Semua Bab His Pretty Little Liar - The Devil’s Snare - Book 1: Bab 221 - Bab 230

Continued: I'm sure I'm leaving sand in my wake with every step, but I don't care. A bee has well and truly gotten in my bonnet. I'm not entirely sure what's gotten into me; I had been happier on the plane after our pleasant interaction, but now...now, I feel far too vulnerable to allow Niko to have the real me. It must have been a momentary lapse in judgment, and I'll need to push him away harder than before to keep him at arm's length. Storming through the open plan living, dining, and kitchen area, I barely take in my surroundings of the exquisitely detailed home as I search for somewhere to relieve my bladder. I mount the floating steps and climb to the second floor in an attempt to take a minute to myself, but Niko does not give me much of a reprieve. Three closed doors greet me as I take a moment of indecisiveness on the landing. Looking at the closest one, I open the black door into a large bedroom with a round bed in the middle of the room. Just to the right, alon

Continued: "I'll make us something. I'm sure the fridge is stocked." "Do you know how to cook?" She calls to me. "I'm sure I can put something together," I shrug nonchalantly as I leave the room. She rolls her eyes dramatically and flips a loose tendril of hair behind her ear before seemingly dismissing me. Smirking to myself, I shake my head in disbelief. The truth is I can cook pretty well, actually, but there's never any need when I'm home. Anna does a good enough job to feed us all; besides, I'm far too busy most of the time to sit in the kitchen and create a dish when my mind isin twenty other places. My Aunt taught me how to cook, that was her thing. We lived above a small Italian restaurant. Apparently, it's where my parents met. My father wooed my mother; he obviously took her breath away and pushed her down the stairs of irreparable damage. Maybe she'd still be alive if he were anything but an Italian mob. The kitchen is fully stocked, as I presumed it would be, but I

Continued: Reaching inside, I find I'm disappointed beyond words to find skimpy bikinis, baby doll dresses, swim shorts, and lounge pants for Niko. My face must be a picture of unhappiness because Niko laughs so loud that it resounds around the open space. "I don't think Dimitri wants us to stay clothed for long if you know what I mean," he chatters. "This dress is the most uncomfortable thing I have ever worn, and these will barely keep the chill of the air off my skin." "Perhaps that's the point," he grins, stroking a red babydoll between his thumb and forefinger. "May I have your shirt?" I blurt out, glowering at the audacity of myself. "My shirt?" "Yes, can I have your shirt? You can peel this dress from me, and then I'll soak in the tub before bed and wear your shirt over one of these bikinis. I'm tired, Niko..." "I was hoping to show you out back. The hot tub is situated perfectly." "Fine, I'll soak in that," I huff, grabbing for the gold bikini with a vastly larger am

BiancaThe bed feels foreign and lonely. The sheets are harsh andcool, yet contemplating asking Niko to join me to make me feel less lonely after the last few hours of tenderness between us feels like a far-fetched fantasy that's most definitely not reachable. So I persevere, replaying today over in my mind on fast forward as I agonise over every interaction I have had, said and done. I should have told him about my virginity and who took it.I should have run.I shouldn't have kissed him.I should let him in... Arguing with myself seems pointless, yet I keep coming to the same conclusions. I toss and turn and sigh into the silent, dark room, puffing the pillow because, despite its depth, I still sink into it. The bed faces the window, looking out over the ocean, which is a huge blockade between this island and the freedom I could have had if not for giving up a perfectly presented chance for him, for Niko.I don't know why he has me so loyal to him. It's not like we've had a grea

NikoI keep Bianca close as we walk outside of the house. We travel towards the beach in silence, where a boat, dissimilar to the one last night, is on the sand for us.A man, indeed, does await us, as Dimitri suggested in his handwritten note. He's standing in the water, barefoot and relaxed. He's not native to the islands, and I know exactly who he is. He's one of Dimitri's men, one I've had the displeasure to have worked alongside since the day I pledged my services to Dimitri because of my desire to keep my father very much alive. The funny thing is that I've completed many tasks for Dimitri alongside this man under Luca's nose—an achievement I hate. "Ah, if it isn't the unhappy couple," Sven greets us with a snarl. He's an outsider, in all honesty, one who resides in Tuscany to be the ears and eyes for Dimitri in his homeland and, by extension, for Luca. Not that Luca works with this bastard very often."Correction, Sven. Happy. Very fucking happy," I hiss with annoyance as I