RAFAEL I despised gatherings labeled as "family meetings," even though most of the attendees had no actual blood relation to each other. My father had coined that term long ago, treating those who served him well as if they were close relatives. They received holiday pay, bonuses, dinners, and presents for their children. That is, until they betrayed him. My father's reputation for brutality was widely known, and he had a knack for coming up with creative punishments, resulting in unsightly stories that were shared around campfires. I couldn't help but smirk at the thought. I had earned a similar reputation, although I had only employed his methods once, and for a damn good reason. Theft. Men would lie, spinning tales about why they couldn't fulfill their obligations. I had come to expect that. But anyone who dared to steal from our organization faced the full force of my wrath. An eye for an eye. The restaurant bustled with a crowd larger than I had seen in a long time. As I ent
"You know how they say the past has a way of catching up with you," Stefan remarked, drawing my attention with his wry statement. I raised an eyebrow in response, curious to hear what he had to say next. "They say you can never escape it, that it has a way of pulling you back into the darkness." I chuckled softly, appreciating his dark humor. "I must have missed that proverb during my time in Catholic school," I replied, a hint of amusement in my voice. It was good to have him back home. Stefan's eyes gleamed mischievously as he continued, "Just something I picked up during my adventures in the jungle. I can't wait to meet this mysterious girl of yours." Carmine, our father, stood up, signaling that it was time for everyone to take their seats. His voice was commanding, carrying an air of authority that seemed stronger than usual. I exchanged a knowing glance with Stefan. This family meeting was shaping up to be an intriguing evening. Once everyone was settled, our father remained
The revelation hit me like a ton of bricks. My father had been plotting this scheme for weeks, and the sudden eruption of violence caught everyone off guard. Gunshots pierced the atmosphere, each resounding crack echoing through the restaurant, a haunting symphony of destruction. Panic erupted like a wildfire, engulfing the patrons in a maelstrom of fear. Desperate screams filled the air as people frantically sought refuge, their movements a frenzied dance of survival. The once-tranquil establishment transformed into a battlefield, its walls and furnishings bearing witness to the relentless barrage of bullets that tore through the air with ruthless precision. Amidst the tumult, amidst the swirling vortex of panic and despair, I heard the voice of my beloved brother pierce through the clamor, his words laced with a potent cocktail of disbelief, frustration, and mounting dread. "What the hell?" Stefan's voice rang out, his tone a desperate plea for comprehension in the face of unfathom
"You're not in a genuine relationship. Everything you've shared was a lie," my inner voice mercilessly declared once again, striking at the vulnerable core of my being. The past, with its illusions of innocence and bliss, was now an unattainable realm. Yet, despite the pain, I couldn't bear the thought of him being hurt. Finally, unable to bear the torment any longer, I made up my mind. I sprinted towards the front door, flinging it open with urgency. The two men stationed as guards reacted swiftly, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons as they rushed inside. "Are you okay, miss?" one of them asked, poised to neutralize any potential threat. After securely closing the front door, the other guard swiftly swept through several rooms, his actions reflecting a well-honed training and a clear commitment to their security detail. "I'm fine, but something feels wrong with Rafael," I confessed, taking a few steps backward, my hands trembling with anxiety. The larger guard
"The police," he scoffed. "They're completely useless. They have no concern for what happens in certain parts of the city, especially when it involves gangs. The ruthless gangs control the streets, murdering anyone who gets in their way. They're nothing more than animals. Rafael is determined to eliminate them. He made a promise to me, and I believe he'll keep it. When we lost two soldiers a few months ago, he made sure to assist their families, just as he did for me." "This gang, do they have a name?" "They go by the name of the Blood Brothers. They're merely the hired guns for the Movino gang. I may be involved in criminal activities, ma'am, but we have a code of honor that we adhere to. It's important to the Reigo family. We don't terrorize women late at night, and we don't harm innocent children." I recoiled, absorbing the information. It was no wonder Rafael was so furious. "I wish I knew what to say. I apologize for questioning you. You have no connection to my predicament."
He turned his head to face me, his gaze locking onto mine. "Your car was nowhere to be found, and my soldiers searched everywhere. Why do I have this nagging feeling that Axel was waiting for both of you? Why are my instincts screaming that somehow that jerk knew who you were even before you set foot in that back alley? Are you still deceiving me, Emily? Because if you are, I won't hesitate to punish you severely." "I..." I swallowed hard, my throat dry with apprehension. "You better tell me the truth, or I swear to God, our agreement is shattered." "And then what? Are you going to abandon me on the streets?" Horror washed over me, for I knew all too well that was exactly what he would be compelled to do. "I do what needs to be done, and no one makes a fool out of me. Not even the woman I..." He trailed off, a derisive snort escaping him after a few words. "That you might unintentionally care for?" I finished his sentence, my anger flaring along with the overwhelming sense of inju
His intense gaze remained fixed on me as he removed his shirt, stained with blood, revealing his muscular frame. With a growl, he grasped my hair, pulling me close to him. Without hesitation, he forcefully kissed me. His body radiated heat, as if he were engulfed in flames. I wrapped my arm around his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair. The scent of destruction mingled with his exotic cologne, arousing me to the point where I couldn't help but whimper into the kiss. He exhibited a level of aggression I had never seen before, quickly removing my shirt and running his fingers along my back. Every aspect of this man exuded control as his tongue dominated mine in a savage and relentless kiss. His muscles tensed, his desperate hunger seemingly boundless. A hint of bourbon tantalized my taste buds as he forcefully brought us both to our knees, momentarily breaking the intimate connection to discard my shirt. A dark, powerful expression crossed his face, revealing an uncompromising and
I couldn't resist the temptation, engulfing his swollen tip with my mouth and caressing it with my tongue in deliberate motions. Throughout it all, I couldn't tear my gaze away from him, observing the way his face contorted and his chest rose and fell. "That's it, my baby girl. Take all of me," he whispered. I relished the sound, thrilled by the way he seemed to lose control in my presence. As I gradually took him deeper, I stroked the base of his shaft while relaxing my throat to accommodate his thrusts. I couldn't get enough, driven by an almost desperate thirst. He couldn't possibly satisfy my desires, but I knew I would be expected to please him day after day. The thought was both exhilarating and terrifying. He was dominant, powerful, and insatiable. He thrust his hips forward until the tip of his member reached the back of my throat. His eyes were wild as he moved his head back and forth, engaging in a practiced rhythm of face-fucking. "That's it. So good. I love your wet mou
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