All Chapters of DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

LILIANAThe champagne flute trembles slightly in my grip, its stem icy against my fingertips. The fizz tickles ny nose before I take a sip. It's cold. Crisp. Completely useless at dulling the ache lodged in the center of my chest. I set the glass down and exhale slowly, watching the bubbles rise to the surface. Selena's voice is a distant hum in the background. When Melanie and Zip sauntered their way over to torment me, Selena stepped right in to pull me out of there. Although, I'm grateful for that, I'd need her to shut up. She's yapping excitedly about something I do not care about. I mean, why not? She's not the one getting traded off tonight. She's very married to one of the Kastorov brothers. Right now, she's saying something about the hors d'oeuvres or is it the chandeliers? Trying to befriend me probably but I don't care. She doesn't know that by the end of tonight, I'll be someone else's property. “You're impossible,” she mutters, taking a huge swig from her glass when

LILIANAThe moment I step out of the casino, it feels like my legs are moving without me. I'm like a doll being yanked around by invisible strings, having no say for herself. The air is sticky, the lights too bright and for a second, I wish I could blink and wake up somewhere else. Anywhere else. I crane my neck to look for a particular face. Damian's nowhere in sight and it's as if he's vanished into thin air. Minutes ago, I was kneeling before him in a forbidden prayer. I'd barely touched the zipper of his pants when a knock brought me back down to earth. It was Andros who requested his presence urgently. Putting himself back in order, he stepped out of the room without a glance at me. The shame that coursed through me can't be explained. I wanted the earth to give way and close over me in that moment.My stomach twists at the shameful memory. Used. That's how I feel. Like a coin passed around a table until it's too worn to be recognized. On the brighter side, I hadn't touched

LILIANA The first time I saw the lady was a few hours ago when Genovese first brought me in. The blank stare stare she gave which unnerved me. Little did I know how much she hated her Don. As we follow down the hallway and down the stairs, my pulse drums so loud in my ears that I fear the lady behind me can hear it. What if the guards notice something off about our departure and decide to do something about it? What if someone stepped into the bedroom with Damian still in there? What if someone bumps into us? At that thought, I can't help but throw one last glance over my shoulder, hoping he's right on our heels and when I do, I'm disappointed at what I see. Nothing. “Don't be anxious. This is just his getaway house, else your Pakhan wouldn't even stand a chance. He's smart enough to know that Genovese always brings his recent conquests this place where there are less security.” “How does that even make any sense?” She smirks at that. “He plays this twisted game with us where

RACHELIt's been a week since I prepared Liliana for the casino opening. A week since I took leave from work, claiming it was for my health. In that time, I've seen Melanie more than I care to count. Not that I'm proud of spending so much time with her. But I have to. If I don't trail after her like some obedient dog, she'll expose my pregnancy and ruin everything. “What's with that look? You already had your way with Damian and got pregnant for him. So stop moping around,” she'd hissed once as her eyes narrowed like a snake's. I hadn't of course. Hell, I haven't even thought about the Pakhan that way. My life would be ruined if he caught wind of that. Not that it matters to Melanie. She doesn't believe a word I say. Her theory remains that I have been sleeping with him.And despite my father's pathetic attempts to shove me into Damian's path, trying to play matchmaker for the Pakhan himself, I couldn't do it. I won't do it.But now Melanie's amping the pressure. “Get rid of it,”

LILIANAI drop the brush in a small bowl of water with a sound of triumph. Another completed project. “So beautiful,” I coo. The air shifts and suddenly, every inch of me is is hyperaware of him. The heat radiating off his skin. The faint scent of cedar and smoke mixing together like an alluring elixir with his masculine scent. His voice drops low and dangerous. “Is that what you see when you look at me? Beauty?”My heart begins a wild pounding rhythm I can't control. “I see a lot of things,” I whisper, almost unable to get the words out.Wait, hold on! Why is my tongue so loose this morning?He's close now. So close I can feel his breath against my cheek. His fingers reach for my chin and ever so softly, he turns my face towards him. “Tell me.”“You—” He doesn't give me a chance to speak before the rest of my words are swallowed up by his lips descending on mine. As his lips crash into mine, it feels as though the air evaporates from my lungs and in that mind-numbing moment, the w