I applied more pressure, attempting to regain control over my breathing and anger, even finding some satisfaction in witnessing the change of color on his face. After a few moments, a rational part of me intervened. What was I doing? I let go, swiftly taking a step back. I inhaled deeply, running my hands through my hair. Carlo bent over, coughing and gasping for a few seconds, his shoulders heaving. Once again, I approached him, speaking softly. "There was a doctor present, although I doubt this individual had any affiliation with the hospital. They were trying to finish the job." Carlo straightened up, his eyes watery as he rubbed his neck. "The doctor... told me... suggested that I..." Another fit of coughing interrupted him. I slammed my hand against the wall, attempting to release my fury. As a security guard appeared around the corner, heading in our direction, I gave him a look that froze him in his tracks. "Just a friendly discussion. I suggest you step away." The securit
Shane maintained his grip on my arm. "Don't make any reckless moves, Victor." I chuckled. "You know exactly who we're dealing with here." "That's what worries me," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "Now, give me a rundown of what happened." I recounted the events in detail, keeping a close eye on the doctors' actions. Shane sighed. "Not much to go on at the moment. I'll spread the information, but it seems like everyone is too afraid to talk. This is going to be a difficult situation to contain." "Yeah, I figured." The fear in their hearts was well-deserved. "Call me if you come across any other leads." Shane's voice lacked conviction. He knew I wouldn't seek his assistance. When I remained silent, he sighed again. "I mean it, don't do anything foolish. I'll send two officers up here. Your father will have constant protection." That is, until he was stable enough to be moved to a safer location. The assassin would keep coming until the job was done. That was their modus operandi.
"This is not solely about material gain. It concerns your safety," I insisted, determined to continue despite the growing intensity and adrenaline coursing through me. Only when her bottom turned a rosy shade of red did she finally relax in my arms, taking deep breaths. The realization that she could have been discovered or worse, killed, made me feel even more protective of her. Taking care of this captivating yet exasperating woman had not been part of my plans. But my body and emotions had betrayed me. "Fine. Whatever," she whispered. I continued to administer a few more smacks to her bottom until my hand began to ache, almost as much as my own desire. "But you don't believe me," I said, easing her against my chest and soothingly running my hand down her arms. "Why should I? Once you achieve your goals, you'll probably just eliminate me. You're filled with anger and bitterness. The rage consumes you," she said, managing to elbow me in the gut and slipping out of my grasp. Swiftl
I was consumed by the idea, removing and undressing her dress. She appeared surprised, her eyes widening as I looked down at her, considering her my prized possession. There was no shyness on her face, only her own heightened desire. I embraced her tightly, guiding her into a deep arch and kissing the side of her neck, gently biting in a few places. I wanted to leave marks on her. I wanted her to carry my scent. Most importantly, I wanted her in my arms. Indefinitely. Although the situation should have been alarming, I was a determined man, driven by an insatiable hunger. My primitive sounds filled the air, echoing like a cry in the wilderness as I moved my mouth toward her breasts. Madeline tilted her head back even further, gazing up at the sky as I licked and sucked her nipple, flicking my tongue back and forth. "Yes. Yes. Yes." Her murmurs fueled my actions. With eagerness, I moved to her other breast, taking her rosy nipple into my mouth and biting down until she gasped. He
MADELINE Victor handed me a glass of wine before quickly unlocking his phone with forceful taps on the screen. I observed his actions, committing his code to memory. The tension between us remained palpable, the silence during the ride creating an uncomfortable atmosphere. Moments after entering the house, Victor snapped a photo of a folded piece of paper. "Grinder. I'm sending you a picture. We need to locate this individual," he said, pacing back and forth, occasionally glancing in my direction and rubbing his brow. "And I need more information about the contract on Madeline's life. Shake every possible source. I want details. And I want Satori." After ending the call, he continued his agitated pacing, muttering curses under his breath. "Contract? Can you talk to me? Explain?" I was stunned by his words, shaken to my core. Now, a numbing sensation took hold. "I don't understand." He had refused to discuss the matter until we were safely behind closed doors. Standing at the windo
I was filled with an overwhelming urge to scream at Victor for his persistent use of my name, as if it held some kind of added weight or truth. The silence that followed was suffocating, each passing moment intensifying my unease. Finally, he broke the silence. "What happened to your sister?" he asked, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and concern. I sighed heavily, burying my face in my hands as I took a few deep breaths. Reluctantly, I knew I had to delve into the painful past, exposing the truth that both Victor and I sought. "My sister, Sasha, was drawn into what she believed to be the allure and glamour of the mafia," I began, my voice laced with a mix of sorrow and bitterness. "She idolized our father, blinded to his flaws. She yearned to be the companion of a powerful, wealthy, and dangerous man." "And she found one," Victor said softly, his tone filled with understanding. "Yes," I continued, my voice tinged with sadness. "Always the life of the party, she had her wi
I held my breath until both men had exited the room. It was only when I heard the front door open and close that I finally exhaled. My actions were bound to result in some form of violence and bloodshed, much like a distant memory I tried to push away. I couldn't change the past or do anything for my beloved sister. But I was determined not to make the same mistakes again. I resolved to follow Victor's orders and abide by his rules. I would even learn to accept them. No, he wouldn't break me using any means. I had come too far in my life. There was one condition, though. If my father had lied to me, I would cut off all contact with him. Only if you survive... I stood up and paced the floor, waiting for screams or the sound of a gunshot. But there was nothing of the sort. Until five minutes later, when the door opened and a lone man walked in. I recoiled, fearful of what Victor would say or do. He entered just as quietly as he had left, retrieved his drink, and made his way to the
I refused to let the silence linger any longer. I turned towards him, gently placing my hands on his chest. His eyes pleaded with me, revealing the immense pain he had endured. "She was killed in a drive-by shooting while we were walking from a coffee shop," he disclosed, his voice carrying a mixture of grief and frustration. "The police believed it was a random act, wrong place at the wrong time. But I knew better. It was an assassination attempt, and she took the bullet meant for me. Just two days later, my mother was killed, a bullet intended for my father." The weight of his words hit me with a force I couldn't ignore. Tears welled up in my eyes once again, empathizing with the profound pain we had both experienced throughout the years. He tilted his head and used his knuckle to wipe away my tears, bringing his finger to his mouth. A single tear slipped past his long, beautiful eyelashes, tracing a path down his face. My heart ached for him, and without hesitation, I rose up on
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