Suppressing a whimper, I held my breath as he roughly touched me. In an instant, I recoiled against the wall as his hand grazed my intimate area. At the same time, the file slipped out from my dress, tumbling to the ground. The second man's amusement vanished as he circled the first brute, examining the fallen file. "Interesting. The boss won't be pleased." "What a pity," I muttered through clenched teeth. The second brute shoved me forward. My fists clenched. Another careless mistake. It wouldn't be repeated. Facing an elaborate staircase, I descended deliberately, despite Victor's probable indifference. Whatever his motives were, I was merely a fraction of them. The soldiers followed behind me, gesturing to the left when I reached the bottom step. With my head held high, I approached, though my stomach churned persistently. The room was vast and lavishly furnished, defying my expectations of a movie star's taste. Glimpses through the windows revealed meticulously manicured sur
My response clearly failed to satisfy him. "Instead of starting with a pleasant dinner and engaging conversation, I will proceed with your punishment right away," he declared. Abruptly pulling away, he snatched the glass from my hand and swiftly returned the file to his pocket. Gripping my arm tightly, he forcefully led me out of the room and down a hallway, eventually bringing us to a spacious and beautiful kitchen. The stainless steel appliances gleamed under the single light above the stove, and the expansive granite counters added to the elegance of the space. "What do you intend to do?" His grip remained firm, his fingers digging into my skin. "Remove your dress," he commanded, while stepping back slightly, towering over me. He lowered his head, bringing his lips dangerously close to mine. I could almost hear the ragged rhythm of his heartbeat, pounding in his chest. The electric intensity I had previously felt surged to new heights, igniting a wave of intense heat between my
I despise you. I despise you deeply! I held back my tears, biting my tongue to prevent any sign of vulnerability. He wouldn't witness me shedding a single tear. No, that wasn't going to happen. "I'm going to administer thirty lashes, Madeline. That should make it clear to you that I mean what I say. I will protect you in this house, but you will not attempt to harm or kill me or my men. If you do, there won't be a second chance." I knew he wasn't making an empty threat. It wasn't a mere warning, but a genuine promise. "Yes, sir," I forced the words through gritted teeth, closing my eyes as he patted both of my buttocks. The sound of the belt swishing through the air felt like an eternity, as if by some miracle, time had frozen. I felt light-headed, refusing to breathe or think. When the thick strap struck the center of my behind, I didn't react at all. There was no pain. Not even a tingling sensation. I shifted my hips, finally taking a deep breath. The second swishing sound wasn
"Very tight. Just as all well-behaved individuals should be. And I believe you don't want me to leave you alone. In fact, I think you desire me to push you to your limits. Perhaps engaging in sexual activities with you daily and claiming every orifice as mine will satisfy you. Or maybe I need to go even further, taking you to extreme measures." He continued to apply pressure, taking his time. The pain was excruciating, biting, and dreadful, and... suddenly, a moment of pleasure overwhelmed me, both blissful and incapacitating. I let out a groan, expelling every bit of air from my lungs. He thrust forcefully and rapidly after a few seconds. "Such a good girl. I suspect you crave pain, don't you? You yearn for a man to fulfill all those urges that awaken in the middle of the night." Curse him! My thoughts were in disarray, my mind unable to make sense of it all. No matter how many times I tried to scream that he was a monster, a dazzling surge of electricity continued to course throug
"You were a bit harsh on him, don't you think?" Dominick's voice brought an unexpected sense of comfort. While we would never be close friends, he understood the challenges I faced more than most. "Perhaps. Lately, I've been questioning everything. I thought you would have returned to New York." Dominick moved closer, acknowledging Carlo with a respectful nod before wincing as he glanced through the glass. "I had a feeling you might need some assistance. The word on the street isn't favorable, my friend." He spoke softly, choosing his words carefully as hospital staff passed by in the long hallway. "I suppose we'll see. What have you heard?" He cast a cautious look over his shoulder before guiding me into my father's room. The sound of the machines filled the air, creating a rumble in my chest and a hiss in my throat. At least we had some privacy here. As a gesture of reverence, Dominick approached my father's bed and made the sign of the cross in the customary Catholic manner. I
I took hold of the card, examining the printed information before swiftly tucking it into my pocket. "I'm not going to completely hide, Dominick. I can't do that for the sake of the organization. I'm going to have the guys spread the word on the street that I'm taking over as the head of the family." He let out a whistle. "Are you sure about that?" "It's something I need to do for the family," I replied, turning to face my father and managing to conjure a genuine smile. I had always yearned for his approval, and now I had the opportunity. I would avenge the brutal attack. "In that case, maybe I'll stick around a little longer. Hell, I might even check into the Waldorf. It's a prime location to observe the action," Dominick said, a contagious grin spreading across his face. "You know what? I think that's a great idea. The people in this town need to realize that I'm here to stay. In fact, I'm just getting started." He snorted and patted my arm. "I like your style, Kelan. I really d
Later in life, I discovered that he possessed the same brutal and violent nature as my father, effortlessly eliminating his adversaries. Although it was a bit early to indulge in a drink, my intention was not to provoke him. I chuckled as a flood of memories filled my mind. He had been married four times, but never had a child. I had been like the son he never had. Pouring a small amount of bourbon, I stood by the open doorway for a few moments before making my way towards the covered cabana. John Paul sat silently, gazing out at his magnificent pool. I couldn't help but notice that everything, from the furniture to the pool surface, had seen better days. He was losing his touch. "Your father is an incredibly important man. I hope you understand that. Despite the hardship Ricardo has put you through, he is very proud of you." "This is the second time I've heard that today. It's a shame he never had the courage to tell me himself." He tilted his head, giving me a subtle yet powerfu
John Paul appeared lost in thought for a moment before sharing his advice, which solidified my resolve. "You are your father's son. The fire within you is rare. You'll do what's necessary, even if it means getting your hands dirty. Sometimes, it's the only way. Your enemies will strike back soon, and their methods will be more brutal than you can imagine. As for legitimizing the business, if anyone can do it, it's you." His smirk fueled my determination, although doubts lingered. Perhaps I was foolish to believe I could accomplish such a feat. "There's one thing you should consider: forgiving your father. It may help you break free from the chains that bind you." "Not a chance." The chains were a constant burden, weighing me down for years. But forgiveness wasn't an option. My father had made his choices and faced the consequences. He coughed, covering his mouth with a handkerchief. "You need to see a doctor." Waving me off, he took a few deep breaths. "This place is my sanctuar
I went for a drive to visit Stefan at the hospital before returning home. Upon entering the house, I immediately sensed its coldness and stillness. It seemed as though Emily had left, and although I would have been devastated, I couldn't bring myself to be angry. She deserved to have a happy life. With a heavy heart, I dropped my keys on the hallway table, finding it difficult to proceed further into my own lifeless dwelling. Without Emily, there was no love, no brightness. I made my way towards my office, and as I approached the open door, I froze. She had discovered the papers I had signed, another secret I had kept from her. Frustration welled up inside me. Then, a delightful aroma of vanilla and cinnamon caught my attention, emanating from the kitchen. Confused, I ventured closer, and my senses were greeted by additional scents that made my mouth water: garlic, tomatoes, onions, and the fragrance of fresh bread. Taking cautious steps, I continued towards the kitchen, and amidst
"Mmmm... And I love you," I replied, my heart filled with the weight of those words. We remained wrapped in each other's embrace for several minutes, and when he finally eased away, I felt an unexpected sense of emptiness, a subtle pang of loneliness. An irrational fear crept into my mind—that I would always worry about his return, that I would never feel completely safe. But as if he sensed my unease, he zipped up his jeans and gathered me into his arms, disregarding our disheveled state as he led me back to the living room. Tenderly, he settled me on the couch, pulling a blanket over my naked body. Then, he simply disappeared. Confusion and worry washed over me. Had I done something wrong? I waited anxiously for a few minutes, contemplating getting up from the couch, when he reappeared. In his hands, he held an open bottle of champagne and two crystal glasses. It was a moment of enchantment, especially coming from a man who claimed not to have a romantic bone in his body. He pour
I also came to understand that Rafael had his limits when it came to sharing details about his business and his involvement in certain matters. He had mentioned before that it was partly to protect me, although I couldn't be certain if it was solely due to a lack of trust. Regardless, I decided not to push the issue at that moment. Instead, I cherished the time we spent together, enjoying our dinners and the comfort of his embrace. Amidst the chaos of bullets and death, a realization nagged at me, refusing to be ignored. Sensing an opportunity to lighten the mood, I playfully said, "What if I promise that I'll never let that happen again?" Rafael pulled me up from the ground, a skeptical look on his face. "Do you honestly think I would fall for such a promise?" he replied. "Not at all. You're a wise old man," I teased, unable to suppress a grin. Despite his guarded nature, Rafael had shown me various facets of his personality, including his vulnerability. My love for him was profoun
EMILY Love. That single word had replaced the suffocating fear that had nearly drained me of the will to survive, even though thoughts of death still lingered. Despite being assured that the nightmare was over. From the moment that bastard had forcibly taken me from William's house, I had resigned myself to never seeing Rafael again. While the monster had not followed through on his threat, instead locking me away until he eventually dragged me to the club, I couldn't shake his cowardly face from my mind. But amidst the haunting images that I knew would fade with time, Rafael's heartfelt words echoed in my ears. The horror in his eyes when he laid eyes on me confirmed that he would move heaven and earth to find me, if need be. Curled up under a blanket on the couch, my legs tucked close to my chest, I gazed at the crackling fire he had built. The uncharacteristic cold snap had given him an excuse to pamper me with hot chocolate, the fire perpetually ablaze. I would never have exp
As I made my way towards the elevator, I noticed the attention I was receiving from those present in the club. Although some of my soldiers were discreetly positioned throughout the venue, it was much easier to identify the members of the Kadik gang with their leather jackets and dark jeans. I confidently approached a group of them, extending my arms. "I have an appointment with Konstantin." As I had expected, they conducted a search for weapons before allowing me to enter the empty elevator. The doors opened, and I could hear classical music playing from the speakers, an intriguing choice considering the nature of the individual I was about to meet. There he was, seated like a king, reclining in an opulent velour chair with one leg casually draped over the armrest. Dressed in a flowing white shirt and loose dark trousers, his appearance would have been almost comical if not for the underlying tension. "Konstantin Solntsevskaya," I greeted him, noting that Emily was nowhere to be s
He followed closely behind me, mirroring my confident stride. The time for this relentless war to reach its conclusion had arrived. And we were determined to emerge victorious. I inserted the drive into my computer, accessing the array of files it contained. "What are we up against?" Aleksei inquired, his customary vodka in hand. "Lists of names, supporters of our respective organizations," I replied. It was evident that someone had gone to great lengths, investing significant time and effort, to compile such an extensive and incriminating roster. "Blackmail," Miguel murmured, his voice barely audible. Indeed, it was a form of blackmail, but not the kind Armando had previously hinted at. "A weapon of sorts," Victor suggested. I glanced at him, acknowledging his insight. "You're correct. It targets those who work for us, placing them in impossible positions. They are left with no choice but to either yield or flee, eradicating crucial support from the police, city councils, atto
Despite the enjoyable moments we shared watching games and sharing drinks, we had neglected to engage in meaningful conversations. In all honesty, I found myself somewhat intimidated by him – his amiable nature, kindness, and passion for life, which was completely devoid of violence. Perhaps it was time to change that. "Hey there. I heard you're improving," I said, unsure if I expected him to open his eyes or not, but I sensed that he heard me. "Everything will be alright. Just know that I have my best men protecting you." All I heard in response were the various sounds of the machines. Frustrating. Swallowing hard, aware that I didn't have as much time as I would have liked, I held his hand tightly as a solitary tear rolled down my cheek. What had become of our family? "Anyway, I can't stay long, but I'll be back, alright?" There was no response, no acknowledgement of any kind. "Stefan, know that I love you, brother." I squeezed his hand once more, finally letting go. For some in
"Who? Who the hell took her?" Through a series of strained breaths, he managed to utter, "Ra..." Blood-tinged bubbles escaped his lips, followed by a violent cough that wracked his body. It was evident that time was running out for him. "Russian." A chill ran down my spine, and I bristled at the revelation. Axel could never be mistaken for a Russian. "Okay, just rest," I urged, despite the conflicting emotions within me. I realized that he might still hold valuable information. Refusing to release my arm, he tugged me down closer to him. "Desk. Look. Drive." I glanced towards his desk, trying to comprehend his words. "Take... it." "Alright." Rising to my feet, I walked over to his desk, methodically opening each drawer. Finally, I discovered a solitary jump drive. It had to be what he was referring to. Returning to his side, I held the drive in front of his face. "Is this what Lucas was going to give Emily?" "Ya... yes. A copy." He began coughing up more blood, his chest heaving
The others looked on silently, aware that the day had come when we would have to reveal our secret meetings. There was no avoiding it any longer. "Then we work together until this is resolved, regardless of the consequences," I declared. Each person in the room nodded in agreement. We had received assistance and information, but what we faced was unprecedented. The fact that sworn enemies had formed an alliance meant someone knew we were working together, and they saw it as a weakness. But we knew better. We were a formidable force, and we had much to lose if we failed, especially the safety of our loved ones. After ending the call with Dante, I walked away from the others, dialing the number again to relay the necessary information to my father. It was a futile gesture, as I knew he would never forgive his impulsive son. "Dante, things are getting intense. We need to organize the soldiers immediately," I said urgently. "Rafael, we have a problem," Dante replied, his voice laced w