For the time being, I had secured a hotel that offered a semblance of safety. However, I remained uncertain about whom I could trust. The puzzle pieces refused to fit together, leaving me in a state of disarray. To maintain anonymity, I had made the reservation under a pseudonym I frequently used. I met the hotel clerk in the parking lot to retrieve the key, ensuring his cooperation with a generous five-hundred-dollar tip. Against my better judgment, I decided to call in a favor, hoping to uncover the identity of the unfortunate girl who had become entangled in this dangerous web. It was crucial to inform her family of her demise. Dominick would handle the disposal of the other bodies. I couldn't afford to have an active investigation interfering at this critical juncture. We ascended the back stairs until the elevator became a necessity. Once inside our secure suite, I meticulously inspected the rooms, drawing the curtains and illuminating only a single light. Madeline observed my a
MADELINE Dante Massimo's demise should have brought me satisfaction, a sense of relief that the man who had caused so much pain and suffering was no longer a threat. For years, I had witnessed the relentless pressure he exerted on my father, forcing him into unsavory dealings and manipulating him at every turn. Tales of Dante's brutality and mistreatment of even his closest "family" members were well-known, painting a portrait of a man devoid of conscience or remorse. Yet, as the news of his demise reached our ears, it failed to evoke any emotion from Victor or me. The weight of the silence between us grew heavy, suffocating the room. Seeking solace, I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to ward off the chill that seemed to seep into my bones. Victor's frustration was palpable, his jaw clenched tight with unspoken words. But instead of pressing me for answers or offering comfort, he stood by the window, gazing out at the world as if detached from its passing rhythms. Victor, t
He moved his hand down my neck, deepening the kiss as his tongue explored my mouth. The sensations overwhelmed me, my focus solely on him and the intensity of the moment. I wrapped my leg around his hip, drawing him closer until his arousal slid between my legs. My entire body tingled, and I moved my hips, moaning in response to the pleasure coursing through me. I was captivated by the desire that consumed my thoughts, making it difficult to think clearly. I ran my nails down his back as he kissed me, taking his time to explore the depths of my mouth. His commanding presence was captivating, his desire for me growing stronger. He lifted my other leg, securing it beside him as he broke the kiss. The sensations intensified as he trailed his tongue along my jawline and down to my neck. When he bit down, a whimper escaped my lips, and I felt an overwhelming closeness. Shifting my position, I moved my hips, and in an instant, he entered me. I was wet with anticipation, and as his firmnes
I recoiled, whimpering as he forcefully pushed the remaining inches inside me. A surge of sensation coursed through my body, transforming my agony into a wave of intense pleasure. "It's so tight," he exclaimed, wriggling back and forth to fully accommodate himself. His magnificent, imposing figure rocked, igniting the passion and intense heat between us. I drifted into a dreamlike state, cherishing every moment as he made love to me. I was trapped, a captive until he granted me freedom. The thought was cathartic, almost amusing, and brought a smile to my face. His movements grew more savage, thrusting with brutal force, his body crashing down upon mine. It was evident that he struggled to restrain himself, his desires overpowering all else. And so, I clenched. "Oh God...," he gasped, gripping my back and digging his fingers in, his actions growing more frenzied. "Fuck. Yes. Yes!" I felt the warm release as he climaxed, unable to contain my grin. Everything about this moment was p
Planting a tender kiss on my forehead, he allowed his lips to linger for a moment. "Good. I need to take a quick shower. My father is awake and looking for me." A surge of happiness washed over me. "I'm so glad! Do you want me to come with you?" He shook his head. "I have trusted people coming to ensure your safety. After everything you've been through, you deserve some rest. Besides, I won't be long. Just going to freshen up. Okay?" I nodded, feeling a thick knot of fear constricting my chest. Victor winked playfully and made his way towards the bathroom. He returned moments later, throwing a robe in my direction. "Room service. No other man is going to catch a glimpse of that gorgeous body of yours. Got it?" "Yes, sir!" I responded, giving him a playful military-style salute. I clutched his pillow to my chest, inhaling deeply. Its soft cotton already carried his scent, a potent mix of masculinity and exotic spices. I could bask in his essence all night long. The sound of the sh
VICTOR Thoughts of revenge consumed my mind, the weight of the word lingering in my thoughts. I stood by the window, the sunlight streaming through the open blinds and drapes, unable to hide any longer. It was clear now that Franco Massimo had been the assassin all along, perhaps defying his father's wishes to take over the family business. Or maybe it was all part of a larger scheme, with Franco being directed by Dante from the shadows. The truth remained elusive, lost forever. I had eavesdropped on a significant portion of their conversation, my Glock steady in my hand, anticipating another imminent attack. Yet, I hadn't anticipated betrayal from within my own ranks so soon. Someone still underestimated my strength. There were still missing pieces to the puzzle, but I had a sense that neither Madeline nor I were in immediate danger. The remaining players would be forced to regroup and recalibrate their plans. "This is a mess, Victor. I don't know how much longer I can keep the Fe
"I encountered Franco in a coffee shop by chance," Madeline began, her voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and pain. "He literally bumped into me, spilling coffee all over my new dress. We laughed it off, and he was incredibly apologetic. He insisted on making it right. At that time, I had a small apartment separate from my father's residence. I wasn't hiding, which made it easier for him to find my address. The next day, four exquisite and expensive dresses arrived. I was taken aback and called him to thank him. He then asked me out to dinner." "He was seeing your sister?" I inquired, trying to piece together the timeline. "Yes, but I had no knowledge of it. She had kept his identity a secret from me, although I sensed that something was terribly wrong," Madeline explained, her grip on my hand tightening. She leaned her face against the glass, seeking solace. "It's ironic, he treated me wonderfully for about three months. Then he became possessive. I had been raised well by my fath
"My mother was known by the stage name Daphne Phillips. That was all I knew for the first few months. She had no idea who I was until a reporter captured a photo of us together, and the next day, a scathing article was published in the Times. I think she had suspicions because of a mutual friend we had. After the article, I revealed everything to her about myself and my life, the responsibilities I carried as I prepared to take over from my father. I believed I had lost her. There were no tears, no outbursts. Just silence. She walked away, and I thought I would never see her again." "But you did." "One week later, she called me, asking me to meet for a drink. We went to our favorite little bar, and she did all the talking." He hesitated, closing his eyes. "Who was she, Father? What was my mother's real name?" "Her name was... Sophia Massimo." In an instant, the room felt devoid of light, and his words echoed. "What. Did. You. Say?" "She was Dante's only daughter. The bullet that
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