CHAPTER 65: JOEL CASIOZAHRA'S POVI leaned back in the plush leather seats of the limousine, gazing out at the gleaming Mina Al Arab villas and beautiful waterways. Dashiell sat next to me, his eyes also scanning the beautiful city. "Do you remember this place?" Dashiell asked quietly as we drew closer to the Lumina."I remember too much," I muttered, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips as I felt a knot tighten in my chest. "My dad bought this part of town because he didn't want tourists or the police to stray close to the Lumina."The driver took us down a winding road that led to the beautiful Lumina mansion.Everytime I daydream of what would have happened if I hadn't left the UAE, it always ends up with me wrapped in a shroud. I scanned the towering gates followed by the manicured lawn and beautifully decorated walls that my father topped every year because he never wanted me outside the mansion.We stepped out of the car and Dashiell immediately took my hand, his eyes meeting mi
CHAPTER 66: TROUBLE O'CLOCKZahra's PovDashiell and I walked through the glass doors of Carlton hotel in Mina Al Arab. The cool air from the lobby enveloped me, allowing me to feel a little better about everything that had transpired earlier.I glanced at him, hoping to maybe read his mind through his hardened facial expression. He wasn't this stuck up a few minutes before Joel showed up, and now I had a strange feeling that this whole cold shoulder thing had something to do with Joel.We reached the elevator, and the silence between us felt like it was going to choke me. As we ascended to our suite, I turned to him. "What is wrong with you? You have been awfully quiet since we saw that fool, Joel."He sighed, his gaze dropping to the floor before meeting mine. "It's nothing...I just realized a lot of things," he paused. "We should have never come to the UAE."I swallowed thickly, still searching his eyes for a clearer response.We entered the suite and it was beyond magnificent. Th
CHAPTER 67: LATE TO THE MURDER PARTYZahra's Pov The bathroom was cold and silent, the only sound I could hear was my own shallow breaths echoing off the shower glass. I held my gun close, trying to focus, but my heart kept racing, the harsh beats sending goosebumps to crowd my skin.Straining my ears, I waited for a signal from Dashiell, but all I could hear was the sound of the door opening, footsteps, and loud pop music that was coming from a nextdoor room. Just when I thought the silence would last forever, I heard the sound of the hotel door clicking shut, and my pulse quickened.Then, Dashiell's voice filled the room. "Zahra, you can come out now."I stepped out carefully, finding him standing in the middle of the room, his expression darker than before. But it wasn't just his face that caught my attention. It was the piece of paper in his hands. It was folded neatly, into the shape of an envelope."What's that?" I asked, moving closer."Someone was here," he replied, his voi
CHAPTER 68: FINIR?Dashiell's PovThe metallic scent of blood still lingered in the air, thick and suffocating as Saba's sickening smile hovered above Joel's bruised face. But even with the ax in her hand, I still remained unfazed.Zahra and I stood in the doorway, our stance calm, but we still held our guns pointed toward her.Just then, about six armed men stepped out of the shadows and stood behind Saba."You are late, Godfather," Saba taunted, tapping the ax lightly against Joel's shoulder. "I have already won."I slowly tucked my gun in my pocket, motioning to Zahra to still hold hers. Stepping forward, I let out a small, almost pitying chuckle. "Won?" I said, my voice laced with sarcasm." You have no idea."Saba's expression faltered slightly as my eyes bore into her, unblinking, unflinching. Joel, who was barely unconscious, lifted his head enough to look at me, more blood trickling down his forehead. "Saba, don't be a coward," Joel rasped breathlessly. "Kill me and finish wh
CHAPTER 69: DEVIL IN MINKZahra's Pov The soft morning light filtered through the curtains of Dashiell's LA château, casting a gentle light on my skin. My eyes fluttered open, languid from exhaustion of the last 'hectic' few days. My body felt like it was sinking into the bed beneath me, the feeling of comfort almost unrecognizable after everything that happened in Mina Al Arab. The flight back from the UAE was so stressful, but it was something I was looking forward to- at least we went back home alive and well.Beside me, Dashiell's arm lay across my waist, his breathing steady and soft. For a moment, I wanted to stay still, but the birds chirping in the estate grounds made me so excited, and also because I was excited about brewing one of the middle eastern coffee grounds that we bought yesterday.Aside from that, my mind was racing with the thoughts of Christmas. Though it still felt like months away, there was so much to prepare. Malek never celebrated Christmas- at least not
CHAPTER 70: CÍRCULO DEL DIABLO (Devil's Circle)ZAHRA'S POVThe evening air was unusually still as Dashiell and I prepared to head to Lisa's birthday party. Images flashed in my head of yesterday when I received her invitation. I didn't want to go, but when I saw that I could bring a plus one, I immediately pitched it to Dashiell, who was hesitant at first, but agreed.We were in Dashiell's study, just about to leave for the party when he got off the phone with Gotham and Blazer. They would be at the party too, blending in with the crowd but keeping an eye on everyone there. "I don't trust her," Dashiell said, his tone low, pulling me closer as we stood near the door."Neither do I," I replied, smoothening the sleek black dress I had chosen for tonight. "But something about her seems...I don't know, magnetic. She's facially attractive and also has an attractive mannerism. I'm very curious to know more about her.""You're always curious." Dashiell smirked, brushing a strand of hair b
CHAPTER 71: ENTANGLED IN THE SPIDER'S WEBZAHRA'S POV 'We have a meeting tomorrow. Would you like to come?'My fingers hovered over the screen, my mind racing with thoughts about whether to reply or not. My eyes scanned Siobhan who was pacing around the room, her brows furrowed."Ignore the message," Siobhan said firmly. "I'd even recommend that you delete her number.""I didn't even collect her number nor did she ask for mine. Till today, I wonder how she got it." I replied, clutching my phone tightly.Dashiell was leaning against his desk, his arms crossed, waiting for Siobhan to say something."She probably has spies everywhere, and now she will stop at nothing until she gets you to join her." Siobhan said and stopped pacing before slowly turning around to face us. "Étoile Cercle is a cult. And it's not just any cult. It's one of the most dangerous ones that hides behind charm, sex, wealth, and power. Their spider symbols represent manipulation, control, and betrayal. Once you j
CHAPTER ONE: MEETING MR DASHIELL My eyes flickered open like the blurry Christmas lights at the far end of a NewYork street. I tried to move but my head felt like it had been nailed to the hard, black tiles, and I could only manage to lift a finger or two.My mouth quivered as I felt liquid surrounding my cold body, I began to wonder whether I had taken a piss on the floor while unconcious.Using the strength I had left, I raised my fingers up to meet my eyes. My vision was blurry but I could still decipher that the liquid on the floor wasn't piss but in fact blood.I was surrounded by my own blood.I shut my eyes as I recalled how this came to be. It wasn't the first time he had beaten me, but this was the first time that his fists led me to draw blood.I have endured it for eight years and running. All the beatings, the scars, and the pains. With no one to run to but the good memories of my distant past. Spent running around with a boy that lived close to me.People talk about ho