Novels by Inio

CHAPTER 8ELENAI woke up feeling… weird.Like my brain was in a foggy mix of embarrassment, denial, and pure delusion. Last night’s memory slammed into me at full force the second I opened my eyes.Oh God.I watched Lucian have sex. I touched myself because of it. I moaned his name.I flung my pillow over my face.“Maybe I should just move to another country,” I groaned.But the smell of food drifted into my room, and my stomach betrayed me like the traitor it is. Breakfast. Right. People in this mansion exist. Life goes on. Even when your dignity has permanently left the chat.I forced myself out of bed, changed into something decent, and headed downstairs.Bad idea number one of the day.The moment I stepped into the kitchen, I stopped dead in the doorway.There. By the stove. Stirring something like she owned the entire world…Her.The girl from last night.Vanessa.Wearing one of Lucian’s shirts.Bare legs. Long silky hair. Perfect everything.And standing right beside her?Lucia

CHAPTER 7ELENA“Hmmm… yeah… fuck…”My eyes snapped open.Wait. What?I blinked into the darkness of my room, confused. It was dead silent for a second… and then—“Mmm… ah—Lucian…”I sat straight up in bed.WHAT. THE. HELL.Was someone—moaning?! In this house???At THIS hour???I held completely still like I was in some horror movie and the killer would hear me breathing. Maybe I was dreaming. Maybe my dirty subconscious was doing the most again. I flopped back on my pillow and closed my eyes.“Harder—ahh—”My eyes flew open AGAIN.Nope. NOT a dream.That was 100% a female voice.And unless this house suddenly got haunted by horny ghosts… someone was getting absolutely railed.My heart slammed in my chest. Curiosity? Panic? Jealousy? I didn’t even know. All I knew was I was awake now and there was no way I could pretend I didn’t hear—

CHAPTER 6ELENAHe pulled back.The heat in his eyes dimmed like a flame snuffed out by a sudden gust. His hands loosened from my waist. His breath brushed my cheek once more—then nothing.The air shifted. The tension that had crackled like a live wire dissolved, leaving me stupidly hanging against the wall with my chest heaving.He stepped back like I was nothing more than a passing thought.“Lucian—”“Dinner’s cold,” he said, tone flat. Not a trace of what just happened lingered in his voice. Like he hadn’t just caged me between his body and the wall. Like I hadn’t just dared him in Italian.My mouth opened but nothing came out. He straightened his sleeves, composed, elegant, untouchable. The mask slid back into place with surgical precision.He walked to the dining table, sat, and picked up his fork. Just like that.I stood there for a second, brain struggling to catch up.Did I hallucinate that entire moment?“Elena,” he said without looking up, “are you going to stand there all n

CHAPTER 5ELENAEight suitcases.That’s how much of my life I’d stuffed into rolling leather and zippered fabric, every single one lined up at the bottom of the staircase like I was preparing for exile.“Seriously?” Aria’s voice slithered down the stairs before her body did. She leaned on the banister, lips curling like the devil’s pet. “Eight? No wonder Adrian couldn’t carry you either. Always too much baggage.”I froze mid–zip. My blood boiled, but my hands stayed steady. “At least mine isn’t spread out between other people’s beds.”Her smirk faltered for one second—one glorious second—but she recovered fast. “Keep telling yourself that. We both know Adrian never wanted you. I was just better.”“You mean cheaper.” I snapped the last suitcase closed with a violent tug and turned to face her. My palm still tingled from the slap I’d given her earlier. God, I wanted to do it again.She sauntered closer, eyes sparkling with malicious delight. “You think leaving makes you stronger? It mak

CHAPTER 4ELENA My phone was screaming before my brain was ready to deal with life.I cracked an eye open, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling—sleek lines, leather furniture, city skyline outside wide glass windows. Lucian’s office.And then the smell hit me. Clean, expensive, male.I groaned, rolling over, tugging the blanket tighter. My dress was gone. In its place was a neatly folded button-up shirt and tailored sweatpants that absolutely did not belong to me.A note sat on the coffee table in handwriting sharp enough to slice.Had to head to a meeting. Change into these. Call me.—Lucian810-384638Of course he left his number like a signature. I was still staring at the note when my phone kept vibrating off the couch. I grabbed it, squinting at the caller ID. My father.Great. Just what I needed.“Hello—”“WHERE ARE YOU?” His voice boomed so loud I yanked the phone from my ear. “Do you know the shame you’re bringing on this family? Come home. NOW.”My blood iced. “What the hell

CHAPTER 3ELENAThe silk cut into my wrists just enough to remind me I wasn’t in control.Lucian stood above me, tall, impossibly composed, his shirt still buttoned like he wasn’t about to shatter me with a single command. His tie bound me, his gaze burned me, and my heart was trying to claw its way out of my chest.“Good girl,” he murmured.Heat shot through me so fast I almost forgot to breathe. “You—don’t say that,” I managed, even as my thighs pressed together.He smirked. “Why not? You obeyed beautifully.”My mouth opened, but nothing came out.Lucian tugged at his belt, slow and deliberate, eyes never leaving mine. “Look at you,” he drawled. “On your knees for a man you barely know.”“I know enough,” I whispered, surprising myself.“Do you?” His zipper slid down, the sound loud in the silence. “Do you know what you’re asking for, Elena?”My throat tightened. “I’m not afraid.”His laugh was quiet, dangerous. “You should be.”Then he freed himself, and my mouth went dry.“Oh, God,