LEIGH-ARI
A full week has passed since that incident. After receiving the old Verzi in my heart and soul, we had pulled ourselves from the heap of limbs off the floor and took a very steamy shower, things really got heated right away and they were too good to even think about. Fast forward, we made love the whole night and I can tell that the puzzle was complete.And from then on, the change in the boys was very evident. It was as if this whole weight was lifted from them, and they were so light on their feet and bodies. Verzi smiled and laughed often, he was the happiest version of himself, and Enzo, my big guy was also on cloud nine. Lorik had been the force that weighed them down for so long; for so long that they just stopped living, and just existed.And now; things were so different!And because of that, I felt like it was time, I felt like the time was right to tell them what I needed to tell them.With that thought in mind, I called them out to the Tower LounHey Sunbeams, I hope you all are doing great because as far as I'm concerned, I am really losing my medulla on this side. The epilophobia (phobia of writing the word "epilogue" or ending the story)is still hitting hard, but I hope you enjoyed the bonus chapters and they didn't throw you off. I am really, really trying to find words to complete this book but they are missing, and I feel like I am missing out on a lot of scenes. It's called self-doubt! Anyway, I love you guys... please, enjoy this one, I am on my knees begging you all. a good week blessed week ahead, RARE
LORENZO POV“Did we really have to do it ourselves?” I asked glaring around at the busy-as-shit mall where people were milling for Christmas shopping. Christmas was just 2 days ahead and the whole town was fully packed with people. I don't know why today of all days, but Ari insisted we came to get some gifts for ourselves and do a little bit of shopping. And by gifts, I didn’t think she meant a thousand shopping bags in a cramped shopping mall where you bumped into a person every second and breathed in their stinky sweat.“Yes. It is called living.” She replied from across me and reached out for my hand. I quickly stretched my hand out and she squeezed it mellowly, surprisingly calming me down. I wasn’t expecting to be so anxious to be out in public with just her and Verzi, not even a single guard in view. But If you asked me, it was truly thrilling to be living like normal civilians. It was safe to say we were missing out on a lot of things!Right when I was still lost in
LEIGH-ARI The morning rolled over more quickly than I anticipated and I found myself thinking of my life before and after I came to Dark Woods. It has really been a crazy, epic ride. From being a straight-A student and putting on the dang long coat, being addressed as Dr. Montreal and doing what I loved the most; to being kidnapped by hot ass dudes who are insanely obsessed with me, claiming to be my men, and then being locked in the steam and triggering the mines that nearly split me open, I mean heck! My life was indeed one for the books.But one thing I gained in this crazy dissension of hearts and guns was the love I had never fathomed possible. Love that consumed me whole and made me feel so strong and bold like I could take over the whole world. Love that burned so fiercely deep inside me I felt like I would combust at any moment. The Cattanio twins gave me that kind of love, and I could never ask for more. They made me feel so complete, and that's crazy because the
EPILOGLeaving Dark Woods felt so foreign and oddly queer that I felt like I was leaving the biggest part of me behind. I couldn’t help but steal glances as the cab that Val had gotten me stretched further and further from the castle, and I didn’t understand why my heart hurt so painfully when I was actually doing the right thing for the three of us. Surprisingly, Dark Woods had grown on me so much that it felt like home, and one always cried when leaving home. I wanted to laugh because I used to resent this place so much, but now I was in pain for leaving.Was it because I left without saying goodbye? Was it because I didn’t even see the look on their faces when I turned my back and left? But this wasn’t a goodbye. It was not! And seeing the look on their faces would have shattered me into pieces and I wouldn’t be leaving, that's why I sneaked out when they were still sleeping. I glanced down at my finger where two rocks that became one were nestled so big and proud. A sm
EXTRACTED FROM CHAPTER 69 LEIGH-ARI“The bosses are going to love the little transformation. It looks so good on you. Right baby?” Val called from the passenger’s seat before gently squeezing Ciello’s hand that was rested on the gear lever and looked at him dreamily. I smiled from the backseat where I was sitting, watching the little interaction between the two little birds that were just so in love with each other.“Definitely. That little taint looks good in her hair.” Ciello replied with the little knowledge he has in woman’s beauty espionage causing me to guffaw with peals of laughter.“They are called highlights. Not taint. But I think they are going to bite my head before really accepting that I did a little change to the hair. And just know you will carry the blame if they complain about the length.” Following the recent rundowns, Val had asked me to join her on a spa appointment which was way too tempting to deny, so I had pleaded with the guys w
VERNERO POVI was sitting on one of the couches in our bedroom flipping through channels, ever so relaxed after a long day. My mind drifted back to when Leigh messed up the gun training so bad, but I had found that so cute I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to stop. Had it been anyone, they would have been six feet underground for wasting my time. But watching the determination on her face as she aimed the target, only to miss it so terribly or just continue pulling the trigger without the gun going off; that had been the highlight of my day.Right when I was lost in thought the door slit open and in came Enzo whose eyes found me first.“Hey, bud.” He said warmly and walked towards the couch where he plopped himself next to me and stared at the TV with me,“Rough day at work?” I inquired staring at him,“Not really. Why are you alone in here? Where’s Tesoro?” he asked with his eyes still glued to the TV.“She's mopping and sulking in the bathroom. Refused when I t
PROLOGUE Leigh-Ari A soft ping from my phone had me looking from the laptop in front of me. It was on a Saturday at noon and I was trying to submit the assignment which was due tomorrow. After clicking send, I grabbed my phone and smiled when I saw the name on the notification. ‘Verzi’ it said. I opened the small message icon and read the text from one of my only two best-friends of mine. Can you come and help us with the assignment really quickly? The text read. I laughed softly and shut my laptop then exited my room. These boys, these twins, were the best things I could possibly ask for. Ever since my mother left us, for some rich guy, the twins across the street have been my safe fortress. They picked me and mended me and made me whole when I was crumbling. And from that incident that happened when I was just 8, we have grown closer. I never thought I would find a friend and fortitude in two, but I did. And now I couldn't begin to imagine what would have happened if it weren
VERNERO POVThe drug they used on me was slowly wearing off, and I was slowly slipping back into consciousness. However, my body was so damn sore that I could barely move a muscle, probably because I’d been chained to a chair for over 71 hours now with no food, no water to drink, or anything to keep me sane. I had been careless, careless to let my guard down, and actually thought I got my shit together.But I’ll give them; the Sicilian men had been clever and swift this time. They managed to capture me.I groaned softly and winced as the wound on the left of my groin oozed with blood. The fucker’s did me a good number there.I engaged my ears to pick up all the sounds, since my eyes were failing to pitch in; I decided to settle with hearing. There was laughter coming from the left side of where I was chained. The conversation among the people seemed to be an easy one, but the smell of pot was intoxicating and I knew I had an easy pass out of this place. If they were really smoking pot,
VERNERO POVI woke from a slicing splitting headache. Although my body was still sore, the pain was lulled by the drugs and whatever little fella injected me with. I groaned softly as I tried to get up only to find that I was dressed in nothing but bandages, and my boxers. The soft snores caught my attention and I glanced to my left to find that she had dozed off while watching over me. But what had my eyes widening with shock was the little scar on the left eyebrow of the little stranger. The nose, the way she sucked on her bottom lip while she slept… it could not be! It could not fuckin be!I got up to my sitting position and actually assessed and studied my savior. With every passing second of me staring at her, my breathing labored. It couldn’t be her. I have searched the entire world for her and I hadn’t found her. For years, I made sure that I left every stone unturned in search of her, but it was if all her entire existence has been a sweet da
VERNERO POVI was sitting on one of the couches in our bedroom flipping through channels, ever so relaxed after a long day. My mind drifted back to when Leigh messed up the gun training so bad, but I had found that so cute I couldn’t bring myself to tell her to stop. Had it been anyone, they would have been six feet underground for wasting my time. But watching the determination on her face as she aimed the target, only to miss it so terribly or just continue pulling the trigger without the gun going off; that had been the highlight of my day.Right when I was lost in thought the door slit open and in came Enzo whose eyes found me first.“Hey, bud.” He said warmly and walked towards the couch where he plopped himself next to me and stared at the TV with me,“Rough day at work?” I inquired staring at him,“Not really. Why are you alone in here? Where’s Tesoro?” he asked with his eyes still glued to the TV.“She's mopping and sulking in the bathroom. Refused when I t
EXTRACTED FROM CHAPTER 69 LEIGH-ARI“The bosses are going to love the little transformation. It looks so good on you. Right baby?” Val called from the passenger’s seat before gently squeezing Ciello’s hand that was rested on the gear lever and looked at him dreamily. I smiled from the backseat where I was sitting, watching the little interaction between the two little birds that were just so in love with each other.“Definitely. That little taint looks good in her hair.” Ciello replied with the little knowledge he has in woman’s beauty espionage causing me to guffaw with peals of laughter.“They are called highlights. Not taint. But I think they are going to bite my head before really accepting that I did a little change to the hair. And just know you will carry the blame if they complain about the length.” Following the recent rundowns, Val had asked me to join her on a spa appointment which was way too tempting to deny, so I had pleaded with the guys w
EPILOGLeaving Dark Woods felt so foreign and oddly queer that I felt like I was leaving the biggest part of me behind. I couldn’t help but steal glances as the cab that Val had gotten me stretched further and further from the castle, and I didn’t understand why my heart hurt so painfully when I was actually doing the right thing for the three of us. Surprisingly, Dark Woods had grown on me so much that it felt like home, and one always cried when leaving home. I wanted to laugh because I used to resent this place so much, but now I was in pain for leaving.Was it because I left without saying goodbye? Was it because I didn’t even see the look on their faces when I turned my back and left? But this wasn’t a goodbye. It was not! And seeing the look on their faces would have shattered me into pieces and I wouldn’t be leaving, that's why I sneaked out when they were still sleeping. I glanced down at my finger where two rocks that became one were nestled so big and proud. A sm
LEIGH-ARI The morning rolled over more quickly than I anticipated and I found myself thinking of my life before and after I came to Dark Woods. It has really been a crazy, epic ride. From being a straight-A student and putting on the dang long coat, being addressed as Dr. Montreal and doing what I loved the most; to being kidnapped by hot ass dudes who are insanely obsessed with me, claiming to be my men, and then being locked in the steam and triggering the mines that nearly split me open, I mean heck! My life was indeed one for the books.But one thing I gained in this crazy dissension of hearts and guns was the love I had never fathomed possible. Love that consumed me whole and made me feel so strong and bold like I could take over the whole world. Love that burned so fiercely deep inside me I felt like I would combust at any moment. The Cattanio twins gave me that kind of love, and I could never ask for more. They made me feel so complete, and that's crazy because the
LORENZO POV“Did we really have to do it ourselves?” I asked glaring around at the busy-as-shit mall where people were milling for Christmas shopping. Christmas was just 2 days ahead and the whole town was fully packed with people. I don't know why today of all days, but Ari insisted we came to get some gifts for ourselves and do a little bit of shopping. And by gifts, I didn’t think she meant a thousand shopping bags in a cramped shopping mall where you bumped into a person every second and breathed in their stinky sweat.“Yes. It is called living.” She replied from across me and reached out for my hand. I quickly stretched my hand out and she squeezed it mellowly, surprisingly calming me down. I wasn’t expecting to be so anxious to be out in public with just her and Verzi, not even a single guard in view. But If you asked me, it was truly thrilling to be living like normal civilians. It was safe to say we were missing out on a lot of things!Right when I was still lost in
LEIGH-ARIA full week has passed since that incident. After receiving the old Verzi in my heart and soul, we had pulled ourselves from the heap of limbs off the floor and took a very steamy shower, things really got heated right away and they were too good to even think about. Fast forward, we made love the whole night and I can tell that the puzzle was complete.And from then on, the change in the boys was very evident. It was as if this whole weight was lifted from them, and they were so light on their feet and bodies. Verzi smiled and laughed often, he was the happiest version of himself, and Enzo, my big guy was also on cloud nine. Lorik had been the force that weighed them down for so long; for so long that they just stopped living, and just existed.And now; things were so different!And because of that, I felt like it was time, I felt like the time was right to tell them what I needed to tell them. With that thought in mind, I called them out to the Tower Loun
LEIGH-ARIThe nauseating stench of burning flesh had reigned through the night in Dark Woods, making my bones clutter and tremble from underneath my skin. I had known this day was to come, I had known very well that he was going to pay for all he has done, and I wasn’t against it! Lorik had it coming!The only thing that unsettled me the most was what his death might do to my boys. I feared for them that they will lose themselves, for as much as it was so weird and very hard to believe, Lorik was their father!Yes they didn’t have the best relationship but the blood ties, that blood running through their veins was Lorik’s, and as much as I wanted to sweep the issue under the rug and be glad he was out of their lives, I was scared. Scared for them; but mostly, scared and terrified for Verzi.I didn't even want to being to think what he was going through when he ended Lorik's life. I didn't want the details, should he want to share with us how he did it then we'd sit besid
VERNERO POVA wall-shattering scream tore out of my lungs, as my body sunk into a deep bottomless sea of cold water. I watched as the air leave his body, his soul departing with his black eyes still glued to my face. For the very first time since I have known my father, this was the time he looked at me with fatherly love, the one kind I have longed for, for as long as I can remember; and my heart hurt so much. I didn’t understand it! Why did it hurt so bad? Why did I feel weak in the knees for killing him while it has been the one thing that I have dreamed of?Tears streamed down my face as I turned the dagger, eliciting a squelching sound as it tore deeper and deeper through his heart. He was dead already because he wasn’t moving. But his eyes were as open and as clear as day! I screamed! God, I screamed so hard that my cry made the walls of the dungeons tremble.With a very defeated body, I slowly pulled the dagger from him, and then robotically watched as it dropped
BONUS CHAPTER 1LORIK POV“I forgive you.” The words charged at me like a sharp dagger that gatecrashed through my heart leaving me breathless. Heat rose from my neck and settled just right above my head, creating a cloud of intense self-loathing that made my ears deaf. With blurred vision, I watched as she slowly sashayed out of the damp dense cellar where I was chained.My eyes followed her movements until she was out of view. My mind reeled with all sorts of thoughts recalling all the evil things I have committed. She had forgiven me, despite everything I had done to her. She forgave me and bathed me clean, after being tortured by my son for how long... Heck, I didn’t even know how long I have in here without food, water, let alone taking a bath. I reeked of death and all the things I have done in my past. Vernero always brought him a small bite of protein bar just to keep me alive, nothing more than that. I was famished, my throat so patched it felt like it was burn