How many hours had gone by? I couldn't tell, all I knew was that I was awake but I couldn't move an inch. Breathing was almost a chore, my lungs seemed to have been paralyzed, along with the rest of me. My eyes were opened, at least it felt like they were. Golden, glowing orbs danced around
ROMANYEARS AGO… The harsh fluorescent lights of the locker room cast an eerie glow on my callused hands as I prepared for the mission ahead. Each piece of gear I carefully stowed away felt like another link in the chain of duty that bound me to this life. Roman Wellington, special agent for the R
"Go!" the loadmaster shouted. I leapt into the inky blackness of the night sky. The freefall was exhilarating, as always. For those brief moments, I felt truly free. But reality rushed back as I pulled my chute, guiding myself to a silent landing in a small clearing several miles from my target.
AMELIAAlexander was a man I didn't understand. In the past two days I've spent in his home or at least I assumed it was his home. The man acted like we were friends, he didn't try anything, didn't make any threats. True to his words, no harm came to me as long as I pretended the front door I alwa
Alexander nodded approvingly. "Ah, for me, acrylics are wonderful…” Our conversation flowed from techniques, favorite artists, and memorable exhibitions we'd attended. As Alexander prepared our meal, I found myself opening up more and more, sharing more about my artistic journey and listening inten
"Amelia," he said, his voice now clipped and authoritative, "I need you to go upstairs. Now." Confusion and a hint of fear washed over me as I looked into his hard, green eyes "What? Why? What's going on?" I tensed up when I saw his dark expression. "Please, just do as I say. Go to your roo
Those striking blue eyes met mine and my heart ached from the familiar feeling. My breath caught in my throat as we looked at each other and for a second, I thought I saw a look of relief. But, I was wrong. It was a cold and rather hostile expression that made my steps slow and my heart stu
The drive back was awfully quiet. We had an entourage behind us, the fleet of cars I had seen all following closely behind and Roman didn't seem to notice, or maybe he did. They were with him. He brought all these people just to see Alexander? Who were they? Who was he? I had so many que
"I swear," she laughed, her voice filling the car with warmth, "if he could bubble-wrap me and the baby, he would." I couldn't help but smile, watching her face light up as she talked about her husband. "He's just nervous. First-time dad and all that." "Oh, speaking of nervous," she grinned, tur
AMELIA Morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains of my bedroom, casting warm patches across my chilly sheets. I should have felt lighter, triumphant even. The family was finally under control, the threats neutralized, and the Guerrero name secure. Yet as I lay there, staring up at the ce
The color drained from their faces so quickly it was almost comical. Uncle Stefano actually tugged at his collar, while Uncle Paolo seemed to sink further into his chair. "Ricardo made his choice," Uncle Marco said, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity despite his obvious fear. "We are mere
AMELIA The meeting wasn't one I was looking forward to but it was something I had to get done. Something that I hoped would remind me of all the reasons why I was in Italy. All the reasons why I became a completely different person. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, taking in ho
AMELIA TWO YEARS LATER… I was twenty-seven years old, younger than my mother was when she had me, and five years older than she was when my grandfather entrusted the Guerrero family's responsibility to her. Despite trying my best not to think about her, everything I did, everywhere I walked in It
"And sitting back and doing nothing is better?" My voice rose, a mixture of frustration and desperation. "I'm tired of being the victim. Tired of being passed around like a piece of property, like something to be traded and bartered." His blue eyes flashed. "I would never let that happen to you aga
AMELIA Why was I so hesitant? I had been sure of my choices, I had accepted that it was what I really wanted and what I needed. But sitting here, with his head on my shoulder and his eyes looking so distant, I couldn't bring myself to say a word. Nothing. “Amy?” “Hm?” Roman raised his hea
Hi! Its me Dchenemi but you already know that lol. I want to thank you for sticking with this book this far and answer a few questions. Firstly O would like to apologize for the lack of updates, I have ongoing exams and I'm unable to focus on writing while the pressure of getting good grades are
AMELIA My mother had always told me I was destined for great things, and at some point in my life, I thought it was being a well-established painter or perhaps a tycoon like she wished to be. But now I realized what she truly meant. No matter how much she had tried to escape it, her past still cau