Anna's POVThe loud beat of the club's music hit me the moment I stepped out of the car,.The neon lights flashed the night in hues of purple and blue. Bonnie stepped out beside me, her expression unreadable, but there was a calmness to her that I envied.I wasn’t calm. My heart was racing, and every instinct in me screamed to run. But where would I go?Bonnie must have observe my hesitation because she placed a hand on my shoulder, “You’ll be fine,” she said, her voice soft but confident. “Just stick with me.”I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Is Damon inside?” My voice came out smaller than I wanted it to.“Yes,” Bonnie replied, her gaze steady. “But remember, you’re with me. He won’t hurt you.”Her words were meant to reassure, but they didn’t. Damon didn’t need to hurt me physically to terrify me. His presence alone was enough to make my skin crawl.We walked toward the entrance, the bouncers stepping aside without a word, their eyes respectfu
Anna's POVBonnie’s expression softened, but her eyes remained sharp, unwavering. “You might think you’re weak, just because you’re a woman,” Her voice steady but firm. “But let me tell you the truth—Damon may be powerful, a ruthless Don, but the moment he married you, he made himself vulnerable. You are his weakness.”I blinked, stunned by her words, unsure if I should feel empowered or terrified.Bonnie continued, her tone measured. “While everyone else here is fighting to conquer the world for Damon, your only task is simpler—conquer Damon himself. You already have the position. All you need now is the skill.”I shifted in my seat, my pulse quickening. “And what if I don’t have that skill?”Bonnie’s lips curled into a faint smile, “That’s where I come in,” she said. “I’ll teach you how to survive, how to play the game. But you have to trust me.” I wasn’t sure if I trusted her, but if Damon’s world was as dangerous as she said, I had no choice but to l
Anna's POVMy heart pounded in my chest as I took in the sight of him, lounging in his chair like a king in his throne. His legs were casually crossed on the desk, hands clasped behind his head. The top buttons of his black shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his toned chest. He looked utterly at ease, as if he had nothing to fear from anyone.I had to admit it—Damon was devastatingly attractive. His piercing dark eyes, sharp and unrelenting, locked onto me, and I felt their heat sear through my defenses. His wicked smile curled slowly, as if he could devour me whole with just a look."Are you too stunned to say anything?" I asked, my voice steady, though I had no idea where the sudden boldness had come from. For a fleeting moment, I thought I had caught him off guard.His smile widened, a predator savoring the moment. "Are you too stunned to come closer?" he countered.I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks. He was enjoying this—no, savoring it. He w
"I paid you to infiltrate the Donatello Clan," Mario growled, his voice sharp as a blade. "Get close to their Don, Damon. But all you’ve done is fuck him and come back with stories about how big his dick is." He spat on the floor, his eyes burning with disdain as he glared at Rose. Rose smirked, unfazed by his fury. "You paid me to get close, and I did—thanks to my tight pussy," she said, "If you want more information, you'll have to pay extra." Mario’s face darkened, his lips curling into a snarl. "Say one more word about your pussy," he hissed, "and my dick will be the next thing it feels." His brows furrowed, daring her to test him. Mario Manzoni, the ruthless Don who had murdered his own brother to claim power, stood like a coiled serpent, ready to strike. His twisted lips, a result of facial palsy, only heightened his monstrous appearance, making him look like a failed experiment in cruelty. Rose held her tongue, the silence stretching between them. Ever since she'd sta
"I knew that bastard was up to something," Mario growled, his voice seething with rage as he clenched his right hand into a fist. His glare pierced through the dim light, locking onto the woman before him. He pointed at the bound girl. "This lady here happens to be Anna's sister, Kate," he said, though his eyes never left the imposter. "If she says she doesn’t know you, then you’re not Anna. So who the hell are you?"The woman’s lips curled into a cold smile as she slowly raised a gun, pointing it directly at him. "Damon sends his regards."Kate’s eyes widened in horror, her breath hitching as she stared at the weapon aimed at Mario.Mario didn’t flinch. Instead, he chuckled darkly, "A hitman? I didn’t think Damon would stoop so low.""Untie her," the woman commanded, her voice steady, the gun unwavering in her grip.Mario sneered. "You’re a fool if you think you can leave here alive. My men will be on you the moment you pull that trigger.""And you’re a fool if you think I came her
Anna's POVI watched as my father staggered toward us, a bottle clutched in his trembling hand, his bloodshot eyes locked on my frail mother. His voice slurred with venom, "I'm going to kill you," he spat, taking another swig from the bottle.My chest tightened with a surge of anger. Not tonight. I wouldn’t let him treat her like his punching bag again."Leave my mother alone!" I shouted, my voice trembling but resolute."No, sweetheart, stay out of this," my mother pleaded, her voice weak and trembling as she rose unsteadily from the chair."No, Mom," I said, stepping in front of her, my arms spread wide, shielding her. "I won't let him hurt you. Not anymore."My father’s lips curled into a cruel sneer. "You?" he growled, his words thick with rage. "I'll kill you if you don’t get out of my way."Before I could react, he lunged. The bottle smashed against the side of my head with a sickening crack, the shattering glass echoing through the room like a gun
Anna's POVI entered the club, the usual chaos muted by the early hour, the atmosphere quieter but still filled with people. One of the bouncers noticed me immediately, his heavy steps bringing him closer.“You shouldn’t be out in the open like this, ma’am. It’s dangerous. Where are your escorts?” His tone was firm but respectful.“I don’t need an escort,” I snapped, my nerves fraying. “Where’s Bonnie?”He hesitated for a moment, then answered, “She’s in a meeting with the strippers. This way, ma’am. You can wait for her in the VIP section.”Without waiting for my response, he led the way, his broad frame ensuring no one approached. When we reached the VIP section, he signaled to a waitress nearby.“Attend to the Doña,” he ordered, bowing slightly before leaving.Doña.The word clung to me, foreign and suffocating. Was that what I had become? A title, an extension of Damon’s power? My mind raced, but I kept a stern face as the waitress placed a glass of cham
Anna's POV "Are you the animal that's disturbing the peace of my territory?" Damon asked, folding his arms, his eyebrows furrowed in irritation.The sound of his voice instantly calmed the storm inside me, my fear easing as I realized I wasn’t alone.The man turned away from me, his face twisted in rage as he faced Damon. "I'll leave your territory, Damon, but not before I deal with this ant for daring to interfere in my business."I froze, the insult slicing through me, but Damon only smiled—a cold, lethal smile that sent a shiver down my spine. "Call her a fish again," he said, his voice low and menacing, "and I will cut out your tongue."The man’s eyes narrowed, trying to maintain his bravado. "You might be a Don, but you don’t want trouble with my father. He’s not someone you can mess with, so watch your tongue." I watched as he snarled, jabbing a finger in Damon’s direction.I didn't expect what happened next—it all happened so fast.Damon’s fist connec
Rose took steps toward him, the she stopped just short of touching him, close enough that he could feel the warmth of her breath, smell that spicy perfume that always seemed to linger around her. “I want you, Damon,” she said, her gaze locking onto his, unflinching. “I want you all to myself. No one’s ever shown me what it means to be cared for like you have.”Damon’s chest tightened, her words hitting him like a punch. He’d pulled her out of a dark place years ago, given her a new life, but this—this was something else. His mind flickered with memories of her gratitude, her loyalty, but now it twisted into something deeper, something he wasn’t sure he could handle. He chuckled, the sound rough and tinged with disbelief. “You’re serious?”Her eyes flared, a spark of frustration cutting through the longing. “I killed the Manzoni Queen for you, Damon,” she said, her voice steady despite the weight of her confession. “I took out Scarlett, climbed to the top of this clan, and all I’m a
Damon rolled up to the Manzoni mansion alone, his sleek black car humming to a stop in front of the iron gates. He stepped out, smoothing his black jacket—his favorite color, always had been—and took a deep breath. No backup, no crew, just him. He didn’t want this new Donna, whoever she was, thinking he was scared or uneasy. Showing up solo was a power move, a way to say he wasn’t rattled, even if his gut told him this could go sideways fast. Scarlett Manzoni’s death had hit him like a curveball—he hadn’t seen that coming, and now he couldn’t stop wondering how she’d gone down.The security guys at the gate gave him the side-eye, a mix of suspicion and nerves flickering in their stares. They’d heard the stories—Damon Lockwood, the ruthless Don of the Lockwood Clan, a name that carried weight and a shiver down the spine. But seeing him in the flesh? That was new. He caught a couple of them whispering, their hands twitching near their guns, like they weren’t sure if they should bow
Rose POV I sat alone, my fingers tracing the edge of a crystal glass, the amber liquid inside untouched. My reflection stared back at me from the polished surface of the desk—a woman with sharp green eyes and red hair spilling over her shoulders, a far cry from the broken girl I’d once been. I’d come a long way from the orphanage, from the life that had tried to crush me. But even now, with all this power at my fingertips, there was an emptiness gnawing at me, a void I couldn’t fill.I didn’t know where I came from. No mother, no father—just a crib in a gray-walled room, surrounded by other forgotten kids. The nuns at St. Patrick’s Home for Lost Souls had been kind enough, but they couldn’t give me answers. My earliest memories were of cold floors and whispered prayers, of wondering why no one came for me. As I got older, I begged for clues—anything to tell me who I was. I’d had my DNA tested more times than I could count, scraping together every pen
Anna's POVThen instinct kicked in, and I jerked back, stumbling a step away. “Bonnie, what the hell?” I gasped, my voice shaking, my lips still tingling from her touch.She didn’t answer, just stared at me with those deep, unreadable eyes, her chest rising and falling fast. Then, without a word, she turned and walked out, the door clicking shut behind her. I stood there, my heart hammering against my ribs, my thoughts a tangled mess. What had just happened? Why would she—?And then it hit me, a slow, shattering clarity. The way she’d held me, the protectiveness in her voice, the way her eyes lingered on me too long—it wasn’t just friendship. Bonnie was in love with me. She’d been in love with me this whole time, and I’d been too blind to see it. Now she was leaving, walking out of my life without explanation, leaving me with the weight of her kiss and the chaos of my own feelings.My legs gave out, and I sank onto the edge of my bed, my hands trembli
Anna's POVThe framed picture of Ghost stared back at me from Damon’s desk, I could see the striking resemblance between them, especially the piercing eyes. I’d come looking for him, but he wasn’t here. The room felt hollow without him. I lingered anyway, unable to leave, drawn in by the faint scent of him that clung to everything. My fingers brushed the edge of Ghost’s frame, a restless energy humming through me as I wandered deeper into the space.This wasn’t how I’d pictured things since we got back from Mexico. I’d imagined us wrapped up in each other, a blur of tangled sheets and breathless nights, orgasm after orgasm until the world outside didn’t matter. Instead, there was this gap between us, a distance I couldn’t bridge no matter how much I wanted to. I sank into the chair at his desk, the leather creaking under my weight, and let out a shaky breath. My body felt alive in a way it never had before, a constant drum of sexual need pulsing through
Damon's POVThe rooftop of the mansion was my last refuge, a place where the chaos of the world below couldn’t quite reach me. The night was cold, the air sharp with the scent of distant rain. I stood near the edge, hands gripping the iron railing, staring into the void. My room had felt too small tonight, its walls closing in with every unanswered question, every festering doubt. Up here, at least, I could breathe—even if every breath tasted like fear.I’d never been in this position before. Me, Damon, the guy who always had a plan, always knew the next move. Now? I was teetering on the edge of something I couldn’t name, and for the first time, I wasn’t sure I’d make it out alive. The Manzoni Clan lingered in my thoughts like a shadow I couldn’t shake. They had to be behind this—the deaths, the chaos, the unraveling of everything I’d built. But who was their mole? Someone close, someone I’d let into my circle. The betrayal gnawed at me, a dull ache tha
Anna's POVThe mansion stood tall ahead of us as the car slowed to a stop, the tires crunched against the gravel driveway, a sound that grated against my already disturbed nerves. Damon’s hand was warm in mine, his fingers laced tightly with my own, but there was something off—something I couldn’t ignore. Even though we were touching, he felt distant, detached, like a wall had sprung up between us. His jaw was clenched, his gaze fixed straight ahead, avoiding mine. I squeezed his hand, hoping for some reassurance, but he didn’t respond. He was here with me, physically, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.We stepped out of the car, and the cool evening air hit me like a slap, sharpening my senses. The mansion’s heavy wooden doors swung open as we approached, revealing a group of Damon’s men waiting inside. Their faces were etched with determination, and the tension in the room was thick enough to choke on. I clung to Damon’s hand a little tighter,
Anna's POVMy hand pressed harder against my mouth, muffling the gasp that tore out of me. The room tilted, the edges blurring as my knees wobbled beneath me. Damon’s men stood there, their pale faces carved from stone, waiting for me to say something, do something. But I couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. Ghost—Damon’s sister, the one he’d spoken of with that quiet reverence—was gone. Murdered. And Damon… where the hell was he?“Where did he go?” My voice came out sharp, cracking at the edges as I lowered my hand. My fingers trembled, and I clenched them into fists to hide it.The taller man—the one with the buzz cut—shifted his weight, his jaw tight. “We don’t know. He got the message, went silent, then grabbed his keys and left. Told us to get you to the mansion before he drove off.”“When?” I demanded, stepping closer. “When did this happen?”“About an hour ago,” he said, his eyes flicking away from mine, like he couldn’t stand the weight of my stare.An ho
Anna's POVRelief hit me like a punch to the chest when Damon stepped into that alley, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. But then I saw his eyes—glowing red, and my breath caught, snagging on a spike of shock. Relief twisted into something else, something jagged and raw, as the reality of what I was seeing sank in.“Two alphas?” one of the men yelped, his jaw dropping so fast it might’ve hit the pavement. The others gaped, their faces slack with disbelief, but I barely registered them. My eyes were locked on Damon.“I told you to leave her alone,” he roared, and then his body… changed. His shoulders broadened, his limbs stretched, fur sprouting over his skin as he towered into something massive—a Lycan, a werewolf straight out of a nightmare. My hand flew to my mouth, stifling a scream. I’d known he was different—odd, secretive—but this? This was beyond anything I’d ever imagined. I’d faced a vampire in Mexico, felt its cold breath on my