All Chapters of DARKNESS IGNITES DESIRES: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

LILIANADamian still has the painting cradled in his hands as we sit on the bench in the courtyard and talk about my leaving. I've been holed up here for close to two months and judging by the proof of my innocence, I should be a free woman.I'm still as a rock as I wait for his final verdict. Something says he won't grant me my wishes. He sets the canvas down finally, making sure to prop it by the leg of the bench before leaning back and stretching out his legs.“What you ask is very risky, Milaya. I'm afraid I cannot grant you your request.” His voice is gentle, almost belittling, like he's regarding a little child who is asking for a fifth round of cotton candy.My irritation spikes and I try to keep it on a low since clashing with him has never done either of us any good. “I don't think anything is risky about what I'm asking. It's pretty simple; let me go home. You can have your men drive me and I promise, one word won't go out.”“Sentiments has never done the Bratva a favor i

DAMIANWhat should serve as comfort, brings me none. I'm tossing and turning in my bed, sighing, willing this anger swirling in my chest to disappear.I don't know how long it's been but Liliana's earlier rejection burns vivid in my mind. Running a hand through my hair, I begin to pace my bedroom. Sleep won't come, and I think I know why. Liliana rejected me. Not in an emotional outburst, nor with hesitation. Just a simple, uninterested dismissal, like one would a schoolboy who didn't matter. The last time anyone made me feel like this was with Stellëza. It's pissing me off. No one has ever turned me down like that before. Call me egoistic but it's not just my pride that took the hit—there’s something else I can't shake. And then, there is her damn request. The one that ruined the night. She wants me to send her home. She is still ignorant to the way things happen in the Bratva. How else do I make it clear to her that home means death. As long as people think I killed Genovese

LILIANA"Liliana…"The voices are all distorted as my vision swims and all the blood rushes to my ears. A hand snakes around my waist to keep me on my feet and then it hits me…I'm going to die. Memories fly around in my head, each a reminder of that time when I was starving and mother refused to feed me because my father had been out for days. Then I ate the only thing I could find stacked amongst Lajla’s belongings: A small scoop from a jar of peanut butter. If it weren't for my sister's timely arrival, I probably might have not witnessed her bailing out on me when I needed her the most.My life's history starts to flash before me and I know without a doubt what it signifies. “Radi boga, don't just stand there. Do something!” Someone yells. Panicked feet resound from everywhere in the room all at once, the voice of Irina panicking as she shrieks, “What's wrong with her?!”The tingling in the back of my throat and the roof of my mouth starts to spread again, prickling my tongue

DAMIANI gently lower the organs into the cooler after securing it into a zip lock with great care not to cause damage to them. Sicily and his men had found some people sniffing around the dock and brought them to me. To distract myself, I decided to do the dirty work myself, easing into the calmness it brings. Andros walks in without bothering to knock and I can tell from the haste in his steps that whatever has pushed him to forget rules is bigger than he can handle. “It’s the note found on the maid that died last night.” he passes the folded paper over the dead body on the slab.The letter begins with so much apology, thanking me for my good deeds—which is laughable because I don’t do anything unless it benefits me directly—and how it hurts to betray the Seemya this way. A bunch of other nonsense I lose interest in until my eyes catch Selena’s name. “WHAT?!” I bark out, enraged. “What is it?” Andros asks but I’m already on my feet. He grabs the discarded paper and his eyes go r

LILIANAAlthough Zoran is smiling at his wife, he looks like he’s been through a tough time. The exhaustion lining his features says enough. “Liliana, how are you feeling?”“I’m alright,” I tell him honestly. “Just need a few more days and I’ll be back on my feet. Don’t worry about me.”Selena claps her hands together. “And then you two will work on coming together to make me an aunt. I need a little running around the house and going on a destructive spree.”Damian’s head snaps toward her so fast I can almost hear the crack. “Get out.”Zoran lets out an exasperated sigh, shaking his head like he can’t believe his wife. “Let’s just go home.”She snickers at him, sliding off the bed. “What? Too soon? Nobody says they have to start going at it like rabbits right away.”“Out. Go with your husband,” he orders, already pinching the bridge of his nose. Zoran barely holds in a laugh as he takes her hand, leading her towards the door. “Come on, troublemaker.”Her eyes meet me, rounding in di