like what you saw on the cliff and inside the house."That definitely doesn't help me. "Can you tell me anything more about them? They must have meant a lot to you for you to keep their things.""They did mean a lot to me, but all I can tell you is that Pavel and his wife were good people who took care of my mother and me. My mother knew them all her life so we were hardly different from family. We had a good life here. When we went to live in Russia, we lost contact with them."Wow, he actually told me something about himself. And I'm surprised at my eagerness to know more
Last Updated : 2024-06-10The Devil She Knows 32
CamilleA wave of fire slides over my skin and my body tightens with the numbness crawling through my nerves.I want to slap him for talking to me like that, but my head is spinning and I'm shockingly conflicted.My mind attempts to right itself but the undeniable throb of arousal in my core is unashamedly curious to explore either of those options—let him fuck me against the wall or suck his cock.Scandalous images come to my mind, doubling my heartbeat, and the tendril of desire dancing in my veins pushes me toward the dark side.What would it feel like if I gave my body to this devil?I think he'd take me ruthlessly and ruin me.But would I like that?Camille, no. What the actual hell are you thinking?Stop right there. You cannot be turned on by this vile pirate of a man.Just no.The jolt of reality snaps me out of the sinful reverie and I straighten, standing a little taller."You fucking asshole. I'm not doing either," I tell him, but all he does is turn his smile up a notch.H
Last Updated : 2024-06-10
Latest chapter
The Devil She Knows Epilogue
Camille"It's going to be so strange coming back after the summer and not seeing you," Lorelai says, sitting straighter."I know. I was thinking that the other day."We're under the tree on Raventhorn's campus. I'm waiting for Alessio to pick me up, and she's waiting for Dmitri. This is the first of many dates her father has arranged with him, and I know she's not happy about it.Although she's smiling, I also know she's still putting on a brave face because of Zakh. By now, everyone knows what he did and that he's basically being hunted.Lorelai and I haven't spoken about it much, but I know she's hurting deeply."You know you'll still see me, right?" I smile. "I just won't be at college for a year." Today, I did my deferment for next year. I'm due in January, but I have no plans to walk around campus in my pregnant state. We have another month of classes before the summer. By the time I get back, I'll be just over five months pregnant. I plan to resume my course the year after next
The Devil She Knows 96
CamilleThe next two days are awful, but Alessio is still with us.I've been sitting next to his bedside watching him fight for his life and hoping he'll come back to me.I pay attention to every sound on his monitors and watch for signs of anything and everything when the nurses and doctors check his vitals.I continue praying as the next day passes with the same results.His words keep ringing through my mind.We're not done yet, we're not done yet, we're not done yet.I just hope he knows I'm with him. Wherever he is, that's where I am, too.Heart, body, mind, and soul. He always had me long before I knew I'd given myself to him.Two weeks slip by and Alessio is still the same. I feel like I'm dancing on the edge of insanity.The doctors have kindly arranged for me to sleep next to him when I can, so I stay all night.Everyone is hoping he'll pull through and wake up soon, so everything has been put on hold, including Leif and Evgeni's funerals.On Friday night, I fall asleep next
The Devil She Knows 95
CamilleI look around frantically, not knowing what the hell to do but thinking this is an opening. A possible chance to escape, just like the one Dad told me to find. I just have to summon courage and look for my chance.We tear down the road off the building site, and then we're on a country road with the woods on either side.The sound of a motorcycle rips through the air. A sound I will never forget.The lazy day I remember at Raventhorn fills my head with the image of me sitting next to Lorelai by the tree, watching the motorcyclist rebel drive onto the campus.He's here again.I look behind me and see Alessio on his motorcycle tearing down the road. He's fought death to come and save me. I also spot Malik's car not far behind.Alessio shoots the wheels of the car. The tires blow, making Richard lose control of the vehicle.We run off the road, fly through the air for a few seconds, then land with a heavy thud on the ground. The car still has a lot of speed on it though, so it ke
The Devil She Knows 94
CamilleMy heart has been smashed into so many pieces it's impossible to count them all. It's no different to all the grains of sand in this world.My mind and body are disconnected, and my soul weeps for losing the love of my life. All that is left of me is an empty shell with nothing but a void inside.The only thing I can feel is the spark of life created with love in my belly, calling to me to stay alive. But I've already failed as a mother because there's nothing I can do.In my terror and grief, I'm here sitting on the floor of the bedroom I was taken to after Mira killed Dad, feeling sorry for myself.I don't know what this place is. It seems like Mira conducts something medical here. Apart from the armed guards, on my way up I saw offices and labs with clinical staff. I also saw other storage rooms and bedrooms like this.We're on the third floor, so quite high up with no possible way of escape. If I were to even try, I'm sure this shitty tunic Mira forced me to wear would get
The Devil She Knows 93
AlessioEverything is gray.I'm not sure if I'm alive or dead, or in a dream.My mind searches around the gray nothingness and the vast expanse of the void before me.I feel nothing at first, then something warm caresses my cheek. My name is spoken, soft and sweet, and I wonder if it's her.Camille. Did I make it? Did I find her? Did I save her?My wife.My eyes flutter open, but the grayness that looks like thick smoke prevents me from seeing anything. Then a light that's far too bright shines down on me, and I blink rapidly.At first, the ceiling of my living room comes into focus, then a man's face hovers before me.It's Leif's on-call doctor, Dr. O'Brien.Leif...Camille...At the thought of their names, reality crashes into my mind and I bolt up."Easy, there," Dr. O'Brien says, laying a heavy hand on my chest and pushing me back down. I'm on the sofa, and a quick glance at the bandage wrapped around my body suggests I took a hit in the blast.Gytha moves toward me, with worry in
The Devil She Knows 92
CamilleA chill rushes over me. "What do you mean? What did she do to me?""Even though she wasn't ethically allowed to be your therapist, she gave you medication to stop you from remembering."I cover my mouth, holding in the wave of shock that's ripping me apart. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Only God knows how hard I tried to remember, but I was never going to be able to because Mira was suppressing my memories with medication. I was such a fool to believe she was the person she portrayed to be. She was never the fucking motherly figure. All along, she was my enemy."You allowed her to do that to me.""I had no choice. She did everything she could to control our lives and make sure you didn't remember what happened. But the nightmares were always a worry even when they went away.""She told me it was my brain's way of trying to remember.""It was, and we feared you'd see something to trigger those memories. Or you'd just remember everything by some miracle. The whole thing torm
The Devil She Knows 91
CamilleI roll my head to the side and groan. Someone strokes my cheek, and I open my eyes.At first, my vision is hazy, but when everything comes into focus, I find myself staring at a gray concrete wall. The light around me reminds me of the kind you'd use for a storage room.My cheek is stroked again, and I turn my head to find Dad hovering over me. He has a long beard, blood-shot eyes, and his face looks like someone did a number on him.We're on the floor, and my head is nestled in his lap. It takes me a moment for my brain to connect and remember. Remember all he did and what he took from me. My family and my life.The instant I remember, I scream and jump out of his hold."Get away from me!" The panic in my voice is mixed with rage and fear."Camille, please."I back away into a wall, crashing hard against the surface. Then I notice the real problem we've found ourselves in.We're in some sort of cell, and while I am free, there are chains attached to Dad's ankles, keeping him
The Devil She Knows 90
Alessio"Leif..."A creak sounds outside the door. Another follows, and another.It's footsteps on the floorboards. Since it's not coming from the front entrance, I know it's not Zakh or Malik, so it must be someone else who's already here.Readying my gun, I get up and charge through the door. Whoever the fuck is here, and isn't supposed to be, is going to die a very painful death.I move out into the hallway, looking around frantically to see who it is but find nothing.When I turn around, something sharp enters my neck; then there's a tinging pain that feels like I'm being stung by a bee.I touch the spot and feel... a fucking dart?I pull it out and look at the sharp needle at the end, quickly realizing when spots speckle my vision that it's a tranquilizer. Like the kind our enforcers use when they want to bring people in for interrogation. Before my mind can truly register what's happening, my arms go numb then limp at my side.This can't be an ordinary tranq. I'd be out like a l
The Devil She Knows 89
Alessio"I'll be with you in a few hours." I balance my phone between my ear and shoulder while I pick up the last contract document from the pile on my desk."Try not to stay at work too long," Leif says, his voice sounding raspy over the phone. It still holds that melancholic tone I feel. "Losing yourself in work isn't always best.""I know. I still feel off." I swivel my chair around and gaze out the window toward the skyline. Rain is falling, so outside is a little darker than it should be for this time of day. It suits the sullen mood I can't seem to shake."I feel the same, my boy. I've been questioning my actions and decision to keep you a secret since we found out the truth. I can't express how guilty I feel about that.""Uncle, you rescued me from certain death. Of course, you were in the right for keeping me a secret." I know if I were him, I would have done the same thing. And I pray I'll never be in that position. "I owe you my life, and I still think of you as my father.
