TitaniaKristoff stays away in Tennessee for one week. Against my wishes. To make amendments, he lets his thug, Ernest, drive me wherever I want. But I mostly visit the healthcare center to see Uncle Patrick. And this time I get to stay till nightfall if I wish. It's a tempting peace offering, but I don't accept it. He's all shades of wrong for this.Contrary to what the nurse told us the other day, Uncle Patrick is not getting better, and Kristoff's confirmation of his fears doesn't make it any easier for the both of us. I knew this would happen. He trusted me so much. Asked me calmly if Adrian was abusing me while it was all going down, and I lied right to his face. Keeping such a huge secret to myself, despite the close bond we share, has to be the most selfish decision I've ever made in my entire life. But it's not really my fault. I don't want him to feel aggrieved or blame himself. What happened between Adrian and me was sickening. It's disgusting. It's wrong. It's maniacal.Wha
TitaniaOn Saturday morning, Ally knocks on my door and when I open it, hands me a blue, knee-length glitter dress. “Wear this tonight for the event. Ernest will come to take you by eight PM sharp.” Then, without waiting for my response, walks back down the corridor from where she came from.I close the door, haul the dress to the other side of the room and plop down on my back, so many stray thoughts running through my mind. Apart from visiting Uncle Patrick most mornings this past week, I always have Ernest drive me down lonely streets, with the windows down while I look about and breathe in the fresh chilly air, no particular destination in mind. But today, I'm not just in the mood for a ride. I can't stop being worried about my uncle's health, and his strange words the last time I saw him.How he was open, laughing one minute, and the next he morphed into someone I don't know.I think about his words. How every devil has a piece of light in them, and how I bring out the light in K
KristoffI've been in New York for the past two days plus, putting finishing touches to what I've already executed in Tennessee. I would've gone home earlier, but I didn't. I couldn't face Titania. Not after what I've learned in Tennessee.Fucking smart girl. She lied to me. How was I so foolish not to suspect?I know the real truth now, and it's appalling how it all makes perfect sense. Yes, it's still disgusting, but logical. Sickeningly logical.This was never a battle for her to fight from the start. It has always been mine, but that doesn't make me an anti-hero of sorts. I've told her. I'm not her knight in shining armor. I'm not doing this because I have feelings for her.No. I can't dream that far.Running a hand through my hair and down the nape of my hair as I step out of the elevator and survey the club, I heave a sigh of relief and fulfillment. Too many months went into planning this event. Domi Sotto's five-year anniversary party. Everything is already set up, and the gues
KristoffFuck it.Against my reservations, I take a few steps forward, halting just a foot away from her. Our eyes are locked, and I can feel the question burning in her eyes. But it's such a great night to be ruined talking about a psychopathic neighbor who had abused her. Tonight, I just want her to let loose. The questions can come after that.Pulling her close to stand beside me, I turn to Ernest. “What took you so damn long?”“We were stuck in traffic, Sir. I tried following the fastest route I knew but got into trouble with the warden. I'm so sorry.”I nod, waving him off dismissively as I turn to Titania, and wrap my arms around her waist. “What do we have here?” I grin, pecking her left cheek softly. “You look gorgeous tonight, princess.”“Thank you,” her lips curve into a pensive smile as she tilts her head. “Did you succeed? Is he dead?”“What do you think?” I wink. “He'll be burning up in hell by now.”She says nothing, staring up at me blankly, her eyes unreasonable. I fro
TitaniaAs we rush down the hospital corridor, Kristoff holding onto my hand, I remember what my uncle told me the last time I visited. I remember his shaky, excited gestures, his words — firm, fearful, all-knowing. How he had acted so weird. It was as though when I told him that Kristoff had gone to Tennessee to finish Adrian off, he looked relieved. Pleased. As though some heavy burden has been lifted off him. As though Kristoff had absolved him of his guilt. Like he could finally look at me without any lingering clouds in his hazel eyes.All these years passed, and I thought he didn't know. I thought he didn't suspect. I care a lot about him — but with what happened in California, I could not stand to be around him. Which was the main reason I seldom came over to visit him, even though we talked every day. Which was why I never knew he'd begun working for the Mafia. I thought he told me everything, given the bond we share. But that was so hypocritical, even for me.I didn't tell hi
TitaniaI don't know how long Kristoff and I sit there, on those metal chairs down the corridor, waiting anxiously, our hearts thudding in our chests — I listen to his beating erratically beneath my left ear where I rest my head against his chest. He's just as scared as me. Perhaps he feels he'll be in much bigger trouble if Uncle Patrick dies at his hands. I know that with my uncle's corpse as evidence, I can put him behind bars.But all thoughts about anything else other than Uncle Patrick barely bug me. I simply don't care anymore. Pretending to be asleep, I keep my ears down despite the noise from the nurse and a few visitors' chatters. I jolt up hastily whenever a door is pulled open, and let Kristoff pull me down in disappointment when I realize it's not the emergency room's door. I panic, my mind is flooded with all sorts of bad news, all sorts of possibilities.Oh Lord, please save him.At last, the emergency door opens and the doctor who normally comes around to check up on U
Kristoff“Fuck. Someone's broken in.”Shit. Real fucking shit, because I know who the hell broke in. And it's one hell of a surprise. But it's to be expected, right? Hearing about how much he owes my uncle, I know my brother would go to great lengths to pay back that debt, even if it means breaking into my club and stealing from me without shame.I facepalm, anxious, feeling caught in a fix. Titania watches me carefully, all the fire gone out of her now, her brows arched in confusion. I want nothing but I push her back to the car and drive straight to the mansion. Ensure she's safely inside until this passes. Until she's thinking straight again. But I need to pick up the souvenirs I'd brought back with me from Tennessee. Pete would've left it in my drawer, and I need to get it out of the office. I can't let it stay there past this night. It's dangerous.Titania's having a mental breakdown, and she knows it. She's refusing to accept that the world she's built ever since she left Califo
Kristoff“I'm going to ask you politely once more, bro. Put the fucking gun down,” I growl, my eyes fixed on his trembling hands. I can't spend much time here because of Titania. I know she can't stay alone downstairs for long. And her coming up at this critical point in time is dangerous. Very dangerous.“Turn. The. Gun. Off.” I tilt my head to the side, grinning when his eyes widen and he realizes I'm blocking both exits. Good. There's no way he's leaving here with those items in his pocket. I don't care what I have to do to retrieve them. I don't care if I kill him in doing so. He's bitten off more than he can chew already. “I know Uncle Williams. He can't possibly have his men beat you up like this.”I'm stalling for time. Goading him. In truth, he deserved every beating he got, and even more. I should never have tolerated his shenanigans over the years. I should have put aside familial ties and sentiments, and given him the beating of his life, just as Pete suggested countless ti