Nobela ni Christie Bassey

ARIAThe doors opened, and for a moment I stood still.I was holding my bouquet, and ahead of me was the aisle.And I was suddenly frozen in place. My father was here in his wheelchair, but weeks ago, I had made the choice to walk myself down the aisle. No one was giving me away. I had already given myself away too many times in my life, and this step of tt way and this vowas mine to make. All mine.I moved forward slowly, the train of my dress dragging against the floor, and each step of mine matched my heartbeat.Nyx and Xander were seated in the same row, stiff in their suits, their eyes fixed in opposite directions like magnets turned the wrong way. Neither had spoken a word to the other since everything went sour between them, but still, they had come. That was something. That was love, in its own stubborn shape.I kept walking.I smiled at Reed and Michelle. His arms were around her shoulders, and she looked radiant, her hands resting in her pregnancy bump. Evelyn had claime

ARIA The twins had wormed their way under my blanket again. They always did like two little magnets who believed my arms were made to hold them forever. I wasn’t complaining, especially now when the house finally felt like a house again and not a battlefield I was tiptoeing through. Lark’s giggles bubbled up against my chest as I held him pinned to me, my chin tucked over his soft hair that still smelled like his hair oil. He wriggled, his legs kicking uselessly, the sound so bright and unrestrained that it made something open in my ribs. “Help,” he squealed through his laughter, thrashing as though I were the villain in some great adventure. “Mama won’t let me go!” “You’re my prisoner,” I whispered dramatically into his ear, tightening my hold just enough to make him howl with delight. “Captured forever by me.” Across the bed, Caspian had Nylah by the wrists, letting her swing her tiny fists at his chest while he made exaggerated groans of defeat. “Oh no,” he crie

ARIAIt had been a week since Rowan was dragged out of the lobby in handcuffs, screaming like a man who couldn’t believe the world had stopped revolving around him. A week of statements, lawyers, and headlines that refused to soften. But today wasn’t about Rowan anymore.Today was about the girls.The driveway of the safe house was crowded with FBI vans, tinted windows reflecting the gray morning sky. Agents moved efficiently, guiding the girls toward the vehicles, carrying the small duffel bags they’d been given. Their faces were pale, some pinched tight, others blank with exhaustion. They were being moved again, this time to a long-term facility where therapists and doctors would help them put their lives back together.I stood near the porch steps, my arms wrapped around myself even though the morning wasn’t cold. I tried to look strong, but my throat burned.Sofia broke from the line, jogging to me with her ponytail swinging. She stopped short, her hands holding something tigh

ARIAI stood in the doorway of my office at Zane Corporation, staring at the half-packed boxes on my desk like they were funeral arrangements.That’s what it felt like, boxing up my office because I was done with this place. My five years with Bennett wasn't done yet, but there was no way in hell I was sticking around here. I didn’t even care about anything anymore. He could sue me if he wanted.Caspian leaned against the window, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a file he hadn’t opened once. He wasn’t here to help me carry boxes, he was here because he refused to leave me alone, and though I’d never admit it out loud, I was grateful.“You sure you don’t want me to just send someone?” he asked.I shook my head. “No. I started here. I’ll finish it myself.”He nodded, but his eyes stayed on me, watchful in a way that made my shoulders relax.I picked up the last framed photo on my desk. It was a picture of Nylah and Lark. The frame went into the box with a soft clink. That wa

ARIACaspian groaned, dragging a hand over his jaw like he’d said too much.I was suddenly shaking him. “Tell me please.” He smiled down at me, and there was happiness in his eyes. He reached for me, hugging me hard as though I was about to run. “Yes, I've been working with Duke. We've been bringing the girls Rowan trafficked back here to Luxenburg. We've moved them into the same house so they're safe and protected.”I stared at him, my heart climbing so high in my throat it hurt to swallow. “How many?”“Nine now.”Nine. The word smacked into me like a stone, rattling through every bone in my body. I held the edge of the seat, trembling. My hands wouldn’t stop. My whole body felt as though it belonged to someone else. It was as though this day was giving me everything and not stopping to allow me breath at all.I wasn't sure if I enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster, but I liked knowing those girls were finally safe. There was nothing better than that. “Why didn't you tell me? Why

ARIAI could have thrown the phone right out the window if it was possible. Every time I spoke to Camilla, I wanted to scratch the skin on my face right off.I opened my car door, slammed it shut and stared abruptly out of the windshield “When have I ever pretended to be a hero to Zara, Camilla? Even now you want to pretend our daughter was an angel? She was the fucking devil herself!” Camilla’s shocked silence made me realize the things I'd just said. I sat back, tugging my fingers through my hair.“How dare you, Aria? How could you? Your sister just died and that's all the sympathy you have?” Camilla squeaked in my ears. “She burned all her bridges, Camilla. I'm not sure why you would expect sympathy from the person she hated the most. I'm sorry for your loss though, please have a good day.” I ended the call, sat back and screamed into my fist.Yes, I had been foolish. I could feel the guilt warring with the need to bash my head against the steering wheel. I knew damned well it

TWO YEARS LATERThe garden smelled like roses and summer rain. There were lanterns hanging from old oak branches.I'd never dreamed of a wedding day catered to just my taste, but if I had, this would had been it. “You're crying.” Valentina murmured, taking a kerchief from her bag. I shook my head. “They're happy tears. I just wish Papa was here.” “So do I, buy you'll ruin your make up, and we don't want that.” I nodded, and slid my arm into Pietro’s who had watery eyes himself. “You make the most beautiful bride, Alina. I'm glad to see the day when you are happy.” I turned and hugged him hard, only pulling away when the marching band started. “Thank you for walking me down the aisle, Pietro.” “It's my honor. You could have picked anyone and you choose me.” He kissed my finger gently, and together, we walked down the aisle to Luca. Everything looked like a scene from a memory I’d want to keep forever. Because at the end of the aisle, Luca stood waiting.He looked devastatin

LUCAI didn't hear the shot from Ethan. I wasn't even sure where exactly he was shooting from, but one minute, Riot was huddled together with his guards, and the next second, his head jerked back. For a moment, it seemed he had tripped over something and the guards reached out to steady him. Except he didn't stop, he kept falling, his body folded in on himself like someone had pumped the life of him. Riot hit the pavement, blood pouring from his head shot wound, and flowing out onto the asphalt under him. None of the guards moved fast enough, and that was always a bad idea. They stopped and stared at him, as though they couldn't process what their eyes was showing them. I shoved open the SUV door and stepped out. The air was cold, smelled like rain and exhaust, but all I was looking at were the rooftops. My Glock was already in my hand, pointed up, and ready to shoot. Alvez was right behind me, grinning like this was his idea of a good time.Vector slid out on my side, his r

LUCAShe was quiet for a moment, searching my face. Then she nodded, tears welling in her eyes, but this time, they were good tears. “Yes.”I kissed her again, deeper this time, and she laughed against my lips. Leo came running over with grass stains on his knees, demanding juice, and Alina wiped her face quickly before scooping him into her lap. For a moment, everything felt easy.We sat together, sunlight burning my scalp while I watched the Leo and Maya run around the park. This was easy, I could do this. That was just before my phone rang. It was an unknown number and even before I answered, I could almost tell something was wrong. It was the prickle between my shoulders. It came and went, but it always came when there was danger. “Enjoying your day out, Luca?” a voice drawled on the other end.Every muscle in my body went rigid. “Who is this?”The man chuckled. “That’s a beautiful park, the boy and girl are cute. Shame if something happened to them.”My eyes shot to my men,

LUCADinner was loud. Louder than I’d have liked for someone who’d been shot a few days ago, but I let it happen because the kids deserved it.Maya was laughing at something on Pietro’s phone, the sound of her tiny giggles lighting the dining room.Bruno was stretched out under the table, tail thumping every so often like he was in a good mood. My plate was barely touched. Between the stitches in my side pulling every time I moved and the storm that was always brewing in the back of my head, food didn’t exactly feel like a priority. Alina sat next to me, hair tucked behind her ear, laughing as she spooned mashed potatoes onto Leo’s plate.She caught me staring and gave me this small, knowing smile that said she wasn’t fooled for a second by my silence.That’s when my phone rang. I didn’t even check the caller ID. Campbell’s voice reached my ears the moment I pressed answer.“Mila’s gone.”I leaned back, my fingers tightening around the fork I hadn’t realized I was still holding. “

ALINAHe was breathing, thank God, but his breaths were shallow, wet. My heart felt like it was splitting in two.“I’m fine,” he rasped, like the idiot he is, clutching at his side.“Shut up, you’re not fine! Stop talking!” My voice changed into a scream without warning, and I was shaking so hard I could barely see.“I am.”“Don’t you dare,” I snapped at him, pressing both hands against the wound. My palms were slick with his blood. He groaned, flinching under the pressure, and that sound nearly had me breaking into hives.Bella was still standing there in shock, her hands clamped over her mouth, the gun dangling uselessly in one hand. Her whole body shook as she whispered, “I didn’t mean to…oh my God, I didn’t mean to!”I tried to lift him, grabbing under his arms, but his weight was dead against me, too heavy, and I almost dropped him. Panic clawed up my throat. “Help! Somebody help me!” My scream was raw, desperate. “Pietro!”Footsteps hurried down the hall, and Pietro burst into

ALINABella’s hand trembled as she moved the gun from me to Luca. Her face was pale under the warm lights, a strange mix of grief and fury twisting her features until she barely looked like my mother anymore.“You killed him,” she spat. “How could you? After everything I did for you, for this family, this is how you repay me?” I didn’t look away from my mother's face, and it wasn't because I wasn’t terrified, because I was shaking in my shoes. Every nerve in my body was screaming at me to run, to duck, to scream for help. But Luca was beside me, and if there was a single thing I knew for certain, it was that I wasn’t going to let her hurt him.“Everything you did for me?” My hands curled into fists at my sides, nails digging into my palms. “You helped Matteo kill my father, Mama. I know what you did. You stood by and watched while he took everything from us, and I forgave you. I didn’t say a word. I swallowed it, even when it burned every time I looked at you. Don’t you dare stan

LYSSANDRA “Get into the car, Miss Veyn, I'll go after him.” Confused, I hurry into the car, calling Erden, but he doesn't answer. That's very unlike him, but maybe he's still sleeping. Again, that doesn't make sense because Farouk hinted that he just spoke to him. “Wait!” Farouk stops the car, and I take my phone from my bag, hurrying back to the bar. There's something wrong about all of this. Something very very wrong. I turn the flashlight on, training it on the floor where I slipped. Bloody hell. Literally. We've just trampled all over a crime scene. The red liquid I’d just slipped on is stained everywhere. “Stop moving.” Farouk snaps beside me. He turns on his phone and trains the light everywhere. There's blood splattered everywhere. It's on the floor, staining the counter itself, and there's a pool of it seeping from behind the counter. When we step closer, and look over the bar, I gasp, my eyes flying open, because lying on the floor behind the bar with a gunshot wound

LYSSANDRA The next morning, I wake before Erden does. His chest rises and falls evenly as I scoot gently to the edge of the bed. My phone is ringing, and that's what woke me up. I'm surprised it hasn't woken Erden too.I walk over to my bag and find the phone, then answer the call. “You're at Erden’s house? I thought you were mad at him?” Riley slurs at me. “I need you.” Fuck! I'd totally forgotten to check on Riley. I press the phone against my ears with my shoulder while I sneak around and find my clothes. “How'd you find out?” “I had to call Trent to find you and he said you're there! And you know I hate calling him right now. Look, I need a ride back home.” She sounds more drunk with each word. “Where on earth are you? Have you been out all night?” “Can you drive me home?” Her voice falters and I know it's not the right time to question her. “Fine. I'll be there with Farouk in a few minutes.” I tell her. “Send me your location.” “Thank you, Lyssie.” She mutters, ending

LYSSANDRA I don't know if I should, but my skin crawls as I back away from Erden, turn and run out of that stifling room. I can barely breathe as the cool air outside hits me. I bend, gasping as the first inhale hits my lungs.I want to run away from his words, but they've chased me outside. I'm the reason he looks scarred, the many scars on his back, the one I asked him about that he wouldn't divulge? A harsh breeze cuts across my face and I hear the door bang shut behind me. Erden’s footsteps sound closer and when I struggle up, looking back at him, he's staring blankly at the door. I wish he'd never brought me here. I didn't need to know his truth, but my lips twist. This was exactly the reason he never brought me. If his siblings hadn't come to me, he never would have told me to truth of what happened to him. I want to weep, or maybe raise his father from the dead and kill him all over again for what he's done to us. Erden opens my car door. “Get in, Lys, I'll drop you of

ERDEN I shouldn't be bringing her here. There has been nothing but pain for me in this place. Still, I park the car in the underground garage, and sit there, staring ahead with my fist clenched. “Are you sure you want to do this, Erden?” Lys stares ahead, her fingers clenched in her lap. “Are you sure you want to show it to me? We can leave if it's too much.” I throw back my head, laughing. Showing her this place isn't too much considering what my brothers and me suffered here. “I don't see what's funny?” She asks, glaring at me from the corner of her eyes. She looks so beautiful with her brows furrowed in confusion. And I know she's angry at me, but she's more worried about how I'll react going into this place. Shaking my head, I unlock my car door and walk around to open her own door. When Lys steps out, I take her fingers. “Come on, let's go.” We walk to the door, Lys hesitating every few steps as though she knows what's waiting for her inside. It take

LYSSANDRA I think I stand for five minutes after the call ends, staring blankly at the phone. My heart feels like it's been ripped out of my body and is now pounding in my palm. I'm sure it's Nyra, because no one calls me Lyssie except her. Farouk walks back to me. “Ma'am? Is there something wrong?” I shake my head, moving finally. My chest is tight, and my throat burns. I hurry to the car and slide in, slamming the door shut so he doesn't see my tears. “Let's go home.” I say to Farouk who nods, gives me a look in the mirror and starts driving. I email Iris, telling her to finish mapping the testing results with the rest of the team. I don't think I can go back there with the way I'm shaking like a leaf. Pulling the phone from my bag, I dial the number again, waiting as it rings and rings but no one answers. I call again and again, but I get the same reaction. Farouk says something but I can't hear him. My mind is too full with one thought. I know that voice,

LYSSANDRA I haven’t seen Erden in two days. There hasn't been a text or call from him, not even a damned word through Farouk who still tails me like a shadow. It doesn't bother me, after all, I did ask him to leave me alone. But there's a difference between wanting distance and being abandoned, and Erden Kryne has never been good at telling the difference. I stare down at the array of sample tubes on the table, the sterile white light washing everything out in a blue tint. The sound of Iris typing beside me is distracting, but at least, it ensures I'm not completely alone. The scary thing about Erden’s silence is that I don't know where he is or what he's up to. Is he digging into Meredith? The very thought has a cold sweat breaking out on my skin. I pick up a pipette, and calibrate it. The numbers are blurry for half a second, and I blink hard, forcing my attention back. “How many subjects are prepped?” I ask Iris. “Eight, Dr. Veyn,” Iris says. “They’re all c