ANYA Panic surged through me as I struggled against the ropes. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. “Think before you answer my question,” he said sharply. “Does Hunter value you or not?” I froze, my mind racing. Was this how I was going to die? If I said no, that I wasn’t important to Hunter, he’d kill me without a second thought. But if I said yes, that Hunter valued me, he’d… I couldn’t finish the thought. The idea of what he might do made my stomach turn. I bit my lip, tears streaming down my face as I thought. 'Dying might be better than what he’ll do if I say Hunter cares about me.' “Well?” he barked, his voice cutting through my panic like a blade. “Go on. I’m listening.” I swallowed hard, my voice shaking as I finally spoke. “I don’t know,” I said, my words stumbling out. “I don’t know what goes on in his head. But everything I’ve told you is the truth. He didn’t marry me because he cared about me. He married me to make my life
ANYA In the bathroom, I stood under the shower, letting the hot water cascade over me as I scrubbed my skin for what felt like the hundredth time. It didn’t matter how hard I scrubbed....nothing could erase the feeling of the blood that had splashed onto my face. Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing with the water, but I didn’t try to stop them. My body trembled, and I hugged myself tightly, desperate to feel some sense of safety. Finally, I sank to the floor of the shower, curling into a ball in the corner. The sound of the water hitting the tiles echoed around me, but it couldn’t drown out the memories. I closed my eyes, and the scene replayed itself in my mind like a nightmare I couldn’t escape. The moment Hunter had saved me, leading me out of that room, I had thought the worst was over. But when we stepped outside, I saw them; Hector, Carlos, and Manuel. Hunter’s brothers. They stood there, their expressions calm, almost bored, as if the chaos surrounding them was
ANYA I clenched my fists, as I stared at Hunter. My hands trembling as I said inwardly. “You killed all those people to save me. You ordered all of it for my sake. But this isn’t the life I want. This isn’t the life I can live.” I swallowed hard, my voice barely audible. “And that video… it’s my only way out. I need to send it to Evans. It's the only way you would let me go, Hunter.” Quietly, I slipped out of bed and grabbed my bag, pulling the camera out. My heart pounded as I tiptoed into the bathroom and locked the door behind me. Sitting on the floor, I turned the camera on, scrolling through the footage until I found what I was looking for. My breath caught in my throat as the video played. Hunter’s face filled the screen, his movements precise and deadly. I watched as he shot one man after another, their bodies crumpling to the ground. I saw the way he snapped a man’s neck with his bare hands, the camera capturing every horrifying detail. It was all there. Evidence
ANYA "I want to please you," I replied. "I..... I will suck your cock and fully give myself to you. I want to experience what it feels like when my husband, Hunter Steele, makes love to me." Hunter swallowed, his eyes filled with surprise. His gaze stayed on me as his expression shifted between surprise, confusion, desire and finally concern. “Anya, I don’t think you’re in the right frame of mind for this,” he said gently, lifting me up from the ground. “But I want you,” I insisted, my voice trembling. “I’m thinking clearly, Hunter. I assure you.” I went on my knees again, but he stopped me, lifting me off the floor and pulling me into his arms. His embrace was warm, grounding me in a way that made my chest ache with guilt. “It’s okay, Anya,” he said softly. “Some other time.” He held me close for what felt like an eternity, his steady heartbeat pressing against mine. When he finally let me go, I couldn’t meet his gaze, afraid of what he might see in my eyes. We sat on
ANYA Bernice’s eyes blazed with anger as she pointed a finger at me. Her voice rose, sharp. “You’re a liar, Anya. A hypocrite! You think you can eat your cake and have it too, don’t you?” she accused, her words spilling out like venom. I stood there, stunned, as she continued. “You tricked me. You deceived me. You asked your husband to take you on a honeymoon and made me believe you didn’t want him. And Cross? You cheated on him!” Her words hit like daggers, but I refused to let her disrespect me. I straightened my back and fixed my gaze on her. “I am not a liar, Bernice,” I said, my voice firm. “And I am not a cheat, especially when it comes to Cross. So be very careful about what you say to me, and how you treat me.” I took a step closer, my tone dropping lower. “And this is the last time I’ll warn you....don’t ever put your hands on me again.” For a moment, the room was filled with tense silence. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the mixture of rage and frustratio
ANYA Needing a distraction, I decided to head to the kitchen. Marie was there, humming softly as she worked. The sight of her calm demeanor immediately made me feel a little more grounded. “Hey, Marie,” I said, stepping into the warm, inviting space. She turned to me with a kind smile. “Hello, Mrs. Steele. Would you like something to eat or drink?” I shook my head. “No, I just wanted to spend some time here. I would really love to assist you right now. What can I do?" Marie handed me a small knife and a cutting board. “Here,” she said. “If you really want to, you can help me chop these vegetables. It might help take your mind off whatever seems to be troubling you.” I smiled gratefully, feeling impressed by her perceptiveness as I took the knife from her and got to work. For a while, we worked in comfortable silence, the rhythmic sound of chopping and the delicious aroma of food filling the air. It was a small reprieve, but it was exactly what I needed. As I chopped,
ANYA I stared at Hunter, as he waited for my answer. The thought of a wedding gnawed at me. A wedding. A grand spectacle that would declare to the world that I was Hunter’s wife, his property. How could I even consider it when all I wanted was to escape? A ceremony meant sealing my fate in his world, a world I never asked for. I lowered my gaze, trying to avoid the intensity of his. “I’m not ready,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. Hunter didn’t push me. He just nodded, his jaw tightened but his voice remained calm. “What do you want, then?” I wanted to say freedom but I knew that wasn’t an option. Hunter would never let me go. He had made that clear. So instead, I shook my head and murmured, “Nothing.” His lips pressed into a thin line as he studied me. Then, without warning, he sat on my bed and reached out his hands, pulling me down to sit on his lap. The warmth of his arms wrapped around me, and for a moment, I felt small and fragile in his hold. “I want
ANYA I glanced up, meeting Hunter's gaze. There was something raw in his eyes, that tugged at me. A vulnerability I hadn't observed before. “I’m a man who’s used to taking what I want,” he admitted. “By force, if I have to. But with you… it’s different. You’re the first person I’ve ever wanted to please. The first person I’ve ever wanted to make happy.” His words made my chest tighten. I didn’t know what to say. “I’m not asking you to love me to death right now,” he added. “All I’m asking is for a chance. Achance to show you that I can make you happy. That you won’t regret being with me.” His voice grew steadier. “I’ll make you my priority, Anya. I’ll give you anything you want, as long as it’s within my power. All I need is for you to try." He took my hands in his. His touch was warm and firm, grounding me even as my thoughts swirled. “Can you give me that, Anya? Can you give me a chance?” As I stared into Hunter’s intense, expectant eyes, my mind wandered far away fr
After watching Don Gray’s body disappear, Ruby turned and walked away. She didn’t look back. She made her way to Hector’s room. Hector followed her, his sharp gaze fixed on her back. He expected something....a reaction, a flicker of emotion. But she was quiet. Too quiet. Hector prided himself on understanding people. He could break them, twist them, strip them down to their very core and know what made them tick. But her? She was an enigma. What was she thinking? Was she disturbed by Don Gray’s death? Did she regret anything? He hated this uncertainty. Hated that he even cared. In the past, he would have used pain to get the answers he wanted. A knife. A whip. A gun to the temple. But now? The thought of hurting her made him sick. The realization burned inside him like a slow fire. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to speak. "Are you okay?" Ruby looked at him, her expression calm. “I’m fine.” A lie. But he didn’t push. Instead, he changed
Ruby watched in silence as Don Gray's screams faded into nothing. His body twisted and convulsed in agony until the fire consumed him completely. His last movement was a desperate, futile roll across the floor....then stillness. The room smelled of burning flesh and smoke. Hector took one last glance at the charred corpse, then waved his hand. “Dump him in the river,” he ordered, his voice devoid of emotion. The men moved at once, hauling what was left of Don Gray away. But Camila was not there to witness it. She sat in her bathtub, submerged in warm water, yet feeling no warmth at all. Her mind was miles away, trapped in the past. She saw it again...the gun in her hand, her finger pulling the trigger, Hector flinching as the bullet grazed his hand. She had tried to stop him. Tried to save Ruby. But then Ruby had fallen at Hector's feet begging to be his dog, just to spare Camila. Camila squeezed her eyes shut, gripping the edges of the bathtub as nausea threate
A few hours later, Hector straightened his cufflinks and glanced at Ruby. “It’s time,” he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge of excitement. "Get ready." Ruby could tell this was important to him. The sharp suit. The polished shoes. The way his men stood straighter when he spoke. She dressed quickly, slipping into one of the red dresses he had given her. Almost all of them were red. She didn’t bother to ask why. She tied up her hair and stepped out. The same men from the last execution attempt were present and four more, with the exception of the dead ones were there as well. The air in the room was humming with silent anticipation. But this time, something had changed. Ruby was not thrown into a cage. She was not told to sit on the floor like an animal. Hector pulled out the chair beside him and motioned for her to sit. The men exchanged glances. They noticed. They understood. Ruby’s place in Hector’s world had shifted. No speech. No grand declaration. Hector simp
After they left the torture chamber, Hector led Ruby back to his room. He stood by the door, watching her for a moment before speaking. “Get enough rest,” he said. “The time for Don Gray’s execution will arrive very soon.” Ruby’s lips curved into a small smile. “You already agreed that I would do the honors.” Hector smirked, shaking his head. She never forgot anything, did she? “I did,” he admitted. Then, for reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he added, “Is there anything you want?” Ruby blinked. “I feel like I still need to do something for you,” Hector continued, crossing his arms. “For putting your life on the line for me.” The words felt strange on his tongue. Since when did he care about repaying people like Ruby so much? More than that, why was he being so... considerate toward her? He knew he was attracted to her, but he wasn’t the kind of man who was unnecessarily kind to women. The idea alone made him uncomfortable. Still, he waited for her answer. Ruby
As Ruby pulled away from their embrace, she looked at Camila with a soft but determined gaze. “Hector cares about me, Camila,” she said. “I can see it.” Camila shook her head. “Ruby...” “No, listen to me.” Ruby held her hands firmly. “Apart from the misunderstanding in the beginning, Hector isn’t a bad person.” Camila scoffed, crossing her arms. “Are you even hearing yourself?” “Try to see things from his side,” Ruby insisted. “Don Gray destroyed his family. He killed his parents right in front of him.” Camila’s lips parted slightly. Ruby’s voice lowered, filled with emotion. “Who could bear that?” She took a deep breath and met Camila’s eyes. “Look at me, Camila. Imagine if someone was responsible for your father's death. Wouldn’t you want revenge?” The words hit Camila like a blow to the chest. She gasped softly, suddenly understanding. But she still shook her head. “Ruby… revenge is dangerous. You’re playing with fire.” Ruby gave a small, knowing smile. “Tru
Camila paced her small room, her stomach twisting in hunger. The untouched plate of food sat on the ground, mocking her. She stole another glance at it, but the knot in her chest made it impossible to eat. Then, the door creaked open. Her head snapped up, and she froze. Standing in front of her was Ruby. She looked… different. Dressed in a flowing white dress, her face soft and calm, Ruby seemed untouched by the nightmare they were trapped in. But Camila saw beyond the surface. She saw the sadness in her friend’s eyes, the weight she carried. Tears burned Camila’s vision, and before she could say a word, Ruby ran toward her, pulling her into a tight embrace. Camila clung to her, holding on as if she would disappear. Behind them, Hector stood in the doorway, watching in silence. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and shut the door, leaving them alone. Camila pulled back slightly, her hands gripping Ruby’s arms. “Are you okay?” R
Ruby sat still, her mind racing. She had begged Hector countless times before, pleaded with him to let her go. Yet, every time, he refused. So why now? She raised her head, meeting his gaze. “Why the sudden change of heart?” Hector’s fingers curled into a tight fist. His jaw clenched, but he kept his voice steady. “Why are you questioning me?” Because it didn’t make sense. That’s why. Ruby stayed quiet, watching him. Hector exhaled and turned his back to her. Anger swirled in his chest...not at her, but at himself. If only she knew how hard it was for him to send her away. Still, she pressed. “I just want to know why, Hector. You were so sure before. What changed?” He turned around slowly and walked toward his chair, sinking into it. His eyes locked onto hers. “I have a rule,” he said finally. “A life for a life. You’ve probably heard it before,” he went on. “Since you were willing to give your life for mine, I can’t let anything happen to you. That’s why I’m setting you
Eduardo stormed into the house with an energy that filled the entire space. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he scooped Selena off the couch, spinning her around. She shrieked with laughter, clinging to him as her heart pounded from the sudden thrill. "Eduardo! What’s going on?" she asked, breathless. He set her down gently but didn’t let go of her arms. His voice was thick with exhilaration as he said, “I just found out from a reliable source that Camila is dead.” Selena’s laughter froze. Her body stiffened, her wide eyes locking onto his. "What?" "Hector Morales killed her." Selena gasped, stepping back. Her hands trembled as she covered her mouth. "That mafia boss?" she whispered. "Is he really that ruthless?" Eduardo nodded. His expression darkened, his excitement shifting into something more serious. "You don’t understand, Selena. Hector didn’t just kill Camila—he wiped out an entire casino. And that place? It was practically owned by Don Gray." Selena swallowed
Hector stared at Ruby as he waited for her answers. "My heart could not bear to watch you die." She replied. His jaw clenched, his mind reeling. He narrowed his eyes, his voice low and dangerous. “What does that mean?” Ruby lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with intense emotions. “I know it sounds ridiculous,” she admitted. Her voice was soft, yet unwavering. “I know my place. I know I am nothing but a dog to you, a slave at your disposal. I know that.” She exhaled sharply, lowering her gaze for a moment before looking at him again. “But I couldn’t forget our first meeting. I mean...I haven't been able to forget our first meeting.” His brows furrowed. “Our first meeting?” She nodded, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “I was under the influence,” she continued, “but that doesn’t mean I forgot. That day… what happened between us…the way you fucked me.....the things you did to me, even today...it’s still in me. It’s a part of me.” Hector inhaled. That first day, th