He reached for my glass, gently guiding my hand away from the bloodstained towel and positioning the tumbler within my grasp. I remained motionless, but he persisted, lifting my arm and bringing the rim of the glass to my lips. "Take a few sips to help calm yourself down," he urged. I complied, as I had done countless times before, licking the droplets of alcohol before taking tentative sips, eventually succumbing to gulps. Rafael muttered under his breath as he set the bloody rag on the table. "That's enough," he said firmly, forcefully taking the glass away from me. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him shaking his head. "Emily, what happened? What the hell happened?" One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. I counted silently, desperately trying to regain composure before responding. Finally, when I reached ten, I managed to speak. "I witnessed a horrific murder," I confessed. He let out a deep sigh, the frustration evident in his voice. "If you only witnessed it, then why are y
I felt an overwhelming sense of warmth surrounding me, comforting and lulling my senses. My body felt heavy, every muscle aching with weariness. "I know who you are, Emily Fiennes. I know where you live. I know who all your friends are. And I know your weaknesses. There isn't a place on this earth you can run to where I won't find you, and when I do, I'll never let you go." "No!" I jolted upright, gasping for air. "Whoa. Take it easy." The deep, husky voice washed over me like a soothing blanket as strong hands held me down. I blinked several times, trying to focus, while struggling to catch my breath. Slowly, the realization of my surroundings sank in. "Rafael." I realized I was in a bathtub filled with bubbles, the warmth of the water cocooning me. Rafael was crouched beside the tub, holding a washcloth in one hand. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing his muscular arms that now evoked a different memory. I fixated on the exposed portion of his shirt, taking shallow breaths as I
With cautious steps, I made my way down the hallway, passing by Rafael's office, holding my breath in anticipation. The sound of jazz music filled the air, surprising me. It was difficult to reconcile the brutal man I knew with an appreciation for such a genre. As I entered the room, I was taken aback by the change in decor. The burnished leather furniture exuded a warmth and inviting atmosphere, complemented by the crackling fire in the stone fireplace that brought a smile to my face. The art adorning the walls captivated me, with its seductive nature depicted through bold reds and yellows, evoking scenes of eroticism that left me breathless. Lost in the ambiance, I hadn't realized Rafael's presence until I felt his gaze upon me. "Why are you still awake? Is something the matter?" he asked casually, devoid of his usual demanding tone. "Nothing is wrong. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be out of your way in the morning. I appreciate your hospitality, but I shouldn't have com
He exhaled, the sound transforming into a deep growl. "Well, Emily, you were correct. You made a grave error. The person you just described is none other than Axel Movino, also known as the Serpent. Unfortunately, you've just sealed your own fate." I tried to speak, but fear unlike anything I had ever experienced gripped me tightly. It surged through me, overwhelming me like a raging fire. I was well aware of the man's capabilities. As I stumbled backward, Rafael caught me, drawing me close against his chest. "What can I do?" "I will agree to assist you, Emily, because I am the only one capable of doing so. However, it comes at a price. We will enter into a deal." "A deal?" My mouth was parched, my throat constricting. Dizzying stars danced before my eyes, and I knew exactly what he was about to propose. "I previously mentioned that I always keep my promises. That still holds true. I will keep you safe and protected, but in return, you will belong to me. Forever. You will be mine t
However, I had grown tired of the burden of living up to my father's expectations. His reluctance to grant me more control stemmed from the pressure we were under from the FBI and the ongoing Movino situation. Taking care of both issues simultaneously seemed like the perfect solution. Axel Movino's fate was sealed, and I knew exactly who could assist me in achieving that goal—the Sons of Darkness. It was time for me to call in a favor or two. Engrossed in the monotony of paperwork, a necessary evil to maintain the facade of my legitimate operations, my concentration wavered. I rubbed my eyes and stood up, stretching my muscles before turning towards the window. I suspected that Movino had dispatched his men to search for her, scouring the streets. If that were the case, my soldiers would have at least caught wind of the fact that the bastard was after someone. The early morning sunlight cast reflections behind me, creating a shimmer that illuminated Emily's copper-colored hair and h
She averted her gaze, shaking her head in exasperation. "Just stop, Rafael. As you can imagine, it's all so confusing. I don't know who to trust anymore. What I do know, based on my extensive investigation, is that there is a pervasive undercurrent of corruption in this city. And you, of all people, should be well aware of that. But what your ego may not allow you to believe is that your powerful family is not the only player in town." Her accusation stung, as her assumptions hit uncomfortably close to the truth. "I would appreciate it if you could share everything you know. And let's not forget, I never claimed to be a decent man, whether in business or pleasure, Emily. Keep that in mind," I retorted sharply. "Well, you're doing a fantastic job," she snapped back. I clenched my fist, realizing that her tenacity and stubbornness were the very reasons she had landed herself in this predicament. She needed a strong dose of reality. "Where is the weapon you mentioned you had with you?
I delivered a forceful blow to Emily's backside, the impact resonating through the room. The suddenness of the strike caught her off guard, and she let out a sharp gasp, her body jolting forward in surprise. The sound echoed in the tense silence, emphasizing the weight of the disciplinary action. Leaning in closer, I fixed my gaze on her, my eyes filled with a mix of determination and authority. The tone of my voice dripped with sternness as I addressed her directly, making it clear that there was no room for negotiation or leniency. This was a moment for her to learn a vital lesson. "I'm not playing around here, Emily. It's time for you to learn a lesson. Let's try that again. Do you understand?" I demanded. "Yes," she replied, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and discomfort. Her response came in a resigned and uncomfortable tone, reflecting the realization that she had no choice but to comply with my demand. The weight of the situation settled upon her, and her voice car
"Yes... sir," she replied, devoid of any hostility, only expressing a similar intense desire that I harbored within me. I emitted a series of deep growls before inserting the tip. When I grasped her hips, she inhaled sharply, holding her breath and bowing her head. My thoughts were consumed by one thing: violating her. As I pushed the entire length inside, I threw my head back and let out a roar. The tightness and intense heat of her engulfed me, leaving me trembling. "Fuck! So tight. So good." She let out an exaggerated whimper and turned her head, revealing a slight smile on her face. But amidst the thrusting, a difficult realization dawned upon me. I would do anything to safeguard her. I would tear apart anyone who dared to harm her. And if necessary, I would die for her. However, she needed to learn obedience in a firm manner, as her resistance was evident. She whimpered, pushing forcefully against the desk, gritting her teeth when I gripped her hair, whispering in her ear
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