CHAPTER 26: MOTHER'S RINGAs the gates to Dashiell's vast estate swung open, I looked in awe at the long and beautiful path before me, leading me to also notice the castle-like chateau in the distance.The five-minute journey along the path felt like a breeze away from the torment of the present, as I couldn't remove my gaze from how beautifully constructed the estate was.The trees were perfectly shaped and spaced to line across the paths, their leaves rustling in the breeze as Gotham sped past them. But, as we reached the tall and vast building, he brought the car to a halt, leading the abrupt stop to push me out of my deep reverie.Gotham stepped outside to open the door for me. "He is waiting for you in his study. It's the third room to your left," he said."Aren't you coming?" I asked in horror as he gave me a clear description for no reason.He shook his head, "He only asked me to pick you up and leave. There's no one else here except him,""Why?" I asked, confusion written all
CHAPTER 27: VIVICA BLACKWOODWarning: This chapter contains the mention of blood and a graphic murder. At the break of dawn, I immediately left Dashiell's estate for the hospital to see Salem. My thoughts drifted off to what happened last night as I settled in the back seat of Dashiell's jeep which was going to be driven by Gotham.I raised the diamond ring on my finger to meet my eyes, and a hum escaped through my lips as I scanned what Dashiell referred to as, "Mother's ring" He wasn't the same after he saw the ring on my finger, and I also wanted to know why the ring could never be taken off once it was on. All through last night, I tried to remove the ring but it wouldn't budge, and I even tried to cut it open with a plier that I saw on Dashiell's desk, but to no avail.My eyes darted over to scan the back of Gotham's head, and as if he was watching me all this while, he met my eyes through the mirror in between the driver and passenger's seats. I thrust the hand that housed
CHAPTER 28: ADIEU TRAITOR"Are you sure you don't want me to follow you?" Gotham asked with a concerned expression on his face while closing the door to the passenger seat for me to get out.I shook my head to say no, and tightened my grasp on my thick brown coat to protect me from the weather, as I wore a pair of loose pants, sneakers, and a cropped T-shirt.I started to walk away silently but Gotham pulled me back, "You are going to make me lose my job. Mr Blackwood asked me never to let you out of my sight," he scoldedI turned to face him with a blank expression on my face, my voice laced with emptiness and tiredness, "And where is your Mr Blackwood now?" I asked and closed the gap between us. "Where was your Mr Blackwood when my son was getting murdered? He promised to protect me," I added, my voice shaky at that last sentence.Tears gathered in the corner of my eye, but I quickly cleaned it up, "I have nothing to lose now. And, if you think about it properly, I am doing this to
CHAPTER 29: I PLEDGE MY LOYALTY TO YOU I lay stiffly on the bed in one of the rooms in Dashiell's chateau, which had a purple interior, as he readied the bathroom for me to have a hot bath. I clutched onto his suit firmly as my thoughts drifted off to what it would be like to stay in his strong arms forever. When he held me, and I was nestled in his embrace, it felt like I was intoxicated with love. Was it love? Would it be a crime if I called it that?I didn't know, it was just that…I felt something that I had never felt before. My heart was beating faster than an African talking drum, and my head felt fuzzy as his mysteriousness almost set my organs ablaze.Did any of what he does to me mean anything? Just then, his footsteps drew me out of my deep reverie, "The bathroom is ready," he said and paused. I could feel his eyes wander over my body. "My room is opposite this one if you need anything," he said, but still stood there."What is it?" I asked, my mouth heavy.I heard him
CHAPTER 30: YZMAAs I grasped the gun firmly, I felt Dashiell's hands slip under mine, his hard abs pressing against my elbow. His wrists slowly moved to cradle mine as he guided my hands to stay firm before my eyes. I felt his fingers wrap around my wrists, his thumbs brushing against my pulse as he leaned to whisper in my ear. "Be still," he scolded, his voice low and sexy. "Aim," he rasped, his lips moving away from my ear to fan hot minty breath on my neck. I shifted at the slightest hint of pleasure that he was giving me, and I think he noticed, but he didn't move away. "Go!" He commanded, and I pulled the trigger. I almost leaped for joy when the bullet hit the bullseye, leading Dashiell to fold his arms and scan my excited expression. "Not bad for your third try," he commended. "Thanks, Master," I joked, nudging him with a wide smile. He slapped my hands away, his brows furrowed, "I told you not to call me that." "It's so cool! I'd literally die if anyone called me maste
CHAPTER 31: FOGA PERICOLOSO (DANGEROUS FERVOR)ATTENTION: This chapter contains a dual POV of the main charactersZAHRA'S POV I settled on one of the lounge chairs in my apartment building's balcony, reading issues about celebrity scandals on my tablet. Just then, I heard footsteps coming towards me, stirring me up from where I had my head buried.It was Gotham, dressed in his usual attire, an all black suit with his wavy curled hair."What now? I asked the staff situated outside not to disturb me or allow anyone in," I snapped with a slight hint of distaste."Sorry," he answered, his head bowed slightly.I folded my arms across my chest and shrugged, "It's been three days since Dashiell left for Italy. Any news from him? He hasn't been responding to any of my calls or messages," He shook his head to say no, "He hasn't contacted me too, but I'll try to reach him on your behalf," he paused and continued. "There's someone on the ground floor who wants to buy an apartment on the first
CHAPTER 32: CHECKMATEZAHRA'S POV"Miss Zahra?" I heard Adela call, jolting me out of my deep reverie. "Yeah?" She smiled softly, "I just paid in full. I'll be moving in as soon as the moving company brings my things-" "Hold on." I cut her off from what she was about to say, "You're moving in now?" She forced a smile and placed her palm on my hand, "Yeah? Any problem? I have already paid for the apartment," I shook my head and swallowed thickly, "No…it's…ugh nevermind," I replied and started to leave for my room when I remembered the Bow and Arrow tattoo. I turned to face her with a smile, "I noticed the tattoo on your neck. It's a lovely tattoo, and I was hoping that you could show me where you had yours done. I want to get a tattoo of my a gun and knife," She crossed her legs over each other and smirked, "Oh- I didn't get the tattoo around here. I just moved to Los Angeles from Seattle," "Really?" I asked, sitting back down. "What do you do?" She chuckled and eyed me, "You
CHAPTER 33: KISS ME ZAHRA'S POV I took a deep breath as my wrists wrapped firmly around my Smith and Wesson bodyguard 380 auto pistol, my eyes, fixated on the spherical target which was 27 feet away as I pulled the trigger.Bang! Bang! As I put the gun away, I began to feel awkward as I hadn't heard a compliment or assurance of how I did from Dashiell.I turned to face him to find him staring into space, oblivious of everything that surrounded him.I took slow strides toward him and tugged the hem of his suit, leading him to take notice of me, "What's the matter?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.I noticed how he smoothed his expression and hid the countenance of worry on his face, "Nothing. Are you finished? So I can drop you off at your building. It's 9:13 pm,"I furrowed my eyebrow, "Yes I am finished, but we are not leaving until you tell me what's going on. Is it about Adela? You still have to meet with her at some point. For now, she's hiding at my apartment building,