Liliana just wanted to escape her past. Jarek Falcon had other plans. He’s the heir to a mafia empire. She’s a girl with nothing to lose. When Jarek’s obsession turns to cruelty, Liliana runs—straight into the arms of someone from her past. However, people change and when she discovers a sinister plan in the making, she finds herself running once again—straight to the streets. Years later, Jarek finds her again. He needs an heir to claim his inheritance. She needs a way to a better life. Their deal is simple: a child in exchange for a lifetime of security. But love complicates everything. Jarek realizes too late that Liliana isn’t just a means to an end. She’s the one he can’t live without. The problem? She wants nothing to do with him. Can he rewrite their story, or will his past destroy any chance of a future?
view more"Walk much, Sumner?"
Jarek Falcon, the most popular guy in school and my bully, stares down at me, smirking.
I'm walking through the hall on my way to fifth-period study hall when he trips me in front of a group of kids. He laughs as I lay face down on the linoleum floor, my books and supplies scattered all around. But Jarek doesn't care; it only makes him laugh harder.
"I-I'm sorry…."
"I-I'm sorry," he mimics me in a funny voice intended to make fun of me even more, "You are so pathetic, pauper. Maybe you should do online schooling so you don't have to take up so much space here for the rest of us."
Being a foster child and about to age out of the system, the only thing I wanted was to get through my last two years of high school. I was doing reasonably well until Jarek appeared and decided to become my shadow. Only he doesn't disappear on rainy days; he IS my rainy day.
"Please, stop, Jarek…." I sit here with my eyes closed. Whenever I try picking up my books, another person knocks them out of my hand.
The late bell rings for class, and the crowd begins to scatter, but not Jarek. No, he walks over and squats beside me. I can't look at him, so I keep my head down. This doesn't go over too well for him, and he grabs my hair, pulling my head up.
"Aw, did I embarrass my little pauper today?" He pulls a little harder when I don't answer and gets right in my face, "Answer me, pauper; I want the truth."
With eyes brimming with unshed tears, I answer, "Yes, Jarek."
"Good. This will be what happens from this day forward if you don't obey me, understand, pauper?"
"Yes, Jarek."
His devious smirk doesn't bode well for me, and what he says next only proves it, "You, my little pauper, will be my own personal assistant. I expect you to check in with me every day and do as I command, then just maybe, I won't have to repeat what was done today." He releases my hair only to caress my cheek, "One more thing, pauper, you are not allowed to talk to anyone here at school but me. Do you understand everything that I'm saying?"
I look into his dark, soulless eyes, and nod.
"Words, little pauper, I need words."
"Y-Yes, Jarek. I understand what you're saying."
"That's a good girl. Now, grab your shit and get to class. Come find me as soon as the bell rings."
"Yes, Jarek."
***
The rest of my day goes by way too fast, but only because I'm dreading another meeting with HIM. I don't know how I got on Jarek's radar, but now I'm stuck and don't know what to do. I don't want to be this guy's little bitch. He has so many other students who would happily do his bidding for him. He's that popular, so why must he pick me to do it?
When the last bell rings, I slowly make my way to the first floor, where the senior lockers are. I stop at the back of the group and just wait, but it isn't for long because Jarek's eyes land on me right away. As always, a flock of girls stands around him, hanging on his every word.
"Make room for my little pauper, ladies." He holds his hand out to me, but I don't take it as I walk through his groupies, who now give me the stink eye.
"It took you long enough, pauper. Classes have been over for almost ten minutes now."
"I'm sorry, I had to talk with my teacher," I lie.
"No, I always come first now, pauper; I don't care who it is."
"But…"
"Are you seriously going to argue with me?"
"No, but…"
"All I'm hearing are buts, pauper. How about I teach you your first lesson in disobeying me."
Jarek is sick and twisted. My body trembles at the thought of what he's going to do. Depravity is his game, and that's why I've always tried avoiding him, no matter how good-looking and popular he is or that his family owns half this town.
"On your knees, pauper."
Glancing between my bully and the floor, I slowly drop to my knees. All eyes are on me, Wanting to see what Jarek will make me do. The most embarrassing part is that many of these girls are ones who I've had multiple conversations with in the past, and now, all they see me as is Jarek's pathetic little pauper.
"I want you to kiss my shoe and apologize for being late. Make me believe it, pauper." He continues to smirk as he stares down at me on my knees.
All I can do is get it over with as fast as I can, so I bend over and kiss his feet. One of the girls shoves me from behind, causing me to almost knock him over. Thank God I catch myself before that happens.
"Again, pauper, and no messing around this time." There's amusement in his voice, but I ignore it the best I can, and once more, I place a kiss on top of each foot.
"I'm so sorry for being late. I promise that it will never happen again."
"I think one more time is needed, pauper, and remember, make it believable." I glance up, and I swear I see a flash of fire pass through his eyes, but I know it's only my imagination because, to me, he is the devil incarnate.
I quickly do his bidding and then look back up at him, "I'm so sorry, Jarek. I promise I will never keep you waiting again."
He studies me and then nods, "Very well, get up." He waits until I'm standing before him and then orders, "Open your bag."
I obey him and open my book bag, only for him to throw a few of his things into it. "These assignments are due tomorrow; I expect them in my hands before the first bell tomorrow morning."
I cry inside because I have so much of my own homework to finish that now I'm going to be up well into the wee hours of the morning doing his, too. This will not be good; I should do his work first to avoid messing it up when I get too tired.
"You're looking a little peaked, pauper," Jarek muses, and the girls around us snicker.
"No, I'm good. Is there anything else you will need?"
I must startle him with my question because he stares at me without saying anything. It isn't until another voice pipes in that he comes to, "I'm sure that's all, pauper." The voice says, and when I look, it's a pretty blonde named Megan, and she's wearing an ugly smirk. I turn back to Jarek and wait for his reply.
"That will be all, but I need you to put your number in my phone in case I need you for anything else." He hands me his phone, and I pause for a second before sighing and typing my number into his phone. My phone rings immediately, and he grins. "I needed to make sure you didn't give me a fake number."
I close up my bag and go to leave, but he grabs me and asks, "Hey, don't you have something to say to me?"
I furrow my brows, not knowing what to say to him, "I'm sorry, Jarek, but I don't know what you want me to say."
Anger crosses his expression. "How about being a little grateful that I'm choosing you to be my assistant when I can have the pick of the litter." He spins me, so I face the group of girls as he says, "All of them would do my bidding in a heartbeat, so show your appreciation."
"T-Thank you, Jarek, for choosing me. I will be forever grateful for your kindness." I stammer, wanting to puke at every word that comes from my mouth.
"You are very welcome, pauper. Now, get your ass home; you have a lot of homework to complete." He dismisses me with a wave, and the girls shove me to the back.
I'm grateful they got me away from him as quickly as they did. As soon as I'm free from the crowd, I turn and run down the hall, only stopping when I come to the set of double doors leading outside. I turn and find Jarek's eyes concentrated on me as he gives me a knowing smirk. "You're looking a little peaked, pauper," Jarek muses, and the girls around us snicker.
"No, I'm good. Is there anything else you will need?"
I must startle him with my question because he stares at me without saying anything. It isn't until another voice pipes in that he comes to, "I'm sure that's all, pauper." The voice says, and when I look, it's a pretty blonde with an ugly smirk. I turn back to Jarek and wait for his reply.
"That will be all, but I need you to put your number in my phone in case I need you for anything else." He hands me his phone, and I pause for a second before sighing and typing my number into his phone. My phone rings immediately, and he grins. "I needed to make sure you didn't give me a fake number."
I close up my bag and go to leave, but he grabs me and asks, "Hey, don't you have something to say to me?"
I furrow my brows, not knowing what it is that I'm supposed to be saying to him, "I'm sorry, Jarek, but I don't know what you want me to say."
Anger crosses his expression. "How about being a little grateful that I'm choosing you to be my assistant when I can have the pick of the litter." He spins me, so I face the group of girls as he says, "All of them would do my bidding in a heartbeat, so show your appreciation."
"T-Thank you, Jarek, for choosing me. I will be forever grateful for your kindness." I stammer, wanting to puke at every word that comes from my mouth.
"You are very welcome, pauper. Now, get your ass home; you have a lot of homework to complete." He dismisses me with a wave of his hand, and the girls begin to shove me to the back.
I'm grateful they got me away from him as quickly as they did. As soon as I'm free from the crowd, I turn and run down the hall, only stopping when I come to the set of double doors leading outside. I turn and find Jarek's eyes concentrated on me as he gives me a knowing smirk.
LilianaWhen Jarek left, I was livid. Why wouldn't he take me with him? It happened to me—I should at least be there when he hands out Heath's punishment.A thought sprung to my mind… Jarek's going to kill Heath!I didn't hesitate. I went to Jarek's side of the bed, where I knew he kept one of his guns, and grabbed it. I hated what I was about to do, but I figured I'd just ask Jackson for forgiveness afterward. Thankfully, Fran and Heidi were nowhere around because although Fran would have cheered me on, she would have been pissed that I held Jackson at gunpoint.We all love Jackson; of course, I could never hurt him. I had removed the bullets, making sure the chamber was clear as well before I pointed it at him. I have a lot of makeup to do because I don't blame Jackson one bit for the silent treatment I've received since we left.No matter what Heath had done, I just didn't know if I could allow Jarek to kill him. He was my best friend at one time, and he had gone through some shit.
JarekI had said it. I told Liliana that I loved her. I hadn't expected her to say it back, but it doesn't mean I didn't feel disappointed when she didn't. I did a despicable thing to her, and she's slowly forgiving me. I can't expect her to fall in love with me just because the sex is great. She will in time, as long as she stays and gives me the chance.I've spent the last few days with Lily, giving her my every moment, but I couldn't put off the inevitable any longer. As I walk into The Reformatory, the workers nod as I pass them, and I return their greeting with my own nod.I enter the basement, where we keep our cells, and am greeted by Frankie. He immediately unlocks the door to the hall leading to the cells."Have they given you any issue?"Frankie smirks, "Only when Joey comes and visits Zita Rossi."I narrow my eyes and ask, "Why is that?""Have you never heard those two go at it?" Frankie asks astonishingly."Un-fucking-believable! He knows better than to fuck the prisoners.
LilianaMy prayers were answered—Jarek came for me. I lie here in my bed, where Jarek tucked me in after the shower I took once I finished soaking. Almost three days' worth of filth washed away, and now I can get some much-needed rest, or so I thought.I toss and turn, unable to fall asleep even though I'm exhausted. Sleeping on that cold cement floor had me waking up frequently. But that isn't the worst of it. It was the being down there all by myself. I don't want to be alone right now.Throwing the covers off me, I climb from the bed and go to the dresser to grab one of Jarek's t-shirts. I bring the collar to my nose and inhale the masculine scent that is all Jarek. It smells of sweet tobacco and leather, and it's becoming my favorite scent.Not caring about putting panties on, I pad over to the door and open it. The hallway is quiet, and the sconces on the walls are turned down to dim lighting. Taking the stairs down to the first floor, I turn to go to Jarek's office first; it's w
JarekIt's dark by the time we get to the cabin. There are a few guards, because clearly, Carmen didn't think she would need more. The bitch probably thought she was in the clear. I ensured only my trusted men knew of my plan and who was involved.It's been a long time since I've been part of a raid like this; my men usually take care of the grunt work. However, this involves Liliana, and I will not leave it to anyone else to save her. I need to personally see that she is alive and uninjured."Koval, you take your men and disarm all the guards. Do whatever it takes to keep them from alerting our presence," I order through the earpiece.My men are positioned around the cabin, hidden within the thick forest. The trees are so dense, so unforgiving, that no one can see us—not even her. That's Carmen's second mistake—dragging Lily into the woods, believing she could keep my pauper hidden. She never considered the very shadows she trusted would betray her. She can't see us coming, and that
LilianaI don't know exactly how long I've been here. I think it's been two, maybe three days at most. There are no windows down here, and I'm always in the dark. The only light I ever see is when Heath brings me my two meals.I sit in the dark, I eat in the dark, and I use the bathroom in the dark, which consists of a five-gallon bucket. I'm left alone, and that's okay because my situation could be worse. There are many things Heath could be doing to me, but he isn't, and for that, I am thankful.I'm just finishing my lunch when I jump at the sound of the door opening. Typically, Heath doesn't come back until supper time. He leaves me my food and takes my lunch tray back upstairs, so his presence this soon after he's brought me my food is alarming."You get to stretch your legs, Princess." Heath stalks toward me, causing me to cower.I don't mean to show him this weakness, but I'm tired and sore and in no condition to fight off any unwanted attention. Heath doesn't touch me, though. H
JarekThe whole estate is in an uproar over Liliana's disappearance, but none are as distraught as I am. My office looks as if thieves have come in and ransacked it—broken glass and furniture litter almost every corner.Every time we get a lead that doesn't pan out, another bout of destruction occurs. I don't know how much more of this I can take before I start hurting people. Lily's friends have steered clear of me, not that I care. The old bat doesn't like me as it is, so I really don't want to keep seeing her glare at me the way she did when she heard about what happened."What the fuck do you mean Lily was taken? She was with you!" she squawked. "Leave it to a Falcon to fuck shit up! You better pray my friend and that babe are found safe…"The woman pretty much threatened me, but I can't blame her—I fucked up. It's been two fucking days—Lily can be anywhere. Make no mistake, I will not stop until I find my pauper and heaven help the motherfucker who took her. If there's the littles
LilianaMy head pounds and my mouth is dryer than the Sahara Desert. I'm feeling disoriented, and when I try opening my eyes, they don't seem to want to cooperate with me."Hurry up, she's waking up," a low, raspy voice states.It sounds a little familiar, but the pressure on my neck has me pushing those thoughts away. I try to move, but I can't pull my hands apart. When I try tugging at them, there's a clinking sound.Am I handcuffed?There's cursing and more pressure, but when I move my head, someone holds it in place."Don't fucking move, Lily."No! I do know that voice—it's Heath!I try screaming, and that's when I realize my mouth is taped shut. Even with my head throbbing, I start to struggle, but then I feel the weight of a body as it straddles my waist. My first thought is the baby, and I still, not wanting anything to happen to him."Will you hurry the fuck up already?" Heath barks at whoever he's with.I hear a loud snap, and then my neck feels bare. They took my collar off.
JarekWhat a way to rain on my fucking parade. Someone is going to pay dearly for interfering with this special day. As pissed as I am about being interrupted, I can't help the grin that splays across my lips from hearing the good news. We're having a boy."I'm sorry you were called away, Mr. Falcon. I can go back and pick her up once I drop you off," Jackson offers.I wave him off. "I've already contacted Richards to go pick her up. Hopefully, the damage isn't as bad as Lansky made it sound.""Lansky is the one who called you?" Jackson asks, frowning."Yeah, what of it?""Nothing…" he shakes his head. "I just figured it would be someone higher up the ladder."Although Jackson's statement is true, there would be chaos if there were an explosion. The warehouse manager was probably trying to delegate jobs to everyone. I shrug off his words and pull my phone out.A text from Lily tells me that Richards has picked her up, but before I can respond, Jackson curses. I look up and see the des
Liliana"What's wrong?" Joey asks as soon as we walk into the study.I tried to put on a straight face, but apparently, I've failed miserably. Everyone is used to Jarek's broody expression, so I'm sure the question wasn't because of him. Forcing myself to smile, I look up at Jarek, who returns it with one of his own."Nothing is wrong—at least, it isn't anymore." Jarek winks at me before looking at his friend. "Have you seen your fiancé by chance?""Actually, no. She excused herself to use the restroom. I should probably go find her." Joey starts to walk past us, but Jarek grabs his arm, stopping him."I think you and your father should hear what I have to say first." Jarek releases Joey's arm and rests his other arm around my waist."What's going on?" Lonzo furrows his brows."Well, I was just accosted in the bathroom by Gina. That's what's wrong.""Who is Gina?" The confusion on the older man's face makes me want to giggle."It's Gia, for fuck's sake, and are you fucking kidding me
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