Novels by Nessa

Rachel POVI stepped into the coffee shop. The smell of rust filled my nose as the old floorboards squeaked beneath my feet, and I straightened my back against the creepy, hollow atmosphere.Then I saw Marcus near the back. Before I could reach him, he crossed the room and pulled me into a deep, crushing hug.For a second, I went stiff. Then tears prickled at my lashes, and I hugged him back. This was what Mark had been worried about? Marcus would never hurt me. He loved me. He was just going through something dark. I breathed in his familiar scent-soap, coffee, something warm and safe-and let myself feel held.When he finally pulled back, his hands came up to cup my face. His touch was gentle, but his eyes burned with restrained anger."Why didn't you tell me?" he asked. His voice was low and tight.I didn't flinch. I just gave a small, awkward smile. "So you know now..."Marcus let go of my face and sighed, deep and heavy. Then he took my hand and led m

Rachel POVI sat calmly with Leo beside me, drawing next to him and Thalia while I waited for news from Mark. A few days ago, I had told him my plan. Soon I would be able to reach Marcus, but first he needed an excuse to take me out of the safe house without raising suspicion."Mrs. Montrel."I turned to see Miss Clara walking toward me, her face calm but her eyes curious. "I heard you were planning on going shopping for the kids today."I nodded, relieved that this must be Mark's excuse. "Yes, just a few toys to keep them distracted with everything that's happening.""I understand," she said, "but I could go for you. You could stay here with the kids. It's best for you to relax."Leo looked up from his sketch. "You're going shopping?""Yeah, a few toys for you all," I said, pinching his cheek lightly before turning back to Clara. "It's fine. My guard will carry the heavy loads." I stood up. "And I'm tired of being cooped up inside. A little ride won't hu

Rachel POVI sat at the head of the dining table, watching the kids eat.The room was warm. Loud enough, between the scraping of cutlery and Matteo's running commentary about everything on his plate. Thalia ate quietly, methodical as always.But Leo was barely eating at all. He pushed his food around his plate in slow, distracted circles, his eyes somewhere far away.It had been a week since Damien and the others left. A week of waiting, of guards watching my every move, of pretending to be calm for three children who needed someone to be calm for them. The situation hadn't moved. The Raven was still out there. Marcus was still out there.And I was stuck here with no way to reach either of them.I wanted to do something. Fix something. I just didn't know how."Leo, come on. Eat." I nudged him gently.Leo sighed, nodding without enthusiasm, picking up his fork and pushing a piece of food into his mouth like it was the hardest thing he'd done all week.

Damien POVThe room was cold. Concrete walls, a single flickering light overhead. Jane sat chained to a metal chair in the center, her wrists bound, her ankles secured. Blood stained the bandages on her legs where Mark had shot her days ago.She didn't seem to notice.She was smiling.I stood across from her, arms crossed, jaw tight. Alessandro leaned against the wall near the door, observing. Two guards stood by the exit, silent and watchful.Jane's eyes were fixed on me. Unblinking. Hungry."You're wasting your time," she said, her voice light, almost cheerful. "I won't tell you anything about the Master.""The Master," I repeated flatly. "Is that what you call him?"Jane's smile widened. "He's more than a master. He's... everything. Purpose. Salvation." Her voice dropped to a reverent whisper. "He saved me."Alessandro raised an eyebrow. "Saved you from what?"Jane didn't look at him. Her eyes stayed fixed on me. "From myself. From the dark

Marcus arrived at his father's apartment and pushed the door open without knocking.Boxes everywhere. Running away again?"Dad!" Marcus called out.His father appeared from the office, shocked. "Marcus? What are you-""Where is my sister? I heard she was kidnapped and no one told me."His father flinched. "Calm down-""Don't tell me to calm down." Marcus stepped closer. "Do you know where her boyfriend lives? Because if not, we're filing a missing person report. Daniel doesn't have the right to lock her away.""Rachel was here yesterday." His father's voice was quiet. "She's safe. But she's badly injured."Marcus went still. "Injured how badly?"His father looked away."Dad. What aren't you telling me?"His father took a slow breath. "Marcus... I know about your organization. I know you've been attacking the Montrels."Marcus stared at him. "How do you know that?""That doesn't matter. I thought you had moved on. Let go of the past

Marcus POVThe hotel room was dark except for the city lights bleeding through the floor-to-ceiling windows.Marcus stood by the glass, a wine glass loose in his hand, watching the traffic crawl below. He didn't drink. Just held it. The weight was familiar. Grounding.His phone rested on the arm of the chair behind him. The call had been connected for several minutes. Neither of them had spoken for the last two.Finally, the voice on the other end broke the silence."Sir. Jane isn't answering. None of them are."Marcus didn't turn around. "I know.""The compound is lost. Montrel's people swept through. We're still accounting for the missing.""I know." His voice was calm. Too calm. "Jane was captured."A pause. "Then our position may be compromised. If she talks-""She won't.""You don't know that, sir. Under enough pressure-""Jane would cut out her own tongue before she betrayed me." Marcus finally turned, setting the wine glass on t